Fifty-cent Head

Clarins shakes up it's color cosmetics line with Jazzy Colours

I love Clarins skincare. It's my favorite. The divine texture and feel, the lovely botanicals, and the pleasant scents are hot on the heels of the main reason for my adoration: the stellar results!

However, the Clarins makeup line never really wowed me. That's maybe a terrible thing to admit, but it's true. Maybe that's about to take a turn, though...

Read one to find out why.

I have chills just thinking about the MAC Boxing Day collection!

MAC Sneek Peek - Boxing Day 2008: Chill

Do you also adore MAC Boxing Day collections?

They are - and always have been - my favorite collection of the year! They tend to be cool-toned collections, which I always appreciate! This year, the Boxing Day (December 26th) collection is called Chill. Seems appropriate for mid-winter!

The amazing LushiousBabe (have you seen her website!?) has shared some info about this collection, and I have

The lippies

The Shadows

Take a look at the Penultimate liner! This looks AMAZING.

No details have been released about this liner, Penultimate, yet, but it's clearly a liquid liner with a pen-style brush. As I get more scoop, I'll share.

Thank you, LushiousBabe for permission to use your images and info - and for sharing your scoops!!!!

Bond No. 9 & Andy Warhol again. This time: Lexington Avenue

Do you like shoes!? (Does the sun rise in the East!?)

What makes me swoon faster than a in-person interaction with Robert Downey, Jr (see pic on the right)? A bottle of great perfume, covered in shoes, that pays tribute to Andy Warhol! I thought this blend would never happen, but here it is in real life! 

Did you know? Andy Warhol was an illustrator before he walked the road less taken and became the master of Pop Art.

It's true. And his shoe art is quite collectible, actually. The bottle of Bond No. 9's newest scent, Lexington Avenue, is covered with gorgeous tumbling shoes drawn by Andy Warhol back in the day. During his time as a shoe illustrator, he lived - shockingly!- on Lexington Avenue. (See how it all comes together?)

Warhol was not the first to realize the seductive qualities of the woman's shoe, but Bond No. 9 may be the first to pair it with that other emblem of seduction: fragrance.

In 1955, Warhol, his mother, Julia Warhola, and Ralph Pomeroy co-created a book, A La Recherché du Shoe Perdu, a glorious book filled with Warhol's shoe illustrations, Warhola's lettering, and Pomeroy's poetry.

Warhol's time spent illustrating the illustrious shoe was probably the seed that grew into what became the Pop Art phenomenon! He elevated the shoe into an icon, and his use of repetition cemented the importance of the subject.

The Notes:

 

 

Top Notes: blue cypress; smoky, licorice-like fennel; cardamom; roasted almonds

Heart Notes: pink peony, florentine orris (the root of the iris); creme brule, pimento berry

Bottom Notes: patchouli; sandalwood

“See a shoe and Pick it up and all day long you’ll have Good Luck.”

- Andy Warhol

The details:

Launch date:  September 2008

Suggested Retail Price:  $195 for 100ml; $135 for 50ml

      

For the holiday season, Limited-edition flacons will feature Robert Lee Morris sterling silver shoe pendants of Warhol’s shoe designs—four of them—on a sterling silver chain.  Launch date:  September 2008.  Suggested retail price:  $575.

The Art:

 

A review is on its way...

Steamy Beckham ad...

The Beckhams' new scents: Signature For Him and Signature For Her

 

Signature for Her:

anise flower, candy apple, orchid, heliotrope, vanilla, patchouli, amber and musk

Signature for Him:

mandarin, watermelon, marine notes, fresh living lantana, cypress, juniper berry, moss, sensual white amber, patchouli

Make Up For Ever wants to rid you of your flaws.

MUFE HD Microperfecting Primer

Have you seen these? Make Up For Ever is making us gorgeous and camera-ready with their new line of primers! Each product "deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect." And since they're primers, they're going to keep our makeup on perfectly and make our skin look flawless.

