Review: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation SPF 15

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC25

Product Info from MAC:

A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. Hydrating, instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing. Water-resistant.

RETAIL PRICE: Php 1,950.00

WEIGHT: 40 ml

SHADES : Available in 23 shades.

PROS:
* hygenic squeeze tube packaging

* has spf 15
* easy to blend ; unique gel like texture
* a little amount goes a long way - i only need a pea-sized amount for my face.
* provides medium to full coverage. Covers pores and slight pimple marks.
* no weird smell

CONS:
* poor oil control - my t-zone looks oily after 3 hours. With other foundations I only retouch once during the day.
* it broke me out =(
* oxidizes even with primer underneath (I'm using Monistat powder gel)
* can look cakey if you applied too much product


TIPS:
* I prefer using my fingertips to apply this foundation. Apply a little amount at a time, gently PAT on areas that need more coverage. Set with loose powder.
* To prevent foundation from caking, use blotting films first to soak up oil before retouching with powder.


I RECOMMEND THIS TO:
I think this foundation is suited for people with normal to dry skin types.

OVERALL:
I HATE it coz it gave me breakouts! I think I'm not hiyang anymore with MAC foundations... Good thing I didn't have break outs with their blushes and MSF's.

More pics (click to enlarge)

Ingredients list

Swatch

Till next time,

Spend vs Save: MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick

Spend: MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick (Lustre) - Php 950.00
Save: Maybelline Watershine Pure Lipstick in P11 - Php 299.00

Swatches

Close up shot

As you can see, Gaga is a tad darker than P11 but they almost look similar when applied on my lips. Both shades goes sheer at first but the color is buildable. Since Viva Glam Gaga is Limited Edition (LE), I'm glad I've found a cheaper alternative that is locally available.

Till next time,

Swatches: MAC Blushes

Close up pics (click to enlarge)

Springsheen

Peach with gold pearl (sheertone shimmer)
The shade reminds me of NARS Orgasm except that O has more pink tones in it.

Dollymix

Pure candy pink (Sheertone shimmer)
My favorite MAC blush!
This looks scary pink on the pan, but when applied with a light hand this gives me a natural pink flush. This suits fair-medium skintones IMO so this shade is a must have!
I own Pink Swoon before, its a pretty light pink but I hate swiping the brush several times on the pan, and it ends up looking chalky on me =P

Gentle

Raspberry with gold pearl (mineralize)
A shimmery light pink when worn, I don't know why MAC described it as a "Raspberry shade".

Love Rock (Grand Duo)

Golden violet marbling with solid bright bluish pink
I prefer to use this shade as highlight when I'm wearing a pink blush, the shimmers are just too much =P

Swatches

Another shot
From left:
Love rock | Springsheen | Dollymix | Gentle

I rarely use my MAC blushes nowadays coz I prefer Shu Uemura or NARS.
What's your favorite MAC blush?

Till next time,

Swatches : MAC Lipglass & Lustreglass

From left:

1. MAC Lustreglass in Pinkarat
2. MAC Lustreglass in Venetian
3. MAC Lipglass in Sweet Strawberry (Hello Kitty Collection)
4. MAC Lipglass in Light that fire (Warm & Cozy Collection)
5. MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade
6. MAC Lipglass in Sexy Sweet (Belle Azure Collection)
7. MAC Lipglass in Style Minx (Heatherette Collection)

Shade description from MAC:
Pinkarat - soft toned pink with gold pearl
Venetian - maraschino pink with pearl
Sweet Strawberry - sheer berry with blue pearl
Light that fire - midtone burnt coral with pearl
Pink Lemonade - flamingo pink
Sexy sweet - butterscotch orange with pearl
Style minx - dark fuchsia with purple shimmers


I really love sticky glosses! =)

Here's my top 3 lipgloss brands:
1. MAC
2. Lancome Juicy tubes
3. NYX Megashine glosses

I forgot to include my MAC Clear Lipglass, click HERE to read my review.

Till next time,

Swatches : MAC Brow set

MAC Browset in Girl boy and Beguile
Price: Php 800+ in MAC Stores.

Click HERE to read my review.

Left : Girl boy (fawn-blonde) - perfect for light colored hair
Right : Beguile (full bodied taupe) - shade is perfect for dark brown hair

My favorite is Beguile coz on me it looks more natural compared to Girl boy.
I use this almost everyday to set my In2it brow color.


Have you tried this product?
What brow products are you using?

Till next time,

Review : MAC Mineralized Skinfinish (MSF) in Gold Spill

Click to enlarge

PRODUCT INFO from MAC:

A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks and brows, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face.

