Lilacs and Purple Eye Look and Tutorial Using MAC Crazy Cool and Mineral Shadows

Here is one of my favorite looks- a light lavender/lilac on the lid with deep purples on the crease and outer lid. You can add more depth to the crease with deep purples to give it more oomph, and of course keep it light when you want it more natural-looking. I used my MAC Crazy Cool eyeshadow from the Dare To Wear collection. As I had mentioned in the review, I like Crazy Cool because I love to use light lavenders on the lid, but I don't have a pressed shadow in that shade that I particularly like to use. I always use either mineral shadows or MAC pigment in Quietly to replicate the look. Now that I have Crazy Cool, it's a lot easier to apply especially during those manic mornings while preparing for work.

I also used some of my favorite loose mineral eyeshadows from Aromaleigh. They are mostly from the recent collections like Victoria's Revenge and Ciao Italia!, so this was the first time for me to try them in a look. Again, Aromaleigh didn't disappoint. Even though they are loose shadows, they are very easy to apply and blend, and they are not splotchy at all - very pigmented and glide like butter on the lids.



I also used my lovable MAC purple lipstick in Go For It.  Love the purple tones and it fully complements my Crazy Cool. I just love purple lipsticks and this one is probably one of the best I have. The cremesheen formula is a huge plus.

Here is a step-by-step. All products Aromaleigh unless otherwise stated.


Apply Urban Decay primer potion all over lid and lower lashline. Using a fluffy shader brush, apply MAC Rollickin' paint pot on lid (for some reason, I used a green paint pot for this look. It was a momentary lapse of sanity- next time, I would choose Fresco Rose). Using the 239 brush, apply MAC Crazy Cool on lid.


Using the same brush, apply Mourning's Whimsy dry on the outer lid using patting motions.

Winners of the MAC Stereo Rose and Mineralize Eyeshadows Giveaway!

MAC Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish


MAC Fresh & Easy mineralize eyeshadow


MAC Style Influencer mineralize eyeshadow

Okay, the time has come to announce the winners of the MAC Stereo Rose MSF and Mineralize Eyeshadow Giveaway for subscribers and followers of The Shades Of U. But before I do that, I want to thank a vast majority of the entrants who followed the Contest Mechanics to the letter. There were some, however, who did not follow or read the Contest Mechanics at all, and I had to manually disqualify some entries because they can be classified as spam entries. The contest mechanics specifically stated that after the initial two entries, each person can only enter ONCE A DAY. And yet, I saw one person enter THREE times a day every day, and I don't think that is fair for the other people who entered and followed the rules. Sorry, but I had to enforce the mechanics to be fair to everybody. The random choosing of the winners was entirely done by Contest Machine, however, and I did not have anything to do with choosing the lucky entrants.

So here we go!

Finally, we have winners! All entries are in, and two winners were randomly chosen to win MAC items pictured above. Here goes!

(*Drumroll*)

(Winners announced below the cut)

Neutrals and Corals Using Urban Decay Naked Eye Shadow Palette and MAC Stereo Rose Skinfinish

Okay, I just wanna say for the record that for the first time in quite a while, my husband actually told me I looked extraordinarily beautiful when he saw me the day I was wearing these products. He was so used to me all primped up that it was just routine for him to see me made up. However, on this particular day, he said I looked very beautiful and he wanted me to look like this all the time! LMAO, are these miracle products or what? =D

As I had mentioned, here is a look using my current favorites - MAC Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish (MSF) and Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette. I love the total look! I also used my new NYX round lipstick in Frappucino, but for some odd reason, it didn't look too brown but actually coral-ish in the photos. I guess that's because I layered MAC Chillin' cremesheen glass over it. I was also wearing my favorite liquid foundation of late: Chanel Mat Lumiere in Ginger (review coming up!). I love how it evens out my skintone and gives a beautiful soft matte finish which is especially great for summer. I finished off with my favorite Aromaleigh ultra resolution finishing powder in Peaches & Cream. It is similar to MUFE HD finishing powder, except that Aromaleigh has this peachy tint that really gives a beautiful peaches and cream complexion and also blurs imperfection and sets the makeup.

