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

A guide to concealers

Concealers - How to choose

Concealer - used for exactly what the name suggests, Concealing!

Whether it be a drug store or high-end product -

 Blemishes, uneven skin tone or under-eye circles you are trying to cover

there is a concealer out there for you!

♥

I have a range of different concealers, from different brands, & after playing around 

with them for a while, have found they all have a different purpose & each are 

perfect for certain things, & not so good for others..

Pictured above, are my current concealers.

Read below how I prefer to use these different concealers & what for..

♥

• MAC Pro long wear Concealer in NC15 - Perfect for my under eye circles & also on the whole lid as an eyeshadow base! Heavy, full coverage. I apply with a Real Techniques Contour Brush & set with Anastasia Beverly Hills Banana Powder. rrp. $20 USD
• Milani Secret Cover Concealer in Natural Beige (Round pot, Gold lid) - This concealer can get quite dry, I like to add a drop of face oil. When it's the right consistency, creamy yet thick, it's perfect for carving out eyebrows or helping create a clean, sharp line on eyeshadow or winged eyeliner. Not great for under eyes as it gets very heavy & will crease. rrp. $5 USD
• Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in Fair - I Love this concealer for anything! I use it mainly to highlight under my eyes & on/around my pink nose.. Great for covering blemishes as well. It has a light & creamy consistency yet is full coverage. Best applied using your warm fingertips to blend out. rrp. $12 NZD
• L.A Girl Pro Conceal in Classic Ivory - I use this under my eyes for dark circle coverage, its opaque full coverage but lightweight so it won't settle in to fine lines & crease. So nice to apply with either your fingertips or a concealer brush, I use the Real Techniques Contour brush for this concealer also. rrp. $3 USD
• ELF Essential Zit Zapping Concealer in Fair - This product is something different! It's the 2in1 combination of concealer & Anti-bacterial ingredients that fight & prevent acne while giving an intense full coverage where needed. A unique blend of salicylic acid, tea tree oil & camphor that is safe & gentle, it minimizes pores while hiding & concealing blemishes. I lightly dab this product on & around blemishes using my fingertip, as to not spread germs using a brush, to blend then proceed on to foundation. rrp.$3 USD 
• Benefit Fake Up Hydrating Under Eye Concealer in Light - As the name suggests, this product is designed specifically for under the eyes & claims "crease control". This product is something different again, in the way the actual concealing product is surrounded by a clear vitamin E & apple seed extract layer, which gives the intense hydration that prevents creasing. I also love this product for when I have any dry blemishes or patches around my nose etc. rrp.$24 USD

I hope this helps when in search for that perfect concealer!
It all depends on what you're looking for in a concealer, and what you don't want!

LucyLoves! xx

Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks!

A Lipstick Review... 

Gerard Cosmetics has really become popular in the last year,
starting with the original "Brow Bar to-go" & their lighted lipglosses, Jennifer Gerard has made 
this brand what it is today, and it continues to grow!
♥
I Love what it says on the site "Gerard Cosmetics was created with a pure passion & clear vision to offer every woman products that were the solution to everyday makeup blunders. Gerard Cosmetics is a line created for women by women who empower each other & strive to offer products that are luxurious, accessible & endlessly chic."

www.GerardCosmetics.com

(Picture: Cherry Cordial, 1995, Nude, Buttercup, Tequila Sunrise, Kimchi Doll)

So I recently made an order from Gerardcosmetics.com for some lipsticks!
Let me just say, Gerard Cosmetics LOVES us! And offers us so many amazing discount codes
through their social media sites, Instagram, Facebook etc, (some listed below)
They also give some of our well known & fave Beauty Gurus, such as Jaclyn Hill, Shaaanxo, Sophia Chang & MannyMua, codes to share with us!
♥
Speaking of Jaclyn Hill! This guru has collaborated with this amazing brand to give us two Beautiful Lipsticks - "1995" Inspired by Kylie Jenners 90's Grunge Glam, and "Buttercup" described as the perfect everyday pinky nude,
Which Jaclyn then designed two lighted lip glosses to pair with these colours
"Buttercream", a soft creamy pink & "Rose Hill",  a spring reddish berry shade
Another Guru, Sophia Chang (or Fashionista804 on Instagram) has collaborated to create the stunning Pale peachy pink "Kimchi Doll", which I recommend using with a Lip liner to avoid washing you out & changing up the colour every time!

Swatches:

(From Top to Bottom)

"Kimchi Doll" - by Sophia Chang, Pale peach pink nude, Creamy

"Tequila Sunrise" - Bright orange pink coral, Slightly Matte

"Buttercup" - Jaclyn Hill Collection, Cool toned pink nude, Creamy
"Nude" - A true neutral brown nude, Creamy
"1995" - Jaclyn Hill Collection, Dark pink brown nude, Slightly Matte
"Cherry Cordial" - Dark reddish purple plum, Creamy

Basically, all of these lipsticks have a creamy consistency, even the ones that are slightly matte,

still have a nice moisturising finish. I will admit, they take a few swipes to the lips 

to build the opaqueness, which I guess is nice, this means

you can alternate & make the colours as sheer or opaque as you like.

♥

Might I also mention Free Delivery with most discount codes used!

And Fast Delivery! in New Zealand within 10 days!

Here are a few discount codes:

1 Lipstick & 1 Lipgloss for $20usd - "pickurpout" 

Pick any 4 Lip colours for $39usd - "justforjaclyn" or "manny4you"

Pick any 3 Lipsticks for $30usd - "3for30" or "Mannylip"

Pick 2 Lip colours for $20 - "GC2lips"

Lipstick 5 Pack for $45 - "GCdeal45"

35% off + Free Worldwide shipping - "jaclyn35", 

20% off - "Shaaanxo"

Make sure you check out their website & Beauty reviews on Youtube!

LucyLoves! xx