Haul: The Beauty Sampler

Product's website description: "[W]e are in the process of adding and expanding a product line of our own, aptly name CrAvE.  CrAvE will be an exclusive, full line of mineral products that not only look and feel great, but are actually great for your skin as well.  Of course, we will continue to provide our full line of authentic, professional-grade MAC samples as always." [website]

Colors Purchased: See photos below

Price: $1.74 each w/ promo code. No S&H.

Review: I found out about this site from Youtuber xsunshiine and I knew I had to try it out. I sent an email inquiry to Beauty Sampler and they answered it promptly, so it gave me more confidence to order from the site while they're remodeling.  But what impressed me even more is that once I ordered I received an email a few hours later stating that my order had been shipped. That was on Wednesday and I received my package on Friday! I got my 14 MAC pigment samples (1/4 tablespoons each) in two cute little Hello Kitty ziploc baggies.  I haven't tried them yet, so I'm merely reviewing the Beauty Sampler service rather than the product. The size of the product didn't bother me because having had full-sized MAC pigments, I knew that a little goes a long way. I still have a Deckchair pigment from 2-3 years ago that looks like I've never even used it even though I use it all the time. I would have spent $24 on one full-sized MAC pigment, but instead I got 14 different ones. I'm sold without even trying them on yet!

Brash & Bold - Reddish fushia
Dark Soul - Dark gray
Platinum - Silver

 
Antique Green - Brownish (?) green
Golder's Green - Golden green
Teal - Teal ;)

Pink Pearl - Purplish pink shimmer
Push the Edge - Dark purple (grape)
Violet - Light purple
Cornflower - Purplish blue (My fave)

Dusty Coral - Darker version of Melon
Rushmetal -Golden brown
Chocolate Brown - Rich brown
Blue Brown -  Brown with blue flecks

Warning: Bare Face Ahead

 

Step 1 (Left): So this is what I look like without a stitch of makeup on. except I do have moisturizer applied.  As you can see, I have VERY pigmented eyelids that look like I have brown eyeshadow, and dark circles under my eyes...courtesy of my insomnia. People often ask why I wear foundation if I have good skin and I tell them that they're only saying that because they haven't seen me without foundation. My skin is splotchy and I do have acne scars around my chin.

Step 2 (Right): Added Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Protector (Concealer + Highlighter) in Light on eyelids and under eyes, only using the concealer side. Bye, bye brown shadows! Dabbed some concealer on my acne scars as well.

Step 3 (Left): MAC Studio Fix Fluid (NW25) using a Sonia Kushuk foundation brush. After seeing this picture, I have a feeling that I didn't put very much foundation on knowing that I was going to be applying the powder foundation right after.

Step 4 (Right): First time using the MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation (NW25) today, and wow what a difference! I applied it over the fluid foundation.  The powder foundation really did cover up all of my imperfections and took away the shininess from the shimmer in the fluid foundation. I thought the fluid alone looked good until I saw how Step 3's photo dulled in comparison to Step 4's photo.

Step 5 (Left):
Cheeks - NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Berry New Yorker & Plaza Pink (blended). Very bright until you blend it. Only use when I want natural cheeks.
Lips - Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Twilight. Product is drying out so doesn't look like when I first bought it. Looks pink instead of berry now.
Eyes - Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Pop Collection for Hazel Eyes (Trio #2: Playful).  Applied wet, and used as shadow & liner. I haven't been able to get good coverage if I use this product dry.
Mascara - Maybelline The Falsies. Oh, look, I have eyelashes now!

OVERALL: The MAC products combined together were A+ in my book.  The Physician's Formula Pop Collection looks super bright in the box, but it blends together nicely.  I was looking for a very muted look today, with just a little bit of color.

Review: M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid

Product's website description: "A modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15. Comfortable and long-wearing: lasts for up to eight hours. Applies smoothly, builds coverage quickly and easily. Contains specially treated micronized pigments and soft-focus powders for a super-smooth look that helps minimize the appearance of imperfections. Absorbs and disperses oil. Contains special skin-conditioning ingredients. Oil free." [website]

Color: NW25

Price: $26 for 30 ML

Review: 5 stars

M.A.C., where have you been all my life? I didn't rate it 5 stars because I haven't been able to provide the complete coverage that I'm looking for, but this is still the best foundation that I've used to date.

When I first went to M.A.C. to get color matched for my foundation, it was not a good experience. The makeup artist was horrible (she actually gave me the wrong product - powder instead of fluid when I made my purchase so I had to go back the next day). The foundation brush she was using was leaving brush lines all over my face. She first color matched me with a way too orange foundation for my pale skin. I made her go a few shades lighter, but it still felt dark to me. However, upon photographing my face, I realized that NW25 was a perfect match. I still haven't gotten used to it, but those nearest and dearest to my heart have told me that there's no distinction between my face to my neck. No dreaded neck line!

I just bought the Studio Fix Powder + Foundation tonight, so I haven't tried it out yet. Can't wait to see how it compares to the fluid. I heard it works awesome paired together, so I'm excited.