Inconspicuous

NEW BLOG

2010-05-06T02:04:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I know it's been pretty quiet around here and on my YouTube channel, but I've been a little busy with real life, and with setting up a new project with a good friend of mine. We've been busy hammering out the details and features and how things will work.

And I'm excited to be able to announce that it's finally live.

This blog is going to be placed on hiatus for the forseeable future, because the new project is a joint beauty blog with my friend James!

It's called Lipstick And Lightplay and we're going to be bringing you some FOTD's, hauls, giveaways, contests, and lots of product reviews! I'll still be making youtube videos (under the same moniker inconspicuousbeauty), but all blogging will be done on Lipstick And Lightplay, so be sure to go follow! We've already got our first giveaway planned and ready to go once we hit a certain number of followers ;]

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW BLOG!

Makeup Diary Tag!

2010-02-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

I found this little tag today over at www.beautyliciouslove.com and thought I might as well give it a go =]

If you read, consider yourself tagged! Leave me a link to your blog so I can read your answers too, I love reading these things, I'm so lame!

1. What time did you do your makeup today? Started about 7:05ish.

2. What’s the least expensive beauty item you used? Hmm, my MUFE Smokey Eyes Mascara was from a swap does that count? Everything else was MAC today, so pricey. Probably my Avon angled brush for gel liner, that I used to put on some powder eyeliner.

3. What was the biggest problem you needed to correct? Two words for you. DARK. CIRCLES. But I was lazy today and didn't use concealer, so I didn't correct it very well...

4. Did you apply false eyelashes? Nah, not for a craptastic Tuesday at work.

5. Did you do anything while applying make-up? No, I used to check emails or watch tv or something but it distracts me and means it takes longer so I have to get up earlier. I have my morning routine down to a solid 35 minutes, and I refuse to get up any earlier than I already do.

6. Biggest make-up mishap today? Probably the eyeshadow as liner. I tried to go lighter on the liner today, but my eyes don't look the same without dark eyeliner, I just looked more tired than usual.

7. Did you have a makeup inspiration in mind? Not really, I just opened my train case of "stuff I use most frequently" and my Hello Kitty palettes were still in there from the weekend, so I played.

8. What was the most time-consuming part of your makeup routine? Eyes. The rest of my face doesn't take long, but eyes are always the focal point.

9. What part of your routine is the most fun? Playing with new products, or hwen I have an idea in mind and it all comes together and actually looks decent!

10. What part of your make-up makes the biggest difference in the way you look? Eyeliner/Mascara. I have blonde lashes so I look weird without mascara, and because I've worn black liner everyday for the past x years, I don't look quite the same without it. I can get away with just those two products if I had to.

11. Neutral or colorful eyeshadow? Today was colourful. Paradisco with Romping, Yogurt, and Stately Black (all from MAC's Hello Kitty quads)

12. Liquid or mineral foundation? MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. My liquid foundation brushes are all dirty and I've been too lazy to wash. That's so bad isn't it?

13. Do you do your hair or make-up first? I do my makeup before anything else (aside from cleaning face/teeth of course)

14. Did you pack a make-up bag to take with you for the day? Not technically, but I have a makeup bag of "emergency supplies" in my handbag anyway.

15. When did you finish your make-up? Uhm 7:20ish I think or just before.

Giveaway! 3 Chances to Win!

2010-02-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Yep! It's giveaway time! See the below video for details!

Rules/Guidelines:
MUST be a subscriber to my channel! Entries on the blog will not count unless you're a subscriber on YouTube and post a comment on the giveaway video.
International contest so you can enter from anywhere!
If you're under 18 get permission of course.

Three Chances To Win?
1 - Subscribe to my channel and post a comment on the above YouTube video!
2 - Follow me on Twitter and include your Twitter username in your comment
3 - Follow my blog (right here yo!) and post a comment on this entry quoting your YouTube username.

Contest is open until Friday, February 12th and winners will be announced hopefully on Saturday the 13th. All entries will be compiled together and chosen at random! The prize is the Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash set.

Only the above three entries will count, any extra postings will be void!

If you have any questions, send me a message on YouTube =]

Thanks for watching!

FOTD: Pink and Silver!

2010-01-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

Now, please keep in mind I put this on at 7 this morning and it's now 7 at night, but I think that's just a testament to the staying power of certain makeup brants!

So, here's what I'm wearing!

Face:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
MSF Natural to set
Barry M Daily Dazzle bronzer
MAC Rhubarb blush (pro!)

Eyes:
MAC eyeshadows!
Inner lid: Silverthorn
Outer Lid: Maira's Magic & Swish blended together
Crease & Outer V: Knight
Brow Highlight: Ego
Upper / Lower Lashline & Waterline: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Gunmetal
Inner Corner Highlight: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Yeyo

Lashes: Lancome Hypnose Mascara

Lips:
Nivea tinted pearl lip balm

(I did have My Favourite Pink dazzleglass on this morning)

I'm going to be holding a blog giveaway next week, so be sure to follow if you want to be involved! Also, check out my YouTube for more details, and an upcoming video contest!

http://www.youtube.com/user/inconspicuousbeauty

In & Outs!

2010-01-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

So I’m long overdue for an update here, and while I’m still working on getting photos and mini reviews for my Best Of 2009 post (which will be a demi-epic in its own right and if I go ahead and make a video it’ll probably be a 3-parter haha), I thought I’d do a little In & Out for you all.

IN:

Holidays! This year has been great for travelling. I haven’t been anywhere outside of this area of England for three years, but in 2009 I managed to get back to my hometown for a much-needed visit with my friends and family, and spent two amazing weeks in Cancun. It’s definitely given me the urge to keep travelling and see as much of the world as I can. And now’s the time to do it, while I’m still young! The next year-and-a-bit will see more travelling, although not as much “seeing the world” as I’d originally hoped. I was hoping to finally get to go to Japan or at the very least on a girly tropical holiday with a friend or two, but instead I’ll be making TWO trips back to my hometown. And you know what, I’m really excited about that! First I’ll be spending 3 weeks in July over there, just in time for my best guyfriend’s birthday. And then I’ll be going back for two weeks in February 2011 for my little sister’s wedding. Which means I’ll get to experience both a proper Calgarian summer AND winter, and I can’t wait!

Starbucks vanilla lattes. Why did I not try one of these before? I’ve had vanilla coffee before, but never a vanilla latte from Sbucks (usually I go for frapuccinos or mochas). A-maze-ing. That is all.

Blush! Before this time last year, I almost never wore blush. Now it’s turning into an obsession and I can’t wait for the new BPB’s that are being released with MAC’s All Races… collection next month!

Branching out and trying new makeup brands. By this I’m speaking primarily of Barry M and Sleek. I never tried either of these brands until recently, but now I’m in love with them both and NEED to expand my collection. Sleek’s palettes are fabulous and their shadows are SO pigmented. And at under £6 per palette, they’re definitely affordable and great value for money. And Barry M’s Dazzle Dusts are beautiful and SO pigmented! However, people rave about the price of Barry M as opposed to MAC… well in UK £ Sterling terms, Barry M dazzle dusts cost just under a third of what a fullsize MAC pigment costs from their website. But they’re so much smaller that I have to wonder if you’re actually saving any money ounce for ounce in the long run? Regardless, they have a great range of colours and I’m in lust with them right now. The pressed bronzing powder is great too, adds a bit of warmth and colour to an otherwise washed-out complexion, without looking dirty or too overdone or dark. Big pluses!

Interior Decorating. I’m on a big kick right now and want to completely redo my bedroom. I’m having trouble deciding on a colour scheme though (Do I want black, white, or maple wood furniture?? What about walls? Carpet? Co-ordinating throws and shelving units?) but I’m looking forward to a redesign. The wardrobe, dresser and bedside table set I bought when I moved into my aunt’s house nearly two years ago are basically falling apart (cheap particle board doesn’t take well to all of the crap I stuff into/on it, and being completely disassembled and moved across the city. Not at all). So this kind of sparked the urge to do something different and make my room more My Own rather than What I Could Afford In A Pinch At The Time. It’s going to be a bit expensive, since I want to get some solid wood furniture that will LAST (so I don’t have to replace everything AGAIN in two years’ time or when I move out and get my own place), but it’ll be an investment and totally worth it in the long run.

Swapping! I’m in the midst of shopping for a swap with a pretty well-known Makeup Guru and Beauty Blogger. I’ve never done a swap before and it’s so much fun shopping for makeup for someone else, especially for someone who is as into makeup as you are! I’m hoping to do more of this in the future, it’s great – and a good way for me to get my hands on some products that aren’t widely available in the UK. Yay!

OUT:

The weather! Holy crap, England is getting typical Canadian weather on and off right now. It’s been snowing on and off for ages, and my company had to shut it’s offices early last week due to the snow causing havoc. Luckily the first day I’d had off anyway, but the city’s bus companies took ALL services off by 10:30 in the morning – now, I live an hour’s commute away from work and had I come in there’s no way I would have been able to get home again. I love the snow, but English snow is wetter and therefore more disruptive than the snow I’m used to dealing with in Canada. It basically turns straight to ice. Not good!

Somewhat related to the above, the second is my total and utter lack of grace. I am a clumsy fool and for the most part I’m okay with that (after 23 years I’m used to tripping over nothing and getting bruises all over my body from walking into a desk or doorframe) but combined with the icy mess surrounding my house, I managed to slip and fall 5 times just walking to the end of my culdesac and around the corner – and the 5th time, I whacked my head and had to stumble home in tears. So between the weather and my clumsy nature, I’m sufficiently fed up of winter now.

Work. It was around the same time that I came to the astonishing realization that I LOVE MY JOB that the company I work for decided to play a little game with me and move me onto a call centre. Thanks, Large Multinational Finance Corporation Who Shall Remain Nameless! I hate it hate it hate it. But for the next week or so I’m not taking calls since they’re having me do this online learning course for some certification that probably isn’t even recognized by any other companies. Bleh.

Breaking my cellphone. Yep, I dropped it at work at the beginning of the week and it’s totally beyond repair. I took the battery out and put it back in to try to kickstart it, and it started overheating so bad I burned my fingers and was convinced the battery pack was going to explode. I’m not eligible for an upgrade and new free phone from my provider until April, so in the meantime I’m using my old phone. Which is all swell and grand (and although I’m downgraded from a 5MP to a 3.2MP camera, the old one actually takes better, cleaner shots?), but it can’t accept picture messages and I have no games on it and the web browser isn’t as good, so limited Facebooking-on-the-bus for me! Aw man, I’ve lost eBuddy too. FAIL. I shoulda sold the new one to the dude at work who wanted it while the offer was on the table. I would have been in the same situation, but with £80 in my pocket (or rather, MAC’s pocket).

Dry hair! Because it’s so cold and because the heating is on ALL the time due to the chilly temperatures, my hair is not in its best condition. I’ve been using more conditioner to compensate, and making sure to be extra careful with heat-protection when I’m styling, but it could still be better. Same goes for my skin, I haven’t had skin this bad in a long time, so I’m having to spend more time than usual exfoliating and lathering on the body butter. But damn, I haven’t smelled quite THIS amazing in a while, so maybe it’s a good thing haha.

Upcoming Awesomeness!

2010-01-10T03:34:00.000-08:00

So I haven't had much chance to post or do videos in quite a while, and I apologise for being so absent. But there are some exciting new things to come, I promise.

The first is that my good friend and fellow MAC Addict is going to do some contributing to this blog too. It's always nice to have a second opinion, so the reviews that are forthcoming may have a joint perspective going on. Ditto for swatches and makeup looks. So keep an eye out for her!

There are more tutorials I've got lined up, it's just a matter of getting the lighting in my office room / webcam settings to not look so washed out and dull so you can actually SEE what's going on (my latest Youtube video is a perfect example of why I haven't been doing tutorials of late, the colouring is so off that it's painful)

I'm also in the process of writing my Best Of 2009 post, which will be up soon, once I finish it off and add some helpful photos. It's going to be fairly comprehensive, with a handy mini-review of every product on the list.

I've also got a TON of full reviews I need to write up, so those will be posted as they're finished.

I'm looking forward to keeping this up, so check this space! More updates are to come, on a more consistent basis. See you all soon!

Vix

Update again?

2009-11-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I know it's been a while and I've been pretty out of the loop on the Blog/YT community lately. Internet's been crappy still, but I think it's finally been sorted out. huzzah!

So, last night I was feeling inspired and did a couple of videos. The first is an eyeshadow look using MAC's new Smoke & Mirrors palette (from the Holiday 09 collectionof course). The second is a review of a Keristase hair product, which I'll post here in the next couple of days in a text format so you can read it all here too =]

I'm thinking of running a contest, but not sure what theme to use yet... if I ever figure it out, I'll do a video/post here to announce it. I love contests, as I'm sure you do too, so I'm looking forward to holding my first!

So, what have I been up to lately? If you're here for beauty news and reviews, you can totally skip the rest of the blog post, I'm in the mood for a diary-style blog entry tonight for some reason.

My trip to Canada in September was amazing. I only spent two weeks there and I definitely didn't want to come back just yet. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take a whole lot of photos while there either.. I couldn't bring my camera, since it's pretty big and clunky, and needed my luggage space. And my mobile phone died while I was there and then I blew out my travel adapter, oops. So, only a couple pics of me and my good buddy at a block party.

Since then, things have been pretty monotonous. The weather in Canada was around 30 degress Celsius every day, so coming back to the near constant gloom that's been surrounding northeasten England since then was a downer. But still, can't complain too much! I was recently moved to a new team at work and... well, we'll see how it goes. I'm not one to blog a lot about work, but I'll just say I haven't been too thrilled with the change.

Last week I found myself in bed for four days with a case of the stomach flu, which wasn't so much fun... but that's cleared up now and I feel pretty good. More positive than I have in a while, actually! I'm looking forward to a lot, but the main things right now are a Christmas party my best friends over here in Englishland Steph and her boyfriend Lewis will be having the first weekend in December (Hm, maybe I'll get some guest-video-ing on while I'm at their place, since I didn't get to meet up with my darling Nadia while I was in Canada *sadface*!). Then, on the 7th I'm heading off to Cancun with some family, and will be spending two weeks doing not much else but lounging on the beach with a cocktail in hand and a good book =]

All of this is just to say that things have been going predominantly well, and I'm excited to finally have the time and internet access to get involved with this again. I've got a couple reviews lined up that I really need to do, and a few ideas for tutorials I need to film - although, as evidenced by my last two videos, something has been totally whack with the lighting in our office room / my webcam settings lately. Must get that sorted out!

Anyway, enough random rambling. Drop me a comment to let me know how you're doing, if there are any products (Available in UK please!) you want some reviews of.

Have a nice night, dolls!

Vix xox

Poll Time!

2009-08-13T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

So, I want your opinion on something. I'm putting it up as a poll on the sidebar so vote there, but feel free to also post a comment if you want to elaborate on your response aside from a generic "yes/no"

The question is: Do you depot your MAC quads?

This is out of general curiosity but also because I myself am not sure whether I want to depot my quads or not. I know for certain my Hello Kitty quads are staying in their pretty packaging, but if I depot my Fafi quad I can use it to carry around the colours I'm wearing that day (which is also a vote for depotting quads because what if I'm using colours from different quads?).

But, I have... 13 quads, not counting my HK ones. So that will fill 3 and a half 15-pan palettes on their own haha. It'll save space though, and I like the idea of being able to organize them by colour instead of by the quads, mostly since I know I have a lot of varying colours, but I generally stick to my own palettes or just grab a quad and use it, instead of mixing and matching. Wheras if the colours are together I'll be more likely to USE the colours in different ways.

Yet, on the other hand, I kind of like having my collection of quads, even if they are taking up space.

I'm kind of thinking out loud at this point and I'm indecisive. But yeah, I'm curious - do you depot your quads? All of them, or just some? And if you do, do you keep the empty quad palette or do you B2M it?

Thanks guys!
Vix xox

MAC Pro & Some Frustrations

2009-08-11T01:50:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most (if not all) of you know about the MAC Pro membership program, but I'm going to explain for anybody who is new to it. Basically, you pay a yearly fee for a membership card that gives you a discount at freestanding MAC stores, the MAC Pro stores, and the Pro mail order phone lines. The discount varies depending on what type of membership you have, as well as by country.

