MAC Cosmetics Semi-Precious Collection

I apologize for not posting any blogs for a few of the collections that MAC has released between Fashion Flower and this new one called Semi-Precious. Things have been beyond crazy but I hope you enjoyed the blogs I posted about summer beauty. So let's get started.

We can all admire a girl with a 30-carat diamond. But the new dazzle is Semi-Precious. Gems that are rare in spitit, rich in substance and worn fluidly, on the skin. In the MAC Semi-Precious, four finely milled gems – bronzite, black tourmaline, gold pyriate, and lilac lepidolite – bring their own earty and spiritual affluence to three key elements of the mineralize collection: eyeshadows, skinfinish, and blush. Setting them off: a collection of color, two mineralize skincare formulas, and four new limited-life split fibre brushes. Like everything this precious, these elements start off rare, and tend to get rarer...get rich while you can!

 

Lipstick ($14.50 U.S./ $17.50 CDN)

• Gem of Roses ~ Mid-tone strawberry pink (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
• Lush Amber ~ Light nude beige (Lustre) (Limited Edition)
• Musky Amethyst ~ Deep plum (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• One of a Kind ~ Mid-tone rosy neutral (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

Cremesheen Glass ($18.50 U.S. / $22.00 CDN)

• Geo Pink ~ Strawberry pink (Limited Edition)
• Looks Like Sin ~ Mid-tone reddish plum (Limited Edition)
• Natural Flare ~ Light caramel nude (Limited Edition)
• Pure Magnificence ~ Light grey pink (Limited Edition)
• Richly Revered ~ Deep brown plum (Limited Edition) 

 

Mineralize Blush ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

• Feeling Flush ~ Melange of pink, deep blue, pink, soft brown (Limited Edition)
• Pressed Amber ~ Melange of nude, beige, brown (Limited Edition)
• Warmth of Coral ~ Melange of coral, peach (Limited Edition) 

 Mineralize Skinfinish ($28.00 U.S. / $33.50 CDN)

• Semi-Precious Crystal Pink ~ Pink champagne base with inner circle of pink, mid-tone green, bronze (Limited Edition)
• Semi-Precrious Goldstone ~ Brown base with inner circle of rosy pink, white, gold (Limited Edition)
• Semi-Precious Pearl ~ Beige champagne base with inner circle of white, plum, bronze (Limited Edition)
• Semi-Precious Rose Quartz ~ Rosy pink base with inner circle of silver, lime white-pink copper (Limited Edition)

 Mineralize Eyeshadow ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Blue Sheen ~ Melange of navy, black, peach (Limited Edition)
• Clarity ~ Melange of light pink, off white green, gold, and black (Limited Edition)
• Dark Indulgence ~ Melange of forest green nd black (Limited Edition)
• Faux Gold ~ Melange of coral, gold, lime, bronze (Limited Edition)
• Golden Glaze ~ Melange of gold and black (Limited Edition)
• Hint of Sapphire ~ Melange of pink, violet, teal, copper, blue (Limited Edition)
• Jade's Fortunate ~ Melange of bright yellow, blue, lime, black (Limited Edition)
• Mineral Mode ~ Melange of white base with copper and gray (Limited Edition)
• Quartz Fusion ~ Melange of soft pink, silver, deep pink (Limited Edition)
• Rare Find ~ Melange of ciolet, brown, gold (Limited Edition)
• Smoky Ruby ~ Melange of burgundy and black (Limited Edition)
• Unsurpassable ~ Melange of green, teal, purple, copper (Limited Edition)

Zoom Fast Black Lash ($14.00 U.S. / $17.00 CDN)

• Deepest Black ~ Deepest black (Permanent) 

Brushes (Limited Edition)

•  234 Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush ($22.50 U.S. / $27.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)
• 235 Split Fibre All Over Eye Brush ($30.00 U.S. / $36.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)
• 128 Split Fibre Cheek Brush ($32.00 U.S. / $38.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)
• 179 Angled Split Fibre Buffer Brush ($47.00 U.S. / $56.50 CDN) (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Charged Water ($22.00 U.S. / $27.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)
Revitalizing energy – this refreshing hydrating mist re-balances the complexion and instantly replenishes the skin. Infused with Minerals that are essential in helping skin stay healthy and young looking.

Mineralize Face & Body Lotion ($29.50 U.S. / $388.00 CDN) (Limited Edition)
This gentle non-sensitive rich moisturizing lotion can be used on the face and body and is free of fragrance and color.

 

This collection is scheduled to release July 7, 2011 

I hope you all enjoyed this blog. Are you looking forward to this collection? If so, what do you plan on getting from it?

Love Always, 

Jesselle <3

 

Tips for Beautiful Summer Feet

Pedicure Medical Alert: If you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, consult a podiatrist so they can recommend a customized pedicure that both you and your salon can follow for optimal foot health.