And since we aren't all the same person, we don't all need the same primer. MUFE is amazingly genius and have created 6 different products - one transparent and 7 color-correcting versions to make us perfect.

Neutral is for those of you with perfect skin.

Green is great for people with rosacea or other forms of redness.

Mauve helps boost lackluster, sallow skin.

Give a leg up to your dark golden skin with Caramel.

If you're like me and have fair skin - maybe with some minor imperfections - try Blue.

Sounds weird, but Yellow will help soften darker complexions.

Sallowness is a thing of the past with Pink.

These are Sephora exclusives, so hustle on over to your local shop or visit online.

Wax lips and Lip Wax are not the same thing...

Armani introduces Lip Wax - but Wax Lips are still available at a dollar store near you!

One of the premier lines on the market is Armani. I am unabashed makeup snob, and anything Armani makes: I'm all over it!

Now, you may not agree with me that expensive lines have superior products. It's ok! We don't have to agree on everything! But I will tell you that I know a good thing when I hear it, and I think we all ought to go check out Lip Wax in October when it debuts in stores (it's already online).

Lipstick without excess. A modern vision of lip color, Lip Wax compact lipstick is a blush of color for lips. The incredibly smooth and silky texture of Lip Wax glides over lips leaving rich, tailor-made color. The ultra-fine and soft Micro-fil™ veil ensures a smooth and seemingly weightless result. Like a second-skin garment, the weightless texture dresses lips in a comfortable and extremely fine film of color with a sophisticated satin finish.

The colors are as follows:

#1  | Nude beige | a shade lighter than the natural lip color
#2 | Antique rose | a discreet lip highlight
#3  | Sienna | brings warmth to the lips
#4  | Raspberry | a colorful pink purple
#5  | Cardinal red | a bright, transparent red
#6  | Deep Chianti | a rich color for strong marked lips

At 26 bucks a vat, it's not too exorbinant. (For Armani!)

Indian designer Manish Arora collaborates with MAC

MAC for Manish Arora

You're all on that Bollywood trend and you are ready to rock it, right?! MAC has something right up your alley, then. Grab your brightest sari and come along for the ride...

The Man

 

 

Indian designer Manish Arora is relatively new to the international fashion world, but not so new as not to be noticed! His striking, bold, inventive designs have rocked the fashionistas of the world right to the soles of their Jimmy Choos. And the more downtown-chic of them may be switching from those heels to Manish Arora Fish Fry Reeboks!

The Collaboration

Ever observant and on-trend MAC has decided a collaboration with this rebellious designer would be a good idea. And I agree! Not sure you agree? Take a look at the packaging and products here:

(source)

The Raj is all the rage! Modern to the max, exotic in the extreme, Indian design guru, Manish Arora, has teamed up with MAC to say "Namaste" Fashion World! His Maximalistic vibe puts Vishnu in the vanguard, bursting with Blush-Devil, Pink Swoon style and sophistication. With new lipstick, lipglass, Blush and Eyes on Manish collections, expect kaleidoscopic clash, shocking new combinations, colour-cult compacts! Take a trip into Manish Arora!

Eye Palette x 6 | These are all repromotes, but it may not matter! You might have one or all of these, but does that mean you have them all in an amzing, multicolor package? No. Therefore you need this!

• Nylon | Pale gold with icy metallic shimmer | Frost | Perm
• Going Bananas | Soft lemon yellow | Frost | LE - Repromote from C-Shock
• Playful | Bright clean pink | satin | LE - Repromote from Barbie Loves MAC
• Bitter |  Vivid bright golden green flecked with shimmer | Velvet | Perm
• Electric Eel |  Vivid bright blue flecked with shimmer | Satin | Perm
• Deep Truth | Very real truthful dark blue | Frost | Perm

Lipsticks | Kiss Manish is new, and perfect for... well... what isn't it perfect for? If you're not feeling that dark and fab, try Girl About Town (from the permanent collection) which will break you out of that vampy rut!

• Girl About Town | Fabulous fuchsia | Amplified Creme | Perm
• Kiss Manish | Frosty mid-tone burnt red | Frost|  LE

 

Lipglass |Both new, both amazing! Darker complexions and warmer skins should snap up Shine Manish to really rock that anti-vamp look this fall and winter. The cooler-toned girls among us should give Pink Manish a shot - I know I will!

• Pink Manish | Frosted fuchisa | Frost | LE
• Shine Manish | Frosty bright orange with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments | frost | LE

Blush | Devil is only available at the Pro Stores and on the MacPro site, so now's your change to snap up its lovely coralness - and in a fancy compact, too! Pink Swoon is a fabulous color for all of you cool-toned gals, so give it a try if you don't already have it. Gives a lovely winter-kissed look to skin, or a subtle pink glow, depending on how you apply it.

• Devil | Bright iridescent coral orange | Satin | Permanent Pro
• Pink Swoon | Clearly pink | Sheertone | Perm

collection details courtesy of specktra

MAC for Manish Arora will be available October 9th, 2008 BUT... only at these locations:

MAC Pro NY, MAC Pro North Robertson, MAC Soho, maccosmetics.com.
Also available internationally: Asia Pacific (Travel Retail Select Stores), Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Middle East, Singapore, Taiwant, Thailand.

 

The clothes

Take a look at the Manish Arora Fall '08 collection:

Namaste

MAC expands it's line of mineral products! Coming in mid-October

Do you love Mineralize Skinfinishes (MSFs)? Do you adore mineral makeup? Come back to MAC this Fall!

(Like my Back to MAC pun?)

MAC knows you like mineral makeup (who doesn't!). MAC also knows you like MSFs. MAC knows other companies are making similar products you can get any day, not just on a "limited edition basis". And MAC knows you know this. MAC isn't stupid. MAC has decided to give you what you want: more mineral makeup!

Come October, 2008, you can look forward to seeing a more prominent display of their popular mineral makeup line: The House of Minerals. The rack will feature products already in the line, and a slew of newness.

Here's a glimpse of what to expect:

• Mineralized SPF 15 Foundation - Loose | This will be repromoted with all of the shades that currently exist in the collection. Yes, this is that one with the funky sponge top. Stupid cap-hat aside, this is supposedly a very nice foundation!


• Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation | A lovely, glowy liquid foundation that is already in the permanent collection. If you haven't tried this foundation, you should.


• Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (MSFN) | Also part of the permanent collection. My favorite of all of the MAC foundations, though this could also be used as a finishing powder, too. Great for on top of those dewy foundations that are usually ruined by a traditional matte powder. Fab with a kabuki brush or 187, wet or dry. Love it!


• Mineralize Skinfinish (MSF) | Ah, permanent MSFs. The stuff of dreams!
  • Soft and Gentle | A gilded peachy-bronze that is new and will be perm.
  • Gold Deposit | This shade is a repromote from Rococo - great on darker complexions.


• Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos | I love these puppies, and this collection features some of the best-of-the-best! Repromotes from Amuse and Antiquitease, 3 from each collection. If you have not tried these with a dampened brush, you're missing out on a great way to use these!
  • Engaging | Pink beige and yellow gold w/ rose veining
  • Earthly Riches | Deep plum and deep grew with pink veining (AMAZING shadows, both!)
  • Family Silver | Light and mid-tone silver with gold veining
  • Heat / Element | Rich yellow gold / rusty brown red
  • Illusionary / Burning Ambition | whilte gold w/ gold pearl / chocolate brown w/ soft gold pearl
  • Brightside / Gallery Gal | Champagne gold / soft olive green


• Mineralize Blushes | I've said it before, and I'll say it again: if MAC got rid of the perm blushes and put these in instead, I wouldn't cry too much. As Tony the Tiger said: They're GREAT!
  • Gleeful | Deep, dirty-blue pink w/ gold pearl
  • Dainty | Yellow pink w/ gold pearl
  • Warm Soul | Mid-tone beige w/ gold (MY FAVORITE BLUSH OF ALL TIME!)
  • Love Joy | Mid-tone brown w/ gold pearl
  • Gentle | Raspberry w/ gold pearl
  • Love Thing | Dirty burgandy w/ gold pearl


