To sparkle or not to sparkle...

Hermanas!!!

I was looking at my eye shadows this morning and came to the realization that I have way too many shimmery ones and less matte eye shadows. It did not come as a surprise though was the fact that the shimmery ones I use way less than the matte ones. This got me wondering on how to choose the right finishes and colors for eye shadows.

I *think* as we age, shimmery eye shadowsdo us a dis-service; although some hermanas get away with it with more ease. I also believe it depends on your skin's condition and skin tone. I read somewhere that brunettes can get away with more color combinations than blondies, but I have my reservations. I just cannot wear silver e/s. I look awful.

When talking about finishes, the folks at MAC have categorized them like no one else. MAC has seven finishes to seriously fit every taste and need; and the swatch samples on their website are fabulous. I have tried five of them (matte, frost, lustre, satin and veluxed pearl) and love them all. MAC eyeshadows are amongst the most blendable, and the variety is amazing.

• FROST - An iridescent shine that adds a highlight quality to any colour.

• LUSTRE - Smoothly pearlized; intensely frosted with a deluxe ultra-fine finish.

• MATTE - High-color pay-off in a no-shine matte finish.

• SATIN - Pure color in a satin-style finish. Provides a soft subtle non-frost, light-refractive sheen.

• VELUXE - Superfine texture. Pigment rich, silky smooth matte finish.

• VELUXE PEARL - Vibrantly tones and velvety soft with a metallic shimmer. Overlaid with high-shine pearl.

• VELVET - Soft look finish with high-color intensity. Has a velvety look and feel.

My palette is mostly neutral and towards the bronze/golds. My favorite tones are:

Embark (matte)
Carbon (matte)
Rice Paper (frost)
Saddle (matte)
Honesty (lustre)
Antiqued (veluxed pearl)

I wear the matte finish both as an accent shadow and also as an upper lid eyeliner. My veluxed ones I use sometimes as a lower lid all over shadow and also as an under-eye-liner (more fun than the usual blahness of either maroon or black, and more subtle). Frosts and lustres I olnly use for under my brow bone, or for an all-over highlight.

What are your favorite finishes? Do you shimmer away or are you from the matte-est-mysterious clan? Do tell.

Siempre, Bella.


p.s. Don't forget your primer and clean brushes!!!!

Brushes, brushes, brushes

Hermanas!!!

I indeed gave away a couple of brush sets this season. I insist that brushes are your best friend when it comes to applying makeup. Even if you are a makeup newbie; brushes will make your life easier and your face less than patchy.

Good brushes tend to be on the expensive side; but there are alternatives. And if you take good care of them, they will last you a while. Clean after using, wash once a week or so.

I am currently in love with the Sephora brush collection, although I have been known to favor MAC brushes as well. Before you all go and spend your gift certificates just like that; let's see.... which are the "must haves" to begin a collection of your own?

• Foundation brush. I am currently using MAC 190 (pic above) and it works like a charm. Remember I use MAX Factor pan cake foundation; so a good foundation brush is a must; and it certainly saves me money as I use less product.
  

• Slanted brush. This one is fabulous for making those sexy eyes look bigger. I have MAC's 208 small slanted eye brush; plus another 2 from no-name brands.

• Smudge brush. I bought my first one before Christmas; and I am only so happy I did. I use this one to give my lower lashes a bust of color, or a shadow of sexiness! It blends lovely and you can adjust the stroke depending on how much you "push" the brush.
  

• Blush brush. Some folks use one for blush, one for bronzer, one for.... I just use one. I am however partial to the ones that have a bit of a slanted tip -- this way you can work contour much better.
  

• Eyeshadow all-over brush I got some Elizabeth Arden ones a while ago as a gift with purchase and they are amazingly versatile. If you don't want to cash out for a MAC Queen Bee (best blender brush I know); these ones shall do the trick.
  

I guess it all comes to how many functions you can invent for your brushes, you can be as versatile as your imagination and your budget allow. I don't think brush functions are set in stone at all. Some hermanas could not care less about brushes (case in point, Legally Smart and her obnoxious disposable applicators), and others who are brush mages.

If you are -as I am- on a tight budget; you can always play around with cheap brushes from your friendly dollar store; upgrade to drugstore items, etc. It's all about having good fun with makeup hermanas, it is not a chore!!!!

Siempre, Bella.

One more reason to love MAC

Hermanas,

I shall venture into Freak Central, aka downtown C-@-TL; with the purpose of going to MAC and exchanging my 6 empties for a lipstick, courtesy of their Back to MAC program. I mean, what more could a woman want on a cosmetics line? Rojo says I have a funky idea of what "free" is and insists on doing the math for me.... not cool. Yet he shall join me for dinner and a nice sweep of Elliot Bay's digs, because we always need more books (as in, who doesn't and insert snicker here) and he still has a gift certificate from last X-mas! I shall make puppy eyes and see if I can get away with Jonathan Kellerman's latest thriller. Even if in paperback.

So far, I have about 5 MAC lipsticks, all from freebie land. Of course that to get each one I had to buy, use and finish say 35+ MAC products; but they are usually worth it. Few things I never did like were their mascaras and the Studio Fix Fluid foundation. In time, I will review my faves and also be on the lookout for hermanas who review MAC.

Since Father Winter has no mercy on my lips, I think I might just go with one of their Satin finishes; since they have a bit of conditioner in them. In that case, I shall decide in between Mocha or Siss. Or perhaps the plain old Lip Treatment. Decisions! Decisions! Although all their lipsticks have behaved quite decently; I find the Matte finish good for picture taking, not for everyday use, it does some serious drying.

By the way: MAC is giving FREE STANDARD SHIPPING with any USD$50+ purchase online.