Mac Online Store South Africa

Finally and with a  great sigh of relief, the much anticipated Mac online store has finally been launched here in South Africa. Better late than never, you can order your entire Mac wish list from right here. Delivery Is FREE- yes you've read correctly. From holiday special editions to your favorite makeup tools...it's all available at this link.

A Preview of Mac's Online Store

Getting your Mac supplies have never been easier especially for those that do not have a Mac counter near them or for Pro artists that do not have a Pro counter in their city....Yay!!!

You can also subscribe to their mailing list so you are never left behind on any specials or new additions to the Mac product lists.

Happy shopping....

Eyeshadow Tutorial: Green & Brown Look

Makeup doesn't have to involve many colors in order to look stunning. Simple also makes statements. To create this look, I used just 2 colors apart from the highlight color.
*Priming and a base is as important as breathing when it comes to makeup.
*For the lid color, I used Mac's Sumtious Olive over NYX jumbo pencil in Horse Raddish.
*For the crease color, I used Kryolan's Brown and simply blended the 2 colors.
*For the brow bone I used Mac's Vanilla pigment.

As much as I love bold looks, I was pleasantly surprised how good this look turned out to be. I guess the saying: Less is more, definitely has some truth in it!

What do you think of this look? Would you wear ?..

Review: Mac Mineralize Blush Fad-Dabulous

Am I on a roll or what?? This week has been a week for reviews, reviews and more reviews. Thanks to the many Christmas vouchers that I have received, my makeup collection has literally grown by the day. This is my second blush review that I've ever done- I get so caught up with eyeshadows that I barely reserve time for other makeup products.

Mac Mineralize Blush- Fad-Dabulous

I had purchased this blush a while back and had even used it a few times but it failed to impress me to a point where I'd label it as one of my favorites. It's an ok overall performer but I find that it just does not give me the outcome that I've come to expect of Mac blushes- probably due to its mineralized nature.

Notice the peachy/brown colors with the fine shimmery gold specks.

The color can be described as a very warm, neutral brown which when swatched or applied has a peachy pink undertone. I know- it sounds like it has too many colors all infused in one. It is also marbled with fine reflective gold shimmer. I've read many reviews where people complained that the shimmer was very overpowering but I honestly don't believe so. I feel it gives you the perfect amount of sheen and glow perfect for day use. Some may differ with my opinion and would prefer to use it at night but I find that although the shimmer in it may make it perfect for evening use, the blended color is not intense enough to be used at night. It truly is a dream to blend but I feel that there is way too much fallout. You have to make sure you tap out excess product each time you pick up the product. It's staying power is commendable and when it does start to fade, it does not become patchy. It is almost half the normal amount of other Mac blushes- 3.2gr compared to the regular 6gr.

It's quite nicely pigmented and would be good to use to complete any neutral look- so if you are a fan of neutral shades then this is a blush you should really consider getting. In the mean time, I will be giving Fad-Dabulous  another chance to work its charm on me....

My overall rating would be a 4 maybe 4.2 out of 5.

Did you like what Fad-Dabulous did for you??? Share your experience with us....we'd love to hear from you.

Review: Mac Springsheen Blusher

It seems that I have been bitten by the review bug this week as I have been drawn to doing only reviews this week- don't know if its my way of making up for the past few weeks when I was MIA. I have mentioned previously that I am an out and out eyeshadow girl. You would rarely find me buying many different shades of lipsticks and blushers. I have very few but very versatile shades(apart from the WOW lipstick haul that I recently purchased) of lipsticks and blushes that I have become comfortable using and never really wanted to be adventurous and expand on my collection. My blusher collection mainly consists of many tones and shades of coppery reds/plums and pinks. Unable to restrain myself at Edgars Red Carpet sale 2 weeks ago, I ended picking up my very first peach/ apricot toned blush.

I could literally kick myself for not getting this color earlier as it's such an enticing shade. It gives you a warm, youthful look(and who doesn't mind looking youthful all the time) and it is great for everyday use. It gives you a healthy glow without looking overly done. I am slightly fair in complexion but not pale- so on my skin, I've never had the problem of it going on too heavy or dark. It has very fine shimmer in it but when it's blended out, it leaves an iridescent glow on your cheeks. It's great for giving any dull skin an instant splash of glow...

It comes from Mac's Sheertone collection and is part of their permanent range. It's 6gr in quantity and would last you longer than you would expect. It applies on like magic and blends into the skin magically. It's very pigmented and you can build up from a sheer to intense look quite effortlessly. It lasts quite long if it's not humid but begins to fade in about 4-5 hours if you get hot and sweaty.

Final verdict....I love, I love, I love....if ever I go through this, a replacement is definitely finding its way in my palette.

