MAC Viva Glam Rihanna

Every year, MAC releases new lipstick and gloss for charity. 100% of the proceeds to go men, women and children living with the AIDS (HIV Virus).

Image Credit: MAC Cosmetics

I try to support this worthy cause.

This year's launch is exciting.

Rihanna's signature is on the exterior paper box packaging as well as on the lipstick tube and glass lipglass tube.




























The lipstick packaging is BEAUTIFUL!
 I am usually not a sucker for this kind of thing, but I love this frosty tube!


I am not fully pleased with the finish of the lipstick. It is a frost. The wear time is about an hour for me alone.
I opted to add a MAC Lip Pencil as a base to increase the wear time. It helped increase the time to three hours. I was somewhat unhappy with the finish as it bled overtime, despite the use of the lip pencil.

I prefer to use a lip pencil, a matte lipstick and gently dab the frost lipstick on my pout. I achieved the best results doing this.

Did you purchase this?
Do you plan to support the campaign this year?

Lips Of The Day Featuring MAC Cult of Cherry

I love this lipgloss. I have been obsessed with some form of dark red lip for the past month and a half.

I was thrilled when MAC decided to repromote the Cult of Cherry Gloss!

Do you own this gloss?

MAC HEAUX and RIRI BOY Swatches

This may be my very last lip swatch. Hubby goes back and forth as to whether or not he wants my lips online.
This has also factored in to my lack of posts. UGH!

On a side note, I am eyeing a Lands' End Sweater the same color as the HEAUX lippy. UGH!

Do you ever match your lipstick with your outfit?

Does your significant other object to your posting photos of yourself online?

MAC Prep N Prime Highlighter Bright Forecast

For about 3 months I have been following tredayy on Instagram.
I was awestruck by her highlight.
Finally I delved in and purchased MAC Prep N Prime Highlighter Pen in Bright Forecast.
It cost $25 for .12 fluid ounces. OUCH!
It has a brush tip.
I feel a little bit does go a long way.
I had to click this thing like 14 times in order for any product to finally come out!
I store this on it's side as recommended by the MUA online. 
.

I corrected my dark under eye circles with an orangey studio fix concealer.
I added a concealer 1 shade lighter than my normal skin tone. I added Bright Forecast and blended it with a damp sponge. I set it with Ben Nye Banana Powder. I added NARS Gold Highlighter from the Foreplay palette with a dual fiber small brush.
I set my entire face with Urban Decay All Nighter spray.









On first the day that I wore this outside, men were going out of their way to greet me.
I'm not promising you will get the same results when you wear this. I'm just warning you.

Do you own this product?
Would you consider purchasing it?
I would definitely purchase it again.

Sorry Albatross We Need a Break - Face Of The Day (FOTD)

Albatross was my favorite facial highlighter! That is until I found my new love, the gold in the NARS Foreplay Palette. My poor Albatross has been archived for a while.
Check out this Face Of The Day

Blackberry Pic - Indirect Sunlight

FACE

Prime - Black Radiance Anti - Shine
Foundation - MUFE HD #177
Highlight - Gold from the NARS Foreplay Palette
Contour - e.l.f. Clarifying Pressed Powder SPICE
Set - MAC Transparent Loose Powder













BROWS

Above Concealer - MAC Studio Finish - NC50
Fill - Maybelline Define A Brow - BROWNEST BROWN
Below Concealer - MAC Studio Finish - NC45

EYES

Under Eye Concealer - Lorac Cover Up C7 & MAC Select Moisture Cover NC45 set with MAC Powder WARM LIGHT
Prime -NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer
Base - MAC Paint Pot SOFT OCHRE
Mobile Lid - Light brown from Wet n Wild Vanity Palette (MAC Texture dupe),
Crease - L'Oreal Matte SUEDE BROWN
Deepen Outer V - Dark Brown from Wet n Wild Vanity Palette
Transition - MAC Saddle
Inner Tear Duct & Highlight - L'Oreal HIP Loose Eyeshadow Pigment RESTLESS (applied w/ wet brush)
Under Lashline - Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow - TENACIOUS TEAL set with L'Oreal HiP Duo FLASHY (teal side only)
Tightline & Waterline - Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil ZERO
Top lashline - Winged liner with Wet n Wild H20 Liquid Liner BLACK
Mascara - Maybelline the Colossal GLAM BLACK
Set with Urban Decay ALL NIGHTER Spray

Blackberry Pic - Indirect Sunlight

CHEEKS

Base - L'Oreal HiP Blendable Blushing Cream TICKLED (Copper)
Powder - NARS TAJ MAHAL

LIPS

Line - NK BROWN
Fill - NARS HONOLULU HONEY
Gloss - Milani 3D DESIGNER LABEL

What is your favorite facial highlighting powder?

Lips Of The Day (LOTD) MAC Russian Red and Cult Of Cherry Lip Glass

Just a quick LOTD.
I was eager to try this combo.
Line - NK BROWN
Fill - MAC RUSSIAN RED (matte)
Gloss - MAC CULT OF CHERRY

A review an seperate swatch of CULT OF CHERRY is coming soon.

