My First M.A.C. Haul + Review!

Hello Friends!

I don't know what's taken me so long, but I've never tried anything from MAC before. I received a gift card for my recent graduation, and I thought it was high time to try some out!

I have to preface this review with a side note. I was not terribly impressed with employees that "helped" me out. The MAC counter that I went to was in an upscale department store in my area, and them employees certainly made that clear. Until I made it clear that I intended to purchase enough product to make it worth their while, I was treated like I wasn't quite good enough- posh enough- to be there. Looking back, I probably should have said something to the management or customer service desk, but I just didn't think of it at the time.

I went ahead and had a full makeover. The look was a little... much... for me, but that's what you expect from the over-made-up girls you see at MAC counters. I didn't purchase all of the products they used, since some of them were duplicates of similar products I already had, but I did purchase some of them. Here's my reviews, after a month of trial.

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Smoother - $30

This stuff is interesting. It's pretty thick and gloopy, almost like shortening (okay... not the most flattering description... sorry), but when it goes on, it settles into a smooth, almost silicone like texture. It works well to smooth over rough or dry areas on the face. I find it to work pretty well, but I wouldn't use it as an all-over primer, since it is fairly heavy. It works well in conjunction with a lighter primer for the rest of the face.

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in Shade 1 - $33

Okay, you guys know I'm always on the prowl for a the foundation. I was actually really impressed with this one. Having been skeptical about the "color adjusting" technology for quite a while, I asked the makeup artist how exactly it works. She mumbled something about having pink, yellow, brown, and reflective pigments... I'm not sure either of us understand what she said, but I can say that this foundation works pretty well for me. I have fair skin with slightly yellow undertones, and this comes closer to matching my skin than most foundations.

It works adequately on my oily skin (when used with primers, powders, and other oil control methods), but I don't think it's anything to write home about on that accord. It's definitely a medium coverage, and I find I like it better with a light dusting of a powder foundation over it.

My main issue with this foundation is my fault- the weather got nice, and I ended up getting a tan a few weeks later, so it's now too light... sigh.

OH! Also, I asked the girl at the counter about the many people who say that MAC foundations make them break out. She said that they are "non-acnegenic," so it must be that those people just "didn't wash their faces." Well... I wash my face, and I broke out. So.

MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe - $40

Okay... So I definitely did NOT realize this was $40! I don't know if it was on sale or if I just didn't ask... but FORTY! For eye shadow! Grrrr....

I really like this palette. It had one matte, the "eggshell" at the top, a "frosty orange gold," a shiny "light yellow chocolate," and two pearl shades "deep bronze" and "blackened plum."  They work well on their own, but look really lovely together. I find that I like them best when used wet- the makeup artist used setting spray on the brush after she loaded it with shadow. It gives a really lovely rich tone.

This one needs a preface. While waiting for my appointment, I perused their counter. I saw these lip products, and told my friend that I wouldn't be caught dead in them... So that's what I ended up wearing... and loving them. They are quite gaudy, so bare with me, as these are my favorites from the trip.

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick - $15 and Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipglass -$15

I really love these two paired together. The purple of the lipglass counters the yellowy-ness of the lipstick, and calms it down. I haven't had the guts to wear them separately yet. I do recommend applying the lipstick with a brush, it's not very forgiving. 

A side note about these products- I don't know if you guys already know this, but all proceeds of the Viva Glam lines go towards helping people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

All in all, I had an interesting time with MAC. I love some of the products, but not enough to make me a regular customer, when there's a Sephora in the same complex!

What are some of your favorite MAC products? Let me know in the comment section.

Always,

Nani xx

Salon Review: Urban Waxx

*In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided this service in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed in this review, however, are my real and honest views.*

Hello Friends!

Recently, I was approached by a salon in my area, Urban Waxx, to do a review. With summer upon us- yes, even here, in the Pacific North West- it's shorts and swimsuit season. Normally, I'm not really one for waxing in salons, but this experience may very well have changed my mind.

I went to one of Urban Waxx's three Portland, Oregon locations. I was able to use their very user-friendly online scheduler to make an appointment, which was great! A few days before the appointment, I got a reminder call, which also would have been great, but unfortunately I was getting ready for a cousin's wedding, and promptly forgot.

Monday rolled around, and I got another call- their very polite receptionist, wondering if I was going to make my appointment... which was supposed to have started five minutes prior! They were very sweet about it, and allowed me to reschedule (although they normally charge for half the price of the appointment you miss) for later that day.

Of course, although I left an HOUR early to get to the salon that was 30 minutes away from my house, I ran into construction... But once again, the staff were very understanding, and I made it there only a minute late.

Once at the salon, I was very impressed. I went to their Division branch, which is located in SE Portland, about ten minutes from downtown. The building itself was easy to find, and the interior was really nice and airy. I was immediately greeted by the receptionist- who, incidentally, spent about ten minutes looking at the ingredients of their body butters with my mom, in case they had jojoba in them (she's allergic)-  and was taken back very promptly.

My esthetician, Adrianna, was very warm and friendly, and made me feel very comfortable. The waxing took place in a large, private room, even though I was only having my eyebrows done. Once in the room, Adrianna gave me a mirror so that we could look at my eyebrows together and she could get an idea of what I wanted. We agreed that we both liked the natural shape of my eyebrows, but that they could use some tidying- and that's exactly what she did.

I wish I could post a picture, but my camera is freaking out right now, so I'll post pictures as soon as I can get it figured out. My eyebrows are seriously awesome. That sounds awfully vein, but I'm pretty darn excited about them... I may or may not have spent a portion of the ride home wiggling them around in time to the music... But hey, I wasn't driving :) 

Anyway, all this to say, I had a great experience at Urban Waxx, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in the Portland area looking for a great waxing experience. Maybe I'll see you there!

Always,

Nani xx

A big thank you to Kendall from Urban Waxx for setting this up for me! You can contact them at (503) 342-7028 or at www.urbanwaxx.com