MAC Semi-Precious Mini Haul & Thoughts

A new month...a new MAC collection.
The Semi Precious collection was actually one that I've been waiting on for a few months now, I had a list prepared and everything!  But...as pretty as it looks on display, I ended up being kinda disappointed by most of the items when I looked at it in person.  Not that there weren't some nice pieces, just didn't end up "needing" as many things as I thought.  The blushes were really pretty but they looked like something I already had in my collection, and the mineralized eyeshadows always look SO gorgeous in the pan but then don't end up looking as gorgeous on your eyes.  So I passed on those too...


Oh well, yay for my wallet!


Of course I didn't walk out without SOMETHING, so here's the two items I picked up....

First thing I made sure to put on hold was the Semi Precious Rose Quartz MSF...

Rose Quartz MSF

Outer Circle...Inner Circle...both blended together

At first I thought the outside circle looked a bit similar to Stereo Rose but...it's not.  But! It IS very pretty and nothing like any of the MSF I already have.  It's actually a really nice product since you can see from my swatches that the outer circle worn alone is a lovely pink blush, even swirled together it makes a nice light pink blush with lot of sheen.  And then the inner circle can be used as your highlight!  On my skintone I like to wear this as a pop of pink on the apples of my cheekbones, with some nice bronzer.  It really brightens up my face.

The next product I got was the lipstick in Gem Of Roses....

When I heard the description on Temptalia I thought it sounded really nice, and then when I saw it in person I thought ehhh...might be a bit dark for me.  But as soon as I swatched it I realized it is a lustre formula so it gave my lips a really gorgeous rosey pink tint and I think it looks very sophisticated and "pretty"...if you get what I mean?  I really like it!  and first day I wore it I got lots of compliments so if you're looking for a nice rosey lipstick different from anything MAC has released lately, go check this out :)

Well...there's my little haul & my thoughts...let me know if you guys picked up anything from the collection!

Thanks for reading,

xoxo

Marissa

June Favorites!

One of my favorite types of videos to watch on YouTube are all the beauty monthly favorites, it's just so interesting to see what everyone consistently used during the entire month.  Those are the products you know they really love... So here's mine!

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02

This is a lip balm/lip gloss that has seriously not left my purse since I purchased it, I always keep it in one of the little pockets in my bag so that I can reach for it quick & easy!  It's moisturizing like a balm but leaves your lips looking glossy and just healthy looking -if that makes sense.  I want to do a whole post on this product because I have really been loving it, so look out for that soon.  

MAC Lipstick in Hue

You guys already saw my recent post on this lipstick that I found as a dupe for the Limited Edition Innocence, Beware lipstick and I have not stopped using this since!  I think I have worn this probably 95% of the time, it's just perfect on my lips.  Not too nude, just lightens up my lips a tiny bit and is a great "my lips but better" look.

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in 240 Natural Beige

I discovered this last summer and have loved it throughout the summer and the winter months.  I have Normal/Dry skin and this foundation makes my skin feel so moisturized and glowy.  I swear I have gotten more compliments on my skin from this than any other foundation!

MAC Studio Careblend Bronzer in Lush, Light Bronze

This was from the recent Surf Baby collection at MAC and I'm so glad I picked this up, the color is gorgeous for all over bronzer and the formula of these Careblend powders feel so lovely on my skin.  My next purchase will definitely be one of the skintone Careblend powders.

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

I know this is a staple in many girls makeup bags and I definitely couldn't live without mine.  One of my classic everyday looks is a bold, winged liner and this gel liner paired with my Sonia Kashuk bent liner brush are great for creating my perfect cat eye look.

MAC Teddy Eye Kohl

On the days when I don't have time to spend on doing my normal black winged liner, I like to smudge this brown liner on my top and bottom lash line to create some definition, then add mascara and I'm good to go!

Clarins Lip Perfector in 02, MAC Lipstick in Hue

Ok so those are just a few items that I know I've been using a whole lot this month.  Nothing particularly interesting, mostly basics but that's the type of makeup I've been doing this month.  I work as well as go to summer school everyday so there's not much time to experiment...clean & simple is the way to go.

Leave me a comment and let me know of any products you've been loving this past month!

