Real Techniques: Powder, Foundation and Shader brushes

Before I start, I apologise for the lighting issues in this post. I had some trouble retaining the natural light long enough for my camera to focus and take the photo. So some photos may appear dark, which is a shame, but, never mind! Here are the SAMANTHA CHAPMAN BRUSHES, ahhhhh!

For those of you who watch Pixiwoo as religiously, you will have seen both Sam and Nic whip out Real Techniques brushes before. These line of brushes were made by Sam herself, and are made entirely of synthetic hair, so these brushes are completely vegan.

Foundation Brush

IT'S ANGLED! Sam created an angled foundation brush for more ease of access. It is easier to fit this brush into all the little corners and spaces of the face, such as underneath the eye. It is smaller than I would have suspected, but after using it, it actually makes sense to have a smaller foundation brush. This is seriously soft that it glides across the skin. Sold for AU$14.

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MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC15

This is my current foundation, which replaced my Revlon Colourstay, the foundation I've used since  I began wearing make-up, which is unbelievable! I purchased the lightest shade at the mac counter, I'm impressed by Mac's colour range, though they aren't as all-encompassing as Illamasqua's skin range. The shade I have is NC15, which has yellow undertones. I think I would personally be more suited to an NW foundation, and as I think this product is good enough to buy again, I'll put up a review of both the NW and NC to compare at some point!

Remember when you're at a makeup counter, you know yourself and your skin better than anyone, so if you think something doesn't look right, make sure you tell them! Another tip, the lights that are used at make-up counters will illuminate your face brilliantly, which will make your foundation look gorgeous of course, but always test the product away from light before you buy to check the colour match!

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MAC Glitter and Ice: Metallic Pigments

I was planning on posting this during Christmas as Glitter and Ice is MAC's Holiday collection but I haven't gotten around to it until now! Not one to normally venture outside Mac's permanent range, so this has been a new and delightful experience for me!

I got these as gifts, and I couldn't be more happy with them! The pigments, though it doesn't seem in the swatches, are extremely metallic. For the swatches I only applied one coat of each, but with one more, each build up to the beautiful metallic pigment in the container.

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Face Off: Special FX Makeup Show

I've started watching a new show on Foxtel a couple of months back called Face Off. Since then, I have been completely addicted to it, resulting in me running home from the bus stop every Sunday so I'm in time for it. It's a competition show for theratrical make-up artists with weekly challenges. The main challenge being the 'foundation challenge' in which they are required to transform a model to fit the challenge and impress the judges. The judges being Ve Neill (Ed Wood, Beetlejuice), Glenn Hetrick (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Babylon 5) and Patrick Tatopoulos (I Am Lengend, Resident Evil: Extinction, Underworld). Pretty damn hard to please and intimidating, but I think they all took it real well.  Some of the concepts the contestants came up with were extraordinary and unique, I've never seen anything like it!

The series has sadly finished but here is a preview of the next series!

MAC Paint Pot in 'Rubenesque'

MAC's Rubenesque Paint Pot is a golden champagne shimmery colour.

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MAC Paint Pots

OKAY. So, I'm planning to engulf you all in make-up to somehow accommodate from the amount of time I've spent doing everything but blogging. Here is a look at one of my favourite products from MAC, their Paint Pots!

MAC paint pots are of a creamy consistency and are designed to be a base for all eye products. A base is absolutely essential. Whether you use a paint pot, a concealer, or just a wash of your foundation over your eye, that base will enhance any eye product dramatically.

The thing that are great about using a paint pot as a base is the fact that you can get colour involved, instead of the standard flesh tones of concealers and foundations. These products are also especially good for oily lids, as they dry matte. These paint pots have a tendency to cling onto dry skin, and if you are having this problem I would recommend applying an eye cream beforehand. MAC have a small permanent range of paint pots, all fairly natural colours to use with your everyday eye products. Usually, MAC bring out their super vibrant coloured paint pots in their seasonal collections.

Here is a paint pot I own. so you can get a feel of the look and texture:

This is Painterly, if you watch any makeup artists online, you've probably seen them apply this before. This is MAC's bestseller as it is the most natural base for fair skin tones that they have.

Though the price is a bit steep, especially for us Australians, they are so worth it for the quality. I'll be updating with posts on different paint pots and swatches to show how effective they are! Make sure you store them on their side/upside down and screw the top on securely after every use as they can dry over time.

Price: $36
Where to Buy: Myer, David Jones, MAC stores

OPI: Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night' and India Collection 'Yoga Te Get This Blue!'

I love OPI. The brush almost outlines my nail completely and there's quite a lot of product inside these containers, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Last Friday Night

Yoga Te Get This Blue!

So the reason why I decided to do these two together rather than individually swatched is because I think the two work with each other pretty well. And due to the fact that LFN is glitter, it is designed to be worn as a top coat. So, inevitably, a blue would be most fitting :)

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