Why I Love MAC's Patina

1. It goes with anything. Anything.

2. It is one of my go-to eyeshadow shades. 

3. It is such a gorgeous and unique colour. I have never seen anything like it. 

4. Did I mention I love it?

MAC Eyeshadow in Patina

The Neutral Lip Duo

For the past few months since the purchase of these two happened I have been using them (and loving them) a lot, but on their own. And then one morning a few weeks ago I had just applied the lip liner and on a whim put the lipstick on over the top. They are the perfect match! Now you may think that I'm silly for not realising this before, especially as in these photos they look rather similar, but it just hadn't occured to me. They really complimented each other and created a lovely natural-pink lip. This combo has now been made a permanent fixture in the looks I always go back to.

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom / MAC Lip Pencil in Dervish

Eyes :: Naked Lunch and Satin Taupe

Here is one of my go-to eye combinations. I have a few shadows that I always go back to and this duo is extra extra special just because it is so effortless but put together. Naked Lunch is perfect as an all over the lid shade, on it's own or as a base for others. Sometimes I will leave it at that but I think that it's perfect partner is Satin Taupe. Used in the outer corners and along the outer crease it creates depth to the look yet is still very natural and wearable for everyday. Of course all with the help with my trusty MAC 217 brush and we're done.

Naked Lunch / Satin Taupe

Some Loving From MAC

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for MAC, but it is only in the past few months that I have been giving alot of their makeup a trial. I used to go into MAC and feel quite overwhelmed and wouldn't know where to start with the amount of choice there is. Since completing a weeks course in March at London College of Fashion where I used MAC products for the week it has really improved my knowledge and confidence using makeup from this brand. I have built up a bit of a collection over the past 6 months or so and these are the stand out products for me at present. You know those products that you just keep going back to because they're so damn easy to wear, yep those ones.  They're all on the 'au naturel' side of things because that's my day to day preference

Face and Body Foundation in C2 / Lipstick in Peach Blossom / Eyeshadow in Patina / Lip Pencil in Dervish

Duty Free Made Me Do It

I mentioned at the beginning of last month that I was going to try and spend no money on anything  beauty or clothes related. Well that didn't go exactly to plan. To any self confessed beauty addicts out there, if you are able to walk past the MAC counter, or any other beauty counter, in duty free then I salute you. Because it appears that I can't. 

I was innocently (read: naively, stupidly) perusing the different products and brands being sold with no intention of parting with my hard earned cash. I walked past YSL, Dior, Benefit. I even walked past the giant Cadbury's chocolate bar without loosing my will. And then MAC happened. At first it was just testing out multiple shades of eyeshadows on my hand, and then blushes on my arm, and then lipsticks on my other hand. Which if I'm being completely honest with you is how I usually leave MAC (note to self, always bring wipes with you to remove this evidence) so I wasn't worried yet. 

Then the damage happened. The sales assistant asked me if I needed anything. The beginning of the end. Before I knew it I'd asked to have the eyeshadow in 'All That Glitters' and a 217 brush.  And that was it. They were mine. As I write this there is still no feeling of guilt or regret at this impulsive purchase. Perhaps because I have fallen head over heels in love with the eyeshadow, a golden-champagne shimmer. Or I have finally realised why so many bloggers have said (and I have dutifully ignored for the past few years -face palm-) that you do need at least two 217 brushes in your collection. It makes eye makeup just that bit simpler and cleaner. AND to top it all off I made a generous saving. What can I say? Duty free shopping doesn't come around every day now does it? 

Using Blush To Contour

A tip that I picked up recently was to use your blush to subtlety contour. Obviously not the bright pinks, corals or reds that you have in your collection but a muted brown. Instead of using a bronzing or sculpting powder this works just as well and is one less product to pack if you are going away or just trying to save time on your makeup in the morning. The shade that I have is 'Sincere' by MAC, but I know that 'Buff' and 'Tenderling' by MAC also work well.

Start by using an angled powder brush and taking the blush from along and slightly under the cheekbone from where the cheekbone meets the top of the ear to where it stops at the apples if the cheeks in a forward motion. You can then place some of the product in the usual contour places, in the hairline and under the jaw. I like to then use a pink blush just on the apples of the cheeks to add a pop of colour. In this case I've used 'Apricot' by Bobbi Brown. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes

I bought two of these the other week and I can't believe that it's taken me this long to purchase these. There's so much hype around these products but I could never bring myself to purchase them until now. I got them in two colours: Light Plus as my natural colour and Medium/Dark to use to contour/add some colour.  The light shade is great to use as a powder on top of a base to add a bit more coverage (I like to use it over the NARS tinted moisturizer) or you can use it on its own for one of those sheer coverage days. For the darker shade it is great to use on the temples, jawline and under the cheekbone. And best of all there's no cakey finish to it! It's not a product that's going to run out quickly so it is definitely an investment purchase.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Link

My First MAC Quad

A very exciting thing happened recently! I bought my first MAC quad of eyeshadows. And when I saw I'm excited, I really mean it. For someone who has been interested in makeup for a while I'm surprised that this hasn't happened sooner but I've always found the amount of colours quite daunting.  But I bit the bullet and I really do love all 4 of the colours in this palette.

From left to right they are Pink Freeze, Naked Lunch, Satin Taupe and Silver Ring.  Pink Freeze is such a pretty colour to use as an inner corner highlight and under the brow bone. Id also like to try it out over the lid as I think that with either Satin Taupe or a light matte brown it would look really pretty. Naked Lunch is a shade known by many beauty bloggers. It is a nude-champagne shimmer shade, great for use as an all over wash over the lid or as a base with other colours. I love to wear this with either of the other two darker shades in the palette. Firstly Satin Taupe is a brown shade with a slight purple/mauve hint running through it. Either using in the crease or on it's own for a darker look. And then Silver Ring is a shade which I haven't heard a lot about but I absolutely love it. It is a slate grey colour which has some deep blue tones which I find is flattering and easy to wear. 

This would definitely be a palette that I could pick up if I was going away for the night as I know that I can create a few different sorts of looks with it. 

Weekly Makeup #1

Welcome to a new feature for this blog, my weekly makeup. I try to switch up the makeup I use once a week, sometimes more, so I thought it would be interesting to show you what products I am currently using. 

I am not one for a heavy base everyday, so I tend to stick to my beloved Dr Jart BB cream. It equalizes uneven skintone with just the right amount of coverage. As for concealer I am very loyal to my Collection one for blemishes and red areas, however for under the eyes I do prefer to use the Rimmel wake me up concealer. This was out of stock when I needed it so I am using this other rimmel one which is good however I find it to be slightly too heavy for the undereye area. I am very into highlighting at the moment, so the Revlon Skinlights is a must. As well as the Nars blush which is a gorgeous pink/coral shade with a slight shimmer to add a subtle highlight. A great addition for the spring time. 

As for eyes, on a day to day basis you wil most likely see me wearing some kind of bronze/taupe ensemble. Recently it's been MAC 'patina' which is a great sweep over the lid and go shade. Finish off the look with a swipe of MAC 'Peach Blossom' on the lips and I'm good to go. 

BASE: Dr Jart Water Fuse BB cream, Rimmel Match Perfection concealer (Ivory), Collection concealer (fair), Revlon Skinlights (pink light), The Body Shop Honey Bronzer (light matte), Nars Deep Throat blush

EYES: MUA eyebrow palette (top right shade), MAC patina e/s, Urban Decay Naked Basics palette (faint in the crease) 

LIPS: MAC Peach Blossom lipstick

(Look out for some reviews on a few of the products I used in this post in the next week or so!)