NAILS | MAC Skin Swatch #MidWeekMani

It's a short week (I still have to work 5 days because I am taking my stat next week to cover vacations this week), it's only Thursday and I am TIRED. Maybe it's the lack of sleep from sleeping outside on the couch during our heatwave, but I am feeling so sleepy the minute my body knows it's time to go home! This will be such a short post as I have period cramps and a headache, but I FINALLY am wearing MAC Skin all on its own after getting this limited edition bottle so long ago! I just wish I could remember WHICH collection this was?! I don't wear this shade alone a lot because I find it really close to my natural skin colour, but as a nude base for nail art I love it!

Hope everyone is surviving this week and enjoying the cooler weather (if you are in Vancouver)!

 

NAILS | Blurple Leopard Print #CBBxManiMonday

Here we are at Monday again, OMG. This is one weekend that felt like it just vanished and though I have today off, I was feeling so out of it and tired yesterday that today is going to be the day that I set out to accomplish EVERYTHING that I wanted to do yesterday. It's probably going to be exhausting and by 3pm I will need a nap! I did today's manicure while watching the first episode of the new season of Queer Eye and of course I was tearing up and thought the episode was so sweet! I love this new iteration of the series as it's never about changing someone to be who they aren't. The woman they were focusing on didn't want JVN to touch her hair AT ALL or even have him see it in its natural state and though he tried to reassure her that he has seen it all, she refused and he immediately backed off. I love that eventually she took his advice in 2020 so that when they went back for a follow up in 2021, she was showing off her natural hair!

Some press samples

MAKEUP LOOK | MAC Smoky Metallic Times Nine Review with Swatches

While my husband was away this week, I decided to make use of my nights alone by...playing with makeup! We work opposite schedules so I try not to do any blog related things in the evenings and do the Dr. Phil thing and "respect our marriage". However, the last few days I threw that rule out the window and lived it up!

I received the MAC Smoky Metallic x 9 Eyeshadow Palette* (0.8g each/$42.00 CDN) awhile ago and finally decided to give it a go. I like smoky eyes, but I can't say it's a look I think of doing immediately and looking at the mix of both matte and shimmery shades in this palette initially had me drawing a blank. Each individual shade was gorgeous, but putting them all together seemed a challenge.

MAKEUP | MAC Vibe Tribe Gleamtones Powder in Dunes at Dusk Review with Swatches

Initially, I wasn't sure how I felt about the MAC Vibe Tribe Collection, but after much beauty soul-searching I decided that I must have ONE thing and one thing only - the Gleamtones Powder (7g/$38.50 CDN)! In one tribal style colour-blocked pan is a quartet of highlighting and bronzing powders ranging from coral to champagne and shimmery pink to bronze. There is a little something for every occasion!

NAILS | BCD NAIL ART CHALLENGE WEEK 14 "Sweet Tooth" aka "Donut Love"

I am about a month out with the BCD Nails Challenge, but all three of us are still at it and I know we will finish it by year's end, I know it! I love having weekly inspiration as I get incredibly overwhelmed with what to try and or do because let's face it, THERE IS SO MUCH AWESOME NAIL ART IN THE UNIVERSE! One awesome manicure I have always wanted to try was donut nails (doughnut?)! This week's theme was "Sweet Tooth" and while there were a number of things I wanted to try, donutticures kept calling to me!

MAKEUP LOOK | MAC Future MAC Collection Review with Swatches

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I don't know how all of you can keep up with MAC's many releases because there always seems to be something new from them that I want to have at least a few pieces from whether it's for the limited edition packaging or for the actual shades (in limited edition packaging!) I have taught myself to be mindful of which MAC collections I have to have and Future MAC resonated with my love of sci-fi. Tron, The Fifth Element and Battlestar Galactica are all things I have watched over and over again both for the storylines and makeup. I'm hoping people in the future still do neutral looks, but from what we have seen in most movies and TV shows, futuristic makeup is often shimmery and glowing while aliens look wet to the touch like the Borg Queen. Future MAC is just that and though I don't look like the Borg Queen, I thought I'd try a few different products that normally wouldn't make their way onto my face!

MAKEUP | MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation Review with Swatches of NC 20, NW 22, NW 45, NC 35 & NC 37

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Last year in July, I attended a MAC Cosmetics preview showcasing some pretty amazing products for the Fall season one of which was the MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation ($40.00 CDN). Last year was all about serum-like foundations that were so light that only a dropper was needed to deliver the product. When I tried the prototype of this foundation on my hand, I was floored and could not wait until its release!

MAKEUP LOOK | Channeling the 80s with the MAC Flamingo Park Collection Review & Swatches

I am a genuine child of the 80s being born in 1983. Yes, it's true I am over 30 and only discovered the joy of makeup and nail polish in my late 20s. Though I don't feel the urge to relieve my fashion choices of the 80s, there is something nostalgic about brightly obnoxious pinks that takes me back to the time of side ponytails, hairspray and bright makeup. The MAC Cosmetics Flamingo Park Collection is all about satisfying your sweet tooth with punchy shades of pink. I have a few of my favourites from the collection that deserved an homage to the 80s.

MAKEUP | MAC Limited Edition Vamplify Lipgloss in Hyperfabulous, Push Some Buttons and Speed Up Review with Swatches

All I can say is that these limited edition releases make me realize how fast time is flying by! It seems like not so long ago that I was at the MAC Cosmetics Fall preview back in July and only just hearing about the limited edition Vamplify Lipgloss Collection (5mL/$24.00 CDN). Touted to be MAC's most dramatic lipgloss yet, the formula contains colour-boosting pigments that promise rich, polished-looking colour for hours.

MAKEUP LOOK | MAC is Beauty “Pop Star” Inspired ft. Eyeshadow in Preening, Lipstick in Pure Vanity and Cremesheen Glass in Japanese Spring

Sometimes we forget that makeup is all about playing. There are days when I’m putting together a classic neutral eye look and I look back at myself and want to throw in some yellow, pink or glitter. Today is that day. Although the MAC is Beauty collection isn’ horrifically in your face in terms of colour, it IS very striking in terms of the colours that were chosen to be part of the collection. The message behind MAC is Beauty is one of pure vanity and indulgence. Yes, makeup can sometimes be all about showcasing your natural beauty, BUT it can also be about being completely and utterly high-maintenance.

MAKEUP LOOK | MAC Cosmetics Bao Bao Wan Veluxe Pearl Fusion Shadow Review & Swatches

MAC,  you need to stop with these limited edition releases. There is a reason why I never used to even peruse the MAC counters because of releases like the MAC Toledo Collection, Cinderella and now Bao Bao Wan. Bao Bao Wan is HUGE in Asia which is why this collection jumped out at me right away because I’m Asian hence the colours MUST work for me, right? The Bao Bao Wan collection has some stunning lipsticks and nail lacquers, but today we’re going to feast our eyes on the Veluxe Pearl Fusion Shadow*($52.50 CDN), that is all shimmer baby! I had fun with this one fo sho!

MAKEUP LOOK “Angry Forest Nymph” | MAC Toledo Collection Bellgreens Eye Shadow Palette Review & Swatches

This is my first time using MAC eyeshadows. My expectations were pretty high considering the other products I have used and what people have been saying so when I first laid my eyes on the Bellgreens Eye Shadow Palette*($53.00 CDN) I was both in love with the packaging and colours, but stumped on how I would use the whole palette cohesively. All six shades of green come in different finishes from matte to satin to sparkly so where do I begin? What popped into my head was the face of a forest nymph, but a pissed off one.