Thanks for reading,

XOXO

Marissa

My Current Mani ♥

So the nail polish craze continues....I ended up buying 5 more bottles of nail polish in the past 2 weeks, lol oops!  All these gorgeous summer colors are just so damn tempting! 


This past week I had on Essie Borrowed & Blue, but I forgot to take good pictures so all I have is this quick snap shot from the car....

I was on the fence about this color but once I actually had it on it's a very nice powder blue color, and even though I usually think blue nail polish is a bit too teeny bopper for me, I think this particular shade of baby blue is quite classy, and dare I say sophisticated? Hmm....that may be taking it too far, lol but it is pretty!

Anyways, after that very light colored manicure I decided to go a little funkier tonight.  I used a few colors that I just picked up and they ended up looking SO good all together.  I topped it off with a new Crackle nail polish and I'm loving how they turned out.  

Index & Pinky : China Glaze Electric Pineapple

Middle & Thumb : China Glaze For Audrey

Ring Finger: Zoya Pippa

All topped with China Glaze Crackle in Tarnished Gold

I think this is a really fun, very summery nail look and I'm really loving the gold Crackle on top of ALL the colors I used, especially For Audrey...gorgeous!  I'm liking the metallic Crackle polishes way more than the cream Crackles that came out first, so if you're a fan too then make sure to run out and grab a few before they sell out!  I found mine at Sally's Beauty Supply but they also sell them at Ulta.  Let me know if you like any of the other colors because I only allowed myself ONE for today ;)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo 

Marissa

Innocence, Beware Dupe & Current Favorites

Lately I had been trying to "shop my stash" instead of going out and buying makeup that I doooon't necessarily need.  You feel me?  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not on a shopping "ban" or anything (that would be a tragedy) but I'm just trying to be a bit "smarter" with my shopping habits.  Yay me!


The product that I've brought out of my stash and have not stopped using lately is one of the Limited Edition lipsticks from the MAC Venomous Villains collection called Innocence, Beware! 


It's a creamsheen formula so it has nice pigmentation and I haven't found it to be very drying like some nudes can be.  It's nude but still looks natural on the lips so I've loved it now that I have a little more color in my skin.  The only negative thing is that it's limited edition!  So the last time I was in MAC I thought I'd pull it out and try to find something from the permanent line that was comparable.  


After a few swatches I found the color Hue, and as you can see, they're almost exactly the same.  Yay!  

Innocence Beware, Hue

I have heard people mention Hue before as a favorite, but with all the collections that MAC releases I hardly have time to look at the permanent line.  There's some good stuff in there!

The only noticeable difference between the two is that Hue is a glaze formula so it has a little more gloss to it than Innocence, Beware which is a creamsheen.  Other than that they look exactly the same on my lips and I couldn't be happier!  

So even though I did good by shopping my stash and re-discovering one lipstick....it kinda led me to buy a new product.  Funny how that works out, lol.  

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Marissa

Early Summer Lovin

It's still early in the summer months but the heat is already getting uncomfortable here in Texas.  It's like walking out into a wall of humidity...hellooo frizz!  Well it seems like as soon as the heat moved in I have constantly been reaching for these two products so I wanted to show you what I've been loving...


The first product I'm so happy to be using again is my Mac MSF in Gold Deposit.  I picked this up over a year ago from MACs website and at the time I thought this was a Limited Edition MSF, but I have since seen it at my local MAC store and also online so I'm sure you can still find it if you're interested.

 This is a very bronzy, shimmery MSF and it has been too dark to wear it during the winter months but for the summer, I have been LOVING it.  For the past week straight I've been using my Studio Careblend bronzer from the Surf Baby collection first (which I also love btw) and then putting Gold Deposit on top of that and the result is a very defined, bronze goddess look & I am diggin it!  The picture above doesn't quite pick up the intensity of my cheeks but this definitely isn't a "subtle" bronze look, it's more of an obviously bronzed look but that's why I like it!  Since I am taking summer school (boooo) I haven't had much time in the mornings to get ready so throwing on this combo paired with winged black liner has been quick & easy...good to go! :)


The other product I'm going to get good use of this summer is the MAC Supreme Sheen in Gotta Dash. I have only picked up two of the Supreme Sheen's so far but I really love the formula.  They were released to replace the Slimshine lipsticks they recently discontinued and from what I can remember, the formula is pretty much the same.  I feel like the color range for the Supreme Sheen's are much better and I already have a few more on my list!


Gotta Dash is a beautiful peach color that has a lovely moisturizing, glossy look and feel.  Perfect for a fresh, summer look.

Mac Ever Hip, Gotta Dash, YSL Rouge Volupte #30

Oh and btw - I'm super excited for MACs next collection "Semi Precious" and after I get a better look at the swatches I will make a post of my *wish list* :))


xoxo
Marissa

My Current Mani ♥

Ever since I stopped getting acrylic nails I have been going a liiiittle crazy buying nail polish, and it has made me want to change my nail color every week!


There are too many polishes that I've been loving lately to do a whole post on them so I thought I would start showing y'all whatever I happen to be loving on my nails this week :)


Today I have on a polish by Sinful Colors called "Easy Going" (#700) and it is such a nice cream color with slight baby pink undertones. 

About 2 weeks ago I picked up a similar color called "Pure Porcelain" from a recent Orly limited edition collection that I absolutely loved, but I have only ever seen ONE other bottle in stores so after I heard about this color I had to pick it up and it turned out to be just as pretty.  I figured I would much rather show you this color since it's easier to find, and way more affordable!

I have been really loving these kinds of colors lately.  Very opaque, cream shades look so "clean" and fresh on your nails!  This particular brand can be found at Walgreens or Target and they are only $1.99 which is such a deal!  I applied only two coats in the picture above.  After seeing how nice and opaque this drugstore polish looks I'll definitely be taking a better look at the Sinful Colors selection next time I'm in Walgreens.

If you know of any more great "off white" colors like this please leave me a comment and let me know!


xoxo
Marissa

Surf Baby Goodies!

So here's a few goodies I picked up from the recent MAC Surf Baby collection.  I was actually not as excited for this collection as I was with last years summer collection  (To The Beach), but obviously that didn't stop me from picking up 3 items, right?




The first thing I was quick to snatch up was the lipstick in Hibiscus, and it's beautiful! It's a creamsheen formula so it feels really nice on my lips and has amazing pigmentation.  I wore it today and it did last at least 3-4 hrs on my lips (I ate lunch a few hours after I applied it so I can't say how long it could have lasted) but when it did wear off, it faded nicely and not all blotchy like some bright lipsticks do.  I really like that it's a coral-red because I do love a red lip, so with the coral undertones it's a perfect version of the red lip for summer.  




My MAC girl told me that when they decided to discontinue the Viva Glam Cyndi, they had sooo many people asking for it that she thinks Hibiscus may have been the "replacement".  Since she mentioned that I decided to swatch Hibiscus next to Viva Glam Cyndi, and then also next to MAC Vegas Volt lipstick because I thought it also looked very similar. 

Vegas Volt, Hibiscus, Viva Glam Cyndi

As you can see, Vegas Volt and Hibiscus look extremely similar when swatched on my hand, and they make Viva Glam Cyndi look like a raspberry pink.  But!  On my lips, Hibiscus does actually look similar to Cyndi, it's just a little brighter, and then Vegas Volt looks much more orange/coral.  Either way, I really love Hibiscus and you should go check it out if you like bold lips!

Next up is the Studio Careblend powder bronzer in Lush, Light Bronze.  After hearing Christine from Temptalia.com raving about how amazing this powder felt and looked on the skin, for someone who uses bronzer pretty much every day, I knew I needed one.  This is a great color for my skin tone that blends AMAZINGLY into my skin and gives me such a natural glow.  I'm in love with it and it has quickly replaced my Tarte Park Ave Princess bronzer....for now.

Last thing I picked up was something I had not planned on getting at all....until my MAC girl suggested that I swatch them.  The Crushed Metallic Pigments are too gorgeous & shimmery not to love.  I went with the Surf The Ocean set mainly because they were colors I didn't really have in my collection, and also because I LOVE the mint green color that is in the set (second from the right in the swatch)

So that's all my goodies.  I hope you guys had a chance to check out this collection and I'd love to hear what you picked up!

Thanks for checking me out & keep a look out for more posts to come!

xoxo

Marissa