MAC Pigments

One of the few MAC products that I have never used is the Pigments, I tend not to enjoy working with loose eye shadows and these are often in shades that I tend not to wear on my eyes (on a normal basis).  I considered trying out some of the more neutral shades in this product and trying to see if I could make this versatile formula work for me.  I have seen many looks done by MAC makeup artists and many of them include a Pigment used in some way.  I have seen them used dry as an eye shadow, used with a wet brush and then applied as an eyeliner, and also used directly on facial bones to act as a highlighter.  I have purchased one shade so far and will be starting be using it both dry and wet as eye makeup.

Pigment is one of the key products in any MAC makeup artist's arsenal and therefore come in a wide range of permanent shades plus new shades come out in nearly every limited edition color collection.  "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.".  Pigment in one of the most versatile products that MAC makes and I was determined to make use of this product and purchase several shades so that I can use them one multiple facial features.  The MAC makeup artist at my local counter told me that Vanilla is the most popular shade and one that she finds to be the more versatile so I decided to start with this shade and then return for more after trying it out.  I was intending to purchase Vanilla anyway after checking it out online but I wanted to get another point of view.  I have had the fortune to work with the same artist nearly every visit since late 2010 and I am more likely to go to counter if I see her working.  If I don't see her working, I am more likely to pick the testers up and just hand them to whoever is working...she is one of the few people that I will ask questions to.

Vanilla was a great choice to start with and use as eye makeup, I cannot see myself using this on any other facial feature and I guess this type of use will depend on what shades I purchase.  As of right now we are thinking of this product as an eye makeup product only. 

I tried first to use Pigment dry.  I started with my usual eye shadow primer and then used Vanilla as a highlighter.  The best way for me to apply this product was with my fingertip, a brush sent the product flying in all directions on my face.  A "sponge painting" type of technique was needed to get Pigment to where it needed to go.  I dipped my fingertip in and got enough product on to cover the tip and then I patted it right onto my eyelid and brow bone.  This technique worked very well and gave me the results that looked more like those of the MAC makeup artists.  When used dry, Pigment lasts about as long as a typical MAC matte or satin finish eye shadow.

I then tried using the product wet.  I used it wet in two ways, one way as a "cream" type of eye shadow and then the other way as a cream eyeliner.  To use as a more pigmented cream eye shadow, I used the same method of application as I did when I applied it dry except that I wet the tip of my finger before dipping it in the product.  I found this method of application gave me the most pigmented results and they lasted from the moment that I applied the product until I took it off at night.  To use this product as an eyeliner, I dipped a cream eye liner brush into water and then right into the product and applied it to my upper lash line.  I did not like the Vanilla shade used in this fashion but I would use another shade as a liner.  I got the same result when it wet as a liner or cream shadow, it lasted all day without smudging or fading. 

Vanilla is the shade choice that I made but there is a full range of Pigment shades that we will look at right now.

- Blue Brown - medium cool brown satin
- Copper Sparkle - bright bronze shimmer
- Dark Soul - deep charcoal satin
- Fuchsia - bright deep cool pink satin
- Golden Olive - medium warm olive green satin with traces of gold
- Grape - medium blue purple satin
- Kitchmas - medium lavender satin
- Magenta Madness - neon deep cool pink satin
- Melon - medium bronze shimmer
- Naked - medium beige shimmer
- Neo-Orange - bright orange satin
- Old Gold - green gold metallic
- Rose - medium pink rose satin
- Tan - deep tan shimmer
- Teal - medium green teal satin
- True Chartreuse - bright yellow lime green shimmer
- Vanilla - medium warm white shimmer
- Violet - medium periwinkle purple satin

I can already see that this product will present difficulties in using one shade on all facial features.  I can't think of any shade here that I would use (in full pigment) on all of my facial features.  I think that I am going to try and focus this product as a multi-purpose eye makeup product and therefore these are the types of shades that I am going to focus on purchasing.  I want the following: Copper Sparkle, Golden Olive, Kitchmas, Melon, Naked, Old Gold, and Violet.  I will report back if I find shades that I am more likely to use on my cheeks and lips and then if I have been able to do so successfully.

photo courtesy of MAC

Fitness Friday - Warrior Three Pose

We are continuing our Fitness Fridays by working through the Warrior series of poses that are used in the yoga series.  I am still continuing to improve at Warrior Two and am making attempts at correctly getting into the Warrior Three pose that comes soon after.  Warrior Three is a challenging balance pose and I will often end up falling when working my way into this full pose...the wall is my best friend when working up into this asana and I have also grabbed onto a chair when playing around with this pose outside of the yoga studio.  I have not mastered this pose by any means and will need to continue to challenge my balance to stand unaided in the position.

Yoga Journal provides a picture of the full pose and a series of step by step instructions.  I have learned that arms can be in different places in this pose depending on the individuals' comfort level with balancing.  Arms reaching out in front is the full pose and is still out of my reach at times.  Arms can be extended back to help aide the balance or placed in front of the heart, either pose will help a beginner to feel more secure in the asana.

Here is how one would get into and hold the Warrior Three pose...

- Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), exhale and fold foward to Uttanasana. From Uttanasana, exhale and step your left foot back into a high lunge position. Your right knee should be more or less at a right angle. Lay the midline of your torso (from the pubis to the sternum) down on the midline of the right thigh (from the knee to the hip crease) and bring your hands to your right knee, right hand to the outer knee, left hand to the inner. Squeeze the knee with your hands, lift your torso slightly, and with an exhalation, turn it slightly to the right.

- Now from the lunge position, stretch your arms forward, parallel to the floor and parallel to each other, palms facing each other. Exhale and press the head of the right thighbone back and press the heel actively into the floor. Synchronize the straightening of the front leg and the lifting of the back leg. As you lift the back leg, resist by pressing the tailbone into the pelvis.

- Normally students come up into Virabhadrasana III by lunging the torso forward. This tends to shift the body weight onto the ball of the front foot and unbalance the position. Don’t allow the torso to swing forward as you move into position; instead, as you straighten the front knee, think of pressing the head of the thighbone back. This centers the femur in the hip joint, grounds the heel into the floor, and stabilizes the position.

- The arms, torso, and raised leg should be positioned relatively parallel to the floor. For many students the pelvis tends to tilt. Release the hip [of the raised leg] toward the floor until the two hip points are even and parallel to the floor. Energize the back leg and extend it strongly toward the wall behind you; reach just as actively in the opposite direction with the arms. Bring the head up slightly and look forward, but be sure not to compress the back of your neck.

- Stay in this position for 30 seconds to a minute. Release back to the lunge on an exhalation. Bring your hands to the floor on either side of the right foot, and on an exhalation, step your left foot forward to meet your right. Stay in this forward bend for a few breaths, then repeat for the same length of time on the other side.

I need to be fully warmed up and well into an hour-long yoga session before this asana even becomes a possibility.  I usually have to spend some time in another type of standing or balancing pose to in order to start gaining my balance.  As I suggested above, first try the pose near a wall and with your hands in one of the alternate placement and I guarantee that it will come easier than trying to get right into the pictured pose. 

We have looked at three of the Warrior poses so far and next week we will look at the last one.  Technically there are two more after that however they are not used very often and are found in more advanced yoga classes so I will be putting them off until I can practice at a level that is high enough to make them a possibility.

photo courtesy of Yoga Journal

MAC Pro Longwear

Indulge may have been the biggest release from MAC for this fall but we all know that they will keep releasing new collections and their loyal fans will keep buying their products all season!  The newest collection for MAC is another version of the Pro Longwear collections, it seems that MAC adds a few more products and shades to the Pro Longwear collection every single year.  Pro Longwear was originally a collection of pro-level products that were only available to registered MAC makeup artists, each of these products perform at the level required for runway shows and other events where makeup must stay at full impact for several hours and under extreme conditions.  I have never used any of the items from Pro Longwear but I am considering changing that trend for this fall.  Last spring, I could really see a change in my makeup on the days that I was going right from work to school at night and I usually had next to nothing on my face by the end of those 13 hour days.  I am thinking about mostly face makeup from this line but I am open to all kinds of products from it.

