M.A.C's Alluring Aquatic Collection!

Hello Glams and Geeks! Todays post is all about this summer’s most anticipated M.A.C collection, Alluring Aquatic! While everyone waited (impatiently) for the release of this gorgeous, mystical-sea inspired collection, we all caught sneak-peeks online, through various sources on the web. As the much-built hype surrounded the beautiful water specked, aqua-colored packaging, just as much excitement was expressed from M.A.C fans world-wide for the array of Extra Dimension bronzers, blushes, and shadows that were released in the collection. While all of the shades were inspired by mystical and enchanting sirens and deities of the sea, they are all perfect for the summer season, and will give you a brilliant glow thanks to the wet-look of the extra dimension finish. The collection was announced to be released online, May 15, and in stores, May 22, which brings me to my next topic for this post: M.A.C’s unannounced, day-early release.



With many anxious fans counting the days, minutes, and hours to the release of this collection, it came as a huge shock to many, including myself, when I arrived at my local M.A.C store first thing the morning of the 22^nd, just to discover that M.A.C had released the collection a day early, on the 21^st. I took to their social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and couldn’t find an announcement about the early release anywhere. So, I worked with what I had, and was able to grab 3 items from the collection: Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer, Sea Me, Hear Me Extra Dimension Blush, and Siren Song Lustre Lipstick. I will admit that it was unfortunate to have waited so long for the collection to miss out on being able to purchase anything online, as it sold out so quickly, and even more upsetting to have gotten up early on that morning, excited to purchase all of the shades I had been eagerly awaiting, only to be let down so fast. I noticed I wasn’t the only person who was upset by this, as many people took to their social media pages to rant and rave about this issue, as well. I can only hope that M.A.C makes an effort to hear their customers out, and will actually do something to please them and keep them coming back. Enough of that, now onto the products!

As I mentioned above, I purchased Aphrodite’s Shell, Sea Me, Hear Me, and Siren Song. I absolutely love these shades as they are perfect for creating and achieving an everyday, sun-kissed, summer makeup look, and give you a gorgeous glow. As for the famous aqua, water specked packaging, it couldn’t be any more perfect! Its reflective surface, with the 3D flecks of water droplets covering the compacts of all of the packaging are just so beautiful and super realistic! I find it to be so much fun, and very summer appropriate. I think this is the best packaging I have seen M.A.C come up with, as I don't believe they’ve ever done 3D packaging like such, before. Although I couldn’t get any other colors from the collection, I noticed that all of the shades are complimentary to all skin tones. I have seen swatch photos online, and all of the colors appear very flattering and gleam brilliantly on everyone.

Top: With Flash
Bottom: Natural Light, W/O Flash

Aphrodite’s Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer is a warm, golden brown color. It contains a beautiful light gold gleam that isn’t very overwhelming, but is just right to give your skin a warm summery glow (no sun necessary!). Although this is a bronzer, I am planning to use this as a blush and a highlight, as well, as it is light enough to work with my skin tone. Because it is an Extra Dimension finish, this can be applied wet or dry and can make a significant difference in your makeup look.  I would recommend applying it wet only if it is being used as a blush or highlighter. Also, when swatched, it is a bit sheer, but is very buildable.

Top: With Flash
Bottom: Natural Light, W/O Flash

Sea Me, Hear Me Extra Dimension Blush swatches like a burnt, rose-gold color on the skin. It is a warm color, rich in pigment, and has a rosey gleam to it with a bit of a gold sheen to it. This is an opaque shade, so I recommend using a light hand, and building up to your desired opacity. This can be used wet or dry, depending on your preference, but looks gorgeous and glowy when it is used wet. 

Left: With Flash
Right: Natural Light, W/O Flash

Last, but not least, Siren Song is a Lustre Lipstick. It is a sparkling champagne shade that is sheer but buildable, and has a light gold sheen to it.  It can be worn alone, paired with a lip liner, or worn over any lipstick to add some sparkle to your lips!

 Thank you for reading today's post, and I hope you've enjoyed it! I hope everyone was able to get what they wanted from the collection, and if not, no worries! The Kelly and Sharon Osbourne Collection hits stores this June with plenty of gorgeous shades for everyone!

Riri Hearts Mac Fall 2013 Collection Mini-Haul and Product Review

Hello Glams and Geeks! I cannot wait to share with you my very first product review post as it is for the highly anticipated Riri Hearts MAC Fall collection. You may or may not already know, but the collection launched in MAC stores only, on September 26, 2013. And no worries, you’ll be able to get your hands on those pieces you’ve been eyeing, as it is going to be released online today, September 30, 2013 at 12 p.m. EST, and in all MAC locations on October 3, 2013. Now before we begin, I just want to say that I, like everyone else, waited very anxiously for this collection. I had planned to buy most, if not all of the products, but after seeing it personally, I decided to get the ones that stood out to me.

First, I wanted to mention that out of all the MAC collections I have ever anticipated, this one definitely took the stage with its beautiful Rose-Gold packaging. I feel that this was a great touch to reflect Rihanna’s bold personality. Its super fun and appealing to look at. If you are a MAC collector like me, it will definitely stand out amongst the typical all black MAC packaging.

Now, let’s talk lipstick! I’d like to begin by reviewing the lipstick that lived up to its well-deserved excitement, Riri Woo. This gorgeous, vibrant, blue-based red is absolutely stunning. It is perfect on any skin tone and literally transforms an entire makeup look. It is easy to wear day or night, and is pigmented enough to last that long, too, no touch-ups required. What I love about this particular color and its formulation is that although it is a retro-matte finish, it isn’t super drying on the lips. It just stays in place all day long with minimal touch-ups required. It is my personal favorite from the collection and I plan on getting backups! This product retails at $16.50.

Next in line, I purchased Bad Girl Gone Good, the only powder-blush that is in the collection. At first, I thought the color would look super harsh on the cheeks, as it is a cinnamon-colored blush with light shimmer. Upon wearing it, I realized that it’s actually very wearable and quite flattering on me. It gives somewhat of a rosy-glow. I must say, this is a product that you definitely have to check out in person if you’re not sure what colors suit you best. I found that I prefer it best when layered over with a nice highlight on the cheek bones. My overall suggestion is, I think this color is very pretty, and should be tried on prior to purchase. This product retails at $23.

Last, but not least, the 35 lashes. I have been dying to get my hands on a pair of these! They are the most popular amongst the lashes sold by MAC, and have been released in a few collections since they were removed from the permanent line. Now, although I do love them, I was not crazy about the colors of the hairs on them. I noticed that the lashes are made up of a blend of medium brown and black lash hairs. This isn’t too much of a problem for me as it isn’t very noticeable, but I would have preferred them in all black. Other than that, I do find them very flattering for my eye shape and I think they give my lashes a voluminous, lush look. For those of you lash-lovers out there, definitely pick up a pair! This product retails at $17.50.

Finally, I wanted to mention, I did swatch the other products in the line, and while they were all beautiful colors, I picked the ones that didn’t resemble ones that I already own, and that were most appealing to me. I loved the lipsticks in the line, although Talk That Talk could have been more true to its tube color. When swatched, the color looks more of a red-wine rather than a deep-plum like it appears in its packaging. I also found that on the lips, it seems to feather on the edges and must be held in place with a good lip-primer or liner. As for Nude, it was very pretty on my skin, but rather too-dark on my lips. I feel that I own nudes that compliment my olive skin much better. Who’s That Chick could have been a great orange for the fall, but what turned me away from it, was its frosty-finish. This color may look great on lighter complexions but on me, it was totally unflattering and contained too much frost for my taste. The collection also had 2 eye shadow palettes, none of which I found necessary to own, as they are permanent eye shadows from MAC. The lip liners were great, very smooth application, but to me, I didn’t feel as if I needed them. The cream-color base was very pretty, but is also dupable. The beauty powder was a pass for me as I did not like the color selection. As for the rest, I am comfortable with my decision on passing them up

Thank you so much for reading my first product review. I hope you find this helpful to your decision-making regarding your purchase of this collection. It is available online today at MacCosmetics.com and at all MAC locations on October 3. Please feel free to personally check out the collection and let me know what you think about the products! Enjoy!