In America, Makeup Artists get a discount of 40%, wheras discounts for other industry professionals (such as models, musicians, theatre techs, dancers, actors, etc) is slightly less (I want to say 30% but it might be 35%). Here in the UK, a membership as a Makeup Artist will get you a 35% discount on MAC and MAC Pro products. But they also offer Master Classes and other things that can be very useful to somebody working in "The Industry".

Personally, I really like the idea of this program, as it caters to people who need and use a lot of products, and makes the MAC brand a little more accessible to pros - which is definitely a good thing, as MAC is one of the top brands out there. I also like that applying for membership is not unneccessarily complicated, or inhibitively difficult to get accepted. All you need to do is essentially prove that you work in the field you say you do.

What I like the most is that this membership is that it is available to "freelancers". You would think that being a freelance makeup artist would be difficult to prove, but this is what I mean when I say it's "not inhibitively difficult" to apply. When I applied for membership I just faxed off my application form along with letters of reference from a couple of my clients (someone I've worked with several times and who's referred me and given me some more business =]) and a copy of my business card. I fully expected someone to contact me asking for more credentials, like a tear sheet, a magazine credit or something - which I wouldn't be able to give, as the only work I've done has been as a freelancer (as in, not for any publications). I've had several clients, but haven't exactly done makeup for a Vogue photoshoot haha.

But my application was accepted that afternoon, which made me very happy. I have great respect for MAC for making the program available to people who are getting started in the industry, who are working their way up. Everyone has to start somewhere, and freelancing is a great way to get your foot in the door, or even a way to make a career out of makeup artistry.

But, I have to say, that it's been frustrating since then.

I was told that the cards are sent out from America, and can therefore take 4 to 6 weeks to deliver. I got my sales invoice for the membership fee about 5 days later, but waited and waited and the card didn't turn up. I had applied the first week of April, and had placed an order over the phone line and registered on MacPro.com (I emailed customer services and they were able to give me my membership number, and could order over the phone as my details are on the system). But, by mid-May, the card still hadn't come through.

On my birthday, May 12th, I called and told them it hadn't come yet, and was told it would be re-requested for me. But, it still didn't come. I've requested the card to be re-sent to me a total of 5 times now, and it still hasn't arrived. And I tell you, it is frustrating.

Up until now, it hasn't been a huge issue. I can still phone in orders and use my discount, but I'm going to Canada at the end of the month. MAC Pro membership can be used internationally anywhere that the program is available, so I'd be able to use the membership in Canada (and potentially get some things for cheaper, since the exchange rate is in my favour right now haha!) But - and it's a pretty big but - in order to use it overseas, I have to have the actual, physical card. I leave in two and a half weeks, so it's not looking good.

The last time I requested my card was at the end of July, and it could take up to 4 weeks to get here from America, so I've got my fingers crossed that it will come this time, and get here before I leave, but my hopes aren't that high. 0 out of 5 aren't very promising odds, so I'm trying not to be annoyed and pessimistic but it's hard.

On top of this, I'm going on a day trip to London sometime soon, maybe next month, and was hoping to hit up the Pro store down there to stock up on some more basics while I'm there - I've been told that I can shop there without the physical card, since I'll be on the system though! - but would also like to have tried to get down to London for one of the classes or something that they hold periodically. Only, without the card I'm not sure I'd be able to participate, so that sucks.

I emailed customer services yesterday to ask if there was any other way I could get the card delivered - for example, having it sent out with an order, or paying for special delivery to make SURE it gets here - but was told that it's not possible. It's what I was expecting, and I "get" it, but it was worth a shot, right?

Anyway, I'll keep you updated and let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed it'll come this time!

MAC Tag

2009-08-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

I saw this over on amynicola_ox's blog (check her out, I love her. She's English but lives in Canada, so it's a bit of a twist from my Canadian-Living-In-England-ness. Also, she is adorable and her videos are lovely!) and I decided I'd fill it in.

I'm kind of a newbie to MAC, since I only really started buying MAC around the time Hello Kitty came out in the UK, so early this year. Eeek!

So here goes!

How long have you been using Mac?
I'd wanted to use it since I was in high school, but it was so pricey for a teenage girl who didn't have a job and not much cash at all. I'd mostly put it out of my mind and concentrated on low-to-medium-priced brands from NYC to Maybelline to Virgin Vie, who I used to SWEAR by. A couple years ago I bought a couple kohl eye pencils and eyeshadows (I've since learned that both eyeshadows were fakes, which is why I'll never buy MAC on ebay again - so easy to be fooled, especially if you don't KNOW the brand) - and I fell in love with the pencils. At the beginning of this year it came to buying a new foundation, I'd heard MAC was the best for foundation and HAD MY COLOUR, and the rest is history!

What was your first Mac product?
The first that I bought from an actual MAC store (100% not fake!) was Studio Sculpt Foundation and Select Coverup Concealer.

What's your all time favourite Mac product?
My top is probably eyeshadows. I can tend to be all about the eyes, sometimes to a fault, so MAC's range of eyeshadows, colours, finishes, textures, are a dream. And they're so pigmented and apply so well! I *HATE* buying eyeshadows only to find that they barely show up on the eye. I've yet to have this problem with a MAC shadow. I'm getting more into MSF's, blushes, and lipstick now than I was, but eyeshadow is definitely top.

What's your least favourite Mac product?
There are two. Mascara (I've tried the plush lash mascara, and while it makes my lashes black, it's not amazing, and I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to it or it's super harsh because I got the tiniest bit in my eye and then my eye watered and burned so badly that the rest of my eye makeup came off. NOT HAPPY. I've never had that problem with mascara before). And the second is Studio Sculpt Foundation. I tried to love it, and I really did to begin with, but now everytime I pick it up I just get frustrated because it's SO HARD TO BLEND and it breaks my heart.

Do you own a Pro Card?
Yes and no. I have a Pro membership but not a CARD. My card has been sent out 5 times now, and I still have yet to receive the damn thing. MAC's customer services said it's probably getting lost in the mail, but everything else (including a billion order invoices) came through. So I'm getting frustrated... though, at least I can phone order...

Your Mac foundation shade:
In Studio Sculpt and Studio Fix Powder I'm an NC15 even. Studio Fix runs a little darker, so I'm just barely lighter than NC15 in that - but I wear SFF in NC15 and with blending it's no problem.

Your favourite Mac-Foundation:
Studio Fix Fluid

Eyeshadow:
I've got so many that I need to experiment with, but ones that I constantly finding myself going back to are Satin Taupe, Cork, Ricepaper, Swish, Silverthorn, and Knight. I love bright colours though so I'm always trying new combinations.

Lipstick:
I don't have THAT many right now and I think nearly all of them are limited edition ones haha. But I love Rose Romance and Way To Love from the Rose Romance collection. And I just got Made With Love from Colour Craft which is beautiful! I really want Shy Girl and Crosswires, too, that's on my next order list.

Lipgloss:
I don't have many MAC Lipglosses, just a few LE ones (the HK releases), but I love Mimmy.

Liner:
Blacktrack Fluidline! I looove it. At first I thought it'd be a pain, because I do not wash my brushes every day (I never have the time!) but it's well worth spot-cleaning my 209 every day for this stuff. It's love in a pot!

Brush:
109 for foundation, 131 for blush/MSFs (I used to use the 129 but I love the 131 now), 209, 239 and 226 for eyes. 134 for powder foundation or bronzer.

Nail Lacquer:
I've only got a few of MAC's nail lacquers, and they're all creams. my favourites are Love And Friendship (Rose Romance) and On The Prowl (HK - this thing stayed for A FULL WEEK without chipping, and I'm in lust with the colour).

Pro Product:
I have to agree with what a lot of people are saying: Pro palettes and refill pans (for eyeshadows, blushes, contouring, etc). They save on a TON of space, help with organization, and they LOOK so pretty!

Comment on the following Mac product; Have you used them? If so, give feedback.

Prep + Prime Skin:
Haven't used it, but I want to

Full Coverage Foundation:
Again, I'd like to try, but since none of MAc's colours are a PERFECT match for my skintone (NC can be sliiightly too yellowy if not blended, wheras NW makes me look like I have a pink mask on, and some products are just too dark) so I'm not convinced whether it would work on me or not.

Studio Sculpt Foundation:
I really loved this at first, but now I get frustrated every single time I use it. It's hard to blend, and does NOT work with brushes at all, so I have to use my fingers whenever I give it another try.

Face + Body Foundation:
Haven't used it and I don't have any plans to.

Mineralize Satin Finish:
I'd like to try it. Right now I use Studio Fix Fluid, but I'd like to try a variety of foundations to find what works the best and different coverages/finishes. I also like that this is mineralize.

Studio Fix Fluid:
This is what I use, and I love it. It's ever so slightly too dark for me so I need to be careful to blend, and if I use too much it just doesn't look good. So, I buff it on with a 109 brush and have no issues. 1-2 pumps works well, any more than that and it doesn't look very nice anymore.

Hyper Real Foundation:
Haven't tried it

Select SPF15 Foundation:
Haven't tried it, but I'd like to

Studio Tech Foundation:
I haven't used it but I want to give it a try. I used to use cream foundations, but had issues due to extremely dry skin, so I'd like to try it again now that I've finally found a skincare regime that has eliminated all my flakiness!

Studio Fix Powder:
I use this when I can't be bothered, or when all my foundation brushes are dirty haha. It's good if you're in a rush, just brush it on and you're good to go. It also gives better coverage than I'd expect from a powder foundation. A lot of people use it to set, but I find it to be too much, and makes my makeup look caked on if I set liquid with this, even if I've only got a little on.

Studio Stick:
Never tried, but it's probably good for a bit higher coverage.

Hyper Real Pressed Foundation:
Haven't tried it.

Beauty Powder:
I love BP and BPBs. The Rose beauty powders work well on my pale complexion as pretty blushes, and the beauty powder blushes are just wonderful. I need more please!

Sculpting Powder:
I haven't tried yet... I'm torn between buying the sculpt and shape powder pans separately and putting them in a blush palette, and trying the duos that are coming out later this year.

Shaping Powder:
See above.

Loose Blot Powder:
I used to want to try this to set my foundation, but since I don't have problems with oil (I get dry skin instead, yay /sarcasm) I'm going to skip it I think.

Pressed Blot Powder:
See above.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:
I so want to try this but haven't had a chance yet! I've heard it's great to set or as a powder foundation on its own. I haven't tried it yet because I need to get colour-matched (I AM pale, but Light looks like it'd be a little too light for me?), but because I have a pro card, I always feel guilty going to my MAC counter to test something or get matched, and knowing full well that I won't be buying it then and there. I might get matched when I B2M my next batch of shadow pots, though =]

Mineralize Skinfinsh:
I love these. Sometimes they can be a little more shimmery than I'd like, but most of the time they work. I went out one day with just my studio fix fluid, some black liner and mascara, and Perfect Topping MSF on my cheeks (as a highlight/blush) and the cashier at Makro commented on my "perfect skin" and asked what my secret is - Perfect Topping MSF just gave me a really natural looking, pretty dewy glow. It made my day!

Bronzing Powder:
I've got two - Refined Golden and... I can't remember the other one's name haha. I got the two from the Style Warriors collection. I like Refined Golden - applied lightly in the E3 with my 134 blush it makes me look like I've got some colour without looking fake or too brown or orange. Just a healthy glow, I like it.

Powder Blush:
I really want pink swoon! Right now I have 4 (Springsheen, Peaches, Rhubarb (pro) and Prism) and I like them all. Rhubarb is very bright but gives a nice flush if applied lightly - or a doll appearance if layered on haha.

Blushcreme:
I haven't used them yet but there are a couple I've got my eye on.

Mineralize Blush:
I have a love-hate relationship with mineralize blushes. For some stupid reason I bought Grand Duo on a whim, and it's a deep plum colour that I have to use a VERRRRY light hand with. I got 3 more from the Colour Craft collection, and I absolutely adore the colours (Daft Pink and Hand-Finish especially!) but sometimes the shimmer is overpowering. I need to hunt for some more matte blushes now, I think, to keep the balance.

Gel Blush:
I only have one, the Just A Pinch from the Rose Romance collection, and I actually really like it. At first I wasn't sure, but it goes on so nicely and I also use it as a stain on my lips.

Cream Color Base:
I have one... Pink. It's a pretty unexciting colour, to be honest haha. I want a load of more, especially the super-bright Pro shades,but they're not available in the UK so I have to search around and hope the freestanding stores in my hometown might have a couple in stock.

Studio Sculpt Concealer:
This is my favourite concealer. It's thick, creamy, and covers well. Perfecto!

Select Cover Up Concealer:
A lot of people rave about this and say it's perfect for under-eye circles but honestly, I don't get the hype. Maybe it's because the MA at my MAC counter sold me this a shade DARKER than my foundation, but it just doesn't work and doesn't look quite right. When it dries on me it looks quite yellowy, so I might try a concealer in an NW shade to see if that's any better, or so I can custom blend. But on dark circles, it just made my under eye area look ashey so I'm not so keen.

Select Moisture cover Concealer:
Haven't tried it, but want to.

Studio Finish Concealer:
Definitely want to try this. And I need to see if I can find the Studio Finish Corrector shades! The Pro line here doesn't have them anymore =[

Studio Stick:
Haven't tried it.

Lip Erase:
I want to try this... I've been told it's like a tinted lip conditioner, only flesh-toned. If that's the case I think I'll like it. I usually use concealer or foundation but it tends to look horrible, and makes my lips look and feel drier than they are.

Tinted Lip Conditioner:
I have 3 of these babies (Popster, Pink Fish, and Petting Pink) and I love them all.

Lipstick:
I used to be a gloss-only girl, but MAC's lipstick has changed my mind completely!

Lipglass:
I need to invest in more. I bought the HK limited edition ones, but I need to buy a couple from the permanent line and give them a real try.

See Thru Lip Color:
I've got 2 and they're okay. Not craptastic, not fabulous, just okay.

Dazzleglass:
When I first heard the concept of the dazzleglass, I Was simultaneously excited and going "..dude, what, how old are we?" But I got my first one (Rags To Riches) when they brought out the perm line and loved it! I've now ordered Euro Beat and Rue D'Rouge and can't wait for them to come!

Cremesheen Glass:
I missed these, they had just gone out of stock on MAC UK's website when I first started buying and collecting MAC. I hear they're fabbbulous though so I might pick up a couple when they repromote them.

Lip Gelee:
I have one (bought off ebay so there's a chance it's fake, but I'm not sure) in Cellopink. It's ok but a little disappointing. In the tube, it's a bright-ass neon pink colour, but on the lips it looks like thick gloss with a SUPER SUPER SHEER tint to it. I WANT PINK LIPS DAMN IT!

Lip Pencil:
I don't have any, althought I should probably invest in some. I tried to order one last week but the one I wanted was out of stock. Typical!

Solar Bits:
I'm not entirely sure about these yet. I have the 3 from the Style Warriors collection, and I can say that they do not apply smoothly as eyeshadow at all without a base or a mixing medium/fix+. And now I'm scared to use them since I accidentally spilled a bunch out of one of them. Sigh.

Nail Lacquer:
I like the cream ones I've got so far, although Seasonal Peach was ridiculously streaky! I hear the non-cream formulas streak a lot, although I had less issues with Violet Fire than most seemed to have.

Shadestick:
I bought the ones from the Sugarsweet collection and I really like them as a base, or a splash of complimentary colour on the lower lashline. I'd heard so many bad things about how hard they are to work with, but the ones with Sugarsweet are fabulous, they need to release some new colours.

Paint:
Haven't tried them, but I don't really like the idea of working from a tube - I'd probably squeeze them into an empty paint pot pot or something - and then knowing my luck they'd dry out.

Paint Pots:
I love paint pots, I have 5 right now (Fresco Rose, Bare Study, Quite Natural, Girl Friendly, and Painterly - the last one I use every single day as an eyeshadow base). They're great as a base, in my experience they measure up to UDPP and I find them easier to apply. My only complaint is lack of selection in the permanent line. We need more colours!

