MAC Preview Party Exclusive Photos and Recap

 

I just realized I forgot to show you guys the pictures I took for the Baking Beauties preview party at my MAC PRO store! Actually, the first few pictures were taken the day after as there were so many people and I'm so freaking short that I was barely able to take any on the actual night.

 

I didn't know what to expect when I was invited, as this was a first time for me. I attended a Sephora VIB event last fall, but this was COMPLETELY different. There were makeup artists and makeup lovers, caterers and cake decorators,  musicians and models, and photographers and bloggers crammed into the store like sardines.

 

Besides Baking Beauties, other collections were being sold simultaneously. In Extra Dimension, Nudes & Metallics, and Fashion Sets were also featured. I already got everything I wanted from In Extra Dimension and Fashion Sets from my lovely local MAC counter, so I focused on the PRO only collection and Baking Beauties instead. Something told me to wait in line for what I wanted before enjoying the party, and that feeling paid off as I was able to get everything I wanted. Almost everything was sold out by the end of the party! (If you were wondering why there's never enough stock on launch day, this might be the answer. Just a hypothesis.)

 

Please read ahead to see the photos, as this post is mildly photo heavy.

Too Faced 20% Off Order Today Only

To celebrate their 15th birthday, Too Faced is offering 20% off your entire online purchase with code HAPPY15. This is only valid for today, 4/23/13!!

A few posts down, you will see my post about a special anniversary set. (I'm posting this from my phone and can't link to it.) This set of goodies was only $65, but today you can get it for $53 as it is still in stock! I ordered mine on the first day it was available because I was afraid it would sell out quickly, but apparently good things DO happen to those who wait. If you were on the fence before, this may give you the push you needed. I'm even considering purchasing another set because it is such an amazing offer.

If you want to add anything to your order, I personally recommend the La Creme lipstick line, 3*Way Lash Lining Tool, and their recently repackaged bronzers. The eyeshadow formula is to die for as well. Happy shopping!!

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzers

After seeing swatches of one of these bronzers at Musings of a Muse, I fell in love and did something that's pretty unusual for me to do. I actually went to Target to look for these (completely sold out along with a lot of the other products I was looking for) and then ended up placing an online order to receive them.

I knew what to expect with the darker color, but was curious when I saw the online color representations of the lighter bronzer. It looked to me like it would be the perfect contour color for fair skin tones, as it appeared to be barely below my skin tone.

 

Unfortunately, these bronzers are both very dark. Rich Bronze 42 is a warmer dark coffee color, while Warm Tan 41 is a mid tone brown clay with reddened undertones.

 

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in Rich Bronze 42 and Warm Tan 41. They contain 0.18 oz. and are cruelty free. Available at Target and Target.com for $10.99 each.

 

Of the two, Warm Tan is the closest to a shade I already own. I bought all of the MAC Pro Sculpting Creams during the Face and Body launch, and Warm Tan is very reminiscent of Pure Sculpture.

 

I believe I am going to take Warm Tan back, as it's not what I expected, and I own a near-dupe in the same medium. I'm sure it will fit the needs of others perfectly, though!

 

I think Rich Bronze will be a wonderful addition to my collection. I did not swatch it as I was unsure what I was going to do at the time. Target has a 60 day return policy, but the item must be unused and unopened. The first link in my post links to Musings of a Muse's review of this same color, so please visit if you're curious.

 

Have you heard of these bronzers? Own them? Want them? Let me know by commenting below.

 

 

Disclaimer: I bought these items for review. I have not been compensated

in any way for my opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post.

MAC Nudes & Metallics Complete Collection

Hey everyone, went down to my PRO store to pick up the lipstick and swatch this collection for you. I'm shocked to say that unfortunately the majority of the nudes exclusives and some of the metallics exclusives are already sold out. For some reason, I guess I was expecting PRO collections to not have the hype that surrounds public collections, and to retain stock for quite some time. However, Los Angeles is a very busy area and some of the other pro stores or online* could still have stock. I'm not a PRO card holder, so I can't check the website to verify.

*Edit- After checking Specktra I've found that this collection's online release was delayed until mid-June. PRO card holders will be able to purchase this from the PRO website then, so make a card holding friend now if you missed anything!!
 
I was wondering why the nudes collection was sold out, because as I'd mentioned in my previous post, I was none too fond of the colors. I found out when I stepped outside.

 

 

Indoor lighting

L-R: Eyeshadows- Body Conscious, Exposed, Glimpse of Flesh, Bare Minimum

Lipsticks-Wholesome, Restrained, Nearly Nude, Angel's Kiss

 

 

Outdoor lighting

L-R: Eyeshadows- Body Conscious, Exposed, Glimpse of Flesh, Bare Minimum

Lipsticks-Wholesome, Restrained, Nearly Nude, Angel's Kiss

 

Outside during daylight, these colors are very flattering, and I can see them working on most skin tones as a lovely true nude lip. The eyeshadows match very well with the lipsticks, and the satin eyeshadow/ amplified lipstick combination was a great choice. While I think the eyeshadows are very dupeable due to the large range of neutrals around, it is very convenient to have a matching eyeshadow for the lipstick available.

 

Lipsticks-Wholesome, Restrained, Nearly Nude, Angel's Kiss

 

Eyeshadows- Body Conscious, Exposed, Glimpse of Flesh, Bare Minimum

 

 

Outdoor lighting

L-R: Eyeshadows- Love's Lure, Crimson Tryst, Deep Fixation, Brazenly

Lipsticks- Show All, Pre Raphaelite, Subverted, Dominate

 

As with the nudes, the metallic eyeshadows and metallic lipsticks go hand-in-hand perfectly. All of these lipsticks have frost finishes, while the eyeshadows are veluxe pearl. I love how MAC didn't also pick a frost eyeshadow finish, making these shadows appear much more refined.

 

Lipsticks- Show All, Pre Raphaelite, Subverted, Dominate

Eyeshadows- Love's Lure, Crimson Tryst, Deep Fixation, Brazenly

 

I hope this was helpful if you were planning on buying any of these unseen. I did hear that there were supposed to be blushes with this collection, but I didn't see any in the display at my local store. Thanks for looking and good luck shopping!

Too Faced Sweet 15 Limited Edition Set

Photo via an email sent this morning by Too Faced

 

 

Too Faced sent me this email this morning with a fantastic set for the occasion of their 15th birthday. It includes the Natural Eye Collection palette, the Better Than False Lashes system, a Shadow Insurance Eye Primer in the original formula, and the Lip Injection Lip Plumper. I wasn't sure if the Shadow Insurance and Lip Injection were full sized, but they don't have deluxe sample next to it, so they very well may be! This is an $113 value for only $65, accompanied by free shipping. You also get to choose two free samples with your order!

 

I couldn't find a link to this from their main page, but I did find it under the sets category. Here is an easy link to the product, for your convenience.

 

There is a limit of two per customer, and I already put in my order for one this morning! I'm not sure how long this will last, as they probably have a limited supply. I urge you to take advantage of this, whether you're a rabid Too Faced fan, or if you want to take the plunge for the first time! They are also hosting giveaways on Twitter and Facebook, so take a look at their pages and enter.

 

Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this post, nor am I being compensated in any way for releasing this information.