MAC Haul ft. Studio Fix Concealer, Powder Plus Foundation, Eyeshadows, Prep+Prime Fix+ and more

I bought a lot of MAC on Boxing Day and around the holiday time, mainly because of the promotional discounts, free gift wrapping and also because I was intrigued by the newer packaging/the formula and just wanted to give it a go. 

In the past, I haven't been able to create a relationship with MAC products because despite the amazing shade range, I could not find anything that matched my skintone, nor did the formula worked for me. I always felt it accentuated the flaws on my face - like the lines around my eyes or the dryness on my mouth area. I felt that MAC products commanded more steps and more effort from me to make it work. 

Even though, the price point is almost comparable to drugstore products, especially with the 25% discount that I received for Boxing Day, I just never really wanted to buy MAC Cosmetics. Not to mention the awkwardness of the sales associates in my local MAC boutiques. They are always so pushy and judgemental. I will narrate my experiences later in this post. 

Anyways, so these are the products I purchased and so far, liking it. They are the Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC30, the Studio Fix 24Hr Smooth Wear Concealer in NC30 and NW30, Fix+ in three scents, in the holiday packaging and free makeup remover wipes, I received with my online order. Yup, I ordered online, because I did not need any more useless interactions with MAC employees. 

For swatches and detailed pics keep reading. 

Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation in Warm Natural 4.5 Review and Swatch

I have started to catch up with my regular life, now that I am home after a wonderful vacation to Palm springs, CA. It was amazing to be in a different climate, hearing different languages and tasting food I have never had before. The sun was so harsh but it felt great to get a tan after those winter months.

Sadly, my skin broke out and I was not carrying my anti acne treatment because I 'thought' I am done with it. Will share more on acne in my next post. 

Today, I am sharing this powder foundation from Bobbi Brown, and was the only foundation I flew with! Yes, I did use a concealer and a primer, but this foundation was pretty darn good! I got the coverage I wanted and could easily touch up, thanks to the huge mirror in this compact. It was the only makeup product, I pulled out of the z-palette to carry in my handbag, because its so thin that it could fit in the inner pocket without feeling bulky.

BURBERRY Fresh Glow Compact - Luminous Foundation in OCHRE 20 Review

Today I am sharing this luxurious, beautifully scented powder foundation from Burberry. I am impressed with all the Burberry products I have tried before, so I wanted to try their powder foundation because, powder foundations are always tricky. They can quickly oxidize, may look drying or patchy.  However, Burberry nailed it with the blushes and eyeshadows, so I felt safe to get their powder foundation. I have been using this for a month now and I have mixed feelings about this one. Firstly, it only comes in 6 shades, so you have to be lucky to get a perfect match. The shade I picked is a shade lighter than my complexion, because the shades darker than this one, were rosy or orange toned. Ochre 20 is more like a light golden shade (yellow undertones). For swatches and review and how I use it, keep reading...

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder Foundation in Shade 4 - Review

"An oil-free, award-winning, lightweight powder foundation with a radiant, luminous finish. "

This is how it is described on Sephora's website, however, my experience with this powder foundation was rather underwhelming. I could not believe how sheer this so-called "powder foundation" could be.

I would not even have mentioned it here but something so pricey and with generally rave reviews, needed my two cents. 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder Foundation in shade 4

Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation in Caramel 110 - Review and Swatches

Nothing in my makeup bag screams luxury like this compact foundation by Dolce & Gabbana. The reflective gold packaging, the closure, the velvet pouch it comes with...every thing about D&G makeup is so irresistible - I bet no one can stop with just a single product. Later in this post, I will share why I got it and how I like it, but for now, lets just drool over the pics of this beauty!  

Annabelle CC Perfecting Base - Natural Finish & Luminous Finish and CC Pressed Powder Review, Swatches and Photos

I think this was launched for last year's Spring and I am ridiculously late in sharing this with you guys! But I really like these products, so I thought why not share it now! This was the first CC cream I came across and they are proudly Canadian. We see a number of CC creams in the market but these three products work so well together, that I reach out to these almost every day. Oh and btw, Marcelle, which is a sister brand of Annabelle has launched a DD cream too!! I believe these are the only affordable CC creams in the market and they are oh so good at correcting and priming..

Amazing Cosmetics Mineral Velvet Foundation, Amazing Concealer and Anti Aging Primer

The world's best concealer is here!! Its from Amazing Cosmetics. I am sure you have come across the Amazing Concealer at some point but recently, I really got searching for a nice concealer and Amazing Cosmetics had it! Just like everyone else, I would be willing to trade anything for a good concealer. So, today, I will share with you three products from Amazing Cosmetics, including their Mineral Velvet Foundation, Amazing Concealer and their Anti Aging Primer. The shades I decided to go with is Light Golden, which is a shade lighter for me. I think I should have gone with Medium Golden but nonetheless I like the quality of these products and I am here to share this with you guys!

NEW HD PRESSED POWDER from MAKE UP FOR EVER

Between social media, cell phone cameras and video chatting, a flawless complexion 24/7 is a must and MAKE UP FOR EVER has a new solution for touching up on-the-go. The industry’s leading professional makeup brand has reinvented its best-selling HD Microfinish Loose Powder and is launching HD Pressed Powder to offer a quick and simple solution to a “camera-ready” society.

HD Pressed Powder is a talc-free, silky, lightweight finishing powder that offers the same benefits of HD Microfinish Loose Powder, but in a purse friendly pressed compact. The exclusive formula boasts a combination of three premium powders (silica, vinyl crosspolymer and Micro & Spherical powders) to help soften the appearance of fine lines and pores and create a soft focus effect on the skin. The powder’s second skin effect creates an instantly smooth, slightly mattified finish and most importantly, is comfortable to wear.

HD Pressed Powder is offered in one universal shade and designed to work for every skin tone from light to deep, with sheer flawlessness and perfection. Although the setting powder appears white in the compact, it is completely translucent on the skin and ideal for creating a chalk-free, HD compatible finish.

Pro Application tip: A little goes a long way. Buff a small amount of HD Pressed Powder into the skin in a downward and outward motion using the super soft, synthetic fibers of the NEW Kabuki Artisan Brush #124 to set foundation and even out complexion.

SRP: HD Pressed Powder, $41.00

         Kabuki Brush #124, $60.00

Where to buy: Available exclusively at Sephora, Sephora.ca and MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutiques (Feb 2014)