Search results for

mac grand illusion

Highlighters MAC

MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid Review

September 10, 2018

MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid Review | The Beauty Look Book

MAC launched two new collections of metallics and shimmers called Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid. I feel like MAC created the original glow with so many outstanding items. I think it’s amazing to see how long the shimmer and highlighter trend has been going on since then.

The Supreme Beam Collection has what MAC calls a “heavenly halo” theme. Everything feels like a throwback to the 90’s for me and I can’t get over how nice the new glosses are this launch! By popular demand they’ve brought back some cult classics for the face with the Illuminating Loose Powder and Hyper Real Foundation. The new formula of Dazzleshadow Liquids has a liquid eyeshadow formula that stays put all day. In today’s post we have:

The Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lipcolour comes in the same packaging as the Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colours. The formula itself isn’t new but there are 10 new shades with this launch. I felt the original launch last year had colors that were too trendy for me. This round has more wearable options. They have a shiny finish (no matte drydown like most liquid lip colors do). They have a very smooth non-tacky feel and have full smooth coverage. Even for metallics they are streak-free. Colors are iridescent and shimmery. Pigment is very good and they have a soft cushiony feel and a slightly minty scent.

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Colors include:

  • Polar Fleece – pale iridescent opal pink
  • Goldiloxxed – metallic light peach tan
  • Autumn Russet – perfect warm russet shimmer
  • Just Hustlin’ –  metallic taupe pink lavender shimmer
  • Party Sparkle – duo chrome pink lilac
  • Sugar Poppy – iridescent blue pink
  • Dance All Night – metallic lilac
  • Ruby Princess – iridescent purple
  • Spoil Yourself – goregeous metallic pink
  • It’s Just Candy – metallic candy red

Lasting power is really good. I wish this formula came in soft shimmers or cream colors. They feel comfortable, glossy and lightweight. I can’t pick a favorite, but Spoil Yourself, Goldiloxxed, Dance All Night and It’s Just Candy are really pretty.

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam swatches. Polar Fleece, Goldiloxxed, Autumn Russet, Just Hustlin', Party Sparkle, Sugar Poppy, Dance All Night, Ruby Princess, Spoil Yourself, It's Just Candy.

There are also two complexion products. They brought back the Iridescent Loose Powder in Silver Dusk and Golden Bronze, both must-haves in my book. Silver Dusk is like the perfect fairy dust with a pale silver pink shimmer. Golden Bronze is a deeper bronze shimmer. I’ve swatched them below next to the Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne, Soft and Gentle and Cheeky Bronze.

MAC Iridescent Loose Powder Silver Dusk and Golden Bronze

MAC Silver Dusk, Golden Bronze, Shimpagne, Soft and Gentle and Cheeky Bronze Swatches

MAC Silver Dusk Loose Powder

MAC Golden Bronze Loose Powder

Hyper Real Foundation is back in four metallic shades. I actually remember this as an actual foundation formula with skin shades and a shimmer glow mixed in. There are four liquid illuminators you can wear under foundation all over, mixed in with your base or on top to illuminate areas. I found it best when I mixed a little in with my MAC Studio Fix Fluid or Next to Nothing Foundation. I did try it all over under foundation and it was too glowy for me. It also worked well as a highlighter on top of my base. Colors include Violet FX (flashes violet), Gold FX (flashes gold), Rose Gold FX (perfect rose gold peach shimmer), Bronze FX (shimmery soft bronze). By comparison the MAC Strobe Creams are thinner and more lightweight in texture with a sheerer finish. I also feel they have more of an iridescent duochrome flash while the Hyper Real Foundation has more of a traditional glow.

MAC Hyper Real Foundation Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Hyper Real Foundation Swatches

The last part of the metallic launches this round is the Dazzleshadow Liquid. These have different finishes. Some are glitters and others are metallic sparkles. Online some have a description called “Satin” for finish but to me the satins are still very metallic and shimmery. These blend easily and stay on the lids all day long. They set nicely and once they do they don’t budge. At the same time they don’t crease and once they dry they don’t make the lids shrink or shrivel.

They have a sponge tip applicator which I use to swipe on the lids. Then I blend with my fingers.

MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid Review | The Beauty Look book

MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid swatches | The Beauty Look book

Colors I have are:

  • Everyday is Sunshine – metallic champagne with a hint of peach sparkle
  • Flash and Dash – gold and silver glitter
  • Beam Time – rose gold that flashes champagne
  • Love Yourself – cool metallic pink
  • Rayon Rays – metallic brown rose copper

Overall if you’re looking for more ways to glow MAC has you 100% covered. I did try a full look with everything in the collection and for me it was too glowy to wear everything shimmer. I did more testing and found that it was best to incorporate 2 shimmer areas max with this collection, such as face and eyes, or lips and eyes, or lips and cheeks. I think everything is well made but if you have a lot of shimmers I’d recommend you shop your stash. If you’re a true beauty junkie and have been for years there’s a high chance you already own and have been hoarding Silver Dusk from years ago. One jar will last you a long time and if you missed out I highly recommend you get it now.

