In The Groove Haul

So I am posting my first haul in a while... mind you... I HAVE hauled since my last haul post... but not as much as today (not that it's much hahaha)...

I was excited for this [In The Groove] collection, which is this summer's mineralize collection (like last year's Colour Craft -- which was my FAVOURITE). I didn't buy out the whole collection this time though, because it just wasn't as good as last year's.

The focus of this collection, as I'm sure you all agree, is the repromote of the MSF Stereo Rose, which we have all waited so anxiously for. I am now a proud owner of one and am SUPER excited... even as I type this, I realize that I have yet to swatch it (i didn't even swatch it in-store!), therefore there are no swatch pics of it... but i'm positive there will be tons on Specktra.

Well since the focus of the collection, and the only thing I wanted from the collection was the MSF, I surprised myself by walking out with two additional items -- yes only two!

First, let me say, that there is a huge selection of the trio mineralized eyeshadows. I swatched a couple of them... and they are incredibly impressive. Not only are they uber pigmented... but I find that they are the smoothest, least glittery MES that MAC has ever released. I know everyone says that with each new MES release... but maybe because MAC continues to improve on them? There was virtually no glitter flecks (at least on the ones I swatched), and the texture reminds me more of the veluxe pearl finish -- which is fab. I didn't pick up any of them though, because I find that I never touch my MES... ever.

Anyway... onto the haul...

Mandatory group shot

eeeee!!!!!

Why is it on its side?

Close up

Jazzed (cremesheen)
I've always wanted Riveting, but it's a tad orange --
this is more toned down and more flattering on me

Chillin' (w/o flash)

This was a surprise purchase. Although it goes on practically clear, with a slight pearly finish, I really liked it on top of the purple lipstick in the same collection "Go For It". The lipstick was a little bold, but the blue/cool tone of Chillin' really toned it down and made it wearable and pretty. I didn't purchase the purple lipstick, because I have the pro one "Violetta" and I felt that it would probably do the same job.

Chillin' with flash

Swatches with flash

lip swatch

*I knew that Stereo Rose was sold out in minutes online... but had no idea the lipstick I picked up was so popular as well... maybe I should get a back up... hmmm....

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.

Holiday Haul

Comfort MSF and By Candlelight MSF

2N Lipglass

Surprisingly I didn't do much hauling over the holidays -- SURPRISINGLY! But remember that Christmas wishlist I made? I got almost everything on it =D I'll be putting that in a separate post. I don't have everything pictured, since I wanted to keep my haul post beauty-related. I bought stuff from the Warm and Cozy collection, of course. I have to admit though that MAC's collections in the new year has not interested me, thus far (All Ages/Races/Sexes, Lilyland).

Dim The Lights and Blissed Out

Wendy went to Boston for a couple of days, so I got her to grab me a couple of things from Sephora there, since it's slightly cheaper than buying them in Canada -- I think I saved about $10. Oh how I've missed UDPP. Don't get me wrong, TFSI is great, but UDPP works so much better for me and although I vowed to never get it again until Urban Decay changed their packaging, I caved. Also got the full sized MUFE Sens'Eyes waterproof make-up remover -- it's a really great product!


A friend of mine got me this set for Christmas -- I LOVE LOVE LOVE pomegranate!! Whether it be pomegranate-scented products, or the actual fruit... yummy!



Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights: Dusk

I have been lemming this bronzer for months and months... but I couldn't justify the pricetag. To my surprise I found it in my mailbox on Christmas Eve! I had forgotten that I had mentioned it to s2pandapple aka Michelle about it when we first met and she had bought and sent it to me! What a sweetie for remembering!!! When I first saw it I thought, "WTF?? How did she know? What a lucky guess!" lol
Thank you so much Michelle! <3

Disclaimer: All MAC products mentioned were purchased by myself and the other items were given to me as gifts.

Monthly Favourites: August

Why is time flying by so fast?? Another monthy favourites entry already??? Reviewing back on my posts I have posted less than 10 entries over the past month -- I am soooo sorry =( Once I got lazy, it seems so hard to get back to blogging -- I still haven't made a new video yet for YT!! You guys need to nag me about these things! hehe

So here are my favourite items for the month of August:

Face:
Studio Fix Fluid (NW25): I was never interested in purchasing this foundation since I've read less than favourable reviews that include major break-outs for many users. I was intriqued nonetheless (I have been testing out a lot of foundations this summer for some reason). I picked up a sample of this and to my surprise I was not matched to NC30 (what I'm typically matched to), but to an NW shade -- something I've never been -- and lo and behold it was a PERFECT match. I went back a couple of weeks later though to get matched again by a different MA (I do this often) and was matched to NC30 lol I told her that I had been matched earlier to NW25 and she said "that's ridiculous" -- I got the sample of NC30 as well and compared for myself when I got home -- NW25 was definitely my shade.
Anyway, I apply this foundation with a kabuki and the finish is so flawless -- what I wanted MUFE HD to be (but to be fair, I was not matched perfectly to MUFE HD, so it looked gross on me). It was long-wearing with my Urban Decay Complexion Primer and I really appreciated the medium to full buildable coverage it provided. I am not done the sample that I got, but will consider purchasing the full bottle for the fall/winter months.

Peaches blush: I'm only recently discovering that orangey-peachy colours are quite flattering for my skin-tone. This is a true peach shade and I gives the "just got out of the sun" flush, which I assure you is very different from the "just got out of the cold" flush. I've used this on and off over the summer but have really put it to good use this month.

