Perfectly Poised Mineralize Skinfinish

When you think Christmas makeup, do you think red lips, bronzey eyes, glittery accessories and, of course, that beautiful, glowing skin. And the chance to be all glittery, again. I previously picked up one of the Christmas Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Divine Night, and if you read my post, you would have known that I actually wanted the MSF in Perfectly Poised originally. And I love the result that I got from the MSF (having never owned one before), and they had Perfectly Poised in stock online, so whatthehey, limited edition, I went and ordered it.

I was a bit skeptical about the way this product looked, as in, the inner part with the outer shell. It didn't look to appealing and then I thought that application might prove difficult too. But it does give you three options of how to use the skinfinish which adds value to the product. Perfectly Poised was just so gorgeous when I swatched the tester in store (why would they put the tester out if it's not in stock, or at least mark that it's sold out like the usually do). It was this gorgeous gold and pink sheen; an amazing rose gold colour that's so nice and subtle. I can see this being a great finish for parties especially. It gives that angelic topping to your look. 

left to right, without flash: inner part, outer shell, mix of both, blended

Without Flash

The pictures really don't do justice. It's shimmery, but not too shimmery, gives a really nice glittery glow to your skin. I would think this would nice applied to the collarbones and decolletage too. I feel super glamorous when I have this very finely milled powder on, the gold pink sheen looks so gorgeous, especially on my tanning skin. I don't really see this shade working for those that are fairer, unless using quite a light hand, but with the Summer sun this MSF really suits the season.

Divine Night Mineralize Skinfinish

To be honest, I wasn't too impressed by the Christmas range that MAC was releasing for the 2013 year. I thought maybe an eyeliner, a lipstick or two would be all that I would get from the entire line (not even the bags or kits really screamed out to me), but as I went into David Jones the other day before work, I swatched the gaudy-looking Mineralize Skin Finishes from the Divine Night range, and ooh. My interest was captured again. 

I actually wanted the shade Perfectly Poised, which gave this nice gold sheen with a pink reflect, super pretty shade. But unfortunately, David Jones had sold out of that one, so I went across the road to Myers... Where they also happened to be sold out, and where the lady then started to try push all these other products on me. To which, I decided that Scene to Be Seen was actually quite nice too... And they had sold out of that at Myers as well! Why did she up that particularly product to me when it was also out of stock? And then she started to push other products on me too, that weren't even remotely related. I tailed it out of there saying I had to head to work, and thanked her for her help (why did I thank her). Anyway, I actually went back to David Jones to see if they had Scene to Be Seen in stock, and they did and they were lovely, and this is why I constantly choose to go to David Jones over Myers. But either way, I was able to grab Scene to Be Seen (and later noticed that Perfectly Poised is in stock online, so might pick that up later too... It was just so pretty!), which is described as a mauve with a pink sheen/brick rose with gold reflects.

left to right, without flash: inner part, outer part, mixed, blended

With Flash

I would describe this as quite the plum-toned Mineralize Skin Finish, but a mauvey-pink is quite accurate. I love the result that you get from blending this out on the skin, the pink and gold shimmers look absolutely wonderful, especially on my medium toned skin; and, I assume, as my skin will tan a bit more with the warming weather, this can give that ethereal look. This can be built up to be used as a blush too, but that will take about four layers or so, as this blends like a dream on the skin. I think one of the nifty things about this Christmas range of Mineralize Skin Finishes is that there are essentially three options of shades: the inner part, the outer shell, and mixing it together.

I've never owned a MSF before, and I can really see the appeal of them now. They're so smooth and finely milled, it really adds a nice touch to the skin at the end. This shade is probably best that it came about in the holiday season, I don't see much opportunity to wear this (although I probably will, screw "appropriate" makeup), it will really look nice to give that sun-kissed glow, so that's a nice addition to a summer tan or that "festive cheer" you get from a little bit of bubbly.

RiRi hearts MAC fall mini haul collection part two

I was naughty, or maybe lucky. I was back in the city today, and figured, what the hey, might as well pop into David Jones. Aaand there I go with a couple purchases. But it could have been a sign, I didn't think that David Jones would be getting the RiRi <3 MAC collection (as I was told on the phone), and what do you know, they do, and they also had plenty of stock. So my eyes wandered over the selection again as it did when I first went into Myers to pick up the Nude lipstick and the Hibiscus Kiss duo. I still really wanted that Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Talk That Talk and I justified the RiRi Woo lipglass because, well, I've never had a lipglass before. I did decide not to get the Extended Play Lash mascara although I fell in love with the packaging, I figured I'd use it up too quickly and the brush is not one of my favoured designs. But, if it still happens to be in stock when I'm back in the city again on Monday, well, I guess that's just out of my hands.

