The most underrated MAC lipstick.. ever?

I have got to the stage of my makeup collection obsession where I think I have covered all bases, lipstick wise. I have my safe everyday (MAC Angel), night-out showstopper (MAC Candy Yum Yum) and lipstick that I'm bloody terrified of (MAC Saint Germain). So, instead of planning what lipstick I would buy next, me and my friend decided that we'd just go into MAC and start picking up random lipsticks that caught our eye. That is how I found myself this little beauty...

Her name is Creme De La Femme, and she is the new love of my life.

I was attracted to the lilacy-pink shimmeryness instantly. It is a frost, which other than Angel I own none of. My one gripe with this lipstick? When it is wearing off it does leave a little bit of glitteryness in the middle of your lips, however I think for such a unique colour and pretty finish it is a small price to pay. 

The strangest thing about all of this? I have NEVER heard of this lipstick before! It's permanent and all, so it's readily available- I've just never ever heard of anyone mention it in the past few years that I have been obsessed with beauty blogs/youtube.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC42 / MAC Select Moisturecover NC42 /  MAC Studio Careblend  'Medium Plus' / NARS Laguna bronzer / NARS Mata Hari blush / Benefit Creaseless Cream Sippin & Dippin / UD NP Half Baked, Virgin, Buck, Naked (brows) / L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara / Collection 2000 Extreme felt tip liner / Benefit Bad Gal Liner / MAC Creme De La Femme lipstick

 Please tell me, have you heard of this lipstick before?

And what do you think of it?

xxxx

btw... I am not going to be so self indulgent to apologise for my lack of blogging lately. Suffice to say September was a rough month for me but it's all over and I am back! Thank you to all 750 of you for sticking around. Mwah to you all xxxx 

Back To Basics

So lately I just haven't been impressed by my skin. Yes I may have an array of stunning blushers, bronzers and highlighters to try out every day, however with my dry(!) skin breaking into an oily T-zone only several hours after I had applied my makeup I just knew that a whole 'base' overhaul was required.

Maybe a month or so ago, the lovely Caroline Hirons (of beautymouth.com and founder of Give and Makeup) was good enough to take a look at my current skincare routine and help me understand where I was going wrong. Some of the noted problems were the lack of a good cleanser and moisturiser, amongst other brands 'La Roche Posay' was one that she recommended. When payday rolled around, off I went to Boots to buy myself a whole new facial routine!

Physiological Cleansing milk, Physiological soothing toner, Nutric moisturiser.

There was a little offer on in Boots at the time in which if you purchased a moisturiser, you got a cleanser for half price. In all the three products cost me about €40, an amount I really don't mind as there's no point in putting good foundation over bad skin, which brings me to my next 'basic'...

I popped into MAC that day too as the Studio Fix Fluid in NW35 that I was matched to in London just wasn't right for me. It was far too dark- unless I had on fully developed fake tan, which I don't always as sometimes it's developing, fading etc. Thankfully the MUA wasn't one of those that I had experienced that gave the old 'you shouldn't be wearing fake tan, it's impossible to match blah' lecture, and she was happy to sit me down and try out several foundations on me.

NC42, NC41

We decided that the NC's looked much better next to my false tan, and she gave me two samples. She was so lovely, especially since she spent at least 20 minutes with me and I didn't make a purchase! 

L-R NC42, NC41, NW35

I am sure you will agree that the NW35 is so not a good match. Today when I swatched these my tan was developing and as you can see the NC41 looks great next to it!

I aim to wear the NC41 and 42 in the next few days to test them out, so I will post a FOTD so you can tell me what you think.

Do you take care of your basics?

xxxx

Project Monthly MAC: April

If you are unfamiliar with this post why not check out last months Project Monthly MAC?

Basically though, once per month I will go to MAC and pick up a few well thought out items then blog about them and ask you all for advice for next months purchases.

Here is what I bought this month...

So, I decided to try MAC eyeshadows for the first time. I have been in my lipstick/gloss/blush comfort zone for too long and I needed to start experimenting more! I decided to get them in pan form and purchase a palette as I am back and forth between home and uni so much, I think the portability will be great. 

 Here are the pretties... I wanted a bronze lid colour and a nice brown crease to start me off. 

Then I picked up a lipstick, I had my eye on this shade for quite a while.

