MAC Tartan Tale Mc-Haul

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" snore, snore "ahem, cough cough....oh yeah' Chapter II was released in Australia today.

And, unexcitedly I dragged my sorry a$$ to my local MAC counter this morning to get all three of the pigment sets - cool and warm thrillseekers as well as smokey eyes (AUD 65 each) or whatever the name is, I really don't care.

I was seriously bored with this collection. Nothing got the heart beating.... and the only good deal, in my opinion, are the pigment sets. I would never get through a whole bottle of pigment so the charm size is perfect - obtaining a variety of shades of pigments for a much more affordable price.

I mean the tartan is cute (I am sure Scotland went wild) but I quite frankly don't care if i have it or not.

So here's what I did with the boxes - which i think looks really cute :) - housing my most beloved brushes.

And here is a quick squizz at my MAC pigment collection.

What?- oh yeah, MAC charm-pale collection is up next....I think I might just roll back into bed.

Can someone wake me up when I get to the UK (spending Christmas with the rellys) as I am going to be all over Urban Decay and Illamasqua.

Muah Muah - Fiffi x

Happy Birthday!

*sigh* 31 years old, and none the wiser. Still love the pressies though :)

I thought the cake was very apt.

Love Fi x

Anti-Aging: Retinol

Introduction:

Retinol is part of a class of chemical compounds called 'Retinoids' which are structurally similar to Vitamin A.

Terminology/Ingredients:

Examples of the compound include: retinol, tretinoin, isotretinoin, tazarotene.

Pro-retinol products (chemicals which are broken down to retinol) include: Retinyl Actate and Retinyl Palmitate.

Indications:

-Acne

-Wrinkles

-Age spots/ hyperpigmentation

-Sun damaged skin

Mechanism of action:

Retinol is thought to increase collagen production by stimulating skin cells called fibroblasts which aids healing and pushes the 'damaged and pigmented skin cells' to the top of the skin to allow to be 'sloughed' off providing a brightening effect. Meanwhile it also inhibits the enzymes that cause skin cell destruction.

Evidence-based:

Many studies have been performed but the most renowned is from the University of Michigan which reported in the Journal Archives of Dermatology evidence to support that 0.1% tretinoin significantly reduced wrinkles and roughness after 8-12 months of use.

Packaging:

Higher doses are dermatologist prescribed only. However, there are lower dosed retinol in moisturisers/ serums sold in both drugstores and departmental stores. Retinol must be packaged properly to ensure it remains stable for continued and effective use as it is light and air-sensitive.

Adverse effects:

Dry flakiness and sensitivity.

Sun exposure can cause increased skin sensitivity.

Interactions:

Can work synergistically with AHA/BHA products for better penetration through the epidermis of the skin.

Controversies:

A former lawyer now turned cosmetic scientist argues that retinoids actually causes aging by increasing moisture loss at the outermost layer of the skin.

Products I might purchase:

RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment

Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment

Important Disclaimer: None of the above advice can be a substitute for medical or professional skin care advice - please only consult qualified general medical and/ or dermatology physicians for serious skin complaints. The information is not sponsored by manufacturers here but may reflect their claims and this site cannot be held responsible for such claims made.

Dedicated to Skin Care

Oh bullocks! - I am going to be 31 years old tomorrow. How time flies....

When I was 13 I knew I was a 'teenager'.

At 16, shipped off to boarding school.

Aged 18, had life-changing examinations.

Met my ( now- ) hubby at the tender age of 19 at Uni.

20s were all about my career and getting married

and in fact,...things haven't changed much.

It's still about work

- I eat, sleep and breathe it.

It was my choice,

....I don't regret it.

However, I realise now that I have to take care of myself. I can't rely on my youth anymore and I can't take it for granted.

This post is a declaration of my dedication to anti-aging skincare. I certainly don't know much about it and have decided - via this blog - to educate myself and will thus be doing a series of posts covering the basics as well as AHAs/BHAs, Retinoids, Niacinamide, Vitamin C and E, etc. I may also find some mask recipes and/or DIY serums to let you know about.

In any case, I am on a quest - a quest, to battle future wrinkles and I won't 'GO' without a fight.

Cue crescendo background music of Christina Aguilera's song 'Fighter'......

Lemming: Clarisonic Plus

Yes, I know it looks like a kinky bedroom device, but.....'all I want for christmas is', the Clarisonic Plus System and Spot Therapy Kit for Face and Body retailing at USD 225 (AUD 230).

I had *heard* about this beauty device through YouTube, blog posts and MUA for almost a year now - quiet mutterings of 'a solution to acne' and that 'beauty therapists use this on their clients and charge big bucks for it'. Now, I don't know if this is true....but I have been sucked in and this *preciouuuussssssssnessssss* will be mine....

....And of course, it is not available to buy in Australia (surprise, surprise *laden with sarcasm*)

But, I still have hope.

Hope in the form of....Skincarerx.com (which ships internationally).

