MAC F&F Haul

Today I woke up to find a beautiful black box for me in the mail! This is the first time I've ordered from MAC online, just because of the sale. I usually have no reason to order online. Where I live, there are a few counters, a freestanding store, a pro store, and a CCO.

blurred out my address



wow everything is black. that's so.. mac.


my little haul. it's only 4 things, but the total was already $70 :\

- 217 brush
- 109 brush
- prep + prime transparent finishing powder (in real life, the lid doesn't look glittery. weird.)
- shroom eyeshadow pan

Anyone have any input about these items?
Let me know what you got from the sale! :D

Maybelline Pulse Perfection

Here are my lashes with Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara in Waterproof.

IT HOLDS A CURL FOR MY STICK STRAIGHT LASHES.

Will write a review for it sometime this week!

Sephora & MAC Haul

I ran out of my cleanser and wanted to try something new. I've never used anything from Shiseido before, so I picked up the Pureness Foaming Cleansing Fluid. Has anyone had good experiences with Shiseido skincare?

I was using Cetaphil moisturizing lotion on my face but wasn't liking how it made me feel oily within an hour. So I also got a small tube of Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion to try out.

When I opened my bag I found a sample of the Fresh Sugar Acai Body Scrub. I didn't ask for any samples, so that was a pleasant surprise.

When I got my 187 a little while back, the handle felt a tiny bit loose. I didn't think it was that big of a deal because it wasn't too noticeable. The more I used the brush, the looser the handle was getting. It got to the point where the ferrule was moving a bit when I wiggled the handle. This brush was almost $50, so I didn't want to take any chances of it completely breaking. It's been less than 30 days since purchase, so I went to the MAC store with the receipt. I didn't have any problems exchanging it. This new one is nice and firm, yay!

MAC: SUMO BIG SAVINGS

MAC COSMETICS

25% OFF ONLINE PURCHASES

For 3 days only: June 16-18

Offer Code: SUMO

Bronzer Swatches

Now that summer is here, bronzers are really popular to give you that sunkissed look. I've been wearing reaching for my bronzers a lot lately, so I figured I'd post swatches of the ones I have. These bronzers are really nice and I'd recommend them all depending on your taste. If you'd like me to do a review on any of them, feel free to ask.

(the first one should be mac bronzer in "bronze," not "bronzed." typo!)

I'm also looking for a bronzer that's glowy, but has absolutely no particles of glitter/shimmer. I was looking at the Smashbox one, but it's kind of pricey. I was thinking of getting a mineralize skinfinish natural in a darker shade. Has anyone tried that? Any recs?

Studio Tools Dual-Fiber Brush

Yesterday I was with Raymond and we were passing a Target. He asked if I wanted to go and I said no, but we went anyway. We got to the makeup section and saw the Sonia Kashuk highlighting brush, a dupe for the mac 187. I was SO excited when I saw it, because the Target by my house NEVER has it. I have the 187 and I love it, but was looking for an alternative to use for blushes and bronzers. I grabbed the Sonia Kashuk one but then I saw a similar one from the brand "Studio Tools." I remember seeing a few great reviews for this new brush on makeupalley. I chose to get this one since it was only $7 compared to the $13 sonia kashuk one. Almost half the price! Raymond said, "Aren't you glad we went to Target now?" Yes.

REVIEW: Studio Tools Dual-Fiber Brush

Rating: 4/5
Would I repurchase: Yes

- Only shed a few bristles when I first washed it with baby shampoo.
- A little bit smaller than the 187, but not by much.
- Really soft, doesn't feel scratchy at all on your skin. Not quite as soft as the 187 though.
- Very dense. More firm than the 187, so it applies products a bit more heavily.
- The bottom of the handle is flat, so it stands up on flat surfaces.

Is it a good brush? Yes.
Is it better than the 187? No.
Is it worth the $7? YES.

I think the MAC 187 is better, but it's $42. The Studio Tools one is only $6.99. Some people even found it for $1.99. For the price, it's a really good brush. If you come across it, I'd suggest checking it out. I would repurchase :)

Allure Winner's Circle: Reader's Choice

I was looking through the June 2009 issue of Allure magazine when I came across the reader's choice winners and thought I would share what they are.

ALLURE: READER'S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS

MAKEUP

LIPSTICK
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Red

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: MAC Frost Lipstick in "O"

LIP GLOSS
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss in Sangria

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: MAC Lipglass in Oh Baby

BLUSH
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Brick Rose

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Nars Blush in Orgasm

EYESHADOW
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: L'Oreal Paris HIP Metallic Shadow Duo in Platinum

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: MAC Eye Shadow in Shroom

EYELINER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Black

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: MAC Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack

MASCARA
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara in Very Black

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Dior DiorShow Mascara in Black

CONCEALER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Bare Escentuals Multi-Tasking Minerals concealer

FOUNDATION
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Bare Escentuals BareMinerals SPF15 Foundation


SKIN

FACIAL CLEANSER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Philosophy Purity Made Simple

FACIAL SCRUB
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream

FACIAL MOISTURIZER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

ANTI-AGING PRODUCT
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: AVON Anew Clinical Eye Lift

EYE CREAM
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Clinique All About Eyes cream

HAIR

SHAMPOO
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Redken All Soft Shampoo

CONDITIONER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Conditioner

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Redken All Soft Shampoo

VOLUMIZER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: John Freida Collection Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Aveda Volumizing Tonic, Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray

DEFRIZZER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: John Frieda Collection Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Original Formula

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Fekkai Glossing Cream

HOME HAIR COLOR
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Haircolour

BODY

BODY SCRUB
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa There's the Rub Body Scrub

BODY LOTION
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion

SELF-TANNER
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning

PALE NAIL POLISH
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color in Honor

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath, Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle

BRIGHT NAIL POLISH
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Fuschia Power

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: OPI Nail Lacquer in That's Hot! Pink

CLASSIC FRAGRANCE
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: Love's Baby Soft

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Chanel No. 5

NEW FRAGRANCE
DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers Fragrances

MEN'S FRAGRANCE
DRUGSTORES, DISCOUNT STORES: AXE Deodorant Bodyspray in Instinct

DEPARTMENT STORES, SPECIALITY STORES, SPAS, SALONS: Giogio Armani Acqua di Gio Pour Homme


POPULAR SCIENCE
... When we asked out readers to submit their favorite breakthroughs of 2008, you selected similarly groundbreaking innovations (but stayed within the law).

MAKEUP: Jane Iredale Dream Tint SPF 15

SKIN: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefuit Facial Cleanser and Foaming Scrub

NAILS: Sally Hansen Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pens

BODY: Bioelements Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Creme

HAIR: Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner