MAC Makeup

Ask MBB: Makeup Tools of the Trade for Natural-Looking Contouring and Definition

March 18th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

I usually like to wear a little MAC Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinfinish or Guerlain Terra Nerolia Bronzer — just to add some warmth to my skin after applying foundation — and to get a very soft, natural contour.

Here’s what I typically do to contour in this video at the 10:21 mark…

I like that way just fine, but lately I’ve been wanting to try something different — a more defined, contoured look that’s a bit more sculpted, but not scary.

In this episode of Ask MBB, MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin weighs in with a few products and tools to get a sculpted, contoured effect that still looks natural.

Products mentioned…

Eek, I am all over that angled brush! It’s at the top of my mile-long MAC wish list.
[Continue reading…]

Ask MBB: How Do I Stop My Liquid Liner From Creasing?

March 17th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

When it comes to liquid liner, to quote the great Mary J. Blige, “No more drama.”

I don’t want any crazy business when I’m tending to my lash lines, and I wager you don’t either.

In today’s installment of Ask MBB, MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin, all around cool guy and the dude you wish was your BFF, has the cure for liquid liner madness — also known as creasing.

Products mentioned…

May your liquid liner always be like my tubby tabby’s fangs — razor sharp and feline fierce.

Meow ya later.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Got a question for Ask MBB? Let your fingers do the talking in the comments down below. 🙂

Because Weekends Are for Hot Pink Lips (and Lip Combos), There’s MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Good Taste

March 14th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

MAC Pro Longwear LIip Pencil in Shock Value, MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Good Taste and Pro Longwear Lipgass in Full Spead Ahead — What’s the quickest way out of a nude lip rut?

The first step to breaking out of a nude lip rut is admitting that you’re in a nude lip rut.

(Note to self: I am in a nude lip rut.)

When all 15 (!) of the lipsticks and glosses in your purse are various shades of nude beige, light peach and pink…you are in a nude lip rut.

I figured the quickest way to break free (“break free, break from the chains!” Shout-out to Wilson Phillips!) was a bright, bold lip — something upbeat. And pink.

Because Fridays were made for pink.

MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Shock Value, MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Good Taste and Pro Longwear Lipglass in Full Speed Ahead

After rutting around in my makeup stash, I came up with this — a bright, shiny pink lip, and it’s all MAC’d out. The star attraction is the new MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Good Taste.

First, I lined my lips with bright pink MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Shock Value, then used a lip brush to fill them in with Good Taste, before topping it off with a layer of bright magenta MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass in Full Speed Ahead.

[Continue reading…]

An Easy Way To Take Your Winged Liner Looks From Day to Night

March 14th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

MAC Pure Show and NARS Black Valley — Wearing MAC Pure Show Superslick Liquid Eye Liner and NARS Black Valley Eye Paint on my upper lash lines (and trying to look “artsy-fartsy”)

I’m all about the winged liner life…

Ya feel me?

Winged liner, also known as cat liner, is one of my favorite makeup looks (especially in a classic black).

You can wear it pretty much anywhere. Pair it with nude lips to proactively synergize your ROI at work (LOL!), or raise the roof with a bright lip and cheek for a night on the town. The possibilities are endless.

I don’t know if I could ever truly get tired of black winged/cat liner, but I don’t always do it the same way. Sometimes I like to try something a little different, like by incorporating a liner in a different color. I’ll run it along my upper lash line parallel to the liner, like I’m doing with the gold in these pics.

[Continue reading…]

Ask MBB: How To Get Bold, Full Brows That Still Look Natural

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

In tonight’s very special episode of Ask MBB, the housemates face a crisis of epic proportions…

Wait — wrong intro! Sorry, too much Bravo. 🙂

In this installment, MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin goes buck wild for brows — a subject I could seriously discuss for days.

FOR DAYS!

Productions mentioned…

If you’ve ever wanted bold, lush, full brows that still look natural, press play.

Thank you for watching, my friend. I know I don’t say this enough, but I love you. I love you, and I hope you’re having a good night.

Sorry, feeling a little sappy right now. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Got any burning makeup questions for Ask MBB? Leave them for me in a comment down below.

P.P.S. In other news, new cat sighting in my neighborhood. I spotted him on my walk the other day…

Wouldn’t ya know it? The one time I don’t have cat treats in my pocket, a new cat crosses my path. It’s so unfair. #catladyproblems

I’ve named him Lucky, and while he doesn’t know it yet, he is going to be my new kitty BFF. 🙂

The New MAC Mineralize Glasses: When It Comes to Moisture, These Glasses Are More Than Half Full

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

MAC Mineralize Glass in Modern Romance — Wearing MAC’s new Mineralize Glass in Modern Romance ($22), one of 12 shades available now

This one’s totally for the gals on Team Cremesheen (of which I’m one!). The new MAC Mineralize Glass lipglosses are the bombdizzle (did I really just say that?), especially if you appreciate the super smooth texture of the Cremesheens and love hella hydrating glosses.