Pro Longwear is among some of the top rated products from MAC and I feel confident trying any type of face products from this line.  My first choice will be a new foundation and then a new concealer to follow it up.  I do like the Erase Paste from Benefit that I have been using but I want to see what else is out there and if MAC can offer me a product that lasts longer at a full pigment.

"Introducing new shades of Pro Longwear for eyes and face. Ranging from light to dark to perfectly match any skin tone, Pro Longwear Foundation and Concealer keep skin fresh and flawless in formulas lasting up to 15 hours. Pro Longwear Paint Pots deliver highly dimensional colour with a luxurious finish while Pro Longwear Eye Liner defines eyes with a dense, water-resistant formula that glides on comfortably and stays for 12 hours, in seven new shades from eggplant to brilliant sheer gold."

Here is the Pro Longear collection for this season!

Pro Longwear 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 M·A·C shadows and liners.
- Chrome Angel - platinum silver
- Let's Skate - pale pink with pearl
- Perky - cream coral with white pearl
- Rubenesque - golden peach with gold pearl
- Layin' Low - creamy beige
- Clearwater - sea foam
- Antique Diamond - frosted olive silver
- Camel Coat - muted beige
- Tailor Gray - muted gray
- Stormy Pink - muted gray purple
- Constructivist - metallic brown with red pearl
- Blackground - black-gray with multi color

Pro Longwear Eye Liner - Pro Longwear's long-lasting eye liner delivers creamy, dense colour that glides on smoothly. 12-hour water resistant formula stays put and smudge-free.
- Powerline - muted gold
- Devotion - deep army green
- Strong Willed - deep eggplant
- Definitely Black - deep black

Pro Longwear Foundation - A comfortable, long-wearing foundation that gives up to 15 hours of wear in any environmental condition. Lightweight and creamy, applies and blends easily leaving the skin feeling soft and free to breathe all day while controlling oil. Specially treated micronized pigments help give a smoother, more flawless, natural finish with stay-true colour.  Available in a range of shades to suit every skintone.

Pro Longwear Concealer - A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours. Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations. Comes in a clear glass vial with a matte black pump.  Available in a range of shades to suit every skintone.

242 Shader Brush - For powder, concealer or emollient-based product application. This brush has firm fibers carefully shaped to form a rounded edge for a smooth, even finish. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

195 Concealer Brush - A flexible synthetic fibre flat brush with slight pointed tip for precision application and blending of all concealer formulas and other emollient products.

193 Angled Foundation Brush - A Pro-quality foundation brush created to achieve a silky, flawless finish. Ideal for any M·A·C foundation, including new Matchmaster SPF 15 & classics like Studio Fix & Studio Tech. Use to apply, distribute and blend foundation into all areas of the face.

I am more interested in face products than I am in color products from this collection, I want to try out both the foundation and the concealer in this collection.  I need some products that I can trust to take me from the early morning, all the way through work, and then all the way through class at night.  I have found that most products can get me through the work day but I would have to touch up before class at night and I don't always have time for that.  This is going to be looked at during one of my upcoming visits to the MAC counter and this is the type of visit that I will need to set time aside for since this one might take more than a few minutes and I want to make sure that I get one of the counter managers to help me with these products.

After I get my foundation and concealer, I will then look at a few of the eye makeup products that were introduced in this collection.  I do like a few of the shades int he Pro Longwear Paint Pot, the neutrals will work well with the rest of the eye makeup shades that I already own.  Layin' Low and Camel Coat will be two very good neutrals for me and I will have them in constant rotation in my train case.  From the eye liners, I love the gold shades in this collection (Powerline) and this is shade that I could start using now and then use through the whole year.  I go through gold eye liner pencils faster than any other shade and I would like to add another shade to my collection.

photo courtesy of MAC

C.O. Bigelow Coconut Body Cleanser

Fall may be quickly on its way but I will not stop using coconut fragranced body products any time soon, I am still in love with Bath and Body Works' Malibu Heat and will be very sad when I finish my last shower gel in the product.  I have been alternating that scent with the C.O. Bigelow Coconut body products and I am really happy to add another coconut to my body product collection.

