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MAC Makeup

Try This Skin-Like Base Combo ASAP: MAC Face and Body Foundation Set With Mineralize Foundation/Loose

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mac face body mineralize skinfinish loose
These two together are pretty epic!

Shout-out to my fellow Bay Area gal pal Kelly (Say hi to her in the comments!) for the 4-1-1 on this awesome base combination. She said it was the BEST combo for skin-like results and said that it had just enough coverage for her to be able to skip concealer.

She. Was. Right! I wholeheartedly agree. I started wearing it last weekend, and I don’t plan to stop.

I’m wearing a mix of Face and Body in C4 and C5 in these pics with a dollop of the new Light Pearl from Mirage Noir. And I set it with Mineralize Foundation/Loose in Medium Dark.

mac face body mineralize skinfinish loose 2
The face of a happy girl who just found her new favorite face base combo… 🙂

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Testing the MAC Mirage Noir Collection Eye Shadow in Sun, Tan and Repeat, and Lipstick in Twig

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mac sun tan repeat eye shadow k 1
Sun, Tan and Repeat!

OK, every time I sit down to do my makeup and say to myself, “Karen, don’t do smoky eyes,” I end up doing smoky eyes, so at this point I’m thinking that I should just tell myself to do smoky eyes and assume that via the power of reverse psychology I’ll do something other than smoky eyes. 🙂 Let’s see if that logic holds. LOL!

Today I used Sun, Tan and Repeat, a duo chrome teal shadow from MAC Mirage Noir,, to see how it performs.

First off, it looks awfully similar to MAC Club, one of my favorite MAC shadows of all time. They’re actually surprisingly similar, so you may not need this one if you have already Club. They’re essentially dupes to my eye… Practically. They’re dupe-esque. Or dupe-like. I think you have to look really closely to see the differences between them, or be like a total eagle-eyed color hound.

Sun, Tan Repeat pops a bit more on lids… It’s a bit brighter and more teal (tealer?) than Club, so it seems a tad more cheerful than Club, which has those deeper charcoal tones… Club is moodier.

Sun, Tan and Repeat is also shinier than Club, so if you always end up applying Club with a wet brush to amplify the shimmer, then ST&R could be a worthy addition.

Here’s it in action…

Something else I’m noticing: I prefer ST&R’s texture. It’s MUCH softer and creamier than Club.

ST&R, by the way, looks really beautiful if you line your lash lines with a deep, dark forest green or a blackened green liner. You could do an iridescent liner, but I prefer a matte finish because I like the contrast of the matte against the shimmer, so you get that extra interesting element. I’m wearing it today with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Invasion on my lash line and water lines (although I’m not sure if I’ll be using this particular shade on my water lines again because my left eye is all watery now… I think I’m destined for a life of only wearing certain MAC liners and Chanel Stylo Yeuxs on my water line).

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MAC Mirage Noir Collection Extra Dimension Bronzing Powder in Delphic and Face and Body Foundation in Light Pearl

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Mission “Ketchup Run to Target” was a smashing success this afternoon, and Delphic Bronzer from MAC Mirage Noir looks just as swoon-worthy as it looked when I put it on a few hours ago. Also, just as swoon-worthy as it looked the first time I saw it back in — HOLY CRAP! — the MAC Alluring Aquatic collection in 2014.

Has it really been that long??

Incidentally, I think this is the best bronzer MAC has ever done. Yes, even better than Give Me Sun MSF. Seriously, it’s that creamy, dreamy, buttery, silky Extra Dimension formula, man. It’s amazeballs. It’s like applying pure color to your skin without a trace of powdery residue.

I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it. I’ve been rationing my one from Alluring Aquatic (yes, I don’t care how old it is) for years… Glad I don’t have to do that anymore.

That’s also MAC Eye Shadow in Sun Speck on my lids, which ended up being frostier than I expected, and MAC Face & Body Foundation in Light Pearl, which I mixed with Face & Body C4 and C5… I wouldn’t wear Light Pearl all by itself, except for maybe on my arms and legs, because it’s pearly, but I love it mixed with another Face & Body shade.

Oh, and haha! Yes, that’s the Coywolf saying “hello” in the background of the video. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I put pics and swatches of the collection in this post here.

MAC Mirage Noir Collection for Summer 2018: Pics, Swatches and My First Look Using the Products

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mac mirage noir collection
Here’s the look I’m wearing today to test three things from the new MAC Mirage Noir collection — Sun Speck Eye Shadow, Delphic Bronzer and Face and Body Foundation in Light Pearl. More looks coming soon.

Serious question for you: is this “bronzed peach” look too glam for a ketchup run? — because from among the list of “things that go well on BBQ,” I do believe that ketchup is the least fancy of them all. FOR SURE, the fanciest has to be dijon mustard, because — hi — if something can be prefaced with a word en français, it’s officially fancy. 🙂

Speaking of my limited high school French, can anyone out there confirm what Mirage Noir means? Is it “black illusion”?

