NOTD: 12/1/11

Just did my nails tonight (for tomorrow) with the new nail polish that I picked up tonight from Walmart.  It's by Nicole by OPI, and it's actually part of the Kardashian Collection (which I didn't even know when I first picked it up).  The shade is called "The Right Things", and it's pretty much the perfect red.  This is the 2nd Nicole by OPI polish that I purchased within the past 4 days!  The other shade was a similar color but deeper red with noticeable shimmers.  It is called "I Love You Cherry Much". This is pretty matte and more red.  I also have My Lifesaver from the Justin Beiber collection.  I'm in LOVE with these polishes because the formula is fantastic and so easy to work with.  I love the brush and how these just glide right on and dry quickly.  My favorite used to be Sally Hanson, and I always thought OPI was overrated, but boy was I wrong! These are great.  Highly recommend these.  The Nicole polishes are $7 a pop (Target & Walmart), and the regular OPI polishes are around $8.50   The Sephora by OPI polishes are $9.50.  Honestly, I think the Nicole ones are just as good and cost less. 

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*My Beauty Staples: Cosmetics Edition*

Cosmetics

• MARK Speedway- This is a foundation/concealer stick.  It's little .14oz and perfect to throw in even the smallest clutch or your pocket!  Even though it's small, a little goes such a long way.  I've had this for about 6-6 1/2 months, and I still have at least half of the product left.  I prefer to use this a concealer.  It works great for concealing blemishes or red areas and works well for undereye circles too! If you set it with a pressed powder, it can do some heavy duty concealing.  It's affordable too! $8! I've tried a ton of concealers.  My all time favorite was the Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, but that is now discontinued.  This is runner up in my book and definitely the only concealer that I use.  I will definitely repurchase when I run out. (Get Yours Here!)  
• Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick-  These are amazing.  My favorite is the limited edition White Gold Version (2011 Holiday Exclusive) in Red Karat.  It lasted through Thanksgiving dinner (eating & drinking!), and it was so moisturizing.  It has a glossy sheen to it.  I also have a peach shade and Ruby Red, which is the perfect red for my skintone.  The color pay off is great, and these aren't drying.  I never have run out of a lipstick, but if I did, it's repurchase!  (I'm sure I'll be trying more colors!)
• Clinique High Impact Mascara (Black)- Best mascara I've tried so far! I've tried several drugstore brands, as well as the extremely pricy Diorshow (not worth the hype in my opinion).  I didn't think this would perform as well as it did, but I was pleasantly surprised.  My aunt gave me two of these in a sample size that she had gotten free with her Clinique purchase.  I finally tried it recently, and I was AMAZED!  This made my lashes so long! I can get a natural look with this mascara, as well as build it up with 2-3 coats for a doll-like, almost false lash effect.  My favorite thing about this is that it's so easy to use on my bottom lashes and lengthens them like no other! I'll be purchasing the full size for sure!
• Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15- Now, I'm NC40 in MAC, and this is the PERFECT shade for me.  So, if you're lighter than me, you're going to need to go with the Lite version of this.  I LOVE this for in the Wintertime! Now, in the Summer, this doesn't work for me (Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer is my go to tinted moisturizer for Summer!).  My skin is more oily in the Summer, and since this is so moisturizing, it can look greasy almost.  Since my skin is dry right now, this works really well.  This is really moisturizing, but doesn't look or feel greasy on my dry skin.  This smells really good too.  This has aloe, Vitamin A & Vitamin E, and its smells really good.  The aloe is soothing on dry skin. This also has SPF15.  I usually wear this to work (on most days when i want natural coverage) either by itself, or I'll set it with the MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder (when I want to add a bronzy glow) or Studio Careblend (when I want more coverage).  
• MAC Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation SPF 15-  A lot of people don't like this because of the light coverage, but I LOVE this.  This is my favorite MAC foundation.  I've tried the Face & Body (I prefer the MUFE version.  The MAC feels sticky.), Pro Longwear (okay when my skin wasn't so dry), Studio Fix Fluid (broke me out immediately), and the new Matchmaster (This did conform to my skintone, but the coverage is too much. I prefer a lighter coverage, natural look. This actually looked quite heavy and didn't seem worth the price.  I got it in a swap luckily.)  Back to the Mineralize Satin, there are sparkles in it when swatched on my hand, but I didn't notice any on my face.  This looks really natural.  My gram didn't think I had any foundation on at all (which is a good thing).  She commented how my MAC Matchmaster looked too heavy and unnatural, so I went and took it off and applied this.  She said "MUCH BETTER!  See you don't need foundation!"  (*Little did she know I had this on!  It's that good!*)  :)  This does a nice job of evening out my skintone and doesn't look like I have "foundation" on.  It just gives me a nice "glow", and this is the best foundation I've tried when it comes to being photographed!  This stuff looks the best on camera than any other foundation (Benefit You Rebel & Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancers look nice in photos, no white cast, but this stuff looks so radiant in photos!).  In this, I wear NC42 (in Studio Fix Fluid I'm NC40 & I'm NW35 in Pro Longwear), and it's the perfect shade.  (NC42 in Pro Longwear and SFF are too dark.  This runs light, so I suggest going up a shade).  
