My Goodies: Cult of Cherry & Overrich

So of course I made it out to my nearest MAC counter/store to get my hands on Cult of Cherry and Overrich.

Here is a quick rundown:

Cult of Cherry

Generally I found the collection to be sultry and wearable. The lip colors are the real stars. I didn't care for any of the quads except the Spiced Chocolate Quad, which is dupable (details further down)

The Mattens are the bomb. I have only tried Mattens once before and didn't care for them, but I do like the color and feel of the Cult of Cherry ones. And the dark lip really isn't all that dark. Kirsh is a nice dark plum, but it isn't terribly dark.

I am a sucker for blushes, so of course I liked Plum du Bois, even though it isn't mind blowing. I am still waiting on the blush version of Patina. Oh well.

The lipsticks didn't do a whole lot for me. I didn't bother with O or Russian Red, but I did try and love So Scarlet. Go out and get it ladies! I'm considering a back up, although I really have to stop doing that...

As you know, I don't do Lipglass, but I do like the looked of Jampacked and Liqueur. I might have to do back for those two.

And now for the main event, the duping of Spiced Chocolate Quad. First let me say that Sweet Chestnut is not Cranberry, it's its deeper darker cousin. It is however very very very similar to Heritage Rouge pigment (Overrich). That being said, the quad can be duped by using Seedy Pearl for Nanagold (on my skin, the pink and not the white is what shows), Coppering for Brash, Embark for Spiced Chocolate and Heritage Rouge for Sweet Chestnut. When I figured this all out, I simply returned the quad for the pigments and picked up Seedy Pearl and saved myself some money. Now if you don't have any of these colors, go ahead and get the quad, it is pretty after all, but if you do, well...

And now on to Overrich

These pigments are so gorgeous! I got 6 of the eight because I already own Mauvement, and I didn't like Blonde's Gold (and of course the ladies on Specktra are raving about it. I don't see what the fuss is about) although I may be taking Vintage Gold back because it is nearly identical to Copperized pigment, although the former is the prettier of the two.

I don't know what else to say other than run out and get them all!

So that's the quick rundown. Ask me if you'd like further insights about anything.

My list of goodies includes:
- So Scarlet l/s
- Kirsh m/t
- Bing m/t
- Chock-ful m/t
- Plum du Bois blush
- Heritage Rouge pigment
- Copperbeam pigment
- Vintage Gold pigment
- Antique Green pigment
- Museum Bronze pigment
- Mega-Rich pigment
- Seedy Pearl e/s
- Woodwinked e/s

I'm Baaaacckkkk!

After I a long hiatus, I am returning to the blogosphere a Vanderbilt Graduate!!! I am definitely excited and relieved, more relieved than excited really.

Now on to makeup!

No reviews here, because it would be late, and I really don't feel like going through all of that, but I will give you a quick rundown of my latest cosmetic purchases:

Cool Heat
- Climate Blue
- Gulf Stream
- Warm Chill

Sonic Chic
- Love Joy
- Love Thing

Electroflash
- Fresh Green Mix
- Hot Contrast
- Sea & Sky

Starflash
- Bold & Brazen
- Glamour Check
- Go!

Now I can give you my thoughts on the products I've purchased and used so far, so here goes.

Cool Heat: The color palette in the collection has really inspired me. I love the idea of teals and greens and mixing them with bronzes, reds, and oranges. I have been doing some Cool Heat inspired looks, but unltimatley the shadows are difficult to work with. The color payoff isn't great, and they kind of dust off the brush and lid. It's weird, I don't like it, but I am pulling a Tim Gunn and in order to "Make It Work"

Sonic Chic: I love these blushes. Perfect combination of a nice wash of color, shimmer, and smooth application. Nuff said.

Electroflash: I've only used Hot Contrast, and so far, so good. The black side especially went on like butter.