Pics and swatches coming at’cha…

MAC Mirage Noir: Summer 2018

LE and coming May 17th, 2018, to select MAC locations and the MAC website.

LIPSTICK ($18.50 each)

  • Nothing to Wear: Cool nude (Cremesheen)
  • Twig: Soft, muted brownish pink (Satin)
  • Goodbye Kiss: Cool mid-tone pink (Amplified)
  • Beach Nut: Deep violet (Matte)
  • Noon Noir: Frosty brown (Frost)

LIPGLASS ($17.50 each)

  • Oysterized: Soft white shimmer
  • Strip ‘n’ Dip: Pink bronze with shimmer
  • Soft Shell: Mid-tone brown
  • Midnight Dip: Mid-tone violet shimmer
  • Treasure Beach: Bright fuchsia

EYE SHADOW ($17 each)

  • Dust Off: Soft beige shimmer (Frost)
  • Sun Speck: Light brown shimmer (VLXP)
  • Slow as You Glow: Purple shimmer (Frost)
  • Sun, Tan and Repeat: Forest green with purple sparkle (VLXP)

EXTRA DIMENSION BRONZING POWDER ($34 each)

  • Golden Rinse: Light brick reddish bronze with fine shimmer
  • Delphic: Coppery bronze with gold sparkle

BRONZING POWDER ($27 each)

  • Baiana Bronze: Medium deep-tone neutral matte bronze
  • Matte Bronze: Bare-shouldered bronze

PEARLMATTE FACE POWDER ($34)

  • Mother o’ Pearl: Gold (mid-tone golden brown), Pink (muted peach beige), Berry (red plum), Brown (warm chestnut brown)

M∙A∙C STUDIO FACE AND BODY FOUNDATION ($30 each)

  • Light Pearl: Light with added bronze pearl
  • Medium Deep Pearl: Medium deep with added bronze pearl

BRUSH ($42)

  • 140SES Full Fan Brush
mac sun tan repeat
Sun, Tan and Repeat ($17)
mac slow as you go
Slow as You Go ($17)
mac sun speck
Sun Speck ($17)
mac dust off
Dust Off ($17)
mac mother o pearl
Pearlmatte Face Powder in Mother o’ Pearl ($34)
mac mirage noir lipstick
Lipsticks in Nothing to Wear, Twig, Goodbye Kiss, Noon Noir and Beach Nut ($18.50 each)
mac mirage noir lipglass
Lipglasses in Oysterized, Strip & Dip, Soft Shell, Treasure Beach and Midnight Dip ($17.50 each)
mac face body light pearl medium deep pearl
Studio Face and Body Foundation in Light Pearl and Medium Deep Pearl ($30 each)

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice

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mac burnt spice
Why do I keep smiling like a coy piano teacher? I do not know.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Burnt Spice… That name always cracks me up. I picture the (hopefully it didn’t actually happen, and if it did, I’m sorry) rejected member of the Spice Girls who got cut at the last minute and therefore did not experience worldwide fame and fortune. She still holds a grudge against Baby, Sporty, Scary, Posh and Ginger…

LOL.

Matte rosy brown Burnt Spice MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour adds just enough color to my face without overwhelming whatever else is going on, and it superbly complements smoky and winged eye looks IMO. And bright blush.

It reads as a nude on my NC42 skin #nudelipsforlife #nudelipsforever and may look more lusciously brown and dramatic if you’re a lighter lass.

mac burnt spice swatch
MAC Burnt Spice

MAC’s liquid lipsticks are some of my favorites out there because they don’t make my lips peel or crack. I thought I was the only person who was all about them for that reason, but nope! I was texting with my friend Jen, who’s really not even a hardcore makeup person like you and I are, a few weeks ago, and she said that she loves Topped With Brandy. The Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours are the only liquid lipstick formula that doesn’t dry out her lips, and I was like, “Me, too!” And when a liquid lipstick formula can ignite zeh passion in someone who’s only marginally interested in makeup, you know it’s good.

That was my long-winded way of saying it isn’t drying. ?

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Spring Sparkle With Gleaming, Glowing Skin for a Trip to Old Navy

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mac show gold spring sparkle tutorial
There isn’t a rule that says you can’t shimmer and go to Old Navy in the middle of the week, and MAC Show Gold is perfect for that.

“Because Old Navy” is as good a reason as any to sport sparkly skin on a typical spring Tuesday. Or Wednesday. ?

I mean, I really just want to get out of my pajamas before noon and feel cute again on the regular, truth be told. If there’s a maximum number of days a person should spend in sleepwear per year, I’ve definitely exceeded that limit!

