Going, Going, Gone!

Must-buys from MAC, before they disappear

 

MAC and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship.  Like any self-respecting makeup addict, I adore most of their products but and there's a BIG but, I hate that they discontinue some really great products..

I was browsing MAC's website when I came across their "Goodbyes" section.  For those of you that may be unfamiliar with it, the "Goodbyes" section is where products go to die.  They're usually a combination of permanent, pro and limited edition makeup and accessories that are on their way to being discontinued.  And no, contrary to my fervent hopes, they're NEVER on sale!

I usually don't buy anything from this section because honestly, most of the products on there have good reasons for being discontinued.   The eyeshadows are either too chalky or too gritty, the lipsticks are mediocre and the blushes don't have good payoff...all good reasons to weed them out of production.

However, this time, I was stunned at the products they're discontinuing and wanted to share a few "must-haves" before they're gone.  I've already bought a few of these as backups, hoarder that I am ;)

These are the eyeshadows I recommend highly:

Jete ($15)

This shade was recently resurrected as part of the MAC By Request Collection, voted for by fans.  I'd describe Jete as a champagne base with a hint of coral/pink.  The finish is a veluxe pearl, one of my favorite finishes by MAC.  Veluxe pearls are usually buttery soft, shimmery without being gritty and are easily buildable.  Jete is very versatile neutral that can be applied as a light wash over the eyes for a workday look or packed on for a lovely evening look.  It's a shade that flatters all complexions.

MAC Jete eyeshadow

Samoa Silk ($15)

Samoa Silk has been a permanent fixture in MAC's repertoire of eyeshadows for years. It's a peachy orange with a veluxe finish that's matte.  It's a wonderful go-to neutral and despite being matte, isn't chalky or powdery.  I sometimes use this to set my undereye concealer- the peachiness of this shade helps to cancel out the blue in my undereye area quite nicely.

MAC Samoa Silk eyeshadow

Kid ($15)

Kid is a warm peachy brown shade that's perfect for fair to medium-toned skin.  It's a veluxe finish, basically matte without any chalkiness.  I use this shade as a wash and also in the crease to blend deeper browns or tone down brighter shades.

MAC Kid eyeshadow

Weathered ($21)

Part of MAC's Pro Longwear Eyeshadow collection, Weathered is an incredibly complex blue-gray shade with multi-colored shimmer.  You could wear it over a black base for a lovely duo-chrome effect or pair it with a lilac shade for a sultry smokey eye.  Either way, this shade will rock your world!

MAC Weathered eyeshadow

These are currently available online at MAC

I've already ordered backups of these, will you be buying any for your collection?

I'd love to hear from you :)

have a lovely week,
Batul
 

Dior Bird of Paradise Collection- Summer 2013

Ready to soar through Latin America?

 

Christian Dior's passion for the luxuriant, tropical nature and animals of Latin America and Brazil inspired Dior's Summer 2013 collection.  The Bird of Paradise collection embraces the lush vibrancy of nature and brings us eyeshadow palettes featuring shimmering shades in aquatic blues, verdant greens and hints of buttery yellow for truly exotic eyes.  The collection also has two new Dior Addict lipsticks inspired by the warmth of the tropics.

Check out the promo and product pics below-

 

This gorgeous collection features the following products:

Diorskin Nude Tan BB Creme 

Dior infused its original BB Creme with a natural bronzing agent and hydrating ingredients like jisten, mauve and hibiscus, as well as green, red and white tea extracts that work to illuminate the skin.  What I like about this product is that compared to the original Diorskin BB Creme, this version has SPF 15.
Bronzing power coupled with UV protection, yes please!

The BB creme retails for $44 and is available in 2 shades:

01: golden, yellow undertone

02: bronzy, pink undertone

Diorskin Nude Tan BB creme

BB creme swatch 02

BB creme swatch 01

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo

This is a limited edition product that combines bronzer and blush.  Temptalia has an excellent review on these if you'd like to learn more.  From my research, it seems as they're fairly similar looking once applied so you may not need to purchase both.

The duo retails for $56 and is available in 2 shades:

Pink Glow
Coral Glow

Diorskin Nude Tan- Pink Glow

Diorskin Nude Tan- Coral Glow

5 Couleurs Eyeshadow

These products are limited edition and feature satin finish eyeshadows embossed in Dior's signature logo and pattern.

Each palette retails for $60 and is available in 2 versions:
 
Peacock- green, dark blue-green, light chartreuse, turquoise blue and buttery yellow/champagne
Blue Lagoon- light, medium and dark blue with shimmer finish

Dior 5 Couleurs Peacock

Dior 5 Couleurs Blue Lagoon

Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer Duo

These are mini nail polish duos that feature a cream finish nail polishes and a metallic finish one as well.