• Brushes | OK, I don't sell MAC anymore, so hopefully you believe me when I say this: BRUSHES MAKE OR BREAK A LOOK - especially when you're using these mineralize products!
  • #109 Small Contour Brush | Useful for MSFs and blushing
  • #182 Buffer Brush | Great for buffing in MSFs or powders
  • #187 Duo Fibre Brush | Lovely "skunk brush" that, when used in a circular motion, applies foundation like a m-f'in dream!
  • #188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush  |  This gives a fabulous glow when you're applying the Mineralize Blushes, among many many many other uses. Also great instead of the 187 if you have a small face or petite features.
  • #190 Foundation Brush | A classic foundation brush style. A must-have brush.
  • #217 Blending Brush | OK, I know ya'll love this brush for powdered eye shadow, and it's all right. But try it with creamy products and you'll be blown away! I like a 224 for blending the eye makeup, personally.
  • #239 Eye Shading Brush | A nice, flat, firm shadow brush that no self-respecting makeup lover should be without. Seriously. And the aforementioned 224.

Thank you to Specktra for collection info and product names/descriptions.

The word on the street

I heard from this guy (ok, so he's my MUA and former supervisor!) that MAC will be rotating shades of MSFs in and out of this displayer every few months, in reflection of current trends. I also heard from an undisclosed source (ok, it was Specktra) that the shadows will be rotating every 6 months. We'll see about that last bit, since I have only heard it from one source I'm a bit skeptical.

I think the semi-perm status of the MSFs and possibly the shadows is genius. MAC has listened to you and realized you're getting frustrated with the constant barage of LE items! They're still keeping things hot and fresh by taking products off the shelves after a few months, but they're giving us time to buy them and crave them and test them before they get removed. Very smart.

Images and swatches to follow when I get 'em...

Bobbi Brown wants you to get nude. Shimmering Nude to be exact...

You know what's hot this Fall.

You've done your research, right? Of course you have: you're a makeup junkie! (That's why you read makeup blogs.)

Well, since you know all about the nude eye trend, you are going to want this baby, baby!

<------  Take a look at those gorgeous Shimmering Nudes over there, provided to us by Bobbi Brown.

• Nude Beach Metallic (new/LE)
• Nude Mist Shimmer Wash (new/LE)
• Naked
• Nude Glow Metallic (new/LE)
• Mica Shimmer Wash (LE)
• Nude Spice Metallic (new/LE)
• Espresso

Can't you imagine them with a nice bold lip!?

A perfect pairing

So, you makeup junkie, you! I'm sure you know what I know about trends: they come and go, and while we rock 'em while we've got 'em, sometimes we get a little bored.

Shake up the scene by going all-out nude this Fall! Pair these amazing Creamy Lip Color shades with the palette we just looked at for a glowing, sexy, nude-all-over look.

Or take these colors, which are all creamy, pink-gold tinged nudes, and pair them with a fierce bold smoky eye!

It's up to you how you want to rock the Fall...

• Baby
• Pink Sequin
• Pink Buff
• Sunset Nude

Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color and Shimmering Nudes will be on-counter in September. Share your pics with FCH!

Check out the promo pic!

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Other posts you'll like...

• Bobbi Brown Chic Shimmer Metallics
• Bobbi Brown Mauve
• Fall Lips from Lancome
• MAC Cult of Cherry
• BPAL Fall Scents

Altru Home Fragrances and Inner Beauty

The scent of a woman, the scent of a home... 

OK, guys... I know, this isn't a home blog. It's a beauty blog. What in the name of MAC am I doing, discussing candles and home fragrances? Well, pay attention for some earth shattering news:

Outer beauty is overrated. True beauty comes from within!

