MAC Iridescent Powder Review

MAC Iridescent Powder, Silver Dusk is one of my favorite highlight shades.  It is a beautiful pinkish beige colored powder with subtle silver shimmer.  You definitely need to be a fan of shimmer if you plan to rock this powder.  I love using it below my brow bone as a highlight shade and on my cheek bones for a light glowing effect.  I reach for this powder almost on a daily basis.

Silver Dusk (NW20) $23

Iridescent Powder is a finely milled mixture of Mica and pigments which gives the skin a beautiful sheen. It can be used on its own or mixed into other products like foundations or moisturizers to enhance their iridescent qualities. Designed to apply easily and uniformly without streaking and caking, it blends beautifully and can be applied on bare skin or over foundation. Because it's so concentrated it should be used sparingly at first.

As MAC's description says above, this powder packs a lot of shimmer so you only need to use a small amount unless you want to look like a disco ball (not really a problem for me). Sometimes I wish that I was a vampire from Twilight so that my skin would shimmer all the time.

I would definitely recommend this powder to anyone who loves shimmer and glitter as much as I do!!!

MAC Glitter and Ice Dazzlesphere

MAC's holiday collection for Winter 2011 is Glitter and Ice:

I only picked up one item from this years holiday collection, but I am in love with the colors.  I have developed a recent obsession with MAC pigments.  I have had some of the pigments for a few years and only used them every once and a while.  Now I cannot seem to get enough.

While checking out the new collection at my local MAC I instantly fell in love with the gorgeous pigment colors in the smoky berry kit.

Smoky Berry Ornament $32.50

Left to Right (NW20): Spicy Smoke, Roasted Chestnut, Rose Light, Pearl

MAC Wipes Review

I have heard so much hype about MAC's face wipes, but never tried them until recently.  Most people have a love or hate relationship with the wipes.  Many say that the wipes caused their skin to break out.  This is the main reason that I was so hesitant to try them.  My finicky skin does not need any help when it comes to breaking out.  After a recent visit to my local MAC store, I finally decided to breakdown and try them out for myself.

MAC Wipes 100 Count $28

At first I was a little put off because of their smell.  They have a very strong perfume smell to them.  To me the smell was not horrible, just strong, so I decided to give them a chance.  Since then the smell has actually grown on me.   I was completely shocked the first time the wipe touched my face.  It literally made all of the makeup disappear in one quick swipe.  I have never found another makeup removing wipe that could do this.  I was wearing lotion, SPF, Primer, foundation, blush, bronzer, powder, etc and one swipe took it all off!

I use these wipes before working out and sometimes at the end of the day to take off my makeup.  I read some where that the wipes are made with a sugar based emulsifier that helps breakdown makeup.

Besides the makeup melting strength my favorite thing about these bad boys is that they are moisturizing and leave my skin feeling as soft as a babies behind.   My biggest complaint of other makeup removing wipes is that they leave my dry skin feeling tight, uncomfortable, and even more dry. 

 

MAC Prep+Prime Translucent Power Review

MAC Prep+Prime Translucent Powder ($23)

A silky finishing powder that provides an invisible way to set makeup. Reduces shine while optically minimizing the look of pores, lines, imperfections. Available in one universal colour that suits all shades. Wear over makeup or on bare, moisturized skin.

I bought this powder a few weeks ago after a MAC Street to Runway Makeup class.  I have been using it almost everyday to set my foundation since then.  I have found that this powder provides me with just the right amount of shine control that lasts me all day long.  I only have to use a small amount, which I apply with a large powder brush.  (My favorite large powder brush can be found here)

I use the powder along with the Prep+Prime Face Protect 50, and foundation.  This combination of products leaves me with shine-free skin and coverage that lasts all day.


I highly recommend this product!!

MAC Studio Moisture Cream Review

Hello again! Today I wanted to give you all a quick review on MAC's Studio Moisture Cream ($32).

This stuff is super creamy and moisturizing.  I am in love with this stuff.  I have very, very dry skin that often peels/flakes.  I have been using this cream day and night for about two weeks and I have noticed a significant reduction in dry my skin and my skin has felt smooth and comfortable.

I also love that MAC packed a bunch of good for your skin ingredients into this cream.  The Moisture Cream is also labeled as an anti-aging cream by MAC.

Here is what MAC says:

"A super-rich creamy moisturizer boosted with skin-nourishing extracts including passion fruit, spinach leaf, green tea, algae, wheat germ and coconut. Moistens, feeds, firms and protects the skin. Promotes a healthy radiance. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines. Good for day and night."

My overall opinion is that this cream is an absolute must have for me.  It has great ingredients and leaves my skin feeling moisturized.  I cannot get enough of it!!!

MAC Miss Piggy Launch!!!

I was really excited when I heard that MAC would be launching a Miss Piggy collection.  I have been in love with the Muppets since I was little.  Miss Piggy's line is a three piece collection inspired by her love of pink.  The collection officially launched yesterday (November 15, 2011).

The first item in the collection is, Miss Piggy eyeshadow, a creamy pink eyeshadow with blue undertones.

Miss Piggy Pink $15

The second item in the collection is the MAC 36 lashes.  These lashes are full and great for added drama while still looking natural.

36 Lash $15

The third and final piece in the Miss Piggy Collection is the Penultimate Eye Line in Rapid Black.  The jet black, pen style liquid liner would be great for creating a precise black line.

 

Penultimate Eye Liner in  Rapid Black ($17.50)

This collection is really cute, I only wish that there were more pieces to the collection.  It would also be a bonus if Miss Piggy was somehow incorporated into the packaging.

Anyone planning on picking up anything from the Miss Piggy line?

My Top Five Favorite Blushes

Hey There! Just wanted to share my top five favorite blushes with everyone out there.                        
These are the five blushes that I reach for on a daily basis.  I am MAC NW20 for a skin shade reference.

(left to right) Physicians Formula Rose, NARS Orgasm, MAC Sunbasque, MAC Blushbaby,  Tarte Blissful

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose.  This blush not only smells great, but it has a beautiful mix of skin flattering rose shades, and when mixed together on a fluffy blush brush creates a beautiful rosy glow. ($11.95)

Physicians Formula Rose

NARS in Orgasm.  This shade is universally known for its beautiful peachy pink shade with slight golden shimmer.  It really is awesome. ($27)

NARS Orgasm

MAC Blushbaby Blushbaby is a beautiful matte beige pink shade that I think provides just the right amount of color to my cheeks. ($19.50)

MAC Blushbaby

MAC Sunbasque Sunbasque is a peachy pearl shade with some shimmer.  This is my favorite summertime cheek color.  Beautiful peach color with just the right amount of shimmer. ($19.50)

MAC Sunbasque

Tarte Blissful  Tarte really knows what they are doing when it comes to blushes.  They have created some of the most beautiful, pigmented, long wearing (they say at least 12 hours) blushes.  Blissful is a gorgeous peach shade with subtle shimmer and the smallest amount of the blush goes a long way. ($25)

Tarte Blissful

What are your favorite blushes?

MAC Haul

A few weeks ago I attended on of MAC's from Street to Runway makeup classes.  I bought a few items and wanted to share them.  All of these products were first time purchases for me.  I have been using them for a few weeks and love all of them!

Let me know if anyone would like a full review on any of the products.

Prep+Prime Skin Base $28

Prep+Prime Translucent Finishing Powder $23

Studio Moisture Cream $32

Naked Pigment $20

Matchmaster Foundation 1.5 $32.50

Select Moisture Cover Concealer NW20 $17

MAC Complete Comfort Creme Review

Growing up I never had problems with my skin.  That is until my sophomore year of college.  My once clear, smooth skin started erupting in painful cystic bumps.   No matter what I did my face would not clear up.  Along with this unpleasant change, the texture of my skin also changed.  Add in daily use of Retin-A and most mornings I wake up with red, peeling skin.  Now a week away from turning 25 (yikes!) my skin has returned to its clearer state, but is now extremely dry.

At my last visit to my local MAC store searching for an under eye concealer, the MUA suggested I try MAC Complete Comfort Creme US $32.  The creme is a light peachy color and smells exactly like Fix Plus to me.  The creme is thick and my skin cannot seem to get enough of it.  I have a tendency to over apply just about everything.  I follow the "more is better" train of thought even though that rarely seems to be the case!  I have over applied this creme many times and end up with a mess of balled up lotion all over my face.  When used in moderation (I really need to learn this) the Complete Comfort Creme leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.  I have also noticed a decrease in the overall redness of my skin.  This is great because I am asked year round if I have a sunburn, nope just my unfortunate normal skin tone.  While the creme does leave my skin feeling hydrated and smooth, the effects tend to wear off after a few hours and my skin feels slightly dry again.

 MAC describes the creme:
A moisturizer formulated to instantly rehydrate the skin and provide immediate and ongoing relief from redness and irritation. Ultra-creamy, provides high-comfort wear while providing sensitive skin with the soothing benefits associated with its calming plant-and marine-based formula.

Price: $32

My Rating: A (Love the smell!)

Day One: MAC pigment decisions

I cannot begin to add up the hours I have spent looking at other beauty lovers blog postings.  I have a desk job that allows me endless hours in the work day to feed my growing addiction for all things beauty.  So far today I spent at least an hour and a half looking at different MAC pigment swatches.  I have been trying to decide between the MAC Vanilla pigment and the Frozen White pigment.  I am trying to decide which shade will work best to highlight my NW20 skin.  I have several other highlight shades ranging in brands from MAC and NARS, to drug store brands, but always seem to be searching for more.  Without seeing the colors in person I think I will go with the Vanilla color.  Swatches of Vanilla pigment and my other highlight colors to come very soon!

MAC Frozen White Pigment

MAC Vanilla Pigment

Coming soon, my review on MAC Complete Comfort Creme.