MAC Magnetic Nudes Collection - Haul, Swatches & Looks

Hello Beauties,

Well December was a heck of a busy month for us all - holidays, parties and MAC released two different collections on the same day as well as limited edition 'Huggable' lip colours. Whew! No wonder so many of us are opting for vacation, or at least on a very strict budget now in the new year.

This post is to talk about one of the collections that MAC released right after Christmas - no literally right after, on the 26th of December - their 'Magnetic Nudes' Limited Edition Collection. I was so excited about this collection, not only because I have been on this Nude makeup kick lately, but also because the powder products are 'Extra Dimension' formula. If you know about this formula from past collections, than you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you have not heard of their Extra Dimension formula, basically it's a liquid to powder hybrid formula and the colours are prismatic and layered so there's depth and dimension in the shade. So you can just imagine the colour payoff and effect it gives when applied.




This is a beautiful collection of soft metallics and neutral shades that are perfect to wear during the rest of the winter season but are still super on trend with how hot Nudes are right now. It was perfect timing to launch this soft, beautiful collection at the same time they launched a hard, punky one - Punk Couture (to see my MAC Punk Couture Haul, Swatches and Look, click here). MAC just aims to please by launching two extremely opposite collections, hey I'm not complaining ;).

Here's what I got from this Collection:

'Autoerotique' Extra Dimension Blush - This is described as a 'Dirty Coral Rose' colour, which it indeed is a medium to medium deep, coral pink. It has a soft satin finish as expected from their Extra Dimension formula, it's very buttery and had great colour payoff. Super pigmented, a little goes a long way. I love the warm undertones, and the muddy pink is perfect for the Winter season and into early Spring. The softness of this formula makes it super easy to apply and blend, surprisingly long wearing as well. I thought it wouldn't last as long on my face but wore well for 8 hours, with some patching in the last half hour. The more I stare at this blush, the more I fall in love with it! It has such a subtle shimmer to it, its so pretty and gives a great effect and dimension to the colour. I usually obsess over blushes and this will be no exception!

Silver Dawn' Extra Dimension Eye Shadow - Talk about Extra Dimension! This colour was the most interesting for me out of the whole collection. This is described as a 'Dirty Grey Mauve' but I would say that its a meduim deep, neutral to cool taupe with subtle shimmer and a metallic finish. I love this dark taupe-y colour, its a great alternative to black for a smokey eye (as demenstrated in one of the looks below). I love that because it looks more brown when paired with certain colours and more grey with others. Makes it a very verstile colour, one that I want to keep in my kit. I might buy backups of the shadows because of how beautiful they are and how well they work with all colours!

'A Natural Flirt' Extra Dimension Eye Shadow - This was the first item in the collection that I knew I had to have from the first time I saw it online. This is described as a 'Iridescent Light Pink', it is a pale warm pinky peach colour with a gold frost and metallic finish. Really pretty pink colour, great for highlighting and brightening. Love that this a more pink version of 'Naked' Pigment, both work amazingly well as a cheek highlight as well. I love this colour, perfect for Bridal makeup and perfect to polish off any nude makeup look! I'm 100% going back for another one of these babies, I've used it everyday since I brought it home. By this rate I'll need backups of my backups for this one!

'Close Contact' Amplified Creme Lipstick - Although I loved all the lipstick colours that they released in this collection, this was the only one that looked good and I could pull off. I can't resist a good peachy-beige nude! I almost always buy 'the nude colour' in every collection MAC releases. This is described as a 'Creamy Peach' colour. It's a medium light beige peach with opaque colour coverage and a creamy finish. This is a deeper than 'Myth' or 'Creme d' Nude'. I love this colour, nudes are so perfect to wear with any colour combination, any occasion, any time! This colour wears well for 4 hours (5 and a half with lipliner) and the creamy consistancy kept my lips soft and the colour soft. Nothing like a good nude lip, I'm obsessed!!

'Chilled' Fluidline Eye Liner - Love the shimmer and glitter in this one, it definitely caught my eye quick! This is described as a ' Frosted White Gold', it looks more pale pinky-peach with gold shimmer and pearl in the pot, but when applied appears more white-gold. This colour just screams 'Winter Wonderland' but not in a frigid cold kind of way - but more in a 'lets get cozy' kind of way. So pretty to wear on its own, great for under the bottom lashline, layered over other colours - there are so many possibilities!

'Our Secret' Fluidline Eye Liner - This is the Fluidline that I was first interested in, its so soft and pretty! This is described as a 'Metallic Brown with a Red Pearl'. Its a soft, medium warm brown with a very subtle red pearl finish. Super pretty for a non sparkle brown liner option, I ABSOLUTELY love it on people with brown eyes, it just intensifies the warm tones in their eyes. Its so pretty and neutral to wear as everyday liner. I'm all about the brown liner lately, this has been the eye liner I have been reaching for most.

'It's Physical' Fluidline Eye Liner - Now you might understand why I had a hard time choosing between the Fluidline's - here's another beautiful brown liner that makes me crazy because it's so pretty! This is described as a 'Brown with a Purple Pearl' colour. It has a deep brown base with large purple shimmer and a pearl finish. How pretty, right? So pretty! I love that this one has a little more presence than 'Our Secret', its the purple shimmer. Great to compliment brown and green eyes, perfect to wear on its own or with other neutrals or purples. I have a strange feeling that I will end up back at my MAC store buying all three Fluidlines! (Swatches from top to bottom in photo: It's Physical, Our Secret and Chilled.)

As much as I wanted to buy everything, there's no way I could - especially right after Christmas. I love, love LOVE this collection! Its so pretty, perfect shades to make everyone happy and the Extra Dimension formula just puts it over the edge! I feel like this collection is so underrated and it's my mission to let everyone know how beautiful it all actually is! If I do end up buying more of this collection (I might go back for an Extra Dimension Skinfinsh and I had my eye on a gloss too), I will make sure to add them to the post. So crazy in love with everything I got and have been wearing it non stop! Can't stop! Won't Stop!











Here are some lipstick swatch comparisons for 'Close Contact':

(Top - Bottom: MAC 'Fresh Brew', MAC 'Pure Decoration', MAC 'Altered Beige', MAC 'Close Contact')

For my first look, I decided to keep things really nice and simple. Benefit Porefessional Primer and MAC 'Painterly' Pro Longwear Paint Pot on my eyes as a primer. MAC Mineralize and Pro Longwear liqiud foundations with a little bit of MAC Studio Sculpt foundation where I needed it. MAC Mineralize Skinfinsh Natural powder to set. MAC 'Nude on Board' Bronzer for my contour. MAC 'Quite Natural' Pro Longwear Paint Pot for my brows with MAC Pro Longwear concealer to correct them. For my eyes I used MAC 'Saffron' (LE) eyeshadow on my crease and outer lid. Urban Decay 'Dark Horse' Eyeshadow from Naked 1 Palette on the inner 'V' and blended a bit into the crease. MAC 'A Natural Flirt' Extra Dimension Eyeshadow all over the lid and MAC 'Vanilla' Pigment on the inner corner and on my brow bone. Jessie's Girl Liquid Eyeliner and Clinque High Impact Mascara. My cheeks are MAC 'Hibiscus Kiss' (LE) Bronzer / Blush combo for my blush and MAC 'Adored' (LE) Mineralize Skinfinish as my highlight. On my lips I have MAC 'Boldly Bare' Lip Pencil blended with MAC 'Close Contact' lipstick.

My Second Look, My foundation, bronzer and brow products are all the same and applied the same as my first look. For my eyes I used MAC 'Silver Dawn' Extra Dimension Eye Shadow all over my lid and under my lower lash line. I then applied Urban Decay's 'Buck' Eyeshadow on my crease and under my lower lash line, and blended that into where I have 'Silver Dawn' colour with MAC 'Saffron' (LE) Eyeshadow. MAC 'A Natural Flirt' on my inner corner and brow bone. On my cheeks I have MAC 'Autoerotique' Extra Dimension Blush and 'A Natural Flirt' Extra Dimension Eye Shadow as my highlight. On my lips, I have the same combo of MAC 'Boldy Bare' Lip Pencil with 'Close Contact' Liptick.

Let me know what look you liked better and if you would try to recreate these looks in the comments box below this post! What did you think of the collection and what did you get? I would love to know your thoughts and how you much you are loving what you got, in the comments box below! Are you as gaga over these nudes as I am? I cannot get off this kick, and I'm LOVING it!

For more posts on future MAC collections, swatches and makeup looks, be sure to subscribe to my blog by leaving your email in the box at the top of this page. I will be posting what I got from their other collection 'Punk Couture', so make sure you check back soon for that one. Black Matte Lipstick? Um a Hells YES!

If you lovelies recreate my look, don't forget to tag me on Instagram with #makeupmasochist so I can see all of your creations, and don't forget to follow (@fernonje). You can also follow my blog on Bloglovin', just click on the icon above or search my blog on the app and follow!

For more information on the products mentioned and to purchase, please visit the links below:

www.maccosmetics.com
www.sephora.com
www.urbandecaycosmetics.com
www.benefitcosmtics.com

Feeling Nude-y, in my own naughty way!

xoxo
Ashley

Skincare Empties - Goodbye 2013!

As we are getting into the new year, I took a look at some of my items in my beauty basket and was thinking 'I wonder what 2014 will bring in terms of beauty and skincare?'. What better way to get ready for all things beauty in 2014 then by saying goodbye and reflecting on what we used in 2013? Seems logical.

In terms of beauty and skincare, 2013 was a great year for me. I always used skincare and always tried different products before, but last year was when I finally sat down and asked myself: 'Skin, what do you want? What do you need to be healthy?'. I started listening to myself and focusing on what my skin needed to be healthy, rather than listening to what everyone else was telling me would work for me. Although I am always looking for peoples opinions on skincare and grateful when someone turns me on to something promising, but with disappointment after disappointment -  I really needed to focus on finding what works for ME and MY skin. 2013 was a great year for me and skincare because I started getting a lot more educated about what I was putting on my skin and face, I was able to do more thorough research and tested countless samples to find the best products for my face. I will always be on the hunt for the better face wash or night cream, but I think I am well on my way to finding the perfect skincare routine.

Here's the breakdown on what I used up last year:

Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream - I've never used Shiseido Skincare before and I received this little deluxe sample with a promo code with Sephora online. I was super excited to try one of their products and I needed a night cream so this was perfect at the time. I used this as a night cream because it is a little thicker in consistency, and since there was no SPF. Restoring creams usually scream night cream to me as well. Although it's really good at moisturizing and I did notice plumper, more fuller skin (especially where its sunken in a bit or scarred), that's about all it did. I didn't notice a change in any of my pigmentation or any acne prevention, it did not keep my oily tzone or acne at bay. I feel this might be better for more mature skin, and I might revisit this product again for moisturization purposes - but I will most likely not repurchase in 2014.

Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser - I loved loved loved the idea of Philosophy and their products made more naturally and simple. But if that were the case, truly, than why do their products have parabens!?!? Ugh, I hated finding parabens when I was reading the ingredient list - I was soooo disappointed! I actually enjoyed this as a cleanser, the scent and the freshness of the Tea Tree Oil was so refreshing and my skin looked just as fresh. But unfortunately, with the growing evidence against Parabens and how they are linked to cancer cells is just too much of a risk to continue using Philosophy products. So lame! I loved everything that I've sampled from them, but one of the reasons I started this skincare mission is to find products that not only make my skin healthy, but keep me healthy and good for the environment as well. So disappointed Philosophy! Definitely not repurchasing this one or any Philosophy products unless the reformulate their products to EXCLUDE parabens in the future.

GoodSkin Eyliplex-2 Eyelift/Circle Reducer Day & Night Eye Combo - I had bought this on my last trip to the Estee Lauder Warehouse Sale (to see my entire Haul from that trip, click here), and as they were 2/$25, I still have one more that I am using. I actually really like this product, I feel that the two different formulas for day and night really target certain eye concerns. The cooling and refreshing day gel helps depuff eyes and diminish the appearance of dark circles; and the night balm is super moisturizing and helps repair skin including lines and wrinkles. If I happen to go to the next sale in March, I will definitely be picking this up again, especially if its the same price 2/$25. Great price and product, can't go wrong!

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream from the Resurgence Line - I got this from my mom, she tends to buy special value packs when they are on sale, and since I needed a cleanser at the time - I tried this one. Although I don't have a list of ingredients, I do know that Murad products have a great repertoire for being great for sensitive skin and they don't test on animals! Big points there! I did enjoy using this cleanser, I felt that it gave just enough moisturization and still felt like it really cleaned my skin. No filmy residue and it didn't dry out my skin like some lather cleansers do. If I didn't already find the perfect cleanser and one that I absolutely love and won't give up for anything - I would definitely repurchase this. I am interested in trying some other products from their line since I did like this one.

Nivea Visage Light Moisturizing Day Care SPF 15 Cream - Coming from a European family and visiting Europe quite often myself, Nivea has been a household name almost my entire life. This is not the first time that I tried Nivea face cream, or this product for that matter. On one of my trips back home, I bought and loved this cream so much that I brought back 3 bottles of it (at the time, Nivea had not launched their facial skincare line in North America). When I was finishing my last bottle of day cream and needed a new one I found myself holding this cream again and figuring 'Why not?! I used and loved it before, lets try the formula now - it might be better!'. I like that there's SPF already in the cream, and it was light but moisturizing. It didn't do anything to even skintone or complexion and did nothing for my acne. Great (cheaper!) option for a good moisturizing cream, but I think I will not repurchase. I want to see what else is out there, something more natural or not tested on animals and of course - without Parabens!

First Aid Beauty F.A.B. Face Cleanser w/FAB Antioxident Booster - The search for the perfect face cleanser is over! This is it! After many samples and product trials, this is the absolute best facial cleanser that I've tried and for my skin. I love that this is an acne fighting cleanser, but still gentle and super moisturizing for sensetive skin. Its so hard to find something that will both fight acne and be gentle enough for my sensetive skin. I have been using this baby since April of last year (to read about that Sephora Haul, click here) and I don't intend on stopping anytime soon! Unless it's of course to try FAB's new Red Clay Cleanser! Stay tuned for that review this year! I recommend this to anyone and everyone, it will work for you! Loved it so much that I bought other products from their line and loving them so far!

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer - Again, another goodie from my last Estee Lauder Warehouse sale back in September. I had used this before when I recieved a deluxe sample from a friend, but I was happy to try it again since I got it free at the sale! It's the full sized bottle too! I used this twice a day on top of my moistuizer, and it does exactly what it says it will. I noticed a bit difference in my skin tone and discolouration. It also helped keep my acne at bay and healed my scars to where you can't even see them anymore. I don't think I will be repurchasing anytime soon. Mostly because I think this product is better suited for more mature skin. I do like to purchase and use a product for more mature skin for a short period of time (usually right after summer) to try and correct some of the sun damage I accumulated during the summer. I know I will be purchasing and using either this or their 'Laserfocus' serum, but not until after summer is over (or if I get another for free!;)).

Whew! There you have (some) of my more recent empities from 2013, there were definitly more empties - I can't tell you how many different little deluxe samples I've tried - but these are the ones that I happened to hold on to. Have you tried any of these products before? What did you think? I would love to know, tell me in the box below! Or if you have any skincare suggestions that you would like me to try and maybe do a review on, make sure to let me know about them too!

For more skincare posts and hauls, be sure to subscribe to my blog by entering your email into the box at the top of this page. Tag me on your empties posts and reviews with #makeupmasochist on Instagram and don't forget to follow (@fernonje). You can also follow my blog with all your other favourites on Bloglovin' - just search my blog on the app and follow or click the icon at the top of this page!

Still on the hunt for the perfect skincare products - so much skincare, so little time!

Better get on it.

xoxo

Ashley

Food For Thought: Hot Pepper Jelly

Happy Monday!!

Start of a new week, hope everyone enjoys! I decided to start of this week on a fire-y note, a spicy recipe that's been keeping us all warm this winter. I need to document this one because I have 1 jar left and I will need to make this again soon. I already have a little waiting list for my next batch. Something this good needs to be shared, so I hope you all enjoy and try this out for yourselves!

I got the inspiration from watching Chef Chuck Hugh's "Chuck's Day Off" and his take on Red Pepper Jelly (to try his recipe, click here), but I decided to tweak my take a bit and use a few different types of hot peppers instead of just 1 Scotch Bonnet. I made this with my family (and myself!) in mind, we don't shy away from spicy or hot foods. We actually prefer our foods spicy, and since I had some Jalapenos and Portuguese Hot Peppers that I had grown in my garden, I knew this would be a great way to use them and impress the family at the same time.










This is how I did it:

First things first, the peppers need to be diced. I started with the sweet bell peppers first, I had about 7 or 8 sweet bell peppers. I used all different colours - red, yellow and orange, no discrimination here. They are all sweet and yummy and going into the pot. I used one large communal bowl to put all the peppers in once they were diced.

Next we will chop up some Jalapenos. I had about 6 smaller ones from my garden (one had actually turned Orange, so it was spicier than the green ones. The redder in colour the pepper, the spicier it is. I had also bought about 4 or 5 larger Jalapenos from the supermarket. So crazy the difference in size, but that's another story. I chopped 'em all up and added them to the communal bowl, seeds and all!

And lastly time to chop up the Portuguese Hot Peppers. These are all from my garden! I used about 3 fairly longer peppers, I find they are a lot longer when you grow them than in the supermarket. Everyone into the communal bowl!

I grabbed a large pot and set the temperature to Medium-High on my stove top. I dumped all the peppers in and added about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar and stirred that until it was almost all dissolved.

When making any kind of jams, jellies or preserves, I like to use some type of fresh citrus to cut the sweetness and compliment the flavour base. With this jelly I decided to use both lemon and lime juice and shavings. I felt that the lemon will brighten the sweetness of the bell peppers and the lime will compliment the heat of the Jalapenos and hot peppers. The zest and juice of 1 whole lemon and lime are added and stirred until the sugar is completely dissolved. I also added about 1/4 Cup of water as well.

Now is the time to wait. While stirring every so often, it will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reduce, thicken and get the peppers nice a soft. Be patient! The longer it cooks down the spicier it will be!

Once its reduced down and there's a nice, thick syrup - its time to jar! I used the smaller sized jars as I thought the smaller size is perfect for a garnish preserve. I ladled the jelly in the jars slowly, while it was still hot. I made sure to fill the jars to the rim and placed the lids on after pouring. the heat will seal the jar, so no need to boil them after. This mix made about 8 1/2 of these littler sized jars.

And voila! Perfect little jars filled with potent, spicy-sweet perfection! Great to garnish and eat with any kind of meats, but really nice with red meats. Nice with whitefish and perfect to put on top of tacos or any kind of Mexican or Latin foods. I seriously eat this with everything and love it as a dunking sauce for almost anything!

I was able to give some away to family and considering the fact that they returned empty jars days after, I think it's a good sign, right?! Like mentioned above, I already have requests for me to make this again, so I will have to make double the batch next time I think! The last of it is in my fridge and I am using it sparingly. It was a great way for us to keep warm this past winter ;).

What do you think? Do you love or hate spicy foods? I would love to hear your thoughts, leave me a comment below! Let me know if you plan on trying this recipe and how it turns out! Of course, feel free to use your own subsitutions, and please take caution as my recipe is VERY HOT! You can adjust how much spice by adding a little or a lot of hot peppers, or if you prefer to keep it sweet - don't use any hot peppers at all! Don't forget to let me know what you would like to see next on the blog and if there's a recipe you would like me to try in a future blog post!

For more recipe ideas and inpiration, please subscribe to my blog by inputting your email into the box at the top of this page. You can also follow my blog on Bloglovin' with all your favourites and for more foodie photos and posts follow me on Instagram (@fernonje). Make sure to tag me with #makeupmasochist so I can see how your jellies turned out!

Now I'm hungry.

xoxo
Ashley