MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil Swatches (Berry Bold & Revved Up)

Hi ladies, I know it's been a while. Just a quick update, I'm recently in Guam spending summer with my family, and I've been buying a lot of makeup here cause it's cheaper in US territories than in other parts of the world. I've been visiting the MAC counter a lot, and I feel sad cause I want to be a MAC artist so bad and I just can't be one since I live in KSA. Over there only Saudis can work at MAC and I just feel so bad that I can't share my interest, talent, and creativity to women who need help in finding the right makeup for them. :( As much as I want to leave KSA, I just can't cause my husband has a good job there and he doesn't want to be away from our daughter and I. :( oh well........ Ok enough of the rant and on to the swatches! 

According to the MAC website:
"The colour and shine of a gloss, the precision of a lip pencil - now in one colour stick. M•A•C Patentpolish Lip Pencil instantly achieves a luscious shine with a single swipe. Effortless twist-up keeps application clean and simple, with no need to sharpen. Enjoy colour in a range of 12 new shades - from bright corals to soft, rosy pinks and natural nudes - that stay bright and true on all skin tones."



My hubby got these for me for my birthday last month. Personally, I wouldn't pick it up for myself cause I saw the review and swatches online and it just didn't interest me. I'm more of a creamy/matte lipstick person cause i feel like lip glosses are all the same and I don't need that much glosses.

Revved Up ($21) & Berry Bold ($21)

MAC Revved Up

MAC Revved Up - This color is super sheer! It's close to MAC Hello Kitty Cutester but Cutester is creamier and it has tiny glitters. I'm not a fan of sheer lipsticks cause I have tiny blue veins on my lips and I don't like it to show. 

MAC Berry Bold

MAC Berry Bold - It reminds me of the Revlon Lip Butters but to be honest, the Revlon one has better formula and it stains the lips (which I like). This is just blah to me. For $21 it is overpriced while you can just buy a balm or gloss stain at the drugstore for just a few bucks. I have never been disappointed with a MAC product so this is the first one on my list.

International Make-up Shopping (Nordstrom & Borderlinx)

I recently purchased MAC makeup from the Nordstrom website. Since Nordstrom doesn't ship cosmetics and beauty products internationally, I had to use a shippping forwarder. My friend told me about Borderlinx. You register for FREE and they give you a US & UK address for free!
I prefer buying makeup from the states because it is cheaper compared to here in Saudi Arabia. For example, a MAC lipstick is only $15 (56 SAR) in the states but over here in KSA, MAC sells it for 98 SAR, that's 42 SAR difference! Recently, I purchased $270 worth of makeup (12 items), had it shipped to my Borderlinx address, payed ONLY $25 shipping from the US to here in KSA, and I still saved $60 buying from Nordstrom compared to buying here in KSA! Shipping was fast too! I received my items within 3 days!

What I like about Borderlinx is they repack your shipments to save you from shipping costs. My items originally came in a box from nordstrom, and they repacked the items in a plastic DHL package to save space and weight. They charge shipping based on size & weight, you can even check the price on their Intl. Shipping Calculator.

Be sure not to order prohibited items (listed here) because your shipments will be on hold. I accidentally ordered MAC brush cleaner (didn't know there was alcohol in it. Anything containing alcohol or flammable substance are prohibited) and they e-mailed me that my package could not be shipped. I had to either have them send the item back to Nordstrom, or dispose it. Sending the item back to the sender costs $20 so I decided to let them dispose the brush cleaner.

So if you want to shop from US websites and need a US address, register at Borderlinx now! 

Regretting My Recent Purchase (MAC Pro Palette)

I just got home from a long day of shopping. I stopped by MAC earlier and was excited to get the new empty palette! I wanted to buy the single ones with the clear cover so I asked the lady if they have it, and she said yes! She showed me the inserts of eyeshadows and blushes together with the empty palettes, single and duo. Wow I didn't know they had the duo here in KSA! I got even more excited! I told her I didn't want the inserts cause I plan to depot my other non-mac stuffs as well. So I asked her for the prices.

The single palette with the clear cover was 150 SAR ($40).
(photo from maccosmetics.com)

The duo palette was 230 SAR ($61).
(photo from maccosmetics.com)

At that moment I had no idea how much the palletes were in the states all I know that it was a little expensive based on Dustin Hunter's youtube video about the palettes. I bought the duo and got home really excited!

(MAC old palette on the left, MAC new palette on the right)

After depotting my eyeshadows and blushes, I went online and checked http://maccosmetics.com for the original prices. As soon as I saw how much the palettes were, I was shocked!!! From the MAC website, both single and duo palettes were $8 each!!! I paid $53 more than the original price!!!! I could have bought a lot of makeup with that amount! So now I am in deep regret. I should have checked the website first before buying the palette so I was able to know how much they were in the states. :(

Oh well..... Lesson learned. Research about the product before buying!

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Location:Al Khubar,Saudi Arabia

How to Trim, Shape, and Fill In Your Brows

My friends always ask me how I do my brows so I decided to do a video tutorial on it. :) This is how I usually shape my brows. I sometimes set it with MAC Beguille brow set or MAC Girl boy brow set after filling in with Dip Down. Hope you enjoy this video! :)

MAC 'Illustrated' by Rebecca Moses Brown Face Kit (Swatches & Video)

MAC Rebecca Moses Face Kit (brown)

If you've read my previous post, you'll know that I recently purchased the brush set and this palette from MAC's newest collection, 'Illustrated' by Rebecca Moses. I was excited cause this is my 1st time to purchase a palette from a collection. It was $49.50 ($101 value) at the Nordstrom website.

This palette includes:

1 blush (melba)

4 eyeshadows (clockwise: orb, all that glitters, show stopper, smoked sepia)

2 lipsticks (Ravishing clean, Myth light)

1 duo brush (275 SE medium angled brush, and 316 SE lip brush)

The 275 SE brush is so scratchy! I own a 2009 275SE but it was so soft, wider and fluffier, however the one included in this palette is very very scratchy and thinner.

Rebecca Moses Face Kit blush and eyeshadow swatches

The blush & eyeshadows are pigmented but you can barely see orb on my arm cause it's close as my skin color. I thought smoked sepia would be more of an orange brown but it's more of a rustic/dirty brown. I think show stopper was the only e/s I had a difficult time applying to my lid I feel like I need to scrape the eyeshadow on the pan to be able to get a good color pay off.

 MAC L/S comparisons

MAC L/S comparisons

And now, my FIRST youtube video :) Tutorial on how I use this palette. Hope you like it! :)

MAC 'Illustrated' Collection by Rebecca Moses All Over Brush Kit (Nordstrom Exclusive)

MAC All Over Brush Kit ('Illustrated' by Rebecca Moses)

Nordstrom recently launched this collection few weeks ago, and I had to make sure I get my hands on this brush set and the brown palette (photos and swatches on my next post). The ribbon design of the brush roll is just so pretty and girly and I just love the combination of brushes included in this kit. 

I bought them online at Nordstrom for $49.50 and had them delivered via Borderlinx since Nordstrom don't allow beauty products to be shipped internationally. I only payed $25 of shipping fee together with another 12 items of makeup. Still cheaper than to buy MAC here in Saudi Arabia!

 I was just wasn't crazy with the outside design which I thought are kinda creepy, but I love the matte black brush handles.

 According to Nordstrom:

M·A·C presents a brush roll featuring exclusive illustrations by witty fashion designer, Rebecca Moses and special-edition brushes shaped with full-size brush heads.

Kit includes:
- 168 SE Large Angled Contour Brush (1 1/4"W x 5"H).
- 287 SE Duo Fibre Eyeshadow Brush (1 1/4"W x 5"H).
- 224 SE Tapered Blending Brush (1 3/4"W x 5"H).
- 219 SE Pencil Brush (1 1/2"W x 5"H).
- 266 SE Small Angle Brush (1 1/2"W x 5"H).
- Brush roll crafted with pocket, flap to protect brushes and two small open pouches secured with an easy and efficient ribbon closure (6 1/2"W x 4"H; 8 1/2"H when open).

The 168 SE is used for applying blush, or bronzer to contour the face.

