MAC Angel Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches!

MAC Angel Lipstick

MAC Angel Lipstick ($15) is a soft pink. It's a frost finish by MAC, but I don't find it to be noticeable (at all, really) frosty. It does has a bit of a light pearl to it which makes the color shine and glisten on the lips. The coverage is sheer upon the first swipe, but it's very buildable to opaque coverage. I find it to be a very wearable every day baby pink, which is probably why it's one of MAC's best selling lipsticks.

In comparison to other popular MAC pink lipsticks - Angel is very similar to MAC Creme Cup in color and depth, but Angel is a touch cooler. It's almost difficult to tell them apart in different lightings, but I tell on me that Angel leans slightly more lilac and is a touch brighter/lighter. MAC Hue is a couple of shades lighter and is a bit warmer. MAC Lovelorn is deeper and pinker.

To be truthfully honest, it's not super flattering on my tan skintone, but when I top it off with a brighter lipgloss, it looks really pretty. It will of course vary on your personal taste and coloring. I think it looks lovely on light to light-medium skintones, but if you like nude pinks in general, Angel is a great choice.

Swatches from left to right: MAC Angel, Creme Cup, Lovelorn and Hue.

MAC Angel Lipstick on my lips

MAC Large Duo Pro Palette Review with Photos!

MAC Large/Duo Pro Palette

MAC Large Duo Pro Palette ($25) is a new double-sided pro palette that accommodates two inserts. It has a see-through lid/divider so you can view all of your shades at once while keeping them secure and protected. What's cool about this palette is that you can customize it any way you want. For example, you could turn it into an every-day palette and put blushes, bronzers, etc on one side and eyeshadows on the other.

All of the inserts are sold separately, and they all retail for $9 each. You have the option of purchasing a 15-eyeshadow insert, 6-blush insert, 12-customizable insert (usually for cream foundations, concealers, etc) and 24-customizable insert (for lipsticks and other cream products).

So, if you were to purchase the palette and two inserts, it would cost you $43.

I never use the inserts on any of my palettes, so I took the route of skipping purchasing any inserts for the time being to see how I like the palette as is.

The palette itself is slightly shorter in length than the old style palettes and almost three times the height. Some may find it to be bulky, but I love the fact that the palette is deeper than the old palettes, so there are no issues closing it, unlike the older MAC palettes. It shuts with a magnetic closure, which is really nice.

The old palettes held 8 blushes side by side with no divider. What dissapointed me about the duo palette is because it's slightly shorter, it doesn't hold 8 blushes nicely and uniform like the old palette. Nevertheless, it does hold 8 blushes with a little shifting around.

If you have nails, the clear middle divider is easy to lift up. Sometimes I have trouble with it, which can be slightly annoying, but you can just tilt the palette to get the divider to swing to the other side.

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013!

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013

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MAC's love affair with lips has led to the launch of a new MAC masterpiece. Introducing Mineralize Rich Lipstick - it's larger in size and scope and lavishes lips with nutrient-rich moisture. Featuring a luxurious formula and gorgeous colour, enhanced with a mineral moist complex that provides lips with nourishment and lasting hydration. Lightweight colour glides on with ease for an intense bright with shade retention. (Permanent)

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Select Shades Available in North America, UK, AU & NZ)

• Luxe Naturale - Light beige cream
• Posh Tone - Soft warm nude cream
• Glamour Era - Mid-tone warm brown frost
• Style Surge - Neutral coral cream
• Lady At Play - Mid-tone cool tangerine
• Lush Life - Deep cool plum
• Dreaminess - Soft cool pink cream
• Grande Dame - Mid-tone neutral rose cream
• Elegant Accent - Mid-tone warm rose cream
• Divine Choice - Mid-tone cool pink cream
• All Out Gorgeous - Deep warm red
• Everyday Diva - True red cream

Other shades (See locations for availability): 

• Ultraprecious - Soft peach cream* (North & South Asia)
• Smart & Sweet - Soft coral cream* (North & South Asia)
• Utterly Delicious - Bright coral cream* (North & South Asia, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, Latin America)
• Splurge - Mid-tone cool tangerine* (Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, South America)
• Ladies Who Lunch - Light cool pink cream* (North & South Asia)
• Strikingly Fabulous - Mid-tone warm bright pink* (North & South Asia)
• Red Coquette - Vivid bright bluish red* (North & South Asia)

*To see the full list by location, click here.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

I've read that they apply buttery, feel moisturizing on the lips and have good lasting power. I also like the chic packaging (they also have a magnetic closure). They also contain 4.4.g of product in comparison to the 3g in a standard MAC lipstick or 3.6g in a MAC Sheen Supreme.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks will retail for $22.00 US/$26.00 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.