Eye Shadow:
I am ALL about the eyeshadows! I love them! In fact I love them so much that I can't think of anything else to say here to adequately express just HOW MUCH I love them!

Pigment:
I really like pigments but because they're not as easy to work with as eyeshadow straight from a pan (if you don't use fix+ or something there tends to be a lot of fallout - also I'm terrified of dropping the pot when it's open argh!) I find I don't reach for them as often as I'd like to. For that reason, I really want to try pressing pigments, but it's hard to find the right kind of alcohol here in the UK, which makes me sad. I do love pigments though, and I really want to expand my collection.

Glitter:
I've got a couple and I can honestly say I've never used them. They're so pretty to look at and have and the colours are gorgeous, but I haven't used them yet. I might try using them on nails in the future, though.

Eye Kohl:
Love! Fascinating Eye Kohl is one of my HG items for sure! I use it nearly every day. I also really like that MAC has a decent selection of different colours to play with.

Chromaline:
Never tried them and I'm not sure I'd find a use for them, or ever really use them.

Fluidline:
I LOVE fluidline!

Liquid Last Liner:
I wanted this but it was out of stock =[ I love liquid liner, though, so I'll probably buy it once my Penultimate Liner runs out.

Lustre Drops:
I have the pink ones, and haven't used them yet. In fact, I forgot I had them until I went through my stash last night and started reorganizing lol.

False Lashes:
I have the Hello Kitty ones but haven't used them yet, but I want to get a couple pairs from the perm line to try out. Also, I need to get some lash adhesive haha.

ProLash Mascara,Zoom Lash Mascara,Plush Lash Mascara, Dazzle Lash Mascara:
I've only tried Plushlash but I don't really like it. As I said above, I got a little in my eye and it was a NIGHTMAREEEE, it felt like getting really strong soap or shampoo in your eyes and not being able to rinse it out properly. I tend to get bits of liner or mascara in my eyes sometimes, but I've NEVER had a reaction like that before. The burning was horrible!

What has been your favourite Mac collection to date?
Well, I wish I'd been a collector (with money) for Barbie Loves MAC, but alas. For the collections I've been around for, I'm tempted to say HEllo Kitty... If only because I'm a huge HK fan, and I went WAY over the top wit that particular one haha. But I have a bunch of nice stuff from it and it really kick-started my MAC collection. I'm REALLY looking forward to my Love That Look haul, which should be coming in the mail before Wednesday, and that's probably the top taker, to be honest.

Which Mac collection, in your opinion, do you think was disappointing, if any?
Colour Ready! It was a collection, but 99% of the items were permanent anyway, so what was the point? Also...Probably Style Warriors. I know a lot of people loved it, and I did get some super nice products from this collection and I really liked the packaging so I can't say I hated it, but overall it was definitely aimed at darker-skinned bronze-goddess type ladies, and most of the stuff I couldn't wear. Even the bronzer I have to be careful with, although lightly applied it's really nice.

What products do you think Mac are missing?
Decent mascaras, and a wider variety of paint pots and nail lacquers. I also wish they'd be more even in their North American Versus European product lines. Folks in the US get a lot more variety (yeah, I know we get the Euristocrats lippies year-round, but what I wouldn't give for the bright Pro CCBs, or the skin correctors!) and it's not fair. ALSO I need to bitch about the UK prices. The US-to-UK exhange rate is like 1.5 right now, so how come we're paying £12 for a lipstick that costs $14 in the US (when $14 is like £10?). I realize I'm complaining about loose change, but when you buy a lot, it really adds up.

Okay I'm done haha

SO that's it from me, I'll tag whoever wants to participate =]

Hiatus Over! (potential contest announcement)

2009-08-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hey beautiful ladies and dudes!

It's been a while, and I wanted to apologise for the unannounced hiatus that went down. I've just been so busy with work and moving and settling into the new house and both of my aunts having surgery. Hectic doesn't begin to describe it haha!

But, things seem to be settling down a little, I'm into my new routine (meaning, I've finally adjusted to having to get up earlier to spend a total of up to an extra hour on the bus each day to get to and from work), and everything at home is mostly sorted out (I have an extra box and a half of "stuff" to unpack that was just recently brought over from the old house, that I've still got to go through and FIND SPACE for. Sigh)

Anyway, all of this is to say that I'm back and I'm going to get back into the routine of posting lots of goodies for you, both here and on my YouTube channel. I'm going to keep trying out the webcam on my new laptop, because it's just convenient, but I'm not sure that the quality is going to turn out the same as my other webcam, so that may be a short-lived experiment. It doesn't help that the monitor configuration on the laptop is a little washed out so swatches and images don't show up for me in their full colour, and I'm not entirely sure if that issue is translating into my vids and webcam snaps, so I'm going to look into it and see if I can fix it.

I'll also get back into posting the details for upcoming collections, because not much in this world can get me quite as giddy and excited as an amazing-looking MAC collection!

I'm going to Canada to visit family and friends for a couple of weeks from August 28th, but I'll definitely do some videos while I'm there - Cuz you KNOW I'm going to be shopping my butt off! I might be able to con a friend or two into doing guest videos with me too, that would rock!

More to come soon!

Upcoming Reviews: Revised Studio Sculpt Foundation, Clinique Facial Soap Bar, Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer, Sally Hansen Triple Defense Nail Hardener Gel, GHD Heat Protection Spray (Pink), MAC Colour Craft Mineralize Eyeshadow Quads, Naked Honey Skin Salve, lots more!

Upcoming Videos/Blog Posts: July 09 Faves (and then August will be done while I'm in Canada), Premade Palette Collection, Makeup Stash and Storage, My New Room Tour <3, Lots of FOTD's and eye looks using my new quads and palettes!

I know this is kind of early days, but I also want to announce that when (if) my blog hits 50 followers, I'll start doing some contests/giveaways too. I know I sure love a good contest, so I'm sure you guys will too! =]

Talk to you later, lovelies!
Vix!

Say whut?

2009-07-16T03:57:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies!

Sorry I haven't updated or done any videos recently. Things have been super busy and hectic and for a while I didn't have internet access either. Suckage!

But, things are calming down now and I have SO much to post and talk about! Look for updates coming soon!

Lots of love to my subscribers and blog followers!! <3

Vix xox

Just a Quickie

2009-05-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

I'll do a full, proper update soon but in the meantime, here are some before and after shots of my braces, as requested!

This is what my teeth looked like before I got braces. Not pretty, right?

Then, these ones were taken 3 days after I got my braces back in January 2008.

Then, this one was taken in July 2009, showing the progress and how the teeth were all nicely lined up where they should be =]

And finally, this is my smile after (more close-up shots on my youtube channel!)

TGIP

2009-04-27T01:02:00.001-07:00

The P Stands for Payday.

Sometimes I don't think I'll ever get used to being paid monthly. Back when I lived in Canada, bi-monthly was the norm. However, when I helped out at my mom's workplace while I was in high school, I was paid at the end of the working day. Which, quite frankly, rocked hard. Then when I moved here and started temping, we got paid weekly. Which was again, awesome.

Now, I get paid at the end of each month, and to be brutally honest, sometimes I totally suck at budgeting. Even though I'm making a lot more money now than I did when I was temping, at the end of the month it feels like I've got nothing at all. I find it impossible to break my monthly pay down into 4 or 5 "weeks". Instead, the day I get paid I already know what money has to go where and budget accordingly. A amount for my Direct Debits and Travel money. B amount for my rent. C amount for food and incidentals. D amount for MAC. And, this month there's also E to pay off last month's credit card bill, and F to pay the deposit for my trip to Cancun. Next month I get to pay off my flights to Canada - all I can say is THANK GOD for the overtime I'll be getting at the end of May because seriously. It was a good hundred pounds more than the last time I went to Canada. Stupid inflation.

Anyway, I'm digressing. The whole point of this post was not really to rant about my finances (I mean, I'm always saying how I'm broke, but I'm paying off two vacations by September, so that's probably why=P)

The point of this post is to rant about MAC instead.

When I get paid, the first thing that springs to mind is the urge to go on MAC's website and compile a shopping list to take to my local MAC Counter (Meadowhall). The problem is, I'm also trying to save so I've got extra spending money when I go to Canada, so I've got a specific amount of money each month that is free to spend on makeup. So, however much I'm lemming the 109 and the 134 brushes, I can't. Because unfortunately, my entire MAC fund this month needs to be set aside for Rose Romance.

And there's also the fact that I'm on a strict No-buy until my Pro card comes. Why should I pay full price for things when I can use my card to get the discount? Exactly. The Pro card also means no more trips to my MAC counter, since they only take it at freestanding stores. So it's looking like all my MAC purchasing for the forseeable future will be mail-order on the Pro phone line. I'm just hoping the card gets here in time for Rose Romance (I've got the number already but not the card)

Rose Romance is released in the UK next Thursday (the 7th of May) and my shopping list, while I have cut it down, is still somewhat... expansive.

So far I've managed to get it down to:
Et Tu, Bouquet? Eyeshadow
Of Summer Eyeshadow
Blush of Youth Beauty Powder
Summer Rose Beauty Powder
Just a Pinch Gel Blush
Circa Plum Pigment
Mutiny Pigment
Secret Crush See-Thru Lip Colour
Loving Touch See-Thru Lip Colour
Tender Tryst See-Thru Lip Colour
Love and Friendship nail laquer (and I might pick up a second one of these for a contest prize later)

Sigh. Originally I also wanted two lipglasses, two lipsticks and another eyeshadow, so I've cut it down a BIT.

Finally, my first NYX lot sale haul came in the mail yesterday =] (the second should be here from America in a couple weeks) I'll post my haulage if and when my phone/computer will allow me to transfer pictures. I'm starting to get annoyed by this. Grr.

Anyway, what are you guys getting from this collection? I'm still on the fence about the eyshadows but I haven't decided yet. I need to go on the hunt for dupes.

Tutorial: Neutral Pink-Brown Everyday Eye

2009-04-26T07:47:00.001-07:00

Damn it

2009-04-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

So, I was going to do an excited post all about how I did an awesome eye makeup tutorial for YouTube yay! Except that it was 13 minutes long so YT rejected it. Notyay!

I'll redo it. And now I suddenly realize why all the tutorial chicks out there do one eye already and then just do the tut on the second eye. Sigh.

Review: Soap And Glory "Clean Mary" Cleansing Milk

2009-04-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's review time again! I don't have access to any of my photos still so other photographical things will be coming once I can get stuff off my phone. That includes an up-to-date Makeup And Skincare Collection, and I may do a Shoe Collection post after I move (all but 6 pairs are packed up in a box at the new house right now), since shoes are a total obsession for me, too.

In the meantime, I thought I'd review a new product I picked up last week =]

I have to be honest and say that Sarah is how I discovered the Soap And Glory brand. She did a couple of videos about Soap and Glory products, and I was intrigued. I needed an eye moisturizer anyway, so I hit boots and checked them out. Of course, Boots also had a 3 for 2 sale so I stocked up =]

Product Name: Soap And Glory "Clean Mary" Cleansing Milk
What is it? The answer is in the name: it's a creamy facial cleansing "milk" with a body-lotion-like texture.
What the manufacturers say: "Clean Mary includes a natural, seaweed derived non-acidexfoliating complex – PORESHRINK-RS that helps reduce dead skin cell build-up (and therefore helps prevent blackheads!) "
Skin Type: The bottle says suitable for all skin types

In A Nutshell: Essentially this is just a facial cleanser, but in reality it's more than that. First of all, because it's a milk, it goes on the skin like a lotion - pump it into your hands and apply to your face, rubbing in circles. Because it's also got "pore shrinking" complexes in it, you can concentrate your efforts on problem areas where you may have enlarged pores. The active ingredients in it also get rid of excess sebum - which is the yicky white stuff that clogs up the pores. Sebum oxidizes and turns black when it comes into contact with oxygen: this is what we call "blackheads".

What I like about this is that you don't necessarily have to use it on wet skin. When I'm feeling lazy I just pump it into my hands, rub all over my face, and then rinse off and pat dry. Don't ask me why splashing my face first is such a hard deal, I have no answer other than that I am lazy sometimes.

It's a cleanser but NOT a makeup remover, so please remember to remove your makeup before you clean your face with this. Its job is to clean your skin and pores, not to take a truckload of gunk off your face.

What it actually did: Personally, I think this cleanser does do what it says on the bottle. I know that the general consensus is that "anything that claims to refine or reduce pore size is lying" and I'm very careful not to buy into the hype surrounding skincare products. I'm pretty cynical and jaded when it comes to that kind of thing. But the truth is, I have noticed that my pores don't look as big and obvious, which may be in part to the fact that the sebum-reducing ingredients in this seem to work. I usually have dark speckled pores all over my nose, that aren't quite proper blackheads but still darkened sebum deposits. And this cleanser does seem to have made them less noticeable on the whole. It also didn't dry my skin out, which is always a plus with anything, since I have very dry skin to begin with.

Pros:
>> Smells wonderful
>> Gives me a slightly cooling, tingling sensation while it's on my skin. I like this because it seems to signify to me that it's doing something other than just rolling around on my face.
>> Didn't dry my skin out, which is something a lot of cleansers tend to do
>> Super handy pump bottle - I love that you can lock the bottle. Some cleansers don't let you re-lock the pump after you've released it, and that is a huge pain in the ass to me. I might re-use the bottle for a travel bottle for my shampoo or something when I've used it up.
>> No hefty price tag!

Cons:
>> Because it doesn't "lather up" like most cleansers do, at first it can seem like it's not doing much more than any lotion would do to clean your face. But the tingly feeling tells you that it is!
>> Due to the nice smell, some people who are sensitive to fragrance may have allergies

Recommended? Yes
Product: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Quality: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Review: Johnson's Baby Wipes (As used as a makeup remover)

2009-04-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Product: Johnson's Baby Wipes - as used as a makeup remover
Area of Use: Face
Product Claim: "As mild as pure water to skin and eyes."
Response: If water was really this "mild" I'm pretty sure we would all be dead.

Overall Rating: 0/10
Recommended? Definitely not

Note: I was going to try to break down my rating system - or rather, create an actual rating system and structure - but I think that will come later. On this particular product, it wouldn't work. Because while I could give this product maybe a 4/10 for packaging and a 6/10 for value for money... I would still have to give it an overall ZILCH, which wouldn't really balance out. So, look for a new rating system in the near future!

So, here's the story all about how... I decided to buy these wipes in the first place! (Had you going there for a second, hey? ;]) I've been in the market for a new makeup remover for a while. Or I really should say, ANY makeup remover. I didn't use removers for a long, long, LONG time. First, I was one of those who used to just go to bed with a full face of makeup, all the while knowing how damned bad it is for you. (Sidenote: the turning point for me was learning all about the wonderful world of milia. Click the link, you'll never go without washing off your makeup again) After I got through that phase, I would just use whatever cleanser I was using at the time to take my makeup off. And as I'm sure most of you know, the majority of cleansers on the market are not forumated to take off makeup AND clean your skin at the same time. So I can be honest and say it was a half-assed job.

When I finally did start using makeup removers, it was because of a little bottle of Take The Day Off makeup remover that came with the Clinique 3-Step Skincare System my grandmother bought me for Christmas 2007. I used it, and I have to say it really did the job, and I continued to use it. Because of two Gift With Purchases (otherwise known as Bonus Time! at Clinique) I wound up with two more little bottles of the stuff and have continued using it since. But, this isn't a review on the Clinique remover (which I may do later, but I'm digressing).

I decided that I wanted to try a different makeup remover, because the Clinique one always left my skin feeling oily, and the oil would stop my facial soap/cleanser from lathering properly, so I always felt like I had to wash my face twice - which to me, defeated the purpose of taking off my makeup first. First, I bought a L'Oreal one at Tesco, a "milk-to-toner" remover. Of course, most toners are alcohol-based and you can therefore imagine what the process of trying to take off eye makeup with that stuff was like. So, back on the market.