The 287 SE is great for applying gel e/s or paint pots to give a lid a wash of color and to help blend the product in.
The 224 SE is great for blending the harsh edges of eyeshadow and for blending concealer.
The 266 SE is great for applying gel liner on the top lash line or for creating a defined brow.

 Here's a side by side comparison of my MAC 168SE from 2009 Nordstrom exclusive and from the 2013 collection. The new brush is a little denser and more compact where as the one from the old collection is more loose and fluffy.

Here's a side by side comparison of the MAC 219 SE and the full sized 219. The brush are exactly the same! I know most people say that MAC travel brushes have bad quality compared to the full sized ones, but I own 2 brush sets from different collection and I'm happy with it and didn't think it was created poorly.

I think this brush set is great especially when traveling, and if you want to try MAC brushes without breaking the bank, this is a good deal! :)

Plum FOTD

Few days ago I picked up "Sketch" eyeshadow from MAC which has become my fav purple e/s. I love that it gives you a little bit of color without being bold and loud. I paired it with a gold/pink eyeshadow and plum l/s.

FACE:

MAC Studio Fix Foundation NC25

MAC Studio Fix Concealer NW25

MAC Dsquared Sculp & Shape

NYX Spice Blush

EYES:

NYX e/s Primer (White)

NARS Bohemian Gold duo (pink/gold color)

MAC Sketch (crease)

NYX Very Delight e/s trio (white e/s on the inner part of the eye & brow bone)

Ardell 101 black lashes

MAC blacktrack fluid line

MAC Plush lash black

MAC charcoal brown (brows)

LIPS:

MAC Plumful

Ombre Makeup

I made this look for the April FOTD Challenge on Instagram. I wasn't able to keep up with the challenge and only did 2 looks for the month. :p Not wearing makeup all the time doesn't mean my love for makeup is slowly weaning, I'm just so busy being a mom and reviewing for my NCLEX exam. :)

It was my first time to try an "Ombre" look, and I love how it turned out. I kept my eye simple and wanted to focus on the lips.

For the eyes I used MAC Tempting and just blended it out. And used a while matte e/s for under the brows and inner corners of the eye.

For the lips I used MAC Angel for the outer lip and MAC Quick Sizzle on the inner lip.

MAC Sheen Supreme Full Speed

MAC Full Speed

SR92 ($24.5)

From MAC website:

Combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. 

This is a must-have for all those who have craved this kind of fusion.

Full Speed, described as "bright clean yellow pink" on the mac website, is a light pink coral, close but lighter to MAC Impassioned. I just really love the texture of these l/s. It's buttery when applied, and even 
with the glossy texture, it isn't sheer and gives the right amount of pigment to the lips.

MAC Full Speed, MAC Impassioned

 MAC Full Speed

MAC Sheen Supreme Insanely It

Insanely It, described as "watermelon pink" on the MAC website. I just love how these l/s glides on the lips and it always leaves my lips moisturized. I bought it at MAC for SR92 ($24.5)

Comparison swatches: TOP - MAC Lustering, LEFT - MAC Insanely It, RIGHT - MAC Lickable

MAC Insanely It

FOTD - NARS bohemian gold

I haven't been wearing a lot of makeup lately cause i'm letting my skin breathe since i've been having lots of breakouts. I also realized that I have too much makeup and some of them I haven't even used yet. I feel guilty for buying and not using them so I decided to create a look using my NARS bohemian gold duo.

FACE

MAC strobe cream mixed with MAC studio fix NC25 liquid foundation

MAC studio fix concealer NW25

Too faced translucent powder

EYES

MAC soft ochre paint pot (primer)

NARS bohemian gold duo

NYX nude on nude palette (the brown color on the lower right for the crease)

Maybelline gel liner

Shiseido nourising base mascara

Maybelline colossal Volum' express

Mikyaji sabaya eyebrow pencil 02

Too faced totally toasted (only the champagne color for highlight on the brow bone and inner corners of the eye)

LIPS

MAC Faux l/s

MAC Virgin Kiss l/g

MAC Sheen Supreme "Impressive", EOTD & Extensions

I wanted to get 4 l/s when the sheen supreme collection came out. I even visited 3 MAC counters in Saudi, Bahrain, and Philippines but the colors I wanted were all sold out! "impressive" wasn't originally on my list but when I swatched it on my hand, I kinda liked how it felt and the color is very wearable.




