Review: MAC MSF Natural

Today I'm going to review one of my favorite products of all time - MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.  I've purchased about 10 of these over the past two years and will continue to use them as long as they are available.  The reason I like this so much is because it is so versatile.  Depending on which shade you get, you can use them for foundation, highlight, or contouring.  My favorite way to wear this is actually wet which you can do because MAC's mineral products are baked and will go back to their original form once they're dry.

Here's what MAC has to say about it:

"A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day."

I like using this with MAC's Select Cover-up and then I usually scrape a little MSF off onto a glass candle holder and spritz with water, then dip my foundation brush and apply like I do liquid foundation.  You get the coverage of a liquid foundation but it still ends up looking like your skin.  I can usually only get away with wearing this as a foundation if my skin is relatively clear.  If I'm in a rush, I'll just use the Select Cover-up and the MSF dry with a kabuki brush.  Otherwise I'll use it to set a liquid foundation with a fluffier brush.   The only drawback is that this does not come with a mirror but that can easily be remidied if you have one of MAC's beauty powders (Hello Kitty, Heatherette, Dame Edna etc) by swapping out the inner plastic part.  The color range is really great too and includes 8 shades that go from light to deep dark.  I currently have a light medium, medium, medium plus, and medium dark in my collection.  I think it's an all around great product that looks natural on skin while still providing coverage.  

Review: Vichy Dermablend Foundation

I bought this foundation a little over two months ago and I have to say, I kind of regret it.  It's not that it's a terribly disgusting product or anything but it's just not for me.  I purchased it because several of the beauty gurus on youtube were raving about this as a concealer and I guess it works ok for that but it's not my favorite.  I find it takes a lot of time to use and it doesn't look natural at all.  Also, the color is way too light for me and the shade range is really limited.  It creases terribly under my eyes making me look more tired than if I had nothing on at all.  It can tend to make me look oily and transfers really easily.  There are a few things that I do like about it though.  If I want to take the time to mix it with a darker concealer (MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25) and apply it like Lisa Eldridge does in her Acne Covering Makeup video, the end result is pretty nice.  It does not look natural like it does on the model in the video and it really only lasts for an hour but for that hour, my skin looks flawless.




Even if I use the tiniest drop of this, I end up wasting a lot.  I have not used this as an all over foundation because I have enough of an issue with the thinnest of foundations looking caky let alone one as thick as this.  I'm probably just going to throw this in my kit to use on super pale brides with normal skin.  Not that I'll even use this up but I probably would not repurchase.

Upcoming posts:
Project 10 Pan Update
Review: Milani HD Concealer
Airbrush Foundation
Review: MAC MSF Natural

March Favorites

Another month has come and gone.  It's really hard for me to believe that I have not bought any cosmetic related products in 3 weeks but I have to say I really don't miss it.  Maybe because I've got my new airbrush that I purchased before I started the project 10 pan and didn't actually receive it until a week ago or maybe I'm finally realizing that I don't need or even want anything new.  Granted, I spent a lot of money in late February and the beginning of March so I have lots of new things to play with but I can honestly say, I've had very little desire to go shopping for makeup.  With that, I've found some great new products and wonderful products that I may not have paid much attention to in the past.

The first thing on my list is the Murad Oil Control Mattifier.  I bought the Sephora brand primer and while I think it makes my face feel and look nice for a little while, nothing works at keeping my makeup in place like the Murad.  I have maybe 1/4 of the bottle left and I think this might be one of the first to go on my project 10 pan.  I'll miss it but I'll be sure to repurchase ASAP.

The next thing is something that I was skeptical about at first but have been delighted with the results.  I picked up the Saving Face Serum from Lush about a month ago and I've really been liking it.  You rub it in your hands like a massage bar and the heat from your body melts a little bit of the product off that you then rub on your face.  I thought it would make me feel greasy but I can honestly say that it has the opposite effect.  It moisturizes and somehow controls oil.  I use this at night and sometimes during the day right after I was my face and it always leaves my skin feeling very balanced.  Unfortunately, this product is now on their "Fond farewells" list and I can't imagine why.  I have not seen a single bad review on this and I've had amazing results with it as well.

The next products should come at no surprise and that is my Clarisonic mia as well as my MAC lightful foaming cleanser.  I can't say enough good things about these products and I feel as though they were made for each other.  I use them both morning and night and I've noticed such a difference in my skin.  There are absolutely no traces of makeup on the cotton pad when I use my toner and my skin always feels soft and fresh after using them.  I'm in love and I would gladly shell out the money for this again.

For eyeshadows I'm not going to mention one in particular but a whole pallet this month.  I think you can guess what that is.  The Urban Decay Naked Pallet.  I'm sad I didn't jump on the bandwagon sooner.  I really have been missing out on an excellent product.  You can create so many different looks from this one pallet and the shadows are all easy to blend (especially the matte ones).

$8.99 CVS.com

My favorite eyeliner this month is the Loreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense.  I've had this for a while and just thought it was ok but lately I've been reaching for this more and more.  I don't find that the black is as intense as you'd think but I really do like the application.  I've found cat eyes to be a little easier using this and I think it's near the end of its life.  Add another contender for the project 10 pan.

I've recently started layering mascaras again and the one I always use last is the Covergirl Lashblast Volume.  I don't know what it is about this mascara (probably the wand) but it looks phenomonal.  I used to use MAC's lash primer and then Zoomlash Mascara with LB going on last because Zoomlash is kind of a tricky wet formula that looks clumpy if you don't brush it out one way or the other and I find that LB does the best job of combing through my lashes.  My lashes look huge and fake when I wear this so I don't do it often anymore.  I've recently liked using the same technique with the Fresh Supernova Mascara which I'm not crazy about on its own but with the LB, I find that I get the fullest, softest, most perfect lashes ever.

The photo on the left is with one coat of Fresh Supernova under one Coat of Covergirl Lashblast.  The photo on the right is with no mascara.

I have been so happy with my Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner this past month and I can't imagine switching to anything else.  They are were very expensive but it is so worth it.  My hair is soft and shiny and smells so wonderful.  It gives great moisture without weighing my hair down.  I love washing my hair now because I know how great my hair is going to look afterwards.  I've never been in love with hair products like this before. 

$6.95/3.5 oz  Lush.com

I have a love hate relationship with the last product on my list.  I purchased the Porridge soap from Lush in late February and will repurchase again and again.  It has a beautiful warm scent that smells like oatmeal cookies and has these pinhead oats in it that exfoliate your skin.  I love everything about it except for those damn oats.  They do a great job exfoliating and the soap leaves your skin really soft but the oats kind of take over the soap after a while and as they fall off, they leave a huge mess in your bathtub.  I also find them in random places like in between my toes and the inside of my elbows.  It's my new favorite soap but I wish it had less oats.  I'll repurchase again and again because I love the smell so much.

So that's it for my favorites. 

It's my Birthday!!! Update and a little randomness.

I have officially been 26 for 21 minutes now and since my boyfriend (who has been 25 for 21 minutes) is sleeping, I thought I'd do a little update post.  Things have been pretty hectic around here this past week.  As I mentioned before my younger sister is having a baby in 2 weeks and will be staying with me because I live 2 blocks away from the hospital and she knows nothing about child care.  She and her boyfriend came over to help get my house cleaned up and make room for them to move some of their stuff in.  My makeup room will sadly be taken over as a guest bedroom/nursery for the next few weeks and I'm praying that nothing happens to any of my stuff.  On a brighter note, I was able to get all of my older sister's junk out of the closets in here and actually got her to pick up some of her stuff that was taking up valuable space in my basement.  I also purchased a beautiful daybed and trundle on craigslist for a very reasonable price which fits perfectly in here.  The only thing I have left to get is new bedding for the daybed to match my room.  I found the most perfect duvet on PBTeen.com.  Yes I know I'm in my mid/late 20s but I haven't found anything that works as well and it's Pottery Barn so I'm going to make an exception here.