It is the perfect hybrid of Pinky red and coral (honest, I can see it!)

What do you think of this month's purchases?

Expect a FOTD using these soon :o)

NEXT MONTH: I want to buy...

Three eyeshadows that will make a black/grey smokey eye (black, silver/grey, highlight)

A pretty lipgloss (something coral maybe?)

A mid pink everyday blush

Any suggestions? I would love to hear them!

Love H xoxox

EDIT: Forgot to let you know! My 200 follower giveaway is starting tomorrow :o)

Lipstick Lover Review: MAC 'Angel'

This was my very first MAC lipstick, so much research went into the purchase of this. Many people describe this as the MAC lippie that everyone needs to have in their collection. This shade was made famous by Kim Kardashian, let's face it, who doesn't want to look like her!

Colour/Scent? a soft, mid tone pink. The scent is the signature delicious vanilla scent, as with all MAC lip sticks.

Consistency? Smooth in application, yet the colour applies quite thickly leaving a good coating in one swipe.

Longevity? Very good, 2 + hours at least. 

Pigmentation? Amazing! Although this is supposed to be of a frost finish, no metallic/shimmer is evident in this lipstick. 

 Packaging? The usual sleek black MAC bullet.

Price? £13.50 or €17.50

Other shades available? Right now there are 30 'frost' lipsticks available on maccosmetics.com

The verdict... As much as I love this lipstick, I do feel that when I am quite heavily tanned it looks far too pale on me. However days like today when I am 'normal', I think this is such a flattering lipcolour. I love the way Kim Kardashian makes this look much more nude with NARS Turkish Delight gloss. I think she looks fabulous!

Image source

Do any of you own this lipstick? What do you think?

H xxx

Project Monthly MAC: March (Saint Germain LS & Rubenesque PP)

In a world of "Project 10 Pan" and "Gloss Out", I thought I would break the rules and begin my own 'project' that encourages make-up purchases. Enter Project Monthly MAC! 

See, for a long time, I have been too angry towards the audacity of the prices of MAC in the Republic of Ireland, to make many purchases, usually waiting until I go to England to buy in bulk. Let me do a quick rundown of some prices here for you:

Lipstick UK: 13.50, using todays exchange rate on XE.com that should equal €15.58. Instead, we are charged EUR 17.50. Pointless mark up: almost €2

*Even Worse* I paid €19.00 for a Paint Pot that retails for 13.50 in the UK. Pointless mark up: €3.50

Needless to say, I am not impressed. However I wish to expand my collection and this is how I plan to...

Project Monthly MAC: The Rules

Once per month, I will be making a purchase at MAC. I will purchase up to three separate items. This purchase will be well considered and thought out, and I will not be swayed by MUA's trying to get me to purchase more! When the purchase is complete I will blog about it, and ask you lovely ladies what you think my next couple of purchases should be.

March

This month, I really wanted to buy a lipstick in a barbie pink shade. I had done my online research, and I had narrowed it down to Snob, Saint Germain and Viva Glam GaGa. When I swatched them in the shop I figured that Snob was too daytime and GaGa too sheer, so I settled on the very gorgeous Saint Germain.

It is an Amplified, so you know it is going to be super pigmented. A little goes a long way with this little beauty!

Next I really wanted to try a paint pot. I planned on getting Bare Study but when I swatched it in the shop, it was far too pale to show up on my skin. Instead I bought Rubenesque.

 Honestly? I shouldn't have bought this. It is barely visible on my eyelid at all, it would be pointless as an eyeshadow, and can really only be used as a base. Here is a picture of my eye with the product on... Would you think it is just a bare eyelid? I would...

Sorry, bad eyelash day! :o)

However, I understand why I was confused as it looks soo pretty in person; a beautiful peachy gold with pink shimmer, what's not to like!

What the HELL am I supposed to do with this paintpot to make it worth the price?

For Aprils Project Monthly MAC, I am going to buy one (or all) of the following, and I need your help!!

Blusher - I have Fleur Power, so something lighter I think (not as light as Well Dressed though)

Lipstick- Something darker, perhaps Girl About Town. Maybe something more daytime, either. A  rosy pink?

