MAC Makeup

Super Sparkle! A Shimmery Look at What You Can Do With the MAC Shiny Pretty Things Holiday 2018 Collection

October 23rd, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

Highlights to the moon and back! The MAC Shiny Pretty Things Holiday 2018 collection, which is out now in case you were craving high-intensity highlights, is a limited edition launch split into two parts — 1) a makeup collection with eyeshadows, liners, lipsticks, glosses and highlighters, and 2) a whole lotta gift sets.

Here’s a look I did today with both of the highlighters from the collection, just to give you an idea of what you could do with them. Mind you, I’m not really a gal who likes to walk around highlighted to the gods, but I was taken over by an otherworldly force when I saw these two new Extra Dimension Skinfinish Powders, and it said, “GIRL, YOU NEED TO SPREAD THOSE GLITTERS ALL OVER YOUR FACE LIKE BUTTAH.”

Soooo I did. ?

Highlighter #1: Snowflushed ($35)

This one’s a metallic bronzed pink with medium-sized pieces of pink glitter, and it looks like a glittery powder version of MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite. I’m wearing it on my upper cheekbones, and I love it!

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MAC Kajal Crayon: Better the Second Time Around…

October 10th, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

It just goes to show ya that it never hurts to give a product a second chance, because I did not care for the $23 MAC Kajal Crayons when they first launched in Diane Kendal, but I’m all about this new batch. I don’t know if MAC tweaked the formula, or if I’m just remembering things differently, but I think these are SO good — especially if you’re a smoky-eye-’til-I-die person like I am.

Basically, these are chubby liners/eyeshadows that adhere to water lines AND skin. You’re supposed to plop them on, then blow out the edges (a.k.a “smoke it the eff out”) using your fingers or a brush.

I like using the MAC 217 with them because I think I can feather out the edges more quickly with it than I can with a fluffier brush like the 224.

By the way, I softened the transition along the edge in this pic with Soft Brown and Saddle.

mac kajal crayon 2018 — I’m wearing Dear Darling on my eyes, and the lip is MAC Liptensity in Smoked Almond (also worn as a blush on my cheeks).

Creamy pencils like these usually have a limited — I guess you could call it “shelf life” on your lids and water lines because of how easily they move. And the creamier they are, the more they move.

You can smudge these Kajal Crayons and smoke them out as much as you want, but once they’ve set, they stay put.

I mean, you don’t have all day long to make tight and tiny circles with your 217, but you get about five minutes, and for a messy, smoky eye using a single color, that’s usually enough time.

Another thing: You can layer these as much as you want to because they don’t go patchy.

mac kajal crayon 2018 swatches — I ❤️ these shades.

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Another #PSL Pumpkin Spice Look (I Call It “Pumpkin Spice Jewels”), and Bowing Down to the Wonder That Is Charlotte Tilbury

October 4th, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

I don’t want you to think I’ve been neglecting my pumpkin spice devotion, seeing as how it’s now October, and therefore officially pumpkin season.

SO MANY PUMPKINS EVERYWHERE. One can’t even whip her high pony without bumping into one, and I still have mad love for pumpkin spice, as demonstrated by this look, which I call “Pumpkin Spice Jewels.”

A few things I learned in the process of doing my makeup…

1. This Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino will shake you to the core

Or, should I say, “shake your core”? Because when I’d finished about half of it my body literally started shaking from all the caffeine.

I’d never had one of these before. It’s just a pumpkin version of a regular frap (like the other drinks I’ve tried in this series, I got the recipe from theMacroBarista on Instagram).

I could only finish half of it because I couldn’t take any more caffeine. I dunno… Maybe you’re made of stronger stuff than I am, but if not and you’re also a wimp when it comes to caffeine, you can still admire it from afar (because it’s certainly nice to look at).

pumpkin spice frappuccino — WHOA there, sweet tooth.

2. I may need to build an alter to worship Charlotte Tilbury

Her stuff is so spendy, but when it comes to that effortless, dewy skin-that-looks-like-skin, C.T. has that game on lock. I’m wearing her new Magic Away Liquid Concealer ($32) and Genius Magic Powder ($45) in this look, and I didn’t really have to do any of the buffing, blending and dabbing that’s usually involved in achieving a no-makeup makeup look.

I just swiped a concealer wand on my face (I’m wearing shade 8 underneath my eyes and shade 9 on the rest of my face), blended with my fingers, then dusted a sheer veil of the powder with a fluffy brush, which took all of two minutes.

