MAC Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel, Blacktrack, $15

MAC's Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel is one of my new favorite products that I know I will continue to buy over the years. I have only had this product for about a couple weeks and I already can't live without it. This pot of black eyeliner gold is a purely perfect product. It goes on easily, stays on, and look so freakin' fierce.

I know I'm gushing hardcore but this product really deserves this much attention! The Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack is perfect everyday eyeliner that can be adjusted and used however the makeup wearer pleases. It is pure black and the gel is super easy to put on.

At first I was using a brush I had that wasn't exactly clean, I had used it with other eyeliners and let the products dry up on it making the brush too hard, even after I rinsed it. When I put on the Fluidline liner the first time it didn't go on as dark or as smooth as I had hoped. Distressed but determined to make this work I turned to my one of my best friends who I shall call the MAC Queen. She has a ton of MAC products and suggested that I purchase this liner. She told me to make sure I use a clean brush and once I did it made the biggest difference! You can use an angled brush or just a thin brush, whatever you feel comfortable with, but just remember to rinse your brush right after you use it so that the leftover liner doesn't dry up and ruin it! I just rinse my brush with water and use my fingers to get the liner off, nothing too complicated.

I love this liner because I can get it super close to my lash-line, get a thin line, or a thick line and it always comes out really beautifully. The other great thing is that it stays on! I use a primer of course, but this stuff doesn't really budge. It also comes in multiple colors you can find here.

Final verdict:
Cost: $15, a little bit goes a long way and it is about as much as buying a pencil liner.
Do I have to get a special brush?: You might have a brush on hand that will work just fine, just make sure it is thin enough. An angled brush is also a favorite when it comes to using eyeliner in a pot.
Is this good to achieve a cat-eye?: This is perfect for a cat-eye look! You might have to practice a bit but it will definitely be the best product to use to get the look.
Can I use it under my eyes?: Under eyes is a little trickier, I suggest using a lot of primer and a thin brush, go slowly, and remember you can always darken or thicken the line as you please.
Any tips?: I usually start lining the top of my lid starting in the middle and then work my way to the sides. That way if I have too much liner on my brush or something it is already going in the thickest part of the line.
Repeat offender?: YES YES YES!

-M

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Refined, $26

For years I have wanted to try MAC's infamous Mineralize Skinfinish but for some reason or another have put it off until this weekend I found myself at a makeup outlet that carried a few Skinfinishes from past (but still pretty recent) collections. I picked up this particular skinfinish in Refined. This is not a new product but MAC still makes the skinfinishes just in different shades. You can also still find Refined for sale online.


This pressed powder comes in a dome shape and is a beautiful swirl of golds, pinks, and bronzes. I thought that this would be perfect for summer and since I was in the market for a bronzer-type product I thought that this would be what I was looking for.


Using a regular blush brush you can use the skinfinish as you would blush. What I do is apply it like I would blush (apples of the cheeks up to the cheek bone) with a few heavy strokes--don't be scared to use too much it is subtle! I then take the brush and apply just a light dusting on my nose and all over my face for a nice smooth shimmery coat.


I don't wear any other skin products like foundation or anything so for me the skinfinish is perfect to even out my skin and add some dimension with the swirls of shimmer. I think this would be great to use with a skin primer as your base but moisturizer helps hold the product on your skin.



Final verdict:
Cost: $26-28, it is a little pricey but well worth it! It is also very big so you are definitely getting your bang for your buck.
Will it work on all skin tones?: The best part of the skinfinish is that it is a multilayered marble of colors so no matter what your skin color this is going to uniquely work. But of course we all know what works for us so use your own judgement, there are plenty of shades out there!
Repeat offender?: Oh yes. I am completely infatuated with this product and I am mad at myself for waiting so long to have it in my life. One of my friends is a MAC loyalist and has been using this for years so I knew it looked good--why did I wait?! I am going to definitely get one with a pink hue and I want one for the winter that has a white pearly effect.

PS--I tried to get a picture on my skin but they all looked awkward, sorry guys! By the way don't forget to follow us so that you can find out about something really awesome/special we have planned!!

-M

Sweet Deals, Vol. 2

To make your Friday even sweeter, here are some awesome deals and some pretty sparkly things to long for . . .

Urban Decay has reintroduced their nailpolish line and is celebrating with Apocalyptic Nail Kit, a set of 6 mini polishes in their trademark dark and exciting colors (with a little zippered case), on sale for $18.

Sephora has added some great Tarte products to their sale section, like this set of 4 bright spring eyeshadows plus 2 lipglosses in a portable kit ($22), 2 smaller versions of the lip sheers Mirna reviewed in an earlier post ($15), and this cute mini palette of 4 dark eyeshadows that comes with a full-size brush ($12).

