MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter ($29) is described on the MAC website as a soft peachy nude with multi-dimensional shimmer. It has a hint of warm pink to it and mixed with the glistening champagne-peach, it gives off a rose gold appearance. It's a limited edition highlighter originally released in the MAC In Extra Dimension Collection this past Spring, but was re-released in the newest MAC Glamour Daze Collection.

The power itself is very finely milled, silky smooth and almost feels like a pressed pigment. It's highly pigmented with a high shine finish. I found that when I apply too much, it looks very metallic. This is easily the most intense highlighter I own. The great thing is that if you over-do it, it's easy to fix. If I screw up, I'll lightly run my foundation brush over it (with foundation residue), and it lightens up perfectly.

To apply, I usually use a small stippling brush or my fingers. Either work fine, but I like using my fingers to diffuse the edges. It works really well. Due to the texture, a synthetic and/or dense brush picks up product better than a natural bristle brush.

I really like the way it wears over time. Some highlighters tend to sit on top of the skin, sometimes looking a bit ashy/powdery and unnatural. Superb becomes one with my skin and catches light without looking like an obvious highlighter. I prefer this formula over the MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes which can look a little powdery.

It stays put all day, which is a huge bonus. Since I'm not one to touch-up my makeup throughout the day, anything long lasting is good news for me. One of my favorite highlighters is The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, but it disappears too quickly on my skin. By the end of the day, Superb hasn't gone anywhere.

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick ($15) is described on the MAC website as a frosted mid-tonal pink. It's a very girly and subtly warm, vibrant pink, so if you're feeling like you want to wear something other than your average muted pink but don't want something very bright and in-your-face, Pink Pearl Pop is a great median. And despite what the description says, it's not frosty. The pigmentation is sheer, and buildable to medium coverage. It has a shiny balm-like finish.

I own many pinks, but I couldn't find a perfect dupe for Pink Pearl Pop. Revlon Perennial Pink Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze came the closest, as when I applied Pink Pearl Pop on my bottom lip and Perennial Pink on my top lip, I could hardly tell the difference, other than the lipgloss obviously being glossier. Pink Pearl Pop is a little more vibrant.

Pink Pearl Pop launched recently a couple months ago with the MAC Cremesheen + Pearl Collection, along with six other lipsticks and an array of Cremesheen Glasses. I had my eyes on several shades, but considering they are permanent products, I'm in no rush to get them all at once.

As with most Cremesheen formulas, Pink Pearl Pop feels moisturizing and comfortable on the lips.

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick on my lips.

Sneak Peak MAC Apres Chic Collection for December 2012!

MAC Après Chic Collection December 2012

I know, the MAC Holiday Collection just launched a few days ago and we're already word of the collection to follow! It's a Mineralize Collection, which is exciting news to me because I love Mineralize products (especially the blushes). The collection is set to launch late December in the USA/Canada. So far, I haven't seen any promo images, but I will post them once I spot them. So far, the only photo we have to go off of is the one above that has been floating around and it doesn't include everything in the collection. There also seems to be an extra lipstick out (maybe a double?)

"Changing scenes from the high drama of the holidays to the haute chic of the ski slopes. Natural glamour appears effortless, and in its element, against a brilliant blue sky or luxe lodge. This gorgeous look starts with luminous MAC Mineralize Skinfinish and Blush applied with the 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush. Use the 287 Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush to build layers of dimensional colour with Mineralize Eye Shadow. Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm packs lips with moisture, while adding the right pop of colour and shine. And, because eventually the mittens will come off, Nail Lacquer in Dangerously Fun heats things up in blazing berry red."