Their promise,

"Clarisonic sonic skin cleansing is the essential first step in an ultra-clean skin care ritual. Gently gliding while cleansing deeply, our Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems deliver a professional-caliber sonic micro-massage that feels good and makes your skin look great. The sonic action gently clarifies and revitalizes the skin without the harsh chemicals or abrasion you’ll find in microdermabrasion and other treatments. By cleansing daily with a Sonic Skin Cleansing System, you’ll remove dirt and oil better than with traditional manual washing. Even makeup is removed six times better than standard cleansing. And skin is left so clean it actually absorbs products like serums and moisturizers better."

There are people who SWEAR by this device. No amount of manual cleansers are able to get rid of all traces of makeup and those who have thought so, have then tried finishing off their cleansing routine with the clarisonic and yet, more dirt was found on the brush. Ewww, if i think about how much makeup i put on everyday and it just piling and piling in numerous layers on top of my skin.....ewww, no wonder i have blocked pores, congested skin, spots and blackheads!

However, I have been warned - that although this device is AH - MAZING, it's not a miracle worker. It tightens skin, makes blackheads smaller, promises and delivers less frequent breakouts and improves the skin's general appearance, it does not make you look like Miranda Kerr (iz disappointed :P).

So, buying this kit gets you the Cordless Clarisonic Plus, which has three different speeds and controlled minute beeps to remind you to move to another area of the face/body to cleanse. Both sensitive face and body brushes come included as well as samples of Clarisonic's own range of skincare: Refining Skin Polish (2 fl. oz.), Gentle Hydro Cleanser (1 fl. oz.), Nourishing Care Cleanser (1 fl. oz.) and Refreshing Gel Cleanser (1 fl. oz.).

It also states, "it is perfect for removing dry patches, firming areas prone to cellulite and preparing the skin for self tanner".

Sounds so good doesn't it, I am literally going to use this ALL - OVER :P

Now for the best piece of news yet, use the sale coupon code on skincarerx.com 'TS5HM2F' for a glorious 25% off!!

Right, off to buy.......

HS item: MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation

Rumours all a flutter, I heard many great things about this foundation - but unfortunately, I was hugely disappointed. *Sigh* - maybe, I should just stop believing....believing that the perfect foundation exists out there.

Where do i begin....

CONS:

- Yes, Mrs Oompa Loompa I became. Normally, I am well colour matched to olivey-yellow MAC SFF NC30, but NC30 in MAC PLW was more orange than well,.... orange. Absolutely horrible colour selection MAC (get it right for goodness sake, isn't colour what your brand is all about!?!), because even though NC25 was lighter, it was....still, Dale Winston-like (an orange TV presenter who must have been 'Fanta'D' in a previous life).

-And if looking orange wasn't bad enough, MAC decides to make your face and neck even more 'fashionably' uneven with the foundation oxidising to a lovely (ah-hem) Snooki colour.

- Cakey on the skin. Actually maybe I looked more like.....

....an orange cake.

- Streaky sheer to medium coverage.

- Very sticky at first but then atleast that disappeared as the liquid sets. It felt very heavy on that i couldn't wait at the end of the day to cleanse my face.

- Difficult to blend

- Appears semi- matte but with its cakeiness it was very ageing.

- Doesn't stink of paint like my MAC SFF but it doesn't smell like a bed of roses either.

PRO:

- Lasted 8 hours (but so does my ELDW)

- It has a pump - woop-diddy-doooooooooo :(

CONCLUSION

Four words = Don't. Waste. Your. Money.

MUFE Rouge Artiste Intense Lipstick No.37

Summer lovin' had me a blast, Summer lovin' happened so fast.....

...and I have fallin' quick-step in love -on this BRIGHT shiny day- with a gorgeous BRIGHT (on the scale of MAC VV Toxic Tale) more pinky than coral lippie....Oui, merci beaucoup MUFE Rouge Artiste Intense Lipstick No. 37!

L to R: MAC LE Toxic Tale (VV), MUFE RA No. 37, MAC Ladydanger

As you can see from the swatch above, it's more pink than Toxic Tale (TT) but as opaque and vibrant as both TT and Ladydanger.

So, because I think the colour is so fab, I think it deserves (yet another!!) pic.....

This is the first lipstick I have bought from the Rouge Artiste line. I believe it is a new addition to the collection and has only recently released. Here are my thoughts on it's quality....

PROS

- The colour is INSANELY beautiful on my NC30 skin

- Almost Fragrance free

- Lasts 2-3 hours

CONS

- Not moisturising

- It's not very creamy so you have to work the product-in to get the stand-out factor and therefore it drags...

- Expensive AUD 27 (and that is after a 20% MA discount)

CONCLUSION

Well it's not perfect but it's good enough for me -as a pink lippie princess- it ticks all my boxes and is a nice twist on the summer bronzed look paired with golden eyeshadow and MAC LE Hipness blush.

Hmmm....*ponders*, i might do a FOTD this weekend with it on to show you the FULL EFFECT....