Walmart sells Hard Candy now! (Am I a little late on this? Oh well, still exciting!) Hard Candy has all kinds of makeup in pretty packaging (I'm such a sucker for a well-designed box), but their nailpolish repertoire is really what they're known for. I'm falling in love with this pretty teal, this sparkly wine, and this dark glittery masterpiece that reminds me of a hot summer street, all just $5 each. Plus, who can resist those awesome heart-shaped rings?

MAC knows I've got spring fever and is tempting me with these yummy, shiny lipglosses, or as they call them, lipglasses. Isn't the Partial to Pink color so sweet? ($18)

Oh em gee, the Harajuku Lovers perfumes are in little summer bikinis! I'm this one, Mirna is this one.

I think the next brand I'm going to try is MAKE UP FOR EVER, specifically this breathtaking black cream eyeshadow (this picture here is a total inspiration, even though it sounds like most reviewers on Sephora used it as a cream eyeliner). PS, they totally did the makeup for The Runaways. I can't wait to see their awesome rock star makeup and outfits.

-T

MAC Penultimate Eye Liner, $16.50

I’m always on the hunt for a perfect (or even near perfect) liquid liner and this eyeliner from MAC was the first higher quality liquid liner pen I’ve tried. MAC’s Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack is literally a marker for your eyes. It has a super fine marker-like tip that is great for getting the liner very close to the eyelash line. The tip of the pen does not require any pressure or shaking for the liquid liner to come out so you can comfortably just draw the line. Unlike other liquid liners the black “ink” does not go on messy lowering your chances to smear. It not only does a great job on the top lid but it goes on very easily on the bottom lid line too which is something that I have always had a problem with using liquid liner. I feel like I am repeating myself over and over again but seriously it is just like a marker!


The liner claims “extremely long wear” promising 12 hours of wear so I decided to test this. The first day I wore this I put it on around 6:30 AM with a layer of Urban Decay’s primer beneath the liner. I checked my liner throughout the day and it was still holding strong. I went to the gym around 8:00 PM and did some heavy cardio so I was sweating for sure (I am too lazy to take my makeup off before I go to the gym). I came home and the liner was literally still on. This stuff is pretty heavy duty, the primer probably helps but there was no flaking or crusting throughout the day. I also found that this eyeliner goes on very easily over eyeshadow. For some reason I thought that it might damage the tip of the pen or not go on as dark if I put it on after eyeshadow but I had no problems. Covergirl makes a pen liquid similar to this which is cheaper but waaaay crappier quality. The Covergirl pen required pressure for the liner to come out, it wouldn’t really stay on, and it ran out or dried up really quickly. I was apprehensive to try MAC’s version but the two are hardly comparable.

(Couldn't get a great picture of the line on my eye but I did a little sketch on my hand to show you how the lines can vary as you please.)
Final verdict:
Cost: $16.50 for a fairly large sized pen.
Quality: The product lives up to the promises, it lasts all day and is definitely an ultimate pen eyeliner.
Versatility: The Penultimate Eye Liner is great for trying different eye makeup styles. If you like to experiment with liner this stuff is worth trying, especially if you are trying to achieve that really classic retro look with a thick liner on the top lid.
Repeat offender: I would definitely get this eyeliner again. This is not something I use on a daily basis so I believe it will last a long time.
-M

MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lustre Lipstick, $14.00

Wearing lipstick has not really been a step in my beauty routine ever, but recently I have been experimenting with it more often. When I saw this pink tube of perfection I knew it was something that would work for me and definitely had to have it. This limited edition lipstick is part of MAC’s VIVA GLAM campaign where every cent of a VIVA GLAM purchase goes to those living with HIV and AIDS.


Not only does this lipstick's profits go to a great cause, but the color was chosen and is being endorsed by Lady Gaga (I’m definitely a fan). You know this has to be fabulous and crazy if Gaga’s name is on it. I love this pink shade because you can wear it lightly and it can come off very natural or you can add a few coats for a nice thick pink lip. This pink compliments my skin tone and hair color by adding just a pop of sweet color. I must admit I feel a little Barbie-like but there is no shimmer, glitter, or an unfortunate “icy/frosty” look circa 1994—this lipstick is just a pretty pink. If you aren’t sure about it go to your nearest MAC counter and ask them to disinfect a sample tube and try it on for yourself! If you don’t like this particular color, MAC has tons of different colors and I am definitely a big fan of their lipsticks.

(Pink is probably not for everyone but I think it works with my skin tone)
Final verdict: I love love love this color so much.
Cost: $14.00, the price might be high but the quality is so great and by purchasing a VIVA GLAM product you are giving each and every cent to a really great cause.
Repeat offender: My experience with MAC lipstick has always been positive. I’ll probably be reviewing more shades in the future!
-M