Pedicure Do's:

• Schedule your pedicure first thing in the morning. Salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day. If you're not a morning person, make sure that the salon filters and cleans the foot bath between clients.
• Bring your own pedicure utensils to the salon. Bacteria and fungus can move easily from one person to the next if the salon doesn't use proper sterilization techniques.
• When eliminating thick, dead skin build-up, also known as calluses, on the heel, ball and sides of the feet, use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub. Soak feet in warm water for at least five minutes then use the stone, scrub or foot file to gently smooth calluses and other rough patches.
• Use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. Other tools like manicure scissors or fingernail clippers increase the risk of ingrown toenails because of the small, curved shape. If you have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails see a podiatrist. (I use to cut my own toenails with the curved nail clippers when I was younger, I use to develop some horrible ingrown toenails and as a result of this I had to have the roots of the sides of my nails killed. On one toenail, it looks deformed and ugly so please be careful how you cut your toenails).
• To smooth nail edges, use an emery board. File lightly in one direction without using too much pressure, being sure not to scrape the nail's surface.
• Gently run a wooden or rubber nanicure stick under your nails to keep them clean. This helps remove the dirt and build-up you may not be able to see.
• Maintain the proper moisture balance of your feet's skin by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.
• Use a rubber cuticle pusher or manicure stick to gently push back cuticles.
• If your toenails are healthy, use nail polish to pain toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.

Pedicure Don'ts:

• Don't shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs may allow bacteria to enter.
• Don't use the same tools for both a pedicure and a manicure. Bacteria and fungus can transfer between fingers and toes.
• Don't allow technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection if too much skin is removed.
• Don't round the edges of your toenails. This type of shape increases the chances that painful ingrown toenails will develop.
• Don't share nail files with friends and be sure to bring your own to the salon, unless you are sure that the salon replaces them with each cutsomer. Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread.
• Don't use any sharp tools to clean under nails. Using anything sharp makes it easy to puncture the skin leaving it vulnerable to infection.
• Don't leave any moisture between toes. Anything left behind can pormote the development of athlete's foot or a fungal infection.
• Don't ever cut your cuticles, they serve as a protective barrier against bacteria. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection. Also, avoid incessantly pushing back curicles, as doing so can make them thicker.
• Don't apply nail polish to cover up thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn't allow the nails bed to "breathe." Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists be sure to visit your podiatrist.

Easy Summer Treat for dry feet, elbows, knees and hands

So I found this recipe for dry cracked skin.

After a winter of being cooped up inside boots and shoes, our feet could use a little attention before making an appearance in summer sandals! Here is a great two-ingredient formula that will help smooth away calluses and rough spots, revealing smoother, prettier feet for all the world to see.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon rosehip seed oil
2 drops clove essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix ingredients and store in a glass jar with a screw-lid.

2. To use, rub few drops of the formula on your rough spots twice day.

I have tried something similar to this before and absolutely love it. I will be trying out this recipe and will be sure to let you all know how it works out.

Summer Beauty ... DON'TS

The summer sun is once again beating down on us all and with it comes a whole lot of beauty don'ts. If you want to know how to avoid these common mistakes then keep on reading.

 

Heavy Moisturizer

Women with very dry skin should still stick with their thick/heavy moisturizers, but if you feel it's too thick/heavy for summer switch it out for another one that will still keep your skin moisturized but won't feel so heavy on your skin. The reason why thick/heavy moisturizers are bad for summer is because it will allow your makeup to streak or run as you sweat throughout the day. 

Streaky Self-tanning

No matter how popular the cast of the Jersey Shore is, looking like an oompa loompa doesn't look good on anyone. We all love to have that sun kissed bronzed skin, especially if we just don't have time to go get a tan or lay out under the sun for a bit. Naturally it's much easier to grab a bottle of self-tanner. Here's some tips to make that fake tan look gorgeous. Before applying the self tanner to your skin make sure you use exfoliate in the shower. This will make your skin smooth and remove any dead skin. Next, apply the self tanner before bed time this will allow the color to sink in over night so it doesn't rub on your nice clothes (use some pjs & sheets you don't mind getting orange). Spray-on tanners will coat more areas with less rubbing, but the creamy lotions work just as good as well. Remember, use a pair of rubber gloves just as your would if you were applying hair dye to yourself. Rub the self-tanner all over your body, keep in mind where the sun would hit your body more. Apply lighter amounts of tanner on the undersides of your arms and wrists, this will avoid the obvious fake tan. Once you've done your entire body, remove the gloves and apply some tanner to the tops of your hands, rub only tops of your hands together against one another, avoid putting any tanner in between your finger and on the palms of your hands, remember, we're going for a natural tan. If you're very pale mix your tanner in equal parts with a moisturizer, this will reduce the concentration in half. When you wake up in the morning inspect the places you applied tanner, if you notice a few streaks, exfoliate again and apply a little more tanner to even it all out.

Fading Hair Color

Hair dye fades from the sun and chlorine, but you can minimize that damage just by getting a few new hair care products. Look for color extending shampoos and conditioners, this will protect your hair color. Wear a hat when you're out in the sun. If you're going to be swimming in a pool, tie your hair up. Applying some conditioner to your hair before swimming helps keep the color intact and prevents snarls. Also look for hair care products that are infused with SPF to protect your hair color. To keep chlorine damage to a minimum, shampoo immediately after swimming. There are several shampoos out there that will remove chlorine build up from your hair, my favorite is from Bumble & Bumble. Remember to always rinse your hair with cool water after anytime your wash your hair.

Sunburn

So you forgot to apply sunblock and now you're stuck with a painful sunburn and looking as red as a lobster, or you forgot to reapply after you went swimming. Even worse, you had no idea you were even exposed because it was cloudy and didn't feel the sun on your. Remember, there's no such thing as too much sunblock. Use an SPF 30 or higher. Well the damage has been done now it's time to fix it. Use aloe vera ointment, it looks gross and freaks some people out, but it works wonders, trust me. Apply this gel by the handfuls to the affected areas, for extra cooling effects, pop a bottle of this gel in the fridge and keep it there all summer, this will feel wonderful against your hot skin. Take ibuprofen to kelp with headaches, pain, and chills. Wear very lightweight, loose-fitting cotton fabrics that won't rub on the affected areas. Drink a lot of water and juices to stay hydrated (stay away from juices like cranberry or grape which can give you the runs, this will only dehydrate you more), and don't use hot or warm water when showering. If possible, stay out of the sun until the burn heals, otherwise keep the affected area covered and stay in the shade as much as possible or use an umbrella. Most importantly, don't peel off your shedding skin, let it come off naturally. If you peel it off yourself, you're liable to peel off too much and can cause a scar. Don't forget to moisturize a ton.

Over Bronzing

Bronzer is a wonderful thing, when used correctly. Bronzer is supposed to enhance your natural pigment. Find a powder that's one or two shades darker than your natural skin color, it doesn't matter if it has shimmer or not, the preference is yours. If you're going to be take photos though, stick to one with no shimmer. Apply the bronzer to a clean, dry face with a wide bronzing brush to evenly distribute color. Think about where the sun would naturally hit your face, forehead, temples, nose, and cheekbones, apply only to these areas. Keep another clean brush near by to blend or brush away excess color.

Cracked Dry Skin

It's summer so of course you're revealing more skin, but it's important that your smooth and silky from head to toe. Give some extra love to the spots you know get dry such as your elbows, knees, hands and feet. Use an exfoliating glove in the shower with a body scrub once a week to smooth out skin. A pumice stone can even out cracked heels and calluses. Lightly towel dry and apply lotion or body oil while your skin is still damp, this will maximize benefits and use less product. Don't forget about your feet, be sure they soak up the moisture too, slather on a thick lotion before sliding on some cotton socks before bed, or when hanging around the house. 

Here are some great products to use:

From Lushusa.com try

-Buffy: an exfoliating and moisturizing bar

-King of Skin: Luxur butter bar for royally soft skin

-Running To The Embassy: LUSH's version of the pumice stone with btters to soften

-Awua Mirabills: Scrubby shower massage for marvelously conditioned skin

-Lemony Flutter: Softening butter for tough, cracked skin and cuticles

-Helping Hands: For sore dry hands, with honey, moisturizing oils and nourishing butters

-Stepping Stone: Foot scrub

Curel also offers a wide variety of lotions at a more affordable price and are easily accessible.

Caked on makeup

The summer heat sure makes it hard for us to wear makeup, especially when you live in dry or humid places. I happen to live in the middle of the desert, when it's a dry heat it's not so bad, but when it's humid, a second outside and your makeup is already running down your face. This is not attractive at all. I personally hate being hot and sweaty. Best bet for summer is the less is more concept, particularly during the day. Try using a tinted moisturizer that includes SPF, this will eliminate extra steps and product layers, or sunscreen with a powder foundation. Use a cream-based blush, this will blend with your skin more evenly. Use light lip stains that look like you've just eaten a popsicle instead of using a goopy gloss. Set your makeup with a refreshing mist that cools you off and tightens your pores. 

Here are some links to some of the best tinted moiturizers out there.

MAC Cosmetics Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15

Stila Cosmetics Tinted Moisturizers SPF 20

Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20

Full list of Tinted Moisturizers offered at Sephora.com

Also available at the links I provided are setting sprays as well as primers. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog, if so post a comment and follow my page.