• Make Up Forever Face & Body- (#34 Honey Beige)  I lucked out and got this (along with Shade #32) in a swap on MUA.  (#32 works too.  This stuff is so sheer, that both of the shades work for me, but I prefer the undertone of the #34, which is beige, while the #32 is a bit too yellow.  I don't have yellow undertones).  This trumps the MAC version in my opinion.  This isn't sticky at all like the MAC. I could feel the MAC on my face, but with this, I can't feel that I have anything on my face at all.  This looks and feels like real skin, only better.  Believe the hype! This is great for natural coverage.  I like to set it with MAC Magically Cool Powder in Cajun, but it works well on it's on.  Really nice for dry skin, and I feel it can work on all skintypes!  I have this with the pump, which is great. A little goes a long way.  This is very sheer coverage, and can be built up in layers.  Photographs really well too, and it's waterproof (for those of you who wear makeup to the gym/pool, it won't budge!).  If you want medium-full coverage, you won't be a fan of this.  However, if you like lighter coverage and tinted moisturizers (but don't like the greasy feel that some of them have or don't want the added moisture), you'll fall in LOVE with this.  I will repurchase if I ever run out, but I'm pretty stocked up for the time being. 
• NARS Sheer Glow- My Go-To Winter foundation- 'nuff said!  Last Winter, I was in love with this.  During the Summer, it didn't work so well with my skin being more oily.  This is recommended for normal to dry/very dry skintypes.  The Sheer Matte is for normal/oily skin.  Now that my skin is normal/dry right now, and a lot of the foundations that I've been using cake up on my dry areas, I decided to pull this back out again.  My shade is Barcelona, but Syracuse works too.  Syracuse would perfect for my skin coloring in the Summer, when it's more tan.  This is light to medium coverage.  Don't let the name "Sheer" fool you.  It can be built up, but it's definitely not full coverage.  It's not light, like a tinted moisturizer either.  It does feel light on the skin, but it's definitely not "sheer".  This photographs really well too.  I have been using this a lot and will continue to use it throughout Winter.  A little goes a long way!
• Tarte Park Ave Princess Mineral Bronzer-  (This is the Mineral Bronzer, not the Waterproof Matte Bronzer.)  I received this as a free deluxe sample with a Tarte order last Fall.  I've recently been using this a lot.  I LOVE using this along with MAC's Full Fuchsia Blush (PRO).  I love the effect the give together.  This version does have shimmer to it.  This is more brown toned than Laguna, which leans more golden compared to this.  I love how this is natural too, and a "green" product, free of Parabens and harsh chemicals.  This deluxe sample is a decent size.  If I ever run out, I'll definitely purchase this.  I'm not big on bronzers or a bronzer pro, but I love this and how easy it is to apply.  Hotel Heiress is the darker shade and would be great for darker skintones.  This one is good for light-medium/tan skintones and those like me who have a heavy hand with bronzers/blushers, because it's so easy to use.  
• NARS Penny Lane Cream Blush-  The beauty consultant tried this on me at Sephora, along with Laguna bronzer, which I fell in love with (& put on my wishlist!).  She loved how both products looked together, as did I.  I ended up purchasing this from Beauty.com during their Friends & Family Sale with 20% off, along with a backup of Super Orgasm blush for my gram (Christmas Present.  She LOVE it and was almost out & needed a back up).  I LOVE this.  I never looked twice at it before, because I didn't think it would show up.  (I tried Enchanted, and it didn't show up at all on me, besides Glitter!).  This gives a nice, light pink, natural-looking flush to my cheeks!  I apply it with my Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Brush, and it applies so nicely with that brush!  This is really buildable when you use a flat top brush.  I love how this is a cream-to-powder finish, and it isn't sticky like some cream blushes.  The Sephora store when I went to had this in stock, but it's no longer sold online at Sephora.com. The NARS Cream Blushes are available @ Beauty.com and narscomsetics.com.  (I've also tried this in Cactus Flower, in a swap on MUA, but I swapped it back out because it was just too bright for me.  Cactus flower would look amazing on deeper skintones.)  
• Lorac Baked Matte Blush Hollywood- Received this in my first MUA swap last Fall, and I never really tried it until a few months ago (this Fall!).  I had too many cheek products, so I had just this sitting in a makeup case.  I decided to try this and fell in love with the texture.  Hollywood is a rosey/nude shade.  This gives a really pretty bronzy flush to the cheeks.  It's like the effect of a blush and bronzer in one.  This definitely isn't "matte" though.  There's a shimmery sheen to it, but it's not glittery or obnoxious.  It's glowy and pretty.  I'm in LOVE with how smooth the texture is and how easy it is to apply.  This just glides right on the cheeks! Honestly, I like the texture better than my MAC blushes (original and mineralize) and my NARS!  The quality is outstanding.  I never really heard much about this brand before, but I'm impressed.  I'd like to try more from this line!  The Flaunt blush (a bright pink) has had amazing reviews, and I'd like to try it next.  Also,Hollywood is very pigmented, so use a light hand!