It's a rosy/nude color and it goes on very smoothly.




I haven't been wearing too much makeup since i got back home but I wanted to try this l/s cause i havent worn it since i got it. I paired it up with a subtle smokey e/s using my NARS palette from my previous post.










As you can see I recently had eyelash extensions. It's been 4 days since I had it done and most of the lashes have already fallen out. :( I will prolly stick to falsies and mascara if I want fuller lashes. These extensions are just hard to maintain!
[X] liquid eye liner
[X] mascara
[X] eye lash curler
[X] rubbing
[X] must keep dry within the 1st 24 hrs of application

For the 1st 2 days it was really pretty! It was curled up and fuller! But now it's starting to hang down together with my regular lashes and I can't curl it with a curler cause it will leave a mark on the fake lashes! :(

Oh and I also got my bottom braces 2 days ago. My teeth are sore and they feel loose, but inspite of that I still eat a lot and even gained more lbs since I had my braces on. LOL.






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Mama's makeup

My mama wanted me to do a smokey look on her. It was my first time to do her full makeup, usually I would just retouch what she had on. I didn't want the look to be too harsh so I used dark browns and not black. I wanted the smokiness to compliment and not over power her natural beauty & I wanted the look to suit her age. My mom is in her 40's and she has wrinkles, so I used mostly matte makeup since glitter or shimmer will only emphasize the lines. I only applied a bit of shimmer to the brow bone and in the inner corners of her eyes.

FACE:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation NC25

MAC Studio Fix Concealer NW25

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Rimmel blush in Santa Rose

MAC Studio Fix powder foundation in NC30

EYES:

NARS Cordura duo (darkest brown on the lid not passing the crease & in the lower lash line)

MAC Soft Brown (crease)

MAC Brule (above the crease up to the brow bone)

Too Faced Totally Toasted duo (the shimmery beige on the crease and inner corners)

Rimmel waterproof black eyeliner (upper and lower lashline & waterline)

Loreal Voluminous mascara

MAC Beguile (brows)

LIPS:

MAC Angel l/s

NARS Foul Play l/g

NYX Haul + MAC Ruby Woo

Last weekend we went to Bahrain to watch a movie cause we don't have cinemas here in Saudi. We saw the movie Thor, it was my first time to see Chris Hemsworth and omg I have the biggest crush on him now! :) After watching the movie we went shopping at Bahrain City Center and I stopped by MAC to check if they had sheen supreme but they were all sold out! :( Then the sales lady told me that the collection wasn't limited edition and I was surprised cause I didn't know that but I was really happy to know that the L/S are permanent! Wohoo! I wanted to get 4 shades from that collection. Then I stopped by NYX and grabbed these few items.

Black Label L/S Berry, Hot Tamale, blush in Spice, nail colors in Cloud 9, the silver glitter one didn't have a name, eye pencils in Sky Glitter & Lavender Glitter.

here are the swatches:

Berry, Hot Tamale, Spice, Lavender Glitter, Sky Glitter

The pencils are labeled "eyebrow pencils" and I don't know why cause I don't think anyone will put glitter pastels pencils on their brows =/

NOTD - Cloud 9

Tried the eye pencil Sky today. Paired it with a neutral eye and red lips. I used MAC Ruby Woo it's the only MAC red l/s I own cause I don't think it's practical spending on MAC if I can find a shade or red l/s on other cheaper brands. I only buy MAC if there are colors that I really really want & couldn't find a dupe on cheaper brands.

Cam whored with my baby girl today :)

I posted this photo on fb and a lot of my friends asked me what l/s I was wearing. I love this shade so much it's a matte red and I think it would look good on any skin tone. The only thing I hate is the way it feels when I'm putting it on, it feels so dry and it drags my lips unlike some other matte lipstick where it applies smooth.

If you have any questions about the products I posted today feel free to email me at cinnamonsugar24 (at) gmail or message me on twitter seenamonshugar . Have a great day! :)