About a week ago I went to Tesco, and while wandering down the baby/beauty/etc aisle, I remembered: baby wipes! I'd read all over the internet how baby wipes are supposed to be amazing for makeup removal. The rumours all said that baby wipes were "just as good as MAC wipes, but a hell of a lot cheaper". And, because they're formulated to be used on a baby's skin, they're meant to be super-gentle, and everyone said it left their skin feeling super soft. (I'm not going to go for the obvious pun here, but you know what it is and I'm sure you were expecting it!)

The first night I tried them, the skin underneath my eyes felt rather raw and after a while there was a quazi-severe burning sensation. I splashed my face with some water to cool it down and then put on some more moisturizer, and it soon went away. I thought maybe I had over-wiped or had been too aggressive, and soon forgot all about it. I used the wipes every night after that, trying to be careful but still coming out with some unpleasant tingling under my eyes.

Really, I should have learned then and there, but they were on sale and I bought TWO packages, and yeah, it was taking my makeup off and the raw feeling was totally endurable. In other words, I'm dumb.

Tuesday night, however, was the turning point, and I will never, ever, use these on my face again. On Tuesday I was wearing the following makeup: Liquid and kohl eyeliner, black mascara, concealer, foundation, and a dusting of MSF. Ordinarily I'd also be wearing blush, some lip product (I didn't because on Tuesday I was at the orthodontist), and anywhere from 2-5 colours of eyeshadow. That night, when I took everything off - very gently, I might add - my skin felt more raw and sore than usual, but I mostly ignored it. Though I'll admit that by this point I was getting ridiculously irritated with the wipes anyway. When I went into the bathroom to wash my face and spend four hours brushing my teeth, I glanced into the mirror - and almost died.

I looked like I had some kind of serious, nontreatable skin condition.

I had come out in a raw red rash in splotchy areas of my forehead, cheeks and around my eyes. But the worst part was the "bruises" - I had come out in a ton of teeny tiny red-blue-purple abrasions, which looked like someone had poked me in the face repeatedly with the dull head of a pin, leaving literally hundreds of teeny bruise-like abrasions. It was scattered all over my face, but it was far more pronounced around the eye area. These marks are still visible today, and I'm really hoping they hurry up and fade.

So, due to the havok they have wreaked on my skin, the score I give these babies is 0/10, and I would never, ever recommend them to anybody else.

I concede that yes, it might just be my skin - although my skin can be sensitive, it doesn't usually react to things, especially like this - and I'm not dropping the hammer on every brand of baby wipes out there by any means. But this experience has made me very wary of trying any other brands because, well, you never know.

Here's the video version that kind of shows a little of the damage these did to my skin. I still have marks today, but they look like they're starting to fade a little so hopefully they won't be around much longer. My webcam isn't amazing at detail-shots, and it's auto-lighting-fix thing can make images look smoother and more soft-focus than they really are, so you can't see anything SUPER clearly, but... well, whatever, just watch and have a look-see for yourself.

Yes, that's me without makeup. But I swear my skin isn't usually that bad - those baby wipes did some serious damage >.<

Thank goodness my Studio Sculp Concealer and Studio Fix Fluid Foundation managed to cover the brunt of it so I didn't look like a leper at work today...

Update!

2009-04-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

So, a couple of things to update. I got my Sugarsweet and Colour Ready haul last week - yay! - and I've taken my photos and written up my haulage. It'll be posted once I get my photos uploaded. And this is not an empty promise this time (read: Hello Kitty =/) I swear. It'll be up in the next couple of days.

I'm going to do some more reviews as well, once I've made my mind up about a couple products - like the Skin Refined Treatment that came out with Colour Ready - and I know for sure I'm going to be re-reviewing Studio Sculpt foundation and Studio Fix Fluid.

If there's anything else y'all want to see reviewed, just drop me a line (you guys can get me on email at inconspicuousbeauty@#googlemail.com - take out the #, I put it in to stop spambots finding it). If I can get a hold of it and have the cash to buy it to try it, I will definitely oblige =]

The second update is that my MAC Pro application was approved today and I'll be getting my card soon. So excited - but now I kinda wish I waited to get all my other MAC stuff until this came through. Oh well, it will be a huge help in the future. I hope they do some of their master classes nearby so I have a chance to attend too.. Yay!

Anyway, more soon!

XOXO, Vix

MAC Collection: Euristocrats II

2009-04-02T06:31:00.001-07:00

And another one for you. Enjoy! I can't wait for the product and promo photos, they help me compile my mental shopping list. Once again, I'll update once I've got that info.

MAC Euristocrats II Collection
U.S. Launch Date: July 2nd, 2009
UK Launch Date: Unknown

Lipstick (Limited Edition)
Costa Chic Light coral (Frost)
Naked Paris Mid-tone brown with multi deminsional pearlized pigments Lustre)
Patisserie Creamy neutral pink (Lustre)
Milan Mode Deep pink with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Lustre)
London Life Deep berry with multi-pearl pigments (Lustre)
Saint Germain Pastel pink (Amplified)
Cockney Yellow red with multi-diminsional pearl pigments (Lustre)

Dazzleglass
Date Night Deep plum with blue and gold pearl (Permanent)
Euro Beat Peach coral with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Internationalist Yellow pink with blue pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Local Colour Neutral yellow pink with gold pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Roman Holiday Med brown coral with pink pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Rue de Rouge Light red with pink pearl (Limited Edition)
Vie Veneto Light violet with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Lip Pencil
Magenta Vivid pinkish-purple
Cherry Vivid bright bluish-red
Subculture Underground pink
Whirl Dirty rose

Source: Specktra.net

MAC Collection: Colour Craft

2009-04-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

So, thanks to the lovelies over at Specktra, I've got some information on a new colour collection for you all. No product or promo photos yet, but I'll update once we've found some more information. Enjoy!

I'm looking forward to this one, since I missed the Mineralize craze last time around - and I really want me some Porcelain Pink!

Also, this collection marks the repromote of the 226 Tapered Blending Brush, so those of you who couldn't get it, here's your chance! I'll probably pick up a backup - the brush is just THAT amazing.

MAC Colour Craft Collection
U.S. Launch Date: July 9th, 2009
UK Launch Date: Unknown

Lipstick
Madly Creative Pink neutral with white pearl (Frost)
Ever Embellish Plum brown with red pearl (Lustre)
Made with Love Bright coral pink (Lustre)
Colour Crafted Milky pink (Frost)
Trimming Talk Bright fuschia (Frost)
Most Popular Purple with yellow undertone (Lustre)

Lipglass
Pretty Pattern Warm mid-tone beige
Crazy Haute Blue pink
Nice Mix Up Burnt ginger
Funky Fusion Pink coral
Eclectic Edge Cool violet
Miss Marble Muted pink

Mineralize Skinfinish
Three of these are the normal style, the other three are similar to the BBR style, but with three colours.
Sunny by Nature Rich bronze with pink pearl pig
Cheeky Bronze Soft golden coral wth bronze pearl
Porcelain Pink Soft pinky coral wth gold veining
Triple Fusion Left: Soft champagne gold, Center: Soft golden peach, Right: Rose pink with gold nuances
Smooth Merge Left: Soft champange pink, Center: Deep rose, Right: Pale cool pink
Warm Blend Left: Antique gold, Center: Mahogany Bronze, Right: Copper

Mineralize Eyeshadows
These are in a pinwheel style assembly, with four colours in each one
Assemblage White with silver pearl / Deep grey / Black with silver glitter / Warm yellow gold
Odd Bits Mid-tone silver grey / Dusty rose with gold pearl / Dark burgundy/ Peachy bronze
Fashion Patch Ice blue / Off white / Black with silver glitter / Light white pink
Eccentricity Rich gold / Light violet / Deep plum/ Rich bronze
Natural Flare Copper / Yellow orange / Mid-tone brown / Rich gold
Girlish Romp Mid-tone violet / Yellow white with gold pearl / Light pastel coral / Mid-tone pink

Mineralize Blush
Hand-Finish Light pink with deep gold veining
Fab-dabulous Mid-tone burnt coral with yellow gold veining
Daft Pink Deep blue pink with light white gold veining
Improvise Mid-tone neutral coral with light white yellow gold veining
Cheek & Cheerful Mid-tone bronzy brown with yellow gold veining
Style Demon Mid-tone brick red with copper veining

Brush
226 Small Tapered Blending Brush Small tapered blending brush (Limited Edition)
109 Small Contour Brush Use on the face to apply, blend or contour powder products. Softly rounded dome tip delivers just enough colour; smoothly blends colour into the face. Of natural fibres. (Permanent)
130 Brush Flat Tapered Face Brush with short natural hairs and long synthetic fibres (Limited Edition)

Source: Specktra.net

Oh Man...

2009-04-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

It embarasses me to admit this - or rather, if I had any deep sense of embarassment it would, but I'm actually super hard to embarass - but I just tripped out over something ridiculously tiny. I loaded up MAC's Canadian website (the American one always redirects me to the UK one if I go to the homepage. I can bypass it by doing a google search and clicking a link direct to a product page but seriously, who has that kind of patience? I don't) so that I could compare notes re: my previous post. I wanted to see if the same items were lacking the Limited Edition symbols, to see if I could get in any research and find out for sure.

Then the collection photos started to roll over on the front page. And I swear to god I did a double-take when I saw the Hello Kitty Kouture one and immediately clicked it all "dude, what!" and then when I went to price them, I was like "Why is this in dollars?" and then everything clicked into place.

Yet more evidence that yes, I'm a natural blonde and no, I'm not the smartest person in the world.

Sugarsweet and Colour Ready are Live!

2009-04-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let all my lovelies know that the Sugarsweet and Colour Ready collections are up on MAC's UK site as of right now!

I've already placed my order but I'll post about that once I've got everything and will do a haul post/video.

Good news is that it looks like the Transparent Finishing Powder and the Prep + Prime Line Filler from the CR collection are permanent - there are only a couple of items in the collection that have the Triangle Of Death. Which makes me happy, since I've been psyched about the Finishing Powder and if it's as good as I've heard it could fast become a staple.

The Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone, however, IS Limited, and sounds like a great product - makes large pores disappear? I'm sold - so if you want it make sure to snatch it up while you can. Aside from that, the only other Limited Edition item in the whole collection is Bitter eyeshadow, a bright lemon-lime colour. I could've sworn it was permanent before, but I can't be sure...

Also according to MAC's website, the only lipstick from the Sugarsweet collection that is Limited Edition is Sweet Thing, the bright pink one. The other four have no Triangle of Death. Interesting. Could it be that Lollipop Loving has earned its right to be permanent? And Saint Germain, the perfect matte bubblegum muted baby pink could really be available for always?

MAC, you spoil me.

But seriously, you NEED to make the 226 permanent too. The makeup universe begs it of you!

Don't quote me on this because it's entirely possible that I'm wrong and the LE symbols are simply missing from the website. But how hard would it rock if I was right?

I was also relieved to discover that Stars N' Rockets isn't going Limited after all. It's a colour that I'm after, but hasn't reached the top of my list just yet, so I figured I could hold off on that one. But the other day, I could not find it on the website. Even a vague search for "rocket" was giving me zilch, so I was beginning to think they'd made it Limited and were taking it out of the Permanent line completely. BUT that doesn't look to be the case, which makes me a happy bunny.

Happy April Fool's Day!

If MAC send me an email telling me this was all an elaborate joke for April Fool's Day, and the order wasn't really processed and I still have to wait until next week before I can buy anything, I am going to be SO PISSED.

XOXO, Vix =]

What I'm Using

2009-03-31T01:29:00.000-07:00

So, this is something I haven't done yet, a list of what my currently most-used products are. I plan on doing proper reviews of everything in the near future, but if you want my current opinion on something, just ask and I'll let you know how it's working out =]

SKINCARE
MAC Microfine Refinisher
Clinique Facial Soap Bar (Mild)
Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer
Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover
L'Oreal Milk-To-Toner Makeup Remover
(I need a new remover =/)

HAIRCARE
Tressemme Shampoo (Anti-Frizz!)
Tressemme Conditioner (For Colour-Treated Hair)
Tressemme Heat Protection Spray

MAKEUP
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation (NC15)
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (NC15)
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (NC15)
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation (NC15)
MAC Fluidline (Blacktrack)
MAC Plush Lash Mascara (Blacktrack)
MAC Eyeshadow Pots (Most Used: Sketch, Shale, Satin Taupe, Swish, Saddle, Ricepaper, Gesso)
MAC Hello Kitty Lipsticks and Lipglasses
MAC Hello Kitty Blushes

BRUSHES MAC Except otherwise specified
109SE [Foundation]
214 [Packing on colour]
239 [Lid Colour]
217 [Blending and Highlight]
226 [Crease]
187SE [Blush]
Chanel #8 Kabuki Brush [Setting with Powder]

A Brief Rant

2009-03-31T01:16:00.000-07:00

How much does it suck that the only MAC Pro store in the UK is in London?

I have no idea why suddenly this is irritating me more than usual, but I'm very annoyed right now. Maybe it's because my body is adjusting TERRIBLY to the whole time-change fiasco, that I nearly fell asleep on the bus on the way into work. Not to mention that I bashed the inside of my ankle against the wheel well when I slid into my seat. Sigh. But, as usual, I'm digressing.

I'm just lucky that I've got a friend down south who's willing to CP items from the Pro store for me, otherwise life would be difficult. And I know, I know, you can mail order over the phone. But here's the thing about me - I hate ordering stuff over the phone. I even order my pizza over the internet. Do you seriously expect me to order makeup over the phone? Nevermind the fact that my indecisiveness would have some poor call centre representative on the phone for several hours while I agonized over the decision between three eyeshadows and a lip gloss.

I think MAC should seriously consider setting up another Pro store somewhere a little further north. Like, I don't know, Sheffield for example? Sheffield also desperately needs a standalone store please. Thank you.

On top of that, I just want to tell you all that I am currently in a state of constant irritation and sometimes-agony with my braces. By this point you would think they wouldn't bother me anymore but the past week or so it's really flared up. It probably doesn't help that I fell up the stairs on the weekend and jammed one of my braced-molars, and it's that whole side of my mouth that is constantly throbbing. Sigh. Six weeks today they will be off. Six weeks today and I will be 23 years old. God, I feel so old.

Finally - and this part is in relation to my previous post, whining that I had to cut down my Sugarsweet list due to money having to be diverted elsewhere - it seems that I would actually have enough cash left over for my whole Sugarsweet list. But, I think I might stick to my guns and get the shorter list anyway. I mean I figured, I've managed to cut it down a little bit so clearly the items I've managed to cut out are not essentials anyway.

Yet another mostly-useless blog post. But, there you have it. That's how I feel today.

In other, completely unrelated, news - I'm going to try to get some manner of tutorial up. Maybe my favourite Hello Kitty look? Or something a little more inventive. I'm not sure yet. Once I get some creative juices I'll figure out some tutorials to upload. Whoosh!

XOXO Vix

Tough Decisions

2009-03-30T07:15:00.000-07:00

So, after having to use my credit card for the first time last month, and paying it off in full when I got paid on Friday and therefore dwindling off a large chunk of this month's pay, I'm facing some tough choices. And as much as I hate it, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do the right thing.

Here goes. I really cannot afford everything on my Sugarsweet Wish List.

And I'd rather forego an item or two I'd probably never use anyway, than get stuck into a stupid cycle of using the credit card and paying it off next month just to have to use it again. The card, is has a balance of ZERO right now, and I want to keep it that way. And the fact of the matter is, I have slightly less money this month than I thought I would due to an obscenely high gas bill, and the fact that I still have to pay international shipping to get my CP'd NYX Lot Sale purchases sent over from America.

So, my Sugarsweet wishlist has dwindled significantly. Or, it will. I'm just not sure where to start. The Perfect Topping MSF is one thing that I do really want. And I'm agonizing over the rest.

Lollipop Loving and Bubbles lipsticks are super, super gorgeous. But do I really need Saint Germain? I could probably just get away with ordering Snob and pretending I never saw the swatches that foretold of the slight difference between the two. It's a shame, because Saint Germain is the perfect bubblegum pink.

And, oh it pains me to say this but...the shadesticks. Oh, my, some of the shadesticks are going to have to go. I can maybe get a couple but all 5 are just not going to happen.

