Latest MAC Collections...

Yeah, I haven't post anything on new collections since Hello Kitty. MAC Grand Duos and Sugarsweet collections really didn't impressed me. I'm not a big fan of "duos" --always make a mess-- and the products of the Sugarsweet were just...blah. You can barely see the glosses and I can get later some of the e/s (I already have Club). Still undecided with the lipsticks.

I guess it is cool if you collect MAC items, I sometimes do. But not with the Sugarsweet Collection.

The Colour Ready Collection is due to come out this week (April 2nd) and though there are a few repromotes, I am really interested in the expansion of the Prep+Prime Line. The new products for this line are:

(All pictures: Temptalia.com)

*Prep + Prime Line Filler ($19.50 USD)
*Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone ($19.50 USD)
*Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder ($21.00 USD)

I understand the idea behind the name of the collection is getting your face "ready" for makeup and color with the new Prep+Prime products. I like my Prep+Prime for Face SPF50 so def. gonna be checking these ones out.

Another collections I'm interested in is the Double Dazzle Collection (April 30th, 2009) because there are new Dazzleglasses (Yay! Love them).

Check out Temptalia.com for all the info and product promo pics of these and other upcoming collections. Christine always has the latest on MAC Cosmetics!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

(Live, love & laugh!)

Kids Choice Award: America Ferrera

Yes, I watched the show. I could say I watched it because of my kids, but the fact is I wanted to. Real fun. Loved the Madagascar Pinguins. So cool. And OMG, this year Nickelodeon was really tough to celebrities with that green slime, yuck!!

Of course I watched the makeup. I love America Ferrera's. Her makeup enhanced her beautiful features to perfection. Love the freckles! And the hair was perfect too. Not too formal, not too casual. Just right and shiny.

Image: Wenn.com

Lancôme provided the makeup breakdown:

"Celebrity makeup artist Vanessa Scali created the look for America Ferrera at the Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday night. We've got the scoop, straight from Vanessa, on how to re-create America's glamorous look.

--First, before applying any makeup, Vanessa prepped the skin with Lancôme Genifique, a youth activating concentrate that improves tone, texture and luminosity giving the skin a natural glow. To create a flawless complexion, Vanessa used both Lancôme Effacernes concealer and Armani Lasting Silk UV SPF 20 Foundation. She used Armani Fluid Sheer #2 as a highlighter and applied it with her finger to the cheekbone and brow bone. This gave the complexion a bit of added shimmer.

--Lancôme Color Design Cream Blush in Pret a Plum was applied to the apples of the cheeks for just a pop of color. Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow in Beige was lightly dusted on the eyelid and Lancôme Artliner in Noir was applied to the upper lash line. Several coats of Lancôme Ôscillation mascara were applied to the lashes for added length and volume.

--To compliment America's pinky/coral frock, Lancôme La Laque Fever gloss in Cyber Coral and Techno Brick were mixed together to create a high-shine pout."

Love it, so refreshing!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

(Live, love & laugh!)

TotalBeauty.com: Luxe vs. Less--Skin Care Products

Luxe vs. Less Skin Care

Find out what products to splurge on and when to save your hard-earned dollars!

You don't have to spend half your paycheck on skincare products to stay wrinkle and pimple-free. That said, slathering household condiments on your face to avoid paying for the good stuff isn't necessary either. Dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban and P&G scientist Mary Begovic Johnson helped us compare products with similar ingredients that are very different in cost. Here's what we found. See products

Lower Lash Mascara...really?

PLEASE NOTE: I don't consider this article a review of Tarte Bottoms Up Mascara because I do not own this product. It is more like **here-are-the-facts-you-be-the-judge** article.

Okay, so the other day I saw this at the Sephora website:

Tarte Bottoms Up--Lower Lash Mascara

As per Sephora and Tarte Cosmetics Websites:

What it is: A mascara specifically designed to precisely coat each and every bottom lash.
What it does: Tarte Bottoms Up™ - Lower Lash Mascara has a flake-free, water-resistant formula with a precision tapered brush that allows you to target the tiniest of lashes and wide-set bristles that separate and evenly coat. The ergonomic component ensures easy application for perfectly defined bottom lashes.

