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

The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadows

I bought two eyeshadows from The Body Shop back in November last year. During the Christmas season I bought one more and I have to say I really like them.  They're part of the Colour Crush range and these three are pearlescent. They also have some matte colours. These can be used wet or dry and are really easy to blend and really pigmented. Steel My Heart is a beautiful silver metallic colour and is really great for the inner corner. Grape Expectations is like a cranberry colour which works well blended out for a subtle smoky eye. Melt My Heart is a beautiful gold with a hint of peach shimmer which I wore frequently over the Christmas period.

Light application

Heavier application

I actually really love these three colours, although perhaps not together, but there are still some shades I would like to get that compliment them. I personally feel that these can rival MAC if you're on a budget costing £7. The packaging is simple and clean looking, very easy to store due to being slim and the lid is clear making it easy to see the shades. Love, love love!

Any shades you've tried?

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

No7 Instant Radiance Under Eye & Match Made Concealers*

My regular readers will know how much I adore the No7 range by Boots, especially the Match Made Service and when I was asked to review their concealer range for my blog I already new that I wouldn't be disappointed.
My skin colour is Calico in the foundation shades which I blogged about here, so having already knew that, it was fool proof that the concealers would match.
The Instant Radiance Under Eye Concealer is quite creamy when applied and I feel it's the same formulation as YSL Touche Éclat and even has the same brush applicator, but way less in price at £13.50. This aims to disguise dark circles as does the YSL. The Match Made Concealer is thicker in texture and dries quickly when blended and is shine free to cover pesky blemishes and age spots. £7.50 in 17 shades. Both are available to buy now and currently on a 3 for 2.

Rachel xx

*PR Sample

Thanks to Melina and Lisa at Boots, Carmarthen

I Heart Make Up by Makeup Revolution ~ Blushing Hearts Blusher

Blusher, blusher, blusher...how I heart thee! I have so many it's unbelievable that I probably have enough to last me two life times. So it was only a matter of time before I added another one to my collection.
Whist in Cardiff a few months ago I went to the grand opening of the Beauty Studio by Superdrug. It's a beauty lovers paradise for make up and hair care products, ear piercing, eyebrow threading to wash and blow drying your tresses. I had a good look around the store and started to swatch products from the large I Heart Make Up stand. I bought two lipsticks (which were presents) and a Blushing Hearts blusher for myself.

Separate

Blended

I Heart Make Up have produced three shades in the range but this was the one that gave more colour payoff on my skin tone. These blushers have been compared many times to the Too Faced Sweetheart ones which also come in a choice of three.

The packaging is extremely similar as well as the appearance of the way the blusher is domed shaped. The Too Faced ones cost a whopping £24 but the one I picked up is a mere £4.99 at Superdrug, and best of all the staying power is incredible. I definitely heart make up!

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

No7 Purple Bouquet Nail Colour & Night Out Eye Shadow Duo*

Boots No7 launched their Gel Look Shine Nail Colours last year and have been extremely successful, and I am a huge fan of the range. So this season sees the launch of Purple Bouquet, and this will take you through to winter.
The formula as expected, is smooth and gives complete coverage in just one coat. I have always applied two for a more intense colour. The shine is amazing and I find the Gel Look range lasts at least four days without chipping. Easy to apply with the wide bristles, what's not to love?

To accompany the nail colour, No7 have a beautiful and fairly pigmented Stay Perfect Duo Eye Shadow in Night Out. I have a few of these duos and they never disappoint. Each shadow compliments the other, and these colours would create the perfect smokey eye. Easy to blend and removes easily with the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, which is what I'm using at present.
The duo eye shadow is available now priced at £8.50 and the Purple Bouquet is available in stores from Wednesday 9th July priced at £7.

Rachel xx

*PR sample kindly given to me by Melina & Lisa from Boots No7 Beauty Counter in Carmarthen.

All opinions are my own.

Blog Sale

Hi everyone. I have decided to have a bit of a clear out with the make up items I no longer use. Some are brand new and some only used no more than four or five times. I have taken pictures as best as I can.