I can't wait to try these! Do you think you'll be picking any of these up?

Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013

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M•A•C expands its innovative collection of foundations with a gorgeous NEW formula full of extraordinary benefits. Its lightweight lush texture feeds skin instantly with mineral-rich nourishing hydration, all day long. The uniquely creamy fluid, ideal for dry skin, blends beautifully, featuring shea butter, emollients and conditioning extracts to keep the face soft and supple. Its combination of powders creates an optical blurring effect that virtually diminishes imperfections and fine lines for a more even tone. (Permanent)

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I don't think it's any secret by now that MAC is my favorite cosmetic brand, so when I hear word of new product launches, I'm usually clicking my heels in excitement. Well, last year MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation came to the end of it's road and was discontinued - I've used it in the past and it was okay, but I wasn't really a fan of the thick texture in combination with the sheer coverage. So you wouldn't think MAC would discontinue their Mineralize foundation without coming out with a new one did you? Well, you're right. Early March, MAC is launching the Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation.

I'm crossing my fingers that the formula has improved, and hopefully the coverage has as well. It comes in a similar frosted bottle with a pump like the older version.

Vogue Beauty says:

"Every season, there is new product development that has make-up artists (and therefore us) all excited. For spring/summer 2013 it's all about this new MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 foundation, which has be causing quite a stir. Used in Paris at Costume National by make-up artist Sally Branka, it has also been seen in every city at pretty much every show, doing a fine job at creating the dewy, minimal make-up look that is proving to be ever so popular. Launching in the spring, this is going to be pretty major. Trust us."

Available in (18) shades: NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC44, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW50.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation will retail for $33.00 US/$40.00 CAD.

Featured with the foundation will be the MAC #130 Short Duo-Fibre Brush, which is a permanent brush by MAC and retails for $42.00 US/$50.50 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.

Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra, Vogue UK (image)

MAC Archie's Girls Betty Bright Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches and Comparisons!

MAC Betty Bright Lipstick

MAC Betty Bright Lipstick ($16.50) is one of the three new limited edition lipsticks that recently launched in the MAC Archie's Girls Collection. Betty Bright is described as a light, vibrant peach, but I don't find it very peach at all. It's more along the lines of a vibrant, coral-pink. I'd almost consider it a lighter, slightly less pink version of Viva Glam Nicki (I'm sure if you mixed Nicki and Myth together, you'd get something very close).

Betty Bright was one of the first Archie's Girls lipsticks that sold out on the MAC website because, well, who doesn't love a good coral?

I was excited to see that it's a MAC Satin, so the coverage is opaque with one swipe. With this particular lipstick, applying less is more. I found that if I apply more than one layer, the color settles in my lip lines when I rub my lips together, the color can look uneven.

Also with light shades like this it can emphasize dryness. I own several bright peach, coral and pink lipsticks from many brands and they all do the same thing. It's almost unavoidable unless you exfoliate your lips regularly and apply a good, hydrating lip balm prior to application. Applying a lip gloss over top always helps mask dryness with shades like these.

One thin layer of MAC Betty Bright Lipstick on my lips.

Sneak Peak MAC Strength Collection for Spring 2013!

MAC Strength Collection for Spring 2013

Some of you may have heard about this collection that's soon to come to MAC counters, but I thought it looked like a pretty interesting collection, so I thought I'd share!

"I am woman: fearless, elegant, strong. We love women who strike powerful poses, stand out, redefine the notion of beauty – and do it with an inner/outer strength that`s irresistible and impossible to ignore. Colour is a vehicle for women to flex their femininity and MAC`s new collection reflects this state of mind and style. It starts with dramatic eyes defined by two Eye Shadow Quads that sculpt and highlight, precision Penultimate Eye Liner and extra-volumizing Opulash. Lips pump up with vivid colour to project power while Powder Blush in natural tones softly chisels cheeks. And, nailing it for overall presentation, MAC`s high-gloss Nail Lacquer."

