Mini MAC Haul- 'All About Orange' Collection.

I'll be honest and say I had gone off MAC a bit. After working for a short while for Illamasqua and getting to work with such strongly pigmented products, anything I swatched at MAC just seemed watery in comparison. Alas, when I saw they were releasing a collection dedicated to orange I knew I would cave. I love orange and coral. They are without a doubt my go-to colours in the summer, give me an orange lipstick over a pink one anyday.

Afer a bit of deliberation I knew I could sort of justify a MAC splurge if it was for my kit. I've got enough MAC lippies to last me a life time.

I originally thought I wanted 'Sushi Flower' lipstick as it such a 'me' shade but I opted for a slightly more wearable 'Razzledazzler' as it would have more of a universal appeal, would suit more people and would be perfect for bridal. It's a milky coral. By no means is it bright or neon-esque, the lustre finish means it has an underlying 'sheer' quality about it and a glisten-y finish. It very much reminds me of the permanent lip glass Pink Lemonade with it's mid-tone yet brightening qualities. This will suit pale and tanned girls alike though I probably wouldn't advise it for asian skin tone or deeper. It's pretty long lasting considering the slip of the finish, 2-3 hours wear and leaves a pretty coral 'just bitten' stain behind. Easy enough to top up on the go though.

After thinking one of my MAC blushes was faulty due to it's absolute lack of pigment ('Pink Swoon' FYI) I was dubious to spend money on another. Unlike 'Pink Swoon' which is a sheertone blush (which may explain it's lack of colour when swatched) 'Immortal Flower' is a satin finish which means it's not totally matte, but there's no detectable glitter or shimmer present either. It's very peach in the pan which doesn't come across in my photos unfortunately. On me, a light dusting gives a soft peachy glow, but it can be built up a little more intense. Again, this will look simply gorgeous on a bride because it hasn't got that disco ball shimmer in it and it makes you 'glow' rather than look too blusher-y. It photographs beautifully.

Both 'Razzledazzler' and 'Immortal Flower' compliment one another when worn together. I do wish I had a bit more money to spend as I would have caved into 'Sushi Flower' any way and would have probably picked up 'Neon Orange' for the hell of it too. Unlike the other MAC collections released this year, this one has impressed me.

Thankyou for reading,

E.

My Make Up Artist Lip Palette

Top row L-R: MAC Blankety, Pink Plaid & Rebel,. Illamasqua Immodest, Flare and Apocalips..
Bottom row L-R: Illamasqua Drench & Russian Red,  Vegas Volt. Illamasqua Wanton, Plunge, Corrupt and MAC Up The Amp

I finally got my act together and made my lip palette. On most jobs, a lip palette is ideal because it saves both space and weight in an already heavy kit bag. I would only use lipstick straight from the bullet for a 'special occasion' such as for a bride on her wedding day or if I was to ever work on a high profile client (though that is a long way down the road.)

I've seen this process done in many ways, some use a whole lipstick, others a slither. Some melt the lipstick and pour into the box, others cut and smush. I made that word up by the way, but I'm totally sure you all know what I mean. 
I decided that I didn't want to sacrifice a whole lipstick to a Muji pill box. Instead, I cleaned all of my lipsticks and used a third to a half of the product, leaving some remaining in its packaging. Why did I choose to do this? Firstly, because I wanted some lipsticks left over, you never know if the Muji box will become damaged or god forbid, lost. If I had used 12 whole lipsticks and then something bad happened then I'd be waving goodbye to £150+ worth of makeup. Secondly, (as mentioned above) some clients would prefer to see an MUA working from a lipstick bullet rather than a messy palette of smushed up colours. (There's that word again.)

I also decided not to melt my lipsticks. I can't help but feel it is a massive faff for no reason at all, plus I am sure that melting and drying lipsticks will alter their original texture. I want my mattes to stay matte, and anything with glitter in I want to stay evenly distributed.

For this palette I only used a combination of MAC and Illamasqua lipsticks, because they are good quality and high in pigmentation, and not so expensive that it felt a sin to cut them up.

The process is straightforward but fiddly at times. I cleansed each lipstick and used a sharp knife to slice off the desired amount, then smoothing it into its section in the pill box. I later pressed down on each segment to secure it in place. Not as neat looking as those who have melted, but it'll do the job and that's what matters. 

I have used this a few times now and so far it delivers well. It is such a good way of keeping an amount of lipsticks succinct and it also makes it easy to mix different shades on the back of my hand!

Thanks for reading,

E.

Rebel, Rebel.

MAC 'Rebel' lipstick, £14 for 3.5g. 

Thanks to the gorgeous Catrine over at Unnaked Nails I finally convinced myself that yes, another MAC lipstick was in order. 'Rebel' dropped on my doorstep earlier this week (well the Yodel man handed my box of goodies over, we're firm friends) and I whipped it on straight away. It is a deep blackberry purple shade and is of 'satin' finish. While I always find the MAC satin lipsticks drying (more so than the other finishes) I can overlook that point because I luuurrrve this shade. It's deep, but sophisticated without being too gothic. Though if you are a goth, this could totally work for you too.
As ever, unless you're going on a big night out or have a fancy do to attend, keep the eye makeup minimal. I used NARS 'Abysinia' as a base with MAC's 'Haux' in the crease and added lashings of mascara. See below for the rest of the products I used.

Please excuse the 'MySpace pose' above.

Face:

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in 02

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Bobbi Brown Brightening Face Powder in 'Brightening Nudes'

Illamasqua blusher 'Lover'

Eyes & Brows

Benefit 'Stay Don't Stray' eye primer

NARS 'Abyssinia' eyeshadow

MAC 'Haux' eyeshadow

YSL 'Shocking' mascara

Benefit Brow Pencil 'Medium'

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner 'Sepia Ink'

Lips:

MAC lipliners in 'Brick' and 'Magenta'

MAC 'Rebel'

Would you dare to wear Rebel?

Midweek Post: "Halloween Makeup"

I don't really do dressing up, especially at the moment when I am trying to be as sensible as I can with money, forking out on a Halloween costume is not top of my agenda. However, last night we had tickets for a ghostly walk around St Fagans in Cardiff so I thought I may aswell join in the spirit of Halloween. I chose a purple gradient lip with matching purple nails. Any excuse for me to wear some purple makeup, eh?

I lined my lips with MAC Magenta lipliner and filled it in with Rimmel's Kate Moss lipstick in 04, making sure it was completely opaque at the edges to add depth. I added MAC 'Up The Amp' lipstick and blended it out with a lip brush. To add a bit more depth I dabbed Illamasqua 'Plunge', but only in the centre of the lips. It took me about ten minutes and it was worth the effort- I loved the outcome! I paired this daring lip with a soft, subtle taupe smokey eye and small brown eyeliner flicks. I contoured fairly heavily using MAC's 'Harmony' and used MAC 'Soft and Gentle' Mineralize Skin Finish to highlight my cheekbones with- I missed out blusher completely!
I also popped No.7's 'Blackberry' nail polish on my nails then added some depth with Dior's 'Rock Coat'- this is a topcoat that makes nail varnish look 'smokey'. I love it. Sorry I didn't get a picture, but you can view it's effects here if you want to.

What are your plans for Halloween? Do you embrace it with full on costume or does it pass you by?

Lychee Luxe Lipglass.

 M.A.C. Tinted Lipglass in 'Lychee Luxe', £13.50 for 4.8g.

You may remember that I surprised myself a couple of months ago at how much I liked my first Lipglass from MAC (you can see a review and swatches of Pink Lemonade here.) Well, I soon gave in and ordered another, with the good-enough-to-eat name 'Lychee Luxe'.

For once, the website seemed to describe the shade of this quite aptly as a 'pinky coral with golden shimmer'  -it's a red infused coral which makes it perfect to wear during this transitional season and throughout autumn because it's got more depth and is quite intense. This makes me happy as it's no secret what a coral girl I am, and I'm not ready to give them up yet! The gold shimmer specks are obvious when you're up close but they're not too chunky, the gold creates a warm sheen when the gloss reflects the light.

As with all lipglasses, the consistency is thick and balmy, and it's because of this that people's opinions of them always seem so split. It is also quite gloopy but it's due to these factors that you get impresive pigmentation and a long lasting finish. Whilst these are nice layered on top of lipsticks, these pack enough punch to be worn on their own and unlike the negative effects MAC lipsticks have on my lips (always dry and worse for wear the next day), this isn't the case with the lipglasses, which is another bonus.

I think I'll purchase a couple more of these over time, I've definitely got my eye on Russian Red and Eclectic Edge. (I wish I'd bought True Babe, why are the best colours always Limited Edition?!)

Do you own this shade? Are you a lover or a hater of The Mac Lipglass?

Midweek post: What A Blast!

MAC Pro Longwear Lip Liner in 'What A Blast!', £14 for 1.2g.

It's no secret that I love bright lip colours. Whether it be coral, pink or red I feel most comfortable with a pop of colour on my lips, nudes just aren't for me.

I bought this Pro Longwear lip liner in 'What A Blast!' hoping that I could use it as an all over lip colour due to it's unashamedly vivid neon colour.

The Pro Longwear pencil promises to be longwearing, with smooth application and high pigment. The pencil does tick two of these three boxes; the pencil is so creamy and buttery soft in comparison to the regular MAC lip liners, there's no dragging or discomfort. Secondly, the pigmentation is so fantastic that it'll make you wince. This shade is one of the most vivid, bright neon colours I have ever seen or experienced in lip colour and for that reason I don't want to write a totally negative review...

The one issue I have is that it isn't longwearing on me. The texture is so creamy yet when it sets on the lips it does that typical thing that so many 'longwearing' products end up doing, and that is it becomes dry and crumbly. As soon as I take a sip of a drink, let alone eat, the colour is gone and I'm left with a delightful ring around my lips along with flakes and crumbs of orange residue...now how attractive does that sound? I find this issue really frustrating as I absolutely hate being paranoid when I'm wearing a makeup product, it takes all the fun out of it when you're constantly checking if it's still in place- and in this case, it never is!
As a lipliner on it's own it is ok, and I find I can pair it with my 17 listick in 'Hot Chilli' fairly well, so unfortunately for me it'll have to remain solely as a lip liner.

Sadly my opinion on What A Blast! is a split one. I adore how vivid the shade is with it's high end edge, yet the dry consistency and it's embarassingly poor lasting power put me off picking it up as often as I'd like. Sad face.

Midweek post: Candy lips

I've got back into my bold lips and simple eye looks recently. The other day I thought I'd wear bright candy pink lips so thought I may aswell document it as a FOTD! I put ombre lips into practice, a look I'm really loving at the moment as it let's me be (a bit) creative but is also wearable for day to day! I love the depth it adds to lips when you use a darker liner and blend it to a lighter shade, though it's always important to remember, and god knows, AVOID that not so charming look that was so popular in the 90's- sorry Naomi!
It was also the second time I used Illamasqua's Sealing Gel. I'll pop a review up of this in a couple of weeks when it has been tried and tested properly!

Let me know if you use any of the products used and what you think of them.

FOTD:

Estee Lauder DoubleWear foundation in 'Shell' mixed with L'Oreal Lumi Magique primer

Chanel Poudre de Universelle in '20 Clair'

MAC 'Harmony' blush (contour)

MAC MSF in 'Soft and Gentle' (cheekbone highlight)

Benefit 'Sugarbomb' blush

Eyes:

Estee Lauder peach/gold eyeshadow from the 'Topaz Mosaic' palette

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner (waterline)

Yves Saint Laurent 'Shocking' mascara

MAC 'Showstopper' on brows

Lips:
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner in '004 Indian Pink'

MAC LE lipstick in 'Naughty Saute'

Thankyou for reading!

Midweek post; MAC Vegas Volt! (vs Watch Me Simmer)

MAC lipstick in 'Vegas Volt', £13.50 for 3g.

Yes, some of you may be yawning 'another MAC lipstick?' but as lip products are one of my favourite things, I like to document them!

Vegas Volt is one of those 'in your face' lipsticks that many of us know and love. Excellent for brightening up a pale complexion such as mine and absolutely divine on tanned skin, it's one of those colours that if you have the balls to wear it, it'll be a colour that'll be much loved in your collection.

One thing I noticed when I got it home is that it reminded me of one of my favourite lipsticks 'Watch Me Simmer' which if you read my blog regularly you'll know it first appeared in my 'Shop MAC' mini haul and has featured in monthly favourites posts too. I will say that I do still prefer Watch Me Simmer due to it's coral pink leaning, whereas Vegas Volt is more of a orange coral infused tomato red. Both are neon-esque shades and are great worn subtley and dabbed onto the lips or at full opacity!

The photograph below shows Watch Me Simmer on the left and Vegas Volt on the right.

Watch Me Simmer was limited edition in 'Shop' and then re-released in the 'Reel Sexy' collection however Vegas Volt is a permanent shade.

I love both of these lipsticks, and shades such as this really are staples on my summer face!

Do you own Vegas Volt?

Continuing quest for 'Nude' ft. Creme D'Nude.

I've posted here about how I was inspired by National No Makeup Day to create and wear a more toned down, everyday look. Each day I can't help but switch nude colours for brights, being a pale girl I feel that I look more alive when I brighten my face up a bit  ...but due to the encouragement and compliments on my last nude look I thought I'd do another one and let you know how I'm getting on with a new nude lipstick....M.A.C's 'Creme D'Nude'. (Cremesheen, £13.50 for 3g.)

FOTD;

Base;

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Estee Lauder DoubleWear Foundation in 1C1 Shell (click)

M.A.C Cream Colour Base in 'Pearl' as highlight

Chanel Poudre Universelle in '20 Clair' (click)

Estee Lauder Signature Blusher in 'Peach Nuance'

Eyes;

Benefit Stay Don't Stray eyelid primer

Neutral cream shade from TopShop Smoke and Mirroes eyeshadow palette

M.A.C 'Coppering' eyeshadow in crease

Maybelline gel eyeliner

YSL 'Shocking' mascara

Benefit High Brow

M.A.C. eyeshadow in 'Showstopper' on brows.

Lips;

Rimmel Lasting Finish lipliner in '050 Tiramisu'

M.A.C. 'Creme D'Nude' Cremesheen lipstick

Collection 2000 Lock n' Hold Lipgloss in 'Body Pop'. (click)

Creme D'Nude;

I'm a little 50/50 on this one. It is very unforgiving, particulaly if your lips are even a hint of dry. Lips must be exfoliated, prepped and primed before it, it's not a 'swipe and go' lipstick if you're in a rush to leave, on reflection I'm beginning to think M.A.C 'Hue' would have been a better option.

I have been using it a lot, but on it's own it can look a bit 'foundation on lips' at times which obviously gets a big sarcastic thumbs up from me. However, with a wash of gloss over the top (my favourite combination so far is with Collection 2000 Lock N' Load Lipgloss in Body Pop) it warms it up a bit and adds that shiny gloss finish that I crave on every lip-look at the moment. The colour of Creme D'Nude does hold a teeny hint of peach which does warm the complexion slightly, I don't look completely dead when I'm wearing it! It's perfect if worn with a heavier eye look as it balances out all that makeup. Still miss my brights though......

Do you wear any of these products? Do you think I suit the nude look or shall I stick to my bright lips (AKA comfort blanket!)? 

A wordless post....M.A.C. Chatterbox

M.A.C. Lipstick in Chatterbox (Amplified) £13.50 for 3g.

M.A.C. 'Shop' Collection Limited Edition Lipstick Reviews & Swatches

M.A.C. LE Lipsticks in 'Watch Me Simmer' and 'Naughty Saute', £13.50 for 3.5g

I talked a bit about 'Shop' and 'Cook' from this years M.A.C. limited edition collection exclusively for Selfridges (here) and how I wasn't completely sold on the products as a collective. But of course, after seeing swatches on Temptalia I was convinced that I NEEDED a couple of the lipsticks in my life.....

After texting and ringing round (by the time I checked they had sold out on the website), and eventually getting a friend of a friend (thankyou!) who works in Selfridges bagsy me them before they sold out, they've been posted from LDN and are now in my possession for me to wear and review for you lot! #TheThingsIDoForMakeup

Although 'Runaway Red' looked beautiful I was won over by 'Watch Me Simmer'- a neon-esque coral and 'Naughty Saute' - an irresistable bubblgegum pink.

Left- Naughty Saute, Right- Watch Me Simmer.

 'Naughty Saute' is a medium pink that has a luminous sort of finish, it's very bright and striking. The candy pink colour deepens on top of lips which is more flattering to the skin than really light shades. It's a cremesheen so glides onto the lips smoothly yet seems to last a good amount of time, and feels comfortable on.

'Watch Me Simmer' is a stunning, bright pink- coral. Similarly to 'Naughty Saute' it's very striking, not for the faint hearted! This colour seems to remain on the lips after the Amplified shine formula has worn off. It is smooth to apply and is almost milky in consistency. This colour develops over time on the lips to a pinker colour, and boy it don't half stain!! Be prepared for bright lips the day after wearing this!

Both shades can achieve an opaque finish easily yet you can also achieve a more subtle finish from dabbing/one layer.

I'm really happy with both of these shades, and I am looking forward to wearing them more! They also make a nice to change to my usual choice of matte lipsticks!

Dupes

'Naughty Saute' can be replicated, (I couldn't notice the difference) with Estee Lauder's Pure Colour lipstick in 'Electric Pink'.

'Watch Me Simmer' can be duplicated with Estee Lauder's Signature lipstick in no. 59 'Portofino Coral', the colours are pretty much the same. Estee Lauder's Pure Colour lipstick in 'Coral Fantasy' is also very similar.

Did you manage to get your hands on any of the lipsticks, or the rest of the 'Shop Shop Shop' collection?