The Glamour Guide Beauty Blog

Power Base

 

On a recent trip to the Mac counter I learned a secret that has changed my life.  I learned the power of the base.  I'm not talking about primer (though I am adamant about its use!), I am talking about a neutral eyeshadow that you use on top  of your primer but underneath your selected colors.  Why the extra step?  Because: it's all about the canvas, baby.

This is my base, it's a color called Brownscript.  It is almost my skin color. Having a base that is close to your skin color is key.  I use it after my primer to create a perfect, uniform canvas on which to apply my color.  I'm not sure about you, but my eyelids are not the perfect canvas.  There are dark spots and light spots.  When I apply Brownscript, everything is the same shade. When I apply colors to a uniform canvas, my colors appear more even. 

Initially, I wasn't convinced by the artist at the MAC counter.  I went home without it.  Then I tried applying eye shadow without my base and I realized what a HUGE difference it makes.  So back to the MAC counter I went.  Trust me, it works wonders.

Brownscript is good under most colors, but I like it best under silver. A word of caution: a color this dark tends to mute sheer shades, so you'll have to use more.  Still, I don't know how I got along without it.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

 

LIVE GLORIOUSLY. LIVE GLAMOUROUSLY.

 

Reflections on MAC to the Beach

 

The MAC to the Beach collection is a beautiful collection of summer colors that instantly transport you to a beach vacation.  The collection is dominated by colors of summer: peaches, oranges, pinks, blues, greens, and bronzes.  The packaging reflects the life of the sea: shells, seahorses, and marine life.

The collection was so beautiful that items started selling out the first day.  Thankfully, I was able to get what I wanted.

Sand & Sun - a matte neutral eyeshadow

Firecracker - a shimmery pink eyeshadow

Shimmermoss - a shimmery turquoise

Life’s A Breeze - a luscious coral lip liner

Easy Lounger Lip Glass - an iridescent lip gloss with bluish-orangish glow

MAC Bronze Body Oil - body shimmer oil

Now that I've had a chance to wear the colors around for a few weeks, I really feel comfortable with the collection. The colors are absolutely beautiful and they are perfect for summer.  I wear firecracker and Sand & Sun most often. My two favorite items in the entire collection are the bronze body oil and firecracker.

 

Live Gloriously. Live Glamourously. 

Glam Session - Opinions Please! (5/29)

 

Today's adventure: go check out the MAC To The Beach Collection, which came out on Thursday.  I also wanted to check out MAC's foundations.  So my awesome makeup artist decided that MAC's Sculpt Foundation was best for me because it offers minimal coverage.  She applied NW47, and gave me a big sample so I could get a feel for it.

 I am not used to wearing foundation, and I felt like I looked heavily made up (though she applied a very thin layer).  Take a look at my pics from this afternoon.  Tell me what you think of this foundation.  Leave me a comment and let me know if you think this foundation is a winner, or if I should keep looking.

Also interested in thoughts about my lip gloss :)    

 And the collection?  Beautiful!  It is very popular, so if you like it, make your way to the MAC Counter.  Things are selling out very quickly!  Review coming soon.  

Live Gloriously. Live Glamourously.   

The Beauty of MAC Paint Pots - Part 1

    

 
 

    My policy used to be: “Never trust an eyeshadow that spreads like a condiment.”  MAC’s Paint Pot (Indianwood, pictured above) was the first creamy eyeshadow product I was able to trust.  

    The Paint Pots provide a rich color that you can spread on your eyelids with a brush or with your finger.  It goes on creamy, but dries down to a smooth finish.  The colors are vibrant, and they can be worn beautifully all by themselves.

    But thanks to the Paint Pot’s unique formula, it can be worn under other eyeshadows.  Because it’s colorfast and stays on well, it makes a decent eyeshadow base.  It doesn’t work as well as a actual primer (like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion, Smashbox Lip and Lid Primer, and Mary Kay Eyeshadow Primer), but it will hold your eyeshadow in place for several hours.

    I like Paint Pots because they are great multitaskers.  When I’m pressed for time, I can reach for my Paint Pot and apply it alone, or use it as a base and eyeshadow.   They are very portable, and don’t require a brush.  Every girl needs to have a Paint Pot in her makeup bag.

    The only downside to MAC Paint Pots is that the color selection is very limited.  They are only available in ten colors.  (Sad face)  But chances are, you’ll find one that will be good for you.

Girlie Guide Rating: A

Live Gloriously. Live Glamourously.

Pretty Smart

 
 

    This is the worst week of the worst semester of my life!  I cannot believe the amount of work I have to do.  It’s surprising what a cute look can do for the mood.

    At the moment, I’m taking a break from papers and homework and all the rest of the madness.  I am also showcasing my lips today with MAC’s Ruby Woo, a vibrant red with a matte finish.  Ruby Woo is a beautiful red and it works with a number of looks.  As a matte color, it’s almost like a lip stain, and lasts for hours - even past lunch! Hopefully, Ruby and I will make it through the day.

 

Ruby Woo retails for $14.00 

Live Gloriously. Live Glamourously. 

The Second Saturday Smackdown! - MAC Viva Glam VI vs. NARS Damage/Female Trouble

On the Second Saturday of every month, I will throw two products, or product groups, into the ring to see which one comes out on top.  It’s a knock down, drag out, fight to the death!  Ok, not really, but it is a brutally honest comparison.

Tonight’s competitors:

MAC Viva Glam VI Lipstick and Lipglass Combo

vs.

NARS Lipstick in Damage, and NARS Lipgloss in Female Trouble

MAC Viva Glam VI lipstick, lipglass, and combination (left)

NARS  Damage lipstick, Female Trouble lipgloss, and combination (right) 

Everybody has one: a look that’s a no-brainer.  It’s a look that works with any outfit and any make-up combination.  It’s the little black dress for your lips.

I had a happy monogamous relationship with Mac’s Viva Glam VI for nearly four years.  I could always count on it to make me look good: lip liner or no.  Then, I was introduced to NARS, and I tried Damage and Female Trouble for another all-purpose look, and I could not resist temptation.

• Viva Glam VI Lipstick starts with a versatile color: one easily influenced by the color of the lip liner.  It can take on brown, pink, red, or plum colors.  Of course, it can stand on its own, but the color is very bland.

• MAC makes it a 1 - 2 combo with Viva Glam VI lipglass: the same versatile color with tons of shimmer added.  Viva Glam VI lipglass is definitely able to hold its own.  It looks fabulous with or without a color underneath.  The coverage is flawless and the shine is deadly.

MAC  Viva Glam VI

 

• The challenger:  NARS Damage.  Damage is a pinky color, that looks good, but not great.  It’s a little on the sheer side.  Like Viva Glam VI, it adapts to the color of the liner or gloss it is used with.

• Damage is followed by Female Trouble: beige-like gloss with a subtle shimmer.  The depth of color deals a severe blow to the sheer MAC Viva Glam VI. Female Trouble’s weak spot: the color is dependent on a good liner or color underneath.  Without it, Female Trouble just looks like a coating of tan nail polish.  Coverage is not as smooth, but it dries faster than Viva Glam VI.

 NARS Female Trouble

    Glosses only!  Viva Glam IV and Female Trouble

 

NARS Damage and 

Female Trouble

MAC Viva Glam VI 

 

On my skin, I prefer the faithful Viva Glam VI.  It gives me better, more lively color.  Most people agree: Viva Glam VI is the better shade.

THE WINNER: MAC’S VIVA GLAM VI LIPSTICK AND GLOSS

Live Gloriously. Live Glamourously.