I always have been a MAC fan–not Macintosh, should you presume. I have my love for MAC Cosmetics since I first tried to put some makeup.

For the base, I used to love MAC Studio fix. It may be really heavy on the skin, so a pat here and there does the trick in pronto. It really really blends well, and holds the concealer into place sans smudging it or making it look obvious.

I don’t know if there’s been a change in formulation, but recently, I’ve been hating MAC Studio fix. It now tends to cake and streak on the skin; it’s not that buildable anymore. The compact also has a tendency to solidify, making it a lot harder for the sponge to get enough powder onto it.

To mitigate my annoyance, I decided to explore using a new brand for my base. There you go, I got myself a Shu Uemura White Recovery RX Powder-Foundation. It has SPF of 22, which obviates the need to put on a sun block prior to application. It acts as a powder when used dry, or as a foundation when used wet. It’s sheerer than MAC Studio fix, that’s why it really feels light on the skin and smells great, too! The problem with this, however, is that the color is hardly buildable when used as a powder. It doesn’t actually cake or streak, but it doesn’t blend well to the skin, specially those parts over the concealer. Sometimes, I need to use my hands just as to blend it, which smudges the concealer and making my blemishes (dark spots) look more noticeable rather than camouflaged. Another thing is, it’s a lot more expensive.

I’m planning to go back using MAC. I heard that MAC Lightful is the SPF version of Studio Fix Powder, only less opaque and more expensive (but the price is at par with Shu Uemura White Recovery/Velvet Power-Foundation). I also have another MAC options such as MAC Studio Tech or MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation. I’m thinking of getting one this weekend

LOLcats, considered to be one of the Internet memes with the highest impact, will always have a special place in my heart. Every cat in the world reminds me of it. Take Hello Kitty for example.

Speaking of Hello Kitty, MAC Cosmetics will be releasing its Hello Kitty Collection coming this February 2009. It reminds me of the Barbie loves MAC Collection, only much cuter.

*Purr, purr! Me wants! *

Who can’t resist the cuteness factor of Hello Kitty? Well, given my eternal state of shopping hiatus, I JUST CAN’T! I’m so getting a piece or two of these thingies. I’m super in love with this collection right now. Aside from the lipglass, I so love the key chain…and the brush holder to boot!

I’m a pink, black and white fan. So, the colors really beckon me to grab ahold of it as soon as the collection comes out in the Philippines.

I should start saving now. XOXO!

On the other hand, MAC’s Cult of Cherry Collection Campaign video is something to love.

This video is nicely-put and well-made. Me likey a lot!

Click here for more story regarding this collection .

Whenever I feel too lazy to blog, I’d use Twitter instead to fulfill my dire need desire of thinking things out loud by saying it online. Unlike the former, it doesn’t require a lengthy, often verbose post to prove my point. Just a simple, concise statement will do the trick.

I know, I know I’m too late for this thing. It’s been a hoopla for months already, but it’s only now that I enjoy doing it. At first, I didn’t get the point of creating such account and posting random blabbers anytime I wish. But then, in some weird way, I began to enjoy it. And, I’m still enjoying posting succinct silly thoughts every now and then. Mwuahaha!

Gingerbread Boys and Tall Hot Lattes.

If there’s something to hanker for this season, it’s gotta be a cupful of relishing Toffee Nut Latte or Caramel Macchiato. Pair it up with Gingerbread cookies, such as these cutesy Gingerbread boys, and nibble them all the way! Yumm…

And, uhm, this is the Place To Be…

Makeup and All Things Scented.

I promise myself not to splurge on makeup, but due to this rare occasion (MAC Sale), I kinda prodded myself to grab not just one, but ten items. I got 2 shadesticks, 1 lip liner, 1 e/s primer, 2 lipglasses, 1 lusterglass, 2 e/s and 1 lipgelee. Other items aren’t shown because I gave them already as presents to my friends.

I also managed to get some cheaper stuff from Fashion 21. Didn’t like the Smoke e/s liner though, ‘coz it’s too messy and doesn’t dry up fast. But, I wonder why the Lilac one has a different consistency and finish? Hmmm…

And oh, I just gotta lurve this Acacia Honey Soap from L’occitane! It smells so sweet, I just can’t get enough of it! This makes me wanna drop by to the nearest L’occitane stall later. Ha-ha, reminds me of Crabtree and Evelyn, though it’s a wee bit cheaper. I love sweet scented stuff. I was a Lush fan before, but now I find them too overpowering. So I guess, my new craving will be just fine…but at the back of mind, I still wanna get some Lush stuff. Stubborn me!

