What I'm Lovin' is BACK!

Oh how I've missed compiling some of my favorite items to share with you viewers. I've gotten a few emails requesting that I continue to showcase my favorites. So without further ado, I bring you my lastest list of MUST HAVES...Enjoy.

1. Revlon Whimsical: I spotted this milky mix of baby blue and copper & pink glitter and immediately thought of Deborah Lippmann's Glitter in The Air. The polish is very opaque, so I pair it with a baby blue base. For $3.75 vs $18, it was definitely worth it.

2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle: To liven and brighten my face this is my go-to item. I especially love this on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and brow bone. A lot of my highlighting powders tend to be a little heavy. This MSF is light enough to highlight naturally.

3. MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel: I like to mix a couple of these bronzing drops into my tinted moisturizer for a pretty golden sheen. 

4. Physicians Formula Happy Boosting Blush in Rose: I'm a sucker for adorable packaging so I just had to have this item. This is my very 1st product from them and I am impressed with the pigmentation. This mixture of light & dark pink, and muave give the cheeks a light pink highlighting sheen. It's faint aroma of flowers is what's supposed to cause a sense of happiness, but I didn't notice a change in mood. Overall this is a great daytime blush.

5. Philosophy Falling in Love Perfume: Sweetness in a bottle perfectly describes this fragrance. It's one of my favorite daytime perfumes.

6. OPI Fly: This was my favorite color from the Nicki Minaj's OPI Collection. A true turquoise polish is a must have for the spring.

7. MAC Viva Glam Nicki: Another one of my favorites out of all of the Viva Glam shades. This shade is the most perfect shade of pink.

8. MAC Kissable Lipcolor in Scandelicious: I own other MKLs, but this by far is my absolute favorite. This BOLD and true to color Fuschia is perfect for a lovely night out. The formula is not as glossy as a lipgloss and it has the staying power of a lipstick.

9. Rabito iPhone case: A phone cover this adorable makes every call, email, or text a happy one :0) It comes with a detachable bushy tail that acts as a stand.

(Top to Bottom: Mac Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel, MAC Viva Glam Nicki, MAC Kissable Color in Scandelicious, MSF Soft & Gentle) (Side: Physicians Formula in Rose)

Cover Showcase: Get the Look

With Wife Extraordinaire Returns Part 2 being released this month, I wanted to showcase the makeup look that I did on cover model, Feven.

Face: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC45
Cheek: MAC Blush in Pinch Me
Lips: NYX Lip Pencil in Fuchsia, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia
Eyes: MAC Paintpot in Blackground. MAC Pigment in Naked.
Brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud

Miss Piggy for MAC

Miss Piggy has become quite the businesswoman and Beauty Icon over the years. She has her own polish with OPI and now she has collaborated with MAC in what they call "The World's Most Perfectly Pink Eye Shadow." This adorable collection launched today and is available online only.

Her collection includes an eye shadow in Miss Piggy Pink (frosty midtone blue pink), lashes, and an Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black.

I already own the Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black and it is my least favorite eye liner from MAC. It's great if you like a subtle liner or cat eye. It applies very faintly. If you like a more intense liner then I would suggest MAC's Superslick Liquid Eye Liner. Below is a swatch of both to compare.

(Top: Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapid Black - 2 swipes. Bottom: Superslick Eye Liner in On The Hunt - 1 swipe)

MAC Violetta

MAC Violetta debuted last year in the Disney Venomous Villains Collection as a PRO color. MAC has re-released this Amplified Purple shade as a regular color. It's slightly similar to MAC's Girl About Town, but a little darker. I love the color, and it has a slight shimmer.

MAC's Posh Paradise Swatches

MAC's new collection, Posh Paradise has become one of my favorite Fall collections so far. I ordered 2 Mattene lipsticks in Rare Exotic and Unknown Pleasures, and a paintpot in Hyperviolet.

This is the Rare Exotic shade. I used my camera flash so the color is more bright here than in person. This color is a pretty rich fucshia color. I applied it over lip balm, so it's not as matte as it should be. I am in love with this shade and it is exactly what I've been looking for!

This color is Unknown Pleasures. Again, it's more rich, dark, and matte than what's shown in the picture. It's definitely more burgandy than red, and a tad bit darker than MAC's Diva.

