Spotlight: MAC Melon Pigment

Hi Darlings,

How many of you like melons?  I'm not just talking about honeydew, cantalopes, or watermelon...I'm referring to MAC Melon pigment!  I think this is their most popular pigment since it seems to pop up in almost every holiday bag.  Who can blame MAC for including it in almost every holiday collection, it is such a gorgeous peachy-gold shade that I think flatters all different skin tones.  I had a few samples that I eventually pressed to create a solid shadow.  I have to admit, I was nervous about pressing pigments, but it was an easy process that didn't take long and was actually fun to do.  I created my very own MAC palette of pressed pigments and really enjoy using them.

Back to Melon...I've used melon pigment numerous times and its also in a few of my FOTD's.  I love pairing Melon with browns and purples in the crease.  I'd like to pair it with Deep Truth shadow to see how that comes out...will have to do a post about that!

If you haven't tried Melon pigment before I would go to your nearest MAC store or MAC counter and ask for a sample.  I've noticed that many sales associates are a bit stingy when it comes to giving pigment samples, but there is one particular sales associate in my nearest MAC store that gives a very generous sample.  All you need is 2-3 of those generous samples to have enough to press the pigment into an eyeshadow.  There are even sites that will sell samples, as opposed to paying $20.00 for the full size bottle (which would take an eternity to use up, unless you are really using that color every single day!).  One such site that I like to use is http://www.thebodyneeds2.com/.  Their service is great and reliable and it is authentic MAC pigment (beware of fake MAC on the internet). 

The other benefit to pressing the pigments is you don't run the risk of fallout that you would otherwise have with pigment.

Have you tried Melon?  Tell me about your experience with this color!

Sending positive thoughts your way...

CC

FOTD: Summer Gold Look

Hi Darlings,

I'm trying to keep the momentum of consistent postings going, so as long as I have the motivation (and energy!) to do it, I'll hopefully keep this up and not go into hibernating mode!

I'm just now getting to pictures that I've had on my camera from the summer and finally uploaded them into my computer (hence all these recent posts!).  This is a look that I wore to my birthday party this summer.  Hubby and I invited some friends over for a casual bbq and then my girlfriend and I (practically my soul sister :) ) went out to a hookah lounge literally after midnight!  It was a fun night, in fact so much fun that our sons were up talking and playing until 4:30 in the morning! Needless to say, we were all pretty tired the next morning.  Nonetheless, it was an evening of great food, great drinks, and even better friends.

Now, on to the look...

I loved wearing this gold look for the summer, overall I'm really happy with how it came out.  In retrospect, however, I wish I had added lashes to glam up this look even more...oh well, there's always next time! 

Here's the full breakdown...

FACE:
MAC Prolongwear Foundation - NC42 mixed with a bit of NW35, applied with a buffer brush
MAC Prolongwear Concealer - NW35, applied with the Sephora airbrush concealer brush (under my eyes)
Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder - to set

EYES:
Urban Decay Primer Potion - Prime those lids baby!!
MAC Paintpot - Rubenesque - applied to the lid (with my index finger)
MAC Pigment - Melon (this is a pigment that I pressed) - applied to the lid
MAC Eyeshadow - Bronze - blended into the crease with the MAC 217 and applied under the lower lashline
L'Oreal Liquid Eyeliner - Black - applied to the upper lashline
Prestige Total Intensity - Deepest Black - applied to the waterline, and also to tightline
L'Oreal Million Lashes Mascara - Carbon Black

CHEEKS:
NARS Multiple - South Beach, applied with my fingers to the apples of my cheeks
Nars Blush - Torrid

LIPS:
MAC Lipliner - Subculture
MAC Lipstick - Mocha
MAC Lustreglass - Love Nectar

I really hope you guys enjoyed this FOTD and keep checking back regularly for more updates.

Stay beautiful, inside and out!

Sending positive thoughts your way...

CC

Sephora Friends and Family Sale 2011

Hi Darlings,

Hope all of you are doing well.  It definitely feels like fall with all of this cold weather we've been having lately.  I love Fall, but it also reminds me that the year is ending and that just means I'm getting older (uhh...I mean wiser!)

For those of you who don't know, Sephora is having their annual Friends and Family sale where you receive 20% off your entire online purchase.  In the past they would advertise a universal coupon code (like FF2010) that you enter at the time of checkout.  This year they are doing things differently.  You have to enter your email address at a designated link to receive a coupon code in your email.  Follow the link below to enter your email address to receive that special code.  You can enter multiple email addresses to receive additional coupon codes.  If you spend $50 or more you also receive free shipping!  This offer is good through 11/2/2011.

I already purchased a few things and will post my review once I receive my shipment.  Be sure to comment and include your own reviews on your haul.  Happy Shopping!

http://www.sephoralove.com/friendsandfamily/

Sending positive thoughts your way...

CC

FOTD: Neutral Gold Look

Hi Darlings!


Hope you guys are doing well and enjoying the crisp weather we've been having on the east coast (for those of you on the other side, we're so hating on you right now!).


I wanted to do a post on a neutral/gold look from Valentines Day this year.  I wanted to keep the look simple, but still glam without going over the top..what do you think?

Here's the full breakdown...

FACE:

MAC Matte Face Primer

MAC Prolongwear Foundation (NC42)

MAC Prolongwear Concealer (NW35) - for my undereyes

Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder - to set foundation and concealer

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Paintpot - Rubenesque

MAC Melon Pigment (Pressed) - all over the lid

MAC Bronze Eyeshadow - crease

MAC Femme Fi Eyeshadow - highlight

L'Oreal Liquid Eyeliner (Black Noir) - Upper lashline

Urban Decay 24/7 in Zero - Tightline and lower lashline

L'Oreal Million Lashes Mascara - Carbon Black



CHEEKS:

NARS Multiple - South Beach

MAC Blush - Nuance

LIPS:

MAC Lipliner - Spice

MAC Lipstick - Mocha

MAC Lustreglass - Love Nectar



Let me know how you think this look came out.  Would love to hear your feedback, tips and tricks!

Sending positive thoughts your way...

CC

Update: Weight Loss Journey

Hi Darlings,

I know it has been so long since I last blogged, I guess I went into a period of hibernation for a while.  I wanted to do a quick update post on my weight loss journey.  I promise to put up pictures and FOTD's as soon as I can.  I haven't been makeup shopping in a while so I don't have much to review, besides a few products here and there.


The last time I posted on this subject I was 159.  I am currently at 150 (which brings me only 5 pounds away from my goal of 145).  I've been consciously keeping track of everything I am consuming and how much physical activity I get.  I was keeping on pace with my usual running workouts and was doing Bikram Yoga for a while (which I loved -- as intense as it was!) and also started taking some dance and zumba classes. 


To say the least I feel incredible about myself.  I think I accomplished something that I didn't think I was capable of.  To go from being in the 200s down to 150 is an amazing achievement and I just proved to myself that with hard work, dedication, and determination I can do anything that I set my heart and mind to.  I hope this inspires you out there to take control of your life, and your dreams.


I'll leave you with an a before and after picture.  The picture on the top (November 2009 at a friend's wedding) is me at my heaviest and the picture on the bottom (July 2011 at a friends baby shower) is me now...

Dreams do come true and my smile is proof of it!

Sending positive thoughts your way...

CC

Review: The MAC 109 Brush

Hi Darlings,

Hi Guys! I know it's been forever and a hot minute since my last post! Things have been so busy between work and the kids and the new house! I definitely feel more settled into our new home.  We bought our first house in December 2010 and began major renovations in January 2011. Most of the renovations were complete by March 2011 and we were able to move by the end of March, early April.  I've been doing small projects around the house and scouring around looking for the perfect decorative pieces, but I definitely am feeling like it's home.  There are still little projects that I want to tackle (like painting our garage and making cushions for my walk in closet!) but at the moment I am definitely enjoying it and proud of the home I've created.


I'm still continuing to focus on weight loss and physicial fitness.  Although I have to admit I haven't been running as often as I would like to or should.  I signed up for bikram yoga classes! I scored an amazing deal on livingsocial.com where I purchased 20 Bikram Yoga classes for $20!! It was an amazing deal considering 1 Bikram Yoga class is $18! The only catch with this deal is that it's only for the location in Astoria, Queens.  It's 45 minutes from my house so it's a hike to get down there, but for the 90 minute class and how my body looks and feels after, totally worth it.  I coerced a co-worker who lives next to me to sign up with me so we decided now to go from the office in Great Neck and we would take turns driving out there.  It's truly worth it. I've taken now 6 classes and I can already see a difference in my shape! I'm definitely into Bikram!! And at 153 pounds I'm definitely getting closer to my 145 pound goal!


Ok, so enough with the banter! Let's get down to the real deal!  I've purchased a few makeup products that I want to talk about, but for this post I wanted to focus on the MAC 109 brush.

This brush is fantastic! I've only had it for about a week and I've used it for applying my Studio Tech foundation (NC 43) as well as applying Blunt blush to contour my cheeks.  It make the foundation look really smooth, I'm really loving it for that as well as for applying my contour powder.


The dislike: it does shed.  But, perhaps this could be due to the fact that I didn't wash it before I used it. I was so excited to get started that I didn't do that. I'm actually going to wash it tonight and see if that makes a difference.  Overall, I am very pleased with this brush, definitely a must have for your collection!


What are your thoughts on this brush?  How do you use it?


Until next time...


Sending positive thoughts your way...


CC