MAC Colourizations Collection Swatches

*Be sure to check out my video review of my items from this collection at the bottom of this post.

Keep in mind, this is not the complete collection, just items I have.

MAC Colourizations Collection
Available July 29/August 2011

Double Feature 1

Double Feature 2

Double Feature 4

Double Feature 5

Double Feature 6

Double Feature 8

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives

Nordstrom's annual Anniversary Sale is in full swing. Have you seen their Beauty Exclusives? They are off the chain! If you haven't had an opportunity yet to shop the sale (hurry...sale ends July 31), allow me to play personal shopper and make some recommendations.

Deborah Lippmann Get This Party Started Set, $42 ($58 value)
How could you NOT add this polish trio to your wish list? Get This Party Started is a set of three glitters, inspired by the overwhelming demand for Deborah Lippmann's best-selling Happy Birthday, a party in a bottle. The set includes Happy Birthday, along with two new variations of the glittery shade: Forget You, with a black base, and Candy Shop, with a bubblegum-pink base.

Bobbi Brown Bobbi Beauty Favorites, $80 ($160 value)
This set is a must-have for you beauties who love Bobbi Brown. It includes the Beach Shimmer Brick, Face Blender Brush, Full Size Extreme Party Mascara, Black Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush, Shimmer Lip Gloss in Rose Gold and Creamy Lip Color in Toffee.

MAC Cine-Matics 'On-Screen' Pro Palette Eyeshadow Duo, $25 ($29 value)
I don't know any beauty lover who doesn't LOVE MAC eye shadows. These eight daring pairings are housed in an ultra-slim, stackable, easy-to-use palette. Great for your makeup kit and for travel.

MAC Cine-Matics 'Smoky Black' Makeup Lesson, $49.50 ($105 value)
Define the ultimate smoky eye with three sensational shadows - Carbon (M), Ambience (VP) and Bisque (M)—Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack (0.14 oz.) and Technakohl Liner in Graphblack, a 275 SE Brush to smudge, a 212 SE to blend and step-by-step instructions. This kit is an incredible value and, I recommend you snatch it up immediately. Also available in Smoky Brown.

L'Occitane 'Shea Home & Away' Collection, $25 ($36 value)
Shea Butter Hand Cream is the #1 international best-seller from L'Occitane, and one of my personal favorites. Enriched with 20% shea butter, this super-creamy hand balm quickly penetrates to protect, nourish and regenerate dry skin. The scent is light, yet intoxicating. Smooth even the most hard-working hands with a blend of nourishing ingredients including almond oil, honey, coconut oil and antioxidant vitamin E. Keep the 5.2 oz. tube on your vanity at home and stash the 1 oz. tube in your purse so you're never without this little luxury.

MOR Essentials Hand & Body Lotion, $9.90 ($18 value)
Before the Anniversary Sale started, I was provided with an advance sample of MOR Hand & Body Lotion to review. The Honey Nectar lotion is one of the best fragrances I've ever smelled, and the formula is lightweight but deeply hydrates. I'm not a big honey fan, but the scent of the Honey Nectar moristurizer isn't so literal. It also features notes of brown sugar, candied almonds and warm vanilla milk. Unfortunately, the Honey Nectar lotion appears to be sold out online - but I recommend you track it down at your local Nordstrom store. The Hand & Body Lotion is also available in Neroli Clementine, Basil & Grape, Black Currant Iris and Sugar Rose Tiger Lily. Corresponding Hand & Body Washes are also Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives.

Clarisonic Mia, $149 ($189 value)
You've wanted a Clarisonic for, like, forever...and keep saying that you'll finally buy one if and when it goes on sale. Well, now's that time. Mia is the travel version of the original Clarisonic, so it has all of the benefits of the more expensive brush - like six times more makeup removal, better product absorbtion, smaller looking pores and fine lines. It also comes with a cute, pink travel bag. Available in Island Coral, Fuchsia, and Zebra print.

MAC Cine-Matics Face Brushes, $49.50 ($112 value)
Touch up your look with a fabulous foursome of short-handled face brushes packed in a stylish grey MAC bag with red trim. With Technicolor bristles, these are sure to take your close-ups to the next level. The set includes: 187 SE Duo Fiber Face Brush, 190 SE Foundation Brush, 168 SE Large Angled Contour Brush, 194 SE Concealer Brush, and a brush bag.

