MAC Gingerly Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

Hi everyone! I have another MAC blush to review for you today.  I'm sure many of you know by now that I have a mild obsession with blush.  It's by far my favorite beauty product and I absolutely love discovering new shades.  I've heard many great things about MAC Gingerly but never thought to try it out for myself until recently.  

MAC Gingerly is described as a "capri bronze".  It's a warm toned terracotta tan with slight orange undertones.  Gingerly, which is a Sheertone finish blush, has a smooth velvety matte texture (it does not contain shimmer or sheen).  I love Sheertone finish blushes because they can be worn sheer/light or they can be built up (without looking chalky) for more color if desired.

My Everyday MAC Eyeshadow Palette

Hi everyone! I've had many requests to do a post dedicated to my most worn MAC eyeshadows.  I did a post last year on my neutral and purple MAC eyeshadows (see it here) but since then, I've reorganized my palettes and wanted to share with you my everyday MAC palette.  I currently use one of the recently redesigned MAC palettes to house my favorite shadows.  It has a clear plastic lid which I love because I'm able to see all of the colors inside.  No more guessing which palette is which! 

In my everyday palette, I have 22 MAC eyeshadows and 2 Urban Decay shadows which I depotted.  I keep the lighter highlighting shades on top, golds and browns in the second row, warm bronze shades in the third row, and the darkest shades on the bottom.  I prefer keeping my eyeshadows in an organized color gradient so that they can easily be paired together.  

Keep reading to see shade descriptions, recommendations and swatches!

MAC Let's Skate Pro Longwear Paint Pot Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Let's Skate Pro Longwear Paint Pot 

MAC Let's Skate Pro Longwear Paint Pot ($18.50 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft baby pink with a shimmery golden sheen.  Let's Skate has great pigmentation and although it's fully opaque when swatched, it applies more sheer on the lid leaving behind a gorgeous light reflecting shimmer.  If desired, it can be layered without heavy build up on the lid.  

MAC Paint Pots are among my most coveted of beauty products for several reasons - texture/consistency, longevity, and versatility.  Let's Skate has a smooth, creamy texture which blends out easily.  As with other Paint Pots, Let's Skate lasts around 10 hours without a primer and around 12 hours with a primer underneath.  If I'm going to be out all day, I apply a primer underneath the Paint Pot for added longevity.  

NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadow ($3.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a multi-tasking shimmering powder formula which can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips.  NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadow, which is a budget friendly alternative to MAC Pigment ($21.00 for 0.26 oz), is highly pigmented, finely milled and applies smoothly and evenly.  I was curious as to whether or not these pigments would last me throughout the work day and I'm happy to report that they do indeed! Over a primer, they are still going strong after 10 hours.  

As a lover of neutrals, I chose 4 NYX shades that I'd be able to wear on a day to day basis: Oro (copper-gold), Mink (pale gold), Pearl (pale pearly pink), Nude (pale gold shimmer).  The thing I love most about pigments is the fact that they can be mixed together to create custom shades!  Oro and Mink, for example, can be combined to create the perfect dupe for MAC Melon Pigment.  

Buxom Fully Loaded Lips Duo Review, Photos, Swatches

Buxom Fully Loaded Lips Duo  ($18.00) contains two mini versions of the brand's best selling lip products: Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Two-Timer and Buxom Lip Polish in Sandy.  This travel friendly duo is ideal for creating a gorgeous natural-looking pout.   

Buxom Full-Bodied Lipstick in Two-Timer (0.04 oz.) is described as a"pinkish mauve" with a full coverage satin finish.  This lipstick is so incredibly smooth and creamy, it glides onto the lips like butter.  Full-Bodied lipstick contains shea butter, coconut oil, chamomile flower wax, and vitamins C and E to help nourish the lips.   I was pleasantly surprised to discover that such a creamy formula did not settle into the fine lines of my lips. It was comfortable to wear, it did not dry out my lips, and it lasted for 4 hours.  My lips are quite pigmented, so Two-Timer is my ideal "my lips but better" shade.  MAC Spice Lipstick is darker and browner.    

MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Sunny Seoul Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a "frosted light warm pink".  It's a light, warm coral pink with white pearl.  Sunny Seoul is a Cremesheen formula lipstick, so the color payoff is semi-sheer with one swipe but can be layered for more opaque coverage. MAC's Cremesheen lipsticks provide a glossy finish and, in my opinion, are the most comfortable formula to wear.  Sunny Seoul did not dry out my lips and it lasted well for 3 hours which is pretty standard considering the formula.  

Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette ($27.00 for 0.30 oz.) is the latest addition to the brand's "Naked" line.  This mini-sized palette houses six full-size neutral eyeshadows (0.05 oz. each).  The packaging is slim, sleek, and very thin with a slightly rubberized texture.  Urban Decay outdid themselves this time - I adore the simple design and the fact that this palette is easily portable.  I wish the original Naked and Naked2 had the same packaging!

Out of the six eyeshadows, five have a matte finish which makes this palette great for daytime.  These shades are also perfect for blending out a variety of looks, highlighting the brow and/or inner corner of the eyes, and lining the lashes.  The formulation in each eyeshadow is beyond impressive.  Each shade is soft, smooth, easy to blend, and long lasting.  I wore all six shades over a primer and by the 10th hour, they were still going strong.