Monday, October 29, 2012

Weekly Poll Results - What's Your Favorite Brand for Makeup Remover Wipes?

What's your favorite brand for make-up remover wipes?

Over the course of the past month or so, I went on an experiment trying a handful of different makeup remover/cleansing towelettes to see which is the best. My results didn't surprise me, as the most effective wipes still turned out to be my top choice from the past few years; The Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleaning Towelettes, $4.74, Target.

I was really curious to see what all of your favorites are, so I created a poll that lasted a little over a week asking which brand is your favorite from some of the main brands you can find at drugstore (with the exception of MAC).

The results are... 

Neutrogena - 78 votes (34%)
E.L.F. - 9 votes (3%)
Olay - 8 votes (3%)
MAC - 27 votes (11%)
Ponds - 21 votes (9%)
Aveeno - 8 votes (3%)
Equate - 14 votes (6%)
Other - 63 votes (27%)

This poll is based on 228 participants.

The majority voted for Neutrogena, but it didn't win by a landslide. The runners up was actually other brands not mentioned. I'd love to know for those of you who who voted "Other", which brand would you choose to be your favorite?

Are makeup wipes a must-have in your bathroom, or do you only rely on your cleanser?

Do you have any ideas for questions in the weekly poll? Let me know in the comments!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

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

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

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 Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter

Saturday, October 27, 2012

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

mac pink pearl pop lipstick

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

MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick Swatch
MAC Pink Pearl Pop Lipstick on my lips.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Sneak Peak MAC Apres Chic Collection for December 2012!

mac apres chic collection

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?