So after the images of the MAC Venomous Villains collection hit the internet, I channeled my inner 5 year old and created a wishlist of products I need to make a beeline for when I get to MAC. September 30th (the launch date) can’t get here soon enough!

Check out full product details here.

Bite of an Apple Blush Soft coral pink (Matte)

Toxic Tale Lipstick Bright coral (Satin)

Wicked Ways Lipglass Deep fuchsia with pink pearl

Heartless Lipstick Cherry red (Amplified)

My Dark Magic Mineralize Shadow Deep pink with pink pearl / Deep plum with purple pearl

She Who Dares Mineralize Shadow Deep navy with blue pearl / Deep forest green with lime green pearl

Darkly My Dear Blush Dirty brown plum (Matte)

Dark Deed Lipstick Burgundy plum (Amplified)

French Quarter Greasepaint Stick Dirty black green with multi-colour pearl

Cajun Magically Cool Liquid Powder Sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold

Briar Rose Beauty Powder Soft violet pink with pearl

Wrong Spell Lipglass Deep plum with pink purple

Strange Potion Lipglass Soft coral pink

Hot House Lipglass raspberry with pink pearl

*******************
What’s on your list?

Buying makeup online can be an overwhelming process. There’s a gazillion brands out there with one hundred million gazillion products. How does a girl know what to get? And what’s with those weird digital color swatches—how are you supposed to tell which one represents your shade?

Fear not, for I knew one day all my internet shopping would do some good (aside from filling the pockets of everyone but mine *smh*). I’ve put together some tips to take out some of the anxiety.

General shopping tips:
1. Buy from a well-known retailer with a clearly defined return and/or exchange policy. You don’t want to get stuck with that too-light foundation or dead-wrong-what-was-I-thinking lipstick.
2. Always google for coupon codes before you hit submit. One of the greatest things about the internet is that there’s so much info out there. You can find anything—like a secret free shipping or 15% off code.
3. Be prepared to buy more than one shade when you can’t pin down which shade is your best bet.
4. Google image is your friend. So is Makeup Alley. Just type in the product you have your eye on and see if a swatch of it comes up.

Makeup specific tips:

Foundation
1. Check out my Foundation 101 post to help you understand your undertones and which formulas work best for you. Then also check out the genius Foundation Matrix created by Temptalia. If you know your MAC shade, you can find your match in other brands with a quick scroll through.
2. Not all brands follow a uniform color guide (some brands use numbers others use names). Warm undertones are also called yellow, peach, orange, and sometimes red. Cool undertones are also called pink, blue, and sometimes red. Confusing, right? Like I mentioned, since there is no uniform color guide for makeup, brands have their own interpretation of colors. When in doubt, buy both shades and return the one that doesn’t work.

Lipstick/Lipgloss
1. Understand lipstick finishes courtesy of MAC
CREME: High impact and high color with lots of shine for a dramatic look.
FROST: Shimmery frosted finish. High shine glamour.
GLAZE: A shiny finish tinted with colour. Gives lips a sexy sheen.
LUSTRE: Slightly sheer, with an ultra shiny finish. Gives lips a high impact, wet, lustre look.
MATTE: Intense colour, matte finish.
METALLIC FROST: Frosted colour with a metallic, high-shine finish
SATIN: Semi-matte finish with lots of colour for soft, smooth lips.
SHEER: Just a tint of colour in this barely there, natural sheer colour treatment.
2. You can find some color recommendations in these past posts: Makeup for Fair Skin Girls, Makeup for Light Skin Girls, Makeup for Asian Girls, Makeup for Olive Tone Skin, Makeup for Dark Skin Girls

Blush
1. The general rule for blush is the darker your skin, the brighter you can go in blush color. Be sure to also check out NARS Blush Guide for All Skin Tones and Blush 101.

Eyeshadow
1. I created a quick guide here based on MAC Eyeshadows—check it out: MAC Eyeshadow Guide and MAC Eyeshadow Highlighters.

I recently revamped the site’s search engine to make it much easier to search for just about anything. This is where you’ll find it:

See it? Hope you find everything you’re looking for!

Why so much MAC? While my kit is filled with brands across the spectrum, I often mention MAC because it’s likely one of the most swatched brands on the internet. So if I say get a blue-based red like MAC Ruby Woo, you’ll be able to find tons of images of it on real people and know what I mean about a blue-based red!

And of course, if you need help, feel free to contact me. I’ll help as much as I can.

Now THIS is a collection. If you haven’t already seen the images from the upcoming MAC/Disney Venomous Villains Collection due out Sept. 30th, then brace yourselves, my pretties. This one is gooood.

(click images to enlarge)

U.S. Launch Date: September 30th, 2010 (online as early as 9/27)
International Launch Date: October 2010

Cruella de Vil

Eyeshadow ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Sweet Joy Frosted creamy pale gold (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Passions of Red)
De-Vil Rich copper (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
Carbon Intense black (Matte) (Permanent)

Lipstick ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Innocence, Beware! Light yellow pink (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)
Heartless Cherry red (Amplified) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Wicked Ways Deep fuchsia with pink pearl (Limited Edition)
Devilishly Stylish Light nude with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Powder Blush ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

Darkly My Dear Dirty brown plum (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($25.00 U.S. / $30.00 CDN)

Her Own Devices Cool nude (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Eyeliner ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

Rapidblack True black (Permanent)
Evil Queen

Eyeshadow ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Her Alter Image Light violet (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
Vainglorious Bronze burgundy (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Vile Violet Deep dirty blue purple (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Lipstick ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Toxic Tale Bright coral (Satin) (Limited Edition)
Sinister Soft brown plum (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Strange Potion Soft coral pink (Limited Edition)
Hot House Deep raspberry with pink pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Strange Hybrid)

Powder Blush ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

Bite of an Apple Soft coral pink (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($25.00 U.S. / $30.00 CDN)

Oh So Fair Clean pink with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Maleficent

Minearlize Eyeshadow Duo ($21.00 U.S. / $25.00 CDN)

My Dark Magic Deep pink with pink pearl / Deep plum with purple pearl (Limited Edition)
She Who Dares Deep navy with blue pearl / Deep forest green with lime green pearl (Limited Edition)

Lipstick ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Violetta Bright clean violet purple (Amplified) (PRO)
Dark Deed Burgundy plum (Amplified) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Revenge is Sweet Light yellow purple (Limited Edition)
Wrong Spell Deep plum with pink purple (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($25.00 U.S. / $30.00 CDN)

Briar Rose Soft violet pink with pearl (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($13.00 U.S. / $15.50 CDN)

Bad Fairy Red with red multi-changing pearl (Limited Edition)
Formidable! Teal green with pink multi-changing pearl (Limited Edition)
Mean & Green Purple with teal multi-changing pearl (Limited Edition)

Dr. Facilier

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Truth & Light Sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink (Limited Edition)
Cajun Sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold (Limited Edition)

Lipgelee ($15.50 U.S. / $18.50 CDN)

Resort Life Off white with pink pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Lillyland)

Greasepaint Stick ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

Slick Black True carbon black (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
French Quarter Dirty black green with multi-colour pearl (Limited Edition)

Pigment ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

Melon Soft bright golden peach (Frost) (Permanent)
Brash & Bold Bright magenta (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Makeup Art Cosmetics)
Push the Edge Deep bright purple with pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Makeup Art Cosmetics)

MAC I’m So Vain Mirror ($12.00 U.S. / $14.50 CDN)

Compact inspired by collaboration; interior contains standard mirror on one side and magnifying mirror on alternate side. (Limited Edition)

Zoom Fast Black Lash ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

One Shade Deepest black (Permanent)

Source: Temptalia

What’s on your list?

I went to check out the MAC Fabulous Felines collection early this past Saturday. The collection is in three parts: Burmese Beauty (netural–some shades can work on warm or cool undertones), Palace Pedigreed (cooler undertones), and Leopard Luxe (warmer undertones). When I first saw images of the collection, I nearly fainted. I wanted almost EVERYTHING. When I went to see it in person? Not so much.

The collection is pretty cool, don’t get me wrong, but in order for me to part ways with my cash I need things that are unique to my kit and my personal stash. I didn’t see anything that fit this criteria in this collection. However if you’re new to MAC or new to makeup, you’ll benefit from one of the palettes and one of the Superslick Liquid Eye Liners. I swatched the Superslick Liquid Eye Liners on my hand around 1:30 PM when I got to the Pro store and by 10 PM (after a full day of walking the city and shopping) the swatches were still on my hand! I had to use a ton of soap and water and push it off. I didn’t get any of the liners because they reminded me of the Urban Decay Liquid Liner I have. And if I’m going to be a responsible adult, I need to quit making unnecessary purchases…lol.

I did contemplate purchasing Bloodline Pigment, Cunning Lipstick, and Lap of Luxury Lipglass but decided that I already own pigments I don’t use and have my fair share of burgundy/berry lip color. Thank goodness because I’m hoarding my cash for the MAC Venomous Villians collection due out September 30th.

The collection officially launches this Thursday, August 26th (my birthday!) and should show up online either Monday or Tuesday.

For product images and some swatches, go here.

Might as well just get into it, right? Right!

I headed to MAC Friday after getting a great meal at Footprints in Brooklyn with my mama-to-be friend. I was on a mission to get a black gold liner pencil. I saw swatches of a Shiseido one on Temptalia and really wanted it, but saw in the comments that MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line looks similar so I opted for that instead. So I got two of those as well as MAC Lipsticks in Chili and Underworld.

I absolutely love Black Line! It’s so gorgeous and since I’m obsessed with liners as of late, it fits in with my current needs. I used Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil as a base with it (as I do for all my liners when I want them to stay put) and the wear was great! The only thing about this pencil is that you will get glitter all over your eyes and even nose when you wash it off. Like even after using eye makeup remover, some of it still clings to your skin.

Chili and Underworld? I kinda bought them on a whim and kinda wish I hadn’t…lol. They’re pretty colors I guess but I’ll need to work with different lip pencil and gloss combos to make them work how I like.

Then Saturday I raced through Queens and Long Island for my orthodontist appointment only to find out my appointment is next Saturday *smh*. So I headed off to the mall.

I had a bag filled with stuff at Bath and Body Works and was waiting impatiently on a long line. You know how you start rethinking your potential purchases and realize you don’t *need* anything you’re about to buy? Well, that was me…lol. I contemplated leaving the bag filled with lotions and fragrances on one of the displays when no one was looking, but then the line started to move. I wound up making my purchases but then wound up returning most of everything I bought untouched later in the day. I did keep a small spray of their newest scent coming out this fall called Dark Kiss. It’s a very sexy sort of sweet and spicy scent that you NEED. I’m not even a big Bath and Body Works fanatic (which is why I came to my senses and returned my excess) but I will be going back and getting the full sized set when it comes out. For now you can get a 3 fl oz travel sized spray for $2 or a 2 oz travel lotion bottle for $1 if you want to sample the scent early.

Then I headed over to my dear old friend Sephora. They had the NARS Fall 2010 collection out and I was thisclose to snagging Mangrove Single Eyeshadow, a matte yellow-lime shadow that looked gorgeous as a pop of color on my waterline, but remembered I have two or three yellow shadows at home that do the same that I never wear. *smh*. I picked up YSL Rogue Volupté in #17 Red Muse, a gorgeous bright orange-red; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Psychedelic Sister, a bright iridescent purple that looks gorgeous on all skin tones; Sephora by OPI Nail Polishes in Almost Famous (sheer pewter with medium champagne and silver glitter) and Queen of Everything, a hot opaque silver that almost gives the look of wearing Silver Lightning Minx nails. If you don’t have something similar and you’re on the cooler toned side like me, get them both! I had to go to another Sephora store to get Queen of Everything because it was super sold out. Then later I realized I gave my debit card too much of a ticking and took back the YSL lipstick and the Urban Decay shadows both untouched and unopened. And now I’m having returner’s remorse because I want that YSL lipstick back…lol.

You see the magazines in that pic? The one at the top is the August issue of ELLE UK—I’m obsessed with foreign fashion magazines particularly ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar UK. And the one on the bottom is new to the national publications—Jones magazine–and you definitely need a subscription. I cannot begin to tell you how well fed I was from this fashion and beauty mag geared to a multi-cultural audience yet starved when I found out it only comes out quarterly. Make sure you sign up here for your subscription—if enough people show interest, perhaps it will be monthly. You NEED this. And if you don’t need it, get a subscription for a friend.

More Sephora…

I also went to H&M which is slowly winning my love back. I hadn’t considered H&M an option for anything in my wardrobe aside from t-shirts and accessories for a long time because they became too “blah” but every now and then I see something worth a debit card swipe. Like these black denim leggings:

They’re cool because I had no clue they were denim until I read the label in them. They have a sort of leather-pants vibe to them but don’t look cheap and if you’re like me and still can’t really bring yourself to wear leggings (I took back the ones I got from the other week) these are perfect. They’re not super-stretchy like leggings and they’re not stiff like jeans. Perfect medium and perfectly priced at $29.99.

Well, that was my weekend. How was yours? What did you buy?