New In! | MAC Bangin' Brilliant Collection & Liptensity Lipsticks

I always get excited whenever MAC releases a new collection... or any new product for that matter! Thus, you can imagine my excitement when an email popped into my inbox inviting me to visit the MAC counter at Debenhams The Point to discover the new Bangin' Brilliant collection and the brand new Liptensity lipsticks!

Luckily, my dear friend Marija was invited as well so we both made our way together to one of our favourite makeup stores. We were assisted by MAC makeup artist Nadia and she guided us through the new collections and even applied some looks on us using them.  

MAC have expanded their permanent collection of lipsticks, eyeshadows and blushers with the introduction of the Bangin' Brilliant collection that consists of 29 bright and boldly coloured lipsticks, 24 eyeshadows and 5 powder blushes, all in various textures.

MAC Bangin' Brilliant Lipsticks - €19 each

The lipsticks are packaged in the iconic MAC packaging and vary from a straight up white to smurf blue, iridescent purples and blues to pinks, yellows and everything in between and come in matte, frost, amplified, cremesheen, satin and lustre finishes. The unique colours immediately caught my eyes and I had the pleasure of trying my two favourite shades from the collection - Model Behaviour and On and On (this was a hard choice but I preferred sticking to something I was more comfortable in). Here are some of the other shades I swatched on the back of my hand:

MAC Bangin' Brilliant Lipstick Swatches
Far Left: On and On | Top to Bottom: Time To Shine, Model Behaviour, No Interruptions, Wild Extract

Yours truly wearing Model Behaviour lipstick over Cyber World lip liner

MAC Bangin' Brilliant Dazzleshadow (€23 each) and Eyeshadow (€19 each)

The eyeshadows in the collection are divided into various finishes - dazzle, frost, veluxe pearl, matte and one satin shade. All of the dazzle shades are re-promoted whilst the others are all new shades. I already had Can't Stop, Don't Stop Dazzleshadow which was part of Le Disko limited edition from last year and I am happy to see it is now part of the permanent collection as it is one of the most beautiful MAC eyeshadows. Here are some swatches:

MAC Bangin' Brilliant Dazzleshadow swatches

Nadia applied some of the eyeshadows on Marija and I have to say my favourite look was the one with the blue and green shades. I really liked the combination of colours though both looks suit her well :) Oh and by the way, both the blue liner and the orange are eyeshadows from the Bangin' Brilliant collection with some Fix+!

MAC Liptensity Lipsticks - €24 each

The Liptensity Lipsticks, boast MAC's most pigmented formula to date and come in a spectrum of 24 colours, including a deep black shade! What's interesting about this collection is that MAC enlisted the help of tetrachromat (individuals who can see up to 100 million shades that most people can't) Maureen Seaberg to create a kaleidoscope of never- seen before colours, using the groundbreaking High-Frequency Tetrachromatic Pigments technology. My favourites from this collection are the nudes, reds, pinks and a beautiful lilac grey. The bad news is that the following 7 out of the Liptensity Lipsticks are limited edition: Stallion, Galaxy Grey, Life's Blood, Lobster, Fireworks and Double Fudge. MAC was kind enough to gift me the shade Gumball, a bright, creamy blush pink.

MAC Liptensity Swatches
Far Left: Life's Blood | Top to Bottom: Galaxy Grey, Hellebore, Blue Beat, Double Fudge

L to R: Liptensity Lipstick in Gumball | Dazzleshadow Can't Stop, Don't Stop | Model Behaviour Lipstick

Which products intrigue you the most?

All of these products are now available at the MAC Sliema store and the MAC Counter at Debenhams The Point. 

First Impressions | H&M Beauty

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Swedish fashion giant H&M, have completely revamped their make up range and we're not just talking packaging-wise, they have come up with a bigger-and-better-than-before range of products.

Sadly, we still don't have an H&M store in Malta so I had to wait for my trip to Barcelona last month to get my hands on some of their products. I tried to get more products on my trip to Sicily last week but the store I went to didn't carry the new range of beauty products so I have to wait yet again till December for our visit to Munich. 

Although I can shop online, the reason why I'm resisting is because I want to experience the products first hand as for example, when I swatched one of the eyeshadow palettes in Barcelona, I didn't like the texture and pigmentation. However, I did settle on four items which I really wanted to try and I wanted to share my first impressions of with you here.

I picked up a Pure Radiance Powder Blusher, a Cream Lip Colour and two nail polishes so far. First off, a word about the packaging. I'm in love with the way the products look but not so much with the way they feel. At a glance, the black/white and gold packaging really gives the illusion of expensive makeup but when you take the products into your hands, you can immediately feel the packaging is made out of cheap, light-weight plastic. Then again, this is a sort of drugstore brand we are talking about so I can't really complain; and they do look nice at the end of the day!

