MAC Alluring Aquatic Haul + Swatches & FOTD

Edited June 10, 2014: If you are still interested in purchasing anything from this collection, you can still find some items online at MAC Cosmetics, Nordstroms (6% cash back), Bloomingdale's (3% cash back), Belk, Macy's (6% cash back), and Dillards (3% cash back).

 

If you aren't familiar with ebates, it's a site that is free to join/use and you receive cash back for online purchases.

 

You can sign up for free by clicking here!

 

 

 

 

MAC's newest collection - Alluring Aquatic - is encased in beautiful teal packaging with real life water droplets.

 

 This collection washed ashore online on May 15, 2014 and instores on May 22, 2014. MAC freestanding stores and Nordstroms released this collection early on May 21, 2014.

 

 

This collection is split into to sections on the MAC website - Colour and Face.

 

 

Here is what MAC has to say about the Alluring Aquatic Colour Collection....

Sirens of the deep inspire an aquascape of shades, as waves of tarnished olive, seafoam and darkened plum surrender to water’s enticing spirit. Sultry eyes take on a subtle radiance, while luminous Extra Dimension Blush washes over cheeks, creating a goddess glow. Under the sea, nails glisten in aquatic chrome and metallic Nail Lacquer, as Lipstick, Lipglass and Lip Pencil dive deep into colour. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets.

 

This half of the collection features:

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner ($17.50)

Features: Blackline and Blackswan

An eye pencil that provides rich, luxurious colour with a touch of shimmer and sparkle. Smooth, creamy formula glides on for a perfectly intense line, yet its soft texture allows you to blend. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof. Limited-edition teal Alluring Aquatic packaging.

 

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow ($19.50)*

Features: Lorelei, Sea Worship, Silver Sun, Soul Serenade, Fathoms Deep, Legendary Lure

A liquid-powder Eye Shadow with prismatic reflections in six shimmering tints. Impact ranges from sheer crystallized light to a highly polished metallic effect. Lasts up to six hours. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets.

 

Tinted Lipglass ($16.50)*

Features: Clear Water, Peachstock, Water Deities, Seducing Sound, Modern Lure

High-gloss, glass-like finish tinted with colour. Wear it alone or pair it with Lipstick for a perfectly glossed look. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets.

 

Lip Pencil ($16.50)*

Features: What Comes Naturally and Half-Red

A pencil designed for shaping, lining or filling in the lip. Smooth, creamy texture in soft burgundy and light nude. Limited-edition teal Alluring Aquatic packaging.

 

Lipstick ($17.50)*

Features: Siren Song, Pet Me Please, Enchanted One, Mystical, Goddess of the Sea

Colour plus texture for the lips that made M•A•C famous. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets.

 

Nail Lacquer ($17.50)*

Features: Shimmerfish, Neptune, Submerged

Under the sea, nails glisten in aquatic chrome, tarnished gold and sparkling platinum. High-gloss formula contains conditioners and UV protection. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets.

 

233 Split Fibre Eye Shadow Brush ($25)*

Small, paddle-shaped flat brush ideal for applying and laying down product on the eyelid. Features a split of natural and synthetic fibres that deliver two unique results, soft and diffused, or sheer and polished finish. Limited-edition teal Alluring Aquatic ferrule and handle.

 

Extra Dimension Blush ($27.50)*

Features: Seduced at Sea and Sea Me Hear Me

A liquid-powder blush with prismatic reflections in two shimmering shades. Impact ranges from sheer crystallized light to a highly polished metallic effect. Lasts up to six hours. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets

 

 

 

Here is what MAC has to say about the Alluring Aquatic Face Collection....

Bronzing Powders and Extra Dimension Bronzer in gentle, pearlized shades set skin aglow for summer. Limited-edition compacts in aquatic teal are dramatically accented with crystal clear droplets. Anticipate waves of adoration when carrying the coordinated chic, teal clutch, with a texturized water droplet finish and translucent sides in aqua.

 

This half of the collection features:

127 Split Fibre Face Brush ($35)*

Medium to full-sized paddle-shaped brush allows for light pickup and sheer wash of powders, bronzers highlighters and blush. Split fibre brush delivers a soft, diffused look with its unique combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Limited-edition teal Alluring Aquatic ferrule and handle.

 

Makeup Bag ($35)*

Coordinated teal clutch, with a texturized water droplet finish and translucent sides in luminous aqua. 8”L x 4.5”H x 2”W. A M•A•C store exclusive.