I hate downsizing, I'm indecisive enough to begin with, but such is the way of the world. If they're in stock at the end of April I have some overtime pay coming to me that means I could get the things I was missing on top of my Rose Romance list... but it's a gamble as to whether or not the things I want will still be in stock.

The life of a working-class makeup addict, it's a toughie.

So, that's where I stand. I wanted to blog about it because this? Having to cut down your wishlist because real things like bills crop up from time to time? This is real life. And I'm all about reality. And I'm trying my damndest not to be about debt.

So my Sugarsweet list is now:

Bubbles Lipstick
Lollipop Loving Lipstick
Perfect Topping MSF
Red Velvet Shadestick
Butternutty Shadestick
Cakeshop Shadestick

After all. I'm not exactly notorious for wearing yellow and orange eye makeup, so I could do without Penny and Lemon Chiffon. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing this to myself. At the end of the day, as much as I may want it, none of the items I've cut out so far were essentials or things I really needed to have.

Whew. I feel a little proud of myself after all that. Sorry for the boring rambling blog post, but there you have it.

Latest MAC Haul

2009-03-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ladies, we have Haulage.

I know I still haven't done my previous hauls yet - I completely forgot to take photos of my HK collection. Sigh. So at this point I really don't think there's a huge point in posting my HK haul at all (I mean, if you'd really like to see, tell me and I'll do it, but if there's no demand there's really not much point, right?).

Instead I'm just going to get myself back into the habit of posting hauls as they happen. Like today! Blow is a shot of today's combined haul =]

First the brushes. Top to bottom:

242
213
214 (BBR)
195
209
219

Next - Miscellaneous pots. Left to Right:

Studio Sculpt Concealer NC15
Fresco Rose Paint Pot
Painterly Paint Pot

Finally, the eyeshadows! Clockwise from top left:

Satin Taupe
Texture
Contrast
Nocturnelle
Carbon
Shale
Sketch
Knight
Pincurl
Eyeshadow swatches. Left to right

Pincurl (it's hard to see here but it's there!)
Knight
Sketch
Shale
Satin Taupe
Texture
Contrast
Nocturnelle
Carbon Love!

I've also got a new YT video up today!

XOXO, Vix

Primer Potion Plus Paint Pot Versus Paint Pot

2009-03-27T17:00:00.001-07:00

Forgive me - I realize this is an even less creative blog title than usual. It's just hit midnight and I am exhausted. My left forearm is full of crampy-badness due to lugging heavy cookbooks around town today. Don't ask.

Anyway, the results of the test I posted earlier are in!

Advance warning, those of you who have seen my FOTD pics on Specktra and viewed my ever-so-few YouTube videos and who are now operating under the absolute certaintly that I have the most flawless complexion and dewy skin known to mankind, are in for a rude awakening. The below pictures, well, they show me at a point of exhaustion that no amount of makeup can hide with any degree of success. And I haven't touched up my concealer or foundation all day - makeup was applied at 7 this morning and photos were taken at 7 this evening. SO, all kinds of nasty imperfections are evident in the following photographs. You have been warned!

Anyway here's the info. I followed my usual routine for face - moisturizer, concealer, studio fix fluid foundation. Then on the right eye (my left eye, the one to the right in the photos) I used Bare Study paint pot as a base. On the right I layered the Bare Study paint pot over a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion. The idea was to test whether or not UDPP made a difference, to see if Paint Pots would work as well as primers/bases on their own.

For those who are interested, the colours on my eyes were Paradisco on the inner corner, with Ricepaper then blended out over the entire lid, Swish washed on top of that, and with a light wash of Sable in the crease. I used Urban Decay 24/7 liner in 1999 to line the water line and upper lash line, then put some Kitty Power glitter liquid liner on top. Completed with a little Fascinating eye kohl under the inner corner of the eye and some Plushblack mascara. Tadahh, good to go.

Obviously the colour isn't exactly how it looked this morning, and you can view the below photos and make your own decisions, but I'm personally not seeing a HUGE difference between the eye with and without Primer Potion. I suppose the colour did stay SLIGHTLY more true with the UDPP underneath everything, but neither eye suffered from creasing or having the colours fade away.

So my verdict is that if you've got Paint Pots, use them. Primer Potion is great on its own as a primer, but if you want to use both the difference will only be marginal - both products perform pretty well on their own.

What do you guys think?

Just a quick edit to add that no, I didn't touch up my eyeliner ever. I'm really impressed with the staying power of these 24/7 liners, most markedly on the waterline. My eyes always water - usually while waiting for my bus to work, due to allergies or wind blowing in my face - so it's a miracle there was any left by the end of the day. But I didn't have to touch up once. Score! I'll do a proper review later, but this deserved to be mentioned =]

A Little Test

2009-03-27T03:10:00.001-07:00

So last night, while talking to the fabulous Liz of Sweets4UK we came upon the subject of eyeshadow primers, and Urban Decay Primer Potion vs Paint Pots.

This led to a little experiment today. I've done my makeup for the day and have used Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Bare Study Paint Pot to prime one eye - and used only the Paint Pot on the other eye - basically to see if the paint pots are good enough on their own, or if UDPP will really make a difference.

I don't have any before shots yet because I ran out of time this morning before I left for work, but I'll update with after shots when I get home after work (and try to get a before shot in the next hour or so).

So, let's see how this goes!

Edit: Ugh. I just remembered that I left my mobile phone at home this morning so I won't get to do *any* before shots. Still, the afters should speak for themselves, if one eye looks worse than the other.

This has nothing to do with makeup...

2009-03-26T02:02:00.000-07:00

... So I have no idea why I'm posting it here instead of in my other, personal-everyday blog.

But last night while looking on YouTube for videos of my favourite J-Pop singers (Yes, I'm lame, and I have very weird and varied taste in music, let's get that out in the open right now), I stumbled across this song: W - Shiroi iro wa Koibito no Iro

Seriously, I am in love. The two girls in the band, I knew from another group that they were in when they were like 13, and they're both super adorable. But in this song their voices sound so much more mature and elegant than they used to. This song makes me feel happy and content and overcomes me with an overwhelming feeling of... calm. It's hard to describe.

I immediately had to go find an mp3 but haven't had a chance to put it on my iPod yet. But, this is my favourite song of the moment, and I love it so much I really needed to share. The song is beautiful even if you have no idea what exactly they're saying, but on the YT sidebar, if you click for More Info, it has the English translation.

After this I promise it'll be back to your regularly scheduled BEAUTY BLOG and less about rambling about music and the fur trade. I promise.

XOXO Vix

A Very Not-Rare Moment of Indecision

2009-03-25T03:33:00.001-07:00

So, I've looked at my payslip on work's HR website. I know what I'm getting and I know what my outgoings are going to be for bills, with money set aside for savings, food, bus fare, etc. If my Sugarsweet shopping list is around £110, I've got about a hundred spare to play around with this month. And I can not make up my mind for the life of me.

Do I buy some basics that I'm after? Like a couple items off my permanent-collection wishlist, or the BBR eyeshadows? Do I buy the Studio Sculpt Concealer I'm after?

Or do I put it aside to buy something from Kitty Kouture when it comes out? Or do I go ahead and buy a couple extras from Sugarsweet?

No... I narrowed down my Sugarsweet list to the things I really want and need. Anything else is superfluous, so I won't do that. But what should I do? Should I get some other items, get the mystery powder from HKK, or just shove it into savings until there's something I really want?

GOD, I suck out loud at making up my mind.

On an unrelated note, I wish MAC made Studio Fix Fluid in an NC10 or something. NC15 is just slightly too dark for me. I love the foundation to bits, but I could do with a shade lighter. Sigh.

Also, I want to appeal to you and ask, what do you think is the best concealer for dark circles? My MAC MA gave me Select Cover-Up in NC20 (which, incidentally, is clearly too dark, but whatever, with foundation on top you can't tell) but I don't think it really covers my dark circles so much as it makes them slightly lighter. That's why I want Studio Sculpt Concealer, for dark circles. Or is there something better that you can suggest?

I'm in the biggest indecisive mood right now, I don't know what to do with myself. I'm supposed to be going to Meadowhall with my aunt on Saturday and I don't know what to do with my Extra Budget. Makeup? A video game? (well, no. I need to play Fallout 3 and Silent Hill Homecoming before I buy MORE) Some stuff from Paperchase? Clothes? Shoes?

I wish I had more money. Thank god for overtime. I should have an extra couple hundred in next month's pay and LORD KNOWS I'm going to need it.

/rambling

Sorry guys, I'm very disjointed today.

Xoxo, Vix

A Rare Political Post

2009-03-25T02:29:00.001-07:00

Those who know me, know that I'm not a very political-minded person. And I know that I should be, but it all generally goes way over my head. But right now I need to take time out from the mostly-fun-and-frivolous life of makeup blogging, to talk about something that I feel very strongly about. I haven't posted the link to LUSH's "Save the Seals" petition yet, mostly because you've got to be in the US or Canada to sign, and I'm pretty sure all the readers I have here are British. But I signed using my hometown back in Canada. Anyway. The link to that one is here:

http://www.lush.com/saveourseals/petition/

And before the arguments and debates start, I want to clarify that the petition is not to interfere with peoples' rights as human beings, the right to hunt wild animals for survival. This petition is to stop the COMMERCIAL seal hunt, meaning seal-clubbing solely for the sake of fur trade.

But this the one I want everybody to look at right this minute. Yes, right now. I can wait.

http://www.savebiogems.org/wolves/

To make a long story short, Interior Secretary Salazar has given the green light to "a Bush-era plan to kick the wolves of the northern Rockies off the endangered species list and leave them vulnerable to mass killing. More than 600 wolves could be caught in the crossfire of state-sponsored wolf hunts." (cited from the above link)

Yeah. These wolves were on the endangered species list, and now this man thinks it's okay to take them off it and make it okay to hunt them.

Please do not misunderstand me here. I'm not a vegetarian. God help me, I doubt I ever could be. People were biologically engineered to eat meat. However, I really can not condone or pretend to agree with killing for the sake of killing. Which is why I feel so strongly about these two causes. The first, because it's a travesty that seal-clubbing has been going on for so long and is thought to be okay. The second, because an endangered species is having their safety nets lifted away and allowing people to open fire. Once again, just for fur, or trophies.

I'm going to start rambling nonsensically if I don't stop here, so that's where I'll leave it off. But please, if you care and if you want to stop seal-clubbing, and want to stop legalized wolf-hunts before they can start, please click the above links and add your name.

xoxo, Vix

Current MAC Wishlist

2009-03-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm bored so I'm going to post my To Buy list. I'm leaving out future Limited Edition collection items because, let's face it, that may or may not change and will just make this huge!

I warn you now, this is pretty long as it is: but bear with me because I'm new to buying MAC, remember. Most of it is for the eyes, which is the area I generally spend the most time and effort on.

So, here we go.

Note: Starred (*) items are limited edition but they're from previous collections and I really want them.

Brushes
109: Contouring Brush
134: Large Powder Brush
227: Fluff Brush
219: Pencil Brush
231: Small Shader
And a decent concealer brush for the undereye area: any suggestions?

Face
Blot Powder: Light
Powder Blush: Dollymix
Powder Blush: Springsheen
Powder Blush: Tenderling
Powder Blush: Dame
Blushcreme: Posey
Blushcreme: Lilicent
Iridescent Powder/Loose: Silver Dusk
Mineralize Blush: Gentle
Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50
Studio Sculpt Concealer: NC15

Lips
Lipstick: Shy Girl
Lipstick: Angel
Lipstick: High Strung
Lipstick: Frou
Lipstick: Myth (Can't decide between this and Frou)
Lipstick: Taupe
Lipstick: Velvet Teddy
Lipstick: Patisserie
Cremesheen Glass: Partial to Pink*
Cremesheen Glass: Melt In Your Mouth*
Cremesheen Glass: Boy Bait
Tinted Lipglass: Prrr
Tinted Lipglass: Nymphette
Tinted Lipglass: Spirited

Eyes
Eyeshadow: Sketch
Eyeshadow: Shale
Eyeshadow: Carbon
Eyeshadow: Electra
Eyeshadow: 100 Strokes*
Eyeshadow: French Cuff*
Eyeshadow: Femme Fi*
Eyeshadow: Purple Haze
Eyeshadow: Shroom
Eyeshadow: Haux
Eyeshadow: Steamy
Eyeshadow: Juxt
Eyeshadow: Humid
Eyeshadow: Swimming
Paint Pot: Painterly
Paint Pot: Fresco Rose
Fluidline: Shade
Fluidline: Dipdown
Fluidline: Macroviolet
Eye Kohl: Minted
Eye Kohl: Phone Number
Eye Kohl: Teddy
Powerpoint Eye Pencil: Prussian
Powerpoint Eye Pencil: Stubborn Brown
Powerpoint Eye Pencil: Tealo
Brow Finisher: Clear
Eye Brows: Fling
Lash: 7
Lash: 20
Lash: 32

Pigment
Where to begin? Just about everything =P
It's really not worth making a separate list of these, it'd be too long.

Other Items
Studio Mouisture Cream
[heard it's amazing, need to try]
Wipes

Wow, that was longer than even I thought it would be. =/

Sugarsweet Wishlist

2009-03-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

I had a hard time narrowing down this list. MAC appealed to my domestic, cupcake-loving side when they announced the Sugarsweet collection. In the beginning I was convinced I needed everything! Then, I cut out the permanent items. And now, finally, I've had to reason with myself and force myself to cut out things I don't need.

For example, I don't need any dark lipsticks - dark doesn't work for me. I don't need more sheer lipglosses right this minute, just because they're tri-coloured. And I know I'd go insane once the colours mixed. I'd rather spend that money on some dazzleglass, or lipglass colours I love.

So my final list is below:

Lipstick: Bubbles
Lipstick: Lollipop Loving
Lipstick: Saint Germaine
Shadestick: Cakeshop
Shadestick: Butternutty
Shadestick: Lemon Chiffon
Shadestick: Red Velvet
Shadestick: Penny
MSF: Perfect Topping

All in all, I'm figuring the cost to be just over £100, which is reasonable to me. Considering what I spent in the month of March. My impulse buy with Hello Kitty definitely taught me a lesson - be more discerning. I need to ask myself questions like "Do you really need a bright tangerine-orange lipgloss?" or "You have three hot-pink lipsticks that you NEVER WEAR. Do you honestly need a fourth?"

Still, it did jumpstart my collection. I may sell-swap the things I decide I don't love (I'm struggling even to have a grudging respect for Nice to be Nice lipglass right now) but for now, eh, the damage is done, I'll get over it.

Sorry there haven't been any videos either. I've been busyyy. And exhausted. I could fall asleep right now. I didn't even get a chance to sleep in this weekend, it sucked out loud. But, I digress.

More soon! I'm just thanking the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it's payday on Friday.

I need to get my hands on some more MAC. It really is an addiction. Ehehe. But I'm holding out for Sugarsweet for now. I've made a plan to buy 1-2 brushes per pay period (ie: month) but not sure it'll happen this month. Which is okay I guess since I technically bought 4+3 last month (4 brushes plus the HK set) so I'm ahead of the game.

ANYway I realize I'm rambling now so I'll leave off here.

Muchlove, chickadees!

Xoxo Vix

Striving...

2009-03-19T04:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I received my first ever totally random compliment on my makeup. And I gotta say, it totally made my day like you wouldn't believe. I mean, I've had compliments before, but only where they've been part of a conversation. For example, getting ready for a girls' night out, I asked my friend Becca "Is this eyeshadow dark enough?" and she told me she loved how I did my eye makeup. But nothing randomly spontaneous, y'know?

I was at work yesterday afternoon and one of the ladies who sits on my row of desks came over to have me look at something and see if I could help her figure out what to do with it. And as we were going through it, she interrupted herself to tell me that my eyeshadow was "well awesome" or something to that effect. And it totally made my day. Love! I've got photos of yesterday's Face of the Day, which I might upload when I get a chance =]

But that little conversation yesterday, it made me realize that this is something I want to strive for. To put real effort into my everyday makeup, instead of slacking and being plain. I want more days like yesterday. Maybe that makes me selfish and vain, but honestly I don't care. The compliments you don't expect are the ones that really make an impact, and it really made me feel good, both about myself but also about my skill at makeup application.

