Model 21 False Eyelashes

Model 21 sent me two styles of lashes to review... they actually sent it to me over a month ago, but I haven't had the opportunity to wear lashes in a while... so this is just a preview... when I have given them a try, I will provide a full review~

Thanks to Model 21 False Eyelashes for the opportunity to try your products out!

Pictured are: #24 (top) ad #27 (bottom)

Paula Begoun Review: MAC - Fix +

View the rating system here

" Fix+ is a standard, but good, alcohol-free toner for normal to dry or slightly oily skin. The mist application is convenient, but don't mist this over your makeup -- nothing in the formula will 'finish' it or prolong wear. Quite the opposite is true!"

o_o $$$

My opinion:
I agree with Begoun on this one, I don't know why people feel that this product actually "sets" their make up.... yes it DOES take the powdery look away (which is great)... but I have to say that I use Fix+ as more of a toner than anything... I also like misting it on my face on a hot summer day -- very refreshing... and I really enjoy the scent. Other than that... I feel this is an over-hyped product.

o_o $$$

*** If you would like to see a review on a product other than MAC let me know and I'll post it (if it's in the book -- for example she never reviewed NYX or Vichy.. but ELF and QUO are surprisingly included)***

Paula Begoun Reviews

I am starting a new series on this blog that involves the reviews of self-proclaimed cosmetics cop and author of "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me", Paula Begoun. I will be posting Begoun's reviews from the last edition of her book along with her rating system for those of you who do not have access to it.
What I like about Begoun's reviews is that it is not based on her experience with the products but are based on research and formulation of the products based on a product's ingredients. This is a far cry from peer reviews that are on sites such as makeupalley (which is a great site), because those reviews are based on personal experience and as we all know -- not all products work the same for all of us.
By researching and understanding a product's formulation, she "assesses the product's potential for irritation, dryness, breakouts, sensitivities, greasiness, and other issues of texture and performance."
The application, colour selection, texture and whether products contain SPF and/or antioxidants are also all considered in her reviews.

So in other words, consider her reviews in a more "scientific" light.

Of course, do keep in mind that you don't have to agree with all her reviews or opinions. For example, Paula Begoun indirectly claims that anyone who wears eyeshadow shades in colours OTHER than neutrals are whores lol (specifically blues)... I personally don't agree with that, because I don't believe in rules when it comes to make-up... but instead there are situation-appropriate looks.

Begoun uses emoticons to denote approval or disapproval to the products she reviews. Because I don't really know how to make emoticons on this blog (lol) I'm going to improvise:

^_^! : Excellent and Paula's Pick - best of the best products that exceed expectations.

^_^! $$$: Excellent (Paula's Pick but overpriced) - price is the only drawback which doesn't effect the performance of the product.

^_^ : Very Good - highly recommended and reasonably priced.

^_^ $$$: highly recommennded but not necessarily worth the price.

o_o : Average - OK product but unimpressive. Doesn't mean it's a bad product, but could be lacking something that is keeping it from getting a higher rating.

o_o $$$: Average but overpriced -- so why bother?

>_< : Poor - Don't buy!!

Along with her professional review, I will be adding my imput and my experiences of the products (if applicable) and use her emoticon rating system as well.

Feel free to add your reviews in the comment section under any of the reviews done.

Hope you all enjoy this series!

Sanderlees

Paula Begoun Review: MAC - Studio Fix

"Studio Fix remains one of the top pressed-powder foundations available, despite several impressive entries from other companies. It has an exceptionally silky, talc-based texture that applies and blends like a dream. As usual, wet or dry application is possible, but using ths wet poses the risk of streaking. Dry application provides light to medium-full coverage. If you prefer this type of foundation and have normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin, it is highly recommended. Almost all of the 37 shades are impressive (albeit repetitive) for a braod range of skin tones, but the following shades are best avoided due to pink, orange, or peach overtones: C6, NC42, NW30, NW40, NC40."

^_^!



My opinion: I personally hated Studio Fix and swapped mine away. I was not aware, when I first purchased this product, that this was a powder foundation. I asked for a pressed powder, and was given this. I guess the MA just wanted to take advantage of a noob at the time and sell me the more expensive item. Right away I found that it was a little different than the pressed powder -- yes more finely milled and silkier, but it was not what I wanted. I did not like the coverage or the way it sat on my skin at all -- I tried time and time again to make it work for me... applying it dry with a sponge/brush and applying it wet with the same tools -- it was just cakey and nasty on me...