 

Bronzing Powder ($27.50)

Features: Golden and Refined Golden

A lightly frosted, tinted powder that gives skin sheer, natural colour and highlights. Ideal for enhancing a skin tone or accenting a tan. Formulated with skin conditioners to provide a smooth, even application on all skin types. Limited-edition teal packaging, elegantly accented with sheer water droplets.

 

Extra Dimension Bronzer ($33)*

Features: Aphrodite's Shell and Delphic

A liquid-powder bronzer with prismatic reflections. Highlights the face in the golden bronze shimmer of Aphrodite’s Shell and soft tan of Delphic. The cool, creamy near-fluid formula creates a luminous, well-defined finish. Wears ten hours. Limited-edition teal packaging, elegantly accented with crystal clear water droplets.

 

 

* - This product is limited edition to this collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without further ado, onto the haul...... 

 I decided to pick up: Siren Song Lipstick (+ back up) and Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

 

This packaging is gorgeous!

 

You can actually feel the water droplets.

 

 

Onto the swatches....

 

Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer and Siren Song Lipstick (indoors with natural sunlight)

 

 

Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer and Siren Song Lipstick (in direct sunlight)

 

 

Lip swatch of Siren Song Lipstick

 

 

Aphrodite's Shell is my first "high end" bronzer. I have compared the bronzers in my collection to the newest addition to my bronzer drawer in the pictures below!
 

 

NYC Sunny, MAC Aphrodite's Shell, Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Fair to Light and Light to Medium

 

 

NYC Sunny, MAC Aphrodite's Shell, Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Fair to Light and Light to Medium (indoors with natural sunlight)

 

 

NYC Sunny, MAC Aphrodite's Shell, Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Fair to Light and Light to Medium(in direct sunlight)

Onto the Face of the Day (FOTD)....

Here are some FOTD pictures to showcase these new products!

 

 

(Featuring every product listed below except Flair for Finery Cremesheen Glass)

  

Pictures taken indoors with natural sunlight

 

Eyes:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

MAC Crystal Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Hustle Eyeshadow

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer*

Urban Decay Foxy Eyeshadow

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

Calvin Kline CK One Color Mascara

 

Face:

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 1.0

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW 15

MAC Beauty Powder in Natural*

MAC MSFN in Light Plus

MAC Sculpt Sculpting Powder**

MAC Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer*

MAC Azalea in the Afternoon Mineralize Blush*

MAC Superb MSF*

 

Lips:

MAC Siren Song Lipstick*

MAC Flair for Finery Cremesheen Glass*

 

* - This product is limited edition.

** - This product is only available online, by phone, or at pro locations.

 

Please note: If you are unable to find any of these products from the Alluring Aquatic Collection online or in store, do not fret!!

You can still catch these beauties during the MAC Alluring Aquatic event where they will be receiving another shipment of products just for you! This event will be sometime at the end of May. Unfortunately I do not know the exact dates, but call up to your local freestanding MAC store to find out!

If you are unable to attend an event at a store near you, these products may be restocked on the MAC website or on Nordstroms online. Check any website that carries MAC Cosmetics!


Please let me know if you picked up (or are planning to pick up) anything from this collection and what you are loving!


XOXO

 

Ulta Haul - Revlon & Real Techniques

 

Today's post is a collective haul from Ulta! This an accumulation of products purchased from two separate trips. Most of these products were on sale (yay me!). Ulta had a grand opening near me and were offering $5 off $15 purchase. I also had retailer coupons for Real Techniques and Revlon. Ulta will accept both Ulta coupons and retailer coupons! Double savings!! Revlon was additionally 40%. Triple savings!!

 

This brand is definitely one of my favorites, particularly for lip products. I've tried Color Burst Lip Butters in the past and couldn't resist taking another one home. Sugar Plum is a perfect lip color for fall/winter! I accidently included Peach Parfait in this posting. It was originally mentioned here. It is still a beautiful shade and I would recommend it. During the same trip, I also picked up one of their Super Lustrous Lipglosses in Snow Pink (the perfect baby pink color!). This lipgloss is gorgeous and I plan to repurchase it when it has run out. I also picked up two of the ColorStay Eyeliners - Blackberry and Cocoa. These babies are amazing! Perfect colors for fall!
 

 

Left to Right: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Snow Pink, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry, Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Cocoa

Left to Right: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Snow Pink, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry, Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Cocoa
 

Left to Right: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, Revlon Superlustrous Lipgloss in Snow Pink, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry, Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in Cocoa

 

 

Left to Right: Blackberry & Cocoa

 

After taking pictures of the swatches, I noticed that the Revlon Colorstay Eyeliners would not be removed by simple soap and water. These babies did not want to be removed! I was finally able to remove the swatches with cold cream (used twice!). I wanted to show you the proof of their amazing staying power!

