Zoom In On: MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

For as long as I can remember, I have always been in search for the best concealer for my undereye area. Luckily for me, I have never really been pimple or acne-prone except when I’d occasionally have zits during pre-menstrual days. When I look for a concealer, I look for something that is not necessarily effective in concealing any facial scar but something that lightens my undereye area which is darker than the rest of my face when I’m au naturale.

I decided to try MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer hoping that this would be the perfect remedy to my problem.

Item Blurb (MAC Website):

A creamy concealer that provides full coverage with a natural matte finish. Brushes on with enough blend time to conceal any size of blemish. Rich formulation allows you to use a micro-amount of product to even out skin. Water-resistant and long-wearing.
5.5 g /0.19 US OZ US $16.50 / Php 900

(notice how close the shade the swatch shade is on my skintone, I don't know if you can see it though)

Yay!:

•  I got mine in NW25 shade and I would have to say that it matches my skin tone perfectly. I notice that this disappears right into my undereye area.
• Unlike some of the concealers I have tried, this does not settle into the fine lines under my eyes. 
• Its consistency is just perfect IMO. Not too creamy and not too dried out either. 
• Easy to blend and because it’s opaque in texture, very little is used every application. 
• It’s versatile as it can be applied through a concealer brush or through one’s fingers. Either way, the results are A-okay with me. 
• Its packaging is elegant and durable albeit, a little heavy. I read in one review that this “glass”(I don’t really know the more accurate technical term for it) packaging is crucial to making the content last longer.

(undereye area in the left is with MAC SS concealer, while the one of the right is sans any) 

Nay!:

• As for all MAC and other high-end makeup brands, it’s always the price ;)

Final Say: I’d choose this over MAC Studio Finish Concealer. It’s way better for concealing nasty undereye circles. Definitely HG-material. Still would want to try other brands though. 

Thanks chicas!  

Pucker Up with Pink Lips!

I have read so many raves about MAC's Pink Nouveau Lippie. I learned that this is the favorite lipstick shade of Ruffa Gutierrez. In her weekly Phil. Star Beauty Column, my idol (lol!) , Lucy Torres-Gomez, also made mention of this MAC lippie. It is OOS all over Manila so I made sure to include this in my "to-buy" list when a friend went to the US last month. 

 

It is described as a "bright pink" in the official website of MAC. This is also Lady Gaga's favorite pink lippie and her eponymous Viva Glam Lippie was inspired by this. It has a "satin finish" but on me, it is kinda matte. It is a little drying too so I make sure to put some lip salve prior to applying this.

I actually loved this when I first wore it. I find, however, that its pinkish shade vanishes and turns into a darker rosey shade a few hours after wearing it. I don't know the reason for this but I'm deducing that it might be because I'm acidic. I also noticed that it wears off easily making me a little disappointed with it. Lately, I noticed that if I don't place any lip balm underneath it, it adheres better to my lips and lasts longer.

I'm not quite sure if I like this shade.My best buddy at work also told me that it looks weird on me lol. (Might be because she's not used to seeing me wear this shade of pink before).  Personally, I think it looks "bagay" on me but I dunno, maybe my judgement is influenced by the fact that I really want to love this. Anyhoo, this is something that you would not want to wear if you don't want to grab anybody else's attention. 

Here is a comparison swatch of Nyx Lousiana (left), MAC Pink Nouveau (middle), and Loreal Pure Pink (right). The latter is the one that I included in my Project 10 pan. Off topic, I so love this shade. Is there any MAC lippie shade that is close to this? Lemme know. 

Here are some pics of me wearing MAC Pink Nouveau in different lighting.

Thanks chicas!

Haul!

Last month, an online friend ( sis AD) went to the U.S. She asked me if I wanted her to get me some makeup stuff while she was there sans the service charge and shipping fees. I readily agreed. These are the stuff that I asked her to buy. Boy was I happy when I finally had these in my hands. 

MAC Pink Nouveau Lippie

MAC Girl About Town Lippie 

MAC Studio Finish Concealer with SPF 35 in NW25 

Three Lavish Layers of Lip Balm from Rosebud Salve  

(includes Original Rosebud Salve, Minted Rose Lip Balm, & Strawberry Lip Balm) 

I will try to review all of these. I liked all of them but the item that I always reach out for is Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm. BTW, if you are interested in the Strawberry Lip Balm (brand new, still sealed),  please let me know. I wanted to try this but I know it would take me years to use up the two other lip balms that I have already opened. 

Thanks Chicas! 

Zoom In On: MAC TLC in Pink Fish

I have read positive reviews about MAC’s Tinted Lip Conditioners (TLCs). So, when an opportunity to acquire this item was dangled before me, I immediately grabbed it. I got Pink Fish, one of the TLCs in the Hello Kitty Collection launched last year. Retailing at Php 850, this is actually value for money considering how huge the container is. I also love the trademark vanilla scent that it has. Scents in lip products do not really bother me. In fact, I have grown to love MAC lippies because of their distinct scent. The vanilla whiff is even more pronounced with the TLC.

Pink Fish is often described as a sheer milky pink shade. Personally, I thought it was too sheer and looked rather pale on my lips. I think this would have been perfect if paired with really intense, vibrant, or smokey eye makeup. Unfortunately, that is not characteristic of me. Therefore, I only used this primarily for moisturizing my lips and not really for aesthetic purposes. As for its moisturizing properties, I find it rather at par with that of Burt’s Bees and Venus & Mars’ Smooch lip balm, both of which are significantly cheaper than the former.

When this was fairly new, I made sure to bring this daily. However, I soon observed that this had become one of the least used items in my makeup kit. Why? Because you would need to use a lip brush for this. Well, you could also dip your pinky on it but I find that unhygienic. I actually have a lip brush that I bring daily but unfortunately, using it for touch-ups is such a hassle for me. Now I understand why many beauty bloggers wished that its packaging be changed.

Truth be told, I have not been that impressed with the Pink Fish TLC. However, I might entertain the idea of purchasing another one in the future. This time though, I will choose a more vibrant shade. Despite the so-so experience with this item, I am so grateful to my online sister (ZM, I heart u sis!) for giving me the chance to try this.

Xmas ’09 Haulage

This post is kinda late but still, I am writing this as I want to share with you these blessings I got last Christmas. I am looking forward to being able to use and appreciate all of these beautiful things. Reviews of the individual items shall be made and will be posted in this blog.

Ama (Korean Brand) Nail Polishes
Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in My Treat


VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Alchemy Concealer-Foundation in Warm Toddy
Revlon Nail Polish in Totally Toffee
Sally Hansen Nail Polish in Wild Life
Freebie: MMU e/s samples


T. LeClerc Pressed Powder in Ivoire
Avon Ideal Shade Dual Powder Foundation




MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Redhead
Note: I only purchased one item but the seller was EXTREMELY generous as she included so many freebies in the package among which are a facial mask, MMU blush, MMU e/s, sample of Skin Food Lime Secret Base, sample of Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder and mini Makeup For Ever (MUFE) Aqua Eyes pencil.

Perhaps the most special of the stuff I acquired last Xmas would be this lot as I got this from a dear dear high school friend who I haven’t kept in touch for the longest time. FYI, she worked in Cannes, France before she came home and she even got to see the ultimate hunk in the world, BRAD PITT (what a lucky girl!). Christine was one of those people in HS who I really became fond of. I even remember exchanging snail mails (SMS was so not in the picture that time) with her every summer and we had this notebook/slambook which we alternately update lol. Reconnecting with her was certainly one of the best things that happened to me last Christmas. And hey she even gave me a MAC lipstick which, from my own research, is already very hard to come by nowadays, “Hotscotch”. The Clinique freebies are also very much appreciated since I’ve always wanted to try their stuff. SO HAPPY!


Lastly,
MAC Paint Pot in Perky
MAC Lipstick in Solar Plum

Not included here would be the Stila Ulta Mate Set which I purchased and the Nars blushes I got from my aunt. Will post them soon. 

Thanks chicas! 

Zoom In On: MAC Viva Glam Warm Lip Palette

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