MAC Temperature Rising!

Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

MAC Temperature Rising Collection

MAC Temperature Rising launches online in North America on May 16th, and then will launch in-stores on May 23rd. I’m working on getting all the photos ready, testing the products, and writing reviews as I wrap up testing. For now, enjoy these sneak peek swatches! I would very much appreciate it if you could hold any questions until I’ve had a chance to write the reviews! Thank you!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Zoya Beatrix Nail Lacquer

Zoya Beatrix Nail Lacquer ($9.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “tangerine metal sparkle” with a Pixie Dust finish. It’s a warm-toned, medium-dark orange base with twinkling tangerine shimmer and sparkle that gives it a metallic, foil-like sheen, plus a textured finish overall. The closest shade I could think of, which isn’t a dupe at all, was Sinful Cloud 9, which similar coloring and shimmer, but it isn’t textured and is much more subdued. There are some other tangerine-hued polishes, but they were all creams.

With two coats, Beatrix was mostly opaque (there’s a hint of visible nail line from further away and with enough light coming through the free edge of the nail). Zoya recommends one to three thin coats, with three being used for full coverage for the Pixie Dust polishes. They also recommend waiting up to ten minutes per coat. I experienced drying time of five to seven minutes per coat, and I did thin to medium ones. Zoya’s Pixie Dust formula wears incredibly (and impressively) well for a full seven days with no chipping and only minor tip wear–and the tip wear is more like it dusting off at the edge, but it’s not as noticeable as normal tip wear. Another thing I like is that these are versatile; you can always apply a top coat and get a glossier, shinier effect if the textured look isn’t your cup of tea. It’s beautiful either way!

The Glossover

	Beatrix A+
	Zoya's Pixie Dust formula wears incredibly (and impressively) well, plus it's nicely pigmented, easy to apply, and versatile.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 9.5/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Share: Tell us what you love and hate about Return Policies!

my answer: I absolutely love when stores have generous return policies AND they don’t give their customers a questioning glare when they make a return. It’s just as a customer, you shouldn’t abuse the policy!

Too Faced So Berry Sexy La Creme

Too Faced So Berry Sexy La Creme ($21.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a “fuchsia berry.” It’s a brightened berry-pink with a very subtle pink pearl shimmer. MAC Deliciously Forbidden is darker, redder. Guerlain Extrait de Rose is more shimmery and sheerer. Revlon Raspberry Pie is slightly redder/darker. MAC Speak Louder is warmer. MAC Full Fuchsia is brighter, redder.

It has an incredibly creamy consistency that feels like it’s melting against your lips as you apply it. The formula has a slickness to it, though it doesn’t bleed or feather on me. All of that creaminess means that it is also very comfortable to wear, as well as nicely hydrating from start to finish. The color payoff is fantastic with opaque color coverage. So Berry Sexy lasted five and a half hours on me, which is longer than the average lipstick (but a little short for a color like this) and a good wear for such a slick formula. It also left behind a soft stain.

The Glossover

	So Berry Sexy A+
	So Berry Sexy has incredible color payoff, a smooth, creamy consistency that makes for a very comfortable and hydrating formula--and it wears long and well, too!
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 9.5/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →

Urban Decay Noise 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil

Urban Decay Noise 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil ($20.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright pink with silver sparkle.” It’s medium-dark pink with slightly warm undertones and silver sparkle. I couldn’t think of another cream eyeshadow like this one, so then I looked at powder eyeshadows. MAC Embrace Me is darker, redder, warmer. Estee Lauder Violet Underground #1 is pinker, less red. MAC Tease With Ease is slightly cooler-toned and doesn’t have silver sparkle. Urban Decay Woodstock is pinker, less red.

I’m definitely a fan of Urban Decay’s Shadow Pencils, as they are rather pigmented and wear well. Noise had fairly good color payoff in a single stroke, and it was buildable to mostly opaque color though I wasn’t able to get completely even color when all was said and done. The consistency was creamy enough to glide on without pulling or tugging but not so creamy that it creased before it had a chance to set. I did encounter some fall out from the silver sparkle while I wore the product, though I didn’t notice any until the fifth hour of wear. The color itself lasted ten hours without creasing or fading. After I removed it, my lid was stained a bit. If you tend to have reactions to red dyes, you may want to consider another shade.

The Glossover

	Noise A-
	I wasn't able to get totally opaque color with the pencil alone, and there was some fall out from the silver glitter. It was still mostly opaque, though, and it is an unusual color to find in a cream eyeshadow product!
	Product 9.5/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches! Continue reading →