SHINE, SHIMMER & SPARKLE

Hello!

More details can be found here:

http://kaslovesmakeup.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/mac-pro-conceal-and-correct-palette-photos-swatches-thoughts/

Hello hello!

I thought I'd do this - a little of a shortcut though ... 

There are loads of things I try and some turn out to be awesome and become long-time favourites or daily staples. And I've yet to feature or declare my love for how these simple products have become staples I can't quite live without. They make my life easier and better. Here's the first installment featuring my MAC Lip Pencil, Biore bi-phase eye makeup remover and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

Let's start off with MAC Lip Pencil in SPICE

I LOVE this Lip Pencil for many reasons. First, Spice is the perfect colour - it somehow goes with all my lighter coloured lipsticks. From the medium rose nudes to the latte browns, the browned pinks, the pinks ... I just need this ONE lip pencil and I'm good to go.

The texture is great - it is a little on the dry side but since I always let lip balm soak on my lips as I'm doing the rest of my makeup, the lip pencil does not tug and pull on my lips when I use it.

I only use my lip liners and pencils to line the outer rim of my lips - and the formula of Spice is perfect. I don't ever have a bleeding or feathering of lip colour, no matter how glossy or slick the lipstick or lipgoss is. 

It's perfect in all aspects - I can't remember how much I paid for it but I'm pretty sure it's under SGD$30 - it's served me super well and I'm definitely re-purchasing this shade when I run out.

***************************************************************************

Next, we have my absolute staple - I use the Biore Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip almost exclusively now. 

There are a couple of other makeup removers I've used and like - the Laneige eyemakeup remover for waterproof eyemakeup (click HERE for that review) as well as the Sephora bi-phase eye makeup remover. But of all that I've tried, I find this Biore one the best.

It removes waterproof and stubborn eye makeup much more easily - I just need to hold a remover-soaked pad on my eye lid and the mascara breaks down - very stubborn ones like the Heroine Make mascaras take more effort but it still works. I still use a cleansing oil for the whole face (to remove all my foundation, etc).

Just a very simple demonstration - remember the longevity of the MUFE Aqua Creams and Aqua Shadows? Here's one shot from my Instagram feed

So here is a heavy swatch of the MUFE Aqua Shadow in matte navy

And here is it after it's been attacked with a Q-tip soaked with the Biore Makeup Remover

And totally clean after removal with a cotton pad

I've come to love this so much that I have at least 2 back-ups at home - the last time I ran out of it, I actually ran out to get it much to my Mom's annoyance. 

The Biore Make Up Remover for Eye and Lip is easily available everywhere in Watsons, supermarkets even - but I prefer to purchase it at Ocean in Chinatown. It retails for about SGD$10.50 there while it's at least $12-14 elsewhere.

***********************************************************************************

And finally, my SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

When the ads for SK-II first came out many many years ago, my former colleagues and I always giggled at the "toing toing" description. I used to work in a place with loads and loads of files in a filing archive and often had to deal with lots of OLD OLD OLD files and papers. I used to get highly irritated skin with tiny tiny bumps everywhere. That was when I first tried SK-II - a former colleague, Miss E, told me I could get a consultation and some samples and I should try to see if I had any allergic reactions. That was back in 2005-2006. 

I used the samples with no adverse reactions and I realised that the Facial Treatment Essence calmed my skin - the tiny teeny bumps went away. Skin feels soft, smooth and revitalised with prolonged use. And since my first experience with the essence, I ALWAYS have a bottle of the Facial Treatment Essence in my mini-fridge.

I don't use it alllll the time - my oily skin needs an astringent toner with AHA or salicylic acid to mostly behave. But when my skin is acting up and I get the bumps (when the body's really heaty), the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence always rescues it. I've tried a bunch of the SK-II products like the masks and eye cream (the Signs range) but I find myself always re-purchasing the Facial Treatment Essence. It's not a daily staple but it's a staple alright.

I usually apply it straight to my face but I recently heard that it's actually better to apply it with a cotton pad. 

