MAC Surf Baby Collection Haul

I know, I know, i've been slacking on posts, I have SO much to post about too but it's so hard to find the time lately because I have been so busy at work and by the time I get home, all I wanna do is sleep! But I received my MAC Surf Baby goodies in the mail the other day, and finally got around to doing some swatches...I didn't get a lot from this collection; as usual I only ended up getting two lipsticks- "Hibiscus" (cremesheen) and "Mocha" (Satin, and is part of the permanent line) and a back up of "Strange Potion". I originally got it when Venomous Villains came out, but I loved it so much I thought id buy a back-up!

I adore the packaging of this collection, I love how the lipstick tubes remind me of little surfboards, and the Hibiscus flower is a nice touch because I absolutely love Hawaii and it was nice to have a lil something to remind me of my vacation when I went a year ago with my sisters.

The lipsticks are super pretty, I wasn't sure about "Hibiscus" when I ordered it online, I thought it might be too out there for me, but because it's a cremesheen, it's the right amount of color and it's definitely wearable! I think this is definitely a shade anyone can pull of regardless of skintone or complexion. It's just such a pretty coral, reddish color and pairs wonderfully with a neutral eye look.

"Mocha" is part of MAC's permanent line so no need to rush to get it, but I am glad I got this color because I never really paid attention to this color, and it being in this collection really brought it to light. It's a nice medium terracotta brown, has a tinge of orange and red undertones, but it's a really pretty color! I am a sucker for earth tones, and MAC "Cherish" l/s is my all-time favorite everyday lipstick, so "Mocha" is definitely up there at quickly becoming a staple in my bag.

The camera didn't show their true colors :(

FOTD with "Hibiscus" (natural light):

FOTD using "Mocha" (Tarte "Tipsy" blush on cheeks):

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FOTD: Using Wet N Wild Palette in Vanity

 

Hi dolls! Sorry for the missing post yesterday, I had an allergic reaction to the antiobiotics I was taking and broke out in hives, it was incredibly uncomfortable and definitely not my idea of a good time LOL. So I was outta commission yesterday and earlier today since Benadryl and Allegra seem to do a great job of knocking me out.

Anyway, I did a FOTD last weekend using the Vanity palette from Wet N Wild. Since the eyeshadows in the palette don't have names, I will just mention which ones I used down below:

[What I used]

[Face]

- Graftobian HD Cream Foundation in "Buttermilk" mixed with MAC Studio Tech in NC35

- Ben Nye Concealer Wheel

[Cheeks]

- MAC "Springsheen" blush

[Eyes]

- MAC Painterly PP as base

- WnN shimmery gold e/s (middle e/s on the shimmer side) on lower lid

-WnW shimmery dark brown shade mixed with the dark matte color on outer-V and contour

- WnW matte highlight color (top matte color) and a touch of the light shimmery color as highlight

- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"

- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Black

- Andrea False Lashes (forgot the #)

[Lips]

- MAC Oak lipliner

- MAC Cherish lipstick

-MAC Slimshine in Missy

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FOTD: Using Drugstore Makeup

Was digging through my stash and thought i'd do a look using mostly drugstore products to show that you can achieve a great look even on a budget.  The blush is a no-name blush I got from a makeup show for only like $5. For foundation I used Buff'd Cosmetics mineral foundation (custom mix of Chamois and Almond) only because I don't have any drugstore foundations. I forgot to take a pic of the eyeliner but I used Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner in "Black", and used the pencil version for the lower lashline.

What I used:
- Face (Buff'd Mineral Foundation custom mix in Chamois and Almond)
- Contouring (Physician's Formula Bronzer)
- Blush in Sweet Peach (no brand name blush from a makeup show)
- NYX Eyeshadow in "Blondie" (all over the lid)
- NYX Eyeshadow in "Golden" (on lower half of the lid)
- Milani e/s in "Golden Bronze" in crease
- Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner in "Black"
- Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Pencil in "Black" (on lower lashline)
- Maybelline macara in "Black Drama"
- NYX lipstick in "Power"
- NYX lipgloss in "Lilac Field"

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FOTD: Another look using UD Naked Palette

Thought i'd do a look using my "Jazzed" lipstick for the first time that I got last year from the 'In the Groove' collection, I love this lippie! Paired with "Queen Bee" lipgloss from the 'Naked Honey' collection, it's the perfect toasted-peachy color. Wore this look to work...

What I used:

[Face]:
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
- MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC35
- MAC Sheer Pressed Powder in NC35 (to set foundation, applied with stippling brush)

[Cheeks]
- "Emote" blush for contouring
- MAC "Stereo Rose"

[Eyes]
Used Urban Decay Naked Palette
- "Toasted" eyeshadow mixed with "Sin" on lower half of the eyelid
- "Hustle" and "Darkhorse" on outer corners and crease
- "Virgin" e/s and MAC "Bisque" e/s as highlight
- Urban Decay e/s in "Whiskey" on lower lashline
- MAC Fluidline e/l in "Blacktrack"
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

[Lips]
- MAC "Jazzed" lipsticke (LE)
- MAC "Queen Bee" lipgloss (LE)

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Mint Chip FOTD & Colored Contacts

I received a pair of Princess Eyes Neo Cosmo Colored Contacts in "Mint Green" ($20) courtesy of koreabigeyes.com. They have a large selection of colored contacts including circle lenses, and in every color imaginable.  I like that it came with a case to match!

Colored contacts are so much fun to switch looks up, and even though there are so many websites that sell colored contacts, there are a few that have a nice array, including ones that are a bit unique- which I like, and KoreaBigEyes.com has an insane variety of circle lenses, including the "doll-eyed" enlarging lenses. They had really great customer service and I got my lenses in about 3 weeks. This particular color is pretty from far away because it gives a nice green ring around my brown eyes and it's definitely a different and unique look. Up close, it's obvious I am wearing them because of course since it's green, it doesn't wholesomely blend with my natural eye color (if this is what you are looking for, I suggest the brown color or even the gray ones might be nice). But I like this color in natural light, it looks really pretty.

I also wanted to do a brown smokey look (hence the 'Mint Chip' FOTD), so I used MAC's Paint Pot in "Constructivist" as a base to MAC's "Tea Time" pigment. Since I did this look a couple weeks ago (pre-photopsia!), I am gonna try my best to remember what I used, LOL. And don't mind my ugly brows, I am in the process of growing em out to re-shape them argh they frustrate me, haha.

What I used:

[Face]:

- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC 30

- MAC Pro LongWear Foundation in NC35

[Cheeks]:

- MAC "Enough Said" Blush

- Korres Bronzing Powder in #28

[Eyes]:

- MAC Paint Pot in "Constructivist" on lower lid

- MAC "Tea Time" pigment on lid

- Milani "Chocolate" eyeshadow and "Java Bean" on outer-V and contour

- MAC e/s in "Shroom" as highlight up to brow bone

- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"

- Shiseido Mascara in Black

- MAC Technakohl e/l in "Graphblack" on waterline

- UD Eyeliner in "Corrupt" on lashline

[Lips]

- MAC lipstick in "Peachstock"

- MAC Lipglass in "Splashing"

 Neo-Cosmo "Mint Green" Contacts in Natural Light

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FOTD using "Strange Potion" Lipglass

I am usually sporting "natural"/neutral makeup looks everyday for work since it's super simple to do when you are pressed for time and because I am lazy M-F, haha. So I will try to incorporate some color this weekend (I apologize if the looks are starting to look the same as of late!). I wanted to do a look using MAC's "Strange Potion" lipglass from the Venomous Villains collections (I am just in love with this color! It's just so pretty on!) and my Urban Decay eyeliner in "Corrupt" (lower lashline) which is the perfect everyday eyeliner because it's soft and not harsh like black eyeliners and yet brings your peepers out.

Sorry no close-up eye shots due to my photopsia, I am trying to avoid aggravating it with the camera flash. :(

What I used:
[Face]
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35
- Buff'd Mineral Cosmetics (customized shade)

[Cheeks]
- MAC "Emote" blush for contouring forehead and cheeks
- MAC "Springsheen" blush

[Eyes]
- MAC e/s in "Bisque" and "Orb" all over the lid
- UD e/s in "Naked" on crease
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Clinique Eyelash Primer
- Shiseido Lifting Mascara in Black
- UD eyeliner in "Corrupt" on lower lashline

[Lips]
- MAC lipglass in "Strange Potion" (LE)

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Thanksgiving FOTD & Tutorial

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Jon and I decided to cook last minute and celebrate Thanksgiving at our place. He cooked the turkey and I made a few side dishes. His mom, brother, and his gf as well as my grandparents, came over and they brought more food and pie!

Since Thanksgiving colors consist of warm orange and brown, I thought id do a look with those colors. I haven't been faithfully using my MAC pigments, so I am trying to incorporate them more in future looks. I brought out MAC Pigment in "Mega Rich" which was the perfect toasty orange for this look. I love how vibrant it is too. I used MAC's mixing medium to apply it on my eyelid. I also used two of my Starflash Eyeshadows , "Go" and "Glamour Check". On the lips I used Rimmel "Spotlight Beige" lipstick which is a nice soft coral/orange color, definitely complements neutral looks. Stephie did a post and video HERE of this lipstick.

Tutorial down below!

 

What I used:
[Face]
- MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NC30
- MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC35

[Cheeks]
- MAC Blush Powder in "Emote" to contour
- MAC Blush in "Sunbasque" on apples of cheeks

[Eyes]
- MAC Paint Pot in "Painterly" all over lid
- MAC "Mega Rich" pigment applied on lower half of lid with mixing medium
- MAC Starflash e/s in "Go" on outer-V and crease
- MAC Starflash e/s in "Glamour Check" in crease to add depth and a bit on the outer-V
- MAC e/s in "Ricepaper" to highlight on brow bone
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Clinique Lash Primer
- Shiseido Lifting Mascara
- MAC Technakohl in "Graphblack" on waterline
- Urban Decay eyeliner in "Bourbon" on lower lashline

[Lips]
- Rimmel lipstick in "Spotlight Beige"

Quick tutorial:

Then just add eyeliner and mascara and you are done!

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FOTD: Warm Holiday Look

Here is a look I did yesterday using golds and browns, such as MAC's "Blonde's Gold" pigment. I busted out my MAC "Painterly" paint pot which I haven't used in awhile as well. I brightened the eyes a bit by using UD e/s in "Baked" on the lower lash line. I thought i'd put a twist on a traditional holiday look by adding a little pop of color with a bright pink lip instead of a red lip. I think I like how warm it came out, definitely gives a nice glow and the bright lip makes you stand out!

What I used:
[Face]
- MAC Pro LongWear Foundation in NC35

[Eyes]
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
- MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NC30
- MAC "Painterly" on lid as a primer and to neutralize natural lid color
- MAC "Blonde's Gold" pigment on the lid
- Urban Decay's Naked Palette e/s: Buck, Smog, Darkhorse, Hustle mixed together and applied on the outer-V and contour. Wash of "Toasted" used to blend the colors together and give it that nice metallic shine.
- MAC e/s in "Ricepaper" as highlight
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Clinique Lash Primer
- Shiseido Lifting Mascara in Black
- MAC Technakohl e/l in "Graphblack" on waterline
- Urban Decay e/l in "Baked" on lower lash line

[Cheeks]
- Contoured with MAC "Emote" blush (as well as on the temples)
- Mix of MAC blush in "Coygirl" and "Springsheen" on apples of cheeks

[Lips]
- MAC "Petals & Peacocks" lipstick (LE)
- MAC lipglass in "Magnetique"

I also got two pairs of shoes on sale, they are normally over $50 each, and I got them both for around $60 with tax and shipping! I love how comfy they are!

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Urban Decay Naked Palette & FOTD

I know, this gorgeous palette has been out for how many months now and I am barely getting around to posting about it...but because you ladies are awesome, have been so supportive and understanding, I made y'all red velvet cupcakes! I love baking (more than cooking! but the fiance is opposite, he loves to cook, so it works out LOL). And since I am a sucker for sweets and cupcakes, I made a batch of jumbo red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, and man oh man do I love cream cheese frosting! :)

Anyway, I got the Naked Palette from Urban Decay months ago when they first came out and let me tell you- this palette is gorgeous. I totally love neutral browns esp. eyeshadows with a little shimmer, it's the perfect color for Fall!

Honestly, if you are debating to get this or the neutral palette from MAC's Tartan Tale Holiday Collection, I would highly recommend you get this one!

Why? Well let's break it down, the Urban Decay palette is $44 at Sephora and Urbandecay.com, AND you get 12 good-sized, well-pigmented eyeshadows- that's LESS than $4 per eyeshadow! Not only do you get the eyeshadows, you get a double-sided pencil of their infamous eyeliners, in "Zero" and "Whiskey", and a small size of their eyeshadow Primer Potion. With the MAC holiday palettes, they are $38 for only 6 eyeshadows, and half the time, you end up only like 2 out of the 6 colors (at least I know that's the case for me haha). And overall, I just love ALL the colors in this palette, they are just so pigmented and there's a variety of shades from light to dark (even a black and a soft gray color) to achieve neutral or dark smokey looks.

[click on pics to enlarge]

 

 

Swatches done dry, with finger, in one swipe:

And here is a simple neutral look I did using the UD Naked Palette (as well as the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and Foundation which I will do a review and post on soon):

 What I used:

[Face]

- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20

- MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC30

- MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC35

- MAC Sheer Pressed Powder in NC35 as a finish/setting powder

[Cheeks]

- MAC "The Soft Meow" Mineralize Blush

- MAC "Emote" blush for contouring 

[Eyes]

- Mixture of "Naked" and a little "Sin" e/s on the lower lid

- Mix of "Buck" and "Smog" on the outer-v and crease

- A little bit of "Hustle" on the outer-v

- MAC e/s in "Bisque" and "Orb" as highlight

- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"

- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in very black

- UD eyeliner in "Rockstar" on lower lashline

[Lips]

- MAC lustre lipstick in "Lazy Day"

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