Conditions and Information
This is only open to UK residents only (sorry).
You must be signed up to PayPal.
If you are interested in any of the items, please email me at heartoceansecrets@gmail.com, via twitter @rachel80jones with the item number/s or in the comment section below.
If you wish to proceed after we make contact then I will send an invoice to your email address that is registered with PayPal in order for you to make the payment to me.
I expect payment with 24 hours please. If not, the item will be back for sale on the blog.
No returns.
I will not be held responsible for items lost/damaged by Royal Mail.
Please research the item/s you want to buy for swatches, product info etc. I will not be held responsible if something doesn't suit you, or live up to expectations.
All items include p&p which will be 2nd class recorded delivery, just in case you think some prices are too high for what they are. (Remember, some online stores will charge £3.50 p&p!)
Thank you.

Happy Shopping

1. OPI Save Me £5.50 - Used three times

2. OPI Gold Shatter £6 - Used once

3. OPI Sparrow Me The Drama £5.50 - Used twice

4. Nicole by OPI Stand By Your Manny £6 - Brand new, not used

5. Topshop Glimmer £4.50 - Used once

6. Topshop Dust Storm £4 - Used three times

7. GOSH Dusty Rose £3 - Used once

8. GOSH Wild Lilac £3 - Used once 

9. Leighton Denny Show Off! £6 - Used once

10. Leighton Denny Tiffany's £5.50 - Used twice

11. Leighton Denny Attention! £6 - Brand new, not used

12. Barry M Red Black £2 - Used three times

13. Barry M Hologram £3 - Used once

14. Ciate Bon Bon - £5 - Used three times

15. No7 Poolside Blue £5 - Used once

16. MUA Black Waterproof Eyeliner £2 - Brand new but seal taken off

17. ELF Nearly Nude Matte Lip Colour £3 - Only swatched on my clean hand

18. NYX Vixen Mega Shine Lip Gloss £4 - Only swatched on clean hand

19. NYX Maroon Mega Shine Lip Gloss £4 - Only swatched on clean hand

20. NYX The Caribbean Collection 'I Dream Of Barbados' Eye Shadow Palette £7 - Used twice, still in great condition. The only major visable marks are from swatching.

21. Clinique True Black Brush On Cream Liner £12 - Used twice and brush has been sanitized, paid £18. Plenty left in the pot as you can see.

22. Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm £15- Used five times and still plenty left, paid £23.

There you go everyone; that's all I have for now. I hope to hear from you real soon.

Rachel xx

Topshop Sunbeam Highlighter

This beauty has been in my stash for quite some time and is a re-discovery for me recently. The Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam is extremely pigmented so a little goes a long way. I haven't even made a dent in mine so I know this will last me a V E R Y long time. It's a shimmery, baked golden shade powder, and can be applied to the face and body. I tend to apply it to my cheek bones and on to my shoulders, which I did for a friends wedding last summer, as I was wearing a beautiful yellow dress. My skin tone is on the pale side but I've had no problems with this suiting me. The staying power is excellent and I'm so glad I've found it again.

The packaging is also cute, but one disappointment for me is that there isn't a mirror, which there is plenty of room for in the lid, and is bulky enough to take it. This would be handy to have but not necessary for some people.
It's available online and in-store and costs £10.

Overall, I love it. Now, I'm off to see what else I can re-discover!

Rachel xx

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

There isn't a make up brand that hasn't got its own version of the beauty balm, and Urban Decay have one in their Naked Skin range. I bought this around Christmas time last year and I keep going back to it wanting to love it, but I don't. Firstly, the colour is supposed to adapt to your skin tone - it doesn't. It makes me look orange and doesn't blend well on me at all. Second, it's terribly greasy. I have oily/combination skin and this is really hydrating, which the sales assistant didn't tell me, even though she asked what skin type I had. After about an hour it has slid of my face exposing pores which I never noticed before and makes me feel really self-conscious. It can be worn under foundation but this is something I have avoided. Three, the smell. O dear - it's like old biscuits and a fake tan smell. Not good.

Like I said, I really want to love it as I rate Urban Decay really highly, but this product is a let down. The only good thing is the packaging.
£23 for 35ml.

Have you tried it and are surprised with my review? Would love to here from you.

Rachel xx