MAC Viva Glam Gaga swatches & mini-review

Love Lady Gaga. Love MAC. Love pink lipstick. So needless to say, I'm loving this. For those of you not familiar with the MAC Viva Glam campaign, 100% of the proceeds of VG products go to the MAC AIDS fund.
This color is really nice. It's a lustre formula, but the payoff is great. It's very shiny and can be applied sheer if you use a light hand, but the color builds very quickly to a very noticeable, but wearable pink.




The release date for this seems to be different all over the place. So just call your counter or store if you're unsure of it's availability. But it is available at maccosmetics.com already.

on left, I built up the color a little
just one swipe on right

(natural light, no flash)

Totally didn't plan the matching nail polish. It's the shade "Barbie" by Zoya.

MAC's Baby Goth Girl

I love this color-- But for some reason my painting was a bit sloppy today...haha. Haven't painted my nails in a while so maybe that's it? Anyway I really think that in the bottle and from the picture it looks unique, but in person that pretty purple iridescent sparkle is only visible under certain lights. Most of the time, it appears as a very dark burgundy, almost black, nail polish. But I actually really like it. Just be sure to apply a good top coat to enhance the sparkle even more. As I've said before about MAC polishes, some of the formulas really annoy me. Just because they are really streaky and require a lot of coats. This color didn't do that. It applied really evenly. I went ahead and applied two coats, but I was surprised when after only one coat, it was already opaque.

MAC Blush Palettes

6.4.09

Hey guys! Here is a little peek into my MAC blush palettes and how I organize them. Keep in mind these are just my powder blushes (and just MAC). I don't depot the cream blush or mineral blush or even some of the limited edition ones in cute packaging. I actually depot most of the l.e. ones because the little pots are annoying... I think I only have a couple that are not depotted (HK and Manish Arora)--trust me, it's been hard. I've wanted to depot them so bad! haha
**Also, I removed the inserts in the palettes, which basically serve as little "guides" to place your refill pans in. You don't need them since the entire bottom of the palette is a solid piece of metal, so the whole thing is magnetic. The insert just keeps them straight and separated. To me, removing the insert is worth the extra 2 spaces it provides. Normally, blush palettes hold only 6. With the inserts removed, they hold 8 nicely. Removing the inserts is easy. Just wedge something around the edges and it will pop right out.

(top-bottom, left-right)
Cute (dc'd), Well Dressed, Pinch O' Peach, Blushbaby
Pink Swoon, Dollymix, Peachykeen, X-Rocks (le)

Spaced Out (le), Cantaloupe (pro), Sunbasque, Prism
*Lightsweep (pro, shape powder), Harmony, Sincere, Gingerly
*only shape powder I own in a refill--I have all the shades in le duos--Lightsweep makes for an AWESOME color to use to blend out blush if you've overdone it or to highlight tan/olive skin tones, so I like to keep it handy :)

...and for my favorite. My Beauty Powder Blushes I've depotted. Please note, these ARE NOT the same as a Beauty Powder (see the FAQ section of my blog). They are FABULOUS and I love them. I want to eventually have all the shades. They are le items. I also have the HK Tippy bpb as well, but couldn't bring myself to depot it :) The formulas and the finish of these are just amazing.

(all shades are le)
Enough Said, Shy Beauty, Eversun, Serenely
Secret Blush, Stark Naked, Feeling, On a Mission

So I think I'm set with MAC blush...haha. Next on my list is to hopefully round out my bpb collection with the shades I don't have and I'm also working on a palette with other pro blush colors because they have awesome brights. I'll post that when it's all done and I'm happy with it ;)

Hope this was helpful! I've also done something similar with my MAC eye shadow palettes. Click here for that post. **Keep in mind, that was a few months ago and they've changed DRAMATICALLY since then. New post to come soon on that :)

Dazzleglass-y Goodness

My Dazzleglass Collection...so far :)

l-r: Sugarrimmed, Goldyrocks(LE), Baby Sparks, Bare Necessity, Smile, Rags to Riches, Money Honey, Funtabulous, Miss Dynamite(LE)**, Date Night

*Miss Dynamite actually was not released in Double Dazzle, but was a LE shade from a previous collection*

So as some of you may already know, most MAC stores and counters have released the Double Dazzle collection early. The release date was originally set for April 30th I believe. As far as I know they should be available online on the 28th. In addition to some of the older shades we know and love, this collection introduces 7 new colors as well. I purchased 4 from this new release and am planning on going back for the other 2 LE shades I didn't get- Utterly Posh and Stop! Look! (there were 3 total LE shades, I purchased the other-Goldyrocks). And now for your viewing pleasure...the swatches!