Oh yeah, can't get enough of that rose gold and hot pink packaging. I mean, when I told my boyfriend about how much I wanted this collection, he was like "because of Rihanna?". Well, that too but mainly the packaging. Probably the reason why I wanted the mascara so bad is because, like the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil, the pink finish is matte, not reflective. 

left to right, without flash: RiRi Woo, Talk That Talk

With Flash

Mm-mm. I own the Ruby Woo lipstick that RiRi Woo was based on, so I decided that I didn't need the retro matte version and instead opted for the lipglass considering I've never had one too. It is super pigmented, a tad sticky but not goopy and the doe-foot wand really helps with application. I love the glossiness of it too with no sparkle. Hey Christmas time lipstick. Likewise, I've never owned a Pro Longwear Lip Pencil, I've tried MAC's regular lip liners and am quite fond of the smoothness of them too, and this one doesn't disappoint. Plus, it's supposed to last for fourteen hours! I'm having trouble even just washing the swatch off my arm. I saw swatches online and read a few things about the retro matte lipstick version of Talk That Talk and it looked a bit patchy in application; even talking to the sales assistant, she said that the lip pencil was better, and of course the last time is better too. 

I'd be lying to say I wasn't happy with my little haul from the RiRi <3 MAC collection, but to say I'm satisfied? Well, pretty much, actually. I won't be too chuffed if I don't get my hands on the mascara, but I really am quite pleased to have got the best (in my opinion) of the collection. I heard that the collection was restocked in the UK due to popular demand, so who knows, go check out your local MAC counters and maybe you might get lucky.

RiRi hearts MAC fall collection mini haul

So frantic was I to make sure I did not miss out on the Riri <3 MAC fall 2013 collection that I was checking Australian blogs, checking the MAC online store constantly, calling up retailers and asking my boyfriend to go in store and confirm the release date... All on the day before the release, that is, the day before October 3rd. But, I had good reason to, I read on The Best Beauty Blog that it was being released October 3rd, as listed in the press release (thanks, Ling for being so helpful and nice with all my questions!), so of course I called up the closest Myers to check... And they told me it was coming out Monday, hence all the frantic behaviour. Well, the collection did come out October 3rd, but it was only online, and I figured, if it was going to be instores on Monday, I might as well wait until Monday and then I won't have to wonder when my package will arrive. Thank god I asked the MAC lady to hold some items for me, the majority, if not all, of the products was sold out when I checked today.

As you can see, I only picked up two items: the blush powder in Hibiscus Kiss and the matte lipstick in Nude. When I went to the counter today, of course I looked at the other products, but what with budget and all, I only grabbed these two. I'm almost kicking myself for not grabbing the lip liner in Talk That Talk and the Extended Play Lash mascara in Gigablack. But hindsight is 20/20 and maybe I can convince my boyfriend to pick them up for me tomorrow, if they hopefully still have them in stock. But either way, these two items were the ones that I definitely had to have from the RiRi collection.

The Hibiscus Kiss duo was released back in the first RiRi collection at the start of the year, and, while I was curious about it, I wasn't overly sold. But dammit if hype and cute packaging doesn't push me over, and I'm quite glad it did. I am quite the fan of MAC's matte bronze bronzing powder and this one is quiet similar, but maybe the tiniest bit smoother.The blush part of the duo is a nice bright pink shade, which would make me look quite a bit more youthful considering my usual dark neutral type makeup. This can be considered to be a universal duo, but maybe not for those with very deep skintones. 

When I called Myers and asked them to put the Nude lipstick on hold, the girl asked me if I had seen it in person, and warned me that it was quite dark and quite unusual. Which is why I wanted it. It really is a perfect nude for those with deeper skintones, but even on my NC30 skintone, I quite like the look of it. It is indeed quite an unusual shade, I don't see many dupes for this one being discovered, but I love the look it gives. It's muted and not too pink at all, maybe a tiny hint of berry. Pretty much a soft brown, and it the creamiest matte lipstick I have ever experienced. It applies so smoothly and I can see myself wearing this quite often. Honestly, I think this is a brilliant nude, much better than those concealer-looking type ones (though, I must say, I'm a wearer of those too. I just like this better).

left to right, without flash: Hibiscus Kiss, Nude

With Flash

Good picks. I got some good picks. But when you like something, you want more right? Even if these end up being the only purchases I get from the RiRi hearts MAC collection, I would be happy. I took my time to think it over what I wanted and I'm glad I didn't get too suckered in by the packaging, although it is a winner. I do recommend checking these out in store if you still have the chance, some might not turn out like how you would expect them to be (e.g. the Diamonds cream colour base is freaking glittery as all hell. Pretty. But glittery). Goddamn did MAC do some good advertising up in here though. 