You're heard it before, haven't you? But it's true! Have you ever seen a classically beautiful woman or a well-appointed lady who... just seemed unattractive? She has it all - but she's just lackluster (or even ugly!). She wasn't lit from within. She had no oomph... no mojo.

Getting the spark:

How do we get this mojo? This spark? A quite simple way is to surround yourself with things that make you feel beautiful. What better way is there to do this than to have a beautiful home or room or place to be? This beautiful space you carve out for yourself should stimulate all of the senses! I know when my house is tidy, when I look at the gorgeous belongings I've so carefully selected to grace my home, when I take a nice strong sniff of the fire in the family room or the baking bread in the kitchen (ok - this never happens!)... those are the times I feel extra happy and centered. We forget that our surroundings are quite important: they impact our moods. 

Another fabulous way to get your spark: do something for someone else, unselfishly and without expecting thanks or a favor in return. When we "do" for others, we feel good and that seeps out through our pores!

altru

Take a look at this line I've just heard about! It's called Altru. The name is meant to evoke the word "altruism": doing something that benefits someone else - and not you! Sounds good, huh? So what is Altru, exactly? It's a company that makes lovely, scented products like candles and scented oils and home fragrances - with a twist.

The twist...

The concepts for the products at altru are based on sights and smells experienced by Manuela Testolini, founder of the altru parent company, Gamillah. Ms. Testolini strives to make the world a better place - through direct impact of her products and through giving a portion of the proceeds from her altru  to others. Specifically, more than 20% of the proceeds from all altru items goes to In A Perfect World, an non-profit organization dedicated to an important goal: "to inspire and empower children to become compassionate, socially-conscious and responsible leaders".

Like what you've heard? Here's the scoop:

Since altru is sharing the proceeds with In A Perfect World, Ms. Testolini decided to the scents in the collection should be named after an attribute found in a perfect world.

• Harmony |TANENASHI PERSIMMON |Inspired by the tanenashi persimmon, one of the most beautiful Oriental persimmons | Harmony packages are decorated with an Iznik-inspired pattern (Iznik is in Turkey - I wikipedia'd it!)

• Integrity| PERSIAN LILAC AND BAMBOO | Captures the romance of night-blooming jasmine with Persian lilac and Asian bamboo | bamboo is the inspiration for the packaging of Integrity due to its symbolism: beauty, strength and integrity

• 

  Artistry | MASALA CHAI | Nestled with a medley of rich, warm spices and creamy vanilla with hints of black tea | Morocco inspires the packaging of Artistry collection

• Remembrance | GRAPEFRUIT AND ITALIAN ROSEMARY |Unexpected blend of sparkling grapefruit with rosemary and exotic woods | Remembrance packages are decorated with a Russian- and Indian-inspired design

• Wellness | WHITE CLOVE AND WILD GINGER |Rich tapestry of spices and cloves, combined with the earthiness of green tea and wild ginger | packaging for Wellness items are Egyptian-inspired

• Appreciation | TIARE AND WHITE FREESIA | Infused with a delicate balance of Tahitian tiare and daffodil buds with petals of white freesia | packages are decorated with a Persian-inspired design

                                                                 

Soy candles | $55.00

Interior Fragrance Oil | $65.00

Aromatic Incense Sticks | $15.00

Incense Star Burner | $20.00

Scroll Incense Holder | $30.00

 

altru products are available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, ABC Carpet & Home, and select specialty boutiques nationwide. The collection retails from $15-65.

Are you ready to get your Spark on!? Take a trip to altru!

ps: you know how I love a good website that's also a good read. take a look at the altru website and browse through: look at the goegeous designs, read the descripions, and take note of the quotations that are scattered throughout...

Lancôme's Piha Black and Piha Red rock a stunning Fall trend

 

Lancôme is kicking some ass in some stunning 6" Louboutin heels

(image source)

Aaron de Mey is hitting the ground running as the company's new artistic director for makeup! Inspired by the quintessential fashion statement that is the Louboutin shoe, Mr de Mey has taken the Fall black lip trend to a new level with a special, limited edition, limited-run pairing of red lipstick and black gloss.