PBteen.com

It's hard to describe the color of the walls in this room but basically there's a chair rail in the middle of the wall that goes all the way around the room.  The top half is a light aqua color and the bottom half is a few shades darker.  I have little pin up girl pictures around the room and there's a general beachy/aqua theme going on in here.  My Sigma Brushes are the aqua ones and I have an aqua yoga mat so I think the bedding will go perfectly in here.  It's girly enough in here for me but the colors are still gender neutral so my new nephew shouldn't feel bad about sleeping in here when he's old enough to care.  I'll post pictures and everything when this room is finally set up and looking how it should.  

Project 10 pan has been moving along slowly.  I've been good despite my current obsession to find a night sky nail polish.  It's surprising how hard it is to find a navy blue nail polish with silver glitter.  If you know of any that are readily available and won't be discontinued in a few months, please let me know.  It is the very first thing on my list to buy once I finish the 10 pan.  

Essie Starry Starry Night

It really is amazing to see how much I have left over from my paycheck when none of it has been spent on beauty stuff.  It's actually really nice to know that the money that I have for the next two weeks will last me because I know I'm not buying anything I don't need.  I haven't used anything up yet but I honestly haven't been really trying either.  

I did receive two items that I had ordered from Makeup Forever before the project 10 pan.  I did end up purchasing the Smoky Lash Mascara and the Mist & Fix.  I like the Smoky Lash Mascara.  I think it does a good job curling, volumizing and lengthening.  I don't think it's worth the $22 price tag that comes with it but I'm satisfied and I might repurchase.  I have mixed feelings about the Mist & Fix though.  Compared to Fix+ from MAC it's ok.  I like the packaging better on the Mist & Fix but I like the formula and the smell of Fix+ much better.  The Mist & Fix has a great spray pump that evenly mists the product over your entire face in just one pump.  With the Fix+ I feel like you have to spray it 5-8 times before your face is evenly misted and you end up with these larger spots where the spray has spurted out.  Initially the Mist & Fix has a nice scent but then after a few seconds it starts to smell like dying flowers to me.  I don't know, I really love the smell of Fix+ so maybe I'm not being fair.  Mist & Fix is supposed to set your makeup and make it stay on longer.  I can say that it does the opposite.  I apply this after I finish my makeup and it makes it look like I've been wearing it all day.  No longer am I poreless and matte but my foundation and powders have somehow mixed with this formula and created a noticeable layer on my face that makes me look disgusting.  It also makes me look greasy.  This might be a great product for someone with dry skin but it definitely does not work for me.  I'd return it if I could but I think for the time being, it's just going to hang out in my kit for when I do other people's makeup.  I think when I run out of the Mist & Fix, I'll just buy Fix+ and put it in the other bottle instead. 

My Airbrush is coming on Tuesday so I'll be sure to do a post on that.  I'm really excited for it.  I saw a tweet that the Luminess airbrush system was on Hautelook.com for $132.50 when it usually sells for $229.  I got the BC200 kit which comes with the 4 foundations (I got fair), a blush, bronzer, highlight and the compressor.  I've wanted an airbrush system for about a year now and I've been looking at the Dinair one because it is supposed to have the best foundation but if I'm unhappy with the Luminess foundation,  I can always purchase the Dinair foundation and use it in my compressor because they're both water based.  

Anyway, it's late and I've been rambling for over two hours now and I need to get some shut eye.  Goodnight all.

Review: Clarisonic Mia

As promised, here is a review of the Clarisonic Mia.  About a year ago I purchased the Classic Clarisonic in pink and I loved it immediately.  It gently exfoliated my skin and really did a great job of cleaning deep down.  I noticed less acne and a brighter complexion.  It worked great until it stopped holding a charge and I had to return it.  I planned to buy a new one shortly after returning that one but some new crazy bill was always coming up and I didn't have $200 to spend on something to wash my face.  As much as I missed it, I went 5 months without it and noticed that my skin really started to suffer.  I tried everything to help clear it up, brighten, and shrink pores but no products helped.  In February, I received a bonus from work and took the opportunity to buy myself another Clarisonic.  This time I got the mia.

It came with the Clarisonic itself, the charger, a pink sensitive brush head, and a sample of the gentle hydro cleanser. As a bonus I received a full size of the gentle hydro cleanser, a normal pink brush head, and a matching travel bag.  I've been using it for about a month and I'm definitely noticing some changes.  I immediately noticed that it removed all of my makeup and left my skin feeling very soft and smooth.  The first week I noticed an increase in breakouts which was somewhat disheartening.  Shortly after that I noticed that the breakouts were disappearing and my pores were a lot smaller.  I use it in the morning and in the evening and every time I shower.  I've noticed fewer breakouts and they clear up a lot faster if I use the Clarisonic.  The battery life on it is really great too.  I have only had to charge it twice in the month that I've been using it.  I don't miss the extra speed settings or the extra time that you can program with the classic.  So far I think it's a great product.  It's super cute and I'm happy to have spent the money on it.  My skin is worth it and I've probably spent double in crappy products over the past 5 months.  

Project 10 Pan

Alright, I'm going to do something nice for my wallet and start on a project 10 pan.  I have some makeup on the way including a new airbrush system so that won't be included.  In case you don't know a project 10  pan is where you do not purchase any new makeup until you use up 10 products.  Doing this allows you to shop your stash and fall in love with products that you may not have been reaching for lately.  I have done a project 5 pan in the past which was easy because I had 5 products that were close to the end of their life when I started.  This time I only have a few that I think I could finish in the next month so this could be a difficult thing for me.

Here are my rules:
1. Product must be full size.
2. Skin care does not count.  I will not be purchasing new skin care during this but using up skin care does not count towards my 10 pan.
3. Must completely use up a product...not just hit pan
4. I am not able to Back to MAC for free lipstick until I'm done
5. Having my boyfriend buy me something is cheating
6. Unsolicited gifts from other people are not cheating (I do have a birthday in 2 weeks).
7. I am not allowed to purchase anything beauty related.  This includes brushes, nail polish, Shampoo/Conditioner, Soap, perfume, etc.  I have enough of all of these things to last me another year.
8. If I receive a gift card, I will not use it until after the project 10 pan is complete.
9. I can have my monthly facial.  They are pre-paid and no sense in letting my skin suffer.
10. I will not purchase beauty related gifts for any one else.  It will be too tempting to get something for myself.

I have a few things that I think I'll be able to use up in the near future.

MAC MSF Natural/Shimmer

 I purchased this about 2 years ago from a CCO and loved it.  I have re-purchased the regular MSF Natural in the same shade and used up about 3.  I think I use this one less because I always end up getting shimmer on my brush too when I really just want the regular powder.  I think it'll work out well though because it is just about spring time and the shimmer mixed with the face powder will give me a fresh look.






Bare Minerals Bisque

I don't even remember when I first bought this product.  Probably about 4 years ago.  Since I've been using the Bare Minerals well rested under my eyes, I've found myself reaching for this sometimes too.  It's pinker and definitely darker than the well rested so I don't think it's great for under eyes but maybe it'll work for setting concealer on the rest of my face.  We'll see.







Benefit Erase Paste

As you can see, there is hardly any left of this concealer.  I bought this about a year ago and it was my second little tub.  It works well at concealing under eye circles for the first 5 minutes that you're wearing it and then it settles into fine lines and creases like a bitch.  Maybe using this with the Bare Minerals Bisque will help that.  I don't know how I ended up using as much as I did (twice!!).






MAC Blanc Type, Naked Lunch, Some Smashbox color

Now these three are actually going to be easy to use up and I'm kind of dreading using these all up because they are my favorites and I don't have exact dupes for them.  I feel like the Blanc Type will be used up in about a week if I use it every day and Naked Lunch won't be far behind.  The Smashbox color looks like it has about a month or two left in it if used every day.  I'm sad to see these go and they will be my first purchases after I complete this.




MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot

Another well loved product from 2 years ago.  I'm surprised this hasn't dried up any.  It was my first MAC paint pot and I have used it a lot.  When I originally bought it, I used it as an under eye concealer because my eyeliner wouldn't smudge at all if this was on.  Now it makes my eyes look really dry and wrinkly if I use it that way but it still makes a great base for my shadows.






Stila Plumping lip glaze in Citrus Mint

I got this in some sort of bronzing makeup kit from Stila a few years ago and liked it very much.  It tastes like mint and gives a soft shimmer to the lips while plumping and increasing bloodflow to the lips.  I like wearing this alone with minimal makeup for a more natural look.  I'm actually looking forward to fully using this product.






MAC Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks

This is my favorite lip gloss of all time.  I love everything about it - the baby pink color, the blue/pink glitter, the stickiness, the smell...I don't want to use it all up because I will miss it when it's gone but I am looking forward to justifying buying a brand new one.







MAC Lip Glass in Icescape

This I will be most sad to go.  I received this in my very first gratis from MAC when I worked there last year and think it's the most beautiful color.  It is the only limited edition item in my 10 pan and I'm really bummed that I won't be able to replace this.  I know it's re-promoted every once in a while and I've seen it at various CCOs so all hope is not lost.



Some of the products have a long way to go before I use them up and some I think only have a few more uses left in them.  Either way, I think finishing this all up will take some time and allow me to appreciate what I have.  My little sister is having a baby in a few weeks so I think spending my money spoiling him is going to be a much better use of it than just another mascara.  I'll keep you updated on my progress and live vicariously through your hauls.  Wish me luck.  I'm going to need it!!

Haul March 1st - March 7th

I have a little collective Haul from the past week.  I picked these items up from all different places on different days.  It's weird to see how much I actually bought in one week until I write it down.  At the time I didn't think I was purchasing that much until I went and brought out everything that I've bought over the past week.  That being said, I'm excited to share my new purchases.

Last week was really rough at work and I wanted to go to Lush to pick up some bath stuff to help me relax.  It has been working so far and I do feel less stressed out.  While I was at the mall I stopped in Nordstrom to pick up the Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base.  I heard about it a long time ago and was curious but every time I would go and look at it in the store it just didn't seem that special and seemed like it would make my skin look kind of orange.   I had gotten a sample of this earlier in the week and just fell in love with it.  

$48 Nordstrom.com

$15 Sephora.com

While I was at the mall I went into Sephora to get a new primer.  I've like the Philosophy On A Clear Day primer because it has salicylic acid in it to help fight acne.  I don't like wearing acne medication during the day but if it's built into my primer, I'm ok with that.  I used this about 3 years ago and really liked it.  Unfortunately, they no longer sell it at Sephora so I was stuck looking for something similar.  Call me crazy, but I prefer primers with silicone in them because I find that they stay longer and help smooth out imperfections.   I also like the way my skin feels when I wear them.  I chose to buy the Sephora brand Smoothing Primer because it does contain that silicone that I like but it also is mattifying.

Last time I was in Sephora I asked one of the sales girls if she preferred the Makeup Forever Smoky Lash or the Fresh Supernova Mascara.  She said she liked the Fresh one because it conditions your lashes and irritated her eyes less.  My allergies have been acting up so anything that will make my eyes water less is helpful.  I decided to purchase it this time because I am a mascara junkie and justified by saying that I wanted to take care of my lashes more and if I couldn't afford a lash growth serum, this would be a good way to do it.

$25 Sephora.com

I had over 100 points so I also received a sample of the Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara.  It's a pretty cute little mascara.  It has a rubber wand that does a good job of separating my lashes but I don't think it builds volume or lengthens well enough to actually purchase.  It is cute though and I'll use it if I want a natural look (like I ever do).

$18 Sephora.com

$8.99 Ulta.com

A few days later I was trying to figure out what hair style I wanted (I had a hair appointment the next morning) when my friend called and suggested we go to CVS to look at some hair magazines for inspiration.  I also had a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase so we decided to take advantage of that.  I walked around for a while in the cosmetics department and helped my friend pick out new eyeliner, lipstick, and lipgloss while I picked up and put back several things for myself.  The only thing that I did end up leaving with was the Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude.  I actually like this color.  It's a slightly more opaque and peachy version of Creme D' Nude by MAC.  We did end up looking for hairstyles and ultimately decided that I like how I've been getting my hair cut, I just need a trim...and full blunt bangs!