Starflash: Again, I've only used Bold & Brazen from this collection. It went it's a nice color that went on well. I will say though, that the colors in this collection are nice, and if you don't have anything like them, give them a try. As for me, I have a lot of colors in some of the color families represented in the collection, so I didn't feel the need to go all out. And yes, Stila's Diamond Lil' and Starflash's Smoke & Diamonds are exactly the same.

Bobbi Brown in Town!

Bobbi Brown's Bronzing Powder is the newest addition to my ever growing (although it's needs to stop growing) bronzer collection.


When I tried it on in the store, I liked what I saw. The Sales Associate matched me to Dark. I thought I would have been Deep. Apparently the difference isn't in the depth of the color, but instead the undertones. Dark is more red, and Deep more golden; the yellow in Deep could have come off as ashy.

When I got home I tried it on half of my face over my MAC Select Tint. I like it if there is a bronzyness, it is very subtle. I should add that this is a matte product, without any shimmer. I love the finish of the product however. I'd like to keep it as a option for a finishing powder, because I don't always like to use my Prescriptives Magic powder, especially now that I've gotten toasty. I haven't noticed a problem with it per say but I am very cautious with it. And I have backed off of my Px Custom Blend Bronzer for the time being because it is probably the lightest of my bronzers and I don't want to look ashy. It's on the Disabled List until September.

Anyway, as I was saying, I like the finish of the powder. I think the bronze factor may be more evident with my tan fades sometime later this summer. I decided to compare this bronzer to my all time favorite Stila Sun #3. I applied it all over to the other side of my face, and realized that it is really subtle as well. It has a slight shimmer and you could see that, but it had the lightest touch of a glow. I love it, and it gives you the option to layer more prominent, shimmery bronzers over it. So I think I will keep this one, and layer other bronzers with it. What do you all think?

Satisfaction

I went to MAC today expecting to drop a ton on products, but as I paced back and forth from counter to counter I realized, "Damn, I am bored". So I am not buying anymore permanant collection eye shadows or blushes. I am getting two more Paint Pots (Constructivist and Mosscape) and then I'm calling it a day. There are still a lot of MAC Pro blushes that I want, a few pigments that I am on the fence about, and MAC Pro eye shadows/pigments that I have my eyes on, but for the most part, I'm done. And it feels good. Now I can just focus my attention on LE Collections and various Sephora brands. There are still some Urban Decay and NARS products on my mind. It may take till August or September before I can purchase all of the MAC that I want from the Pro collection, and I will probably pick up a lip gloss, lip stick, lip pencil, or eye pencil from time to time, but the overwhelming majority of my MAC non-necessary necessities are already bought and paid for. Basically, if it's not wowing me, I'm not buying it. No more, "I'll take ALL of the Mineralize Eye Shadows!" or "Well, I don't have this color or a color like it..." So what! If it's not a color you would actually get some use out of, then why bother. I am sure I am preaching to the choir. Sermon over. Amen. We'll be meeting in the fellowship hall for refreshments.

Cool Heat

Another collection, another review. Well, not quite a review really, more of an overview And I am actually going to keep this short and sweet. I walked away with Climate Blue, The End. Others have said it's hard to get the pay off that's reflected in the pot. I didn't have that problem in the store. And now for a quick review:

Slimshines - Skipped them. Wasn't interested

Warming Trend- A brighter, more golden Patina, but in the end, Patina looks better.
Warm Chill - A watered down Golder's Green Pigment (She Shines) or a more golden Aquavert (Lure), whichever you choose. It doesn't have much color pay off. From other swatches that I've seen, it has a tendency to disappear on lighter skintones. It's pretty but it's weak.
Solar White - Bright ,white gold highlighter. Too light and bright for my tastes as a highlighter. I don't like the super loud, "Look at my eyebrow arch" effect. It's pretty for what it is.
Gulf Stream - On me GS is just a more intense Shimmermoss. I can get the same effect by just using a slightly heavier hand.
Blue Flame - A prettier version of Deep Truth (it has more purply-blue tones) with better color payoff, but if you already have DT or if you have Blue Storm (from Blue Storm) then you can skip it.
Cool Heat - The not so long lost twin cousin of Big-T (C-Shock). There may be the minutest difference in the two, but again, if you have one, you don't need the other.

This collection is the perfect example of why you shouldn't necessarily freak if you miss items from a long gone collection. Give it a year, maybe a bit more, and something just like it will come along. I don't blame MAC, there are only so many colors you can make.

*** I'd also like to add that I swatched all of the shades with a brush, which gives you a less intense swatch, but a more realistic idea of how it is going to look on, unless of course you apply eye shadows with your fingers, and sincerely hope that you don't, but hey, to each her own.

-paix

Don't Stop To You Get Enough

Yesterday's post about bronzers made me eager to get my greedy little paws on a few more bronzing products, so I dropped into to Sephora and here's what I got: LORAC Bronzer in Glow, Laura Mercier's Bronzing Duo in Pink Bronze, NARS The Multiple in Palm Beach and the Sephora Bronzing Trio. I was so impressed with the LORAC bronzer especially.

It is in the same color family as MAC's Refined Deeper Bronze, except it has a better texture and different finish. It compliments darker skintones so well and it looks so sexy on! That is really the only way I can describe it. Ladies, go get it, NOW!

Even though I don't really own anything from Laura Mercier, I always hear good things about the products.


The Bronzing Duo is half bronzer, half blush. The bronzer is deeper and browner that the LORAC one, not as sexy but definetly very wearable and both the bronzer and blush can be worn together, on the cheeks, or all over really.

The Sephora Trio is very simple, relatively cheap and nice. It gives a bronze highlight and the texture is smooth, not gritty. You could also use this a eye shadow.


And finally there is the Palm Beach. I was most disappointed in this product. It's gorgeous, and the texture is DIVINE, but it is so sheer and subtle. I wouldn't say it bronzes so much as it gives a subtle luminescent glow. It reminded me of a darker version of the Prescriptives Illuminating Cream Potion minus the light reflecting properties.. It's nice, but for my skintone, it doesn't do much. And it's not that I don't like subtle. The MAC FX bronzers are subtle (I rediscovered my love for Deeper Bronze today, no wonder I got a backup!), but this was $37 and I just don't know that I need it. And for $37 I better NEED it. It may be (probably is) going right back to Sephora on Thursday when I hit up the mall for Cool Heat.

I may also return my Iman bronzer. It is nice in it's own way, and it was cheap, but again, I just don't know that I need it. But it does serve a purpose, I like having options and it was only $12. I suppose it's a keeper.

I tried the Make Up Forever bronzer mentioned in my previous post. It looked like brown chalk. The Sephora Safari Bronzer was also a no-go. And Guerlain #4 wasn't at the actual Sephora store (only #1 and #2 were available) and it is sold out online. It's expensive anyway, and I am not going to buy something I can't see, especially something of this nature. There's a part of me that still want the Armani bronzer but I definitely will NOT be getting the Px Cooling Bronzing Powder. It would get not use at all.

Well that's it for now!

I Told You

That I was a bronzer whore. And below are the swatches to prove it.

I call these, "Bronzers that aren't really bronzers". Some (like Warmed MSF) create more of a warm glow or finish, rather than bronze per say, but they are in the general realm of bronzers. Ultimately is just depends on the effect you are going for.

First the products themselves:


And now the swatches:


(L to R - Deep Dark MSF, Warmed MSF, Stila Bronze Illuminating Finishing Powder, Off The Radar Pigment, Format Blush, and Sweet As Cocoa Blush)

These are actually bronzers by design, of the powder variety.