(this is taken from my review of Studio Fix on MUA)

>_<

Monthly Favourites: May

Another month already?? Seriously time has really been going by really fast...
I don't have a lot of favourites this month, since I've been MIA not only on the internet (youtube/blogging) but in real life as well. All I've been doing is homework and studying -- Universtiy summer courses are HARD CORE!

Face:
Studio Tech Cream Foundation (NC30):
I bought this several months ago and kind of ignored it when I got my tubes of Studio Sculpt foundation. Although I really like Studio Sculpt, I have come to realize (after revisiting it) that Studio Tech is truly my HG foundation... hey I guess my search is finally over!
Studio Tech is compact and convenient and it gives me the perfect coverage. I use my 109 brush to apply this foundation and I don't cover every inch of my face with it -- I concentrate most of the product in the middle of my face (T-Zone ish area) then buff outwards.
The reason why I love it so much? Not only does it give me just the right coverage and the illusion of flawless skin, but it looks great in pictures too!~ This might actually be a con for some but since it doesn't contain any SPF ingredients in it, my face doesn't cast a ghastly white mask when the ingredients reflect the flash in cameras.
Studio Sculpt DOES contain SPF(15) -- which is why even though it looks GREAT in person, in pictures, it looks like i'm not wearing the correct shade (even though I am).
Oh and the fact that it lasts all day/night for me is a major bonus as well =)

So Ceylon MSF:
I have really grown to LOVE MSFs and looking to/trying to collect them all as they come out... So Ceylon is a popular one and even though I've had it for quite some time now, I never really gave it much attention. Now that the summer months are approaching (and I absolutely hate tanning of any kind... real or fake), I need to give myself a glow that isn't too obvious or fake. So Ceylon is the perfect bronzing shade that really gives a beautiful sunkissed glow without it being a glitter bomb (as past MSFs have been).

Lips:
Florabundance Lipglass:
I got this one on a whim a couple of weeks ago (I know, I don't always post my hauls) and it's the perfect compliment to Creme d'nude (cremesheen) lipstick. It's super pale, so glopping a thick layer on would be a bad idea... but a light coat gives you such pretty, shiny and nude-ish lips ^^

eyes:
dipdown fluidline:
I wanted dipdown for a long time and I finally got it about a month ago (don't remember if I ended up hauling this). My initial intention for this purchase was for eyeliner, since sometimes I think black is too harsh for everyday... but then buzzfuzzbunny suggested that I can fill in my eyebrows with them! What a great idea! although I don't do it ALL the time since dipdown is a very rich chocolate brown colour, so I limit my use on the brows for night-time. During the days, I like to use my "quite natural" paintpot to fill in the brows...

Ardell Demi Wispies:
I LOVE THESE LASHES!!! I have always been more into the very cool, spikey and unnaturual looking false lashes, because they give a very dramatic look to your eyes... I've never been drawn to the more "nautral" looking lashes, just because they don't look as pretty in the packaging. Desmi Wispies are on the natural side, but my gosh do they look great on! I used to only wear lashes on special occasions, but with demi wispies I can wear them everyday without being too over the top -- LOVE~

Review: Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude

I quite like this lipstick a lot although I wouldn't call it a matte forumla (if one were to compare it with MAC lipstick formulas). The consistancy and wear of this lipstick is more of a satin formula -- very opaque, yet creamy and not too drying. The colour is a warm beigey-nude colour that can look a little too orange on some skintones. When swatched on the back of the hand, it almost seems like it has a very faint violet/purple duochrome thing going on with it.

Dupes would be fleshpot (more cool) and creme d'nude (more shiny/moist)... I think the match would be pretty exact if one were to mix fleshpot with peachstock (pro colour) and voila -- a satiny concoction of Revlon's Nude Attitude a la MAC.

This colour would work with more neutral to warm skintoned ladies -- if you're cool, then stray away or at least use sparingly (with a gloss).

This looks great under any gloss, bringing out the truer colour of them -- and pairs nicely with dramatic smokey eyes (as with a lot of nude lipsticks).