RETAIL PRICE: Around Php 1,500 (about $32) <- correct me if I'm wrong.
Bought this from Babyjap for a much cheaper price.

WEIGHT : 10 grams / 0.35 US oz.

SHADES : Available in several LE (limited edition) shades. Currently, MAC has 5:
> Sunny by nature - rich bronze w/ pink pearl
> Cheeky bronze - soft golden coral w/ bronze pearl
> Comfort - golden bronze
> Gold deposit - soft reflective golden-bronze
> Soft and Gentle - gilded peach bronze
> Gold Spill - Pink peach w/ warm brown and cream pearl (LE shade)

WHAT I LIKE:
* its multi-purpose! can be used as blush, bronzer and eyeshadow
* made of minerals
* love the dome shape (since this is baked)
* nice color pay-off; pigmented
* not too shimmery when applied
* MSF's are very lightweight on the face
* no allergies

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
* MSF's are fragile! Do NOT drop this.
* messy - when I use a kabuki brush, the powder tends to scatter all over the compact.


TIPS:
Can be used alone or layered over blush (as contour powder). I always use this with NARS Orgasm blush. Thanks Babyjap for the tip! I prefer to use my Ecotools blush brush or angled blush brush to apply this.

ADDICTION FACTOR:
Yes, if the price is cheap.

RATING :
5 out of 5.

Swatch (click to enlarge)

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Gold Spill

Lovely peach-bronze color eh?!


Till next time,

Review: MAC Lip Erase Lip balm in Dim

This is a Limited Edition lip balm from Dsquared2 collection, but its also available in their PRO Line.

MAC Lip Erase Lip balm in Dim

PRODUCT INFO from MAC Pro Site:

A flesh-toned balm that visually neutralizes and erases natural colour from the lip. Shine- and texture-free. Available in a choice of two shades for use on light to medium skin tones.

RETAIL PRICE: $16 (about php 700). Bought it for Php 850.

WEIGHT : 15 grams

SHADES : Available in 1 shade from the Dsquared2 Collection, but 2 shades from their PRO Line.
> Dim (medium skintones)
> Pale (light skintones)

WHAT I LIKE:
* its a lip neutralizer, lipbalm and a sheer nude lipstick in one!
* can be used on its own or under lipstick/gloss
* doesn't feel heavy on the lips
* very creamy
* pot contains a lot of product

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
* emphasizes dry, chapped lips. Make sure to exfoliate first.
* pot packaging is not hygenic
* smells makeup-y on the pot (don't worry it will disappear once applied)
* not sure if its still available locally

TIPS:
Want nude lips? You can use this alone + a clear gloss(optional). Make sure to apply a lipbalm prior to applying Lip erase using a lip brush. You can also reapply lipbalm before applying lipstick.
One beauty routine that I NEVER skip is applying lip balm before I go to bed. I alternate using Smith's Minted lipbalm or Rosemith salve. During daytime I prefer to use Carmex Strawberry lipbalm since it has SPF 15.

ADDICTION FACTOR:
Will not repurchase soon coz I think this will last me for more than a year.

RATING :
4 out of 5.

Swatch
MAC Lip Erase Lip balm in Dim

My pigmented bare lips - before applying lip erase.

Nude lips after using lip erase.. love it!

Before, light lip colors doesn't show up on my lips. Sometimes RED lipsticks turns fuschia-ish on me. Thank you lip erase! LOL.


Till next time,

Review : MAC Mineralize blush in Gentle

Color is really boring in the pan right?!

MAC Mineralize blush in Gentle

PRODUCT INFO from MAC:

Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.

RETAIL PRICE: Php 1,200 in MAC stores.

WEIGHT : 3.5 grams / 0.11 US oz.

SHADES : Available in 7 shades.
Dainty (Light yellow pink with gold pearl)
Superdupernatural (Mid-tone coral)
Gentle (Raspberry with gold pearl)

Warm soul (Mid-tone beige with gold pearl)

Love Thing (Dirty burgundy with gold pearl)
Gleeful (Deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl)
Love Joy (Warm mid-tone brown with gold pearl)

WHAT I LIKE:
* i love baked makeup / mineralize finishes
* has fine gold shimmers - not glitters
* above average staying power
* looks natural! it has a sheer but buildable color
* looks purple-y on the pan but registers as a sheer pink on my cheeks

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
* texture of powder is not as fine as their regular blushes (but it doesn't bother me)
* product is only 3.5 grams compared to the regular blush which is 6 grams

TIPS:
Like what I've said before, be careful not to drop BAKED makeups since this is very fragile.

ADDICTION FACTOR:
I'm in love with this blush!