l-r: Sugarrimmed, Goldyrocks(LE), Baby Sparks, Bare Necessity, Smile, Rags to Riches, Money Honey, Funtabulous, Miss Dynamite(LE), Date Night

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l-r: Sugarrimmed, Goldyrocks(LE), Baby Sparks, Bare Necessity, Smile, Rags to Riches

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Money Honey, Funtabulous, Miss Dynamite(LE), Date Night

MAC Sugarsweet Collection Swatches & Review

I actually loved this collection in person...well, except for the funky tri-colored parfait-like lipglosses. Here is what I got and the swatches! You can also check out a full video review below.

Nail Polish in Peppermint Patti : $11.00


Shadesticks in Cakeshop (top) and Lemon Chiffon (bottom), $16.50


(no flash)
(with flash)
Lipsticks in (l-r) Lollipop Loving, Bubbles, and Saint Germain, $14.00

Eye Shadow in Dear Cupcake(l) and Aquavert(r), $14.50



Mineralized Skinfinish in Refined $27.00

Mineralized Skinfinish in Perfect Topping, $27.00

(sorry about the finger swatches...these don't photograph well)
Refined(l), Perfect Topping(r)

Promo image credit: Specktra.net (lisen.chic.se)

MAC Grand Duos Review/Swatches

Mineralized Blush (Duo): A mineralized Blush featuring soft-shimmer super-shine pearl in pretty tricolour veining to enhance and glorify cheekbones, followed by the pop and dimension of solid colour shimmer without an overly frosted look.
US$22.50

Overall, this is a beautiful collection of colors. Overall, the pigmentation is better in my opinion than the regular Mineralized blushes. Also, the color is very smooth and the shimmer is very fine. No chunky shimmer here. These two were my favorite!

Love Rock
( Gold violet mélange / bright blue pink)

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Intenso
(Pink gold mélange / Terracotta rose)

New MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation Review

YAY! MAC finally has created a good liquid foundation. At least in my opinion. To be honest, I've never had good luck MAC's liquid foundations. But this is the first I've really liked. This one is truly unique.

A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. Hydrating, instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing, water-resistant.
40 ml / 1.3 US FL OZ
US$28.00

Based on the description, I didn't think I would like this foundation because I have more combination/oily skin. I pictured this as being like most other "hydrating" foundations that claim to have a "natural satin finish". Usually they don't set well for me and have an oily look, as some people mistake or label foundations that leave an obnoxious shine as "natural" or "satin" finishes. This one is so unique because when it's blended in, it truly looks like skin. Not shiny, not matte...just, well, natural. When swatched on my hand (or worn on the face), it truly blends in completely and leaves no noticeable difference in finish between the product and my natural skin. That's truly saying something for a foundation. It is truly long wearing, and since it's water-resistant, it's actually really great for those of us with oily skin.
The only weird thing about it to me is the sweet, butterscotch scent. After a few applications, I got used to it though.

For more info. about this product (application methods, coverage, etc.) see my review video below!

I'm glad MAC finally created a liquid foundation I like!

You can see the gel texture in this one. It doesn't run or drip like a traditional liquid foundaiton when held sideways.

Not blended in

Blended in...you can see (or not see) the natural finish. It disappears into the skin.

Tutorial: Silver & Bronze : Kim K. Inspired

MAC Hello Kitty Review and Swatches!

Alright guys, here are all my lovely Hello Kitty goods! I was super excited about this collection for a long time because I've always loved Hello Kitty, but when I actually saw the collection and got to test the colors, I really cut down my list. Most of these items were part of my anniversary gift from my husband. The man knows what I like.
Overall, this collection has some great colors, a few stand-out items and the packaging is super cute (but the glitter chunks are kind of annoying).
Read on to see my haul, swatches, and reviews of the products!

Eye Shadow Palettes: ($38.00)
Both of these palettes caught my eye because I love the color groupings for each. However, they both can be VERY easily duplicated by colors in the permanent line. See for yourself...

Too Dolly Palette

Yogurt(matte), Romping(frost), Too Dolly(frost), Stately Black(lustre)

Overall, the payoff of all these colors are pretty decent. With the exception of Stately Black. If you want it to appear dark, you have to work with it a bit and apply a lot.

