Between packing all of my belongings and an unexpected work trip, it’s been a tad bit busy on the home front so posting here will be a little irregular for the next week or so. Before I depart here are a few things that I’ve been loving, craving, and keeping an eye on:
1. diptyque is launching a new range called the L’Art du Soin Facial Skincare Collection in March and I am lining up to purchase. It consists of five skincare products centered around the Damask Rose that looks absolutely beautiful and since I’m already obsessed with the brand’s body care products I’m sure this will be a hit. I can already hear the Infused Facial Water ($55) calling my name. Available in diptyque boutiques in March.
2. I have the M·A·C Fantasy of Flowers collection staring at me on top of packed boxes just begging to be swatted and reviewed but I know I won’t get around to doing it in a timely fashion (#sadface). While the weather outside continues to be frightful (see what I did there?), this collection allows you to escape for a brief moment. Between the pastel pigments, bright lips, and rose colored blushes, this will make you believe Spring is so close (yet so far!). Available now at M·A·C counters and online.
3. Also by M∙A∙C is the new Viva Glam Rihanna lipstick. I was curious what the shade would look like given that Rih made just about very shade possible in her previouscollections BUT Viva Glam Rihanna is another pretty red. A blue-red with frost finish, this glides on and surprised me since I typically run far, far away from frost finishes. The lipglass is MAC’s signature with RiRi’s red twist. Bonus: every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Available now at M·A·C counters and online.
4. I’m featured in a Dove ad! I’ll be sharing more information soon but holy heck I’m so excited!!
5. NARS has been killing it lately and quite honestly I am here for it. The Final Cut blush collection is/was bananas (follows my “All Pink Everything” motto for life). Now they’ve introduced the Matte Multiple. The Multiple has been a staple in the brands repertoire since it can be used on cheeks, eyes, and lips. Available in seven shades from ginger pink to golden bronze, the Matte Multiple features a creamy, lightweight formula that delivers buildable, long-lasting, hydrating color. Available now online.
Disclosure: I received samples from MAC for editorial consideration.
Last time I posted about the riri hearts mac holiday collection, I promised swatches before the collection is made available online and now I’m trying to deliver. I rarely ever swatch anything, so work with me here! I was only given a few samples from MAC to work with so what’ll likely happen is I’ll have to purchase anything that’s part of the collection I don’t already own. Since I already wrote about RiRi Woo, I won’t have that here as I”m sure everyone’s already seen that lipstick.
Pleasure Bomb Lipstick
Pleasure Bomb ($16.50) excited me because I love a good pink lipstick and this one delivers in terms of color payoff and longevity. Described as a matte bright fuchsia, this color has some red in it so it’s not your average blue based pink lipstick. It truly reminds me of Impassioned (also by MAC). The formula, though matte is a bit creamier than matte lipsticks I’ve worn and it seriously lasts all day. It does not move a bit and basically stays put until you wipe it off. Definitely worth picking up!
Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in 2x Dare
This palette includes silver, grey, and muted blues in the Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow ($44) formula. I love the formula of the Veluxe Pearlfusion shadows because they’re unbelievably soft and look great when applied wet or dry. They are shimmery, which limits how often I wear them and I find that if I don’t use a primer it doesn’t last long (the colors in this palette seem to fade). As it is so soft, I did experience some fall out so I recommend applying before foundation and cleaning up with a makeup wipe to get the shimmer off your face.
Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in Cockiness
Cockiness ($20.50) is a shimmery rose gold hue that’s supremely sheer though it can be layered to get the full effect. While I have worn it alone, I think it looks best when worn over something to make eyes pop a bit. Unfortunately when I swatched this, you couldn’t really see anything except a bit of glitter on my skin. Here are better swatches on fairer skin.
RiRi Woo Nail Lacquer
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this nail polish ($17.50)! I rarely ever wear reds (too classic and predictable haha) but this is such a thick formula that you can almost get away with one coat. It’s the same bluish red shade RiRi Woo is known for but in an opaque formula that has a high-shine cream finish. Though not the exception in all reds available, I do think it’s a great color.
Disclosure: samples provided by the brand for editorial consideration.
RiRi ♥ M·A·C Holiday is the final installment of the partnership between Rihanna and M·A·C Cosmetics before her reign as Viva Glam spokesperson in 2014.
RiRi ♥ M·A·C Holiday features the return of RiRi Woo so if you missed out before this is your LAST chance. In addition to RiRi Woo there are two new lipsticks: Pleasure Bomb (pictured above) and Bad Girl RiRi.
