Mac Moody Blooms haul!

Passing by a Mac store everyday coming home from work isn't always a good thing especially if you are a makeup addict, lol!

So, when I saw the Moody Blooms banner I had to take at least a look, but, failing at finding a parking space, I left with the plan to return on Saturday.

Well, Saturday decided to give us here in Athens a little downpour,

but I wouldn't let a little rain and thunder scare me off, I had a mission to see through!

So, I arrived and the full stand was a sight for sore eyes!

I wasn't interested in the blushes because I have more than I will ever use, also I didn't find them interesting enough.

The eyeshadows caught my attention immediately, especially the light peachy pink one, Artistic Lisence (LE).

It has Veluxe Pearl finish and is a very pretty peachy pink duochrome, close to a rose gold shade.

I initially thought it looked like Expensive Pink but swatched side by side they look nothing alike, Expensive Pink is darker and more peachy.

Coming home I realized that the pan color resembled a Sleek eyeshadow from the Lagoon palette but again, the Sleek one was totally different, much pinker.

Artistic Licence at the bottom, Expensive Pink in the middle, Sleek eyeshadow on top. 

Depending on the base I use it can look more peachy (for example over Painterly) or more pink (for example over Pink Gold Color Tattoo by Maybelline).

As for application, I got true to pan result packing it on with a Mac 239 brush. It can also be used with a fluffy brush for a wash of colour but the result is very subtle and the duochrome is not apparent.

The other eyeshadow I got was the plum one, Hidden Motive.

When I got home I had buyer's remorse for not getting the brown one as well but didn't want to go overboard.

Then I realized that if I depoted the two I already purchased I would have 6 packages to b2M and that's what I did (lighter and knife in the middle of the night, I need therapy, I know!).

So, next day I went back for the brown one but the SA refused at first saying that I couldn't b2M with a LE eyeshadow.  I told her that I could and had done it in the past but she still refused. She asked another SA who said it was allowed, only when it is in a special packaging you can't b2M.

She was still unconvinced so she did a phone call and it was confirmed I could b2M to a LE eyeshadow (hallelujah, it just took her 15 minutes to sort it out, lol!)

So, here they are.

Hidden Motive at the bottom, Deep Fixation on top.

Hidden Motive (LE, Veluxe Pearl) is a midtone plum that can be used on the lid, in the crease etc. I love it because it has a lovely color and I can achieve a smokey look without being too dark and sultry (because then I look like a five year old playing with crayolas!!!).

Deep Fixation (LE, Veluxe Pearl) is a gorgeous brown with a strong orange/red tint, unlike to any brown I own. It can also be used as a lid or crease color and is also perfect for a not too dark smokey look.

Here they are all together, depoted in a Mac palette.

I also debated on whether I should get the purple/lavender one as well, Blooming Mad (LE, Frost) but, swatching it side by side to Stars and Rockets (permanent) I decided to wait and b2M to Stars and Rockets because although they look dead on dupes, Stars and Rockets has a more intense duochrome and is less pink.

Blooming Mad at the bottom, Stars and Rockets on top (and yeah, I went home with purple swatches on my hand, lol!)

Last but not least, I also got a lipstick.

While I was browsing through the lippies I was like meh, ok, nothing outstanding.

Then, out of pure curiosity I swatched an ugly brown one sitting at the end of the display

and boy was I surprised!

The ugly brown one, Moody Bloom (LE, Sheen Supreme) turned out to be a soft semi transparent plume brown with a lovely almost a bit metallic sheen, one of the prettiest and most complex colors I have seen in a while.

By coincidence the SA told me that she was wearing it and I loved the result so much that there was no way I was leaving without it!

It reminded me of Oh oh oh!, another Mac LE lipstick that I got two years ago but swatched side by side they don't resemble at all, Oh oh oh! is less brown and Lustre finish.

Moody Bloom on top, Oh oh oh! at the bottom.

That's all I got from the Mac Moody Blooms collection, I do think it has quite a few unique items to offer and definitely worths at least a look.

