M.A.C & Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Lipstick - Swatches and Thoughts...

M.A.C & Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Lipstick -  Swatches and Thoughts...

A Limited Edition Lipstick personally designed by Nicki Minaj to celebrate the release of her debut album Pink Friday. Featuring a bright, creamy pink satin formula, Nicki's shade is only available online for four Fridays starting November 26, 2010, while supplies last. Pro discount not applicable.

Pink 4 Friday Lipstick - Bright creamy pink lipstick (Satin) (Limited Edition)
3 g / 0.1 US oz
US$14.50
 

Ahhhhh! I came home to discover my MAC Pink Friday Lipstick was here! Yippee! I was excited about this lipstick even though it has been getting some dings in the beauty world.

This lipstick has been compared to MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick (Nicki's previously fave lipstick) and MAC Snob Lipstick and for me it comes off as a beautiful blend of both these colors. MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick is a bright fuchsia pink that may be a bit too bold for some while MAC Snob Lipstick is a much lighter bubblegum pink which can come off a bit too light and stark on darker skin. MAC Pink Friday Lipstick is the perfect mix of both of these lipsticks to produce a much more wearable shade.

MAC Pink Friday Lipstick is the perfect Barbie pink for me and I will be picking up a couple more for sure. Swatches online have shown this lipstick to look stark against the lips but this is far from the case in real life. It's a medium cool toned barbie/bubblegum pink that I think will be perfect for tanned ladies and my darker skinned lovelies. Plus I think it is true to the color I see in the tube (and in Nicki's pictures) again contrary to what others have said.

Did I luck out to get an awesome tube or am I missing something? I think it may be my warm undertones and darker skin that plays up the color but I think this will look great on a variety of people. Tanned beauties may pull this off better as will warmer undertones (yellow undertones). This is now my fave lipstick to supplement my beloved MAC Blooming Lovely Lipstick.

The Satin description means great color payoff and a smooth semi-matte finish. Be sure to exfoliate lips when using shades like this since it can accentuate dead skin and lines in the lips. It's creamy enough to not require a lipgloss on top and will not be as drying to the lips as a matte finish.

 

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 Compared to other MAC Lipsticks

Pink Nouveau -- Kinda Sexy -- Snob -- Pink Friday

Top: Pink Nouveau -- Kinda Sexy -- Snob

Bottom: Pink Friday

Bronze Sapphire Look - Tutorial

'Bronze Sapphire' Look + Tutorial

'Bronze Sapphire' Look + Tutorial

This look showcases one of my new fave ways to wear glitter. I own a lot of glitters but I never use them because I prefer matte looks...but now I found a fun way to get some use out of these sparkly products. I also made use of some Wet 'n' Wild products and a very pretty Magnolia Makeup pigment.

Eyes: 

PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (matte beige) all over my lid and on my brow bone as my primary base. Sonia Kashuk Dome Blending Brush

COLOR:
On the inner lid and tearduct area I applied  the matte ivory color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Vanity Palette. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
Next on the middle of the I applied Magnolia Makeup #014 Tanza Pigment (matte blue w/ shimmer). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the browbone area and for blending I used matte camel color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Vanity Palette. MAC Large 252 Shader Brush
To on the outer lid and crease I used shimmery dark bronze color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Plum Fairy Palette. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush & MAC 217 Blending Brush
On the browbone area I used Urban Decay Baked Eyeshadow (shimmery golden bronze). MAC Large 252 Shader Brush
For highlight I used Bare Escentuals Clear Radiance All Over Face Color (shimmery light pink). MAC Large 252 Shader Brush
For my lower lashline I used the MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil (matte black).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Crème Eyeliner in Black - MAC 266 Small Angle Brush - topped with MAC Blue Glitter (with MAC Eyeliner Mixing Medium) - MAC 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush.
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Stila #28 Smudge Pot Brush
I used Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara for my lashes.

Lips:

POLISH:
For my lips I used Wet 'n' Wild 901B Lipstick (matte light pink) topped with a creamy pink lipgloss from Tarte.

Face:

FINISH:
I prepped my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion and Tarte Clean Slate Face Primer. I used MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I used YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch in #5 and MUFE #14 Full Cover Concealer - Fingers : ) under my eyes set with Benefit Powderflage - Beauty Blender Sponge.

I used MAC Dame Blush (light blue-pink) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush and MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour - MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush. For highlight I used MAC Petticoat MSF (shimmery golden pink) - Cover FX 160 Brush.

