MAC Goodbyes

Just got an e-mail from MAC about some products that are getting discontinued. I hate when they do this, but my assumption is it is part of their marketing scheme.

Fluidline: Shade
Lipstick: Delish
Tinted Lipglass: Nico
Nail Laquer: Abstract and Gee Whiz

If these are some of your HGs you may still be able to get them at your local counter till they are sold out or at a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet) and at 30% off.

Bridal Makeup Booking

Since my wedding, I had forgotten how much fun doing bridal makeup was, so just to get my feet wet, I made a post on Craigslist on Saturday and today got an e-mail from a bride getting married in only a week kind of scrambling to find someone. Thankfully, my schedule is free and I gratefully accepted to do her wedding makeup, as well as possibly the makeup for her MOH and her mother.

I'm actually really excited. I love doing makeup in a more personal environment than a store and that's what I've been doing for the past few years. You really don't get the opportunity to really talk to someone in a retail store and it's hard to be able to concentrate on 1 person (or in this case 3 - but we all know the bride is the most important).

Either way, we'll see if the bride allows it, but I hope to post some photographs of my handiwork assuming the trial goes well.

*EDIT*

Well, I guess I shouldn't have written about it, because she e-mailed me back saying that they had moved the wedding date - and that weekend I have a work related barbecue that I have to be at. Poo. The only good news is my photographer friend is looking for a makeup artist and it looks like we'll be collaborating so I'll be able to brush up on things and expand my portfolio a bit.

Drugstore Diva?

Even though I have hauled online quite a bit, someone really stop me please, I continue to need that instant gratification from the drugstore. I've noticed a few things.

1. The prices are getting insane (I'm talking to you, Revlon!)

2. There are more options than ever before including color choices, remember when you could really only buy black, blackest black and sometimes brown for some brands of eyeliners? No more! With brands like Styli-Styli, Wet n Wild (though I hate their pencil eyeliners, I don't recommend!), prestige, L'oreal's HIP line and Milani, there are so many choices out there. This is somewhat bad for me since I want it all! And of course, each color is slightly different, right? And the formulas are slightly different, just different enough (even if you are talking about regular 'ol black) that in our heads we can authorize the purchase and say it isn't like anything else we own, which is a lie of course.

3. The sales aren't as good. Even I have been sucked into Buy 1 get 1 50% off, which really is just 25% off - not that great. Now a true BOGO or Buy 1 get 1 free calls my name often, which is unfortunate. I remember when Wet n Wild used to go on sale for 3/$1 back when I was in my teens. What happened? I know that cosmetic companies have gotten greedy - it's not as though the product has suddenly started costing them more money - there are many sites out there that look at the true worth of say, a lipstick, which is somewhere around $.30 to make. That's a lot of profit!

Some of the drugstore brands have gems though! For instance, I will never pay more than $10 for a mascara anymore because I know I can get it cheap at the drugstore, especially if you stack coupons with sales.

My favorite drugstore products include:

• Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara - one of the only mascaras I can use in the winter when my eyes usually tear from the cold and then mascara usually further irritates them. I originally picked this up pretty cheap and will continue to buy it.
• Nearly the entire H.I.P line from L'oreal! What a great line. Just buy it on sale since it is fairly expensive.
• L'oreal Colour Riche lipgloss - this lipgloss is on the sheerer side, but it's super moisturizing and just gives the lips a subtle hint. This is one of those items I always keep in my purse.

Of course, there's a ton of other wonderful products out there. And with deals and coupons even those of us that are on a budget, can get good products!

Avon/Mark Haul

After perusing The Pink Train Case's Mark/Avon haul I went over to the site myself and found some great deals to be had, so of course I hauled.

I've been on a taupe/neutral kick for eyes and glossy lipsticks that seem like glosses for the lips. Here's some pics of my favorites.

Avon's new eyeshadow quads, singles and blushes are still on sale on their site. Quads are retailing for $5.99 (reg $8) which is very nice, too nice, in fact as I picked up 3 of them. Oops. My 2 favorites are Blushing Raisin & Mocha Latte

From left to right (or top to bottom depending on your screen size):
Blushing Raisin no flash, Blushing Raisin flash, Mocha Latte flash, Mocha Latte no flash

I love both of them, especially the 2 lower left shades in both palettes. The raisin quad's shade is a plummy taupe and the Mocha quad is more of a silvery brown taupe.

Then I picked up the Mark. get bright highlighting liquid in light - this is fabulous and very subtle and the Glazewear Diamonds lipstick in Ruby Slippers which has a gel-like formula and goes on bright pink but not over the top. Great for a neutral eye.



All these items can be found on the mark and/or avon sites, or order from your wonderful rep. Prices I paid:

True Color eyeshadow quad $5.99 (sale)
Glazewear Diamond lipstick $2.99 (sale)
Mark. get bright hook up highlighter $6.00 (reg price)

Finally Pictures LUSH Haul

Ok, finally a picture of my $15 LUSH haul! Not all bath bombs are pictured, since they are all repeats, but they are adorable and they smell fantastic! See the little miniature flowers on the eggs? So cute.
I also received my Haute Look Josie Maran order but I haven't even opened it up yet. Pictures and my thoughts on the products coming soon!