MAC: Venomous Villians

So I placed an order on MAC's Venomous Villian's collection on Wednesday night and received the package today. So excited! I was really good though, since I didn't buy out the entire collection (which would've been incredibly pricey, as it is a huge collection). The collection is divided into 4 separate sub-collections, featuring some of Disney's most famous villians: Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations), Evil Queen (Snow White), Malifacent (Sleeping Beauty), and Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog).

I originally wanted to get a little something from each collection -- I really wanted something from Malifacent, but there was really nothing in that part of the collection that called out to me --except for the nailpolishes.. but I want to swatch those in-store first. So I only picked up 3 things:

Toxic Tale Lipstick

Strange Potion Lipglass

Cancun Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Swatches

With Strange Potion Lipglass

With Toxic Tale Lipstick

(this really stains the lips, even after wiping it off seconds after application)

With Cajun Lquid Powder

(it applies wet and cold, then dries to a powder finish but doesn't

feel like anything when you just rub it between your fingers)

Monthly Favourites: March 2010

I've been a horrible blogger (in fact I've been one for the past year)... but I have a couple of weeks of hell left before I'll have all the time in the world (or not... we'll see haha).. sorry I seem so cryptic... most of the time, I don't really know what I'm talking about either and that's because so many things are always so up in the air - I expect one thing to happen and something else does etc. So I say (and hope) I'll be free in two weeks time, but who knows... maybe fate will decide to drop something else on my lap to keep me from enjoying my cosmetics and blogging about it... but I really just want a break... I haven't had one for 3 years... not a proper break at least...

Face:
Shell Pearl Beauty Powder: Give me Liberty of London Collection. I didn't plan on getting this, but (surprise, surprise) Wendy totally influenced me to get it because she was getting it and I'm SO glad, because it's such a pretty highlight powder. I have not had any luck with beauty powders, so I'm really not a fan, but this particular product is very soft in texture and pigmented compared to the other ones I own which requires a good scraping and STILL no product will show up on me. I use this layered over my blush application -- which is usually Hot Planet MB.

Eyes:
Holiday 2008 Smokey Eyes Palette: I have been using this A LOT... probably because all the essential shades are in this palette (carbon, satin taupe etc)... this is a must-have in any girl's arsenal... even if not THIS palette specifically... any of MAC's holiday smokey eye palettes!

Lips:
Lollipop Loving l/s: I have revisited this little gem. I bought my first tube in February 2009 and have accumulated 2 additional back-ups since. I wore it nearly everyday for 2 months and then kind of forgot about it. I have been wearing it daily again... it's really more of a spring shade that really gives me a 'pick-me-up' -- beautiful coral shade with a green sheen -- lovely!

Frankly Fresh l/g: From the Give Me Liberty of London collection, this is a nice pinky nude shade that tops off my HG lipsticks nicely (Brave New Bronze and Lollipop Loving). I also wear it alone once my lipsticks have worn off, but I don't feel like re-touching. I am really trying hard not to get a back up of it (because of my project B2M commitment and that it's probably sold out by now anyhow).

Project B2M

Ok, so after attending my last sale I have decided that I need to really cool it with the hauling and beauty purchases. The majority of my recent posts have really only been hauls and I would really like to write some reviews again -- but I can't review if I keep using new products and putting the "old" ones in the back burner.

So, in order for me to finally use and appreciate the products that I already have, I have decided to do a variation of Project 10-Pan -- but rather than waiting to use up ten products before my next purchase... I will use up 6 products, instead (equivalent to a B2m exchange) -- which is still a pretty difficult task.
*Project B2M was Wendy's idea since she says 10 is way impossible (for me at least) and that at least trying to use up 6 MAC products is an incentive for getting new products -- and for free!

Of course, this doesn't apply to what I feel are essentials such as moisturizer/toner etc...

In addition to trying to use the products I already have... I also need to do a little spring cleaning... that is... I have put a side a lot of products for giveaways and contests... as well... I will be holding another blog sale soon... I hope... there are so many things I can't seem to part with (haha)... but I am also not using them... so I either let those products sit in the drawer and collect dust... or hope that someone else will put it to good use... =(

Anyone else interested in such a 'project'?

MAC Warehouse Sale

I attended the MAC warehouse sale today... sorry.. I packed everything away before I took pictures (I completely forgot! I'm so out of practice with my haulage and blogging!)... but I really didn't get much this time around -- I really limited myself and what I *DID* get turned out to be a disaster... let me explain:

* NEVER gotten to a Friday sale so late before.. usually get there by 8:30am for the doors to open at 10am... got there at 9:30 because of an accident on the 401... thank goodness Susan was there at 8 ^_~

* The lines inside for the products were much much longer than usual... Wendy waited 45min just for foundation!

