Shop Mac, Cook Mac Haul

Hi my lovely readers!

Hope everyone is having a nice fresh start to the week. Don't let those Monday blues get you down. Think of the beginning of the week as the start of being an even more awesome person (cause I know you all are pretty awesome already!)

I picked up a few things from the Shop MAC, Cook MAC collection. They of course, were all lip products. I already had two of the Kissable lipcolours from the Peacocky collection which launched last January, but I went ahead and included them in the pictures. There is a slight difference in packaging between the two collections. The Shop Mac lipcolours have a thick black stripe on the tube while the Peacocky lipcolors do not.

I also picked up a lipstick from the collection. I had really wanted Quick Sizzle, but it sold out like a hotcake so no luck there. I settled for Watch Me Simmer, which is a crazy bright coral, pink shade. It's very spring.

The last thing I picked up was the Tendertone in Tread Gently. I have to say...I LOVE this. Oh man. I made mention to my mom how much I loved them when we passed the MAC store in Grand Central, and she just told me I have a package from MAC coming...I wonder if she got me more.

Did any of you purchase anything from the collection? I would love to know!

Review: Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate Lipsticks

More lipstick posts! A quick review of Rimmel's Lasting Finish by Kate lipsticks. For those looking for a creamy lipstick that doesn't tug on the lips, I highly suggest you look into these. These lipsticks feel buttery and smooth when you put them on and settle into a satin finish that doesn't settle into lines or slip around. The scent is not as offensive as their Moisture Renew lipsticks, rather it is the same scent as their Lasting Finish Intense lipsticks (the dark purple packaging). 

The lasting power of this lippies depends on the color. The red will stain lips. The other two have an average staying time of 4 hours on me, less if I eat or drink. Again the staying power will differ from person to person. If you are looking for a lipstick with infallible staying power, check this one off your list.

The packaging is black and sleek, giving it an expensive feel. Kate's signature resides on the cap in a bold red to add a bit of pizazz. I definitely prefer this packaging compared to their flashy purple Moisture Renew lipsticks.

01- Claimed to be Kate's favorite, I feel this red is universal. Not for the faint of heart, one swipe provides an opaque deep color. When I don't want such a dramatic look, I lightly dab this on my lips for a stained effect.

08-I love this shade! It's the perfect everyday shade. This is just a tad pinker than my natural lip color and goes perfect with both a neutral and smokey eye.

14- Is the nude of the entire line. While it mutes pigmented lips, it does not create the "dead" or concealer effect. It leans more beige than pink. For those who like milkier pinks, this may not be the right nude for you.

Pros:
-Relatively inexpensive ($5.99 to $7.99 USD)
-Sleek packaging
-Smooth application
-Opaque enough for pigmented lips

Cons:
-Only 7 shades
-Some may not enjoy the smell
-May be hard to find in certain areas

First Look: Milani Illuminating Face Powder

For those of you who want to have a highlighter that doesn't break the bank, I suggest you check out Milani's newest. These Illuminating Face Powders are not only gorgeous in the pan, they provide a beautiful glow anywhere you place it. I've only used these a handful of times and I'm pretty smitten.

The colors I purchased are Amber Nectar and Hermosa Rose and both look gorgeous. The design of the product mimics that of their department brand counterpart. Both Laura Mercier and Guerlain have out beautiful highlighters with similar floral designs and higher prices. I do have to admit, I am lusting after the Guerlain Cruel Gardenia highlighter and felt that this would satiate my highlighter appetite for a bit.

Hermosa Rose is a bit dark for me to highlight with, so it's best to use it as a bronzer or blush to warm up the face. Amber Nectar when blended out provides just enough sheen for a healthy glow. There is also a third one out labeled Beauty's Touch, but I have yet to see it in drugstores.

Buy Here

Review: Maybelline Superstay 10 Hour Stain Gloss

When Maybelline announced their new line in the Superstay collection, I gravitated more towards their cream eyeshadows and lipsticks, staying away from the bright white packaging of their stain glosses. Eventually, I saw a sale at my CVS where it was a buy one get one half off and decided to finally try it. 

The reviews I had read before purchasing led to varying opinions of the product. Some bloggers hated it, while others claimed it was a possible dupe for the high end YSL Rouge Pur Couture. Having never tried the YSL liquid lipstick, I had no expectations of this being an amazing product. 

Upon arriving home, I peeled off the packaging (be sure to buy a sealed tube! I found plenty already with the seal removed, meaning gross and tampered gloss ::insert disgusted face::) and opened each tube to examine the contents. The first thing that hit me was the scent of the product. It's very fruity, in fact, it reminds me of a candy I used to eat, except I can't remember the name of it. Bottom line, if you're sensitive to sweet, fruity smells, you may not enjoy this product. The smell does go away after some time and it doesn't taste overly sweet, not that we should be eating our gloss anyway! ::looks guilty::

The skeptic in me highly doubted the 10 hour claim, and the skeptic in me was correct. I ate, drank and ate some more with this gloss on and while the sheen and glossiness of the product came away, it left a nice stain on my lips. It's the stain that lasts for quite a few hours, about five to six hours. In the end I had to scrub my lips to remove the remaining color. 

The texture of the gloss feels a bit like a liquid lipstick or stain and can seem drying to the lips. I do recommend NOT putting a balm before applying this if you want staying power. Not only will the balm cause the product to slip around, it will create a barrier, preventing the product from being absorbed by your lips.

Pink Plush -It's the lightest color out of the line and leans a little more red than pink. There is some shimmer but no grittiness when you press your lips together. While I do like this color a lot, it's the least glossy out of the three I purchased.

Ruby Indulgence -This is a beautiful red. It is also very opaque as you can tell from the swatch. Very glossy and leaves a beautiful cherry popsicle stain on your lips.

Mauve Dream - This isn't really a mauve color. In fact, I don't see any purple tones in this color at all. It's a very neutral color that I feel can be appropriate for any environment. This leaves the "just bitten"color to your lips.

Pros:
-Twist sealed packaging, longer self life
-Opaque colors
-Smooth application
-Leaves a nice stain for a few hours

Cons:
-Not a huge range of colors
-Does not live to the 10 hour claim
-Bulky packaging
-Applicator tip may be too large for those with thin, small lips

Would I Repurchase?
-High possibility because I do like the opacity and how smooth the product feels on my lips.

Have any of you lovely readers purchased these gloss stains? If so, what are your opinions? Do you have a favorite? 

First Look: MAC Viva Glam Nicki

I'm sure a few of you ladies got the MAC email in your inboxes to be one of the first to grab the new un-released Viva Glam Nicki. Being the sucker I am (yes I freely admit this) I purchased it. 

The promo picture of the lipstick is a bit deceiving if you ask me. It leans towards a more pale pink. The actual lipstick is really bright and no where near the shade Pink Friday. Both are Satin finishes, which I'm guessing is Nicki's favorite finish? As many of you know, I don't particularly care for Satin finishes. They accentuate and enhance every flaw on your lips and can apply unevenly.

I do enjoy the color. It's very, VERY bright. I see this color working lovely with medium to dark skin tones. Be warned, due to the yellow undertones, it can make teeth look a little yellow. 

In the end, unless you need this color in your collection or are an avid Nicki Minaj fan, this isn't a must-have.