Lipstick – Limited Edition

• Party Parrot – Bright red pink (Matte)
• Pink Pigeon – Bright cleanest pink (Matte)
• Strong Woman – Bright violet (Matte)
• Absolute Power – Rich red (Matte)
• Firm Form – Gilded black with gold pearlized pigments (Matte)

Lip Pencil – Limited Edition

• Embrace Me – Vivid pinkish fuchsia
• Lasting Sensation – Bright coral

All Woman Eye Shadow x4 – Limited Edition

• Flawless Figure – Pale warm shimmering white (Veluxe Pearl)
• Brains & Brawn – Mid-tone taupe (Matte)
• All Woman – Greenish dark grey (Satin)
• Black Magique – Deep dark black with warm tones (Velvet)

Inner Strength Eye Shadow x4 – Limited Edition

• Lithe Spirit – Palest white pink (Satin)
• Inner Strength – Light cool mauve taupe (Matte)
• Fabulous Fit – Mid-tone cool grey (Matte)
• Heatherbelles – Deep charcoal (Satin)

Powder Blush – Limited Edition

• Taupe Shape – Satiny taupe
• Poised – Muted pinkish brown

Penultimate Eye Liner

• Rapidblack – True black

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

• Feline – Rich black

Technakohl Liner

• Graphblack – Rich graphic black

Mascara

• Opulash – Black

Nail Lacquer – Limited Edition

• Muscle Tone – Pale neutral nude (Cream)
• Triumphant – Mid-tone cool brown (Cream)

Brushes

• 168 Brush – Large Angled Contour Brush (Natural Fibre)
• 275 Brush – Medium Angled Shading Brush (Natural Fibre)

Launch Date: I've read lots of rumors about this collection - some have said it will launch at the end of December/Early January, and there has been speculation that it will be sold exclusively in-store. I asked a MAC representative in the Live Chat, and they confirmed it will be available in-store and online. Still though, I don't know if it's 100% accurate. I guess we'll have to wait and see!

(screenshot of Live Chat)

Source: From my lovely friends on Specktra.

MAC Taste Temptation Collection Now Online!

MAC Taste Temptation Collection Now Online

"A seductive style surfaces after-hours, drawing in an exotic panorama of pleasure-seeking, night-blooming violets. M∙A∙C captures this world in an elegant colour collection of deep purples, plums and amethysts."

The standout pieces from this collection are Mattene Lipsticks ($15) which are intensely pigmented and creamy lipsticks with a matte finish. Temptalia graded the shade Night Blooming an A, so I'd be curious to see how they hold up on the lips. It's always nice to find a good formula of lipstick with a matte finish because matte finished tend to be drying.

The Eyeshadow Palette ($40) is a miss, and the Powder Blushes ($20) and Tinted Lipglass ($15) just look okay.

There's nothing I found really unique, so I most likely won't be purchasing anything. All of the shades in this collection are very cool-toned (pinks, purples and blues) so it's nothing that great for my coloring.

Will you be purchasing anything? Everything is currently in-stock online. The collection will hit stores on the 13th.

Shop the Taste Temptation Collection by Clicking Here.

In other news, Too Faced is on Hautelook today, they have lots of eyeshadow duos in stock for $8 each if anyone is interested!

Also updated the latest drugstore makeup sales on my Makeup Sales and Coupon Codes tab. I apologize that it hasn't been updated all week - the Holiday season gets so hectic!

There's a new poll on the right side-bar as well, check it out!

My November Favorites!

November Beauty Favorites

I know I rarely ever do monthly favorites, but I had to do a favorites list this month since there are several products I've been loving lately and have been getting most of my attention! The list can pretty much go on forever, but I'll try to keep it short!

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - I've had a few samples of this and loved it, but have only finally purchased a tube this month. It's probably one of my favorite cream foundation as it's full coverage, yet it looks like skin. It's comfortable to wear and the color Bamboo Beige is perfect for me when I am in the MAC NC30 color range. My only gripe is that it's not budge-proof and starts to get a little shiny and fade around my mouth around 5-6 hours in wearing it. Despite that, I really do love this foundation.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick - This has been the only lipstick I've been wearing all month. It's such a pretty rosy pink with a hint of frost. It can look a little bright sometimes, so when I want something more subdued, I like mixing it with a lighter shade, such as MAC Creme D' Nude.