I love how my skin looks when I wear C.T.’s stuff. Like, I can’t even tell I’m wearing makeup, and it doesn’t budge. Not one bit.

charlotte tilbury — Divine if you’re into the dewy skin thing

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Kiss ‘n’ Telling on the New MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks

October 2nd, 2018 by Karen 28 Comments

I just want your extra time and your mwah-mwah-mwah-mwah-mwah, KISS!

New Powder Kiss Lipsticks from MAC! These mattes feel just like the luscious Chanel Rouge Allure Velvets — lightweight, so more like a lip balm than a lipstick — but even creamier. So there’s little-to-no chance of cat butt lips. (I can hear you sighing from relief.) And, dare I say it, they’re kinda moisturizing? Just a little.

Must apply on dry lips (NON NEGOTIABLE!); otherwise, patchy
Taste and smell like vanilla, so classic MAC
Will move outside your natural lip line if you rub your lips together a lot
Special matte packaging (did you catch that?)
Pigment levels — between medium and just shy of full, depending on color
Less pigmented than MAC Matte lipsticks
Fade after a meal or a cup of coffee
Wear time is about an hour — two, tops
Watch out for vertical lip lines with the paler beige colors and pinks (they will highlight them if you apply too much).
Stand-outs: Mull It Over (a dirty peach) for everyday wear, and Fall in Love (a bright creamy fuchsia) for special occasions
~~I’m still tracking down prices, but it’s safe to assume they’ll be priced similar to regular MAC lipsticks, so about $18.50.~~ Each lippie is $19, and they’re all permanent

Final take? These are a’ight… They feel really smooth and lightweight, and the hazy matte finish is trés “I’m rock ‘n’ roll and too cool to care,” but the formula scoots around a lot and doesn’t last long on my lips. If you’re going for this type of soft matte look, the Chanel Velvets look very similar, and while they’re more expensive at $37, I think they’re user-friendlier because they don’t move around as much. Plus, they last longer.

If you’re curious, you can smooch the 16 MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks starting October 11th, which is when they arrive at select MAC counters and the MAC website. 🙂

mac powder kiss lipstick swatches — I’m an NC 42, in case you’re wondering.

Well this FINALLY happened

I broke my personal vow to only read books I can check out out from the library (don’t ask me why I do these things; I just do!) and bought Crazy Rich Asians because I still couldn’t find the book at the library for like the 20th time. I just couldn’t take it anymore, LOL!

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The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow! Another Starbucks #PSL Look With Reviews of the New MAC Studio Fix 24-HR Concealer, Patrick Starrr Boy About Town Kit, and More

September 25th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

mat patrick starrr boy about town k — Pumpkin Spice ERRRTHANG

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.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte???‍♀️ ~~~~~Approximate Macros~~~~~ Protein: 1.5g/ Carbs: 13g/ Fat: 3g ‼️90 Calories‼️ *with no whip* SUGAR: 10g Fiber: 1g Caffeine: 160mg • Here it is! The oh so awaited HOT pumpkin spice latte! • Don’t be afraid when looking at the ordering instructions! If the store isn’t slammed and you’re polite when ordering, the barista should have no problem fixing up your macro friendly drink! My best advice, show them the picture of the order screen I provide and briefly say why you’re ordering it that way. Or, just use the mobile order screen I’ve provided. • OR, if you’re too intimidated by the instructions.. use my modifications but order this as a latte, keep in mind you’ll double the calories from almond milk. • ◾️◼️The breakdown◼️◾️ Pumpkin Sauce: .5g P/ 10g C Almond Milk: 1g P/ 4g C/ 3g F SF Vanilla: <1g C ( this comes from maltodextrin which the body treats like glucose, so keep that in mind) • ✅HOW TO ORDER✅ 1️⃣Ask for a TALL BLONDE Americano 2️⃣Ask for it in a GRANDE CUP 3️⃣Ask for ONE (1)pump of pumpkin sauce 4️⃣Ask for THREE (3)pumps of sugar free vanilla 5️⃣Ask for STEAMED ALMOND MILK 7️⃣Ask for EXXXXTRA pumpkin spice topping PS.. I only included the whip for the picture! • The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, but the second best time to plant a tree is today. -Alex☕️

A post shared by Alex Moe (@themacrobarista) on Sep 4, 2018 at 9:42pm PDT

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Pumpkin Spice Everything! A Warm Red, Pink and Bronze Eye Look Using the Urban Decay Elements Palette, MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape, MAC The Blonds Lipstick in Davidblond and The Blonds Magic Dust Powder

September 24th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

urban decay elements palette k front — Shout-out to Pumpkin Spice!

