MAC Matters Challenge! April post!

(Image permission from Pammy of Pammyblogsbeauty)

Whats the MAC Matters Challenge you ask? Well I'll tell you.  It was the brainchild of Pammy at PammyBlogsBeauty.  She realized that for the 21$ a month she was putting towards her Glossybox subscription  she could be picking up full size items at MAC and build up her MAC collection instead!

That's a brilliant idea. 

Here are the rules:

*Purchase at least 1 item a month.

*Any remainder can be saved and put towards the following month

Ok, so I totally broke the rules but I hope Pammy will forgive me! My hubby *J* had been sick with complications of his diabetes for the past two months (since Feb..and it literally came at the worst time..).  For a full rundown of what was up, click here.  

Now! On to the Challenge!  I missed 2 months , so I'm sure you're wondering if I went buckwild crazy and spent $60 at MAC?  Umm..no.  Sorry! I thought it would be cheating to do that more then once.  However the time spent away from MAC gave me time to think about what I wanted.  

I wanted a lippie. 

I've heard stories about how you cant have just one, and I must say, for $15 how can you just get one? Well, when you have the watchful eyes of your hubby on you, and your four year old running amok in a MAC store you can.  I normally shy away from trying on lipsticks in stores (ahhh germs!) but the SA was so helpful, and sweet, I decided to go for it (she also cleaned every one with alcohol).  After trying on four lippies, I settled on Sunny Seoul. 

.

MAC is notorious for  its many collections, but from what I gather this was from the Fall 2012 collection.  Its a "Creamsheen formula".  I'm not gonna lie..I had to google what that meant.  The Fancy Face has an excellent guide. Apparently all it means is its creamy, and has a glossy sheen. Whatever.  All I know is I dig this color. 

MAC describes it as a "frosted light warm pink".  Sure.. or..It looks more like a sheer pinky coral to me.  Either way, its a win! 

What I spent:

Budget:$21

Spent:$15.95 ($16/includes tax)

Leftovers:$5

By the way.  In my last MAC Matters post I mentioned the lackluster customer service at the MAC store in The Westchester.  I'm happy to say that the customer service at the MAC store at the Stamford Town Center is infinitely better!

What are your favorite MAC Lippies?  What should I get next month with my $26 dollars?

Mac Matters Challenge-January!

(image permission from pammyblogsbeauty)

Whats the MAC Matters Challenge you ask? Well I'll tell you.  It was the brainchild of Pammy at PammyBlogsBeauty.  She realized that for the 21$ a month she was putting towards her Glossybox subscription  she could be picking up full size items at MAC and build up her MAC collection instead!

That's a brilliant idea. 

Here are the rules:

• Purchase at least 1 item a month.
• Any remainder can be saved and put towards the following month

Whew.  Came in under the wire for this month eh? Last month I picked up a blush, and eyeshadow (here's a link to the post).

 Here's what I picked up this month:

MAC Powerpoint eye pencil in Bountiful Brown

I admit I was completely torn this month.  I am a complete blush/eyeshadow fiend.  I cant get enough.  However best bud Victoria pointed out that I need a few more eyeliners in my life .  So I went in and asked for a soft eyeliner pencil that lasts all day.  I wear glasses, and with my dark hair and dark eyes...dark eyeliners are too much.  

I had actually chosen Stubborn Brown, and they handed this to me instead (and I admit, I didn't double check).  However, it was fortuitous, because I love this! Bountiful Brown is described as "Brown with a bronze edge" and that is so true.  Its a beautiful shimmery bronze (not glittery).  I love how it lightens up my eyes!  I haven't tried this on my waterline yet,  but it did wear well for the few hours I was home.

Here's a rundown of what I spent:

Budget : $21.00

MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Bountiful Brown: $15.00

Tax: $1.26

Total: $16.26

Leftovers: $4.74

By the way. I'm still not happy with the customer service in my local MAC...I was there with my daughter (who is well behaved..), on a Tuesday , and there were 3 SA there, with one other customer besides myself, and they barely gave me the time of day.  She handed me Stubborn Brown and said "Here..try an eye look with this.." and walked away.  WELL.  I guess Im just used to the happy smiling clerks in Sephora...

Aside from the lackluster customer service (maybe there's a better one in Greenwich?), and the fact I received the wrong color, I am super happy with my purchase!  I will be using this, and I'm happy to have an eyeliner that might finally last all day on me. 

I'm thinking a lipstick next month..any suggestions?

MAC Matters Challenge! (Nov & Dec)

(image permission by pammyblogsbeauty)

Hello all! I've decided to join with PammyBlogsBeauty and her MAC Matters Challenge!

Whats the MAC Matters Challenge you ask? Well I'll tell you.  It was the brainchild of Pammy at PammyBlogsBeauty.  She realized that for the 21$ a month she was putting towards her Glossybox subsciption, she could be picking up full size items at MAC and build up her MAC collection instead!

That's a brilliant idea. 

Here are the rules:

• Purchase at least 1 item a month.
• Any remainder can be saved and put towards the following month

 Here's what I picked up.  I got two items since I felt like I was "behind" two months. ;)

MAC Mineralized Blush in Dainty & MAC Sable Eyeshadow

MAC describes Sable as a Frost shadow, and Dainty is described as a "Light yellow pink with gold pearl". 

That being said, let me give you a short rundown of my experience   I decided to get a blush, and an eyeshadow to start my core collection. 

This was my first time ever in a MAC store. Ever.  So I didnt know what to expect really, except that I knew there'd be lots of sales girls there to help.  I have a bit of rosacea  and pinkness in my cheeks.  So when I asked for help choosing a blush (aka bane of my existence) , I was immediately pidgeonholed into a brown nude blush that neutralized my redness.  My cheeks were less red, but it wasn't a blush.  I asked for a blush that I could "see". I didn't want two red streaks, just a nice peachy pink sheen or glow. She recommended Dainty, and while I was there, I loved it.  Now? I'm still on the fence.  Had I seen the sparkles in the blush then, I would have immediately passed. Its nice and sheer, but I'm not sure if I *love* it.  I have 30 days to return it, so I guess we'll see.  

As for eyeshadows, my first thought was Satin Taupe.  When I swatched it though, it was a bit dark.  Instead she introduced me to Sable.  She said its an excellent all around eye color.  It can be used in the crease, as an eyeliner, etc.  I wouldn't use it in my crease (hooded eyes, sheeny/shimmery shadows are no good). but the quality of the shadow is amazing. Super pigmented, smooth, its beautiful on me, and I love it! 

Heres the rundown of what I spent: (I'm including Tax for this month)

• To Spend: $42
• Dainty Blush:$23.50
• Sable eyeshadow:$15
• Tax :$3.22
• Total:41.72
• Change: .13

Not too shabby..

Now lets play a game of : "How do you spell my name?!"   Cue * Game show music*

Dont ask me why (as I said this was my first experience in a MAC store), but the SA that helped me and rang me up, asked for my name .  I gave it to her.  I blacked out my last name (which was also spelled wrong), but my name is VIRGINIA, like the state. 

Here's what she typed:

WTF.  I know I know..its just a name..Just an "I" who cares.  I care. Virginia is the name of a state for makeups sake. Everyone say it with me. V-I-R-G-I-N-I-A. Three I's!

Whew. I feel better now.  Ok, so what do you all think of my choices? Any suggestions for my MAC item for January? Is Virginia that hard to spell? Let me know in the comments!