Also part of the collection is a nail polish (also by the name RiRi Woo), Superslick Liquid Eye Liner, Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow (eye shadow palettes), Bronzing Powder (pictured below), Pink Metallic Quilted Makeup Bag (not pictured), the double-ended 217 Blending Brush and the 239 Eye Shader Brush.
This limited-edition collection is housed in white packaging with RiRi’s rose-gold detailing. The collection is available on December 12 (in North America; I believe on December 10 in the UK). I will be doing an in-depth review soon with swatches since you guys asked for that last time, haha! In the meantime, below is the full list of products in the collection for reference. I plan to do the swatches early so you guys can have an idea of what to purchase since the last collection sold out super quick!
MAC Cosmetics has announced that Rihanna will be the next Viva Glam spokesperson for the 2014 campaign. Past spokespeople include rap superstar Nicki Minaj, Mother Monster Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, RuPaul, and many more.
Here’s a first look of the lipstick courtesy of my stalking Instagram (source). MAC is hosting a few key international editors in Barbados where they debuted the lipstick and lipglass duo and the songstress is doing interviews. She reportedly wore a black Lanvin dress (I think it’s from the Fall 3013 collections)
Rihanna’s Viva Glam lipstick comes in what looks like a red rubberized tube, unlike the standard black with red trim. From what I’ve seen so far on Twitter and Instagram it’s not a matte shade like her Riri Woo hue and there looks to be hints of shimmer. Too soon to tell so I’ll report back once I’m able to get clearer images and/or a sample closer to launch date.
The lip duo will be available in January 2014, following Rihanna’s holiday collection with the beauty brand. Every cent of the selling price goes toward the MAC Aids Fund, helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
TODAY’S THE DAY! Rihanna’s Fall collection with M·A·C Cosmetics is officially available in stores in North America. From what I gather on Twitter, the collection is selling out fast! For her collaboration this time around, there’s a range of somewhat bold yet neutral colors great for everyday, all encased in the metallic warmth of rose gold packaging.
FACE: The face products in this collection are all about luminous and highlighted skin.
(L-R) Powder Blush in Bad Girl Gone Good ($23), Diamonds Cream Colour Base ($22), and Powder Blush Duo ($29) in Hibiscus Kiss
Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo is a pretty cool coral blush and matte neutral bronzer housed all in one. On me, it makes for a pretty cheek color, that doesn’t go ashy or grey.
Bad Girl Gone Good (left) is a warm copper blush in a satin finish and brightens up my face a bit, while Diamonds CCB (right) is a golden shimmer cream that’s looks perfect for highlighting as long as you’re using a light touch.
EYES: eyes are all about creating the perfect smokey look while still remaining a bit soft. There are two eyeshadow palettes (I received one in the press samples)
(L-R) Eyeshadow x 4 Palette in Smoked Cocoa ($44), Extended Play Lash mascara in Gigablack ($17.50), Liquidlast Liner in Pointblack ($21.50), and Veluxe Brow Liner ($21.50) in Brunette (also available in Deep Dark Brunette, dark dirty chocolate color)
The eyeshadow quad is pretty and contains the usual colors for a smokey eye look. The to two lighter colors have a good payoff but the darker colors you need some sort of base which is disappointing. They’re also a bit hard to blend out but I’d be curious to test out the second palette in this collection as they’re all some shade of brown/ golden which would make for a solid everyday look.
LIPS: Lipstick in deep raisin, orange frost, creamy nude and the vivid red of RiRi Woo match gleaming Lipglass (RiRi Woo lipstick is also available in the rose gold casing but not pictured here)
(L-R) Riri Woo Lipglass ($16.50), Nude and Talk That Talk Lipsticks (both $16.50), and RiRi Woo Pro Longwear Lip Pencil ($21.50)
RiRi Woo Lipglass and lip pencil are cool red cream products made to complement the lipstick of the same name so no new revelations there. Nude lipstick is a cool nude cream product AND dark skin friendly! It’s a a medium dark brown shade instead of pinky nude and doesn’t wash me out. Although it is a matte formula it doesn’t dry out my lips and is quite creamy. Talk That Talk is a beautiful matte dark plum that just screams “IT’S AUTUMN, WEAR ME!” I swear. Being that it IS a retro matte finish, it’s not going to be as creamy as Nude and it’s best when applied in short strokes. It gives off a lot of coverage but wear a balm underneath to hydrate your lips. UPDATE AS OF 9/27 11:41AM: swatches at the end of the post. Nude looks super pink and I’m not sure if t’s the lighting or what.
Good luck if you’re heading to the counters to find items from this collection - let me know what’s on your wishlist! The collection is available in stores in North America today, available online September 30, and internationally October 3rd.
Update: swatches of the lipsticks below (Nude on top, Talk That Talk on the bottom)
