Just Shana: current hi/c routine

It's funny that a few months ago I was iffy on my hi/c routine (highlight/contour).  I'd been trying different products that just weren't garnering the results I wanted.  

For some reason one day I tried a cosmetic cocktail that just clicked and now I'm hooked.  The only adjustment I've made recently is the color foundation and the brush(es) used as my summer skin tone is fading and ive fallen for the Real Techniques brushes again.  

I made a quick snippet vid for keek but here is the whole video link to YouTube (cannot be viewed via mobile) and subsequent selfies from the look.  

http://youtu.be/O7fUHD--Nf8

INTRODUCING: M·A·C Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow

I happen to think that these little palettes will prove to be perfect for the lady on the go who wants variety and loves what the brand has to offer but can't fit a large makeup bag in a cute summer clutch.  Genius!  See below for more info:

It’s eye shadow innovation like you’ve never seen before. A versatile powder that brings out the pigment’s pure and true colour. The result is a glamorous, creamy and lightweight hybrid offering two distinctive effects: applied wet for a super saturation of colour that glistens with metallic brilliance, or dry for sheer coverage with a soft, sparkling finish. Six palettes feature five complementary shades that glide on and blend beautifully for infinite day-to-night looks: Pinkluxe, Bleuluxe, Pastelluxe, Greenluxe, Smokeluxe and Brownluxe.

INTRODUCING:

M·A·C Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow

Available June 20, 2013 in the permanent line

Introducing RiRi ♥ M·A·C SUMMER

RiRi ♥ M·A·C SUMMER

You all should have seen me struggle to acquire the RiRi Woo via my iPhone on the way to work using public transportation; it def was NOT a pretty sight.  My coworkers had a good laugh at my expense but guess what?  I did it!  And it looks like I will have to do it again to beat out not only my fellow MAC fans but also the Rihanna army.  The things we do for beauty.  Read what MAC has to say about the collection:

This is more than summer love. Rihanna and M·A·C strike a chord with an online-exclusive colour collection created by the global superstar. Bronze and cool coral combine for a Powder Blush Duo in the unforgettable Hibiscus Kiss, while Retro Matte Lipsticks in RiRi Boy, Heaux and the instant classic RiRi Woo make a statement against sheer, shimmering skin highlighted with rose gold Lustre Drops. Exclusively online.

LIPSTICK
RiRi Woo matte cool red (retro matte)
RiRi Boy matte vivid lavender (retro matte) Heaux matte berry (retro matte)

Suggested Retail Price $15.00 US/$18.00 CDN

POWDER BLUSH DUO
Hibiscus Kiss cool coral blush and matte neutral bronze duo Suggested Retail Price $26.00 US/$30.00 CDN

LUSTRE DROP
Barbados Girl rose gold bronzer
Suggested Retail Price $20.00 US/$24.00 CDN 

Available exclusively online June 18, 2013, starting at noon EST in North America, www.maccosmetics.com

#RiRiHeartsMAC

INTRODUCING: M·A·C All About Orange

Available online May 30, 2013

Available in stores June 6, 2013 through July 22, 2013

With its latest collection M·A·C is paying homage to a beautiful and bold color that has influenced fashion trends in Korea, Asia and the world over.  All About Orange will feature products for the face lips and nails.

All About Orange will feature 7 lipsticks of varying finish, 3 cremesheen glass, an eyeshadow quad, 3 powder blush and 4 nail laquer.

M·A·C Fashion Sets, In Extra Dimension, Baking Beauties and Nudes and Metallics

Oh yeah, its that time again!  M·A·C has set out to keep our interest piqued with their latest product offerings.  Some of their most loved products are back with a new look and I cant wait to check them out.  Keep reading to see whats coming up...


M·A·C Baking Beauties

The Baking Beauties collection takes its inspiration from some of our favorite desserts: cupcakes, french macarons, Devil's food cake.  Here's what M·A·C has to say about the collection:

M·A·C loves everything about a cupcake. Face Powder arrives in exclusively designed cupcake patterns, and Lustre Drops create a luminous finish. Pro Longwear Paint Pots add a touch of dazzle. Haute & Naughty Lash delivers two in-

one coverage. Lipstick lays it on soft and tempting in tones including Devil’s Food and Raspberry Swirl. Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm provides nutrient-rich moisture. Nail Lacquer decorates in glittering Bleu Velvet and Pistachio Crème. And for professional results, two limited-edition brushes with pastel accents. Hello, cupcake!

I dont know about you but I am ready to give into temptation without having to watch my figure!

Available online April 11, 2013

Available in stores April 18, 2013 through May 26, 2013

M·A·C Fashion Sets

Bold, bright and in your face!  The M·A·C Fashion Sets wants you to go bold or go home!  These sets give you the products needed to stand out in a crowd.

M·A·C Fashion Sets flash forward with bold and beautiful brights – shades that pop with a vivid edge and modern vibe. Four distinctive sets feature five impactful ways to wear Lipstick, Lipglass, Lip Pencil,

Eye Shadow and Nail Lacquer. Brilliant colour ways set the tone for a season of sophisticated looks that stand out in their allure. From the bright orange apricot of Ablaze to the fuchsia flash of Embrace Me –

the overall effect is stunning in its deep, rich infusion of powerful pigments.

Available online March 28, 2013

Available in stores April 4, 2013 through May 23, 2013

M·A·C In Extra Dimension

Ladies love jewels and we also love makeup, so why not combine the two with jeweltone makeup?  GENIUS!!!

In Extra Dimension Eye Shadow’s creamy, silky, near-fluid formula creates luminous, well-defined eyes in finishes from sheer crystallized light to stunning metallic. In Extra Dimension Blush delivers polished textures that reflect light and leave a smooth second-skin finish. In Extra Dimension Skinfinish, now in a split pan, brings together two shimmering shades for highlighting and sculpting, together or separately. The 128 Split Fibre Cheek Brush and the 235 Split Fibre All Over Eye Brush deliver professional results. 

Available online April 4, 2013

Available in stores April 11, 2013 through May 23, 2013

 

M·A·C NUDES & METALLICS 

 

Metallics

 

Nudes

 

 

Now this is a pro only collection so there is limited availability however I know some of you have this access so I am willing to share it with you.  Though we all gravitate to the pretty colors and various finishes that our favorite brands offer, every pro artist or those looking to get into the industry, needs the basic staples in their kit.  This collection sets out to deliver just that.

 

This collection invites the pro artist to explore the lush potential of the monochromatic while offering chic contrasts. The Nude palette is defined by the cool, rich and warm tones of creamy Amplified Lipstick, while the Metallic palette satisfies the fashionable demand for decadently frosted plums. For lip, eye and cheek, both collections offer a selection of four Lipsticks with matching shades of Veluxe Pearl or Satin Eye Shadow and a Powder Blush. Available at M·A·C Pro stores and Pro online only.

Available North America April 18, 2013 at M·A·C Pro stores and Pro online only

Any of these collections catching your eye?  I will share my picks in the next post!

Diary of an MUA: Operation Kit Condense...again

For tried and true readers of this blog, me trying to condense my kit is not breaking news.  I've gone from a train case, to a rolling train case that my fiance always had to lift for me, to a soft side traincase to a suitcase etc so on and so forth.

You also know that my carry all of choice as of late has been my trusty Zuca backpack.  For a while now I've used it to house all the things I FELT I needed on set/for clients; but for years I have drooled over the super small kits some of my makeup mentors carry, wondering how to get on their level. 

I recalled purchasing a MAC case a few years ago that I never really carried because it was too small and gave it a test run to see if it was feasible to use as my new makeup only kit.  It actually forced me to really dig deep to determine what do I reach for over and over again in my kit no matter what situation I'm in, be it bridal, editorial, film, television or runway, male or female?  What items make me want to cry if I accidentally omit them when packing my kit?  What items have I never ever used but keep with me everytime off my "just in case" ish?

Asking myself those questions got me to finally declutter and I am super pleased with the result.  I transferred my liquid foundations into super tiny bottles gifted by my beauty boo Shida, my cream foundation is already in palette form but I discovered that the shades I use the most come in even smaller packaging, SCORE!  My powders, including shadow, blush and finishing also are in palette form.  Everything else got put into smaller packaging or I purchase travel size i.e. skincare, hand sanitizer, etc.

I travel more now for work and when the time comes for me to fly for a job I don't want to be in a panic trying to figure out how to pass TSA inspection.  I feel confident now that I can just pick up my kit and go, no problem.

If I do hair and makeup for something I still take my Zuca, but for the most part, my MAC set bag pulls the weight.  I just toss my brushes in my purse, which I am happy to say I have also condensed to my must have brushes!  That's saying a lot because I adore brushes.  So I may transfer out a lot but not much.

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Beauty Bulletin: MAC Posh Paradise

Uh oh...I know y'all are about to be all over this collection!  Not so much for the lips, although the colors are very enticing this go round; but new paint pots?!  We all know these dont come out that often...my pockets weep in anticipation.  I mean do you see the promo image?  Her hair, the look, the overall feel...I am definitely into it.  Keep reading for more info:

MATTENE LIPSTICK

Naked Bliss Neutral light pink
Rare Exotic Bright mid-tone blue pink
Legendary Mid-tone brick red
Unknown Pleasures Deep red blue
Seeds of Desire Deep brown plum
Eden Rouge Bright blue-red
Delectable Orange-beige
Potent Fig Deep blue grape
Deliciously Forbidden Midtone berry
Fresh Amour Light lavender
$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
 

PAINT POT
Treasure Hunt Light pearled yellow
Half-Wild Mid-tone purple
Hyperviolet Deep violet
Nubile Light peachy nude
Idyllic Mid-tone copper bronze
Genuine Treasure Reflects antique gold
Pure Creation Mid-tone frosty blue
Imaginary Blackened navy
$17.50 U.S./$21.00 CDN

NAIL LACQUER
Immortal Gold Pale gold
Rain of Flowers Blackened violet with sophisticated violet shimmer
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

Available
North America September 15, 2011 at all M·A·C locations
International October 2011 at all M·A·C locations

Beauty Bulletin: Cindy Sherman for M·A·C

Each year M·A·C releases a collection or two that features a collaboration and/or influence from someone who has made great contributions as an artist, not necessarily makeup artistry.  This Fall sees that tradition continue with the release of Cindy Sherman for M·A·C.

Cindy Sherman is well-versed in a number of different disciplines including but not limited to photography, film directing, and modeling.  Her artistic endeavors all focus on a woman's role in society.  Most often the subject of her own work, Sherman is able to take on the persona of her characters therefore mastering the power of transformation.  M·A·C celebrates that power with this collection and invites us to channel Sherman's mastery by daring to express ourselves without fear.

The collection will be available from September 29^th, 2011 through October 27^th, 2011 in stores and online. 

 

 

Here's the lineup!

FLUIDLINE
Ash Violet Blackened purple
Blacktrack Solid flat black
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN

LIP ERASE
Dim N37
$18.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN
 

PIGMENT
Tan Muted pinky brown bronze
Emerald Dusk Deep yellow blue
with white pearl
Blue Storm Rich Metallic Blue
Starless Night Deep black purple
with light purple pearl
$20.00 U.S./$24.00 CDN
 

LASH
36
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

LIPSTICK
Fleshpot Pale muted pinky beige (satin)
Violetta Bright clean violet purple (amplified)
X-S Dirty red chestnut (satin)
Plum Bright purple (lustre)
$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
 

PARLOR SMOKE QUAD
Parlor Smoke Mauve grey (frost)
Cross Cultural Neutral brown (matte)
Steel Almost black (veluxe pearl)
Indigo Noir Navy (matte)
$38.00 U.S./$45.00 CDN
 

BRONZING POWDER
Solar Riche Midtone deep orange brown
$23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN
 

NAIL LACQUER
Coco Clay Warm chocolate
Oyster Shell Light stone grey
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

MASCARA
Zoom Fastblack Mascara Rich black
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

KOHL POWER
Feline Rick black
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

EYE BROWS
Lingering Soft taupe brown
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
 

BRUSH
252 Large Shader
$30.00 U.S./$36.50 CDN
224 Tapered Blending
$30.00 U.S./$36.50 CDN
182 Buffer
$49.50 U.S./$58.00 CDN

 I see some re-promotes but I also see some items I want - hello mineralize!  The purple fluidline and some of those lippies too!

Diary of an MUA/Writer: The Makeup Girl 5th Anniversary Party!

Lianne Farbes is a modern day renaissance woman.  Point blank and period. 

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the anniversary party for her beauty blog this past week and chatting with her briefly about what the future holds for this beauty expert. 

With an extensive resume that includes five years of running her personal beauty blog, serving as a guest editor for countless other beauty outlets, being a social media maven, graphic designing and most recently collaborating with MAC on her very own limited edition eye shadow with a group of other very lucky and deserving bloggers the sky seems the limit for Lianne. 

Rest assured that this is just the beginning of her story and she may just have a "story" up her sleeves to share in the very near future!  Be sure to follow Lianne on Twitter for all the latest and greatest from this amazing entrepreneur.  I wish her nothing but the best and had a great time at the event. 

You can view images from the event taken by Daniel Stiles, here is one of Nikkia and I, where else but all in the makeup!  Gotta love beauty and a beverage! LOL  And then another of Nikkia, Kia and I.  Love these ladies!

Nicki Minaj x MAC Pink Friday Look - #2

Nikkia asked a few of us to submit a look showing us wearing MAC Pink Friday.  I did just that and figured I would record it as well.  For deets on the look - keep an eye out for Nikkia's post.  Enjoy!

I Wanna be an MUA - Fashion @ Artscape: Sew Me What You Got!

Hello my lovely visitors! My life has been consumed as of late with building my portfolio and resume so the product reviews are on hold. I hope you will stick with me through this journey because your support is greatly appreciated. Love you guys!

A week or so ago I was a part of the makeup artist team for Fashion @ Artscape. When I arrived it looked as if most of the models were done so I thought it would be smooth sailing - boy was I wrong. There were shows all day long so about 30 minutes after I arrived the FIRST set of MUA's left and only myself and the Key MUA - Bethany Townes and models walking through the door...talk about PRESSURE!

Thankfully it was a rather simple look inspired by Dior A/W 2007 (I think that is the correct collection) so it focused on a heavily lined eye, flawless skin and a nude lip. Good ol' MAC Blacktrack Fluidline was the star of the show. No behind the scenes photos this time just the end result. Enjoy!