Text Files: MAC Lipstick in…Reel?

Marfa: I bought a bright fuschia lipstick today

Me: Cool.  From where?

Marfa: MAC – It is called Reel.  I channeled my inner Jilly and went for something a little radical.

Me:  Good for you!  It’s good to try new things with makeup.  It’s temporary so if you don’t like it you can change it easily!

Marfa:  Very true.  I look like one of the girls off European Vogue.

(A few hours later…)

Me:  Girl I can’t find this MAC lipstick. You’re sure it’s called Reel?

Marfa:  Sorry I meant rebel.  Obviously I can’t read.

Me:  OMG that was my first MAC lipstick ever when I was 16!  I love it!

Marfa:  I told you I channeled you.

I swear that this exchange really happened today and that these text messages are verbatim.  I guess my friends really do know me too well!  Get MAC lipstick in REBEL, here.

Tags: Lipstick, MAC, Marfa, Ridiculous Text Messages, True Life

M.A.C and Milk Does the Body Good

I stole this from a friend via facebook. It’s a good, quick read – And since it’s ‘official’ debut is only one month away – You should get in the know if you aren’t already.

What to expect at M.A.C and Milk Fashion Week.

Tags: facebook, Fashion Week, MAC, Milk

Zara @ Q

These were shot back in February.  Photos: Geordy Pearson.  Hair: Billy Keith

Zara’s skin is airbrushed using temptu S/B formula, and contoured with S/B airbrush blush.  Airbrush blush is set with Blushbaby powder blush from MAC.

Trish McEvoy shadow in Cream was dusted lightly across the lid.  Stila kajal eyeliner in Onyx was applied lightly around the eye, with false lashes from Ardell (#18) and tons of Benefit Badgal mascara to blend her lashes into the falsies.

Posie Tint was applied to her lips as a stain, and Benefit Silky finish lipstick in skinny dip was used on top.

Brows were groomed using Lift and Set Mascara in Black/Brown from Sally Hansen Natural Beauty.

Tags: Ardell, Benefit, Billy Keith, Geordy Pearson, MAC, Products, Q, Sally Hansen, Stila, Temptu, Test, Trish McEvoy

More Nathaline @ Wilhelmina

Here are a few more pictures of Nathaline @ Wilhelmina.

For this shoot I created a look for her, using boot black liquid liner applied in the crease with a dusting of black shadow applied with an angled liner brush to set.  Nude lips were created using Bare Venus (limited edition and no longer available), and her cheeks were contoured using powder blush in Blushbaby.  All from MAC.

Photos: Marley Kate.  Hair: Billy Keith.  Styling: Contessa.

Tags: Billy Keith, Contessa, MAC, Marley Kate, Test, Wilhelmina

Not So Sweet Make-up

I had a Sweet 16.

There.  I said it.

I grew up in Brooklyn, and a Sweet 16 extravaganza was incredibly common.  Honestly, I must have gone to over 30 of them between sophomore and junior year of High School.

The entire experience of planning the party was incredible.  I got the dress at Kleinfeld’s in Brooklyn (this was back in the day long before they made the move to Manhattan), and I remember having my appointment several months before the event to try on dozens of dresses.  I spent the afternoon with my mother and sister, and after hours of trying on dress after dress, I finally found the perfect one.  The one that made me smile.  The dress that is the reason I will never wear a princess dress again.  Because, once you’ve had the perfect princess dress for you, it’s hard to find another that will live up to the same standards.

There was also a tiara.  Not your ordinary run of the mill, tack-a-wack tiara.  I opted for a thin, one layer headband.  It had been featured on the cover of Modern Bride magazine the same year, and was a gift from my sister.  The price tag of said tiara/headband thing is still a secret that my sister and I will always have between us.  She knew it was a must have, non negotiable sweet 16 essential, and that anything else wouldn’t have been perfect – And so, she spared me the trouble of sitting down with my parents and having to explain to them why I needed this tiara – And purchased it for me on the low.  I know.  My sister is AWESOME.

But, I digress.  Seriously, I love so many things about my Sweet 16: The dress, the tiara, the candy bar, the venetian hour, the venue – It was a birthday that every girl should have once in their life.

What I do not love so much is my make-up and hair.

First let me start with the hair.  For one thing, I will never wear an ‘up-do’ again in my life.  Just looking at the word ‘up-do’ typed out across the screen makes me want to vomit.  ‘Up-do’ = BIG MISTAKE.  I hate this kind of hair now, and would never ever in a million years do something so ‘dated’ and horrific to myself ever again.  Sure, my hair was hardly TERRIBLE, but, I think it would have been much more timeless and attractive if I’d worn my hair down.  At least it wasn’t a particularly ugly ‘up-do’ – And I had some sense of style enough to opt for something halfway decent.

Now…My make-up.  When I look back at pictures, I really don’t like it. I also remember not LOVING it when I got it done that day.  The foundation was HEAVY, and cakey, and just unnecessary considering I was just barely 16 and my skin was fresh as a flower.

Then there is the lipstick.  Hmmm.  I just don’t think it was the right color – But, I’m positive I was wearing MAC Rebel which I wore ALL THE TIME circa 1997-1999.  It’s not terrible, and I’d still rock it today…I just think there may have been a better and softer shade (or gloss) that might have been more appropriate for the dress.

I don’t really have any comments to make about my eye make-up.  It’s just ok.  It’s neither a ‘do’ or a ‘don’t', it just is what it is.  Definitely could have been better, but I’m sure the receptionist/makeup artist who did my make-up at the salon was hardly a real ARTIST.  You get what I’m saying?

All in all – It could have been worse.  But, if I had it to do all over again I would have opted for dewy skin (courtesy of a light weight tinted moisturizer), and a delicate shimmery/smokey eye, with a light pink glossy lip.  Much more age appropriate and fitting for the occasion.

Do you have any events in your life, that you wish you would have had better make-up for?

Tags: MAC, sweet 16

R.I.P: Mac Blush in Prism

I killed this blush.  KILLED IT.

I don’t do this very often.  Mostly because I have so much makeup (and I’m not talking about my professional kit, I’m referring to my own personal collection), AND I’m obsessed with new product.  Usually my ADD kicks in after I use something a few times which keeps me constantly trying something new.

Products hardly ever die by my own hand.  Except for mascara.  I go through mascara like water – Probably a tube every 3 weeks.  But, that’s about the only product I’m killin’ on a regular basis…So when I finish something, it’s MAJOR.

I loved this blush.  Not initially though – It was not love at first swipe AT ALL.  This blush sat at the bottom of a drawer for a year before I touched it after using it one time. Then one day I felt like changing things up, and re-discovered it, and suddenly it had a new life.

And it’s been love ever since.  It’s really obvious if you look at the remains:

I even busted the clear part of the top off.  It’s THAT deep.

Prism blush from MAC was my every day staple.  I used it constantly.  And when I had to go somewhere at night, I would dress it up with a shimmer highlight, or use it as a contour blush by pairing it with another color.

I would buy it again, but there are so many products out there, and life is too short for me to only wear one blush.

Prism, you will be missed.  You gave great face.  Thank you.

What was the last product you completely emptied out???

Tags: Blush, MAC

A Decade in Make-up

When I was 17 I wore MAC Rebel lipstick paired with clear lip glass on top.  This was before tinted lipglass – Way before.  This was back when lip glass was the ‘must have’ make-up product for any girl who didn’t seem to mind if the occasional bug got stuck to her lip.  What’s a bug on the lip when you look good? It’s protein right?

Here is a picture from my 17th birthday:

I grew up in New York.  That should explain the Drag Queen lap dance which is possibly confusing to some of you.  And yes, I am wearing Rebel lipstick in this photo.

Earlier this month I turned 27.  

That’s a decade in make-up.  A decade of discovering brands and products that would eventually become essentials in my career.

Here’s a photo from my 27th birthday.  Check the birthday flan

10 years after my 17th birthday, I’m still on top of what’s hot in make-up.  See my eye make-up?  It’s from Urban Decay.  It’s a new cream shadow…Not available until SPRING 2009.

Jealous?  You totally should be.  They are amazing, and very few people have them.  I have ALL 12 COLORS.

Full Review and color preview coming TOMORROW!

Tags: Drag Queens, Exclusives, Flan, MAC, My Birthday, Urban Decay

Get This. Now. A Substitute for the Original MAC Spice Lipliner

This tip comes courtesy of In My Kit – Which is a fabulous resource for professional make-up artists.  It’s also a great product guide for real women because it lists the top products in every category.

MAC spice lipliner was once a gem – A universally flattering shade with a cult following that looked amazing when paired with ANY lip color. Unfortunately MAC went and messed with the formula, and the color hasn’t been the same since.

There hasn’t been a lipliner so versatile since that original formula, and there hasn’t been a quality substitute to take it’s place either…Until now.

Wet and Wild cream lipliners are INCREDIBLE.  They go on smooth and they’re long lasting – And, also ridiculously affordable.  You can get them in almost any drug store or Target for under 3 bucks.

Willow (#712) is IDENTICAL to the original MAC spice both in color and consistency (I know because I went and checked it out at my local Target just this morning).

You’re welcome.

Tags: Lipliner, MAC, Wet n Wild