OPI and Minnie Mouse Collection

In addition to the Spiderman collection, OPI has recently released a second small nail polish collection.  This little collection consists of a range of pink hues for the nails, all of which have been inspired by vintage Minnie Mouse cartoons.  It appears to me that the collaboration of OPI and The Muppets last holiday season must have done very well since cartoon and movie-inspired collaborations have been released from this company over the past few months.  I am liking this little collections, they have had some fun shades that are right on trend.

I have been buying pink polish shades all spring and my collection of pink-hued polishes has grown by leaps and bounds over the past season.  I really wish that this collection would have come out a bit earlier in the spring, I would have been all over these pinks but I don't need to add anymore summer shades to my collection at this time.  "She's flirty.  She's stylish.  She's totally fa-'mouse'.  And now her irresistible charm is yours to enjoy."  This collection consists of four new polishes, one of which is a confetti and the others are full pigment hues of pink.

The three full pigment shades range from a light pink all the way to a deep magenta.  The light pink is named If You Moust, You Moust.  It is a tradition cool-toned light blue pink cream.  This is a very pretty shade but it has been done so many times from OPI and other companies that you really only need this shade if you are obsessed with Minnie Mouse and want to collect all the shades in the range.  The next shade is The Color Of Minnie, a bright pink-red with a very subtle silver shimmer.  This shade is right in the middle of a pink and a red, it is too red for me and I think that I will be skipping over this one since I doubt that it will be as flattering as the others.  The last of the full pigments shade is my favorite, I'm All Ears.  This shade is a bright magenta with vivid silver shimmer.  I love this shade but when I looked at pictures of it online, I saw that it looks exactly like China Glaze Ahoy!, a shade that I already own and love.  I don't need another bottle of this shade, they are almost exact dupes.  However, Ahoy! has been getting harder to find at Ulta and if you can't find it, this is a great sub.

The confetti top coat is the shade that I am most likely to purchase, it is the most unique and can be worn on its own or over any of these pinks.  This polish is called Nothin' Mousie 'bout It.  It is a clear base with gold and pink glitter suspended in it.  In addition to the full-sized glitter particles int his polish, it also contains heart-shaped pink confetti pieces.  I am not someone who goes crazy for anything heart-shaped but there is just something about this top coat that I love.  This top coat would be great for Valentine's Day and is still fun throughout the whole summer months.  I would be more likely to use this top coat in an accent manicure, painting the heart confetti on only my ring finger nails and using the traditional glitter on the rest of my hands.  The salon that I have recently started going to has the full line of OPI polishes for use in manicures so I am considering asking for this type of manicure to see how the effect looks in real life.

This would have been a great collection to release around Valentine's Day and to use at salon in manicures for this special day.  This is still a very fun collection for the summer months, however I wish that some of the pink shades would be a bit more unique since I already own shades that look very much like these.  The top coat is the most unique polish in this collection and that is the only shade that I want to try out.  I will be looking for this collection the next time that I get my hair done at the salon!

photo courtesy of news.instyle.com

China Glaze Summer 2012 Collection - Summer Neons

This is the last of the summer collections that I will be looking at for the season, I would have ended the summer collections with Naked Strangers from Illamasqua but I was waiting around for this collection from China Glaze to release.  I was a little surprised at how long it took China Glaze to release this shade, the spring collection from this company was on the website in the middle of January and I had been seeing reports of the summer collection being available for use at salons since the beginning of May.  Personally, I have already bought all the nail polish shades that I am going to buy this season and I don't need anymore neons that I will only wear for the next three months...

Even before checking out this collection, I can state that there is probably nothing that I will need from the collection since I am already beginning to think about fall beauty trends.  Realistically, before the end of June, we will be seeing hints of the major fall collections and I will be writing up a Trend Report for this season.  This collection from China Glaze is named Summer Neons and consists of twelve new neon shades that all have a fine shimmer finish.  On first glance, this collection looks very similar to the summer collection from Zoya (released last April) and it would have been much better to release it back when that collection was released.  But I think that it is time to get off my soapbox and just look at the polishes and see if I should make a last minute trip to my nearest Sally Beauty Supply.

Here is the Summer Neons collection from China Glaze!

- Surfin' For Boys - bright peach coral with shimmer
- Love's A Beach - bright neon pink with pink shimmer
- Hang-Ten Toes - light blue neon pink with silver shimmer
- Beach Cruise-r - bright purple with silver shimmer
- Under the Boardwalk - deep berry cream
- Ride The Waves - bright denim blue cream
- Splish Splash - bright blue with silver shimmer
- I'm With The Lifeguard - neon green with gold shimmer
- Sun-Kissed - bright highlighter yellow with gold shimmer
- Orange You Hot? - bright medium orange with silver shimmer
- Flirty Tankini - warm bright coral with silver shimmer
- Pink Plumeria - light pink coral with silver shimmer

Overall this is a great summer collection and it is so disappointing that it came out at the tail end of the releases, this collection could have held it's own if it has been released about a month ago and I would have been picking up quite a few shades.  My favorites are the blues and pinks in this collection, Splish Splash is the shade that I am considering a trip to Sally's to see if it is still in stock.  Assuming most of the shades are in stock, I would also like the Love's A Beach, Hang-Ten Toes, and Pink Plumeria shades.  I love the pinks in this collection and they would be solid additions to my pink polish collection. 

The corals in this line are too warm for me to find flattering, most of them tend toward the orange side.  The super-neons are just too much for me and I wouldn't use them at all but I can see them selling well to people who love China Glaze and unique polishes.

Well this is my last summer collection post, I will be rocking my summer shades for the next three months while I begin to look forward to the fall collections.  I have already found a sneak peek of the Chanel fall collection on Makeup Alley and if this collection is any indication, we are in for a great next few months!

photo courtesy of China Glaze's Facebook page

MAC and Beth Ditto Collection

The MAC and Beth Ditto collaboration is going to be the more talked about of the two collections, this collection became controversial as soon as the information on it was leaked to the media.  Opinions on Beth Ditto herself are very divided; some people worship and respect her as an advocate for both gays right and for a positive self image for larger women, other people disdain her proclaimation that she is "punk" and her overall stage look.  To tackle the tricky subject matter in this collection, I needed to do a little extra research and form my own opinion as to the singer herself and then the collaboration with MAC.

When I first read about this collection last spring, I had no idea who Beth Ditto even was and why so many debates were being sparked so quickly about this collaboration.  I can see that some people are put off by her appearance, in that her "look" is very extreme and she embraces bold colors and dramatic stylings.  When I found pictures of her online, I had a hard time understanding how some people didn't feel that she was a quality candiate for a makeup collection.  Her personal style is very much the image that MAC tends to cultivate and I could see this being a collection of strong, right-on-trend shades that will appeal to the fashion community.  I had to dive in a bit deeper to understand where all the controversy was coming from, I was hoping that her personal views on body image and her sexuality would not be creating the huge fuss that occured with the annoucement of this collection.  When I kept searching, I believe that I found why certain people where upset.  Ditto claims that she is "punk" and therefore doesn't wear deodorant or shave under her armpits (even though she takes the time to do full makeup every single day), leading some people to feel that she is not worthy of a collaboration with a major beauty brand like MAC. 

With everything that I read about her, I found very little on her actual music career.  I searched on ITunes and found the song "I Wrote the Book" and loaded it onto my account.  The song wasn't quite what I was expecting based on what I read of her, it is fun and bouncy and would be a great song to dance to.  If nothing else comes out of this collaboration, I did find a new song to sing all throughout the day...

The MAC website provides the following description of the collaboration.  "Beth Ditto, passionate provacateur of music and style, collaborates with MAC on a colour collection with shades ranging from tender to tart.  Candy-glossed pop mixed with polished punk sensibility.  Limited edition."  This collection focuses on bright lips and multiple eye liner looks (Ditto seems to be very fond of the cat eye look, based on many of the photos that I found of her when I was searching for information).
Here is the MAC and Beth Ditto collaboration!

Liquidlast Liner - A rich black colour liquid eye liner that combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line.  Goes on effortlessly.  Applies with its own brush to draw a perfectly defined line.

