Monday, December 31, 2012

MAC Lipstick Swatches: Lustre

This is the last post for this series! I will be moving on too my MAC eyeshadows next. Again, swatches are on NW15 skin.

Lustre finish lipsticks are some of my favorites. They are usually semi opaque and glossy; some give more color than others. I find them comfortable to wear and not drying. They do need to be reapplied more frequently, but it's lipstick...you'll have to do that eventually!

This post is long, sorry!

First are the limited edition shades I have; Cusp of Dawn, Pink Popcorn, and Cut a Caper.

Cusp of Dawn is a slightly peach nude. It's more wearable than a lot of nudes due to its sheer application and shine.

Pink Popcorn is a pink with purple duochrome. This is an interesting color and still surprisingly wearable.

Cut a Caper is a gorgeous bright pinky coral.

The next three are; Plink!, Viva Glam V, Viva Glam VI.

Plink! is a baby pink and applies very sheer. This ends up being mostly shine.

Viva Glam V is a great 'my lips but better' pink mauve and seems to be pretty universally wearable.

Viva Glam VI is slightly more red/berry than V is. They look very similar swatched.

Next up are; Lady Bug, Lovelorn, and Hug Me.

Lady Bug is a gorgeous red and since its slightly sheer and glossy its a great starter red.

Lovelorn is a pretty, slightly cool pink.

Hug Me is another wearable nude. It has enough pink to avoid washing me out.

Last we have my favorite three...and to be honest, they are all nearly the same color. These are Sophisto, Capricious, and Plumful.

Sophisto is a burgundy that almost looks frosty in the tube, but isn't at all once applied. It's the most sheer of these thee.

Capricious is a plummy burgundy. It's sort of a cross between the other two in this set.

Plumful is a pinky plum and is fairly opaque.

All pics are in the same order, swatches go l-r.























Saturday, December 29, 2012

Sample Saturday: Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer

In an effort to get rid of samples, I am going to try and do a review each week. This week brings us the Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free primer.

I'm going to preface this by saying I do not like silicone based primers, or at least ones that feel silicone-y. I don't like that 'silky' feel. I much prefer something that seems more like lotion or serum. My favorite primer is Lorac's Aqua Prime.

I used this just once and it made me break out. This is not something I would want to try again. I've certainly heard good things about this primer; it just doesn't work for me. Into the giveaway grab bag it goes!



Friday, December 28, 2012

Beauty Resolutions 2013

As the year draws to a close, I've been thinking about things in my life that need to change a bit. I love cosmetics. I love using them, buying them, and writing about them...but I have so much.

It's time to reevaluate why I buy what I do. I make too many impulse buys that end up not working for me. So here is a list of my beauty resolutions for 2013.

1) Limit 2-3 Beauty Purchases a Month. I certainly don't need to get more than that when I have a large stash already. This does include hair/skin/body care items.

2) Research Before I Buy. As an avid beauty blog reader, this shouldn't be hard to do. I want to get quality over quantity.

3) Avoid Those Limited Edition Collections. I'm looking at you, MAC. It's so easy to get caught up in the craziness of new stuff being released all the time. It's unnecessary and (a lot of the time) the quality just isn't there.

4) Shop My Stash. I have tons of stuff I don't use that often. It needs some love.

5) Shop From My Wishlist. This is a great way to avoid crazy impulse buys.

6) Use My Samples. I've got plenty, may as well use them.

So, there it is. Changes that I hope will e positive and help me get through some of the 'stuff' that's sitting in my closet. Anyone with me? Do you have any beauty related resolutions for the new year?

MAC Lipstick Swatches: Cremesheen

Continuing on my quest to swatch my MAC collection; I have my lipsticks with a Cremesheen finish. Swatches are on NW15 skin for reference.

Cremesheens are one of my favorite lipstick finishes. They are semi opaque and glossy. I find them comfortable to wear.

I have broken the swatches down into two pictures. All swatches are listed l-r. Picture one has: Shanghai Spice; Coral Bliss (LE); Ravishing; Shy Girl.

Shanghai Spice is a warm, reddish nude.

Coral Bliss is a bright pinky coral an I believe it was limited edition.

Ravishing is a warm peach.

Shy Girl is a light coral peach. Just to note, this is a permanent lipstick but mine is from a holiday set and in special packaging.

Swatch picture two contains: Speed Dial; Japanese Maple; Creme Cup; Modesty.

Speed Dial is one of my summer favorites! It's a bright, slightly yellow pink.

Japanese Maple is another warm leaning nude.

Creme Cup is a light, cool pink.

Modesty is a great 'my lips but better' pink/nude.









Thursday, December 27, 2012

MAC Stereo Rose MSF

MAC released their Après Chic collection yesterday and with it the infamous Stereo Rose. This is a shade that always seems to sell out, and FAST! My local counter at Macy's still had it later yesterday afternoon, so you may have some luck finding it still.

For those who aren't familiar, Stereo Rose is a Mineralize Skin Finish. MSFs are a highlighting/blush product. What it will do for you really depends on your skin tone. On me (MAC NW15), Stereo Rose lends a pretty peachy/coral glow. It's not overly sparkly, so if you use a light hand it won't emphasize pores. I'm really happy I picked this up as it really is a beautiful color.

All in all, I was underwhelmed by the Après Chic collection. The Mineralize shadows looked a tad chunky, the lipstick colors weren't anything exciting, the blushes just wouldn't work in my skin. The only other thing I may go back to check out are the Mineralize tinted lip balms.









Friday, December 21, 2012

MAC Lipstick Swatches: Satin

Next up are the MAC lipsticks I own with a satin finish. A satin finish isn't glossy or matte, but more natural. Again, for reference swatches are on NW15 skin.

Rebel is a pinky plum. On my lips it does pull more pink. This is one of my favorite lipsticks as it packs a punch, but is still quite wearable.

Viva Glam Nicki is a bright yellow based pink. Lovely color for Spring and Summer!

Amorous is a plum burgundy. This is a bit drier in texture than the other two. It's more red based than Rebel.







MAC Lipstick Swatches: Prolongwear, Matte, Glaze

I am in the process of posting swatches of all my MAC lipsticks, broken down by finish. This post includes the Prolongwear, Matte, and Glaze finishes since I currently only have one of each. For reference, I am a NW15 in MAC foundation.

First is the Prolongwear lipstick in You're Perfect Already. This was a limited edition from the MAC for Beth Ditto collection. This has a semi matte finish and, as the name implies, long wearing. It does emphasize dry spots on the lips and, honestly, is not the most flattering color on me. It is a peachy nude.

Next is the Matte lipstick in Viva Glam I. This is an awesome slightly cool red. It's comfortable to wear and lasts a decent amount of time.

Last is the Glaze lipstick in Pleasureseeker. This is a peachy pink with semi sheer coverage and a bit of frost to it. This was a limited edition from one of the mineralize releases earlier this year.

















Thursday, December 20, 2012

MAC Lipstick Swatches: Sheen Supreme

I'm going to be putting up my MAC lipstick swatches over the next few days. I will be separating them by finish. Some I will have numerous swatches; others may only be one or two. I feel like this is the easiest way to break them up. For reference I'm an NW15 in MAC foundation.

First up are the Sheen Supreme line of lipsticks. These are relatively new; I believe they were only released 1-2 years ago. They are supposed to be more sheer and have a glossy finish. I actually find these a bit drying, but apparently that is not the norm. I have three shades, currently. Swatches are in the order described.

Blossom Culture is a bright coral pink.

Ultra Darling is a true, slightly blue based pink.

Quite the Thing is a purple/plum with shimmer.





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

MAC Prolongwear Eyeshadow: Sweet Satisfaction

Sweet Satisfaction is a shimmery, medium brown It has awesome pigmentation and lasts all day without creasing or fading. The Prolongwear line of shadows are (generally) really great and easy to work with.







Monday, December 17, 2012

New Skincare: Mario Badescu

I've always been very low maintenance when it came to skincare....meaning I've been lazy. As I'm getting, um...older, I know I have to start taking better care of my skin.

I recently placed an order with Mario Badescu based on samples they sent. Here's hoping they work!

MAC Haul: Collective Haul

I've been bad lately with my cosmetics purchases... I'd blame the Holidays and all the great deals to be had...but most of what I've hauled has been from the MAC permanent collection.

I got into MAC later on into my cosmetic obsession, but have been thoroughly loving some of their products lately. I have a wish list that's a mile long and pick up one or two things here and there.

First, I grabbed Studio Sculpt SPF 15 foundation. This has an interesting gel/cream formula and medium to full coverage. I have only worn this once, so I don't have enough to really evaluate it yet.

I did get two items from the Taste Temptation collection. I picked up the Mattene lipstick in Nocturnal Instincts; a lovely mauve/lavender. It's very pretty and seemed to be the most wearable lipstick of the three available. I also got the Lipglass in Revenge is Sweet; this looks quite purple/fuchsia in the tube, but is quite pink on.

From the permanent offerings, I got a lustre formula lipstick in Hug Me. It looks pretty brown in the tube, but being a lustre it doesn't add much color. It really just warms up and adds shine to my natural lip color.

I also picked up two eyeshadows in Gorgeous Gold and Wedge. Gorgeous Gold is a light gold with a green duochrome; it is quickly becoming a favorite for me! It's so pretty and really brightens the eye. Wedge is a matte brown. It's nothing super exciting, but is a nice crease color and I am looking to add more matte/satin finishes to my stash.

Finally, I got Tan pigment. It's a beautiful, shimmery...tan. I don't usually go for pigments since they are so messy, but the color was too pretty.

Swatches of the lip products are l-r: Nocturnal Instincts Mattene, Revenge is Sweet Lipglass, Hug Me lipstick.

Eye products: Gorgeous Gold, Wedge, Tan pigment