Winter favorites

I know I'm long due to this post! Spring has started almost a week ago, but here's a post about some products that I've loved (and am still loving) during the icy winter months.

First some make-up products. I've used the Naked Palette from Urban Decay almost every day since I got it, but I already mentioned that one in my fall favorites post. However, I'm totally hooked on the 24/7 eye pencil in zero. It stays on way longer than any other pencil I've used in the past. I hit pan on the Courtly eyeshadow from the Pedigreed Palace palette from the Fabulous Felines collection that came out around September. I looove this colour! It's great to put all over the lid and then some darker colour in the crease. I haven't used the fluidline in Dark Diversion as an eyeliner that much, but more as a purple base and I love how it looks. And then there's the Rosebud Salve, which I love in spite that it wears off that quickly.



Some months ago I bought a Give me liberty of London polish, in Blue India on a blogsale. I've been wearing it so much, it really goes with anything and looks great against my pale hands. London's Weather Forecast from Catrice and Evening Seduction from China Glaze are some older polishes I have, but they served me well in the Winter months.

The one thing that is so important to have in Winter (and well, basically every season) is a good moisturizing body lotion. Way back in Summer I won some Body Icing from Me!Bath in Vanilla Purity, and it is an amazing product. It is so rich and moisturizing, I don't think I ever used anything other like it. It makes my skin feel the softest ever and it smells divine. I'm almost running out of it, but I think I will buy this eventually. Yes, even if it's 22 euros. It is that good. O and of course, my good friend the Snow Fairy from Lush. It really is one of my favorite shower gels, it makes my bathroom smell like a candy store. I can't wait until next year to buy me the largest bottle there is, I'm so hooked on this but I'm afraid to use it. The day I run out of this will be a very sad day!



Sorry for the craptastic pictures, my camera was doing all weird kind of stuff. I'm kind of glad Winter is over now, I'm totally ready for Spring. But o how I hate Summer.. Can't I just skip it? Anyway, hope you liked my favorites (and maybe found some of yours in these as well). Time to hop in the shower with my Snow Fairy!


xo,
Michelle

M.A.C - Pro Longwear foundation

I've been using this foundation for a couple of months now, so I think I can give an honest review about it. I always wanted to try a M.A.C foundation, but there's so much different kinds I didn't knew which one was right for me. I've heard too many stories of girls that went to a make up counter to ask for help to pick out a foundation, went home and still weren't satisfied with their purchase. So I decided to do some research before and found this very helpful guide from Dustin Hunter. Check it out, it really helped me.

I like the packaging. I've had foundations with a pump before, but they always clogged up. Next time I used it, I got a big chunk of dried up foundation on my face. Who wants that? I don't really have this problem with this packaging, sometimes just a little bit. Wiping off the little excess on the pump after use really prevents it.

I just apply it with my fingers, one pump is enough to cover my face for daily wear. On the website it says it's sheer to medium coverage and I mostly agree with it. It's a buildable foundation, making it cover up red zones like around the nose or mouth very easy. I do find that when I use a green corrector on red zones underneath my foundation, it gives perfect coverage. If you check out Dustin Hunter's in depth review about the Pro Longwear foundation, he says you don't need any powder to set it. When I bought this foundation, the MUA tried it on me first and he did set it with a powder. It did look good for several hours, but at night you could see it get a bit cakey. So no powder for me. It does last all day for me, but when I go out at night I just put another thin layer on my red zones, to be safe ;).

There's only one little downside for me. I have combination skin, so I have some dry zones on my face, like in between my eyebrows. After I applied foundation, it can look a bit flakey. I have to pick out the little bits of dry skin with a tweezer and take a damp cotton pad to even out the foundation. The best part is, the cotton pad will have 0,0 foundation on it. You rub as hard as you want, only a good make up remover will get this foundation off your face.

+ lasts all day long
+ no setting powder needed
+ water resistant
+ transfer resistant

- not the best option for dry skin

If you're looking for a medium coverage foundation that'll last you all day, I think this is a good way to go. If you're looking for a good M.A.C foundation, I recommend watching the video and /or go to your local M.A.C store or counter to ask for some help.

I hope this helped,

Michelle

FOTD: Dark Diversion

A while ago, I picked up a new fluid line from the Stylishly Yours collection at MAC. I've been using Black Track since August, so I wanted something different. I have blue eyes, so I thought purple was the way to go. I almost went for Macroviolet, but I'm more into burgundy colors lately so I picked up Dark Diversion.

This is a simple look I came up with, using MAC and Urban Decay eye shadows. I think it's a nice neutral look to wear to school or when you just don't feel like wearing a lot of make up. I wore this on Valentine's day to hang out with my friend K. Watching Sex and the City beats having awkward Valentine dinners, haha.

Here's what I have on:

Face:
Sephora - smoothing primer
MAC - Pro Longwear foundation in NC 20
MUFE - camouflage cream palette n° 1
MAC - Fleur Power blush

Eyes:
MAC - Painterly Paint Pot (base)
MAC - Mylar (permanent), Courtly (Palace Pedigreed palette)
Urban Decay - Virgin, Hustle (both Naked Palette)
MAC - Dark Diversion fluid line
Urban Decay - Big Fatty Mascara

Brows:
MAC - Corduroy (permanent)
Hema - eyebrow gel

Lips:
Smith's - Rosebud salve

You might still find Dark Diversion at a MAC store or counter, but it's no longer available online. My skin wasn't in the best condition in these pictures, I'm getting sick a lot lately and it shows on my skin. Oh, how do you like my necklace? I got it for Christmas ;)!

xox,
Michelle

FOTD: naked hustle

It's been ages since I posted a fotd! I'm always in a rush so I always forget to take pictures, and if I do make pictures, I'm never happy how they turn out. I managed to get some good ones this time (I think!), so here they are.




What's on my face:

- eyes
MAC Painterly Paintpot
Urban Decay Naked Palette: virgin, toasted, hustle
MAC fluidline in blacktrack
Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara
- brows
MAC corduroy
HEMA eyebrow gel
- face
MAC Pro Longwear foundation in NC20
MUFE concealer palette
MAC Fleur Power blush
- lips
Catrice caramel beige
MAC florabundance

Wow, that's a lot of products when I think of it, but I got this done in about 20 minutes. I really like this look, it's very neutral (well, for me haha). What do you think?

xo,
Michelle

MAC - Painterly Paintpot

I've been wanting to try this out as a base for a long time. I finally bought it and tried it out for about a couple of months now. Not that I wasn't happy with my Too Face Shadow Insurance, I still love it. But I like to try different things. I can't help it I'm curious!

I really like the substance, it's creamy but not oily. It leaves a nice silky base for eye shadows. I like the way I don't have to wait a long time for it to dry, as some bases do. That way it won't get streaky. It also makes blending a lot more easy. I don't use it as an eye shadow on its own, but I think it's possible when you get a more tinted paintpot. I picked painterly because it's matte and it matches my skin tone the most. I can create the perfect canvas to put any colour on it.



The only downside on this product is the price, but you do get a lot of product for it. But still, 19 euros for a primer is a tad much. And maybe also that it doesn't come in a tube, but in a pot. So you swirl your finger in it, or use a brush. The fingers for the quick and easy way, or the brush for the hygienic way, but you'll need to clean it afterwards. Germs!


Pro:
- lovely texture
- great primer
- gives coverage
- quite a lot of product
- improves blending
- works with cheaper eye shadows too

Con:
- price
- it's not a tube (hygiene)

I really love it, maybe a little bit more than the Too Faced Shadow Insurance (oh ohh..). This is definitely not my last paintpot!


Meow!
xo Michelle

EOTD: burgundy

Last weekend I picked up 2 new eye shadows, 329 from MNY and Red Wine from Sephora. I was so exited to play around with them, especially the MNY one. It's such a bright red colour, really something out of my comfort zone. This is the look I came up with:

The pictures aren't the best ever. I suggest to get used to it, haha. The weather is crap for taking pictures in daylight and I don't like too much editing. The colours really popped out in real life. I know my eyes are really creasy, but I can't really help that. And I got this weird thing on my eyelid, but I honestly don't care. And yeah, the eyebrows. I know. Okay, now I'm done making excuses =^x^=.



I just used MAC painterly paintpot as a base and applied MAC's Mylar all over the entire eye area. Then I put Red Wine from Sephora over the outer 1/3 of the lid and blended inwards. Then I blended 329 by MNY in the crease. I also smudged some Red Wine on the lower lash line. Eyeliner is MAC's fluidline in black black, applied with the 263 and I used Urban Decay's big fatty mascara for the lashes. And we're done!

So, what do you think? Constructive criticism is more than welcome!

Enjoy the rest of your lazy Sunday,
xo Michelle

Shopping: Maastricht

I looove Maastricht. It's my favorite city when I'm in the mood for some shopping. Seriously, it has almost every store a city needs. I rarely go out shopping like this, I usually just buy one or two things. But I was on the hunt for some boots.. and I just got my paycheck. Oops! And sorry for the craptastic pictures, it's getting dark early here so my camera won't take good pictures. That's what you get when you buy a cheap camera!

Sephora was holding a 'buy 1, get 1 free' sale, so I picked up a burgundy eyeshadow and a new primer, since I'm almost out of it. I went to Etos to check out the MNY products, because everyone is raving about them. I was kind of disappointed to be honest. I guess you girls all like glitters and shimmers, because this line has a lot of them. Not my cup of tea. I bought a nail polish (in 669) and an eyeshadow (in 329 I think..). It's a pretty bright pinkish red colour in real life. It's so cheap, I thought, let's pick a crazy colour for once. I tried it and I like it to be honest, pigmentation is great. I also went to MAC to get a new foundation, and I got the Pro Longwear in NC20. I've been wearing it ever since (Saturday), and I LOVE it! My skin really looks flawless. O, and I got a H&M polish too, I've been wanting this colour for a long time now. So pretty!

Some stuff I bought to make my own jewelry. I got the two boxes at Xenos for about 3 euros each, so cheap. The owl necklace is from Claire's, it's so adorable! I really love it. The other stuff is from a exchange market, I don't know what I'm going to do with it. Any suggestions?

Vintage-time! Boots are from Trader's Pop and the belt and purse are from Giensch. I love these shops, be sure to stop by them on your next visit to Maastricht, they hold some real treasures. The boots are my favorites! I bought vintage boots in Antwerp last winter, they look a little like these. I ended up wearing those the most. I honestly do not have a problem with second hand clothing or shoes. They get cleaned, what's the problem?

And my new boots! I was looking for flats, not too girly and not too tough and I believe these were right for me. They're super comfy! I don't remember what shop they're from, I only know they weren't very cheap. Boo!

I bought a new nail polish remover from Diadermine and a suger scrub from Lush. They're in the first picture. I also bought a khaki top at H&M, but it was in the laundry when these pictures were taken. I love all the stuff I got, but I felt quite guilty because I spent over 250 euros at once. I really don't like spending so much money at once, argh! Do you guys find these kind of posts interesting? I wasn't sure to put this up because I usually post about products or makeup. I'm planning on doing a 'What's in my bag' post if you'd like that. Let me know! I'm trying to get some variation in my posts, I'm getting bored with it haha.

Meow!
Michelle xo

NOTD: MAC Love & Friendship

I've been a lazy blogger! I'm still getting used to the new school routine and it's pretty busy. Blogging on the weekend is a no-no, if I'm not at work, I'm spending all my time with my boyfriend. But hey, it's Monday, so let's hope I can get some posts done this week!


This is 'Love & Friendship' from MAC's A Rose Romance limited edition. It's a creamy, dirty mid-tone lavender, as MAC describes it. I'm so sad I missed this collection. I got the lacquer from a blogsale, but looking at the collection, it really would've been something for me. Aww.

Application was okay. The polish was quite thin but applied really smooth. I used 3 coats, but it looked nice after 2 as well, just not as opaque. I guess it's just a sheer polish? Anyway, the picture was taken today, and I've been wearing it since Wednesday, so that's 5 days! I only got some tipwear. The chip on my index finger is a zipper accident, woopsie!

Enjoy your Monday!
xo Michelle

EOTD: purple

I got bored with the black eyeliner I wear every day, so I tried a purple one. This is Gosh Velvet Touch eyeliner in Funky Violet. Pretty bright for me, but I liked it. Eye shadows were all MAC if I remember correctly. I used the Palace Pedigreed palette, Mylar and Shadowy Lady. I really love Shadowy lady actually, I should wear it more often! Anyway, this is not the best job ever but I liked it anyway.
And excuse me for the messy brows and the heavy bags, concealer only works to a certain point ;). I'm thinking of doing a how-to on brows, that's why I haven't trimmed them.



Meow,
xox

FOTD: Palace Pedigreed

Sunday I went to MAC to have a look what the fabulous felines collection was all about. I really loved some of the stuff, but I only got the palace pedigreed pallet. I still want a superslick liquid liner, but since they will be adding this to the permanent collection, there's no hurry. Pet me blush was too shimmery for me, so I took fleur power with me. And because I can't spent a fortune on makeup, I had to choose between bloodline pigment or my long wanted painterly paintpot, so I went for the paintpot.


Yesterday I had some time to play around with my new pallet and this is what I came up with:





I just applied the lightest pink colour in my inner corners, the darker pink all over my lid, the purple in my outer corners and the grey in the crease. Blend, and you're done! I think it looks pretty nice, quite natural as well.

Enjoy your tuesday!
xo Michelle

Collection: MAC A Tartan Tale

I read something about this a long time back, but I just saw this post on temptalia with some promo pictures.


What do you think so far? I really like the packaging! I'm also seeing some lipcolours I like.. And an eyeshadow palette.. And one of those blush palletes.. Uh-oh.

MAC - Florabundance lipglass

Just a quick post about a lipglass I recently got. I've got a terrible cold and I'm studying for my last resit tomorrow so yeah, today kind of sucks.
Anyway, this is my first lipglass from mac and I love it. I've tried out quite some glosses in the past, but the pigmentation was bad or it would only stay on for about 30 min. I got this from a blogsale a while back, and I didn't know what to expect. At first I thought 'Oops, that's a bit too orange for me', but on the lips, it gives a really nice nude look. It's really sticky, more than other glosses, but this also means it stays put a lot longer. I like the pigmentation, the color stays visible, even for after about 2 hours. I also like the smell of it, it reminds me of vanilla cupcakes.
I'm using this a lot now, almost every day when I'm not seeing my boyfriend. Lip products + boyfriend = no match, haha. I am quite sad the lettering on the package is already wearing off. I hate it when that happens.

Collections: upcoming MAC collections wishlist!

As you all probably know, MAC is coming up with some pretty awesome collections this fall. I really narrowed it down to the minimum, since I don't have a ton of money to spend. I still have a huge Lush wishlist, so I'll have to compromise. Boooo.



Fabulous Felines
- 4 september

Palace Pedigreed eyeshadow quad - courtly, palace pedigreed, quite spoiled, russian blue


Palace Pedigreed Bloodline pigment

Palace Pedigreed Pet Me blush

Yes, all Palace Pedigreed. I love this part of the collection, almost everything is so wearable. It's also really fit for my skintone, I love the colours. I like the other parts too, but they don't suit me as well.


Venomous Villains
- 9 october

Cruella de Vil Darkly My Dear blush

Cruella de Vil Devilishly Stylish lipglass

Evil Queen Vile Violet eyeshadow

Maleficent Formidable! nail laquer

Maleficent My Dark Magic mineralize eyeshadow duo

I was not too excited for this collection, but when you look closer there really are some awesome items. I'm not sure if I'll be able to pick up all of this, but I am definitely getting the nail laquer. So pretty! I'm still not a big fan of the packaging though ;(.


Pro Longwear
- october

Lipcreme in Overtime

I'm in search for a new foundation, concealer and powder. I think I'll wait until this collection is out. Maybe it's perfect for me, maybe it's not but I want to keep all of my options open.


Marcel Wanders
- november

I'm not even sure this collection is going to make it to Belgium, but the packaging looks sooo pretty. I don't know if I'd pick something up from this collection (or will even be able to afford it), there's still not much information about this available.


All pictures and information are from Temptalia.com. And apparently I'm going through a pink-and-purples phase, haha.

Enjoy your lazy sunday! xo