The MAC Backstory

I know you hear me talk about MAC products a lot, and of course today's post is no exception. I have to give you a little background to appreciate why I spend so much time going on and on about MAC.

There was a time in the mid ninety's when you dear blogger buddy Avin wore no makeup. I know its hard to believe but I was seriously cosmetically challenged. Not because I didn't think that cosmetics were beautiful, it was simply because I could never seem to find the right shade to compliment my skin tone. I spent previous years with drugstore foundations that were too goopy, too cakey and either too orange or pink to pass as beautiful healthy skin. It wasn't until 2001 when I decided to try again.

One day, completely on a whim, I was drawn over to the MAC counter. I had a fabulous party to attend, and not a stitch of makeup to make my look come alive. I had toyed with the idea of purchasing products from MAC, but I must admit that I was just plain intimidated by the idea of another too pink or too orange shade. I guess I lingered a little too long because one of the artists Evelyn came over and asked if I needed help. I didn't want to explain my predicament, and I also didn't want to leave looking like a drag queen. She was so unbelievably nice, and so helpful that not only did I find the right shade, but I found makeup again. Since then, Evelyn has been my ultimate go to MAC artist, and whenever I want to try out a new line, or just ask a question she has been there.

My purse now overflows with MAC cosmetics of all types. I am devoted to their brushes and there has never been a foundation or powder that matches as flawlessly or completely as the ones I use from MAC. Its a love affair honestly, and I am hopelessly devoted. So when you see me reviewing something from MAC, please know that its from the heart and if I feel like one of their products isn't super fabulous then you will know it. If I wouldn't use it, I sure wouldn't tell you to go out and spend your cash on it.

With that said, look for an amazing write up on the new MAC In 3D and Painterly collections this week. I actually had the opportunity to test them both out on probably the toughest endurance challenge of all...my best friend's wedding. We are talking 4 bridesmaids, 1 skeptical matron of honor, a hostess, the mother and the bride herself. 8 hours of photos, hugs, kisses, tears, speeches, dinner, drinks, chapels and dancing. I will make you a believer and I have the photos to prove it.

Fresh And Flirty

I am all about convenience these days since I always seem to be on the go. I am one of those strange folks that has difficulty leaving the house without my "face" on, so you just might see me digging through my purse for any number of cosmetics. The ones I seem to have the most trouble locating are my shadows. I hate digging around trying to find my brush and god forbid I want to use more than one color on the go. It seems I can never locate what I need when I need it.

That is exactly why I am telling you about Flirt! and their new limited edition Vanessa Manillo Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palette. Now, you've heard me sing the praises of Flirt! Cosmetics before. I use their Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lip Gloss all the time. I love that they are just so compact and on the go. That's part of the reason I love the Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palettes too. It is so convenient, compact and beautiful I just couldn't resist. The shadows come in a four color palette that is tucked neatly into a sleek black slide out case. Inside is a fold out mirror and a wand for easy application. The wand has a brush on one side and a eyeshadow sponge on the other so that no matter how you want to apply, you've got it covered.

There are two soft color palettes, Party Purple and Chic Bronze. I tried out Party Purple last week for a night out with the girls and I loved how smokey and beautiful my eyes were. Of course I marched right up to Kohl's last weekend and purchased the other palette, which I have been wearing for a subtle work look all this week. I love that I can use them for a great dramatic look or a soft day time glow. I also love the price at $15 (by the way its on sale at kohls.com for $13.50) because I don't hurt my wallet looking cute.

You can find both of these Dreamy Eyes Eyeshadow Palettes at your local Kohl's department store or online at Kohls.com. Remember they are Limited Edition so they wont be around for long, and they are a great way to get noticed.

Gold Rush

The MAC Rushmetal collection is versitle, beautiful and rich with the shimmer and shine of liquid metal. Featuring 4 new lipsticks and 8 new pigments, the opportunities to create bold eye-catching looks are endless.

MAC Rushmetal Pigments are bold and beautiful loose powders in liquid metal colors. The great thing about pigments is how versitile they are. Use alone with an eye shader for fabulous bold eye colors or work along cheekbones for a great highlighting accent. Rushmetal Pigments come in Rushmetal, Revved-Up, Gold Mode, Mauvement, Off The Radar, Copperized, Quick Frost and Cocomotion. I am in love with Cocomotion of course, and its been serving as a fabulous frosty accent to my old stand by eye shadow in Mystery.