The packaging is cute and I like that the top is clear so that you can look inside and see the colour/product -- even though I still store it turned over (I prefer to see the label)...

I got this on sale at SDM (8.99) and find it a little pricey... I believe the regular price is 11.99CAD...

Overall, I DO like the lipstick -- its colour... the formula and packaging... but it's a fairly dupable shade in my opinion.

(3.5/5)

Review: Love & Friendship

Before it even hit stores, this MAC nail polish from the A Rose Romance collection was at the top of my to-buy list. When I got it I was a little disappointed as it wasn't as "spring" as I would have liked it to be. I described it as a dirty lavendar... kind of dull. When I checked back with the MAC description, that was exactly how it was described as -- "dirty lavendar".
I still feel this is more of a transition shade into fall -- not spring.
What I DO like about this polish is the formula. I expected it to be super super streaky and requiring 3 coats, much like the two cream polishes (peppermint patti and seasonal peach) from the Sugarsweet collection. To my surprise, this bottle was not streaky at all. In fact, one coat was good enough albeit not opaque enough. To get the full colour payoff that matches what you see in the bottle, two coats was sufficient. Despite it being a cream finish/formula, I was extremely pleased with its application.

(4.5/5)

Perfect Topping MSF

As I have expressed in my full Sugarsweet review - the Perfect Topping MSF was #1 on my to-buy list, but I didn't get it at first because it was (initially) very disappointing and not what I expected it to be. After a few weeks of thinking about it and reading reviews, I decided that I NEEDED it, otherwise I would regret it... my disappointment with it at first was that the tester didn't have enough purple/violet veining as the promotional pictures did. I decided to CHOOSE my own Perfect Topping instead of having the SA pick one at random from the drawer. I am so so so glad that I ended up picking one of these up... it's a beautiful highlighter and I just love the peach veining in it (even though I wanted more purple veining lol)... this is multifunctional not only as a highlight for your cheeks and browbone but gives such a pretty sheen when layered on top of a blush (the one shown isn't mine, it's actually Buzzfuzzbunny's...)

(5/5)

Monthly Favourites: April

Face:
Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone:
I used this nightly until the period of my exams, when my schedule was just so out of wack and I didn't keep up with any particular routine -- resulting in tired and dull skin.
When I was using it on the regular though, I absolutely love this product. It's the only LE P+P of the Colour Ready collection (I need to officially confirm it with my MA, because there has been some mixed info floating around)... and I had picked up TWO of them during the warehouse sale. Now I'm thinking if I should pick up a third back-up O_O
In the long term, I haven't seen any significant improvement with my complexion, what I really like about this product is the finish it gives me -- smooth and matte. I only use this on my T-Zone (since there isn't a lot of product) and my regular primer on the rest of my face... it serves as a great oil-control product and a great primer.

Lips:
Viva Glam VI SE:
This is such a pretty lipcolour it really is a shame that it's limited edition. From what I heard this shade will be available for one year from the date of release (but don't quote me on that one). It's a very clean blue pink in a lustre finish that is "my lips but better". I discovered that I really love lustres (my first being VG V) although they vary in pigmentation, they all feel so smooth and moisturizing. What's great about the Viva Glam lipsticks as well is that every penny (not just a percentage) of all Viva Glam sales goes towards the MAC AIDS fund -- so you'll sure to look and feel good about the purchase =)

Smile Dazzleglass:
I knew before the collection was released in stores that I was going to pick this colour up. I am nore of a neutral type of girl when it comes to glosses and lipsticks -- my staple dazzleglass is Bare Necessity. Smile is more pink and has pink sparkle -- I personally don't find the dazzleglass as sticky as the lipglasses (although a lot of reviews state otherwise)... The sparkles make this gloss so multi-dimensional and this particular shade looks so great on its own or layered over an intence lipstick to sheer it out a little as well as giving it LOTS of shine.

Eyes:
Stars 'n Rockets:
I've wanted this for so long... and now that I have it, I can't believe I ever went without it. This has been my most warn shade for the month of April... it's just so UGH!!! beautiful!!! I love doing purple looks and have been heavily relying on my Cool Palette from the holiday collection -- SnR blows all my purples out of the water... I have a lot of MAC shadows... some for several years, but I have yet to hit pan with any of them... I can see this one being the first to hit pan out of all of my colours.

