MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel Review and Swatches

I am so looking forward to Spring.  Flowers are blooming, the days are longer, warmer.   For me, Spring is fresh, dewy makeup and I am loving MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel as a pretty highlighter.

Price:  $20

Is this a limited edition?  No
 

 

MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel is a pearlescent golden pink liquid highlighter.  It is advertise as a bronzer but I think it is too light for that purpose, unless you are lighter than NC/NW20 then perhaps it may works.  Regardless, it is one of the most beautiful liquid highlighter I have ever tried.  It gives a natural, subtle luminous glow.  Beside using this as a highlighter for specific area on your face, it also works well when mix with foundation for an all over glow.  I love using this during summer to sheer out heavier coverage foundation.  The only cons is that it is a little expensive in my opinion. 

  

Rating:  4.5/5

Disclosure:  The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Shop M.A.C. Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! Review and Swatches

Today review and swatches is for Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! from the Shop MAC collection.

Price: $20

Is this a limited edition? Yes

I would describe Restores Dazzle! cream blush as a deep berry color. I ordered this online, had I seen it in person, I probably would not have purchased it because it looks too dark for my fair to light complexion. It is pigmented, however, apply with a light hand and it sheer out beautifully to a soft raspberry color. It is buildable and I think will work with both light and darker skin tone. I love this color because it is something I do not already owe.

The texture of MAC Cremeblend is not as creamy as NYX cream blushes therefore it will not be as slippery and less glowy. Oily or combination skin will probably prefer MAC but it still work for drier skin like mine. I do miss the dewiness that you sometime get from cream blushes so I do pair it with a liquid highlighter. It has lasting power of the entire work day for me.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

When to Toss Out Your Makeup?

It has probably been almost a year since I goes through and clean out my beauty stashes.  I ended up with a bag full of stuff to toss out, either due to the color not working with my skin tone, allergic reaction, and last but not least, expiration.  It makes me feel bad, like I am being wasteful.  On the other hand, what do you do with color that is not suited for you (well, I should have try to return what I can)?  More importantly, you should not be using old cosmetic, it could cause break out and other skin irritation. It makes me wonder, how long do you keep your cosmetic before you throw them out?

I am not very strict but here is a rough guide line how long you should keep things.

-Mascara – no more than 3 months (this is the one I am careful about because I do not want eyes infection and I never share my mascara with anyone, period!)

-Liquid Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer/Primer - 12 months.  I follow the same guideline for anything that is liquid or cream base.  I also smell and check the consistency if I have not use it in awhile.  If it changes color, smell funny, or separate even after shaking, I'd toss it out.

-Powder Foundation/Blush/Eyeshadow - up to 24 months.  With powder, I think you have more room to decide how long you should keep a product.  It does not go bad as fast as liquid base and easier to sanitize.  Sometime I use a cotton pad wet with alcohol and wipe both the container and lightly top layer of the product.  Wait for it to dry, if the top harden, just scrape it off lightly, a thin layer with a butter knife.

Off topic, I was looking forward to trying Alba products because they are natural.  Unfortunately, the toner burned my skin the second I applied it.  Both sunscreen gave me horrible rashes that lasted almost two weeks.  At first, I did not know what caused my rash until my husband and friend got the same allergic reaction from using these sunscreen.

Eyeing On At the Moment

Hi there! Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate it. Lets start off the new year with a few new items that caught my eyes :)

Boots No.7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream (This has been launched in the UK, hopefully it will come to Target in a few months)

Physician Formula Season-to-Season Bronzer

Stila Spring 2012 Blush

Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss for Spring 2012

Too Faced Beauty Balm

Jason Wu for Target Trench Coat

Michael Kors Small Madison Rose Gold Watch

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes Review and Swatches

The new Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush is a powder-gel formula that is actually bouncy when you apply pressure, like a marshmallow. These comes in 10 shades available, the one I purchased are 15 Rose Petal and 20 Peach Satin.

Price: $7.99 each

Pros: I like this new packaging much better than the old Maybelline Dream Blush. The dome shape of the blush makes it much more accessible versus having to stick my finger in a pot (old version).

The formula applies and blends like a cream blush but has the finish and lightweight of a powder blush. It goes on fairly sheer and is buildable. I just use my finger, by the way. Peach Satin last on me the whole day and only fade slightly.

Cons: The lighter shade like Rose Petal is so gorgeous on pan but it goes on sheer, even after a few layers.  I think it show up a little better on swatch than on my cheeks.  Unless you are fair to light, I would recommend skipping the lighter shades as I am not sure if it will show up on darker skin tone.

Rose Petal (L) and Peach Satin (R)

Overall: A part of me wishes these blush are pack with more pigment for lighter shade like Rose Petal because it is so pretty in pan. Then on the other hand, they give a natural flush and are hard to overdo the way they are. Plus, darker shade like Peach Satin, I think the pigmentation is just right. I can also see this possibly being a hit for oilier skin gal whose skin cannot hold a cream blush.

Rating: It is tough; I am torn between a 4 and 4.5 out of 5


Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

2011 Most Loved Makeup

Sephora Waterproof Cream Eyeliner
This eyeliner is really smooth and pigmented, no dragging. It also last a long time, I have it for over 8 months now and it has not dry up. Therefore, for $10, I think it is worth trying out.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling
I have MAC Sheen Supreme in three different shades, Full Speed, Gotta Dash, and Ultra Darling. I find that the consistency and texture is different among the different shades. Some are drier and Gotta Dash applies unevenly. My favorite is Ultra Darling, not only is it a flattering, easy to wear cool berry tone for Fall or Spring, it also has the best formula, moisturizing and glide on easily and evenly.

NYX Cream Blushes
One of the best drugstore (or drugstore price) blushes I have ever used.  It's pigmented and long lasting.  I love shade "natural" on me, it does look natural, add warmth and brighten my face.  You can check out my past review for swatches.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hours Blush
In general, I prefer cream blush over powder, I think they blend better and longer lasting.  However, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush have longer lasting power that most powder blush and it applies evenly as well.

Kevin Beautymaker Mineral BB Cream Concealer
Very pigmented, you only need very little.  It is creamy, easy to blend, long lasting, and does not cake.

Kevin Beautymaker Aqua Eye Concealer
Technically I reviewed this in 2010 but I wanted to add it with the other KB concealer because it is one of the best undereye concealer I have tried, HG for me.  I also use this on the side of my nose where the skin is dry and flaky to hide redness because this concealer is really smooth and easy to blend, it never cakes.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
Since I have dry skin, it is generally easier to work with when using a tinted moisturizer.  What I love about LMTM is that it provides enough hydration without being greasy.  In addition, it also have enough coverage to even out my red spots.  Expensive?  Yes, but you don't have to use a lot so I think it's not too bad.

Sephora Collection Color Palette

Allow me to introduce you to Sephora Collection Color Palette, currently retail for $24.  It contains an array of gorgeous color for your eyes, lips, and cheek.

This palette includes:
- 32 must-have eyeshadows
- 16 beautiful lip colors
- 3 blushes
- 1 shimmery bronzer

I didn't get a chance to use these shadows extensively.  I swatch and also wore them for a few days.  I think this palette is a a mixed bag.  Some color are so lovely in both pigmentation and texture, very smooth and creamy.  Some of the lighter shades tend to be chalky and of the shades have chunky glitter.  The ones that are chalky have a bit of fall out and doesn't last as long.

I would recommend this palette for beginner or someone who just want some extra fun bright colors.  For $24, you get so many options and some wonderful color payoff.