*My Beauty Staples: Skincare Edition 2011*

I thought it would be fun to share with my fellow of beauty and fashion lovers my "Must Have" beauty products, the items that are staples for me and that I either have or would restock.  Here it goes!

Skincare Staples

• Cetaphil Gentle Daily Skin Cleanser-  I've tried the Purpose Gentle cleanser, but I prefer this one hands down.  Don't get me wrong, the Purpose does a nice job of getting my skin clean, without irritation, but my skin feels like it has a soapy residue on it even after rinsing my face several times.  The Cetaphil doesn't have any sort of residue or soapy feel to it after I wash my face.  Also, the Purpose was quite drying, and the Cetaphil doesn't dry out my skin, which is a huge plus in the Winter.  I went through 2 large tubs of this in college! I used this stuff to wash my face and my body in the shower! I don't have why I ever stopped using this. I went back to this during the Summer when my skin got really oily and was breaking out badly.  Harsh cleansers made things worse, since my skin is sensitive.  My grandmother actually had a large tube of this and let me have it.  This stuff is really gentle and great for sensitive skin.  Along with Tea Tree Oil, this stuff got my skin back on track.  Highly recommend this as a good, basic everyday cleanser.  This is definitely a staple in my daily routine, and I will restock when it's empty.
• MAC Cleanse Off Oil- I purchased this back in March, after reading good reviews.  I wasn't getting all of my makeup off just from cleansing my face, so I thought this would be a good to use before cleansing.  I have about 1/4 of product left of this.  I use this at night to remove my makeup (apply to my face, let makeup come to the surface, than wipe off with toilet tissue).  This is kind of pricy, but it lasts a long time.  A little goes such a long way; you don't need much at all. Highly recommend this as nightly step before cleansing.  Your skin will be much cleaner.  (I don't recommend this for removing eye makeup though, as it makes your eyes blurry for a while after using on your eyes.)
• Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion SPF 15 (Oil Free)- I got this in a $12 set when the B.Right Skincare line was first released from Benefit Cosmetics.  (Benefit had sent me a full sized Total Moisture Cream & the gentle cleanser for reviewing purposes, but I purchased this set on my own.)  I love how lightweight this is.  It isn't thick or greasy at all  (Total Moisture was quite thick).  I love that this is oil free as well (Total Moisture isn't).  This has a slight fragrance, but my skin is very sensitive, and this didn't irritate it.  (Sometimes when I use the Oil Of Olay too often, it irritates my face.)  I have finished up the small bottle of this, and I will be purchasing the full sized when I go to Sephora in a few weeks.  This is pricy, $28, I believe, but more high-end skincare items are.  Benefit teamed up with Louis Vuitton's beauty team to make this, and the quality is really amazing.  I don't moisturize everyday, as I should, but my skin is getting to me dry again. (It was oily in the Summer, but right now, I have dry flakes again.)  I usually moisture about 2-3 times a week.  So far, this is the the best moisturizer that I've tried.  It's great for daytime use to, whereas the Total Moisture by Benefit is a nighttime moisturizer, but I usually moisturize at night.

FOTD: 11/26/11 ft. MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass

 Face: NARS Sheer Glow Barcelona (*a Winter foundation favorite*)

Sheer Glow is recommended for Normal/Dry Skin types, and I find that is true.  I recommend this for drier skin types.  In the Summer, my skin gets oily, and this doesn't work as well.  NARS considers this a "dewy" foundation, while the Sheer Matte is supposed to be matte & for oily skin.  This was a favorite of mine last Winter, and I find myself loving this again this Winter.   Barcelona is a good color for me in the Winter, but in the Summer, I feel that I would need Syracuse.  Stromboli isn't much lighter than Barcelona, but it's yellow-toned.  I tried it before, and it was WAYY too yellow.  (It's been swapped out!)  Barcelona is described as medium with golden, peachy undertones, and Syracuse is medium-dark with brown undertones.  Stromboli is for olive tones.  For reference, I'm NC40 in MAC Studio Fix Fluid, NW35 in Pro Longwear, & NC42 in Mineralize Satinfinish.  I'm #34 in MUFE Face & Body & 153 in the HD.  Highly recommend this as a Winter staple, if you have drier skin & want a light-weight, natural looking foundation.  I feel like that is light coverage, but it can be built up to medium but not full coverage.  I apply this when my face is a bit wet for best results, and I've seen gurus on youtube applying this with a wet beauty blender.  

Cheeks: I contoured my cheekbones with Tarte's Mineral Bronzer in Park Ave Princess.  This was one of my deluxe samples from an order that I had placed last Fall on Tarte's website.  They now have a matte, waterproof version of this.  The one that I have has shimmer to it, and I like that about it.  It adds a nice sheen & glow to the skin.  When I was at Sephora earlier this month, the Beauty Consultant tried Laguna Bronzer on me, and she loved how it looked.  I did as well.  It has shimmer in it too.  Personally I think that the Tarte & NARS are similar, but the NARS is more golden, whereas the Tarte is more brown-toned. I find the Tarte extremely easy to apply.  The formulation is great- finely-milled & blends like a dream.  This isn't too dark of a bronzer, so it's hard to over-do (perfect for Bronzer beginners or someone with a heavy hand, like myself).  (Tarte has this bronzer available in Hotel Heiress, a darker shade perfect for darker skin-tones.)
I then applied my blush, MAC's Full Fuchsia (PRO).  This is a Pro color that I managed to get at the local CCO during the Summer, and I haven't reached for it since.  When I first tried it, I had clown cheeks because this is extremely pigmented & I have a heavy hand when it comes to blush.  This time, I gently tapped my brush into the product and tapped it on my hand.  I had a better time controlling it.  (A little goes a long way!).  This would look amazing on darker skinned ladies.  It can be built up for a dramatic cheek.  I only used a dab for a daytime appropriate look.  This blush is very versatile, and I highly recommend getting your hands on this if you have a PRO store near you.  You won't regret it.
LIPS: MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass There again, I've had this for a while.  I purchased this when it first came out.  It is still available at Here! in Viva Glam Gaga 1 (baby pink) & Viva Glam Gaga 2 (nude).  I found this in my makeup bag today and decided to try it again.  It's the perfect baby pink.  I needed 2 layers to get a good amount of color.  This does come off after eating and drinking, so you'll need to reapply. 

FOTD: 11/25/11

FACE: NARS SHEER GLOW BARCELONA
CHEEKS: CONTOUR- TARTE PARK AVE PRINCESS MINERAL BRONZER & MAC FULL FUCHSIA BLUSH
EYES: MAC MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW PINK SPLIT
LIPS: AVON ULTRA COLOR RICH LIPSTICK *10K GOLD EDITION* RED KARAT

Natural Look ft: MAC Fancy Ray Blushcreme

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Brush & Fancy Ray (limited edition no long avail)

This blush is limited edition & no longer available.  I happened to get it in an MUA swap, and I'm glad I did.  I find I get better results with creme blushes when I apply them with the Sonia Kashuk Flat Top brush, as opposed to using my fingers.  I have the Blushcreme in Lilicent & it's more peach where as Fancy Ray is more of a neutral darker color. 