Can you pull off this trend!? I know I can rock it, but I'm a bit worried it may overwhelm the other mommies at playgroup. But screw it! This look is hot!

If you think you want a slightly more flexible version of the black lipstick trend, why not try a black gloss over a strong red lip? Think you can pull that off? Hey, welcome to my web, ladies. You're right where I wanted you...

How about these?:

Go ahead: click on the gloss and take a close-up look. STUNNING!

For the red layer we have Piha Red Color Fever Lipstick. Have you tried Color Fever Lipsticks yet? If not, you need to! They're supple, they're luxurious, and they're infused with amazing pigments that act like a prism and keep your lips looking sexy and shiny for hours and hours.

Complete the trend with a dose of Phia Black. Use that nifty Color Fever Gloss Lip Magnify^TM wand to sweep on this dimensional and shiny black top coat to crank that sexiness level up into the stratosphere! The Color Fever Gloss line is extraordinary, and from the looks of this gloss, Phia Black is going to be a must-have addition to every true collector's kit.

"How do I get these specimins!?", you ask.

Sign up now through one of the Lancôme boutiques (there are 5), through lancome-usa.com, or at the at Bloomingdale’s 59^th Street Lancôme location, 'cause these are the only places you can get these colors. The good news is this: come November both items will be yours for only $48 (they're being sold as a set) if you're one of the lucky 500 to get on the waiting list (call 212-705-2886 to save your spot - it's a lot easier than putting a lawnchair outside of the boutique!).   

PS: This is Aaron de Mey ------>

Send your Thank You notes to him! :)

Today only - from Lancôme

Special Sneak Preview - TODAY ONLY (7.31.08)

The mascara revolution has begun! The newest trend is vibrating and spinning mascara wands, and Lancôme wants you to join the fun. If Lancôme is famous for one thing, I'd say it's mascara, right? Well, today only, they are giving us a fabulous opportunity to try their new mascara, Ôscillation!

Vibrating. Infinite. Powermascara.

The Brush

The battery-operated brush provides 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, wrapping lashes up to 360 degrees.

 

The Formula

The Ôscillation formula is designed to work specifically with the Ôscillation brush. Creamy, fluid and supple in texture, it results in a glossy look and a smooth application.

 

Want to try one? Keep reading and find out how...

Tr-tr-tr-TRIA! Laser hair removal at home!?!? Part one of the FCH Tria Trials

Tr-tr-tr-TRIA! Laser hair removal at home!?!?

Part one of the FCH TRIA Trials.

Everyone remembers the Chia Pet, right? You get a little clay vessel shaped like an animal or a head, sprinkle some seeds on, keep it watered and watch it grow! No problemo, right?

Well, some folks have no trouble growing the hair. In fact, some folks have the opposite problem - getting rid of unwanted hair. And it's not as easy as tossing a wayward Chia Pet in the garbage, is it?

I haven't previously given a lot of thought to unwanted hair, to be honest with you. I'm a brunette, but am blessed with only fine blond hairs on my arms and most of my legs*, so I don't spend tons of time worrying about this issue. I do shave certain areas and wax others, but again - if I am behind schedule it's not the big deal for me that it is for other men and women. But many people really struggle with this problem, and some suffer social stigma from unwanted hair. What to do?!

*"most of my legs" means portions of my legs, not most of my multiple legs. I only have 2 legs.

I just may have the solution for those folks!Take a look:

No, it's not a hair dryer or a new taser! It's a TRIA - the world's first personal home laser hair removal system.

Intrigued? Keep reading...

FCH Review Round-up: Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair

Review Round-up: Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair played right into one of my hang-ups: my *gulp* aging, lined lips. Years of being a filthy smoker didn't help me prevent these early signs of aging, and I could kick myself for it! Right on the box I see a big claim: Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair "Instantly Fills in Liplines as it Smoothes & Hydrates Lips." Odd use of capitalization aside, this sounds like something I want!