I think all the formulas are standouts. Everything applies smoothly and blends flawlessly. If I had to pick just 1 item from each category it would be: Gloss in Spoil Yourself, Hyper Real Foundation in Rose Gold FX, Silver Dusk Loose Powder and Beam Time Dazzleshadow Liquid.

You can find the MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid collection out now. Available at MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

All MAC items featured in this post were provided for review except Dazzleshadow in Love Yourself and Rayon Rays which I bought on my own.

 

Fashion Hauls Lifestyle Lips

Best Red Holiday Lips + Cozy Sweater Try On Haul

December 17, 2018

Best Red Lips + Cozy Sweater Try On Haul Everlane, Loft, 1State | The Beauty Look Book

I’m so excited it’s finally sweater weather here! We have hot humid weather almost year round here in Tampa making it too hot to even wear denim jeans most of the time. While I love the sunshine I’m thrilled that it has cooled down enough to haul some cute sweaters. By popular request I’m combining two topics today that many of you have been asking for: best holiday red lips plus a sweater try-on haul.

I’m a neutral lip lover so I was actually really surprised to find how many red lip products I own. I sorted through around 35+ colors and formulas to narrow down my absolute top picks for the best color, pigment, lasting power and a few budget friendly options. I’ll discuss each color with the sweaters I paired below.

___________________

Everlane Cashmere Crew + L’Oreal Color Riche Shine

Everlane Cashmere Crew Light Oatmeal XS, L'Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red

I did my first Everlane haul and picked three styles to try out. I haven’t tried the line before so I relied on online customer reviews for height and weight to decide on XXS and XS depending on style. I lucked out because I’m really happy with what I ordered. For sizing reference I have been losing weight but also gaining a little bit of muscle with our weight training. I’m 5’3″ and currently 114 pounds. I usually wear XS in most sizes, sometimes XXS because I’m on the shorter side.

It’s been a long time since I’ve invested in anything cashmere (again because it’s simply TOO HOT to wear here) so I can’t compare to current styles of other brands. I have tried J.Crew, Vince and Theory to name a few which I’ve loved in previous years. I think the styles I ordered from Everlane are just as good. For the Everlane Cashmere Crew ($100) I picked Light Oatmeal in XS and it’s a PERFECT fit. This is my favorite one of my purchases. It’s soft, lightweight but not tissue thin. I plan on getting a couple more colors. Denim worn are the Paige Verdugo Ankle (for me ankle jeans are the best because I usually don’t have to hem them!).

I’m wearing the L’Oreal Color Riche Shine in Enamel Red which is one of the best medium glossy lipsticks I’ve ever tried. I swatched all the colors of this formula in this post here.

___________________

Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew + NARS Powermatte Pigment

Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew Grey NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman | The Beauty Look Book

Up next is the Everlane Cashmere Rib Round Crew ($145) in Heather Grey in XXS. I would have bought XS but one of the models on the website was wearing that size and quite a bit taller than me. I’m happy with the fit of XXS. This is a nice soft semi thick ribbed sweater. It’s one of the ones I was wearing on stories.

I paird this one with the NARS Powermatte Pigment in Starwoman. There are a lot of reds in this formula this one seems the most classic to me (Vain is warmer, Light My Fire is brighter and there are options with either more blue or deeper tones too). This is one of the nicest liquid matte lipstick formulas that is matte but doesn’t shrink my lips to look like raisins. It has excellent staying power and doesn’t transfer on my teeth. (If you want a neutral option American Woman is the best chestnut neutral rose out there.)

___________________

Leith + Everlane with Tom Ford Dylan

Tom Ford Lips and Boys Dylan isn’t a new color but remains a favorite for a semi-matte finish. It’s a classic bright bold red with a warm undertone. I’m wearing it below with two sweater colors. A soft nude pink fitted Metallic Pullover from Leith ($49, XS is pretty fitted) that I bought at Nordstrom and the Everlane Cashmere Waffle Crew in Black ($150, XXS) which is boxy but I think has a nice hang to the sides. I like the side slit detail too which makes for a little more interesting sweater.

Tom Ford Lips Boys Dylan, Leith Metallic Pullover, Everlane Waffle Knit Square Crew Sweater

Another look at the Everlane sweater so you can see the neckline, it’s hard to see the detail but check out their website for close ups which you can see better.

Everlane Cashmere Waffle Square Crew Black XXS

___________________

1.State + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Wild Cherry

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm Wild Cherry and 1State Convertible Sweater

In terms of red lips I don’t think it gets better than Pat McGrath. I could have done an entire dedicated post to swoon over all her lipsticks but wanted to give some other brands and formulas some love. If you feel like you can’t wear full on red lips, opt for a sheer gloss or balm. The Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm in Wild Cherry is a great sheer but buildable red. I reviewed it in this post here.

In looking through my closet I find that I own a lot of white tops and sweaters. It’s funny because in San Diego I used to wear all black and grey, or stripes. Since moving to Florida I’ve suddenly found my closet has changed. So many of you have been asking about all the white tops I’ve been wearing. This is a cute one from 1State Convertible Zip Neckline Sweater ($109). This is an XXS and runs big but slouchy. It’s cute to tuck in or belt. I’m not 100% sure I love this style. The zipper is adjustable which makes it so you can wear this a number of ways. A similar option that I have really liked in a tee form is the Free People Nikala Tee which I find has a better fit.

___________________

Frame + NARS

Frame Stripe Crewneck Sweater and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel

My favorite purchase is the Frame Stripe Crewneck Merino Wool Blend Sweater ($235) and it’s one of my most expensive sweater splurges in a long time. I’m a huge sucker for anything with stripes, so much so that I tried to ease up on wearing and buying them. This was too cute to pass up. It’s soft, thin and I love the fit. I really love everything I’ve bought from Frame. Prices prevent me from splurging more. I paired it with the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Rebel from the holiday collection from the Riot Lip Pencil set. Unfortunately it’s sold out but Pat McGrath MatteTrance in Elson is close (reviewed here). Denim worn is also from Frame Le Skinny.

___________________

Loft + Pat McGrath

Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater and Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red

For affordable sweaters that aren’t itchy or scratchy I’ve found some amazing deals from Loft. They have cute cable knit basics. I tried two styles. One is the Loft Textured Button Cuff Sweater in XS ($49.50 but I got mine 50% off, they have online holiday sales so check their site for current code). At $20 it was a steal. This one is a little long for me but on most people I think it will be just the right length. I’m wearing it with the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick in Rebel Red which is one of the most fun sparkly blue red lip colors I’ve tried. Full review here.

___________________

Loft + Em Cosmetics

Another Loft find is the Cable Knit Trim Sweater in Silvered Heather Grey (XS, $49.50). I could have sized down for a shorter fit but this one is super cute and easy to wear as well. I paired this with the Em Cosmetics True Gloss in Scarlett Knight which is one of the best red plumping glosses I’ve tried. I need to review this formula for you, I have been sitting on all the colors for a while now. It’s been on my to-do list! They have some cute sets for the holiday I think are worth checking out. I have all the colors individually otherwise I would have ordered one.

Tucked vs. untucked

Loft Cable Knit Sweater and Pat McGrath BlitzTrance in Rebel Red

___________________

BP + MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Lip in It's Just Candy

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip in It’s Just Candy is a nice blue-based red shimmer. It’s called a liquid lip but is more along the lines of a full pigment gloss. It has great lasting power and a really pretty sheen. Full review on all the colors in this formula here. If you want a matte metallic long-wear version try the Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color in In Retrograde instead.

Sweater worn is the BP Heritage Stitch sweater in XXS. It’s so soft and plush. Unfortunately it just sold out online, but you might want to check in stores to see if they still have some near you. It does run on the large side, I ordered an XXS and it’s very roomy!

___________________

Lipsticks worn/featured in this post (all shades are press samples):

Best Red Lips Pat McGrath, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS

Swatches alongside a few other options:

Best Red Lipsticks: Hourglass, L'Oreal, Pat McGrath, NARS

Pat McGrath and Tom Ford options swatched next to two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution colors. I used to think the Charlotte Tilbury formula was the best, I still think it’s very good, but Pat McGrath’s formula wins 100%.

Best Red Lipsticks from Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury

Makeup breakdown worn in all other photos include:

Best Red Lips + Cozy Sweater Try On Haul Everlane, Loft, 1State | The Beauty Look Book

I hope you enjoyed this sweater try-on haul and red lip roundup! If you love a good red lip let me know what your favorites are in the comments. I love cozy sweaters and I would haul more if we had cooler weather in Tampa.

I didn’t have time to post yesterday but did not forget my giveaway for the week! One reader will win four Pat McGrath lip products including: Opulence 1995, Opulence Flesh3, winner’s choice of two other lips formulas. Not sponsored or affiliated. Open internationally to those 18 years or older. Simply enter via the widget below. Giveaway runs this week and I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I’ve linked all the details in this post above, but you can also shop the post below:

 

Lip colors featured are press samples. All sweaters purchased by me.