MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Blue Sorcery, $20

TGIF, my little Sasha Fierce!

Sorry, couldn’t resist. I’ve had Beyonce’s I Am Sasha Fierce CD on repeat today…

Ms. Fierce is Beyonce’s sensually aggressive stage alter-ego, and since I was feeling a little *fierce* today myself, I thought I’d explore the concept with this silver, blue and peach face of the day.

It incorporates tidbits from MAC’s recent Magic, Mirth and Mischief.

I used the Surprise Me face chart as a loose guide, adapting it to work a little better with my skin tone.

The blue comes courtesy of MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Blue Sorcery (that’s it above), and the peach lips from Dazzleglass in Phiff! and MAC’s Lipstick in Surprise Me.

Lipstick in Surprise Me, $14

Continue Reading…

I had some errands to run this gray and dreary afternoon, but before I headed out I brightened my day with creamy pink MAC Lipstick in Utter Fun ($14) and shimmery peach MAC Dazzleglass in Phiff! ($18).

Both are new and part of the MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief collection for holiday 2009.

Together, they’re more powerful than bad weather — a sparkly pink powerhouse shooting rays of sunshine through my day.

Continue Reading…

I was digging through some unpacked boxes this morning when I came across a buried treasure — my beloved stash of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powders.

They’d been MIA since the move last month, lost at the bottom of a dark cardboard prison.

But they’re finally free! Free to shine!

With their frosty metallic finish, these colorful pressed powders work great as highlighters for face and body.

While I was lining ‘em all up on my dresser like little makeup soldiers (yes, I’m a weirdo), I remembered an e-mail from MBB reader Bernice.

Hi Karen,

I’ve been a silent reader of MBB for a few months now and recently hopped onto the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish bandwagon. Ohmygosh, they are soooo pretty!

There’s just one thing — I have no idea what brush I should use to apply them.

I tried searching the ‘net, but it seems that views are generally rather divided, and I can’t quite decide which brush I should use.

Could I get some advice, please? Thank you!

Bernice

Hi, Bernice. WOO HOO! Welcome to The Cult of MAC MSF-Loving Babes!

I just love the soft candle-lit glow they give to my skin — when I get the application right, that is. With the wrong brush, they’re easy to over-apply.

So, how to get the right shimmery glow without looking greasier than a bucket of KFC?

I’ve tried using them with a bunch of different brushes (blush, powder, even a kabuki), and these are the ones I like best: the MAC 187 ($42) and 188 ($35) Duo Fibre Brushes.

Both deposit whisper sheer layers of powder, providing for a lot of control to build up color and shimmer slowly.

• 187 Duo Fibre Brush: Often referred to as “the skunk brush,” this synthetic brush head feels wonderfully soft to the touch.
• 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush: A smaller version of the 187, the 188 has a smaller brush head with a flatter top.

Neither one is cheap, but they are versatile. I also use my 187 to apply liquid foundations, cream blushes and even loose powders, so I think you get a lot of brush for your money.

Also, if you happen to have a fan brush at home, give it a try because they tend to lay down super sheer layers of color — perfect for MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.

Sometimes I use Shu Uemura’s 5.7EX ($35), another fabulous multitasker (it excels at applying bright/intensely pigmented blushes).

I hope these suggestions help.

Keep me posted on your progress!

MACaholics, it’s time to pick your brain. What do you use to apply Mineralize Skinfinish Powders?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

TGIF!!!
I’m so glad it’s Friday, ladies, and I’m looking forward to some high-intensity relaxation and makeup fun. I may bust out a brazen lip or sparkly eye and then park my bedazzled bum on the couch in front of the TV. That’s how I live on the edge.

Do you ever wear outrageously dramatic looks and then just stay at home? I do — a lot. What do you think of MAC Midnight Media lipstick for indoor fun? It’s a dark black matte lippie from the Style Black collection, and it’s something I’d probably wear a little more often at home than out of the house.

Hmm… Methinks it’s time for a giveaway.

The prize

One lucky lady will receive a tube of MAC Mattene Lipstick in Midnight Media from the Style Black Collection (a $14.50 value).

How to enter…

Entering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. In it, tell me what your plans are for the weekend.

This living out of boxes is driving me nuts! I hope to do some unpacking and maybe go to dinner and a movie with Tabs El Hub.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Midnight Media Lipstick http://bit.ly/3a2pNS

Recap…

1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:
   
   RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Midnight Media Lipstick http://bit.ly/3a2pNS

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, October 25.

Gangi þér vel!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The eagle has landed, ladies! I’m back at home in Cali, eating chips for dinner and chatting with Tabs (he says hi, BTW).

I just saw myself in the mirror, and I look a fright! — kinda like how I used to look back when I was first trying to do smokey eyes.

That reminds me of something MAC VP of Makeup Artistry Gordon Espinet told me about MAC Smolder Eye Kohl. He described a way to use it to create a really easy smokey eye.

Smolder’s a creamy black (one of my favorite smokey eye products), perfect for classic black versions of the look or goofy twists like this Halloween one here.

As part of MAC’s permanent line, it’s been easy to find for a while, but they decided to re-promote it with Style Black.

Hmm… Feels like time for a giveaway!

The prize

One lucky lady will receive a tube of MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder from the Style Black Collection (a $14.50 value).

How to enter…

Entering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. In it, tell me how you’d wear (or have worn) Smolder.

I like to layer it beneath MAC Club, a duo-chrome (changes colors in the light) powder shadow, for a blueish green smokey eye.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Smolder Eye Kohl http://bit.ly/3zEALg

Recap…

1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:
   
   RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Smolder Eye Kohl http://bit.ly/3zEALg

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, October 17.

Buena Suerte!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen