M.A.C Bronzing Powder in Redefined Golden Swatches & Review

M.A.C Claims: 

A lightly frosted, tinted powder that gives skin sheer, natural colour effects and highlights. Ideal for enhancing a skin tone or to accent or strengthen a tan. Skin-conditioning - and formulated to provide a smooth, even application on all skin types.

Before trying out any of M.A.C's Bronzers I actually tried M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in a deeper shade than my own. The way it looked is very natural and I still use it from time to time. Instead of dealing and using the same product for one thing, I decided to branch out and try a bronzer because it's a little deeper in color and has some shimmer to it, it's also a less expensive alternative than using a Skinfinish for everything. 

When I went into the M.A.C Counter I was promptly greeted by the M.A.C girl that always helps me out. I explained what I was looking for. I wanted a nice bronzer that I could use to contour my jawbone, cheekbones and little of my forehead. Without hesitating she picked this up and showed me what it looked like. I saw the shimmer and thought to myself "Oh my God, I'm going to look like a bronzed glitter ball," although those were my first thoughts I took the risk and tried it on just to see what it looked like. I loved the way it looked. The shimmer showing up on the skin is very toned down compared to the pressed product in the packaging. It gave just the right amount of shimmer.

M.A.C. Bronzing Powder in Redefined Golden: Left is layered on, Right is blended.

After experimenting with this Bronzing Powder, I've grown to love it. It's very pigmented on my medium toned skin so a little goes along way. It can be sheered down for a more natural look. 

Pros:

Natural

Blendable

Shimmer

Cons:

Pigmented, Careful with Application

Over All Rating:

M.A.C. Bronzing Powder's can be purchased at M.A.C Stores, M.A.C Counters and MacCosmetics.com for $23.00 US.

M.A.C Surf, Baby Swatches & Review

Grab the board, hop in the Jeep, cruise the Pacific Coast Highway… Surf’s up! The lure of the endless summer starts here with My Paradise Cheek Powder, Summer Stash of Crushed Metallic Pigments, Hibiscus Lipstick and Splashproof Lash Mascara that just won’t smudge. Colourful, lustrous, and full of life…journey to a world where feeling the rush means taking a risk. Hang Ten!
Here’s bronzing for every dude and dudette looking to hit the half-pipe with a killer tan. Bring commotion to the ocean with Solar Riche Bronzing Powder and new Gold-go-Lightly Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder. Capture the surf spirit, add contours & dimension with the latest Skinsheen Bronzer Stick! Defy sun-and-sea blasted lips with Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms.
Limited edition.

 Swatches & Review after the jump.

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Review

M.A.C Claims: 

A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day

The first thing I ever purchased when I started experimenting with make up was the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. The reason that I decided to start off with this is because the make up artists told me that this product had coverage, but not enough to be visible to eyes. It's also buildable, lightweight and looks natural. When I first started applying this product I would use the Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush, since the brush itself is duo fibre it allowed a lightweight but airbrushed finish of the skin.

When I wanted to move up in coverage I asked the M.A.C Make Up Artists about the Studio Fix. She asked me what I was using on my face because it already looked good. I told her that I was using the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus. Instead of suggesting a foundation that was higher in coverage she suggested the Fix + (spritz of vitamin and minerals, review coming soon). That in itself gave me awesome coverage without looking like I was actually wearing make up.

I own  Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in two shades, Medium Plus and Medium Dark. The reason that I owe them in two shades is because in the winter I can go with Medium Plus and to contour or during the summer I can use the Medium Dark shade. To set my Prolongware Foundation I use my Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus to town down the pink undertones in my skin. Therefor giving me a natural even tone. I have also ran in to the problem where my shade is no longer matching me because my skin darkened during the summer, so instead of buying a darker shade of foundation I dusted on some Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark. That itself saved me not only a trip to the M.A.C Counter, but also money on a new foundation.

Not only can the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural be used to set and give warmth to your face, but it can also be used alone. This product itself is a product that I seem to purchase time after time. It's truly one of my favorites.

Pros:
Light Weight
Buildable
Natural
Used for Setting
Gives Color/Warmth

Cons:
Low Coverage

Over All Rating:

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural can be purchased at M.A.C Stores, M.A.C Counters and MacCosmetics.com for $27.00 US.

Sonia Kashuk Double Duty Brush Set Review

Sonia Kashuk Claims: 

Each brush takes on twice the application! This set contains a blusher/contour brush, foundation/concealer brush, large eye/ angled eye shadow brush, eyebrow comb/Crease shadow brush and case.

After having much success with Sonia Kashuk's Highlighting Brush I saw these at my local Target and decided to give these a try. Not only did I not have any of these brushes, but I also fell in love with the cute white case that came along with it. This set comes with four sets of brushes. 1. Blush/Contour 2. Foundation/Concealer 3. Large Eye/ Angled Eyeshadow 4. Eyebrow Comb/Crease and of course that cute white case.

When I first got this set I was mainly focusing on my Concealer & Eyebrow Comb as well as the Case. I didn't pay much attention to the other brushes because I wasn't into that much make up. The only thing that I was wearing on my face at the moment was M.A.C's Mineralized Skin Finish Natural and M.A.C's Studio Finish Concealer. The other brushes that came in the set were for "just in case" purposes. I didn't intended of using them at the moment. I ended up giving the Blush/Contour Brush to one of my friends since blush wasn't part of my life in that moment.

The other brushes in the set worked perfectly. I still use the Foundation/Concealer Brush. I mainly use the Concealer in for M.A.C's Paint Pot's. The foundation brush I use on other people or when blending colors in together. I feel that the Large Eye/Angled Eyeshadow Brush duo is an okay brush. The Large Eyeshadow brush is too big for my lids. The Angled Brush is too thick for precise thin lines. The Eyebrow Comb is one of my favorites, I can use it to separate my eyelashes when they get a bit clumpy.

Overall this brush set is pretty versatile for almost any situation. I really enjoy the look and feel of these brushes. I used these for mainly travel purposes until my case broke. I loved the quality of these Sonia Kashuk Double Duty Brushes that I ended up buying the full brushes on their own.

Pros:
Lot's of Brushes
Good Quality
Blend Well

Cons:
Large Eyeshadow Brush is Big
Angled Eyeshadow Brush is Thick
Contour Brush is Small

Over All Rating:

Sonia Kashuk Double Duty Brush Set can be purchased at Target & Target.com for $21.99 US.

Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara Review

Almay Claims: 

Get fuller, longer, curvier lashes in one coat for 100% pure impact. the patented triple action gel formula instantly builds, extends and sculpts your lashes. triple impact brush wraps mascara evenly around every lash in one smooth application. gently formulated with aloe and vitamin b5 to help keep lashes conditioned. extra gentle, non irritating formula.

This is probably one of the first mascaras I ever tried. I really enjoyed the way it made my lashes look thicker and longer. The brush was probably the best and worst part of the whole ordeal. The brush gave me control of where exactly I wanted to apply the mascara since it's a one sided brush. The one thing that kinda sucked about the brush is that it didn't give much of a one swoop and you're done. It was constant application for the regular look.

Overall I truly enjoyed the mascara. It did flake a bit but not enough for me to discontinue the use of this mascara, I finished the whole tube dry. I wouldn't repurchase just because I've had better mascaras.

Pros:
Hypoallergenic
Longer Lashes
Thicker Lashes
Brush

Cons:
Smudges
Flakes

Over All Rating:

Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara can be purchased at drug stores for $6.89 (prices vary) US.

Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers Review

Sonia Kashuk Claims: 

These sheets instantly absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup or leaving a powdery residue. Perfect for touch ups on the go! Includes pouch and 100 blotting papers...

After my failed attempt at Oil Blotting Sheets with E.L.F. Essential Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets, and after much success with Sonia Kashuk's Highlighting Brush, I figured that these blotting sheets would be magnificent. I saw them at my local target and figured getting 100 sheets for $6.99 would be a steal. I use these for a couple of days and noticed that make up was being left behind on the blotting papers.  That was the end of our relationship.

After carrying these in my bag for a few months I realized that I would rather use some blotting powder to control my oil than have these sheets disturb my make up.

The one thing that I really did like about these sheets is the fact that they are pretty big and only need one to get all the oil. They do absorb oil pretty well, but half my make up ended up on the sheet as well. With that said, my search for the perfect oil blotting sheets continued.

Pros:
Inexpensive
100 per Pack
Big Sheets
Nice Case

Cons:
Don't Control Oil
Shift Make Up

Over All Rating:

Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers can be purchased at Target & Target.com for $6.99 US.

Upcoming Release: MAC Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15

With our all races credo, we’re redefined what a perfect match should be with new Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15 technoloigy, using translucent pigments to create a formula that enables a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin tone. Adding to Matchmaster’s true-to-life appeal is its moisturizing demi-matte finish, medium buildable coverage, and line-reducing soft focus powders. Add the fact that this formula reduces excess shine-creating oil, and who could resist?

Shades: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 &10.0


Suggested Retail Price: $32.50 US/$39.00 CDN

Available:
North America, September 22, 2011
International (excluding Asia), September 2011
International (Asia only), September 2012