Go Nude

So MAC has a few new collections that I have been toying with over the last few weeks. The first is their new N collection which is N for nude. I have always tried to wear makeup without looking like I was completely made up. I love a great nude lip and even more a great flawless finish face without adding too much color. You can still stop traffic without going all out, and with this collection you'll do just that.

I spent a little time getting to know the N collection of lip sticks, lip glasses, liners and shadows by having the most trusted critics I know test them out. Of course I mean my girlfriends and my family members, because let me tell you these ladies know their stuff and wont have their heads turned by just any old cosmetic. While my mother and her sisters were excited about the prospect of creating soft beautiful looks with neutral natural colors, my friends were instantly skeptical. They were looking for that pop and wow factor that shine and color give you especially here in the dead of winter. No one wanted to look any more washed out than the complections that winter had already given them. They were to say the least, not amused.

I was persistent though, and I tried to impart the beauty that could be achieved by simply accenting ones own natural tones and colors. The great thing about this line is that its not just nude. It isn't made to wash you out, it incorporates tons of shine and understated color to give you the fresh faced beauty we all crave.

Take for instance the instant love of 3N lipglass. Everyone and I do mean everyone of every skin tone that I tested this on was instantly in love. Darker tones were given a subtle coffee creme gloss with a hint of rose. Lighter skin tones love how beautifully natural it made their lips look, like a beautiful soft stained rose.

The paint pots as always were an instant hit, and Quite Natural was the fave of the group. There are five great lipsticks and everyone found their perfect shade easily. The shadows of course were the biggest hit, my personal favorite which I have worn almost every single day since I got it is Rich Flesh. Just a hint of color, which I wear during the day as my primary eye color and at night to add a soft dramatic accent.

MAC has thought of everything with this line, and not just from a color standpoint. They also introduced the N Collection for face, which includes beautiful new natural Mineralize Skinfinishes. Gorgeous matte, translucent color which goes on soft and is great for touching up or giving you that fabulous neutral glow.

I know I always say you have to try this stuff but I am serious about this. I absolutely love it. I don't know how long its going to be around, so of course I have stocked up, but so should you. Go by the MAC store, give it a try and don't be afraid to go nude, your natural beauty will thank you.

Moisture Maximum

Oh I am so sorry for being missing in action for so long! I was without internet access for what seemed like an eternity. But you folks dont want to hear about that do you? No, you want to hear all about the wonderful goodies that I have been trying and using and loving over the past few months right?

Well first, let me tell you that its been so extra cold here on the east coast, and without a few wonderful products I possibly wouldnt have made it this far. Everyone knows that its important to moisturize, but that isnt just for your lovely faces. I have had my share of moisturizers for face and body over the years but very few have been able to effectivly do the job. Either they are way too heavy and wind up breaking me out, or they are too thin and I feel dry and cracked before I can get out of the house. We all know that well moisturized skin can keep foundation flawless and perfect for hours so let me tell you about a few that I love in several different price ranges.

First, for my oil-free and sensitive skin ladies who are prone to breakouts I highly reccomend Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. Its what I have used for years and it has SPF 15 which we all need whether its summer or winter to protect our skin. It hydrates and absorbs clean, without clogging pores and causing any winter skin trauma. You can purchase it from your favorite drugstore or Drugstore.com for $10.99.

Also, for a great low cost alternative, you should also try out ProActive Solution Oil Free Moisture. Its a very light weight soft and clean formula that coupled with the Proactive family of products will keep away those pesky blemishes that we always worry about. My skin is always soft and healthy feeling when I use it and my makeup goes on perfectly over it. Its never oily and never sticky feeling. You can purchase it from Proactiv's website or even in the mall. They now have kiosks everywhere but prices may vary of course. You can also purchase it directly from QVC for $27.00.

On the higher end of the scale is MAC's new MoistureLush cream. Talk about lush, this silky smooth hydrating cream creates an amazing barrier against the elements. Its not heavy or thick but it feels amazing and softens skin all day long. It primes, hydrates and in combination with Mousturelush eyecream, lifts, firms and rejuvinates. You can use them day or night for wonderfully soft and beautiful skin. You can get both now at your local MAC store or online. MAC Moisturelush Cream retails for $30.00 and MoistureLush Eye Cream retails for $$28.50.

Last but certianly not least is Elizabeth Arden's new Prevage anti aging night cream which not only hydrates but its night-time formula with has a time released blend of high performance moisturizers to infuse skin and boost skin's repair process. This stuff is absolutly on the high end of the moisturizer scale at $125.00 retail, but I know that some of you wont bat an eyelash at the price. I was very plesantly surprised by the results that I achieved in two weeks of use. I havent had great luck with night creams and have in the past tried to avoid using them to to how greasy and heavy some of them have been, but this one is very light and I didnt wake up itchy, flaky or broken out. I do have to alert you to the fact that this is a cream you need to do an allergy test on, so please do so like the package suggests. You can buy Prevage on Elizabeth Arden's website or at your Elizabeth Arden counter.

Stay soft, stay pretty and always moisturize!

Holiday Cheer - 2007 Collections

So you know its that time of year right? You also know because you have been peeking around in your favorite stores that the holiday goodies are out, and what in the world would the holidays be without MAC's Holiday Collections???


Okay so we all know how much I love MAC products because I consistently blog about them here, but I have been buying MAC's holiday collections for years both for myself and for my closest friends. The holidays are my favorite time of year and I just adore giving gifts. This year MAC has outdone themselves with a sleek and stylish collection of fabulous holiday delights. I have to say that the packaging this year goes so far above and beyond beautiful. Each set, compact, and clutch is so beautifully crafted. Any lady would love to receive these attractive gift sets.


The first collection is Finery. The Finery line of stylish little cream colored woven clutches include four gorgeous lip sets in Plum, Coral, Tan and Pink. Each set includes two Lipsticks, and a Lipglass in a complementary shade. Each set is fun and compact which is great for quick touch ups and the bag is so extra cute.

The second collection is Curiositease. This collection is filled with great mini color sets. Just perfect for the girl that has everything. There are Warm and Cool Lipglass and Lustreglass sets as well as a set of Plushglass colors and 5 Softsparkle Pencils. There are also two pigment sets in Warm and Cool colors. They are all exquisitely packed in beautiful cylinder just pretty enough to display on your vanity.

Another great set is the Heirlooms Brush set. There are three medium clutch bags filled with MAC's to die for brush collections. There is a Face Brush set that includes 4 professional face brushes, an Eye Brush set with 5 great eye brushes and a Basic Brush set filled with 5 fab brushes. Did I mention how much I love these little clutches? Its bad enough I love the colors and collections so much, but now I want to purchase them all for myself and my friends.

These are just three of the great Holiday Collections that MAC has to offer and since I know your days to the Holiday are counting down, I wanted to give you some ideas. Tomorrow we can discuss the other three great Holiday Collections from MAC. Viva Glamorous Lips, Royal Assets and the very extravagant Antiquitease. I am going to get you through your holiday's with great gifts for your friends and maybe a special thing for you to take home too. Hey its the Holiday's don't you deserve something great also? I think so.

Beauty Duty: December 4, 2007

A Touch of Blusher gets Dior (for Free) with a...... Find out what!

Beautiful Makeup Search is giving away The House of Miracles Set from Philosophy to five lucky readers. Click on over to enter and hopefully be one of the five lucky ones!

KRiSTOPHER gets you VIP access to online, one-day-only sample sales.

Ellen from Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint adores the Royal Assets Collection from MAC, and is sure you will too!

Makeup Bag shows us a sneak peak of the Guerlain Spring 2008 Color Collection.

Lotion Before Lingerie: Makeup Moxie slips into Body Silk by Bond No. 9.

Product Girl is interviewing celebrity makeup artist Billy B. Want to ask him a question? Find out how.

TheMakeupGirl gives you her hot beauty gifts for under $25.

WE LOVE BEAUTY wants you to VOTE for Look of the Month: November!