I'm rambling now, so I'll leave off there for now, but I just wanted to share.

In other news, I'm going to be opening a forum affiliated with my blog, where we all can talk about makeup and skincare and fashion, to post reviews and the like. It's not ready yet, I'm still tinkering with InvisionFree and trying to find a fabtastic skin, but when it's up I'll add a link to my sidebar. Hope to see you there!

XOXO Vix

Why The Delay? Also: The 226 <3

2009-03-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to let you know what's going on, and mostly to explain just WHY my HK-Haul isn't up in its full glory yet.

I've been trying to get photos of everything, but the lighting is super bad in here, and my flash is so bright it's reflecting off the packaging and blinding me. So, I need to take some shots in some natural light where flash is not required, and I just haven't had the tim to take pictures yet. Once the last part of the haul has been photographed I'll swatch and share everything with you. Love!

Although at this rate I'm going to be swatching HK at the same time as Sugarsweet, and this is not good. Sigh.

Anyway, that aside, I want to write a little something about the 226 brush.

For those who don't know, the 226 is a tapered blending brush that is perfectly shaped to do eye-contouring-crease work. Oh. My. God. Seriously, this brush makes creasework idiotproof. It applies and blends at the same time, it's just amazing. It makes me wonder how I ever did eye makeup before discovering a brush like this! If you can find somewhere that stocks them (and my personal tip is that the MAC counter in Debenhams at Meadowhall (upstairs, inner entrace for those who do not know... For shame!) still has some, I just picked mine up yesterday after being given the WRONG brush on Saturday afternoon), I very highly suggest this brush. My brush collection is small and still growing, but I can already see that this is going to be an everyday staple in my life. Because it's limited edition (if the MAC people don't seem to know what you're talking about when you say 226, you may have to explain to them that it came with the Brunette Blonde Redhead collection. The three people I spoke to at my MAC counter had no idea what I was on about until I added the collection. I got a "We have a 224 is that it?" no. It is not.) I'm tempted to pick up a spare, but then... I can't really afford to, and I know that if I have a spare, I won't use it. But if I don't get one, I'll need it.

It's a paradox. We'll see, they'll probably be out of stock anyway so I can stop panicking.

I ramble a lot. Also, I use a lot of parentheses. Oh well.

ANYway, that is all. So my proper haulage is coming soon - I did try to upload a video to YouTube but it was way too long even without swatches that there is no way. If I have to break it down into parts I might as well do it properly instead of cutting up my rush-job. And the 226 is the one brush I can't live without, already. Love.

And man, WHO ELSE IS PSYCHED FOR THE SUGARSWEET COLLECTION? A makeup collection based around cupcakes and baking!? This was literally made for people like me! I am so excited. But I'm wondering if I'll be able to afford any Kitty Kouture as well, sigh. Thank god I've started doing overtime, because I am hella going to need it.

This addiction... it's consuming. But oh god, is it worth it.

Ta-ta for now!

Vix xox

MAC Collection Info: Sugarsweet

2009-03-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have to admit: as a part time cupcakestress, the Sugarsweet collection is my most-anticipated of the moment. Maybe even more than Hello Kitty. But because I went overboard with the HK collection I'm going to have to make sure I'm only buying the MUST HAVES from the Sugarsweet collection. Parting is such sweet sorrow. It's okay, there are only a few things I NEED to have from this collection: The nail laquers, the eyeshadows, the shadesticks and a couple of lipglasses. Anything else would just be a bonus, so it's all good. Anyway, here it is, the information on the Sugarsweet collection. Enjoy!

MAC Cosmetics Sugarsweet Collection
Launch Date: March 19th, 2009 (North America), April 2009 (International)

Who cares if the candy man can… it’s the cupcake ingenue who’s caught the sweet spot this season. Temptation is everywhere - luscious, whipped-cream decadent, deliciously decorative frosting colours and sugared almond combinations. Like peering through the window of a Parisian patisserie, you’ll want to become one of each! Have fun with a new Red Velvet recipe Shadestick. Tricolour Lipglass is like a mille feuille of layered lip gloss colours, each gives way to the next in a triple-layered pearl-swirl of prettiness; add extra yum to Eye Shadow; Perfect Topping Mineralize Skinfinish is the ultimate cake walk. We could eat you up.

Lipstick ($14.00)
Sweet Thing Mid-tone magenta with multi dimensional pearl (Lustre)
Bubbles Sheer frosty white beige (Glaze) (Repromote)
Touch Peachy cinnamon (Lustre) (Permanent)
Lollipop Loving Mid-tone coral with subtle green and gold iridescence (Glaze) (Repromote)
Saint Germain Pastel pink (Amplified Creme) (Repromote, Perm international)

Tricolour Lipglass ($17.50)
Tasty Top Sheer blue pink with reflects, Middle Mid-tone blue pink with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Dark creamy red pink
Just Dessert Top Sheer yellow pink with reflects, Middle Mid-tone yellow pink with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Mid-tone creamy yellow pink
Simpy Delicious Top Sheer peach with reflects, Middle Pale coral with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Creamy mid-tone coral
Triple-Yum Top Sheer gold with gold reflects, Middle True gold with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Mid-tone bronze
Consume Me Top Sheer white with reflects, Middle Pale mint with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Creamy light peach with pearlized pigments

Eyeshadow ($14.50)
Sugarshot Pale frosty beige (Lustre)
Dear Cupcake Mid-tone pink coral with gold pearlized pigments (Satin)
Aquavert Soft mint with white pearlized pigments (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote)
Stars n Rockets Lavender with red/pink reflects (Veluxe Pearl) (Permanent)
Club Muted reddish brown duochrome with green opalescent shimmer (Satin) (Permanent)

Shadestick ($16.50)
Cakeshop Frosted light neutral beige
Butternutty Frosted pale white gold
Lemon Chiffon Frosted pewter
Red Velvet Frosted mid-tone pink
Penny Light pinky copper (Repromote)

Mineralize Skinfinish ($27.00)
Perfect Topping Pink/peach/lavender melange
Refined Tan/peach/coral melange

Mascara ($12.00)
Zoomlash>

Nail Lacquer ($11.00)
Peppermint Patti Creamy mint green (Cream)
Seasonal Peach Creamy pale peachy pink (Cream)

Lash ($12.00)
34 Lash

Much More to Come

2009-03-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

Dude, it finally came. And everything I had ordered (minus the stuff they already told me was out of stock and I bought separately anwyay) was included! I was so expecting for things to be missing, but no, everything was there. It was almost overwhelming, haha.

Anyway, my lack of updates (aside from the easy old colour collection dealies I've posted the past few days) is due to two things: a four-day migraine headache that had me so debilitated, I couldn't remember how to spell "legislation" while I was trying to do work; and the impending move! Luckily the headache finally went away last night, and most of the "This has to be done by Thursday night!!" work for the move has been done, so it's more chilled. SO I will have more blogging and more videos for you soon.

So anyway, just giving you all a little bit of an update. Watch this space; I'll have a haul (with pics this time) blog/video up for you this weekend =]

Vix xox

MAC Collection Info: Naked Honey

2009-03-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

MAC Cosmetics Naked Honey Collection

US Relese Date: June 20th 2009

UK Release Date: July 2nd 2009

Bees do it… now M•A•C does it! Honey that is! As ancient and exotic as Kohl, great beauties have long revered the natural restorative powers of the Golden Elixir.
Following the example of their fabled Queen, Cleopatra, Egyptians bathed in honey and milk. Queen Anne of England used it to silken her hair; from the Ancient Greeks to the Roman Empire, honey has never lost its regal, ever-amber lustre. We love the luxury of its sensual essence…but we also know that it’s a highly efficient and wholesome humectant and healer. Introducing our limited edition Naked Honey collection – three aspects of golden warmth and sun-made sweetness for the body, layered with two decidedly different honeycomb-derived fragrances – celebrating the secret lives of Queen Bees. Complementary shade of High-Light Powder, Eye Shadow and Lipglass are all the buzz for summer.

Lipglass ($14.00 US/$16.50 CDN)
She’s a Star Light neutral gold
Queen Bee Mid-tone apricot with multi-dimensional pearl
Buzz Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

Eyeshadow ($14.50 US/$17.00 CDN)
Crème de Miel Frosty light yellow gold
Pollinator Mid-tone warm reddened peach with pearl
Buckwheat Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

High-Light Powder ($24.50 US/$29.50 CDN)

A high-light powder specially created for the Naked Honey Collection . Features an embossed honeycomb pattern. Super fine, impeccably pearlized, it creates so ft high lights. On cheek, brow, shoulders – anywhere on the body.
Honey Light A light peachy gold with shimmer
Golden Nectar Muted golden tan with gold shimmer

Naked Honey Skin Salve ($18.50 US/$22.50 CDN)

Formulated from honey, organic beeswax, sun flower oil and other natural ingredients, this rich honey–scented and flavoured salve instantly moisturizes and helps recondition dry skin. Multi-purpose. Use everywhere.

Naked Honey Hand And Body Cream ($22.50 US/$27.00 CDN)

A sensuous cream made fro m bio-converted honey, shea butter , and vitamins c and e derivatives. Absorbs quickly for skin-softening moisture. Conditions, nourishes, protects. Use on all areas where ultra-moisture is called for.

Naked Honey Body Wash ($19.50 US/$23.50 CDN)

Formulated from bio-converted honey, this body wash cleanses the skin while providing the soothing and moisturizing benefits of lavender, narcissus, jasmine flower and blue agave extracts. Pro vides a sensual, calming, cleansing experience.

Creations: Naked Honey ($22.50 US/$28.50 CDN)

An aromatic journey that traces honey ’s fragrant heart back to summer ’s sweetest blooms. Energy starts to buzz, spirits soar, light floral and woodsy notes float toward an electric finale. Sweet and sexy all the way.

Creations: Africanimal ($22.50 US/$28.50 CDN)

A scent that starts with a honey-ness that’s seductive and given its dash of pepper, not without spice. Add a dark kiss of bergamot and wood, and an aromatic orgy breaks out to create a scent that’s all-honey, but far from sweet .

I have to admit, I'm loving the complimentary eyeshadow shades - but mostly I'm looking forward to the skin products. How about you?

Credits: temptalia.com, pursebuzz.com, specktra.net

MAC Collection Info: Double Dazzle

2009-03-11T08:36:00.001-07:00

MAC Cosmetics Double Dazzle
US Release Date: April 30th 2009

UK Release Date: May 7th 2009

All you need is Love… Lips and Lashes! Summer simplified for the modern makeup minimalist. Double Dazzle will daze the closest competition with colour-changing, light-reflecting pearl-shine lips; paired with a new formula for the ultimate in voluptuous lashes, et voilà! Lips lead: seven new Dazzleglass shades bring the scintillating selection up to 18! The flotilla-of-lights formula imparts the pearl combination with mega-glisten shine, creamy comfort and the subtle sensation of vanilla. Lashes follow: multiplied, volumized, utterly glorified by our newest eye innovation…This sly new small-and-mighty brush has been developed to capture and emphasize each and every lash. Lips, Lashes, Lovers…Look out!

Dazzleglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)
Sugarrimmed Milky pale pink with red, teal and white pearl
Goldyrocks Sheer soft yellow with pink and gold pearl
Moth to Flame Sheer neutral beige with violet pearl
Smile Light coral with pink and gold pearl
Steppin’ Out Clean yellow pink with red pearl
Utterly Posh Mid-tone orange with pink and gold pearl
Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl
Date Night Deep plum with blue and gold pearl
Funtablulous Purple with violet pearl
Extra Amps Sheer bright blue pink with blue and pink pearl
Like Venus Clean light bubble gum pink with red pearl
Stop! Look! Sheer violet mauve with blue and pink pearl
Money Honey Mid-tone rosy mauve with red pearl
Rags to Riches Plumm y pink with teal and red pearl
Baby Sparks Pale pink with violet pearl
Bare Necessity Caramel apricot with red and gold pearl
Girl’s Delight Sheer mid-tone tan with gold pearl
Get Rich Quick Warm yellow brown

Dazzle Lash ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)
Star Brunette Brown
Black Dazzle Black

The pictures do the talking, but wow. Dazzleglass. Enough said, really.

Once again, information from temptalia.com <3

MAC Collection Info: Style Warriors

2009-03-11T08:05:00.000-07:00

While I'm sitting around with a massive headache and lots to do but no motivation to do anything really productive with my time, I will instead introduce you to the upcoming Style Warriors collection =] All information from the wonderful temptalia.com =]

MAC Cosmetics Style Warriors
US Release Date: May 28th 2009
UK Release Date: June 4th 2009

Emerging from every corner of the glamorous globe, a new Style Warrior. Made to celebrate the cross-cultural sophistication of the modern Amazon Princess, African Queen, Crouching Tigress… Never before have we seen the “Wild Things” of the world come together in quite so many bold new combinations. Introducing a dramatically different and deliberately diverse colour story, an eclectic and expressive way to exalt and admire the strength and solidarity of beauty with no barriers. A selection of all-over summer bronzing shades for Lips, Cheeks, Eyes, Nails, featuring the innovation of Impassioned, Bronzescape and Scatterrays Solar Bits – sunbursts to unleash the animal in every woman. All exotically packaged in stylized zebra and leopard prints to keep it wild and free – the way it always ought to be.

Lipstick ($14.00)
Sunsational Sheer frosted beige gold
Brave New Bronze Creamy mid-tone pink nude
Purple Rite Mid-tone frosty orchid
Tribalist Creamy blackened berry

Lipglass ($14.00)
Liberated Sheer yellow gold with pearl
Gold Rebel Sheer copper bronze with pearl
Fierce & Fabulous Bright magenta purple with pearl
Style Warrior Blackened bronze brown with pearl

Eyeshadow ($14.50)
Soft Force Frosty pale white gold
Bright Future Frosty bright yellow gold
Tempting Sinfully rich coco
Vibrant Grape Bright magenta purple
Night Maneuvers Deep charcoal brown with pearl

Eye Kohl ($14.50)
Smolder Intense black

Pro Lash Mascara ($12.00)
Coal Black Honest-to-goodness black

Beauty Powder Blush ($18.00)
Eversun Neutral peach bronze with gold pearl
On A Mission Pearly mid-tone plum

Solar Bits ($19.50)
Scatterrays Soft metallic peach with gold pearl
Bronzescape Clean yellow brown with gold pearl
Impassioned Frosty cool taupe

Nail Lacquer ($11.00)
Peaceable Pearly pale golden beige
Violet Fire Bright creamy magenta purple
Mercenary Frosted blackened bronze

Brush ($23.00)
242 Firm fibre Brush with rounded edge for smooth, even application of powder, emollient and concealer products

Seriously. When I first heard about this collection and saw some promo photos for it, I really wasn't that interested. But now that I've seen some photos of the products, there are several things out of this collection that I want. What's on your wish list? I don't even know mine yet.

That animal-print on the packaging is TO DIE FOR <3>

Shipping Confirmation!

2009-03-10T01:29:00.001-07:00

So after the whole fiasco last week, and my much-longer-than-I-expected-it-to-be post yesterday, MAC Online have finally sent out my two missing orders. So I should be able to pick everything up from my granny's house this weekend. Yay!

It was getting to the point last night where I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to send things out, and was going to speak to customer services (again) tonight if I hadn't heard anything yet. But I checked my email while I was getting ready for work this morning, and I received two shipping confirmations at around 1:30 this morning. <3

Can't wait to post my haulage!

All Hope Is Not Lost!

2009-03-09T02:26:00.001-07:00

First things first, here's the text-version I promised you guys, for the YouTube video embedded in the previous post.

I had been waiting with bated breath for the release of the Hello Kitty collection. Even though I knew it wasn't due for release until Thursday March 5th, I found myself checking the website during my lunch hour, checking it after work just before I left, checking it again multiple times at night - I really, really did not want to miss it.

Last Wednesday, the day before the official UK release date, Hello Kitty went live on MAC's website. I was just about to leave work, had my coat on and ready to head out, but while I waited for my friend to finish getting ready to go, I checked the website. And there it was. And the feeling that overcame me was something between childish glee - and abject panic. I was about to leave work and didn't think I would have time to place an order, so I very nearly left it until I got home. But my friend was taking her time, so I decided to order.

And ladies (and James), let me tell you, it was a big order. I was so excited and as I went home it was all I could think about. I'd ordered my Hello Kitty items! Huzzah!

Of course, it turned out to be a good (and bad) thing that I had ordered online before heading home. My bus was majorly delayed due to an "incident" in one of the neighbourhoods it has to pass through, and had to go through this INSANELY PACKED police detour. (The incident involved, by the way... all of us on the bus heard/thought someone had been shot and when we saw a bundle of white up the street we all thought it was the body. No, turns out, someone was stabbed in the arm and the bundle of white was just a duvet, haha). All the while my aunts were texting me - we were supposed to meet some friends at a restaurant for dinner at six. In the end, they picked me up across the street from my home bus stop and we headed straight out - I didn't get home until after 8ish and by that time things on the website had started selling out.

It was at this time that I decided to order the rest of the items - the glitter eyeliners and a couple of other things that I was after, such as Eye Kohl in Fascinating, and a Bare Study paint pot. After this, I also ordered the two makeup bags that hadn't been in my first two orders. I was excited beyond belief - I was getting one of everything from the HK collection, bar three accessories that I wasn't interested in anyway. Score!

BUT then came Thursday.

I had a missed call on my mobile phone and a voicemail. Because I was at work I couldn't answer the phone, but at noon I checked my voicemail - it was a lady named Sandy at MAC Online, asking that I call her back about my order, and that "the other would not be released" until she had spoken to me. Immediately I started to panic kind of... Thinking she was calling to tell me I couldn't get some of the items. Which then turned from panic to slight annoyance - nothing was sold out when I'd ordered it so if they were telling me now that it was, I would not be a happy bunny.

I tried calling her back. No dice - I kept getting through to voicemail. I left one message, but I kept calling back and there was no answer. Eventually I called MAC Online's main customer service number, and explained to them what was going on. She got through to the first person's team and asked one of them to call me back. About an hour and a half later, I finally got a callback.

Basically, because it was a big order (and was in three sections, haha), and because the delivery address is different from my billing address, they wanted to do some extra security checks. We went through all of that - which was kind of funny, because she asked me why it was three orders (I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted and didn't want), why it was being sent to an alternate address (nobody where I live is home during the day, so I send packages to my grandparents' house since they're retired and at home to accept them for me), and then asked "Why did you order so much? Is it for personal or business use?" It made me laugh and I explained that it was just one of everything from the HK collection (which she'd see if she looked at the actual order...)

Anyway that was done and when I got home that night I checked their website and the order status had been changed from Processing to In Warehouse, to be packed. So I was very happy.

Until the next day, when I received an email in late afternoon telling me that "Due to the extreme demand of our Hello Kitty collection, the following items were sold out by the time the order was sent to our warehouse."

NOT. Happy.

I placed my order within the first hour or so that the collection was on their website, it was delayed by THEM and not me, and because of that delay I couldn't get 13 items on my order. I Called to complain but was put through to somebody to just tell me which items weren't being sent. Sigh. Eventually I managed to get an address for some manager lady to send a complaint to. I've written a letter of complaint and am sending it this week. I just really do not think it's cool that the delay was on their end and nobody bothered to reserve the items for me pending the security checks - had they not done them in the first place there would have been no issues with my order.

The GOOD news and happy ending to this story, is that when I got home that night I called my local MAC counter (at Meadowhall in Sheffield, those chicks rock out loud!) and explained my situation, and the girl I spoke to went through my "missing items" list and put away everything that wasn't being sent. The only thing I couldn't get was the mirrored key clip, but I can live without that.

So, I've got my first HK haul! I've put a video on youtube, which I will put on here when I get a chance, and will upload haul details with photos and swatches later.

Hopefully more to come soon! The two makeup bags have been dispatched already and should come soon, but the two makeup orders are still showing as In Warehouse - and this makes me a little nervous. So fingers crossed that there are no more issues, and I'll post them when they get here.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! =]

Issues with MAC Online customer service, and the HK Collection

2009-03-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

I'll write up a text version when I'm not ready to pass out. In the meantime, here's the in-a-nutshell version that I posted on YouTube earlier today.

What the...?

2009-03-06T02:37:00.001-08:00

Cross-posted from my main "personal" blog. When I started this second blog, it was specifically for health and beauty and makeup, but I'll probably have some personal updates going on too. The only problem is, if I combine the two themes into one blog, then I only really need one. So, we'll see. I'll probably keep the random, big news, or funny stuff here and keep the mundane day-to-day "so at work I did this and this" kind of stuff to my other blog. I'm rambling already and this is just a copy-paste entry. I have skill.

Anyway, onto the topic of this post...

I dream the most ridiculous crap sometimes.

First of all, about an hour after falling asleep last night, I started dreaming that someone was pounding loudly but slowly and persistently on my front door, demanding to be let in. I went to hide somewhere in the house so whoever it was - who clearly didn't want anything nicey-nice - wouldn't know I was home. The pounding actually woke me up and for a while I was convinced that my subconscious had incorporated a real sound into my dream. I pulled out my left earplug and listened for a while, but there was nothing other than the sound of my own pulse pounding in my ears.

So, I put it back in and went back to sleep. And then started to dream that I was having problems with my eyes. My doctor gave me some special contact lenses to wear and then told me to listen to a particular Britney Spears CD to stop the swelling.

Yes. Read that again. That's right.

I have no idea, it makes no sense to me either, but in the dream I was trawling a store trying to find this record, and then picked up two awesome hardcover books that were some kind of dark fiction, and the cover art was like Tim Burton's brand of stop-motion animation (think The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and Coraline. I *know* Tim Burton wasn't involved in Coraline BUT it's the same "feel" since it was the producer of TNBC so shut up).

Yeah, I was a bit weirded out.

So now I'm just waiting for a confirmation email telling me my MAC Online UK order has been dispatched. Whoo.

OH, yeah. I had other biggish news.

The night before last my aunt had a phone call from my granny. I have a second cousin (my grandmother's sister's son) who has Down's Syndrome, and he lives in a care unit and spends weekends at "home" with his mom and dad, my great-aunt and -uncle. Well apparently there was some kind of fire in their main building, and the place is not habitable at all right now. They don't know yet whether any of the things in his living area are salvageable, but hopefully they'll find out soon. LUCKILY, nobody was hurt and everyone got out. My cousin is staying with my grandmother for the next few days until his parents come back home - they're away in Iman until Tuesday. So yeah, thank god everyone is okay.

It's still bad because... well lots of damage. And they can't move back in, and my cousin, he was really settled there, and now he's going to have to start all over again in a new place, and it'll take him a while to adjust. And he can't just stay at home, because my great-aunt and -uncle are in their seventies: not happening. Anyway I'll keep you all posted, and will do another makeup update when I get home. If I get time I'll upload a video review for my Blemish Balm. AND upload all the friggin' pictures I still need to add to all my previous entries.

So far, as a beauty blogger, I totally suck.

Update on the MAC-Attack

2009-03-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Good news! On the bus on my way home from work I used my handy little cell to check my order status on MAC's website - AND they've all been updated from "Processing" to "In Warehouse" which means they're being packed and readying to be shipped!

Can't wait!

Also, I'm officially on YouTube. My video makes me sound like a bored weirdo with no personality so I apologise. I was trying to be quiet, and wanted to make a video but had no idea what to make it about so it's crap.

Anyway, my YT channel is at http://www.youtube.com/user/inconspicuousbeauty

Enjoy! <3

Apparently I'm a very suspicious young lady

2009-03-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

So, MAC appears to think I'm a fraudster using stolen bank details haha.

They finally just called me back thank goodness.

It was what I figured it was... they thought I was a fraudster because I placed three orders that totalled A LOT and had it delivered to a different address from my billing address.

So she asked me what the billing address was and I told her, then she asked me to name some roads around the road my address is on. I floundered a bit, I only know two roads near my house.. one around the corner and the main road. So I told her that and said I don't know the area well because I've lived there less than a year. So she asked how long I've lived there and I told her, but I explained that I live with family and we take the car everywhere so I don't need to know road names etc. Sigh.

So then she asked me why I'm delivering it to another address, which is simple. Everyone in my household works full time and nobody is home during the day to accept deliveries - so I get things shipped to my grandmother's house because my grandparents are retired and it's easier for me just to send it to their house. Sigh. THEN she asked for the landline number for my home address, even though she already has my work number and mobile number.

Then she asked "Why have you ordered such large quantities? Is it for personal or business use?" So I had to explain that I wanted the entire HK Collection - which she would know if she'd actually looked at my orders and seen it for herself, it's kind of obvious I'd think. Then she asked why it was in more than one order. Simple - I placed the first order at work in a hurry. Got home late, decided to go ahead and order the rest. Besides they have a maximum order amount and everything I ordered was over that =P

ANYway she's passed it back to their financial department to authorise it, and said they'd get back to me again in case they need any more information.

Got me stressin' because it sounded like she didn't believe me lol. When I said I didn't know the area she sounded like she was all "and why is that!" I'm not from this country, I don't even know road names around the house I grew up in for fourteen years in Canada lol.

Anyway, at least they didn't tell me some of the stuff was unavailable. HOPEfully they'll authorise it and it'll get shipped tomorrow for me. <3 Back to the waiting game.

Phone Tag and The Waiting Game

2009-03-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

So, I happened to refresh MAC's UK website yesterday just as the Hello Kitty collection went live. I immediately made a huge order, got my confirmation email at the same time as my notification email telling that it had gone on the website haha.

Then last night I placed another order for a couple other things I wasn't sure whether to buy or not (like the glitter liners and big vanity case). So exciting. My order consists of one of EVERYTHING except the charm bracelet, the plushie, and the tote bag - and two of the Pink Fish lip conditioner.

Well today at lunchtime I checked my mobile phone and I had a missed call from an unknown number at 10:30 this morning, and a voicemail. Called voicemail and it was someone from MAC Online's customer support team saying she needed to talk to me about my order and that it wouldn't be released until I'd spoken to her. Immediately I started thinking, oh god she's going to tell me something's sold out - even though I know I was one of the first to place and order and things weren't flagged as sold out on the site until a half hour after I'd placed my order.

So I called back, left a voicemail on her machine, thinking she was at lunch. I'm obsessed and manic and called back every 5 minutes for two hours, but no answer (no, I'm not a psycho stalker I only left the one voicemail haha).

Around 2 I got fed up and called the main customer services line (rather than just calling her direct extension) and the lady I got through to spoke to someone else in the first lady's team and took my order numbers and said the other person would look into it and call me back. I gave them my work number so I won't miss the call again.

WELL it's been an hour and they haven't called me back yet. I know it's *only* an hour but I'm going to stress until I get everything sorted out. I'm going to give it until 4 and then call back and see if I can tell them to call my mobile number instead, because I'm leaving the office at 4:30 and it would be just my luck that customer services call my desk number at 5:30 when I'm already at home.

So frustrating, I hate playing phone tag. And I'm hoping hoping praying they're just confirming addresses (I get things shipped to a relative in the same city because nobody at my billing address is home to accept deliveries) or just another authorisation because it's such a huge order amount.

Fingers crossed. I'll let you know if/when I hear back!

Have you ordered yours yet?

2009-03-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's right ladies. The MAC Hello Kitty collection just went live on the UK website. Place your orders before the most sought after items are sold out! I don't think that Too Dolly pallette or the brush set are going to last very long!

I managed to get my order in, and got one of almost everything from the Mild/Wild collection.. I also got a few from the accessories - the brush set, the medium makeup bag, the purse-mirror and the keychain mirror doodad.

So excited. I'll post a blow by blow when I get home from work, and I can't wait for it all to come!

It's a good thing my ex-manager gave me a raise today because I am damn well going to need it to fill the brand-spanking new hole in my savings account.

Update:

So, I did more damage. As I was doing it, I knew I shouldn't but I really needed to. That vanity case was amazing looking and I do need more storage. I have one of everything aside from three accessory items (the plushie, the charm bracelet and the tote bag) coming to me in the mail. Plus a couple other miscellaneous things. Photos to be updated here and once everything comes I'll post a haul with photos and swatches. I know you don't believe me, since I'm crapariffic at adding photos so far, but I promise they are coming! <3

So excited, I can't wait for my haulage to come.

MAC Haul 02/03/09 - My first!

2009-03-03T05:24:00.000-08:00

Please bear with my ladies. I’m writing this at work, so no pictures yet. But I DID take a ton of photos yesterday which will be posted as soon as I get them on my computer and get Photobucket working properly. I’ll also try to go and back-update all the entries that are missing images =] They should be all uploaded tonight!

So, first things first. I did a bit of a MAC haul yesterday. I actually went to Meadowhall (the local mall’s name) in search of some gym clothes. I got sidetracked by MAC, which is just as well because I couldn’t find any gym clothes afterward anyway. So I spent my gym-clothes fund on a webcam. Which means, Inconscpicuous Beauty may be coming to a YouTube near you!

Maybe =]

Anyway, what did I get? Reviews of each product will come separately when I get a chance to use everything.

First, I really needed some powder foundation. My skin isn’t used to wearing liquid every day, and this may be why my Studio Sculpt has made me break out. Not major breaking out, a little under the nose, on the chin area, and one or two near my left eyebrow. Still, not pretty. So I wanted to give it a bit of a break and get some Powder that I can use on a rotational basis depending on my needs and how my skin is faring. Besides which, it will be able to double as a setting powder until I get some Blotting Powder or something. I haven’t used it yet, so no opinions aside from it sure *looks* smooth, haha.

Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation. Shade: NC15.

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Review-link coming soon.

THEN of course, I also got a different liquid foundation. I’ve heard Studio Sculpt makes people break out anyway, so it might be the foundation that’s doing it. In any case, I bought some Studio Fix Fluid foundation, which I’ve used twice so far, and so far so good.

Studio Fix SPF 15 Foundation. Shade: NC15.

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Review-link coming soon.

I went with the intent of buying the above foundations and also two or three powder eyeshadows that I can use to create a natural-neutral look. So, I asked the sales assistant to suggest some shades for me, and out of the tons she showed me together, I picked Sable and Folie. At first, I was dubious about these colours as Sable seemed too dark for a base, and Folie seemed too similar to Sable to be useable for a contour colour. But, I tried them yesterday and today and I love them together. The look is slightly darker than I was going for, but I still love it. Looks great with a dusting of white eyeshadow blended under the brow, and a tiny bit of white shadow applied around the inner corner. I might do a tutorial at some point, but I’m not sure yet because in all likelihood, I’m going to suck at tutorials. But there you go.

I’m not going to review these separately, but I’ll do a review on MAC’s powder eyeshadow pots at somepoint.

Powder Eyeshadow Pot. Shade: Folie, Sable.

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Then, I needed brushes. All weekend I’d spent at home agonizing over which three brushes I would allow myself to buy. I didn’t want to overdo it, and we all know that MAC brushes are amazing, but relatively expensive. So in the end I narrowed it down to the 217 eyeshadow brush, the 109 contouring brush, to be used with my liquid foundations, and the 134 face brush, for applying powder.

I did manage to get the 217 – and I will tell you now this is a great all-purpose “starter brush”. If you want to get some MAC eyeshadow brushes but can’t afford to go out and buy six at once or anything, start with the 217. You can use one side to apply your base color, the other side to apply your highlight color – or a second color for blending – and use the tip to define and contour the crease and outer corner. Awesome brush, totally recommended. Just be careful, white-bristled brushes are more prone to staining, especially if you’re using it to pack on colour and not just to blend out the edges.

However, the counter that I went to didn’t stock the 134 – the sales assistant said they only stock them at their stand-alone stores, of which there are zero in Sheffield – and they didn’t have the 109 in stock either. This made me sad, but it’s okay, I just bought two other brushes to compensate.

I got the 187 and 188 large and small (respectively) duo-fibre stippling brushes. The large one I use to apply foundation all over, and the small one can be used to blend places that the larger brush might miss – for example, down the sides of the nose. I love them so far, but I still really want the 109 to buff on my foundation.

187 Duo Fibre Brush

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188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush

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217 Blending Brush

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When I got home I put some clear nail polish top coat over the numbers to preserve them. Because I’m OCD like that.