 

I've wanted to purchase some Real Techniques brushes for ages. When I had the opportunity to pick up these babies for a discount, I jumped at the chance!! I've been able to try out these brushes since purchasing them and have mentioned how I use them below. You can also find YouTube videos about these brushes if you want to do more research. These brushes are amazing!! I definitely recommend them. Even without coupons, these brushes are wonderful. Props to Samantha Chapman.

 

Left to Right: Powder Brush, Blush Brush, Expert Face Brush, Buffer Brush, Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Detailer Brush

 

Left to Right: Powder Brush, Blush Brush, Expert Face Brush, Buffer Brush, Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Detailer Brush
 

 

Use: Powder (particularly Mac Mineralized Skin Finish Natural)

 

Use: Blush (duh!)

 

Use: Foundation

 

Use: Buffing out foundation or contour

 

Use: Bronzer (particularly NYC Sunny)

 

 

Use: Still undetermined

 

Use: Inner eye highlight 

 

This post is full of savings and excitement. I've decided to start looking for coupons and deals. I loved knowing that I got to fuel my makeup addiction at a reduced cost! Let me know if you love any particular website or app for coupons and deals. It would be much appreciated!!

 

 

XOXO


Coming Soon: Mac Haul & Fall Nail Polish Picks

 

Eye Makeup of the Day - Featuring Mac Cosmetics

Hello!!

 

Today I decided to try something new - an eye makeup of the day (or EOTD). The makeup that I wore today features Mac eyeshadows which I've been loving lately. This has become my go-to makeup look!

 

 

 

 

 

The Products:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Mac Nylon Eyeshadow (inner corner, first third of the eyelid, and browbone)

Mac Crystal Eyeshadow (center of the eyelid)

Mac Handwritten Eyeshadow(outer third of the eyelid, crease, and lower lashline)

Mac Blacktrack Fluidline (on top lashline)

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner (on top and bottom waterline)

Benefit They're Real Mascara (on top and bottom lashes)

 

The Tools:

Mac 239

Mac 217

Mac 219

Revlon lash curler

 

 

 

XOXO

 

MAC COSMETICS - Shopping List

Hi everyone! I thought that I would share with you the items that I've had my eye on at MAC for a while. I'm going to the mall on Saturday so these items are what is on my shopping list!

MAC COSMETICS - Shopping List by ladyem2 featuring glitter eye makeup

 

1. Single Eyeshadow ($15 each). I've never owned a MAC eyeshadow and I want to get a everyday makeup look. The shades that I'm interested in are Nylon, Handwritten, and a "best friend" blending color.

2. Prep & Prime Lash ($16). I'm currently trying out a sample Lancôme version that I've been liking so far. I want to try out a few more versions before I buy a full size.

3. In Extreme Dimension Mascara ($20). I've already tried two different mascaras by MAC - Haute & Naughty and False Lash. I want to try out a few more and see which is my favorite.

4. 219 Pencil Brush ($25) & 209 Eye Liner Brush ($19). I've wanted the 219 for a while, but have never bought it. Since I've started using concealer, I've been using my 211 which I previously used (but didn't like) for my fluidline. The 209 looks like a good brush to use to apply a thin line of eyeliner.

5. Eye Kohl in Fascinating ($16). I've wanted to try a white or nude shaded eyeliner for my waterline. Black is usually too harsh for everyday.

6. Lash Curler ($20). My eyelash curler (Revlon) is getting old and not curling my lashes enough for my liking. I want a good one that isn't too expensive.

7. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($30). I've wanted this product since I first learned about MAC. I've never bought it though. I decided that once I finish up my Blot Powder that I'll buy this (which I'm really close to being done with).

8. Fix Plus ($21). Sometimes I notice that my face looks a bit too powdery (not cakey) for my liking. I've heard that this product is good for that.


Please let me know if you've used any of these items. I would love some input before I head to my local MAC counter.


XOXO

january haul (makeup edition)

Here is another edition of my january haul. I clearly spent too much money this month! This is my makeup version of my haul. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think if you own these items. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

new to my collection (makeup edition) by ladyem2 featuring lancôme

1.)I went to my local mac counter to get another tube of my nw 15 studio sculpt foundation. The makeup artist that was working suggested another foundation and concealer. The only concealer I've tried were drug store - one liquid and one mineral. I never liked either of them so I decided to skip concealer in general from then on. I would just apply another layer of foundation to build up the coverage to what I like. The makeup artist tried this on me and I loved it. It's a bit drying at times on my blemishes, however with moisturizer it's not too bad. So far I like it. I'm in the shade nw 15 for this concealer.