The next day I went to get my hair cut and it took 4 hours!!!  I went from a deep auburn to a light coppery, almost strawberry blonde color.  Not exactly what I asked for but I'm rocking it so whatever.  Upon my many trips from the color chair to the shampoo station I noticed a display in the manicure room that had they Katy Perry by OPI Nail Polishes and I spotted Teenage Dream!  I have wanted this color ever since I could no longer get it.  That's how things work with me though.  If I see swatches online and I fall in love with it, chances are it is already sold out.  I heard that Sally Hansen's Strobe Light nail polish is similar and so I bought that and I can now tell you that they are very different and I'm ecstatic that I was able to find it.  I might go back and get another one because they had several and do a give away in the future if I ever get more followers.

$29 Sephora.com

I woke up early the next day to go to a kickboxing class with a friend which was truly one of the most difficult and painful experiences of my life.  I have decided that I need to start eating better, working out and most importantly quit smoking.  We went back to her house and had smoothies then went to a park in our city to walk around their 3 mile lake.  After that it was lunch at a health food store, shower and a trip to Sephora again to help her mom pick out new makeup for an upcoming performance.  While I was in Sephora, I decided to treat myself to a new eye cream I've been wanting for some time.  I had a sample of the Clinique All About Eyes Rich eye cream and enjoyed it very much.  Despite it being so rich, it sinks into your skin quickly and doesn't cause any extra creasing of my under eye concealer.  So far, I'm pretty happy with it but I haven't noticed any major improvements. 

$48 Ulta.com

While out shopping yesterday for a new dustpan and cleaning supplies I tricked my boyfriend into going to the shopping center where our Ulta is by saying that I wanted to pick up a movie from the Best Buy that was close by.  We found the movie and then I made an excuse saying that I had to run into Ulta for bobby pins and he could meet me over there when he was done.  I actually wanted to get the John Frieda Radiant Red color glaze to help deepen up the red in my hair.  Turns out they don't make that anymore so that was a bust but while I was in there, I did see that they had an Urban Decay Naked Palette in a display.  Eager to snatch up this coveted palette, I literally ran back to the Urban Decay section to pick one up.  They weren't there so as I made my way back up to the front of the store to ask if I could buy the display one (it was unused and in a clear box to protect it from the elements) I saw a whole stack of them.  I was tempted to buy two as my sister's birthday is coming up this week but settled for just the one because $48 is a lot of money to spend on her when she does not appreciate hard to find makeup as I do. 

$19 Ulta.com

If you purchased over $25 worth of Urban Decay products at Ulta right now you get three free samples. They're really small but I'm actually enjoying them and thinking about purchasing the full size of at least two of them.  The first one was the Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in the color Midnight Cowboy.  This has become a color that is gaining a lot of hype like Stila's Kitten did a few years ago.  They're branching out from just the eyeshadows to an eye liner and now lip gloss.  Like the eye shadow it is a shimmery beige color with silver flecks in it.  It is a plumping and cooling lipgloss that is not uncomfortable like lip venom.  It is sticky but I think the very wearable and beautiful color makes up for it for me.  I like MAC  lipglasses so I rarely have issues with stickiness.  Also included in that was the Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Wallflower.  This one is a neutral pink my lips but better color that would be very flattering on a variety of skin tones.  The last thing that I got was a sample of the Stardust eye shadow in the color Retrograde.  It's a mid-tone purple with a lot of silver glitter in it.  I don't buy a lot of Urban Decay eye shadows because 1. They're really expensive and 2. They tend to have a lot of glitter that falls out on to your face and is impossible to get off.  It's not really pigmented and the glitter would drive me crazy so I don't think I'll use this.  I'll probably give this to my friend who's birthday is coming up. 

Well that's if for my haul.  As you can see I didn't get a lot at each shopping trip but did end up going out a whole lot.  I really have to stop this.  Being a makeup artist, I can write these purchases off on my taxes but that doesn't help me with money until next year.  I think I'm going to start a project 10 pan in the very near future.  Anyway, as always let me know if there's something you'd like reviewed or if you've used any of these in the past and what you've thought of them. 

Thanks so much!!!