MAC Fall Colour Collection - Wild Colour

Hey guys!  Sorry about the little delay in posting, I had a bout with jury duty and a big exam for my class so life just got in the way for the past three or four days.  But I am back now and we are just going to pick up right where we left off with the last pieces of the MAC Fall Colour Collection and soon we will be going right into the holiday collections.  So let's pick right back up again!

Wild Colour is the last part of the MAC Fall Colour Collection and this is the area of the whole collection that contains the brightest colors and is made mostly for lips and eyes.  In this picture, Cindy Sherman makes herself up to be a clown with all kinds of bright and bold shades.  "A wild, whimsical, & wonderful palette.  Stars Small Eye Shadows, Pigments, MAC Artist Favorite Chromographic Pencil, & Lipstick."  I am so hoping for an awesome bright pink or berry lipstick from this area of the collection!

Here is the Wild Colour part of the Fall Colour Collection...

Eye Shadow - Highly-pigmented powder.  Applies evenly, blends well.
- Three Ring Yellow - yellow green
- Passionate - mid-tone red
- Blue Candy - clean blue
- Royale - clean violet
- Shock-A-Holic - deep purple

Pigment - Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin.  Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense.  Does not streak or cake.  Easy to blend and long-lasting.
- Neo-Orange - intense neon salmon
- Magenta Madness - intense neon blue pink
- Violet - vivid bright violet purple
- Golden Olive - high frosted green-gold

Chromagraphic Pencil - A creamy, soft-point pencil ideal for use as a liner, or to outline and define designs.  Provides a bold, intensely smooth application with a well-defined, pigment-rich line.
- Process Magenta - matte magenta
- Basic Red - primary red
- High Def Cyan - cyan blue
- Rich Purple - dense purple

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips.  Stands out on the runway.  Simmers on the street!  What made MAC famous.
- Neon Orange - bright clean orange
- Show Orchid - vivid hot pink
- Fusion Pink - bright coral
- Ruby Woo - vivid brightly coral-red

I love these Lipsticks!  I have wanted Ruby Woo for ages and now I have to buy it for this fall!  I also must have the Show Orchid shade, I don't remember if this is a permanent shade or if it is a repromote, I do know that I have seen it before and I really want to buy it this time around too.  I think that many of the eye shadows and pigments might be a bit too bright for me and I will be skipping over all of them and really focusing on the lip products from this collection. 

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC Fall Colour Collection - Angel Flame

Angel Flame is the second of the three looks found in the Fall Colour Collection.  Angel Flame looks to be a smaller collection but I am hoping that the shades will be better for me.  And I see Lipglass in this collection so I am already excited to see what new shades are available with this collection.  This collection looks as though it contains more neutral and pink shades than the other collection. 

"A glamorously arrestingly artistic assortment including an Eye Shadow Quad, Lipglass, Mineralize Skinfinish and the limited life re-appearance of the Jumbo Penultimate.", states the MAC website when describing the overall collection look.  Penultimate is one of the few products that I go through like crazy and always contain to repurchase so the huge size in it might be a perfect product for me!

Here is this part of the collection...

Eye Shadow x 4: Angel Flame - Play up your own aesthetic with an Eye Shadow Quad inspired by arrestingly avant-garde art moments.  Features shades Feather Pink, Angel Pink, Gravel, and Chamomile.
- Chamomile - creamy pale yellow (Satin)
- Angel Flame - coral that flashes pink/yellow (Frost)
- Feather Pink - midtone pink (Satin)
- Gravel - blue-gray (Matte)

Jumbo Penultimate Liner - An extra-large liquid pen-style liner in Rapidblack that provides the ultimate precise, bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade.  Goes on fluidly, in one steady stroke to style any fashion look.

Lipglass - A unique lip gloss available in wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen.  Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil, or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts.  It's pigmented, very shiny, and can impart subtle or dramatic colour.  It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips.  Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.
- C-Thru - peachy beige with shimmer
- Pink Fade - pale pink
- Orange Tempera - pale peach
- Good Times - pale mauve

Mineralize Skinfinish - A luxurious velvet-soft powder with a high-frost metallic finish.  Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the finish.
- Lightscapade - soft candlelit beige with multidimensional shimmer
- Porcelain Pink - soft pinky coral with gold veining

168 Large Angled Contour Brush - For expert application of cheek contour.  This brush is a large angled contour - the fibres form a buffed edge and are softly and firmly bundled.  MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials.  They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

I like this part of the collection so much better than the first!  This eye shadow quad will work much better into my collection, I love the pink and pale gold shades in it.  From the Lipglasses, Pink Fade will be a lovely choice for my pale skin, however I will be skipping over the other shades.  I want the Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade (it is already sold out so I hope that there is a restock soon), this one is so lovely in the picture and I really want to see how well these products perfomr since I have heard so many people rave about them.  The huge Penultimate is on my shopping list also.

I do think that I will save the lipglass and eye shadow quad for next spring, these aren't really shades that will work with the current colors that I have going for the fall...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC Fall Colour Collection - Midnight Blue

Colour Collection is the huge release from MAC this week, it is so large that it has been divided into three looks so there will tons of new shades and products at the counters this week.  This collection was inspired by and created in conjuction with Cindy Sherman, an American photographer and film director.  She is best known for her conceptual portraits, shooting herself in a wide variety of costumes and roles.  She is one of the most perfect people to work with MAC to create a color collection and I can see this collection being a huge hit this fall.  Between this collaboration with a conceptual artist and the huge makeup artistry influence in MAC Me Over, this is a great fall from MAC.  This is one of the best seasons that we have seen in the past few years from MAC!

Midnight Blue is the first of the looks that are contained in this collection, "A well-delineated, graphic look featuring an Eye Shadow Quad, Pigment, Fluidline, and Lipsticks including MAC Artist favourites X-S and Fleshpot along with Nail Lacquer and Bronzing Powder."  This look is strong on pigment for both eyes and lips, focusing on shades of blues and other cool tones.  Cool tones are great for my skintone but the blues for eyes will not be my cup of tea.

The first look in the MAC Fall Colour Collection...

Fluidline - Ultra-smooth, Fluidline's gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish.  Goes on 'foolproof' with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action.  Long-wearing.  Smudge-proof.  Lines up in a rich array of colours and finishes.  Brush sold separately.
- Ash Violet - blackened purple
- Blacktrack - solid flat black

Pigment - Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin.  Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect.  Does not streak or cake.  Easy to blend and long-lasting.
- Tan - muted pinky brown bronze
- Emerald Dusk - deep yellow blue with white pearl
- Blue Storm - rich metallic blue
- Starless Night - deep black purple with light purple pearl

Eye Shadow x 4 - Discover the power of Transformation with a subtle, sophisticated, and chic quad starring Parlor Smoke, Steel, Indigo Noir, and Cross Cultural.
- Parlor Smoke - mauve gray (Frost)
- Cross Cultural - neutral brown (Matte)
- Indigo Noir - navy (Matte)
- Steel - almost black (Veluxe Pearl)

Zoom Fast Black Lash - Deeply dark drama.  Same as Zoom Lash, but with carbon black pigment.  Saturates lashes with the richest black ever.  Creamy, velvety formula builds density and conditions.  Feels supple, light, flexible.  Ultra-sculpted brush embraces and separates each lash, hugging every curve.

Eye Brows - Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining.  Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool.  Like a pen, creates its own just-right point.  Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in colour.  Creates striking arches.  Easy to tote around.  No sharpener needed.
- Lingering - soft taupe brown

Kohl Power Eye Pencil - A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and colour power of soft carbon.  Specially formulated to provide deep, fully opaque coverage, provides an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl.  Versatile in application: blend or smudge.
- Feline - rich black

36 Lash - Originally launched as Sultress Lashes.  Full lash, creates a naturally dramatic look.  MAC Lashes are handmade to exact specifications.  Each pattern and design is perfectly shaped and arranged to give a striking effect, whether the look is natural or dramatic.  Available in a variety of shapes and densities.  If properly cared for, lashes can be reshaped or adorned if desired.

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for lips.  Stands out on the runway.  Simmers on the street!  What made MAC famous.
- Fleshpot - pale muted pinky beige
- Violetta - bright clean violet purple
- X-S - dirty red chestnut
- Plum Bright - purple

Lip Erase - A flesh toned balm that visually neutralizes and erases natural color from the lip.  Shine-and-texture free.  Available in a choice of two shades for use on light ot medium skin tones.

Bronzing Powder - A lightly frosted, tinted powder that gives skin sheer, natural color effects and highlights.  Ideal for enhancing a skin tone or to accent or to strengthen a tan.  Skin-conditioning - and formulated to provide a smooth, even application on all skin types.
- Solar Riche - mid tone deep orange brown

Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary new high gloss formula.  Three long-wearing finishes - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted.  Visibly different.  Povides no-streak/no-chip finish.  Contains conditioners and UV protection.  Go hi-lacquer!
- Coco Clay - warm chocolate
- Oyster Shell - light stone gray
182 Buffer Brush - A full, dome-shaped brush of extra soft goat hair.  Specially created to flawlessly blend powder onto the skin for an immaculate polished finish.  Excellent for all MAC powders and pigments.