Revlon Bordeaux Lipgloss - Bordeaux has been my favorite pick for an easy berry lip this Fall. I love how pigmented and moisturizing it is, and that I don't have to bother with a lip liner. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a very wearable berry.

MAC Bamboo Eyeshadow - Bamboo is a fairly popular shade by MAC, but it's never one that I thought I needed. Well, I was wrong and this light beige-peach with a matte finish has found it's way into my MAC Everyday Palette, and has been a color I tend to reach for just about every day. Fabulous for warm skin tones, it's a great blending color and pairs well with copper, golds and browns. It leans slightly orange, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for cool skin.

MAC Mulch Eyeshadow - Mulch is another great shade by MAC that I surprisingly didn't own. Although it's pretty much a standard dark bronzy-brown with reddish undertones, it compliments my skin really well and I find myself using often.

MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil 

MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil ($19.50) is a soft, rosy-beige long-wearing and transfer-proof lip pencil with a creamy, "fluid-like" texture that glides to the lips with rich, saturated color.

Lip liner is one of those things that I neglect to use every day, even though I prefer the look of my lips with lip liner. I suppose it's mainly a convenience thing - I like a simple daily routine, and most of the time I just apply what I find is necessary. I do love lip liner though, especially MAC Lip Pencils. It's pretty much the major brand I use, with Oak, Stripdown and Subculture being my go-to shades. I became curious about their Pro Longwear line of lip pencils that launched late last year, as often times I only apply my liner in the morning and it's gone within a couple of hours, so finding a lip liner that will last me for several hours would be wonderful!

The formula of these pencils are pretty nice. They are no doubt creamy and glide easily across the lips. The liner doesn't tug or pull at the lips - just smooth sailing. They dry down to a budge-proof matte finish.

Alone on the lips, the pencil makes my lips look dry and crackled, as the formula really "clings" to the lips. So, I wouldn't wear it on it's own (or this shade anyway). I like wearing it as a base for my lipstick, or simply applied lightly on the outline of my lips and blended in. I don't find it to be drying when combined with another lip product. I also notice that when it's on my lips, it feels the slightest bit tacky - kind of similar to some formulas of long-wearing lipsticks.. dry, but somewhat sticky? Very minor, though.

MAC doesn't give a length of time that these lip pencils should last, but I find that it holds up really well throughout the day. It holds up well after my morning coffee, and partly goes away with a meal (which typically would be completely gone). If I don't eat or drink, it doesn't budge. It's hands down the longest wearing lip pencil I own.

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter ($29) is described on the MAC website as a soft peachy nude with multi-dimensional shimmer. It has a hint of warm pink to it and mixed with the glistening champagne-peach, it gives off a rose gold appearance. It's a limited edition highlighter originally released in the MAC In Extra Dimension Collection this past Spring, but was re-released in the newest MAC Glamour Daze Collection.

The power itself is very finely milled, silky smooth and almost feels like a pressed pigment. It's highly pigmented with a high shine finish. I found that when I apply too much, it looks very metallic. This is easily the most intense highlighter I own. The great thing is that if you over-do it, it's easy to fix. If I screw up, I'll lightly run my foundation brush over it (with foundation residue), and it lightens up perfectly.

To apply, I usually use a small stippling brush or my fingers. Either work fine, but I like using my fingers to diffuse the edges. It works really well. Due to the texture, a synthetic and/or dense brush picks up product better than a natural bristle brush.

I really like the way it wears over time. Some highlighters tend to sit on top of the skin, sometimes looking a bit ashy/powdery and unnatural. Superb becomes one with my skin and catches light without looking like an obvious highlighter. I prefer this formula over the MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes which can look a little powdery.

It stays put all day, which is a huge bonus. Since I'm not one to touch-up my makeup throughout the day, anything long lasting is good news for me. One of my favorite highlighters is The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, but it disappears too quickly on my skin. By the end of the day, Superb hasn't gone anywhere.

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick ($15) is described on the MAC website as a frosted mid-tonal pink. It's a very girly and subtly warm, vibrant pink, so if you're feeling like you want to wear something other than your average muted pink but don't want something very bright and in-your-face, Pink Pearl Pop is a great median. And despite what the description says, it's not frosty. The pigmentation is sheer, and buildable to medium coverage. It has a shiny balm-like finish.

I own many pinks, but I couldn't find a perfect dupe for Pink Pearl Pop. Revlon Perennial Pink Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze came the closest, as when I applied Pink Pearl Pop on my bottom lip and Perennial Pink on my top lip, I could hardly tell the difference, other than the lipgloss obviously being glossier. Pink Pearl Pop is a little more vibrant.

Pink Pearl Pop launched recently a couple months ago with the MAC Cremesheen + Pearl Collection, along with six other lipsticks and an array of Cremesheen Glasses. I had my eyes on several shades, but considering they are permanent products, I'm in no rush to get them all at once.

As with most Cremesheen formulas, Pink Pearl Pop feels moisturizing and comfortable on the lips.

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick on my lips.

Sneak Peak MAC Apres Chic Collection for December 2012!

MAC Après Chic Collection December 2012

I know, the MAC Holiday Collection just launched a few days ago and we're already word of the collection to follow! It's a Mineralize Collection, which is exciting news to me because I love Mineralize products (especially the blushes). The collection is set to launch late December in the USA/Canada. So far, I haven't seen any promo images, but I will post them once I spot them. So far, the only photo we have to go off of is the one above that has been floating around and it doesn't include everything in the collection. There also seems to be an extra lipstick out (maybe a double?)

"Changing scenes from the high drama of the holidays to the haute chic of the ski slopes. Natural glamour appears effortless, and in its element, against a brilliant blue sky or luxe lodge. This gorgeous look starts with luminous MAC Mineralize Skinfinish and Blush applied with the 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush. Use the 287 Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush to build layers of dimensional colour with Mineralize Eye Shadow. Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm packs lips with moisture, while adding the right pop of colour and shine. And, because eventually the mittens will come off, Nail Lacquer in Dangerously Fun heats things up in blazing berry red."

Mineralize Skinfinish (Limited Edition)

• Porcelain Pink – Soft pinky coral with gold veining (re-promote)
• Stereo Rose – Coral with golden-bronze shimmering nuances (re-promote)

Mineralize Blush (Limited Edition)

• Amber Glow – Warm peach
• Gentle – Raspberry with gold pearlized pigments (re-promote)
• Alpine Bronze – Mid-tone caramel

Mineralize Eye Shadow (Limited Edition)

• Ice – Light peach base with white veining
• Silver Birch – Grey base with peach veining
• Fireside – Deep plum with grey veining
• Frost at Midnight – Deep blue-grey base with purple veining
• Winter Pursuit – Copper base with grey veining

Pro Longwear Eye Liner (New Permanent Items)

• Black Ice – Rich black 
• Rich Experience – True brown 
• Mountain Air – Vibrant teal 
• Night Trail – Deep navy blue 
• Snow Shadow – Purple violet 

Mascara

• Zoom Waterfast Lash – Black

Lipstick (Limited Edition)

• Après Chic – Pinky brick red (Cremesheen)
• Haute Altitude – Mid-tone blue pink (Amplified Creme)
• Hot Chocolate – Mid-tone plum (Satin)
• Cozy Up – Deep caramel (Matte)
• Warm Companion – Beige with gold pearlized pigments (Frost)

Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm (Limited Edition)

• Pure & Tender – Plumy creamy nude
• Slightly Nude – Nudey coral with subtle pink pearlized pigments
• Nice & Simple – Bronzy gold with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments
• Rosy Romance – Bluish plum with subtle pink pearlized pigments
• Stay Warm! – Creamy light pink

Nail Lacquer (Limited Edition)

• Dangerously Fun – Berry tone blue red (Cream)
• Hangin`Loose – Mid-tone pink nude (Cream) (re-promote)

Brushes

• 187 Brush – Duo Fibre Face Brush (Natural / Synthetic Fibre)
• 287 Brush – Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush (Natural / Synthetic Fibre)

What do you think of this collection? 

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 2)

 MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Gift Sets

There hasn't been too much information released other than some pixelated promo and product images for the upcoming MAC Holiday Collection (which is HUGE, btw!). But I can't help but share the photos and information I've come across related to the collection.