Pure Radiance Powder Blusher in Golden Peach

H&M has two types of blushers in their beauty range, cream (white and gold packaging) and powder (black and gold packaging). I got one of the powder blushes simply because I tend to favour powder formulas more and the shade I chose complements my skin tone perfectly. I wouldn't describe Golden Peach as a true peachy shade as in my eyes, it leans more towards a rosy pink with gold reflects. I like that this lasts all day and for €7.99 (5g of product), this performs really well. I like the hexagonal shape of the compact but it doesn't come with a mirror. The shade name can be found on the bottom of the compact and on the side of the outer box which I think is a nice touch.

Cream Lip Colour in Kombucha

Next is a lipstick which I must say delivers more in terms of packaging as it does feel heavier and sturdier than the blush. As for performance and pigmentation, I should say that both products are on par with each other. However, you do need to carry the lipstick with you as after 4+ hours, it would have faded in the centre of your lips and you would need to re-apply. I would describe Kombucha as a rosy shade with warm undertones that's perfect for summer as it is a little on the bright side. Again you have the name of the shade on the bottom of the lipstick and side of the box it comes it. The price is €9.99 for 3.5g of product.

Here I am wearing H&M Pure Radiance Powder Blush in Golden Peach and H&M Cream Lip Colour in Kombucha

Nail polishes in Cashmere and Carnival

Lastly, I couldn't not pick up some nail polishes but I restrained myself to just two and settled on Cashmere and Carnival. I have already worn Cashmere and it lasted for a week before I could see some tip wear which I think is exceptional for a €4.99 nail polish. Cashmere is a beautiful taupe with fine gold shimmer running through, making it a universally flattering shade. On the other hand, Carnival lives up to it's name - it's a mix of diamond shaped glitter and micro-glitter in turquoise, bronze and purple floating in a clear base. I haven't worn it yet but I look forward to matching it with summer outfits!

Overall, I think that the new H&M beauty line has very good potential and prices are very affordable. I really look forward to expanding my collection, so do leave your recommended products from the line in the comments section :)

Review | Catrice Luminous Lips Lipsticks 030 Undercover Nude and 040 Pretty Little Valentine

Catrice cosmetics have relaunched the Ultimate Shine lipsticks in a whole new format and are now calling them Luminous Lips. Personally, I had been waiting for this re-formulation to happen for a long while now because I always skipped purchasing the old ones because even though the colour selection was truly beautiful, they seemed to melt quickly (summers in Malta are very hot) and I generally didn't like them much.

However, with this new 14 colour range, I am definitely much more pleased. I chose two neutral colours to review which may seem very close but one is slightly darker than the other. 

The packaging is this smooth, satiny silver case which I really prefer over the mirror ones of the old range because you don't get finger prints all over them and you get the shade name and number on the bottom. 

Since these lipsticks belong to the Ultimate Shine range, they are on the sheer side but pigmentation is still decent and they have a shiny finish which feels very comfortable on the lips. I would say these last a couple of hours so it is best to carry them with you for touch-ups.

The shades I have are:

- 030 Undercover Nude ~ a standard nude medium brown with a shiny creme finish

- 040 Pretty Little Valentine ~ a nude medium brown that is a share or two lighter than shade 030 and has a golden shimmer running through. 

Overall, I am much more pleased with this new range from Catrice and look forward to trying more shades especially since they retail for a little over €4 if I can remember correctly.

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My MAC Makeup Collection to date

To celebrate the official opening of the first ever MAC store in Malta any day this week (the excitement is so very real!!!), here is my MAC Cosmetics collection to date. I purchased all of these items abroad as MAC is always the first store I frantically look for and thus, my collection still growing; and now that we will have a store here I have a slight feeling that it will grow in no time ;) I am always overwhelmed with the choice at MAC stores and counters but slowly I look forward to increasing my collection!

Lipsticks

MAC is of course well know for their amazing quality lipsticks. The colour range is outstanding as well as the different finishes - everyone will be pleased! Well ok, maybe not your wallet but you definitely will find something you like. Currently, I own three MAC lipsticks, Naked Paris {Lustre}, All Fired Up {Retro Matte} and Hot Gossip {Creme Sheen}. My favourite finish out of them all is the Creme Sheen but my favourite shade has to be All Fired Up which was actually chosen by my boyfriend.

Naked Paris is the first MAC lipstick I ever purchased (bought in Paris!) and it is a sheer brown nude.

All Fired Up is a matte fuchsia and Hot Gossip is a soft plummy mauve. I love the vanilla scent that MAC lipsticks carry and I am a big fan of the click with which they close. They are a little pricey for lipsticks but I sincerely don't mind paying full price for them because they perform really well!