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish Foundation NC42

Cheeks: NARS Penny Lane (that was already on) & MAC Fancy Ray (both creme)

Eyes: Urban Decay 24/7 Liner Bourbon & Clinique High Impact Mascara

Lips: Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick Red Karat (limited edition white gold for winter 11)

Fragrance Haul: Snooki & VS Incredible

Snooki by Nicole Polizzi EDP & Victoria's Secret Incredible Body Mist

I purchased the Snooki perfume the night it premiered on HSN with the flex play. (2 payments of $22.50).  This fragrance retails for $45 and is currently available from http://perfumania.com.  (It's currently sold out on HSN.)  My perfume came with a really huge white, grey, and black leopard print tote bag, and it's a decent size too.  I think it's a great deal.  (Snooki was also selling purses, slippers, crocadilly, & sunglasses on HSN.  There were still purses available last time that I checked their site.)  This fragrance smells sooo amazing! Snooki received a lot of hate for coming out with her own fragrance.  A lot of people were saying that it would probably smell like alcohol, pickles, or sex!  It smells really really nice.  I'm very picky about fragrances.  (Recently returned the VS Gorgeous because I couldn't smell it at all. It was too faint, especially for the price!)  The Snooki smells so fruity, but not overly fruity or sickening sweet.  I can definitely smell the kiwi notes in it.  It has a tropical smell to it.  It feel that it's appropriate for daytime or nighttime and for all days (just as she had created it for).  So happy I purchased this.  (I was nervous about ordering something that I hadn't smelled before after my bad experience with the VS Gorgeous.)  Highly recommend this fragrance, especially for Holiday gifts! 

I exchanged my VS Gorgeous fragrance (small perfume & lotion set) for the Incredible body mist.  The VS body mists are on the expensive side, $25, but what isn't expensive at Victoria's Secret?! That's expected.  I'm glad I got the mist over the EDP because this is a strong scent for a body mist.  I actually overdid it the first 2 times that I wore this. This has a sexy fragrance.  You only need a spritz of it on your wrist and neck.  I would recommend this for nighttime use more so that daytime.  You can get alway with applying more at night.  This is feminine and sexy, but not overly girly.  Highly recommend this body mist as well.

A+ on both products!

Review: Avon Ultra Color Rich While Gold Lipstick

*Limited Edition*

Campaign 25

This lipstick is available in 6 shades: Cocoa Express, Platinum Pink, Red Karat (the shade I purchased), Glitzy, Golden Berry, and Shimmering Nude.

The shade that I purchased in the Demo 25 book has silver shimmers.  They gives a gorgeous sheen to the lips.  The formula is hydrating and creamy and feels light on the lips.  This is a really great shade of red for the Holidays! It's not too bright or cool, and its not drying like a lot of red lipsticks that are matte. The silver shimmers add the perfect flare for the holidays!  This will be $2.99 in Campaign 25, which is just launching.  I purchased it for $1.79 in the demo.  I'd love to try this in more colors.  Great Holiday lipstick at a great price.  Get the limited edition white gold colors while you can!

*This made it through the Thanksgiving Eating & Drinking Test.  This stuff lasted all day.  I recommend getting your hands on this while you can!*

Grab One!

Outfit of the Day: 11/20/11

Blouse: Victoria's Secret

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Unlisted

Bag: Snooki By Nicole Polizzi

Wore this to church today. 

Cardigan Sweater: H&M

*Fall Favorites*

Face:
*Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer-
My skin was on the oily/combo side this Summer! I was having to blot like crazy.  Now it's dry again as it's getting colder and getting into wintertime.  I have dry flakes on my forehead and cheeks, and my previous favorite, MAC Pro Longwear, accentuates those dry patches like no other.  (Most of my foundations are doing that right now.)  This stuff is super moisturizing (I wouldn't recommend it for oily/combo skin.  When my skin was oily, this didn't work for me, as it could look greasy on oily skin.).  This works really well on my dry skin, and it smells really good.  It has aloe in it, which is soothing to the skin.  It's SPF15 (not extremely high, but it's good for Winter).  I've been using this on most days, because I usually like natural, light coverage for work.  (On days when I want to mix it up, I use MUFE Face & Body (My skin is too sensitive to use that everyday) or I will use My Pro Longwear when I want fuller coverage (special events).  I've been loving this base.  I'm glad I pulled it back out to use.


*MARK Showcase Color & Clutch-
This is amazing- Point Blank PERIOD!  It includes six lipcolors (pretty good pigmentation and super moisturizing!), a shimmery peach highlight (gorgeous over blush!), a vibrant pink blush (great pigmentation & matte), a brown-toned bronzer (slight shimmer), and 4 neutral eye shadows (2 browns, a shimmery beige & gold).  This comes in a cute pink clutch (the makeup can be taken out & it can be used as a clutch on it's own).  The pigmentation & quality of the makeup is amazing!  I got this for $12, during the Mark Trend Insider, but it's on sale for $20 (shop!).  Trust me, it's the best $20 you'll ever spend.  You can get so many looks out of this palette (perfect for the Holidays!).  It's a great value for what you get.  I'm a high end blush fan (NARS, Tarte, MAC, Lorac), and this blush is better than MAC in my opinion & just as good as the others, maybe even better.  I love pairing the pink blush with the peach highlighter.  The texture blends like a dream (like all MARK Blushes I've tried).  I keep this on my at all times.  Perfect for travel too.


*Lorac Baked Blush Hollywood-
I got this in a swap on MUA last fall! I never really touched it though.  The swapped told me it was similar to MAC Stereo Rose (which I never tried).  I'm glad I pulled this out & started to use it.  It's fabulous! This is like your bronzer & blush combined in one.  It's a bronzy-rose color.  i LOVE this! It's very pigmented, so use a light hand.  It's a really nice texture.  It's applies smoothly & blends very easily.  Great quality.  This makes me want to try other products by Lorac (one brand I never explored).  Perfect to brighten up your face & works well with a bold eye or natural look.


*NARS Taj Mahal-
I have had this for a year, but I didn't reach for it very often.  This pigmentation is insane & it was honestly hard for me NOT to overdo this blush.  I've learned to control it and that I only need to tap my brush into it LIGHTLY one time (& that's enough for both cheeks!).  This is a beautiful orangey color.  It's very wearable & perfect for fall.  There is shimmer, but it's not overbearing.  It is a must have for deep skintones! This shows up a peachy/coral/orangey shade, and I'm very pleased with this.  I'm glad I pulled it off of my dresser. 


*Clinique High Impact Mascara-
This was a freebie that my aunt received with her Clinique order.  (she gave me 2 of them actually).  I've been on the hunt for the perfect mascara that lengthens my lashes, and I decided to try this yesterday.  I'm glad I did! This gives me the most length of ANY mascara I've tried.  I like it better than Diorshow & all of the drugstore ones I've tried (including my trusty Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion!).  I actually paired this with the CG Fusion today, and my lashes were like WOW! They almost gave that false lash effect! It's not too pricey either ($14.50) like some of the high-end $22-$30 mascaras.  I'm definitely going to purchase this when my sample runs out. 


*Smashbox O Plump-
LOVE this! It doesn't do so much plumping or add much color, but it's makes my lips nice & soft & shiny, without making them sticky.  I purchased this off of ebay at a cheaper price.  This stuff is pricey.  I don't think I could ever pay full price for this.  ($24!)  I would get it on sale though.  It's really awesome. Perfect everyday lip.

FOTD: 11/5/11

Shopping FOTD:
MUFE Face & Body #34
Cheeks: NARS Taj Mahal Blush
Eyes: Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds Black
Lips: Smashbox O Plump

MAC Counter Rant/Great Sephora Experience

I usually order my MAC stuff online, because the closest counter is about an hour away.  I was excited to be going to an actual counter, but boy was I disappointed. I had a bad experience at the MAC counter at South Hills Village Mall (Pittsburgh, PA), and this wasn't the first time.  I've been reading and watching youtube videos about other people's bad experiences with snotty MAC artists, so this must be a common thing.  At this particular counter, the MUA's are stuck up and rude and act like they don't want to be bothered, every time I go there.  I was looking around for a while and was completely ignored.  (I know A LOT about MAC.  I keep up on the collections and know more than the MUA's think.)  I had to ask for help, and the MUA acted like she didn't want to be bothered.  I actually picked up a Fluidline and a False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara, but I ended up returning it that same day, because of how disgusted I was with my treatment at MAC and the attitude of their employees.  I will continue to buy MAC products online, with the free shipping codes, without the hassle of dealing with the stuck up MUA's.