Sunny By Nature MSF: I absolutely love this MSF. This is my favourite of all the MSFs from the Colour Craft collection. It's not shiny/glittery and is just the PERFECT bronzing shade for me.

Lips:
Gold Rebel l/g: This was part of my June's favourite entry. I'm not a huge lipgloss user, but I've found time and time again that I keep returning to this gloss. I wish I got a back-up =P

Eyes:
Sunny By Nature MSF: Not only is this a great bronzer/cheek colour, but it makes a fabulous all over lid colour -- a great transitional colour from summer to fall!

Liquidlast Liner in Point Black: OMG I can't believe I've neglected this for so long. I was always so wary of using it because it is SO difficult to wash off. Once this liner is on, it DOES NOT EVER EVER BUDGE. I have super oily eyelids and even the best of the fluidlines smudge on me after awhile. This liner does not budge EVER even when my lids are shiny with oil (not a pretty image), the liner remains crisp with no flaking etc. I hate the brush it comes with, so I apply it with an angle liner brush instead. Yes it is difficult to clean off, and requires an oil-based remover, but I believe it's worth the extra effort for clean-up so long as it doesn't make me look like a hot mess while on my lids =P

Make-up Collection: MSFs

Just a heads up that I'll be slow with the posts for the next couple of weeks...

what else but school? =(

Top: Blonde, Redhead
Bottom: Petticoat, So Ceylon

Light Flush, Perfect Topping
Glissade, Refined

Sunny By Nature, Gold Deposit
Cheeky Bronze, Warmed

Triple Fusion, Smooth Merge

Porcelain Pink, Warm Blend

Quick Review: Colour Craft Collection Part 1

Cheeky Bronze: A beautiful peachy-bronzey colour that looks like it would be perfect for the summer, giving a very subtle glow. Although, this one is a bit of a glitterbomb compared to the rest, so use with caution.

Porcelain Pink: This highly coveted MSF is a repromote and is a beautiful light pink with a subtle sheen. The colour actually reminds me of the light side of Petticoat MSF, except when swatched next to each other, Porcelain Pink is a bit more on the peach side compared to Petticoat. I was most excited to pick this one up.

Sunny By Nature: This is an incredibly pigmented bronzing shade that has minimal shimmer or glitter, which I like. This is a bit on the orange side and may not work on everyone.

Smooth Merge: One of my favourites of the bunch. This is what Petticoat would be if the veining and the base were to be separated. The middle strip is more berry-coloured than the veining in petticoat (more deep wine) -- but that depends on the individual MSFs.

Triple Fusion: This one is a glitterbomb (or is just way too shimmery for my taste). This would have to be used with a light hand. The pink strip at the bottom, is similar to Petticoat's base colour (there seems to be quite a bit of petticoat dupes in this collection).. but I'll have to say this is my least favourite of the six.

Warm Blend: This one is incredibly dark. I'm not sure how I would use this yet, but the chocolate coloured middle strip drew me to it. I have a feeling I would be using this MSF more for my eyes than my face.

Natural Flare: I love neutrals, so I knew this was the one MES I was going to pick up from the collection. the colours complement each other so well and the formula is soooooo smooth and buttery and soooo pigmented!! I LOVE this eyeshadow!!

Eccentricity: I orignally only planned to get ONE MES from this collection since I find that MES are so expensive (nor too impressive in my opinion)... but since the pinwheel design gives you four different colours, you get more for your money. I never planned to get this one at all, but after watching the purple... OMG it was sooooooo beautiful!!! It was so rich and again the formula was great compared to MAC's past MES. The only drawback I felt for getting this MES was that the highlight colour is pretty much the same as the highlight colour for Natural Flare.
Also, I'm going to have to exchange the one I have for another one unfortunately... the one I have isn't glued down securely? Basically it feels unstable and like it's about to fall out of the pan any minute... boo... otherise.. LOVE.

Overall: Despite MAC's best efforts with improving the Mineralized Skinfinish (MSF) formulation over the years, I have to say that they took a step back with a couple of them (glitterbomb)... however, the other ones were smooth and pigmented and only impart subtle shimmer, which is very pretty. I love that the 3-stripped MSFs are so distinct versus the MSFs of the BBR collection which are all very similar in the pan. I also found that half of these MSFs work as bronzers and the other half as highlighter/blush. Don't forget that you can use your MSFs as eyeshadow too!
I was never a fan of mineralized eyeshadow (MES), but all the eyeshadows in this collection were super smooth and buttery. They are incredibly pigmented and the pinwheel design is a great idea because it's like getting a quad for the price of one MES.

Do you need all the MSF's? If you're a collector, then by all means, yes. Otherwise, definitely not... they are very dupaple -- my picks are Smooth Merge and Porcelain Pink... you can skip Triple Fusion, Warm Blend and Sunny By Nature

MSF Heaven

The title says it all -- I've been waiting for this collection since the day information leaked about it... and I knew right away that I was going to pick up all of the MSFs, regardless of whether I liked them or not (I don't want to regret it later on)... I was supposed to go to the Pro Store with Wendy ( buzzfuzzbunny ) on Thursday, but I couldn't wait... hehehe... so here is part 1 of my Colour Craft Collection haul (I'm going back for the lipglasses and blush).

Clockwise from top left: Warm Blend, Porcelain Pink,
Triple Fusion, Sunny By Nature, Smooth Merge, Cheeky Bronze

Natural Flare, Eccentricity

Cheeky Bronze

Porcelain Pink

Sunny By Nature

Cheeky Bronze, Porcelain Pink, Sunny By Nature

Smooth Merge

Warm Blend

Triple Fusion

Natural Flare

Eccentricity