MAC Semi-Precious Collection

Are you excited for the launch of MAC Semi-Precious Collection tomorrow?

A couple of items caught my eyes from the collection which are Pressed Amber blush and Pearl Mineralize Skinfinish.

Pressed Amber Blush (image courtesy of Vampy Varnish)

Pearl Mineralize Skinfinish (image courtesy of Vampy Varnish)

 You can view color swatches of the collection from (Part-1) and (Part-2)

Look of the Day: featuring Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

One of the things i look into when i purchase cosmetics is how often i am going to use it, of course i dont necessarily use everything i have often, there are some pieces that will look gorgeous wearing it one time during a wedding party that matches a dress, and it will stay inside the drawers until it rots. But i do like to indulge myself more in the most wearable stuff, and always tend to buy the same shades but in different brand, does this happen to you to?

I bought a glitter eyeliner from Urban Decay in one of shopping sprees lately at Sephora-Dubai Mall, i love glitter liners and i used to get mine from Mekyaji but i dont like this store anymore, and i havent seen any brand with glitter liners or maybe i havent looked properly. The glitter liner is not very thick, the glitters are not consistent in line and this is why i like it. So i tried to create a different look using the glitter liner than my usual look and only use for glitter liners which is lining my under eye only. Which it looks really good above a color kohl. But this time i wanted something new.

What i did is VERY simple, all i did is that i first applied an eyeliner, i used for this look Dark Diversion fluidline from MAC, its a dark burgundy to brown, and i absolutely love, its one of my favorite liners. The i drew a line using the glitter liner above the MAC line. The line is very fine and as i said the glitters arent consistent in line so it will look very subtle, very wearable. Then i applied another line on my lower lid, just below the eyelashes line. 

I also used a product ive been hearing about for a while and thought of trying it, its SMASHBOX Halo Hydrating Perfecting powder, and honsetly i didnt see anything wow about it YET! Sometimes a different base moisturizer or a foundation could make a difference but not so far. It works like any other loose powder, i didnt see anything special in it. 

To compliment my look i curled my lashes, used MAC Wonder Woman Opulash mascara in Bad Bad Black (black), for my cheeks i used CARGO blush in Rome, and for my lips i used Calvin Klein lipliner in toasted pink and YSL Rouge Pur Couture 05.

Tools of the trade

Halo powder by Smashbox

MAC fluidlline in Dark Diversion (limited edition)

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Spandex

CARGO blush in Rome

YSL lipstick

Hello! My Name is Yellow!

I've never dared to use such color until i watched this make up tutorial video, it looks gorgeous and very flattering in real. For my skin tone i didnt have to use a lighter shade like its shown in the video, the whole look was made by Chrome Yellow and a black eyeshadow (You can use any bright yellow eyeshadow). To enhance the color its better to use NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk as an eyeshadow base.

MAC Chrome Yellow (matte) eyeshadow

I've complimented the look with MAC lipstick in Ever Hip (Limited Edition) and Benefit bella bamba blush.

MAC lipstick in Ever Hip

Benefit bella bamba blush

Seal Your Pigment

I've noticed that every year and when the summer season "the real season" comes, which i mean by June, July and August, i always like to use MAC pigments instead of regular eyeshadows. Its maybe the pearl reflections that i love, its not glittery nor too shimmery but the reflections are so gorgeous in the summer, they wont even look too much on a sunny Emirati morning.

MAC defines pigment as "Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting. Please note: Pigments are sold by weight not volume. Containers can appear to be less than full due to settling of the product."

 

I like applying a light color all over my lid and a dark one on the outside corner and blend, blend, blend. The color will look like it's gradually getting darker. Then i use little, just a little amount of black eyeshadow for an outer corner shading, just to give it some extra deep look.

To apply the pigment on the lid you can use MAC 239 or Sigma E55, and for blending you can use MAC 217 or Sigma E25.

MAC 239 Shading brush

Sigma E55 brush

MAC 217 blending brush

Sigma E25 blending brush

MAC Vanilla Pigment is my favorite for all over lid

MAC Naked is second best

The old pigment containers

MAC Melon Pigment (old container)

Make sure you apply an eyeshadow primer before you use a pigment, and to have an intensified color you can use a mixing medium by MAC (available at MAC PRO stores) or Illamasqua Sealing Gel (Available at Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall). Lightly dab your brush in the mixing medium then put the brush into the pigment.

MAC water based mixing medium (image courtesy of Temptalia)

Illamasqua Sealing Gel

You can also make your own mixing medium and here how to make one:

- 1/3 spoon pure Glycerin.

- 3/4 spoon water.

- Container.

Put the Glycerin and water in the container and mix very well. Then you will have a water based mixing medium that will last for 2 weeks (You can buy empty containers at Daiso Store, Sephora Stores).

Image courtesy of thebeautyofmakeup

The Beauty of Minerals

Honestly, and until now, i have never heard of someone with a 'normal' skin type, its their oily, dry, or even worse, a combination skin.
So if you're one of the 'normal's please stand up :-)

I'm not a big fan of foundation, yet i cant imagine my vanity table without it. I tried few products which most of them ended badly on my skin, until i got introduced to MAC Mineralize Foundation with SPF 15. Its the perfect foundation for combination to oily skin i've ever used so far.

Let me tell you more about mineral make up and why is it better than the chemical based make up.

First of all mineral make up is non-comedogenic, means it does not block the pores of the skin, which allows it to breathe.
If you have a problem with your skin, whether its too sensitive, acne prone or very dry, mineral make up does not make it worse. Its very gentle on the skin. Let's say its a skin friendly product ;-)
Mineral make up is inorganic, means it will not allow bacteria and microbes to live in the make up, and it doesnt include preservatives which means a longer life of the product.
They even say that you can sleep wearing mineral make up because it improves the appearance of your skin by hiding wrinkles, crow's feet and fine lines.

bareMinerals is one of the famous mineral based make up line in the industry, you can find it at Sephora stores in Dubai.

MAC also has an excellent mineral collection of loose powders, eyeshadows and blushes.

MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF 15

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation

MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation/Loose

MAC Mineralize Blushes. Best used with 187 Duo Fiber Brush

Convinced to go buy mineral make up? Let me know your experience with it, whether its good or bad.