Shade and Smoke Shadow/Liner - Premiering in this collection - a dual-ended pairing of Eye Shadow and Greasepaint Liner for the perfect smoky eye.
- Little Miss Moffet - true black liner/true white shadow
- Drag, Strip - smoky navy liner/pale blue shadow
- Beth Mask - reddish brown bronze liner/golden peach pink shadow
- Beth or Glory - deep brown liner/bright blue shadow

Zoom Lash Mascara - Major drama.  Lasts all day.  Creamy, velvety formula builds density and conditions.  Feels light, supple.  Ultra-sculpted brush has three-sided fibres to embrace and seaparate each lash, hugging every curve.  Coats in one stroke from root to tip.  No smudging.
- Blue Charge - deep navy blue
- Plum Reserve - light violet purple
- New Hue - blackened burgundy

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.

7 Lash - Natural length.  Everyday glamourous.  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.

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 the 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.
- You're Perfect Already - neutral pale pink
- Love Long Distance - light mauve
- Dear Diary - bright neon pink
- Booyah! - bright orange
- Heart Hangover - deep purple

Lip Pencil - A pencil designed for shaping, lining, or filling in the lip.  Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining or filling them in.  They are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colours that each work well with many different lipstick shades.
- In Synch - bright yellow pink
- Entertain Me - clearly orange
- Embrace Me - vivid pinkish fuchsia
- Nightmoth - blackened plum

Powder To The People - Play with polka dots to create highlighting effects on your eyes by blending the colours of this ultra-fine, lightweight pressed powder with a velvet-smooth finish.  Light pink background with brown, orange, bright blue, and yellow dots in an all over print.

Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary new high-gloss formula.  Three long-wearing finishes - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted.  Visibly different.  Provides no-streak/no-chip.  Contains conditioners and UV protection.  Go hi-lacquer!
- Vagabondage - midtone lavender
- Near Beth Experience - light yellow
- Life and Beth - milky peach
- Nocturnelle - black-as-night black

I really like this collection although I find that these shades will be better suited to my nighttime makeup looks, most them are not appropriate for a professional environment.  I am going to be all over the Pro Longwear Lip Creme in the Dear Diary shade.  This is a bright neon pink cream that is already sold out on the website and I will need to get my closest counter very soon.  I have been wearing my newest NARS pink lipsticks for the past week (review will be on the way!) and this shade will be a great addition to my pink line up, this formula has a creamier finish then the mattes that I have been wearing and will be a whole different lip look for me.  This is the only lip product that I am dying for, the other lipsticks are nice shades but there isn't one among them that I must own and I will be skippping over all the Lip Pencils.

The eye makeup of this collection has me very interested.  I went through a huge eye liner phase a year or two back but have mostly been buying eye shadows lately.  This collection is making me want to get right back into buying and using liquid eye liners, I love the Penultimate formula from this company for the hottest, humidest nights of the year.  Once this formula is in place, it doesn't move and never flakes off.  Based on this product, I would be more than happy to buy more liquid liners from MAC.  My first choice would be the Liquidlast Liner, I would love another black liquid liner especially one with a thicker applicator that will allow me to create a thicker winged look.  The new product released with this collection is another one that I am wanting to try soon.  The Smoke and Shadow product looks as though it will be a product that can quickly create a full eye makeup look.  My favorite shade is the Beth Mask, a duo of bronze and peach that will be very flattering to my eye color and will work well in the summer and then into the fall months.  I would also like to buy the black and white shade, named Little Miss Moffet, to create a retro black and white eye look.  I will be skipping over the colored mascaras since I tend to buy them and rarely use them. 

Unlike Casual Colour, the Nail Lacquers in this collection are much more tempting.  I am keeping the formula issues in mind and trying to find reviews of these shades before I make my final decision.  I love the Vagabondage shade, I have been collecting lavender polishes for the past few months and I will continue to wear them for the next few months.  I am also attracted to the Near Beth Experience shade even though I have never owned any shade of yellow polish in my life.  I will make my final decision on these shades pending any reviews that I can find on them.

The Powder To The People is the one product that I do not want at all from this collection.  Mixing all the shades will create a mess of the product and I don't really like the shade combinations that I would even get from this product.  In the past collections, products like this usually are either hit or miss and are bought only be people who are obsessed with MAC and are buying it as a collector's product.  I haven't read any positive reviews from the Temptalia blog on the formula and pigmentation of this product so I will be skipping over this one.

I love this collection and I believe that it is a great summer collection with products that will translate seamlessly into the fall.  I love the bright lip shade in this collection and I hope that it is still in stock when I go to the counter sometime next week.  This collection also inspires me to get back into eye liner and looks that requre heavy liner.  I like the collaboration between MAC and Beth Ditto, the fighting over this collection is not really warranted and is only serving to make the collection sell out even faster!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

MAC Casual Colour

My local MAC counter is still all about Hey, Sailor! and I am in love with many of the products that I bought the other week.  However this week, MAC has released two more summer colour collections that I need to check out and decide whether or not to add more products to my MAC collection.  The first of the two collections is named Casual Colour and this is the smaller of the two collections.  We will start with this collection today and then dive into the MAC and Beth Ditto collection tomorrow.  Casual Colour will receive less attention than the Beth Ditto collection, this collection is slightly less vibrant and is more focused on a new product that is made to color both lips and cheeks.

The overall description of the collection can be found on the MAC website.  "This is weekend chic, MAC style.  Mineralize Skinfinish, Studio Fix Mascara, Prep + Prime Highlighter, and new all-in-one Lip and Cheek Colour Pots.  Effortless and easy, this barely there formula feels like wearing nothing at all."  This new product looks very interesting and hopefully will be a formula that works well for me and I can incorporate a few of them into my makeup routine. 

Here is the Casual Colour Collection from MAC...

Studio Fix Lash - Innovative, mousse-like formula gives superior definition, volume, and lift by filling in sparse lashes for a dramatic effect.  New moulded brush prevents clumping.  Rich in pigments.  Long-wearing polymers quickly coat from root to tip.  Keeps lashes light, lifted, supple, and full.  No clumping.

Casual Colour - Versatile, lightweight all-in-one colour for cheeks and lips.  Creamy, super-blendable, barely there formula.  Contains Vitamin E to help keep skin and lips nourished.  Limited edition.
- Lazy Sunday - baby pink
- Keep It Loose - warm peach
- Relaxation - warm pink
- Have A Lovely Day! - neutral nude
- Weekend Getaway - cool rose
- Evening Stroll - violet cream
- Out For Fun - cool coral
- Keep It Casual - warm wine

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish.  Provides perfect low coverage.  Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day.

Prep + Prime Highlighter - A pen-style highlighter that efficiently brings a soft sheer wash of colour to the skin.  With its precise application, adds radiance just where you want it.  Goes on smoothly for cushion-soft wear.  Use over makeup for highlights, touch-ups or under makeup to brighten and prime.
- Light Boost - soft yellow cream
- Bright Forecast - mid tone peachy coral

Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary new high gloss formula.  Three long-wearing formulas - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted.  Visibly different.  Provides no-streak/no-chip finish.  Contains conditioners and UV protection.  Go hi-lacquer!
- Delicate - pale sheer ballet pink
- Style Tip - soft pink nude
- Fiestaware - mid-tone orange coral
- Please Me - mid-tone warm pink

187 Duo Fibre Face Brush - A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments.  Use to create soft layers or add textures.  Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.

I read a full review of the Casual Colour product on the Temptalia and Musings of a Muse website and have determined that this product performs better on the cheeks than on the lips.  This fact is actually what I was hoping for when I first saw the product, I have many great lip glosses but not near as many high quality cream blushes.  The finish dries to a soft cream with a slightly dewy finish, if you prefer a matte or shimmering cheek look than this product will not be what you are looking for.  Based on the above facts, I believe that this product will be better used by someone with normal to dry skin.  I could use this formula in the summer months, my cheeks are dry throughout the whole year but for some skin types, this product might be better suited to the fall and winter months.  This collection might have been better as a fall release...

I am certainly looking at adding a few of the Casual Colours to my makeup collection.  My favorite shade is the Weekend Getaway shade, the medium rose that will be flattering on both my tanned and pale skin.  Lazy Sunday and Relaxation are also on my shopping list, both pinks will be flattering on both cheeks and lips for me.  Those three Casual Colours are the only must haves for me in this collection, the mascara formula looks nice but I can get it all year long and therefore it takes a back burner to the Casual Colour pots.  I like the nail polish shades but MAC needs to improve the consistency of their polish formula before I buy anymore of their shades, none of the colors are unique and I can find them in brands with a much nicer formula.

I think that this is the easier of the two new collections to wear, I don't know why both collections were brought out at the same time since one collection also takes a back seat to the other.  The Casual Colour pots should be great sellers for this company, the shades are easy for many skintones to pull off and the formula seems easy to work with!

photo courtesy of MAC

Dior Summer 2012 Collection - Croisette Collection

It is the first full week of June and I am beginning to finish up with the summer collections and wrapping up the last little bit of summer makeup shopping.  At this point, I am more interested in summer skincare products and a few last fun colors to wear when going out at night.  One of the last few collections that I am really interested in purchasing from is the new Dior summer collection, Croisette Collection.  This collection contains a bunch of great eye palettes and some bright pops of color for the lips and nails.  Why is is that I am more attracted to the nail polishes than anything else in the collection already?!  I have been rapidly adding to my nail polish collection for the summer and I am already looking forward to adding fall shades to my collection.  I am trying to justify adding the bright aqua shade from this new collection to my polish line up but I don't really need yet another bright summer shade...

I am pulling my information and photos from the Nordstrom website, I started out looking at the photos on the Dior website but it is refusing to let me look at anything but a collection overview at the moment.  The Nordstrom website states the following as an overview of the collection; "Inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera, the Dior Croisette Collection combines the peace of the French countryside with the splendor of Saint Tropez."  I love the neutral palette in this collection and I will be able to use this all summer against a great fake tan, this might be one of my last beauty purchases for the season...

Here is the Dior Croisette Collection!

Le Croisette 5 - Color Palette - Inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera, the Dior Croisette Collection combines the peace of the French Countryside with the splendor of the Saint Tropez.  Adorned with sunbursts, the Le Croisette palettes are inspired by the sophisticated signature pleating technique used on the fabric of Dior dresses.
- Swimming Pool - medium bronze shimmer/pale aqua shimmer/medium gold shimmer/medium jade green shimmer/bright aqua matte
- Aurora - deep gold shimmer/deep chocolate brown shimmer/bright bronze shimmer/pale champagne shimmer/medium champagne matte

Addict Vernis Croisette Collection Lipstick - A lipstick.  An attitude.  A state of mind.  Inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera, the Dior Croisette Collection combines the peace of the French Countryside with the splendor of Saint Tropez.  The hydrating and volumizing formula leaves lips colorful and subtly sparkling with cocktail colors, ready for a scorching kiss on the deck.
- 414 Casual Gold - warm sheer gold shimmer
- 544 Jet Set - warm peachy coral shimmer
- 354 Palace - pinky coral shimmer

Addict Vernis Croisette Collection Ultra Gloss - Inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera, the Dior Croisette Collection combines the peace of the French Countryside with the splendor of Saint Tropez.  Dior Addict Ultra Gloss features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, 'spotlight shine' effect.  Hyaluronic spheres keep lips smooth and moisturized, while mirror-like micro pearls reflect light in all directions for a dazzling finish!
- 432 Brown Panama - shimmering bronze
- 542 Orange Pareo - bright orange shimmer
- 464 Pink Croisette - bright cool pink shimmer

Vernis Croisette Collection Nail Lacquer - Never before has the color of the new Dior Vernis displayed such lacquered and vibrant shine!  Inspired by the art de vivre of the French Riviera, the Dior Croisette Collection combines the peace of the French Countryside with the splendor of Saint Tropez.  A cocktail of shine and sparkle amplifying active ingredients directs pigments and pearly particles to enhance light reflection tenfold.  Application is even easier with the new brush.  Dior Vernis also features a new chip-resistant formula that protects and embellishes the nails, day after day.
- 231 Bikini - bright pink coral cream
- 401 Saint Tropez - bright aqua cream

My favorite pieces of the collection are still the bright aqua nail polish shade and the bronze and gold eye shadow palette.  The nail polish hue that I love is already sold out on the Sephora and Nordstrom websites so I am doubting that I will be able to get this shade at all this summer, I will just be happy with my China Glaze Aquadelic polish for the summer months.  The Aurora eye palette will work well all summer and into the fall, I see that it is not sold out and I will be searching for this palette at both Sephora and Macy*s.  To round out my choices on this collection, I would like to own the Pink Croisette shade of the lip gloss however my summer won't be ruined if I am not able to get a tube of it. 

At this time of the year, I am only purchasing products that I can use for multiple seasons, there isn't much point in buying summer products at this point since I will only wear them for three months maximum.  I only have one more summer collection to look at that and then I will begin watching out for the fall products and trends.  With the exception of the bronze eye palette, I won't be chasing out any more summer products.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Illamasqua Summer 2012 Collection - Naked Strangers

Earlier in the season, we looked at the update to the Human Fundamentalism collection, this collection was originally the big spring release from the company and they updated it at the beginning of the summer in order to keep up with the trends of the changing season.  With this update, I wasn't sure that we would see a full summer collection from Illamasqua, a fact that depressed me since I have bought more products from this company in the past few months than every before.  At the end of last week, a full summer collection from this company was finally released.  This collection is named Naked Strangers and Illamasqua had been putting sneak peeks of the Nail Varnishes on the website for an entire week before the official collection release.

Naked Strangers is a collection of products and shades that will work very well in the summer months but will also transition well into the fall months.  This collection consists mostly of neutrals and lots of foil finishes.  This a very easy collection to wear, many of the shades can be used for multiple occasions and will work all the way into the fall months.  This collection consists of shades for lips, eyes, cheeks, and a new series of my favorite nail polishes.  Of course, the nail polishes caught my eye first but I am excited for the whole collection.

"Uncover the Naked Strangers collection; a place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration.  In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we reveal in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure monogamous, gilded faithful and unhibited swinger.  Exposed nude tones, adorned with gold, leave you gasping for more.  Don't restrain yourself.  Unless, of course, you enjoy it."  The piece of this collection that made my June Most Wanted list was one of the Nail Varnishes, Swinger is a great foiled gold shade that can easily work its way into my rotation of favorite shades.

Here is the new Illamasqua collection!

Neutral Palette - Create sculpted highlights and stark contours anywhere on your face and body with these four pivotal Powder Eye Shadows.  From our new antique gold shade, Vintage - exclusive to this palette - and matt shades Stealth (creamy buttermilk) and Wolf (rich chocolate brown), to the smoky charcoal depths of the new shade Obsidian (rich black), express your inner light and darkness with riotous glamour.
- Vintage - antique gold shimmer
- Stealth - creamy matte buttermilk
- Wolf - rich matte chocolate brown
- Obsidian - rich matte black

Liquid Metal - A rich and highly pigmented metallic cream that grabs full attention wherever it's applied.  Smooth onto eyes, face, and body with fingers or a brush and prepare to take the spotlight.
- Electrum - antique gold

Powder Blusher - Illuminate, radiate, make your face come alive with the colour and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher.  Colour-intense and highly pigmented, use it to shade, brighten, enhance, and define the shape of your face.  Be bold, be daring, be the centre of attnetion.
- Naked Rose - neutral beige pink

Cream Blusher - Tease, hyponotise, use to effect.  Use Cream Blusher to highlight your cheekbones, shape your face, build and blend with fingers or a brush to create the colour intensity you desire.  Use over your foundation for impact, or under for a captivating glow.  However you apply it, be daring.
- Zygomatic - naked pink brown
Sheer Lipgloss - Super glossy, with a sensual, sheer colour designed to enhance your lips.  Use Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss on its own or with Illamasqua Lipstick for added pout.  Add a little more sexiness to your smile.
- Intimacy - nude pink brown

Intense Lipgloss - Come out of the shadows with high-shine, colour-rich Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in a wide range of bold colours.  Create lips that look full and glossy, without feeling sticky with this "liquid lipstick".  Draw attention to your lips, and to you.
- Stranger - platinum gold

Nail Varnish - A spectrum of bold shades with a range of finishes including matt, rubber, and high-gloss.  Award winning, extremely hard-wearing and chip-resistant, there's an Illamasqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity.  Apply two coats for intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish.
- Monogamous - creamy flesh pink with matt finish
- Swinger - glistening platinum gold with metallic finish
- Faithful - coppered metal with metallic finish

I just love this collection, this is yet another reason why Illamasqua is one of my favorite makeup brands.  My favorites from this collection are the eye and nail products, the palette in this collection will work very well into my current makeup look and I can wear it all the way into the cooler weather months.  This palette looks very familar and I feel like I have seen it in a recent collection from this company.  The Powder Blusher shade will work very well for me when my skin is pale so I will hold off on this product until the beginning of the fall months, this neutral pink will work well with dramatic eyes or lips.  With the neutral pink blush, I also want the Intimacy Sheer Lipgloss to wear against dramatic eye makeup this fall, many of the shades in this collection work better for the fall and winter than the summer and I am not quite sure why this is considered a summer collection.