*************************************************************************

So there you have it, the first installment of these Unsung Heroes - there's a whole lot more to come!

I hope you enjoy and find these mini-reviews helpful; do let me know if you share the same "heroes" as me!

Thanks for stopping by and TGIF! 

Have a great weekend!

*************************************************************************

Disclaimer: All products featured, except MUFE Aqua Shadow in matte navy and small boxed bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (laying flat), were purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated to any of the brands mentioned. All opinions are my own.

Hello hello!

I thought I'd do this - a little of a shortcut though ... 

There are loads of things I try and some turn out to be awesome and become long-time favourites or daily staples. And I've yet to feature or declare my love for how these simple products have become staples I can't quite live without. They make my life easier and better. Here's the first installment featuring my MAC Lip Pencil, Biore bi-phase eye makeup remover and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

Let's start off with MAC Lip Pencil in SPICE

I LOVE this Lip Pencil for many reasons. First, Spice is the perfect colour - it somehow goes with all my lighter coloured lipsticks. From the medium rose nudes to the latte browns, the browned pinks, the pinks ... I just need this ONE lip pencil and I'm good to go.

The texture is great - it is a little on the dry side but since I always let lip balm soak on my lips as I'm doing the rest of my makeup, the lip pencil does not tug and pull on my lips when I use it.

I only use my lip liners and pencils to line the outer rim of my lips - and the formula of Spice is perfect. I don't ever have a bleeding or feathering of lip colour, no matter how glossy or slick the lipstick or lipgoss is. 

It's perfect in all aspects - I can't remember how much I paid for it but I'm pretty sure it's under SGD$30 - it's served me super well and I'm definitely re-purchasing this shade when I run out.

***************************************************************************

Next, we have my absolute staple - I use the Biore Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip almost exclusively now. 

There are a couple of other makeup removers I've used and like - the Laneige eyemakeup remover for waterproof eyemakeup (click HERE for that review) as well as the Sephora bi-phase eye makeup remover. But of all that I've tried, I find this Biore one the best.

It removes waterproof and stubborn eye makeup much more easily - I just need to hold a remover-soaked pad on my eye lid and the mascara breaks down - very stubborn ones like the Heroine Make mascaras take more effort but it still works. I still use a cleansing oil for the whole face (to remove all my foundation, etc).

Just a very simple demonstration - remember the longevity of the MUFE Aqua Creams and Aqua Shadows? Here's one shot from my Instagram feed

So here is a heavy swatch of the MUFE Aqua Shadow in matte navy

And here is it after it's been attacked with a Q-tip soaked with the Biore Makeup Remover

And totally clean after removal with a cotton pad

I've come to love this so much that I have at least 2 back-ups at home - the last time I ran out of it, I actually ran out to get it much to my Mom's annoyance. 

The Biore Make Up Remover for Eye and Lip is easily available everywhere in Watsons, supermarkets even - but I prefer to purchase it at Ocean in Chinatown. It retails for about SGD$10.50 there while it's at least $12-14 elsewhere.

***********************************************************************************

And finally, my SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

When the ads for SK-II first came out many many years ago, my former colleagues and I always giggled at the "toing toing" description. I used to work in a place with loads and loads of files in a filing archive and often had to deal with lots of OLD OLD OLD files and papers. I used to get highly irritated skin with tiny tiny bumps everywhere. That was when I first tried SK-II - a former colleague, Miss E, told me I could get a consultation and some samples and I should try to see if I had any allergic reactions. That was back in 2005-2006. 

I used the samples with no adverse reactions and I realised that the Facial Treatment Essence calmed my skin - the tiny teeny bumps went away. Skin feels soft, smooth and revitalised with prolonged use. And since my first experience with the essence, I ALWAYS have a bottle of the Facial Treatment Essence in my mini-fridge.

I don't use it alllll the time - my oily skin needs an astringent toner with AHA or salicylic acid to mostly behave. But when my skin is acting up and I get the bumps (when the body's really heaty), the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence always rescues it. I've tried a bunch of the SK-II products like the masks and eye cream (the Signs range) but I find myself always re-purchasing the Facial Treatment Essence. It's not a daily staple but it's a staple alright.

