MAC Pro Palettes Steeply Discounted

I don't know if any of you guys use MAC's palettes for easy storage, they're marked down to super discounted prices.  I'm not sure if MAC is getting rid of them or re-doing them, but if you've ever wanted them and thought they were too pricey, now is the time to stock up.  The single and duo palettes (that you need inserts for) as well as the 4-quad eyeshadow palette are all $8.00.  The inserts for the single and duo palettes are all $2.00.  To put this into perspective, I believe the duo palette prices were $25.00 and the inserts were $12-15.00.  That's a big difference.  The benefit in having a palette is that you can order the "refill pan" of eyeshadows and blushes, and they are cheaper than the regular price that come in the MAC packaging.  Regular price eyeshadows are $15.  Palette refill pans are $10.  That's $5 difference.  Only thing is you have to put them in a palette of some sort to hold them.  It's great and economical from that standpoint if you buy/have a ton of MAC eyeshadows.  (Can I make an argument about the environment too??)

MAC Nudes & Metallics Collection...Available Online NOW

MAC's latest collection is the Nudes & Metallics Collection, which is a limited edition, online (or pro store) only collection.  So if you're interested in any of these babies, you've got to go online and order them.  Unfortunately, this is a collection I wished they had in stores, because it contains a lot of items that I personally don't enjoy buying without swatching, because I'm not sure how I'll like the product.  Specifically, nude and metallic lipstick. For nudes, because of my skin tone, I prefer to swatch, because there aren't many that look good on me.  For metallics, I never really like the finish/feel of them, so I usually pass.  But I wouldn't pass if the color of one was absolutely to die for. The collection is broken down into two parts: nudes and metallics.  Both collections have four lipsticks, four eyeshadows, and one blush.  Everything is limited edition. 

Nudes:

• Angel's Kiss (amplified lipstick)
• Wholesome (amplified lipstick)
• Nearly Nude (amplified lipstick)
• Restrained (amplified lipstick)
• Bare Minimum (satin eyeshadow)
• Glimpse of Flesh (satin eyeshadow)
• Body Conscious (satin eyeshadow)
• Exposed (satin eyeshadow)
• Barefaced (satin blush)

Metallics:

• Dominate (frost metallic lipstick)-deep purple
• Pre-Raphaelite (frost metallic lipstick)-berry
• Subverted (frost metallic lipstick)-brown
• Show-All (frost metallic lipstick)-red
• Love's Lure (veluxe pearl eyeshadow)-deep red
• Brazenly (veluxe pearl eyeshadow)-deep purple
• Crimson Tryst (veluxe pearl eyeshadow)-berry red
• Deep Fixation (veluxe pearl eyeshadow)-deep brown
• Stylish Me (satin blush)-mauveish

Looking at the swatches, the eyeshadows look gorgeous and pigmented, which isn't exactly common for MAC eyeshadows (anymore).  I'm thinking of picking up some of the nude lipsticks and some of the metallic eyeshadows.  

MAC and ULTA Haul

Picked up a couple things this week, nothing much.  Got my MAC order in the mail yesterday and today I picked up a couple of things from Ulta.  Below is a list of what I picked out, and there are pics further down.   The MAC blush I picked up to use for contouring.  I'm not really great at contouring, especially with liquid.  I've read that Blunt is a favorite in the contouring world because its a matte brown, with no shimmer.  Perfect for a good contour.  Now since my skin is tan, it isn't going to be as "sharp" of a contour, but i'm only looking for something slight anyway, and I think Blunt will be perfect.  Also, I'm trying to get back into liquid eyeliner, and I haven't had a fluidline in ages! Fluidline is great because its formula is forgiving and a bit easier to apply than regular liquid eyeliner.  Blacktrack is very black, and as soon as I use it in a look I will post an updated picture.  I did not want to swatch it today.  

NYX and Almay was on sale at Ulta, so that's why I picked up a couple of things (none of which I really needed lol).  I also picked up another "Chic Red" lipstick for my cousin, and my daughter picked out a  NYX 507 lipstick (for her cat--which is a purse). LOL!  

MAC:
*Powder Blush in Blunt (a warm matte brown)
*Fluidline in Blacktrack (ultra smooth black gel eyeliner)

ULTA:
*Almay Liquid Lip Balm 800-Rosy Lipped
*Almay Liquid Lip Balm 400-Lilac Love
*NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cobalt
*NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple Velvet
*NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Black
*NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Purple

**Disclaimer: Excuse my squiggly lines on the eyeliner pic.  I was swatching with my left hand and clearly I'm not good at being lefthanded lol.**

Some of my favorite nude (and brown) lipsticks...for all skin tones!!

Check out the pics below.  From left to right: (keep in mind I have tan skin, NC 42-44)

1.  MAC Ruffian Naked (matte)-Limited Edition, but I picked mine up at a CCO
2.  MAC Altered Beige (lustre)-Limited Edition, part of the Temperature Rising collection
3. MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 (amplified)-Limited Edition, but again, picked mine up at a CCO
4. MAC Myth (satin)
5. MAC Pure Zen (cremesheen)-Limited Edition, picked up from a CCO
6. MAC Peachstock (satin)-Pro only color, but available to all on MAC's website (under pro)
7. The Balm's Mai Billsbepaid
8. MAC Mocha (satin)-Limited Edition
9. Wet N Wild 902C-Bare it All

I forgot to include Viva Glam II (Satin) in the original pictures, but I've got a separate picture of it below.

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Some of my favorite pink lipsticks...not too boring and not too bright!

See the pics below.  In order from left to right:

• Mac Creme Cup (cremesheen)
• Wet N Wild 901 B-Think Pink
• Revlon Creme 668-Primrose
• The Balm's Ima Goodkisser
• Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede 025-Socialite
• Rimmel's Kate Lasting Finish 104-Rosetto
• Mac Please Me (matte)
• Mac Lovelorn (lustre)
• Mac Creme de la Femme (frost)

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MAC Tropical Taboo Collection

...Available online at MAC cosmetics now (and Nordstrom), and in stores Thursday, 6/27.  This collection features a combination of permanent and limited edition items.  The collection is divided into two parts (similar to Temperature Rising).  It's MAC Tropical Taboo Face and MAC Tropical Taboo Colour.  It's a pretty big collection, with a lot of items ranging from lipstick, lipgloss, skin finishes, brushes, and so forth. It seems, at first glance, like many of the items are "mineralize" items...like the lipsticks, eyeshadows, and blushes. I must mention, however, that MAC is repromoting the ABLAZE and HEROINE lip liner pencils.  If you missed out on these lipsticks, the lip pencils are equally gorgeous.  And can be used to line the entire lip, FYI.  

I personally haven't purchased anything from this collection...yet. Any excitedness (it's a word, for real lol) I had about collections kind of dimmed after the whole RiRi Hearts MAC and MAC's near weekly "launches".  I'm honestly not sure if I'll get anything either.  Nothing in the collection really jumps out to me, but i may go in store to swatch the items. 

Here are a couple of promo pics that were in the email I received:

Tomorrow's the Big Day! Don't Forget!!

Tomorrow, June 6th marks the date that the second installment of the RiRi <3's MAC collection will be available online.  If interested, you have to act quickly.  The last collection sold out in THREE HOURS!  I'm personally excited for the Heaux and RiRi Boy lippies!! Might pick up the blush, but I'm going to pass on the lustre drops.  There's just too much to buy with too little money, lol. Especially since I want a couple lippies from the All About Orange collection, which will be available in stores tomorrow as well.