MAC

One of my boyfriend's friends began working for MAC's corporate office in NYC and generously offered to hook me up with his FAT (I'm talkin' over 50% fat) discount. It was music to my ears. I had to restrain myself from ordering the entire line and just stuck to "essentials" I've been eyeing for the past year. I forgave my bf for leaving me during my spring break to go on a trip to NY in exchange for makeup. :P 

239 Eye Shader & 266 Small Angled Brush 

I just had to have these brushes because the Pixiwoo sisters use them without fail in every tutorial. The 266 is so precise! My brows have never looked so clean. 

left right, top to bottom: Well Dressed, Melba, Harmony Blush

Rubenesque Paint Pot, Fluidline Blacktrack

Of the 3 blushes, I wanted Melba the most. I normally lean towards peachy-toned blushes and love the matte finish. Well Dressed and Harmony only made it due to curiosity because they are considered cult favorites. I was pleasantly surprised with the satin sheen from Well Dressed and that it looked okay on my skin tone. I never felt like pink would "work" on me. Exposed was much darker than I expected. I have never owned a MAC blush and did not know how pigmented are! Rubenesque feels rather greasy! It does last all day without creasing, but I don't like how it feels when I dip my finger in the pot. I love the golden peachy tone, but it still can't replace my love for Benefit's Birthday Suit. I didn't necessarily need Blacktrack after purchasing Tarte's gel liner, but it was too late to cancel my order. It builds to an opaque matte finish, but it does take several layers. I will do a post comparing swatches soon! 

Top to bottom: Well Dressed, Melba, Exposed, Rubenesque 

If that wasn't already enough to get me through the year, MAC released their Spring collections yesterday! My sister and I were highly anticipating blushes from Tres Cheek, highlighters from In Extra Dimension, and lipsticks from Reel Sexy. We normally don't join in on the hype for limited editions, but this case was different! MAC is releasing their new liquid to powder formula, and since Estee Lauder produces MAC... we knew it was going to be big. What piqued our interest was the release of their highlighter in Superb. We missed our chance to get Laura Mercier's Rose Rendezvous, Estee Lauder's Modern Mercury, and Guerlain's Cruel Gardenia, and apparently this was the next best thing. Check out this amazinggggg post by Bloomin' Beauty Blog comparing swatches.
After swatching all the new products, I only ended up leaving with Superb & Modern Mandarin. I really enjoyed EVERY single blush from the Tres Cheek collection, but I really couldn't justify getting any more MAC products. >_< Superb is obviously a rosy peach highlighter. It doesn't feel as creamy and cool to the touch as Estee Lauder's highlighters do, but it will do! I originally wanted Immortal Flower when looking at online swatches, but I fell for the satin finish of Modern Mandarin. I can't wait to wear it this spring and summer!

L-R: Modern Mandarin from Tres Cheek & Superb from In Extra Dimension

What would your list at MAC look like if you had a discount?

What are your thoughts on the new MAC releases? Have you picked anything up?? 

Hope everyone enjoys their Good Friday and has a blessed Easter Sunday! )

Weekend Haul

Thanks to a special offer on Rue La La local picks, I was able to get a hold of $120 worth of products for only $60 from Naimie's Beauty Center in LA! This is seriously like a gift sent from heaven whenever this deal is offered. This was my second chance to take advantage of this opportunity, and boy did it feel good getting almost 50% off (I couldn't stop at $120). It's pretty sad how quickly everything adds up!!! I feel like I have little to show, but hope you like some of the things!

from left to right:

Embryolisse Nourishing Moisturiser - Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo always uses this natural and paraben-free lotion underneath her foundation, and I have always wanted to try it! I have combination skin, but have been experiencing dry patches on my right bottom cheek. I thought it was a good excuse to try it out and did run out of night cream.

Lorac Translucent Touchup Powder - This powder was marked 50% off and with the added voucher, I'd only pay $8. I have hit pan on my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder and can't really say no to something that may help with afternoon oiliness. It contains oat flour that is not supposed to be drying. I'll be working on an upcoming post on powders!

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream - I have been wanting to try this darned thing for aaaages. I first heard about it from Ginabinawina99 on Youtube and was so intrigued by it. It's supposed to be like Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream, an all purpose product that can serve as a moisturizer for desert lands on your body, chapstick, hair tamer, burns, bites, scar prevention, and even primer! All sorts of crazy. I was actually going to head to Whole Foods to purchase it after my trip to Naimies, but thank goodness I was able to get it with a discounted price. I don't necessarily have dry skin, but like I said, I've been intrigued for years and will do anything to get rid of the dry patch on my cheek.

  

Moroccan Oil Treatment Light - I got a small 0.85fl oz of the original Moroccan Oil Treatment from my last haul at Naimie's and decided I would purchase a full size on my next trip. My hair really loves this stuff. I decided to get the "light" forumla because my hair does get weighed down really easily. 

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Foundation - I love this gel foundation so much. I tested it in 2011 and really enjoyed what it did for my skin, especially during the hot summer days. By the time I realized that it worked for me, summer was coming to an end and I didn't need another product collecting dust. It's not quite yet spring, but LA is already feeling hot and thought it was a wise investment for future use. 

Without boxes:

I also got a Sigma F25 sent to me as a replacement from my previous order. I got a faulty brush that shed TONS of bristles on a daily basis and knew something wasn't right. They had great service and kindly sent me a new brush. I'm happy to report the brush does not excessively shed and is even more tapered than the last!

(re-edit)
PS- I realized I was naughty and never posted my last haul from Naimie's, even though I took photos. I'll just do a quick recap of what I purchased.

from left to right:

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer - Sand

Terax Latte Clarifying Shampoo

Voluspa Goji Taracco Orange Candle

MAC Lustre Lipstick - Jubilee

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Toner

Moroccan Oil Treatment

Have you guys tried any of these products? What worked and didn't work for you? 

Need a lift?

My sister introduced me to 1) a new blog 2) a new Youtube channel and 3) a new product. 

Before reading any further, please look at Extra Petites blog entry here: Voluminous Puffy Bun!!!! Look look look! 

After watching the video and seeing her pictures, I was convinced I needed this in my life. I have the flattest head ever along with less hair on top. My hair is super poofy ear-length down, but glued to the top of my head ear-length up. Backcombing (teasing) is not a daily option for me as my hair always becomes limp and oily with the use of hairspray. I even bought a root crimper (a tiny flat iron with tiny crimp plates to create volume only at the root) to avoid teasing, but too lazy to do that too!! 

Anyways, I went over to a Japanese market in the Puente Hills mall (across from Ross) and found these bad boys. I also found the infamous velcro strips that keep your bangs/flyaways gone without leaving a crease in your hair as bobby pins or other clips do! 

I've tried them out... not too shabby!!! Definite recommendation. :) 

Velcro Strips $3.99, Velcro Bumps $9.99