I usually apply it straight to my face but I recently heard that it's actually better to apply it with a cotton pad. 

*************************************************************************

So there you have it, the first installment of these Unsung Heroes - there's a whole lot more to come!

I hope you enjoy and find these mini-reviews helpful; do let me know if you share the same "heroes" as me!

Thanks for stopping by and TGIF! 

Have a great weekend!

*************************************************************************

Disclaimer: All products featured, except MUFE Aqua Shadow in matte navy and small boxed bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (laying flat), were purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated to any of the brands mentioned. All opinions are my own.

Hello!

I finally decided to pick up Modern Mandarin Blush from MAC's Trés Cheek Collection.

Modern Mandarin is the only warm, orange toned shade in the 6-piece collection which predominantly features varying shades of pink

I can't remember exactly when the Trés Cheek Collection landed in our stores - I remember swatching them at MAC ION and liking Modern Mandarin immediately - it has this sheen about it that is just so pretty. Then I hemmed and hawwwed and my attention was caught by other issues like Mother's Day pressies, Jo Malone fragrance, Dior's Summer Collection, looking for a solution to my spots and crepey undereye - and this somehow landed on the backburner.

You know - "you snooze, you lose"? - I almost lost! Modern Mandarin seems to be out of stock in many many MAC counters. Of all I checked, only Isetan Scotts and ION seemed to have stock. So naturally, I zoomed off and picked it up.

I predominatly use 2 colour families for blushes - pinks and coral / oranges. I tend to choose the warmer tones in both the pinks and coral / oranges as these sit better with my skin tone. With the cooler toned blushes, I can always adjust it to suit my skintone by topping it off slightly with a warm-toned (golden hued) highlighter.

I pulled out most of the orange / coral blushes in my stash and here are the comparison swatches.

MAC describes it as a "red-orange" and I can see why - a true orange is what NARS Taj Mahal would be (incidentally, Taj Mahal is so saturated and pigmented, I'm scared of it. Crazy blush). In the swatch line-up, it becomes obvious that there is something else in Modern Mandarin - it's not quite coral, not quite orange-orange, not peachy, not pink ... it's a melange of some of these shades and the soft sheen the satin finish creates, makes it something great to have in the stash. The sheen is definitely visible but soft and not frosty unlike the overt golden shimmer in Shu Uemura P 571 (love this one; got one for Mom too!) and MAC Foolish Me.

****************************************************************

Hope the comparison swatches were useful :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day ahead

******************************************************************

Disclaimer: Modern Mandarin was purchased with my own money; all opinions are my own.

Hello!

I finally decided to pick up Modern Mandarin Blush from MAC's Trés Cheek Collection.

Modern Mandarin is the only warm, orange toned shade in the 6-piece collection which predominantly features varying shades of pink

I can't remember exactly when the Trés Cheek Collection landed in our stores - I remember swatching them at MAC ION and liking Modern Mandarin immediately - it has this sheen about it that is just so pretty. Then I hemmed and hawwwed and my attention was caught by other issues like Mother's Day pressies, Jo Malone fragrance, Dior's Summer Collection, looking for a solution to my spots and crepey undereye - and this somehow landed on the backburner.

You know - "you snooze, you lose"? - I almost lost! Modern Mandarin seems to be out of stock in many many MAC counters. Of all I checked, only Isetan Scotts and ION seemed to have stock. So naturally, I zoomed off and picked it up.

I predominatly use 2 colour families for blushes - pinks and coral / oranges. I tend to choose the warmer tones in both the pinks and coral / oranges as these sit better with my skin tone. With the cooler toned blushes, I can always adjust it to suit my skintone by topping it off slightly with a warm-toned (golden hued) highlighter.

I pulled out most of the orange / coral blushes in my stash and here are the comparison swatches.