Red Velvet Shadestick:
I almost didn't get this -- I'm so glad I did! On it's on, this is such a vibrant (could be sheered out) fushia pink. This goes hand-in-hand with Stars 'n Rockets... the eyeshadow is already such a beautiful colour, but RV used as a base makes the e/s stand out even MORE... RV shadestick + SnR eyeshadow = my fave combination.

Nails:
China Glaze in Lubu Heels:
Even though this is a really dark polish that is better suited for fall/winter, I can't resist it. It can be easily replicated since it's just a black polish with red sparkles in it, but the infused red sparkles is JUST RIGHT and it just makes everything look so polished (no pun intended). Plus, this is currently the closest I will ever get to a pair of real Louboutins =P

Review: L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

I'm always on the look-out for my HG mascara. I haven't really decided if I need length, volume or both. Since I have wimpy asian lashes, length is a must... but as I've expressed to someone before, I don't believe I've ever tried a volume mascara, so I'm not sure if I need it or not.
Waterproof is a must and I find it's the only formula that keeps a curl for me. Also, non-waterproof always smudges and flakes underneath my eyes and no one ever tells me when I'm walking around looking like a raccoon...
The Double Extend mascara by L'Oreal uses the tubing technology that gives you the illusion of lash extensions and promises no flakes or smudging.

This mascara is double ended with the primer end and the actual black mascara end. The packaging is really awkward as the wand is kind of short, so when I was applying it, it just didn't feel right. The plus side is that it really did give me length -- crazy length in fact. However, it looked really fake and spikey... and the formula was so heavy that it refused to hold a curl. Another plus is the no-flake, no-smudge factor -- it really didn't budge at all even tho it's NOT waterproof!
The coolest part of this mascara is the clean-up part. You don't need a special eye makeup remover -- only warm water is needed! Just soak a cotton pad in warm water and hold it to your eye for a few seconds OR just go straight to washing your face... lightly tug at your lashes and the mascara TUBES slide right off!

If it didn't give me such fake-looking, stiff and straight lashes, this would be a promising mascara... unfortunately, for the price ($14.99 CAD), it's more expensive than a MAC mascara and almost double Cover Girl's Lashblast (currently my favourite)... I definitely won't be repurchasing...

(2.5/5)

Review: Studio Sculpt Foundaton SPF15

So like many people, I have been on a hunt for the right foundation for a VERY long time... it doesn't have to be HG... it just has to WORK. I can't say that my search is over however. The consistancy is lovely -- a thick cream/gel that glides on the skin nicely. I still haven't decided how to apply it though -- it seems that the 187 doesn't blend it smoothly enough... the 190 makes it a tad streaky... the 109 is near perfect BUT.. it sheds a lot (which i suppose has nothing to do with the finish on my face anyhow).

I am unfortunately inbetween shades (NC25/NC30), so it is twice as expensive for me, because it is required that i mix the two in equal parts (otherwise one is WAY too light and the other WAY too dark). The finish (for me) is lightly dewy... almost looks like MY skin... and makes everything very even and not mask-like... it has great coverage... but doesn't last as long as I would like.

The packaging is GREAT... I do believe that I will probably use NC30 alone during the summer months... but as for re-purchase -- altho i am quite happy with this product... it is unfortunate that i am inbetween shades and therefore have to buy TWO bottles... which makes it SUPER SUPER pricey for me -- we'll see =]

(4/5)

Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone

17.50USD/23.50CAD

"A lightweight emulsion that helps control sebum (oil) and shine on the skin's surface and immediately reduce the appearance of pores on the skin. It dries down to a natural-looking, natural-matte finish. Over time, it genlty exfoliates the skin, helping to unclog pores, keeping them clean, clear and less visible. It also helps to improve skin tone over time and provides a smooth, even surface for improved makeup application. For daytime use, apply it over your fave mac moisturizer and under other p&p products and foundation. For nighttime use, it should be applied to cleansed skin before moisturizer. It is dermatologist-tested and appropriate for all skin types."

