For years, I’ve been trying to get a concrete understanding of the differences between Glaze and Lustre lipsticks. When I go to the counter, these are typically the colors that I really love, but have to avoid.  Because they are so sheer, they don’t last  too long.  In this post, I’ll do a comparison. Click on each image to make it larger!

Glaze

Read on for swatches, descriptions, and more… Continue reading “Guide to MAC Lipstick Finishes: Lustre vs. Glaze” »

This is one of the collections that makes me really proud.  It’s not for the faint at heart, or the timid.  Half of the collection is MAC Pro, so if you’re in the mood to go major, do it! There are parts of this collection that I am head over heels for.  Some things just aren’t me, and probably won’t ever be. On to the reviews!

Lipstick ($14)

Metal Maven- Pale Frosted Silver (Frost)

Bubbles-Sheer Pale White Pink Ice (Glaze)

Riveting- Mid-Tone Dirty Mauve Taupe (Glaze)

Show Orchid-Vivid Hot Pink (Amplified)

My love for Show Orchid is endless. I’ve modeled it for you more times than enough. The others aren’t quite my taste.  They are the kind of products that you have to put effort into when wearing them.  Bubbles is the super pale girl’s old faithful.  I might wear Metal Maven to a Bootsy Collins concert.

Lipglass, Blushes and More…. Continue reading “MAC Riveting Collection” »

If you read or watch my blog or videos, you’ll know that my all time favorite foundation brush is the MAC 109 brush.  It’s got a small, dense head and makes the face insanely gorg.  I’ve recommended it for years, and people have always been happy with my recommendation.  There seems to be only one negative comment: the brush sheds the same way my hair did when I had a relaxer.  I can’t figure out for the life of me WHY it wants to leave teeny tiny hairs all over your face!  The best remedy that I’ve found was to shampoo and condition the brush with the same quality hair products that I use on my locks.  This helps, momentarily.

People often ask if they can use the 188 or 187 Skunk brushes for foundation.  Yes you can.  In fact, you can use any powder, blush, kabuki or flat brush, as well as sponges or your fingers to do your foundation.  There is no right or wrong way.  Trust me, I’ve used almost every technique in the book!  As I looked over the information about the new Mineralize Foundation that MAC was coming out with, I found this information on the recommended brush: the 130.

I’m sold.  It’s got the dense black bottom portion of the hair to hold the product, and the sparse white top portion to evenly dispense product.  It’s the lovechild of the 187 and 109 brush, and I have a feeling that I will be head over heels for it!  MAC Brushes are indeed expensive, but they are an investment.  I haven’t bought a new brush from them in at least 6 months.  This will be well deserved!  Wish me luck (and hopefully no shedding!)

For years, MAC was always my first choice for foundations.  Studio Fix (Powder and Fluid), Studio Tech and Studio Stick were always my go-to’s.  I couldn’t get with Mineralize Satinfinish (way too glowy) or Studio Sculpt (broke me out horribly).  And now, the lineup grows.  Introducing MAC Mineralize Foundation.  My good friend Niki who works for MAC tells me it’s as if Studio Tech and Moistureblend had a love child. Now if that isn’t sexy, I don’t know what is!

So, what does this mean for you?  You’ll get a super creamy, absolutely flawless, medium to full coverage foundation with SPF 15. If you want the airbrushed look without the inconvenience of an airbrush machine, cream foundation is almost always the way to go. Also, if you have dry skin, this is where you need to be!  I haven’t personally tried this foundation yet, but remember to set it well with powder.  As much as I LOVE Studio Tech, it will almost jump off of your face onto any nearby surface.  I’m hoping this won’t do the same.

Mineralize foundation comes in 23 colors, and is available for $32.00 in February, 2010.

Fashion Week is one of my favorite holiday seasons!  Models roaming the streets, backstage chaos, intoxicating fashion.  Mmm, I smell it already!  Now that Spring is only a few short months away, the new beauty trends are about to take effect.  Many of these things are products that have been around for years, but used for new look concepts.  Since I’m officially beauty, here’s what (and who) I captured in the tents.

Above Lipmix in orange, crimson and white are shown.  These dense creams make the perfect base for any great lip.  Artists used a dab of lipmix and custom blended with lipsticks and glosses. One of my favorite lip looks (inspired by Twinkle) uses MAC Orange Lipmix and Utterly Posh Dazzleglass.   Another  classic hit that popped up all over backstage are Face & Body Foundations.  These water based foundations are sheer and creamy, and work well mixed with other foundations.  They give little coverage, so they are perfect for evening out your skin or creating the illusion of perfect body. Also notice that there are a mix of brushes on the table, some MAC, but others are paint brushes that can be found at your local art store.

Backstage at Erin Fetherson, models wore soft smokey eyes using browns and taupes. Models wore Brun and Cork eye shadows, along with Teddy and Coffee eye pencils. Cheeks were glazed with Optimistic Orange Blush Cream, which debuted just last week with the MAC in Lillyland collection. It’s true, backstage is the testing ground for future collections!

Continue reading “Spotted: New York Fashion Week Spring 2010” »

Within the coming hours, MAC is coming out with a collection full of earthy, unisex shades for people all over the world.  The collection, is full of products that are sure to be people pleasers. We know that MAC’s mantra for years.  The two colors that I knew my WOC would love are Liqueur and Spirit & Soul.  Liqueur reminds me of a bronzier version of Oh Baby, but without all of that disturbing glitter.  Spirit & Soul is a gorgeous neutral.  As you see, it will work for everyone.