I get a late summer / fall vibe from the colors that I chose and I think I will enjoy them year round.

For the end, here's an impromptu EOTD with Artistic Lisence and Hidden Motive (I swear my eyebrows are not massive IRL, just the close up was too close, lol!)

Did you have a chance to see the collection? What are your thoughts on it?

That's it for now,  I hope you are all well and thriving. 

5 Products Makeup Tag!

Dear fellow bblogger Tina from All the Vanity has recently done the 5 products makeup tag! and also tagged me to do one.

So, without further ado, here it is!

Dior Diorskin Nude BB Cream: since I'm going for a minimalistic look (with 5 products only it's one way more or less!) I chose a lovely and natural looking base that will enhance my appearance without wiping out my face structure.

Benefit Rockateur Blush: new addition to my mini army of blushes and quite a love at first...application, it is ideal for such difficult missions because it gives a lovely light warmth with a bit of bronzy tint so it adds colour and dimension at the same time. 

I also used it as an eyeshadow all over the lid up to over the crease, blended the edges and it defined the eyes in a polished and understated way.

Benefit They're Real mascara: no matter how many times I "cheat" with other mascaras, I always return to this one. It's the only makeup item that I have a backup, at all times. 'Nough said.

Mac Veluxe Brow Liner: having sparse and light haired brows a product to shape and fill them is indispensable to me and the Mac one is a current favorite. 

Mac Cockney lipstick: this is the jewel of the crown for such a look because it is a pretty, juicy, semi transparent red that gives life to the whole face. 

Benefit Rockateur, Mac Cockney, Mac Strawberry Blonde brow liner.

Thank you Tina for the fun challenge!

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

It is a fact that I'm a sucker for anything gimmicky.

It is also a fact that I mostly buy lip stuff that is proven to be long wearing, because my lips tend to melt away any regular lip product in a few mimutes, leaving me with bare lips.

So, the Revlon Kissables seemed very fascinating to me being gimmicky and long wearing. I started by buying a couple of shades, really liked them, purchased some more, and making a long story short, I currently own 8 of them and I love each and everyone!

Here they are

The reasons I like them so much are:

• They do survive quite a few hours on my lips
• Even when they fade, they leave a nice stain behind
• They have a nice shine
• They feel supple and moisturizing
• They're pigmented
• Easy to apply
• Pretty color selection
• Affordable
• They don't need any sharpening

Shades I own:

001 Honey,

010 Darling,

040 Rendezvous,

025 Sweetheart,

020 Lovesick

045 Romantic

055 Adore

005 Crush

Swatches in the same order

After a rigorous wash with soap and water you can still see the stain.

In comparison to Revlon's famous lip butters:

• the lip butters feel more emollient and rich
• on the other side, my lip butters melted in their tubes last summer. I mean, I still use them but they look a little messed up (lol!)
• Color wise, there are similar shades. For example, the Tutti Frutti lip butter is similar to Rendezvous.

 

 

That's all for now, I hope you're all well and thriving!

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

12 Hits for 2012!

During 2012 I discovered quite a few beauty gems, mainly because:

• cosmetic companies have improved their products, and
• I purchase stuff after I've been thoroughly informed of, thanks to reviews by the lovely online beauty community.

So, it was a hard task to limit myself to just twelve items but I was a good girl and conformed to the rules (actually, maybe I cheated with a few honorable mentions at the end!)

A few are recent purchases but have already won a special place in my heart and I will post full reviews in the near future (hopefully before summer, lol!) and the others are products that I use constantly since I got them because they deliver with flying colors.

On another note, 2012 was the year I started trying a few "high end" items and you'll see the ones that really impressed me as well as drugstore products with stellar performance.

Enough said, let's get started!

1. Guerlain Meteorites

The famous fairy dust is something I've been lusting for for a looong time now and I recently decided to get it. I simply can't imagine makeup without it now that I tried it. If you haven't tried it run to your local beauty store and just do it. You'll thank me later (I'm such a tease, I know!).


Full review will follow on a separate post.

