My MAC Lipstick Collection

Make-up Art Cosmetics (MAC) was founded in Canada in 1984 by make-up artist and photographer Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo who owned a salon and is now the world's leading professional make-up authority due to celebrating diversity and individuality. Aimed at all races, ages and sexes MAC regularly updates their collection and launches collaborations with celebrities like Rhianna, Ariana Grande and Brooke Shields. I was 16 years old when I first discovered MAC and I remember walking into a beauty hall and being amazed by all the colours. It was then I become seriously interested in make-up. Although I wasn't able to purchase anything, I knew that one day I would return with plenty of pennies in tow.

And so I did...

The great thing I like about MAC lipsticks is the quality and application; what I don't like is the price. The cheapest lipsticks are a whopping £15.50 and that is ALOT of money to fork out on. My collection has built up over time. If you read other beauty blogs, especially by make-up artists and models, they recommend throwing out products that are over a year old. I don't; and I'm not afraid to admit it. They're only used on me, but I do always throw out old foundation as this can cause spots and skin irritation, which is not healthy.

As you can see, I have quite a few lipsticks and at present I don't intend on getting anymore...I probably have enough to last a life time!

Rachel xx

MAC Lipsticks | Odyssey & New York Apple

I can never go to Cardiff without stopping at the MAC counter in Debenhams. During my last visit there I knew I wanted to pick up some make up to take me through the Winter months. Although I can't wear lipstick to work I do like to indulge in MAC, as I like the quality and wearability. I chose some other products as I was making the most of the recent 10% discount, but the two lipsticks I bought were Odyssey and New York Apple, both in a frost finish.

Odyssey is a really nice rosy purple and it's not too dark for my skin tone. I do like a wine/berry colour and this has a nice hint of shimmer to it but not overly. I feel this might be best suited to evening time due to the darkness of the berry tone.

New York Apple is actually the first red lipstick I have owned, and I feel I've taken a bit of a chance with this. It's described as a muted red with a hint of gold shimmer and perfect for the festive season. A typical classic red just doesn't suit me. The good thing about this shade is that it can be applied quite lightly for a sheer coverage if preferred and buildable to an intense red. The only downside to this colour is that it dries quite matte, which is something I don't particularly like in a lipstick, but can live with as a good gloss over the top rectifies this.

Both lipsticks are part of the permanent collection and cost £15.50

Rachel xx

Collective Beauty Haul ~ Autumn 2014

This is a little round up of some recent beauty items that I have purchased over the last few shopping trips that I thought I would share with you. Even though I have this blog and I try to post regularly, I don't all that often buy lots of beauty items together.
I'll start with my most recent lipstick which is by MAC in Naked Bud.  This was part of the Fantasy of Flowers collection and I purchased this as new from Depop. It's a lovely nude shade with buildable colour application. A very natural lipstick which I'm wearing mostly everyday.
When it comes to mascara I'm a bit of a whore. I have so many that I often forget what I have if I don't keep them in once place. My newest addition is the Wonder'full by Rimmel London. This formula contains Argan Oil for smooth clump free lashes and this is exactly what it does as I use this daily at present.
I haven't bought any single eye shadows for a while, as I tend to use my palettes but at two recent stops at The Body Shop I picked up these; Steel My heart which is a silver pearlescent and Melt My Heart a gold/brown pearlescent, both I've yet to use. The colours looked quite pigmented when I swatted them in store, so we'll have to see.
The other eye shadow is from Lancome which I bought from a sale shelf in Debenhams. I wasn't able to swatch it but I thought I would take a chance at £4.20. It looks a smokey green/grey shade. It says G20 underneath so this could have been a display only one, but was in new condition.
I was going to purchase the Clinique cleansing brush, but at almost £80 I thought this was way overpriced when I looked at it. As I'm a huge fan of the No7 range at Boots, I decided to purchase their version at £24.95. I'm using it everyday so I'll you know later on how I'm getting on with it.
Lastly is a product I've been wanting to get for quite a while as I've read/watched many beauty bloggers talk about how good the Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is. This was an online purchase from Space:NK. As with the cleansing brush, I'm using this daily so will let you know my thoughts on it.
Please feel free to leave your comments on my recent haul and if you have any questions about any of the products I've bought.

Rachel xx

MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

The MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator is the one product that constantly remains in my shower as I use it about fours times a week. I've been using this for quite some and is a repurchase. This was made permanent about two years ago due to its popularity. 

It consists of natural volcanic ash and fine sugar crystals that leaves my skin really soft, feeling tighter with pores unclogged.

I actually find this quite messy, so I only use when I shower, as when I used to wash it off in the sink, the black soapy water would go everywhere.
It's quite a fine consistancy so if you have sensitive skin I would be surprised if this would irritate it.
This is currently the only skincare item I have from MAC. It is pricey at £22 for 100ml but I don't need a great deal to wash my whole face. Slightly more that the above picture usually does it.
This exfoliator suits my current skincare regime that I bogged about here.

Any other MAC skincare products you recommend?

Rachel xx

MAC Eyeshadows ~ Sable, Greensmoke & Retrospeck

On a recent visit to the big smoke that is Cardiff (I live quite rural) one of the first stores that I wanted to go to was Debenhams for the MAC counter. I was wanting to purchase three shades that were Sable, Greensmoke and Retrospeck. I had already chosen these colours prior to my Cardiff trip when I was in Birmingham in November, but were unavailable in pan format. Although I also bought a quad I didn't choose a fourth to fill it as the counter was extremely busy and people were just pushing and shoving, and generally being rude!
I have been using the shades quite a lot with my Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette which I blogged about here.
It's very easy to get carried away when it comes to MAC as the products are amazing and has quite a cult following. I have another MAC quad that I use quite often and the four colours compliment each other so well. Future blog post??

Any recommendations for a shade to fill my new quad so I have another excuse to go to MAC.

Rachel xx

My Current Favourite Lipsticks ~ Summer 2013

Until quite recently, I have preferred wearing lip gloss instead of a lipstick. All that changed when Boots No7 relaunched their branding and I fell in love with their Sheer Temptations Lipsticks. That then led me to dig out a couple of old favourites from the bottom of my handbag, and also to purchase a new one.

No7 Sheer Temptations in Shy Pink ~ A very subtle colour. A hint of pink with a lovely silver shimmer to it.

No7 Sheer Temptations in Pretty Please ~ A very bold colour for me. I like this a lot as it's not what I would call a solid colour. I find I only need to apply one application for a sheer look.

Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle ~ I love this for everyday wear. This is always in my handbag. Compliments my light skin tone

MAC Creme Sheen in Fanfare ~ My first lipstick by MAC. The girl at the MAC counter chose this for me as I was overwhelmed by the choice there. She did a good job.

Chanel  Rouge Coco Shine in Sourire ~ A completely luxury product for me. I swatched this at the counter and instantly had to have it. Peachy pink with gold and silver shimmer. I wear this a lot. Very hydrating too.

Have you got a particular favourite that you seem to carry around with you? If you have a blog post on your favourites please comment and leave a link below.

Rachel xx