(Sorry I don't have swatch for the bottom two rows.  Somehow it got deleted from my camera and I already returned this to my friend, she lends it to me)

KIMIKO

I recently came across a new brand that I want to share with you, it's call Kimiko.  The line is created by Danielle Vincent who before worked as a makeup artist and product developer.  A cool fact, "Kimiko is the founder's middle name, and embodies the spirit of its Japanese characters - KI (Energy), MI (Beauty) and KO (Youth) - by giving women beauty beyond today".


The focus of this line is makeup with skincare solutions built into cosmetics. Though limited in selection, they do have a full line of makeup.  I am most interested in their Hydrating Tint SPF 20.

Lifting Puff Blush

 Sheer Tint and Lip Plumper

 Their only skincare product - Jensai Serum

These are just a few of their products, you can check out their website for full details.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12- Hour Blush in Amuse Review and Swatches

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is infused with natural clay that is nutrient-rich and promises a fade-free flawless finish for an amazing 12 hours.

Price: $25

Pros: It is comforting to know that my makeup come from a natural makeup line without the inclusion of harsh chemicals and any skincare benefit it might add is icing on the cake. It supposedly contains Vitamin A, C, and E.

I like the cute, sturdy packaging and the included mirror. Amused is a pretty bright pink, a nice pop for the apple of your cheeks. It is long lasting but I can’t vouch for the 12 hours wear as I tend to wear my blush over a cream blush/base. It’s pigmented and smooth, non-chalky, a little goes a long way

Cons: I can’t think of any really except that $25 may be a bit high for some budget.

Overall: Overall, I like these, everything from the ingredients, the cute and sturdy packaging, to the blush high pigmentation and smooth texture. Rating: 4.5/5.

Disclosure: The product being review was a prize given to me through a giveaway I entered.

MAC Pink Cult Blush Review and Swatches

Price: $19.50

Limited Edition? Yes, part of the Jeanius collection.

Pros: I like that even though it is matte, with a light hand, it goes on sheer and natural, not powdery and dull. It is also a good option for people who doesn’t like shimmer in their blush. It being a neutral undertone also makes it versatile and flattering for both warm and cool skin tone.

Cons: It being on the light side, I am not sure how well it will show up on dark skin tone.

Overall: I ran to get this the first day it came out in store because I felt in love with the swatches posted by Temptalia. I am not sure if it’s the lighting or the flash but it looks a lot more muted and less pink in person. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that it’s so hard to capture color correctly in photograph; I have the same trouble myself sometime. I bought it anyway out of curiosity. While it is a versatile, easy to wear color, flattering for most people color, it just does not stand out for me. Nice but not special, if you know what I mean? Plus, I already owed NYX Angel which is a close match to it. I actually think Angel is a more flattering shade on me. Rating: 3.5 or 4/5

Update: adding comparison picture.

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

New Too Faced Peach Leopard Bronzer

I believe it was last year when Too Faced came out with a really pretty Pink Leopard Bronzer.  Now, they added a new addition, a Peach version.  It contains a mix of warming shades of shimmering peach, matte chocolate and tawny bronze.  It is warm and not too dark so I think it would be especially flattering for those with lighter warm undertone.  Currently retail for $28 at Toofaced.com.

Want It: Stila Garden Bliss All Over Shimmer Powder

Do I need a face shimmer powder? Not really but I want it as this is a very adorable compact from Stila Garden Bliss collection that is now available on HSN. I imagine the neutral shade should be flattering for most skin tone.

Price: $28

What It Does

* Helps brighten eyes, cheeks and decollete with a touch of shimmer
* Helps hide skin imperfections


Features

* Micro-fine pigment and pearl
* Contains a blend of several micronized pigments
* Long lasting

MAC Pink Cult Blush and Sheen Supreme Lipsticks Swatches

I got off work early today and what did I do? I went makeup shopping :) I am actually sick as a puppy but since I have to go to the mall to pick up my alteration and MAC store is only a few shops away, I couldn't resist. Just quick swatches for now, I'll review them once I get a chance to wear them more. Enjoy!