2. Dior Diorskin Nude Fresh Glow Powder Foundation (Dior, really? It's easier to remember Maria Juana Chiquita De Los Angeles Toreador Est Mort).

Apart from the name it's a gawgeousss foundation, especially for dry or mature skin because it's incredibly fine and silky and gives my - otherwise dull complexion - an (almost...) ethereal freshness and glow.

Full review will follow on a separate post as well.

3. YSL Vernis a Levres (Glossy Stains)

If you read my posts you probably saw it coming (and it's a surprise even to me that these came third place!) but these are the only lip products that I've come close to actually finish a tube, that's how much I love them. The reason is that these are the only lip products that manage to stay on my lips for hours, without drying them at the same time.

Here is a full review. I hear that L'Oreal has a similar product on the launch, woohoo!

4. Color Tattoo by Maybelline

These little pots of color have been almost constantly on my eyes, either as a base under other eyeshadows or worn alone.

Here you can see why I love them do much!

 

5. Mac Fix+

Many people mistake this for a spray that fixes you makeup (the name itself is deceiving) but it's not. It actually lightly moisturizers your skin, even over foundation, powder etc and it can really help if you 've used a bit too much of powder or if you're feeling your skin tight. I have a full bottle at home and a mini one in my purse at all times.

 

6. Mac Cleanse Off Oil

I can't think myself using anything else to take my makeup off because it feels so gentle and luxurious, like a mini face spa session! It's also very potent, meaning that it takes off even waterproof maskara easily and thoroughly. I just put a pump (or two for more heavy duty products) on my palms, massage gently on my eyelids and face and then lather up and rinse with water. Perfect!

 

7. Benefit Stay Don't Stray

Although I have not tried that many eye primers, I always have a backup of this one because not only does it keep the eyeshadow in place all day but can also be worn under eyes and specifically under concealer, keeping it in place all day! If you find that by midday your concealer has disappeared you will really appreciate this primer.

 

8. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

They feel lightly moisturizing, they stay on for a long time (although not as long as the YSL Glossy Stains), they're affordable and the color range is very pretty (I actually just ordered a couple more shades!).

Here you can see these two swatched.

 

9. Benefit They're Real mascara

I confess. I'm lazy. Especially while doing my makeup in the morning. So I need a mascara that can give me full on lashes without having to work half an hour with it in order to achieve the desired result. That's why I don't see any other (and I've tried an army of them) replacing this one any time soon.

 

10. Dior Dior Addict Lip Balm

This one was purchased on a whim, at a 40% off sales and I'm so glad I did! Not only it's a very posh tube (I know I'm vain but who isn't, more or less?) but it feels amazing on my lips. It also manages to stay on quite a long time and to me that's very impressive (because I have to staple down any lip products I use, appart from the YSL stains, lollll!)

 

11. La Roche Posay 50+ Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme

This summer I found a sunscreen that doesn't look or feel like a white toothpaste smeared all over my face. Although it's extremely thin and lightweight it manages to successfully shield my skin against the bad bad sun rays. I wear it year round although I won't repurchased the tinted one because it's dark for my skin tone (never trust SAs that say " no, it will not be dark on you, it will blend into your skin" my a@#%)!

 

12. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

This one is my choice when I want a blush that will not clash with the colors I've used on my eyes, lips, clothes, whatever. It manages to compliment any look, gives a "healthy glow" and lasts all day. What more can I ask?

Here you can find swatches of this one and of Blissful as well.

 

 

Wait (or in greek Annabel stasou, mygdala!) that's not all!

 

Here are a few honorable mentions.

 

Clarins Instant Light Blush

Although I'm not a fan of liquid or cream blushes due to longevity issues, these two really impressed me not only because they last on my cheeks even during the hot greek summer but also because they're like a light colored dewy film that looks very natural and pretty.

Here you can see them swatched. Unfortunately they are are part of the 2012 summer LE launch but maybe you can still find them in case you're interested.

Inglot Eyeshadows

Well, in 2012 the first Inglot store opened in Athens and it was a major event because we've heard so much of Inglot cosmetics and now we could see them up close and personal! Of all the products I'm mostly impressed with the eyeshadows because they're soft and silky, pigmented and very affordable.

