Back To Mac

Are you familiar with the Back To Mac program? You probably are but if you are not, no worries. I will explain. In fact I was surprised to find that as recently as last year or so, some Mac loving gals I know didn’t know about this giving back program. For being repeat offenders at Mac, it was shocking to say the least.

Back to Mac is a recycle program where Mac accepts empty packaging of any of their products in exchange for a new product. Typically you turn in six empties and you get a lipstick of your choice. Pretty simple.

I usually save up my empties and go in for six or seven lipsticks. Some of the eye shadow pots below are not all the way empty but I've had them for over two years so it's time to say adios to them too, used up or not.

It’s back to Mac time for me and I'm excited to be hauling all these empties back in exchange for some of the new and very pretty holiday colors. I’ll be sure to share my haul in an upcoming post.

If you didn't know about this program, not to worry. You can't wish the ones you've tossed for years back but you can start now to save those empties. Pretty soon you'll be smiling your way to the bank Mac counter near you to exchange them for some haute lippies.

Do you love Mac lipsticks? I find them very pigmented and have had particularly very good luck with the staying power. And if a matte finish is your thing, just don’t forget to prime your lips prior to application to avoid drying out. I use a lip primer from Bite cosmetics. Much as I love it, I’m currently shopping for and trying out products from other brands and will share my finds with you shortly. I heard a ‘thank you’ :)), you’re so welcome ;).

To get more info on the Back To Mac program, stop by their website and have you a very very happy hump day.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great rest of the week, Xo

 

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Posted by Fashionably Idu in Back to Mac, Beauty, Beauty products, Dark lips, Fall trends, Lipstick, Makeup

Back To Mac

Hey Ghoul Hey, It's Halloween!

It's Halloween! For the past couple weeks every which way you looked on social media, you were sure to see a halloween look, a tutorial, link to great costumes etc. I watched some, pinned some and scrolled past some.

What are you dressing up as? Me? I’ll be attending a halloween get together tonight sporting an all black look. No costume for me this year unlike last year (here) and years past. But dress my face I will.

I love exploring with makeup and Halloween is the perfect time for me to go a little crazy with it so I'll be doing an over the top look like this one tonight, in tune with this holiday. I tried out different makeup looks to work this week. My daughter chose this (Tuesday's look) as her favorite. So I'll recreate this but tweak it a little for tonight's event. Don't ask me how I'll tweak it 'cos I'm not even sure yet, glitter comes to mind though. 

Except for the primer, I used all Mac products to create this look.

On my face : NC 42 Studio Fix Liquid.

On my eyes: there is Magenta Madness an intense neon pink going around. I blended in Vibrant Grape, Passionate and Violet pigment.  I used Sketch and a bit of Carbon to define my crease. 

On my cheeks: I used Dollymix blush and mineralize skin finish in Soft and Gentle as highlight. 

On my lips: I wanted to do ombre lips with pink and white but when I slapped Black Track (yes I said black track as in the eye liner) on, it looked great and the rest is history. I dabbed a little bit of the pigment Pink Opal (which by the way if you don't have one in your collection you should get asap. Hopefully it's still being produced, far from a meh for me ) on my lips for that pronounced pucker. 

I went to a Mac counter and had them stack /apply lashes 48 and 2 for an added dramatic effect.

 And last but not the least, I took these selfies, :)))).
Lighting at Mac was ruthless man, (or was it my phone) so images came out almost whited out and a bit blotchy but Hey Ghoul Hey, It's Halloween!

So there you have it, my Halloween inspired makeup. Did my students love all of my different looks? That would be a heck yeah! Didn't spook them out at all. Instead, the kiddos thought the looks were pretty and they even looked forward to the next day's look. Good thing it was spirit week at school too. And you bet I kept their attention almost all week, hehe.

 Spooky yet edgy look. Have I inspired your Halloween makeup yet?

Have fun tonight.

Thanks for stopping by and keep thinking the purple thoughts. Xo..

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Posted by Fashionably Idu in Dark lips, Halloween, Makeup, Spooky Halloween Makeup, Vampy lips

Hey Ghoul Hey, It's Halloween!

Louboutins on Your Feet, Your Nails and Your Lips

“After the eyes, lips represent the most expressive element of the face. And there’s the fetish appeal, because lipstick can transform a face form intense to naive or even dangerous. When a woman carries a handbag, we look at her shoulders. When she slips on a pair of heels, we observe her walk. If she applies lacquer to her nails, we admire her hands. With it’s slow circular application, lip makeup becomes a rich and sensual gesture”. - Christian Louboutin

Famed red sole designer Christian Louboutin is set to lunch his lipstick line with colors that will have our hearts racing wildly. Nudes, dark vampy reds, pinks and of course the iconic red aka Rouge Louboutin without which the collection would not be complete. The product boasts 38 shades in 3 finishes. The silky satin comes in 20 shades with a bit of a shine to it, Velvet Matte comes in 9 shades and so does Sheer Voile for the gal that likes to sport a sheer finish. 