Review:
I used Smashbox's Anti-Shine for a couple of months -- although it does control the shine, it is very tricky to use. If used improperly, you get this white powdery filmed left on your skin which isn't very attractive. With Skin Refined Zone, you get the same matte finish, except it's so much easier to use. It's fairly lightweight (although a friend has expressed that she felt it a little heavy for her) and only needs to be used in the oily areas (T-Zone). I have fairly large pores and interested to see how well it will "minimize" the size of them over time (although don't be fooled, pore size cannot be changed). I use it over my MAC oil-control lotion and it keeps me shine free for the MAJORITY of the day (slightly longer than Anti-shine -- and i was pretty impressed with that).
This is essentially the same price as Anti-Shine ($40 for 30ml), in fact MAC is slightly more expensive at $23.50 for only 15ml.You get a very small amount for what you pay for, but a little goes a long way.

(4/5)

Review: Maybelline Lash Stiletto

I normally would prefer to do a review after using a product for about a week...
I bought the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara today, not because it's been getting so much attention lately, but more because it was on sale and it gave me bonus optimum points (lol)..
I'm giving it a review now after a day, because I put it on as soon as I got home, and now at 11:30pm (about 8 hours later), I think that I've given it a good test run.
My initial reactions was that it did give me a fair bit of length for my wimpy asian lashes... but no patent shine like it promised (which is fine, cuz i don't think i want shiny lashes)... I was a little weary though, that it doesn't offer a waterproof formula, as I haven't had good experiences with non-formulas (a lot of smudging under the eye)... but now 8 hours later, I'm impressed that this non-waterproof mascara has minimal smudging... it smudged a TINY bit, but not the raccoon-like darkness I'm accustomed to seeing with a mascara that isn't waterproof. Granted, I've actually been home all day... this will have to stand the test of hot and humid weather -- THEN we'll see how I feel about it afterwards=P

All-in-all:

The good:
* Gives length and defines
* Does not smudge or flake
* Easy clean-up (no need for oil based removers -- just soap and water)
* Well designed brush (not the plastic/spikey ones we've been seeing) that tapers so you can get the little lashes
* Good grip on the handle

The Bad:
* Not shiny as it claims (altho not necessarily bad)
* No option of a waterproof formula
* No added volume
* Certain smell that some people can't tolerate (although I don't mind)

Still though.... nothing has yet to impress me the way CG Lashblast (waterproof) has... =)

Review: Sugarsweet Shadesticks

The shadesticks that were released with the Sugarsweet collection were the first that I've gotten from MAC. Good thing too, since I've heard such mix reviews of the original ones (great pigmentation, but drying on the lid)... that actually shouldn't be a problem for me, as I have rather oily lids lol... but it still deterred me from actually trying them. Enter the new shadestick, which I bought all 5 available shades of... Butternutty, Cakeshop, Lemon Chiffon, Penny and Red Velvet. These beauties are creamy and glides on smoothly -- blends wonderfully. My absolute favourites are Red Velvet and Penny... and my least favourite, if i had to choose, is probably cakeshop (because it's really glittery on the lid).
When used over a primer and under eyeshadows as a base, they not only make the shadow colours adhere nicely and give them a POP of colour, but it withstands the creasing as well. When used alone, or even just as an overall wash over UDPP or TFSI, I find that it DOES crease after a few hours. Not a huge problem, in my opinion, because I just run my finger over it to smooth it out again, and i'm good to go.
Since purchasing and trying these, I have obtained an additional 3 (three) shadesticks of the original formula/packaging -- I have yet to try them so I can't compare, but will do as soon as I get the chance to =)

(4 out of 5)

Review: Lollipop Loving Lipstick

A little history:
I suppose a proper review is not needed as I've already expressed my LOVE for this particular shade of lipstick. Over the past YEAR (not even.. probably past 9 months or so) my lipstick collection had grown exponentially. I was never a lip product user (didn't appreciate how fast they faded and the constant reapplication)... for the longest time my only lipsticks were from Clinique (because of the gift with purchase specials) and I've only had a LONE MAC lipstick for the past 7 years (which I *NEVER* used)... although i've had a few lipglasses/plushglasses etc...
My second MAC lipstick purchase was Viva Glam V in July '08 and I loved it -- a very neutral, everyday shade... then it was all downhill from there... lol I'm not sure how many I have accumulated to date... (a lot especially with my track record)... but even though I still rarely wear lipsticks... I feel I can use it in my freelance kit as well as add a punch of colour to my look every now and then... it really is an essential to complete a look ^_^

Well on to the review:
I LOVE IT -- period.