224 Tapered Blending Brush - For controlled eye shadow application.  This brush has soft fibers which taper to form a medium size dome shape.  MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials.  They feature wooden handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

252 Large Shader Brush - Soft but firm bristles for shading with eye shadow or emollient-based products.  This brush has soft, firm fibers arranged in a square shape.  MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials.  They feature wooden handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

I see that the Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline has made another appearance this fall, this is my top pick for the collection since I have heard rave reviews about it from other bloggers.  I have often wondered why this product isn't part of the regular collection since it comes out in some form every single fall and Feline is always offered.  I don't really like any of the Pigments or eye makeup from this collection so I would be skipping over all of them.  I like the Lipstick in Fleshpot but I don't like any of the other shades so I wouldn't be picking any of these up.  Those are the only two products that I like from this area of the collection so I am hoping that the other two looks work better for me...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC The Art of Powder

The Art of Powder is one of the two new collections that have been released this week from MAC, MAC is currently in the process of a huge series of releases and new products are coming out faster than I can keep up.  I feel like MAC has been this way for the past few months, there are either so many products releasing that I can barely keep my head above water when shopping at the counter or nothing new is released for weeks and I pass the counter by since all the displays are half-empty.  I wonder if the releases could be a bit more regulated...

The Art of Powder is one of those collections that makes products that are so pretty most people cna't bear to use them.  I have found that when I do manage to force myself to dip a brush into the lovely powder picture that I sometimes get very disappointed in the product itself.  I am a sucker for packaging and all the bells and whistles but I can't even bring myself to consistently purchase products just because the design is lovely.  This collection only consists of three products so I can't imagine why this collection was released against the huge Fall Colour Collection, when confronted with the huge Colour Collection displays, many people will completely miss this collection at the counters.

From the MAC website, "The line between Fine Art & Makeup Art is undeniably blurry...explore illusion with the Op Art Optical Bronzer.  A Street Art Eye Shadow personalizes the eye with madcap graffiti & for those who love light & shade, as In The Abstract Highlighter."  I am not all that excited for this collection, the designs on the powders are very attractive but will be ruined as soon I try them.

Let's check them out and see how MAC has paired makeup and art this time...

Street Art Eye Shadow - Street Artists challenge art by situating it in non-art contexts...what better location for that than the eye?  Amplify your aesthetic with a bronzed, gold pearl, and neon pink eye shadow.
- soft pink base with yellow gold lines and lavender and mid-tone pink dots

In The Abstract Highlighter - Inspired by Abstract Expressionists, a highlighting powder with a soft pink base, yellow gold lines, and midtone lavender and pink dots.
- graffiti design with light brown, white, light cool blue, warm orange, pastel pink, and pastel blue

Optical Bronzer - Explore the depth, dimension, & sheer illusion of Op Art with a bronzer that's sheer, chic, & ideal for enhancing skin tone.
- bronze with gold pearl and neon pink with gold pearl

The Street Art Eye Shadow is very pretty but I can safely skip over it, if I feel in love with the pigment and texture at the counter than I would purchase it but I would save it until next spring since it is more of a pink and gold shade mix.  There is nothing really wrong with this collection but I am just not overwhelmed with any of ther products and I just see myself either not using the products at all or ruining the design with one use.  I really feel that MAC would have done better with this collection as a full release in the spring time and used these products as the hero products and had single shades to complement them in the release.  In addition, this would be better as a spring release, not a fall release...

photo courtesy of MAC

Giorgio Armani Fall 2011 Collection - Jacquard

It may be hard to believe but after looking at fall collections for the past three months, this is my last fall collection.  If a company doesn't have it out by now then they are missing the boat since Urban Decay has just began to bring their holiday collections out and I am pretty much wrapping up buying fall shades and am looking forward to the holidays.  The last collection of this season is the Giorgio Armani beauty collection, a line that I never really get to see very much up in my area.  Hopefully I will be getting into New York City within the next few weeks to see some of these products for myself.

The newest collection is named Jacquard and this collection looks as though it will contain both dramatic eye and lip shades.  Many of the fall collections have been so eye makeup based that I really love seeing some lovely lip shades.  This collection is even better than many of the others in that it actually contains a face highlighter and new blush shades, two items that I feel like we haven't been seeing enough of this fall.  I am most interested in the blush shades in this line since I haven't bought any new blushes since the middle of summer but I am also really interested in the new lip shades in this collection.  Lipstick and blush are at the top of my current shopping obsessions and I have finally found a collection that will cater to both of these.
I found a description of the collection from the Nordstrom website, however the rest of the product descriptions are from the Armani Beauty website.  "Sophisticated Jacquard motifs woven into silk fabric are the inspiration for Giorgio Armani's Fall Collection 2011.  Colour, radiance, and sensuality are combined into gossamer textures.  Silky glints on a floating haze of colour."  This makeup look was seen on the Armani fall runway models and is the epitome of the best trends of the season.
Here is the new collection...

Jacquard Eye Palette - Includes a central eye shadow duo, a highlighter, and a deeper shade for emphasis.  Eye shadows are created with unprecedented color technology.  This fine film of vibrant eye color blends to produce incandescent color without creasing or fading.  The secret lies in a unique micronisation process applied to the pigments.  Color-Fil technology provides a radiant film of vibrant colour, a soft and smooth long lasting texture, so light that colours can be blended and layered with total freedom.  Pure colour, sheer perfection.  To create the Fall Look: The colours can be combined or blended at will for a restrained makeup for the day or more sophisticated and dramatic look for the evening.  For greater intensity they can be applied with a damp brush.
- Green Eye Palette - pale green/deep charcoal/forest green/beige
- Gray Eye Palette - pale white/mid tone gray/taupe/burgundy

Jacquard Face Palette - Two sculpting tones, an illuminator, and a translucent red blush.  The palette includes four shades that allow for a myriad of makeup options, to suit all complexions tones.  The secret to an instant glow: blend the three nude shades and apply to the whole face, highlighting the cheek bones with a touch of blush.  The blend of these four shades on the face results in a fresh complexion with a slight rosy tint.  The powders achieve maximum radiance through Micro-Fil technology.  Translucent, as fine as can be, the powders blend together perfectly, melting into the skin with no trace of artifically.  A glowing veil of silk that looks utterly natural.

Eyes To Kill Excess - Now available in a limited edition deep violet shade.  Eyes To Kill Excess full volume mascara thickens and separates the lashes with a striking. long lasting, black wet finish.  This clearly defined, denser lash fringe is the best weapon for daring volumizing lashes.  Oversized Brush: a unique formula with an oversized patent lash brush.  This unique high precision, supple brush weave design coats and texturizes each lash in fewer strokes.  Science Smart: The fusion of Wax Complex and the new texturizing agents create a fluid, creamy texture that glides onto the lashes for easy application.  Wax Complex contains a blend of hard and soft waxes to optimize the lashes with instanteous full volume.  From the root to tip, coating and grooming lash by lash, leaving them thicken yet flexible.
- 2 Night Violet - deep violet

Rouge d'Armani - New limited edition Rouge d'Armani is now available in Autumn colors.  Colour code: glowing nudes (beige, rose beige, or pink heightened with a touch of mauve to brighten the lips) providing a fiery contrast with the classic Scarlatto.  Rouge d'Armani's patented Color Fil technology creates a exceptional long wear formula that leaves lips feeling continously hydrated while delivering up to 8 hours of transparent, shine color without feathering or fading.
- 107 Sheer Beige - neutral beige
- 108 Pink Beige - rose beige
- 406 Scarlatto - deep blue red
- 525 Sheer Mauve - sheer medium mauve

Blushing Fabric - Crafted as a micro-blend of pure water-soluble pigments and lacquers, this cushiony formula delivers buildable color for cheek and face that is both imperceptible and long-lasting.  Artist Tip: Squeeze a small amount on the back of your hand and apply with fingertips to the apple of your cheeks.  Buff to perfection with the Blush Brush.  Blend to desired result using your middle and pointer fingers.  This season's collection unveils two versions: Camel and Scarlatto.
- 6 Camel - neutral beige
- 7 Scarlatto - brick red

Scarlatto is one of the best red lipstick shades that I have ever seen and this is an instant must-purchase for me.  I even love the name of it and I can't live without this shade, this might be one of my single favorite products that was released this season.  In addition to that piece being utterly spectacular, this collection is lovely and is one of my five favorite collections of the season.  I think the lipsticks are my favorite part of this collection, I love the Pink Beige shade and I know that I will get a lot of wear from it since it would work for a professional day look or against a strong eye look. 

As much I grumbled about all the eye makeup-based collections that came out over the past few months, I will admit that I love both of these eye palettes, the Green Eye Palette is my favorite but I like the Gray version also.  I am not interested in the violet mascara shade but I would love to try this mascara in the black shade.  Last but not lease, I am a bit disappointed in the blush shades, I don't really like either of them and could easily skip over both of them.  I find the highlighter to be very attractive and I am interested in trying some version of a highlighting product before my skin get gross and gray during the winter.

This is end of the fall beauty collections and we have seen some great collections this season.  Stand outs are Giorgio Armani, YSL, and Lancome.  And what do they all have in common?  Products for both strong lips and eyes!  Hopefully this holiday season will produce some more great red lip shades and I am also hoping for some great palettes both to keep and give as gifts.  I'm like a little kid, I still get excited for the holidays and the hope and promise of the season!

photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Make Up For Ever Fall 2011 - Smoky Couleur

The fall collections are beginning to draw to an end and we just have a few more left to go over.  Hints of the holiday collections are beginning to come out and I shudder to think about how soon they will be upon us.  But don't worry, we have lots of fall collections and products to go over in the next week or two.  Today we are looking at another strong eye makeup collection for this fall, Make Up For Ever's Smoky Couleur.  This look is focused around a smoky eye and this collection contains one palette that will contain all the eye shadow shades needed to create multiple shades of smoky eyes.  I can't say that I am overwhelmed with need for this palette since all we have been seeing this fall is eye palettes that promise to help create the perfect smoky eye.  But we will see how this palette stacks up to the rest of the products that have been released so far this fall.

From the Make Up For Ever website, "It's back, hitting the catwalks once again and this fall it's in full color.  Inspired by the fall 2011 fashion shows, the Smoky  Eye is a must-have makeup look this season.  More colorful than ever, it's a wonderful Smoky story that contains after the great success of Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash Mascara.  One concept, 4 Smoky Looks.  Eyes that speak color: Purple, Green, Blue, and Brown.  There is now a Smoky look for each and every one of you."
Let's see how this version of the smoky eye stacks up to the dozen other versions that we have seen so far this season...
 
Smoky Palette - Smoky flirts with color with this limited edition palette that brings together the most beautiful, intense, and smoky colors of the fall season.  The Smoky Palettes contains a complete color range of 8 eye shadows in smoldering fall shades.  A matte black and 7 iridescent or satiny eye shadows: Deep Plum Shimmer, Metallic Navy Blue, Peacock Green, Metallic Copper, Metallic Taupe, Yellow Beige, and White Shimmer.  Intense and enchanting colors to try on their own or together to create 5 smoky makeup looks.  The Smoky Palette also contains two exclusive brushes with natural bristles, specially designed by Dany Sanz to facilitate smoky eye makeup application.

Smoky Lash - Smoky Lash enhances lashes, for exceptional volume, infinite length, and ultimate curl.  Its formula is rich in ultra-fine mineral pigments to create the perfect smoky look: saturated lashes and smoldering eyes.  Its ultra wide and dense new generation brush holds a maximum amount of product for instant spectacular lashes.
- 03 Brown - deep warm brown
- 01 Black - deep dense rich pure black
- 04 Green - medium forest green
- 05 Blue - bright navy blue
- 06 Plum - medium cool plum

Kohl Pencil - Especially adapted to sensitive and thin skin around and inside the eye, the Kohl Pencil gives depth and intensity to the eyes.  Its particularly gentle formula is tolerated by the most sensitive eyes, its soft and smooth texture blends effortlessly and keeps the skin around the eyes hydrated.
- 2K Matte White - matte pure white
- 4K Intense Pearly Green - forest green pearl
- 3K Pearly Turquoise - bright aqua pearl
- 5K Pearly Night Blue - bright blue purple pearl
- 1K Black - deep true black
- 7K Metallic Gold - bright true metallic gold
- 6K Black With Metal Highlights - deep black with warm copper flecks
- 8K Pearly Deep Blue - deep navy blue pearl
- 9K Matte Mocha Brown - deep matte brown
- 10K Pearly Black Purple - deep purple black pearl

Do I like this palette?  Yes but the better question is do I need this palette?  I would answer that in the negative since none of these shades are all that unique and I could live without it.  I would be more likely to purchase one of the mascaras or the Kohls.  The only mascara shade that I want is the black one since I only wear black mascara to begin with.  From the Kohls, I love the Black With Metal Highlights shade the most since I can still wear black but it will have flecks to brighten up the blue in my eyes.  I also want the Metallic Gold shade too since I have been looking to find a shade to replace my beloved Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in the Honey shade.

I must say that I am officially sick of all the eye makeup heavy collections that came out this fall, they are all blending together and even the most devoted eye shadow junkie only needs so many shades of shadows to create a smoky eye.  I am so hoping that some of the holiday makeup collections are more based toward lip products and not just another group of eye makeup palettes.

photo courtesy of Make Up For Ever

MAC Styledriven

Styledriven is the latest collection release in MAC's pile of September releases.  With all the new collections that are being released in the next few weeks, I fully expect that my local MAC counter will be full of products for me to buy the next time that I head over there.  Styledriven is a huge collection from MAC and consists only of products that fall into the "long-wear" category.  I love to see that there is full range of both lipstick and lip gloss shades to buy and a whole new version of their beloved eye shadow, I am really looking forward to seeing this collection in purchase and using some of the shades in it to fill in the few holes in my makeup collection.  

Here is the overall collection descrption from the MAC website.  "Long-lasting Lip Pencil and Lipglass with six extended hours of lasting shine, along with a creamy new Eye Shadow...experience future forward Pro Longwear technology!"  So is this new eye shadow a powder or a cream?  If it is a powder then I am very interested in it, I can't tell completely from the picture on the website but the shade swatches of it look like they are powder (but don't hold me 100% to this!).  I am most excited for the long-wearing Lipglass since I feel like some of the Lipglasses wear off much too quickly.

Here is Styledriven!

Pro Longwear Eye Shadow - A unique long-wearing Eye Shadow with a silky, creamy texture formulated for maximum colour impact.  Easily blendable and buildable; lids are visibly smooth no matter how intense the application.  Lasts 8 hours.
- Carefree - pale white gold
- Pink Frontier - soft golden pink
- One To Watch - light warm brown
- Sweet Satisfaction - soft neutral beige
- Lie Low - dark frosted golden brown
- Weathered - dark blue gray
- Keep Your Cool - dark gray brown
- Styledriven - pale white blue
- Sunny Outlook - bright golden yellow
- Tease With Eas - bright fuchsia
- Fresh Flare - bright kelly green
- Plush - vivid purple
- Hot Paprika - mid-tone burnt red
- Thru the Night - deep navy
- Make Your Mark - deep chocolate
- Legendary Black - warm almost black

Pro Longwear Lip Creme - Lightweight texture, creamy finish, and comfortable longwear combine in this has-it-all pro-class lip colour.  Slick in use, applies without need of a top coat - and still lasts up to 12 hours.  Won't feather or transfer, and the colour stays true.  Helps lips stay soft and hydrated.
- Soft Sell - light yellow pink
- Dress It Up - light blue pink
- Til Tommorrow - grayed mauvy brown
- So Very Good - mid-tone plum with pearl
- To The Future! - dirty neutral pink with pearl
- Good To Go - loudmouth orange
- Love Forever! - bright blue pink
- Extended Play - blackened brick red
- Prolong - true red
- Positively Dashing - mid-tone "berry" blue red
- Endless Drama - deep "berry" blue red
- Soulfully Rich - deep dirty purple with red pearl

Pro Longwear Lipglass - A longwearing Lipglass that goes on smooth and lasts for up to six hours!  Envelops lips with shine and colour and pro-longs the hours between re-application.
- Patience, Please - light pink blue
- Ready Or Not! - neutral light coral with slight pearl
- Infinitely Lickable - light pink
- Show Me! - mid tone neutral plum
- Whoops! - bright coral
- Full Speed Ahead - bright pink magenta
- Driven By Love - red blue with a slight pearl
- Lasting Achievement - mid tone purple with slight pearl
- Dark As Night - deep dirty purple with slight pearl

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - A new generation of long-wearing lip pencil technology.  Glides on fluildy and adheres instantly.  Defines the lips with an instant release of rich, saturated colour.  Pro-longs the hours between reapplication.  Transfer-proof.
- Etcetera - cream beige
- Nice 'n' Spicy - pink cinnamon stick
- Staunchly Stylish - pinky beige
- Morning Coffee - dirty rose
- Absolutely It - soft burgundy
- In Anticipation - soft yellow pink
- What a Blast! - bright orange
- Kiss Me Quick - yellow red
- More To Love - intense bluish pink
- Bittersweet - intense brown

239 Eye Shader Brush - Soft and dense to shade or blend eye shadow or emollient-based products.  This brush has a tapered, rounded edge with smooth, firm, fine fibres.  It can be used to build intense colour on the eyelid.  MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials.  They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

I looked these eye shadows up on the Temptalia blog and I am leaning toward them being a very soft powder texture instead of a traditional cream.  They are bigger in size than traditional MAC eye shadows so I am really looking forward to buying some of these.  My favorite shades are: Carefree, Keep Your Cool, Sweet Satisfaction, and Make Your Mark.  All of these shades are neutrals and I will use them with lots of other shades that I already own.  I am confident in buying this larger size in the neutral shades because I know that I would use them all the time. 

The lip products also really have me excited.  I would skip over all the lip pencils, since I have never used them and don't plan to start any time soon.  Lipglasses that will wear all day get me really excited, I can't wait to have lip glosses that last more than two hours!  Infinitely Lickable is the light-medium pink shade and is my favorite of the group.  I would wear this one against dramatic eye makeup and I love that it could last all night and I wouldn't be reapplying after every drink.  I could skip out on the other shades but that one is a keeper for me.  Onto the lipsticks...   My first picks are the red shades, I love both Prolong and Extended Play.  Til Tommorrow is a great cool pink mauve shade that will look great for a natural look at work or against a strong eye look, this one would be a staple for me this fall and winter.  Dress It Up is a great light blue pink and reminds me of the original Viva Glam Gaga, I love this shade and I can't wait to pair it with cat eyes or black eye makeup shades.  Lastly, Pro Drama is a great deep cool berry shade and it would great with my cool pale skin, this is another winner for the fall and winter shades.

The eye shadow shades are nice and I am very excited to try the new formula however the lipsticks are what get me the most excited about this collection.  The new shades in the Pro Longwear formulation are a wide range of shades and I have found a bunch that I know will work out for me.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bath and Body Works Halloween Body Products

Yesterday we looked at the Philosophy Halloween collection and today we are looking at the same type of products from Bath and Body Works.  From Philosophy, the products were released in 3-in-1s but from Bath and Body Works, all the products are released only in lotions.  Wouldn't it be great if I could find some layering options between the two collections?!  This is the first year that Bath and Body Works has released Halloween-inspired body products and so they are only in the small lotions this years, not the full body product range.  I bought three of the lotions and tried all six on at the store and I would love if next year an entire body product was released.  We can wait and hope...

The lotions seem to be divided up into two collections, one group is in black packaging and the other is in clear packaging.  The black packaging group seemed to be stronger scented and the clear packaging scents are lighter.  I will divide the collection up the same way as I describe them in this post.

The Bath and Body Works website provides all the information we need about the lotion formula itself and all six of the fragrances.  "Our exclusive Signature Body Lotion, fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture that lasts all day.  Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth, and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer."  The newer formula in the lotion is much better in both hydration and texture than the old formula and I really prefer the way that it feels on my skin.

The first group that we will cover is the clear bottles with the lighter scents.  I bought one of the fragrances in this group and two in the black bottled group.  The scent that I bought from this group is the Sinful Vanilla.  "Our exclusive Sinful Vanilla is an indulgent blend of vanilla bean, whipped marshmellow, and vanilla cream."  This scent is a light sweet vanilla scent that reminds me more of a vanilla bean scent with a slightly musky bottom note.  The second scent is Spider Cider, a more fruity scent than the others.  "Our exclusive Spider Cider is an intoxicating blend of juicy red berries, mouthing watering lemon, black sugar." This one was really light and smelled mostly of the berry scent.  I was really hoping that this one would be more of a apple cider scent and I was really let down with both this scent and the Warm Harvet Apple in this regard.  The last of the lighter scents is the one that I was most confused by.  Scream-a-Colada is a coconut scent which just didn't really fit in with fall or the other scents.  "Our exclusive Scream-a-Colada is a tantalizing blend of creamy coconut, juicy pineapple, and a hint of rum."  This one reminded me so much of the Coconut Pineapple from the summer that I really liked but I skipped on this one since I bought several bottles of Coconut Pineapple over the summer.  I also skipped on the Spider Cider since it just wasn't what I expected.

The second group of fragrances are the ones in the black bottles.  My favorite of these is the Plum Potion of which I bought two bottles and I also bought the Black Candy Apple scent as a bit of an afterthought.  Wicked Spiced Pumpkin is the first scent in this group that I tried, I was wondering how close it would be to Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.  "Our exclusive Wicked Spiced Pumpkin is an addictive blend of white pumpkin, fresh ginger, and whipped vanilla musk."  This one was very pumpkin scented, a scent that it not my cup of tea so this wouldn't be one that I would purchase.  Black Candy Apple is the scent that suprised me the most, I disliked it on cold sniff but it smelled really great when I tried it out.  "Our exclusive Black Candy Apple is a tempting blend of juicy apple, caramelized sugar, and irresistable vanilla."  In the container, I got a black licorice scent from it but the sugar and vanilla notes come out on the skin, I am so glad that I tried this one or I would have skipped over it completely.  The last scent is the Plum Potion, the one that I loved so much that I bought two bottles of it.  "Our exclusive Plum Potion is an enticing blend of sweet plum, blood orange, and black raspberry."  This one smells like Dark Kiss without the musk, it is very lovely blend of plum and vanilla.  It is really sweet and reminds some people of Pink Sugar blended with Dark Kiss.  This was my favorite of all the scents and the one that I hope comes back the most next year.

As I mentioned above, these scents are only available in the small-sized lotions and there are no matching shower gels.  I had to get a bit creative when I was layering these and I was able to come up with some greast combinations with shower gels that I currently owned.  For the Black Candy Apple, I layered it with the Red Delicious 3-in-1 from Philosophy.  For the vanilla and the plum scents, I layered them with the Dark Kiss shower gel, a favorite fragrance of mine for the past year.  I would love shower gels in these scents, perhaps even more than I would love lotions in these scents.  What I would really love is if Bath and Body Works came back with their Temptations line and did the 3-in-1s in these fragrances.  We shall see what next year brings...

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Philosophy Halloween 2011 Body Products

Maybe it is just me but I feel like it got cold really fast this year, usually I am longing for cooler weather and wearing flip flops until the end of September but I am already in sweatpants right now and am grabbing my trench coat when I leave the house in the morning.  Fall came up on fast and therefore I went from summer body products to fall body products within the blink of an eye.  And with the traditional fall body product scents come the Halloween scents that I look forward to every single year.  I never used to be a big Halloween fan until I started getting into beauty products and now I scoop up all the Halloween inspired beauty products that come out in the early fall. 

Every year, Philosophy releases some version of the same few Halloween inspired treat scents, Candy Corn and Caramel Apple scents come out every year from them since they are consist top-selling fragrances.  This year is no exception, the Halloween collection consists of full sized products, lip shines, and a set that combines the best of the products.  I have loved the Caramel Apple ever since I first smelled it and I look forward to it coming out every single year, I can't imagine a fall without this scent being released in some type of product.
The full sized products that have been released are 3-in-1s in the I Love Candy Corn and Caramel Apple scents.  First the I Love Candy Corn scent.  "An oh-so-sweet caramel candy corn shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath.  Back with a caramel twist, this oh-so-sweet caramel candy corn shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath is everything you love about candy corn with a rich, creamy layer of caramel.  Its moisturizing formula provides a rich, foaming lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling soft."  I smelled this one in Sephora and it smells exactly like candy corn, a favorite Halloween treat of mine.  However, my favorite fall treat of all time are caramel apples.  "A delectable caramel apple shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath that cleanses and conditions skin and hair.  You won't be able to resist bath time when you dip into the delectable scent of caramel-coated apples.  Its moisturizing formula provides a rich, foaming lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling soft.  The delicious blend of red delicious apple and creamy caramel makes this shower gel the perfect bath treat on a crisp fall day."  I love the Caramel Apple scent and I could use this one every single day so this would be my choice from the full size products.  The Candy Corn smells great but I just couldn't use it enough to justify the purchase of the huge 3-in-1 so unless I can find it in a smaller version in some type of set, I will just be purchasing the Caramel Apple.

While we are wondering what will be offered in the sets this year...  Two new sets are being released, one with body products and the other with lip shines.  The body product sets contains two 3-in-1s, "A set of scented shower gels, including the falvors of Crispy Marshmellow Bars and Caramel Apple.  No tricks, just treats.  This seasonal set features two shower gels, each a shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath.  The spirited, irresistibly sweet scents include Crispy Marshmellow Bars and Caramel Apple.  Each moisturizing formula provides a rich, foaming lather to gently cleanse and condition, leaving skin and hair feeling soft."  I wish the Candy Corn scent was being offered in the set since I won't buy it in the full size, it looks like I will be completely skipping over it this time around.  However, this bring set raises the question of whether or not I want to purchase the full size in the Caramel Apple or buy the set and get both of the fragrances at the same time. 
The second of the sets that came out this year is the lip shine set.  The Trick or Treat Lip Shine Duo contains two lip shines in the exact same fragrances as the body product set.  "A set of two high-gloss, high-flavor lip shines.  There's nothing spooky about these delicious lip treats.  Philosophy's Treat or Trick calls to mind the scent of Crispy Marshmellow Bars and the delectable scent of caramel-coated apples.  Both are made with emollient formulas that hydrate soothe and soften lips to leave a sheer, beautiful shine."  The Crispy Marshmellow Bars Lip Shine is a champagne shimmer and the Caramel Apple Lip Shine a sheer dark cherry shade.  I love the Caramel Apple shade but the Crispy Marshmellow Bars is nothing special, I would rather purchase the Caramel Apple by itself.