Like the subtle spring sparkle look I did for last weekend’s luncheon, this one also took about 10 minutes. The spring sparkle comes courtesy of glossy coral lips, khaki lids and lash lines with subtle shimmer, and glowing skin.

mac tangerine tropica spring sparkle

All of the primary face products I used — the tint, powder, bronzer, highlighter and even the setting spray — have subtle shimmer and create a dewy, glowing look that’s perfect for a sunny spring day.

spring sparkle 2 car
Ubiquitous car selfie!

I hadn’t been to Old Navy in a while, and guuurl, sometimes when I go in there the store looks like the ninth wrinkled polyester circle of hell, but yesterday, not so much.

Ugh, SO MUCH CUTENESS! They’ve got this retro tropical vibe happening, and it speaks to my soul. Hibiscus, parrots, palm trees left and right. Good thing I had Connor with me and she was getting antsy for lunch because I would’ve been tempted to stay a lot longer and try everything on.

me and coco old navy

old navy tropical leggings
If these leggings had side pockets for a phone, I’d be all over them. SO CUTE!
old navy tropical print romper
Love this print!
old navy tropical print shorts
It comes in shorts, too.

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Subtle Spring Sparkle When You Don’t Want to “Go Big” With Glitter

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mac oh so gilty dazzleshadow
MAC Oh So Gilty Dazzleshadow

Am I in my 40s? Yes. Do I still love wearing glitter? Yes… Is there a way to reconcile both of these things without 1) trying too hard or 2) looking like I’m trying too hard?

Let’s find out, haha! 🙂

Last weekend I went to a Sunday lunch at a fancy brunch place in town with the new members of the moms group I belong to, and I was really excited to go because when do I ever dress up anymore and enjoy a meal that doesn’t involve me getting food on myself as I feed or pet a little animal?

Answer: hardly ever.

I wanted to do something that felt a little glamorous and special, but, you know, for lunch, so I still wanted it to be somewhat reserved.

This look took 10 minutes, and I can confirm that it only took 10 minutes because that’s exactly how much time I had to put on makeup before I had to leave the house.

I’m finding it so hard to connect with new people in real life as I get older, but I’m really trying to put myself out there.
new member luncheon
The veggie frittata was pretty good.

Of course, the original plan was to take my time and enjoy the process, leisurely get ready (that’s half the fun of going out, right?), but as usual, even though I woke up super early and had a detailed checklist, everything came down to the wire.

I had to be out of the house by 11:15. At 10:45, I still hadn’t gotten dressed (which is another story, oy!) or done my makeup and hair.

view fromm hilltop
The view from Hilltop 1892 in Novato (I also went there for Easter brunch one year and for my birthday one year.)
new member lunch moms
You don’t even know how excited I was to talk to other adults in person.

So, yes, this look DOES come together really quickly, in case you were thinking, “Eh, I don’t have time for that!”

For the subtle shimmer, I used two of my current faves from the MAC Dazzleshadow line, which I patted on my lids with a finger. A few flecks fell onto my cheeks, but overall the fallout with these shadows is so minimal, and I usually just incorporate it into the look. 🙂

mac oh so gilty dazzle styel
I like how you can only see the glitter when I blink or look down.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Foundation/Loose

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mac mineralize foundation loose medium dark before after
Seriously, what a difference 10-minute makeup can make!

This powder is So. Dang. Good.

I don’t think it’s as overall epic as MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, because that’s just… Well, it ticks off all the boxes, and I’m not gonna go there again because I know I talk about it all the time, so I won’t put you through that again. 🙂 But Mineralize Foundation/Loose provides more coverage than MAC Next to Nothing and MAC Blot, but less than MAC Studio Fix Loose. Basically, it has the same magical “your skin but better” mana that Mineralize Skinfinish Natural has, but with a tad more coverage.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

mac mineralize foundation loose
—–> Fantastic for when you need a quick base

Never cake-y, never heavy, never overly shiny or overly matte, it’s phenomenal at controlling oil (although, if you have an oil slick situation, by mid-morning you’ll probably do better if you use something like MAC Blot instead). The main difference between Mineralize Foundation/Loose and MSF Natural is the level of coverage, as the loose version is straight-up medium coverage, and the pressed version is sheerer, but still build-able up to medium.

Technically, it’s a foundation, and you can wear it by itself, which is really handy for quick makeup looks, but I also think it looks lovely on top of a sheer tint or a BB or CC cream.

I would love Mineralize Foundation/Loose even more if it wasn’t only available in seven bizarrely staggered shades. It’s just so wonky… MSF Natural comes in 17 shades, so what’s the deal with only seven shades of Mineralize Foundation/Loose? And the steps between the the shades make absolutely no sense to me. I’m a MAC NC42 and wear Medium Deep, but the next darker shade, Medium Dark, is like three shades darker than that and super orange.

I don’t get it, but I hope you find a match, because if you do, I think you’ll fall in love.

mac mineralize foundation loose medium dark
Wearing the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyehadow Palette, MAC Coffee liner, MAC Gingerly blush, MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice, and MAC Dazzleglass in Tangerine Tropica

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