MAC Haul - For the first time in aaages!

I finally got to visit the MAC Pro store since it relocated to Britomart in downtown Auckland. I am so impressed. The store feels much more spacious and the set up is more like that of the St Lukes store. Thumbs up from me MAC!

The whole reason for me visiting was because I had run out of my Face & Body Foundation. Of course... somehow I ended up leaving the store with much more than I'd budgeted for...

Oops.

Hahaha. Well first up are the MAC Face & Body Foundations that I'd run out of. Geez I love these. C2 is the foundation I wear pretty much everyday - it's perfect!

Next was something I've been meaning to try for years - the MAC Paint in Bare Canvas. Never tried it before, but it looks real good. Hoping that it'll be amazing as an eyeshadow base!

Here's a swatch:

And finally I got my hands on MAC's Myth lipstick! It's been out of stock in New Zealand for sooo long, so I had to buy it!

Swatch:

Eyeshadows have always been my greatest weakness though, so I kinda knew I'd end up buying some more of them. In my defense, Shroom was only bought because I've hit pan on my old one.

Then I got Tempting because I've always been tempted to buy it. Hahaha. See what I did there? ... Yeah I'm lame. :(

Sable I bought for my Mum, but somehow it's in my palette now..

Everyone has All That Glitters, but I didn't so I added that too.

Electra is one I've wanted for ages - it's so pretty! I need to find an excuse to wear it now.

Swatches! Top: Electra, All That Glitters, Sable. Bottom: Tempting, Shroom.

Ugh, I knew that once I visited the MAC store that I'd fall in love with MAC products again.. There's just something about them (eyeshadows especially!) that are so alluring.
Since I just found out that you can use the mascara tubes in their Back2MAC recycling program, I really want to try one.. is there any MAC mascara that you would recommend??

Thanks for viewing dolls, this has been fun!
oxo

Old Reliables: Foundations and Concealers

In the second instalment of 'Old Reliables', we take a look at a couple of my favourite foundations and concealers that I've continued to use on a regular basis over the years.

First up is MAC Face and Body Foundation

This is actually my everyday foundation and has been ever since I discovered it back in early 2009. Face and Body is a sheer, water-based foundation that is suitable for any skin type. Even though it's sheer, it's very buildable and you're easily able to get any coverage you want.
I've actually got the other women in my family hooked on this foundation after using it on them, it's especially beautiful on mature skin - really gives a gorgeous dewy look. Even on my own oily skin, I find this to be a really decent foundation. Recommend to all, this is always in my makeup kit.

Graftobian HD Warm Foundation Super Palette

If I want flawless skin, this is what I reach for. Originally bought for my professional makeup kit, I couldn't resist using it on myself too. Creams are soo versatile, I can't help but love them.
My favourite way to apply this is to mix it with Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion - and apply with a beauty blender sponge or a duo-fibre brush. When applied this way, I find that it gives you the 'my own skin - but better!' look, which is what I always go for. I absolutely despise the whole 'cake face' look, natural is always the way to go if you ask me.
This palette can also be used to contour and highlight, and it also makes an amazing concealer - this will cover anything! Highly recommend this for your professional kit, and the individual pots or smaller palettes for personal use.

Ben Nye Concealer Palette

Ben Nye is such a good quality, well priced brand. I've never been disappointed with any of their products yet, and wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. This especially, is one of my favourites. The colours in here blend well and are just the right consistency - not too creamy and not too dry. When followed with the Ben Nye Neutral Set - this concealer does NOT move.
I love it!

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

For like a year, this was the only concealer I used. Like the Ben Nye concealer it blends very easily, but it's much creamier. So setting is a MUST. A little goes a long way and it's quite easy to use too much - so start with a teeeny amount and apply more as needed. The thing I've noticed with this concealer is that the NW shades are much more pink-based than the other NW concealers that MAC make - so if you have a yellow undertone like me, the NW shades really can only be used on dark undereye circles. For blemishes and redness, you will need an NC shade.
My only real complaint is that I hate the packaging, glass jars are too heavy to carry around everywhere and I find that they do dry out quicker. Still the product itself, hasn't really failed me yet!

Thanks for viewing, stay tuned for the next instalment!
oxo

FOTD: Smokey eye!

Smokey eyes and nude lips! (The token porn star look, Lol)
I even curled my hair a little. Needed to try out my new rollers. xD
Anyway, time for the close ups?

  Gosh. I am so terrible at taking close up pics. Oh well.
Onto what I used!

Face:

• MAC Face and Body Foundation in ‘C2’
• Revlon Age Defying Powder in ‘Sand Beige’
• Ben Nye Concealer Palette
• MAC Hello Kitty Blush in ‘Tippy’
• Estee Lauder Brilliant Shimmer All Over Powder in ‘04 After Hours’

Eyes:

• MAC Paintpot in ‘Painterly’
• MAC Eyeshadow in ‘Knight Devine’ all over lid.
• 120 Palette – Shimmery Black on the outer corner and in the crease as well as underneath the eye
• MAC ‘Your Ladyship’ pigment as the highlight
• Shiseido Liquid liner
• Avon Ultra Luxury Eyeliner in ‘Black’

Lips:

• MAC Lipstick in ‘Fleshpot’
• Revlon lip gloss in ‘010 Shine City’

Hope you like it!

oxo

M.A.C Face and Body Foundation

As a makeup artist, I am always on the look out for a foundation that will give my clients a flawless finish. I have definitely found this in M.A.C's Face And Body Foundation. I use this on myself as well as a lot of my clients (I'm still re-stocking my kit so need to get more colours) and I get a gorgeous result everytime.

Face And Body Foundation is a water-based, water-resistant foundation that comes in a wide range of colours and is suitable for any skin type. It goes on sheer at first, but you can keep building it up until you reach the coverage you desire! And since its for the body too, if you need to even out the skin tone on your chest, or anywhere else, this is perfect.

Now for $75.00 NZD, this may seem a little pricy. But with this product a little goes a long way! And it comes in a huge 120ml bottle, so think of this as an investment!

oxo