Supreme Coral

Anyone else intrigued by MAC's So Supreme collection? I so wanted to collect every single item, but I just asked my parents to maybe pick me up a couple pretty ones (considering they are in the States and all, so much cheaper there). But as I was in David Jones the other day, picking up a couple items as a present for my sister-in-law's upcoming 21st, I couldn't get the Sheen Supreme lipstick in Gotta Dash out of my mind. And so I was a bit cheeky, and picked it up as a pick me up.

Look at that gorgeous packaging. The sheen supremes come in a sturdy metallic tube that's perfectly cylindrical. The cap is certain to not slip off, it really locks in and feels so luxurious and weighty. You'll notice, too, that the shape of the bullet itself is flat rather than their usual slanted edge bullet. Although I do like the shape aesthetically, it is a bitch in usefulness. Because the formula is so dang creamy, you need some (read, a lot of) accuracy to apply this neatly. Another issue is that, although it is buildable, it really does settle into the lines of your lips and highlight any flakiness, so you will need to exfoliate and prep properly beforehand.

left to right, without flash: heavily swatched (basically once), blended swatch

With Flash

Natural Sunlight

MAC describes Gotta Dash as pale clean coral and that's pretty much how I see it. In some lighting it appears a bit more peachy, but it is pale and it is clean and, if applied with care, it looks really nice, not quite neutral but not too bright either. It has a slight glossy sheen to it (ah, that's why they call it that), but, as I said before, it's buildable and can be fully opaque. 

I'm actually glad I limited myself to only one of the Sheen Supreme lipsticks (I asked my parents for a couple of the glosses instead). This lipstick really is difficult for me to apply, what with the extra exfoliating and care before hand, and the care to apply the lipstick where it should be. Funny that this is called Gotta Dash, but it won't be easy to apply in a rush. The colour is absolutely lovely though, perfect for everyday work or class, and it suits really nicely with Spring and Summer coming up. Just only if it wasn't so creamy.

MAC collective baby haul

Oh, hello there tax rebate. Meet MAC. But not quite, cause although I went out and splurged on a matte blush (coppertone) and a limited edition Veluxe Pearl Fusion in Smokeluxe, I collected these items over the month, not being able to resist and justifying to myself that I needed it like with the Select Cover Up. Granted, I did not have a current concealer, and one was sorely needed for under the eyes. So, might as well hit one of my favourite brands. And of course, a fluffy blending brush like the 217 was needed to apply it. And what started this little collective haul was a "goodbye" email from MAC where the 234 split fibre brush was coming to the end of its limited edition.

Select Cover Up Concealer in NW30

As I stated earlier, I was in need of a concealer for under my eyes. It's just been getting a bit more noticeable lately as I have changed up my foundation to one that doesn't quite provide as much coverage. So I have never owned any base products by MAC bar for the Fix+ but that is more of a setting spray rather than priming spray. This liquid concealer is full coverage according to the lovely sales assistant that helped to colour match me, and it really did make a difference. 

Veluxe Pearl Fusion in Smokeluxe

I saw these online and saw other blogs such as Blushing Noir posting glorious swatches of these and I knew once I had enough money saved, this was going to make it into my collection. I originally asked my mother to purchase me Greenluxe while she was over in the States, where it is half price for the same palette over there, but these bad boys hit Australian shores and Smokeluxe was next on my list. And the cool thing about these, despite there being five complementing shades in each, is that they can be used wet or dry to have a softer look or a more punched up one.

Matte Blush in Coppertone

In my awkwardness of being so enamoured with the MAC sales assistants (they've always been so lovely to me!), I literally asked for a brown blush. And she led me straight away to what she thought was appropriate, so bless her. It was indeed very brown, but she could tell that I wanted it not quite a bronzer, but still matte, but maybe a bit more peachy? And this was the third shade she picked out and it was just what I wanted. Have not tried it on the face yet, but high hopes. As in, I hope I can pull of this peachy, brown blush.

Eyeshadow brushes in 217 and 234

Like I said, the 234 was limited edition, I think it was maybe in their Semi Precious collection? But don't take my word on it. The point is, the 234  lured me in, because it's not only a blending brush, but it also is a split fibre brush. So on one side is synthetic and the other side is natural fibres. Glorious, limited edition, all mine and my very first MAC brush in fact! And of course, the ever-famous 217. I knew the number of this brush just because I've coveted it for so long, but couldn't justify purchasing it for myself for some reason. But when the sales assistant said a fluffy blending brush was especially good for applying concealer, suddenly my reason was found and this was added to the family.

Left to right: NW30, Smokeluxe, Coppertone

Ah, MAC, you never let me down. So much selection and yet I'm still coveting more even with the amount that I have. I think I have it to be wiser to purchase a little bit at a time, so as not to get overwhelmed, and keep me contented until the next purchase. There's never something that I can't pick up from MAC each time I visit the counter, and I think a treat every now and then is good for the mind and soul.