MAC lipstick in Fusion Pink - Review

So last week, I blogged about my first Back 2 MAC experience, and I picked up the shade Fusion Pink for free. I finally got around to wearing it (I say finally, but it's been what, a week?) so here are my thoughts!

MAC Fusion Pink lipstick

MAC Fusion Pink swatch

Fusion Pink is described as a "bright pink" and is apart of the Amplified Creme finish family. Fusion Pink is indeed a bright pink with warm undertones, and it has a pearly iridescence to it that keeps it from being a flat shade. However, it does not turn frosty, which was a concern. The application was smooth and the formula is slightly sheer yet still pretty pigmented, which should be a given considering the Amplified finish. You still get full color with one swipe. When applying, there is a definite scent to the lipstick, the traditional MAC vanilla mixed with the scent of lipstick, but it fades away.  The wear is quite comfortable. I paired this with no lip liner, and did not experience any bleeding or feathering. I also paired this with my trusty MAC Prep and Prime lip. I did, however, experience some color gathering into the lip lines, as well as some highlighted flakes on my lips. I didn't experience the formula to be overly drying, however.

I wound up needing to reapply later in the day, as the lipstick was transferring onto my cup, even after blotting. The formula has a definite amount of slip, most likely due to the Creme portion of the Amplified Creme finish. This isn't the longest wearing MAC lipstick I have, but a lot of the issues such as the product collecting into the lip lines can be fixed by pressing the lips together. I like that I was able to put it on without a lip liner.

Pros:

• Pigmented
• Smooth application
• No bleeding/feathering

Cons:

• Lipstick/vanilla scent (it fades, though!)
• Collects into lip lines
• Prone to transfer

MAC lipstick in Fusion Pink - $16.00 for 0.1 oz
Review - 3/5

Spotted at Wegmans - Wet n Wild Silver Lake Collection!

While doing my weekly grocery shopping, I stumbled upon several nearly full displays of limited edition Silver Lake collection products from Wet n Wild at Wegmans!

I was super surprised to see the full eyeshadow palette display, since those have been out since February and I had a hard time tracking them down last week (before getting lucky at Rite Aid!) If you're still in the market for these and live near a Wegmans, check it out! 

April 2015 Favorites!

Another month has passed, so it's time for another month of favorites! Only one actual makeup item this month, but everything on the list is something I've seriously been digging!

1. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - I'm not super old, but I'm getting to the age where I'm worried about starting to age. And I know once I get there, I'm going to be like a Disney villain about ageing - super passionate about being young forever or something. So during the recent Sephora spring sale, I picked up this serum which is supposedly fantastic due to the Vitamin C that's included. Vitamin C is a great skincare item due to its many benefits - reducing dark spots, reducing inflammation, helping to boost collagen production, and fading post breakout redness, to name a few. After using this for the past two weeks, I am seeing some definitely improvement in my skin. Also, it smells like oranges!

2. Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 - What a mouthful. This is my go to sunscreen that I apply every day after my moisturizer, under my makeup. It's easy to apply, absorbs quickly, doesn't smell overly like sunblock, and doesn't leave a white cast. It is a Japanese product, but it's easily found on Amazon at a price that won't break the bank. I'm currently finishing up my first bottle, and I will be purchasing my second soon! (Also it must be great, look at all the ++++++!)

3. Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang  - I've already posted a full review but I wanted to include this lipstick on my favorites list. I'm really impressed with this formula, so much so that I purchased another lipstick in the family during the Sephora sale (and OMG! wait til you SEE IT!!) Every time I'm at my local Sephora this shade is sold out, so I can't be the only one considering it a favorite! Do yourself a favor and swatch it in store if you haven't yet, it's definitely worth trying!

4. Simple Cleansing Wipes - I picked these up on a whim at Target, since I needed to toss something into my gym bag to take off my makeup before my workouts. I love these! A few quick swipes and these take off most everything aside from my waterproof mascara. I have to scrub a tiny bit to get my morn stubborn liquid and gel liners off, but the wipes don't need anything extra to get those off! My skin isn't left overly dry or irritated from the wipes either, which is a big plus.

5. WEN Lavender Cleansing Conditioner - I've heard a lot about "co-washing" and heard that this stuff is the best of the best, and held out til the sale to pick it up, because $32 is a bit much for a conditioner. Unfortunately...I love it. The directions say to use an inordinate amount of pumps to cleanse the hair (like 10-16 for my length hair) and then half the amount to sit in the hair while you finish up your shower. This feels like I'd be using the entire bottle in like five showers, and sometimes I shower like twice a day, so I don't use that many pumps and my hair still feels clean (even with my 309843084 thickening/volumizing products!) I think I will still shop around for something cheaper, but I know I definitely do like this product. There are different scents/flavors/whatever you want to call it, and each coordinates with a hair type - lavender is for fine hair, so make sure you buy based off of your hair type for optimal results!

Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 11 Rose Ashes - Review

I picked up this product during the Sephora spring sale after having it on my wishlist. A few friends got the Eye Tints and raved about them, and I was thinking "Well, I really should be getting one of those, too!" So I did!

Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 11 Rose Ashes

Wrist swatch of Rose Ashes

Rose Ashes is a slightly metallic rose tan with a greenish glow. It has a slight duochrome to it, especially when layered more thickly. The applicator is a doe foot. The formula itself is cool to the touch, and spreads easily, allowing for easy blending. The formula sets pretty quick, and then does not budge. The thicker the layer that is applied, the longer it takes to set. In the swatch above, I did a thicker layer and a thinner layer to show the pigmentation of the product. A thin layer gives a shimmery wash of rose gold. To get the metallic, more duochrome effect of the shade, a thicker layer is needed.

I applied this with my finger, as the doe foot was a little big for my lid, and I felt that I could blend the product more easily with my finger. I applied a thin wash of product all over the lid into and above the crease, and layered a little more onto the lid to build more of the color. During the day, the thicker layer eventually creased, which I am attributing to the layer being too thick, which makes sense.

The Eye Tint is a super easy product to work with, and I can see myself getting one or two more to add to my collection of eye products. Unfortunately, due to it being a high end brand, the price tag is a bit steep. The price per ounce for one of these is $172.72, which is better than the similar YSL Full Metal Shadow at $30 for 0.15 oz ($200/oz), though still up there.

Pros:

• Blends easily
• Dries to set quickly
• Thin layer provides good pigmentation

Cons:

• Will crease if the product is too thick
• Price tag :(

Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 11 Rose Ashes - $38.00 for 0.22 oz
Review - 4.5/5

Sephora VIB Rouge Spring Sale Haul!

In all of its splendor, my sale purchases!

I know it's a bit late, but here's my sale haul post from the recent Sephora spring sale! I did some damage, but I had been good so far through the year with only really buying a gift for someone, and then buying a couple of items on my birthday. The first part of the sale clashed with IMATS weekend, so thankfully the sale extended to my next paycheck so I could finish my shopping! I think I got enough to tide myself over til the fall sale... (haha yaok.)

Here's a rundown of what I picked up:

• L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream - I love this hand cream!
• Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel - New item for me, heard it has a good pH so I'm excited to give it a shot!
• YSL Glossy Stain in 20 Rouge Enamel - Hoping this is a great summer color for me!
• Shiseido cottons - Always gotta stock up on these. If you haven't tried them, it's like a cloud for your face
• YSL Teint Touche Eclat in BD 10 - I love this foundation! I may have to exchange for B10, though.
• Shiseido Eyelash Curler - So much better for my eye shape than the Shu Uemura I was using before.
• Too Faced Melted Metal in Peony - SO excited to try this! 
• Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 11 Rose Ashes - I've heard such great things about these, and my first use was amazing! I can't wait to get my review up.
• Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - I've been wanting to incorporate a Vitamin C serum into my skincare routine, so I picked this up. It had great reviews and I can see why.
• Sephora Favorites Lash Stash To Go - I love mascara minis, and with this you get to pick your favorite and get a full size!
• Bumble and bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse - My favorite mousse. Makes my hair look full.
• WEN Cleansing Conditioner - Hopping on the co-wash train! This stuff is really great for my hair, but I don't like the price tag.
• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré - I picked up the small size of this to give it a shot after multiple friends sung its praises. I have a few moisturizers so we'll see how this one fairs!
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin - After destashing my Naked palette, this is the only shade I really missed. It was sold out when Ulta had $9 single shadows, so I snagged it during this sale!
• NARS Audacious lipstick in Audrey - OMFG this swatches so amazingly smooth and I can't wait to wear it!
• Marc Jacobs lipstick in So Sofia - I looked at a few hot pinks before settling on this one. I love the new Marc Jacobs formula. 
• Surratt Smoky Eye Baton in Cendres - I've had Surratt on my wishlist for a while now, and of course Sephora stocks them during the sale! This little thing is tiny, but I can't WAIT to play with it! Hello, simple smoky eyes!
• Kat von D Ink Liner in Baudelaire - I'm not usually a fan of felt tip liquid liners, but I love a good navy wing and I wanted to try the new Kat von D liners out.
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Moonlight - I've been dying for this shade.
• NARS Smudgeproof eye primer - Just stocking up here, move along...
• Marc Jacobs Highligher in Peri(dot) - Of course, new summer shades released during the sale. How strategic. My swatch of this didn't budge!
• Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bauhau5 - Another wishlist item being checked off!
• Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer in #503 - Total impulse buy, but I'm into glossy lips right now! I've heard great things about the formula.

