MAC A Tartan Tale: Cut A Caper Lipstick

 I decided to pick up another lipstick from the Tartan Tale collection from MAC. I had some recycling to trade in, so why not try another limited edition color.  I picked up Cut A Caper which is a lustre formula.  This color is very different than any color I own. I have always wanted to try a coral lipstick which have become very on trend recently, but have never found one that was quite right.  Most corals out there are a little too intense for me but Cut A Caper is just perfect.  It’s a semi-opaque coraly peach with a glossy finish.  I definitely see myself wearing this shade all year round.

MAC A Tartan Tale: Hark the Heraldry Face Kit

I picked up this kit up after taking a second glance over the MAC Holiday collection. I hadn’t really paid much attention to it the first time around but I when I saw it the other day when I was at my local counter, I decided that I just had to have it. The colors in these kits are none that I really have in my collection so it was a perfect purchase for me. When it comes to blush, I normally stay in the peach/peachy pink/bronze zone. The Hark the Heraldry kit offers cool tones in the two blushes and beauty powder it includes. Here is a breakdown of the colors in the kit…

Left to Right: Oh So Fair, Dame, Plum Foolery

Oh So Fair is a beauty powder that was most recently released with the Disney Venomous Villains collection. It’s a soft pink with very subtle sheen, no shimmer. The beauty powder formula is very sheer and is suppose to give a subtle glow to the skin.

Oh So Fair Beauty Powder

Dame is a blue toned medium pink with no shimmer. It is a sheerer blush and the color can be built up to be very bright. This is a permanent MAC blush shade.

Plum Foolery is a sheertone shimmer blush that gives a beautiful rosy plum glow. I don’t have anything really like this shade, so I am excited to try it. I think this color would work very well on all skin tones.

L to R: Dame, Plum Foolery

Overall, this is a great palette to have or to give as a holiday gift. Definitely recommend!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Due to the busy week ahead, I am taking a break for the week from the blog. See you next week!

Reviews to come:
MAC Hark The Heraldry Face Kit
MAC Cut A Caper Lipstick
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
MAC Style Sessions Class review
Illamasqua Scrab Nail Varnish

YSL Rouge Pur Couture #6 Rose Bergamasque

This is my first ever YSL lipstick purchase. I really enjoy their Golden Gloss & Gloss Pur but I haven’t ever really been attracted to any of their other formulas or colors in the past. I find the Rouge Volupte formula to be very drying on my lips and a little over pigmented for my taste. When I saw  that there was a new formula, I tested it out and feel in love.  The Rouge Pur Couture formula currently comes in 18 shades ranging from Blanc (shimmer white) to Noir Lague (deep blackened purple) and offers and SPF of 15. Of course I picked up a neutral color because I definitely don’t have enough nudes in my collection (sarcasm).  The color I bought was #6 Rose Bergamasque.

Rose Bergamasque is a glossy cream nude pink with no shimmer.  This color is perfectly pigmented, not chalky or thick when applied. The color glides on smoothly and feels super light on your lips. The Rouge Pur Couture formula is a winner in my book and I plan on checking out a few more shades in the near future.

Belle Il Fiore Bella in Bloom Eyeshadow Palettes

Looking for a great stocking stuffer for your mom, sister or friend?? Well these cute eye palettes from Belle Il Fiore are just the thing you need! I heard about these palettes through Fresh Beauty Studios YouTube channel. The owner of Fresh beauty Studio, Nikol, sells these in her shop and on her blog.  She also did several look video’s using these palettes, so I decided to check them out. There are three palettes available but I only picked up two: Lola & Annabelle.  Each of these palettes contains 8 beautiful pigmented shadows. The Lola palette contains warm colors and the Annabelle palette is a little cooler. At $13.50 a piece, these palettes are a great value.  Here is a breakdown of each palette….

Lola Palette

Trellis – a matte reddish brown
Mistletoe – emerald green shimmer
Veronica – bronzy brown shimmer
Marigold – a pale gold shimmer with subtle sparkle
Sunflower – medium beige shimmer
Orchid – pinky deep beige shimmer
Poppy – light beige shimmer
Petal – light pink shimmer

Annabelle Palette

Periwinkle – bright purple shimmer

Lavender - light pastel purple shimmer

Hyacinth – deep burgundy shimmer

Lilac – matte medium purple

Lily – light beige shimmer

Daffodil – pink shimmer

Autumn – true bronze shimmer

Bliss - gray green shimmer with subtle sparkle

Lola Palette Swatches:

L to R: Trellis, Mistletoe, Veronica, Marigold, Sunflower, Orchid, Poppy, Petal

Annabelle Palette Swatches:

L to R: Periwinkle, Lavender, Hyacinth, Lilac, Lily, Daffodil, Autumn, Bliss

You can purchase these palettes and other Bella products at http://www.bellabeauty.net/.



Chanel - Soho de Chanel Blush & Highlighter

 The second item that I picked up from the Chanel Soho Collection is the Soho de Chanel Blush & Highlighter ($65.00). It is definitely the most unique of all the products released in the collection. It has raised Soho lettering and with three different color powders. The shades are a rosy brown (main color), pale powder pink (thin strip at the bottom), and a pale yellowy white with subtle pink undertones (highlighter). When mixed altogether you get a gorgeous satiny glow to your cheeks.

You could use each of the colors separately if you wanted or just mix the two blushes together or mix all together. The highlighter is quite sheer on its own, so I prefer mixing all the colors together. This powder applies really soft and even, and blends beautifully. This is a great color for fall and a great change for me from wearing some form of light pink/peach blush all the time. I shy away from dark colored blush because I feel like it looks ruddy and splotchy on my cheeks. That is not the case with this product. I feel like I will be wearing this blush combo a lot in the months to come.

Chanel Soho Story – Stunning Rouge Coco

 I was super pumped to discover the limited edition Soho Story collection at one of my local Chanel counters. When this was release a while back, I was under the impression that it was only going to be sold on Chanel’s website and in Chanel boutiques.  I saw so many reviews on other blogs about several of the products that were released in this limited edition collection and was drawn to some of the products but they sold out on the website very quickly. I was a little bummed but such is life sometimes. You have to act fast with limited edition collections. So to my surprise, my local counter had the entire collection. I picked up a few things but the one product I was really wanting and got was the Rouge Coco in Stunning ($30).

Stunning is a beautiful warm nude pink with subtle shimmer.  This is a universally flattering shade that is super easy to wear, definitely a perfect “my lips but better” color. This lipstick comes in the Rouge Coco formula, so it is very moisturizing and glides easily on your lips to give you a slight glossy finish. I love this color and I am really starting to love the Rouge Coco formula. I definitely recommend this formula over the Rouge Allure, which use to be my fav but has taken a backseat to the Rouge Coco formula.

MAC A Tartan Tale Lip Bag – Vain & Glorious

Each Holiday collection, MAC comes out with a couple of lips sets that come in bags that are designed in the theme of the collection. Two different lips bags were released in this collection; Vain & Glorious (pinks) and Dazzle the Lads (reds). The Vain & Glorious Lip Bag ($36.00) includes three lip products: A dazzleglass in Baby Sparks (full size, permanent to the MAC line), a lipstick in Mellow Mood (full size, LE) and a lip pencil in In Synch (mini, LE).  The bag that comes with these lip sets are small multi tartan patterned bags, which I simply love! I am a sucker for anything plaid and this bag is super cute.  The bag holds all of the products in the set as well as a few more lipsticks or glosses. Now on to the products:

~Baby Sparks is a sheer, pale pink dazzleglass with pinky blue shimmer. This gloss is very sheer on the lips; it adds a lot of gloss and shimmer.

~Mellow Mood is a mid-tone pink lipstick with a little gold shimmer. This is a lustre formula lipstick and is a great color to swipe on and go.

~In Synch is peachy pink colored lip liner that is quite pigmented. This is a great product to use to tone down your lip color before applying a nude lipstick or gloss.

When used together, these lip products give a glossy, gorgeous light pink lip. I am super happy with this combo and the cute tartan bag makes it even better!

L to R: Mellow Mood, Babysparks, In Synch

MAC Dashing Lassies Eyeshadow Palette

The second product I picked up from the MAC Holiday 2010 collection is on of the eyeshadow palettes in Dashing Lassies ($36). This palette contains six eyeshadows: A Dashing Lassie, Once Upon a Time, Magical Mist, Bronze, Buckwheat and Showstopper. The palette also comes with a tiny 213 brush but sometimes I find these mini brushes can be hard to use. Here is a breakdown of the colors in the palette:

Top L to R: Dashing Lassie, Once Upon a Time, Magical Mist

Bottom L to R: Bronze, Buckwheat, Showstopper

A Dashing Lassie (LE) has a frost finish. It is described as a metallic milk. To me, in the pan it looks like a frosty off white but when swatched it has a pink tinge to it which I think makes it look very pretty and different than just frosty white.

Once Upon A Time (LE) has a veluxe pearl finish. This is described as a metallic vanilla. To me this color looks like a soft champagne and feels super smooth when applying. Veluxe pearl is by far my favorite eyeshadow finish.
Magical Mist (LE) has a lustre finish. It is described as a metallic taupe. That description is pretty spot on, it is more of a cooler taupe. This color has a little bit of glitter like most lustre finish shadows do but it is more pigmented than most lustres. I really love this shade.
Bronze has a frost finish. It is described as a copper penny. This color is part of the permanent collection of MAC shadows. I personally don’t own it so I am glad it is included in this palette. It is a rich metallic bronze and definitely the most pigmented shadow in the palette.
Buckwheat (LE repromote) has a frost finish. It is described a frosty medium brown. This color was released in a full pan with the Naked Honey collection. It has a neat shimmer to it.
Showstopper (LE repromote) has a matte finish. It is described as a dark brown. This is a great cool toned brown to use as a crease shade or a liner. It’s not overly pigmented so it is easy to blend.

L to R: Magical Mist, Once Upon A Time, A Dashing Lassie

L to R: Bronze, Buckwheat, Showstopper

I was and still am really excited about this palette.  When MAC releases their Holiday collection, I have to have at least one eyeshadow palette.   As a big fan of neutrals, this palette offers a great combination of shadows; they really coordinate well with each other. Most of the shadows are cool toned, but Bronze and Buckwheat add a warmth to the palette. I believe this is a great palette to have in your collection.  Highly recommend!

MAC The Faerie Glen Lipstick

The first product I am reviewing from the MAC Holiday 2010 A Tartan Tale color collection is the lipstick in The Faerie Glen ($14.50). This color had my name written all over it because of its obvious neutrality. The Faerie Glen is a beautiful pale neutral pink beige with a lustre finish. As with most lustre lipsticks from MAC, it is very glossy and somewhat sheer.  This color reminds me a lot of Buoy O’ Buoy from the Naughty Nauticals collection. This color is limited edition so if you like it better pick it up while you can.

October Favorites!

Where does the time go! It’s already November so that means it’s time to gear up for the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here in a flash.  Here is what I have been loving in the month of October, Enjoy!

~bareMinerals Flawless Definition volumizing mascara - Love the volume & length this mascara gives.  One coat does wonders!
~Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation - Great coverage, long lasting & doesn't break me out.
~MAC lipstick in Hug Me - Oldie but a goodie, a beautiful neutral fleshy pink. Goes with everything!
~NARS Pure Matte lipstick in Bangkok - love the formulation and color. Great to throw on whenever.
~Chanel Glossimer in Petit Peche - this gloss looks beautiful on its own and over top any lipstick. I found myself using it almost everyday this past month.

What products are you loving right now??

Coming Soon….MAC A Tartan Tale Reviews

~The Faerie Glen Lipstick
~Vain & Glorious Lip Bag
~Dashing Lassies Eye Palette

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara ($30.00) is the newest mascara formula from Chanel, designed to be a more intense and dramatic version of the original Inimitable which lengthens, thickens, curls, and separates without clumping, spiking, or flaking. I have not tried the original formula but have heard that it is quite good but the MA at my local counter suggested I give the Intense formula a try. This formula comes in four colors: Noir (black), Rouge Noir (deep burgundy), Brun (dark brown) and Purple. Although the colored mascara’s were really pretty, I decided to go basic and picked up the color Noir.

After trying it out, one coat of this mascara does lengthening and thickens to give you a voluminous look.  The separation of the lashes is good but nothing to brag about, there was a little bit of clumpiness but only if you looked really close.  The formula itself is very wet, not drying at all. I found that my lashes seemed hydrated rather than cakey and dry which I really like.  The applicator is a plastic bristle brush that really grabs on to the lashes well to help with the lengthening and curling. Overall, I have to agree with the masses on this product. It ranks high on my mascara scale and would definitely think about purchasing again.