MAC Cosmetics Primed for Perfection Collection

MAC owns the primers category. Now we’re talking Prep + Prime further than ever. Use it under, it under,over during,after makeup application, and marvel at the ease with which it can accept concealer,cooperate with color. And now, with Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye, P+P advances eyes, focuses potential. A lightweight, quick fix AND long-term solution for puffy, tired-looking creases and bag that targets the three main causes for dark under eye circles — while illumination the eye area with optical effects for instant luminosity.

Pigmentation, visibly weakened capillaries and shadowing — while illuminating the eye area with optical effects for instant luminosity. Vibrancy eye provides pick-me-up powder and moisturization. On step and you’re prepped for makeup magic. A wonderful new shades highlighter debuts with the collection – Prep + Prime Highlighter is lush and cushiony, yet lightweight — in wonderful hues that provides a sheer wash of color to highlight, brighten and perfect. The click “pen” allows for exact application.

Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye ($30.00 U.S. / $36.50 CDN)

A lightweight, quick fix and long term solution for puffy, tired-looking eyes

Prep + Prime Highlighter ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

Light Boost Soft yellow cream

Bright Forecast Mid-tone peachy coral

Radiant Rose Light shell pink

Available April 7th! 

NARS Primer Review

I hate it. I do. I really, really hate it. I am always looking for the next best thing so, after I ditched my Smashbox primer, which I also hated, I ventured into Sephora and found a new primer to play with. I found that the NARS Primer did nothing, absolutely nothing. It did not make my make up last longer. It does not make my make up go on smoother. It did not even have a nice texture, like Smashbox Photo Finish primer did. I generally like to look decent by the end of the day and unfortunately, NARS did not help me achieve this goal. Do not get me wrong, I love NARS. I swear by their blush, lip gloss and lipstick. I have also tried their eyeshadow, which is not bad, but I cannot bring myself to buy any other eyeshadow except Mac’s. I really wanted to love this, because I do really love NARS. On to the next!

NARS Pro-Prime™ Collection

NARS has included two new products to their already incredible collection of make up. Here is the low down on the new goods via narscosmetics.com…


The NARS Pro-Prime™ collection puts the artistry of François Nars at your fingertips. Makeup will look fresh and professionally applied for hours on end.

Pro-Prime products soothe and prepare skin with natural botanicals and vitamins while creating a protective base for longer-lasting, natural looking foundation application and wear



Skin Smoothing Face Prep

Get closer to an Immaculate Complexion with NARS Skin Smoothing Face Prep. With one application, skin is smoother and the appearance of fine lines and pores is minimized. A truly multi-use product, it may be used before primer to create a flawlessly matte finish or used throughout the day to combat shine and rejuvenate the complexion. Apply to fine lines, large pores or rough spots for an instant smoothing effect. For all skin types.
• Instantly resurfaces skin for a smoother and more even appearance
• Creates an impeccable matte finish leaving skin comfortable, not dry
• Can be applied under or over makeup
• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Fragrance free. Non-comedogenic


Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

No smudging, creasing or caking. The NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is the insider trick of the trade. Never looking heavy-handed, this lightweight eye primer creates a seamless canvas that keeps cream and powder color looking brilliant, fresh and just applied, all day.

A polymer and mineral powder blend creates a firm grip on color ensuring hours and hours of gorgeous wear. Fortified with special deep-sea and antioxidant rice extracts, the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and prepared for color application.
• Extends the wear of eyeshadow, eyeliner and eyebrow pencil
• Instantly transforms to a matte finish and preps skin for color application
• Maximizes color intensity
• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Fragrance free

MAC Cosmetics - Prep for Colour Collection

Artists use watercolor, oil, chalk, pastel, pencil, ink. We use makeup. Both require a bold vision and a perfectly primed canvas to start. New innovations to ensure the Artist’s idyll is perfectly realized: Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum evens out any skin tone and Prep +Prime Face Protect SPF 50helps stop future damage with ultimate determination. The state-of-the-art way to prepare skin for a flawless makeup application. Prep for Colour helps every skin type become a modern masterpiece.

