MAC 224 DUPE

You may remember from my last wishlist post that I really wanted to purchase the MAC 224 brush and it was on my shopping list to be bought next. Yes I really do a shopping list and purchase things in that order! As I'm in college I get to try lots of make-up brushes from the girls in my course and we all tend to dabble in each other kits. Last week my make-up tutor had the MAC 224 brush with her and I asked her if I could try it out. She said she swore by this brush and had about 10 in her kit which made me even more excited to give it a go!

Firstly I tried it out with eyeshadow and using it to apply my transition colour, as predicted it blends out like a dream. This is better for un-controlled blending if that makes sense at all. For example if you want your blending to be very precise and stay in one area you would use a brush such as a 217, but for a more smoked out effect you would use a tapered blending brush such as this. I also then used this for applying my concealer (when it was clean of course.) It gave a beautiful airbrushed finish to my concealer.

It was after I got home that the penny dropped. This brush is identical to the Sigma E40, nothing different at all. This brush was kind of dis-owned until recently where I decided to try it out again and for some reason I failed to see if was exactly like the MAC 224. The Sigma E40 looks exactly the same and completes the job just as well as the MAC 224 but is a considerably option. The MAC 224 retails for £22.50 and the Sigma E40 retails here for £15.95.

MAC 217 next to the Sigma E40 for size comparison.

Now you may think that isn't much of a saving but if like me you purchase several of your favourite brushes for yourself and your kit then that £7 per brush can make quite a bit of a difference. I now have 3 of these brushes and can't imagine being separated from them!

What is your favourite make-up brush?

MAC PRO EYESHADOW PALETTE 15

My first blog post EVER and I thought what better way to break me in than doing a MAC palette show and tell!

My first eyeshadow I bought was around 6 months ago, I've never really been an eyeshadow girl but after watching too many YouTube videos and seeing looks I really wanted to recreate I took the plunge, Carbon being my first purchase which is a Matte black. After playing around with basic looks (there's only so much you can do with one eyeshadow) I decided to look into what would be my next purchase. Which is where Ricepaper came into my life. Ricepaper is a creamy/pale gold colour with a hint of shimmer which looks GORGEOUS as a base and Carbon through the outer V. These two eyeshadows are still my most loved to this day. 

When I first started purchasing MAC eyeshadows I didn't have the Pro Palette I bought them in the standard packaging with the black plastic, when I decided to purchase the palette I still only had the 2 eyeshadows I mentioned so purchased a few of the Pro Palette pan's (not all 15, MAC eyeshadows are quite pricey!!) and planned to build up my collection slowly. Little did I know it would be full within 6 months! I heard you can de-pot MAC eyeshadows to put into the palette's so I had a search on YouTube and found out how to do this so if you have single MAC shadow's I would highly recommend getting a palette and doing this it makes life so much easier having them all at easy reach! Plus you can use the containers for Back to Mac for you free lipstick!

I can't quite remember the order I got my eyeshadows in, only that Ricepaper and Carbon were my first's! 

So before I list all the shadow's I will give you a bit of information of the palette itself.

Design:
Apparently this is the new design and the last one didn't have a see through lid but I can't comment on that as I didn't have it, although I love the see through design! Hopefully when I expand my collection more and get my next palette it will be so much easier to see which one is what at a glance rather than having to open them. Although the lid does get pretty dirty from the colour fall out and mine does have a few scratches from travelling! I did say it was well loved :)

Price:
Pro Palette Large x15: £14.00 Click here
Pro Palette insert x15: £6.50 Click here
Mac Pro Palette Refill Shadows: £10.00 Click here

I will list all of the shadows from left to right below. If you want to see swatches then please let me know, if anyone actually reads this lol! My palette isn't really that organised as I said. This is just all the shadows I have, I soon hope to have a palette for neutrals/everyday and then more brighter colours! 

(L-R) Cork, Amber Lights, Woodwinked, Satin Taupe, Fig.1, Cork (for some reason I bought two?), Ricepaper, Cranberry, Hepkat, Beauty Marked, Espresso, Naked Lunch, Vanilla, Smut, Carbon.

With the flash on to see the colours a bit better.

Hope you enjoyed this! Keep an eye out for new posts!

Michaela 

MAC RiRi Woo Swatches & Review

 I am ashamed to admit I got sucked into the bandwagon of the Rihanna MAC collection which started off with RiRi's signature lipstick with her name engraved on the bullet. Other than that the packaging is the standard MAC packaging.

I believe it has been based around the Ruby Woo lipstick from MAC which I haven't tried but have heard on the grapevine it is very similar. I do own Russian Red which is the same 'Matte' formula and I do love! Russian Red is a darker shade of red but not a whole lot different compared to RiRi Woo.

There was only a limited number going on sale on Friday 3rd May so I made sure I was ready and waiting on the site at the 11am launch (sad I know) and apparently they sold out in 3 hours which is epic! Don't worry if you missed out though, they are bringing more back in June! 

The formula is very drying as with the majority of Matte lipsticks so make sure you prep well beforehand but as with most MAC lipsticks they staying power is amazing.

I do honestly believe this would be a good shade on everyone it is a classic glamour red (think Marilyn Monroe.)  And the blue undertones are perfect for making them teeth look pearly white! 

On my lips in natural light.

I've included a swatch of RiRi Woo next to Russian Red as well as me wearing the RiRi Woo in natural daylight to give you the true colour. 

Left - RiRi Woo.    Right- Russian Red

Me in Natural light - RiRi Woo

I am actually looking forward to seeing what Rihanna's next items in the collection will be! 

Will you be purchasing the lipstick when it comes back in June? What are you opinions on it?


Michaela x

Everyday Make-up Video!

Hi everyone!

I decided to film a video on my Everyday Make-Up as I thought it would be better than just taking photos!

It was my first ever video and my editing skills aren't great but I hope you enjoy it regardless, it can only get better, right?

Let me know what you think I would love to know any of your recommendations.

Michaela x