Smiles and Pa-cute Moments.

Enough Pa-cute Proof?

This may sound ridiculous, but I can really feel Christmas in the air. MAC Cosmetics is on sale?!

Yes, I’m not kidding. I think they do this once in a blue moon. Some of their items, such as lip glasses, eyeshadows, lipliners, eyeliners, shadesticks, primers, foundies, concealers, fluidlines, etc, are at 50% off.

And to share my deepest insanity to all of you, I think I got at least 10 items.

The sale is until, ehem, today only–Christmas eve.

I’m super sorry for posting this as of late. But heck, time’s running out. So, go barge in your nearest MAC counter right now.

OMG, this is grossest MAC Campaign ever!!! Why oh MAC, why? I’m an avid fan of MAC Cosmetics since its inception to my makeup “baptismal” world. LOL. I can hardly take this ad anymore. I’m gonna get sick. The worst part: the collection’s name is “Of Beauty”. Oh my…

I guess I’m not gonna grab their beauty loose powders lest my countenance may look as if it’s been shat…of something like this. Lollerskates!

Take off the shine and glitter and don this ultra sophisticated hue that spells dramatic. The bevy of totally intense, lavishing colors makes me pick a lippie or two. It says that it fills lips with just one smooth stroke sans the dry, sticky and uncomfortable feeling that most matte lipsticks have. Plus, the staying power is so superb, it promises to retain its rich color for hours.

The following are the 16 available shades to choose from:

Poise – Clean yellow pink (Semi-Matte)
Composure – Neutral bronze plum (Semi-Matte)
Flattering – Beige pink (Semi-Matte)
Café Matte – Rich caramel (Semi-Matte)
Orange Dare – Bright yellow orange (Semi-Matte)
Seriously Rich – Bright pink red (Semi-Matte)
Immodest – Bright magenta (Semi-Matte)
Night Violet – Deep purple grape (Semi-Matte)
40′s Pink – Neutral mid-tone dirty pink
All Grown Up – Deep chocolate brown
Tango – Dirty coral
You Say Tomato – Tomato red
Classic Dame – Blood red
Rapturous – Deep red berry
Powersuit – Vibrant clean yellow pink
Rougette – Wine berry

Suggested Retail Price:$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

She’s truly a cherry and every man’s Bloody Mary fantasy. Her seductress’ moves are truly impeccable like her skin, and every woman wants to steal her bodacious look. Dita is currently MAC Viva Glam’s Pinup Girl. Wanna get her look?

Becoming Dita

Guzzling loads of water and glutathione as well as slathering gunks of luxurious skin-brightening creams may be the key in getting her even-toned snow white complexion. You can nix this part if you want to retain your glowing golden complexion (too fair white is kinda off to me ). Well, why not fake it? Try using Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer as base to smoothen up those flaws like rough patches and pockmarks, and then MAC Studio Mist foundation or SK-II Air Touch Foundation for a flawless, airbrushed look. You can also try Makeup Forever’s Face and Body Liquid Makeup as foundation to even out your skin tone from face to body.

For the eyes, start with a shimmery nude base such as MAC Paintpot in Bare Study, or nix the shimmers with MAC Paintpot in Painterly. Then, color both rims with a smoky gray-to-black eye shadow on the inner crease, blending a bit of color outward from the outer V up (see MAC’s Smoke Signals Smoky Eyes Quad or Smashbox Decadence Eye Shadow Trios). Do it as subtle as possible since overdoing it may make you look like Marilyn Manson (her ex beau) instead! Prep your lashes with some falsies by getting a fab pair from Shu Uemura or check out MAC‘s newest range of false eyelashes. Apply loads of mascara to emphasize your peepers more. Fasio’s Power Stay Mascara has a budge-free formula so you’ll say goodbye to clumping and buildups, while Maybelline’s XXL Waterproof Microfibre Mascara works wonders on lengthening and volumizing your lashes up to 60%.

Skip using any cheek color, or use a hint of sheer, illuminating highlighter instead such as The Body Shop’s Glow Enhancer to bring your matte skin to a glow.

Note: Image isn’t the actual lip color

Finish it off with luscious red lipstick like MAC lipstick in Viva Glam 1 to finish a captivating dramatic look like Dita’s. It’s up to you to go all-the-way like donning your favorite lingerie or prepping it up ala burlesque queen.