PREP + PRIME FACE PROTECT SPF 50
Suggested Retail Price $30.00 U.S./$36.50 CDN
PREP + PRIME SKIN BRIGHTENING SERUM
Suggested Retail Price $40.00 U.S./$48.00 CDN
LIPGLASS
Just Add Colour - Fuchsia pink
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
EYE SHADOW
Hey Warm - mid-tone beige
Prepped for Glamour - Ashy/dirty brown
Sorcery - Reddish mid-tone brown
Suggested Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
Available North America April 8, 2010 at all M•A•C locations

MAC Cosmetics: Upstarts

These packs are so much fun! MAC Cosmetics has created 3 fabulous Upstarts kits. Here are the details...

Upstarts: Lined and Lashed

This kit includes Zoomlash, Prep + Prime Lash, and promo sizes of Pro Eye Makeup Remover and Nightsky Softsparkle Pencil in a clear make up bag.

Upstarts: Well Prepared

Includes regular sizes of Prep + Prime Skin, and Prep + Prime Translucent Powder, and promotional sizes of Cleanse Off Oil and Fix + in a clear make up bag.

Upstarts: Flawless

Includes two regular-sized Mineralize face products, Mineralize SatinFinish SPF 15 Foundation in your choice of shade, and Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft & Gentle (my fave!), and two complementary M∙A∙C skincare products, Cleanse Off Oil Tranquil, and Charged Water in Revitalizing Energy, each in promotional sizes.

xo

Illamasqua: Make Up for Your Alter Ego

Introducing a new line of make up exclusive to Sephora - Illamasque. Here is a blurb from Sephora about the brand...

Known for their intense colors and dramatic makeup, Illamasqua is your go-to brand for nighttime makeup—whether it's an evening out at the opera or the dance club. Conceived amidst the dark drama of Berlin in the 20s, Illamasqua was developed by professional makeup artists and launched in 2008 in the U.K. Embraced by celebs and alternative cultures alike, their colors allow you to express your most daring, boldest, and most intense sides with professional nighttime makeup that's richly pigmented and long lasting. Are you ready to release your night-vixen alter ego?

Check out Sephora.com to see their bold and beautiful products!

xo

Lancôme Hypnose Drama & Ôscillation Powerbooster

Lancôme is amazing when it comes to cosmetics. I especially like their mascaras. My favorite mascara by Lancôme has got to be Hypnose. It is just simply amazing. Needless to say, I am extremely excited to announce that they are releasing Hypnose Drama. Ekk, I can’t wait to try it. Hypnose Drama is supposed to give more volume then the regular Hypnose. It comes with an s-shaped brush that grabs your lashes and fans them out, giving them extreme volume for dramatic results. It has pro-vitamin B5 and stays on longer and better than most mascara brands but comes off nice and easy at night. The second this hits the shelves, it is mine.


That’s not it for Lancôme ladies. Your primer just got vibrating power. Lancôme is releasing the first vibrating primer to help boost the look of your natural lashes. Ôscillation Powerbooster contains Crescentia™ complex, which is a conditioning formula that improves the strength of your lashes. Apply it under your mascara and see the difference. I have been using their Cil Booster XL and I can see a difference in my lashes when I wear it under my regular mascara. Can’t wait to try this!

xo

Flawless Finish: Primer

I am a true believer in using primer. It is not necessity, but it is great for special occasions or long nights. It allows you to obtain a flawless finish that lasts. Primers are not only just for grasping onto make up, many brands offer color-correcting formulas, such as green formulas that counteract redness, apricot hues help with dark spots and other annoying flaws and lavender that help with natural yellow undertones. Make Up For Ever and Smashbox (shown above) both offer different hues for different issues. 

