Unsung Heroes

MAC Unsung Heroes: Russian Red Lipglass

April 20th, 2011 by Karen 61 Comments

mac russian red lipglass

Heads turn so fast when MAC Russian Red Lipstick ($14.50) enters a room that some of them get whiplash.

The blue-based red, long a favorite of MAC fans (like moi!), lives in the permanent line, but she also guest stars from time to time in limited edition releases like the MAC Wonder Woman Collection as a repromote shade.

I’ve loved the color for years, but I didn’t always know she had a sister, super shiny, highly pigmented MAC Russian Red Lipglass ($14.50).

If any product deserves a share of the MAC Unsung Heroes spotlight, it’s Russian Red Lipglass — one of my go-to colors to pair with cat eyes.

Just how red is it? Well, do you remember how red your cheeks got that time in gym class with the sit-ups (PROOOT!)? Yup, it’s even redder than that. 🙂

mac russian red lipglass

mac russian red lipglass wand
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MAC Unsung Heroes: Syrup Lipstick

April 15th, 2011 by Karen 33 Comments

Sweet! Every time I wear syrup, strangers stop to ask me what it is. Wait — that didn’t come out right. No, not corn syrup or maple syrup, although those are also great. I’m referring to pretty pink MAC Syrup ($14.50), a permanent member of the MAC Lustre Lipstick line.

Described as a cloudy pink on the MAC website, this hydrating, cool-toned lippie hides a hint of purple behind its shiny finish. I dig the way it looks, but my lips love the way it feels — not too thick nor thin. And it’s a great value, too, thanks to its versatility. It looks great with everything from dramatic smokey eyes to conservative everyday looks.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Blushbaby Blush

April 14th, 2011 by Karen 37 Comments

mac blushbaby

Like many romances, this one starts with a dramatic hook: “It was a dark and stormy night…”

Okay, well, it could have been a humid afternoon, but that just doesn’t sound as good. 🙂

One fateful night about 10 years ago I stopped by a MAC counter to get a new tube of MAC Spite. One of the artists there suggested I pick up something else to go along with it, a sheer beige and pink powder blush called Blushbaby ($19.50).

Was she kidding?, I wondered, crinkling my brow. This? It didn’t look like much in the pan, just a basic pinkish beige powder, but the artist whipped out her brush, spoke some magic words (not really), and that was that. One look in the mirror and I said, “Sold!”

Before Blushbaby, I never really thought much of blush. I used to think it made me look like a tiny brown clown, but Blushbaby changed all that. Now, I’m unabashedly pro-blush — a blush ho, if you will (LOL!).

Blushbaby has MAC’s Sheertone finish, and consequently it’s super sheer. The Sheertones produce a very classic, natural-looking cheek flush. The look is gentle and soft, but the pigments can still be built up to pack a little more punch.

I think this particular Sheertone looks fantastic on a wide range of skin tones and makes a great everyday shade. I’ve seen it worn by both lighter lovelies and divas darker than me, and it has always looked good.

Swatch of Blushbaby built up using several layers

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Vex Eyeshadow

April 13th, 2011 by Karen 37 Comments

mac vex

Wow. I just realized that my love affair with MAC Vex Eyeshadow ($14.50) has spanned almost 10 years… And you know what? I love it as much today as I did the first day we met — the first time I swiped this duo-chrome powder shadow on the back of my hand.

Vex can be vexing hiding in its pan like a boring blah gray, but it comes to life when it touches skin, gracing it with a really pretty glow. A beige with greenish pink pearl and a frosty finish, it flashes pink from some angles and green from others — almost like crushed pearls under a bright light. I think of it as the MAC Strobe Cream of the eyeshadow world.

When I first got Vex(ed), it was to wear it with smokey eyes, and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve used it for that (usually with MAC Soft Brown, Print and Brule).