MAC Cine-Matics All-Over Brushes, $49.50 ($120 value)
Go from nominee to winner with a star-quality set of short-handled brushes for eyes and face. Packed in a chic zip bag, these five Technicolor talents are musts on red carpets and runways everywhere. The set includes: 129 SE Powder/Blush Brush, 227 SE Large Fluff Brush, 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush, 219 SE Pencil Brush, 266 SE Small Angle Brush, and a brush bag.

philosophy 'amazing grace' 3-piece super set, $70 ($137 value)
Feel like you're wearing a beautiful dress every day of the week. 'amazing grace' is philosophy's best-selling fragrance, designed to make a woman feel amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. The set includes 'amazing grace' perfumed shampoo, bath and shower gel (32 oz.); firming body emulsion (32 oz.) and body spritz (8 oz.). Layer the clean floral scent of 'amazing grace' as you cleanse in the shower or bath and, afterwards, as you moisturize your skin. Then surround yourself with a refreshing, perfumed body mist that lightly hydrates as it scents your skin for a full-body fragrance experience.

Hanae Mori Paris Butterfly Anniversary Set, $85 ($133 value)
If I didn't still have a full bottle of my beloved Hanae Mori Butterfly (it's my signature scent), I would be snagging this set. Butterfly is a rare blend of berries and flowers, with a distinctive tone of strawberries and almond, giving an impression of vanilla. This deluxe set contains the world-renowned Butterfly eau de parfum spray, take-anywhere shower gel and body cream (1.7 oz. each), as well as long-lasting, non-alcohol Butterfly deodorant (2.6 oz.). A 1.7 oz. bottle of Butterfly retails for more than the price of this set - so this is a real steal!

Prada 'Infusion d'Iris' Gift Set, $99 ($133 value)
Once again, I have a full bottle of this perfume (it's another one of my top 3 fragrances), so I won't be buying this set. On second thought, maybe I will. My mom is also a fan of this fragrance and I usually gift her with a similar set for Christmas - so perhaps I'll pick up her present extra early this year. Infusion d'Iris fuses tradition with idealism, creating a universe that every modern woman wants to be a part of. A floral citrus fragrance, Infusion d'Iris balances the clean fresh scent of the Iris Pallida with the subtlety of mandarin, creating a dream-like experience for the senses.

PHYTO 'Phytodéfrisant' Large Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $31 ($39 value)
You know that elusive, salon perfect blowout that you can never seem to replicate at home? Now you can, thanks to the folks at Phyto. Phytodéfrisant Botanical Relaxing Balm is a heat-activated straightening balm that hydrates, fights frizz, and leaves hair touchably soft and silky smooth. Suitable for all hair types, the product has a light, gel-like consistency that won’t weigh hair down. Apply a silver dollar-sized dollop to towel dried tresses, comb through, and blow dry for sleek, professional looking results. Phytodéfrisant is so fabulous that you might just bid your flat iron farewell.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - Large Size, $36 ($39 value)
I'm kind of kicking myself for just having bought a bottle of this a month ago. It's my go-to summer moisturizer because it's light, doesn't aggrivate my sensitive skin, and doesn't leave my oily skin looking greasy. The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is also on sale, so I'll pick that up in preparation for the colder months ahead.

Donna Karan 'Cashmere Mist' Deodorant Trio, $32 ($54 value)
Cashmere Mist Deodorant is the best smelling deodorant, possibly, ever. Have I actually smelled every deodorant that ever was? Um, no...but I highly doubt that they could top Cashmere Mist. $32 may sound pricey for three deodorants. But, trust me, they are worth every penny. Buck up now and thank me later.

Swatch: MAC Pro Pigment in Primary Yellow

The first thing that came into mind when I first saw this yellow pigment was "Wow, it's freakin' bright!". It's my second pigment from MAC and I don't think I own anything like it. I mean, I do have a couple of yellow eye shadows in my shadow palettes like Ebay 120 eye shadow palette and KKcenterhk ES Brand Double Eye Shadow palette, but they are not as pigmented and bright.

Mac Pro Matte Pigment in Primary Yellow is a matte ( meaning no shine or shimmer) true yellow. It's not yellow orange, school bus yellow or neon yellow. It's yellow, and it's perfect! You can pat or sweep it all over the lids, use as a crease color, a pop of color on the lower lash line or inner corners of the eyes. Just keep in mind that like most matte eye shadows, it is a bit difficult to blend. You're gonna have take your time with blending, but result is gorgeous and worth it.

Swatch on my arm with no base underneath.

What Primary Yellow looks like on my eyes. Cick HERE to see my Color Blocking makeup look.

MAC Minis! "Sized to Go" Collection

Travel-sized items make me extremely happy...

I often find myself wandering down the cute little travel-sized products aisle of whatever store I happen to be frequenting. Not always right before a trip, but just because travel-sized anything looks so darn cute.

Combine my excitement of travel-sized items with one of my favorite cosmetics brand and you have something pretty special...

...who thought a 1 oz. Fix+ could be so cute?
(l-r) Cleanse-Off Oil Tranquil, Green Gel Cleanser, Fix+, Strobe Cream, Pro Eye Makeup Remover

and mini MAC Wipes? Genius.

My obsessions from this line? Fix+, Cleanse Off Oil/Tranquil, and the Demi-Wipes.

These will FOR SURE be traveling with me to LA at the end of the month. ...and looking cute on my counter and making me smile with their precious mini size until then.

Also available from the line- Cleanse Off Oil, Oil Control Lotion, and Studio Moisture Cream

These are a part of the permanent line also. Which is awesome. No need to hoard, guys.


official release date info:

MAC Sized to Go collection:

Available June 9, 2011 at all MAC locations and online in North America
Available July 2011 Internationally

xoxo-
Tiffany

MAC Bloggers' Obsessions Collection

No one loves M·A·C more than a Beauty Blogger. To thank them for their passionate devotion & always honest feedback, we invited NINE of our favourites to our lab in Toronto to custom-create their own Eye Shadow or Lipglass. Exclusively online, just like the makeup-mad minds that created them.

Congrats to my girls Amber, Lianne, Karen and Patrice on their gorgeous creations!

M·A·C BLOGGERS' OBSESSIONS collection will be available June 21st through August 2nd at maccosmetics.com only. Mark your calendars because this collection has a high sellout risk! Which products are going on your shopping list?

Review/Photos: MAC powder blush in Gingerly

 I never thought I would love this blush because it looks a bit dark in the pan and thought it would never work with my NC42-44 skin tone. But it does and it looks really pretty. It's a nice neutral (peachy brown) shade that adds warmth to my face. It goes with any eye makeup and lip color I use. It's now my go to blush, and I love it. 

WHO: All Skin Types

WHAT: MAC Powder Blush in Gingerly

• shade: Gingerly- described as a capri bonze on the MAC cosmetics website. To me, it looks like a peachy browish shade.
• finish: sheertone- micro refined pressed powder.
• texture: smooth with a slight creaminess. Very luxurious.
• price: $19.50

WHEN: Permanent

HOW: Using a fluffy blush brush, smile and dab it on the apple of the cheeks and brush it upwards towards the temple. You can also use it as a contour color on the eyes. Just use a fluffy blending brush and apply it on the crease for a slight definition on the eyes.

What it looks like on me. 

Not Your Everyday Work Makeup Look. Click HERE to see more.

Black and Burgundy makeup look. Click HERE to see more photos.

Bronzey Summer Makeup. Click HERE to see more photos.

Do you own this blush? If you don't then I highly recommend that you get it when you get a chance.  It's neutral so it goes with any skin tone. Just keep in mind that it's quite pigmented for a sheer blush, so don't dip your brush too hard in the pan or you'll end up using too much product. The only drawback I could say is the price. We all know MAC blushes are expensive, but it's a great quality product that's worth every penny.

The Ultimate Crease Free Eye Shadow Base/Primer

When I was still a noob with makeup, I was obsessed in finding the perfect eye primer. An eye primer is what you put on your eye lids prior to eye shadow application. It supposed to make the eye shadows last longer and keep it from fading and creasing. I have oily lids, and I was desperate to find an eye primer that would work. With the influence of youtube makeup videos, I bought my very first eye primer, the Urban Decay Primer Potion (2 years ago). Many girls claimed it's the best primer ever, so I had to get it. To my disappointment, it didn't work! I used it like other makeup girls did, but creasing still occurred after 2-3 hours ugh! So I tried other eye primers in the market and they all didn't work. What the heck was I doing wrong?

Finally, after almost 2 years, I figured it out. The problem wasn't the products, it's how I used them. It's all about using small amount, blending and layering several products to achieve the ultimate crease free eye shadow base/primer. I'm going to show you how to do it.

Keep in mind that we all have different eye lids. This trick may or may nor work for you. It works amazing on me, so I want to share it with you ^_^.

My Midnight Blue and Gold Makeup look from Holidays 2010. Click HERE to see more photos.

Here are the products I use for my creaseless eye shadow base/primer

1. Apply a matte base. You can use a foundation or concealer with a MATTE finish. This will soak up the oils and will conceal any discoloration on the eye lids. I prefer using NYX Eye Shadow Base or Almay Line Smoothing concealer (I love this stufft!).  Apply a small amount all over the lids up to the brow bone using a finger or a concealer brush. 

2. Set it with a loose powder. This will set the base in place. I prefer using my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural because it's my current favorite face powder. I use it by itself or to set my makeup.

3. Apply the eye primer. This will make the eye shadow last longer and prevent it from creasing. I prefer using the Urban Decay Primer Potion and apply a small amount on top and blend it with a finger.

And you're done! Your eyes are now ready for a crease free eye shadow application ^_^

I took some photos of my eye makeup to show you how effective it is. I did not use any photoshop or re touched my makeup. The only thing I did was re applied the false lash on my left eye. That's a very poor lash application on my part O_o.

There is no creasing after 8 hours...only a little fading of the eye shadows. But other than that, it looks pretty good right?


Try this trick and let me know if it works for you!

Oh, and here's a makeup video tutorial if you want to learn how to create this makeup.