...and the dupes...
(Yogurt is in the permanent line), Post Haste, Aquadisiac, Black Tied

I COULD NOT believe how easily duped this palette was. While Post Haste is a matte, I actually think it would look better with these colors than Romping, just because the color payoff is so great. The most surprising was the dupe for Too Dolly...Aquadisiac. These colors are almost identical. Also, if you have the Heatherette palette with Mood Ring, that would work awesome as well. It's also VERY close. Aquadisiac is almost prettier! As far as Stately Black, Black Tied was almost identical. So if you can't get your hands on this one, those are colors that would replicate looks you could create with this palette almost exactly...if not better!


Lucky Tom Palette

Creme Royal(veluxe pearl), Paradisco(frost), Stylin'(velvet), Lucky Tom(lustre)

This palette is probably my favorite. However, a few of the colors are a little difficult. Paradisco is a gorgeous color, but it has horrible payoff. To get it to show up, you'll need a good base and a heavy hand. Also, Stylin' is a little on the chalky side (as some velvet colors are) and you'll also need a good base and a heavy hand to get it to show up bright. It's also nice worn more sheer as well though.

...and the dupes...
(ok, with this one I got a little excited)
(Paradisco is in the permanent line)
top row: Nylon, Climate Blue(limited edition), Carbon
middle row: Ricepaper, Parfait Amour, Mont Black (limited edition)
(bottom row is Lucky Tom palette)

Surprisingly, Parfait Amour actually looks closer to Stylin' than Climate Blue does in person. However, because of the frost, it didn't really photograph similar at all in my opinion. Again, while the color grouping is nice in the palette, you can easily create a similar look with these duplicate colors.

Beauty Powder ($22.00)

Tahitian Sand
(warm, pale peach with a light sheen)

Beauty Powders have never been my favorite. They don't really deposit a lot of color, and they're really not supposed to. I use this one as a setting powder with a big fluffy brush to add a bit of brightness to my face since it's similar to my skin tone. I also use it on my cheeks, forehead and chin to add a bit of brightness. I didn't get the pink one because I have a similar pink Beauty Powder and I really don't use these that often. Honestly, the only reason I got this is because I couldn't resist the cute embossed design in the powder itself.
(The swatch isn't worth showing...it doesn't show up on my hand) :)


Beauty Powder Blush ($18.00)

Tippy

I LOVE Beauty Powder Blushes. They have the smoothest formula with soft pearl particles. None have ever disappointed me. This one is no exception. It's a very nice bright pink that would work on so many different skin tones. It can be applied sheer for lighter skin tones, however, is pigmented enough to be easily applied to darker skin as well and look great. I skipped Fun & Games which is a peachy shade, but since I love BPB's so much, I have a feeling I might pick it up soon before it sells out!



Lipstick ($14.00)

Cute-Ster (lustre)

This is really the only color that caught my eye. It's a very wearable peachy pink. It's extremely sheer and doesn't deposit much actual color, but it leaves a really nice shine and sparkle to the lips. Again, the embossed design on the actual product sucked me in! I probably would have skipped the lipsticks all together if they didn't have that little added touch.

Lipglass ($14.00)

She Loves Candy

The lipglass colors in this collection were gorgeous in the containers, but overall, I found them to be disappointing. They were really sheer, which I usually like, but they were too much like other colors I already have or I didn't care for the color. So I decided to get this one because it was pretty and pink and I really wanted at least one!

swatches:
She Loves Candy(top), Cute-Ster(bottom)

Tinted Lip Conditioner ($14.50)

Pink Fish, Popster

These were, in my opinion, the best products in the collection. Super pigmented, very moisturizing, beautiful colors. Perfect. Pink Fish is my favorite. I went back to purchase a back-up of Pink Fish, only to realize I was given Popster by mistake. But it worked out for the best because I LOVE Popster too!

swatches:
Pink Fish(top), Popster(bottom)

Nail Polish ($11.00)

On the Prowl (cream)

This is a really light gray. Nothing fancy. It's a cream formula, which means there's no shimmer or frost to it. I thought it was the most unique out of the three shades. The pink was too much like several other pinks I own and the white was just, well, white.


Makeup Bag and Petite Makeup Bag ($35.00 & $22.00)

I really wanted one of these bags so bad but never got one. When we returned from vacation, my mom surprised me and had picked them up for me! Gotta love mom's and V-day surprises. thanks mom<3

check out the cute pink satin lining...

Hello Kitty Lash ($12.00)
I love these lashes. Mostly because they are more of a half-lash style.
(Just for comparison, you can see the true size of the small makeup bag because the lashes are sitting on top of it. It's very small!)

Expect a tutorial (or 2) featuring some of these products soon!