My blogspiration

Friday, January 28, 2011

Lightfully Bright

These products are an extension to the Asian exclusive lightening and brightening products that people from Asia are totally lapping up right now. As far as I know these products are Asia exclusive only so if you're travelling in hat direction do try them out and pick them up!

Deep Ultra~moisture creme


Active Softening lotion


Foaming creme cleanser


Charged Essence Serum




Lipglasses $34 (as pictured top-bottom)
Etheral
Astro Cool
Atmospheric
Outer Space




My Picks:
All lipglasses!!!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

MAC ~ Cremeblend Blushes


For every contour control freak, for every persistent perfectionist comes this wondrous way to play with blush that gives you the most magnificent flexibility you’ve ever had…Starts creamy, stays creamy and proves once and for all that powder is NOT your only prerogative. You can get back to a new build for that retro “rouge” look Old Hollywood Glamour made modern or stop at subtle and natural; it’s all in your hands. In three aspects, two shades of each: One matched to skin, one for a brighter glow and one darker for cream contouring, it’s perfect for all skin colours, minus the silicone, particularly adept at preventing ashiness on darker complexions. Make powdery a thing of the past.

Cremeblend Blush $40 (all permanent)
Brit Wit ~ Dusty rosy mauve
Ladyblush ~ Warm neutral coral
Posey ~ Warm peach
So Sweet, So Easy ~ Bright yellow pink
Something Special ~ Light coral
Tea Petal ~ Mid-tone reddish brown


My Thoughts/ Picks:
I have So Sweet, So Easy from the Lilyland collection last year and it's beautiful! It's so easy to blend and creates a natural glow. These have replaced the normal creme blushes. I recommend So Sweet, So Easy and can't wait to try Something Special.


MAC ~ Finally Flawless


This is a newly formulated version of the Mineralize Skinfinish compact. I loved this stuff before and cannot wait to try out the new version!

Mineralize Foundation SPF 15 has the exclusive formula – micronized and coated pigments improve blendability, maintain colour purity with SPF 15, and our liquid mineral ferment complex adds nutrients. Light diffusing optics minimize the visibility of imperfections – FINALLY Flawless!

Mineralize Foundation SPF 15
Minerals are the foundation for all living things. The human body is
made of approximately 60% water and skin is approximately 70% water. By fusing minerals and water, Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation is the synthesis of earthly essential elements in the form of a rich, luxurious solid cream compact with a liquid mineral infusion. This uniquely textured, medium buildable, foundation delivers immediate hydration while revitalizing the look o
f dull and dry skin. Used backstage during the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion shows of; BCBG, Carolina Herrera and Baby Phat, it is both a makeup artists dream and a real woman’s skin saving grace.

Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation features an innovative gel based system that provides extreme comfort and creaminess in application, making this formula appealing to all skins but especially normal to dry
. The gel fuses the formula’s high water content (30.5%) with the polymers and coated pigments for the ultimate in silky smooth, yet
long wearing (up to 8 hours), colour payoff. Because of the immediate moisturization benefits, Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation also helps to immediately reduce the appearance of pores and provides skin with a non-sticky, cooling break.

Additionally, a blend of lightweight oils creates a creamy, comfortable feeling on the skin. The innovative wax-free structure helps moisturize skin, while light diffusing optics help minimize the visibility of pores and imperfections for a flawless looking complexion.

Shades
NC15 // 20 // 25 // 30 // 35 // 37 // 40 // 42 // 44 // 45 //50 // 55
NW15 // 20 // 25 // 30 // 35 // 40 // 43 // 45 // 47 // 50 // 55

#130 brush (permanent)



MAC ~ Future Face


MAC forges ahead with a three-in-one force: Powder, Foundation and Tinted Moisturizer altogether.

First, Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder blurs the line between skincare and makeup, with a pressed texture that beautifies as it benefits. Gives a sheer to medium, smooth, even coverage for a flawlessly soft and even tone with caring, comforting properties.
Studio Fix Fluid and Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 shade extensions fill in
all the gaps.


Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
N18 // NW18 // NW22 // NW33 // NW44 // NW46 // NW48 // NW58

Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15
Medium Plus ~ Tan beige
Dark Plus ~ Neutral tan beige

Brushes
190 ~ Foundation Brush (permanent)
150 ~ Large Powder Brush (permanent)


Studio Careblend Pressed Powder
Light ~ Soft pale beige
Light Plus ~ Pale golden beige
Medium ~ Soft creamy beige
Medium Plus ~ Tan beige
Medium Dark ~ Caramel beige
Medium Deep ~ Rich golden tan
Dark ~ Deep caramel
Dark Deep ~ Rich golden bronze

Wonder Woman for MAC

So MAC have finally done a collection featuring the famous Wonder Woman. I'm an 80's baby and missed out on seeing the original show but I hear all sorts of things about Wonder Woman and from what I hear she was quite the legend. With the collection I'm not really impressed with the packaging. It looks pretty cheap and I'm not quite sure what to think of the jumbo sized products (lipstick and penultimate liner). I feel like this is a bit kiddish and I'm pretty sure even those who loved Wonder Woman in the 70's would find this not so appealing. All products are LE aside from a few that are permanent (not in this packing though, obviously). Prices are to be announced and I know I'm going to be horrified with what they'll be charging, especially with the jumbo products.


Lipstick
Marquise d’ ~ Sandy cream peach (Lustre) (Repromote from Brunette, Blonde, Redhead ’09)
Russian Red ~ Intense bluish-red (Matte) (Permanent)
Spitfire ~ Bright creamy magenta (Satin)
Heroine ~ Brown bronze (Frost)


Lipglass
Emancipation ~ Pale neutral pink
Wonder Woman ~ Bright red with soft pearl
Athena’s Kiss ~ Bright blue fuchsia
Secret Identity ~ Mid-tone copper with soft pearl


Lash $18
#48 Lash (permanent)


Defiance Eyeshadow Quad (pictured)
Defiance ~ Iridescent white pink (Veluxe Pearl)
Paradise Island ~ Soft warm pink (Satin)
Star Studded ~ Mid-tone violet pink (Satin)
Real Drama ~ Dark burgundy with pink pearl (Satin)

Lady Justice Eyeshadow Quad
Lady Justice ~ Bright silver with white pearl (Frost)
Insurmountable ~ Dirty blue grey (Veluxe Pearl)Bold Babe ~ Deep metal blue with white pearl (Frost)Deep Truth ~ True dark blue (Frost) (Permanent)

Valiant Eyeshadow Quad
Valiant ~ Light lime with yellow pearl (Frost)
Spinning Transformation ~ Deep olive bronze with yellow pearl (Frost)
Diana Undercover ~ Dark forest green (Satin)
Manila Paper ~ Pale frost white gold (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote from
Spring Colour Forecast ’10)



Penultimate Eye Liner
Rapidblack ~ True black (Permanent)


Opulash Mascara
Victorious ~ Purple
Army of Amazons ~ Green
Themyscira ~ Blue
Black ~ Black (permanent)


Reflects Glitter
Reflects Pearl ~ White glitter with pearl sheen (Glitter) (PRO)
Reflects Bronze ~ Sparkling rich gold (Glitter) (PRO)

Pigment
Bright Fuchsia ~ Bright magenta (Permanent)
Marine Ultra ~ Vivid marine blue (PRO)


Nail Lacquer
Obey Me ~ True red
Spirit of Truth ~ Navy blue


Blush Duo
Mighty Aphordite ~ Warm peach coral with gold pearl/Bright coral pink with gold pearl (Satin/Frost)
Amazon Princess ~ Bright yellow pink/Deep blue pink with gold pearl (Satin/Satin)


Mineralize Skinfinish
Pink Power ~ Peachy rose with pink shimmer/Soft rosy bronze/Soft shell pink with fine shimmer
Golden Lariat ~ True coral with fine gold shimmer/Soft suntanned bronze/Soft gold with fine shimmer


Wonder Woman Makeup Bag
Wonder Woman ~ Red
Bulletproof ~ Blue

Utility Belt Eye Brush Set
Includes 224SE, 213SE, and 194SE

Utility Belt Face Brush Set
Includes 129SE, 109SE, and 190SE

Invincible Mirror


My Picks:
All coloured mascaras
Both msf's
Both blushes
Emancipation & Wonder Woman lipglasses
Reflects Pearl glitter

MAC False Lashes mascara



"False Lashes Mascara adds dramatic volume, the rich, creamy, volumizing formula magnifies and multiplies the look of each lash, creating dramatically thick, long, curled, exaggerated lashes. The lush brush applies a deluxe dose of heavy pigment to the lashes and works in combination with the product to create incredible volume, length and density. The pigments in the formula are treated to allow for maximum colour payoff that remains true, deep, uniform and wears all day long. It’s flake- and smudge-resistant, ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact wearers."

