You've just been PUNKED! - a final review of MAC Style Black + FOTD

As requested here is a look I did this past Saturday to showcase some of my MAC Style Black purchases.  No fancy occasions here, just a day out and about with my mom and T&T toddler.  Check it out!

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Shadow Duo - Biscotti/Toast

The Eyes
UDPP
MAC Bat Black CCB
MAC Young Punk Mineralize Shadow
MAC Penultimate liner
MAC Zoomlash mascara - Zoomblack

The Face
MAC Prep + Prime Skin
MUFE Mat Velvet Foundation - 70
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Blush
MAC Studio Fix - NW45

The Lips
MAC Lip conditioner
MAC Currant liner
MAC Magenta liner
Lancome Color Fever Gloss - Piha Black

THE LOOK! (a bit of cam hogging took place)

I tried the MAC Style Black Collection and the truth is I must say that I am in LOVE with the shadows.  The CCB although a beautiful item to swatch goes on a bit sheer so I kinda feel like I couldve left that one behind.  I guess I shouldve picked up the grease paint stick if I wanted something thick - although I already own the full coverage foundation in black so I think I will pass on the stick.  Although my title for number one exfoliator still belongs to Origins, the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator from MAC is a close second.  Some may not like how messy it can be when rinsing.  Still love the polish (just swatched, havent done a full mani yet) so I stand firm in that this was a winner of a collection.  Hope you tried it for yourself!

#NYFWMUC - 9/16/09 - Only 1 more day...

So its just one more day left of this challenge and can I just say that it has indeed been a challenge!  Like I said before I have been in a cosmetic rut for myself and was trying everything to dig myself out, I really think that this did the trick.  Granted there were days when I wanted to just throw my hands up cause I didnt wake up feeling like putting makeup on but I am glad I did.  I had a lot of fun!  We are going to stick with the bold lip trend for this installment. 

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Liner Duo - Creme Brulee/Dutch Chocolate (dutch chocolate was used)

The Eyes
MAC Danger Zone (the black was used)
Laura Geller Baked Shadow Duo - Biscotti/Toast (toast was used)
I was rushing and skipped both mascara AND liner today - sheesh!
The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet + - #170
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
NYX Mosaic Powder - Paradise

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake
MAC Heatherette Lip Glass - Style Minx

THE LOOK!

in all my infinite wisdom I rubbed off the side of my lipgloss LOL brainiac

#NYFWMUC - 9/15/09 - Black Lips Edition

So today's inspiration came from all of the bold lip looks we are seeing from NYFW this go round'.  I originally wanted to do an orange lip (that MAC Orange lipmix is CALLING me :armscratch) but I knew I had to help facilitate a meeting today and didnt want the attendees to look at me crazy so I opted to go with a darker tone but not too much - in comes Lancome and Afrobella to the rescue!

Back in July the beautiful Afrobella held a giveaway on her site for the Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black - check it here - so every once in a blue moon I enter a giveaway on a whim and this was one of those times.  You had to create a look around the lipgloss, I was feeling froggy so I jumped!  Check out the post to see what I chose as my look...well lo and behold I actually was one of the three winners! GO ME, GO ME! :cabbagepatch

I was so excited and still am as may already be evident.  So since I wanted to pay an homage to Fall and be a bit bold with the look today, I broke it out.  Check me out below to see how I pulled it together...

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Liner Duo - Creme Brulee/Dutch Chocolate (Dutch Chocolate was used)

The Eyes
NYX Mosaic Powder Blush - Truth
Urban Decay Baked Palette - the darkest color, cant think of the name right now...(used in the crease a little)
Revlon Double Twist Mascara - Blackest Black

The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet + - #170
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
NYX Mosaic Powder Blush - Love (and these blushes are LOVE)

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake
Lancome Color Fever Gloss - Piha Black

THE LOOK!

do you see how the flash picks up on the sparkle in the gloss?  How bout' yeah?!

Some people see black and get all bent outta shape but from looking at this picture you can see that it isnt too much, its just about right actually. 

#NYFWMUC - 9-12-09 c/o Lorac VIP Starter Set

I finally got my LORAC VIP Starter Set in the mail - wanna see the results?  keep reading - wanna know what I thought about the set? check the vid in my next post.  On to the look:

THE TOOLS

The Brows
Face Atelier Pro Foundation - #9
Laura Geller Baked Liner Duo -

The Eyes
UDPP
Lorac Shadow - Cappucino
Lorac Shadow - Persuasion
Lorac Shadow - Harmony
Lorac Front of the Line Liquid Liner - Black
Revlon Double Twist Mascara - Blackest Black

The Face
MUFE Mat Velvet Foundation - #170
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
Lorac Cheek Stamp - yeah I have no idea the color, I cant find it :(

The Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake
Lorac Lip Polish - Delicious

THE LOOK

the hair is a bit much right?  Thats why I chose it!  LOL

my camera is really just gonna do whatever it wants at this point

Stay tuned for the next post to see what I thought about the Lorac VIP Starter Set!

Essie Great Expectations and Laura Geller Sugar Free Baked Shadow-Biscotti/Toast

So one day I went on the hunt for OPI You Dont Know Jacques (which I tried and did not adore by the way) and decided to stop in Pure Beauty. Well as luck would have it they not only had You Dont Know Jacques but also OPI The It Color which I had been searching high and low for. SCORE! Well what usually happens with me and beauty products is I go for one thing and end up purchasing WAY more than that, so of course that day was no different. Within my polish haul I ended up getting Essie Great Expectations. I figured it fit in with my latest gray craze...


ADORE or ABHOR? Well to tell you the truth I am on the fence with it. The color is fine. I find it a nice neutral color that I can wear to work with no problem, my issue is with the lasting power. I have had to polish my nails every day for the past three days because it keeps chipping! Whatever, I can deal with it but its just a pain. It was a long weekend so I have the time to touch up my mani, but on a normal week, this would not do. Will I swear off Essie polish because of it? Uh no, I ADORE my Essie Pama! I will just have to find a better top coat.

My second try occurred because I just had to have an eyeshadow look that was not only neutral but something I could wear to work just about everyday, be free of overdone shimmer/glitter yet not have the consistency of a non-blend able matte shadow. So browsing Beauty 360 one day (why they put this store right across the street from my job I will never know, my poor wallet weeps...) I happened upon the Laura Geller baked shadows. I have seen these before. I even have another one but again its too much glitter/sparkle. I was just about to leave when I spotted Biscotti/Toast...



ADORE or ABHOR? ADORE!!!! Consistency? Like butta (if butta was made of powder HA!) pay me no mind, it was just smooth, easy to blend, the perfect color (like my skin but better) and just overall beautiful. I have never felt this way about a matte shadow, I usually HATE matte shadow. I dont know if its because its baked or what but its great. It is now my HG shadow. I use the lighter color (I think biscotti) all over and the darker (toast) in the crease & outer V. I put a little MAC Embark in there to darken it up and voila - success! Here is a pic of me wearing it to the absolutely awesome We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial (please excuse my facial expression, it was cold and I was trying to snap a pic and walk at the same time FAIL - in case you were wondering thats my mom with me)

At $23 the shadow is far from affordable however I really like it so I dont mind the splurge.