Again, product images (they're a bit washed out from the flash):


And swatches:

(L to R - Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Clay, Prescriptives Custom Blend Bronzer, NARS Casino, Stila Sun #3 (d/c but easy to find), Prescriptives Bronzing Trio in Dark, CARGO in Dark, and MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze)

And now for liquid and cream stick blushes with MAC's Mineralize Loose Foundation thrown in for measure (I use it as a completely matte bronzer):




Almost there:

(L to R - Golden Face & Body FX Bronzer, and Deeper Bronze F&B FX Bronzer)

FInally:

(L to R - Bronzeray Bronzing Stick, Gold Magic, Rose D'or and MSF Loose in Deeper Dark)

Whew [wipes brow] !!! I think I am done swatching for a little while. I wish I could get better light settings on my camera to get more true to life swatches, but one does what one can.

A final note of bronzers (because I know you are sick of reading me blog about it)
You'd think I'd call it a day with the bronzers, but no, not at all. I just picked up the Iman Bronzer today at Walmart. I try to stay away from drug store makeup, but I figure Iman is a little classy, and I couldn't resist. My initial thought was that it was too sheer, and it is really sheer (an the packaging is hella cheap AND it was nearly $12 which is high for drugstore makeup), but I figure it would be good over my Select Tint (MAC) to maintain that dewy look. So [for now] I'm going to hold on to it. The thing is that there is just SO much variety in terms of finishes, coverage, and color family (golden vs. copper/orange, etc), it's exciting! And I wont lie, a lot of it is the thrill of the chase so to speak, because it is so hard to find bronzers that are deep enough for darker skintones, most end up looking like light (sometimes ashy) washes of pale gold shimmer. Not cute.

I have a few things on my things to try and buy list, some of which I have tried, but haven't bought:
- NARS Multiple in Palm Beach
- Sephora Luminous Trio in Bronze Trio
- Sephora Summer Safari Bronzer in Zebra
- Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #4
- Make Up Forever Mat Bronze in Earth
* Giorgio Armani in Shade # 8 (this stuff is super sheer and super expensive. I had it then returned it, but I still kind of want it)
* Prescriptives Sunsheen Cooling Bronzing Powder in Dark (I so don't need this and it is too sparkly, and yet...)

Until next time!

MIA - Part Two: Swatches Galore

I took the time before work to put together some blush swatches. Too bad none of them came out too clearly, still, hopefully you can get the gist. And also remember that this is a concentrated swipe of color. The actually application would be much sheerer.


On to the swatches - The first is features Spaced Out and blushes that are similar to it:



I know what you are thinking - "These look ashy!" Trust me, they aren't. And I am a ashyaphobe. These look add a great pop of color on the cheeks or a subtle finish on the cheekbones. Accentuate is the highlighting half of the Accentuate/Definitive Sculpt & Shape Duo.

Here is a photo of the swatches in softer light:



And here's another with better focus.



Now on to X-Rocks and it's relatives:



A Specktralite described X-Rocks as the love child of Sweet As Cocoa and Flirt & Tease. I don't see it.

Hopefully this was helpful to someone, although I very much doubt it.

MIA - Part One

I have been MIA for what seems like forever. There was a mini-move from Nashville back to Atlanta, and then work, and everything else, regardless, I am back, yay! And what better way to re-introduce myself than with a MAC Review?



So this week (because let's be honest, MAC releases something new every week) it's Neo Sci-Fi and Solar Field (Future Earth is not anything I am interested it). As some of you may already know, I'm a blush whore (and a bronzer whore) and I, as a general rule, don't really do Lipglass, so that means I skipped over the Lipglass and made a bee line for Spaced Out and X-Rocks, both of which I got. Both are Sheertone Shimmers and have a duochrome finish, which is particularly apparent with Spaced Out which is described as a "shimmery peach". I'd add that duochrome aspect gives it a pink glow, that is reminiscent of Porcelain Pink Mineralize Skinfinish. X-Rocks is described as "shimmery dirty mauve". Really MAC, really, is that how you are going to describe a product, because who wants anything dirty going on their cheeks? Anyway, I like the blush, I think it is very Woman of Color friendly and a must have for those of us who love blush. It reminds me of a eye shadow, although I can't put my finger on which one. Maybe Star Violet.... I'll let you know when I figure that one out.


The lipsticks in this collection are great and offer something for everyone. I have to admit that I didn't see Sunsonic. It wasn't on the display, and I knew I didn't want it. Specktralites have described it as white frost that needs the help of another liner or gloss to make it look like anything. Great if you like to experiment, not so great if you just want a hot color without all of the work. Sci-Fi-Delity is a beautiful reddish plum color that I almost got, but...(when swatched on my hand) it was nearly identical Viva Glam IV, so I decided to save 1400 pennies and wait until I have a serious penny surplus. Pleasureseeker is light pink, and therefore just not me, but I've seen pictures of it on different people and it looks good. Astral is a pretty, sheer, very very sheer bronze shade that's nice on, but a little too subtle for my tastes. It would be gone the second I licked my lips. So I passed. I did get Electro, because how can you resist orange lipstick, and I was determined to make this shade work. At first I was afraid I looked like a clown, but the MA and I decided it would look best if I paired it with other makeup; I almost always walk into MAC with no makeup on.




And now on to the bread and butter, the shadows. I was expecting to want at least three of these (I already have Expensive Pink) but I was less impressed by Evening Aura than I thought I would be. I expected to LOVE it, but I applied it, and it just didn't do anything special for me. I can think of a handful of shadows that are prettier (if a little different) - Juiced, Fab & Flashy, Jezebel (Stila), Rubensque Paint Pot, the list goes on. Femme-Fi is just another highlight. They all start to look the same to me. Magnetic Fields rich chocolate-black color with sparkle, that is very versatile. There was no way I was leaving without it. When I think about my makeup evolution, it's the kind of color I would have skipped over two years ago because it's not colorful, but it's pretty and useful. I also picked up Time & Space, which is described as "frosty copper" and that's exactly what it is. Doesn't sound terribly unique, but there is something about the finish (it's frosty, not shimmery like other coppers I own) and it just looks really good on.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I skipped all of the Solar Bits. Too expensive, too little product and too difficult to apply.

That's it for now - I'll be back in full swing with another "Almost Picture Perfect", "I'm Lovin' It", and product swatches soon. Stay tuned!

Goodies and Reviews

A few weeks ago I was stressed about finals, so I took a trip to my local MAC store and picked up these goodies:



Pictured are Matte Gel, Blot Powder Loose, Iridescent Loose Powder in Golden Bronze, Mineralize Loose Powder and Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze.

I thought I'd go ahead and share how they've been working for me so far. First, the Matte Gel. The product description reads "A matte-ifying cream that acts like a powder, M·A·C Matte adds a sheer, no-shine matte texture in one smooth layer." The product can be used all over or on the T-Zone to prevent shine or on the eyelids as a primer of sorts. I've been using mine in the T-Zone alone, and while it isn't a miracle product, it does help with oiliness. For me though, preventing shine is a multi-product process, which segues into the next review, the Blot Powder Loose. This is simply a loose version of the Pressed Blot Powder (which I carry with me at ALL times). I actually prefer this product to the pressed because it is a bit more subtle. It takes away shine but doesn't make the face totally matte and unnatural.

Initially I wasn't going to get the Mineralize Foundation, but I wanted to try it as a matte bronzer/finishing powder. I find that these powders run on the light side. For instance I am Deep Dark in the MSF Natural, but Deeper Dark in this formula. Also, Deeper Dark is a slightly too dark and red, so for the applied with a light hand, and for my purpose, it works great. I can't speak to it's effectiveness as a foundation though. Perhaps I will try it as a foundation in the coming weeks and I will be sure to post my findings.

I'd swatched the Iridescent Loose Powder a long while ago and it's been on my wishlist for some time, so I was happy to finally get it, however, I haven't even opened it yet. Eek. Bad me.

And saving the best for last, my Bronzing Powder. It's love in a compact. It's an coppery, flattering shade with just the right amount of shimmer. I would not use this powder all over the face though (see my older post on bronzers). but applied correctly, it is love.

Next up, a review of my new [free!!!] Stila goodies and bronzer swatches.

Almost Picture Perfect

It's late (or rather early) so I wanted to go for something fairly simple so that I wouldn't get super frustrated so I settled on this Target ad:



And me....







Here's What I Used:

Face:
* MAC Select Tint (NW45)
* MAC Studio Lights (Smoothspice)
* Px Custom Blend Bronzer
* MAC Blush in Raizin
* MAC Blush in Mystic

Eyes:
* UDPP
* MAC Prime & Prep For Eyes (it helps the shadestick go on more smoothly)
* MAC e/s in Saddle
* MAC Shadestick in Royal Hue
* MAC e/s in Star Violet
* MAC e/s in Nocturnelle
* Sephora Jumbo Eye Crayon #504
* Stila e/s in Cassis
* Stila e/s in Twig

Lips
* Sephora l/s in No. 55
* MAC Lustreglass in Beaux

It's nothing complicated, but it's very quick and very wearable, (although can't we find a way to rock anything?).

Turquoise

I was in a turquoise mood today so that's what I rolled it. It is kind of loud and drag-queenish, but I like it nonetheless. I love the word nonetheless. And Jewel Blue isn't as blended as I would have liked. Anyway, on to the pictures. It's almost the exact same application as the last look I did, but with different colors. Let me know what you think!





(All MAC unless otherwise stated)

Face:
* Select Tint SPF 15 (NW45)
* Mineralize Loose Foundation {a very light dusting} (Deeper Dark)
* Bronzing Powder (Refined Deeper Bronze)
* Ablaze Blush

Eyes:
* UDPP
* Greenstroke Paint Pot
* Fashion Forward Eye Shadow - Lancome
* Aquadisiac Eye Shadow
* Jewel Blue Eye Shadow
* Big T Eye Shadow

Lips
* Cushy Creamstick Liner
* Antiquitease Lipstick
* Mary Kay Clear Gloss

I've got A LOT of ideas of looks based inspired by magazine ads, makeup face charts and makeup book looks, as well as random pictures, so please come back often. If they come out half-way decently I'll post them here.

I'm Not Going To Lie

I am kind of proud of this one:








As with most things, it looks better in person.

(MAC unless otherwise stated)

Face:
* Select SPF 15 in NW45
* Prescriptives Magic Powder in Deep Translucent
* Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze
* Dollymix Blush

Eyes
* UDPP
* Rubenesque Paint Pot
* Fresco Rose Pain Pot
* Heatherette #2 Trio
* Passionate Eye Shadow
* Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Stalker

Lips
* Little VI Lustreglass

Stila Girl of the Week

It's you're truly!!!!

Stila has a on going contest where Stila fans can submit a picture along with a short story about themselves and why they love Stila and if chosen the lucky girl gets to be featured on the website as well as a $100 gift certificate to stilacosmetics.com. I was chosen! Check me out ladies (and gentlemen)!

http://www.stilacosmetics.com/stilagirloftheweek.asp

Thanks for looking!

I Think I'm Paranoid

I like my MAC Select so far, but I've read a lot of bad reviews about the product on Makeup Alley. Complaints like the foundation doesn't last long, streaks, oxidizes, slides off the face and causes breakouts. Oh No! I don't want any of that, but the color match is so good and I really really really don't want to dish out $60 for a Custom Blend Foundation this summer. And I am definitely not going back to the Dillard's counter to get it done (which is the only Custom Blend location here in Nashville). So let's just keep our fingers crossed that this works.

P.S - I picked up MAC's Select Tin SPF. It's the closest thing MAC makes to a Tinted Moisturizer. Sometimes a girl just needs that light, barely there touch. :-)

A Naughty Nauticals Look

Here's a Fairly simple NN look that I did today.


















(MAC unless otherwise stated)

Face:
* Concealer - Combination of Px Custom Blend and MAC Studio Lights in Smoothspice
* Foundation - MAC Select SPF Foundation in NW45
* Powder - Px Custom Blend Bronzer

Cheeks:
MAC Raizin
MAC Frankly Scarlet

Eyes:
* UDPP
* Delft Paint Pot (base for BBB, Sharkskin Shadestick or Blackground Paint Pot would be other options)
* Greenstroke Paint Pot (base for Mutiny - Otherworldy Paint Pot is also a great option)
* Dazzleray Eye Shadow
* Blue Noir Eye Shadow
* Bell Bottom Blue Pigment
* Mutiny Pigment

Lips:
* Sephora Lipstick #88

(I would have used Queen's Sin, but I decided to save that for later. Plus I wanted something a bit more sheer)

I Tan Profusely

And as a result I am already to dark for my Custom Blend foundation. Now bear with me while I give you some background info- Usually I have my Custom Blend foundation that I used from my eye brows down, but because my forehead is darker, I like to use a darker foundation so that I don't get that mask-y look on my forehead. Usually that shade is Real Chestnut in Prescriptives' Flawless Skin formula. Well since I've gotten a bit "toasty" I've decided to try using the Real Chestnut all over my face with ill results. There was something about it that didn't look right. Perhaps it's an issue with the Color Family. Prescriptives organized their color and face products by Color Families which refers to a variety undertones. There is Yellow/Orange, Red/Orange, Red, Blue/Red. You find out what Color Family you belong to by being Color Printed. I am Yellow Orange, but as most people redden when they get in the sun, I would probably be a Red/Orange or Red by now. The problem arises when there is no shade deep enough for you in your Color Family and you have to go to another Color Family for a match. That's the case with Real Chestnut, which is Blue/Red, aka, WAY off. I was unwilling to get another Custom Blend Liquid Foundation for the summer, which brings us back to the present.

I went to a local Prescriptives counter to see if there might be some other options in the ready made foundation formulas rather than having to go through the trouble of Custom Blend. The first Sales Associate listened to my concerns, then passed me off to the black Sales Associate, who I've spoken to in the past and she was friendly with me. That day she had a tremendous attitude and was completely unhelpful. I won't get into all of it here, but the experience was so bad that I sent comments to Prescriptives. My friend encouraged me to talk to a manager, but I just wasn't in the mood for that.

So I left Dillards pissed and upset that I didn't have a foundation, because honestly, what can you do if you don't have a matching foundation? NOTHING! Left with no other option, I went to MAC. In the past I have been aganainst using MAC foundations. Studio Fix has a tendency to go on heavy, and gets oily really quickly, on me at least. And Studio Tech is horrid! It's a supposed to be cream-to-powder; more like cream-to-crisco. No offense to anyone who absolutely loves Studio Tech and Studio Fix...
In the past I swore that I would never trust a MAC face product, but that began to change in the last several months. I got hooked to their Blot Powder, Sheer Mystery Powder, Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and most recently, Mineralize Loose Foundation.

I think the primary reason some people think MAC artists look like their wearing drag makeup (and yes, I have heard this from several people) is the look of the caked on foundation. But in terms of shade selection in ready made formulas, you really can't beat MAC. I decided to give it a chance. A HELPFUL Artist assisted me and we decided on Select SPF 15 in NW47 (I am NW45 normally). It's medium coverage which I like.



She applied it a bit heavily with a sponge and I liked it, but I tried it at home with a brush and a lighter hand and I loved it! It was my skin, but better. So MAC, I have to hand it to you, this foundation is fire! And it was cheap, only $25, which isn't bad in my opinion. I'm used to dishing out $60 for Px CB Foundation and $40 for CB Tinted Moisturizer. I might still get a CB Tinted Moisturizer later in the summer, but right now, I am rocking this MAC Select. I might even replace the Px Flawless Skin with this as my forehead foundation when Fall and Winter roll back around. NW47 is a tad rid and a tad dark, but I have a yellow based bronzer that evens that out, and it gives me some room to "tan into" it.

The lesson learned here - Never Say Never.

