Lust-Haves: Hey Sailor!

Oh, my kingdom for a job as MAC's brand/marketing manager. MAC will forever has a place in my heart  for their amazing collections. Their latest collection, 'Hey, Sailor!', showcases the brand's creativeness perfectly and complements my 80% blue wardrobe! This 40-piece collection appeals to my love of all things nautical (duh), with its blue and white lined packaging and preppy, summery tones. 

Here's a snippet of the collection:

Image via No Boiz Allowed

Image via Icefrost Beauty Diary

I believe this collection is available at Australian MAC counters from June 1. Free free to sling mud at correct me if I'm wrong.

Lust. 

We be haulin'!

Since I've just come back from overseas with a full suitcase, I thought it might be wise to interrupt the normal programming and replace the weekly "Lust-Haves" posts with haul posts! Don't worry, this is strictly temporary (my body can only resist shopping for so long). This week is all about the beauty. 

To be honest, I didn't get that much skincare and make-up (in fact, I didn't get that much, full stop). I didn't get ANY blushes or eyeshadows, though this could be because I recently received a 100 colour palette. I don't know what reason I could boil this down to - competing priorities with limited time (read: eating), HK prices being not as cheap as I remembered, the fact that I can source a lot of brands online for equivalent/cheaper prices, the pile of unopened products from my last HK trip screaming at me, my mind mistakenly thinking that I was partaking in a Project 50 Pan, or ... it could be that I had a temporary brain aneurysm. 

Here's what I got:

See! Not that much!

Skinfood
Limited BB Cream Gift Kit
Fresh Aloe Pack
Salmon Eye Patch
Salmon Brightening Eye Serum
Grapefruit Nail Polish Remover
Black Raspberry Nasolabial Fold Wrinkle Care Mask Sheet (with purchase)

I've been so looking forward to trying out the Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream, and imagine my happiness when it was being sold as a special limited BB Cream Gift kit, complete with travel-sized versions of the Mushroom Multi Care BB Cream and an extra Aloe, just for kicks!

The saleslady was so nice (and probably trying to extort me), and recommended the Fresh Aloe Pack for my sensitive skin, and the Salmon eye products to combat my ridiculously dark under eye circles. I'll be sure to document how I go with this, so keep an eyeball open on this blog. 

tenseconds Waterproof Peneyeliner Set (eyeliner + mascara)
Dolly Wink Volume Mascara (with bonus Liquid Eye Liner)
Kiss Me Heroine Impact Liquid Eye Liner (in black)
Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Remover

I'm on a hunt to find the ultimate smudge-proof eyeliner, and I've heard great things about these Korean/Japanese brands. Again, stay tuned for reviews. At Sasa, the Dolly Wink eyeliner was actually sold on its own, but being the Asian that I am, I saw the bonus eyeliner kit hidden at the back (sold for the same price) and I lunged for it. Go Wendy go.

MAC
Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation in NC25

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC30

Prep + Prime Skin Base

Amplified Creme Lipstick in Watch Me Simmer (from the Shop collection)

It is truly amazing that I didn't buy more than I did at MAC. I've never actually used any of the MAC staples (foundation wise), so I'm super excited to try them out! Believe me, being able to use these products was my main motivation for taking this post's photos!

Maybelline

Pure BB Mineral 8 in 1 Improving BB Base in 02 Natural

Hello Kitty Hyper Curl Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara

100% Natural Lip Balm (free with purchase)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the BB Cream is not sold in Australia (and the packaging was all in Japanese), so I grabbed it the instant I laid eyes on it. Watch this space for a review soon. And let's face it, I only bought the mascara because it had Hello Kitty packaging. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry

I regret only getting one - I thought I was so sensible at the time because I already had so many similar lipstick shades! Lesson, don't ever listen to your brain ever when it comes to Chubby Sticks. 

Revlon Lip Butters

Raspberry Pie

Berry Smoothie

Macaroon

Pink Truffle

So much praise has been piled on to these babies, I just had to get one (or four)! They reach our shores in April, but I'm sure the price will be a lot heftier (I paid HKD $98 for each, that's about $12-13). Stay tuned for swatches and a review!

Revlon Silver Screen
NARS Night Bleed
Essie In Stitches
Essie Merino Cool

Jordana Quick Dry Topcoat

I heart NARS Night Bleed. It is the most gorgeous glitter polish - swatches to come!

Red Skin Red Wine Total Effects Eye Patch
Nexcare Acne Dressing

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Face Wash
Benefit the POREfessional
Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream

I stocked up on Aesop only a few months ago, but I couldn't resist getting my go-to product in HK, since it's actually cheaper in HK (plus a 10% Lane Crawford cardholder discount to boot!) I'm also itching to try out Hada Labo face wash - I may just have to stop using my usual cleanser now!

So there you have it, my humble HK beauty pile. Be sure to come back to see reviews, swatches, more general galavanting!

Lust-Haves: Shop 'til You Drop!

To borrow a phrase from the irrepressible Rachel Zoe, I've been "dying" at MAC Cosmetics' looks at the recent New York Fashion Week. The metallic eye and nude lip at Jason Wu? I die. The false lashes and bold lip at Erickson Beamon? I die. The rosy blush and pale pink lip at Doo.Ri? Dying all over the place.

I am growing a serious unrequited love relationship with MAC. Their exorbitant prices here in Ausland means that I have to either 1) buy their products overseas, or 2) only invest in their limited edition products. MAC's new hot-off-the-press collection is aptly named the Shop MAC collection - with its bold colours and playful vibe, I want everything!

Eye Shadow Quads

Left to right: Call Me Bubbles; Shop & Drop; Colour Added

Lipsticks

L-R: Innocence, Beware!; Watch Me Simmer; Naughty Saute; Quick Sizzle; Dish It Up; Runaway Red 

Kissable Lipcolours (lipglosses)

L-R: Enchantee; Woo Me; So Vain; Scan-delicious; Flaunting It

Cremeblend Blushes

L-R: Optimistic Orange; Florida; Restores Dazzle!

Images via MAC Cosmetics

Unfortunately this collection does not hit our fair shores until 27 February, so staring at the images will have to do for now!

Lust. 

Pout Like You Mean It.

I am LOVING the bold lip colour trend happening right now.

Two weeks ago, I impulse bought the Bust Out! lustre lipstick from M.A.C's limited-edition 'Surf Baby' range. This lovely mid-tone violet shade went a long way to satisfy my dramatic lip craving. The pictures really don't do justice to how great and dramatic the colour is. Note to self: invest in better lighting or better camera, whichever is more realistic.

Bust Out! - WITH flash

Bust Out! - WITHOUT flash

Without flash

With flash

Then one week ago, I impulse bought (I'm sensing a worrying shopping habit forming) Zoe Foster's beauty book Amazing Face, which is truly AH-maz-ing in every sense of the word. Filled with clever skin and make-up tips, it has already become my beauty bible. Zoe has some ingenious tips on achieving the ooh-la-la bold lip. Obviously I'm not going to give away all her advice - you'd have to buy her book, but here are some of her wise words:

• Bright lipsticks are best if they come in a creamy/matte formula
• Make sure your skin is as flawless as can be (concealers and foundations are your friends, ladies)
• Be minimal in your eye make-up to give centre stage to your lips
• For red lips, USE A LIPLINER
• Using a lip brush will give you a more precise application (and lasts longer)

So give your lips some loving and play around with your lipsticks!