MAC Tartan Tale Holiday 2010

This is one of those dilemmas for me where I have to weigh whether the adorable packaging is worth purchasing a palette that has very similar colours to what is already in my collection. The answer regrettably is "no." MAC Holiday collections are often marketed towards people looking to broaden their colour ranges in an affordable and stylish way while throwing in a few novelty items that will appeal to individuals who already have a well rounded collection. As I have repeatedly said in the past, I don't buy to collect-I buy to use, so I will settle for admiring this collection from afar (even though I adore the concept and packaging). Plus, I already own the Pearlglide Liners which are a re-promote (and AMAZING! I highly recommend). 

**For full collection details, colour swatches, and pictures, check out Temptalia**

Worth the Splurge

1) Eyeshadow Palettes: The eyeshadow palettes are always a favourite of mine for holiday collections because you get a lot of colour options that are perfect coordinated and very portable. The cute packaging is always an added bonus and adds some fun glamour to your handbag. 

2) Pearlglide Eyeliners: I really wish MAC would make these permanent! They have an incredibly smooth and buttery texture and the pigmentation is unparalleled.

3) Face Kits: A great way to experiment with blushes and beauty powders without investing in a full size. These compacts take the guess work out of putting together complimentary cheek colours. 

Take it or Leave It

1) Lipstick (individuals and palettes) and Lip Glosses: They are all completely dupable (and some permanent) and the usual colour range that accompanies MAC collections. There is nothing revolutionary or awe inspiring-these are supplemental items that help round out the collection. 

2)  Plaid Patterned Eye Shadows: These are the novelty items of this collection. They are the size of a mineralized eyeshadow, which makes me wonder how practical they are considering they are mostly mono-toned. The colours don't strike me as being particularly inventive or original. 

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1) The Minis: The mini colour range is always a pointless purchase in my eyes. Aside from the mini-packaging novelty, you are not actually getting a lot of product for the price you are paying. In the case of the mini brush sets, the quality is not representative of the full sized brushes. 

What (if anything) are you you planning on getting from this collection?

These Boots Were Made For Strutting

I am all set for whatever winter weather is thrown my way. Last month when I flew back to Montreal to pack up my belongings, I put a large dent in my shoe collection and gave away/threw out shoes that were old, out-dated, worn, tattered, or simply no longer held any appeal. The end result was one suitcase of shoes that I carted back across the country to fill my new wardrobe in Vancouver.

Now that autumn has arrived in all of its colourful splendor, I took stock of my boot collection and noticed a few gaps that needed to be filled. And by gaps I mean I wanted more boots! Ever the budget conscious fashionista, I pitter-pattered over to Winners and Payless to see what seasonal offerings they had. I have found great boots at both in the past that are chic and affordable (like the Steve Maddens posted a few weeks back), and thus (almost) guilt free purchases.

Winners

I have been searching high and low for over-the-knee boots since last winter but I could never find a pair that a) fit over my calves b) were long enough to come over the knee (my height is carried in my legs) c) were affordable, or d) had a suitable and comfortable heel. I actually spotted these boots by Andrew Geller as I was standing by the checkout waiting for my sister after a fruitless (or shoeless, rather) shopping excursion. Miracle of miracles they fit all of my above criteria and the suede finish is buttery soft. They are also quite versatile as the top portion can be cuffed so that it sits below the knee.

Payless Shoes

My trusty snow boots were forced into retirement after their 5th Montreal winter so new ones were an absolute necessity. Obviously Vancouver has much milder winters than Montreal, but I am all about being prepared and you never know when a sojourn up to Whistler or Sun Peaks is in order. These snow boots by Predictions are not the most fashionable footwear, but they are warm, cushioned, and don't require wrestling to get on and off. The actually look significantly cuter on than they do slouching on my bed.

I switched into these Fioni booties the minute I completed my transaction. My feet were aching from an ill-advised pair of heels I threw on so my jeans wouldn't drag, but my toes had become numb and these boots were the perfect remedy. The heel is perfect for everyday (just shy of 3 inches) and they work with jeans, pants, and tights.

I had seen these Fioni shoes online and was hoping that they were as comfortable as they were pretty. Success! Personally, I would wear these with tights, skirts, and dresses because I wouldn't want to cover the pretty ruffle detailing under a long pant. These are definitely my favourite purchase of the lot.

Are there any more coming out of there?

Many people have informed me that suede (both real and faux) are not sensible for Vancouver weather but I obstinately refuse to have my footwear restricted by tempermental weather. How do you feel about suede shoes for autumn and winter?

Annabelle Winter Collection 2010

When I got the press release for the Annabelle Winter Collection in my inbox, I made a virtual dash to check out the new products on the Annabelle Website. The new collection is called Insomnia and is described as:

How to survive to mid-term exams? Wear the new insomnia colour collection. Of course! No one will even notice that you didn’t get to sleep last night and spent the whole night studying. Everyone will just stare at your fabulous look! Good study habits + Great look = A +

You don't have to be a sleep deprived university student to enjoy this collection (although it would be a nice pick-me-up). I think this range is perfect for the holiday parties that are quickly approaching, may it be for work, family, or friends. 

My Must-Have List

1) Annabelle Dome Face Powder: 

This seems reminiscent of their Zebra Bronzing Powder from the summer but in champagne tones that will add the perfect amount of luminosity and brilliance to the face. 

2) Multi-Dome Eyeshadows in Midnight and Insomnia: 

A smokey-eye lovers' paradise, these palettes have four perfectly complimentary colours that can be worn together for full drama or alone for understated elegance. 

3) Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Angel and Night Light:

What is a holiday party without a little sparkle? Let the late night twinkle be on your eyes and in the star-studded sky. 


There are more products in the collection, but these are my personal choices. To see the whole range, check out the Annabelle blog. Let me know if you see this collection in your local drugstore yet and if you will joining us night owls.

Face and Nails of the Day: In A Navy State of Mind

I love navy blue almost as much as I love black. The only difference is that I wouldn't slap black eyeshadow all over my lid and call it a day, whereas I would do that with navy blue. I don't think that smokey eyes need to be only for creatures of the night-they are perfectly adaptable to a softer day look if you use the right products and application. And smokey does not necessarily equate black and grey either.

I have recently rediscovered my love for Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows. They can be applied with your fingers, they don't crease or budge all day, and they come in a myriad of colours. Lately I have been reaching for Strut, a frosted mid-tone bluish gray that can be intensified for a night look with just a few more pats of product. Here is a look that I have been sporting during the day over the past few weeks:

Products Used


Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (as finishing powder)
MAC Dainty Mineral Blush
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Strut (all over eye lid)
MAC Pearl Glide Liner in Petrol Blue (along upper lashline)
Maybelline Falsies Mascara
MAC Special Edition Lipglass Viva Glam VI
OPI Russian Navy

(Blue lid colour is actually darker in person, but the flash washed it out slightly)

My sister hates dark polish-she thinks it is too Gothic and vampy. When she saw my fingers, she laughingly said "Your nails look evil!" I cleverly responded, "Dark colours are slimming and I don't want people to see my pudgy fingers." LOL.

I'll Get You My Pretty...Oops! Wrong Villain!

Yes, this is yet ANOTHER haul for MAC's highly anticipated Venomous Villains Collection. I know at this point it is like flogging a dead horse, but my package arrived several moments ago and I thought I had better put this up before everything became terribly redundant.

Collection Introduction
In all honesty, I have been very underwhelmed my MAC's collection releases over the past months-it has all been a little "been there, done that, have the limited edition packaging to prove it." And after the Rodarte scandal, they really had to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat to get my attention.

When product images  began to be leaked online I took a quick gander. I thought it was an interesting approach; when one thinks beauty products and Disney, the image of fairy dust, ethereal beauties, and porcelain complexions comes to mind-not dark, brooding, and mysterious. Thankfully for MAC, dark, brooding, and mysterious works for autumn. The villains that spearhead this collection are Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), Evil Queen (Snow White), Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), and Dr Facilier (The Princess and the Frog).

Usually when MAC releases a segmented collection, each segment has mirrored products, but in different colours  (ex Spring Forecast 2010, Makeup Art Collection 2009). In this case, each villain segment can stand alone as an independent release because there is very little overlap, and, for once, there isn't a  stereotypical MAC eyeshadow quad to be seen. There is, however something for everyone, whether you like nail polish, blush, face powder, lipstick, pigments, eye shadow, lip gloss, etc (For full collection details and product images, visit Temptalia).

The Products


My intention was to to get one item from each segment, but the Dr Facilier products really held no interest for me (all terribly generic and uninspired). My order ended up being divided into two shipments (hence the lateness of this post) because of product shortages. The collection was set to release Tuesday (morning), September 28th online and that Thursday in-stores, but I found in on the MAC Canada website on the Monday night even before they had changed the homepage announcements. Thinking I had beat the masses, I placed an order and received my shipping confirmation only to be notified that She Who Dares mineralized eye shadow had sold out in seconds. So here is the loot I ended up with (and it is all AMAZING):

1) Maleficent My Dark Magic Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo

2) Maleficent Dark Deed Amplified Creme Lipstick

3) Evil Queen Hot House Lipglass
4) Cruella de Vil Wicked Ways Lipglass