Special "Skinvigorating" ingredients:
-Carnauba wax: emollient derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm this natural wax ensures a smooth application
-Mineral pigments: colors and dyes derived from natural minerals have been know to soothe and soften the skin
-Provitamin B5: vitamin B derivative that treats and thickens lashes
-Olive esters: conditions, treats and protects lashes

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens- Mineral Oils
- Phthalates- Sulfates
- Propylene Glycols- Butylene glycols
- Synthetic Fragrances- Synthetic Dyes

PRICE: $16.00

The packaging looks cute and the mascara provides many "natural" ingredients to moisturize and protect lashes, as some other Tarte mascaras (for me this is a big plus). The really small brush should help with a precise application without ruining your under-eye area makeup. It's water-proof, so there should be no problem with it smudging when it gets hot.

Since I don't have this mascara, I did some research on the net, forums and blogs. Some wonderful fellow bloggers have great pics: MakeupandBeautyblog.com and BeautyJunkiesUnite.com. It seems that many people love the easy application and staying power, but others just think it is an unnecessary step on the makeup routine. I have also read people saying it does smudge on really hot & humid environments.

That said, I'm not sure I would buy it. I get the idea: a really small brush that helps to evenly apply the mascara even on the smallest lashes. I consider there are other (cheaper) alternatives that can help you with that task. Spoolie brushes tinted with mascara, Tweezerman Mascara Protector, even holding a piece of paper under your lashes while applying mascara. AND I think there is a good alternative for this mascara: Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Mascara.

I bought this mascara some months ago at Walgreens on one of those BOGO-Free sales, so I payed like $3.75 for it (Reg. USD $7.49). Maybelline offers a washable version too, I just prefer w/p because the humidity here is terrible. This is used to separate and lengthen lashes, while the small brush also helps you grab the smallest lashes--heard that b4?. I tell you, this really last. I don't use it everyday because I don't do my lower lashes much. But is a decent product. I would rate this a 4/5.

The main difference with Tarte's mascara, you ask? The ingredients. Maybelline's has parabens, Tarte's don't; Tarte's have lot of "good for your skin" ingredients, Maybelline's don't; Tarte B0ttoms Up Mascara is Eco-Friendly, Lash Discovery...come on, lol.

Maybelline's Lash Discovery is just your regular everyday waterproof mascara. That's what you are paying for.

I will leave you with some pics of Lash Discovery. Now you be the judge. I don't know, if I have $16+tax to spare, maybe someday I'll try the Bottoms-Up mascara. Though I am sure I will always find an excuse to use those $16 for other things, hehe...

1. Maybelline Full-n-Soft Mascara 2. Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara
3. Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara 4. MAC Plushlash Mascara

Lash Discovery all over my lashes

My makeup:

Face
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Cream Foundation in Nude mixed with MAC Face&Body Foundation in C6
MAC blushes in "Nuance" with "Peaches" on top
Laura Mercier Stardust Loose Powder as highlighter on cheeks
MAC Loose Blot Powder -- Medium Dark

Eyes
MAC Paintpots in Soft Ochre and Rubenesque
Maybelline Lash Discovery W/P Mascara in Black
MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud

Lips
Carmex Lip Balm
Revlon Super Lustrous L/S in "Peach me"
L'oréal Color Juice Sheer Juice L/G in "Melon Puch"


Hope you find this article helpful.

TTYL!


¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, love & laugh!)

Drugstore Products I love!, Part 4: Lipsticks/Lipglosses

I really forgot to post about drugstore l/s and l/g that I love. There are some awesome choices out there and best of all, really cheap. The one thing I like the most is that many companies are now including moisturizing agents in their l/s, some even have spf!

**Again guys, nobody pays me to do this. This is just my opinion about products that I have bought and really love.**

My choices for lipstick:

MAYBELLINE MOISTURE EXTREME LIPCOLOR

So I will start by saying I am more of a lipgloss girl. But this product IS really good.

Notice how Maybelline calls it "Lipcolor". Maybe because it really feels more like a thick(er) balm than your regular lipstick. They even advertise it as a the "active power of a lip balm (that) provides deep moisturization for voluptuous lips drenched in color". So yeah, for me this lipstick feel very soft and cool. I love that it has jojoba oil and my lips feel so good when I apply it. It doesn't dry my lips (remember l/s from years ago?...yuck!). It has a SPF of 15 and come in 56 shades! It lasts a bit more than 2-3 hrs. on my lips, which is good, I mean, no l/s lasts much on me. They really don't have any particular smell, I like that.