Of course, the star product of the look is the beautiful MAC Stereo Rose MSF. I had thought that this product was all hype, but for the first time ever, I believe this is worth the hype. As I had mentioned in my review, I never really used my first Stereo Rose from the initial 2005 release. I sold it and I'd never missed it since. This time, however, the 2010 version is an absolute beauty. It is less metallic pink on my skin but more of a peachy-coral glow that is just gorgeous. I don't want to run out of this but I can't help using this every day, I might actually have to get a backup!

If you want one, The Shades Of U MAC Stereo Rose sweepstakes/giveaway is still ongoing. You can have a chance to get a beautiful Stereo Rose MSF that is sold out everywhere.

I will be coming up with a step-by-step tutorial of the eye look, but for now here are some face photos!

Face Of The Day photos and list of products used right after the jump!

NEW Giveaway: MAC Stereo Rose Skinfinish and Mineralize Eyeshadow Sweepstakes For Subscribers and Followers

MAC Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish (MSF)




MAC Fresh & Easy mineralize shadow trio


MAC Style Influencer mineralize shadow trio

As promised last night on Twitter, I am having a Stereo Rose Giveaway! I finally got it in my hands after Nordstrom pre-sold me the fast-vanishing Stereo Rose MSF. I read that it's already sold out on the MAC website, and even though today is the official launch date of the In The Groove collection, many counters and stores have already sold out their Stereo Roses.

That said, I am giving away one MAC Stereo Rose MSF to one of The Shades Of U subscribers or followers! There will be a consolation prize of one Fresh & Easy mineralize eyeshadow and one Style Influencer mineralize shadow trio for one lucky winner as well. Here is the breakdown of the prizes:

Grand Prize: One (1) Brand-new MAC Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish (MSF)

Consolation Prize: one (1) MAC Fresh & Easy mineralize eyeshadow and one (1) MAC Style Influencer mineralize eyeshadow

Only one (1) person will win both mineralize eyeshadows. Only one (1) person will win one (1) MAC Stereo Rose MSF, for a total of two (2) lucky winners.

Please read the mechanics carefully. All entries must be entered using the Contest Machine entry form found at the end of this post. Please do NOT leave comments in the comment box; instead, all entries must be filled out using the Contest Machine entry form.

CONTEST MECHANICS:

1. This contest is open to all The Shades Of U Subscribers/Followers 18 years old and older. International subscribers (outside of the U.S.) are welcome to join. Subscribe to or follow The Shades Of U via one of the following: the RSS Feed, e-mail subscription, Twitter, or Blogger/Google Friend Connect or Facebook. If you are currently a subscriber, you are automatically eligible to join and you do not need to re-subscribe.

2. Fill up the Contest Machine entry form below, include your name and e-mail address. You should state in the entry form that you are a subscriber or follower of The Shades Of U via one of the following:

a. RSS Feed
b. Twitter (include Twitter ID)
c. E-mail subscription (include email address)
d. Blogger/Google (include Blogger name)
e. Facebook (include Facebook name)

This would earn you one entry.

3. How To Submit Extra Entries:

You can enter again by posting this blog contest or a link to The Shades Of U homepage, on your blogs (either as an entry itself or on your sidebar), forums you visit, or social networks (Facebook, re-tweeting on Twitter, etc). Submit another entry by posting on the Contest Machine form the link to your forum, blog or Facebook/Twitter post about this contest. This will earn you one extra entry (remember, you need to be a follower or subscriber of this blog first and your initial entry should state that).  Remember, the more entries you send, the more chances of winning!

4. You can submit an entry every time you re-tweet or post another link on your blog or social networks, but you can only submit an entry once a day.  However, you can submit your initial entry and your first link or retweet in one day, but subsequent entries with links or retweets should only be submitted once a day.

5. The sweepstakes shall run starting today, July 8, 2010 and ends on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 11:55 p.m. EDT.

6. Contest Machine and The Shades Of U shall randomly pick two winners who shall be the Grand Prize and Consolation Prize winners respectively, announce the name of the winners on this blog, and shall contact the winners via the e-mail addresses provided in the entry form.

7. The winners shall respond with his/her mailing address within seventy-two (72) hours of the delivery of the notification e-mail; otherwise, the entry shall be disqualified and another winner shall be chosen. Thus, this is also the reason why entrants should subscribe to this blog to be promptly apprised of the winner's name just in case the notification e-mail does not go through or goes to the spam inbox.

8. The Shades Of U will ship the prize packages to anywhere in the world via First Class mail. If the winner is a US Resident, the prize shall be sent with delivery confirmation. If the winner resides outside of the US, the prize shall be sent to the international winner using First Class international mail with no tracking number. However, the postal receipt shall be kept as evidence of shipment. The Shades Of U shall not be responsible for loss or delays in the delivery of the package after the prizes has been mailed, nor shall it be responsible for customs duties or fees.

Goodluck to everyone! Don't forget to subscribe or follow, fill up the entry form below (don't forget to state how you are subscribed to The Shades Of U, and that to earn an extra entry, include the link to the post you created on your blog, forum you visited, or social network about this contest) and click "Submit".

MAC In The Groove Swatches and Review Part 2

For MAC In The Groove Initial Swatches and Review For Stereo Rose, Petticoat, By Candlelight MSFs and Mineralize Eyeshadows, CLICK HERE.

For MAC In The Groove Initial Swatches and Review For Cremesheen Glasses and Lipsticks, CLICK HERE.

Cremesheen Lipsticks:





I am loving the cremesheen lipsticks because they are really smooth in application but quite pigmented at the same time. As I have said in the initial review, I believe they are a cross between Amplified Cream and Lustre formulas. It is more pigmented than Lustres and yet a little lighter in feel and not as thick as the Amplified. I really like the Cremesheen formula.

My favorite of the lot is of course Jazzed, a bright coral pink, and Go For It, a midtone blue purple. Go For It reminds me so much of one of my favorite purple MAC lipsticks ever, Orchidazzle. I will compare the two in a future entry.

All Styled Up is a bright yellow pink that is very summery. I like it paired with a darker lipglass. Call My Bluff is a midtone creamy coffee that would work best on darker skintones. Creme D'Nude was a cult fave although it was too light on me - a pale muted peach beige. Lastly, I Like It Like That is a deep blue pink that I would love to have, if only I didn't already have a lot of lipsticks similar to that shade.

Cremesheen Glasses:

See the rest of the swatches and reviews after the jump!

MAC In The Groove: Cremesheen Glasses and Lipsticks Initial Swatches and Review

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove Mineralize Skinfinishes and Mineralize Eye Shadows

CREMESHEEN GLASSES


Top to Bottom: Fashion Whim, Chillin'




L-R: Fashion Whim, Chillin'



Around this time of the year for the past year or so, MAC has been releasing cremesheen glasses during the hottest time of the year. This is most probably because these lip products feel really light on the skin and are not as sticky as lipglasses or dazzleglasses, so these are perfect for summer or warmer weather. Dazzleglasses and lipglasses have their own fan base, but there are also many people who like the cremesheen glasses. They are softly luscious, not sticky compared to the lipglasses, and not glittery like the dazzleglasses. They have subtle shimmer that is not too in-your-face but still give a luscious look to the puckers.


Fashion Whim is a light beige that is perfect to wear on its own with a more dramatic eye look or with light makeup to suit the warm weather. Not quite sure if I can pull off wearing this on its own, but it's refreshing to wear this very light, non-sticky lip product.

Lip Swatches after the jump

MAC In The Groove Initial Swatches and Review: Stereo Rose, Petticoat and By Candlelight MSF, Mineralize Eyeshadows

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove Cremesheen Lipsticks and Cremesheen Glass Initial Review and Swatches

I was able to try some of the products of the MAC In The Groove collection, so here are some initial swatches and reviews. I will be coming up with additional swatches when I see the entire collection at my neighborhood MAC store.