After my bad experience at MAC, I went down to the large Sephora store, where I haven't been in ages, and got to play around with some fragrances and makeup.  My 2 1/2 yr old was putting on powder and playing with the makeup too lol.  The beauty consultants were all so nice and helpful.  They actually asked if I needed anything, unlike at MAC.  One consultant in particular was really sweet and helpful.  She tried NARS Desire blush on me, but we both decided it was just too bright on me.  Then she tried on Penny Lane cream blush by NARS on my cheeks and applied Laguna bronzer around my forehead, chin and nose and contoured my cheekbones with it.  The results were AMAZING.  I love the combo of those two products.  I should have picked up Penny Lane while I was there, but I figured I'd order it online after payday.  When I got to Sephora's website, Penny Lane wasn't on there.  None of the cream blushes were.  Strange- because they are at the store.  (I'll be ordering from Beauty.com with their 20% off this week!)  The consultant wasn't pushy or mad that I didn't purchase anything, and we had a chat about how we wished that particular Sephora carried Illamasqua products.  (The closest one that does is in Washington,DC about 3 hrs away!).  I tried out various fragrances, and I will purchasing the full size of Benefit's Garden of Good and Eva.  (I tried it out before, and I loved it. Carmella is nice too.)  The Betsey Johnson smells awful, in my opinion.

I actually had fun browsing makeup, and I had good self-restraint by not buying anything.  LOL  However, I will not be returning to that MAC counter, until they get some nice MUAS!

Make Up Forever Face & Body Review (vs MAC Face & Body)

MUFE Face & Body #34 Set With MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Cajun (VV Edition)

Cheeks: Stila Custom Color Blush, Mark Flip For It Fall '11 Palette Cheek Color

Eyes: Mark Mini Mark It Stick Marina

Lips: MAC Viva Glam Gaga 1 Lipstick

I finally got my hands on this foundation in a swap on MakeUpAlley.  I actually swapped out my MAC Face & Body (C4) for this.  I received a half full bottle of the #32 (old packaging- no pump) and a pretty full bottle of the #34 (honey beige) (newer packaging with pump).  This is so sheer that both colors work, but I've been loving the way that that #34 looks, so I've been using that one.  The #32 has a more yellow undertone.  The #34 has beige undertones, which is perfect for me.  Let me start off my saying this completely TRUMPS the MAC version of the Face & Body.  I've read/heard that in many reviews/comparisons, but I can honestly say for myself that is so true.  The MAC version is cheaper.  You do get more bang for your buck.  You get 4oz for #32.50 (i believe), which is a great deal beings that you only get 1oz with most foundations.  The MUFE is #38 for 1oz.  However, the formula is much better and more comfortable to wear, in my opinion.  They are both sheer and liquidy, but the MUFE is more gel based and easier to work with.  It doesn't need to "dry down" in order to be layered.  The MAC does have to dry before you can layer it (for best results).  Both are buildable, but I find that you get a bit more coverage with the MUFE.  I feel like it builds up pretty well.  It looks just like your real skin only better- polished and fresh.  The MAC is definitely waterproof; I've worn it underwater.  The MUFE is said to be waterproof as well, but I've yet to test that out.  

Fragrance:

In my opinion, the MAC version had a pleasant, citrusy scent to it.  The MUFE has a fragrance as well.  It's more of a rosy fragrance, but it goes away when you apply it.  I have sensitive skin, and neither one affected my skin in a negative way.  Though I did get more blemishes with the MAC than with the MUFE. 

The MAC felt sticky halfway through the day, when I wore it.  I've read in other reviews that others have felt it to be sticky as well.  Not a good feeling, especially on a hot day, which is a shame because this would be perfect for Summer.  The MUFE is not sticky at all.  You can't even feel it on your skin, and it holds up all day long.  It doesn't get oily or greasy either.  For me, the MAC made my skin look shiny mid-day, even when set with power, and it definitely made my skin more oily than it was.  I had to blot several times when I wore it.  I don't have that issue with the MUFE.  I like to set it with the MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Cajun.  I love how natural and fresh it looks with that powder over top.  

Overall, I LOVE this foundation, and I would definitely purchase it if the bottle I have runs out.  It's the best foundation I've tried so far.  A lot of the foundations I've tried lately have made me look too made up and have been too heavy and cakey looking.  This wasn't.  It didn't clean to my dry patches or make me oily.  It looked so natural.  Now, if you want/need heavier coverage, you won't like this.  If you want light to medium coverage that looks like your real skin only better, you will love this. 

A+

P.S. This is said to be waterproof.  I suggest removing it with makeup remover before you cleanse your face, so you don't clog your pores.  I use MAC's Cleanse Off Oil, but there are other options out there.