RiRi Hearts MAC: RiRi Nude

RiRi Hearts MAC: RiRi Nude

I went to the mall today to pick up a couple of outfits for an event I'll be attending this coming weekend.  The clothing store I went to happened to be directly across from a Belk department store, which is where my local MAC counter can be found.  On my way out of the mall, I spotted one of my favorite MAs at the MAC counter.  I went over there just to say hello, but I did notice that the Rihanna display was no longer up.  The MA asked me if I got anything from the Rihanna collection, which prompted to say something about the missing display and to share my experience with trying to get items from this collection.  She took me over to a drawer full of products from the RiRi Hearts MAC fall collection.  Apparently my local counter just got a shipment.  They didn't get everything, but they got quite a few items.  I know a lot of people missed out on the collection and it seems like the lipsticks were most sought after.  She showed me the Nude lipstick and Who's That Chick, but I decided to grab the Nude and go on my merry way.

RiRi Hearts MAC: Nude Swatch

My Thoughts...
WHY DID I BUY THIS?!?!  Okay, well maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but this lipstick does NOT photograph well on me.  I'll have to hide from flash photography whenever/if ever I wear it.  I don't know that I've ever felt this way about a MAC lipstick.  I have purchase a few without having a chance to swatch it, but THIS...it's a "no", for me.  As my husband put it, it looks a little "Ashy Larry" and I should have known better because from the pictures/reviews I've seen, this lipstick was a "do" for some and a complete "don't" for many.  The RiRi Nude lipstick looked far more wearable in the tube than on my lips; it pulls very gray on the lips.  It's a matte finish, so it takes a lot less work to apply compared to the Retro Mattes (which I love, by the way).  I've tried it with a couple of liners and I still don't like it.  It looks pretty on my arm, but I don't really know who wears lipstick on their arm.  I thought I'd take a risk with this Nude, because based on how it looked in the tube, it looked more wearable than the Nude lipstick that will be launched in the RiRi Hearts MAC Holiday collection.  I'm not sure what to do with this lipstick.  I'd hate to return it, knowing there are a lot of people who still want to get there hands on this color.

The MA told me that they have a list of customers to call, in case there was a restock.  I too am on that list, but I'm doubtful that I'll get a call considering I signed up for the Diamonds Cream Colour Base, and my local counter didn't get any in.  For those of you still on the hunt...keep hope alive.

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Urban Decay Vice 2: Toxic

The Products:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Lid: Toxic (UD Vice 2) applied dry, then reapplied with a damp brush

Crease: Rewind (UD Vice 2)

Brow bone/Highlight: Habit (UD Vice 2)
Lower Lash Line: Smokeout (UD Vice 2)
Brows: Deep Dark Brunette Gelcreme (MAC)

Eyeliner: Goodnight Dreams Pen liner(Sephora Hello KItty)

Waterline: Goodnight Dreams Kohl liner (Sephora Hello Kitty)

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Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette

Yesterday, I took a gamble and drove to my nearest Ulta, to find that they FINALLY restocked the Urban Decay Vice 2 palettes.  I got all the way to the check-out counter and realized that I left my 20% off coupon at home.  I decided to hold off on getting the palette until I retrieved my coupon.  The wonderful thing about Ulta is that you can also earn points on your purchases that translate into dollars...dollars that you can used to reduce the cost of your purchases.  I was able to walk away with the Vice 2 palette, 3 nail polishes, and a lipliner for less than $37 (USD).  The Urban Decay Vice 2 palette alone retails for $59 (USD).

Let's cut the chatter and get into some swatches!

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 1(L-R): Smokeout, Lovesick, Shellshock, Coax, and X-Rated (with Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 1 (L-R): Smokeout, Lovesick, Shellshock, Coax, and X-Rated (without Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 2 (L-R): Prank, Madness, Strike, Stash Poison (with Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 2 (L-R): Prank, Madness, Strike, Stash Poison (without Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 3 (L-R): Radar, Damaged, Voodoo, Betrayal, Derailed (with Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 3 (L-R): Radar, Damaged, Voodoo, Betrayal, Derailed (without Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 4 (L-R): Dope, Toxic, Habit, Ambush, Rewind (with Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 Row 4 (L-R): Dope, Toxic, Habit, Ambush, Rewind (with Flash)

Urban Decay Vice 2 (left) and Vice (right)

Urban Decay Vice 2 (left) and Vice (right)

What drew me into this palette were the colors.  I found myself more attracted to the color scheme of this palette (Vice 2) compared to last year's (Vice).  Although both palettes come equipped with greens, blues, pinks, purples, and neutrals, I feel as though the Vice 2 colors are more suitable for my skin tone.  For example, "Free Bird" in the Vice palette looks like it could be the cousin of "Toxic" in the Vice 2 palette.  "Toxic" is a bit darker, therefore giving a less harsh contrast to my skin color.  

I don't believe these swatches do the colors any justice.  Especially colors like "Damaged".  It comes across as such an emerald green...I feel like it should be trouncing down a yellow brick road, trapped somewhere in OZ.  There haven't been many greens that I think I could pull off, but this one would look lovely on anyone IMO.  

I've decided that I am going to do a series of posts showing looks I've created using the Vice 2 palette.  Stay tuned...

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Ulta-mate Good Time!!

Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette, OPI Matte Top Coat, NYX Lipliner in Espresso, Essie Nail polishes in "On a Silver Platter" and "Belugaria"

Last night, I had some free time, Ulta points, and a coupon, so haulin' it what was on the agenda.  Check out the up coming posts to see how I used these products.

OPI Matte Top Coat and Essie Nail polishes in "On a Silver Platter" and "Belugaria"

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Sephora's Benefit: "Real Birthday Turn-ons"

So, as you may have seen from my previous post, I just had a birthday and scooped up a couple of goodies.  I haven't played with them all, but I did use a couple of new items.

Every year, Sephora Beauty Insiders get the opportunity to pick up a free beauty item for their birthday.  This year's gift is the Benefit Real Birthday Turn-ons, which features a sample size mascara and highlighter.  I wanted to try out the products, so check out the pics below!

Benefit: Watt's Up Highlighter

Benefit: Watt's Up Highlighet

Benefit: Watt's Up Highlighter Swatch

Benefit: Watt's Up Highlighter Swatch blended

The highlighter has a pretty smooth application, sort of like lipstick for your cheekbones.  I didn't find it very difficult to blend.  I wore it to work for a few days and it didn't seem to over power the look.  I classify my skin as combination/oily and I don't feel that I came away, looking like a grease-ball.  Benefit's Watt's Up highlighter retails for $30 (USD) for 9.4g (0.33oz).  

As for the mascara, you can judge for yourself...

No mascara

Benefit: They're Real Mascara (one coat)

Benefit: They're Real Mascara (two coats)

What I appreciate most about this product, is the wand.  The applicator has little comb-like spikes, and on the tip, there's a bulb with more comb-like spikes.  I think this allowed me to get a closer application to my lash-line while being able to separate my lashes.

Adding false lashes isn't something that I do often, so I really like for my mascara to give me volume, length, and drama.  This mascara retails for $23 (USD) for a 8.5g (0.3oz) tube.

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MAC/Rihanna: Talk That Talk Lipstick

Moments ago, my package finally arrived.  I felt like it was my birthday all over again!!  I couldn't wait to tear open the box...and there it was...the coveted Talk That Talk Lipstick!!!!

I ran around the house looking for my camera.  I couldn't resist the urge to swatch the lipstick.  Talk That Talk was pretty easy to swatch, so naturally, I wanted to see what it would do on my lips.  Perhaps I should have waited, because the lipstick snapped in half. :o(  I didn't know how to respond...should I cry, scream, throw myself on the floor?  Once I recovered, I found a box of matches I use to light my candles and lightly melted the bottom of the piece of lipstick I held in my hand and reattached the lipstick.  I took a quick flame around the circumference of the lipstick and luckily the signature was still in tact.

Needless to say, my lipstick is now in the freezer and hopefully that fixes it.  I can't tell whether Talk That Talk will be a patchy mess, as others have reported.  It is definitely dry, but I've had dryer.  A shade this dark will take some getting used to, for me, but I'm up for the challenge.  I must say, this color is PERFECT for Fall.  Tonight, I'll be meeting friends for my Belated Birthday dinner and I absolutely cannot wait to rock this lip color.

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