I love a bold red lip. 

How about you?
Are you ready for fall?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows (New Ltd Edition Colors Added)

Just a quick update.
Swatches soon.

New Colors, 2 different Displays available at 2 different locations.

Bright Colors available at Target Only!










TARGET Item #'s :
100 Blue on By - 052070607

200 Ready, Set, Green - 052070610

300 Fuchsia Fever - 052071013

400 Test my Teal - 052071015

Thanks to kokofemme (click for video review) of YouTube for sharing the codes so we can call ahead to see if these items are in stock. Some makeup fiends have been fortunate enough to have been able to have these reserved for them by Target employees.

Rite Aid features the new Neutrals in a Limited Edition Fall Display

This week (8/12-8/18/2012) Rite Aid is featuring Maybelline Face & Eye Cosmetics Buy 1 Get 1 50% off.
When you get to the register, have the circular ready. These rang up both at full price. The manager gave me an adjustment to get the 2nd for half price to honor the advertised price. Others have experienced this problem at checkout as well.

The 4 new colors available are
300 Gold Shimmer
200 Ready Set Green
200 Mossy Green
100 Barely Beige (Many are saying this is a dupe for MAC Paintpot in Painterly)



Do you have any plans on purchasing any of these newer eyeshadows?

A few MAC Goodies!

Hubby surprised me with some MAC goodies! He keeps a copy of my wish list in his phone.
I was very excited! Generally I stick with the Amplified formula lipsticks. One of my collegues suggested I try Fresh Brew (Lustre). She said it was more wearable than Viva Glam Gaga 2.

I was surprised to see that Tan Pigment has a dupe in my collection. L'Oreal HiP Loose Eyeshadow in TENACIOUS.



Left to right single eyeshadows
Rice Paper
Saddle
Goldmine
Juxt



I cannot wait to play with these colors. Do you own any of these goodies? Are any of them on your wish list?

NK HD Eyeshadow Collection - with some MAC dupes

3001 frosty creamy white


3002 blue based pink (discontinued)

3003 frosty baby pink

3004 punchy matte reddish coral

3005 dark plum – MAC Heritage Rouge pigment dupe

3006 shimmery turquoise –
         MAC Parrot/L'Oreal hip Showy dupe with     better texture and color payoff

3007 matte powder blue

3008 matte light tan

3009 deep warm brown with gold undertones

3010 pale shimmery green

3011 frosty mauvey pink-ish purple

3012 frosty lavender (silver based)

3013 frosty tan (silver based)

3014 frosty gray-ish brown (silver based)

3015 deep red based brown (gold undertones)

3016 shimmery dark bark colored brown (gold undertones)

3017 shimmery light champagne (gold & silver undertones)

3018 frosty khaki greenish brown (silver based)

3019 frosty Periwinkle (silver based)

3020 metallic gold based blue –

         somewhere between MAC Deep Truth and Freshwater

3021 shimmery off black (silver based)

3022 shimmery yellow-green

3023 shimmery hunter green (gold based)

3024 pink/blue duochrome

         like MAC Stars and Rockets/Pink Pearl Pro pigment, but with a less blue

3025 matte blue based dark magenta - MAC Hepcat dupe

3026 shimmery yellow -

          pretty close dupe of MAC Bright Force/ slightly more payoff than Crest The Wave

3027 shimmery light terra cotta

3028 shimmery yellow gold

3029 shimmery bronze gold

3031 mid toned purple shimmer

3033 silver

3032 silvery light pink

3034 satiny turquoise - MAC Haunting dupe w/ better payoff

3035 shimmery light turquoise (gold undertones)

3037 matte black/ MAC Carbon dupe

3039 satiny electric hot pink (gold undertones) –

         Dupe of MAC Bright Fuchsia Pro Pigment

Display in my local ethnic Beauty Supply Store.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Have you bought any of these eyeshadows yet?

MAC 217 Brush - What's All the Hype?

I am a bargain shopper by nature. Even if I may have the money to buy a high end item, there is a checklist of prerequisites that must be met before I invest in it. That having been said, I did my due diligence researching the 217 brush. After careful consideration, I added it to my arsenal of brushes.

Website Promises

"For shading or blending of colour or creamy products. This brush has fine, densely packed fibers that are arranged in an oval shape. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules."

I love this brush. I can achieve the same blending by using four other less expensive brushes.
However, I can complete an entire look using just this one brush. This saves me a lot of time.
That alone makes it worth the investment. I have been using it for a month.

Here's the breakdown

PROS
Shedding is minimal.
Washes well.
Can be used with creams and powders.
Light weight handle.

CONS
Stains, but one can educate one's self on the proper cleaning of this type of brush. A cleanse off oil may remove stains.
Price $22.50 OUCH!

If you invest in no other expensive eyeshadow brush, this is the one you MUST HAVE in your tool kit.
Do you own this brush? Is it on your Wish List?

