MAC Waterproof Foundation + Upward Lash Mascara Review

Review & First Impressions... 

MAC Cosmetics have recently added this Waterproof formula to their Pro Longwear collection.
Oil-Free & Hydrating, giving your skin a nourishing Medium to Full coverage, satin finish.

As a bonus, this foundation has added antioxidants & skin-repairing ingredients,
Caffine, Lecithin & Sodium-hyaluronate, provides instant & long-term hydration.
Available in 16 shades from nc/nw 15-50
$33 USD for 25ml product
♥
Also new to MAC Cosmetics is the Upward Lash Mascara
A flake-proof & smudge-proof mascara that creates Volume, Length & Curl in seconds
The special moulded mini brush curls & pushes up the most horizontal hairs. 
at the same time reaching the base of the littlest lashes!
$22 USD for 12g product

www.MACcosmetics.com

First, lets start with the foundation...

Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

Claims to be Medium to Full coverage with a satin finish that lasts up to 24hours

I can't say I've tested this over a 24hour period, but it definitely lasts throughout 

a work day & it didn't need touching up for hours! Even then I would just lightly

 powder around my nose & forehead if I looked oily.

Coverage? I don't know if it's Medium to Full coverage with the first application.. 

It gives the skin a sheer to medium coverage while blurring any imperfections thanks to the pigmentation of this product, but it is definitely buildable to a flawless full coverage!

It does have a beautiful natural, satin finish, not super dewy or matte 

Once applied it leaves the skin feeling slightly tacky & has the consistency of a light sunscreen

I do recommend setting this foundation with a powder!

Waterproof? This claim is a bit overstated..More Water Resistant

This won't necessarily last through a swim in the pool or at the beach,

but it will withstand tears, rain, humidity & sweating, 

while most other foundations will break up & streak in these conditions.

♥

The only downfall is this foundation contains 25ml of product, 

5ml less than most other foundations for $30+

I like a buildable foundation so you can customise & get your preferred finish,

but if it contains less product & costs around the same, I would prefer to have a

fuller coverage that doesn't require using more product to build

Here is the packaging, very simple & nothing flashy

It's in a plastic, squeeze tube & that helps to control the amount of product you use.

As you can see above, the texture is lightly runny.

I purchased NC15 (I'm normally NC20, I will use this in the rainy/winter months)

And as always, I applied one side with a Beauty Blender & the other with a Flat Top brush

Beauty Blender: 

The only difference that noticed using the Blender was it soaked up more of the product, giving a less tacky feel & a lighter finish

Flat Top Brush:

I got a fuller coverage using the Kabuki Brush but I found it slightly harder to blend out..

I noticed it lasted longer throughout the day on the brush side.

NEXT Lets talk about the New Mascara!

Upward Lash Mascara

This is a product I'm excited to tell you about!

I've never tried a MAC mascara & haven't really heard much about them

but this one caught my eye mainly because of the packaging!

It looks like a longer MAC Lipstick in the black tube & bullet shaped lid

This product claims to be smudge & flake proof while creating Volume, Length & Curl in seconds

I has a special moulded brush with a hollow centre that holds mascara for instant lash building

The small rubberised bristles are perfect for coating each & every lash from base to tip.

I found the hollowed centre retained a lot of product. which made it hard to apply at first

It clumped up & took longer to dry because of the extra product on the brush..

It takes a little longer to separate the lashes on the first eye you apply too, there's no need to dip back

in the tube for the second eye..

♥

Above is a close-up of the brush & bristles & a comparison in size next to a MAC lipstick.

I really love the effect this mascara gives! It reminds me of my fave Benefit Rollerlash

Both designed to lift & curl the lashes naturally, I think the Upward Lash brush works better at getting the base of the lashes lifting them & making them look super long!

I didn't experience flaking but it did smudge slightly under my eyes throughout the day..

♥

For $22 USD you are receiving 12g (0.42oz) of product 

That's a decent amount of product for the price considering most mascaras range

 from $20-35 in US & give approx 9-10g (0.30oz) of product

Just for shade reference of the foundation

Available in 16 shades 

NC 15/ NW 15

NC 20/ NW 20

NC 25/ NW 25

NC 30/ NW 30

NC 35/ NW 35

NC 42/ NW 40
NC 45/ NW 45

NC 50/ NW 50

Comment if you have any questions!

Check out my Instagram Lucymaria_x for more Makeup posts & blog updates!

LucyLoves! xx

How I Order my Makeup from USA!

Forwarding Addresses, Sephora, MAC etc!  

As some of you may know, I'm from New Zealand, 

a small country at the bottom of the map!

For the longest time, I had been dreaming of the products & prices 

American Beauty Lovers enjoy, including Reward points & Deluxe Samples!

Then I heard about - Forwarding Services

♥

So basically a Forwarding Service is a Delivery service that provide you 

with an American address to use when ordering on any American site.

Your parcel is delivered to their Warehouse in USA, you pay for Shipping from there, 

& they send your order here, to your house, in NZ! 

Here are a few services I've tried myself, trust & continue to use =

www.nzpost.co.nz/Youshop - Free Sign up 

This is one Forwarding Service I use all the time! It's based in NZ, stems from their NZ post website. I personally find this site the easiest, most affordable & trustworthy to use. 

When you sign up, you will receive addresses tp their warehouses in USA, UK & China + your own NZ post I.D number. This is a MUST to enter into the shipping information to ensure you receive your order. I personally DON'T enter the I.D number in the "First Name" section, as long as it's in the Address Line you're fine! When it arrives to their warehouse, the I.D no. will show up under your name, they will email you payment info for shipping & send it away to you!

I use YouShop when ordering from MAC USA, Too Faced Cosmetics & now Sephora!

They do have a consolidation option for multiple packages & discounted prices the more you have - up to 10 boxes! 

Check the product restrictions for YouShop before ordering, some products e,g Perfume is dangerous goods & won't get accepted/sent!

Note: 

Sephora does not accept Debit Cards & will cancel orders, only Credit Cards are accepted as they don't have a set currency!

Too Faced Cosmetics will only accept PayPal payments, select or enter your given US address on PayPal, otherwise they will decline your card for your order.

www.UStoOZ.com - Free Sign up

I've used this service a few times to order from Sephora when I got perfume samples or wanted to order their Perfume Mini sets etc

Based in Australia, specifically for ordering from the US, this site has an initial service fee that is added to the Shipping Price in the end. When you sign up you need to "Place Order", let them know you want "To make an Order using their Address" (There are 3 options) & Enter the products you'll be ordering. This will ensure you get everything you ordered! Including Samples..

They are more expensive then other services, but for a few reasons, consolidation is free no matter how many orders, and perfume is accepted & sent to NZ.

I found with UStoOZ, the more orders you make the more reasonable the price is.

Once they receive your package, you are emailed with a few Shipping options including with or without insurance, 6-10 days or 2-4 weeks arrival time etc

www.Shipito.com - $5 Sign up Fee

This is the first Service I used, I heard about this site through Shaaanxo on YouTube.

This site is more confusing to use in my opinion but its trustworthy & does work!

You start by signing up with a $5 fee to prove you have a working card, get your Address & start shopping! Once your order arrives to their warehouse, top up your Shipito account for shipping!

You also have the "Special Request" Option that costs $5 if you have a restricted product or sample, request to have it removed. Or if you want that Perfume or Sample, for a higher price they have a shipping option for Fed Ex that accepts dangerous goods.

Another option on this site is the "Assisted Purchase" option where you top up your account with money, enter in the products your wishing to get, they will personally collect those for you & let you know when it arrives. This is the best option to choose if you're worried about your order getting cancelled 

Tips: 

I sometimes use a Forwarding Address for sites that do ship to NZ, but have a hefty shipping charge! E.g I made another Colourpop order last week! I didn't quite have enough money to pay for shipping, so I got it sent via YouShop (giving me free US shipping) & paid the YouShop shipping charge when it arrived to their warehouse this week! 

It actually worked out cheaper that way anyway - $22 NZD vs $20 USD (approx $30 NZD)

Others to check out - 

Comgateway, HopShopGo, MyUS & Private Box

I haven't personally used these but know people who have & recommend also!

I really hope this information helped some people,

I know I was unsure & nervous the first time I tried a Forwarding Service!

Any Questions, just ask & I'll try to help :)

Remember, 

NZ has a $280 (Including Shipping) Maximum spend before customs Tax

LucyLoves! xx

MAC Wash & Dry Collection

MAC Summer Collection Swatches

This stunning Summer collection, Wash & Dry, hit stores in NZ June 1st 
And let me say, even though it's Winter here I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of these 
gorgeous bronzey products! 

♥

"A breezy, bronzing collection inspired by bright, fresh hues - set your cycle to chic!" 
I managed to pick up the three items I was interested in, Bronzing powder, Lipstick & the 
eye-catching, gradient highlight powder! Check out Swatches Below
Maccosmetics.com still has a few products from this collection left so get in quick!  

www.maccosmetics.com

First, I would just like to mention the packaging..
Um could this collection get any prettier! The gradient Blue, orange to yellow..?
Stunning reminiscent of summer! I miss the sun...
Any way, there is one downfall with this packaging, it feels slightly cheaper compared to classic MAC packaging, but the beauty in these products far outweigh that minor negative.

♥ SWATCHES ♥

Wash & Dry Bronzing Powder 

- "Matte Bronze" $27.50USD, $50NZD, $39AUD

This bronzer is a product I was planning on purchasing but never got around to it, when it came out in this amazing limited edition packaging, it was the time! It's actually a perfect neutral, matte brown for a natural looking contour & bronzed glow. I'm in love now & very happy with this purchase! This product is still available on Maccosmetics.com/maccosmetics.com.au

Wash & Dry Lustre Lipstick

- "Tumble Dry" $17USD, $44NZD, $40AUD

I was so excited to try this lipstick! It was a beautiful light peach on the website. I have never tried a Lustre lipstick from MAC before, but I have heard a few people say they're not the best formula,
I was just disappointed by the opacity of this, it's a sheer buildable peach, I was hoping for more pigmentation, maybe something similar to MAC "Sweet & Sour" but in a way, I'm still happy with this product, I like it to throw in my handbag for a quick application of colour during the day! 
This is also available on maccosmetics.com USA ;)




First swatch - one swipe of colour
<-----
Second swatch - full opacity


Wash & Dry Highlight Powder

- "Freshen Up" $35.50USD, $66NZD, $51AUD

Oh..My..Goodness...how utterly amazing does this highlight powder look?! 
"Featuring a unique gradation of three shades in one pan, from pastel banana, through fuzzy peach to mid-coral. With an embossed design & pearlized over-spray, this is truly a collector's piece"
This product is described as a highlight powder, though once the glittery golden
over-spray is brushed off you're left with three matte shades. I will continue to use this once the sparkle has disappeared, as a blush & face brightening powder, but I'm unsure of how some darker skintones (NC/NW35+) will be able to get further use out of this product..

<---- Bottom Swatch is all 3 mixed together

Make sure you run in store & see what you can grab from this 

limited edition collection or check online! This is one collection you'll want get a piece of! 

Even if it's just because the packaging is so stunning...

LucyLoves! xx