Also in this collection, four eye shadows, lipsticks, brow pencils, you name it, it’s here!  I’ve been a fan of Spiked eye brow pencil for about 2 years.  It’s pencil thin and gives a great natural color to the brows.  All’s Good Beauty Powder is also a great purchase for a neutral blush.  Looks fabulous on brown skin, tan skin, and pale skin! I was stoked about the Penultimate brow pen, but as my friend Nik told me, it’s a bit too light for me. Bummer.

I’m Kind of curious about the new pigments, and really hating the new packaging.  I’m one of those girls that likes things to stay uniform (except for my freakin’ blog layout, because I still haven’t found the one). Temptalia does a really great comparison of the old and new packaging.  My concern was the loss of product amount, but really, who can use an entire pigment in a lifetime?  I can’t wait to try both colors!!!  Check out everything All Ages, All Races, All Sexes has to offer at Maccosmetics.com!

Note: This lipgloss was sent to me as a PR sample for review.

Spring is in the air! This collection is inspired by Key West and writer Lilly Pulitzer. So I’m going to have to say that I’m excited about the entire collection!

The part that rocks my socks the most are the cream blushes! Oh my goodness. I will own all four. Trust! Remember, unless there is a warning in the package, any item can be used just about anywhere. I will be rocking all of these on my lips and cheeks. Typically, these are pretty thick in consistancy, so they will make awesome full coverage glosses, or lightly patted on with fingers for lip stains. Yes!!!

So Sweet, So Easy Off White with Pink Pearl
Optimistic Orange Bright Coral
Joie-De-Vivre Peachy Coral
Florida Bright Fuschia

The Lipgelees always excite me at first, but they are so sheer that they sometimes they bore me. The colors are really fun and perky at first sight. On the other hand, because they are so light, they work well over lipsticks. This way, they enhance the color without totally covering the lipstick. If you’re into barely there color, these are definitely for you!

Resort Life Off White with Pink Pearl
Lush & Bright Bright Pink Yellow-Coral with Pink Pearl
Preppy Blue Pink with Pink Pearl
Shift to Pink Light Violet with Silver Pearl

The Pearlmatte eye shadow trio and face powders look adorable! I’m all about matte this year, so I will try this out before I give any insight. I’m not too sure what to expect with them. Graphblack Technakohl is still the only eye liner that I can use in my waterline without it falling or smudging, and without setting it with powder. I’ve used many of these in my day!

Debut: December 26, 2009
Location: MAC Stores and Counters Nationwide

What a lovely concept for a new collection! I haven’t tried most of the products in this collection yet, but let me tell you about what I know.

3N Lipglass came out a few years ago with the N Collection. This is one of my all time favorite lipglass EVER. It’s one of the greatest nude lips ever. I own 4 backups of this gloss, and I’ll be buying 3 or 4 more. I keep each of the glosses in different handbags and makeup cases, and they are all getting deathly low!

Siss lipstick is another awesome nude lippie that my aunt got me stuck on a few years ago. It’s a bit lighter than I usually do, but looks great rimmed with a brown liner, and 3N is perfect to top it off. Siss is a permanent item, but it’s available only at MAC stores, not counters.

Light That Fire! Lipglass sounds beautiful. I’ve been getting into coral a lot this year. The description is mid-tone burnt coral with pearl. Sounds like it’s right up my alley. The four eye shadows sound lovely. I’ve used Embark on my brows for years, but the others sound neutral and look perfect for every occasion. I’ll have to see them up close and personal for the best analysis. I don’t really purchase Shadesticks anymore, I loved them and they great color assortment when they first came out, but now, eh. I’ve found better bases.

The Mineralize All Over Lotion sounds somewhat interesting. I’m always leary of products packed with “radiance” because they can so quickly get ashy on brown skin. I’ll have to test it out. It’s also for face and body, and uses the same elements as Charged Water. The Skinfinishes are also getting me excited. Comfort looks like the perfect multi-use powder for eyes and face alike.

Debuts: December 26, 2009
Where: MAC Stores and Counters nationwide

Looking for another amazing red lip? I’ve got one for ya! Introducing MAC Viva Glam 1. I overlooked this color for years! I bought every MAC Viva Glam Lipstick, because I wanted to help the cause. Once my love for lipsticks started earlier this year, I realized that this was a beast!  This was the very first color in the Viva Glam series, with RuPaul as their spokesperson.

Again, let me stress the importance of your Viva Glam purchase.  You’ll be sending $14 to people living with and/or affected by HIV and AIDS. In many countries, that can feed entires families for days.  For more information on the MAC AIDS fund, and how you can help, check out Macaidsfund.org.

Venetian Lusterglass is also the perfect lipgloss for all of your red lip glosses.  It’s sheer but makes a difference!  I’ve got more on a certain Ru-Paul “Extravaganza Elaganza” coming later in the day!  Stay tuned…

There’s so much to say about a day like today.  After all, it’s a day that shouldn’t exist.  Within upcoming years, hopefully it won’t.  There are so many ways that you can fight the cause, and here is the most fun ways.  MAC Cosmetics has been fighting to HIV/AIDS awareness for years now.  The Viva Glam Campaign is the greatest.  For $14, you not only get an amazing lip color,  every penny of the proceeds go to those affected by HIV/AIDS.    Nobody discounts on these products, by the way.  Employees, MAC Pro members. No one.  Absolutely amazing.  Helping the cause, and looking fabulous while doing so.

There are  6 permanent lipsticks and 2 glosses in the collection.  These are two of the only lipglosses that I have ever re-purchased (not only because of the cause, but because the colors are perfect).  Viva Glam V lipgloss is one of the most perfect neutral pink glosses on the market.  It can be worn with brown liners, or reddish liners.  Viva Glad VI adds a ruby finish to your lips and when I tell you that you’ll be hooked, I’m serious.  I love wearing it with Currant, Vino, or Velvetella!  Here are two swatches of the colors.  More info to come!