Beauty and the Drink

CoverFX Eye Prep & MAC Pro Longwear ConcealerWhen my last under-eye cream ran out, I decided to look for a new one.  Hey, if its not perfect why not try something else, right? So I wandered aimlessly through Sephora, testing out all the lovely creams.  A lot of them seemed to have the same approach for diminishing under-eye circles. Thing is my circles are hereditary, so there's basically no cream out there that will completely get rid of these things. But when I came across CoverFX's Eye Prep Anti-age Smoothing Primer, I thought wait a minute - maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way - maybe I should wear something that camouflages instead of trying to treat my problem! I mean I wear concealer all day, everyday so why not! Plus maybe an awesome primer will keep my concealer color true and from creasing in all the wrong places.  And taaaaaa - daaaaaa!!!!! A light went off. This is it - the product I've been looking for!

I'm so happy I found this primer!! It's lightweight, hydrating and crease resistant.  All my fine lines and wrinkles are significantly less visible. And this primer bonds to my concealer like no other! (Think UD Primer Potion for the under-eyes!) YAY! Good find! 

Around the time I found CoverFX Eye Prep, twitter was all abuzz about the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. Heard lots of positive feedback so I had to give it a try.  I was previously using the NW20 Studio Sculpt but it was creasing and had a cakey feel to it after it dried.  I was down to try something new and thank gawd I did - Pro Longwear is super awesome! 

Currently I use NW20 & NW25; I have to mix the two.  While I LOVE how easy this product goes on (so lightweight!) and the coverage is amazing, there's been a couple issues: 1) For some reason the NW20 Pro Longwear Concealer is lighter than the NW20 Studio Sculpt, so I had to buy an additional darker shade (NW25) to create the perfect color - making me spend a little more $$ than I wanted. 2) I've also noticed that the pump shoots out a little too much product. I've spoken to a MAC rep about this and she said that's why they went with the pump, because it pumps out various amounts - perfect for all sorts of uses.  Ummmm yea, so it hasn't worked out for me that well as I have wasted a LOT of product along the way.  I pretty much wash about half the pumped product down the drain each time - yikes! I kinda wish this guy was in a tube or a tube with a wand. *sending my makeup wish to the MAC Cosmetics pros* But the end result is AMAZING, such great coverage, so I'll keep using this concealer until an improvement comes along.

Overall, I am happy with my new dark circle regimen.  And although I have a couple issues with the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, its not show-stopping and I'm sure many others will never encounter the same issues. So if you're looking to switch things up give these products a try.  You will love the end result!

Images from Sephora.com & MAC Cosmetics.

MAC Studio Sculpt ConcealerI feel like shouting this off my rooftop! 

Seriously!  I think I may have found what I was looking for – the perfect concealer to cover my dark under eye circles! Thanks to MAC’s new Studio Sculpt line, I was able to find a concealer I could live with.  I’m talking natural coverage that makes me feel like I’m in my 20’s again!   

I was pleasantly surprised to find that NW20 matched my skin tone perfectly, and the creamy constancy made it super easy to apply – no more tugging at delicate skin.  By the way, Studio Sculpt covers more than just dark under eye circles, it covers red blemishes and age spots as well!   

So, do you wanna know how I covered my circles? 

Follow these easy steps:

1)      Start by applying your favorite eye moisturizer – mine is Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream – to the under eye with your finger tips.

2)      Dab a little Tricia Sawyer Eye Slept brightener in the inner corner, under the eyes.

3)      Then with the beautyblender, gently sponge on MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer over the dark circles (again, my perfect match is NW20 but they have so many shades you’re bound to find the perfect one for you).

Honestly, if MAC were to stop producing the Studio Sculpt Concealer, I might have to wear black and grieve for years to come.  Yes, I said years.

MAC 224 Tapered Blending BrushRecently, we started having Eyeshadow Wednesdays at work. You know, days where we try out a new trendy eyeshadow color or eyeliner technique that we spotted in an ad or magazine (or maybe even our own creation!). Everyone has a chance to try something new, apart from the norm. EW is a day where we can really have fun playing with our makeup, in a totally caring and supportive environment - no laughingstocks here!

It’s one of my favorite days (it should be, I started it), so I have been experimenting with new colors and techniques. And my co-workers have taken notice, they keep asking me what I use to create certain effects. I tell them it’s all in the brushes!

Here are a few of my favorite things…

MAC Cosmetics 224 Tapered Blending Brush $28.00

I tend to use 3 or more colors on my eyes. This sometimes can lead to hard lines of color, so I use this brush in my crease to blend them. I honestly use this brush every day. Trust me, it’s worth the money.

Wanna know how to use it? Check out this MAC video!

Smashbox Definer Brush #15 $28.00

I use this brush for corners and creases. Since I add darker colors to these areas, this brush is perfect for applying just a touch of color without much fallout or mess. Plus I can blend a little with it. Again, this is another brush I use everyday – luckily I have three of them in rotation!

Smashbox Fan Brush #22 $18.00

Fan brushes are awesome. They can do so many things! I mostly use this to apply Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder under my eyes. But when I’m heading out for a night on the town, I use the fan brush to add a little MAC Cosmetics Iridescent Powder to my temples and cheeks. It’s also great for dusting off any eyeshadow fallout under the eyes.

Now that I have shared mine, what are your favorite brushes?

WOW. You know we are in a recession when....MAC Cosmetics sends an email out to save 25% of EVERYTHING online!!!! When have we ever seen this type of sale from MAC ladies?!

Save 25% off everything* online!
Use offer code MACFF9.
Ends tonight

You are invited to take 25% OFF everything* in the entire online store!

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Ever since I started wearing foundation, I've wanted it to look even, natural and of course - airbrushed! At first, I thought I had to wear the right foundation to achieve the look and I slathered on tons of liquid foundation. But after all the applications - still no flawless skin. Grrrrrrr.

Then came my "ah-ha!" moment - I realized application must be the key! So after hearing a lot of hype about the 187 Duo Fibre Brush from MAC Cosmetics, I had to give the stippling brush a try. But man were they expensive!

ADORING CARMINE: 4 FACE BRUSHES by MAC - $49.50 (I got this one)

Professional Platinum Stippling Brush #44 by SEPHORA - $35.00

When I'm tired of all the nail colors out there or just can't seem to find the color I want (like the rocker purple polish that Gwen Stephani had on during her last tour)....I just create my own! You can mix and match just about any color or if you're really artistic, get a small paint brush and draw a cool design. The point is, you don't have to replicate what I have below...just be creative and have fun with it! Sure there will be some mishaps but that's what nail polish remover is for. Happy experimenting!

Here are some examples, starting from the pinkie: Bottom coat is OPI-Alpine Snow/Top coat is Princesses Rule!; Bottom coat OPI-Light my sapphire/Top dot OPI-Alpine Snow; Bottom coat OPI-Italian Love Affair/Top coat OPI-Princesses Rule!; Bottom coat MAC-Nocturnelle/Top coat Nicole-Fanatical Fuchsia; Bottom coat is OPI-Lincoln Park at Midnight/Top coat is a glitter top coat called I love the Holidays!