MAC Makeup

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

December 18th, 2014 by Karen 34 Comments

Creamy, pale lavender MAC Modern Movement. Two coats.

It’s quite a break from the dark, moody colors I started this season wearing, but who le cares, right? 🙂

It’s from the new MAC Lightness of Being collection, which is filled with pastel shades and shimmery Mineralize Skinfinishes.

Kind of uncharacteristic for winter, but maybe that’s why I like it.

That name — Modern Movement — makes me think of the dance classes I used to take.

Not modern dance, but hip-hop. There was a place I went to down in Mill Valley a couple times a week, and I miss it terribly.

I actually did also try taking a few modern dance classes, but my mind and body had a hard time processing the concept of flexed feet, LOL!

Anyways! Modern Movement is one of two Studio Nail Lacquers in the 29-piece Lightness of Being collection arriving online December 23, 2014, and coming to stores and counters December 26 (through February 6, 2015).

Hakuna frittata!

Have you ever made frittata? They’re SO GOOD!

They’re kind of like a crustless quiche that you can fill with whatever you have/want — vegetables, cheese, etc.

(NOTE: Great way to feed a lot of people and/or use up extra veggies in your fridge.)

I was craving one last night, so I riffed on the recipe in this how-to article on thekitchn.com.

It looks like it would be hard, but it’s not at all. I only used a single pan, and with frittatas, you can totally tweak them along the way.

Yeah, frittatas are the sh*t. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Correction, Colors, and Blemishes, Be Gone! The New MAC Studio Conceal & Correct Collection Is Coming Soon to the Permanent Line

December 15th, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

The new MAC Studio Conceal & Correct Collection, coming to the permanent line on maccosmetics.com December 23, and in-stores and counters December 26 — The new MAC Studio Conceal & Correct collection, coming to the permanent line. Available online starting December 23, in-stores and counters December 26.

Under-eye concealing: it takes a village.

Honestly, though, it feels that way sometimes, with all the layering, blending, patting and tiny-little-circle-making going on beneath my lower lash lines, which I must do to disguise the fact that I roll out of bed every morning resembling Uncle Fester.

MAC is trying to make it easier with the snazzy new concealing tools in their Studio Conceal & Correct collection.

There are three new products available in multiple colors.

Studio Finish Concealer Duos ($25 each)
Studio Finish Conceal and Correct Duos ($30 each)
Chromagraphic Pencils ($16 each)

I’ve mostly been using them to keep my under-eye circles on the down-low, but they also offer enough coverage to disguise birthmarks, blemishes, moles and even tattoos.

Oh, and since all of them are bound for the MAC permanent line, whenever you do eventually get that picture of your chubby tabby cat tattooed on your shoulder, even if it’s a year down the road, you’ll be able to easily hide it from your husband.

I’m just sayin’. 🙂

The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos ($25 each)

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left: NW10/NC20, NW20/NC25 and NW30/NC35 — The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left in NW10/NC20, NW20/NC25 and NW30/NC35

Individually, these concealers have been available for years, but I’m glad to see them here as duos in convenient complementary colors.

With these, a little really does go a long way, and I get the best results when I buff the crap outta them with a 217, then pat the edges down with a clean finger, before setting them with a little loose powder.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left: NW30/NC35, NW40/NC45 and NW45/NC50 — The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left in NW30/NC35, NW40/NC45 and NW45/NC50

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Red Lids and Lips on a Tuesday Afternoon: A MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Face of the Day

December 9th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments

MAC Red Red Red collection on my lids and lips — Wearing the new MAC Red, Red, Red Collection on my lids and lips

Holy kitty cats, Batman! That’s a lot of red.

I suppose I could’ve toned it down, but after vexing over the pan of matte red eyeshadow in the new MAC Red, Red, Red Collection (complete with furrowed brows) and trying to think of a way to make it seem less…terrifying? All I could come up with is “YOLO!”

So I went for it.

I’m wearing three things from the collection today, which, by the way, is available now online (got some swatches right here) — Strike While Haute (the matte red eyeshadow), 5-Alarm Fire (the soft orangey red lipstick) and Night is Young (the bright red creamy gloss).

MAC Matte Eye Shadow in Strike While Haute ($16)

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Is That a Griffin Gracing the MAC BollyDoll Collection?