I also like they are very shiny, not sooooo creamy (except for a few shades). Some of the shades feel like the MAC L/S -- Lustre finish (gasp!). Yeah, I know, right? This product has received rave reviews in websites like MUA and others.

But yes, what really got me is how moisturizing they are. And good sun protection!

Price: $7 USD

Maybelline is BOGO free on Walgreens this week so maybe you could check these l/s out. I always wait for these sales to get them. Yeah, yeah, I'm cheap. Whatev.

L'ORÉAL COLOUR RICH

If you are looking for a more creamy-feeling lipstick, this is an excellent choice. These l/s have Omega 3 and Vitamin E, so they are also very moisturizing, though not as the Maybelline ones. 54 shades. This product does have a little smell, but frankly, it goes away quite fast and besides, most of the time I add some gloss on top of it.

Price: $9 USD

HONORABLE MENTION:

REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS L/S

These ones come in "creme" or "pearl" (semi-frost) finishes and 72(!!!) shades. Revlon advertises them as being super moisturizing but I don't know...for me they are really good, not drying, but not THAT moisturizing. Maybe it's my lips... But with all those colors available and great price, they are worth checking. I always use them on top of my lipbalm, so they are good to me. Oh, but I do find these to last longer. So, you know, the good and the bad go on a balance. Depends on what you are looking for.

Price: $8 USD

*******

My choices for lipgloss:

Ah, I love lipglosses! Yes people, glosses are sticky. Some more sticky than others, but really, there are not many out there that are less--sticky. I find funny how many people say "yuck, they are sticky". Yeah...

REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS L/G

Another product tons of people love. These glosses are one of best out there, at least for me! Personally, I like the consistency and color payoff. Some of them have shimmer, others just provide a beautiful shine. 14 regular shades available. I love most of the colors and they last pretty much. SPF 15 is always a huge plus.

Price: $7.50 USD

Check out many BOGO sales on your local drugstore to get them for an even better price.

L'ORÉAL HIP BRILLIANT SHINE LIP GLOSS

The packaging of these is similar to the regular Colour Juice Sheer Juicy Lipgloss and have a nice smell, but that's it. These ones are sticky, but have excellent, EXCELLENT color payoff; after all, they have "twice the pigment for added impact". Got that right. The trick is not applying too much ladies!

This product have Jojoba oil and I absolutely LOVE how much they last. Really, I have used them for hours without retouching and the color still there. I do use lipbalm first. 14 shades available. Sadly, no SPF.

If you love MAC glosses, give these a try. If you don't, well, don't even look this way...lol.

Price: $8-9.50 USD

ALSO, remember these articles I posted back in Aug '08 about L'ORÉAL HIP BALMS and MILANI CRYSTAL GLOSSES.

That's all for now cuties!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, love & laugh!)

TUTORIAL: Neutral Sculpted Eyes

Here is the tutorial for the look previously posted.


¡Vivan, Amen y Rían!

(Live, love & laugh!)

Look: Neutral Sculpted Eyes

I watched the Sculpted Eye video at the MAC cosmetics website and wanted to do something similar, but with minimal changes. You know I love neutral/natural looks (and lately that's the kind of look I have time to do -- and to be honest, I haven't been using much makeup these days...). I used Ricepaper all over my lid up to the browbone, Wedge all over the crease and Embark in the outer crease and lower lash line to create depth and give "dimension" to my eyes. These e/s can be replaced by any shade you think suits better your skin tone.

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN

Face
MAC Prep&Prime Skin SPF 50
REVLON Colorstay Makeup -- I mixed Natural Tan with a small amount of Toast and MAC Strobe Liquid
L'OREAL Translucide Loose Powder -- Translucent
MAC Powder Blushes-- Emote to contour and Sunbasque on cheeks

Eyes
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Prep&Prime Eyes -- Light
MAC E/S in Ricepaper, Embark and Wedge
MAC Fluidline E/L -- Dipdown
MAC Plushlash mascara -- Plushblack -->My fave mascara!
MAC Eyebrow Pencil -- Stud

Lips
CARMEX lipbalm
REVLON Super Lustrous L/S -- 300 Coffee Bean
VINCENT LONGO lipgloss -- Prismalite

I will be uploading soon video tutorials about my foundation application with a stippling brush and eye makeup for this look.


¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, love & laugh!)

Tweezerman tools for lashes

Some months ago I bought Tweezerman's Mascara Protector and the Folding Ilash Comb. I have to say, I really like them. They have become part of my makeup routine. I get perfectly groom lashes every time.

MASCARA PROTECTOR--$8 USD
I really hate when I have perfect eye makeup, only to mess it up all with mascara. I used to get a piece of paper and protect my eyelids or under eye area when applying mascara. That was of course before I found this simple tool by Tweezerman at JCPenney. There is really not much too say, it simply does the job. I hold this very flexible tool with my thumb and index finger and place it between my lashes and skin. Mascara application is very easy, I feel free to do all the mess I want to until I am sure my lashes are evenly coated.

Also, I flip the tool and use the little handle to protect the browbone area when grooming the brows with gel or mascara. I can be use to draw perfectly arched brows too. LOVE IT!

Rate: 5/5

FOLDING ILASHCOMB-- $8 USD
This is a "gold plated metal teeth" comb that really leaves my lashes clump free and beautifully separated. The teeth are very close, perfect for removing all excess mascara. Tweezerman recommends combing the lashes after each application. I have done that with excellent results. Best lash comb I've ever had and so cheap. I even love it more than my MAC 205 mascara fan brush! I got this from Ulta.com.

Please NOTE: As with any tool used near the eyes, you have to BE VERY CAREFUL when handling it.

Rate: 5/5

Ilash comb compared to MAC 205 brush

'Til next time!


¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, love & laugh!)

TotalBeauty.com: Homemade Beauty Recipes

Sorry for the lack of new posts. These past weeks have been really difficult. But TotalBeauty comes to the rescue, providing an interesting beauty buble about homemade beauty recipes. I think I'll be doing the Papaya Face mask soon, I just know I have some new wrinkles...

Check it out.

Reduce Stress with Natural Homemade Beauty Recipes

Work, home, the economy -- it's all too much! Get stress relief with these soothing treatments

Let's face it: these are pretty stressful times. And since most of us don't have the budget for a spa massage or facial, we need to make do with home remedies. All of these are quick, easy and you can make them with stuff that's already in your kitchen (so they're cheap too!). Take a moment to indulge, you deserve it! See recipes

MAC Eyeshadow and Lipstick finishes---Explained!

I've been looking for info about the various finishes MAC offers for their E/S and L/S. I have some of their products but never really paid attention about the description of the finishes. Leave it to me to look for the complete 411 after more than a year of using MAC. Yeah, that's just me.

Koren from EnkoreMakeup on YouTube did some videos less than a year ago about the MAC E/S and L/S finishes, which I find very helpful. As Koren says, you will get the most of each product if you know the finish, because not all of them provide the same pigmentation, shine, etc.

I think he made the videos b4 the Starflash collection was realeased, so that e/s finish is not included. That's also the case with the cremesheen l/s. I can tell you the starflash finish is my less favorite, I hate how grainy and cheap it feels, kinda hard to blend and I have to be careful applying it, my eyes are very sensitive with this specific finish. It's a shame because I really like Lotusland. About creamsheen, many YouTubers have provide reviews and swatches, just do a search ;).

HTH!

MAC Eyeshadow Finishes
PART 1



PART 2



MAC Lipstick Finishes

¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, love & laugh!)

TotalBeauty.com: Top makeup removers

Okay ladies, we love makeup but there comes a time when it just gotta go...well, washed off our faces. I really hope you all take at least a couple of minutes every night to wash your face because if not, you are really asking for trouble. Blemishes and plain ugly skin has been the result for me --up until some years ago, I didn't care too much about taking my makeup off every night. Of course, by now I know it was a huge mistake. I am still fighting with uneven skin tone, the dark spots caused by acne are just plain terrible.

Right know my favorite products to remove makeup are MAC Cleanse Off Oil and PURPOSE Gentle Cleansing Wash--as the name stays, it's really soft for my sometimes-sensitive skin.

I use the MAC cleanser to remove a full-face makeup (meaning foundation, powder, blush, etc). This cleanser goes on your skin like oil, but washes out like any regular liquid cleanser, no mess and leaves the skin feeling very soft. But most of the time I use the PURPOSE cleanser, specially good in the mornings. It is better that way, because the Cleanse Off Oil goes for $21USD, while the PURPOSE cleanser is about $6-7 USD and you can get it at most drugstores.

Here's is a TotalBeauty.com Beauty Bubble about some makeup removers.

