MAC The Nutcracker Collection

MAC always pull out all the stops for their Christmas collections. There is always one (or five)  items that I want from their collection, and this year I was lucky enough to receive some of the collection for review and of course I had to pick up something else I had my eye on. I love the packaging for this collection. The pink and purple is right up my street. This collection is based around the nutcracker and alot of the colours are purple and pink based.

 "Sweet Sweet Copper" Face Compact

This was the first thing I spotted that I instantly knew I needed. It has the famous highlighter "Whisper of Gild" which I have been dying to get my hands on the last couple of months. It is one of those highlighters that everyone seems to go mad for when it is released but unfortunately it is not part of MAC's permanent collection. The blush that is included in the compact is "Pleasure Model" which is a gorgeous peachy-brown. The blush has a very sheer finish, so it gives a gorgeous flush of colour without being too overpowering. The two really compliment each other. But "Whisper of Gild" is really in a league of its own. It is a very wet looking highlighter which is so ridiculously pigmented that you really only need the smallest amount. It is a gorgeous gold-toned highlighter that would compliment the majority of skin-tones.

"Flamboyish" Lipstick*

On first glance I thought this was a red lipstick. But it was only when I swatched it, I realized that it is actually a gorgeous fuschia pink. It is a very creamy, pigmented lipstick even though it is one of their matte formulas...and it is the perfect colour for the festive season. If you don't fancy reaching for a red this Christmas, this would be a gorgeous alternative. It lasts really well on the lips, you may find you need to top it up just to keep the vibrancy of the colour which did fade a little throughout the day. Again I feel that it would suit the majority of skin-tones. It is definitely one to swatch! 

"Dark Lullaby" Eye-shadow

I have to admit this wouldn't be an eye-shadow I would instantly be drawn to, but having swatched it at home and pairing it with my own shadows I am pleasantly surprised. This is a gorgeous shadow that is neutral enough that it doesn't look too mad, while still adding a very subtle pop of colour. It is a gorgeous deep plum colour with a small hint of shimmer. One of the products that I received that was a surprising favourite. 

 MAC Prunella Eyeliner*

I have tried and really liked MAC eyeliners in the past, and this one is no different. It does have a slightly drier formula than I would normally like but it still has a really nice pigment to it. I think that because it is drier, it lasts longer on the waterline. It makes a lovely pair with the "Dark Lullaby" and compliments it nicely. Again it gives a lovely, subtle pop of colour to a neutral look without having to go too crazy. They have two other eyeliners available in this collection, a black and a bronze. Out of the three this would be the one I recommend to pick up!

They have definitely outdone themselves with this collection, even the packaging is gorgeous! There will definitely be something for everyone in this collection..there are a few mad shades but the majority of things are gorgeous. If yo were to pick up one item I would 100% recommend the face palette. It makes a gorgeous addition to any collection!

Read More»

Autumnal Lipsticks

One of the reasons I love the change in seasons so much is that you can get away with wearing deeper, more dramatic lip colours. To be fair I tend to wear whatever shade I want, all year around. But we all seem to gravitate towards a certain colour palette once the leaves start falling. I wanted to give you my top five products that I have been reaching for a lot so far this year, and I feel I will be getting so much use out of in the coming months. 

Kat Von D | Lolita

Even though I bought this in the Summer, it is the most Autumnal shade going. There is a reason why it is almost always sold out and that it is one of her most popular shades. This is a gorgeous warm toned nude. It is very 90's. It is the kind of shade that you can wear during the day or that you can put on for an evening look to amp it up. It dries completely matte but is still comfortable to wear for a long period of time. In my opinion this is is a colour that would really suit majority of skintones, and one that everyone should have in their collection. 

MAC | Whirl

I'm not 100% sure if this was a limited edition lipstick..if it is I'm really sorry. There is a lip liner in the same shade so it would do the same job. This is a darker nude compared to Lolita. It is very much a brown nude. Not to everyones taste, and definitely a more statement lip. Again it is a matte lipstick, which seems to be the look I go for in the colder months. If you can get your hands on this, go and swatch it! 

MAC | Smoked Almond

One of the more recent additions to my collection. It is from the new "Lipintensity" collection that they have recently brought out. I absolutely adore this lipstick formula, and this shade in particular is one that I have been reaching for day to day. It is a pink toned brown and is lighter in shade compared to the previous two. It is the first one I have mentioned that isn't a matte formula. It has a slight sheen to it, and it feels nice and moisturising on the lips- which is essential during the colder months. 

The Balm | Adoring

This was my Christmas shade last year. It is a gorgeous burgundy red shade, which is ideal for the winter months. This is another liquid lipstick that dries down to a matte formula. It has a mint scent to it which is the only thing I don't like about it, it seems so wrong putting something with a mint scent on your lips. It doesn't offer any plumping features so it seems a bit unnecessary. Otherwise this lipstick colour is, in my opinion another essential. Perfect for the festive season! 

NYX | Tiramisu

This is the only gloss in this line-up. I love the NYX Butter Glosses, they have a gorgeous creamy formula with a decent amount of pigmentation. This particular gloss is a very natural look- perfect for throwing on during the day to give a bit of a lift to your make-up. It is a mauve shade that seems to suit any kind of look. They don't last amazingly long but no glosses do. If you are a gloss woman and haven't tried these...get on it!   

If you have any other recommendations for lip products that you like to wear during the colder months please enable me! 

Read More»