Have you had any good/ disappointing experiences with Mac's Springsheen??? Why not compliment or vent in our comment section below....

Review: Mac Nocturnals- Green & Teal Set

I normally do not purchase makeup that comes in pre built sets as I prefer buying individual items(although you do end up spending a bit more) that I know I will definitely be using rather than cluttering up my draw with items that I would never use. I made an exception this past week when I bought Mac's Holiday Edition- Nocturnals, the Green & Teal set. I am a bit disappointed with this buy and need to remind myself why kit purchases are not for me.

The Price: R530 for 5 little vials- 3 of which are pigments and 2 glitters.

The Packaging: The mini vials come in a neat gift box with a transparent lid that allows you to see the product and product shades without opening the box itself. The store assistant told me that the vials are stackable- which unfortunately is not true, with or without the lid...unless I'm doing it all wrong. Each vial is smaller and works out much cheaper than the full sized Mac pigment or glitter. This has an advantage for those that prefer buying makeup in kits as you end up getting more for your money for the quantity- and honestly speaking, I'm sure majority of us will not even be able to get through the entire amount.

The Product: As mentioned earlier, there's 2 vials of glitter and 3 vials of pigment.

• Reflects Gold: is a super fine shimmery white powder that has a glint of gold in the reflecting light. I remember seeing something similar at the Inglot stands. I think this is perfect for applying over your completed eyeshadow look to give it that dancing stars effect for bridal and evening makeup. It can also be used on the body as a highlighter.
• 3D Gold: is a much grainier sparkly gold glitter. This as well can be used on the body and on the nails.
• None of Mac's glitters are recommended for eye use- which is a pity as nobody really wants to spend a lot of money on glitter that you are just going to sprinkle on your hair/ body or used on your nails. I have to admit though that I have used Mac's glitters over glitter glue to create glitter lines without any hassles. Don't know if this is just a way of Mac protecting themselves but I strongly suggest that if you have sensitive eyes or if you would just prefer to be cautious, then do avoid using their glitters on the eye area.
• Old Gold: I have been using Old Gold for the past 10 years and have come to realize that this is one of Mac's most sought after pigment in their permanent range. It's a highly shiny, metallic, olive green gold that looks very antiqued at certain angles in the light. It's highly pigmented, very easy to blend but without a primer on my lids, tends to crease after a few hours of wear time. When I've used it over a primer, I got a longer use from it with little or no fading. 
• Deep Blue Green: This is an intense blueish steel grey color that would be perfect for smokey evening looks. This is the first time that I've owned this color and already I'm loving it... It's color pay off is excellent and is soft and smooth to work with. I haven't used it to create a look with it as yet- so I can't really comment yet on it's staying power. I'm sure like any other pigment, used with a primer, will give you good wear time.
• Just Before Dawn: I was a bit hesitant to purchase this set after seeing this brown pigment in it as browns are really not my favorite shade. After playing around with it, I realized that its an excellent color to use in the crease area and when blending the outer V to a gradient. It's a medium brown that is matt in its finish and very soft and smooth to work with.

I know I will not succumb to impulse buying in the near future as when I got home, I realized that only two vials of the five really catches my eye. If I did not already own Old Gold, I would've been happy with 3 out of the 5- finding uses for the other 2 is really not my idea of intelligent shopping. But all does not go to waste as thankfully I have nieces who would be only too glad to become owners of them. 

Brand Name Makeup....Rip Off or Justified???

All of us have grown with the mindset that the more we pay for something, the better the quality. We tend to look past the fact that we should never judge a product by its price tag...I too belonged here not so long ago until I forced myself to become more broad minded about price and quality. I cannot deny that makeup brands like Mac, Inglot, Bobbi Brown and others have some really good products out there however, I cannot condone the prices attached to their products. I have learnt the hard way, that we certainly are not paying exorbitant prices for their quality only, as I have recently come across many product brands that are not as well advertised or are not sitting in designer decorated aisles, that match or even exceeds the quality of these overrated and overpriced brands. What we are really doing is footing their bills of advertising, staff salaries that are designated to particular makeup houses, fancy makeup lighting blah, blah, blah....

To put my money where my mouth is, I have come across something which I felt I had to share with you. Whilst surfing the internet recently, I was directed to Mac's online store and noticed that Mac did not have their own brand of eyelash adhesive but instead sold a brand called 'DUO'. I then remembered that Inglot also sold the same adhesive for their eyelashes.
Wait....It gets more interesting....Mac resales the DUO eyelash adhesive for....wait for this...a whopping R290 for a 14gr tube. The very same product is sold by Inglot for R149. Now that is a difference of R145.....you can get up from the floor now...there's more to read lol. You could actually buy 2 of the very same product at Inglot than at Mac!!!! and, and, and...the quantity is the same. WHAT THE HECK!!!!

The Proof is always in the Pudding....

Does the product perhaps turn to gold once it's reached the hands of Mac.??? Am I missing something here??? Are we ALL missing something here?? I know what I have been missing...my marbles!
Now if that does not blatantly spell out 'daylight robbery' and set off alarm bells, then I definitely am an idiot.

There's nothing much left to decide...NOT justifiable at all...total rip off. Create your brand so that it becomes affordable to all...and do not use superior quality as the reason to overcharge the very people that are helping you survive....

Have you come across any proof of overcharged products??? Share them with us....

Makeup Looks: Silver & Teal Smokey Look

This look started off as a simple silver and black smokey look but then we decided to give it a pop of color by adding the teal blue. We were more than impressed with the outcome.

Products Used

For the Face

• Smashbox face primer
• Kryolan Dermacolor corrector- D2
• Kryolan cream foundation- OB3
• Kryolan translucent powder- TL2
• Mac blusher in Breezy
• Gold/Pink shimmer powder above blush line to highlight cheek bone

Doesn't she photograph beautifully?

For the Eyes

• Mac Shadestick in Overcast as a base for the eyeshadows
• Mac Elektra for inner 1/3rd of the eye
• Mac Freshwater for middle 1/3rd 
• Kryolan Black for outer 1/3rd 
• Mac Knight Divine to smoke out crease area
• Mac White Frost for highlighting brow one
• Star Dust pigment over the White Frost on brow bone
• WOW glitter dust over entire lid for more glamour
• WOW gel liner
• Mac eye pencil in Smoulder to line waterline
• BodyShop mascara
• Store brand fake lashes

For the Lips

• Lipliner- WOW No 15
• Lipstick- Mac Rocker 
• Clicks brand lipgloss

Take it up a notch by applying some lip gloss

Makeup Looks: Red & Gold

The sister if a friend of mine got married this weekend and I did the makeup for a few girls there. It was a hectic, rushed 2 days but when I look at the photos, I can't help beaming with satisfaction.

Before n After

Products Used

For the Face

• Smashbox face Primer
• Kryolan Dermacolor- D2 for color correction of under eye circles
• Kryolan cream foundation- OB3
• Kryolan translucent powder- TL2

For the Eyes

• NYX jumbo pencil in Gold
• Mac's Goldmine for outer corners
• Loose pigment in Maroon Sparkle for the middle of the lid area
• Pac's loose pigment in shiny Gold over the Goldmine
• WOW cosmetics silver glitter/ shimmer powder over the entire lid area to give it a shimmery effect
• WOW gel eyeliner
• WOW false lashes in No. 086883

For the Lips

• PAC lipliner in Eggplant
• Lipstick in Rocker
• Lipgloss- Uberbabe, Lips To Go Dazzle Gloss in Gold

Simple Everyday Look- Pink

When i think of the color pink, I think of roses, candy floss and strawberry ice cream lol. I love lighter shades of pink as it is such a soft, subtle and relaxing color. Its a very wearable color that will suit any eye or skin color.

I had a request last week from a very dear friend of mine, Lorraine who wanted a breakdown list of everyday makeup for women over 35/40 and all I could think of was a look using a coral pink eyeshade. So here is what I came up with and I hope it's a look that you would want to try out.

Products Used

1. NYX jumbo pencil in Milk
2. Mac loose pigment in Rose
3. Mac loose pigment in Old Gold
4. Mac Parfait Amour
5. Mac Crystal Avalanche
6. Mac Black Track Gel Liner
7.Mac Pro Longlash Mascara
8. Mac pencil liner for waterline in Smoulder

Step by Step Instructions...

1. Apply NYX jumbo pencil in Milk over the entire lid area and then blend out.
2. Taking a light/coral pink color, apply it onto the middle 1/3rd of your eyelid.

3. Take the Old Gold pigment and apply to the inner and outer 1/3rds of the eyelid. Blend out the areas where the 2 colors meet so that there are no harsh lines.

4. Using a pencil blending brush, pick up some of the purple Parfait Amour and use it to smoke out the outer 1/3rd of the eyelids. Blend, blend, blend so that there is a good transition between the colors. You can intensify the smokey look depending on how dark you would want it. Keep picking up more color and blending it to darken the smokey effect.

Add Mac Parfait Amour to outer 1/3rd

Build up the intensity of the smokey effect by adding more
product and blending

5. All that's really left to do now, is to highlight the brow bone(I used Mac's Crystal Avalanche)
6. Line your upper lash line, apply your mascara and line the waterline with black kohl pencil.

Apply highlighter and eyeliner

Highlight brow bone, line the eyes and apply your mascara

I applied the concealer and foundation after doing the eyes as there was a lot of fall out with the loose pigment. I then used an angled brush with a mix of black and dark brown eyeshadows to fill in the eyebrows. Blusher and lipstick can be of your choice.

What did you think of this look?

Counterfeit or Fake Mac

I have had so many people tell me that they know of someone or the other selling Mac products at ridiculously low prices and I have a difficult time pointing out to them that these products are most probably fake as Mac does not sell to individuals for resale.

Mac, being a high end makeup brand is very expensive and due to its high price tag has become a bit of a social symbol(to many). We have people preying on unsuspecting souls who cannot afford Mac by taking advantage of their weaknesses and sell them fake products at a fraction of the original price. I myself had fallen prey many years ago only to come home and realise that the pigment was powdery and chalky(what else did I expect for R50 lol). I have encountered such people at flea markets and fairs that sell these counterfeit makeup claiming to have purchased them from overseas blah, blah, bah....

Apart from this being a criminal offence, you put yourself at risk by purchasing such products as you never know what ingredients are being put in, how sanitary it is and, would in all probability, be made under poor hygienic conditions(logically, why would anyone manufacture fake items in a factory that is registered and stringent on quality???)

Many beauty bloggers have touched on how to spot fake Mac products and what to essentially look out for but in the process end up educating these unscrupulous manufacturers on how to get their products to resemble the authentic goods almost to perfection. So how do you protect yourself from falling prey to such predators? The answer is simple...buy from legitimate Mac counters and stores that are licensed to sell Mac.

This is what Mac has to say about the sale of Mac products via private individuals...

"M·A·C Cosmetics does not offer its products through individuals, street vendors, flea markets, internet auctions, independent boutiques or unauthorized online retailers. M·A·C does not sell its products at wholesale over the internet."

And what do they have to say on private sales....?

"While we appreciate your interest in M·A·C products, please be advised that our products are  for sale only at our authorized retail store accounts, the majority of which are located in major department stores or international perfumeries. While there are other points of sale, we are not seeking to expand our distribution network at this time. We do not offer franchises." Source: http://www.maccosmetics.com/cms/customer_service/counterfeit_education.tmpl Picture source: https://www.facebook.com/notes/a-team/easy-ways-to-spot-fake-mac-make-up/328499383906237 Have you ever been duped into buying fake Mac products? Tell us about it...

Review: NYX Eyeshadows

I can't exactly recall when my obsession with eyeshadows began but I do remember the time when my makeup draw just consisted of a few basic shades from Yardley. I guess as I started earning my own money, I splashed and splurged on any shade that was attractive to the eye and not really focussing on a particular brand. After being introduced to Mac in 2003, I became incredibly loyal to the Mac range of makeup and didnt bother with any other makeup brand. I do however recall buying a few shades of a makeup brand called NYX(and was reasonably happy with its performance) which was not available in South Africa at that time(2003). Then on my visit to America in 2005, I noticed that NYX was extremely popular there. Recently, I was thrilled to see that Clicks carried the ENTIRE range of NYX products.

Part of Clicks NYX range 

I decided to swatch a few of their eyeshadows to see if there was any improvement in their quality which would break my loyalty to Mac, lol. What I did find, was pleasantly surprising and therefore decided to add these products on my 'less money, more makeup' list.

The eyeshadows that i swatched felt smooth, creamy, intensely pigmented and there was consistency in the performance of majority of their colors. They have a range of about 50 some odd eyeshadow colors coming in textures of matt, shimmer, sheer, frost, glitter and metallic. There was sufficient product in a single swipe and the need to go back to the shadow to pick up more product was really not necessary.

I always apply eyeshadow over a primer and base. Having said that, I found that there was a POP in color and it felt really soft on the skin.

In terms of the duration of the wearability, for the price, I think that it is excellent giving you a wear of non creasing and caking for a minimum of 4-5 hours which is pretty good considering I have oily lids which are ever so slightly hooded:(

I did however find a slight bit of fallout, but this I experience with a lot of Mac eyeshadows as well.

Finally, the price.....the pressed or flat shadows are priced at R79, with the pearl flat shadows at R89. Their pigments and glitter come in 5ml bottles and are just R44. This may look small but will definitely last you a long time. Their trio eyeshadow palettes are priced at R120. Not bad at all

What I also noticed was that they have a lot of colors very similar if not identical to many Mac eyeshadows. I will be swatching them and creating a list of NYX colors that can be used in place of the Mac shades.

So follow me as I compile my NYX- MAC dupes(duplicates).