Top 14 Makeup Removers

See which products easily stripped off eye makeup (and everything else)

We makeup junkies need a good product to take it all off at the end of the day -- no clogged pores or stained pillowcases for us! The makeup removers on this list left TotalBeauty.com readers with clean skin and without oily residue or dryness. See products

No. 14: MAC Wipes, $25

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.9*

Why they're great: "These wipes are perfect for those of us who are too tired/lazy/intoxicated to wash our faces before bed, but who don't like the idea of clogged pores and dirty pillow cases either..."

No. 13: Estee Lauder Take it Away LongWear Makeup Remover Towelettes, $17.50

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9*

Why they're great: "They clean my face entirely, leaving not a trace of dirt or makeup. They are extremely portable and come in handy on any trip..."

No. 12: Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, $21.95

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9*

Why it's great: "It is so gentle and does not burn or sting your eyes. It has absolutely no oily residue..."

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

NARS Orgasm vs. Milani Luminous vs. MAC Shy Beauty Blush comparison (and yes, I'm still here!)

Sorry for not posting much lately. I have been pretty busy these past few days and feeling all stressed out/depressed. But after a few days feeling really down, there always comes a time when I think enough is enough and it is better to "keep on walking".

Anyway, I haven't done any special look lately, just keeping it pretty neutral. I decided to do some swatches of some of the products I have.

I've been wanting to show you a comparison between Milani Mineral Blush in Luminous and the NARS blush in Orgasm, since I have read many reviews and comments about these two being really similar, almost the same. The only big (huge!) difference would be the price. I am also showing MAC's Shy Beauty Beauty Powder, since it looks similar in the pan to the other two.

Read my thoughts about the Milani Mineral Blush in Luminous HERE.

The NARS Orgasm blush...ahh, it's truly a dream. I was afraid it was all hype and that it would be a so-so product but wow, simply beautiful.

1. Orgasm is very very very very very soft. Did I mention it is really soft? That's one of the differences between Orgasm and Luminous. Luminous feel a bit mor harsh --not that it IS harsh, but you feel the difference when comparing it to Orgasm. The latter goes on like velvet, it is obviously a very fine milled powder blush---I do have NARS Exhibit A and it is also very soft and pigmented, I think NARS blushes are some if not the best ones out there.

2. You may have heard that the color is way too pretty. It is this pinkish peach color with golden shimmer like Luminous but I find Luminous to go more on the pink side (just a bit). But I mean, it's nothing too noticeable once it is on the cheeks, at least I feel that way.

3. Both have a gold shimmer but it seems Luminous has more of it. For this reason I am not using a highlighter on my cheeks anymore when using any of them. But do not be afraid, they have the right amount of shimmer, I think one does not look like a 70's shiny disco ball if this blush is used during daytime. For a night look you may want to use a darker shade or try the NARS Super Orgasm blush (I don't have this last one, but I have seen pics and it has more gold shimmer than the Orgasm).

4. I've read it looks amazing on all kind of skin tones (from the palest to the darkest). I'm a MAC NC40 girl and I've been told it looks good on me, but I don't think it will show much on ladies with darker skin.

5. I haven't mentioned MAC Shy Beauty Beauty Powder until now because frankly, it doesn't compare. Shy Beauty was described by MAC as a "pastel apricot with gold pearl" that may look similar in the pan, but you can see in the swatch it even looks chalky compared to the other two. I wrote "was described" because it was LE. It is extremely pretty, it does has some shimmer, but nothing similar to other blushes, AT LEAST ON MY SKIN.

6. Price: NARS Orgasm--$25 USD; MAC Shy Beauty--$17.50 USD (LE blush, not available right now at MAC); MILANI Luminous--$5-6 USD

***For me Luminous IS pretty similar to Orgasm, but is not the same as some other ladies have mentioned.***

All in all, these blushes are really pretty and excellent quality, yes, including Milani's Luminous. Though I wouldn't buy Shy Beauty again (if MAC re-releases it again), I will certainly buy Orgasm as long as I can. If I don't have the $25, I will go to Kmart and get the Luminous blush--simple as that.

***For the big price difference, I think it's wise to give Luminous a try b4 getting Orgasm.

Now, I've made swatches of all three. I swatched under artificial and natural lighting.

Now you be the judge!

t

Natural Lighting

Natural Lighting

Natural Lighting

Hope you find this post helpful.


¡Vivan, amen y rían!
(Live, Love & Laugh!)