Right on the box I am promised "lips that look younger, instantly" which is a vast improvement over my "dry lined lips that make me look older". (Depressing box, this!)This dramatic reversal of fortune is going to be achieved via sodium hyaluronate (which helps pull moisture to the skin and then keep it in) and "marine collagens" (a very non-specific term that doesn't tell us anything at all except it's marine-based and probably meant to support the tissues of the lips, thereby giving a firming appearance).

The Verdict: This product comes in one of those twist-up pens that exudes the product from a perforated sponge tip, not unlike a Play-Doh toy. This type of applicator annoys me and I don't know why. Regardless, that's Strike One. To say I slicked this on would be completely inaccurate, as it dragged across my lips (certainly that's not helping the lines in that area!?); Strike Two. I peered at the mirror after applying it so as to get a better look at the amazing firming and line-fluffing results and saw: nothing. Well, my lips were oddly matte, but that's it. Strike Three and you're Out - as in, thrown out into the trash.

(To be fair, I gave it several tries, but the results were always the same). The matte finish may serve to be a nice base for lipstick, as the package implied, but I prefer MAC's Prep + Prime Lip and FACE Atelier's Lip Putty for that. When I find a product that soothes the savage lines, I'll let ya know. If you know of one, please tell us in the Comments!

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On an very vaguely related note, if you loved Play-Doh as a kid, you may want to check out this post.

 

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

MAC attacks with 3 sci-fi inspired collections

Future Earth

Top to bottom:

Volcanic ash exfoliator | It’s a foaming and exfoliating scrub with sugar crystals and volcanic ash from Vanuatu (Survivor fans in da house!?!).  It’s mineral-rich and good at oil absorption and you can use it on face or body. $19 USD

Prep + Prime microfine Lip refinisher | This looks like the stick version of lip conditioner at first blush, but it’s really not at all. The stick is split in half lengthwise, with one side being a mysteriously “botanically derived exfoliator” that is not identified, and the other side being lip conditioner. You’re supposed to apply it flat from the top. Hmmm….  $14.50 USD

Charged water ~ revitalizing energy | It’s back! I love this stuff! Diamond infused. Great scent (citrusy-green tea). Spritzy. Hydrating. Revitalizing, indeed. Stock up until MAC finally makes it permanent! $19 USD

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Solar Field

Top to bottom:

Solar BIts | Sounds like it’s solid little bits of pigments that you can sweep your brush over or smoosh (the first method applying sheerly, the latter giving more pigment). Anyone else think this sounds like Meteorites?  Four metallic shades.  $19.50 USD

Solar Field Bronzing Powder | Yawn. Here we have Refined Golden again, but since it’s in an orange compact we should be frantic to obtain it, right? Whatever. The other color, Solar Riche, is described as mid-tone deep orange brown.  Sweet: a bronzer that will turn us orange. Really, MAC? Is this the best you could do?  $20 USD

Brushes | The 168 Angled Contour Brush is repromoted, and it’s a great brush (I have two full-sized and 2 "shorties"). But if you’re torn between this and other bits of the collection, skip the brush and get it any other time at the counter. $32 | The 139 Eye Shading Brush is also repromoted, and it’s also a great brush (I have 4) but it’s also at the counter every day of the year. $24.50 USD

 

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NEO SCI-FI

Here’s where the magic starts, kids…

BAM: lipstick.
BAM: lipglass.
BAM: blush.
BAM: Shadows.
BaM: New polishes with a new formula.

Bam, Bam, BAM! This collection should be GREAT!!!


LIPSTICKS - The shades are to the right. The sweet orange packaging is just icing (not the reason to buy the product, but certainly a bonus!)

Sci-Fi-Delity | burnt red with gold pearl | Frost
Pleasureseeker | creamy peach | Glaze
Astral | mid-tone brown pearl with red pearl | Lustre
Electro | bright orange | Lustre
Sunsonic | white gold | Frost

Personally, since I'm cool-toned I can't get terribly excited, but this is a fantabulous selection of shades for warm-toned folk. Have at it, gals! I must say, I am interested in Electro despite the fact that I doubt I can pull it off - but I'll sure as heck try! I loves me some orange!