MBB FUN FACT: I always bring a tube of Deelight Cremesheen Glass with me whenever I travel by plane 1) because I lurve it and 2) because of how dry my lips get, but I may have to cheat on Deelight a little with one of these new Mineralize Glasses… They’re just SO moisturizing — maybe even a little more than the Cremesheens — and have a similarly silky smooth, non-sticky texture.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Cheerful, a mid-toned coral with a creamy finish

Could the secret to their hydrating handiness be hiding among the 77 moisturizing minerals (of which I can’t find a list) packed into each tube? Perhaps! I do have to say that my perpetually parched pout feels smoother, softer and quenched when I wear them.

The texture, while similar to the Cremesheens, feels a touch thicker to me. When I apply a Cremesheen Glass and rub my lips together, the formula feels very thin and almost watery, whereas the feel of these Mineralize Glasses reminds me of a MAC Plushglass…except without the bee sting.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Tender, a light cool pink with a creamy finish

They come in 12 shades, grouped into Frost and Cream finishes, and I’m kinda hot for the Frosts…

Hot for the Frosts? LOL!

The Frosts! You know how some frosty glosses can settle into lip lines and look funky? These don’t do that. Both the Frosts and the Creams apply smoothly and evenly, and they don’t pool into different areas of my lips or look patchy.

I think MAC did a bang-up job with these finishes.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Got Style, a mod-toned cool mauve with a frosty finish

[Continue reading…]

A Tour and (Reverse Eyeliner) Makeover at the New Flagship MAC Pro Store at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco

March 10th, 2014 by Karen 47 Comments

OK, fellow MAC zealots, are you ready for a treat?

In this extended play (read: 33-minute-long!) makeup tutorial, MAC Senior Artist for North America Victor Cembellin works his magic on me with a “reverse” eyeliner look at the new flagship MAC Pro Store at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco (phone: 415-402-0658), which just opened its doors late last week.

The video is much longer than my usual 10-minute vids, but it’s jam-packed with Victor’s insider pro tips. I just can’t get over how much useful information he covers!

It’s neat seeing a real makeup master’s technique. Seriously, I could watch this man do circles in the outer corner for days!

The makeover was also a little historic in that it was the first makeover at the new store, and I’m kindasortathrilled to play a tiny part in MAC history. 🙂

The new flagship store is DOPE! Not only do they have everything in both the MAC and MAC Pro lines, but there’s also 45 of the Bay Area’s best makeup artists on staff.

There are stations in the center of the store for makeovers, and for even more personal attention, there’s a private suite in the back for more in-depth makeup training.

Sh*t is crazy! — but in the best possible way. I actually came this close to driving back into the city the next day to play some more, LOL!

The new store is located at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco’s Union Square right next to the cable car turnaround…

I can’t wait to go back!

Products mentioned in the video…

What you see when you first walk into the store — that middle section is where the artists do makeovers, and there’s also a lash bar, and a private makeup room in the back for personalized lessons.

[Continue reading…]

MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush

March 10th, 2014 by Karen 38 Comments

I love the way I feel with MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush on my cheeks…

I feel good, and by “good” I mean that feeling you get on a sunny day when you’re out walking in just jeans and a t-shirt, or “good,” like when you and a friend share dessert someplace on a lazy afternoon, and you both know each other so well that neither of you really feels the need to talk just to fill the space.

Comforting, natural and effortless. That’s how I feel with Warm Soul on my cheeks. It’s as if it was always meant to be there — like it was just waiting for me to find it, and when I did, the puzzle pieces fit.

Is it weird to feel this kind of connection with a golden beige powder blush?

If it is, I can’t say I care. 🙂

Warm Soul is the blush I’ve been waiting for — the one that works with errrrthing, that doesn’t get in the way of whatever eye or lip makeup I happen to be wearing, and yet has enough to stand on its own two legs when all I want to do that day is lightly fill in my brows, curl my lashes and apply a little concealer and gloss.

MAC Warm Soul Swatch on NC42 skin — Warm Soul on my NC42 skin

That’s how I wore it yesterday when El Hub and I made a last-minute Target run before The Walking Dead (which I thought was awesome, BTW).

I had less than five minutes to get ready. Only enough time for minimal makeup (“Brows, lashes, lips,” to quote Jeremy Renner) and to sweep Warm Soul on my cheeks.

Gotta love not having to do any elaborate blending or having to deal with any patchiness. Just a few swipes on each cheek, and it’s all good.

[Continue reading…]