Monday, July 23, 2012

Review - Mac Prep + Prime Products

I had these Prep + Prime products on my wish list for a while now. Finally i decided to go ahead and try some out, see how they and if they are worth adding to my makeup routine. I did some research before i went ahead to my local Mac. The reviews varied on either side of the spectrum, with some people loving the Prep + Prime and some hating it. I decided to go ahead, try and see for myself how these products work. So here's my personal review and what i honestly think about these two that i have tried so far.
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Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage - this is the description of the product: "An ultra-fluid lotion formulated with special-effect silicones. Calms and soothes the skin, blots away excess oil, and evens out skin redness. Improves the laydown and application of foundation or powder." - i had the chance to try it out a few times and i really do like it. The description is quite accurate in the sense that it makes foundation application easy and without a problem. Leaves my skin real soft and the small light reflecting particles makes my skin look glowy and healthier. My face has some redness so i thought this would help a bit. When i apply the base my face becomes more red, possibly because of me rubbing on the lotion, but it seems to subside a bit and even out throughout my face. I don't see that it helps so much on blotting away any excess oil. Having oily skin, this seemed like a great thing but it doesnt work for me. All-in-all im really glad i got this product and will consider purchasing it again.
Pros:
- makes foundation application a dream
- no strong scent
- not sticky or heavy on the skin
- very soft and easy to apply evenly
- comes in a bottle with a pump
- little goes a long way - one pump on the entire face

Cons:
- doesn't really help with excess oils
- doesn't really help with lasting power
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Prep + Prime Transperant Finishing Powder/Pressed - this product is described as: "A silky, colourless finishing powder suitable for all skin tones. Reduces shine while optically minimizing the look of lines & imperfections. Wear over makeup or on its own. Now in a pressed compact for ease & portability." - I usually use my blot powder that adds some more color to my face. Trying a more transparent powder seemed like a good idea. This powder leaves my skin feeling extremely soft and blends in nicely without it looking like its caking my foundation. I use a brush to apply the powder to my face. My main concern was that it would make my face look like i'm a powdery ghost. I do feel that it has the tendency to make the foundation look a tad bit lighter than it is, compared to my usually face powder that just adds more color. I do love the fact that it helps with keeping my skin from getting too oily around my t-zone.
Pros:
- leaves my skin very soft
- doesn't make my foundation look cakey
- blends well and is transparent
- no scent of any kind
- not too messy and powdery
- compact with a mirror for easy touch-ups
- makes face look smooth and healthy

Cons:
- tends to lighten the foundation even though its translucent
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Have you tried any of the Prep + Prime products?
What do you think?
xoxo

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Haul - Mac Heavenly Creatures Collection

 I know this post is extremely overdue but i feel like i needed to enjoy the products first and then bring myself to write about them. I can say i've been using them quite often and i am very happy i purchased all the ones that i did. I was very careful to read reviews before i went ahead to my Mac counter and get overwhelmed with the entire huge collection. This entire mineralized collection has a lot to choose from and i loved that any type of skintone can find something that they love and wear. I all about shine and glow so i really loved everything about the products. However, some stood out to me more than others. Out of the four mineralized skin finishes i got three, out of the four eyeshadows i got two and out of the nine eyeshadows i got just one. I didn't bother looking at any lip products because i have so many that i feel need to be given some love before others join my collection. They also added some brushes and skin products. Lots to choose from but this is what i end up getting and im happy with my choices so...here we go...
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MSF - Mineralized Skin Finish 
Center of the Universe - this is described as a 'coral with gold shimmer'. This one is probably my top favorite for the summer at the moment. It looks like a deep copper goldish color in the pan but when you swirl them all with a brush and apply you get this nice bronzy glow for your cheeks which goes with really any neutral eye look to brighten up the face. A little goes a long way.

Light Year - this is described as a 'peachy pink with gold shimmer'. I love using this if i want just a light sheen on my nose or cheek bones for say a smokey eye or a more dramatic look. It's not glittery or heavy and the mix of gold peaches and pinks gives the face a more natural glowy flush. Love it. 

Star Wonder - this one is described as a 'plummy pink with multi-dimensional pearl'. I haven't quite used this as much as the other two but it's still a gorgeous one. I don't do well with plummy blushes but this one is very minimal so the pink shows up more. You need to use a light hand or you might over apply. If i wear purple eyeshadow i like to add a pink blush and a little of this looks really nice.
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Mineralized Eyeshadow
 Universal appeal - the colors in this shadows are described to be 'gold, bronze and violet melange'. The gold part seems to have a bit of a green hint to it as opposed to being a bright gold shade. The violet melange is a nice purple and the bronze is more of a sheer brown. I was actually lucky to have gotten this particular eyeshadow where the colors are easier to wear. I had doubts about this eyeshadow after doing some research on it and seeing how the bronze was barely showing and the violet took over. When i got to my Mac counter i was happy with what i ended up with. I love the bronze and i feel i was use the swirled shade as an all over lid color that is subtle and good for everyday. For me it works really well dry though some packing on is needed.
Swatched dry
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Mac Mineralized Blush
Ring of Saturn- its described as a 'terracotta and gold melange' color. This shade is more on the coral side when swirled together and is very warm on the cheeks, perfect for summer to me. A little goes a long way with this blush so a light hand is enough when applying and you can built on that if desired. I feel like this is the perfect summer shade so im really in love with it. I've been wearing it a lot, its very versatile so it works with different eye looks.