Milani Powder Blush Collection

Indoor Lighthing - With Flash




Indoor Lighting - No Flash

Makeup Boards tout Milani Blushes as dupes for high end Blushes

Milani Powder Blush LUMINOUS = NARS Orgasm
Milani Mineral Powder Blush MAI-TAI = MAC Hipness
Milani Mineral Powder Blush SUNSET BEACH = MAC Raizin
















On my MAC NC50 complexion, Luminous barely shows.
I think it makes a pretty highlight.
I prefer the matte mineral powder formulations.
They are highly pigmented. When I set them with transparent powder, and Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix, they last longer than if I used nothing. The general consensus is they last about three hours when worn alone. I need to play with the newer additions to my collection to get a true estimate of staying power. Generally I use a cream base first for all of my powders.
I have just one more color to add to my collection for it to be complete, Sweet Rose.

Do you own any of these blushes?













Swatches Left to Right - Indoor Lighting With Flash
Luminous, Sunset Beach, Mai-Tai

Close Dupe Alert - Ruby Kisses Velvet Red (RLS39) = MAC Violetta?

Ruby Kisses Lipstick may be found at your local beauty supply store.

Velvet Red (RLS39) is a little more red than Violetta.
It may be a closer dupe to MAC Pervette.

Left Ruby Kisses Velvet Red (RLS39)

Right MAC Violetta

The redness of the Velvet Red may be compensated for by using a blue based plum liner.

$1 vs. $14.50

Of course it is always important to remember that texture and wear time may be less when using less expensive products. I find the textures and wear time to be quite similiar.
The Ruby Kisses is smooth, creamy and very moisturizing.
Wear time = about 3 hours.  If you don't mind reapplying, go for it.

What do you think?

Dupe for MAC Liberty of London Everhip Lipstick

I obsessed with coral lip colors lately.
I picked up an NK lipstick for $1.29 from an ethnic beauty supply store.
924 Coral Pink
I quickly realised it is a dupe for MAC
Everhip (Creamsheen) Lipstick.
This has made me seriously reconsider my highend lipstick purchases.





Left to Right Swatches
MAC (Liberty of London - Limited Edition)EVERHIP
NK Coral Pink

MAC Haul - LUSH Samples and Surprize Meeting with a YouTuber

Today was theee best day ever!
After having celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary last week, my husband & I decided to commit to going on dates more often. We set today to visit the city.

1st stop the book store, 2nd stop MAC (freestanding).
It was my first ever visit to a freestanding MAC store.
Previously, I acquired my MAC products from Macy's, MAC Online, or the CCO.

I was excited! I happend to bump into Marsha of BrownFaceTV on YouTube.
(check her out. Love her MAC hauls & her natural hair care talk!)
She was very friendly. I think I probably scared her because I recognized her but she totally didn't know who I was. Completely understandable. My husband said we were busting it up like we were old friends. I explained the concept of the UNIVERSAL Language of Makeup! We had a good laugh over that one. It was a pleasure to have met Marsha. I am sure I will probably see her again at a MAC event in the future. Check out her BrownFaceNews
BrownFaceBeeblogs.



On to the haul.



I picked up
a MAC empty 15 Eyeshadow Palette. I have two of the Coastal Scents palettes , but I wanted to upgrade/transition to MAC. The Coastal Scents ones are adequate, however they have a foam type substance surrounding each e/s well. It is difficult to keep this clean when shadow spills over onto it. I also watched an organizational video from EnKore on YouTube this morning.
In it he featured a $10 DVD holder which he purchased from The Container Store. It fit the MAC palettes perfectly.

I finally was matched correctly re: my foundation. Previously I had been wearing NC43. Matched at Macy's MAC counter. Waaaaay too light for me. My daughter is very light skinned & this is actually a better match for her. I used to mix it with darker colors to achieve the look I wanted. It just wasn't cutting it. How about I'm NC50. A big difference. The formula is Select SPF. I will be doing a tutorial per Vixxan's request at some point to show how I apply it. It dries really quickly.

from Liberty of London Collection, I purchased Perennial High Style lipglass and Ever Hip lipstick (Creamsheen).

After my husband took our photo outside of the MAC store, I gasped because to my delight there was a LUSH store directly across the street.



I was thrilled! The sales person was uber helpful. I generated a wish list for future purchases. He was kind enough to share their catalog with me as well as couple of samples. YAY!

The Shades of U MAC Brush Set Giveaway for Subscribers

WOW! Check it out!









Link to The Shades of U Blog

Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds Review

This discontinued product may be found at your local dollar store.
I found it works best over another product, like lipstick or lip pencil to make it last longer. A little bit goes a long way. It makes your lips look spectacular.
It does not last for very long, as the warmth of your body kind of spreads it out. If you don't mind reapplying, then this product is for you. It is not at all sticky.
Some colors are more sheer than others. Many of these have been identified as close MAC Dazzleglass dupes on some makeup message boards.





Spoiled in Rubies







Pink Carats







Jewels 'N Berries




PROS

- Inexpensive, if you lose it in a purse or pocket, it won't really matter
- Pretty
- Not sticky

CONS

- Hard to find
- Have to reapply very often
- Not sticky enough
* When worn alone, melts & only silver glitter is left.
* Glitter Migrates to rest of face

I give this product 4 out of 5 stars!