MAC Naturally Mineralize Eye Shadow & Blushes Review & Swatches

The MAC Naturally Collection includes a beautiful set of satiny Mineralize Eye Shadows and Blushes.  I picked up all five Mineralize Eye Shadows and two of the three Mineralize Blushes. I got Summer Haze, Twilight Falls, Cloudy Afternoon, In The Sun, and Daylight Mineralize Eye Shadows.  As well I got Early Morning and Subtle Breeze Mineralize Blushes.

The Mineralize Eye Shadows of the Naturallly Collection were surprising.  I think I've gotten used to the super shimmers and brighter more dynamic colors of past collections (eg Semi-Precious, Style Black and Glitter & Ice).  Overall though, they are softer and smoother than past collections.  They have a satiny texture with low level shimmer was what I thought of most of them.  However, In The Sun, a melange of peach, fuchsia, and plum, wasn't as satiny compared to the other four eye shadows.  It had a grittier texture due to peachy orange micro glitter.  Summer Haze was much the opposite of In The Sun.  Summer Haze is a melange of cool beige with copper veins.  Twilight Falls is my favorite of the bunch. It is a melange of pink, plum and grey with pearl microglitter.  It reminds me of Rare Find from the MAC Semi-Precious Collection 2011 although Twilight Falls is more subdued.  Daylight is a melange of pink, lavender and pinky grey with pearl microglitter.  Cloudy Afternoon is my second favorite with shades of grey, gold, ivory and pink champagne with gold microglitter.  The microglitter in these is not overwhelming.  It's not like you'll see chunks of glitter everywhere, although these do have a tendency for fallout. 

The blushes were a dream of soft pigmented powder with no shimmer.  Early Morning is a deep warm peachy pink. Subtle Breeze is a soft blue pink.  Both require a light hand to avoid clown cheeks.  Very lightly with a duo fibre brush is probably the best way to apply these.  I like that these have no shimmer, unlike many past Mineralize Blushes that tend to be shimmery and glittery.

As much as I liked this collection, I can't say I love it as much as the MAC Semi-Precious Mineralize Collecion.  I think this collection was a little more wearable for medium and darker skinned gals compared to the MAC Glitter & Ice Mineralize Collection.  Oh well, c'est la vie, not every collection is going to be showstopping.  Until the next Mineralize Collection, these will have to do.

Cinderella Shoes: Strassing & Crystallizing Pink Peeptoe Pumps

Just beginning the Cinderella shoes.

Besides makeup, I love shoes and sparkly things. While in Las Vegas, I happen to check out the Christian Louboutin boutique inside Caesar's Palace.  My heart melted checking out the crystal covered pumps.  However at $3000+ a pair, I am not about to use my preciously earned money on a pair of shoes. 

Well, the crafter in me said, well you could do that too. Given some patience, a ton of crystals and rhinestones, good glue (yea Gem-Tac!) and a decent pair of shoes.  I picked out Nude Aurora Borealis and Aurora Borealis crystals in glass at first.  The first few pictures show a handful glued randomly all over.  As pretty as it started, I really wanted to up the dazzle rating on these, so I got some Swarovski Rhinestones.  In particular, Swarovski Aurora Borealis crystals have always had a soft spot in my heart.  The sparkle and dazzle of Aurora Borealis goes pink, blue, gold, fucshia, lilac and silver, just depending on the light and what other things surround it.

The pair of shoes I am strassing away are a pair of Forever 21 pink peeptoe pumps with a faux leather ruffle on the toe.  I had only worn them once in the last year that I've had them.  They fit just right in the toe box for my wide feet, although they are a a wee bit big around the ankle. 

These are my progress shots so far.  The first few are with some Nude Aurora Borealis (nude means that it is not backed in foil) glass crystals and Aurora Borealis glass crystals.  I had used 16ss (4mm), 10ss (3mm) and 6ss (2mm).   I proceded to order some Swarovski Light Rose Aurora Borealis in 20ss (5mm).  I then also received a large order with tons of 10ss, 8ss, 20ss, and 12ss all in Swarovski Aurora Borealis.  The quality of the stones is mindboggling.  While they are not for a special day (for the moment anyways), my Cinderella (or disco ball) shoes are slowly coming together.  Anyways, I am patiently waiting for more Swarovski rhinestones to finish my lovely dream shoes.

Tons of crystals.  1440 pieces ss10, 720 pieces ss8, 720 ss12 pieces, 144 ss20

Adding some Swarovski Light Rose Aurora Borealis

Their current state.  Patiently waiting for more ss 5, ss 7 and ss 16

MAC Make It Perfect Mineralize Brush Kit Review

My last visit to the MAC counter for some MAC Naturally included the MAC Make It Perfect Mineralize Brush Kit.  It includes the 187SE, 130SE, 286SE and 282SE.

The 187 SE is the Duo Fibre Face Brush.  I have it in the regular size that has a much longer handle.  The 187SE is quite similar with a shorter handle.

The 130 SE is the Short Duo Fibre Face Brush.  I have it in the regular size that I use occasionally for foundation and cream blushes. 

The 286 Duo Fibre Tapered Brush works in a similar manner to other blending brushes, such as the 226 or the 217.  I do like that this one doesn't tend to take off as much product while blending as a 226.  It applies product decently, however I think it is better as a blender. I really like this one, I think I may go back for the full size one depending on what else gets released in February.  I don't want to blow my budget!