MAC describes it as a "red-orange" and I can see why - a true orange is what NARS Taj Mahal would be (incidentally, Taj Mahal is so saturated and pigmented, I'm scared of it. Crazy blush). In the swatch line-up, it becomes obvious that there is something else in Modern Mandarin - it's not quite coral, not quite orange-orange, not peachy, not pink ... it's a melange of some of these shades and the soft sheen the satin finish creates, makes it something great to have in the stash. The sheen is definitely visible but soft and not frosty unlike the overt golden shimmer in Shu Uemura P 571 (love this one; got one for Mom too!) and MAC Foolish Me.

****************************************************************

Hope the comparison swatches were useful :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day ahead

******************************************************************

Disclaimer: Modern Mandarin was purchased with my own money; all opinions are my own.

Hello!

Here's a peek into the hectic activities backstage at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 where the MAC team was busy busy busy getting all models ready for the Mugler show.

Before that, let me share with you some shots of MAC Senior Artist Beno Lim, demonstrating some of this season's key makeup trends - I sneaked in some shots while it was being filmed :)

As has been key for a couple of seasons, the base is always kept light and dewey - fresh, clean, touchable skin. Prepping the skin is so important and no matter how hectic things are, I've noticed Beno and the MAC team to always carefully prep skin and blend out base products on the model.

To achieve this base look, Beno uses a mixture of products:

MAC Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion Serum is mixed into foundation - the foundations most commonly used on the models were the Studio Sculpt Foundation or the Face and Body Foundation. For a more dewey finish, Beno also added a teeny drop of MAC Cleanse Off Cleansing Oil to the mix for a lighter consistency.

While foundation brushes and stippling brushes were used to apply the foundation, the MAC Pro Performance Sponge was used to even out the foundation on skin. The Pro Performance Sponge is LOVELY - it is so soft and almost velvety. I very recently purchased it (SGD$34 at the MAC Ngee Ann City Pro Store) and I love how it feels when I bounce it or roll it on my skin - more on that in an upcoming entry.

To complement the dewey look, highlighter is applied - mostly in a "C" shape around the temples

I didn't quite catch what product that was but I do know that Beno loves the effect of MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl for that soft luminescence.

Shaded brows are also in - Beno took his time to fill in the brows with a Brow Pencil for that polished, full brow look.

As for eye colours, he also mentioned Green and Yellow are very on trend as well - Green is ALWAYS ON TREND FOR ME! Yay! :D

And the look was completed with a very soft burnt coral blush. Clean, fresh and bright.

********************************************************************

Moving on the backstage mania - models, clothes and the teams working at a fast and furious pace to get everyone spiffed up in time - I almost felt a little guilty for standing around in the limited space available! And I tried my level best not to use flash photography because I didn't want to distract the makeup artists.

There were actually 3 different looks used for the Mugler show - a clean natural look, a geometric black eyeliner look as well as a creative deconstructed RED eyelook. Mugler is known it's more unconventional take on fashion and makeup - Mugler's Creative Director Nicola Formichetti has collaborated with Lady Gaga and has been credited with Lady Gaga's Meat Dress in 2010 and the Egg Hatching yellow latex suit at the 53rd Grammy Awards

Nicola Formichetti and French Designer Romain Kremer at the end of the Mugler show at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012.

Image credit: The Star Online

The RED look is acutally an unconventional interpretation of the the black liner - the red is actually fragmented in the structure as you will see in the shots below - it is not one solid patch of red. However, the way it is carefully painted on still respects the "architecture of the eye shape" and thus tailors to and enhances the shape of the face, according to Beno.

For the red, MAC used MAC Chromacake and Paint Stick in Basic Red.

This was the look they were creating:

And here are shots of the MAC team, brows furrowed in concentration, getting the red look done:

That's Francis - he seemed to be one of the go-to MAs with whom several other MAs were getting the looks they created checked. Francis is a great MA - I've purchased from him several times - including my much beloved MAC #150 large powder brush - he's always honest when you ask him questions :)

As you can see above, the design starts off small and I was watching as how precise short strokes, lots of careful blending and concentration amongst the chaos was required.

Actually, I kinda liked this look that this MA, Zona, was sporting. I don't think everyone can wear this but she seemed to pull it off effortlessly. Niiiiice!

And no backstage report is complete without shots of the endless makeup strewn on the tables ...

More loot! Carefully-guarded Suitcase full!!!

I think buzz of activity really doesn't capture the momentum ...

And yet there is calm within the chaos ... models relaxing, chatting and taking a bite before the show starts ...

****************************************************************************

I hope you enjoyed the peek into backstage at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 - it's always fun to watch everyone in action. I hope you found the snippets of information on trends useful as well :)

Anyone up for trying to re-create this RED eyelook? I love the one Zona sported - I might try it!

****************************************************************************

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week ahead!

*****************************************************************************

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. I am not affiliated to MAC.

Hello!

Here's a peek into the hectic activities backstage at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 where the MAC team was busy busy busy getting all models ready for the Mugler show.

Before that, let me share with you some shots of MAC Senior Artist Beno Lim, demonstrating some of this season's key makeup trends - I sneaked in some shots while it was being filmed :)

As has been key for a couple of seasons, the base is always kept light and dewey - fresh, clean, touchable skin. Prepping the skin is so important and no matter how hectic things are, I've noticed Beno and the MAC team to always carefully prep skin and blend out base products on the model.

To achieve this base look, Beno uses a mixture of products:

MAC Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion Serum is mixed into foundation - the foundations most commonly used on the models were the Studio Sculpt Foundation or the Face and Body Foundation. For a more dewey finish, Beno also added a teeny drop of MAC Cleanse Off Cleansing Oil to the mix for a lighter consistency.

While foundation brushes and stippling brushes were used to apply the foundation, the MAC Pro Performance Sponge was used to even out the foundation on skin. The Pro Performance Sponge is LOVELY - it is so soft and almost velvety. I very recently purchased it (SGD$34 at the MAC Ngee Ann City Pro Store) and I love how it feels when I bounce it or roll it on my skin - more on that in an upcoming entry.

To complement the dewey look, highlighter is applied - mostly in a "C" shape around the temples

I didn't quite catch what product that was but I do know that Beno loves the effect of MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl for that soft luminescence.

Shaded brows are also in - Beno took his time to fill in the brows with a Brow Pencil for that polished, full brow look.

As for eye colours, he also mentioned Green and Yellow are very on trend as well - Green is ALWAYS ON TREND FOR ME! Yay! :D

And the look was completed with a very soft burnt coral blush. Clean, fresh and bright.

********************************************************************

Moving on the backstage mania - models, clothes and the teams working at a fast and furious pace to get everyone spiffed up in time - I almost felt a little guilty for standing around in the limited space available! And I tried my level best not to use flash photography because I didn't want to distract the makeup artists.

There were actually 3 different looks used for the Mugler show - a clean natural look, a geometric black eyeliner look as well as a creative deconstructed RED eyelook. Mugler is known it's more unconventional take on fashion and makeup - Mugler's Creative Director Nicola Formichetti has collaborated with Lady Gaga and has been credited with Lady Gaga's Meat Dress in 2010 and the Egg Hatching yellow latex suit at the 53rd Grammy Awards

Nicola Formichetti and French Designer Romain Kremer at the end of the Mugler show at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012.

Image credit: The Star Online

The RED look is acutally an unconventional interpretation of the the black liner - the red is actually fragmented in the structure as you will see in the shots below - it is not one solid patch of red. However, the way it is carefully painted on still respects the "architecture of the eye shape" and thus tailors to and enhances the shape of the face, according to Beno.

For the red, MAC used MAC Chromacake and Paint Stick in Basic Red.

This was the look they were creating:

And here are shots of the MAC team, brows furrowed in concentration, getting the red look done:

That's Francis - he seemed to be one of the go-to MAs with whom several other MAs were getting the looks they created checked. Francis is a great MA - I've purchased from him several times - including my much beloved MAC #150 large powder brush - he's always honest when you ask him questions :)

As you can see above, the design starts off small and I was watching as how precise short strokes, lots of careful blending and concentration amongst the chaos was required.

Actually, I kinda liked this look that this MA, Zona, was sporting. I don't think everyone can wear this but she seemed to pull it off effortlessly. Niiiiice!

And no backstage report is complete without shots of the endless makeup strewn on the tables ...

More loot! Carefully-guarded Suitcase full!!!

I think buzz of activity really doesn't capture the momentum ...

And yet there is calm within the chaos ... models relaxing, chatting and taking a bite before the show starts ...

****************************************************************************

I hope you enjoyed the peek into backstage at the Audi Fashion Festival 2012 - it's always fun to watch everyone in action. I hope you found the snippets of information on trends useful as well :)

Anyone up for trying to re-create this RED eyelook? I love the one Zona sported - I might try it!

****************************************************************************

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week ahead!

*****************************************************************************

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. I am not affiliated to MAC.

Hello!

A couple of MAC's Spring 2012 Collections have launched, the latest being the SHOP MAC COOK MAC and Chen Man Love & Water Collections.

In this entry, I share with you some some shots of the media event, some swatches of products that caught my eye and my itty-bitty haul :)

First up, Chen Man Love and Water Collection - a collaboration between MAC and Chen Man, an award-winning Chinese fashion photographer. The collection pays homage to Water and Love which Chen Man believes are the 2 main elements of the origin of life. Apart from blue representing water and pink representing love, Chen Man also highlights that both shades represent the 2 sides of a woman - the cool and warm.

I was keen on checking out the Mineralised Eyeshadows (I am ALWAYS keen on mineralised eyeshadows). Pretty shades but I skipped them given how I have similar ones in my stash. Love Cycle (left) looks very similar to previously released mineralised duo, Sea and Sky, one of my favourite mineralised duos.

L-R: Love Cycle ; Pink Union

The main star of the collection had to be the matte lipstick in FORCE OF LOVE - described by MAC as a vivid honeysuckle pink, it is a very saturated coral pink that looks almost neon in some lighting. It was also very opaque and very staining - the shadow of the swatch was still on my hand a day and 2 showers later. The striking colour must have caught the eye of many seeing how it was OOS in a couple of MAC counters (Tangs Orchard, Sephora ION and Bugis) soon after the launch - the BAs mentioned it sold out on the launch day itself.

*******************************************************************************

And next, we have the Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection - a palette of kaleidescopic colour collection that aims to "elevate the everyday into extraordinary" - everyday chores of shopping, cleaning and cooking are visualised in the most fun and cheery way imagined.

Love the pink shopping cart and the aprons!

The larger-than-life and very cheeky host of the evening :)

MAC Senior Artist Beno Lim on-stage during the demonstration

The collection features some stunning shades in eye-popping hues which compete for attention from the psychedelic prints on the outer-sleeves of the boxes - its a pity that the actual packaging of the products don't reflect the same colour scheme and designs which would have made it more outstanding. The colour scheme reminded me a little of an older MAC collection, the Manish Arora one, which featured similarly vibrant hues.

For me, the stars of the collection are really the lip products - the lipsticks and Kissable Lipcolours. The lipsticks span a range of textures and shades while the Kissable Lip Colours which first debuted with last year's Peacocky Collection, are really superb products - I have 2 from the Peacocky collection and I love them dearly

Pink checkered background courtesy of the very sporting Larry Yeo!

And here is my modest haul from the Shop MAC Cook MAC Collection - a lipstick and a Kissable lipcolour (totally ignoring my self-imposed lip product ban)

Scan-Delicious is described as a blue-fuchsia but it leans a more reddened pink on my skintone. I love the Kissable Lipcolours (I have Temper Tantra and Strut Your Stuff) for their texture - they wear very well over lipstick or on their own, are totally unsticky and have the right amount of sheen.

Dish It Up is a warm berry pink. Though a Lustre finish, it seemed to have good coverage when swatched - more so that what I expected of a Lustre. I like how its not too bright or too deep, which makes it more wearable. I seem to have moved away from the ultra kapow lip shades for a bit and I'm in one of my "lighter lips" phase for now.