And now we are at my favorite piece of the collection, the new Nail Varnishes!  Swinger is still my favorite shade and this platinum gold foil is a great neutral to work all summer and then all the way into the fall.  Monogamous is a great neutral pale and will also work in almost every single circumstance.  I love these two nail shades and I must go to Sephora and see if they are going to be carried on the new Nail Bar.

This collection is not a typical summer collection and I will be more likely to save many of these shades for the fall.  I see lots of great neutrals in this collection and more nail polishes to lust after!

photo courtesy of Illamasqua

YSL Summer 2012 Collection

June has just begun and we are almost through the summer color collections, it's hard to believe that the fall collections will be coming out within a month or two.  I am pretty much finished up with my summer makeup shopping, I might add a few more products to it if I really like some of the things that I am seeing in these last few summer collections but I might pick up a few products that I really love from these last few collections.  I still haven't looked at the Dior collection and that brand almost always creates at least one big lemming for me.  Today we are looking at the summer collection from YSL, a collection that appears to be very heavy on the eye makeup.  I always check out products from this company but don't own as many of them as I would like to.

I found this collection on the Nordstrom website, YSL has revamped their beauty website and it is now harder than ever to find anything on there and to figure out what a new collection is versus what the new product launch of the season is.  "This summer, be more iridescent than ever.  The shades of summer are inspired by dunes, sunlight, caramel, and golden tones for a fierce and seductive attitude that only ice water could refresh.  Ready to dive into summer?"  I am always looking for new gold and bronze hues for my eyes and this collection might yield my first major purchase from this company!

Here is the collection...

Pure Chromatics Wet and Dry Eye Shadow Palette - Through the magic of water and a revoluntionary new process, Yves Saint Laurent pushes the limits of color with Pure Chromatics, a new generation of eye shadows.  Real makeup artist magic is made easy with six emblematic harmonies that captivate the eyes.  The power of water: Exclusively by Yves Saint Laurent, the new water-process technology is the latest discovery in color, allowing pigments to be more intense and metallic than ever before!  Use wet for chromatic transformation.  Expect the unexpected.  Water does not dilute but enhances color pigments in Pure Chromatics.  When used wet, the water rehydrates the eye shadows and gives full intensity to their pigments.  The effect is the satiny powder transforms into a luxurious cream while pearls shine with a metallic finish.
- No 9 Stone - deep brown/medium pink champagne/medium bronze/deep charcoal

Terre Saharienne - Poudre de Soliel Bronzing Powder SPF 12 - A bronzing powder that provides an instant healthy glow, thanks to the incorporation of Sun Radiance pigments.  The special-effect pigments capture the light and diffuse a golden reflection in all directions.  The complexion is left looking smooth, golden, and radiant.
- 01 Sunkissed Touch - four hues of bronzes
- 02 Healthy Glow - pale peach/medium peach/bronze/pale pink

Golden Gloss - Adorn your lips in a smile of shimmering gold with Golden Gloss.  The gloss forms a mirror effect on the lips which sparkles with mother-of-pearl.  A complex of nourishing oils (nigelle and cameline oils) protects the lips while providing total comfort.
- 52 Golden Pebble - deep bronze shimmer

Dessin du Regard - Waterproof Eye Pencil - The look of a liquid with the precision of a pencil.  This exceptional long-lasting waterproof eye pencil will stay put on your lids for up to 16 hours!
- 09 Azure Blue - bright navy blue

Volume Effect Faux Cils - Waterproof Mascara - Faux Cils creates a dramatic, volumizing false lash effect and is now available in a waterproof formula.  The unique brush is designed to work specifically with the new formula to maximize lash volume for 24-hour hold.
- 04 Majorelle Blue - bright navy blue

I would have been tempted by the bronzer had I checked out this collection earlier in the season, however I am no longer really in the market for a new bronzer anymore so I will skip over this product this time around.  I am most tempted by the Pure Chromatics eye quad, these shades will work well with a tan in the summer months but I will use them all the way into fall.  If I pick up anything from this collection, it will be the eye shadow quad.  I would like to try the Faux Cils mascara formula, I have heard all types of raves about it however I would not buy it in the bright blue shade that is featured with this collection. 

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Laura Mercier Summer 2012 Collection - Summer Jewels

It looks like Laura Mercier has returned to their pattern of releasing two new collections for every season, this seemed to stop for a bit but I now see a second collection on the company's website.  This second summer collection is much smaller than the Belle Nouveau collection and is exclusive to the company's website.  The new collection is named Summer Jewels and I don't really consider this a collection of shades and products to make one "look" for the season.  This is a series of the best shimmering shades that Laura Mercier has to offer,  one or two of these shades would work very well to change up your existing makeup range or to take a day makeup look easily into the night.  I must say that I am excited to see many of these products together in the same collection, I have seen many of these pieces alone in magazines and havew been interested in learning more about many of them.

Summer Jewels consists of five products; there are products for eyes, lips, and face so this collection gives lots of ways to add a bit of shimmer into your look.  I mostly use shimmer on my eyes and lips so I don't know that I would be likely to buy the shimmer powder for the face but I will be picking up some of the other products from this collection.  "Bold.  Glamorous.  Radiant.  It's the ultimate summer sparkle - an exclusive collection of shimmering new shades that can accessorize any look.  This luminous collection of true silvers, bare pinks, and bold brights gives you a radiant, sultry look, perfect for summer sizzle."
Here is the second of the Laura Mercier summer offerings...

Baked Eye Colour - An innovative wet/dry Eye Colour formula featuring Baked technology in beautiful shades that last all day.  This smudge-resistant, lightweight eye colour gently smoothes onto the lid for even application.  Ultra blendable and versatile, apply dry with the All Over Eye Colour Brush for an even wash of colour or wet with the Creme Eye Colour Brush for a more vibrant effect. 
- Rubellite - fushcia
- Silver - deep ice silver

Caviar Stick Eye Colour - Inspired by Laura Mercier's cult classic Caviar Eye Liner, Caviar Eye Stick Colour offers a new technique to enhance the smoky eye look.  In a range of eight beautiful shades, this creamy formula provides endless options for a flawless smoky eye.  Each convenient stick is long-wearing, transfer- and crease-resistant.  The colour glides onto lids and blends easily with a rich colour payoff.
- Sterling - bright icy silver

Creme Lip Colour - Ultra-rich colour in an irresistibly lightweight formula.  This unique blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and plumping ingredients enhances the lips leaving a smoother, healthier appearance.  One swipe of colour provides hydration and prevents moisture loss ensuring fresh and flawless lips.
- Rose Quartz - soft creamy pink

Lip Glace - A high shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich, long-lasting colour and brilliant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips.  Any skin tone is virtually enhanced by creating a subtle contrast in texture.  Contains the Laura Mercier Lip Complex which hydrates and protects lips, leaving a wonderfully smooth surface.  Lip Complex is a unique blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and plumping ingredients to boost the performance of the Lip Glace.  Non-sticky gloss formula plumps and conditions lips.  Lays down evenly without feathering or bleeding.  Adds a glamourous touch without looking too heavy.  Available in a variety of coverages (sheer, medium, and full) and finishes (shine, sheen, and shimmer).
- Bare Pink - light pink

Shimmer Bloc - A unique baked formula that applies effortlessly while brightening the eyes, cheeks, and body with a hint of natural colour and light.  Contains light-reflecting properties that blend together to give skin a healthy all-over glow.  Modern wearable pearl leaves the skin gleaming without being too frosty or metallic.  Layer over Bronzing Gel or Tinted Moisturizer for a natural sheen.
- Pink Tourmaline - shimmery ice pink

I loved the bright pink Baked Eye Colour, this is a very different shade for me but this is the one product that I really want from this collection.  I have heard a lot of great reviews of the Baked Eye colour formula and I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet, I have been on a MAC and NARS buying spree and need to branch out a bit I guess.  I also really love the Sterling shade in the Caviar Eye Stick, this shimmering silver will work this whole summer against a tan and then I will use it in fall and winter for a foiled eye look.  Lastly, I want the Rose Quartz Lipstick shade, this is a brighter pink than the description suggests and I have been all over bright pinks this whole spring and summer.

