Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts

Friday, July 9, 2010

Summer Makeup Routine - Updated 8/6/2010!

Summer has arrived in full force!  In June, the Twin Cities had rain, rain and more rain.  So far in July, it's been all about the humidity. 

Change in weather also means a change in your daily makeup routine.  Summer makeup routines usually entail fewer products and lighter coverage, especially when you're dealing with the heat and humidity.

Here are the products I use for an everyday summer look...


FACE (in no particular order):
1 - MAC Studio Finish Concealer (NC35)
This concealer is used year-round to cover blemishes, scars, etc.

2 - Stila Convertible Color (Peony)
3 - NARS Blush (Torrid)
Both are used for the cheeks but not together.  I switch between the two blushers.  Torrid looks nice on tan skin!

4 - MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
The only powder I've used so far this summer.  Sets the makeup!

5 - Revlon Colorstay Active Light Makeup SPF 25 (07-Golden Beige)
Like a tinted moisturizer but offers a little more coverage.  I randomly picked this up at a CVS beauty sale for 75% off in January and it sat unused in my makeup drawer for 5 months!  I've been using it everyday since I rediscovered it last month.  (I think this color has been discontinued.)

6 - MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer (NW30)
Primarily used to conceal any darkness under the eyes.

7 - Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector
Picked up from the Cosmetics Company Store, I apply this to areas where pores are large and overexposed to minimize the look of the pores.  Definitely a primer for the pores!


EYES (in no particular order):
1 - Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (Clear)
2 - Clinique Brow Shaper (Shaping Taupe)
3 - Maybelline Define-A-Brow Pencil (Dark Brown)
If I must leave the house with one thing done, it'll be the brows!  Line with pencil, fill and set with powder, brush with mascara to tame brows.  Product I want to try:  MUFE Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector!

4 - Stila Smudge Pot (Black)
Always line the top lid and tightline with black gel or cream liner.  I also use MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Gel Liner.

5 - Revlon 12-Hour Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad (Coffee Bean)
7 - MAC eyeshadow (Satin Taupe)
A neutral color kind of gal, I use a combination of these colors to enhance the eyes.

6 - Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner (Black)
Purchased as a set with the Coffee Bean Quad, this is used to line the waterline for a more dramatic day-to-night look.

8 - Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Eyeshadow primer... what would we do without it?!  Primer is placed on the lower lashline and lid up into the brows (the brow pencil/powder stays put).


OMG... I almost forgot the lashes!

Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof (Black)
Recently rediscovered!  Another favorite is Clinique's Lash Power Mascara.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler


And finally, the lips... I usually keep them bare except for lip balm.  Nivea, EOS, Carmax, MAC Tendertone... whatever is within arm's reach.

When I remember to do so, I'll throw on whatever gloss is available... whether it's Zoya Hot Lips, Milani Crystal Gloss or MAC Cremesheen Glass.


Does your makeup routine change with the seasons?  What is your summer makeup routine?


UPDATE:  My skin does not like the Revlon Colorstay Active Light Makeup!  I broke out along the sides of my face... ugh!  I've since replaced the Revlon with the L'Oreal True Match Foundation -- my HG foundation when I was in my early 20s.  So far, so good!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A Successful Visit to The Cosmetics Company Store

A few weekends back, my sister and I made a visit to the local outlet mall (one-hour drive door-to-door!) with one goal in mind --
The Cosmetics Company Store (a.k.a. CCO)!

The CCO houses over-runs, discontinued or slightly damaged goods from the Estee Lauder family brands (Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Clinique, Prescriptives, Origins).  Products are marked down 20%-80% from retail.  It's paradise for a beauty junkie such as myself!

Our local CCO's shelves were fully stocked!  With so many products to choose from, I tried to be a smart shopper... it was a total FAIL!

Here are the products I ended up with during this trip...


Org. retail price: $22Savings = $7.25!
A permanent product of MAC's Prep+Prime line, this powder can also be found at MACcosmetics.com
For a review, check out Musings of a Muse.


MAC Cremesheen Glass (top: Boy Bait; bottom: Partial to Pink) - $12.75 per lipgloss
Org. retail price: $18Savings = $10.50 total!
Also part of the permanent MAC line, check out KarlaSugar for watches.


MAC Cream Colour Base (left: Fresh Morning; right: Crushed Bougainvillea) - $11.75 per CCB
Org. retail price: $16.50Savings = $9.50 total!
Limited edition colors with the Emanuel Ungaro collection (Fall 2008). 
For a quick review of the whole collection, head over to Makeup and Beauty Blog.

And last but not least...


Org. retail price: $17.50Savings = $3.50!
Not great savings, but I was running low on eye makeup remover.  Lancome Bi-facil is my holy grail of eye makeup removers 
but it's $26 for the same size product!

Please note:  Savings calculation didn't include sales tax, which is 7.125% in that part of town.

Check out your nearest CCO for even greater deals!  Inventory is varies from store to store, but if you're looking for limited edition products or discontinued products (Prescriptives!), it's definitely worth a visit.

On another note...

I stopped into my local Ulta in search of the infamous Ecotools Bamboo Bronzer Brush.  They were completely sold out and have been for several weeks!  I wasn't going to leave empty-handed -- especially since I had a $5 coupon to use (check your InStyle magazine!).  So, I ended up with these...


Maybelline Define-A-Brow (Dark Brown)
Maybelline Stylish Smokes Quads (Natural and Charcoal)!

Buy 2, get 1 free promotion + $5 coupon = $7.80.  That's $2.60 each!