December 9th, 2014 by Karen 37 Comments

Because if it is, “OH, HELL YEAH!!” Paws up for mythical creatures, yo. 🙂

Bright colors, bad@ss mythical beasts and playful prints are the perfect pick-me-ups on cloudy days like today, and the MAC BollyDoll makeup bag (and brush kit) collection is almost as potently positive as coffee.

From the top: MAC BollyDoll Brush Kit ($49.50 US, $59.50 CDN), Makeup Bag in BollyDoll/Blue ($36 US, $43.50 CDN) and Makeup Bag in BollyDoll/Pink ($36 US, $43.50 CDN) — Love those prints!

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A MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Cardinal Concoction of Cosmetological Creativity (aka Face of the Day)

December 5th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

Like the hulking, crazy-eyed dog next door that barks and pulls at its leash when it crosses your path, or the mean girl bully in second grade who corners you in the girl’s bathroom at recess, red eyeshadow can sense your fear…

Today I fully intended to put MAC’s Strike While Haute matte red eyeshadow from the Red Red Red collection to good use, but then I chickened out…

It’s just so dang red, homie!

Eventually, I think I’ll be able to psych myself up to try it. I just need a couple more days to build up the courage. I keep hearing that it can look amazing on lids when done right…

Of course, it’s that last part — “when done right” — that has me a little nervous, LOL!

Instead, for my makeup today, I ended up using some other pieces from MAC’s new crimson collection — pearlescent pink champagne Lustre Eye Shadow in Give Me Fire (watch out for the fallout with this one ’cause it’s kinda fluffy) and reddish copper Red Alert (beautifully pigmented and looks great with warmer browns like MAC Texture). Then, I added a flashy pair of falsies with longer lashes at the outer corners for extra lift. Eyelure’s No. 121s.

For cheeks and lips, I went with soft pink tones — soft rose Casual Color in Red Obsessed, which I stippled on the apples of my cheeks with a skunk brush, and grapefruit pink Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer, topped with Cremesheen Glass in Meteoric. Both are also from the Red Red Red collection, which is available now in-stores and online (through January 15).

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What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

December 5th, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Nail Lacquers — The new MAC Red, Red, Red collection Nail Lacquers ($10 each)

I’m undecided at the moment…but I think I’ve narrowed it down to one of the three shades in the new MAC Red, Red, Red collection (available now at Nordstrom for $10 each).

Down below on my nails that’s Rouge Combustion (#1 – the sparkly pinkish red); Red, Red, Red (#2 – the creamy orangey red); and Impassioned (#3 – the warm bright pink).

What do you think?

MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Nail Lacquer Swatches from the left: 1) Rouge Combustion; 2) Red, Red, Red; 3) Impassioned — My “trying to decide what to wear” swatches from my pointer finger down: 1) Rouge Combustion; 2) Red, Red, Red; and 3) Impassioned

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MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Nail Lacquers in Rouge Combustion; Red, Red, Red; and Impassioned — MAC Red, Red, Red Collection Nail Lacquers from my pointer finger down in Rouge Combustion; Red, Red, Red; and Impassioned

How ’bout you, babe? What are you wearing on your nails on this (most likely) cold and wintry morning?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!!!

The Curvy, Creamy, Dreamy MAC Ultimate Lipsticks

December 3rd, 2014 by Karen 39 Comments

What’s gray, curvy and totally luxurious?

Um…good guess! But not quite. 🙂

Yeah, the new MAC Ultimate Lipsticks ($23) and Tabs definitely have a few things in common; both are gorgeous, and curvaceous, and look like they were sculpted by Michelangelo.

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A Pair of Kinky Boots That Should Fit Most Everyone: The MAC Kinky Boots Collection

November 27th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

MAC Kinky Boots Lipstick and Lipglass — Wearing both the Kinky Boots Lipstick and Lipglass

We interrupt your Thanksgiving food coma to bring you this important shoe-related announcement…

One does not need to own a pair of kinky boots to appreciate the MAC Kinky Boots collection.

But please don’t let that stop you from shoe shopping. 🙂

Kick up your heels and dance to the tune of this limited edition lipstick and gloss, which were inspired by Kinky Boots, the Broadway musical (fun fact: MAC Viva Glam alumna Cyndi Lauper wrote the music and lyrics for the show!).

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MAC Makeup

Hakuna frittata!

The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos ($25 each)

What should I wear on mah nails?