This collection features a whole slew of mineralize products, from blushes to skinfinishes to eyeshadow trios. It also comes with the ubiquitous lipstick choices and cremesheen glasses. Since I am a sucker for mineralize skinfinishes and blushes, this collection is right up my alley.

MINERALIZE SKINFINISHES (MSF):

The Stereo Rose Phenomenon


Stereo Rose initial release 2005


Stereo Rose 2010

As some of you may know, Stereo Rose mineralize skinfinish is the most awaited product from this collection. I have had Stereo Rose MSF from the initial release until I sold it late last year because I think I only used it 3 or 4 times since I got it. I have an extensive MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Collection and I've had every MSF MAC has released except Pleasureflush. I must say that the new Stereo Rose is a tad lighter and less coral-red than the first release.

Here's how Stereo Rose 2005 edition looked on my cheeks:

Swatches and reviews after the jump!

MAC In The Groove: Promo Images and Product Information

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove Initial Swatches and Review: Stereo Rose, Petticoat and By Candlelight MSF, Mineralize Eyeshadows

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove: Cremesheen Glasses and Lipsticks Initial Swatches and Review

Start with a little ’70s Batik, add some ’80s
Neo-Mod Tie-Dye fun,
some Marrakech mystique,
and you’re feeling groovy!
A modern, flowing and fabulous way with bold,
kaleidoscopic colour combined with
boho charm and up-to-the-minute catwalk style.
Nine new Mineralize Eye Shadows,
six Cremesheen Lipsticks, six Cremesheen
Glass, four Mineralize Skinfinish Powders,
and five new Mineralize Blush Duos.
Shadows are matte,
sans glitter and in the trio format.
Creamy lips play perfectly off Mineralize
satin-smooth eyes.
Turn on and groove out!

Lipstick (Cremesheen)
Call My Bluff Mid-tone creamy coffee
Jazzed Bright coral pink
Crème d’Nude Pale muted peach beige
I Like It Like That Deep blue pink
All Styled Up Bright yellow pink
Go For It Mid-tone blue purple
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Cremesheen Glass
On the Scene Light coral beige
You’ve Got It Dirty silver grey
Going Casual Sheer lilac
Fashion Whim Light beige
Right Image Mid-tone blue pink
Chillin’ Light white blue
Suggested Retail Price $18.00 U.S./$21.50 CDN

Mineralize Eye Shadow (Trio)
Love to Love Satin beige/Pearly bronze/Satin brown
In the Groove Satin green/Pearly burgundy/Satin coral
Making It Easy Satin red brown/Pearly beige rose/Satin dark beige
Togetherness Satin Lavender/Pearly purple/Satin grey
Style Influencer Satin silver/Pearly deep blue/Satin mauve brown
Soften the Mood Satin light brown/Pearly rose/Satin light blue
Fresh & Easy Satin pink/Pearly burgundy/Satin grey
Calm, Cool & Collected Satin deep green/Pearly green/Satin beige
Blue My Mind Satin light blue/Pearly deep teal/Satin black
Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Powerpoint Eye Pencil
Stubborn Brown Deep rich brown
Permaplum Deeply plum with pink shimmer
Navy Stain Royal blue with shimmer
Suggested Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

Zoom Lash
Zoomblack Rich black
Suggested Retail Price $13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN

Mineralize Blush (Duo)
Happy Together Satin caramel/Pearly beige
A Little Bit of Sunshine Satin light brown/Pearly beige
Hang Loose Satin bright pink/Pearly lavender
Band of Roses Satin blue pink/Pearly light plum
New Vibe Satin deep rose/Pearly bronze
Suggested Retail Price $23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN

Mineralize Skinfinish
By Candlelight Golden Pink
Stereo Rose Coral with golden bronze shimmering nuances
Comfort Golden bronze
Petticoat Pale rose with gold and amber veining
Suggested Retail Price $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN

Brush
187 Duo Fibre Face A large, full circular brush
used for lightweight application and blending
of face powder or pigments.
Suggested Retail Price $42.00 U.S./$50.50 CDN

AvailableNorth America
July 8, 2010 at all M·A·C locations
International
July 2010 at all M·A·C locations
1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com