MAC Tour De Fabulous Lipglass and Lip Pencil Swatches and Review

Top to bottom: Comfort & Joy, Rich & Witty






Comfort & Joy, Rich & Witty

MAC Tour De Fabulous is a collection of eleven shades of lipglass, some of them quite intense, and eight lip pencils. The glam glass was supposed to have come out last summer I believe, but something went wrong along the way, so MAC is now coming up with lipglasses instead. The colors are pretty rich and pigmented, especially the brighter and deeper shades.


Check This Out, It's a Wow, Tour de Fabulous, Rich & Witty, Style-Packed, Rich Bounty
Famously Fab!, Casual Air, Comfort & Joy, Real Posh, Knockout

The Shades Of U's Top 12 Favorite Products of 2011

Without further ado, here are my top favorite products that I actually tried or have discovered in 2011. This is in no particular order. These products made me feel excited to do my makeup or nails these part 12 months. Here goes!

1. MAC Kissable Lipcolour in Flaunting It


MAC Kissable Lipcolour in Exxxhibitionist, So Vain, Scan-delicious, Flaunting It, Super

2011 Highlights: Meeting Manila Beauty Bloggers

It's the end of a fabulous year, and it's time to reminisce about my best moments in 2011! I promised myself that I would post this entry before the year ends, and I am fulfilling that promise, woohoo! I've had a blast meeting all the gorgeous and amazing beauty bloggers from Manila. I've been online buddies with them since 2006 or so, but it was my first time to see them in the (gorgeous) flesh last June when I visited the Philippines after six long years. I had a wonderful but short three-week stay, and my schedule was so hectic and full. My family had a blissful 4-day stay at the paradise island called Boracay, but when we got back to Manila, every lunch and dinner during my entire stay was booked for family and friends. Not that I minded that, I loved every second of it. However, exhaustion and jet lag took their toll, so please pardon my appearance in the photos below!


The lovely Manila bloggers: (Top) Shen, Brigitte, Phoebe Ann, Sophie, Smile
Bottom: Nikki, Me, Claudine

Photo Credit: Powwow photos from Sophie

Every one of these ladies brings back special memories.

e.l.f. 24K 4-Piece Glitter Gloss Collection Swatches and Review

Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Liner Review

Holiday Nail Look: China Glaze Party Hearty Over Yves Saint Laurent Gold 139

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great holiday! It was a nice hiatus from work and blogging as I spent Christmas with family.

Do you like the new blog look? I am loving it! Thank you Zoe!

I'm back with my holiday nail look. I layered China Glaze Party Hearty from the China Glaze 2010 Holiday collection over YSL Gold 139 nail lacquer. I love Gold 139 because it's not too much of a bright yellow gold, but more of a yellowish champagne color. Party Hearty has all the facets of a bright holiday manicure - clear base with gold, green and bigger red glitter.

Enjoy the post Christmas and pre-New Year week!

Proactiv Concealer Plus Swatches and Review

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Resilient Skin Cell Regenerating Treatment Review

I have had the opportunity to try Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Resilient Skin Cell Regenerating Treatment, which is part of Dermelect's 3-step skincare system. The 3-step system utilizes the stem cells of the alpine rose to increase skin’s cellular turnover while protecting it from oxidative stress and harmful free-radicals. It contains key ingredients of Alpine Rose, EcoSkin, Vitamin C, AHA, Mushroom and Seaweed Extracts. The three products in the system cost $159 with a free quilted clutch. I was however able to try one of the products in the system, the Resilient Skin Cell Regenerating Treatment, which retails for $79 separately. The Dermelect website claims that this product:

-Increases the skin cell vitality, elasticity and softness
-Boosts epidermal regeneration
-Reverses damage by free radical agents
-Leaves the skin looking rested and supple

This is how Dermelect describes the Skin Cell Regenerating Treatment:

By harnessing the plant stem cells from natures mysterious wonder- the Alpine Rose- Dermelect has infused a pioneering, anti-aging innovation for the prevention of facial wrinkles and regeneration of healthy skin. Extracted from the stem cells of the Alpine Rose, Resilient Stem Cell Regenerating Treatment is an indulgently rich cream that provides a luxurious barrier to the damaging factors (environmental free radicals and natural aging) that work to break down your skins stem cell production...Formulated with Alpine Rose technology, this cream provides the potential to reverse skin damage through the stimulation of new skin from the stem cell reservoirs

I have been using this product for a few weeks now, and though I cannot vouch for the claims that it boosts epidermal regeneration and reversal of free radical damage, I can say however that this cream leaves the skin quite soft, rested, supple. It brightens up the complexion and I love the soft feel on my skin after applying the product. I also like the subtle rose scent. I am not a fan of strong rosey scents, but this one is not cloying and is subtle, so I don't have any problems with it.

What I also like about this product is that it is not greasy. I don't like very greasy moisturizers. This product makes the skin soft and moisturizers, but it doesn't make it look and feel like I slathered cooking oil on my face. I use this product after I cleanse, applied my Vitamin C serum and retinoids. This moisturizes my face and makes it feel supple after application of my skincare serums and topical treatments. I also use it on my neck.

All in all, this is a very moisturizing, indulgent cream that feels luxurious. The downside that I can see for this product is the price. $79 for an ounce of product might be exorbitant, but I've seen other creams that are more prohibitive. I use a tiny amount and that is good for the entire face and neck, so if you use this sparingly, it will last you quite a bit.

The Shades Of U Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Note: Media sample was provided by a representative of the company for consideration. All opinions are completely mine.

Nail Look: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Kink

Instead of wearing red nails this coming holiday, why not wear green? It's also a Christmas color, and yet I haven't seen a lot of people wearing green nail polish during holiday parties or events.  Kink from Illamasqua's Theatre of The Nameless collection is a nice deep emerald or forest green that you can sport for Christmas eve dinner.  It is a deep green that is also quite festive given that it is the perfect green shade for the holiday.  It has a "rubber" finish which is in between a creme and a matte, but would be a great background for gold, red or green glitter, just like Party Hearty from China Glaze, or China Glaze Twinkle Lights.  


Whatever you decide to do with Kink, it is a pretty yet unusual take on the holiday manicure.

Note: Press sample was provided by a representative of the brand for consideration.  All opinions are completely mine.

Gareth Pugh for MAC Swatches and Review: Ascension Nail Lacquer, Restrict Lipstick

I was able to check out some of the products from the Gareth Pugh for MAC collection. This is MAC's couture collection for 2011, so the packaging is more luxurious and the price is a bit steeper than regular MAC items.

Finger Paints Special Effects Flakie Top Coat Collection Swatches and Review

Flashy, Flecked, Twisted, Asylum, Motley



Happy Happy Joy Joy! I found these awesome Finger Paints flakie topcoats at Sally Beauty Supply last week. They are part of the Finger Paints Special Effects collection coming out in January, but I was able to snag these early, thanks to some very nice Sally sales associates. I was disappointed when I dropped by my neighborhood Sally's and these were nowhere to be found. I was on my way out the door when I decided to go back and ask. The SA said that yes, they received a new shipment of Finger Paints, but she thought they were "bad" nail polishes because they looked all the same, and looked mottled/ruined. LOL! When I asked to see them, there are the pretties! The SAs asked me what they were for, and I demonstrated by applying one on top of my nail polish for that pretty flakie effect. Needless to say, they were mesmerized and told me that at last they knew what it was for. It was just weird that I was actually the one telling the sales associates what these were for!

Here are some amazing swatches of these pretty flakies. These are all swatched over Wet n Wild Black Creme:

Daphne Guinness for MAC Swatches and Review

I was able to play with some of the products from the Daphne Guinness for MAC collection that is coming out the day after Christmas, so here are my thoughts on these.

Pro Longwear Lipcreme:


Seasoned Plum, Approaching Storm, Red Dwarf

MAC, Naturally Collection

M·A·C, NATURALLY
Hey, Nature Girl! For a look that is simple, sensuous and understatedly sexy, here are nothing-to-hide hues that make you look fresh, relaxed, gloriously “undone.” Brilliantly sheer, high-mineral Skinfinish make your look fresh-as-the-sun radiant. Lipsticks and Lipglasses lushly tinted to reflect the wholesome. Eye Pencils with a touch of jojoba, mango and meadowfoam seed oils. M·A·C, Naturally is just what you need to do your own thing and keep your look, dreamily, down to earth…

M·A·C, Naturally Available January 5, 2012 through February 9, 2012.



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


M I N E R A L I Z E S K I N F I N I S H
Redhead Gold to Salmon Pink Degrade
Blonde Soft Pink to Rose Degrade
$28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN

M I N E R A L I Z E B L U S H
Subtle Breeze Blue pink
Fresh Honey Warm apricot
Early Morning Peachy pink
$22.00 U.S./$26.50 CDN

M I N E R A L I Z E E Y E S H A D O W
Daylight Peach with dirty blue lavender veining
In The Sun Gold with violet veining
Summer Haze Palest gold with deeper gold veining
Cloudy Afternoon Cream with gold, grey and pink veining
Twilight Falls Cool brown with bronze veining
$20.00 U.S./$24.00 CDN

E Y E P E N C I L
Ebony Soft black
Coffee Muted brown
$14.00 U.S./$17.00 CDN

Z O O M F A S T B L A C K L A S H
Zoom Fast Black Lash Carbon black
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN

L I P S T I C K
A Perfect Day Light neutral pink (amplified)
Beach Sand Light tan (cremesheen)
Sweet Sunrise Light neutral peach pink (lustre)
Pillow Talk Mid-tone rosy nude (cremesheen)
$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

L I P G L A S S
The Wee Coquette Naked neutral pink
Fresh Air Light pink
Naked Space Creamy mid-tone nude peach
Hot Spell Bronze with multicoloured pearl
$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

B R U S H E S
187 Duo Fibre Face
$42.00 U.S./$50.50 CDN
286 Duo Fibre Tapered Blending
$30.00 U.S./$36.50 CDN

Available North America January 5, 2012 International February 2012 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com

MAC Mineralize Skincare

M·A·C MINERALIZE SKINCARE
Making its debut, Mineralize Skincare with our ionized Super-Duo Charged Water technology! The collection includes Mineralize Charged Water Cleanser, which gently removes makeup without scrubbing or massaging, leaving skin clear and conditioned. Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel, a rich and creamy, superlight and hydrating gel. And for those eyes begging for a boost: Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream, to instantly minimizes dark circles and puffiness. Plus, two must haves: Mineralize Charged Water Face and Body Lotion and Mineralize Charged Water.

Mineralize Charged Water Cleanser
$23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN

Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel
$37.00 U.S./$44.50 CDN

Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream
$35.00 U.S./$42.00 CDN

Mineralize Charged Water Face And Body Lotion
$32.00 U.S./$38.50 CDN

Mineralize Charged Water Revitalizing Energy
$22.00 U.S./$26.50 CDN

Available North America January 5, 2012 International February 2012 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com