Each duo retails for $29 and is available in the following shades:

Samba: Features a metallic finish blue-green nail polish similiar to Chanel Azure and a cream finish in a muted, milky green base.
Bahia:  Features two cream nail polishes in petrol blue and hibiscus pink.

Dior Vernis Bahia

Dior Vernis Samba

 

Jelly Lip Pens

Dior describes them as "Jelly Balms," with the color and sheen of lip gloss and the moisturizing benefits of a lip balm.  They're jumbo lip pencils and they look similar to the ones by Tarte, Clinique and Revlon.

Each jelly lip pen retails for $26 and comes in 3 shades:

Copacabana: Shimmery brown-pink
Carioca: Peachy, orange with a slight gold sheen
Gaia: Rose-pink

Jelly Lip Pen Copacabana

Jelly Lip Pen Carioca

Jelly Lip Pen Gaia

Dior Addict Lip Maximiser

According to Dior, this peachy, apricot lip gloss boosts volume instantly and restructures in the long term due to a blend of hyaluronic and marine-based fillers that smooth, moisturize and plump lips.  For those sensitive to fragrance, it does have a mint-vanilla scent.

It retails for $31.

Dior Addict Lip Maximiser

Diorshow Liner

This is a long-lasting, waterproof liner that comes in a retractable pen form.

It currently retails for $29 and is only available in Aqua green.

Diorshow Liner Aqua Green

 

Dior Addict Lipsticks

Dior adds two new shades to it's pre-existing line of Addict lipsticks.  If you're new to Dior Addict lipsticks, they are high shine, semi-transparent, moisturizing lipsticks that are extremely comfortable to wear.

The two new shades retail for $31 each and come in the following colors:

Exotique: Warm coral pink
Passionnee:  Bright blue based pink

Dior Addict Exotique

Dior Addict Passionnee

This is a fairly large rollout by Dior and the color palette is perfect for a glowy summer look.

The entire collection is available online at Sephora, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales and Dior.

Will you be getting any of these products?  Are there any "must-buys" on your wishlist?

I'm still debating on whether I want to invest in these as I already have similar shades--and I need to stop buying makeup every week :)

Have a wonderful week,
B

Beauty News: RiRi ♥ M·A·C - The Online-Exclusive Lipstick Created by Rihanna

It's here...

 

Rihanna loves M∙A∙C. Global superstars in their own right, MAC and Rihanna have collaborated on and created an exclusive matte red lipstick inspired by the cult shade Ruby Woo.

World, meet RiRi Woo. 

RiRi Woo retails for $15 USD and is available now exclusively online at MAC Cosmetics in North America; May 2013 (Available internationally). Also available at Barclays Center and MAC Pop-Up Store for Rihanna's concert ticket holders.

RiRi loves MAC lipstick- RiRi Woo

Update:

RiRi Woo sold out in three hours! I tried to get one but was unable to.  It's coming out in June so if you really want it, you can get it then :)

Beauty News- VIB treat for you or mom this Mother's day

VIB Makeover Event at Sephora

 

Stop the press, take a sick day, play hookie..

Sephora's having an exclusive VIB Makeover event for you or Mom in honor of Mother's day this year.  If my mom lived in the same country as me, I'd be taking her to Sephora for sure!! 

Seriously, my mom and I wander Sephora at Union Square in SF looking like a pair of Alices in Wonderland.  The displays filled with pots of color and shimmer and potions, the perfume racks, the little wands of mascara that beckon as we stand in line...the effect is well, curiouser and curiouser.

Here's the lowdown:

Call your nearest Sephora to make an appointment for a 45 minute complimentary makeover with an expert makeup artist. 

Proceed to call your mother and tell her how much you love her..

Do it for an event, do it for fun, do it to make your mom feel extra special..

Oh and before I forget, the event ends on May 19.  All good things must come to an end, non?

That's what they said when I left Paris..

Mom if you're reading this, I wish you were here.  

xoxo,
B

Beauty News and Swatches- Illamasqua Paranormal Collection now online

 Why be normal, when you can be paranormal?

 

 Amen.

Where do I sign up?

Illamasqua, a UK based cosmetics brand, is a powerhouse when it comes to innovative and edgy makeup.  If Tim Burton were a makeup artist, he'd probably be at Illamasqua, reveling in the wondrous color palettes and products.

Their latest launch, Paranormal, dares you to step into another dimension and give in to beauty.  The color story features a series of otherworldly mauve lipsticks, a deep bronze compact and undoubtedly, the star of the collection- the UV Nail Glow Varnishes.  Nailpolishes that shimmer by day and radiate by UV.

Check out the promo pics and products below for more information.  This is a pic heavy post so it may take a bit longer to load, please be patient.  I promise, it's worth it :)

All images are sourced from Illamasqua.com

Promo Pics

Products

UV Glow Nail Varnishes (£15.00)

Worn alone, these are bold colors with shimmer finishes. Under UV light, they emit an ethereal glow that cannot be ignored.