If you’ve been dying to match your Rouge Louboutin nail polish to your lip color, you got your wish because each collection offers the signature Rouge Louboutin that lives in a black tube. The other shades come in gold tubes. The tubes can be worn as necklaces by threading a ribbon or a chain for that matter through the ring on top of the bullet shaped tube. Is it just me or does that tube have a striking resemblance to a vibrator? Did I just go there? Call it a golden bullet or a black vibrator, the tubes are undeniably unique. I am a fan.

Inspired by his shoes and bags, these lipsticks would set you back 90 bucks. Ladies (and gents of course) would you pay 90$ for a tube of lipstick or would you totally snob CL and his new experiment? Which finish would you go for? While it’s definitely a splurge on my lips because you can get a good, well pigmented and long-lasting lipstick for about 16$, I’d buy the Rouge Louboutin in a Velvet Matte finish for the keepsake tube. 

Mr. Louboutin is busier than a one eyed cat watching nine rat holes. He's got two other projects in the works. The Paloma, a tote with red side panels and nude top handles hitting stores in November, and the Piloutin a spiky evening bag.

First shoes / bags, then nail polish and now lipstick. Sheesh, the Loubi family of goodies is expanding fast. I just can’t help but wonder what's next. Your guess?? My guess is lingerie. Ahhh, I'm already  lusting after that, hehe. We can leave it to Mr. Redsole to gift woman with the most delicate, dainty, luxurious and exciting pieces in the form of lingerie. There is no stopping this dude. Watch out fashion / beauty industry!!!

This product is lunching September 1st and will be available at Christianlouboutin.com. Is it on your wish list yet? Salivating already? 

Thanks for keeping our Wednesday date, ;)... 

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Posted by Fashionably Idu in Beauty, Beauty products, Lipstick, Makeup, Summer style

Louboutins on Your Feet, Your Nails and Your Lips

August Loot

Gosh I don’t remember how long it’s been since I did a beauty post. But when my daughter gave me a gift of 1year of Allure beauty box, I instantly thought - blog worthy! So I’m here to talk about the products and my honest opinions of them.

First off, the red box itself is alluring and sturdy and will definitely be a great storage for some of your beauty products. 

Now onto what came in the box this month:

There’s a Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo with a smell to die for. You know I had to wash my hair right away just to experience it, hehe. And all day I still caught sniffs of that glorious peppermint smell, mmmmhh. And by the way, all I needed was a little squeeze and that sure went a long way. It also left my hair feeling squeaky clean. If you’re a sucker for great scents then don’t hesitate to pick up a one of these. This product retails for $20 for an 8ounce bottle and can be ordered from Malinandgoetz.com.

Eau Thermale Avene Clearance Gel Cleanser: This is a foaming cleanser for oily and acne prone skin non of which I have. But it did take away every trace of makeup and left my face feeling clean and fresh. Most acne fighting products in the market boast of salicylic acid or benzoic peroxide but not this one. It contains a fairly new ingredient monolaurin that claims to decrease oil production with regular use. So if you have an oily or zit prone skin, you may want to give this product a try. It retails for $20 for 6.76 ounces and is available at Drugstore.com.

Benefit They’re Real Push-Up Liner: Honestly I had a hard time figuring out how to work this mini eye liner pen but once I did, I fell in love. I love the chiseled/ angled tip that made for precision and may have you get rid of your 266 eye liner brush. A gentle squeeze was all I needed to deliver the right amount of product. It glided on smoothly and stayed on. Just like a liner brush, be sure to wipe the tip in between applications to ensure the product goes on evenly. This retails for $24 and is available at Sephora.com. I will definitely be buying this. 

Nuance Salma Hayek AM/PM anti aging cream. Now this is supposed to be a medium weight moisturizer but I must say it felt really heavy on my skin. So my first thought was not for oily skin but guess what, it absorbed not so quickly but surely. It claims to soften dry skin and is packed with antioxidants. The key ingredients include glycerin and borage oil that is supposed to be soothing on the skin. It has a rich creamy texture and left a hint of a herbal scent. This products retails for $19.99 for 1.4 ounces and is available at CVS.com. 

Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme: This is a styling cream that smooths frizz and boosts waves. I haven’t found a use for this but it promises to be a great product. A little squeeze on the back of my hand felt smooth and silky so I can imagine it would do just that and more on hair. I am a sucker for great ingredients and this one has some that I really love like avocado and sweet almond oils as well as jojoba castor and safflower seed oils for shine. Retail price is $30 for 5 ounces and is available at Bumbleandbumble.com.

So Allure has collaborated with Butter London and birthed a line of nail polishes. I am a french tip girl for the most part but I tried this beautiful powdery pink polish on my daughter and it looked very fresh and clean. This is a limited edition collection that boasts 10 awesome shades and will be in stores starting this month. What are you waiting for, go get the nails did, take a hand selfie and hashtag thebeautybox on instagram/twitter. 

So there you have it. I love my box and most of the things in it. Can’t wait for my next month’s loot. Have a wonderful Wednesday and see you back on Saturday. Xo...

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Posted by Fashionably Idu in Allure, Beauty, Beauty products, Makeup, Skin care, Summer style

August Loot

Purple Reign

Hello FI readers! Guess what? It’s my birthday. Omigosh, it is! I am like a kid in candy store on my birthday and I have no problems telling anyone and everyone I come across that it is and infact I do just that. And what better color to wear today than my favorite color (drum roll) PURPLE. Take a minute and think purple guys. Just one lil tiny fleeting minute. What comes to mind? Beautiful, perfect, mysterious, intuitive, spiritual, royal, wealth, elegance, sophistication, luxury, power. Purple is all that and much more I promise. No wonder I can’t help myself when it comes to this hue. My knees would literally almost buckle, and a gasp would escape my mouth at the sight of all things pretty and purple. You? Do you purple? A little? A lot? Do you love? Aaaahh, that makes you and I. A big shout out to purple lovers world wide. We really do zig when everyone else zags. I am repping us all today in this beautiful frock by one of my favorite designers. 

Italian designer Fausto Puglisi has a penchant for drama and designs unconventional, stunning and eye-catching not to mention one of a kind garments. He plays with colors, color blocking, geometric shapes and contrasts and has a loyal following with A listers like Madonna, Beyonce, ADR (Anna Dello Russo), Jennifer Lopez, young Zendaya always and recently at the NYFW and even Kendall Jenner on the red carpet of the MuchMusic awards. He says his designs are inspired by the power, sex and decadence of the Roman empire. If you are the daring girl with a bold and flamboyant style I take it you must already have a relationship with FP. His Autumn/winter '15 collection at the catwalks of Milan Fashion Week (Here) left me in awe. I haven't picked up my jaw, hehe. 

So yes It’s my birthday today and I am in a Fausto Puglisi kind of mood. I paired my ootd with a matching faux fur coat and silver/black accessories. I feel like this look is a reflection of who I really and truly am. What’s not to love, hehe.    

Beat deets in case you want to recreate this look: I’m wearing Vibrant Grape and Atlantic Blue in my outer corners, Stars And Rockets on my inner crease line and Beauty Marked on my outer crease. I have aqua glitter held down with brow gel on my lid. On my cheeks I have Mac Play It Proper (too bad this was discontinued and I am almost out) and Whole Lotta Love pro long wear blush. If anyone knows of a dupe for Play It Proper please let me know. I know Just A Whisp mineralize blush comes close. I did this look for my valentine post (here) and aside from loving it so much I got a lot of compliments so I decided to do it for my birthday. I'm crazy for the cut crease and the look totally takes me to a happy place so I'll probably do it again for my next post and the next and the next and maybe even the next as well, hehe. A little tweaking here and there maybe. 

It really sucks for some of us how our birthdays fall in lent. Month after month we watch as others are called up for birthday blessings, a monthly tradition at my church. This tradition comes to a screeching halt as soon as lent begins and I smile in hopes that I’d narrowly escape next year like I do every once in a while. I did last year but not so lucky this year. As a Catholic, I choose not to celebrate during lent but just mark this day with a good ole dinner with family in the beautiful coastal city of Santa Barbara. Family is everything after all.

This ended up being kind of a lengthy post, lol. Lots of images too, but hey make an exception. It's the 1st of March, it's my day, ;)...

Outfit Deets

Dress By Fausto Puglisi (Here)

Pumps By Christian Louboutin

Clutch By Bebe

Fur Coat By Asos

Sunnies By Louis Vuitton

As always I appreciate you stopping by. Definitely keep thinking those purple thoughts, have a glass of bubbly on me and by all means stay fab, xo...

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Posted by Fashionably Idu in Birthday, Fausto Puglisi, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Makeup, Marni, Purple, Purple Fur

Purple Reign