On a side note, I also have four more brushes coming in the mail. I got four for just over £20 from ebay, so they’ll probably be fake – I got a fake 190 last week and am sending it back for a refund. If they are not fake, I’ll post them up. If they are, those babies are going back!

I also picked up a bottle of their brush cleanser, which is a must. Up to now I’ve been using some old Clinique facial cleansing gel to clean my brushes, because it’s for the wrong skin type and I can’t use it to wash my face. But it can’t be good for the brushes so I’ve got the proper stuff now.

Brush Cleanser

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As I was checking out, I saw the tinted lip conditioner and grabbed some of that, too. I’d been admiring it on the website and forgot about it until I saw it right in front of me, and just had to! I wore it today and it’s super moisturizing, even though it only lasted about an hour before it got wiped off on my orthodontist’s latex gloves. Fail.

Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15. Shade: Petting Pink.

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Trust me, this picture doesn’t do it justice, the real colour is pink-er than it looks here.

And finally I got a pump for my liquid foundation. It seems like such a little thing but I have to mention it because it is awesome! I was so amused and excited when I discovered the little “lid” that comes with it. I love it, it’s so effing cute.

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Love!

Unfortunately, I totally forgot that I wanted Eye Kohl in Fascinating (white), even though I saw it, swatched it, and then started asking the sales assistant for things. Sigh. Oh well, white eyeshadow will have to do until I can get one.

That’s all for now, but more will be coming soon. The much-ancitipated, super-coveted Hello Kitty collection is released here in the UK on Thrusday March 5th – set your alarms ladies! I’ll be placing an order the minute the collection is on their website, so I can get the must-haves before they sell out. More haulage to come.

And then I *really* need to behave until payday.

Review: MAC Microfine Refinisher

2009-02-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

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Today I really need to talk about my favourite skincare product. It’s a new discovery to me but is already a necessary part of my routine.

I finally discovered a facial scrub that really exfoliates and does what it says it does. In the past I’ve tried exfoliators from Avon, Clinique, a million drugstore brands, and even the ever-infamous St Ives Apricot scrub.

I have to get off topic here for a minute and say that, as hyped up as the Apricot Scrub is, as many people worship it and will force it upon anybody looking for a good facial scrub – it does not work. At least, it didn’t for me. I would have to physically scrub and scrub and scrub my face with half a bottle of that stuffat once in order to get any results at all. And even then, it just hurt and didn’t leave my face feeling clean and smooth and soft. I still had an abundance of dry skin left over that it just didn’t touch. If I were reviewing it, which I might do later, I would only give it two out of ten, that’s how much I hate it.

Anyway, I’ve tried tons of different brands and “formulas” but nothing really did the job. I tend to get really dry and flaky skin on my nose, sometimes also in my T-zone and cheeks, depending on the weather and how my skin is “feeling” at any given time. I needed an exfoliator that would actually remove that dry dead skin. None of them “felt” abrasive enough to me, but I persevered and gave everything a fare chance, finished up each tube – I hate wasting money, even if it’s on bad skincare products. And every single one either did nothing to help, or just wound up “disturbing” the dry skin, pulling it up without actually removing it, and just made it look even worse than if I hadn’t bothered in the first place.

Now, though my problems have basically disappeared, which I attribute to two things: the moisturizer I’ve been using for the past couple of months (Although I’m still not convinced it’s quite moisturizing enough for me… but we’ll see) and MAC’s Microfine Refinisher.

After using this product once, I was sold. I even marched into my aunt’s bedroom (I live with her) and made her touch my face to feel how amazingly soft it was. I usually have at least a small degree of roughness over my nose and cheeks. But damn! The words “baby” and “bottom” come to mind.

The exfoliating particles (I heard somewhere that it’s “crystals” whatever that means) are super fine, hence the name I guess, you can’t even see them. But let me tell you, you can definitely feel them. This scrub is very abrasive, and I wouldn’t recommend that people with really sensitive skin go to town on their face with it, but I personally like to be able to feel it. It lets me know my skin is definitely getting a good scrubbing and that layer of dead skin is being sloughed away.

I use it wet, but I’ve heard from a few reliable sources that it’s less abrasive if you use it on dry skin instead. Either way, you definitely do not want to over-scrub with it, because if you do, you will go red, your skin will look and feel raw, and it will hurt.

All in all though, I like the level of abrasiveness in this product, and it leaves my skin feeling totally amazing. I give this product TEN out of TEN, and I seriously doubt that any exfoliator on the market can even begin to compare (But I’m open to trying them out so if you have suggestions please let me know). I highly, highly recommend it, with the advice that you need to go easy with it, and if I had to give up my entire skincare collection, this one product I would hide away for safekeeping!

Upcoming Reviews:
Hanskin Super Magic BB Cream (Blemish Balm)
Shills Black Deep Cleansing Peel-Off Mask
Clinique Three-Step Skincare System

Review: Ardell Individual False Lash Starter Kit

2009-02-12T02:02:00.000-08:00

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Note: Sorry, still having some image issues, I'll get all of these updated once I get a chance.

Today’s review is for Ardell’s individual false lash Starter Kit.

The kit comes with two colours of false lashes – black and brown – and each one comes in three different lengths. It also has a small bottle of lash adhesive, a bottle of adhesive remover solution to take the lashes back off again, and a pair of pointy tweezers.

When I first got this set, I was really excited to try them. I was going to wait until the weekend to try to put them on, but then my enthusiasm got the better of me and I had to go put them on before bed. I’ll also let it be known that this was my first experience with any sort of false lashes, and that probably has an impact on what I’m writing now.

For maybe a week before they finally came in the mail (They were an ebay purchase) I watched countless tutorials on YouTube on how to apply false lashes, both individual ones and “full strip” lashes. It looked pretty easy, and with the kit things couldn’t go wrong, right?

I’ll say now that applying false lashes is a skill that takes time to learn. Practice makes perfect and all that. For my first time, I’d say that it wasn’t as hard as it could have been, but definitely was not as easy as the tutorials made it out to be. Knowing the correct way to do it, knowing in your head how to go about applying the lashes… well, it’s not the same as actually trying to do it. It took a while for me to get the first few on, because I had to contort myself in a variety of ways just to be able to see my lashline without the tweezers or my hand getting in the way. The next step is to hold the lash against your eyelid while the glue sets for a few seconds. Easier said than done. I kept having to blink. Then the lashes would rotate and I’d have to mess around trying to turn them back.

As I went along though they did get easier to apply, so once you’ve had some practice they should be pretty easy to get a set on.

Anyway, I thought that the best thing about these lashes is that they can be worn for anywhere from a few days, to six weeks, depending on how you care for them. Sleeping with your face squished into a pillow like I normally do will obviously make them detach sooner, as will using oil-based makeup removers and cleansers, that kind of thing.

All in all it took me about half an hour to apply lashes to both of my eyes, and shortly afterward I went to bed. I was careful not to sleep with my face in the pillow, and when I woke up the next morning, the lashes were all intact, except for one which I quickly put back on before getting ready for work.

The lashes themselves do look natural once they’re on, but are kind of dramatic. I used the medium length ones on the outer half of my eyes, and the short ones on the inner half – and even then they were a bit long for my liking. I can’t imagine actually using the long ones, I think it would be way too intense. If applied correctly and maybe if you trim them a bit, they do look good. The main thing I would advise though is to put a line of liquid liner on after applying your lashes, because the “roots” of the false lashes are kind of obvious against your skin, but can easily be disguised by a little black eyeliner. The liner also helps them look less obvious, or at least in my case it did.

Last night is what I thought would be the major test: washing your face with lashes on. I put the lashes on after cleansing, and in the morning before work yesterday I washed my face but didn’t touch the eye area. Last night, however, I had to take off my eye makeup. I was very careful about how I rubbed my cleanser around the eyes, and managed to get it done without disturbing the lashes. So job complete!

This morning was a different story though. I think I’d slept with my eye into the pillow last night, so when I got up this morning and gently washed my face, about a third of the lashes were at least partially detached. I was going to leave them on for another couple of days to see what the lasting power is, but at that time in the morning it really just didn’t seem worth the time to take all the glue off the lashes and reapply them without being late for work. So, I took them off.

First I soaked a face cloth in hot hot water and then held it against my eyelids to try to “steam” loose the lash adhesive. After a few bouts with this about half of the remaining lashes came off without having to use the adhesive-removing solution. The rest were really stubbourn and were stuck on much better, so I went into my room and used a Q-Tip to gently rub the lash removing solution over the base of the lashes.

Just a note: that stuff burned when I got it into my left eye. I tried to rub it on between my natural lash and the false lash rather than just on top, but it just got into my eyes and stung like a mother. Obviously since the solution is designed to be used around the eye area, it wasn’t some kind of acid that blinded me, but it was still not a very pleasant experience. It took about three minutes or so to get the remaining lashes off, which to me meant that if I had glued the rest of them on as well as these ones, then none of them would have come off in the first place.

Another thing I didn’t like about this kit was the lack of aftercare instructions. It had a full set of instructions for how to apply the lashes to a client (Not on yourself, mind) but didn’t give any information at all as to how best care for them when they’re on. How to wash your face, what kinds of items to stay away from, how to take them off again – none of that was included, so it took some internet research to figure out what to do.

All in all it was a decent first experience and I’m glad I bought them and tried them. It definitely does take practice to perfect the application of false lashes and to help them stay on longer than 36 hours. And I commend those of you who have the patience to do it! Personally though I give these things a rating of FIVE OUT OF TEN. Even though they looked natural and would probably last longer if I tried again, I can’t say they’re something I couldn’t live without. The truth is it was fun, but kind of an unnecessary hassle – and the burning sensation from the remover solution was enough to knock off a couple of points.

Next I plan to try some full-strip lashes so I’ll update you on them another time. And of course, if I try the individual lash set again and have a better experience, I’ll update the rating here too, because it’s only fair!

Upcoming Reviews:
MAC Microfine Refinisher
Hanskin Super Magic BB Cream (Blemish Balm)
Shills Black Deep Cleansing Peel-Off Mask
Clinique Three-Step Skincare System

Review: Lancôme Hypnose Mascara

2009-02-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

My latest review is for Lancôme’s Hypnose mascara.

I’ll be up front and honest here and say that I don’t particularly have any kind of brand loyalty where it comes to mascara. Mascara is probably the cosmetic product that I use the most, so you would think I would also be the most discerning about it, but this hasn’t proven to be the case. Right now at home I have no fewer than six different tubes of mascara, and at least four separate brands.

For the most part, mascara has been something that I relied on heavily just to – well – not look stupid. That might sound weird, but let me explain. I’m a natural (dark) blonde, and as such my eyelashes are also very fair as well. So much so that, if I don’t wear mascara, it almost looks like I don’t have any, which in turn just makes my eyes look very odd. So even on those very rare days where I’m braving the world bare-faced, even when I’m so sick that the idea of messing around with makeup makes me want to pass out – even then, I have to wear a coat of mascara.

I’ve tried all kinds of mascaras. Victoria’s Secret, Max Factor, Maybelline, Collection 2000, Avon, god only knows what else. Some have been better than others, obviously, but I’ve never actually *loved* a mascara. Okay, okay, we use the word “love” far too loosely. I’ve never really really liked any particular mascara. As long as it didn’t clump and it made my lashes black, well, I’d wear it and I would deal.

But this mascara is more than that. It manages to emphasize my lashes, adding a slight curl – although I still curl my lashes before applying anyway – definitely making them black and thick looking, adding a bit of length. Which is basically everything you can ask for in a mascara. The thing is though, even though the mascara itself is very thick and kind of creamy in texture, it’s generally really good for not clumping. And if there’s one thing that will make me hate a mascara it is a brand that creates clumpey spider-spikes. One coat of this mascara and I’m good to go. (Unlike the Maybelline mascara I used to wear, that required at least two coats to add any definition at all. One coat would colour but that’s basically it) In fact, this mascara does such a good job of what it *should* be doing that I no longer feel the need to use a lash primer underneath, which is something I’d been relying heavily on for the past couple of months.

There really isn’t much else to say about this mascara, other than it is good, it does what it is supposed to, and you should try it. So instead of rambling inanely I’m going to end here and give you my final score: EIGHT OUT OF TEN. Not a ten because while it is good for not clumping, there are occasional bits that need to be combed out. And if you add more than 1-2 layers then it’s definitely too thick. But the idea is that you only need one layer anyway, so most people shouldn’t have this problem.

Upcoming Reviews:
MAC Microfine Refinisher
Hanskin Super Magic BB Cream (Blemish Balm)
Ardell Individual Lashes Starter Kit
Clinique Three-Step Skincare System

Ps: Sorry for the lack of images, I’ll get them uploaded and in place soon, I’m just having issues with my Photobucket right now for some reason.

Review: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

2009-02-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

The first thing I really have to write about here is a new product from MAC called Studio Sculpt Foundation.

I have to start this off by saying that generally speaking, I am not a fan of liquid foundations. All of my experience with liquid foundations in the past have been mismatched colours, cakey feeling, oily, greasy, obviously makeup, horribleness. Every time I’ve worn liquid foundation in the past has felt like wearing clown’s greasepaint smeared on my face. I have dry skin but foundation always left it feeling oily. It always made my face hot and the feel of sweating under a thick mask of makeup… well, it’s not good. I hate the feel, I hate the look. Because of all of this, until now I’ve stuck to wearing powder or mineral foundation – which has still been a chore due to my very fair skin tone. I’ve had a hell of a time trying to find foundation that suits my “natural colouring”. More often than not, the lightest shade of a line is still even marginally too dark for me, so I have to use a very very light touch when dusting it onto my face.

So it could be said that I never expected to be giving a positive review to any foundation, let alone a liquid one. But people, there is a first time for everything, and this foundation has actually spurned in me the idea to start a beauty blog. I found myself trawling Yahoo Answers this weekend to sing the praises of this foundation to anybody who posted a “What foundation should I buy?” question. This foundation is really *that* amazing.

First of all, it has an SPF factor of 15 built in, which isn’t really high protection but at least it’s something, and a girl’s face can use all the protecting it can get. It’s gel-based so it’s really light-feeling and not greasy at all. It blends beautifully and you can apply as much or as little as you like depending on the coverage you want. If you just brush on a thin layer, it gives you a beautifully flawless and slightly dewy complexion that looks more like natural good skin than makeup. If you add a little more you can up your coverage to mask more imperfections.

But to me the best part about this foundation is that it doesn’t feel like wearing makeup. To me anyway, it doesn’t feel any heavier than the moisturizer I put on every morning. It doesn’t look like makeup, it doesn’t feel like makeup – and so far, it doesn’t rub off like makeup either.

While I’m at it, I have to say that MAC’s shade range is fantastic as well. I had serious doubts as to whether I would ever find “MY SHADE” but when I went into MAC and asked the sales assistant, she tried two colours on me and boom – the second one was simply perfect. So I would also strongly urge that instead of just guessing at your shade and undertone and whatnot and ordering online blindly, please go into a MAC store if there is one available to you. Getting an expert’s help can be the real difference between falling in love with The Perfect Foundation and just becoming seriously irritated.

Honestly, I cannot sing the praises of this foundation enough. If you’re looking for a new foundation and want something that just looks natural instead of caked-on-fake, please give this a try. It’s so totally worth it. In total I'd give it a score of NINE OUT OF TEN. Even my favourite powder foundation can't measure up to that!

That’s it for now but please check back soon because I’ve already got a few more reviews in mind that need to be written up, so they’ll be coming soon.

Upcoming Reviews:
Lancôme Hypnose Mascara
MAC Microfine Refinisher
Hanskin Super Magic BB Cream (Blemish Balm)
Ardell Individual Lashes Starter Kit
Clinique Three-Step Skincare System

What it is and what it's for

2009-02-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

Okay guys, just a little intro to let you know what this is about. I'm going to be posting reviews here, because I'm just awesome like that. My favourite products, and the stuff that deserves to wind up in the trash heap. Reviews will be coming soon, and will be updated whenever I come across something new to try out, or something old that just needs to be discussed.

Catch you on the flip-side!

-Vix