Blush

I have two blushes from MAC, Gleeful Mineralize Blush and Dame Powder Blush. As far as packaging goes, I prefer the one for the Mineralize Blush which looks and feels more sturdy but when it comes to the blushes themselves, I can't choose between the two because both colours flatter my skin tone. Gleeful is more pigmented though and I suggest using a light hand to apply it, then build up the colour later according to your preference.

Fluidline

Probably the world's most popular black gel eye liner (and with good reason) comes in the form of MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack. I will always have special ties with this product primarily because it was my very first MAC product (my dear friend Marija from Pocalocca got me it) and also because it has never let me down. Pigmentation is to die for and it just doesn't budge once dry - it even holds on my mum who sweats easily and she always asks me to apply some of it on special occasions!

Dazzleshadow

Lastly, Dazzleshadow in Can't Stop Don't Stop. I haven't used this yet because I just bought it last week but when I swatched it at the counter, I absolutely had to get it! I don't think I will use it all over the lid but I think it will make a nice, dazzling eyeliner colour with it's purple base and multi-tonal reflects.

So that's it for my current, small MAC collection. What are your must-have MAC products?

Review | Pupa Milano Sporty Chic Limited Edition Spring 2015

If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook (if you don't go ahead and click the icons above), you would have seen my post about two new products I have received a few weeks ago from Pupa Milano, both of which are from their Spring 2015 Limited Edition collection, Sporty Chic which is made up of products in fresh, bright and sporty hues.

The collection is actually inspired by the sport-luxe garments seen all over the catwalks, which are effortlessly translated into the products - beautiful pastel shades with contrasting black graphic details with matte finishes that contrast the luminous finishes and a touch of silver. 

The Pupa Milano Sporty Chic Collection consists of:

4 Vamp! Cream Eyeshadow Velvet Matt (€11.70)

1 Vamp! Cream Eyeshadow (€11.70)

2 Graphic Eyeshadow Palettes (€14.20)

1 Vamp! Maxi Stylo Liner (€10.90)

3 Miss Pupa Color & Care Lipsticks (€13.50)

2 Like A Doll Cheeks & Hair (€11.60)

4 Gummy Matt Nail Polishes (€5.80)

Here I have the Vamp! Cream Eyeshadow 001 Shiny Silver and the Miss Pupa Color & Care Lipstick 003 Red Coral.

The Vamp! Cream Eyeshadow comes in a little glass jar with a pink lid and I really like when cream products come in such packaging because they seem to last longer than when they come in plastic jars. Now anything branded Vamp! by Pupa is bound to make a good impression especially when it comes to lasting power and this cream eyeshadow is no exception!

The pigmentation is amazing and if you're a fan of cream eye products you're in for a treat with this one as it doesn't budge, crease or fade for any length of time! I wore the eyeshadow for two Malta Fashion Week events and by the end of the night it still looked as if I applied it - even in the hot venues with all the spotlights!

I like that this eyeshadow is versatile enough to be worn alone or have powder eyeshadows layered over it. I give this a definite 10/10!

Next I have one of the Miss Pupa Colour & Care Lipsticks in the shade 003 Red Coral - a fantastic shade for the summer months. The colour & balm concept behind these lipsticks is quite cool and it is a much more sensible alternative to lip products that come with the colour and balm separate from each other. Moreover, this provides the richness of a lipstick and the protection of a balm without the latter hindering the pigmentation, thus I think it is better than a tinted balm.

I think this shade would be extremely flattering on just about any skin tone and I would say this lasts for 2 - 3 hours on the lips before it starts to fade away. However, I would like to point out that even though the colour fades, my lips still feel moisturised.

Here is me wearing both products in one look :)

I encourage you to go ahead and try the Sporty Chic Collection from Pupa Milano for a pop of colour to your look! A list of stockists for this limited edition collection can be found on their Faebook page and on the Pupa website you can find even more information and tutorials featuring all the products!

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Review | Pupa Milano Autumn 2014 Limited Edition Paris Experience I'M Lipstick 002 Berry Violet

Purples, teals, gold and all jewel tones in between are very popular during this time of year and Pupa Milano was once again spot on with the Autumn 2014 Limited Edition collection, Paris Experience. As soon as I saw 'Paris' in the name of the collection, I knew I had to get something from it and I picked up a lipstick in the shade 002 Berry Violet as it instantly appealed to me. 

Let me introduce you to the collection first, then I shall be reviewing the lipstick in more detail.

The collection consists of Vamp! Cream eyeshadows, 2 Multiplay pencils, 3 I'M Lipsticks, 1 Face Illuminator and 5 opulent shades of Lasting Colour Gel nail varnish. The inspiration behind the collection is actually the city of Paris and this is reflected in the palette of chosen colours and the lavish packaging of the products.

