My MAC Blush Swatches

If you don't know this about me already then here it is: I am a blush addict! So I figured I'd share some swatches from my MAC Blush Palettes.

My first palette is more coral/miscellaneous shades:

Top Row: The Perfect Cheek, Cantaloupe (PRO), Blunt (contour)
Bottom Row: Milani Luminous, Spaced Out (neo sci-fi), Style

Here are the swatches:

Left to Right: The Perfect Cheek, Cantaloupe, Blunt, Milani Luminous, Spaced Out, Style

• The Perfect Cheek is actually an amazing blush. It looks nothing like the swatch when you apply it. It is hard to describe but it just lifts your complexion.
• Cantaloupe is PRO color. It is a creamy peachy/coral shade that just seems to melt onto/into your skin.
• Blunt is my contour color. Applied gently with a light hand is works very well with me skintone although I can't honestly imagine ever running out.
• Milani Luminous--I know this isn't a MAC blush but it fits in the palette so I depotted it. (Note: it is slightly smaller then the palette well). It works well to lighten a darker blush or as a highlighter.
• Spaced Out was a limited edition shade. I don't know of anyone that this shade doesn't look good on.
• Style is an orangey coral frost. I don't wear it often but when I do I buff it out to get rid of most of the shimmer.

My second palette is pink shades:

Top Row: Pink Swoon, Tippy BPB (Hello Kitty) Feeling (BPB)

Bottom Row: Azalea (PRO), Serenely (BPB)

Note: BPB means Beauty Powder Blush

Swatches:

Left to Right: Pink Swoon, Tippy, Feeling, Azalea, Serenely

• Pink Swoon is a bright soft pink if that makes sense. Looks great alone or works well to calm down a brighter color.
• Tippy was a BPB that I depotted from Hello Kitty. It is insanely pigmented and cool toned. Applying this one can be tricky but a stippling brush and a light hand can work wonders.
• Feeling is a toned down reddish brown. I don't wear it often but applied lightly it is a great fall cheek.
• Azalea is another pro blush. While in the pan it doesn't look similar, in the swatch you can see that Tippy and Azalea could be sisters. The only difference is that Azalea has a bit of duochrome goodness to it (shifts purple). It doesn't translate well onto the cheek but it looks great in the pan.
• Serenely is similar to Feeling but more red than brown. I wear it silimarly to Feeling too!

Do you have any must-have MAC blushes? Let me know in the comments--I am always looking for a new blush to love!

Buying things that I shouldn't--at least not right now!

Please read the EDIT/UPDATE at the bottom of this post!
So, I don't know who to thank for my latest Etsy obsession.

1. It could be xsparkage for talking about Calypso Minerals or it could be...
2. CourtCosmetics talking about Moon's Harvest or even...
3. LePooke for the Anderson Soap Company

But, I am addicted. I think that there needs to be an Etsy Anonymous meeting, preferably in my living room. I can tell my obsession is bad when I add a button to my Yahoo! toolbar so that it is easier to get to. (like typing in Etsy.com is difficult anyway!)
On top of Etsy, Everyday Minerals has really caught my eye. Since the first time I heard about the sample kit I wanted to give it a shot. I have NEVER worn mineral foundation/concealer/corrector ever but the concept has always seemed like a good one to m e. I ordered a sample kit 6 weeks ago and never received it. Now that did leave me a little peeved to say the least, and the fact that the company isn't helpful at all with regards to my problem doesn't help. After giving up on the sample kit I dove straight in and order the Super Custom Kit in which you get 12 full size items for $50 and that includes everything on the website. Now, since I didn't know what color to order for foundation I chose only one face color then ordered a sample kit (again) to try and figure out my color. The full size color I chose seemed like it would match but could also be mixed to match my skin.
All in all I ordered:
Super Custom Kit

• Angled Blush Brush
• Flat Top Brush
• Long Handled Kabuki
• Warm Medium Beige Summer (semi matte)
• New Car Smell Blush
• Sprung! Blush
• Apple Blush
• Salon Fun Blush
• All Smiles Blush
• Walkee Talkee Blush
• Peach color Corrector
• Kaolin Powder in sunlight

Sample Kit (the details which I will not bore you with)
and:
2 large mixing jars
A small blush in Deep Wine
and Cosmetic Wipes
I have also order quite a few shadows from Calypso Minerals coming and not to mention a shopping cart full of Luxe Minerals and Moons harvest bubble bars. As soon as I get my goodies in hand I will put up some swatches and reviews!
In the mean time here is what I have coming from Calypso Minerals:

• Sequin (white to red duochrome)
• Eye cycle (white to green duochrome)
• Twilight (white to violet duochrome)
• Velvet (red)
• Rhubarb (purple/red)
• Lolita (bright pink)
• Pop star (blue)
• Mez Mer Eyes (blue)
• Sapphire (blue)
• Tramp (purple)
• Ambitious (pink)

That was my first order... my second order was for:

• Lime Light (bright lime)
• Khaki (olive green)
• Fool's Gold (green/gold)
• What Ever (pinky purple)
• Tango (orange)
• Red Red Whine (burgandy wine)
• Laffy Taffy (pink)
• Curfew (pinky red)
• Trouble (pink)
• Mango (orangey pink)
• Bandana (yellow)
• Plum Crazy (plum)

I will post swatches as they come!


EDIT/UPDATE: There is a reason swatches and what no were never posted--I received only half of my order and lost about $90. I've totally been forgetting to update this post and a comment today made me remember so thanks to you! Please shop at your own risk--I am NOT endorsing this company at all!

Raving Beauty Cosmetics-- A Raving Success

Thanks to Annette (TheLoveForMakeup on YouTube) I had the opportunity to try a few mineral shadows from her new cosmetics line-- Raving Beauty Cosmetics http://www.ravingbeautycosmetics.ecrater.com/

She offers a wide range of mineral shadows, as well as an eyeshadow primer, lip glosses and lipsticks at affordable prices. Her cosmetics are a wonderful addition to any collection and at this price who wouldn't want to give them a try?! All mineral shadows come in a sealed, full, 5 gram jar with sifter packaged separately (a feature that I really like) and cost $5 individually.

The three colors I received were:

Sparkle Beige: described as " The barest hint of beige/rose color coupled with high sheen. Excellent for highlighting."

Gentle Brown: "A pretty soft brown."

Dark Chocolate: "Deeper Brown Copper."

Here are some swatches and comparisons:

These shadows performed very well over both UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion) and MAC paint pots. They stayed all day, had excellent pigmentation and were beautiful to boot. I will be updating tomorrow with an eye makeup look (Eye of the Day-- EOTD) using these three shades. My favorite color was the Dark Chocolate. It bared a striking resemblance to MAC Chocolate Brown just slightly darker in tone. This color had just the right amount of shimmer and such rich color that it was bound to be my fav right from the beginning.

The sparkle beige is an excellent highlighter and offers a very shimmery finish which is great for the summer and spring--very fun.

Gentle brown was the most surprising color by far. In the jar it seemed a bit bland but once applied there was almost a duo chrome effect which turned this color from boring to wow in no time flat. I found that layering this color more gave the fore mentioned effect.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Raving Beauty Cosmetics. Not only are the products great quality, and the owner a wonderful person but they are also a great deal. In these times of recession spend your money in a smart way and support a fellow beauty buff!

Welcome to my blog!!!

Since this is my first entry I feel like I need to make a few points as to what this blog will be about (although, over time it could evolve).
This blog will include posts about:
-makeup (highend and drugstore)
-reviews of beauty products including skincare, bath, mani/pedi, highend and drugstore alike (I do not discriminate--if a products is good than it's good)
-tutorials/how to's (I love watching and making these)
- and any other suggestions that you all might have.

Basically, I just wanted to say hello! Feel free to introduce yourself to me through the comments!