I’m wearing another pumpkin spice latte look today! (More reviews on the key makeup products, all the new things from MAC that are out right now, in just a sec.) But first, my latest Starbucks adventure…
Like I mentioned yesterday, for years I thought the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte was limited to the standard-issue #PSL, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you look around, you can find TONS of different versions of the PSL (even healthy-ish ones)! If you’re not into the super sweet OG latte (which, I admit, can be a little much, even for my sweet tooth sometimes), you’ve gotta try this other version from The Macrobarista, which I got earlier today.
This healthier version of the PSL is spicy and pumpkin-y like the O.G. version, but it’s less sugary. I got mine without the whipped cream, and it was still sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. Comforting perfection in a coffee cup!
No joke, I could’ve downed at least three of them, but Tabs, the world (and I) are not properly equipped to handle a hyper-caffeinated K-Dawg. So I just stuck to one, ha ha!
Oh, and if you were wondering, that intense red matte lippie on my lips did not budge one bit as I slammed this.
Which leads me to these thoughts on ‘ze MAC I’m wearing in today’s PSL-inspired look…
MAC Patrick Starr Boy About Town Kit ($42.50)
Nothing says “It’s PSL season” like an ultra matte red liquid lippie, and MAC has one of the best liquid lipstick lines out there with their Retro Mattes. They’re long lasting and super concentrated, with creamy color that won’t budge, no matter how many times you kiss your tabby throughout the day (this is my go-to shade from the line). The #pattypout Retro Matte red in Patrick Starr’s newest LE MAC collab is all of those things, and it has some deep, unexpected burgundy tones — like crushed red cherries — that grab your attention.
The quad… Not the easiest to blend. I swirled my blending brush on my lids like a human Ninja Blender, and yet the three mattes kept skipping. The glittery bronze is challenging, too, because the pieces like to fly all over the place.
MAC Studio Fix 24-HR Smooth Wear Concealer ($22)
I’m wearing MAC’s newest full-coverage, oil-free liquid concealer in this look as both a face foundation and an under-eye concealer, and it’s REALLY good — so good that it just might have converted me back into an under-eye concealer girl again… Maybe.
If you wanted that hyper-perfected, even-toned skin back in the day, your best option in MAC was Pro-Longwear Concealer, and it’s still available, but it isn’t the most user friendly in the world. The pump is tricky, you have to blend quickly because it dries fast, and if you accidentally apply too much, you end up with cake face. Plus, it tends to oxidize, so you have to compensate by going a shade or two down… Sh*t is complicated, yo.
This new 24-HR one has the pigment intensity and full coverage of Pro-Longwear, but it’s so much easier to use on so many levels. There’s no drama with blending at all (I use fingers or a synthetic blending brush dampened with a little MAC Fix+), and it kinda fills out pores, too, so your skin looks really smooth.
Bottom line: This full-coverage, long-lasting yet natural-looking concealer comes in a nice range of shades that stay true to color on the skin (no oxidizing!). Definitely a go, but FYI, you may have to adjust to a shade or two darker than your typical MAC color, since the 24-HR concealers run slightly lighter than I expected them to. I usually wear Studio Fix Foundation NC42 on my face, and when I wear 24-HR as a foundation, I go with NC43, because the NC42 is too light.
MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette in Medium Dark/Dark ($39.50)
GIRL. Soft Focus! It’s the name of the yellowish highlighter in this six-pan palette of face powders for bronzing, contouring and highlighting. As a brow bone highlight, it’s perfection, and the key is the sheen. When I blend a little just beneath the highest point of my arch, it subtly reflects the light to make my brows look lifted and higher and my eyes look more open. And unlike your typical frosty highlighter, Soft Focus does this without blinding whomever’s staring at ya.
Pumpkin spice 4 life! ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
That lip is amazing! ? I might check out the concealer, NC10 is a good shade for me. I just picked up the Estée Lauder Double Wear concealer so I’m testing that tomorrow.
Ooh, I hope you like it! I’m on a Double Wear kick and have so far been super impressed. 🙂
Hey, here reporting from overseas, I tried the new shade range of the Studio Fix Foundation and NC41 is a better match for me than NC42 (the latter is a touch too dark and warm). I was impressed I went a shade down considering how harsh was the sun here in Freiburg, but now it’s getting cold and I’m worried about becoming an ice cube.
I only tried the concealer on my hand but I was impressed enough to thinking about trying it too, but first I wanted to get color matched again because of the new shades, and the SA was kind enough to give me samples of NC41 and NC42 because at the beginning we both thought NC41 was a touch lighter, but I’ve been playing with it and I’m impressed actually a friend complimented my makeup before saying I was trying a new foundation.
Hey friend!
I know I’ve said it a few times, but I’m gonna say it again. So proud of you for making the jump and living overseas for a while! You’re so brave.
Did you ever manage to work out your skincare situation?
Well I’m still figuring things out, but at least I got two tubes of Adapelene with me, so even though I’m in the purging face, my skin looks better.
Gorgeous! What a perfect look for fall or anytime. Love your accessories, your coral pink tee and that nail color, too. What shade is it?
Thanks, Lorraine! The nail polish is Tribeca by Dermalect.
That red lipstick is IT!! Wow! I want! (Don’t need, but I want.)
Your skin looks gorgeous in these photos. I feel like I’m somewhere in between that NC15 and NC 20. Usually I’m a solid NC 15, but that one looks super light. And the NC 20 looks a bit dark. Guess I need to go swatch in person.
But that red lipstick! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
If you haven’t tried the Retro Mattes you gotta do it ASAP. They’re comfy and pigmented! Plus the reds and darker fall colors are awesome!
I’m dying over those contour shades… UG.
Being fair skinned I would probably wear the MAC Sculpt and Shape Palette as an eye shadow. I am afraid of looking like a clown if I try to sculpt and highlight. Maybe I should take a few application lessons. I did take your suggestion and ordered the NARS Fez eyeshadow to wear with the MAC Cosmo Lipstick. It’s awesome!!!
Hi Cindy,
I’m so glad you like the Fez/Cosmo combo. I actually wore it last night! (I had a moms night out thing to go to.) Do you like glitter at all? Because I tapped a little bit of Urban Decay’s Diamond Dog on top of my lids and it looked great on top of Fez.
OK, your teeth look amazing. I realize that’s not the focus of the post but it has to be said. I’m sure they’re terrifically white regardless, but this shade of red REALLY brings out the Lyle Waggoner in the opening credits of Wonder Woman “twinkle”. That reference may be a bit too old for you. 🙂
Sounds like you also found some winners with the concealer and the highlighter. I’m not sure the yellow would work for me. I feel like I’m perpetually pink.
LOL, thanks! I’ve been using a whitening toothpaste from Arm & Hammer. Nothing fancy! It works though.
It’s so great to find something that works and doesn’t cost a fortune! I use ProNamel which is supposed to protect enamel, reduce sensitivity and whiten. The sensitivity part is true, but I can’t speak to the enamel. Definitely not noticing any whitening. Then again, coffee, soda and red wine don’t help my cause. 🙁
Well, I gots to try the concealer! And I love the PSL tip. Normally I get an Americano Misto, so this will be on par with that. And I can’t wait to try it! Though hopefully it isn’t too different without the almond milk, no thanks.