Eyeshadow- Just a nice golden lid colour. :o)

Please leave your recommendations in the comments below (or if you think I should buy something totally different!), this project will only be fun with your input! :o)

H xxx

To add to this insanely long post, I'd just like to let you know about a little Guest Post I have written on Charli's blog 'Secrets Behind the Closet Door'. You can have a nosey here.

The Face & The Nails - Arts Ball 2011

As I have never posted a night-time/formal look, I thought what better occasion than last nights Ball! In my University, each major department (Law, Science, Engineering etc.) have their own formal ball. Basically, an excuse to get dolled up to the nines and have a good time!

The Face

 Rimmel Colour Rush Trio Eyeshadow in Twilight

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara (Black)

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner (100% Black)

Eyelure Girls Aloud Eye Lashes- Cheryl

Of all, I am very impressed with the lashes. For a formal event I would usually pay upwards of €20 for individual false lashes at a salon. However I chose to pick up these from a drugstore for the bargainous price of £5/€7! I am very impressed by the glossiness of these lashes, they were light and comfortable for the night  I love them!

 Sticking to my favourite Barry M products, for lips I used..
Barry M Lip Paint in 153 Pink Ribbon
Barry M Lip Gloss Wand in 5 Bubblegum Pink (Hauled Here)

Other face products used:

No7 Intelligence Balance Mousse Foundation in Tan

MAC powder blush in Fleur Power

MAC Fix +

The Nails

Barry M Nail Paint in Pink Iridescent

 If any of you follow me on Twitter (@hannahbanana661), you will have seen my excitement in finally finding this nail polish shade! It would of course be gorgeous over other colours, but for a more neutral look I just applied this over a clear base coat. This wasn't my greatest idea as you can see the yellow tinged discolouration through the polish (my nails are still recovering from the last set of acrylic falsies :o( ). To get this amount of glitter I have applied around 4 or 5 layers, quite impressed by the formulation, only minimal chipping in 4 days! I'm looking forward to experimenting with different base colours. Any recommendations?

Love as always,
H xxxx

MAC 187: How I Use Mine

The MAC 187 was the very first "expensive" brush I ever bought. It cost £29.50 and I purchased it from Selfridges on a trip to Manchester this summer. Extensive research went into my buying of this brush, as I have bought several make up brushes in the "classic" shape, just like the MAC 190, and have been extremely dissatisfied by it. I found my make-up got clumped in the fibers too quickly both wasting product and requiring constant cleaning. Grrr. :(

I have quite bad skin in that it's all different colours, pink/reddish and yellow-ish in areas,

as well as extremely sensitive. After effectively making my skin oily and spotty for years using Elizabeth Arden compacts, I switched to No.7 (UK brand available in Boots) Mousse foundation in Almond. I highly recommend it as it combines coverage with the foundation without being heavy on the skin. I must point out, though, it is NOTHING like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.. *shudders*

Plus, bargain price also of €15! It can be a little cakey if applied with your fingers but it's perfect with a brush. Enter my beloved 187.

The official MAC blurb is:

"A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments. Use to create soft layers or add textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres."

- www.MacCosmetics.co.uk

The lovely white bristles on the brush do not remain perfectly white for long at all though, regardless of extensive cleaning! :(

Anyway this is how I make maximum use of my 187, for both foundation and blush - in one sitting!

Firstly I apply the foundation to the brush, then apply to my face.

Then, I take my pack of Primark Beauty 4 in 1 Deep Facial Cleanising Wipes

*N.B. I would never use these wipes to remove make-up or on my face in any way. I tried them one weekend when I had no cleanser with me. Major breakout alert! I think they're far too harsh on skin (they even smell all chemical-ly) yet at the bargain price of €1.50 (£1?) for a two pack they are perfect for cleaning brushes.

Then I just wipe the remaining product off my brushes using them.

You'd be seriously surprised about the amount of product remaining. Imagine if that was carried over to your next application- stale make up... Yuck!

Next, I have two choices. If I want a bright cheek colour I keep the brush in its damp state and apply my blush to it. If I'm going for a more demure look I rub the brush against a towel to dry it.

*The shade used in the picture is MAC powder

blush in Fleur Power.

Then repeat the process with a fresh wipe.

Hopefully one day I will be able to purchase the 188, a mini version of the 187 for my blush *sighs*... until then... :o).

Cheeky!!

Hannah xxxxx