MAC Hidden Treasure Blush vs Black Radiance Warm Berry Artisan Color Baked Blush

I bought MAC's Hidden Treasure blush (Style Seeker collection, August 2012) I couldn't help but think that I bought a more expensive version of a blush I'd been avoiding, Black Radiance Warm Berry Blush. I only avoided this blush because I have at least four of the other Artisan Color Baked blushes. I didn't need another. Well, now I have both and I wanted to compare them to settle my mind and to share with you guys!

 Check below for swatches and more!

 

MAC Hidden Treasure blush:

"Rich, burnt red"

.21oz, $20

Subtle, pink sheen

Black Radiance Warm Berry Artisan Color Baked blush

Strong, deep red

.1oz, $4.99

Little, no sheen

 

In the pan, MAC's HT looks lighter than the Warm Berry.  The sheen brightens it up.  However, HT is a bit deeper in that it leans browner compared to Warm Berry.  Warm Berry has a burnt red look, but  more pink is mixed in the base so it looks more true red when compared to HT. 

Both blushes are amazingly pigmented, but I think the sheen in HT make it more friendly on different skin tones.  Warm Berry may be a bit harder to use, but my experience with the new Black Radiance baked blushes versus their old matte blushes, they are much easier to use.  You should use both with caution and with a fluffy brush, stippling/skunk brush or fan brush.

Do you have this blush??  What do you think of it??

MAC Unconditionally Fabulous nail polish

I was perusing through some nail blogs The Polishaholic and saw a glitter polish for the holiday season, similar to my MAC Unconditionally Fabulous polish fromt the 2011 Glitter and Ice collection that I had never tried.

I decided to give it a go for my latest mani.  It was hard for me to decide what base color I wanted to use, but I ultimately chose Essie's St. Tropez.

Usually, I like to see my glitters in low lights, but this one I particularly love in day light.  It looks just like a snow globe!

.

Blingy enough for me, conservative enough for the office! WIN.

June Ambrose Inspired FOTD

 

When June Ambrose stepped out in her Nanette Lepore outfit to attend the designer's show, she rocked my world. It took me a second to take it all in, but once I did I was instantly taken back to my  time in Chennai, India where I was mesmorized by the colors and fabrics worn by the women.  

To appreciate my experience, I also bought and wore salwar kameezes and had a saree custom made.

 From the Nanette Lepore line,  June's outfit is made up of the pants and a dress.  I love what she did with this from the hot pink head scarf to the heeless snakeskin shoes (Giuseppes?).  The color palette of her outfit blew me away.  I was inspired to do an FOTD.   See below!

 

 EYES:

MAC Paint Pot in Nubile

Maybelline Color Tattoo Gold Shimmer

MAC Paint Pot in Pharoah

MUFE #92

A hot pink pigment from MAC (sample)

Revlon color stay liquid liner

NYX Teal liner

Lashes MAC # 35

Nw25  concealer

FACE:

MAC Prolong Wear bronzer

Cork eye shadow for slight conturing

MAC Peony Petal blush

LIPS

Naughty Sautee lipstick

Kiss Me Quick Prolong lip pencil

(lurrrve this combo!)    

MAC Brow Pencil in Brunette, Swatches

I love MAC brow pencils, especially for the color range and the small pencil tip for hair like strokes.   While there are many product options, high and low, to create a great brow, I've always repurchased MAC brow pencils  (Maybelline Define-a-Brow is a great alternative).

I use quite a few products in my brows (bleach, two shadows, a pencil or cream and brow set) to get them to my satisfaction.  

My pencil of choice is Lingering brow pencil.  MAC describes it as a "soft taupe brown."  Brunette, a "gray brown" pencil, was introduced to us  a few weeks ago with the Corine Roitfeld collection.  I picked up Brunette recently as I'm a product junkie always open to new options. 

Take a look below to see swatches of Brunette and how it compares to Lingering brow pencil.

Can you see a difference in the two?? Lingering (left); Brunette (right) 

Brunette has the slightest bit of warmth to it, but not much of a difference.

Lingering (left); Brunette (right)

The color caps on the pencils will lead you to believe that Brunette is a lot warmer. 

On my skin tone, there isn't much difference.  

Have you purchased this brow pencil??  Do you see a difference between Brunette and Lingering? 

EDIT: The caps of the pencils are more accurate as to what color you will get in your brow (Now that I've been using Brunette to replace Lingering.)  Brunette is darker, but not as dark as Spike or Stud.  It's the baby of Lingering and Spike brow pencil.

Lipstick Quickie: Purple Lipstick Swatches on NC50 and NC43 Skin

Swatches from top to bottom, NC50 and NC43:
Make Up For Ever #15
Make Up For Ever #14
MAC Young Rapunxel
MAC Heroine

Thanks Ro for lending your lipsticks and skin for swatching ;D

Top 5 Fall Makeup Trends 2012

I blog, you the suggest the topic! Thanks @ZeeNTheCity for todays topic :)

Top 5 Fall Makeup Trends 2012 according to me as seen on runways, street style and what I personally like for the Fall.

1.Return of the dark lip 
Thanks for the official kick off to the dark lip for the Fall season Azealia Banks and Erica of Love and Hip Hop ATL.

(maccosmetics.com)

 (vh1.com)


2. Bold colors
We aren't quite ready to ditch color.  Keeping the bold colors (think statement piece) translate this to your makeup.... bold color on lips, cheeks or eye liner. A model for Thakoon uses a bright lip on the runway paired with a rich purple top.

(stylebistro.com)

3. Graphic eye liner
If you know me, you know my winged liner is classic for me.  Graphic liner can be winged eyes or different shapes that contours the eyes for a fun look.

 (kittyread.blogspot.com)

4. Smoky eyes
Does smoky eyes ever go out of style??  Deep smoky eyes for  the cold months; lighter, more subtle smoky for day time  or warmer months

 (revlon.com)

5. Clean, contoured skin
Leaving most of the dew for the Summer, the Fall calls for a satin skin finish.  Not completely matte, but nice sheen.

(fashionforacure.org)