• Seance- Bright Violet

Seance UV Glow Nail Varnish

Seance Swatch

• Ouija- Bright Pink

Ouija UV Glow Nail Varnish

Ouija Swatch

• Omen- Bright Green

Omen

Omen Swatch

• Geist- Clear UV Topcoat

Geist Clear UV Topcoat

Geist swatch

Paranormal Palette (£34.00)

Water-resistant, cream and powder hybrid eye shadow.  Illamasqua describes it as delivering the textured silky appearance of a powder, but with the deep color wash of a cream. 

The palette features 4 colors- Paranormal (vivid cerise), Aura (warm copper), Trance (soft violet) or Possession (cool green).

Paranormal Eyeshadow Palette

Lipsticks (£16.50)

This collection features two matte lipsticks in the purple family.

• ESP- Vivid Violet color with a matte finish

Illamasqua ESP Lipstick

• Posture- Cool mauve with a matte finish 

Illamasqua Posture Lipstick

Gleam in Supernatural (£18.00) 

Fans of Gleam, Rejoice!! I'm so happy this cream compact is back.  It's a gorgeous bronze cream compact that can be used on the face and body to highlight features.

Illamasqua Gleam

Hydra Veil (£27.00)

This is a hydrating, gel-based makeup primer.  Wear it under foundation to minimize pores and help your foundation last longer.

Hydra Veil Makeup Primer

 Precision Gel Liner in Infinity (£18.00)

 Long lasting, waterproof gel eyeliner in a deep, rich black.

Infinity Precision Gel Liner

Fine eyeliner brush (£19.00)

A fine tipped eyeliner brush with a detachable cover for extra protection.

Eye liner brush

The entire collection is available online on Illamasqua

I know I'll be getting a few products from this incredible collection.  Are you considering getting any of these goodies?  If so, which ones are you planning on getting?

Enjoy your week,
B

Chanel Summer 2013 Launch- L’Ete Papillon de Chanel

A Summer of butterflies- Info and photos

Chanel is timelessly chic and let’s face it, horrendously expensive :)
 

Just keeping it real…

That being said, their latest collection, L’Ete Papillon de Chanel is worth splurging on.  The color palette is  inspired by butterfly wings...Resistance is futile..

Check out the promo pictures below.  They made my heart sing with joy.

The Limited Edition collection features the following:

Stylo Eyeshadow

 

These eyeshadow pens have a cooling, water infused formula that leave a shimmering veil on your lids.   

They’re $34 each and come in the following colors:

• Platinum: Moon River
• Gold: Cool Gold
• Pink: Pink Lagoon
• Silvery Turquoise: Blue Bay
• Sage green: Jade Shore
• Silvery black: Black Stream 

Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eye liner

·     

      There's only 1 eyeliner in this collection and it retails for $30.

•      Turquoise: True Blue

 

Inimitable Mascara  

 

Waterproof and multi-dimensional mascaras.  The way I see it, you can cry tears of joy once you have them on and NOT have color streaking your face.  These are perfect for summer and I will be doing a few looks with the ones I've ordered.  

They're $30 each and come in the following colors:

• Blue Green: Aqua Blue
• Lemony yellow: Zest
• Bright Green: Lime Light
• Bright Blue: Blue Note
• Black: Noir (This is part of their permanent line)

Les 4 Ombres

A baked eyeshadow quads with matte, satin and shimmer shades in the blue-green-gray family.  For a gentle wash of color, apply dry.  For an intense, dramatic look, apply wet.  

This retails for $59.

• Metamorphose

 

Rouge Coco Shine

These are hydrating, sheer lipsticks that leave a very soft shine on the lips.  They give a hint of color without depth/saturation.   

They’re $34 each.

• Raspberry: Pygmalion (The literary geek in me loves the reference)
• Peach: Idylle

Levres Scintillantes

Chanel is famous for their glossimers. They’re shimmery lip glosses that aren’t sticky or gritty.  Layer them over a lipstick or wear them over bare lips and you’re set!   

They're $29.50 each.

• Coral: Envolee
• Shimmery Beige: Zephyr (this is a perfect neutral for any season)
• Light Raspberry: Eden

Le Vernis 

Nobody does nail polish like Chanel.  Their formulas are amazingly multi-dimensional, opaque, complex and spread evenly without streaking.  This is one little luxury I splurge on…:)

They’re $27 each.

• Deep, Caribbean blue: Bel-argus
• Blue-Green: Azure
• Bright Coral: Lilis

The collection is now available online on Chanel.com, Nordstroms, Saks and Bloomingdales.  It's also available at Chanel counters.

I ordered a few products and will be posting reviews shortly. Stay tuned.

Happy Friday,

B