LIPGLASSES - Shades to the right. Mmmm hmmm... you know I have a lipgloss problem. I'm in trouble, here...

Supreme | bronzed brown with white pearl
Naked Space | creamy mid-tone nude peach
Pink Grapefruit | orange with gold pearl
Soft & Slow | mid-tone creamy plum

Oh yeah. I need them all. First, I have to say Soft & Slow is one of my favorite Lipglasses of all time (it was out before in Smoke Signals, last summer), and I will be picking up a few of them since mine are almost out and I've been rationing them. And I tried Pink Grapefruit this past holiday collection (it was in Curiousitease and before that in C-Squeeze): I very much like it! So that leaves a mid-tone nude peach and a bronzey brown with a cool pearl... Um.... yeah!


Eyeshadows - My other weakness. Oy vey.

Magnetic Fields | black brown with silver pearl | Veluxe Pearl
Femme-Fi | frosty golden cream 
Evening Aura | orange with gold pearl
Time & Space | frosty golden peach | Veluxe Pearl
Expensive Pink | pink with gold duochrome | Veluxe Pearl

Well, first off: if you haven't tried Expensive Pink,  you may want to pick this up. It's a fabulous color and the duochromes are the most fun of all eyeshadows. However, that's part of the perm collection, so unless you're panicked or want the whole set, just wait on it if you're trying to cull down your lemmings for this collection. I'll have to see the others, but will probably snap up Evening Aura (please reference the aforementioned problem I have with orange - I must own all orange eyeshadows!). The others sound gorgeous, but time will tell. If they're unique, they're mine.



 Blush - MAC blushes are great blushes. If you haven't tried them, you may want to check them out. They're not streaky, not dry-looking, and they range in density of pigment so there's something for everyone.

Spaced Out | shimmery peach
X-Rocks | shimmery dirty mauve

May need X-Rocks because mauves look good on me. :)


NAIL LACQUER NAIL LACQUER NAIL LACQUER! - I don't LOVE MAC's nail lacquers, formula-wise, though they aren't terrible. With 3 coats and a good top coat, they're decent and wear ok. I do, though, love the colors they occasionally come out with!

Metalist | neutral coppertone with white pearl
Plasma Blu | turquoise with turquoise pearl
Neon 8 | bright orange, orange pearl
Phosphor| bumble bee yellow

This is a very interesting set of colors. It manages to bridge the summer trends of "brights" and "bronzes" simultaneously. Kudos on that, MAC gods! I will need to try Metalist, Plasma Blu, and Neon 8, and if the refined formula is good I'll pick them up. I am especially interested in Metalist and Plasma Blu - the first because I love nude polish but have a hard time finding colors that are good on my pale pink skin, the latter because I'm into blue polishes at the moment. I will swatch Phosphor but doubt a yellow can look good on my skin (it usually makes me look a tad hung-over - sad, since I hardly drink!).

Repromoted in this collection are the extras:

Plushblack mascara (a good one- maybe the good one, as MAC isn't known for being a great mascara-making company). Note: I wish MAC would step it up and put out a new color in Plushlash. Where's the colored mascara trend everyone else is workin' this year. Dang, man. I mean, MAC is supposed to start trends and they're known for color..... but they repromote black mascara? Dude.

Lip pencils - the dial-up kind. Techincally known as Cremestick Liners, but generally referred to as "the ones you don't have to sharpen". The shades are 80%, Beurre, and Summerfruit. These are all excellent shades (I own them all) and it's a great formula even though I usually prefer pencils you sharpen. Beurre is a fabulous pinky-nude shade that works on most fair-to-medium skin (tip- great lip liner for brides!). 80% is a bit darker, and a wonderful color, a staple for me. Summerfruit is on the orange side, which is sensible since there are orange lip colors in this collection; I don't use it often, but the rare times I rock an orange-y lip, this is my go-to.

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