2.) At the same time that I bought the mac concealer, the makeup arist also suggested a different foundation. As mentioned before, I was using the studio sculpt foundation in nw 15. When I first bought it I was slightly tanner (in summer) so it worked fine. However, I've lost some tan in my face so it would look like foundation rather than skin. I love this foundation so much more than the studio sculpt. The matchmaster in 1.0 is definitely my shade right now that I'm so pale. My face doesn't usually tan so this should work for a few months. It's very light-weight, however it has a strange smell when you put it on. You can't smell it throughout the day though, which is good.

3.) I wanted to try the too faced perfect eyes waterproof eyeliner since I heard rachel whitehurst on youtube rave about it. I was browsing the sephora website buying other stuff when I needed to add one more small item to get free shipping. I saw this mascara-eyeliner set for only $10 and had to try it out. I haven't tried the mascara yet (which is lash injection at $21 full size), because I like to only have one mascara open at a time. I will let you know how I like it when I try it out! I have tried the eyeliner (which is normally $18 for a full size). I like it so far. It will usually stay on for a few hours for me. However, my eyes water a lot so it doesn't last all day on me. I got my eyebrows threaded yesterday and the eyeliner didn't survive. I'm not sure if I would buy this at full price.

4.) I've wanted to try out lancome products for a while now. I've heard about these products from youtubers like rachel whitehurst and carly cristman. The mascara (hypnose star $28) and the eyeliner (art liner $30) are both full size! This also came with deluxe samples of their eye makeup remover (bi-facil full size $28) and mascara base (cils booster xl full size $24). I got all of this for $34 (or $4 more than the liner). So far I've only tried the eyeliner and the makeup remover, which are both really nice! The makeup remover is so unbelievably gentle! I've never used one that doesn't require some tugging at my eye. I may buy the full bottle when this is empty. The eyeliner is really nice, however I haven't decided yet if I would buy another to replace this one. It would probably have to depend on how long a full size one lasts me. This is my first high-end liquid eyeliner pen. I've used drugstore versions in the past and they were a waste of money in my opinion.

5.) I'm not sure who inspired me to want to try korres lip butters, but this seemed like a great way to try them out. I got three full size lip butters(normally $12 each) and three full dize lip butter glazes (normally $14 each). If I had bought all this seperately I would have spent $78 rather than the $39 I spent online at sephora. I wanted to try the lip butters because I've heard that they are really moisturizing for the lips and smell amazing. They are both of those things, however they didn't leave my lips moisturized for as long as I had hoped. I have really dry and chapstick-addicted lips. I'm hoping to find a solution to both of those problems, however korres is not it. These are really nice though. I would recommend these as a nice lip balm. These are subtle enough for anyone who likes colored lips (like coral and red) but can't pull that off. In case you were wondering what flavors I have, lip butters -- guava, pomegranate, quince and lip butter glazes -- jasmine, raspberry, wild rose.

Let me know what you think of these items if you already own them and use them. I would love to know, especially on the products I haven't opened and tried yet. What makeup products did you buy this month?

XOXO

July 2012 Shopping List (Updated)

If you've read my original post for this, I included the new MAC mineralize skinfinishes from the Heavenly Creature collection. I originally was very excited about this collection, however I've decided this will be a skip for me. Instead, I will be saving up my money for the Style Seeker collection and the By Request collection coming out in August.

MAC cleanse off oil ($26.00) - I've heard a lot about this product from some of my favorite YouTubers Allison (amarixe) and Ingrid (missglamorazzi). After months of going back and forth about whether I wanted to spend the money on this, I have decided to purchase it the next time I'm at a MAC store or counter. Usually I use seperate products to remove my face and eye makeup, but I've heard that this is a great product for removing both. I can't wait to try this out. Have you ever used this before?



MAC fluidline in rich ground ($15.00) - This is a permanent shade that will be promoted with the Style Seeker collection. MAC describes this as a reddened coco with frost. This looks like it would be a beautiful shade for summer and fall. I've heard this looks amazing with green eyes (which I have).

XOXO

June 2012 Shopping the Stash & Shopping List

Hey everyone!

In addition to my monthly favorites & etc (see my other blog post), I will also be doing a post about the items that I want to buy and use up in my collection for the coming month. This new idea is from another blogger that I follow, The Sunday Girl, called shopping the stash. She does hers every Sunday, however for now I am going to do it every month.

June Shopping the Stash:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance (in my project pan)

Max Factor lip gloss in first kiss (part of my gloss out 2012)

Rimmel lasting finish lipstick in airy fairy (in my project pan)

Burt's Bees beeswax lip balm (in my project pan)

N.Y.C. smooth skin bronzing face powder in sunny (in my project pan)

Wet N Wild mega protein mascara in black

Prestige eyeliner in black




This tube of Too Faced Shadow Insurance has been in my collection for around 2 years now. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture (you should be able to zoom in), but it's getting pretty flat! I like it but I want to use it up so that I can try other similar products. Let me know what eyeshadow primers you love.

Max Factor lip gloss in first kiss is a product that I've had since high school (5+ years). I don't think this product is available anymore. It's a pretty pink color, although it's on the sheer side. This is a product in my project gloss out. If you've seen my blog post about gloss out 2012, I consider my lipgloss collection pretty big. Maybe not as big as some peoples, but there are plenty of products that I have been neglecting over the years.



Rimmel lasting finish lipstick in airy fairy is a product that I was originally introduced to by Anna Saccone or The Style Diet on YouTube. I like this shade, however sometimes it's a little to frosty for me. I've used quite a bit of it in the year or two that I've had it. This is a product that I've included in my project pan since it's not my favorite lipstick.


Burt's Bees beeswax lip balm was a product that I bought at my school bookstore after losing my only chapstick. This is a product that I'm surprised so many people like. I don't think this helps with my chapped lips at all. It actually makes them more chapped than before I put it on. I do enjoy the smell though. I wish this performed as my all time favorite chapstick - Blistexs.

N.Y.C. smooth skin bronzing face powder in sunny is another product that I don't like as much as everyone else does. This is just an ok bronzer. Maybe it's because I've never found the right technique for putting on bronzer without looking unnatural. I've had this for about a year, however it doesn't look like it! Don't drop this product - my lid broke off the first time I dropped it. I still use it though. This is a product that I've placed in my project pan. What's your favorite bronzer that you'd recommend me trying after I've finished this one?

Wet N Wild mega protein mascara in black is not my favorite mascara. I would not recommend this even though it is super cheap. This doesn't apply as black and smoothly as I would like. It also smears and wears off throughout the day. Save your money for something else.

Prestige eyeliner in black is a nice eyeliner in my opinion. The reason I want to use it up though is because I have a brand new black eyeliner that I've never opened and my Urban Decay duo from the Naked palette. I find that this eyeliner goes on smoothly and doesn't irritate my eye. It even goes on the upper lash line which has been rare in my experience with pencil eyeliner.

June Shopping List:

MAC Powder Blush in Peony Petal ($20.00) - MAC describes this as a bright blue pink and is classified as a satin. This blush came out in the beginning of April in the Tres Cheek collection. At the time, I wanted this blush in addition to the other two blushes I bought - lovecloud and full of joy. I didn't buy it because I couldn't afford the $60 price tag at the time. I'm glad it's still avaiable online because it's beautiful. I actually ordered this last night (June 1). Did you buy this when it originally came out?

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover ($9.50) - I want to try this out when my current eye makeup remover runs out (Olay). This has a lot of good reviews on Sephora's website. Also, if you are a fan of the Vampire Diaries, I recently found a picture of Elena's bathroom and this was on her counter. So if you want to use the same eye makeup remover as Elena Gilbert, you can buy this. :) Have you ever used this before? I've only recently got into eye makeup removers. I used to use cold cream. How do you remover your eye makeup?

Dillard's Tailored Goldtone Chain Necklace ($28.00) - I've wanted a necklace like this ever since I started watching deanne5253 on YouTube. I've also seen this type of necklace on pinksofoxy on YouTube. I like that this can be worn long or layered since it's 65 inches long. This necklace comes in goldtone, silvertone, rose goldtone, and hamatite-tone. I'm leaning toward the goldtone, however I would have to see them in person to compare them. This is the cheapest version I've found of this necklace. It looks like such a nice necklace for everyday and for when you're dressing up a little bit.

Blue Sky Weekly/Monthly Planner ($16.99-$18.99) - I have been using these planners for the past two years. This planner has tabbed weekly and monthly calendar views. I usually buy these from Office Max. I like the larger versions (8.5x11). On their website, I'm liking the circa, mulberry clear (shown), fiona clear, linnea, and victoria patterns. Some of these planners run from January - December while others are July - June so be careful which one you buy. There are some January - December patterns that I like however I need the July - June planners.

XOXO