Solar Ray- this blush described as a 'peach and gold melange'. The gold and pink swirled together shows off as a peachy color that im really in love with. The sparkle is not extreme as it may look in the pan. Once applied, its quite subtle and gives my cheeks a peachy glow, perfect for summer in my opinion. It blends out really easy and i love using it when i don't want anything too heavy for my cheeks but still want a slight glow and subtle color.
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What do you think? 
Did you pick up anything from this collection?

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Vaseline Lip Therapy

 I recently got my hands on the cutest thing ever - tiny vaseline lip therapy. Vaseline is generally known and used for various things so you can't really go wrong with it. However, the small little container caught my eye at Target and i knew i had to have it. The formula is similar to the traditional vaseline, but this one is specifically for the lips. Its very smooth and moisturizing and i absolutely love it. It doesn't adds an intense shine to the lips but smoothes them out nicely so they looks healthy. I applied it at night to see how it works and waking up i had the softest lips! My lips tend to be dry and cracking most of the time so i have to always apply something on them and this has been my holy grail of lip products since i got it. And how can you pass on the cute tiny container! Great for just throwing in your purse and have it handy for smooth kissable lippies :)

xoxo

Sunday, July 8, 2012

MacBook Pro Accessories

I have gotten a few questions about the computer case i posted from my Instagram a few posts ago, so i thought about dedicating a post specially for my dear MacBook Pro. Since getting my new Mac i figured i would treat it like my baby and get nice things to go with it. 

 I personally don't sit at a desk when im on the computer. I always carry it with me in bed or on the couch and sit it either on my lap or on a pillow. Best idea i could come up with to get myself - and my computer - a lap desk! After much search i found the perfect one at Barnes & Noble for only $19.99. I loved the pattern and design the moment i saw it. They also have it on the wesbite if you want to check it out. Here's the description for you: "Create an ideal workspace for all of your projects, anywhere, anytime. This banded lapdesk offers unique curved design and plush base for maximum comfort. Extensive non-skid surface area provides enough room for laptop use, reading, crafting or writing. Elastic bands securely hold papers and other instruments firmly in place. This lapdesk is durable and lightweight and features an attached carrying handle for ease of portability."
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 It also felt appropriate to look for a nice sleeve case for it also. For this i looked everywhere for the perfect one. I came across this website and decided that it would be fun to get a more personalized case so i don't get bored too quickly. Website is: zazzle.com. I just found it through Google. They personalize anything from tshirts to iphone cases. Since im really into the damask pattern and wanted to sort of match it with my handy lapdesk, i decided to place the order and spend the $50. It seems really expensive for a case but because it's personalized i decided to give it a try. Didn't know what to expect to be honest, but when i got it - 5 weeks later- i was really excited and happy of the outcome. The outside is a sort of polyester material, damask pattern and my initial in the front. The inside it the best part. The bright pink soft furry material makes the computer slide it easily and is protected since the case feels patted. I don't regret spending the money and it's a real eye catcher.
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Do you guys treat your technology like babies or is it just me LOL

My June Favorites!

So i feel like i haven't done a favorites post in a while. I try to talk about products that i haven't really mentioned before...who wants to re-read posts seriously. I will however have a more in depth review on some products that are really worth raving more about. These few products i have been using this past month constantly since i purchased them or re-discovered them in my collection. In no particular order, lets get started!
Australian Gold Forever After moisturizer - i absolutely love this moisturizer. I got it at my local Palm Beach Tanning Salon. It supposed to help maintain the tan while moisturizing your skin and prevent visible fine lines and wrinkles. My skin feels extremely soft and moisturized and really does hold my tan for a while so i dont need to tan as often. Smells like coco butter and vanilla to me so its really nice.

Jergens Natural Glow Firming moisturizer - i have been using this mostly on my legs to keep a tan or gradually keep it anyway since it is a gradual tanning lotion. What i really love about it is the glow it gives my legs. The formula has little shimmers in it without it looking like i got dipped in glitter. I just have a nice summer glow for my legs which i really love. One complain about it is the smell of fake tan but because i love what it does, doesnt bother me as much.


L'Occitane Repair mask for dry and damaged hair - my hair has been really dead lately because i keep using heat products and its breaking down fast. So i needed something to restore life in it a bit and this mask has been working wonders on my hair. I dont want to talk too much about it here because i do want to dedicate a full post on it with more pictures and descriptions - so stay tuned!

L'Occitane Shae Butter foot cream - i heard amazing things about the shae butter and wanted to try it out for myself. Since i stand at work pretty much all day my feet get really rough and dry so i needed something that helps soothe and soften them a bit. I apply the cream at night on clean feet and wear socks. When i wake up i have the softest feet ever. I really love this and i would definitely purchase a full size- since i just wanted to try it out i got the travel size. Maybe hand cream shae butter next?...


Mac Blankety, Mac Perennial High Style and Mac Right Image - these three lip products have been my most used this month. Since i do have a bit of a tan now, my pale lip products dont look as good on me as they used to. Mac Blankety has been my favorite nude lip since i purchased it a few weeks ago. It works extremely well with either the more coral gloss or darker pink depending on the eye makeup i wear, i like to mix it up so thats why i included both.

Mac Blacktrack fluidline - i finally got my hands on this baby and its been my favorite. Its very soft and easy to apply on the eyes. At first swipe is not super dark but you can build on it and i really love that because i dont always want a deep black line but i still want to line my eyes. It lasts all day and i really love it.

Essie 'A Crewed Interest' - i haven't been wearing anything else on my nails but this the past two months. Its the perfect pale coral color that is great for the summer and compliments a tan so beautifully. It's my absolutely favorite nail color and i think it will be for the rest of the summer LOL