The last part of the collection is the single Lip Shines.  We just talked about the Caramel Apple shade in the set so I will not be labor that point here.  "A high gloss, high flavor lip shine.  Sweeten lips with a flavorful fall fusion.  Philosophy's Caramel Apple is a lip shine infused with the scents of red delicious apple and creamy caramel.  It's lip-loving formula features natural emollients and Vitamin E to help hydrate, soothe, and soften lips.  It leaves a sheer, lustrous finish and a sweet caramel apple flavor that stays delicious on lips."  The Lip Shine is also found in the I Love Candy Corn scent.  "A high gloss, high flavor lip shine.  It's everything you love about candy corn, combined with Philosophy's lip-loving gloss formula, for deliciously soft lips.  This product's naturally emollient ingredients and Vitamin E help hydrate, soothe, and soften lips.  It leaves a sheer, lustrous finish and sweet candy corn flavor that stays delicious on lips.  It's the perfect lip treat for fall."  I can skip the Candy Corn flavor too since there is nothing special about the color.

The Caramel Apple products are really going to be the big hit for me this fall, I love both the body and the lip products in it.  I still haven't decided if I will purchase the full size in the 3-in-1 or go for the set, it will depend a lot on what it left when I go up to Sephora this week.  I just love the Philosophy Halloween scents!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clarins Fall 2011 Collection - Colour Definition

Clarins is another company that I have only used a feew products from but have been getting more and more interested in as the time passes.  When I was researching my last French Week, I bought their superstar primer and fell in love with it within several uses.  While I was at the counter, the sales associate gave me several samples of skincare to start trying and I am looking forward to learning more about this line.  The fall color collection has just released and I am looking forward to checking it soon.  This collection is named Colour Definition and it is another one of the group that focuses mostly on eye makeup.  It is right in line with many of the other collections that we have been seeing this fall, however they are all beginning to blend together since they are all for dramatic eye makeup and contain very few great lip shades.

The Nordstrom website states the following as a description of the collection.  "Clarins has everything it takes to prep your eyes for perfection.  A new lash-defining Mascara with fringe benefits, there's no end in sight.  Fashion-perfect Eye Shadow Quartets that shade, define, illuminate, and line in the season's most coveted colours."  I am really excited to try out a new mascara and the eye shadow quartets look amazing so I want to try these out too.

Here is the collection...

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette - A wet and dry mineral formula that provides softness upon application.  Long-lasting hold.  Includes an inner layout to guide application.  Six fashion-perfect eye shadow quads in sleek, tres-chic compacts.  Clarins' crease-free powders glide on wet or dry to shade, line, illuminate, and define in the flirtiest new palettes: Pastels, Nudes, Rosewood, Indigo, Violet, and Graphite.  Colors with real wear-with-all, from classic tones to unexpected twists.
- Rosewood - glamorous pairings of sheer chocolates and pinks for a casual kind of chic
- Nudes - a must-have mix of sophisticated cream and woods paired with shimmering coral
- Indigo - a rich palette of cool, smoky blues keep eyes in perfect fashion focus
- Graphite - a modern merger of soft pink, silver, gray, and charcoal create the perfect smoky eye
- Violet - a jewel-tone palette of shimmering lilac, plum, and amethyst with a touch of pearly white
- Pastels - a painterly palette of delicate neutrals, with a hint of cool mint, for a flirty eye

Instant Liquid Eye Liner - An easy-to-apply liquid eye liner that ensures a precise, long-lasting line, ideal for enchancing the eyes.  Includes a soft, supple foam applicator that delivers just the right amount of product.
- Black - deep dark black

Instant Definition Mascara - A dual-purpose, ultra-volume intense color mascara with a rich formula that enhances the beauty of all types of lashes.  Features and benefits: three innovative ingredients from seaweeds protect, repair, and strengthen lashes; glycoproteins thicken and coat lashes; brush fibers instantly thicken and coat lashes; revolutionary patented brush with elastomer bristles reach even the shortest lashes.
- Black - deep black

Joli Rouge Color Definition Lipstick - The perfect shine, sheer lipstick combines the transparent color and shine of a gloss with the creamy texture of a lipstick in eight beautiful permanent shades.  The long-lasting formula also provides the benefits of a balm with lip care products to soften and smooth lips.
- Fig Brown - medium neutral brown
- Grenadine - medium berry shimmer

Color Definition 3D Radiance Face Powder - An exceptionally soft lightweight powder that melts onto the skin for a naturally radiant complexion.  The color combination of beige, pink, and peach gives the face a radiant boost.

Rouge Prodige Color Definition Lipstick - Discover the kissing power of Rouge Prodige - our long-lasting, moisturizing lipstick that offers intense color and glossy shine.  A unique, moisturizing lipstick with a texture that melts onto the lips and leaves a veil of perfectly even, intense color.  High Fidelity Pearl technology ensures that color and shine stay true for hours, while the rich, creamy texture provides nourishing skincare benefits to lips.
- Tender Rose - sheer neutral rose
- Paradise Pink - warm coral medium pink
- Miami Pink - bright cool blue pink
- Subtle Rose - medium neutral rose
- Natural Rose - deep neutral rose

I love this collection and I wish that many of the other eye makeup heavy also contained a group of lip shades.  The eye shadow palettes are very well crafted and I love the shades that have been put together in them.  My favorite shades are the Rosewood, Graphite, and Violet.  The Rosewood will work well for a daytime neutral eye look, the Graphite is perfect to create a silvery smoky eye, and the Violet will create a very trendy plum eye.  After this fall, the last thing that I need is yet another eye shadow palette but I still want to buy these very soon.

I love the Rouge Prodige shades that are included with this collection, neutral pinks and neutral roses work very well with my skintone and are great paired with any eye look that I can come up with.  My favorite of the shades is the Tender Rose which is the most my-lips-but-better shade that is in this collection.  I also love the Miami Pink shade which looks closer to Viva Glam Gaga (the original shade), I will use this shade both right now and all next spring.  Last but not least, I must try this new mascara to add to my mascara collection.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Guerlain Fall 2011 Collection - Mirror Mirror

There are very few companies that can hold a candle to Guerlain in the lipstick market.  As we all learned this summer, Guerlain actually created lipstick as we know it today back in the 1800s.  all those years of practice have lead to a series of stellar lip products and we are seeing one of the best in the fall collection.  Along with top quality lipsticks, Guerlain also has a series of wonderful eye makeup products.  For fall, Guerlain is giving us a small collection that consists only of lip and eye makeup products.  A bit sad, since their blushes and face products also have obtained cult status however no one can ever go wrong with any type of Guerlain product.

This collection is named Mirror Mirror and I have found a description of it on the Nordstrom website.  "It's easy to become a legend with a luminous complexion, intense eyes, and unforgettable lips.  Discover the fall collection and become a classic beauty.  This fall, invent your own fashion!"  Since I can't find anything about this collection on the Guerlain website, I have turned to the Nordstrom website to find all the colors and descriptions that I need (I also checked out the Temptalia Beauty Blog to ensure that my shade information is correct so I musst give her credit too).  I can't understand why this isn't on their website, this is a lovely collection and no other company can describe products in the same romantic style that Guerlain does.  Oh well...

Let's check this little collection out...

Ecrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette - The essence of color: one palette, four shades.  Create, have fun and dare to wear color as an accessory.  These palettes were specifically designed to be used together and can be mixed, matched, and blended with no fear of mistakes.  Application is extremely simple, intuitive, fun - and risk-free!  Choose your range: each palette offers iridescent, matte, satin, and metallic shadows.
- Les Violets 01 - shades of lilacs and plum
- Les Bleus 02 - shades of bright and deep blues
- Les Verts 03 - shades of olives and browns
- Les Bois de Rose 04 - shades of warm roses and browns
- Les Gris 05 - shades of grays and charcoals
- Les Fumes 06 - shades of cool medium and deep browns 
- Les Cuirs 07 - shades of golds and bronzes
- Les Perles 08 - shades of whites, pinks, and pale grays
- Les Noirs 09 - shades of blacks and cool pink

Rouge G by Guerlain Lipcolor - A jewel lipstick compact with a white gold shimmer designed by Lorenz Baumer, a young and talented jeweler in the Palace Vendome.  A horizontal design with feminine curves that houses a secret: a mirror automatically appears when the compact is opened.  The lipstick has a purely elegant, contemporary design and closes magnetically.  This exceptional object boasts a comprehensive, premium formula containing a star ingredient: ruby powder, which acts as an optical whitener to bring out the color and shine of the shades.  The blend of natural active ingredients (Tiger Grass, wild mango butter, Gugul resin used in Ayurvedic medicine) completes the formula to plump up, smooth, and bring moisture and softeness to your lips.
- Garconne 25 - bright true blue red
- Gigolo 70 - deep rich cool berry
- Girly 71 - warm brick red

Eye Pencil - Glide-on eye color that stays put!  Formulated with unusually high pigment content and a creamy gel, these cushiony, silky eye pencils take on unrivaled intensity and depth, and can withstand wind and tide - including extremely hot, humid climates!
- Kohl Me Navy (20) - deep blackened navy cream
- Kohl Me Ebony (30) - deep dark black cream
- Kohl Me Jungle (40) - deep blackened forest green cream

Liquid Eye Liner - Guerlain Liquid Eye Liner has been designed like a calligraphy tool for precision and simplicity of use, with an ultrafine brush, long handle, and impeccable line.  From the thinnest to the heaviest contour, it provides flawless application.
- Brun Cendre (05) - deep black brown

I love these lipsticks and the eye shadow palettes!  My favorite piece of the collection is the cool red shade of the Rouge G de Guerlain, the packaging enough on this product is more than enough to make me fall madly in love with it but the lovely shades and amazing formula take this lipstick well over the top.  I have always been a sucker for elegant packaging and this lipstick is among the best that I have ever seen, I now want it in every single shade that I like and can see this becoming quite dangerous to my Visa. 

The other aspect of this collection that I am most excited about are the eye shadow palettes.  If I had to choose, my favorite shade is the Les Noirs 09, I love the variety of the blacks and the pale pink highlighter to create a slightly different version of a smoky eye.  My second favorite of the shades is the palette of purples, Les Violets 01.  This is another palette that I would use at night and I can use it to create the plum smoky eye that I have been interested in trying since I saw something like it last spring in an issue of Allure.  Les Verts 03 and Les Cuirs 07 contain warmer shadow shades and would work well for a daytime eye. 

The fall collection from Guerlain is lovely and very wearable for almost anyone.  I am hearing hints about the holiday collection and I am adding a side trip to the Guerlain counter at Saks next time that I get into New York City.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC Posh Paradise

Posh Paradise is newest release from MAC, there are a group of releases for this month and this will be the first of a series.  Posh Paradise is a line that consists only of three products; Paint Pots, Mattene Lipsticks, and Nail Lacquers.  This is one of the smaller collections that I have seen from MAC recently and is one of the few that consists of only new color products.  This is the type of collection that immediately pops into my head when I think of MAC, the shades are bright and pigmented and can be combined to create a dramatic fall makeup look.

"Nail Lacquers are lavishly lush, Mattene Lipsticks are light on the lips as lust and Pearlized Paint Pots blend smoothly over lids.  Indulge yourself with a plush and provocative collection of hypnotic hues!", states the MAC website in an overall description for the collection.  I am on the fence about Paint Pots, I like the one that I have but I don't know that I would purchase any more of the them and I have never tried the Matten Lipsticks since they are no offered in the permanent collection.  So I have high hopes for the nail polish shades but I don't know what else from this collection will end up on my shopping list.
Let's check the collection out because I want to see details about this new lipstick formula...

Paint Pot - A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish.  Long-wearing, colourfast.  Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking.  Blends smoothly over the lids.  Cream-based, can be mixed with MAC shadows and liners.
- Treasure Hunt - light pearled yellow
- Nubile - light pinky nude
- Idyllic - mid-tone copper bronze
- Pure Creation - midtone frosty blue
- Genuine Treasure - reflects antique gold
- Half-Wild - mid-tone purple
- Hyperviolet - deep violet
- Imaginary - blackened navy

Mattene Lipstick - With its streamlined design, this new slimline lipcolour, features the traditional glamour properties of a matte lipstick - intense colour and semi-matte velvety finish - while offering a creamier, softer, more glide-on application.  Non-caking, non-drying.  Moisturizing and incredibly wearable yet absolutely matte.
- Fresh Amour - light lavender
- Naked Bliss - neutral light pink
- Delectable - orange beige
- Rare Exotic - bright mid-tone blue pink
- Eden Red - bright blue red
- Deliciously Forbidden - mid-tone berry
- Legendary - brick mid-tone red
- Unknown Pleasures - deep red blue
- Potent Fig - deep blue grape
- Seeds of Desire - deep brown plum

Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary new high gloss formula.  Three long-wearing finishes - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted.  Visibly different.  Provides no-streak/no-chip finish.  Contains conditioners and UV protection.  Go hi-lacquer!
- Immortal Gold - pale gold
- Rain of Flowers - blackened violet with sophisticated violet shimmer

My favorite piece of the collection is the Nail Lacquer in Rain of Flowers, this is one of the most unique shades that I have seen recently and I don't believe that I own or have seen anything like it recently.  This shade will be perfect for fall and is one of the best that MAC has released in the past few years,  it is coming home with me the next time that I go to the counter!  From the new Paint Pot shades, I like the neutrals the most.  I haven't had the greatest of luck with Paint Pots so until I find a better way to work with these, I will be skipping out on any shade that is highly pigmented or looks hard to work with.  I only want two shades from this group, the Genuine Treasure and Idyllic shades.

The Mattene Lipstick is extremely interesting to me, I already love MAC's matte lipsticks and now I get to try more shades and a new formula out.  I love MAC's matte reds, so my first picks from this lipstick collection would be Eden Red and Legendary.  The last thing that I need is more MAC red lipsticks but I love every single shade that I buy so I always continue to purchase new shades as they come out.  Naked Bliss looks like a great My-Lips-But-Better shade and would be one that I would use all the time so this one also tops my shopping list.  Rare Exotic and Deliciously Forbidden are also on my shopping list since I have been wearing deep berry and pinks this fall too.

This collection is very classic MAC and I can see so many of these shades working well this fall.  This is a great collection and I am confident that it will sell out quickly at the counters.

photos courtesy of Nordstrom

NARS Night Series Collection

NARS Night Series eye shadow collection has contined two of my long-time favorite eye shadow shades. Night Star and Night Clubbing.  This series of shadows is iconic in the world of dramatic, glitter eye shadows and has spawned many imitations and a cult following in the beauty industry.  Night Star has often held the title of "Best Eye Shadow" in Sephora and recommended by many makeup artists.  Night Star is one of my top five favorite shadow shades and is one of the only ones that I would continue to repurchase each time that I ran out out it.  I wear it for a more neutral look and against dramatic lip shades.  Night Clubbing is great for the iconic smoky eye and is unique in that it contains gold pearl so it makes my eyes look even more blue with no effort on my part.

NARS has decided to capitalize on the fame of these eye shadow shades and has released a small line for the fall that contains a palette containing six of the shades and a limited edition matching line of nail polishes.  The eye shadow palette looks amazing as do all of the nail polishes.  Eye shadows and nail polishes have been my most-purchased items this fall and this collection will just add to my shopping list.

Here is the Night Series collection...

Night Series Palette - Night falls - be transported.  Limited edition Night Series Eye Shadow Palette delivers after dusk drama and intensity for eyes in signature shades.  True color application.  Can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for heightened intensity.  Multi-function: use for shading, highlighting, and lining the eyes.  Iconic NARS shades.
- Night Star - sheer peach shadow with gold pearls
- Night Clubbing - black with gold pearls
- Night Flight - black with cobalt blue pearls
- Night Porter - black with green pearls
- Night Rider - soft plum with silver glitter
- Night Breed - black with silver glitter

Night Series Nail Polish - New, limited edition shades based on NARS iconic Night Series Eye Shadows.  Seize the night.  Incredible luster and prolonged gloss retention with UV protection to prevent polish discoloration.  An advanced polymer systems provides extended wear and a durable, chip-resistant finish.  Modern, iconic shades.  Long-wearing, chip-resistant.  Toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP free.
- Night Breed - black with silver glitter
- Night Rider - soft plum with silver glitter
- Night Porter - black with green pearls
- Night Flight - black with cobalt blue pearls

These are some of the best nail polish shades that I have ever seen!  I must have all four of them and I am so glad that NARS decided to do polishes based on the Night Series.  If I had to choose, my favorite is the Night Rider shade, it is so unique and the glitter finish is pure perfection.  The eye shadow palette contains six great choices from the Night Series line, I am happy that I am getting back ups of the that I already love and get to try four more shades out.

This is among NARS' best collections that they have ever released.  Based on this lovely collection, I am so excited to see their upcoming holiday collection!

photo courtesy of NARS 

YSL Fall 2011 Collection

This whole fall season, we have been seeing makeup collections that contain the product to create strong eyes and little to no lip products.  The fall collection from YSL is both the same as these and a bit different, it focuses on a strong eye makeup look but also a strong lip look at the same time.  all in all, this look on the model is more than I could ever pull off at once but I would love to try and take the eye and lip looks and try them separately.  I started out this season really liking strong eye makeup looks but the past few weeks, I have been craving new lip products and especially new shades of red lipstick.  Let's see what this collection falls for me and if I prefer the eye makeup or lip products from it...

"Inspired by YSL runways, the Fall 2011 palette features the colors of a midnight garden: sophisticated shades of purples and greens: sophisticated shades of purples and greens...these fantastical, rich colors create a seducing and intense new look for the season."  This collection reminds me so mauch of the one that we looked at from Too Faced right in the beginning of the fall collections, both of them were inspired by gardens and both contain a palette full of jewel-toned eye makeup shades.  Too Faced's seems a bit more wearable than the look that is shown on this model but I think that the YSL makeup will be a higher quality and contain a more rich pigmentation.

Here is the YSL version of a midnight garden eye makeup palette...

Blush Radiance - Dress cheeks in a sensual flush of color with this ultra-chic compact that seamlessly blends matte and iridescent textures to create a shimmery, lit-from-within look.  Incredibly versatile, this blush colors, contours, and highlights to create any effect - from natural to glamourous.  The beautifully blendable formula contains self-adapting pigments that capture and transform light's intensity into a vibrant color source that complements any complexion.  Remarkably silky texture blends beautifully for buildable, custom color.
- No 3 - cool light pink and lilac

Rouge Volupte Perle - The ultimate accessory, this creamy and nourishing lipstick is enveloped in a luxurious gold case with the timeless YSL logo that speaks elegance.  Lips instantly feel soft and supple and are drenched in gorgeous color with a satiny-pearl finish.  The secret - a perfect blend of nourishing and soothing ingredients and versatile pearls (transparent crystal pearls and colored pearls) that caress lips with a sensual yet sophisticated shine that's utterly irresistable.  Long-lasting and highly comforting formula, leaves lips looking smoother, fuller, and more radiant.  SPF 15.
- 107 Impetuous Beige - medium warm/neutral beige
- 108 Celestial Mauve - light shimmering lilac
- 109 Brazen Plum - deep warm red plum
- 110 Incandescent Orange - bright warm orange coral
- 111 Mysterious Red - medium warm red
- 112 Spellbinding Violet - dark cool blue plum

Ombres 5 Lumieres - A versatile palette of monochrome shadows in four captivating colors and finishes ranging from shimmer to sheen and metallic to matte - and one coordinating highlighter.  All shades harmoniusly blend to create any look you desire - soft and subtle or dazzling and dramatic: your options are endless.  The silky, long-wear formula is infused with an optical smoothing effect that reveals breathtakingly radiant color that looks luminous in any lighting.
- 11 Midnight Garden - deep charcoal/deep plum/medium lavender/medium true purple/ice blue highlighter

Volume Effect Faux Cils - This award-winning, volumizing mascara achieves a dramatic result in a single stroke.  The secret?  The triple-film complex.  A coating film for intensity, a conditioning film with pro-vitamin B and aloe vera for curves and a fixing film with vinyl polymer for long-lasting effectiveness.  The brush applicator combines nylon fibers of varying diameters for volume enhancement, as never before.
- 20 Midnight Blue - deep dark navy blue

La Laque - A new generation nail lacquer that's both elegant and practical is presented in a sleek elongated glass bottle imprinted with the timeless YSL logo.  A pantheon of fashion-inspired shades, from subtle and natural to vibrant and dramatic provide a high-shine finish for an instant touch of glamour.  Long wear formula with Verbena and Rose Oil strengthens, moisturizes, and protects nails from chipping and cracking.  Dries fast and applies evenly without streaking.
- 43 - deep aqua with subtle silver shimmer
- 44 - bright navy blue with subtle silver shimmer

Ombre Solo - Certain to be a YSL classic, this silky-soft powder sweeps on vibrant, rich color that stays true from day to night.  The radiance enhancing formula highlights eyes in every shade, which blend beautifully together, so any look is easy to achieve.  Presented in an elegant gold compact with two applicators - a foam tip for blending and a brush for precision - ensure effortless color control.
- 18 Deep Night Purple - dark cool plum
- 19 Velvet Green - deep forest green

I find the YSL version of this look to be much more upscale than the Too Faced version of the look.  I love the eye shadow palette in this collection and prefer it over the Too Faced version, I want to try this palette out in a deep purple smoky eye.  However, I will not be wearing as the model is,  with the Ombre Solo in 19 Velvet Green over it.  The combination of all the shades is too much for me and I also won't be pairing it with a dramatic lip look.  that being said, I can skip both of the Ombre Solo shades since I would purchase the palette instead.  The Blush Radiance shade that is included in this collection is lovely and will be great when my skintone returns back to its normal pale shade in a week or two.  The Mysterious Red shade of the lipstick also has my name written all over, I feel like I have found more great red lipstick shades in the past three weeks than I found the whole season and I am so happy that I finally have some choices in this area.  Lastly, I love both of the nail polish shades and want to add both to my collection.

This is another collection that is in my top five for best collections of the fall, a rank that YSL typically does not achieve for me.  The eye shadow palette is simply fanstastic, as is the red lipstick shades and both of the nail polishes.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Estee Lauder Fall 2011 Collection - Modern Mercury

I feel like the fall collections are beginning to dwindle down and I only have a few left on my list to check out.  I have seen a few previews of the Fall 2011 collection at my local Estee Lauder counter but now the full collection is finally and it is time to look at it.  Modern Mercury is a collection of gilded eye looks and red lip looks.  Lancome is the only other collection that has contained strong lip shades so far this fall so I have high hopes for this collection too.  As I have said before, Estee Lauder has come a long way in the past few years after Tom Pecheux took the helm of the creative department.  Pure Color is the makeup collection that was released after he took over and this collection is taking the colors and pigments from this company in a whole new direction.  A direction that I have been really liking for the past few collections...

The Modern Mercury collection from Estee Lauder...

Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 - 15-hour staying power.  Flawless all day.  This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.  Won't change color, smudge, or come off on clothes.  Feels lightweight and comfortable.  Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.  Available in a full range of shades to suit all skintones.

Signature Silky Powder Blush - Feather-light powder blush sweeps on silky sheer, builds to full color.  A fresh way to blush.  Easily goes from barely blushing to full intensity, just like your natural cheek color.  Highlights and defines your face with a bloom of fresh color.  Never looks heavy or streaky.  Natural-looking shades gives cheeks a soft, healthy glow.  Buildable, extended-wear color stays true.  Make great color your signature.
- Pink Kiss - medium rosy pink

Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee - A new kind of all-over glow.  Powder + liquid + gel in one.  High polish for your skin.  Innovative tri-blend liquid, powder, gel formula goes beyond face powder to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow.  The perfect mix of pigment and pearls for a multi-reflective sheen.  Smooths on as an all-over soft sheen.  Builds for luminous pearl highlighting.

Pure Color Eye Shadow Duo - Art for your eyes.  Eye Shadow pairs created by Tom Pecheux.  Two shades made for each other.  One accentuates, the other contours.  Expertly paired to make it easy to achieve the ultimate eye expression.  Wear them together or each alone.  Use them to add a touch of trend or for an all-out color statement.  Color builds easily from subtle to high intensity.  True Vision Color: maximized color impact; magnified vibrancy, clarity, and dimension; amplified brillance.  High Performance Wear: color adheres velvety smooth, without creasing; blends easily; long-wearing, color stays true, won't fade.  Sleek compact includes applicator and mirror.
- Black Chrome - matte charcoal/deep black with silver shimmer
- Modern Mercury - pale silver/dark silver shimmer
- Platinums - pale white shimmer/medium platinum shimmer

Pure Color Liquid Eye Liner - Liner with sparkle effects.  Rich color.  Liquid liner with spectacular sparkling effects.  Long, felt tip wand makes precise lining one stroke easy.
- Black Quartz - deep shimmering black with silver shimmer
- Silver Zinc - deep taupe with silver shimmer

Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara - Lashes seem to multiply, magnify, grow to extrems.  Three different high-volume fibers create audacious, false-lash effects.  The Formula: Extreme Bold Volume formula is a blend of three high-volume fibers in a mousse-light base.  Acts like lash extensions multiplying and growing the look of lashes.  Fortified with conditioning Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex.  The Three Fibers: unique interlocking fibers build volume and length; hollow fibers create massive volume, without weight; ball fibers fill in and fill out even the sparsest lashes.  The Brush: oversized Brush Comber Extreme with two types of bristles - flexible fibers carry maximum formula and solid fibers comb and separate for clump-free definition.  The Color Impact: prismatic pearls intensify pigment and luster.  Eyes look brighter, wider, more seductive.  The Look: outrageous volume, lift, and curves for an audacious, false-lash effect.
- Extreme Black - deepest, darkest black

Pure Color Velvet Lipstick - Matte creme, intense color.  Non-drying, ultra creamy.  All the opulence of velvet in a new soft matte lipstick.  Smooth and creamy formula with rich, intense color impact.  Soft, sensuous, and non-drying.  High pigment shades for high drama.
- Red Velvet - deep matte blue red
- Nude Velvet - medium cool nude cream
- Fuschia Velvet - deep cool magenta cream

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick - Color so incredible, it leaves your lips wanting more.  True Vision technology takes ordinary color and makes it extraordinary.  True Vision Color: maximized color impact; magnified vibrancy, clarity, and dimension; amplified brillance.  Indulges your lips in 2 seductive finishes: Satin, lasting creme; Lustrous, lasting shimmer.  Medium-to-full, buildable coverage; long-lasting wear; fade-resistant.  Enriched with lip-loving ingredients, including apricot kernal, shea butter, and murumuru butter that leaves lips soft and creamy smooth.  "Lipstick makes a woman sensual, powerful, and kissable." - Tom Pecheux, Estee Lauder Creative Director.
- Beige - medium warm beige cream
- Fuschia Fever - deep magenta purple cream
- Scarlet Siren - deep blue red cream

Pure Color Nail Lacquer - Turn your fingertips into fashion statements with a wardobe of sensational shades to add definition, polish, and style to your fingertips.  Designed by Tom Pecheux, world-renowned makeup artist and Estee Lauder Creative Makeup Director.  Tom combined today's top trends with timeless classics - all the colors he prefers for photo shoots and fashion shows.  Formulated with True Vision technology to transform ordinary color and make it extraordinary.  Rich, glossy color with an intense mirror-like high shine.  Fast-drying.  Long-wearing.  High-pigment, high-impact brilliance in 3 effects: creme, pearl, and shimmer.  True Vision technology takes ordinary color and makes it extraordinary.  Choose from a multi-faceted spectrum of modern and timeless shades.  Resists chipping - even in water.  High coverage that won't fade, dull, or streak, even in strong sunlight.  The brush makes it easy.  Specially designed brush shade makes application incredibly easy in 3 strokes - middle, left, right - you're done.
- Metallic Sage - medium warm olive with gold shimmer

I love this nail polish shade, it so unique and perfectly on trend for this fall.  I was surprised to see Estee Lauder making a shade this unique since I don't know how well it will go over with its older customers.  It will bring this company a new customer, as Tom Pecheux has been doing for the past few seasons.  This is very strong collection for fall, whether you prefer strong eyes or strong lips or even a combination of both looks in one. 

The lipstick shades are my second favorite part of the collection, I want both the matte and cream red shades even though I have never used an Estee Lauder lipstick before.  I would like to see both of the nude shades in person to see how warm they end up being.  If they are too warm, then they won't work on my face.  The eye shadow palettes are very pretty too, my favorite shade is the Modern Mercury duo, the deep and light silvers.  To add to my list of eye makeup that I want from this collection, I want both of the liquid liners since they are both lovely shades and contain enough shimmer to bring all the attention to my eyes.  I really want to try a cat eye using this black liner.

The Powder Gelee is a product that I have never seen before, the texture is amazing looking and I think that I will use it as a cream highlighter.  If I even can bring myself to screw up the lovely compact...

Estee Lauder has come a long way in the past few seasons due to the brillance of Tom Pecheux.  He has changed this brand from an old lady image to one that is hip and cutting edge, with great shades and pigmentation.

photo courtesy of Estee Lauder

Bath and Body Works Fall Traditions Body Products

Bath and Body Works has finally released their long-awaited Fall Traditions body care collection.  I have been seeing people discussing this line on the Makeup Alley boards since the middle of summer, right after the company confirmed that they would release Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin in the body care line for the fall season.  I personally am not a pumpkin person but it seems like a lot of people are because the excitement for this collection has been growing for the past month or two.  I can understand the love and hype for fall products so while smelling like a pumpkin isn't for me, I can understand how people can get so excited about this.

Even though I'm not a pumpkin person, this collection has me very interested.  For the first time, the fall body product collection contains four fragrance; one spicy, one vanilla, and two traditional fall fruit scents.  This is the time oft he year that I start getting out my fall fragrances so I know that I will be picking up something from this collection to use this fall.  Personally, I have my eye on the vanilla and apple fragrances, I want something that will replace the discontinued Vanilla Noir scent and I am hoping that the Cozy Autumn Vanilla is close to this scent. 

The first of the fragrances in this line and the one that I know will sell out the fastest is the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.  This fragrance was first released when I was in college and I remember that I purchased it way back when.  I was in love with it for about two months and then I got so sick of it that I never used it again.  This fragrance is a "cozy blend of fresh pumpkin, crisp apple, and spiced vanilla."  The top notes are: pumpkin, fresh crisp apple.  The heart of the fragrance is: fresh ginger, fruit jasmine, cinnamon spice, touch of gingerbread.  The base notes are: amber, soft musk, hint of rum, creamy vanilla,  touch of sandalwood.  This fragrance is one of those that smells really different in each form.  The shower gel and body mist smelled more like apple cinnamon with a slight hint of pumpkin while the body lotion is all spice and pumpkin.  I like this fragrance but I remember how easily I got sick of several years ago and how I ended up giving away all my bottles of it so I bet that I will skip over this one since I am willing to bet that the same thing would happen again this time.

The second of the fragrances is the traditional fall-type of apple scent.  I love apple scents more than any others in the fal so this one was also one that I was very interested in.  Warm Harvest Apple is the name of this fragrance and is described as "a crisp blend of juicy apple, pink pear, and fresh sugarcane".  This one is closer to a true apple scent than a spicy apple cider type of fragrance.  Top notes: McIntosh apple, pink pear, lemon sugar.  The middle notes: green candied apple, fresh sugarcane.  The bottom notes are: vanilla bean, white woods, musk.  I smelled this fragrance and I have decided that is a bit more crisp than the old Country Apple scent and reminds me more of an old Philosophy fragrance that I used to love.  I haven't bought any products from this fragrance yet but I am interested in picking up a few pieces of it.

The third of the fall fragrance is the second of the two fruits and the one that I dislike the most.  Berry scents are not my cup of tea and I only really like berry notes when they are mixed with several other types of notes (Dark Kiss and Secret Wonderland are great examples of this type of mix).  So right off the bat I know that this a fragrance that I will be skipping over.  The Bath and Body Works website describes it as "a rich blend of juicy berries, red pomegranate, and luscious plum", this one may have some fo the same notes as Dark Kiss but it is nothing like it in real life.  The top notes of the fragrance are: sparkling pomegranate, Mirabelle plum.  The heart notes are: sugared rose.  The base notes are: vanilla extract, sensual mahogany, and dark rum.  This one is a generic berry scent and is the lightest of the group.  If you like berry scents and I know that there are many of you that, then you will love this fragrance but I will be skipping over it for the others.

The last fragrance is the one that I was most interested in from the first time that I heard about this line, the Cozy Autumn Vanilla.  I was hoping for a scent more like their recently discontinued Vanilla Noir but this scent is a bit lighter than that and is closer to the old Fresh Vanilla that was out when I was in college.  That being said, it is still my favorite of the group and the one that I indulged in first.  This is described as "a warm blend of fresh vanilla beans, soft caramel, and comforting creamy musk."  The top notes of the fragrance are: fresh vanilla beans, soft caramel.  The middles notes are: white orchid, sugared mimosa, hints of sesame.  The base notes are: warm vanilla milk, coconut musk, sandalwood, praline.  This is a very light vanilla on the skin and the vanilla, praline, and caramel are the notes that are the easiest to detect.  I have already bought this one in the shower gel and the body lotion and plan to purchase it in the body scrub and body cream to round out my collection.

These products are all limited edition and are available in the typical Bath and Body Works Signature Collection forms: the Body Mist, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Body Cream, and Sugarcharged Body Scrub.  Their are matching lip glosses that are available to these scents, however it is not available in the applefor some reason.  I am most excited about the scrubs in this line since they appear to be the same formula as the ones from the Island Escape collection that I loved at the beginning of this year.  I can only hope that Bath and Body Works continues to bring them out in more new fragrances because they are a great product.  This is one of the few scrubs that can foam up and rinses clean while still providing a great exfoliation. 

I still have to buy the Cozy Autumn in the Body Cream and Scrub, I will be using this scent all through the fall and into the winter.  This is the time of the year for warm, cozy scents and this is a great example of one.  Depending how long this collection sticks around in stores, I would like the get the same products in the apple scent, it sounds lovely and is another good one for the fall season. 

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works