MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15

After reading some great reviews of MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15, I decided to purchase it to see how I liked it. Here's what the MAC website has to say about it:
"A light, tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 and other skin-nourishing ingredients. An easy one-step finish specially suited for the season, this sheer tint provides just enough coverage to even out the skintone while creating a flawless protected, softly moisturized finish."



When I went to MAC to buy this, I figured I would just match myself and picked Medium. When I told the MA what I wanted, she told me I should buy Medium Dark, so I went home with that. I tried it out and it was too dark, and made me look slightly orange. I of course went back and exchanged for the Medium, which was a great match. I'm a NC25 for reference. Side note: what is up with me always getting matched darker than I am when at MAC? It's happened a few times. Does this happen to anyone else?

I'm really happy with this product. It applies very smoothly and gives the light coverage I'm looking for. It's very natural looking and it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything. I have dry skin and don't think this would give enough moisture on its own, so I do use my regular moisturizer before this, and let it sink in for a while. I then apply primer and follow with Studio Moisture Tint SPF15. The primer helps to minimize the appearance of my pores and my skin is a lot more even after applying everything. I set with powder, and I'm good to go! The SPF15 in it is a nice bonus.

Have you tried MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15? Do you have a favorite tinted moisturizer?

My New Favorite Eyeliner Brush

I got my first fluidline years ago, when MAC had just released fluidlines. Up until recently, I've been using the MAC 209 brush to apply them. I occasionally switch it up and use a small angled brush.

That's all changed... I've found a new love. Let me introduce you to my Quo bent eyeliner brush.





It has a fine tip that gives a firm and precise application of product. I can't believe how easy it is to apply eyeliner with this! I think it would be great for those starting out too, it makes things almost fool proof.

For those of you who haven't heard of Quo, they are a Canadian brand available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores. If you're in the US, Sonia Kashuk makes a similar brush, and I'm sure you could find something similar in other brands as well.

I really love Quo brushes in general and have a bunch of them. They're a great deal, especially if you are able to snag them during one of their 40% off sales they have every so often.

What is your favorite brush to apply fluidlines/gel eye liners?

MAC Art Supplies Greasepaint Sticks Review

Greasepaint sticks have come out in a couple of previous collections from last year, but I missed out on them because I was behaving and was on a super low buy all of last year. When I heard there were a bunch of new colours being launched with the Art Supplies collection, I was excited to get the chance to pick some up this time around.

Here's what the MAC website says about Greasepaint Sticks:
"A smooth and creamy black eye crayon with an opalescent sparkle finish specially formulated for maximum drama. Easily provides ultra-high-level coverage. Versatile. Use as a soft but intense liner or blend out to create a smoke-like shadow. Long-wearing. Transfer and water-resistant. Limited edition."

I wasn't sure how much I'd like them, so I only picked up 2 to start out with. I got Below Ground and Dirty.


Below Ground, Dirty


Dirty, Below Ground


They all come with a sharpener on the end.

These remind me of shadesticks, but creamier and easier to apply. I find with shadesticks, they can sometimes tug at the lid, but that isn't the case with these. I played around with both colours over the weekend and let me tell you, I am in love! Greasepaint sticks make it so easy to create and amazing smokey eye! I just apply over my lid and blend out into my crease. I find it's easiest to blend really well and create the shape you will want with your eye shadow, and then apply your shadow and you're pretty much done. The way I blended everything out, I didn't even really need to use a crease colour, just a highlight and it looked fab.

I really like Below Ground, it will work for a subtle smokey eye, or even just a neutral every day look depending on what you put over it.

I like these so much that I am very tempted to go back for more. I'm thinking Charred Mauve and Zinc Zone. Brown, Now and Uniformly Blue are really pretty too...

As much as I liked the Pearlglides that came out with Art Supplies, I tried to convince myself that I don't really need them and won't use those colours on a regular basis. Undercurrent is a really gorgeous colour though.

I wasn't too interested in the Lipstain Markers. They don't seem to be getting great reviews and I already have a million lip products! There are a few colours I thought were nice though, especially Stylesetter.

Did you get anything from this collection? What do you think of Greasepaint Sticks?

5 March Favorites

MAC Hypnotizing eye shadow - This eye shadow came out with the Love Lace collection in December, and I can't believe I almost didn't buy it! I was trying to convince myself it was close enough to Shale that I didn't need it, but that didn't last long when I saw how much people were raving about it. Yes, I can be swayed by hype at times, but I am glad in this case. It's different enough from Shale, which is a long time favorite of mine. I've been all about purple eye shadows lately and this is very wearable either with a daytime look, or along with darker shades for a smokey eye. LOVE!

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend blush - This came out with the Lillyland collection in January. I don't wear much makeup to work but this is perfect to give just a natural touch of colour to my cheeks when the rest of my face is relatively bare. I love the formulas of cremeblend blushes too, so smooth and easy to apply and blend. I usually just apply with my fingers.

MAC Rave Pearlglide - Although it first came out with the Love That Look collection last Fall, I only got my hands on this recently along with a few of the other colours from that collection. Rage is a gorgeous dark purple with subtle purple sparkles throughout. It offers great colour payoff and it's long lasting. I'm definitely a fan of pearlglides!

OPI Jade is the New Black - Who would have thought I would end up liking green nail polish as much as I like this? The formula is amazing, it applies like a dream and it's no wonder that this is the colour that was most talked about from the OPI Hong Kong collection.

MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder - I'm so glad I dug this out of my makeup drawer to do swatches for my Liberty of London collection post. I got Shell Pearl some years ago when it was first released with the Sundressing collection and it had been sitting neglected for some time. Ever since swatching it for its re-release with the Liberty of London collection, I have been inspired to use it. It gives a nice glow, and it's great to apply over blush or to highlight certain areas of my face.

Do you have any favorites this month?

OPI Purple With a Purpose

OPI Purple With a Purpose
Even though my first instinct was to use one of my pastel polishes for my Easter mani, I'm glad I picked this. It's a nice change and a bit brighter than all the pastels I've been sporting lately, and it still reminds me a bit of Easter somehow.

I've applied 2 easy coats and had no application problems at all.

Hope you all had a good weekend! I spent mine relaxing and eating Easter chocolate, yum!

Balmshell Party in Toronto

On Wednesday night, I was lucky enough to be invited to a blogger party held by Balmshell in their Toronto office.


Girls Night Out Wines was one of the sponsors, so there was plenty of wine and there were also cosmos to drink served in cute pink cups.




Yummy cookies and cupcakes were provided by Adjoa from Pretty Sweet Boutique.


Here are the lovely Balmshell girls, so friendly and all around awesome!


We were given swag bags as we were leaving and got to go home with a gloss and cheek/lip stain of our choice. I picked Confessions of a Call Girl gloss and Blackmail Betty stain. Reviews and swatches coming soon!

It was nice getting to see some familliar faces as well as meeting some new people. Thanks so much to Balmshell for putting this on, I had such a great time!