Tagged - Whirlwind Part III

So here is the latest tag - I will get catch up on my past due tags soon. And we're off:

My Foundation: Usually it's Px Custom Blend, but now that I've gotten "toasty" I am wearing MAC's Select SPF 15 in NW47.

My Mascara: Right now it's Clinique High Impact but once I run out I am going to give Dior Show a go.

My Blush: Whew, that's hard. I combine MAC's Raizin and Pinch Me with almost everything.

My Eye Shadow: Stila Jezebel. I wear it nearly everyday.

My Day Cream: Origins Balanced Diet. I like it because it's light. I follow that with an SPF as you ALL should.

My Lipstick: Hmmm, maybe Honey Moon or Orchidazzle, both MAC.

My Beauty Product Brand(s) [in alphabetical order]: Cosmetics - MAC, NARS, Prescriptives, Stila, Urban Decay. Face - Arbonne, Origins Hair - Aveda

My Essential Beauty Product(s): MAC Pressed Blot Powder and Lipsmackers balm in Dr. Pepper.

Favorite Makeup Product: Eyes Shadows with Bronzers and Illuminators in second.

My Perfume(s): Channel Chance and V by Valentino (I usually don't divulge that because I don't like people copping my scents)

My Nails: Like CdC I'm not a nail person either, but I also love the Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Cream

My Feet: Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream

My Hands: Any lotion around, but I live Aveda's hand lotion a lot.

Three Products to Bring on a Deserted Island: Sunscreen, shea butter, and Burt's Bee's Facial Mist for Oily SKin

Woman I Admire For Her Beauty: Iman maybe?

Woman With The Best Sense of Style: Drawing a blank

My Ultimate Dream: I'm gonna keep a lid on that one.

How Do I Define Womanhood: The embodiment of beauty and elegance.


Favorite Fashion Publication: Don't have one.

Dazzleglass in a Minute - Whirlwind Part II

I LOVE THEM! They have a great finish, nice color payoff, funky color selection but they aren't loud when applied. I would buy EVERY ONE if I could, but alas I can't. I just have to hope that they don't sell out too quickly. **Fingers Crossed**

Naughty Nauticals - Whirlwind Part I

I haven't posted in a while it feels like, and I have a whole list of things to discuss, so get ready for a whirlwind of posts.
Let's begin with Naughty Nauticals.



I intially wasn't excited about this collection and that remains unchanged. It's not that it isn't a solid collection, it is. But it just doesn't interest me. I have a lot of blues already (Blue Storm, Deep Truth, Contrast, Blu Noir, Ether, Freshwater) so I just don't feel like I need what Naughty Nauticals is pushing.

I was excited about the Lustreglasses as they have a great finish, and I've never seen a collection with Lustreglasses instead of Lipglass. I tried them all, and only "Hey, Sailor" really did anything for me.

Then there are the eye shadows. I already have Pandemonium for the Pandemonium Quad. Meet the Fleet = Blu Noir. Submarine = Freshwater. Ideal Cargo was too light, I didn't get much pay off. Shale is a much better alternative. And as for Shore Leave, well how many highlighters does one need? So I passed on all five.

But there was light at the end of the tunnel...The Pigments. They are all pretty nice actually, but again, they just felt too familiar. I actually liked Mutiny and Bell Bottom Blue, although you definitely have to use a base to get any kind of color pay off. I kept trying to find a dupe of BBB, but I couldn't. And well, Mutiny is really close to Aquadisiac, or Turquatic, but it is slightly unique it that it's lighter and brighter that the aforementioned. I knew I didn't want Lovely Lily, and Lark About, while very pretty (and not nearly as white frosted as I'd thought) reminded me A LOT of Vellum eye shadow. Of course pigments have a different texture that eye shadows for the most part, so you could always use that rationale when justifying your purchases.

I really wanted to see Port Red lipstick, but it looked like Queen Sin's twin sister, for real.

I think I called this a while ago. That NN would be inspiring but dupable, and it is.