My DreamWorld haul finally arrived yesterday. I'm super stoked about it. I got all pigment samples from the following "worlds": Summer of Danger, Atlantis, and Mother Earth, Father Sky. The Summer of Danger collection is limited edition, so I grabbed samples of the pigments because they really looked pretty on the site. The colors did not disappoint in real life. I can't wait to try them out.
There are also some blushes from the said worlds in this pic.
I also got a full size jar of Peach creme topping (finishing powder) in the clay/silica formula. I am amazed that Ellie of DreamWorld has totally revamped the concept of "finishing powder". Before, finishing powder was just mineral veil, or some other name for a translucent setting powder. When DreamWorld came, not only did finishing powders come in different translucent colors to choose from with yummy-sounding names (Banana Creme, anyone? How about Raspberry creme, Iced creme, Whipped creme, Butter creme, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter creme? Or Maybe Whipped Strawberries?), but the products also come in different formulas to suit any skin type. Do you have dry, sensitive, mature skin? Choose the creme toppings in the silk formula. Have acne-prone, oily skin? Choose the clay and silica or clay/no silica formula to soak up the excess oil. Ellie is also creating a formula for those with dry skin but cannot tolerate silk powder. The choices are just endless!! There are also primers (called "underlings" in DreamWorld) that come in different formulas to suit different skin types, because every skin is different.
My creme topping samples in different colors and formulas, and my Peach creme full-size jar in the clay/silica formula
(Click to check out the rest of the haul and a pink look featuring the MAC Lustre Twins)
Last week wasn't exactly the best one I've had. July and August are the hottest months of the year in my part of the world, with temperatures soaring up to 116° Fahrenheit on a normal day. On one of the hottest days of the year, our central A/C at home decided to conk out. It happened at eleven o'clock at night when my son was already sleeping, and even at night, temperatures can still be up in the nineties. DH and I had to transfer our son to the coolest part of the house (basically the area opposite the setting sun), turn the ceiling and industrial fans to full blast, but it was still pretty warm. Needless to say, it was a pretty sleepless night for me. The following day, we had to spend the night in a hotel because there was no way in hell that we could have survived another night of no A/C during summer in the middle of the desert. Not that there's anything bad about living here. Nine months out of twelve, the weather here is absolute perfection. When summer hits, though, the air conditioning is your only saving grace.
So cut to the chase, our A/C compressor had been laid to rest and we had to shell out a rather large amount of money for a new one. Our old compressor just thought of the perfect time to die on us: just when school is about to start, and just before we spend our vacation in California. I had mentioned the demise of our A/C to Dayna and basically just forgot about it. Yesterday, though, a card from her was waiting for me with some of her gorgeous products enclosed:
I trekked to my neighborhood MAC free-standing store today and tried out the Lustre Twins. I had one Pro LongWear before, but didn't exactly like it because of the color and how it looked and felt on my skin. Now, with the Lustre Twins, I realize that there is a unique and proper way of applying these. If you use it correctly, you will have gorgeous, budge-proof, amazingly pigmented lips for at least 8 hours or more. MAC is not kidding about the unbelievable staying power of this product. You need an oil-based cleanser to clean this off your skin, because it clings to your lips all day like a psycho ex-boyfriend.
I listened intently together with the other Lustre Twins apprentices as the Lustre Twins Jedi Master (the MAC MA) proceeded to instruct us how to properly apply this.
1. Start with bare lips. No lip balm, no primer, no nothing. The lips need to be stripped off of any oil or substance that can break down the formula of the Lustre Twins.
2. Apply the pigment-rich color first. It has to be a very thin coat for best results.
3. Let dry. This is important. You need to let the colour completely dry on your lips. Otherwise, it will look nasty and will not last at all. You will know it's dry when your lips start to feel tight.
4. Optional: if you want, go and apply lip liner. Some MAs however do not recommend applying lipliner as this may break down the formula/color of the product. I personally like to apply lip liner to prevent bleeding.
5. Apply the mirror-finished top coat. Re-apply top coat as often as you want during the day.
I got Custom Rose/Pink Virtue, and I intend to go back for a few more, but Custom Rose/Pink Virtue is my absolute fave.
A lot of you know that I love greens, but MAC Gilded Green is one of my top faves. Why? It's a very pretty, unique green because I couldn't immediately think of something that can dupe it. There are similar greens, like maybe Juxt eyeshadow, but none that is so similar that can be a exact dupe. Here's a pretty simple step-by-step Gilded Green look. All products MAC unless otherwise noted:
Apply Beige-ing shadestick on lid to brows and lower lashline. Apply Greenstroke paint pot on lid using a concealer brush.
Using the 239 brush (or any flat paddle-shaped brush), apply Gilded Green foiled on inner to 2/3 on the way out.
Using the 222 brush, apply Gulf Stream on crease and outer lid.
(Click to continue)
Here is a look and a step-by-step illustration featuring products from the new MAC Starflash and Colour Forms (Nordstrom exclusive) collections. I also featured my brows done with Anastasia of Beverly Hills' Five Item Brow Kit. I will be featuring a more detailed review of Anastasia's brow products, but for the moment, let me say that I am really loving the kit. It makes my brows look less harsh and a lot more natural. All products MAC unless otherwise noted.
First, apply Beige-ing shadestick from lashline to brows. Smooth product over brows. Apply Nice Vice paint pot sparingly on the lid using a concealer brush.
Using 239 brush, apply Circa Plum pigment (Colour Forms collection) on the lid wet using water-based mixing medium.
Using 239 brush, dab Baby Petals (Heatherette Trio 2) on inner to mid lid, as well as from inner corner to the browbone.
Cherry on top. Pity poor Eve, there’s a new
forbidden fruit. With a smouldering eye and a plush, purple-red mouth, she’s a living, sensual pleasure.
The Cult of Cherry is luscious, dramatic, undeniably eroticized. Ripened lips, Spiced Hot Chocolate eyes or Illegal Purple nails, combine to seduce with a sweet-and-shock, way-to-go dark. Separates the bitter from the sweet. This drama just gets more delicious.
Lustre Twins
Not just lip service, we nailed it too! Nine new shades of Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour with new sheer-pigment top coats, and three Nail Lacquer partners with a sheen never before seen. Glossed over a base that offers more long-life hours, and a super-scintillating sexual power! Lustre Twins can’t live without each other. Codependent couture colour and shine is here.
(Click for product image and description)
I haven't used my She Space piggies in months! Here is a look featuring one of the eye kits Heather makes (it's under Kits for Eyes). I used Broken Rules wet using my MAC mixing medium, and applied the rest dry. I didn't know that Broken Rules has pretty nuances of taupey rose and I see some pink thrown into it for good measure. It's really pretty, and perfect for school, work or any daytime activity.
I bought some generous samples of beautiful Feliners (mineral liners) from Meow, and I am really loving the colors and the very pigmented hues. I like that they last the whole day and don't budge despite oily lids and the heat of the summer sun. I can't wait to try them out. I have been using fairly neutral-colored, boring liners, and I want to try something vivid.
I have a full size jar of Meow's Feliner in Sweaty Paws, and it's really one of my ultimate favorites. I haven't done a look using this in a while, so maybe it's time that I do. It's a beautiful platinum, and it really opens up the eyes and make them look much more awake.
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