MadeBeautiful August Discount Code = Discount MAC!
For the rest of August, my friend Mary at MadeBeautiful Cosmetics 4 U is offering 10% off any purchase $30 or more through Google Checkout. All you have to do is type in "AUGUST10" for your discount on MAC make up, MAC Pigment samples, Paint Pot samples, Urban Decay, Stila and Lancome!Visit MadeBeautiful ASAP for this great discount :)
Discount on MAC Pigment Samples and other Cosmetics!
Hey there, I've got some good news for you MAC fans!
Mary from MadeBeautiful Cosmetics 4 U just contacted me and let me know that she is offering a special discount code for my readers!If you aren't familiar with MadeBeautiful, it is an awesome eCrater site that sells MAC Pigment and Paint Pot Samples, full sized MAC items, Lancome, Urban Decay, some drugstore brands, and more! It is run by Mary herself, who is so sweet! I posted a blog about some pigments I received from there a little while ago, so here that is.
Anyway, back to business, the code is only available to be used via Google Checkout, but if anyone wants to pay with PayPal, just message Mary [madebeautiful@yahoo.com] and let her know the code and she will deduct the discounted amount for you! This code is valid for 10% off an order of $30. or more purchased at MadeBeautiful! It is valid through July 18th, 2008, for new customers and can only be used once.So, for those of you interested in discounted MAC and other brands... (and who isn't!?) the code to enter is: SWAV10
FOTW with Alice Cosmetics!
Hey everyone!
Sorry it has been a little while since a real update here, I am in the process of moving and my laptop crashed the other day so I've been a little frustrated and busy and unable to blog. Anyway, I'm back for the meantime and I have a FOTW today using a few products from Alice Cosmetics!
I was given the opportunity to test out some samples from the Alice Cosmetics Mineral Makeup line so I decided to do a Face Of The Week with them instead of just talking about it. I did take some photos, so here are what the samples looked like (such cute sifter jars!) and some swatches of the eye colors they let me try:
For my FOTW, I used Alice Cosmetics Oil Control Base, followed with their "Medium" Foundation and "Warm" Buffer. For a little extra coverage, I used Ecco Bella FlowerColor Coverstick in Beige.
For the eyes I used MAC "Old Gold" pigment (view my post about that here), and Alice Cosmetics "Sage" Eye Shadow. I used MAC Fluidline in Dipdown to line my eyes, The Body Shop Brow and Eye Powder for my Brows, and NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara in Black. I also used MAC "Funtabulous" Dazzleglass on my lips but it doesn't really show up that well in the photo.
All in all, I think Alice's foundation was very flattering and a lot lighter of a formulation than previous minerals I have tried. It seemed to provide coverage without a heavy look, and I liked that. The shades were dead on, so I was glad that the colors worked out as well. The eyeshadows are really shimmering, sheer, pretty shades as well that seem to be in a neutral palette.
What do you think of my look? Have you tried Alice Cosmetics?
M.A.C. Friends and Family SALE!
WOW! MAC Cosmetics is offering a 15% off everything in the store coupon! They never do sales like this!
Valid June 11th - 16th only in Freestanding MAC stores (no department stores). Can't make it to the store? Enter the code NEIGHBOR while shopping online on June 16th, 2008 to receive your 15% off.
Enjoy :)
Print This Coupon!
(Courtesy of SlickDeals.net)
MAC Pigment Samples from MadeBeautiful! (with Swatches)
The MAC pigment samples I got were: Old Gold (my new favorite!), Your Ladyship, Cornflower, Aire-De-Blu, Kitschmas, Mutiny, and Fuschia.
I love, love, love, Old Gold! It's such an awesome color! As we all know, I'm not the hugest MAC fan but so far I am digging these pigments. Kitschmas is a little different in real life than I figured it was by looking at other people's samples... but its a pretty color nonetheless. All the blues are lovely and I can't wait to try out some looks with them!
MadeBeautiful's samples come in nicely visible clear 5 gram jars. They are supposed to be about 1/4 of a teaspoon but it looks like Mary is pretty generous with it! Her prices do vary depending on whether the pigment is limited edition or whatnot, but overall it is a good deal. Most samples are in the $2 to $3 range, which seems to be the going rate for authentic MAC samples. Also, she has a special deal where you can choose 10 pigments for $25! Pigment samples are definitely a great way to get more "bang for your buck" when it comes to MAC, and MadeBeautiful is here to fulfill all your desires.
The MadeBeautiful store has plenty of MAC pigment colors to choose from, and many of other cosmetic goodies on her site! They also have MAC Paint Pot samples, New-In-Box MAC items, Urban Decay, Lancome, and even a couple drugstore items. She accepts payments through PayPal and will even ship Internationally. Check MadeBeautiful out! You won't be disappointed :)
What do you think of my growing MAC stash? Are there any pigments or MAC products you've been dying to try?
What's in my makeup bag right now!
1) Milani Compact Minerals in Nude Buff
2) Palladio Herbal Plump 'N' Shine in "Sheerly Pink"
3) Weleda Skin Food (Trial Size)
4) Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
5) Monistat Chafing Relief Gel
6) Ulta Professional Retractable Kabuki
7) MAC Powerpoint Eye Liner in Engraved
8) CoverBlend by Exuviance Concealer in Beige and Light
9) Benefit Thrrrob Powder
10) MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark
Any questions or comments?
What is in your makeup bag? Let me know!
The minimal M·A·C that I pack!
It seems that a lot of beauty bloggers are obsessed with M·A·C. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is! Ok, so the price point is fairly average, the packaging is generally minimalistic and chic, and the selection is very good. It's also available in many countries. The Back-To-M·A·C program, where you can bring in six empty containers and receive a new product is pretty nice as well.I must applaud M·A·C on their excellent marketing skills. They release their "collections" so that they can ultimately form a monopoly where the M·A·C slaves go crazy over and buy the same colors that came out two years ago, repackaged now in zebra print or orange plastic... similar how Disney puts their movies "back in the vault" for re-release years later. From M·A·C Pro Stores to limited edition collections only available in certain locations, it's clear to see that there is a skill here that M·A·C is incorporating to become a beauty empire.
M·A·C is, of course, known for their dazzling displays of what seems to be an endless variety of eye shadow and pigment shades, all of which are of pretty fantastic quality. Yes, M·A·C is good, but M·A·C is not God! Although the color line is impressive, every M·A·C-aholic will cringe when I say that I feel that there are so many drugstore options that do the job just as well. For example, NYX, Milani... you all know the drill by now. Mineral makeup companies make pigments just as vibrant as M·A·C's for a fraction of the cost!! Despite all this, I do have a couple M·A·C items that I feel like mentioning today, because regardless of the fact that the brand is NOT cult-worthy in my opinion, I like these items!
My M·A·C:
- Lip Gelee - "Dewy Jube"
This is a really pretty bright red/pink in the tube, and looks very sheer and glossy on. It doesn't feel as sticky or heavy as the regular lipglasses, and comes in a slant-tip squeeze tube.
- Powerpoint Eye Pencil - "Engraved"
This is an excellent pencil. I use this on my waterline and lower lash area, and it stays on with minimal smudging. I've tried endless pencils and this is definitely the best one I've used.
- Pigment - "Vanilla"
The infamous all-purpose Vanilla! I love it. It's a nice, glowy, sheer golden white that flatters all skintones. M·A·C does give you a lot of pigment for the price tag, which is important too.
- Fluidline - "Blacktrack"
This is one product I would recommend to everyone. Who doesn't need an excellent black eyeliner? The gel formula lasts forever with no smudging AT ALL or creasing or flaking. It's perfect. And the little pot lasts a long time too.
- Blot Powder
I'm not 100% about this one, but it doesn't break me out and cuts the shine, so I guess it's doing what it's supposed to do.
SWAV Props: Queen of Blending!
Another SWAV Props winner :) This time, I'm featuring the 'Queen of Blending'!
I'm sure you've heard of her, but if not, she is an amazingly talented young woman who prides herself on extreme color blending skills, using mainly MAC cosmetics. She has an eye for color and unparalleled skills, so I feel she should be mentioned here!
She has some tutorials up on YouTube, and here are some of her eye looks:
I would love to have at least 1/3 of that talent, haha! She is that good.
What do you think? Gorgeous right?!
Products I want to try!
Here are some products from Sephora.com and MAC that I will hopefully be testing out next time I'm there. I've been reading reviews from around the web as well as MakeupAlley to gauge what might actually be worth the money or not. Here's what I've found:
NVEY Eco Organic Erase: Concealer
This product's reviews seem to be pretty good, the only real complaint being the fact that it originally only came in one shade "neutral", but now it appears to come in "medium" also on the Sephora website. Apparently it is a very smooth-wearing, organic concealer that is anything but cakey. It also contains Vitamin E and a combination of safflower, jojoba, natural antioxidants and organic castor oils. It's exciting because it's organic too! Sephora suggests using this product sparingly as "a little goes a long way". I'm used to this motto as well as this price range (it runs about $30), because my current HG concealer is Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics.
On10 Lip Balms
Aside from the Sephora website, I can find little/no information on this brand or their products... which makes me all the more curious! Since I have recently realized the practicality of balms vs. gloss, these are really appealing to me because of their cute (I know, I'm a sucker) packaging! It's not all judging a book by it's cover though, because apparently these "rich and efficacious" novelty lip balms will leave your lips moisturized, as well as great smelling and tasting. The balms run about $9-10 for a single, and there are also trios for $16 with three different flavors. Each come in adorably packaged vintage-inspired tins (although there is one in tube format for those who don't like using the pots) in flavors like Dr. Pepper, Schweppes, and Hershey's.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
Ok, I am going to admit something pretty big here: I have yet to try out one of MAC's Mineralize Skinfinishes. I know, I know. Obviously, while they were not in stores, I was aching for the day that they would re-release these mineral powders. That day arrived maybe a month ago when the N Collection came out. I have been meaning to go in there just to try out their MSF in Warmed, a bronzer/highlight shade with golden undertones... but I've been holding back from the temptation to dish out the measly $24.50, because I have MAC Vanilla Pigment (golden undertones) and I have my HG Bronzer (Revlon New Complexion - Sun). In my mind, owning these two products relinquishes the need for the MSF in Warmed. So then, the other MSF they released was Light Flush, a shade of highlighting pink. I have a small container of Tony & Tina's Cosmetic (discontinued) in a shade that I would assume is similar. So that is what keeps me from looking at the MSFs. I don't want to go there and buy a color I might already have... I'm being practical, for once. They still draw me in though. Maybe one day.
Have you tried any of these products? Feel free to leave a comment!
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