MAC Cosmetics

Are you feeling MAC’s new Surf Baby 2011 collection?

March 24, 2011

It doesn’t hit stores until late May, but the beauty blogosphere is buzzing about MAC’s newly-revealed Surf Baby collection of limited edition colors and permanent shades. Reaction to the MAC Wonder Woman collection was mixed, with many MAC fans feeling that the collection felt a bit downmarket for the brand. Although the color story for Surf Baby is a undeniably summer-y and has some standouts, the packaging seems to be drawing the same kind of variable feedback.

MAC Surf Baby 2011 relies heavily on saturated aquas, shimmery pearls and peachy coral shades. The theme is repeated throughout, but in lieu of MAC’s signature black packaging, a bright white marks the compacts, pencils and pans. The crowning jewel of Surf Baby seems to be a bright coral blush interspersed with a gold hibiscus. I’m a big fan of peach blush instead of bronzer for fairer skin tones and this is a great alternative that would work well for darker complexions as well:

Lipsticks are a notable outlier in the collection, with a broader range of hues. Colors are Bust Out!, Hibiscus, Mocha, and Naturally Eccentric:

Lipglass shades are more in keeping with the coral/pearl theme, and look wearable and light, offered in Girl on Board, Good Lovin’ , Krazy Kahuna, and Strange Potion:

Of all the packaging depicted, the Crushed Metallic Pigment Stacks are the least impressive- although the colors seem fun to wear and perfect for a bronzed look. There are two options- Summer Stash (pale pink, gray pink, purple, taupe) and Surf the Ocean (silver, aqua, gold, navy blue.)

The eyeshadows included- five alliterative shades, Saffron, Short Shorts, Sun Blonde, Surf USA, and Swell Baby- call to mind a kind of 80s surf feel. Nail polish options are Hangin’ Loose, a nudish ballerina pink, and Ocean Dip Aqua, a muted teal:

Eyeliners echo the pearl and aqua theme, in Blue Noon and Gilded White. Bronzing Powder in Solar Riche, Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Gold-go-Lightly, and Tan Tint in Guilty Bronze and Billionaire Bronze provide the base products for the collection. Below is another promo shot for the Surf Baby 2011 color story:

You’ll get my MAC products when you pry them from my perfectly manicured, cold, dead hands, but the picture above really says drugstore a bit more than fashion forward to me. MAC Surf Baby 2011 seems to have actual product going for it, however, and collectors will always snap up limited editions regardless of the collection’s cachet.

Do you think you’ll pick up any items from this particular collection? Do you find the packaging fresh and beachy?

Concrete Runway: NYC

January 4, 2011

NYC is one of the fashion capitals of the world and known to house some of the best runway shows in the world. Many people are not aware that in the streets of New York is where you see what New York fashion is all about. I will give you a rundown of the best place to see and shop for fashion in NYC. Today I will talk about the stellar shopping in Union Square and the fashion forward look in Harlem, NYC. Welcome to a sneak peek at NYC Concrete Runway!

Union Square

Manhattan is full of great places to see some fabulous fashion. Though I love Fashion week, I can see some serious style at several places in Manhattan. One of my favorite places to check out some style is Union Square. Union square is full of fashion and style. From the Uptown diva to the downtown diva, Union Square is one of my favorite picks to see some serious style. Fashion around Union Square is a snap shot of the style of NYC. Union Square is the best place to find a kaleidoscope of style and fashion. The best place to see fashion is at Greenmarket farmers in market Union Square. Some of the best fashions can be seen there. Who knew that buying veggies could be so stylish.

There are also some great stores in the Union Square area you that need to be seen in order to embrace the style of NYC. One of my favorite fashion havens is Nordstrom Rack in Union Square! This is the best place to brand names on a knockoff budget. Everyone is having money issue with this recession so this is great for all my L&L divas and divos. So if you love great clothes and designer labels but you more is a bit short, than Nordstrom Rack in Union Square is it. Yeah Nordstrom Rack!

I love Vintage shops and Union square is filled with great vintage shops! If your look is vintage than high fashion than go to the fabulous Shareen Vintage in NYC. This shop is full of fashion goodies. You can find fashion gold in the racks of Shareen Vintage. They hold some of the best designer names and classic apparel than any huge department store. When you buy vintage, you buy a piece of fashion history. There are tons of vintage shops all over Union Square, make sure you explore Union Square for all it fashion treats.

Harlem

From the runway to the Boulevard, Harlem NYC has been an inspiration to many fashion designers and stylist. Many designers in the industry use the style and essence of Harlem as a muse to their collection. There are tons of places to go in Harlem to find fashion gold but nothing compares to 125th street! 125th is home to the legendary Apollo and some of the best fashions the city. From urban to chic, Harlem has it all. Just take the A train up town, get off at 125^th street and look at all the different styles, looks, and up and coming trends that Harlem has to offer. Many do not realize that Harlem is the place where many fashion trends start.

There are tons of stores that are a must when visiting Harlem. First make sure you stop by House of Hoops by Foot Lockers. This store has the most exclusive sneakers on the market. If you are a sneaker head than this is you one and only stop you will want to make.if you are a lover of urban inspired fashion than definitely check out Atmos NYC, Dj Jays, and Jimmy Jazz. These stores have a great selection of apparel.

For all my cosmetic diva out there make sure you stop by two stores on 125^th street, M·A·C cosmetics and Carol’s Daughter. Both of these stores has everything you need to get your makeup tight and you hair and skin look right. There are also many great mainstream and boutique on 125^th, which makes shopping a breeze. I would suggest visiting all shops along 125^th. There are some huge labels that call Harlem home like American Apparel and H&M. While the shopping at all the stores in Harlem is great, some the best items you can find are on the tables of the dozens of street vendors that lines 125^th. I found some chic and reasonable accessories street side. You can get just about anything from the street vendors, from hoop earring to great novels. Harlem is a shoppers dream.

Well my L&L readers, this is the conclusion of the Concrete Runway: NYC – Union Square and Harlem edition. Later on this week I will give you a look at the infamous Madison Ave in NYC and Soho!

Photo Courtesy

M·A·C goes Pink only on Fridays!

November 29, 2010

M·A·C News

If you love music and lipstick than you are going to loose your mind over this, M·A·C and Nicki Minaj have join forces to create a limited edition M·A·C lipstick! Yes, you read right! To celebrate Nicki Minaj first album release– Pink Friday- M·A·C cosmetics will release a limited edition of M·A·C’s Pink Nouveau lipstick! A Rapper having a lipstick and an album released on the same day is unheard of until now. M·A·C cosmetics are PINK 4 Friday!

The pastel pink toned lipstick is available only on Friday! So on every Friday starting November 26 until December 17, you can get M·A·C’s Pink Nouveau, while supplies last! Nicki Minaji collabo with M·A·C cosmetics is a great look! Check out the M·A·C’s Pink Nouveau lipstick and see if M·A·C Pink Nouveau shade is for you. For more info to go www.maccosmetics.com or go to the your nearest M·A·C store and go PINK 4 Friday!

M·A·C Gets Industrial

M∙A∙C cosmetics and famous Dutch industrial designer Marcel Wanders, makes a Cosmetics line to die for! From Lipstick to Air of Style Scent Concentrate, the limited edition M∙A∙C & MARCEL WANDERS collection is one of the best design cosmetic collections I have seen in a while. Drawing inspiration from 17^th century painting including Vermeer and his famous painting “ The Girl and a Pearl Earring,” this collection is glamorous and dark. The collection range from cute lipstick to great makeup brushes. Today I will talk about come of my favorite items from the M∙A∙C & MARCEL WANDERS collection.

My all time favorite item from the collection is this laced detailed Clutch Bag/Brush Roll. You can use it to store your makeup brushes or as a fab clutch! This is genius! This $65 clutch is great for a night out or a dinner date. The 17^th century style bag with a gothic twist is great and elegant.

I also love this solid perfume necklace from the collection. You can dab and go with this Air of Style Scent concentrate perfume. I love the design and how it can be wear as a stylish signature necklace. Jewelry and perfume always makes a great combo and for $30, this is as good as it gets!

This collection is full of design and beauty. The M∙A∙C & MARCEL WANDERS collection is available for a limited time from November 24^th until December 26^th. Get your hands on this limited edition of Lipsticks, Lip Glosses, Sheer Mystery Powders, Air of Style Scent Concentrate, and a signature brush and clutch bag! For more info to go www.maccosmetics.com or go to the your nearest M·A·C store.

I would like to thank Malik, Amara of M∙A∙C for the exclusive look at the M∙A∙C & MARCEL WANDERS collection and the Pink 4 Friday Lipstick.

Well my Lipstick and luxury readers, that is all the M∙A∙C news that I have today. I will see you next time, XXOO!

Tis the Season for Tartan Tale collection

October 27, 2010

Tis the Season for M.A.C’s Holiday Collection! This year, M.A.C holiday collection draws inspiration from Ireland, rich holiday colors with a touch of punk rock! If you want to brighten up look or need a great present ideas for the M.A.C girl in your life, than opt for The Tartan Tale Collection. Here is an exclusive sneak peek of the collection!

The entire Tartan Tale collection is filled with sparkly Dazzleglass Crèmes, Powder Blushes in plaid, and lush Lipsticks. OMG Did I forget the M.A.C pigment a.k.a M.A.C multi purpose loose colour powder, Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner and bold Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara, well these items are a must too. There are so many great products to choose from this collection. There are some great individual items to choose from but today I going to give a sneak peek on all the beauty kits that M.A.C have to offer. Lets get started!

One of my favorite kits from the Tartan Tale Collection is the Lip and Eye Kits. There are 4 kits to choose from! The Vain and Glorious Lip Bag, my favorite – the Dazzle the Lads Lip Bag, Noble Knights Lash & Line Kit, and Violet My Love Lash & Line Kit. The Tartan Tale kits are great for all my ladies on the go. These kits are great stocking stuffers for the season of giving, especially since these kits only cost $36! You cannot go wrong with that!

The Dazzle the Lads Lip Bag

MY M.A.C Picks

I love the entire new M.A.C collection- The Tartan Tale but there are a few pieces that I believe are a must have for the season and year round. So here are my M.A.C picks!

I adore the Viva Glam ‘Tis Noble To Give Viva Glam Lip Bag. The Viva Glam Lip Bag includes a Viva Glam Lipstick in Viva Glam V Neutral pink with pearl and a Viva Glam Lipglass in Viva Glam V Neutral pink with pearl! A neutral lip is great for many occasions and any season. Always have a neutral lipstick or lipglass in your bag!

I love this bag because the price, just $36, and that this fabulous lip bag is apart of the M·A·C VIVA GLAM: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK selection. When you buy a Viva glam item; every cent of the selling price of all Viva Glam products is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. This foundation supports men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. To do something good for others and looking fabulous at the same is always a great thing.

Many makeup divas forget that a great makeup brush can make a great face. With the Tartan Tale Collection brush bags, you can choose from the following brush bags or get them all. Each bag comes with five M.A.C brushes. For just $49.50 a bag, these new M∙A∙C Brush Bags are here for every girl who wants to arrive flawless, with everything she needs in these fashion forward bags.

The Sweep Me Off My Feet Sweep & Define Brush Collection

Each bag is great but my first choice is the Sweep Me Off My Feet Sweep & Define Brush Collection! There are some great multi purpose brushes in this bag for all women who are applying the look on the go! A Lady & Her Tricks Buff & Line Brush Collection and the She’s Got It All Apply, Define & Liner Brush Collection are also great too!

Well all my makeup divas and gurus I hope you enjoy the sneak peek of the Tartan Tale collection. Remember entire Tartan Tale Collection will be available October 28th!

I would like to thank Amara of M.A.C cosmetics for the exclusive look at the Tartan Tale Collection. Until next time!

MAC Cosmetics Art Supplies review + swatches

April 6, 2010

I stopped by the MAC store to check out their latest line of limited edition cosmetics called Art Supplies. MAC has incorporated the look and feel of artists tools and translated it into makeup, and being that I was a Fine Arts major in college this really appealed to me. One of the first items that I looked at was the Pro Longwear Lipstain Marker, this lipstain has a felt tip just like a marker would. I liked that it’s long wearing as I can’t always refresh my lipstick after eating a quick bite. The formula dries to a matte finish so I also purchased a Lipglass Lip Gloss to add some shine to it. The color that I chose was Modern Mocha, which is a light brown shade, there are a total of 9 shades available in this collection. The Lipstain Marker retails for $16.00 and the Lipglass Lip Gloss retails for $14.00.

MAC Lipstain Marker Swatch — Modern Mocha Swatch

Another limited edition product from the Art Supplies Collection was the Greasepaint Stick. The pencil is thick and the colors are edgy, this collection of eyeliners can also be used as eye shadow. I couldn’t decide on just one color so I got two! The colors were so fun that I opted for something other than a basic black or brown liner. I picked up Zinc Zone, a dark metallic shade and Charred Mauve, a funky metallic purple shade. There are a total of eight shades available and each Greasepaint Stick retails for $17.50.

MAC Greasepaint Swatches - Charred Mauve (l), Zinc Zone (r)

The only item that I did not get was the Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner. The colors were pretty and had shimmer to them but I felt that I would be able to use the Greasepaint stick for eyeliner. There are six shades in this collection and each one retails for $14.50 and is also available for a limited time.

Of course while I was there I thought that I should pick up some foundation and powder, hey you can never have too much of a good thing right? Here’s a pic of my total purchases:

MAC Cosmetics Art Supples — MAC Cosmetics purchases

Visit your favorite MAC Cosmetics store to purchase these beauties or order here online.