a review: MAC chromagraphic pencil in NW25/NC30

*photo taken from MAC website

A highly pigmented wood-clenched pencil with a firm lead and silky soft application. Use for outlining, defining and drawing. Creates an intense line that blends down for a softer, diffused effect.

~according to MAC website

Price~ I can't find the box but I think this sells a little over a thousand pesos (1,200+) in the local (MOA) MAC store
        -$14.50 in MAC website

Availability~ Limited, though Im not sure if it is permanent in MAC pro stores.

Shade~ NW25/ NC30, also available in NC15/ NW20

My thoughts on this~

I love lining my waterline with white eyeliner, it just makes me look awake and makes my whole look bright. I already have the MAC eyeliner in Fascinating and I love how pigmented and long lasting that one is. You only need a quick swipe and the color stays there the whole day.

So when I saw MAC's Chromographic pencil, I just thought that it would look subtle and pretty on the waterline. The first time I saw chromagraphic pencils was I think last year, it came out with Pret-a-papier collection, I was very much intigued because it is multipurpose, meaning you can use this as an eyeliner (this instead of a white/black liner on waterline) and as a concealer. I tried using it both ways. First as an eyeliner, it gives me a well-rested look and it is so natural, it doesn't give me that weird look that sometimes white eyeliner gives me :p.This glides smoothly and easily on my waterline. The other way I use this is as a concealer which Im not really happy, why, you ask? Well, this can cover spots just fine (coz this had that flesh-toned color just like normal concealers), but the staying power is what I am disappointed about. This just doesnt last on me, so if you are oily just like me and you are planning to get this for concealing purposes alone, I suggest getting a regular concealer like those in pots. I heard Laura Mercier carries the best concealers (as raved by a Chanel SA :D) I just havent tried them yet, so maybe you could check out LM counters and  test their concealers.

Overall, Im not too satisfied with this. The only reason Im keeping this is because I love the effect it gives on my waterline. But cheaper eye pencils can give that too, so I wont be repurchasing. Sorry MAC :P

here are samples of the swatches:

(I'll try to update this and include a photo of how it looks on the waterline)

~Update~
(Im sorry if this is a little late)

Here is MAC's Chromagraphic pencil in NW25/NC30 applied on the waterline

you can see here how it somehow "lifted" my eye. it also gives a brighter effect and looks more natural than the white eyeliner

I forgot to add that this fade a little more faster than my white eyeliner (MAC Fascinating). I never have to retouch when Im using Fascinating. I hope this helps, thanks for looking :)

Peace & Love♥♥



a Review: MAC blot in medium dark

If only the oil that's springing from my sebaceous glands are as precious as that of a gasoline, I would be a multi-billionaire by now :D Yes ladies, that's how oily I am.. and to add more insult to the injury- I am living in a tropical country and most days are hot and humid, most foundations would fade by midday on my uber oily face. The only foundation that keep my face oil-free for an hour or two is Dior Extreme Fit, but Im not gonna talk about Dior yet. This review is for MAC's famous blotting powder, I have it in Medium Dark. After using it for a few days, I still cant tell if I really like this well. First, because it's not SUPERB in oil control, this is just AVERAGE-well for the price I expected a lot more :p. Read on for more of my thoughts regarding this powder :)



MAC Blot powder in Medium Dark



Price- this costs P1,200 for 12 g / 0.42 US oz in local MAC stores. It sells for $23 in MAC website.

Packaging- I love that this is a pressed one that I can bring anywhere, it is very travel-friendly. What I dont like though is that there is no separate compartment for the puff, I mean MAC, talk about being sanitary noh?

Shade- I have this in Medium Dark and the shade is just right for my NC20-25 skin tone. The MA in the MAC counter told me that this is translucent, I believe so but this is not totally translucent, it still has faint pigments and can therefore change the color of your foundation(especially upon application), but not too much like the regular pressed powder.

Application- the application is a breeze, I actually like the puff it came with :) One thing though, make sure that you blot first before applying this, to prevent your makeup from caking up.

Finish- Im not really a fan of the finish. This can make you look powdery, flat and unnatural. There are shades available so make sure that you get the shade that will fit your skintone. Medium dark is still quite light, dont be decieved by the word dark in there. Those with dry skin, make sure to moisturize!! This accentuates flakes and dry areas on face.



*sorry* for the poor swatch.. but you can see here how powdery it looks and how it accentuates dry areas on my finger :p



Coverage- I find that this has very little to no coverage at all, well you can wear it alone if you're gifted with blemish-free skin, but for those needing more coverage you'll rather get disappointed with this. MAC blot I think is made for touch-ups alone.

Wear- Im gonna be judging the wear of this powder depending on how long it keeps my face matte. From a scale of 1-5 with 5 being Fantabulous, I guess this is a 3 for me :P. Not so much oil control there but I dont know, maybe that's just me since my face is an oil factory :p. It does keep my face matte for a couple of hours though like 3-4, after that I would already see traces of oil.

Breakouts- Luckily, MAC products have been good to me, I havent experience any breakouts from any of their products. Be wary though for I know some girls breakout from this.

Overall, Im just OK with this, I can't see myself repurchasing again since Im quite disappointed with the oil-control. I love that I can bring this when I travel and not worry about spills and messy touch-ups. Kryolan Anti-Shine powder is more superior in oil-control than this but Id rather tote this than Kryolan so I guess Im still keeping this.


Peace & Love♥♥

inexpensive finds♥

Ohh I love inexpensive stuffs :)
Here's what kept me busy for the past few days.. shopping!!

I bought most of them at Landmark Makati, I always find something to buy there :p

Items (image2-6) cost P350/$8 below. While the dresses are on 50% sale(P600-P700/$16). I shop so much this past weeks, these are just some of the items I got, I'll be posting more next time :) Maybe Ill post some OOTD too♥.. teehee (just maybe.. coz Ill need more guts for that :p)

Peace & Love♥