I first used this collection years ago when I was in college and it was released at Bath and Body Works.  Some of their stores still carry it but it is very disappointing to see how much the line has shrunk over the years and I have taken to ordering the products from the C.O. Bigelow website.  This website carries the full line of products that are available at the apothecary in the West Village and I am planning to visit there one day soon.  Until that day occurs, I will just be doing a good amount of online shopping to get my goodies from this company.  I first started using the newest body product collection with the Lime and Coriander fragrance and was very impressed with the quality of the shower gel.  This time around, I ordered the products in the Coconut fragrance. 

We are starting with the body wash and then moving onto the matching body lotion.  The C.O. Bigelow website states, "This refreshing body cleanser provides a rich, creamy lather while gently cleansing the skin. Formulated with hydrating sodium PCA (a naturally occurring humectant that draws moisture to the skin) and soothing aloe vera to help skin maintain a perfect moisture balance. Fragranced with a sensual blend of toasted coconut and creamy coconut milk."

"This silky, moisturizing body lotion provides lightweight moisture while conditioning the skin. Formulated to soften and replenish skin with moisturizing olive and borage oils and soothing aloe vera for super healthy skin, day after day. Fragranced with a sensual blend of toasted coconut and creamy coconut milk.", states the C.O. Bigelow website in the product description of the matching body lotion. 

The C.O. Bigelow Coconut is less of the "suntan lotion" type of coconut fragrance and reminds me more the old Bath and Body Works Exotic Coconut fragrance.  There is a strong note of coconut at the heart of the fragrance but the almond and sandalwood notes develop more as the lotion remains on my skin.  This is a deeper and richer coconut fragrance than the ones that I had been using throughout the summer and will be a great choice for a "fall" coconut and will be a nice change of pace.

All of the C.O. Bigelow body products are extremely high quality and I would love to be able to see them back on the shelves in Bath and Body Works.  The body washes foam up quickly and produce abundant lather on the skin while rinsing clean and not leaving any residue.  The lightweight lotion absorbs quickly and hydrates normal to slightly dry skin well.  This lotion will not be hydrating enough to use in the late fall and winter months and this company does not offer any type of body cream or oil that would work with the Coconut body wash.  I would also love to see the fragrances from this line in more products (I wouldn't mind a perfume in this lovely coconut too). 

I own quite a few fragrances from this line and the only one left for me to order is the Rosemary Mint, I had this fragrance when I was back in college and the company had another body product line out.  I loved it then and I know that I will love it for next spring and summer.

photo courtesy of C.O. Bigelow

China Glaze Fall 2013 Collection - Autumn Nights

I spent yesterday's post mooning over the new Zoya collection and today we are moving onto the China Glaze fall collection.  I already have started making a long list for the next time that I visit Ulta and I am sure that this collection will provide even more additions to that list.  I have started using deep red hues on my toes this week but still haven't moved over to using them on my hands yet...but that will come before the end of the month.  I have a great red from the China Glaze fall collection of 2012 and I am looking forward to polishing my nail with it very soon!

The new collection from China Glaze is named Autumn Nights and I am envisioning a range of deep jewel tones in multiple finishes.  In short, I expect this collection to be very similar to the Zoya collection that we looked at yesterday.  I don't know how many of these shades that I will need if I am able to purchase all of the shades that I wanted from Zoya but it will be nice to have some backup options in the event that shades are sold out. 

Here is the Autumn Nights collection!

- Goldie But Goodie - rich gold foil
- Gossip Over Gimlets - rich silver foil
- Charmed, I'm Sure - deep cool rich purple cream
- Don't Make Me Wine - medium magenta metallic
- Kiss My Glass - silver metallic with blue flash
- Public Relations - silver metallic with cool purple flash
- Queen B - rich blue/purple cream
- Red-y and Willing - medium cool red shimmer
- Rendezvous With You - deep purple/gray foil
- Scandalous Shenanigans - medium blue frost
- Strike Up a Cosmo - warm rose gold foil
- Tongue and Chic - medium aqua shimmer

I must say that I prefer the Zoya collection and this is one of my least favorite collections from China Glaze (usually the makers of fabulous collections).  There are very few shades that I want from this line up and am really only interested in the foil finish shades.  I love all four of the foil shades and will want to add all of them to my collection, I am the most excited about Strike Up a Cosmo but I know that Gossip Over Gimlets will be a staple in my fall polish rotation.  The only other shade that I really like Charmed, I'm Sure.  All of the metallic shades look like ones from previous holiday or fall collections and there is nothing unique about any of these shades so there will be a very short shopping list from this collection...

photo courtesy of China Glaze's Facebook

Zoya Fall 2013 Collection - Cashmeres and Satins

September has just began and I am know craving some new polish colors for fall.  Therefore today we are going to look at the newest collection from Zoya and then we are going right into looking at China Glaze's new collection tomorrow.  I start wearing fall reds and jewel tones on my toes right around Labor Day and then will start wearing them on my hands toward the middle of the month.  Zoya is a nail polish formula that I have just began to wear and will be buying more of over my next few Ulta visits.  This is one of the formulas that my hair stylist recommends the most and is one that contains no animal products or byproducts in the formula.

The new collection is called Cashmeres and Satins, this company always divides their seasonal collection up into two parts.  Each part has a different finish and most of the time the two parts contains the same or very similar shades in the different finishes.  So I expect that we will see a group that contains a metallic finish and a group that contains a satin finish.

The shades that are part of the Cashmere collection:

- Giovanna - stunning emerald green metallic (originally designed for Zang Toi/AW13)
- Maria-Louisa - gold cellophane accent topper (originally designed for Rafael Cennamo/AW13)
- Livingston - lush autumn red cream
- Channing - rusty coppery red metallic
- Pepper - brick red cream (originally designed for Peter Som/AW 13)
- Mason - exciting red violet metallic
- Flynn - lush camel brown nude cream
- Louise - rich brown cream
- Neve - sapphire blue metallic (original designed for Zang Toi/AW13)
- Hunter - dark sea green cream
- Sailor - classic dark navy cream
- Claudine - striking dark meteorite gray metallic

I love this collection and I am really pumped to grab some new nail polish shades in the coming weeks!  My favorite shade is the one that I have pictured, Giovanna.  I can only imagine how lovely this shade looked when worn by the models on the Zang Toi runway and I want to start wearing this shade as soon as possible.  Flynn will be a good choice for a neutral and this will be one that I will fall back on and use as a staple in my polish line up.  Here is the rest of my shopping list when I visit Ulta: Maria-Louisa, Livingston, Pepper, Neve, Hunter, Sailor, and Claudine.  I would love if Zoya sold sets of polishes, I want so many shades from this collection that I would be more than happy to order sets.

I already have a nice list for my next Ulta visit and I know that I will be adding to it tomorrow when we check out the new collection from China Glaze.  This is one of my favorite collections so far this season and the best nail polish collection that we have seen so far.

photo courtesy of Zoya

Most Wanted September 2013

September is here and the hot weather is ending soon!  This semester has officially started and I am excited to start embracing all things fall, I can't wait to start seeing caramel apples and Halloween candy in the stores and it is time for me to finish up the bulk of my fall shopping and starting working all my new items into my makeup rotation!

Here are the ten new items that I want to add to my beauty collection for fall!

- Burberry Lip Mist in Oxblood (No. 14)
- Essie Nail Polish in Cashmere Bathrobe
- Bobbi Brown Chocolate Eye Palette
- Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Teaberry
- MAC Indulge Lipglass in Utterly Tart
- MAC Indulge Lipstick in Feed Your Senses
- Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede
- Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo
- Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Micro Hair Mist
- Ole Henrikson Sheer Transformation

Time for the hot weather to end and for me to start pulling out the fall sweaters!