In fact, the lipstick that I have comes in a very attractive damask print box and the lipstick itself has a golden case with a mirror finish. The only issue I have with this packaging is the fact that fingerprints will show up all around the case...but I guess that's just me and my OCD.

I was immediately drawn to this particular shade of lipstick because it is the right kind of vampy purple that suits my pale skin tone and even though I have another 27685 lipsticks in a similar shade, this is the one that lasts the longest. For example, I wore it twice to go out for dinner and the colour only faded away a little. Deep berry purple with a shiny creme finish would be the exact description of this shade. The lipstick provides high pigmentation and a very comfortable wear combined with a very soft texture that glides easily on the lips. Moreover, the product is paraben free.

The lipsticks in the collection (RRP €12.45 each) are quite the covetable pieces along with the Face Illuminator and it's delicately intricate pattern. If you have read my other review on another I'M lipstick, you would know of the excellent performance of these little gems!

I highly suggest you check out this collection while it is still available at various pharmacies across Malta & Gozo. For more information please check out the Pupa Milano in Malta Facebook page and the Pupa Milano website.

Review | Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick 206 Coral Dream

I love myself a good lipstick and one of the latest to join my ever growing collection is the Pupa Milano I'M Lipstick in the shade 206 Coral Dream.

The I'M range, which comprises 40 lipsticks has only recently just been launched locally and it will be part of the brand's core collection.

The lipstick is encased in a beautiful mirrored silver casing and you get 3.5g of product. The packaging may come across as bulky especially if like me, you store your lipsticks in an acrylic lipstick rack but it's too pretty not to display so I place this on my dresser instead. Another issue that might bother some is the fact that finger-prints show all over the packaging.

Now let's have a look at the actual lipstick. The shade I got, 206 Coral Dream is a true coral shade that will suit most skin tones. It is neither too orangey, nor too pink - it's coral as it should be! Colour payoff is exceptional as with just one swipe, there is uniform colour on your lips.

As for staying power, I'd say this lipstick lasts for a good couple of hours and it never feels dry on the lips. On the contrary, it is very moisturising. I have liked this lipstick so much that I also purchased a limited edition of this lipstick from Pupa Milano's latest collection and I shall be reviewing it in the coming days.

Pupa Milano I'M Lipsticks are available for sale at authorised pharmacies and outlets. For more information, kindly check out Pupa Milano in Malta on Facebook or the official Pupa Milano website.

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Review | Yves Rocher Sheer Botanical Lipstick with 100% Cherry Oil #41 Iris Mauve

From my latest posts, you would know that I have recently been introduced to the French botanical skin care brand Yves Rocher and I was kindly given a few products to try out and ultimately share my thoughts with you, my readers.

The first product I am going to start with is this Sheer Botanical Lipstick in the shade #41 Iris Mauve as currently, this new line of lipsticks is being offered at 30% off in all three Yves Rocher shops.

The packaging is made out of cherry red plastic which instantly draws attention to the fact that these lipsticks are made out of 100% cherry oil. You also get a sticker with the shade name in a colour similar to that of the lipstick on the bottom of the tube. Even though the packaging is made out of plastic, it still feels very sturdy and closes with a nice click.

Out of the 12 available shades, I chose shade #41 Iris Mauve and I would describe it as a medium mauve-y pink however, you can tell from the name of these lipsticks that pigmentation is quite sheer and you will need a few swipes to get a deeper colour to show up.

Yves Rocher Sheer Botanical Lipstick #41 Iris Mauve {one swipe}

Yves Rocher Sheer Botanical Lipstick #41 Iris Mauve {several swipes}

Having said that, the product is highly moisturising and glides easily on the lips. Being made out of 100% cherry oil, this makes the lipstick smell so good you can actually eat it and it offers excellent nourishing properties to your lips.

Being sheer in coverage, you will definitely need to reapply during the day and who wouldn't want to show off such a nice looking lipstick case and have lips smelling like cherries with a glossy look all day?! To give you an idea, I'd say the lipstick lasts for around 2 hours.

Yves Rocher Sheer Botanical Lipsticks with 100% Cherry Oil retail for €15.80 but with the current 30% off offer, they come to €11.20 which is a good price in my opinion! In fact, I will go buy another shade myself as soon as I get the chance!

photo courtesy of Yves Rocher Malta

Yves Rocher have a total of three stores in Malta in the following locations:

11, Bisazza street, SLIEMA (Next to Sorbino and Ice watch)

219, Merchants street, VALLETTA (Next to Pumpkins Patch and in front of Caruana or the Electro store)

76, Antoine de Paule square, PAOLA (Next to Gauda)

For more information, check out their Facebook page here.

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