The 282 Duo Fibre Shader Brush is a wide shader brush.  It is not quite as wide as the MAC 235 Split Fibre Brush, but close to the size of the MAC 249 Large Shader Brush.  The 282 brush applies a sheer application of shadow.  It is interesting how it applies sheer, yet allows the shimmer to pull thru.  I'm intrigued and wonder if this will be offered in full size one day. 

The quality of these brushes is better than some of seen in the past little while.  I got the Hello Kitty set in 2008 that came with the 109SE contour brush, 187SE duo fibre face brush and 239SE eye shadow brush. The 109SE and 187SE from the Hello Kitty set had a ton of the black hairs dye coming off in washing, as well as a lot of shedding while washing and in use.  Going from that to the quality in this set is hugely different.  I didn't have an issue with black dye coming out nor much shedding in use or during washing. 

The clear plastic bag is cute and functional.  I can see everything inside and fit the brushes in ever so snugly. 

This set is actually not too bad.  For ladies on a budget or just wanting to try brushes out before going all in, this set is great.  At $59.50 CAD, this set is definitely worth a shot, as long as you have some at your local MAC counter!

FOTD: MAC Plum Crush Metal Pigments & Redhead Mineralize Skin Finish

Wow, it's been awhile since I've done a face of the day! The holidays are over and everything is more or less back to normal. Well, except for the onset of an icky cold and a crafting bug. More on that second bug shortly. As requested, here is a look I did with the MAC Plum Crush Metal Pigments Dazzlesphere and two old friends: MAC Redhead Mineralized Skinfinish and MAC Wonderstruck Lustreglass. 

What I used:
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot
Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Eyeliner
MAC Solar White Eye Shadow (brow bone)
MAC Misty Crush Metal Pigment (inner 1/4 of lid)
MAC Light Violet Crush Metal Pigment (lid)
MAC Grape Crush Metal Pigment (crease)
MAC Seasonally Cool Crush Metal Pigment (outer crease)
MAC Redhead Mineralized Skinfinish
MAC Wonderstruck Lustreglass
MAC Opulash Optimumlash  Mascara

I know, I know, it's the usally darker smoky eye with a pale lip.  It is a bit of a rut I have, but I think that's what I like to do most in winter.  As well, I must gloat a bit about how long my lashes are with Optimumlash! In a nutshell, my lashes wing out so beautifully, it is extremely dark and my lashes are super long in just a coat!  Two coats and even 3 is absolutely showstopping.  I must recommend it and hope you will try it.  Yes, will do a proper review very soon :)

Until next time, enjoy the pictures :)

More Beauty Samples for Canadians: December Glymm Box

Just a little while ago my December Holiday 2011 Glymm box arrived. Glymm is a beauty product sampling subscription service that works much like Luxebox does. The cost is $10 CAD plus tax per month. Each month a new beauty filled box arrives with a 4-5 large samples to try out. Upon receival,  they have a survey for your opinions on the products and an opportunity to purchase full size products of some of the products from Glymm. Each survey completed and each box purchased contributes to points that can then be used towards purchasing products on the Glymm site.  In addition to full size versions of samples, Glymm also sells many full size products on their website that have been available in previous sample boxes or from brands that may have made appearances in their sample boxes.

My box included 5 beauty products, a coupon code to use online and a wee jar of jelly beans :)  I received deluxe samples of Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, Ahava Mineral Hand Cream and Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Eau de Parfum.  I also received Sula Beauty Natural Lip Gloss in Mesmerizing and a Lise Watier Flash Lift Radiance vial.

I guess with the cold weather going around, Canadian ladies need a lot of love in the hand cream department, so two samples isn't a bad idea at all! Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream has a very light floral scent.  It absorbs easily into my skin with little residue.  It does not feel oily at all.  I've used Ahava before from a friend that went to Israel.  Ahava uses Dead Sea minerals with witch hazel extracts to smooth dry skin.

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream has a fruity scent.  Once again, it is fast absorbing.  I find this one has less residue and is more moisturizing than the Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream. Between the two, I'd probably get the Caudalie cream since I prefer the scent, it is faster absorbing and I could get it at Sephora.

The YSL Parisienne Eau de Parfum is definitely one to love.  It starts off as a candied berry floral that dries down to reveal some rose notes.  I really want a bottle of this!

The Lise Watier Flash Radiance vial is still on my vanity to be used.  It is my second that I have received.  The first being from my November Luxebox. To be honest, I am always a little doubtful on instance results.  As well, I have yet to have a really bad night of sleep to warrant using this. 

Lastly, I got Sula Beauty Natural Lip Gloss in Mesmerizing.  I am not a fan of the scent straight out of the tube.  It is extremely sweet for my nose. On my lips, it isn't so strong, but it is enough where I wouldn't want to wear it.  (Sorry, gotta be honest!)  The gloss itself is non-sticky and has a medium thickness feel to it.  The color in the tube is a deep berry with shimmer.  On lips, it comes off quite sheer.  Perhaps if the scent was less strong, I'd try a different shade, but for the moment, I'll try some others lip glosses.


Overall, I thought this was a good mix of beauty products.  I think that perhaps a hair product would've been a better option instead of two hand creams.  I like that their website has quite a few products available for purchase that can tend to be hard to find.  Until the next pretty pink Glymm box, enjoy the pictures!