Veluxe Pearlfusion in Greenluxe

I never used to be such a fan of eyeshadow palettes. I preferred my individuals, but as I'm starting to accumulate more and more makeup, why not save a bit of space and purchase a palette? I was so keen to get my hands on the Veluxe Pearlfusion Palettes by MAC, they looked just so goshdarn pretty and different to all the other shadows I've ever owned. I mean, I've never really been too big a fan of shimmery eyeshadows, but something about these palette screamed special to me. So much so, that I ended up purchasing the smokeluxe palette while waiting for my mother to return with my first requested greenluxe. And boy was I right to wait for greenluxe; it is quite possibly the prettiest palette ever.

Firstly, I love the packaging, of course. It's the usual MAC palette packaging with the clear front and the magnetic closure; but I really like how the colours are separated into shimmer strips (akin to that of Bobbi Brown) yet are separated by a thin line of plastic. Some people have said that it's difficult for them to get their brush in, but so far I have had no problem, although I do use smaller brushes to accommodate my smaller sized eyes. I was so intrigued by the greenluxe palette, simply because of the nice cool tones and the slightest pink/green tint to it. Pretty much because I thought it contained cute and pretty colours, nevermind that it might not "suit" my skintone too much. I make it work.

All of these shades were a lot more shimmery than I was expecting, I mean, they're veluxe pearl, but at least two of these shades are definite glitters. The lightest shade looks pink with a silver shimmer that turns more silver on my eyes (removal of the pink). The second lightest shade appears to have a green tinge in the pan, but when swatched, it's basically a very pretty, very smooth multicoloured glitter; the photos don't really do it justice as it looks amazing in person. The middle shade is a satiny-taupe colour, good for an all over colour to bring a bit of life to the eyes (I'm also assuming that's what was in mind considering the size of this shade in comparison to the others). The next shade is the darkest in the palette, being a deep brown with gold/green glitter in it. It was a bit hard to swatch this one, and needed a bit more effect to get the colour payoff shown. The last shade is akin to that of club eyeshadow or blue brown pigment, where it is a brown base with a blue/green duochrome. Glad I had this palette which saves me from purchasing club. 

While it probably is that I won't get the most use ever out of this palette, it is quite a good one for the holidays coming up, what with all the shimmery shades; although, I could probably at least use one shade a day in any look to add a bit of pop to my eyes. It really is one of the prettiest palettes that I own, and definitely one of the most unique, so I'm quite glad that I was able to get my hands on it. 

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.