But smokey eyes aren’t the only ways I’ve worn Vex. I also love it dressed down…

Clean, classic cat eye: When I want to do a clean, classic cat eye with a little twist, I’ll apply Vex from the lash line to just below the brown bone, pop a matte brown shadow into the crease for definition (a few to try: Soft Brown, Saddle and Folie) and then line my upper lash line with MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.
Glowy eyes: When I’m short on shuteye and lookin’ beat, I pat Vex on the lid and into the crease with either a MAC 217 (or my fingers if I’m in hurry), curl my lashes and add a few coats of mascara. It’s quick, easy, and I swear it’s looks like getting an extra three hours of sleep.
Glowy Eyes 2.0: After applying MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush to my lids, I apply Vex to the inner corners of my eyes with a MAC 219 Pencil Brush. A quick lash curl and a few coats of mascara later, I’m glowing. 🙂

mac vex

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Strobe Cream

March 19th, 2011 by Karen 35 Comments

MAC Strobe Cream

Since I’ve been wearing MAC Strobe Cream ($29.50) practically every day since November, I figured it was high time I gave this bad boy some official Unsung Heroes . I’ve actually gotten to the point where I can’t leave home without it!

Strobe, a permanent member of Team MAC, resides under the Moisturizers section of MAC’s skin care line, where I’m sure it illuminates the place because that’s what it does. Worn alone or beneath foundation, it adds a very subtle brighting sheen to the skin — an opalescent glow, subtle, and more like pearls bathed in candlelight than sequins caught in the spotlight.

While I do find it to be moisturizing, by itself, it’s not quite moisturizing enough for my combination dry/oily skin, so I apply it on top of a helper product like Clarins Hydraquench. If you have normal to oily skin, however, you should be just fine without a helper.

Oh, and if Strobe feels too heavy for you, MAC also has a lighter version called Strobe Liquid, also $29.50.

MAC Strobe Cream back

MAC Strobe Cream
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MAC Unsung Heroes: Subculture Lip Pencil

February 22nd, 2011 by Karen 61 Comments

mac subculture

Colleges could teach courses in ways to pair MAC Subculture Lip Pencil ($13). Seriously, I wear this warm rosy nude with practically everything. EVERY. FRICKIN’. THING. I use it so much that I’ve gone through about four sticks of it over the past few years. It’s a regular Ms. Versatility, boo, and if you two haven’t met, it’s high time ya did.

Many gals, myself included, feel that Subculture’s color matches the natural color of their lips perfectly, which, I know, seems counterintuitive. I mean, why buy a lip pencil in the same shade as your lips?

Well, for the definition, doll. 🙂 I use this creamy, long-wearing, non-feathering pencil to define my pucker with crisp edges when I wear lipsticks and/or gloss, and I also think my lips look smoother and plumper with it on.

mac subculture ps2
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MAC Unsung Heroes: The Marvelous Multitasking MAC 217 Blending Brush

November 15th, 2010 by Karen 45 Comments

I was having coffee with my makeup artist friend, Melissa, last week, and in between bites of pumpkin pie we got into brushes. She brought up the marvelous multitasking MAC 217 Blending Brush ($22.50), one of my go-to faves.

With a goat hair fiber brush head, it applies and blends powder and cream products with much aplomb. I use it for everything from powder and cream shadows, to loose pigments, to under-eye concealer.

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MAC Blot Powder/Pressed: A Plot Against Oil and Shine!

September 29th, 2010 by Karen 82 Comments

What’s up, friend? This post is getting to you kinda late, I know, and I’m sorry. Long story short, but my flight was delayed out of Milan yesterday. Consequently, I almost missed the connecting flight out of Germany to get back home (NOTE: If you’re the person I steamrolled in the international terminal of the Frankfurt airport yesterday…my bad!).

I managed to make the flight (YEA!), but my luggage didn’t (BOO!). And, of course, it contained all of the makeup I was hoping to dish about today — stuff from Dolce & Gabbana Holiday, Kiko, Madina and a brand called Fred Farrugia.

Thankfully, the airline emailed to say they found the bag and put it on the first ~~train~~ plane home.

Oh, I have some important news to share! But you have to promise to keep it quiet because I haven’t told El Hub (pinky swear). You see, while I was on the road last weekend, I rekindled an old flame.

Yup, MAC Blot Powder/Pressed ($22) and I have been seeing each other off and on for the past six years (he absorbs the oil on my face in ways that El Hub just can’t!), but this trip convinced me to take our relationship to the next level.

Blot was the only powder I took with me, and it’s official: I’m (still) in love.

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