Beauty

Beauty related posts.

MAC foundation samples

~ stashy ~ 38 Comments

I got 3 MAC foundations samples when I went in the last time to redeem my “free” lipstick for the Back to MAC program.  I’ve now had the chance to try all 3 foundations at least twice each, so I can provide a first impressions type of review on them.
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The foundations I got were: Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF35, Matchmaster SPF15 Foundation, and Mineralize Moisture. Firstly, what I typically like in my everyday foundations:
• lightweight – skin-like finish
• easy application – I typcially use my fingers
• long wearing – at least 8 hrs to last me through a work day
• good colour match
I have combo skin with an oilier t-zone, sensitive skin that can get dehydrated.  Foundation is a product that I like to try a sample first before taking the plunge with a full size – I like to check the colour match in a variety of lighting, and also make sure they don’t cause break outs.
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I’ve been curious to try the Mineral Moisture foundation since its launch and the other 2 samples were chosen for me by the MA who recommended them based on my preferences and skin type. Here are my thoughts on each after trialing them.

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20 Beauty Questions Tag

~ stashy ~ 32 Comments

Here’s a Tag that I saw on Katie of Plus Beauty‘s blog ages ago! (I miss Katie, anyone else? I saw on IG that her move went well – I’m so happy for her!)

20 Beauty Questions Tag:

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
It was a frosty pink sticky lip gloss from Avon. It was terrible but so awesome at the same time! I wasn’t allowed to wear a stitch of makeup until I was in high school (around 14) and even then, it was only lip gloss.
Avon_fried_egg_lipgloss
Sunny side up lipgloss from Avon (Source) This isn’t what I had but isn’t this awesome? I’d totally buy that.

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MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balms

~ stashy ~ 32 Comments

I received these 3 MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balms through my UK / Canada swap with Nicola of Beauty As I Know It, back in July:
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I had never heard of these but I know of the brand MUA (Makeup Academy).  It’s a pretty popular “high street” (aka drugstore) brand in the UK, and it’s not sold in Canada. I love tinted lip balms so I was excited to try these!

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Evening cleansing routine

~ stashy ~ 46 Comments

I take cleansing quite seriously.  In the morning, it’s not as much of a focus for me, since my skin is mainly covered with skincare that I applied the night before, and any sebum from my skin from sleeping.  However, by nighttime, my skin has gone through a full day of external elements including skincare, makeup, sebum and any environmental pollutants / dust that have coated my face for 16+ hours. I need to remove all of this thoroughly before applying my evening skincare.
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I use 4 key cleansing products:
• Oil cleanser
• Eye makeup remover
• Micellar water
• Toner

Here’s a more in-depth look at what I’m currently using.

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MAC Party Line Lipstick

~ stashy ~ 59 Comments

Finally, I’m getting around to wearing MAC Party Line!  I got this a while back as my Back to MAC item, where I returned 6 MAC empties for a lipstick.  That was back in September.  But the shade I chose was quite a deep plum colour, more of a Fall-looking shade that I had to wait until recently to wear.
MACPartyLine4
Plus, I had to work up the nerve to wear this deep colour! 😮
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Sephora VIB sale for friends

~ stashy ~ 37 Comments

I guess I’m that friend with benefits. 😉  This is the 2nd time I’ve offered up my Sephora VIB 20% off discount for my non-VIB friends!  The last time was back in April, and I was able to re-qualify for VIB status solely on my friends’ purchases. 😛

This time surprisingly, the list was not as long!  Here’s what I bought on behalf of my friends:

Friend #1: Maison Martin Margiela “Replica” Jazz Club perfume $120
sephoraVIBNov62015
I’ve tried this perfume on before and it is a unique smoky fragrance with tobacco, leather and rum and notes.

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This or That Tag Beauty Edition

~ stashy ~ 23 Comments

I saw this on Chic and Polished so I had to do it too!

Makeup

thisorthattag2
Blush or Bronzer: Blush, I just love blush and apply it 99% of the time, whereas I wear bronzer maybe once a month.
Lipgloss or Lipstick: More lipstick nowadays but still more of a balm gal
Eyeliner or Mascara: Mascara, I can survive without liner
Foundation or Concealer: Concealer is just a more concentrated form of foundation so I can use concealer to cover just the areas that need it
Neutral or Colour Eyeshadow: Give me neutral or give me death!
Pressed or Loose eye shadows: Pressed, nobody’s got time for loose
Brushes or Sponges: Brushes although sponges are good for patting on colour for a more intense application

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Milani Neon Nail Lacquer in Rad Purple

~ stashy ~ 38 Comments

This polish should really be renamed to “Bait and Switch” because it’s some shady business going on here!  Firstly, I spied this polish in a random dusty Guardian Pharmacy on the bottom shelve behind some Revlon polishes. It was covered with a fine layer of dust but I was quite pleased with myself for finding a Milani nail polish since Milani isn’t readily available here.  I think the lady at the cash was surprised someone wanted to buy this polish – it’s likely sat on the shelves for 4 years since the Neon collection were released in 2010 (I bought this polish last year).  There were a few Neon shades in the display but the vibrant purple colour called “Rad Purple” drew me in:
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The important thing to note about this polish bottle is that it is opaque, which I didn’t even notice until I got home and opened the bottle.  Now for the bait and swatch…

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MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder

~ stashy ~ 39 Comments

Since I finished up my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (MSFN) powder last month, I finally got to open up my MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder (SSDP), which has been sitting in my stash since it launched in Sept 2014. :/  I know… I have a tendency to buy stuff and then not open it for months.
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The compact costs $37 for 10g and is made in Italy.  I mainly bought this because the tester at the MAC store felt so smooth.  I told the MA that I love the MSFN and she said this was comparable but even more smooth looking. I was intrigued!  I was matched to the Light Plus shade.

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Shiseido Perfect Rouge

~ stashy ~ 69 Comments

At Winners (Canadian TJMaxx) a couple of weeks ago, I saw a bunch of Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipsticks for sale at $12.99 a pop. They’re regularly $30 each.  It reminded me of the collection that I had at home… which I paid full price for (don’t you just hate that? Seeing stuff you bought at full price marked down at a later date?) I keep neglecting my collection so I thought I’d pull them out:
Shiseido_perfect_rouge2
I own (left to right):
• Fleur OR341 – orange coral
• Dreamscape RD351 – muted pinkish coral
• Sublime RD142 (gwp size) – warm soft red
• Harmony RD750 – brick red
• Pink Mesa PK303 – brownish pink nude
• Venetian Rose RS711 – mauve rose

It seems that not a lot of people have tried these lipsticks, so I’ll do swatches of them here and provide some information about this fabulous lipstick.

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