Overall, I love the richness of the colors. The tubes are smaller than MAC's regular lipstick sizes, but the highly pigmented shades allow you to use less product.

The bottom shade is the Hyperviolet painpot, a beautiful and matte eggplant.

Check out MAC Posh Paradise here!

Upcoming MAC Collection: Posh Paradise Fall Collection

Nail Lacquers are lavishly lush, Mattene Lipsticks are light on the lips as lust & Pearlized Paint Pots blend smoothly over lids. Indulge yourself with a plush & provocative collection of hypnotic hues!

Fresh Amour, Naked Bliss, Delectable, Rare Exotic, Eden Rouge

Deliciously Forbidden, Legendary, Unknown Pleasures, Potent Fig, Seeds of Desire

 Fall is my favorite season because of the beautiful rich colors. I've been on the hunt for a matte rich fuchsia lipstick, and hopefully I've found it in the color above (Rare Exotic). I also ordered Mattene Lipstick in Unknown Pleasures and a paintpot in Hyperviolet. I will be sure to swatch each color.

This collection will be available on September 15 (Thursday)

Upcoming MAC Collection: Seasonally Supreme

Attention Tokyo scenesters, Seoul trendies, Shanghai sophisto-chicks....you've inspired a new collection of Sheen Supreme: twelve cream-or-frost shades that fuse Lipglass' high-shine finish with the saturated colour of a Lipstick.

LAUCH DATE: August 11

Some of the shades will be perfect for the Fall.

Get the Look with Model DaJion

It was a pleasure shooting beautiful model DaJoin for an upcoming book cover. Here is the make-up look that we went for.

Eye shadow: Inglot Cosmetics #450, MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge (Pro Shade), MAC Saddle
Brow: MAC Stud
Lips: MAC Lipstick in Diva, MAC Lipglass in Clear
Face: MAC Studio Fix in NC50, MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC50

Upcoming MAC Collection: OBSESSIONS

9 lucky beauty bloggers had the opportunity to collaborate with MAC to create a lipglass and eyeshadow of their choice. How DOPE is that! This collection will be online only and sold on the MAC website between June 21-August 21. I am loving every single lipglass color.

Get the Look: Doll Face



( computer screenshot)

It was such an honor shooting with one of the most adorable fashion lines to date, Chocolate Couture. And carrying out the baby doll theme was such a blast. Above is one of the make-up looks.



Products Used:

FACE
-MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW35
-Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in #4 Dark
-MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Medium Deep
-MAC Iridescent Press Powder

EYES
-MAC Eye Shadow in Too Dolly
-MAC Eye Shadow in Saddle
-MAC Naked Pigment
-MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder
-MAC Brow Pencil in  Stud (Brows)

LIP
-NYX Lip Pencil in Fucshia
-Maybelline ColorSensation in Fuschia Fever
-MAC Lip Glass in Pink Poodle
CHEEKS
-MAC Blush in Fleur Power
-MAC Blush in Dollymix

"What I'm Loving" Friday

1. Maybelline ColorSensation in Fuchsia Fever. If you haven't noticed by now, I love PINK makeup. I'm pretty sure I have several tubes similar to this color, but it is something different about this color. I instantly thought of MAC's matte lipstick Candy Yum Yum, which is sold out. So this Maybelline can be the perfect dupe.

2. Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette. I needed a nice palette of concealers for my photoshoots. It can get quite pricey buying single containers of concealer in every color, so I ordered this palette. I like the creamy application and the coverage is great as well.

3. Revlon ColorBurst in Baby Pink. Again I can never have enough pink makeup. This color is perfect for that baby doll pink lip. This color can be a dupe for MAC's popular color Angel.

4. LO'Real Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. A primer is one of the most important products needed to create a flawless face. I have many primers, but this item is one of my favorites. The pores in my nose area can get a little large and exposed at times. This product is great for smoothing out those areas. Remember to let your primer sit for 5 minutes before applying your makeup.

5. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme Cup. I love this nude colored lipstick because it's not too pale like most nudes are.

6. Bow Chain from Asos. One word - ADORABLE!

7. MAC Paint in Sublime Nature. This is a great nude base or can be worn alone.

8. Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System. This is an AWESOME dupe for the expensive Clarsonic. I don't have a Clarsonic but the concept is pretty much the same. This device leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and it was only $30. Clarsonic devices are $100+

9. Revlon Colorbust Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fraise. This is a very nice drugstore lipgloss. The staying power is great as well as the slight pigmentation.

10. China Glaze Polish in Re-Fresh Mint

(Top to Bottom: MAC CremeCup, Maybelline ColorSensation Fuchsia Fever, Revlon Colorburst in Baby Pink, MAC Paint Sublime Nature. Side: Revlon Colorburst in Strawberry Fraise)

Upcoming MAC Collection: Surf's Baby

The lure of the endless summer starts here with My Paradise Cheek Powder, Pigments, Summer Stash of Crushed Metallic Pigments, Hibiscus Lipstick and Splashproof Lash Mascara that just won't smudge. Journey to a world where feeling the rush means taking a risk. Hang Ten!

OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE: MAY 26, 2011

Surf, Baby! Cheek Powder ($28.00 U.S. / $32.00 CDN)

• My Paradise Peach pressed powder with gold hibiscus flower overspray (Limited Edition)

Lipstick ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

• Bust Out! Dirty mid-tone violet (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
• Hibiscus Bright orange coral (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)
• Mocha Peachy yellow-brown (Satin) (Permanent)
• Naturally Eccentric Creamy white nude (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

• Girl on Board Pale white gold (Limited Edition)
• Good Lovin’ Soft peachy pink (Limited Edition)
• Krazy Kahuna Warm mid-tone brown (Limited Edition)
• Strange Potion Soft coral pink (Limited Edition)

Crushed Metallic Pigment Stacks ($32.50 U.S. / $38.50 CDN)

• Summer Stash Light pink champagne, light white pearl, light violet with silver pearl, brown bronze with gold pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Surf the Ocean Frosty platinum, light yellow green, gold bronze, dirty graphite with silver pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Eyeshadow ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

• Saffron Deep coral caramel (Satin) (Limited Edition)
• Short Shorts Frosty white champagne (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Sun Blonde Dirty yellow gold (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Surf U.S.A. Frosted teal (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Swell Baby Mid-tone grey (Satin) (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($13.50 U.S. / $17.00 CDN)

• Hangin’ Loose Dirty pink nude (Limited Edition)
• Ocean Dip Mid-tone creamy aqua (Limited Edition)

Powerpoint Eye Pencil ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

• Blue Noon Teal with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Gilded White Yellow white frost (Limited Edition)

Pigment ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Naked Fleshy beige with golden copper pearl (Permanent)
• Melon Soft bright golden peach (Permanent)

Splashproof Lash Mascara ($14.00 U.S. / $17.00 CDN)

• Blacksplash Black (Permanent)

Bags (MAC Stores Only)

• Surf, Baby! 1 ($28.00 U.S. / $33.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)
• Surf, Baby! 2 ($32.00 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

• Full of Grace Soft sheer rose (Limited Edition)
• Pink Tinge Clean bright yellow pink with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Lilt of Lily Soft creamy pale pink (Limited Edition)

MAC Skinsheen Bronzer Stick ($29.50 U.S. / $35.50 CDN)

• Tan-tint Soft suntan bronze (Limited Edition)
• Billinoaire Bronze Warm golden tan (Limited Edition)
• Gilty Bronze Coppery bronze with gold shimmer (Limited Edition)

Bronzing Powder ($24.00 U.S. / $29.00 CDN)

• Solar Riche Mid-tone deep orange brown (Limited Edition)
• Refined Golden Finely spun gold with soft pearl finish (Permanent)

Studio Careblend Pressed Powder ($28.00 U.S. / $33.50 CDN)

• Gold-Go-Lightly Mid-tone golden tan brown (Limited Edition)
• Lush-Light Bronze Mid-tone rosy pink brown (Limited Edition)

"What I'm Loving" Friday

1. MAC Blush Peaches: I love this blush for a nice and calm peach tint.

2. Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream: I use this cream lightly after dropping my pin curls. This is good for frizz. The cream has an irredescent silver/white color, which adds a lovely sheen to my hair without looking greasy.

3. Bebe Lip Balm: It's nothing spectacular about this lip balm but I am a sucker for adorable packaging. These lip balms are free with a purchase from Bebe.

4. MAC Lipstick Ever Hip: I was sooooo excited when MAC rereleased Ever Hip from a previous collection, Give Me Liberty. I wasn't able to get it before but I immediately purchased it when it returned through the new collection, Fashion Flower. This color is a beautiful neutral peach. I probably have so many colors that are similar, but this one is special lol.

5. BUTTER London 3 Free Nail Laquer in The Full Monty: 2-3 coats of this gives me the perfect Golden nails.

6.  NYX Eye Liner in Velvet: I love this suttle mettalic gold color for my inner v's. Simply beautiful and smooth. The name "Velvet" is very fitting.

7. CHI Silk Infusion: This is definitely a staple in my hair care regimen. I use it on my hair with heat. It's not quite a heat protectant but it strengthen my strands and I've noticed less breakage.

8. MAC All Blending Sponge: I wanted to try out a Beauty Blender Sponge, but I ran across this sponge which is similar and cheaper. I use this sponge to blend out liquids to a nice airbrush finish on my face.

9. LORAC Starry-eyed Baked Shadow: This shadow came in the LORAC Movie Star kit. This is great for a sexy smokey eye.

10. Maybelline Color Sensational in Coral Crush: This has become one of my favorite coral lipsticks for the spring/summer.

11. Hard Candy GLOW all the Way Luminizer: I cannot have enough luminzers. This pinkish illumnizer is so beautiful on my cheekbones, nose, and any other place where I want a nice glow.

(left to right: MAC Lipstick Ever Hip, Hard Candy GLOW all the Way Luminizer, NYX Eye Liner in Velvet, Maybelline Color Sensational in Coral Crush, MAC Blush Peaches) 

MAC Big Bounce Shadow Review

Last week I received my order of the Big Bounce Shadow from MAC's new Flighty collection launching this Thursday. I ordered Reward Yourself and Good Fortune.



(left to right) Good Fortune and Reward Yourself)

 These shadows are very similar to MAC's paint shadows, only a little more wet and thin.

PROs:
-I like the suttle sheen.
-It's buildable
-You get a lof of product
-Nice variety of colors
-Can be used as a base or alone
-Does not crease (although I used it over a lid primer)

CONs:
-Once opened, there is a clear top over the product that got very messy while trying to remove.
-Slow drying time

I definitely recommend using a lid primer with this product. Because it is thin, it can streak if used on a bare lid.

(top to bottom: Good to Fortune, Reward Yourself)

Upcoming MAC Collection: Flighty

MAC is soon to release a high-altitude collection of 16 sensually spongy watercolour whipped mousse cream shadows. These shadows are set to provide luminescent washes that build from sheer to medium easily. Such beautiful spring and summer colors.

4 Limited Edition Shades of Zoom Lash. I am loving that blue.

Launch Date is May 5.

I ordered a few of these pots. So I will review and swatch the colors as soon as they arrive, hopefully before the official launch date. Which colors are you adding to your wishlist?

"What I'm Loving" Friday

1. MAC's Fix Plus Spray: This skin refresher and finishing mist is like Heaven in a bottle. This is great for those that finish their face with powder. A couple of sprays takes away the powdery look, giving off a beautiful dewy finish. And I love the refreshing smell.

2. Philosophy HOPE in a Jar: Facial Moisturizer. I have been using this moisturizer for 4 years now and it has been great. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and moisturized without looking greasy. The smell isn't the best, but I'm a little reluctant when putting anything with a perfume scent on my face anyways.

3. MAC Blush in Springsheen: The name and color is very appropriate for this time of year. The color is a peachy-bronze shimmer. I love this on top of MAC Blush in Peaches.

4. Philosophy Perfume by Philosophy: I love to wear this perfume on days when I don't want to wear perfume per se. It has a shower fresh clean scent that goes well when I'm dressed down.

5. L'OREAL Colour Riche in Sea Fleur: This color is a very pretty sheer iridescent purple-fuchsia.

6. MAC Dazzleglass in Funtabulous: I absolutely love this gloss over any of my purple/fuchsia lipsticks to give a 3D effect.

7.Sugar Baby Bronze Ambition Shimmer Beads: These little pearls of shimmer give the perfect sun kissed and golden finish.

8. MAC Face & Body Foundation: I love that it's water based, which is great for the skin. The coverage is light, but buildable. And for an even lighter coverage, mix in a little moisturizer. You also get a lot of product for the price, 4 FL. OZ. This with MAC Careblend powder gives me flawless skin.

9. Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer: This is one of my favorite primers. I like that it controls the oil and fills in large pores. For a perfect foundation application, this is a MUST-HAVE!

10. Viktor&Rolf FlowerBomb Perfume: This has become my GO-TO perfume for my nights out.

(top to bottom)
Sugar Baby Bronze Ambition Shimmer Beads, L'OREAL Colour Riche in Sea Fleur, and MAC Blush in Springsheen.

Review on MAC’s New Studio Careblend Pressed Powder

MAC recently release a new pressed powder that promises to provide a smooth, virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish. I normally use their Mineralized Skin Finish (MSF), which tends to look a little chalky. So I was so excited to see that they released a more natural product. I believe I have found my staple powder. No matter how much I put on, I don’t get that chalky look. I use MAC’s Face & Body Foundation in C7 and the Careblend in Medium-Deep for an airbrushed finish. This product is perfect for those who don’t like to look like they’re wearing makeup. The powder is extremely soft and finely milled to create the perfect canvas. The only con is that the colors are more light than the MSF. So if you are Medium Deep in the MSF then you may want to get Dark in the Careblend. Overall I believe this is one of MAC’s BEST powders.



I put the Careblend on with MAC’s 109 brush. I didn’t put on any primer. It gave me an even canvas, without the chalky finish.

MAC’s Haute & Naughty Mascara: Cheaper Alternative

I was so excited when MAC launched their Haute Naughty Mascara. One wand and 2 different styles of mascara. One portion of the top has a larger opening, giving you more mascara and more volume. The other portion has a smaller opening, allowing less product but enough to give great length. I mainly use the top that gives less product on the bottom lashes.

I was getting low on my product and before ordering another one, I noticed that Rimmel London just put out a similar item, Rimmel London Day 2 Night. The wands are slightly different but the end results are the same. And the Rimmel London brand is half the price of MAC. I will finish out my MAC tube, but the Rimmel will become my go-to mascara.

MAC Haute & Naughty $18.00
Rimmel London Day 2 Night $9.00 (Drugstore)


(Top to Bottom) MAC Haute & Naughty, Rimmel London Day 2 Night

MAC’s Pigments Cheaper Alternative

When I do makeup for a photoshoot I use pigments. Pigment is a highly concentrated colored powder. Just think of eye shadow, but as a powder and more intense color. Pigments can also be used as blush and lip color (with gloss). 

I was purchasing MAC pigments which are $19.50 for .15oz., and since they’ve changed their pigment containers, you don’t get as much pigment as you used to get. Well I’ve found a much cheaper and almost identical alternative through Coastal Scents. Coastal Scents pigments can be bought in different amounts. I have been getting the sample size which is only $1.00. And I purchased a bag of 25 containers for $7.99 to hold the pigments.
 
 (left to right) MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge, Coastal Scents pigment in Deep Russet.


(left to right) MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge, Coastal Scents pigment in Deep Russet.


(top to bottom) MAC Pigment in Heritage Rouge, Coastal Scents pigment in Deep Russet.
I have MAC Iridescent Powder ($23.00) that I mix into moisturizer or foundation for a lovely glow. Coastal Scents pigment in Sunstone is almost identical. I purchased it in the amount of 1oz. for $5.99 and this amount will last forever. (The amount of powder stops at the top of the label on the jar)


(left to right) MAC Iridescent Powder, Coastal Scents pigment in Sunstone.


(top to bottom) MAC Iridescent Powder, Coastal Scents pigment in Sunstone.

As you can see, the color pay off for the pigments is just as good as the MAC products. Coastal Scents have specials all the time, so you can get the pigments cheaper than $1.00. I purchased 20 different pigments when they were having a sale and I spent less than $15.

Coastal Scents pigments can be found at www.coastalscents.com. What colors are on your wishlist?