For those of you who require a heavy duty mattifier that's ideal for smoothing scars, wrinkles or large pores, try silicone based primers. Below is an excellent one by Benefit called Dr. Feel Good.

If you have normal to oily skin, your best bet is to go with something that is lightweight. Try a gel based primer such as Nars Make Up Primer shown below. 

xo

Are you Colour Ready?

Surprise, surprise MAC has released a new collection called Colour Ready! It was released yesterday so, ladies go shopping please! This collection is described to be as essential as your 4-inch Louboutins...I would prefer 5 inch, but that is just me....Here is what the collection has to offer...

Lipstick

• Show Orchid - Vivid hot pink
• Impassioned - Amped-up fuchsia

Eye Shadows

• Bitter - Vivid bright golden green flecked with shimmer
• White Frost - Vivid bright white with icy shimmer

Penultimate Liner

• Rapidblack - True black

Brow Pencil

• Stud - A deep rich blackened brown

Brush

• #129SH: Short-Handled Blush/Powder Brush

Primers

• Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
• Prep + Prime Line Filler
• Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone
  

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I recently started noticing that my eye shadow does not last as long as I would really like to it. It is almost completely diminished by around 6 pm. That does not make me happy. So, I started my search for the perfect eyeshadow primer. On my journey I discovered, the award winning Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, but what really caught my eye was Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion in Sin. This is really great because not only does it grab on to your eyeshadow and keep it there, but it has a subtle champagne coloured shimmer that compliments any eyeshadow and it can double as a highlighter! You can also wear it alone on your lids to get an effortless look. This product is exclusive to Sephora so don't go anywhere else searching for it.

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder

Smashbox has released a powder that promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in 10 minutes! I have not tried this product, and currently am not at the point in my life where I have to worry about wrinkles, but when I do, hopefully Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder will take care of my problems. Halo is the first anti-aging powder and contains pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide that delivers anti-aging benefits as well as hydrated and luminous skin. There have also been clinical studies done to show it's effectiveness. Here is what I found on the Smashbox website:

-After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.

-After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.

With the purchase of the product you also get a handy Kabuki Brush for perfect application as well as a sample of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, which is the best selling primer at Sephora. So, if wrinkles are an issue for you then give Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder a shot!

Maybelline Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara

My friend Sarah is obsessed with this mascara and told me to give it a try. Maybelline Stiletto Lash is super when it comes to lengthening and separating. It so inexpensive too! I got mine for less then $10 which is about $30 less then what I usually spend on mascara. Maybelline Stiletto Lash promises to stretch out your lashes by 70% at every angle. It also contains Pro - vitamin B5 and silk protein to strengthen and condition your lashes as well. I love it for it's super lengthening power, but I feel that it lacks a bit of volume so I use it with my Lancôme Cils Booster XL Masacara Base and that does the trick!

Make Up For Ever Microperfecting Primer

I have been testing out Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer all week now and I think it’s an amazing product. My last primer was awful. It made my skin super dry and flaky. I absolutely hated it. Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer actually moisturizes my skin and leaves it feeling super soft and smooth. But, before I was ready to make it a staple in my makeup bag, I had to put it through some rigorous tests. The first was to see if it dried out my skin, which it did not. Next, I had to make sure that it actually held on to my makeup for the entire day. It passed with flying colours. I usually do my make up at about 7:30 am and by the time I get home around 6 pm, it’s is pretty much all gone. I was pleasantly surprised when I got home, looked in the mirror and did not shudder at the reflection. My makeup was still on, and it was almost as fresh as it had been when I first applied. I slowly started to fall in love. But, I was not done yet. I decided to see how well it would hold up after an even longer day. Same routine, I applied at 7:30 AM, went about my business and got home at about 10 PM that night and would you believe if I told you, my make up still looked great? Well believe it! It did! How have I ever lived without this product? You would think that I would be completely sold by now, but I was not done. I had one more test. I decided to see how it would hold up after a work out. Now, I am not one of the girls that glams up before going to the gym, but if I have makeup on, I don’t go out of my way to take it off. So, I jumped on the elliptical, make up looking fab and all, and worked out for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes had elapsed, I took a good look in the mirror…my face was still pretty flawless, and my cheeks still bronzed and blushing…Ladies, we have a winner. This product is also oil - free and it comes in six colour correcting shades and one transparent shade. If Make up For Ever discontinues this product while I am living and breathing, all hell will break loose.

CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base

Let me start off by saying that I hate, and I mean hate all mascaras that come with so- called "primers" or "mascara base" that leave your lashes looking awful, because the white stuff always pokes through. I used to try all of them and every single time I was disappointed. As, I am sure you know, I love Lancôme. I swear by Lancôme and I will try anything Lancôme releases at least once, because they are just that wondeful. I am not going to lie, I didn't want to try the Cils Booster XL Super-Enchaning Mascara Base, because I didn't want Lancôme to break my heart. I got over my fear a few days ago and decided to make the purchase. Lancôme didn't dissappoint, not one tiny bit. I am still in love with Lancôme nor is my heart broken. Cils Booster XL Super-Enchaning Mascara Base (I know, it's such a mouthful) is fantastic. Use it a few minutes before you want to apply your actual mascara ( doesn't have to be Lancôme, but you know that they make amazing mascaras) and let it dry. It lengthens, separates and gives you crazy volume! It also hydrates your lashes which is a plus! I love love love!!!

Guerlain Exotic Paradise Spring 2009 Collection

The cornerstone of the collection is the Limited Edition Exotic Paradise Ombre Eclat Eyeshadow Palette. The celebrated metallic compact designed by Hervé Van der Straeten is done in a pure and fresh bronze-green; subtly etched with delicate plant motifs and an elegant, slender bird of paradise. Open the compact up and inside you'll find a botanical-inspired palette of pink, orange, green and brown, embellished with an exotic leaf motif in pearly green. It's a work of art!
As for the rest of the collection, here is a run down...

Guerlain KissKiss Glosses are inspired by three forbidden fruits: Orange Interdite 804, Cerise Tentation 805, and Pomme du Desir 806.
Ombre Eclat Mono Eyeshadow in a new, high-tech formula that offers impeccable hold and three distinct finishes. Velvety, Sparkly or Pearly, the powder glides onto the eyelid. Each compact contains 3.6g of color, which makes it the largest single-eyeshadow product on the market. And the case? Gorgeous.

Guerlain Ombre Eclat Eyeshadow Primer: This magical new creation from Guerlain is an eye primer inspired by a professional makeup artist’s secret. Using a neutral skin color, a radiant beige, this unifying base was specifically created to prime the skin for makeup and guarantee perfect hold. Smooths and primes to make eyes appear revived and crease less.
KissKiss Couleurs Précieuses feature four new shades that reflect the joy of spring. KissKiss Maxi Shine features four new shades inspired by candy and exotic fruit.

This collection will be out in stores shortly! If you can wait you can get it online at Neiman Marcus!

Hourglass Cosmetics

I have never tried this line, but I recently came across it. I believe it is fairly new. Here is what Sephora has to say about Hourglass cosmetics:

"Created by renowned beauty expert Carisa Janes, Hourglass brings timeless extravagance and style to the über-chic beauty junkie, all in one clutch-worthy collection. From lush shades to incredibly luxurious packaging, makeup has never been so pretty—or perfecting. Every product in the Hourglass line is formulated with the latest in cosmetic technology. Cutting-edge ingredients work to smooth and soften the skin, while innovations in packaging give the line its super chic appeal. Hourglass opens your eyes to a beautiful new reality: style and substance can coexist."

Have any of you ladies tried this line? Let me know! I was thinking of trying their primer, but the price tag is a bit large, maybe I will try a lip gloss instead, just to see what the brand is like...as if I don't have enough lip gloss...