RATING :
5 out of 5.

Swatch

MAC Mineralize blush in Gentle

See the color is very different from the pan...

Till next time,

Review : MAC Dsquared2 Sculpt and Shape Powder Duo

This Limited Edition Powder is part of the Dsquared2 Collection released last November 2009. Got this from a Hongkong based seller on Ebay for Php 1,200+ only including shipping. It arrived after a month coz of the holidays. Read on to find out if its worth the wait =)

MAC Dsquared2 Sculpt and Shape powder in Accentuate/Sculpt

PRODUCT INFO:

Sculpt and Shape Powder is a split-pan, two-in-one powder with the perfect level of pigment for creating a naturally sculpted look. The deeper shade is matte, making it perfect for contouring the face and body. The lighter shade has low-level pearlized pigments, making it ideal for highlighting the high planes of the face. This non-acnegenic formula has jet-milled pigments to allow for smooth, even, silky application. Sculpt and Shape Powder contains skin conditioning agents like Wheat and Barley Extracts and is dermatologist and ophthalomologist-tested.

RETAIL PRICE: Php 1,500 in MAC stores.

WEIGHT : 11.5 grams / 0.40 oz.

SHADES :
Accentuate/Sculpt (Pale peach highlighter and cool matte brown contour powder)
Bone Beige/Emphasize (Pale cream shimmer higlighter and reddish brown contouring powder)

WHAT I LIKE:
* finely milled texture
* long lasting - after swatching, I washed my hands 2x and the color didn't budge!
* contour powder is natural looking compared to using bronzers, doesn't create a harsh line when applied.
* easy to blend (compared to using bronzers to contour in my experience)
* pan holds a lot of product - will last me a long time!
* no weird smell

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
* this is Limited Edition. Not sure if MAC have this in their permanent line.
* expensive
* wish the compact has a mirror included

TIPS:
I use the dark shade to contour my nose bridge (using Sansan's angled eyeshadow brush) and the hollow of my cheeks using Everyday Minerals Angled brush or MAC 168 brush.

For the light shade I use it to highlight my T-zone (forehead, chin, nose) and my cheekbones.

ADDICTION FACTOR:
Really worth it.. Will definitely repurchase!

RATING :
5 out of 5.

Swatch

MAC Dsquared2 Sculpt and Shape powder in Accentuate/Sculpt

The contour powder looks very natural on my skintone.

*image from Temptalia.com*

Left - Bone Beige / Emphasize
Right - Accentuate / Sculpt

I think Bone Beige/Emphasize is for light skintones and Accentuate/Sculpt for light to medium skintones.

See ya next time,

New NARS blushes + blush collection..

Just want to make a quick post to greet everyone a Merry Christmas! =)

Here's my new NARS babies.. and my updated blush collection.

Recently bought them last two weeks.. Reviews to follow!


Teaser pics

Top :
NARS Orgasm, Super Orgasm and Taos

From Left:
(MAC Blushes)
Dollymix
Gentle
Afterdusk
Springsheen
Desert Rose


Random Brands

TOP:
The Body Shop Shimmerwaves in Peach
L'oreal Blush delice in Front page peach
G-lish Patric Rosas Blush in Sweet Pink
Sansan Blush Mosaic in RSVP Pink
ELF Bronzer in Sunkissed

BOTTOM:
Maybelline Mineral Blush in Simply Coral
L'oreal Blush delice in Rosy Cheeks
NYX Blush in Pinky
NYX Blush in Desert Rose
Ever Bilena Blush in Cheek
Elianto Baked Blush in Natural Purple
ELF Glow

NOT SHOWN:
Ellana Mineral blush in Happiness
Everyday Minerals blush in Wake up call
Cover girl classic blush in Rose silk

Teeny Haul

What I got for myself this week.. Can't wait to get my hands on them!

MAC Dsquared2 Sculpt and Shape Powder
in Accentuate/Sculpt
(first pic below)

Bought this in Ebay.

Been lemming for this powder eversince Jessie used this to contour my round face during my birthday party last October.. haha! Can't find other contour powders that looks natural on fair skin, at last I have one! Can't wait to review this..

MAC Mineralized Blush in Gentle
*Image borrowed from NORDSTROM's website*

Bought this from a fellow blogger, babyjap.
I'm in love with the color.. I love anything that has gold flecks! Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeliner in Black
*Image from Laura Mercier's site*

Another item from babyjap.
I'm already tired of gel eyeliners coz they tend to dry fast (after 2 months or so)..

The infamous NARS Orgasm Blush
*Image from NARS site*

Got this from swap last week.

Will post reviews soon..