LoL.. ok ok... Lollipop Loving is in a Glaze formula which gives minimal pigmentation and high gloss shine... on my semi-pigmented lips, it shows up as a very sheer peach with noticeable green sheen... it sounds really really weird, but it really compliments my skintone. I really do love this lipstick and contemplating if i should get a SECOND backup and I seem to be going through my first tube fairly quickly. Since it repromoted only a year later (Heatherette) -- perhaps I should take a risk and wait for it to be repromoted yet again? I saw it at the warehouse sale in the heatherette packaging.. but didn't pick it up because I figured I already picked up a back-up AND reviews have stated that the formulations are slightly different (it has improved)... nevertheless, this has replaced my Viva Glam V as my everyday-go-to lipstick... I have used it with different looks and (for me) it compliments everything... HG!!!!!

(5 out of 5)

Review: Sugarsweet Nail Lacquers

General Review:
I didn't take pictures of my nails with the polishes on... i forgot... i was lazy... the swatches are all over the internet anyway... plus i have fairly ugly nails...
on to the review...
the colours are very pretty... however, the applications is soooooooooooo streaky... omg.. it takes 3 coats for either one to get the opaque colour that matches the bottle.. with base and top coats, that's a total of FIVE coats!! ridiculous... the thicker the nail polish, the more prone to chipping.. so i was not pleased with that... i just applied Peppermint Patti... yeah it looks different than "For Audrey" in the bottle... but when on the nails.. the difference is barely noticeable... oh well...
I can't exactly tell you the wear time... i had seasonal peach on Sunday and took it off this evening.. so lasted 3 days with minimal chipping.. but since i had 5 coats on, i found that the polish was cracking down the middle.. something i've never experienced with nail polishes before.. so i thought that was strange (but then again.. i've also never used 5 coats/nail before)... ugh...
overall.. the colours are pretty... but not really worth the time of application....

Seasonal Peach -- Very pretty peach-pink colour with cream finish

Peppermint Patti -- mint green with cream finish

(2.5 out of 5)

Monthly Favourites: March

I wanted to do this for the month of February, but I have been reluctant because it seemed so similar to my "what do you use tag"...
It's difficult to determine favourites of the month for 2 reasons:
1. If I keep mentioning staples, then it's not exactly favourites of the MONTH, but... well.. a staple.. lol
2. If I mention newly acquired products, then it's more like a fad... a honeymoon phase with my new purchases...

So what criteria do I use to make a product the favourite of just one month? Should I divide this into sections? or just blab on? lol I'm making this more complicated than I have to, aren't I?

So lets make this section a trial... and do it for a couple months... then I'll decide whether I want to continue with this..

**Note: Some or a lot of the products mentioned are probably new -- but I never did a haul on it... my collective haul became so large, that I decided to just scrap it and not talk about it.. and just start doing my hauls as I make my purchases so that I don't fall behind anymore.. but in a nutshell my collective haul consisted mostly of MAC products which include permanent and Hello Kitty stuff =]

March Favourites:

Face:
MSF Natural in Medium Plus:
I bought this a few weeks ago and I LOVE it... I've used Bare Escentuals and Everyday Minerals to no prevail. What I really like about the MSF natural is its versatility.

• It's a powder/mineral foundation
• It's PRESSED, so no mess
• It also acts as a finishing powder

I've hit pan (only MAC product I ever hit pan on) of my select pressed powder... and thought about repurchasing... but I don't think I will, since this acts as foundation and as a set powder.
As a foundation, this offers sheer to medium coverage (which I love), depending on your application technique/brush you use... and it really does make my skin look flawless.
I rarely wear any make-up to school (because honestly, I'd rather sleep in)... if you were to see me... lol well you'd laugh cuz I look like a bum =P But with the MSF natural, I can quickly dust some on my face to look a little more polished, even if I don't put anything else on.

Hot Planet Mineralized Blush:
I already wrote a pretty thorough review about why I really love this blush in the previous post... but to quickly reiterate:

• Very pretty versatile and (in my opinion) universal shade
• Everyday shade
• Can be used day or night
• Pigmented
• Long lasting

Lips:
Boy Bait Cremesheen glass:
I really hate lipglasses (but that doesn't mean I dislike all of MACs other lip products)... I find them too sticky/tacky... Boy Bait is a great nude gloss that isn't sticky and has a creamy finish (no glitter or shimmer)... it's a great everyday shade on its own, or compliments other lip colours when layered on top of it such as Creme d'nude (makes the perfect nude lip look) or Lavendar Whip.

Lollipop Loving:
I have a VERY limited list of HG products... I don't really believe in making something HG without using it for a period of time first (especially when it comes to long term products like skincare or foundation). I'm also not much of a lipstick wearer (despite my rapidly growing collection)... but Lollipop Loving was love at first site -- HG! The colour itself, i find is quite unique... light pink-y with a golden-green sheen... and when I first read the colour description I thought "ew... weird... green????"... but I was intrigued and tried it on. It was perfect. Not too dramatic and just the right amount of colour to make this wearable daily -- when i tried it on, I had ZERO make-up on, and it instantly gave my face a "glow"... I had no idea a lip product can do that... it is just PERFECT. I got a back up =)

Eyes:
Girl Groove Glitter Liner:
This is from the Hello Kitty line... I have a lot of glitter liners - I don't use any of them... because I find them very... chunky? its literally glitter in clear liner liquid... so when applied, it is very sheer. But Girl Groove (and all the glitter liners in the HK collection) is very pigmented. The glitters are tiny and the colour payoff is just superb. I find myself grabbing for this and lightly swiping over my black liner to give my over all look a pop, when I go out at night. It's not too intense, but just enough to make my eyes "twinkle".

Fast Response Eye Cream:
I've been wanting this for a while... and Makeupbyrenren's review, just made me want it more... Paula Begouin doesn't approve of this product (and I for the most part respect her reviews and follow them)... but this is a wonder eye cream. Begouin doesn't like it because there is TOO much caffeine in it, potentially causing irritation. Caffeine depuffs and causes capillaries to constrict -- and that is exactly what it does for me. Not only does it depuff my undereyes, the silky silicone texture of the product preps your eyes well for concealer, so that it doesn't settle into the fine lines... I use this every morning.


Well I guess that's it for now. Please leave me feedback on whether you like this 'Monthly favourites' idea or not... what I should or should not review... and just what you guys want to see on this blog in general.. because i'm doing it for you guys... i don't need to write reviews for myself =P

Review: Grand Duos

So I've had my Grand Duos blushes for nearly two weeks now and feel that I can do a proper and more thorough review. The product in general is great because the colours are beautiful, unique and very vibrant and pigmented. My absolute favourite of the three that I own is definitely Hot Planet - it is still the one I reach for every single day... it's such a great and versatile colour.
Moon River... although beautiful to look at in the pan, is just too light for me... don't get me wrong, it's a great highlight colour, but I get the same results from my Blonde MSF from the BlondeBrunetteReadhead Collection...
Finally, Grand Duo... I don't think it's fair i give a review for this one... I have actually only used this once. Not because I don't like it, but because the colour is such a rich plum, it is more suited for night use, and since I haven't been going out -- I haven't had the opportunity to use it... but i absolutely LOVE LOVE the melange side of it.. it's just GORGEOUS!
The lasting power is great! I have my fair share of blushes... and I am so pleased that these ACTUALLY last all day... even longer than NARS! (I find that normal MAC blushes don't last so long, which is a bummer)...
I am missing 4 from the collection, and depending on my upcoming haul to the MAC sale this weekend, I'll decide if i'll complete the collection by picking up the rest =)

(4 out of 5)

Review: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collection

-Bronze 10L (metallic bronze)
- Purple 11L (metallic purple)
- Turquoise 7L (light turquiose sheen)
- Mat Black 0L (black)
- Iridescent Navy Blue 3L (navy blue sheen)

The set of MUFE Aqua Eyes Collection is available at Sephora for $35USD/$38CAD.

I love this set of eyeliner pencils. I'm not a pencil user (I prefer gel liners a la fluidline), because I have extremely oily lids and pencil liners smudge like mad on me. These did not budge AT ALL. I was amazed. They are creamy and emolient enough to just glide on, and once set, they will not budge until you take them off.
Bonus: If you work with it before it sets, you can use it as an eyeshadow or create a smokey look by smudging it -- but work fast -- once set, again... it will not budge!