I don't normally get excited about upcoming MAC Collections because they come and go so quickly, but I'm actually kind of excited for the MAC Holiday Collection! I'm over my obsession of bows, but I can't help but love the packaging for the all of the palettes. They are so elegant and glam!

*The actual names of the products as well as the descriptions and prices have not been released yet. 

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Eyeshadow Palettes

There will be three eyeshadow palettes with each palette containing five eyeshadow colors and a mini-size eyeshadow brush.

• Palette 1 – Taupeless, Satin Taupe, Love Spice, Spellcaster and Black Slip
• Palette 2 – Blonde Mink, Magical Mist, Brun, Enviable and Smut
• Palette 3 – Glamour Light, Retrospeck, Honesty, Cognac and Sketch

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Face, Eyes and Lips Palettes

• There will be three palettes with each one containing three eyeshadows, two lip colors, one face powder (not sure if it's a bronzer or Blush) and a mini double-ended eyeshadow and lip brush.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Complexion Touch-Up Palettes

• There will be three sets to choose from with each palette containing one lipstick and one oil-absorbing/touch-up pressed powder.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 1)

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection

There are so many things I love about the holidays - Fall Fashion (scarves, long sleeves and boots), the cold weather (and good hair days - see ya next year humidity!), pumpkin spice lattes, fun-size candy bars, the Christmas lights that light up Chicago, wrapping myself in my self-made cocoon of comforters at night.. and of course, the holiday makeup collections.

We're beginning to see a ton of previews for the new holiday collections and I'm already anticipating October/November so I can go on a swatching rampage at Macy's (Chanel and Dior, I'm coming for you!).

The MAC Holiday Collection is as usual in two parts - the Colour Collection (below) and the Sets (brush and makeup sets).

If you missed out on the highlighters from MAC's Extra Dimension Spring 2012 Collection, don't worry! They are being re-released (the most popular ones, anyway).

Extra Dimension Eyeshadow

• A Natural Flirt – soft peachy nude
• Divine Blue – midtone aqua
• Ready to Party – pale lilac
• Stylish Merry – midtone dusty violet
• Tall Dark and Handsome – black with pearl
• Evening Grey – steel silver
• Round Midnight – dark burgundy
• Stolen Moment – dark taupe

Fluidline

• Catch My Eye – cool taupe grey with dazzle pearl
• Little Black Bow – charcoal with dazzle pearl
• Feminine Edge – pink mauve with dazzle pearl

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

• Raven – intense black with red pearl
• Orpheus – intense black with gold pearl
• Mystery – intense black with green pearl
• Feline – intense black with black pearl

Extra Dimension Skinfinish

• Superb (Repromote)
• Whisper of Gilt (Repromote)

Powder Blush

• I’m the One – midtone blue pink
• Easy Manner – light dirty peach
• Small Vanity – dusty rose tan

Lipstick

• Beauty – pale cool pink (Glaze)
• Dramatic Encounter – deep purple (Amplified)
• Glamourdaze – midtone creamy plum (Cremesheen)
• Innocence – soft coral (Frost)
• Outrageously Fun – midtone magenta violet (Cremesheen)

Lipglass

• Deliciously Demure – soft cool brown with pearl
• Flight of Fancy – rich purple
• Impossibly Sweet – sheer soft pink with multi-dimensional pearl
• Pink Fade – light creamy pink
• Talk Softly To Me – light creamy coral pink

Nail Lacquer

• Endless Night
• Girl Trouble
• In the Limelight
• Everything that Glitters

Availability: Late October/Early November 2012. Although, I don't have the confirmed date yet.

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush ($20) is a bright, cool pink cream blush. Florida was originally released back in the beginning of 2010 with the MAC in Lillyland Collection and was re-released earlier this year in the MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection. I'm always game for anything that's hot pink, so when I saw this blush in a recent blog sale, I couldn't resist. It's a limited edition shade, so sadly it's no longer available.

With a sheer layer, it gives my cheeks a natural cool, dolly pink hue that looks soft and fresh. The color can be built very easily (as it's very pigmented) to a more vibrant pink if you like your blush to be prominent. I absolutely love this blush, and I know it's going to be one of my frequently used products.

