A Review: MAC Lip Conditioner

Cost:$18.00 CAD

Claims: According to MAC Cosmetics website this product is, "A lightweight conditioning balm for the lips formulated with SPF 15. Protects the lips from everyday aggressions, holds in moisture, provides gentle repair to dry lips. Contains Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, vitamins A and E. Petroleum based to seal in moisture yet smooth to apply, non-sticky on. Slightly vanilla-flavoured. Colour-free."

Actual Experience: I went into MAC to return my six empty containers and get my free lip gloss (Back to MAC Program). I realized once I started to try on different colors that my lips were in no condition to do so. I told them I was going to have to come back another time. They asked what I was using and I told them Softlips. They said to stop using it because the menthol was making my lips worse. I went out on a whim and purchased the Lip Conditioner without reading reviews first (not something I normally do), I however, was not to be disappointed. Twenty-four hours after continuously hydrating my lips with it they were back to their normal supple selves.

Buy or Avoid: Buy. There are certain things that I don't play around with and skincare is one of them. Once I find something that works I stick with it.

This product was bought with my own money

A Review: MAC Eye Shadows

Fifteen Pan Palette (with insert removed fits 21) $17.00 CAD. Eye shadow in pan format $14.00 CAD each.

Claims: According to MAC Cosmetics website their eye shadow is, "Highly pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well."

Actual Experience: My overall experience with MAC Eye Shadows has been fairly good. They come in seven different finishes: Matte (no frost, no shimmer, flat), frost (frosty, shimmery, sheen finish), satin (between a matte and frost finish), veluxe pearl (shimmery but not as shimmery as a frost), lustre (glittery, chunky, not much colour pay off), velvet (wash of sheer colour with a hint of shimmer), and veluxe (similar to veluxe pearl but with less shimmer). I am not a huge fan of MAC's mattes or lustres. The mattes do not always have the best colour pay off and the lustres are chunky, hard to work with and have a lot of fall out. All of the other formulas are pigmented, apply easily, and last all day (especially over an eyelid primer).

Buy or Avoid: Buy any formula except for mattes or lustres. Urban Decay also makes excellent eye shadows, and all of their finishes, in my opinion, perform equally well. However, they are a bit pricier than MAC eye shadows when bought individually. They do have some nice palettes to choose from, such as the cult favorite Naked Palette. When bought in palette form they are an excellent bang for your buck!


This product was bought with my own money

A Review: MAC Lipstick(s)

Colour: High Tea (lustre) and cost: $17.50 CAD

Claims: According to MAC's website their lipsticks provide, "Colour plus texture for the lips...".

Actual Experience: They certainly provide color and texture for lips with their EIGHT DIFFERENT FINISHES! Amplified (rich colour, what you see is what you get), amplified cream (rich colour, what you see is what you get but with a sheen finish), cremesheen (not quite as rich as an amplified creme, sheen finish), frost (color is somewhat pigmented, very shiny and I don't recommend for anyone), glaze (fairly sheer, can have chunky glittery finish), lustre (sheer-medium pigmentation, shimmery but not chunky), matte (completely matte, colour drenched), and satin (very pigmented, very slight sheen).

My colour that I wear every day is High Tea (lustre). It is the perfect nudish, peachy, neutral colour for daytime or anytime wear. Not harsh, and not overbearing (your lips but better).

Buy or Avoid: Buy (if you have the extra cash). I honestly don't think that even Sephora can top the amount of finishes that MAC provides. You may be able to find something similar at the drugstore but most likely it will not have the same finish and this can really make or break a lipstick.


This product was bought with my own money

A Review: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Skin type/color: combination (oily) and sensitive, pink undertones, MAC NW 20

My color in this product is medium.

Claims: According to MAC's website, "A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day."

Actual Experience: I use this to set my liquid foundation but I have a friend that uses it as her actual foundation (she loves it so far). It provides the most natural finish of any powder that I have ever tried. It doesn't cake, doesn't clump, and doesn't look chalky. Tip, if you have a blemish use a little cream concealer on top of it, gently blend. Then use a small eye shadow brush to buff some of this gently over top. I have never been able to hide a blemish so naturally or completely as when I use this method (it only works for me with this specific powder mind you).

Buy or Avoid: Buy! This powder is a little pricey at $33CAD plus tax but this is the third time that I have bought it.  I got sick of throwing out the drugstore powders when they didn't work (big waste of $$). One of these used almost daily lasts me 6-8 months.


This product was bought with my own money

What's in My Makeup Bag...?

Top to bottom picture, left to right.

Face Products: 1. Aero Minerale Makeup Mist (available at select Lawtons). Color: Bare. 2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (available at MAC Cosmetics stores, counters, and online). Color: Medium. *All MAC products listed are available at the same locations unless otherwise noted. 3.MAC Mineralize Blush.  Color: Dainty. 4. Makeup Forever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette (available at Sephora, Sephora.com).  Color: #2. 5. MAC Skinsheen Bronzer Stick (L.E. Summer 2011).  Color: Gilty Bronze.

Eye Products: 1. Rimmel Match Perfection "Skin Tone Adapting" 2 in 1 Concealer/Highlighter. Color: Classic Beige 030. 2. MAC False Lashes (mascara). Color: False Black. 3. MAC Eyeshadow Palette (L.E. Fascinating Ruby). 4. MAC Paint. Color: Untitled. 5. Maybelline Define a Brow. Color: Dark Blonde.

Lip Product: MAC Dazzleglass. Color: Baby Sparks.

Brushes/Tools: 1. Sally Hansen Eyelash Curler (available at Wal Mart). 2. MAC 217 Blending Brush. 3. MAC 239 All Over Shadow Brush. 3. Costal Scents Large Powder Brush (available at http://www.coastalscents.com/).

Products not used daily: 1. Mac Eye Kohl. Color: I Get No Kick (L.E.). 2. MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil. Color: Stubborn Brown. 3. MAC Paint Pot. Color: Bare Study.


These products were bought with my own money

A Review: MAC False Lashes

Claims: According to MAC's website the key benefits of this mascara are: volume and curl.

Actual Experience: I have short, thin, and sparse lashes on both the top and bottom. I basically have the worst eyelashes anyone could be born with! This mascara; however, works wonders for me. I curl my lashes and apply approximately two coats to the top, one to the bottom. My lashes look longer, thicker and more plentiful! This (and many other) MAC mascaras tend to get really dry after about three weeks. My solution to this is to make sure that it is sealed well and run it under hot water for 30 seconds. It will liquefy the product again for several weeks.

Buy or Avoid: Buy! This is going to be a repurchase for me shortly as I am getting low.


This product was bought with my own money

A Review: MAC Dazzelglass

Claims: According to MAC Cosmetics website this lip color is supposed to provide a similar brilliance to quartz or crystal. It claims to be non-sticky, non-tacky, lightweight and moisturizing.

Actual Experience: I whole-heartily agree that this lip color provides excellent shine and has excellent shimmer properties. In regard to the non-sticky, non-tacky claim, I find this to be untrue. I find this lip color to be extremely sticky and tacky. However, I do love a really sticky gloss because I find they last longer on the lips and I hate having to reapply constantly. I also do not find this product to be particularly lightweight or moisturizing.

Buy or Avoid: If you like or love a sticky gloss, then this is one of the best on the market! I will continue to buy this as long as it is made! Note: there are tons of colors!

This product was bought with my own money