MAC To the Beach Look: Clarins + Neon Orange

This is the look I ended up wearing to attend my local MAC’s To the Beach event.  I had originally planned to do something bolder and brighter on the eyes, but I ran out of time, so I just went with the look I started the day with!

I’m happy to say I snagged the one item that really had me smile — the MAC To the Beach Bag ($49.95).  It’s huge and cute and the perfect beach bag.  It makes me want to go to the beach ASAP!  Some photos of its loveliness and size comparisons included in this post!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Benefit Stay Don’t Stray (neutral base), Clarins Instant Sun Light Eyeshadow Palette, MAC Opulash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Marine Life High Light Powder (coral-red)
• Lips: MAC Temperature Rising Lip Pencil (neon orange), MAC Easy Lounger Lipglass (sheer pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Marine Life = NARS Deep Throat; Temperature Rising = Neon Orange lipstick; Easy Lounger = Prr

For eyes, start by applying Stay Don’t Stray as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 239, apply the light peach eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid. Next, apply the medium brown eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid, softly into the crease. To define the crease, apply the dark chocolate brown eyeshadow with the 226. Blend the lightest shade above the crease and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying the dark brown eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Marine Life high light powder to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Temperature Rising lip pencil first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Coral on one side, conch shell on the other; canvas

I originally tried to put Mellan *in* the bag. I got his butt in there, but I couldn’t quite manage the get the two front feet in… but hey, his big butt fit!   He threatened to eat the bag if I took a photo… he wanted to hold onto his dignity.  In all honesty, this bag is the perfect size for a beach bag, but I’ll probably use it more as a doggy bag myself.  Mellan doesn’t travel light!

See, it’s HUGE! Mellan is a purebred labrador — 70 pounds, lanky and lean and mean.

He’s totally thinking those handles look like his tug ropes…

He’s two seconds away from getting his snack on, I swear!

Unpleased dog is unpleased!

See, isn’t the bag HUGE?

MAC To the Beach Collection — Eye Kohls & Lip Pencils Review, Photos, Swatches

To the Beach also sees the introduction of two limited edition lip pencils and one limited edition eye kohl (plus a repromote of a permanent shade).  I liked both of the Eye Kohls, but I found the Lip Pencils to have a bit of a rough texture, even after heavily swatching them to smooth down the point.

• Rosemary & Thyme is a gilded olive-green with an antique gold sheen. This is a permanent shade, but a gorgeous color to own if you love wearing neutrals, metallics, or greens.
• Float on By is an aqua sea-blue with a silverish-metallic blue sheen. I love the color, but I feel like if you own the majority of UD’s 24/7 liners, you probably have this already.
• Life’s a Breeze is a soft medium pink with yellow undertones. It can be difficult to find really awesome lip pencils that suit your natural tone, and I have to say finding a great warmer pink can be more challenging as well.
• Temperature Rising is a bright, neon orange. This is totally construction cone orange to me.

Edited:  Review for wear added, now that I’ve had several hours to wear these…

The Eye Kohls wear okay, but they’re not immovable.  I don’t, generally, have major issues with eyeliners fading or smudging on me, but I find these fade a bit by hour three.  I think those more prone to smudged eyeliner will find the kohls a little more difficult to work with–unless you set with sealer or powder, then they stay put.  As far as the Lip Pencils go, those were just fine.  They stayed in place, did their job (helping lipstick adhere to your lips, defining lips, etc.).

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Eye & Lip Pencils

Rosemary & Thyme, Float on By, Life’s a Breeze, Temperature Rising

Rosemary & Thyme, Float on By, Life’s a Breeze, Temperature Rising

Rosemary & Thyme, Float on By

Life’s a Breeze, Temperature Rising