In general, I like applying cream blush with a small duo-fiber stippling brush (I use a MAC 131 Brush, although many like to use a 188 Brush). You can use your fingers, but in my experience, a brush disturbs my foundation less. I sometimes like using my fingers and with no pressure at all, sweep my fingertips across the edges to diffuse the edges.

MAC Florida swatched on the back of my hand.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Bombshell Lipstick

MAC Bombshell Lipstick ($15) is a soft rosy pink with pink and golden shimmer. It's a frost formula lipstick, so if you don't like frost, this might not be a lipstick for you - but for reference, I can tolerate many of MAC's Frost Lipsticks as the actual formula is nice and they don't tend to be overly frosty.

The lipstick is smooth (non-gritty and dry like many frost lipsticks) and applies just as silky as any of their other formulas. It has a satin finish, but if it was a bit more glossy I'd love this lipstick so much more. I think it has a tendency to sometimes looks a little dull on my lips, but it's nothing a little gloss doesn't fix. I've read that it looks great when layered with MAC Nymphette Lipglass, although I just grab any similar pink gloss and it always looks nice.

I notice that when I'm tanner (NC35), it looks more cool toned on my lips, and when I'm lighter (NC25), it looks a bit more rosy. I think Pink Icing would've been an appropriate name, because that's almost what it looks like on my lips.

It's a fabulous shade for every-day, and if you're in the market for a frosty pink that doesn't make you look like a porn-star, check out MAC Bombshell.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick on my lips (around NC30 skin tone)

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick ($15) is described as a mid-tone pinky plum. It's a shade I would have never picked up a couple of years ago, and a shade I've overlooked ever time I'm shopping at the MAC counter. I'd like to call it a grown-up pink - your progression from baby pinks and nudes. It looks quite boring in the tube when you look at it in indoor lighting, but in the sunlight, you really get to see how complex and pretty this pink is. It kind of reminds me of a more pigmented, brighter and pinker Rimmel Airy Fairy.

Hot Gossip brings color to my face without being too bright, and makes my lips look a bit more noticeable and full. I think it's a shade that will work on many skintones from warm to cool, light and dark.

It's a cremesheen formula, so it applies smooth and is opaque with a few swipes of the tube.

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick on my lips

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick ($15) is described on the MAC website as a clean, pastel pink. It's a very blue-based (cool toned) pink, so it can appear a bit lilac-purple. It's a very "barbie" pink, that can be difficult to pull off, and most times is a hit or miss on most skin tones. I think it's absolutely beautiful on light skin tones (see Katy Perry below) and I actually didn't discover my love for blue-pink lipsticks until I tried one minus my faux tan (around the MAC NC15 coloring).

Because it's very light (pastel), and it's a very opaque formula of lipstick, it can look a bit harsh as it can completely block out the color of your lips (much like any pastel - such as MAC Fleshpot or Myth), but when applied sheer, and combined with a pink lip gloss on top, it's so much more wearable.

MAC Saint Germain on my lips.

NYX Sand Pink Lip Liner, MAC Saint Germain Lipstick and MAC Like Venus Dazzleglass.

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter 

MAC Prep + Primer Highlighter  ($24) is a pen-style creamy highlighter that brings a sheer wash of color to the skin wherever it is applied. It can be used under makeup to prime and brighten, or on top of makeup to highlight.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter is available in (3) shades: Light Boost (soft yellow cream), Radiant Rose (light shell pink) and Bright Forecast (mid tone peachy coral). (You can find swatches of all three shades on Temptalia)

I purchased Radiant Rose, as pink toned highlighters seem to do the best job brightening on my particular skin tone.

Several brand make these pen style highlighters, and I find that most of the time they are pretty expensive for the amount of product you receive. YSL Touche Eclat for instance costs $40 for a 0.10 oz tube. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener costs $38 for 0.05 oz and Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen costs $37 for 0.05 oz. They might all be mildly effective, but I personally think they are very expensive for how long they last with daily use.

I was thrilled when MAC came out with a highlighter pen, as MAC tends to be a bit lower priced than most high-end cosmetics. At $24 for 0.12 oz, it's very easily the best value overall, therefore I'm the most willing to purchase from MAC.

MAC Prep & Prime Radiant Rose Highlighter (left) and YSL Touche Eclat #1 Radiant Touch (right). Both are swatched on warm, medium skin (MAC NC30).