...and there you have it! You'll slowly be seeing reviews on most of these items soon, as I get a chance to use them! 

Review - ColourPop Highlighter in Wisp

ColourPop has just released their new highlighters, so I figured now is the best time to share my thoughts on the one that was included with my latest order! I was able to choose a mini size (which is pretty substantial!) highlighter out of three shades with an order over $40 a few weeks back, and I chose the shade Wisp.

ColourPop highlighter in Wisp

Wisp swatch

Wisp is listed as a "golden champagne with highly reflective hues of gold duo chrome finishes." ColourPop recommends using your fingers for the highest coverage, and a synthetic or duo fiber brush for a more air brushed look. I tried using a Real Techniques Setting Brush, my go to brush for cream highlighters, which barely picked up any product. When I used my fingers, I was able to get much better payoff. The formula is much softer and more spongy than other ColourPop formulas I've tried so far.

When applying, the highlighter spread nicely and I was able to blend easily. I kept it to the top of my cheekbones and my cupid's bow, so I did not see it really emphasizes any of my pores, since I kept it away from my larger pores on my cheeks. It gave a soft champagne gold glow since I blended it out with my finger, though unblended it can be quite bold.

This wasn't my favorite highlighter in the world, I'll be honest. I much prefer my Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors for cream highlighters as they can be applied with a brush and I don't have to go and stick my finger into a little pot. The mini I got is a good size, but I don't see myself collecting all of the highlighter shades from ColourPop. I could definitely see packing this as an "all over" color for a trip though - can slap it on lids, cheekbones, whatever in a pinch and be good to go.

As I've noted previously, ColourPop is a cruelty free brand. Wisp is a vegan shade as well, which is great!

Pros:

• Blendable
• Pigmented

Cons:

• HAVE to use your fingers, brushes basically don't work
• Very, very spongy/soft formula
• Packaging sucks for digging your finger around in

ColourPop Highlighter in Wisp - $8.00 for 0.15 oz*

Review - 2.5/5

* I listed the full size and price of the product, instead of the small size I received as a gift with purchase.

My First Back2Mac!

Nothing feels better than finishing a makeup product. I love the accomplished feeling of using up something I purchased. The Back2MAC program rewards that, in addition to helping recycle the packaging the products come in. You bring in six MAC empties (the best part - false lash cases count, too!) and you can exchange them for a lipstick or an eyeshadow! (Viva Glam is exempt, since all proceeds go towards a wonderful cause, and you should be purchasing those.) I've been hoarding my MAC empties, and I finally had enough for my first Back2MAC!

Car seat glamour shot

Here's my batch of empties. I have a Fix+, two Pro Longwear foundations, a Prep and Prime pressed powder, a Prep and Prime Lip (I SWORE I had another around my house! Ugh!) and a Rapidblack pen liner that is freaking ancient BUT I SAVED IT!

I was originally going to look for another Kylie Jenneresque nude and maybe pick up the shade Brave, but then I started swatching hot pinks and couldn't stop. Some of the shades here are Fusion Pink, Candy Yum Yum, Show Orchid, Impassioned (which I own, but I wanted to make sure I didn't dupe it!) Girl About Town, Full Fuchsia...I had a good time swatching.

Marking on the bottom so you know it was a Back2MAC

While I was going swatch happy, a Sales Associate asked if I needed help. I said I was going to be turning in some empties, and she checked to make sure they were all eligible while I swatched. She offered to have me try on any lipsticks, and I declined - I have a good idea of what will and what won't work for my by now. In the end I settled on Fusion Pink. The Sales Associate pulled it from the drawer, discarded the box, and marked the bottom of the bullet so that it can't be turned in again for another Back2MAC - which I supposed is fair.

MAC Fusion Pink

It was nice to be able to pick up a new lipstick without spending any money, in addition to being rewarded to finishing a bunch of products. With the rate that I go through Fix+ and Prep and Prime Lip, I'll be sure to be cashing in more empties soon!