This was first seen in the Marcel Wanders for MAC collection late last year as part of the more expensive collection they do each year. The packaging is exactly the same and I'd say the price is as well as most of their mascara's are about $20 cheaper (fibre rich lash, zoomlash etc etc). This mascara comes only in black and is part of the permanent range now.

I haven't tried it but at that price it had better be better than awesome and in the same par as Lancome or Estee Lauder mascara's.

RRP: $42
Available: MAC Counters at Myer and David Jones and MAC PRO stores in Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney International Duty Free (departures) at the Airport.

FOTD From the 15th...


MAC Mineralize Skinfinish compact in NW20

YSL Touche Eclat #1

MAC Magically Cool Liquid powder

MAC Marine Life highlight powder (To The Beach 2010)

MAC Get Away Bronze blush (To The Beach 2010)


Stila Kitten eyeshadow as highlight (permanent)

MAC Butternutty shadestick as base (Warm & Cozy 2010)

MAC Assemblage Quad ~ Dark Brown allure lid & gold on inner corner (Colour Craft 2009)

Estee Lauder Pure Colour brown liquid liner

Diorshow mascara (permanent)


MAC Sinnamon lustreglass (permanent)

Last Night!

Okay so another going out picture... seriously starting to feel like I'm doing this all the time. I honestly don't, just been having a lot of catch-ups with friends I haven't seen in too long lately haha... I tried to curl my hair but it was being a bitch... and I hate my hair, too thick too blahhh! But it managed to come out as best as I think it was going to.


MAC Studio Sculpt foundation in NW20
YSL Touche Eclat #1
MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder
MAC Nuance mineralize blush (permanent)
MAC Shimpagne MSF (permanent)

MAC Vanilla pigment as highlight (permanent)
MAC French Quarter greasepaint stick as base (Venomous Villains 2010)
MAC Blue Flame mineralize eyeshadow all over lid (Style Black 2009)
MAC Penultimate liner on upper lashline (Love Lace 2010)
MAC Fly-by-blu Pearlglide liner on lower lashline (Starflash 2009)

MAC Creme D'Nude lipstick (permanent)
MAC Fashion Whim cremesheen glass (In The Groove 2010)

FOTD From the 12th (just a bit behind!)


Another set of pics from another night out (promise I don't go out often haha). I feel like this is such a pretty look and I felt pretty wearing it. I usually play up something when I go out but I decided to go pretty neutral tonight. I kinda wanted to go with Faultlessly F/W + So This Season l/g but I though against it…


MAC Studio Sculpt in NW20
YSL Touche Eclat #1
MAC Truth & Light Magically Cool liquid powder (Venomous Villains 2010
MAC Ripe Peach ombre blush (Spring Colour Forecast collection 2010)
MAC Shimpagne MSF (permanent)

MAC Material Gold metal-x creme eyeshadow as base (Metal Urge 2009)
MAC Dazzlelight eyeshadow as highlight (permanent)
MAC Hush eyeshadow in inner corner/ tear duct (permanent)
MAC Blondes Gold pigment all over lid (Overrich 2009)
MAC Cosmic eyeshadow in crease (Moonbathe 2009)
MAC Antique Gold reflects glitter all over lid (Overrich 2009)
MAC Marigold glitter all over lid (PRO discontinued)
MAC Feline kohl power on lashlines (D' Squared 2009/ Love Lace 2010/ Champale 2011)
Diorshow mascara

MAC Creme 'D Nude lipstick
MAC Sugar Overload superglass

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Bobbi Brown Mini Brights palette review


Review:

I tried to swatch these for this post and some of the shades were very, very sheer. Anything that wasn't a shimmer or metallic, with the exception of Ivy, was extremely sheer and I had to really build it up to get much colour payoff at all.If you were to use these, you would most definitely need a base to make them more vibrant and to make the colour "stick". Most brands of matte shades are much better and these are quite a disappointment. Not something you expect from such a highly acclaimed and such an expensive brand, and certainly not at $150 a pop. The lighter metallic shades are beautiful with wonderful colour payoff, and aren't too frosty either. Only looking at them closely can you tell of the differences. I would still use them though, even if they are a bit samey, using each one as a highlight for which ever corresponding shade was the main colour (ie, for a purple look I'd use Lavender as the highlight or inner corner shade etc). The 3 darkest shades (Ivy, Midnight & Black Plum) are fantastic and really are the stand out sh

ades in the palette. Nice and dark but the colour is still very real (not black based). They are highly pigmented and work well.


When I used the shades I did (still yet to test them all), I did find that they lasted all day, getting only natural creasing and wear and tear after a full day's work wearing them (approx. 10 hours), also wearing these with a base (MAC paintpots/ shadesticks). I cannot compare them against other BB individual shades as I don't own any, only palettes (Nude on Nude shimmer & the Chocolate palettes). Compared to the other 2 palettes, this pales in comparison. Both other palettes are much more pigmented and smoother to apply but you also have to remember they are all different finishes too. Still, both other palettes are much better.


The size of each shade is a bit disappointing as they are quite tiny (slightly bigger than my pinkie nail). Bobbi says that with each shade you shouldn't get through them quickly, otherwise

you're not using them effectively, or something to that extent. Maybe not for all of the shades but for the 9 nay shades (see below), you'd go through them very quickly to get colour. I don't see me using this in my kit as a makeup artist as I do fear I'd go through them quickly, or the shades would be unusable. Not enough pigment for print or film work. Not natural enough for bridal work.


Overall, I'd say that this palette is pretty poor overall and I'm glad I didn't buy this at full price. It's a bit of a shame as I did quite enjoy the last one Bobbi made (the full size Brights palette). Maybe that's just because there are less workable shades, percentage wise (20 shades VS. 35).


Yay shades: Pink Pearl,Navajo, Iced Blue, Lavender, Golden Peach, Mint, Copper Penny, Ultra Violet,Ivy, Midnight & Black Plum


Nay Shades: Day Glow, Bubble Gum, Pacific, Blue Iris, Gum Drop, Jade, Blue Denim, Electric Pink & Samba


Fave shades: Golden Peach, Copper Penny, Midnight & Black Plum.


Buy Again: No


You'll Like If: You love a variety of colours and you love Bobbi Brown products.


You'll dislike like if: You have any amount of economic sense… You have any feelings about matte eyeshadows (like or disike).


RRP: $150


Found: At David Jones and some Myer stores that have Bobbi Brown counters.


I Rate This? (outta 5): 2 ~ I like most of the colours however the size is pretty tiny and it isn't good value. $150, seriously? Its too pricy and being completey honest here, if I hadn't been able to get a CP from a wonderful girl on LJ then there's NO WAY I would have bought this.I got it for $80AUD including shipping and the exchange rate…. (retails for $70USD)


Orange Overload FOTD ~ 80's Kick!


So I was feeling a bit random and felt just a bit 80's tonight which inspired this look plus with all of my talk about my love for orange,I don't think I've posted a fotd using this much orange and I'm sure you guys were probably starting to not believe me haha.



This pic shoes the colour a bit more realistically...



MAC Mineralize foundation (compact)

YSL Touche Eclat concealor #1

MAC Magically Cool Liquid powder in Truth & Light (Venomous Villains)

MAC Ripe Peach ombre blush (Spring Colour Forecast)


MAC Vanilla pigment as highlight (permanent)

MAC Nurture s/s as base (Warm & Cozy)

MAC Aquavert eyeshadow (Lure, Bait, Hooked)

MAC Cosmic eyeshadow all over lid (Moonbathe)

MAC Earthy Delight eyeshadow (Tantress)


MAC Temperature's Rising lip pencil (To The Beach)

MAC Good to Go Pro-Longwear lipstick (pro longwear)

MAC Apex 3D-glass (In 3D)


Monday, January 3, 2011

Underrated Product: MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder


This product is a MAC (and as far as I know, product) first! It has this weird thing that when you apply it, it feels wet, but is a powder. It's so weird that whenever I see people, especially makeup people, I HAVE to show them it. Everyone is freaked out/ amazed by it. The Magically Cool Liquid powder came out with the Disney Venomous Villains collection last year (2010). Looking through various websites with reviews and maccosmetics.com itself, it proved to not be such a great selling product and I'm puzzled as to why. Okay so admittedly it was very expensive ($50 or there-of IIRC). With Australian prices being so high and having this collection so massive, I CAN see why it wouldn't be on many peoples must have lists. I really do hope that this product makes another appearance sometime this year (I will need more!).

Here's why I love it:
It feels fantastic on the skin (feels great to apply in hot weather, especially in this Australian hot summer!) and isn't too heavy but still noticeable on the face and evens out skintone. It lasts for most of the day (15 hours or so) and find it helps to prolong my foundation and helps it to set when first applied.
It also has a light shimmer that doesn't make your skin too shiny or glittery, but you can still notice it. I personally think it's better than the natural/ natural & shimmer mineralize skinfinishes and the original loose powder. The shade Truth & Light is perfect for me (NW20). I wouldn't use this as a highlighter as some people use it for unless you have substantially darker skin than a NW20. There's not enough shimmer for that. One thing I dislike about this powder is the container. Like most MAC loose powdered products, it comes out of the jar too quickly and I have to use the actual lid to get rid of the excess off my brush (usually a 109 or 129) without creating a cloud of powder. If tis does come out again I HIGHLY recommend getting some, or even just a sample to test out it's awesomeness. This is my 3rd favourite product of 2010!


Sunday, January 2, 2011

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!!!

Welcome to 2011!


So 2011 has begun already and now is the time to create new resolutions and make pacts with ourselves. Always with good intention, some of us make it but realistically not many of us can keep it up past a week haha. I too am in the latter, although I do try to keep the promises that I make, they always are forgotten when faced with whatever it is I'm trying to avoid or change. I have no will strong enough to change. So for a bit of fun these are the *pacts* I'm making myself that I hope survive the next week HA!

~ To post more on this blogs and in the beauty communities that I lurk eg. livejournal, makeup alley...
~ To build my professional portfolio so I can make a career move into makeup where I ant to belong!
~ To go to the gym more. Yes I know pretty much every woman has something about this but genuinely, I already have a gym membership that I'm paying for but not going and basically wasting my money :(

And the big one that I actually believe in and is on-going and not just a new years thing but a life thing...
~ To continue to grow as a person and learn as much as I can and to enjoy life and fulfil my goals and dreams!!!

Life is too important to waste!

So with that, I hope you all had a great new years and didn't suffer from too big of a hangover and stayed safe and not start the year with regrets! :)

Favourites 2010


FAVOURITES 2010!

So this is a list of my favourite products over 2010 that I seriously LOVE! I have expanded my collection by a lot so I've managed to narrow my list down to 25. So this is my fave 25 products for 2010!

25. MAC Hypnotizing eyeshadow
24. MAC Float On By eye kohl
23. MAC A Quiet Roar lipglass
22. MAC Two Virtues mineralize blush
21. MAC Birds & Berries lipstick
20. YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick #1 Nude Beige
19. MAC Fashion Whim cremesheen glass
18. Stila Kitten eyeshadow
17. OPI Wing It! nailpolish
16. MAC Jest eyeshadow
15. MAC Style Snob eyeshadow
14. Laura Mercier Peacock Sequin eyeshadow
13. MAC #187 brush
12. Christian Dior Diorshow mascara
11. MAC Baby's on Fire dazzle lipstick
10. OPI Alpine Snow matte nailpolish
9. MAC Creme D' Nude lipstick
8. YSL Touche Eclat concealor #1
7. MAC Bite of an Apple blush
6. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation in #4.5
5. MAC Undercurrent Pearlglide eye liner
4. MAC By Candlelight MSF
3. MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light
2. Bobbi Brown Nude shimmerbrick
1. Moroccan Oil hair oil


So there you have it. The products that totally wowed me this year! Cannot wait to see what's coming up in 2011. I'm sure there are going to be some beautiful and innovative products for us all to enjoy! I know I'm looking forward to some things already! Bring on the new year!!!!

*No picture of Baby's on Fire lipstick as some ***** stole it!