Updated Eyebrow Tutorial

Iced Green Tea Look - Tutorial

Foundation Overview - NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, skin is hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. This Sheer Glow Foundation enhances, without masking, your overall natural complexion The weightless formula hydrates the skin while complexion brightening properties improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture, leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves skin brightness, radiance and texture.

Suitable for normal, normal-to-dry, dry, and very dry skin types.
- Minimizes visible discoloration
- Brightens and clarifies overall skin tone
- Improves skin luminosity and radiance
- Hydrates for softer and smoother skin
- Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Fragrance free.

Research Results:
- 100% says skin feeling soft and smooth
- 96% says even out skintone
- 96% says they would purchase it if it were available on the market
- 96% says they would recommend it to a friend
- 92% says skin looks brighter and more radiant

1.0 fl. oz. 30 mL
$42.00
A pump is now available ($6)

PRICE:

This costs $42 for 1.0 fl. oz plus a pump for $6. So you will be paying almost $50 (before taxes mind you) for ease of use with this foundation. This is considerably pricey for a foundation albeit a good one. The price is definitely off putting for me so I would recommend this for special occasions rather than everyday use.

PACKAGING:

The foundation comes in a squared glass bottle again provided without a pump which has to be purchased separately. Without the pump you have to pour the foundation from the bottle which can lead to wasting a lot of product. I definitely recommend splurging for the pump to save yourself a lot of headache and product wastage. As for the glass bottle, I appreciate this over plastic since glass helps with boosting the product's shelf life plus it adds to the luxurious feel of the packaging.

SHADE RANGE:

This foundation is available in 20 shades at NARS and NARS retailers (including Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom, etc.). The shade and undertone range is not the widest and some people has trouble finding the right color and may even have to mix two colors to get the right shade. They do however have very light shades and very dark shades so it's just the middle skintones that may have an issue. It is best to get matched to the correct shade in person but you can check out Temptalia's Foundation Matrix for what others have found to match. I'm shade Tahoe - MAC NC45 for reference.

AVAILABILITY:

The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is available at www.NARScosmetics.com and NARS retailers (including Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom, etc.).

COVERAGE:

Sheer to Medium to full coverage. The foundation has a very smooth creamy texture and glides like silk over the skin. It can be sheered out for a light coverage or built up to a medium or even full coverage. The foundation will easily cover discolorations and even skintone. It can even cover light scars and acne. And it does all this without being cakey.

FINISH:

The finish of this foundation is absolutely gorgeous. It gives a healthy velvety look to skin and just the right amount of glow. The 'sheer glow' is perfect for a natural look without being too shiny or overpowering. This can even work on oily skin but you must set the foundation with powder in order to reduce oiliness after a couple of hours of wear.I can't say enough about the finish...it's gorgeous! NARS certainly got the glowy look down perfectly! Usually glowy for my oily skin means a greasy mess but not so with NARS Sheer Glow Foundation.

 With Foundation       /       Without Foundation

WEAR:

The foundation wears very well for 4-5 hours or more on oily without any sign of shine (which is very slight). For normal and dry skin I am sure this would work for 8 or more hours without fail. It leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth and, as NARS claims, radiant! One thing I will say is that if you use more than a sheer layer you can 'feel' the foundation somewhat on your skin but it's not a heavy feeling just a slight 'oh I'm wearing foundation' feeling. This is not so bad but something to note.

OVERALL:

I recommend this foundation if you are seeking a luxurious feeling foundation with matching price. It works well with all skin types even though it's best suited for drier skin. Oily skin will need a bit of setting powder to ward off oiliness throughout wear. It's pricey and may not be for everyone. Maybe this can be luxury item to splurge on since it's worth it.....besides the one thing I will for sure splurge on is foundation. And be sure to get the pump which unfortunately adds to the steep price.

Sneak Peek - Looks Like a Future MAC MSF!

Sneak Peek - Looks Like a Future MAC MSF!

So you guys may know that I do consumer testing - again nothing involved just 'Hey try this, what do you think?'. Today we got a familiar black compact with what looks suspiciously like a MAC MSF!

This MSF has a veined center with more of a solid shimmer ring around it. I wonder if this is a new approach to our traditional MSFs. The center has a different color compared to the outer ring. Check it out and tell me what you guys think....

Oh how we have grown.....

Oh how we have grown.....

