artistrhi had the chance to chat with MAC Senior Artist, Caitlin Callahan for some tips on getting gorgeous for summer! Check out the Q & A below!

1. What are some key products to a quick and easy beauty routine for the summer?
A cream bronzer, tinted moisturizer, lipgloss, waterproof mascara. In the summer I ease off the powders for my clients and myself – the sun reveals all. It’s like God’s own HDTV. Lets see what I have in my makeup bag…Tarnish Eye Kohl, To The Beach Cream Bronzer, Studio Moisture Tint (dark), #109 brush, Splashproof Lash Mascara and Viva Glam V lipglass. Perfect, low-maintenance summer face. For eye shadow, try a Paintpot instead of a powder (Waterproof!!)

2. What are some common make-up mistakes women make when the weather heats up?
Using too much foundation and powder. Lay off! If there’s something that really needs concealing (like the friend that pops up on your chin right before a big date), use concealer. If you’re super oily, use a matte primer before your makeup instead of powder on top.

3. Any make-up tips for those of us that are sensitive to the sun but want that bronzed glow?
Start with SPF 50. Then apply a sheer coat of tinted moisturizer (you can go one shade darker because it’s so sheer.) Then apply bronzer (the cream ones look most natural) – start under you cheekbones and sweep towards your nose. As the product wears off your brush, apply to forehead, apples of cheeks and a touch on the nose. Super sunkissed.

4. I've been told powder can look too "heavy" during the summer season, but I have a very oily T-zone so I feel like I need it especially during the summer. Can I improve my skin care routine or are there other products that can help me combat shine?
See above. Start with MAC Matte through the t-zone after you’ve applied moisturizer. You’ll see what happens…it’s amazing!

5. My make-up seems to slide off with the summer heat! Any tricks of the trade to help prevent my eyeshadow from creasing and my foundation from melting?!
Primers are magical. But I’d also recommend easing off on the foundations and powders. Choose a Paintpot that you love (faves: Indianwood, Rubenesque and Artifact).

The latest MAC collection, To the Beach, is summer inspired and available as of May 29th at MAC stores and MAC counters. