Mac Cosmetics up to 50% off

I've never been a big Mac fan, but I know a lot of Mac junkies, and this post is for you guys. Although local Cosmetic Company stores in outlet malls are always a good source to get discounted Mac Cosmetic Products, however, one of my favorite Beauty Discount websites, is currently hosting selected Mac items. It's a trustworthy, highly rated/reputable website so you know you're getting authentic stuff. Anyways, less hoo haa, this is where you need to go: [Mac Cut Down Prices]
Enjoy!

For extra 10% off, try codes:
NEW10
STYLEIT

The Limited Free $10 Coupon

The Limited store is currently having 70% off Sale (in-store and online). And on a much SWEETER note, they're passing out $10 Store credit coupons! NO PURCHASE/Coupon NECESSARY! Just stop by your closest Limited store and grab some. They will be handing them out, now through Wednesday, December 29th!

Here are the detail/specifics about the coupon:

"Fashion cash valid through Wednesday, December 29, 2010 in-store only for $10 off a purchase. Minimum purchase must be equal to or greater than $10. Limit one per customer. Cannot be combined with other coupons or redeemed for cash. Not valid on markdown prices, previous purchases, purchase of gift cards, or as payment on The Limited Card. No cash or credit will be rewarded if merchandise is returned. No reproductions will be accepted. Associates not eligible. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase to receive discount."

To find a store near you, click [here]

By  joining their email family, you will receive an introductory offer of $15 off every $50 you spend. Sign up the email list by clicking [here]

My Blackest Long-lasting Eyeliner

Ladies, I know I'm not alone when I say "our quest for finding the blackest and long-lasting eyeliner never ends". But, I am quite content with my recent eyeliners. Following are the black liners I've experienced so far:

Liquid Liners: Milani Eye Tech (Pen Felt tip), N.Y.C., Mac's Rapid Black (Pen Felt tip)

Drugstore liners have impressed me. Milani Eye Tech is a very black liquid with a felt tip that provides proper control. Mistakes are extremely easy to fix without make up remover. In the beginning, the pen would release a lot more fluid. Over time, this problem disappeared. (Probably because it was summer time and the heat reduced viscosity of the fluid).

N.Y.C. caught my attention with its low $2 price. I had heard good things about it. After using it, I realized how extremely long the eyeliner wand was. The long wand length gave less control over liner application. The formula itself isn't bad. After drying it turns 'cracky' if you try to remove it. 

When it comes to liquid liners, we know we're talking about a glossy black cat eye. I was disappointed in Mac's Rapid Black. After about 2 weeks, the pigmentation was extremely dull grey. I did appreciate the fine tip, but it was useless without the proper opaqueness. 

Best: Milani Eye Tech for $6.99

Gel Liners: WetnWild, coastal scents, Mac's Fluid Line

I would list each gel liners' attributes here but bottom line is, they all eventually dried out too quickly for my money. Coastal Scents (within 1 month), WetnWild (Lasted 2 months), Mac's Fluid Line (3 Months). I feel cheated enough to not invest in a gel liner anymore. I have heard great things about Bobby Brown and Clinique gel liners, but I haven't the pocket to spare money to try those.

If I must pick one, I would have to say WetnWild was the most pleasant gel liner, the blackest and lasting.

Kohl Pencils: Mac's kohl power Feline, Urban Decay Zero, Estee Lauder Artist's Eye pencil, Dior Crayon Eyeliner, Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Eyeliner

Mac's kohl power pencil in Feline (Limited Edition) is smudge-able, super black and great for water line, or as an eye shadow base. It does slip off. A great dupe is Milani black eye kohl pencil and even Loreal Extra Intense Liner, Stila Eye Kajal, all are extremely black and creamy.

Urban Decay Zero is not that exciting. It's a dull grey-ish black. Great to use as a base under shadow.

Estee Lauder Artist's Eye pencil is very similar, much darker black than UD though.

Dior Crayon Eyeliner is pricey ($28) and supposedly waterproof. It is not a creamy eye pencil at all. If you are rubbing this on your waterline, it will not glide smoothly. It's not very black either. You can pack mat black eyeshadow on top (Mac's Carbon etc) to make it last longer.

You know when you get those $10 off Victoria's secret coupons and don't know what to get. Well this is what I got: Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Eye Liner in Black Velvet. It's a relatively good eye liner. Does smudge very easily (even when you don't want it to). It's not extremely black but does a fair job for fair skin ladies. It is definitely darker than Urban Decay's zero (I did not understand the hype behind UD Zero pencil...) Plus VS is having semi-annual sale, currently. Regular priced $10 liners are $4.99 which is not a bad deal at all! Personally, I think it's a great dupe to Mac's Feline Kohl pencil. 

Best: Feline Kohl pencil for $14~15

Swatches of the Liners: (Excludes gel liners as they've dried out)

Left to Right: N.Y.C, Milani, Mac Rapid Black, Urban Decay Zero, Mac Kohl Power Feline, VS Black Velvet, Dior Crayon Waterproof liner, Estee Lauder Artists Pencil

Now you see, why Milani beats them all. It's fantastic for the price. I can't imagine why I would want to pay high end brands when I can achieve better results with a drugstore brand. Plus it lasts all day! Doesn't smudge or smear. As for the waterline, if you truly want something that is going to last all day, without having to re-apply it, your best bet is to try a gel liner on your waterline. It's not optomologically tested or recommended in most cases, but I've personally done it. If you don't have easily irritable eyes, then you'd probably enjoy its long lasting effects as well.

Anyways, if you have a favorite black eye liner, or know of an amazing gel liner that doesn't dry out so quickly, please let me know. Thank you for visiting, come again!

Sephora's Early Secret Sale on Sale!

Sephora is having an early secret Sale on Sale Items for Beauty Insiders. Becoming a Beauty Insider is easy and FREE. Everything is additionally 20% off. Enter "EXTRA" during checkout. Enjoy!
Official sale for everyone begins 12/26.

Free Mascara Coupon!

Sephora inside JcPenney usually has more awesome freebies than the individual store. My sister used the coupon recently, the store was out of Too Faced Mascara but handed out Sample Size Bad Gal Lash instead. Try your luck. Here's the coupon: Free Too Faced Lash Injection
Enjoy!

Urban Decay Cosmetics ONLY $2!

That's right! Urban Decay's awesome cosmetics are on sale ~91% off!!!

It's on HauteLook! You need to join the member list, it's FREE! Enjoy!

Run Ladies! RUN! Half of the stuff is already sold out! Deal Ends Wednesday 12/22
at 8:00 AM Pacific

Soleil Tan De Chanel: Sheer Illuminating Fluid Sunkissed on Tanned Skin

Chanel cosmetics have never really impressed me, in their longevity and price value. You could always find a better 'dupe' (duplicate) drug store product for a much fair price. However, when playing around their counter, I found Soleil Tan De Chanel: Sheer Illuminating Fluid Sunkissed extremely beautiful on my tanned skin tone. I fell in love with the effects of the product, at first sight. I had never seen anything quite like it...

Product Description:

Chanel describes the product: "Sheer, weightless liquid instantly brightens skin and evens out skin tone. Light-reflecting pigments provide radiance and luminosity. Botanical extracts soften, smooth and moisturize. Oil free. Fragrance free."

Volume: 30ml/1Fl.Oz.

Price: $48.00

Ingredients: Aqua (H2O), Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Potato Starch Modified, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Trisodium Edta, Peg-8, Tin Oxide, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Chilorphenesin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate. [+/- (May Contain) CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Mica).

MakeUpAlley Rating: 4.8/5

My Review Rating: (Pro+/Con-)

Lasts: (-) ~4 hours maximum w/o Primer/foundation

Quality: (+) Gives a beautiful light golden sheen to the skin that I have not achieved with any other product. 

Quantity: (+) Use only the small bit on the cap, over the facial highlights zone. Personally prefer on cheekbones and eyebrows' arch. Rest assured the 1 Fl. Oz will last you a long time.

Value: (-) I would cringe paying $48 for this product. I don't think it is worth that kind of price. I bought it from a reliable, authentic Chanel products ebay seller for $32. Still a bit pricey for many people!

Overall Rating:  4/5

Comments: You have to make sure, if you have oily skin and live in a humid environment that this product wouldn't slip off your skin, because it has that tendency. Chanel counters don't offer sample of this product, because they are cheapskates. But try your luck anyway.

Swatch Photos:

Without Flash/Natural light

With Flash Light

Against other Highlighters:
(Without Flash) Top to Bottom: Nars Gold Member, Nars Albatross, Nars Copacabana, Chanel Sunkissed

(With Flash) Top to Bottom: Nars Gold Member, Nars Albatross, Nars Copacabana, Chanel Sunkissed

I love all my highlighters, to achieve different effects. They may appear very similar in photographs, but trust me, they're really quite different. All of them are shimmery, chanel having the most minute/finest sized shimmer, so that it literally looks like liquid gold. I hope you give it a try, because it is definitely worth looking into. I hope this has been useful to some of you. Please don't hesitate to reach me through comments if you would like to know more about this product. So tell me what your favorite highlighter(s) is (are) and why?