Good things...

Every now and then MAC wins my heart, well I have learned to not get so worked up over the over abundant collection launches. They tend to be a bit overrated in my book. But every now and then I find a piece that is pure love and I contemplate buying backups.

Here's one I recently discovered and I have worn it every time I am lazy or I oversleep - pretty much every day the last half of August:

Electric Cool Eye Shadow in Superwatt:

It's MAC version of the cream/powder shadow hybrid in a pot. Sales associates have recommended to use a nylon brush to apply but I find that I get the best application when I just use swipe quickly with my finger from lash line right to my orbital crease and then I blend out softly. Also, the screw top pot is reminiscent to the original solo MAC shadows from yonder.

Here's a swatch:

It's a lovely light shimmering taupe with a bit of a bronzey feel. I love it best with just a simple flick of my NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates. But I have also experimented with other liners and it works just as well.

I paired it with Chanel's Intense Eye Pencil in Black Jade, blackened emerald:

I am almost ready to replace all my powder shadows with these creamy, springy cream/powder hybrids (not just MAC but other brands that also offer this formula).These are the easiest shadows to apply in just five minutes, probably another reason why I'm leaving the house later and later during the week.

The MAC associate said that these can be worn without a primer and I can attest to that. However, if I am going to add on with a crease and brow bone colors, I apply my usual TFSI primer. This shadow last eight hours regardless what route you take.

I'm so pleased with this shadow that I'm tempted to pick up a back up, as well as other shades. I probably should since these are limited edition - surprise, surprise. That's when MAC takes the fun out of makeup shopping and just turns us into raving lunatics.

Well at least I'll have pretty eyes in the middle of a nervous breakdown at the MAC store.

Superwatt, is one of twelve shades in the Electric Cool Eye Shadow Collection. They retail at $18.50/USD and may still be available at your local department stores that carry MAC. Also at freestanding MAC boutiques and online. 

Guest Post for Miss - Week of 8/27

Hey guys,
I am back from vacation and it was a much need one. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to take a little more time off from the blogging world. When I got back to the real world I got serious and did some thinking and scrubbing.

This week, I spend some time with the new NARS Skincare collection.

As you know, I have pretty sensitive, reactive skin (eczema prone) so find out how this did on my temperamental skin.

Click here.

Available now at department stores that carry the NARS collection and online at www.narscosmetics.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall 2012: She Wears it Well Palette

Brow expert, Anastasia is at it again. This time leaning on the glamour of Hollywood, circa 1930's for her fall palette, She Wears it Well:

I love that this palette comes with '30s inspired looks - the illustration is just lovely. The packaging is just as adorable. It's a crocodile embossed cardboard case with foil metallic accents - it's like a cute little clutch purse. The mirror is substantial - great if you take this as your only palette while taking a trip. It also comes with a dual head mini brush, which will work in a pinch but I do prefer my full sized brushes instead.

This palette is a mix of five shimmers and four matte shadows - it's a great balance of textures. I, personally don't like an all shimmer or all matte eye. The eye is multi-dimensional and interesting if you can blend both in one look.

Here's another look at the "How-to" cards:

Great for the makeup novice or for the advanced cosmetic user that needs a bit of inspiration.

I am somewhere in the middle and I found these cards fun.

Let's take a look at the sensual nude shades:

Trophy - taupe shimmer
Glow - golden bronze
Latte - light mocha shimmer
Foxy - golden reddish-chocolate shimmer
Sunset - golden/champagne like shimmer
Frosting - light pearl pink shimmer
Onyx - matte black
Almond - matte light beige
Toffee - matte neutral brown

The shimmers, with the exception of Sunset, weren't buttery soft to the touch. It reminded me of a MAC satin finish. I have to really pack this on a dense shadow brush. Sunset was softer in comparison, almost like a Urban Decay finish, you didn't have to work to hard to get this on your brush. The mattes were also reminiscent to a MAC matte finish.

And of course, the swatch lineup:

I tried out the Eyes and Dolls Anytime look:

Sunset applied all over lid and lightly over brow bone. Then Foxy is applied to crease and outer-v. I use a damp pencil brush and apply Foxy on the upper lash lines. I did apply this on top of Stila's Smudge Crayon in Smoke, a shimmering grey taupe.

I used a black gel liner to tightline my upper lash line only. I do get a good eight hours of wear time when I wear these shadows over a lid primer. The colors are a bit sheer on me but I suspect the fairer wearer will get more of a color impact. I prefer to wear these shadows on top of a cream shadow for more pigment. Layering two colors together also work well - I do like Trophy and Latte layered together. Also, you do get more color payoff when using a damp brush vs. dry.

The illumn8 formula features Youthful Synergy Complex - clinically proven to illuminate, firm, and hydrates the skin.
From the Anastasia website:
"Key Ingredients 
Youthful SynergyTM Complex in Shimmer Shades Brown Algae - A key ingredient that smoothes, firms, hydrates, and revitalizes the appearance of skin. Diamond Core Powder - Diffuses light for a soft focus effect. Sea Whip Extract - Soothes the skin Macadamia derivative - A natural hydrator capable of holding up to 300% more water in the skin. Powerful antioxidants of Vitamins A, B, C, E, and F. Balkan Botanical Infusion®"


I will say that if you truly love collecting nudes or looking for a palette to take on vacation this may be for you. I just recommend that you bring other brushes along with you, the brush included isn't really the best. Also, if you already have plenty of nude palettes in current rotation, you can pass.

But for $34/USD it's worth a look!

For a video demonstration:

Available at Sephora (store and online) as well as the Anastasia site. 

This was sent to me for consideration from the PR team at Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Guest Post for M.I.S.S. - 8/13/12 - New NARS Liners

I was NOT a fan of the original NARS Eyeliner Stylo, the felt tip liners. I might have gotten a bad batch because it never had enough pigment when I would use it. Also, longevity was another issue - there was none.

Well, I'm so glad Monsieur Nars went back to the drawing board to create a newer, stronger, better, faster version of this liner:

Click here for the rest of the review and swatch photos.

Simple Pleasures 8/7/12

You ever have one of those weeks that you are just slammed from the moment you wake up to the bitter second  after your heavy head hits the pillow?

Yeah, I am experiencing that right now and it's only Tuesday.

So after my daughter is sleeping and my husband and I are busy working on our laptops side by side, we make time for this little ritual:

The beer is interchangeable but the shot usually remains the same - whiskey - Jack Daniels, Jim Beam or Bulleit (if we are feeling particularly fancy).

Yes, it's like a mild burn down the esophagus but it makes the tummy warm and it takes the edge off a stressful evening. What's causing my stress? I've signed on as makeup artist for the next production, which is really exciting, a Shakespeare adaptation with Tagalog blended into an Elizabethan dialogue. It's pretty cool, if you ask me!

More to come, I promise. I will say that I'm currently researching tribal makeup. It's out of my element but I love a good challenge!

Another recent simple pleasure I am currently obsessed with - playing Solitare on my phone.

I currently got burnt out on Angry Birds, I don't do Words with Friends or Song Pop. I actually love playing this classic card game on the train to work or on the way home. Sometimes, I'll stay up longer than I should at night playing this game.

I know this wasn't a makeup or even a legit booze post but hey, I'm stressed out right now. 

Cut me some slack!

Guest Post for MISS - 8/6/12

Hello there,
How was your weekend? I felt like I didn't even have one, I was so busy. However, I still found time to review shadow/blush/bronzing palettes from Skinn Cosmetics:

I am new to this cosmetic line by Dimitri James, learn more here.

I was pleasantly surprised even though the palette design was all to familiar to me. Read and see what I mean.