***********************************************************************

Both collections, Chen Man and Shop MAC Cook MAC feature a gamut of colours and textures and I like the concepts behind both collections. The bright, zany, retro vibe of Shop MAC Cook MAC is a direct foil to the more silently strong and somewhat zen-like inspiration behind Chen Man Love and Water.

Have you checked these out? Any hauls or anything caught your eye?

**************************************************************************

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to MAC. All opinions expressed are my own. Products purchased with my own money.

Hello!

A couple of MAC's Spring 2012 Collections have launched, the latest being the SHOP MAC COOK MAC and Chen Man Love & Water Collections.

In this entry, I share with you some some shots of the media event, some swatches of products that caught my eye and my itty-bitty haul :)

First up, Chen Man Love and Water Collection - a collaboration between MAC and Chen Man, an award-winning Chinese fashion photographer. The collection pays homage to Water and Love which Chen Man believes are the 2 main elements of the origin of life. Apart from blue representing water and pink representing love, Chen Man also highlights that both shades represent the 2 sides of a woman - the cool and warm.

I was keen on checking out the Mineralised Eyeshadows (I am ALWAYS keen on mineralised eyeshadows). Pretty shades but I skipped them given how I have similar ones in my stash. Love Cycle (left) looks very similar to previously released mineralised duo, Sea and Sky, one of my favourite mineralised duos.

L-R: Love Cycle ; Pink Union

The main star of the collection had to be the matte lipstick in FORCE OF LOVE - described by MAC as a vivid honeysuckle pink, it is a very saturated coral pink that looks almost neon in some lighting. It was also very opaque and very staining - the shadow of the swatch was still on my hand a day and 2 showers later. The striking colour must have caught the eye of many seeing how it was OOS in a couple of MAC counters (Tangs Orchard, Sephora ION and Bugis) soon after the launch - the BAs mentioned it sold out on the launch day itself.

*******************************************************************************

And next, we have the Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection - a palette of kaleidescopic colour collection that aims to "elevate the everyday into extraordinary" - everyday chores of shopping, cleaning and cooking are visualised in the most fun and cheery way imagined.

Love the pink shopping cart and the aprons!

The larger-than-life and very cheeky host of the evening :)

MAC Senior Artist Beno Lim on-stage during the demonstration

The collection features some stunning shades in eye-popping hues which compete for attention from the psychedelic prints on the outer-sleeves of the boxes - its a pity that the actual packaging of the products don't reflect the same colour scheme and designs which would have made it more outstanding. The colour scheme reminded me a little of an older MAC collection, the Manish Arora one, which featured similarly vibrant hues.

For me, the stars of the collection are really the lip products - the lipsticks and Kissable Lipcolours. The lipsticks span a range of textures and shades while the Kissable Lip Colours which first debuted with last year's Peacocky Collection, are really superb products - I have 2 from the Peacocky collection and I love them dearly

Pink checkered background courtesy of the very sporting Larry Yeo!

And here is my modest haul from the Shop MAC Cook MAC Collection - a lipstick and a Kissable lipcolour (totally ignoring my self-imposed lip product ban)

Scan-Delicious is described as a blue-fuchsia but it leans a more reddened pink on my skintone. I love the Kissable Lipcolours (I have Temper Tantra and Strut Your Stuff) for their texture - they wear very well over lipstick or on their own, are totally unsticky and have the right amount of sheen.

Dish It Up is a warm berry pink. Though a Lustre finish, it seemed to have good coverage when swatched - more so that what I expected of a Lustre. I like how its not too bright or too deep, which makes it more wearable. I seem to have moved away from the ultra kapow lip shades for a bit and I'm in one of my "lighter lips" phase for now.

***********************************************************************

Both collections, Chen Man and Shop MAC Cook MAC feature a gamut of colours and textures and I like the concepts behind both collections. The bright, zany, retro vibe of Shop MAC Cook MAC is a direct foil to the more silently strong and somewhat zen-like inspiration behind Chen Man Love and Water.

Have you checked these out? Any hauls or anything caught your eye?

**************************************************************************

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to MAC. All opinions expressed are my own. Products purchased with my own money.