The Rushmetal lipsticks are daring without being over-done. Each of the four shades shimmer and provide endless shine. The colors, Thrills, Frenzy, Soft Lust and Fast Lane are silky and leave lips soft and beautiful. My personal favorites are Frenzy a peachy-beige with a golden shimmer and Soft Lust a frosted tan with white pearl.

Enjoy Rushmetal while you can because just like Flashtronic, they will both be gone soon to make way for great fall pallets.

Beauty In A Flash

There are things that I like, and there are things that I love. Let me tell you about something I love. MAC Flashtronic. The entire line is designed to create a beautiful glow that illuminates and shines, giving you accents of spun gold.

MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish is one of the best products I have used. It creates such a subtle glow without being cakey or false looking. It highlights and beautifully and goes on soft. I love the way they have combined several different colors to make one beautiful wearable finish. Flashtronic features three of these new colors. Northern Light, a mid-tone pink, Gold Spill a peach pink with warm brown and cream pearl and Global Glow, a mid-tone brown with gold pearl. I have officially replaced my summer bronzer with Global Glow. I love how so little goes so far. It is the perfect accent that creates a sun-kissed glow without becoming heavy, too sparkly or orange and false looking. Use the number 134 Large powder brush for flawless application.

The Flashtronic collection also includes MAC's new Mineralize Eyeshadows, which are similar in texture to their Skinfinish, but create a fabulous four-shade eye color that lasts all day. There are six great shades to choose from. By Jupiter (which is my favorite) a mixture of taupe, beige and deep brown, Tectonic - Yellow gold, lime green, black and brown. Ether - Aqua, silver, black and gold. Mercurial - Yellow gold, lilac, and chestnut. Lovestone - Raspberry, wine and copper and Quarry (my mothers favorite) skyblue, olive, coral and beige. Each shadow produces a distinctly unique and amazingly wearable beautiful frost finish. Paired with the number 227 Large fluff brush, these colors go on smooth and bright.

In addition to Flashtronic's Mineralize Skinfinish and Eyshadows are four new Lipglasses designed to compliment and contrast with a reflective shine and amazing color. Perfectly pink, Flashtronic - Carmel bronze and gold pearl, Young Spark - neutral pink with gold pearl, and Electro-Lush - Creamy blue pink. I am a devoted fan of the Flashtronic Lipglass which I can play up with a cork liner, or smooth on for a shiny lip stain look.

Flashtronic is available now at MAC stores, online or MAC counters in high end department stores. Its limited edition, so if you want it, you've got to go get it now.

Light Bright

I had the opportunity to test Rimmel London's new Light Beam Lip Gloss. If you dont know already, Rimmel has figured out how to incorporate a tiny beam of light into the cap of their beautiful lip glosses which takes all the guess work out of dim or dark environment application. The light beam is perfectly situated, so it illuminates your lips in even the darkest place.

I of course am guilty of trying to apply my lipgloss in the car at night. My boyfriend hates this of course, because I have to turn on the overhead light. Driving with the overhead light is never fun, so on our last evening out, I decided to test out the Light Beam Lip Gloss. I pressed the button on the cap, and started applying. The boyfriend, who is typically not interested in anything beauty related, commented that it was a very smart idea. I would bet it was because he didnt have to endure the blinding overhead light. He wasnt blinded and my lips were flawless which means everyone wins.

So you are thinking, well that's just great but how will I know where I am putting the gloss? Not to worry, there is a tiny lip mirror on the side of the lipgloss (which I personally think is a must have for all lip products) so that you can see how to apply it perfectly.

You know how much I love beauty products that make life just a little easier. Also, because Rimmel Light Beam Lip Gloss comes in six fabulously sheer shades, you'll have no problem picking one (or more) that you love. In the Mix is a pale pink, After Hours a beautiful cherry red, Spotlight a shimmery pale purple, In the Limelight a soft gold, Disco Ball which is clear with silver shimmer and Strobe Light a metallic silver.

Each shade goes on smooth and silky without the sticky texture some glosses leave behind. I also didnt have to apply it very often, (even though I wanted to play with the light and the mirror) and it smelled and tasted great.

Its a steal at $10.99 and you can pick it up at your local ULTA on line or in the store.