The Shimmer Bloc is the product that I am undecided on, I would have to see how shimmery the finish actually is and if I would wear the product on my eyes since I wouldn't really that much shimmer on my face.
I like this little collection, it helps me to see some of the best shimmer products in the Laura Mercier line and the shades that this company would recommend against a great tan.  I am working on creating a pink and silver look for the summer months, I would be wearing this look at night though, I think that it might be too much during the daylight hours.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

The Body Shop Summer 2012 Collection - Honey Bronze

The Body Shop has just released its newest summer color collection, I had to ignore all the new body products and force myself to focus only on the color products.  I love the body products from Body Shop and I could spend a small fortune on their Coconut and Mango product lines, they are two of the only product lines that I have continued to purchase year after year and have never gotten sick of.  I have found that I can now buy the body products at my local Ulta stores (though not at Sephora anymore) so I don't stress as much about being over an hour away from the closest freestanding Body Shop store, though I will have to order the makeup online or do some traveling in order to pick them up.

The new summer collection from The Body Shop only consists of bronzing products and all series of brush types to help apply the powders.  I just ourchased my first new bronzer for the summer, so I am not desperately in need of another one but I would like to own two shades for when my tan varies in hue over the next three months.  I see bronzers of all formulas in this collection, the only one that I am very likely to purchase is the pressed powder bronzer, the gels and shimmering oil are more complex products than I often try to work with in the summer heat and humidity.  The bronzers in this collection remind me of one of the MAC summer collections from years part, Naked Honey.  This wasn't a favorite collection of mine but it still had it's memorable pieces.

Personally, I think that this new collection from Body Shop could be a bit more diversified, how many types of bronzers does one need for the summer?  The best part about this collection is that there is a product of two for everyone however the collection range doesn't encourage purchasing any more than one or two products

Here is the new range of bronzers in the Honey Bronze collection...

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil - Give your skin an even, bronzed look with a hint of shimmer with a lightweight body oil.  Honey bronze glow.  Tan-enhancing shimmer.  Non-greasy finish.

Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel for Face - Get an instant bronze glow with a moisturizing, honey-enriched gel. Moisturizing.  Light, non greasy formula.  Suits all skin tones.

Shimmer Waves - Sweep colors together for a stunning, all-over glow on the face and cheeks or use each one individually on the eyes or to accent specific areas.  Pearl pigments provide shimmer and sparkle, helping to disguise fine lines around the eye area.  Ultra-fine talc is a high-performance powder that enables smooth and even application.  Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia helps to repair skin's moisture barrier.
- 01 Bronze - champagne gold/deep brown/red bronze/medium bronze/medium gold
- 02 Blush - medium bronze/medium rose/red bronze/medium bronze/pale cool champagne

Honey Bronzing Powder - Give your skin an even, bronze matte finish with a honey-enriched pressed powder.  All skin tones.  Even matte finish.  Convenient compact.
- 01 Light Matte - light tan
- 02 Fair Matte - light to medium tan
- 03 Medium Matte - medium tan
- 04 Deep Matte - deep tan

Brush-On Beads - Add a touch of radiance to your face, cheeks, and decolletage using bronze or buff colored powder beads with light-diffusing particles and pearl pigments.  All skin types.  Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia helps keep skin soft and supple.  Light-diffusing particles and pearl pigments instantly brighten skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
- Bronze - all shades of bronze
Baked-to-Last Bronzer - Create a sun-kissed glow with a natural-looking bronzer, handmade, and slow-baked for up to eight hours of deliciously rich color.  All skin types.  Community Trade organic Olive Oil from Italy helps to condition the skin.  Community Trade Shea Butter has antioxidant Vitamins A and E to help protect and nourish skin.  Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia helps to repair skin's moisture barrier, leaving skin soft and supple.
- 01 - deep bronze with pale gold swirled in
- 02 - medium bronze with pale pink swirled in

Retractable Blusher Brush - A retractable makeup brush with a protective cap that is perfect for on-the-go application of your favorite blusher or bronzer.  Super-soft synthetic hairs are long-lasting and specially cut to be extra gentle on delicate face skin.  Flexible, round-shaped head is ideal for applying and blending powder.  Removable cap protects brush hairs without leaving makeup residue in your purse or cosmetic bag.

Kabuki Bronzing Brush - Apply our Bronzing Powder to face, cheeks, and decolletage with a high quality, super soft brush.  Super-soft synthetic fibers allow a seamless application of bronzing powder to face and decolletage.  Bronze opaque and metallic flat-stemmed handle allows for easy application and allows brush to stand upright.
Face and Body Brush - A versatile, larger makeup brush that is just the right size for applying blusher, bronzing powder or shimmer to the face or decolletage.  Soft synthetic hairs are long-lasting and specially cut to be extra gentle on delicate skin.  Wide tapered head is ideal for applying and blending powder formulations.  Slightly tapered handle makes the brush easy to hold and use for controlled, precise application.

Blusher Brush - An indispensable, soft-bristle makeup brush that is just the right size for applying blushers and bronzers.  Super-soft synthetic fibers are long-lasting and specially cut to be extra gentle in delicate facial skin.  Wide, flat tapered head is ideal for applying and blending powder formulations.  Slightly tapered brush handle makes the brush easy to hold use for controlled, precise application.

I think that the piece that I would need most from this collection is the Honey Bronzing Powder in both the fair/medium and medium shades so that I switch them up to make my ever-changing summer fake tan.  This is only product that I am at likely to purchase from this collection, the rest are very nice however I wouldn't use the shimmer finish bronzers enough to warrant a purchase of them. The only product that I would consider buying is the Shimmer Waves palettes, I like both shades of them and since I could use them as eye makeup, I know that I would get use from them all summer.  I would be unlikely to use them in any other way then as eye shadow. 
The last piece from the collection that I have an interest in is the brush collection.  I am considering ordering the Face and Body Brush to use for loose powder since Body Shop has very high quality synthetic face brushes.  This isn't my favorite collection of the summer however it produces a series of high quality bronzers and all types of brushes to aid in application.

photo courtesy of The Body Shop

Guerlain Summer 2012 Collection - Terra Azzurra

One the most acclaimed summer collections is the newest offering from Guerlain.  I have been seeing hints of this collection on other beauty blogs and in magazines since the beginning of May and I have been consistently checking the Guerlain website to see if the new line is up yet.  I have finally found the line up on their website and I am so excited over the new bronzing products in it.  This collection represents the collaboration of Guerlain and Pucci to create a line of top quality summer shades and amazing packaging.

I love this collection on first sight however I am very unhappy that it only contains two new products and then a brush for expert application.  I would love a whole line of new products from this company with the Pucci packaging.  With my weakness for pretty packaging, I would have done a lot of damage to my credit card ordering tons of products from this line!  I wouls especially love a lip gloss in the Pucci packaging...

This little collection is named Terra Azzurra and I stated above, it only contains one bronzer and one highlighter.  I feel that the size of this colleciton is a huge let down, it could have been unforgettable if it was only a few products larger.  As it stands, I couldn't really go out of my way and search for these products to only purchase one bronzer, I could justify chasing down an entire product line if I could get enough makeup to support an entire summer look. 
Here is the collaboration between Guerlain and Pucci!

Meteorites Perles d'Azur - In a nod to the Pucci shades, the Perles d'Azur are being enriched with a corrective blue pearl and beautifully adapt to the demands of the sun.  The idea?  Three targeted and instant benefits to create a summer glow, thanks to the combination of six colours that even out and correct every skin tone, with a de rigueur ultra-luminous and delicately translucent result.  Already tanned skin is subtly set off with a fine complexion-enhancing and imperceptible veil.  Their incredibly stylish round case is adorned with the Pucci print in contrasting colours with a graphic motif.
Terra Azzurra - The star of the collection, this exquisitely beautiful object combines two success stories: Guerlain's legendary Terracotta powder and Emilio Pucci's iconic prints.  Halfway between a bronzer and blusher, this hybrid powder with a gentle, lightweight formula offers a universal harmony of four shades to meet every desire, from the softest to the most intense.  For the ultimate in sophistication, its smooth and oval case in ebony-coloured varnished wood is presented in an accessory pouch printed with the Pucci motif.

Pinceau - An elegant firm and generous Kabuki-style powder brush designed to subtly crush the Meteorites Perles d'Azur pigments or pick up just the right amount of Terra Azzurra powder.  Its broad metallic ring encircling its natural midnight blue bristles adds a chic detail.  It is stored in its on-trend Pucci print pouch that is perfectly in line with summer's glamorous tone.

I know that the Meteorites highlighter is one of the biggest cult products that is available on the beauty market today however I have never tried them out before.  I would be more likely to try them at my Sephora store and then decide if I liked them enough to order these in the Pucci case.  In regards to the Terra Azzurra, I was really hoping that this was more of a plain bronzer, I didn't really want a product that has a blush in it.

I can't decided if I like the products in this collection only because of the packaging, none of them are really what I am shopping for at the moment and I would need to try them at a counter before I order them from the website.  I am seriously tempted by the bronzer brush (of all items!), I love the blue hue of the bristles and the Pucci container that it comes in...

photo courtesy of Guerlain

OPI Summer 2012 Collection - The Amazing Spiderman

Last week, we saw the new Benefit set that was created for the new Snow White and the Huntsman movie that will be coming out on the first day of June.  One of the other movies this summer that proves to be a huge release is the new The Amazing Spiderman movie.  I saw the first movie but I haven't see any of the subsequent movies so I doubt that I will go and see this film but I will be more than happy to check ou the new OPI series of polishes that have come out for the release weekend.  I am not surprised that OPI has teamed up with the film since they created a collection for The Muppets movie from last holiday season.  Personally, I was more excited about the Muppets movie but I am always excited about new nail polish collections!

This collection is another one that is not considered a typical summer shade collection, the range of shades is all over the place in this collection.  We have brights, pales, deeps, and then one top coat with the crackle finish.  I immediately groaned when I saw the crackle finish top coat, I am so sick of these crackle finish polishes and I thought that trend was on the way out when I saw these polishes on the Sale rack at Ulta and I can't believe that I am seeing yet another one of these.  When is this awful trend ever going to end?!

The first polish that we are going to look at is the only pale shade in this collection, My Boyfriend Scales Walls.  This polish is pale, creamy white.  This shade just showed up in the newest MAC collection and I can see that we are going to be seeing hues like this all summer.  I have never really used white polishes unless I am cerating designs on my nails.  I will be skipping over this shade since I will barely ever use it. 

The bright polishes are slightly less to my liking.  The first shade is my "favorite" of the bright shades, Your Web Or Mine? is very pretty but it leans too much to the warm side for me to find it flattering.  This shade is a warm coral pink with a frost finish, we have seen this shade so many times over the years from OPI and I have never liked it.  This shade would be very pretty against a tan for someone with a warmer skintone, I will never be able to pull this shade off.  The second bright shade is even was, this is a bright orange.  I have never even liked bright orange polishes on someone else and I would never wear a shade like this.  I klnow that oranges are very popular right now but this is not a shade range for me.  This shade is named Call Me Gwen-ever and is a creamy medium orange.  This shade almost reminds me a bit more of a pumpkin than a super bright orange but I still don't like it.  I can't wear either of these shades and so far this collection is not working very well for me.

The deeper tones are the best shades of the collection for my skintone, I would be more likely to buy these shades and then put them aside until the beginning of fall.  Into the Night is my favorite polish from the collection, it is a deep blue shade that will be perfect this fall.  The shade is a medium blue shade with a metallic finish, it is lighter than most of the navy polishes that I own and I have no shades like this in my collection already.  I will be adding this blue to my polish collection.  The second of the deeper shades is Just Spotted the Lizard, a medium toned gold with a green cast.   This polish has a metallic finish to it and remains me very much of the Peridot polish that Chanel released last year.  This shade isn't technically a deep tone but it fits better with this area of the collection than any other.  I really like this shade and I will most likely purchase a bottle of it, this one I would wear in the summer so this is one shade in the summer collection that I would actually wear in the summer.  Number One Nemesis is the last of the deeper tones in the collection, it is deep charcoal shimmer that will be a great neutral in the fall months.  i am planning on purchasing all three of the deeper toned shades from this line.

Lastly, we have the crackle top coat.  This type of finish tends to give me a headache everytime that I see it on someone.  I actually wanted a bottle of the crackle when it was released with the Katy Perry collection and it was only available in a black shade.  The combination of all types of shades with the crackle finish just tends to annoy me now and I wish that this trend would just end.  That being said, I will not be buying this shade.  Shatter the Scales is a deep blue green shimmer that is said to look like the scales of the lizards.  I like the thought of this shade but this shade is just completely ugly, it is destined for the sale rack within the next month or two. 

The only shades that I like are the deep toned polishes in this new collection.  Only the gold shade can be worn now, the other two shades will have to be held until the fall months because they don't really work with my current line-up of summer polishes.  I wonder how many other movie tie-ins we will be seeing this summer...

photo courtesy of OPI's page on Facebook

MAC Hey, Sailor! - My Haul and Final Thoughts

This morning I was finally able to pick up my pre-order on the Hey, Sailor collection at my local Macy*s.  After sitting in what seemed to be endless traffic and massive amounts of humidity rendering my hair a disaster (I will be redoing it after I finish this post up), I finally pulled into the mall parking lot, found a spot, and then went running into Macy*s.  I even skipped over Sephora on this visit, I was so excited to get my MAC products and then get back home to play with them.  My initial thought when I got to the counter was that there was no excitement around this line, the counter had one poster up and normal-sized display instead of all the bells and whistles that was I was expecting to see.  I did my pre-order a few days ago with the counter manager and I wish that she would have been there this morning since she knows me well and has recommended products that have ended up being favorites of mine.  I ended up only leaving with the four products that I had pre-ordered so I will have to visit again in order to purchase some of the permanent shades that I need.

I narrowed my initial purcahse down to the four products that I wanted the most when I looked at the collection.  The bags are not available at the counters so I wasn't able to buy any of those.  I decided on a Lipstick, two eye makeup products, and a bronzer.  None of the shades and products are super-unique and they are many dupes out on the market from all different brands.  If you love the packaging, then you will be all over this collection; if you don't, then you will not die if you don't buy multiple pieces of the collection.  Did the packaging push me in the direction of this collection?  Of course it did!  The only product that I would have purchased if the collection was in the plain packaging is the powder bronzer since I actually need it.  MAC offers great red lipstick hues but I didn't need another one and wouldn't have really noticed this one had I not be stalking the collection.  The same reasoning holds for the gold eye makeup products.  However I happen to love the packaging and I am so happy with the four products that I have bought!

My Hey, Sailor! haul!

Hey, Sailor! Bronzing Powder - A lightly frosted, tinted powder that gives skin sheer, natural colour effects and highlights.  Ideal to enhance and strengthen a tan.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!  Limited edition.
- Soft Sand - golden bronze with fine gold pearl

Hey, Sailor! Eye Shadow - Highly pigmented powder.  Applies evenly, blends well.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!  Limited edition.
- Barefoot - tarnished gold

Hey, Sailor! Powerpoint Eye Pencil - A kohl pencil that has all the intensity of colour-power of ultra-soft carbon.  Provides deep, fully opaque coverage and an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrom pearl.  Versatile in application: blend or smudge.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!  Limited edition.
- Handforged - metallic yellow gold

Hey, Sailor! Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips.  Stands out on the runway.  Simmers on the street...or at sea!  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Red Racer - bright yellow red

We will start off with the bronzer.  I decided on the Bronzing Powder because the shades were more neutral, the Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders looked slightly harder to work with; one shade has a red finish, the other a pronounced yellow undertone.  Of the Bronzing Powders, Soft Sand is medium tan with very little shimmer, the other Bronzing Powder has a heavier shimmer and is a darker hue.  Soft Sand is the easier of the two shades for me to pull off.  This bronzer has a sheer to medium finish, it will work best as a light dusting used to lightly tanned to medium skin.  This is the shade that will fit most of the ladies that shop at MAC.

The Barefoot Eye Shadow is the pretty gold shade that I wanted as soon as I first looked at the collection.  The MAC website doesn't give full details but the counter manager told me that the finish on this shadow is closest to the Veluxe Pearl formula, a formaul that manages to produce some of the best and worst MAC shadows.  This shade has a medium to sheer finish and works best when applied with an eye primer.  I will be using it with other golds and champagnes, it is not quite pigmented enough to wear on its own.  I was considering the gold-toned Pigment in this collection but the counter manager told me that the eye shadow is easier to apply and a bit softer than the texture of the Pigment, making my decision of what I wanted easier. 

The Powerpoint Eye Pencil is one of the best quality products that I bought with this collection and I see myself getting the most use of this liner and the matching shadow all year round.  This pencil is less pigmented than the Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils so this isn't the dupe that I was hoping for.  It needs to be applied twice to get a full color intensity, one coat offers a subtle gold look and two coats are needed to create the full gilded eye look.  This pencil lasts all day long and only budged when I used eye makeup remover on it at night, this is a great choice for the summer months.

The last product is the one that is my absolute favorite from the collection and the one product that I had to own from the collection, the Red Racer Lipstick shade.  This a medium yellow red with a satin finish, the finish is very close to a matte and is just slightly creamier than Russian Red.  This shade reminds me of Ladybug with a full coverage finish, a shade that I have often hoped for.  This shade gives me about 6 hours of wear and will begin to wear off with extended eating or drinking.  A primer would be needed under this shade to keep it on all day. 

Overall I am very happy with my purchases from the Hey, Sailor! collection.  I certainly don't need the whole collection even though I love the packaging.  This is one of my favorite MAC collections so far this year, even though I think that the packaging is better than some of the products and shades in the collection.  I like other products in the collection but I really don't need any of those shades as much as I wanted these.  I will be able to use the bronzer all the way into September and the rest of the shades will work well for me all year round and will work well with the rest of the shades in my traincase.  I predict that this will be one of the biggest MAC collections of the year.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Clinique Summer 2012 Collection - Summer Trend 2012

I was all over the spring collection from Clinique, especially the new shades of the Almost Lipstick.  I am still using two of the new shades at least once or twice a week and I will keep this up through the whole summer.  With the new shades that were released in that best-selling, cult product, Clinique has really been holding my attention lately and I am hoping that the summer collection holds the same amount of promise that the spring collection did.  This collection comes with a bold, tropical print makeup bag that I know will be a hit this summer.  I also see Lash Power Mascara and the Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, products that I have used in previous summers.

"Sun-kissed and ready for summer.", is the simple description of this collection.  This description is short and to the point yet it still right on target with the products that are offered here.  I think that I see a new bronzer in this collection that I have never tried before and that I am very excited about.
Here is the summer collection from Clinique...

Superbalanced Powder Bronzer with Mini Makeup Bag - Limited edition.  Bronzing powder with a smart advantage: Long-wear formula helps absorb oil, maintain skin's moisture balance so skin looks healthy, lit with a subtle radiance.  Mineral and antioxidant-rich bronzer transforms from pressed to loose powder at the turn of a dial.  Lightweight, oil-free.
- Bronzed 1 - medium gold
- Bronzed 2 - deep bronze

Bronzer/Blender Brush - The perfect partner for powders.  Great for blending and highlighting.  Unique antibacterial technology.

Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour - Creamy, crease-resistant eye colour wears for 8 hours.  Instantly cools thanks to a unique applicator.  Nourishing ingredients coax fine lid lines into a blanket of smoothness.  Antioxidants helps protect eye area skin.
- Bit o'Honey - creamy pale gold shimmer
- Cute-cumber - cool medium olive shimmer
- Seventh Heather - medium heather brown shimmer
- Currant Affair - deep plum shimmer

Lash Power Mascara - Mascara with staying power.  Vows to look pretty for 24 hours without a smudge or smear.  Lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears.  Yet the formula removes easily with warm weather.  Unique brush reaches and beautifully lengthens even the tiniest lashes.  Ophthalmologist tested.
- Black Onyx - medium black

Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss - Lip balm with a colourful twist.  Luscious, high-gloss shades treat your most undermoisturized skin to soothing shine.  Instantly relives dryness, protect with antioxidants and more.
- Raspberry - bright punch of sheer cherry red
- Mango - soft orange with a slight pink hue
- Currant - rich reddish deepened purple
- Grapefruit - pale blue pink with white shimmer

The Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit has been a summer staple of mine for about four years now, I am still using the same tube since a little bit of this product goes a very long way.  I always check the Clinique counter for more shades in this product, I want the Raspberry shade for a sheer red for this season.  Lash Power Mascara was a staple of mine last summer, I did a full review on it so I will just sum up some of the major points here.  It helped to lengthen my lashes but it is not a thickening formula.  It stayed put all day long and only removed when I was in the shower at night (it only removes with water - even eye makeup remover didn't get it all off).  This mascara creates more of a natural look than I usually go for so I don't know that I would purchase it again but it is a solid waterproof formula that will work well in any type of weather.

The Lid Smoothie is a product that I have been interested in since I first saw it at the counter but I haven't purchased any of the shades yet.  My first choice for summer would be Bit o'Honey to use as a highlighter this summer or against a bright pink lip.  I will be more likely to buy the deeper toned shades in the fall months.  Lastly, I want to try the new bronzer formula, I have used Superbalanced products in the past and I have gotten greeat results from them so this bronzer formula looks very promising.

photo courtesy of Clinique

MAC Hey, Sailor! Colour Collection - Lips and Nails

I saved the best for last!  I have been looking forward to the lip products in Hey, Sailor! since I first heard about the collection months ago, my first thought that was that I would find a great new red lipstick shade with the release of this collection.  And I was right...the first piece that I wanted when I saw pictures of this collection is the Lipstick in Red Racer.  A new red lipstick from MAC in the nautical packaging is just too god for me to pass up and I can't wait to buy a tube of this shade!

"Set sail this summer with a colour collection inspired by the glam of vintage pin-ups girls.  Go overboard with the never-ending colours of Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Zoom Waterfast Lash, Lipglass, and more!  Limited edition."  It goes without saying that the Lipsticks will be my top choice from this collection however MAC has included a full variety of lip products including both Lipglass and the limited edition Sun Tints lip balms.  I have decided to group the nail polish shades in with the lip products since many of the shades complement each other and I was inspired by the Fashion Sets collection that came out earlier this spring and I admired the way the display was set the last time that I was at the MAC counter in my Macy*s.

Lips and nails from Hey, Sailor!...

Hey, Sailor! Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips.  Stands out on the runway.  Simmers on the street...or at sea!  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Sail La Vie - bright midtone orange
- Salute! - neutral peach
- To Catch a Sailor - highly frosted tan
- Red Racer - bright yellow red

Hey, Sailor! Lipglass - 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.  Limited edition Lipglass is packaged in blue and white stripes; it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!
- Cut Loose - white gold with pearl
- Orange Tempera - pale peach
- Blessedly Rich - pale coral
- Rivera Life - bright tangerine
- Send Me Sailing - bright orange red

Hey, Sailor! Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm - A beach-bound essential.  Protects lips against sun, wind, and salt in summer's softest tint with luscious liquid shine.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Sea Mist - peachy nude with multi-dimensional pearl
- Au Rose - poppy coraly pink with gold pearl
- Abalone - see through hot pink with no pearl

Hey, Sailor! Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - A new generation of longwearing lip pencil technology.  Glides on fluidly and adheres instantly.  Defines the lips with an instant release of rich, saturated colour.  Prolongs the hours between re-application.  Transfer-proof.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Saunter - pale nude beige
- Shore Leave - light vibrant coral
- Throw Me A Line! - bright true red

Hey, Sailor! Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary high gloss formula.  Provides no-streak/no-chip finish.  Contains conditioners and UV protection.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Vestral White - creamy white
- Touch of Red - bright yellow red

My favorite piece of the entire collection is the Hey, Sailor! Lipstick is Red Racer, I must own this lipstick and I don't care how much it resembles any other red that I own.  This is a great red shade that I will wear all the time, MAC makes some of the best red lipsticks that I own and I will never stop wearing red or buying MAC Lipsticks.  Red Racer is the only one of the lipsticks that I must own, I can skip over the other shades.  The Lipglass shades all look too warm for my skintone and the red in this product looks to be more of a orange red, a shade that has never flattered my skin.  I am interested in the Au Rose and Abalone shades from the Suntints but I have read on mulitple beauty blogs and online reviews that these are so sheer that they have next to no tint to them and are best for hydrating lips and not for shading them.  I will have to swatch these at the counter and then decide if I want to buy either of them. 

One of the odd products that I am considering is the Lip Pencil in the Throw Me A Line! shade, I am considering purchasing it to wear underneath the Red Racer Lipstick to keep it on all day.  Lastly, I do like the Touch of Red Nail Lacquer but this isn't the most unique shade and the MAC Nail Lacquer formulas have been all over the map with formula quality.  I have seen reviews of some shades that applied well and lasted for several days and then I have seen reviews of shades that chip and fade within a day.  I would be more likely to find a similar shade from Illamasqua or China Glaze than to buy the red polish in this collection.

I will be going to the counter right when the mall opens on Thursday morning so I can do some shopping from this collection.  As of right now, I know that I must buy the Lipstick in Red Racer, at least one of the gold eye makeup shades, and one of the bronzers.  I will be following up in the next few days with what I actually purchased and a review on all the products!

photo courtesy of MAC

MAC Hey, Sailor! Colour Collection - Blush and Highlighters

We have just finished up on of my favorite parts of the Hey, Sailor! collection, I loved the eye makeup part of the Colour Collection and I think that I have already found several of the products that I will be buying on Thursday morning.  I haven't used many blushes and highlighters from MAC, the one product that I have in this line is a Beauty Powder from the Rose Romance collection.  I'm not really in the market for new blush shades at the moment since I am currently using the shades that I have collected from Illamasqua and am very happy with their blush formula.  However, we have already seen how well I can remain strong against the temptation of this collection, the packaging is doing me in and making me want to buy almost all my summer makeup from this collection!

"Set sail this summer with a colour collection inspired by the glam of vintage pin-up girls.  Go overboard with the never-ending colours of Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Zoom Waterfast Lash, Lipglass, and more!  Limited edition."  This part of the collection offers two new shades of blush and one new highlighter, this is the smallest part of the Colour Collection and one of the least exciting.  One first glance, none of the shades in these products are very unique and they wouldn't be among my first choices of the collection.

The Blush and Highlighters in the Hey, Sailor! Colour Collection...

Hey, Sailor! Powder Blush - Colour for the cheeks and face in a satin finish.  Comes in a nautical blue and white striped compact.  Limited edition.
- Launch Away! - true peach
- Fleet Fast - pinky golden coral

Hey, Sailor! Highlight Powder - Pearlized highlights in a superfine pressed powder.  Goes on easily to create a smooth, sophisticated pop of light.  Packaged in a jaunty nautical striped compact.  Limited edition.
- Crew - soft peachy cream with fine shimmer

All of these shades have warmer undertones, none of these are that great of a choice for me.  Launch Away! is a lighter peach shade that is on the sheerer side.  This shade would be great for someone with light to medium skin that has warm undertones.  Fleet Fast looks like a deeper and less shimmery version of NARS Orgasm, this is a must-have only if you don't own any of the peachy pinks from NARS.  The Highlighter Powder is very pretty in the compact and I believe that this is going to be one of the best-selling products from this collection, it reminds me of the To The Beach Marine Highlight Powder that became an instant cult classic and was commanding top price on Ebay within weeks of the collection release.  This highlighter is a warmer tone with lots of peachy shimmer in it so this is another product that isn't for me.

This is one part of the Colour Collection that I can totally skip over...none of these shades will work very well for me and I would rather concentrate my energies toward the eye and lip parts of the collection.  I can see these shades working very well for someone with a warmer skintone and I do see them selling very well when the collection hits the counters this week.

Now we are heading to the lip and nail part of the Colour Collection...I see some new reds in my future!

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Hey, Sailor! Colour Collection - Eye Makeup

We are now at my favorite part of the new Hey, Sailor! collection - all of the Colour products.  Based on the sheer size of this collection, I have decided to break down my posts about the Colour collection into smaller parts that are more manageable and will be easier for my readers to narrow down what they are most interested in.  Also, more posts means more pictures for me to put up and since we all know how much I love the packaging on this collection, it goes without saying that I love to post pictures of the products and shades. 

There are fantastic products and shades in every single part of this collection and I am confident that this collection was worth waiting for and that this will be on part with A Rose Romance and Venomous Villians as one of my all-time favorite MAC collections!  "Set sail this summer with a colour collection inspired by the glam of vintage pin-up girls.  Go overboard with the never-ending colours of Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Zoom Waterfast Lash. Lipglass, and more!  Limited edition."  I am very happy to see that many of the products in this collection are longwearing formulas and are made to stand up to the heat and humidity of the summer months, nothing is worse than when your carefully made up face is destroyed within 30 minutes of leaving your house on a summer morning.

Here is the eye makeup part of the Colour Collection!

Hey, Sailor! Eye Shadow - Highly pigmented powder.  Applies evenly, blends well.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Crystal Avalance - white with reflects
- Jaunty - light yellow beige
- Barefoot - tarnished gold
- Feeling Fresh - bright green
- Nautical Navy - navy blue

Hey, Sailor! 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.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Old Gold - high frosted tarnished gold
- Naval Blue - deep smoky blue

Zoom Waterfast Lash - The fast-to-act drama of creamy, velvety Zoom Lash in a tear/sweat/humidity/waterproof formula.  Curls and lengthens with flexible, sculpted application - everything you love about the original is here.  Provides up to 12 hours of smudge-proof wear!
- Black - black
Hey, Sailor! Powerpoint Eye Pencil - A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and colour-power of soft carbon.  Provides deep, fully opaque coverage and an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl.  Versatile in application: blend or smudge.  Packaged in blue and white stripes, it's a match to everything Hey, Sailor!.  Limited edition.
- Handforged - metallic yellow gold
- Emerald Sea - kelly green
- Blue Stripe - dark navy

I see some great golds in the eye makeup part of this colour collection, I will be buying at least one or two of these shades.  My favorite piece from this part of the collection is the Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Handforged, this is a lovely gold shade and is one of the best golds that I have seen since since Urban Decay discontinued their 24/7 Eye Pencil in Honey (I have less than two inches of product left and I use it all the time).  I will be buying the eye pencil and I want the eye shadow to match.  I am considering the Pigment in the Old Gold shade, however this is a permanent shade so I can skip over this for now and purchase it later on.  I have one Pigment in my collection and I use it so rarely that I can't go really crazy for the Old Gold shade even though I find it very attractive.

After buying the gold pencil and shadow, I would like to buy the Eye Shadow in both the Feelin Fresh and Barefoot shades.  I am not head over heels in love with either of these shades but they would be nice to own for the summer months.

Next up...blush and highlighters!

photo courtesy of MAC