How do I feel about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Hmm… Well, you know how much I like pink drinks, right? They’re delish! — but I don’t pump my fist in the air and say YAAASSS when I get one.

But I do when I get a PSL.

Also, even though I went through an intense green tea latte phase last year, ultimately, I could take or leave ’em. But the Pumpkin Spice Latte. THE PSL! It’s my most favorite drink at Starbucks, and it always has been, from even before I started wearing this tank top 24/7.

urban decay elements palette k side 1 — So Karen, tell me how you REALLY feel.

Despite the forecast calling for 80-degree temps here, I’m bubbling over with PSL excitement! I got the fever bad, so I channeled it into this PSL-inspired makeup look. ? Then, I went to Starbucks and ordered a special version of the PSL based on this recipe from The Macrobarista on Instagram.

He’s a Starbucks barista who makes healthy-ish versions of Starbucks drinks.

He calls this refreshing version the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it has all the spicy sweetness of the standard PSL, but (according to The Macrobarista) it’s only 90 calories with about 11 grams of sugar.

To make my life easier, I took a screenshot of his “recipe” on my phone and held it up to the cashier at Starbucks so he could type it in. ?

Now, about the makeup, my friend, this was the first “LEWK” I’ve done in a minute (been doing a lot of one shade of taupe on my lids with mascara, NARS Orgasm lip balm, and nothing on my skin). Needless to say, I felt like I was wearing everything and the kitchen sink.

But it was fun, and in the process I found some new things to love.

urban decay elements palette k looking down — When you feel overdone but then you just go with it…

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

September 21st, 2018 by Karen 38 Comments

sally hansen color therapy fall 2018 — New shades of Sally Hansen Color Therapy polish from the left! — Falling Deep, Bronze Reflection, Dusty Plum, Pink and Harmony, Cashmere Calm ($7.99 each)

1. These gorgeous nude Sally Hansen Color Therapy nail colors

I can’t decide what to wear for the next installment of Desperately Seeking Persistent Polish! Too many choices… I’m leaning toward dark burgundy Falling Deep, since I wore a pastel cream last week. What do you think?

2. MAC Cosmo Lipstick

Busted this out for the first time in months and remembered why I love it so much. This neutral pink with a hint of brown is a lovely everyday lip color, and it looks amazeballs with brown and taupe eyeshadows!

3. Kim’s Convenience

I found the best show on Netflix! In every single episode, there’s at least one moment where I have to hit pause and scream to nobody in particular that “SERIOUSLY, THIS SHOW IS BASICALLY MY LIFE.”

I’m not Korean, and my parents never owned a grocery store (they’re both retired accountants)…and I’ve never lived in Toronto (Bay Area strong!), but the family stuff rings so true growing up Asian with immigrant parents — ESPECIALLY the miscommunication and how the family members express their love for each other. I’ve laughed and cried my way through both of the seasons on Netflix. It’s the most authentic show I’ve ever seen about growing up in an Asian immigrant family, but it’s also just good. Very witty, funny writing IMO.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow

September 13th, 2018 by Karen 7 Comments

mac global glow mineralize skinfinish — This unsung hero is a fall favorite.

Cat ladies, it’s really starting to cool off here, and last night, for the first time in months, I had to turn on the heater before bed.

After a summer that the backs of my knees can attest to being one of the stickiest in recent memory, I can’t even begin to tell you what a relief it is to wear long sleeves and socks again! — and I’m more than a little excited about the prospect of putting on makeup without it completely slipping off my sweaty face. ?

Which brings me to this total gem: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow, a $34 neutral golden tan highlighter. If you want the most delicately divine sheen, look no further.

I wore it yesterday when my parents came over to visit me Connor (Who am I fooling? They’re all about the baby!), and my mom, a self-professed non-makeup person, was like, “Mi hija. I need to have whatever is glowing on your face!”

That’s how much pull Global Glow has, man. It turns a woman who previously thought that highlighters are only those neon markers they sell at Office Depot into a maquillage believer.

Global Glow is one of my all-time favorite highlighters to wear year round, but it’s especially FIYAH ? as the summer winds down and fall kicks in because, if you’re anything like me, this is the time of year when you’re still carrying a little bit of summer color on your face, and Global Glow’s golden tan really complements skin tones from NC20 and up.

mac global glow swatch — Yup, still an NC42

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