* I got Cash Flow paint pot... only to find out when I got home that it was COMPLETELY dried up... how annoying~ the product shrank and when I turn it upside down, it just.. falls out... it's not dry enough to crumble and I suppose it can still sort of be used when rubbed against my skin... kind of like a shadestick consistency... or.. it will become a very expensive back-to-mac (B2M) empty....

* I THOUGHT I got (because I asked for) a full bottle of cleanse-off oil... when I got home I realized the lady packed me a bottle of Charged Water... which I already have like 4 of... boo....

* The Charity Bag (although still a good deal) was a huge disappointment... already had everything in there... and the pkg itself was just plain boring... PLUS... there is typically CHOICE... this time around there was only one option (even though I could see labelled on the boxes behind the table there were 8 *EIGHT* different types)...

* I spent 85% of my money at the $3 bins... and picked up 34 pairs of lashes... yeah... that's right... 34.... lol and the rest on travel sized cleansers/fix+/moisturizer -- the travel sized MAC studio moisture creme (30ml) is $3... the FULL SIZED product from stores (50ml) is $38.50CAD... 2 travel sized bottles = 60ml.... you do the math....

* Ultimately, of course, I am always grateful and appreciative of being able to go to these sales.... big thanks to L for hooking me up! <3

* Did you go to the sale this weekend? What did you haul? SHARE!!!!!

Monthly Favourites: February 2010

There isn't a lot going on in my life, yet I am always feeling anxious, busy and that there aren't enough hours in a day. I always feel like there is a lot to do with not enough time to do it. Even right now my heart is racing over the idea of knowing that I have stuff to do and it's already 7pm! Someone please give me some advice on how I should relax!!

Blogging is something that is relaxing for me, yet at the same time makes me anxious because I feel like I should be doing something else.... anyway... enough with this rambling...
These lists are really getting alittle "deja vous"... and I do apologize for that.... =(

Face:
Face Atelier Ultra Foundation #5 Sepia:
I ordered a sample of this off of their website and the colour is spot-on. I love the finish of this foundation (dewy but not oily) and I think it's what MUFE HD foundation should have been. I apply this product with the new MAC 130 brush and a little goes a long way -- I have used the sample at least 3 times a week over the last 4 weeks and still have almost the entire sample left. This photographs beautifully and I'm considering purchasing the full sized bottle after I use up all my other foundations.

Hot Planet Mineralized Blush Duo:
This is an HG product for me. I use this more during the colder months because I feel that it imitates the rosy cheeks I get from just coming in from the cold -- which I like. To me, this acts not only as a blush but also a contour colour... gotta love multiuse products!

Eyes:
I'm not going to just randomly pick 'favourites' when I don't have any for the month... I have used the exact same products over and over again on my eyes from the January list... so for the first time, there will be no favourites under this section for the month of February.

Lips:
Miss Marble Lipglass:
I originally bought this lipgloss from the colour craft collection last summer. I liked it a lot, but like a lot of my lip products, I don't use it enough. I have used it on a lot of brides though and I think it's the perfect colour when used alone, or paired on top of Brave New Bronze lipstick (HG). I've used it a lot this past month though -- it's a very "mlbb" (my lips but better) shade for me. I'm glad that this was included in the December MAC sale's charity package, so now I have a few back-ups =P

Grad Photo FOTD

I had my graduation photos taken today... I was having a lot of trouble deciding what I wanted to do with my make-up. I knew I was going to go neutral... bit HOW neutral? my own camera washes out the shadows on me... so should I go with a lighter-hand? Should I wear false lashes or will I regret it when I look at the pictures again 20 years from now? Should I do something special with my hair??

I know it seems so silly to stress over something so little... but these pictures are pretty important to me -- I'm graduating! Finally! It was a long struggle and even longer journey to get to this point... so here is my FOTD:

All Products are MAC unless specified otherwise:

Face:

Studio Tech NC30

Studio Select NC30

Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 NW25

MUFE Full Cover Concealer #8

Cheeks:

Hot Planet Mineralized Blush Duo

Refined MSF

Eyes:

Vanilla Pigment

Satin Taupe e/s

Dark Devotion e/s (2008 holiday smokey palette)

Vanilla e/s (highlight)

Blacktrac fluidline

Quite Natural paintpot (brows)

Ardell Babies (lashes)

Lips:

Miss Marble lipglass

February Haul pt. 2

I love how they got the artists' signature on the boxes on this year's Viva Glam promotion. They also named the shades after the artists versus previous years where the shades were identified with Roman Numerals.

I wanted this for the sake of the hype... and because I love Lady Gaga... unfortunately, this shade doesn't really work on me... maybe I'll try different things with it and try to make it work... I want to try the Cyndi Lauper one as well...

True Babe Lipglass
From the Riveting Colletion -- this is the lipgloss version of Show Orchid which I LOVE LOVE LOVE

No Flash of True Babe

Viva Glam Gaga with flash

Viva Glam Gaga

True Babe

Show Orchid

This brush is freakin' awesome -- this is what the 187 should've been! I was never a fan of using my 187 for foundation application because I felt that it was too flimsy... I have always used the 109 for liquid application and reserved the stippling brushes for powder application (setting/blush/bronzer). But this new LE brush (promoted with the new mineralized foundation collection) is dense and soft. It is the duo fibre version of the 109! My only gripe is that the brush head is a tad small -- perhaps after using it a bit, the hairs will "splay" out a bit, make the brush had a little wider.

130 Short Duo Fibre Brush

Show Orchid compared with True Babe lipglass

Show Orchid w/True Babe on top

February Haul pt. 1

A few weeks ago I was walking along bloor near Yorkville and wanted to spend a little money... I decided to walk in Sephora (of course) and do a little browsing... I came across the (last) gift set [above] and since I knew it was on sale, I took it to the counter to get a price-check. Eureka!!! It WAS on sale! For only $25CAD!!!!!!!!! That's INSANE!!! I'm not going to lie... I have absolutely no interest in any of the products in there. The only reason why I bought this without thinking twice was for the UDPP XL! The normal sized UDPP retails at $22CAD already... so for a bottle that has 60% more product for only $3 more?? STEAL!

I picked up my birthday gift from Sephora -- this is the third year doing so, for me. The first time I got a Bliss body butter, last year was a sephora brand shower gel... I must say this year is pretty awesome, with a mascara, eye liner and shadow. I have yet to try any of the items though....

A few steps down the street, I HAD to step into MAC... I also HAD to walk out with SOMETHING... presenting: MAC RED (satin finish)... I realized that I didn't have a "good red" in my collection... I have a lot of berry shades and hot pinks.. but not really a SIREN RED.... It's super pretty... just don't know when I'd ever get the chance to use it... haha

Monthly Favourites: January 2010

So I had actually completely forgot about making a favourites post for the month of January, until I logged onto YouTube and saw everyone's "favourites" videos... been really busy, so it definitely slipped my mind. Plus, I'm currently distracted by the Grammy's -- which btw, has been a pretty amazing show so far -- I hope Bon Jovi performs "Always"!!!

Face:
MUFE HD Foundation #127:
I hated this foundation when I first got it... but that's because I got it in the wrong shade -- and continued to get it in the wrong shade (in fact... #127 might still be a tad light for me)... as an NC30, according to MUA, I'm "supposed" to be matched to 118 or 120 -- they were way too yellow and way too light for me.... and when photographed, I had that ghastly white mask thing going on... not to mention that it left me feeling so greasy... I think this foundation is anything but HD and I really don't trust it when it comes to being photographed... ESPECIALLY when used with the HD powder (omg -- that's a whole other story)...
So you may be wondering.... then WHY is this in my favourites list then? Well... I finally found a shade that I can actually pull off, albiet maybe still a tinge too light (i meant to get 128 but for some reason blurted out 127 at IMATS -- no returns -- plus I didn't realize til I got home). I like the way it looks sans photography -- it CAN be naturally, when not piled on and used in moderation with the right primer -- ie. MUFE HD Primer -- I find that it doesn't work with any other primer (for me)... I do need to set this with powder though, because regardless of it being the right shade for me now, it still leaves me kind of shiny.
I typically use this foundation during the day for school/work and switch over to my Studio Fix Liquid for night-time use, when necessary. Mind you, when the weather warms up again, I will be using my trusty MUFE Face and Body foundation for my daily/day time foundation.

MAC Studio Moisture Cream:
This has been a godsend for me during these winter months. I have never been a heavy cream user, but my skin has been feeling extra parched lately. I don't use this all over my face, rather, I concentrate most of my application on my cheek area. Although it feels thick, my skin drinks it up and doesn't leave it feeling greasy at all.

MAC Cremeblend blush (Joie-de-vivre):
This is such a great product. I've been using this nearly every time I put on make-up, either in its lonesome, or as a base under a different blush/bronzer. I have a small collection of creme blushes from MAC, but I rarely used them because, although I loved the colours, I just did not like the formula. The formula to this particular creme blush from MAC is so smooth and light weight (gel-like), imparts lots of pigmentation that is buildable and doubles as a lip product!

Eyes:
MAC Vanilla Pigment:
When I had this as a sample, I barely used it -- maybe because I was afraid of it running out. Now that I have a full jar of it, I can't stop using it! I've always known it was versatile -- but omg... this is LOVE. I've used it as an all-over wash, or as an inner corner colour. Just... so many uses...

MAC Satin Taupe e/s:
I have this as part of one of 2008's holiday palette (smokey one I believe). I think I will have to purchase the pro-pan form of this, for easier travels. This is a staple -- Vanilla (pigment) on the lids and Satin Taupe in the crease and you have your day look. Add some black or dark brown to the outer V and you're ready for a night out.

Lips:
YSL Rouge Volupte #9 (Pink Caress):
I LOVE THIS LIPSTICK! It is luxury in a tube. I got #1 first -- a nude/beige colour, which I love, but found it a little difficult to wear because it shows all the imperfections and fine lines on your lips (it is very similar to creme d'nude). Although #1 is just as creamy, the colour is just not as smooth as the formula. #9, however, is a completely different story -- the colour/pigmentation is just as smooth as the forumla. Just one swipe across your lips and the colour is evenly distributed -- creamy, buttery goodness! I want to try MORE shades!

Disclaimer: All products mentioned were purchased by me and I am not affiliated with any of the companies/brands.

How I Organize My Collection (pic heavy)

I've been asked about showing my updated collection/how I organize everything. I won't go through piece-by-piece since it is constantly growing anyway (I'll leave that for my collection series), but I will show you how and where I stash everything. I am very quickly running out of space -- I have a very small room, so not only am I running out of storage space, but just space in my room, in general!

** The dividers are all from Dollarama

I know -- it's so cluttered. Half my brushes were just deep cleansed, so they were sitting on my desk drying and not pictured. I had JUST cleaned this area up -- it's normally even messier and more cluttered =(

I got the holder for my MAC palettes from Wendy -- they were originally holders for packages of pilot pens =P They fit in there PERFECTLY! There are eyeshadow and blush palettes in there and I am officially out of space for more =(

Everything in the little blue box is my "everyday" stuff that I reach for frequently.

No more space for lippies -- I've bursted one box before... and this one is about to blow....

The set of drawers I keep almost everything in (office depot -- which doesn't even exist anymore!~ wtf?)... and of course... my sleeping Phoebe ^_^

What sits on top of it all: skin care and necessities

Drawer 1: Face products
Powders/foundations/concealer/primer
(and for some reason... OCC lip tars)

Drawer 2: MSFs

Drawer 3: Blush

Drawer 4: Highlighters/Bronzers
NYX loose pigments/drugstore shadows
gift with purchase Clinique stuff

Drawer 5: Bases
Paint pots/gel liners/NYX jumbo pencils/mascaras

Drawer 6: Palettes/Quads

Drawer 7: MAC/NARS/MUFE potted shadows
MAC Pigments and glitters

Drawer 8: MAC Wipes/ELF/NYX

Drawer 9: Lashes
(a lot are stashed in boxes UNDER my vanity table)

Drawer 10: Extras/Misc.

Disclaimer: everything in this post was purchased by myself.

Already hauling too much...

Ok fine... so I went back and picked up the other two blushes from the Lilyland collection. I am in love with this blush/formula. I wish MAC would completely phase out their original cremeblush and stock up with this formula in a bunch of different shades!

So Sweet, So Easy

Forida

So Sweet So Easy, Florida

I'm apparently a sephora VIB member, so I was sent a 10% coupon that I just HAD to take advantage of -- plus I wanted to pick up my birthday gift (which they ran out of). I wanted the Laura Geller Lip exfoliator that Wendy got, but they were sold out because Sephora is phasing out this brand (30% off everything), so they led me to [the above] product instead. For the same price, it is only half the size... which kind of sucks... I think I'm going to return it and just use my Volcanic Ash Exfoliator on my lips....

Sephora is also phasing out CARGO and everything was 50% off... there were a quite a few things I've always wanted to try from this Canadian brand, unfortunately they were pretty low in stock. So I settled for one of their Plant Love lipsticks for only $10!

Faith

There is a reason why these are on sale... if you look carefully at the bullet... it looks... old.. (whitish layer on it)... but it doesn't smell bad and the texture feels fine... so it'll do for now.

Swatch of Faith

Very pretty natural looking mauve-colour

Lipswatch of NARS Funnyface (flash)

Just for fun:

MAC Blissed Out as base colour with MAC Dim The Lights as design.

Design used with KONAD nail stamping system.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned were purchased by myself.