Remember how I said I have been growing my hair for almost 2 years now?? Wanna see what it looked like before? My last haircut was in February 2009...so roughly a year and 9 months ago...and I was honey blond as well : )

Love My Shoes - SALE

Love My Shoes - SALE

IN STORES ONLY

ONLINE ONLY

Nicki Minaj & M.A.C - Pink 4 Friday Lipstick

Nicki Minaj & M.A.C - Pink 4 Friday Lipstick

Some of you may have heard of Nicki Minaj but for those who are not quite sure who she is - Nicki Minaj is a female rapper/singer who is pretty new but potent in the US. She fully embraces makeup and fashion and her sexuality. She's young and hip and it shows in her 'Barbie'esque style. She is a fan of fun makeup as can be seen in all her music videos and loves the barbie pink lip!

Her first album is being released today, November 22, 2010.  To celebrate, M.A.C. and Nicki Minaj are collaborating on a new limited edition lipstick shade fittingly named Pink 4 Friday. The limited edition shade will debut and only be available on http://www.maccosmetics.com/ on Friday November 26, 2010 and on the four Friday's in December 2010 - December 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.

The bright pink lipstick first debuted on The Wendy Williams Show last week and was given away to audience members. The lipstick is rumored to be a mixture of Nicki’s fave MAC lipstick, Pink Nouveau and MAC Girl About Town.

I'm definitely IN! I love Nicki's makeup style and even most of her music so...are you getting it??

From M.A.C:

A Limited Edition Lipstick personally designed by Nicki Minaj to celebrate the release of her debut album Pink Friday. Featuring a bright, creamy pink satin formula, Nicki's shade is only available online for four Fridays starting November 26, 2010, while supplies last. Pro discount not applicable.

3 g / 0.1 US oz
US$14.50

Pink 4 Friday Lipstick - Bright creamy pink lipstick (Satin) (Limited Edition)

Inglot Store Opening

Inglot Store Opening

From Inglot:

WE'RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A NEW STORE IN MIAMI-DADE, FLORIDA!

DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO US AT INGLOTCOSMETICS.WORDPRESS.COM

FOR UPDATES ON EVENTS, PROMOTIONS, AND NEW STORES!

'Plum Fairy' Look

'Plum Fairy' Look

This look was inspired by Wet 'n' Wild Plum Fairy Holiday palette. I must say that Wet 'n' Wild does mattes a lot better than shimmers. The shimmers took some time to build up the color and they faded pretty quickly. If you want to try out the Wet 'n' Wild palettes I say go for the originals otherwise try out Snow Sprite from the holiday collection.

And what's a fairy with glitter? I added some sparkles for kicks and I think I may be doing the glitter thing more for the holidays.

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (matte beige) all over my lid and on my brow bone as my primary base. Sonia Kashuk Dome Blending Brush

COLOR:
On the inner half of the lid I applied the matte light pink color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Lust Palette. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
Next on the outer lid I applied the shimmery purple color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Fairy Palette. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the browbone area and for blending I used shimmery dark pink color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Fairy Palette. MAC 217 Blending Brush
To define the crease I used shimmery dark burgundy color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Lust Palette. MAC 217 Blending Brush
For highlight I used matte light pink color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Lust Palette. MAC Large 252 Shader Brush
For my lower lashline I used the Urban Decay Ransom 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (shimmery purple) - INNER and shimmery dark burgundy color from the Wet 'n' Wild Plum Lust Palette - OUTER . MAC 219 Pencil Brush

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner topped with MAC Reflects Purple Duo Glitter (with MAC Eyeliner Mxing Medium). MUFE Eyeliner 1N Brush
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Stila #28 Smudge Pot Brush
I used Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Senses Princess False Eyelashes for effect.

Lips:

POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Blooming Lovely Lipstick (creamy light pink) topped with MAC Ban This! Lipglass (glittery purple).

Face:

FINISH:
MAC Oil Control Lotion and Tarte Clean Slate Face Primer. I used MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I used YSL TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch in #5 and MUFE #14 Full Cover Concealer - Fingers : ) under my eyes set with Benefit Powderflage - Beauty Blender Sponge.

I used MAC Azalea Blossom Blush (satin purple/pink) for my cheeks - MAC 134 Large Powder Brush and MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour and highlight - MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush.

Did I Tell You I Cook Too??

Did I Tell You I Cook Too??

Here I am sharing a bit more about me! It may not seem like it but I like to eat...well delicious food anyway. I love savory flavors and spices. Yum! I am Jamaican so most of what I make has that Caribbean feel.

I'm traditional too so I think all women should cook but not to the point of being barefoot and pregnant in a kitchen all the time. I just think cooking is such a great way to show your love for your family and loved ones. It's also very relaxing for me.

So this weekend I made:

Baked salmon steak with mango salsa, served with wild rice, plantains, steamed mixed vegetables and buttered croissant.

Gungo (pigeon peas) rice & peas with baked chicken, fried plantains and steamed mixed vegetables.