Mineralize Skinfinish (Limited Edition)

• Porcelain Pink – Soft pinky coral with gold veining (re-promote)
• Stereo Rose – Coral with golden-bronze shimmering nuances (re-promote)

Mineralize Blush (Limited Edition)

• Amber Glow – Warm peach
• Gentle – Raspberry with gold pearlized pigments (re-promote)
• Alpine Bronze – Mid-tone caramel

Mineralize Eye Shadow (Limited Edition)

• Ice – Light peach base with white veining
• Silver Birch – Grey base with peach veining
• Fireside – Deep plum with grey veining
• Frost at Midnight – Deep blue-grey base with purple veining
• Winter Pursuit – Copper base with grey veining

Pro Longwear Eye Liner (New Permanent Items)

• Black Ice – Rich black 
• Rich Experience – True brown 
• Mountain Air – Vibrant teal 
• Night Trail – Deep navy blue 
• Snow Shadow – Purple violet 

Mascara

• Zoom Waterfast Lash – Black

Lipstick (Limited Edition)

• Après Chic – Pinky brick red (Cremesheen)
• Haute Altitude – Mid-tone blue pink (Amplified Creme)
• Hot Chocolate – Mid-tone plum (Satin)
• Cozy Up – Deep caramel (Matte)
• Warm Companion – Beige with gold pearlized pigments (Frost)

Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm (Limited Edition)

• Pure & Tender – Plumy creamy nude
• Slightly Nude – Nudey coral with subtle pink pearlized pigments
• Nice & Simple – Bronzy gold with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments
• Rosy Romance – Bluish plum with subtle pink pearlized pigments
• Stay Warm! – Creamy light pink

Nail Lacquer (Limited Edition)

• Dangerously Fun – Berry tone blue red (Cream)
• Hangin`Loose – Mid-tone pink nude (Cream) (re-promote)

Brushes

• 187 Brush – Duo Fibre Face Brush (Natural / Synthetic Fibre)
• 287 Brush – Duo Fibre Eye Shadow Brush (Natural / Synthetic Fibre)

What do you think of this collection? 

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 2)

 MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Gift Sets

There hasn't been too much information released other than some pixelated promo and product images for the upcoming MAC Holiday Collection (which is HUGE, btw!). But I can't help but share the photos and information I've come across related to the collection.

I don't normally get excited about upcoming MAC Collections because they come and go so quickly, but I'm actually kind of excited for the MAC Holiday Collection! I'm over my obsession of bows, but I can't help but love the packaging for the all of the palettes. They are so elegant and glam!

*The actual names of the products as well as the descriptions and prices have not been released yet. 

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Eyeshadow Palettes

There will be three eyeshadow palettes with each palette containing five eyeshadow colors and a mini-size eyeshadow brush.

• Palette 1 – Taupeless, Satin Taupe, Love Spice, Spellcaster and Black Slip
• Palette 2 – Blonde Mink, Magical Mist, Brun, Enviable and Smut
• Palette 3 – Glamour Light, Retrospeck, Honesty, Cognac and Sketch

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Face, Eyes and Lips Palettes

• There will be three palettes with each one containing three eyeshadows, two lip colors, one face powder (not sure if it's a bronzer or Blush) and a mini double-ended eyeshadow and lip brush.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Complexion Touch-Up Palettes

• There will be three sets to choose from with each palette containing one lipstick and one oil-absorbing/touch-up pressed powder.

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection Preview (Part 1)

MAC Glamour Daze Holiday 2012 Collection

There are so many things I love about the holidays - Fall Fashion (scarves, long sleeves and boots), the cold weather (and good hair days - see ya next year humidity!), pumpkin spice lattes, fun-size candy bars, the Christmas lights that light up Chicago, wrapping myself in my self-made cocoon of comforters at night.. and of course, the holiday makeup collections.

We're beginning to see a ton of previews for the new holiday collections and I'm already anticipating October/November so I can go on a swatching rampage at Macy's (Chanel and Dior, I'm coming for you!).

The MAC Holiday Collection is as usual in two parts - the Colour Collection (below) and the Sets (brush and makeup sets).

If you missed out on the highlighters from MAC's Extra Dimension Spring 2012 Collection, don't worry! They are being re-released (the most popular ones, anyway).

Extra Dimension Eyeshadow

• A Natural Flirt – soft peachy nude
• Divine Blue – midtone aqua
• Ready to Party – pale lilac
• Stylish Merry – midtone dusty violet
• Tall Dark and Handsome – black with pearl
• Evening Grey – steel silver
• Round Midnight – dark burgundy
• Stolen Moment – dark taupe

Fluidline

• Catch My Eye – cool taupe grey with dazzle pearl
• Little Black Bow – charcoal with dazzle pearl
• Feminine Edge – pink mauve with dazzle pearl

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

• Raven – intense black with red pearl
• Orpheus – intense black with gold pearl
• Mystery – intense black with green pearl
• Feline – intense black with black pearl

Extra Dimension Skinfinish

• Superb (Repromote)
• Whisper of Gilt (Repromote)

Powder Blush

• I’m the One – midtone blue pink
• Easy Manner – light dirty peach
• Small Vanity – dusty rose tan

Lipstick

• Beauty – pale cool pink (Glaze)
• Dramatic Encounter – deep purple (Amplified)
• Glamourdaze – midtone creamy plum (Cremesheen)
• Innocence – soft coral (Frost)
• Outrageously Fun – midtone magenta violet (Cremesheen)

Lipglass

• Deliciously Demure – soft cool brown with pearl
• Flight of Fancy – rich purple
• Impossibly Sweet – sheer soft pink with multi-dimensional pearl
• Pink Fade – light creamy pink
• Talk Softly To Me – light creamy coral pink

Nail Lacquer

• Endless Night
• Girl Trouble
• In the Limelight
• Everything that Glitters

Availability: Late October/Early November 2012. Although, I don't have the confirmed date yet.

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush ($20) is a bright, cool pink cream blush. Florida was originally released back in the beginning of 2010 with the MAC in Lillyland Collection and was re-released earlier this year in the MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection. I'm always game for anything that's hot pink, so when I saw this blush in a recent blog sale, I couldn't resist. It's a limited edition shade, so sadly it's no longer available.

With a sheer layer, it gives my cheeks a natural cool, dolly pink hue that looks soft and fresh. The color can be built very easily (as it's very pigmented) to a more vibrant pink if you like your blush to be prominent. I absolutely love this blush, and I know it's going to be one of my frequently used products.

In general, I like applying cream blush with a small duo-fiber stippling brush (I use a MAC 131 Brush, although many like to use a 188 Brush). You can use your fingers, but in my experience, a brush disturbs my foundation less. I sometimes like using my fingers and with no pressure at all, sweep my fingertips across the edges to diffuse the edges.

MAC Florida swatched on the back of my hand.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Bombshell Lipstick

MAC Bombshell Lipstick ($15) is a soft rosy pink with pink and golden shimmer. It's a frost formula lipstick, so if you don't like frost, this might not be a lipstick for you - but for reference, I can tolerate many of MAC's Frost Lipsticks as the actual formula is nice and they don't tend to be overly frosty.

The lipstick is smooth (non-gritty and dry like many frost lipsticks) and applies just as silky as any of their other formulas. It has a satin finish, but if it was a bit more glossy I'd love this lipstick so much more. I think it has a tendency to sometimes looks a little dull on my lips, but it's nothing a little gloss doesn't fix. I've read that it looks great when layered with MAC Nymphette Lipglass, although I just grab any similar pink gloss and it always looks nice.

I notice that when I'm tanner (NC35), it looks more cool toned on my lips, and when I'm lighter (NC25), it looks a bit more rosy. I think Pink Icing would've been an appropriate name, because that's almost what it looks like on my lips.

It's a fabulous shade for every-day, and if you're in the market for a frosty pink that doesn't make you look like a porn-star, check out MAC Bombshell.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick on my lips (around NC30 skin tone)

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick ($15) is described as a mid-tone pinky plum. It's a shade I would have never picked up a couple of years ago, and a shade I've overlooked ever time I'm shopping at the MAC counter. I'd like to call it a grown-up pink - your progression from baby pinks and nudes. It looks quite boring in the tube when you look at it in indoor lighting, but in the sunlight, you really get to see how complex and pretty this pink is. It kind of reminds me of a more pigmented, brighter and pinker Rimmel Airy Fairy.

Hot Gossip brings color to my face without being too bright, and makes my lips look a bit more noticeable and full. I think it's a shade that will work on many skintones from warm to cool, light and dark.

It's a cremesheen formula, so it applies smooth and is opaque with a few swipes of the tube.

MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick on my lips

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick ($15) is described on the MAC website as a clean, pastel pink. It's a very blue-based (cool toned) pink, so it can appear a bit lilac-purple. It's a very "barbie" pink, that can be difficult to pull off, and most times is a hit or miss on most skin tones. I think it's absolutely beautiful on light skin tones (see Katy Perry below) and I actually didn't discover my love for blue-pink lipsticks until I tried one minus my faux tan (around the MAC NC15 coloring).

Because it's very light (pastel), and it's a very opaque formula of lipstick, it can look a bit harsh as it can completely block out the color of your lips (much like any pastel - such as MAC Fleshpot or Myth), but when applied sheer, and combined with a pink lip gloss on top, it's so much more wearable.

MAC Saint Germain on my lips.

NYX Sand Pink Lip Liner, MAC Saint Germain Lipstick and MAC Like Venus Dazzleglass.

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter 

MAC Prep + Primer Highlighter  ($24) is a pen-style creamy highlighter that brings a sheer wash of color to the skin wherever it is applied. It can be used under makeup to prime and brighten, or on top of makeup to highlight.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter is available in (3) shades: Light Boost (soft yellow cream), Radiant Rose (light shell pink) and Bright Forecast (mid tone peachy coral). (You can find swatches of all three shades on Temptalia)

I purchased Radiant Rose, as pink toned highlighters seem to do the best job brightening on my particular skin tone.

Several brand make these pen style highlighters, and I find that most of the time they are pretty expensive for the amount of product you receive. YSL Touche Eclat for instance costs $40 for a 0.10 oz tube. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener costs $38 for 0.05 oz and Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen costs $37 for 0.05 oz. They might all be mildly effective, but I personally think they are very expensive for how long they last with daily use.

I was thrilled when MAC came out with a highlighter pen, as MAC tends to be a bit lower priced than most high-end cosmetics. At $24 for 0.12 oz, it's very easily the best value overall, therefore I'm the most willing to purchase from MAC.

MAC Prep & Prime Radiant Rose Highlighter (left) and YSL Touche Eclat #1 Radiant Touch (right). Both are swatched on warm, medium skin (MAC NC30).

MAC Supreme Style Sheen Supreme Lipstick Review!

MAC Supreme Style Sheen Supreme Lipstick

MAC Supreme Style Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($16) is described as a light coral with pink and a frost finish. The coverage is semi-opaque, which is almost hard to distinguish because the base color is so similar to my actual lip color. At a glance, it looks sheer, but it's actually quite pigmented. It reminds me a bit of a pinker version of MAC High Tea. It's a great natural shade to pair with dramatic eyes.

This shade plays off the natural shade of the lips a bit, so if your lips are redder, the color may appear more rosy. I like applying a tiny bit of MAC Lip Erase on my lips to tone down the color for a perfect, glossy nude.

If you aren't familiar with MAC Sheen Supremes, they are an ultra-creamy, moisturizing formula with a shiny finish. In some ways, they kind of remind me of the texture of Revlon Lip Butters (but creamier) — they feel like a soft, creamy lip balm, yet the coverage is opaque. I absolutely love them, and if you are particular to softer, glossy formulas of lipstick, you will love them too.

MAC Supreme Style on my lips.

MAC Moth Brown Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches!

MAC Moth Brown Eyeshadow

MAC Moth Brown Eyeshdow ($15) is a beautiful metallic charcoal-taupe with a tinge of purple. Moth Brown was re-released in the MAC By Request Collection as it was a highly popular choice among voters. If you were hoping for a brown, you might be disappointed because Moth Brown most definitely isn't brown. From the looks of it, it looks similar to the ever-popular MAC Satin Taupe, but when swatched, Satin Taupe is much warmer and has more brown tones, whereas MAC Moth Brown is cool toned with more gray tones.

It's a really pretty shade and shines differently in all angles. It's a shade that will work well with all eye colors and skin tones and is subtle enough to be worn all over the lid for daily wear or amped up for a night time smokey eye.

The consistency is very smooth like a typical MAC Frost finish eyeshadow, easy to blend and has opaque pigmentation.

A must-have? It's definitely nice to have especially if you gravitate towards taupe shades, but don't kick yourself if you missed out on it.

Do you own Moth Brown? Do you think it lives up to the hype? 

MAC Costa Chic Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Costa Chic Lipstick Review

MAC Costa Chic Lipstick Review ($15) is described as a frosty, light coral. On the lips, it's very bright — borderline neon. I''m never really a fan of frost; especially in lipsticks, somehow I always feel like an overload of frost cheapens the product. I know many of us cringe at the thought of looking like we're rocking a trend from the past decade, but Costa Chic is an exception. It's one of the few frost finishes that I will wear — it looks fab when topped with a sheer pink lipgloss, and if you aren't feeling very daring, you can wear a similar coral (maybe MAC Everhip) and rub a little bit of Costa Chic on the middle of your bottom lip for some highlight and dimension.

I love mixing my bright corals with a pale shade such as MAC Myth Lipstick; it creates a bright, creamy, light watermelon pink. Love! You can really use any other shade, light pinks work well with it too!

MAC Costa Chic on my lips.

MAC Blossom Culture Sheen Supreme Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Blossom Culture Sheen Supreme Lipstick

MAC Blossom Culture Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($16) is described on the MAC website as a soft pink with (white) pearl. It has a hint of coral, so it will work exceptionally well on warm skin tones. It's semi-opaque, and seems to enhance my natural lip color, while bringing a little bit of color to my face. It's a natural shade, making it great for daily wear, yet the hint of coral adds a little bit more. I think it's a great summer shade and will pair well with bronzed cheeks and pinky-coral blush!

If you aren't familiar with MAC Sheen Supremes, they are an ultra-creamy, moisturizing formula with a shiny finish. In some ways, they kind of remind me of the texture of Revlon Lip Butters (but creamier) — they feel like a soft, creamy lip balm, yet the coverage is opaque.

I love MAC Lipstick, and I'm crazy about Sheen Supremes. If you're a MAC fiend like myself, I urge you to check them out. I'm sure you'll fall in love too!

MAC Blossom Culture on my lips.

MAC Star Wonder Mineralize Skin Finish Review!

MAC Star Wonder Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC Star Wonder Mineralize Skinfinish ($29) is a new limited edition baked highlighter, released in the Heavenly Creatures Collection that launched in-stores July 5th.

If you typically aren't favorable of shimmery face products, you might want to steer clear of MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, as they are frosty and sometimes shimmery. The amount of shimmer differs with each shade. I can't help but drool over Mineralize Skinfinishes each time MAC launches new shades.. they're just so pretty to look at! And although I'm not too crazy about too much shimmer, I love highlighter, and I always use a bit in my daily routine!

Star Wonder is described as a plummy pink with multi-dimensional pearl. It's made up of a few different shades - there's a warm pink, plum and pale gold. When combined, a shimmery plummy pink with a golden shimmer is created. 

Mineralize Skinfinishes have the typical smooth and soft texture of baked powders, and blend really well with minimal effort. Some shades are dark enough to be used as a blush, while some are light and frosty, and work best solely as a highlighter. Star Wonder could be used for either purpose, but is dark enough to use as a blush. Because it's shimmery, only a touch is needed for a natural glow. When buffed out, the shimmer isn't as noticeable, but it's still there, providing a glowing sheen to the cheeks. While it looks nice applied either way, I like wearing it across the top of my cheekbones as a highlight, paired with a pink blush.

I usually use a duo-fiber fan brush, but any duo-fiber brush would work well at laying down minimal product at once.