Unsung Heroes

MAC Unsung Heroes: Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice

April 25th, 2018 by Karen 14 Comments

mac burnt spice — Why do I keep smiling like a coy piano teacher? I do not know.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Burnt Spice… That name always cracks me up. I picture the (hopefully it didn’t actually happen, and if it did, I’m sorry) rejected member of the Spice Girls who got cut at the last minute and therefore did not experience worldwide fame and fortune. She still holds a grudge against Baby, Sporty, Scary, Posh and Ginger…

LOL.

Matte rosy brown Burnt Spice MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour adds just enough color to my face without overwhelming whatever else is going on, and it superbly complements smoky and winged eye looks IMO. And bright blush.

It reads as a nude on my NC42 skin #nudelipsforlife #nudelipsforever and may look more lusciously brown and dramatic if you’re a lighter lass.

mac burnt spice swatch — MAC Burnt Spice

MAC’s liquid lipsticks are some of my favorites out there because they don’t make my lips peel or crack. I thought I was the only person who was all about them for that reason, but nope! I was texting with my friend Jen, who’s really not even a hardcore makeup person like you and I are, a few weeks ago, and she said that she loves Topped With Brandy. The Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours are the only liquid lipstick formula that doesn’t dry out her lips, and I was like, “Me, too!” And when a liquid lipstick formula can ignite zeh passion in someone who’s only marginally interested in makeup, you know it’s good.

That was my long-winded way of saying it isn’t drying. 😁

[Continue reading…]

MAC Unsung Heroes: Mineralize Foundation/Loose

April 23rd, 2018 by Karen 12 Comments

mac mineralize foundation loose medium dark before after — Seriously, what a difference 10-minute makeup can make!

This powder is So. Dang. Good.

I don’t think it’s as overall epic as MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, because that’s just… Well, it ticks off all the boxes, and I’m not gonna go there again because I know I talk about it all the time, so I won’t put you through that again. 🙂 But Mineralize Foundation/Loose provides more coverage than MAC Next to Nothing and MAC Blot, but less than MAC Studio Fix Loose. Basically, it has the same magical “your skin but better” mana that Mineralize Skinfinish Natural has, but with a tad more coverage.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

mac mineralize foundation loose — —–> Fantastic for when you need a quick base

Never cake-y, never heavy, never overly shiny or overly matte, it’s phenomenal at controlling oil (although, if you have an oil slick situation, by mid-morning you’ll probably do better if you use something like MAC Blot instead). The main difference between Mineralize Foundation/Loose and MSF Natural is the level of coverage, as the loose version is straight-up medium coverage, and the pressed version is sheerer, but still build-able up to medium.

Technically, it’s a foundation, and you can wear it by itself, which is really handy for quick makeup looks, but I also think it looks lovely on top of a sheer tint or a BB or CC cream.

I would love Mineralize Foundation/Loose even more if it wasn’t only available in seven bizarrely staggered shades. It’s just so wonky… MSF Natural comes in 17 shades, so what’s the deal with only seven shades of Mineralize Foundation/Loose? And the steps between the the shades make absolutely no sense to me. I’m a MAC NC42 and wear Medium Deep, but the next darker shade, Medium Dark, is like three shades darker than that and super orange.

I don’t get it, but I hope you find a match, because if you do, I think you’ll fall in love.

mac mineralize foundation loose medium dark — Wearing the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyehadow Palette, MAC Coffee liner, MAC Gingerly blush, MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Burnt Spice, and MAC Dazzleglass in Tangerine Tropica

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

February 28th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

Where do you fall on the face primer issue?

Well, it’s not really an issue… I mean, do you love ’em or hate ’em? Because it seems like most people are in one of the two camps. I don’t come across a lot of middle ground. Most folks either love face primers…or they don’t.

I love ’em, and I usually wear one daily, even if I’m just doing minimal makeup to take my cat for a walk. I’m not a huge fan of the extra step, but I’ve come to terms with the effort. It doesn’t take a ton of time for me to rub some primer on my cheeks and my forehead, and the payoff is smoother-looking skin, better texture and longer-lasting makeup.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

There’s no shortage of great face primers out there, but this one by Urban Decay is one of the best. It’s $34 Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and it’s clear, even though it has sunscreen in it, which makes it something of a makeup unicorn…because, as you know, primers that contain SPF often leave a noticeable white cast on the skin — especially tan skin and darker skin tones — and, frankly, it can be hella annoying.

Sometimes it’s really obvious, but I don’t see any white cast when I use this. It’s completely invisible, and that’s one of the reasons I like it so much.

This feels light, absorbs and dries quickly, doesn’t give me breakouts, and when I wear it under foundation, BB cream, powder, concealer — you name the face product — my skin just looks…better. Smoother. Oh! — and my pores look less aggro, LOL! I have combination skin, by the way (dry on my cheeks and oily in the T-zone), and this works well all over my face.

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20

February 1st, 2018 by Karen 18 Comments

Why isn’t this foundation a cult classic yet? It’s a total 💎 gem.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation ($45) is a medium-coverage marvel of oil-free liquid foundation fabulousness for all skin types, and its thin consistency reminds me of more satiny Dior Diorskin Nude Air, which I was totally obsessed with a few years ago and still 💗 (pretty pricey though).

Because Synchro Skin has a livelier, less matte finish than Diorskin Nude Air, I think it looks even more natural, and I also think even better at mellowing out my pores and fine lines. So, if you’re a lady who has lived through countless quests and adventures and has the experience lines to prove it, this could totally work for you (although peeps of all ages can wear it).

It sits closely to the skin, too. Sometimes I forget I’m wearing it. And even though the coverage is medium, it’s robust enough to disguise a lot.

In this pic below, I’m wearing the foundation without powder or concealer…

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Wearing Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Golden 5 by itself (no setting powder). The lipstick is Urban Decay Spellbound.

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Purity

January 10th, 2018 by Karen 28 Comments

nudestix purity k — This is your new favorite matte blush and lipstick for 10-minute makeup looks.

Just because you have to do your makeup under the clock and stick to a strict schedule doesn’t mean it has to be a slapdash situation with, like, BAM! — a little eyeshadow here, some eyeshadow there. You can still do looks that are elegant, refined and pretty. You just have to find ways to move the whole process along.

If you’re always looking to save a little time like I am, using multitasking products can help.

But aha! — not all multitasking products are equal, right? Dusty rose NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Purity ($24) works as both a matte blush and a matte lipstick, but in the vast sea of multitasking makeup, its smooth formula makes it exceptional.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

I’ve noticed that the smoother and creamier a multitasking pencil is, especially a matte like this one, the easier it is to push across the skin and manipulate, so when something is creamy like this is and doesn’t skip or tug when you apply it, then it also means that it won’t fight you when you feather it. In the end, you won’t have to spend more time blending than you need to.

This is one of those products where the hardest part of using it is drawing a few stripes on your cheeks. Let’s just do it right now…

[Continue reading…]