Quick Peek: MAC Pearl Mineralize Skinfinish (Semi Precious Collection)

Hello ladies,

MAC's Semi Precious Collection is in town now, and here's a quick peek at an MSF I picked up.

Review: MAC Rose Ole Special Reserve Highlighting Powder

When I first picked up my MAC Rose Ole with-a-mile-long-name, I was convinced I was in love with it.

The powder looked gorgeous, what with its fabric folds and what nots. And after toying with it for a week or so, I hope it's not too late to share my thoughts with you ladies.

As promised, here goes!

Rose, Sweet Rose ~

Today's post will be short.

MAC's current collection called In The Groove has brought back several uber pretty MSFs, including a huge fave with the MAC-cies - Stereo Rose.


I've heard a lot about them, read a lot and seen a lot, so when this collection came out. This was one MSF I made a beeline for. (Heard it's flying off the shelves in the US.)

Duped: Benefit's 10 Highlighter/ Bronzer Duo (Again)

This is the second Benefit 10 dupe featured on So Loverly! You can read all about the first one here and Kahani's rave on the real deal here

I stumbled upon the new Australis Duo Powders a few days ago and was thinking, "Hmm... This looks familiar... " when lightbulbs started going off in my head.

"NARS Blush and Bronzing Duos! Eh, no... The NARS powders are in separate pans and e.l.f. does their dupe."

Then I got it.

"Benefit's 10!"

So smack me and call me a dodo, it took me that long to figure it out. The square compact, the dual toned powder and the large brush would have had anyone else squealing "DUPE" within 3 seconds. Even the application instructions are similar to Benefit's sexy sweep.

I have only checked these out at Target but from what i have seen so far, the Australis Powder Duos seems a lot more travel-friendly from Benefit's 10. The packaging isn't as pretty as Benefit's 10 as it comes in a plain black square, palm-sized plastic compact. But it seems to be pretty sturdy with a good clip and there are two compartments -- one for the brush and another for the powder -- and a mirror.

A point in the Australis Duo's favour is that this comes in 3 different shades (from left to right in the picture): Sunkissed Glimmer, Rosy Bronze and Sunkissed Gold. Sunkisser Glimmer is more of a highlighter/ bronzer duo whilst the other two are blush/ bronzer duos. I would recommend Sunkissed Glimmer for the really fair, Sunkissed Gold for those with fair to light/ medium tones and Rosy Bronze for darker skin tones. I am personally lemming for Rosy Bronze as a blush/ bronzer and Sunkissed Gold as a highlighter/ bronzer.

I don't have swatches of these (lighting in Target is horrible!) but the powder duos seems to be rather smooth and pigmented with a light shimmery finish. I was pleased to see that it was pretty-discrete shimmery, not in-your-face-disco-ball shimmery.

These would be lovely products for the summer and I think Australis made a mistake by not launching them earlier in the year. However, this doesn't seem to have affected sales as Sunkissed Glimmer was completely sold out when I spotted these the other day.

I haven't had the chance to try Benefit's 10 so I can't say for sure how well these two products compare in quality. Judging from the packaging (travel-friendly packaging is always a big point for me), variety and price, I think the Australis Powder Duo wins out for me. Instead of spending AUD 49, I could buy all 3 duos and have change for a movie.

The Australis Powder Duos is a Target exclusive product so hop over to your nearest Target and check it out!

FOTD: Going Au Naturel

When I posted my review of Bobbi's Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick, many of you girls requested for an FOTD. And so here it is.

Do bear in mind, though, that the shimmer brick is very natural, as I have mentioned before in my review. If you're expecting high drama from this shimmer brick, then you will be let down.

Trying to capture the "glowy look" in a photograph is also a lot harder than you'd imagine! I'd like to think it really looks better in person. =P

Read on to see what I used for this very natural look.

Face

• Illuminare Ultimate All-day Foundation/ Concealer
  
• ZA two-way foundation (on chin, nose and forehead only)
  
• Skin Food powder for oily skin

Cheeks

• MAC blush in Cubic
• Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick

Eyes

• Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick
  
• MAC eyeliner in Teddy (dark brown liner)

(The shimmer brick, while great as a highlighter or a wash to wake up tired looking eyes, can look a little light on its own. I think adding a darker shade of brown eyeshadow would complement the look quite nicely.)

(I added just a wee bit of brown liner to add a little oomph to the look. I felt it looked a little plain on its own as the colours are so natural.)


Lips

• Lipbalm
• MAC lipstick in Sandy B

So, what d'ya think?

Total RAVE: Benefit Box-O-Powder in 10

I had my doubts about its usefulness when I bought it. But warehouse sales bring reservations down so I picked it up, and I'm so glad I did!

Sure you can get as pretty a bronzer and highlighter separately for less, and normally I would, but it's so handy to have them both in this adorable wee box.

I find myself reaching for this daily as it gives me a subtle glow - the healthy-skin, JLo kind. Plus I can use it to contour my features quickly and easily without looking odd in broad daylight.

Bronzer
This is my favourite part of the box. It's a wonderful shade of bronzer - slightly shimmery but not straight-up bling. It doesn't turn orange, or red, and is very fine and sheer so it blends naturally into my complexion. Yet it's the perfect shade to contour the sides of my face, along the sides of my nose and my jawline while giving me a sun-kissed look.

Highlighter
The highlighter is actually pretty darned shimmery, so apply with a light hand! I usually dust the bronzer where I want to contour and where the sun touches my face with a blush brush (mine is by now-discountinued line, Pout). Then lightly dust the highlighter exactly where I want it, with a blush brush on the apples of my cheek, and with my Everyday Minerals eye kabuki down the bridge of my nose.

Brush
Although Benefit suggests you use their flat, square brush to do the 'sexy sweep':

I say you get better results with your normal makeup brushes. However if you're on the go, it's not a bad brush at all!

The price of this in Malaysia is absolutely silly at RM129. If I can't repurchase it at a massive discount again, I may buy it from the US at $28 - or just make do with SN's Hoola Bronzer dupe and a shimmery highlighter.

Psst!
When creating intense, dramatic looks like a sizzling smokey eye, or a retro red lip, keeping blush to a minimum is a good idea. This product is perfect for nights out as it gives the 'glow' so you won't look washed out. But it isn't really a blush so your face won't look too hectic.

Review: Cargo Blu Ray Blusher / Highlighter

This blusher is psychedelically cool. When I saw it in Sephora, it was a cool light pink under the bright flourescent lighting. But in the hotel room, it was the Orgasm-like shade in the picture. Now in my room it's a warm pink with gold flecks.

According to Cargo, this is due to the "photochromatic pigments" that adjust with ambient lighting. So no matter what environment you're in it will always look "perfectly glowing".

Oh heck I'll just quote the rest of what they said: the irregular particle size diffuses light and creates an optical blurring that gives the look of a softer, more refined complexion. This ultra-soft formula is oil-free and suitable for all skin types and complexions."

So, does it deliver?

Without having walked around with a mirror checking myself out in all lighting situations, I'd have to say it does deliver in that it always seems to look subtle, glowing and pretty.

When I use posietint, I use it under my foundation, so although the colour shows through, it can look a trifle flat. I love dusting this blush over when I'm done to really make my cheekbones pop. It also looks absolutely amazing when paired with a bronzer. A little goes a long way, so I just "touch" the blush brush to it and that's enough for one cheek.

The powder is very finely milled and the shimmer is of the candlelit variety, not the discoball everybody-dance-now genre. I find myself reaching for this more than Orgasm or its dupe, and now I have to hold back as I can't bear finishing it off as there's no replacing it.

I bought this blush as part of the Cargo Blu Ray collection. But if you live in a land where Cargo abounds (ooh how I envy you), you can also purchase this blush/highlighter individually.

What's in My Makeup Bag ~

About a week ago, I got tagged by Tine from Beautyholics Anonymous on what's in my makeup bag. Well, err... honestly, I don't really carry a makeup bag around on an everyday basis.

Blasphemy, I know.

So, instead, I'll be showing you the contents of the makeup bag I brought with me to Hong Kong, which are mainly all my basic, staple makeup products. Skincare stuff were all in another bigger bag, which we'll leave, perhaps for another day. Happy viewing!

See if you can spot them:

• I got the bright pink makeup bag from Etos in Amsterdam. It's a perfect size, and SO pretty! Comes with a mirror in the front flap too! How cool is that? (And yes, EVERYTHING went in there!) =P
  
• ZA two-way foundation - I can never do without this!
  
• Skinfood Lemon Fresh Pact (compact powder for oily/combi skin)
  
• MAC Pinch O' Peach blusher - My travel staple. You seriously cannot go wrong with this!
  
• L'Oreal Blush Delicieux MAT in True Rose - For an added "pop"!
• The Body Shop Shimmerwave in Peach - I love me some shimmer.
  
• H & M eyeshadow duos in Hot Sands and Skydiver
• Silky Girl eyeshadow duo in Smokey Sparks - How do I love thee, let me count the ways...
• Benefit F.Y. Eye primer
• Clean & Clear blotting sheets (not in the photo) - Never leave home without it!

You must be wondering then, where's the lipstick? Ah... I have another little case for the lippies which a dear aunt gave me years ago. It's big enough for three lipsticks and it has a big mirror too! Love it!

You didn't really think I'd go to Hong Kong with no lippies, did you? (This is the FIRST time I'm travelling with only TWO lipsticks! *beams* )

• Sebamed lipbalm with SPF30 - This is good stuff that I cannot do without.
  
• MAC Hug Me - For a neutral everyday look.
  
• Maybelline Watershine lipstick in Kir Royal - To add a little shimmer oomph! =)

(From left: MAC Hug Me and Maybelline Kir Royal)

So ladies, that's what I brought to Hong Kong. What do you think? Too much? Too little? =P