If you want it really au naturel, you may try using Agent Provocateur’s Titillation, a set of lip plumper and nipple cream made specially to boost your seduction prowess.

Feel like shopping for lingerie, corsets, hoiseries, garters, pasties and anything needed for your own art of seduction?

See these shops right now!
Agent Provocateur
Dita Von Teese’s own stuff
La Perla
Marie Jo

Yet, it seems like I can’t resist the urge to get a packful from these 2 collections: MAC Painterly (which was released earlier) and the current, MAC Smoke Signals Collection.

I’m not really seriously digging into Paint Pots. But after what I’ve discovered from my virtual makeup aficionada-friends’ EOTD/FOTD, I’m solved to get a least one or a couple! These two are my must-haves as of this moment:

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study – gives a luminescent backdrop prior to eyeshadow application. I chose this over Painterly since the latter is too plain or matte for me. I’d like to try something frosted for a change neutral twist.

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque – I can’t give a damn reason though it’s slightly darker than Bare Study. I’m just curious why most of MAC junkies prefer this shade. Oh well…

The moment I first saw MAC Smoke Signals Collection (and its posh MTV), I was instantly bewitched by it! Simply put, this collection is brimming with elegance and sophistication! I’d go for matte or dramatic anytime! Smoky eyes and red lipstick really spell “glamorous” to the nth level! I’d love to hoard this collection without regret!

MAC Gentle Fume Eye Shadow Palette -almost everybody swears that this is better than the other palette which showcases commonplace shades. I’d love the colors. I love how it looks to the people who’ve already tried it. Oh my… I can’t wait to get ahold of this baby! ~ *drools*

MAC Lipstick in Sparks Can Fly-this is a great everyday lipstick. I just love its pale pink finish.

MAC Lipstick in Mellow Flame-I don’t have a coral-ish lipcolor yet. haha. that’s why I’m kinda ogling to get it too.

I’m still amid pondering whether to get either Soft & Slow or Bizaarish lipglasses. The latter is proven wild yet dramatic.

I can’t wait till the end of September. I’m sooo excited for this collection to finally arrive here!

However, during the past few weeks, I was drawn and beckoned to the nearest MAC counter in my area to take a lookie on MAC Flashtronic collection. I wasn’t really a fan of eye shadows since I don’t use them that often and I’m pretty naive on how to blend them perfectly. But, to my surprise, the color payoff is really worth drooling for! I’m talking about the mineralize eye shadows.

The gorgeous MAC SA assisted me in trying these wonderful marbled piggies. Each of them has this multicolor swirls, a mixture of at most four colors, which caught my fancy. I really want to hoard all six, but each costs P 1000, which is really pricey for a piece of eye shadow. Anyways, I got three shades: mercurial, lovestone and ether. I also resolved to get a basic eyeshadow brush ‘coz I was so tempted to try my loot as soon as I arrived home.

Mercurial gave me a lilac finish with yellow gold veining. To my surpise, it apparently looked good when I blended it with chocolate brown eyeshadow I got from Physician’s Formula. Lovestone’s color may look intimidating at first. But, as soon as I applied it, it actually gave me a cute, flirty rosy pink finish. Finally, I got to try Ether a while ago. Since its colors aren’t almost homogeneously mixed, I got to try wearing aqua and blue-black separately, then blend them altogether for a smoky, dramatic look.

As mentioned earlier, I’m no eyeshadow guru. Luckily, my first ever eyeshadow blending attempt kinda paid off. At first, I thought I might end up looking a black-eyed goth girl.

To complete the sensuous, smokey look I used:
*MAC Studiofix in NC30 as base
*MAC Concealer in NC30 for a tad lemish cover-up
*MAC Blot Powder in Light-Medium
*MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Ether (I put aqua on the inner V and blue black on the outer v, blending them together in the middle)
*Bloom eyeshadow liner in Ebony Brown (I lined both my upper and lower lids)
*BeneFit Dandelion blush for a hint of pink
*MAC Plushglass in Ample pink ( I chose a pale pink hue to balance out the heavy e/s color)

I’m ogling to buy one nude Paint Pot, something like either Bare Study or Painterly as an e/s base. I also wanna buy more brushes in the future, preferably something high-grade like MAC’s. And oh, lastly, I think I’m gonna need some tedious tutorial.