Meet Margin – my new Blush Hero

I’m developing quite a love affair for blushers. For years I was safe in the comfort of my regulars (Soft, safe pinks) but after I bought Mac’sMighty Aprodite blush duo (from the Wonderwoman collection) I discovered a whole new world of shades I’d never tried, and really suited. Blushers are pretty amazing, they have the abily to completely transform your look, and when you find a shade that’s just right for you skin tone – well, it’s pretty damn rewarding… cue Mac’s Margin.

My new blush hero, and an unassuming one at that. Don’t be fooled by margin’s appearance, it’s nothing special in the pan, you probably wouldn’t give it a second glance, I know I didn’t, but once applied it’s GORGEOUS! It’s name probably doesn’t help much – it’s hardly alluring like Dolly Mix or Ladyblush!

In the pan I’d describe it as a dirty peach – again doesn’t sound good does it!

In daylight

 

with the flash

On the face it’s more of a bronzy peach with a hint of berriness and a touch of shimmer. It instantly brightens up my face. It’s very flattering and works really well on my skin tone (NC25-30 if that helps).

The finish is a Frost. Just in case you don’t know, Mac powder blushes come in 5 finishes – Matte, Sheertone , Satin , Sheertone Shimer, Frost.

• Sheertone are quite sheer, great for a hint of colour as they apply lightly
•  Sheertone Shimer, like Sheertone, but with added shimmer/sparkle
• Matte is flat and without any shine or sparkle.
• Frost finishes are high shine and highly reflective because of the shimmer particles in them, but not glittery
• Satin is somewhere in between matte frost but very creamy and applies like a dream.

The finish on Margin is incredible. Although a powder blush, it’s not at all POWDERY. The texture is creamy, all most butter like – I think it’s more of a forst/satin hybrid. It applies like a dream and imparts a fresh glow that lasts all day. I think I actually look like I’m wearing a creamy blusher, but unlike cream it’s simple to apply and allows you to be more directional.

Excuse the brush bristles - I promise I don't have black hairs growing out of my cheek

Margin – Fast becoming my favourite everyday blush.

RRP £18

Best of… Pink Lip Glosses

Lip gloss is something I’ve loved for years. In fact it was probably my first make up love. I started with Lancome’s Juicy tubes then progressed to everything and anything shiny and glossy. Although I’m increasingly drawn to lipsticks now, I still can’t walk past a make up counter without sampling their latest gloss. My current obsession are nudes and peaches, but for a long time it was all about the pinks. Here’s some I have in my collection….

Left to right

Mac Viva VI Glam Special Edition Lipglass £12.50

I wasn’t sure whether to include this one as it’s at the lilac end of the spectrum, but it’s actually quite a nudey pink when applied. Typical of Mac Lipglasses it’s thick, luxurious and Long lasting, but can be a bit too glupey. BEST FOR: Highlighting a tan

Clinique Long Last Glosswear – Air Kiss (Full Size £14)

I got this sample size gloss free with a Clinique Bonus Time gift, otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen it, but I’m glad I did. This one’s Sheer, Shiny and Sticky. It’s a very pretty, light pink and great over lipstick because it lasts long-time! BEST FOR: Wearing over lipstick

Mac Lipgelee Limited Edition – Bubble Lounge £12.50

This one’s special. Creamy, shiny, shimmery and luxurious. It’s a light nudey pink with a creamy, frosty finish. Long lasting but not sticky, smells great too. Whenever I whip it out on a night out it’s quickly snatched off me and passed around. BEST FOR: Maximum impact WOW lips

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Candy Gloss £8

This one’s a light peachy pink that’s heavy on the glitter. It has a heat activated plumping effect for the ultimate pout – don’t worry it doesn’t sting or burn. Nice on its own for a hint of glimmer and has a fabulous vanilla scent. BEST FOR: Plumping

Mac Limited Edition Wonder Woman Collection Lipglass in Emancipation £17

Candy pink with a suitable gold shimmer. It’s sticky long lasting and JUMBO sized. Quite highly pigmented giving it a great coverage. It’s my current number one! BEST FOR: Everything

Clinique Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy – Prettiest Pink

This gloss is the darkest of the bunch, verging on hot pink. It has soft, creamy feel – comfortable to wear and not especially sticky. Has a satin sheen finish. Unfortunately, I think it’s been discontinued now – don’t you hate it when that happens! BEST FOR: Coverage

Pout Plump Lip gloss

Unfortunately Pout cosmetics no longer exists, but you can still pick some of these babies up online. This one’s been in the collection for years and I’m scared to let it run out. It smells and tastes minty with a cooling effect that plumps the lips and with regular use, and claims to increase collagen. That I’m not sure about but the texture is creamy with a sine/satin finish. The medium pink is great for a nice hint of colour without being too bold.  BEST FOR: Plumping

Let me know your recommendation and watch out for my Best Of… Nude glosses

Life’s a Peach

I love PEACH, three words I never expected to say. For most of my life I’ve hated peach, dismissing it as dull, boring, safe, simply BLAH! I can trace this hatred back to my childhood when everything was peach coloured… clothes, curtains, bridesmaid dresses, loo roll!

However, this all changed recently with the launch of Mac’s Wonder Woman Collection. I bought, well nearly the whole collection, but my favourite product by a clear country mile was the Power Blush in Mighty Aphrodite – we have been inseparable for months now. It’s a warm peach coral blush with a slight gold pearl, but isn’t glittery. The shade really suits me and it’s a welcome break from pink. I find the colour adds a perfect glow and accentuates my colouring.

I’ve now gone crazy for peaches, corals and beige. Here’s my pick of the (peach) pops.

When I can bear to drag myself away from my mighty Aphrodite and fancy a cream blush, Mac’s new cremeblend in Something Special – a light coral shade, also does the job, but isn’t as kick ass as my Mighty Aphrodite blush. See my previous post for a full review. TOP  TIP – It’s much better layered over a highlighter or cream base.

For lips I heart Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipgloss  in Peach Petal £6.99. My love affair with lipglosses goes way back, and these silky smooth glosses are up there with the best. It’s a perfect milky creamy gloss. The gorgeous texture, glides on and isn’t too sticky.

Mac Cremesheen lipstick in Shy Girl, a creamy, neutral, coral-beige.  As it’s a creamsheen it’s soft, moisturising and slightly sheer. It’s a lovely day time colour and layers perfectly under the Revlon gloss.

With summer just starting I think my love affair with peach has only just begun. Someone stop me if I start looking like a peach melba.

THIS WEEKS BUYS: MAC Wonder Woman Lipstick, Gloss and Blush

I already blogged about the the fab Limited Edition Opulash in Victorious. Now Mac’s Wonder Woman collection is undoubtedly the most coverted collection of the year, if not the decade, but I needed a new lipgloss like a hole in the head so I desperately tried to resist temptation. Unfortunately, I was ill last week and succum to the devil that is, late night internet shopping… and I’m glad I did.

Here’s what I got

Doesn’t it look pretty? I’m a sucker for cute packaging.

Wonder Woman Powder Blush in Mighty Aphrodite

The jewel in the crown of the collection. Undoubtedly heroic, this special powder blush is supersized and super fabulous. Duo blusher is part warm peach coral with gold pearl and part bright coral pink with gold pearl. It barely hit the door mat before I was slapping it on. The compact is gorgeous and unlike other mac blushers and compacts, comes complete with a mirror. It’s larger than the standard blushes and with two colours  it’s perfect to mix and blend for varying shades and intensities. The lighter shade is quite subtle, yet very pretty and warm looking. Gives a healthy, flushed glow. The darker pink shade is more pigmented – a little goes a long way. Mix and match to suit, great for contouring. I just love it!

Wonder Woman Lipstick in Marquise d’

I think I bought this lipstick for show,I blame the star. It’s a pale, neutral colour, MAC describe it as a sandy cream peach, but that doesn’t do it justice. Universally flattering it’s cute and very Spring. Soft, moistuising, long lasting and rocks in my handbag. A perfect compliment to the Mighty Aphrodite blush.

 

Wonder Woman Lipglass in Emancipation

 

 

Size counts with this limited-edition jumbo-sized Lipglass! With a heroine’s sense of bravado, this M∙A∙C favourite flaunts its superhero status over its frenemies, leaving them in the shade. Speaking of shade, it’s a soft pink but not too suitable, shows up lovely on the lips – making for a perfect wonder woman pout. As with all lipglasses it’s shiny, sticky and long lasting, unlike other lipglasses, it’s seriously fat, even the wand is huge.

 

Once you’ve had fat you’ll never go back!

MAC WONDER WOMAN OPULASH MASCARA – VICTORIOUS

KA-POW! Finally got my hands on a piece of Wonder Woman. Undoubtedly the most coverted collection of the year, I desperately wanted to be in on the action before the nationwide launch on Thursday 3rd March, but for us mere mortals that reside North of London, it’s proved tricky.

Mac says… A superhero mascara! Lashes go dense and dramatic with an anti–gravity high volume curled effect. Longwear, fighting–fit formula offers up to 15 hours of wimp–free wear.

I say… you had me at the packaging. Whoever said good things come in small packages was wrong, mac’s Wonder Woman collection is bigger and better than previous incarnations. I opted for Victorious, a vivid purple. As a habitual black wearer, it’s quite a departure for me, but the  Wonder Woman collection is not for plane Jane’s.

So the tube is fat, the wand is chunky and the colours is, well VERY purple. But don’t be scared, it’s actually quite natural once applied. I teamed it with a plum eye shadow for a purple smokey eye, works really well for Green eyes. It’s easy to apply, although the chunky wand isn’t great for getting in all the crevices and it requires a couple of coats. Good for creating volume, it’s long lasting and doesn’t smudge or clump.

So, did it make me feel like Wonder Woman, not really but every now and again I’d catch my lashes in the mirror and think, they do look pretty kick ass!

£14.50, available online from Selfridges, nationwide at Mac counters from Thursday 3rd March.

COMING SOON: MAC’s Wonder Woman Collection Spring 2011 hits the UK

The beauty world is buzzing with anticipation of MAC’s latest campaign. Paying homage to our ultimate femme fetale and super hero Wonder Woman, the upcoming release is expected to kick its predecessors Hello Kitty’s and Barbie’s asses!

For those of you too young to remember Wonder Woman, imagine an even curvier Katy Perry with super powers.

Details are all quite hush, hush in the UK but I’ve had a sneak peak on Mac’s American site. The collection includes a wide range of bright pigments, lipsticks, blushes, powders and nail varnishes all encased in kick ass Wonder Woman branded red, blue and yellow compacts and pots. It even includes an accessory range of fashionable brush bags and belt.

The colours are guaranteed to brighten up your spring palette and fits perfectly with this seasons 70s trend.

On sale exclusively at Selfridges from 17 February, then nationwide from 3 March. Be quick, the collection’s expected to sell out quicker than you can say POW! ZAP! BANG!