Here you can see them swatched.

 

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

This one is my second Chanel lipstick but my first in the Coco Shine formula and the reason I love it is because it feels amazing on my lips, soft, moisturizing and pampering. It is in the shade 67 Dauville.

 

Mac Blushes in Flower Fantasy and Sunday Afternoon

I'm very surprised that I've not hit pan on these two beauties because I've been using them to death all spring, summer and autumn, I actually stopped using them about a month ago mostly because I was ignoring all my other blushes! I love them not only because of the pretty colors but also because there is a coordinating highlight in every pan, so I don't have to open a myriad pots in order to complete my makeup.

 

 

Well, these were my 2012 beauty finalists, hopefully 2013 will be even better beautywise!

 

That's all for now, I hope you're all well and thriving and may 2013 bring you all you wish for, in every aspect!

 

See you next year ;-)

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Mac Marilyn Monroe collection

The Marilyn Monroe collection has finally landed in greek stores and although I don't find myself to be a fan of her, I'm a sucker for Mac limited edition collections, especially with special packaging.

The collection as a total consists of a lot of products, here you can find an overview by Temptalia.

I was interested in three products and here they are!

• Forever Marilyn Beauty Powder
• Legendary blush
• Pure Zen cremesheen lipstick

Forever Marilyn beauty powder (heavily swatched), Legendary blsh, Pure Zen lipstick.

Forever Marilyn Beauty Powder: it's the second Mac beauty powder that I own and I was drawn to this since it can be used as an everyday finishing powder with a twist because it gives a kind of discreet luminosity to the skin, without a white cast, and it's not glittery or anything.

It's perfect for fair complexions and I think it could be used as a subtle highlight for darker skin tones.

It does come off a bit chalky but I always use a face mist, so it's not a deal breaker.

In comparison to the Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten Porcelain finishing powder that I'm currently using, the Mac one is a tiny bit darker and not so stark white like the Laura Geller.

In comparison to the Mac Snowglobe beauty powder that I own, it's an entirely different product because Snowglobe can only be used as a highlight (or even as a finishing powder for a night out) since it has an intense sheen.

Mac Snowglobe, Mac Forever Marilyn, Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten in Porcelain

Legendary blush: I'm a fan of satin blushes by Mac and in particular of light shades because they give a discreet color and glow to my cheeks without being dominant. This one was no exception.

It has a pretty subtle sheen and the color is a lovely peachy coral. At first I thought it was similar to Stunner by Mac but, although they are similar to finish and color saturation, they differ because Stunner is more pink. If you loved Stunner, you're gonna love this one too!

Pure Zen cremesheen lipstick: I was set in getting one lipstick solely due to the packaging but the reds were not calling my name. So, I swatched this one and I was like, meh, but then I considered that I don't have any nude lip colors appart from an Inglot lipgloss and so I got it.

Coming home I put it on an although it didn't rock my world I actually liked it a lot because on my lips it's a kind of peachy pink beige, a very pretty but in a contemporary way nude. It will be perfect with gray smoky eyes amongst others.

Here's an attempt to take a sort of photo of how it looks on me, well, just use your imagination, lol!

What did you get from this collection? How do you feel about Mac LE collections in general?

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Estée Lauder bazaar Fall edition!

Since my first visit to the Estée Lauder bazaar last May was very fun and just the opposite of the ordeal I was expecting it to be (you can read all about it here ), I decided to venture a second visit last Saturday.

This time I planned ahead, meaning that I had a list of gifts that I had to get for upcoming anniversaries, name days, etc of female friends and family members and I set a budget for every person.

So, at 13:00 I was there, I got the tickets and after just 10' minutes of waiting me and my friends were inside!

And here's the result, lol!

This time, knowing my way, I rushed through the first alleys with the home cleaning/maintenance/kitchen stuff, carroten sunscreens etc and I went straight ahead to Mac.

No luck there! I got nothing at all because all I could see were some dark foundations and items in general that I was no interested in buying, even at these very low prices. I was intrigued though to see that there were also some lip products, pigments and nailpolishes from the sailor collection (it was launched in stores 2-3 months ago).

Next stop, Estée Lauder. I saw some pretty pretty blushes and I was immediately drawn to them because:

• I have a soft spot for blushes (more like an addiction)
• I don't have any Estée Lauder products so I was interested to get one
• Two out of the three colors are shades that I don't have anything similar
• Ridiculously pigmented but when applied with a duo fibre brush look lovely and dainty on the cheeks
• The pans are HUGE! (7g)
• They were priced 12€ each (!!!)

So, I got two: Siren and Naughty, both satin finish. There was also a bubblegum pink one, it didn't seem anything special to me

Brace yourselves for the swatches! Naughty on the left, Siren on the right

The EL very helpfull assistant told me that these shades came straight from the US and that they were not sold in store here so I just take her word for it, it was of no importance anyway.

After returning home thought I did some online search (to see what opinions were out there for these blushes) and I discovered something very interesting: these shades are from the Summer 2012 launch, limited edition and designed by Tom Pecheux himself!

In case you wonder, Tom Pecheux is the creative makeup director of EL (I didn't know that either until now but I decided to write his name so as to appear a little more savvy, I got you, didn't I!)

Next stop, Bobbi Brown! Very few items, mainly foundations (not any concealers/correctors unfortunately) but I was sooo happy to see that they had pale foundations! I was always interested in a BB foundation but for some reason never got one so far. So I decided to try one and I got the Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation in Warm Ivory 1 and the price tag was 9€!

I haven't opened it and I won't open it for a long time because I must finish the ones I already own but eventually my stash will be consumed, so there's no wrong planning ahead for something so indispensable to me as foundation, especially at this price!

The rest are presents for friends and family.

It goes without saying that I got a little something for my mom, but, she doesn't wear anything apart from lipstick, so I got her a shade that I thought she would like, in the shade Pure Color 14 Curvaceous Coral. Price:7,50€!

Next, I got this pretty palette, Pure Color 04 Wild Violet. I wasn't impressed by the variety, they had a pinkish palette, two with blues/teals and this one and I thought this was the most easily wearable of them all. Price: 15€.

I got two Clinique mini Chubby Sticks sets, each at 12€.

I got a Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in 403 Rose Wine (7€) and also a Clinique mascara (7€) but I think I will keep the mascara for myself for fear of being dried up, it would be totally awkward to gift something that it's not in top condition.

Have you ever purchased a mascara from the bazaar? Was it ok?

For my niece I got this amazing Pupa palette (12€), she is too young to use it but it will be sooo cute as a decoration on her dressing table!

Last item, a pretty and easy going eau de toilette, Bellissima by Blumarine, 15€ for the 30ml.

I didn't get any perfume for myself because this time there was no Jo Malone counter! I was so impressed by the colognes that I purchased there last time and I was set on getting a couple more, but, no. Bummed bummed bummed!

Last items I got on my way to the cashier were the Orzene Frizz Control beer shampoo and conditioner, at 2€ and 1€ each. I already use this brand and I'm quite pleased with it, so I thought to try this variation as well.

I was also impressed by the fact that the shelves were full and there were new boxes stacked up and opened up continuously so I guess there's (and will be) a lot of items still available.

On our way out (about 15:00) there was no waiting line, no tickets and people entered immediately.

So, all in all, I have to say that I am extremely happy that I decided to go because I found great items at incredible prices and all it took was 10' minutes waiting (and a little delicate shoving and pushing in front of the Estée Lauder counter, lol!)

In case you're debating whether you should go or not, I would definitely recommend you to go!

Even If you don't want any beauty items, there are also household products and personal care as well at very low prices.

It will last until Sunday 14/10 and it's open 11:00-20:00 on work days and 11:00-19:00 on weekends.

Update: my mom was so intrigued by the low prices that we made a flash visit there this evening and she got two more lipsticks and some household items.

 

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy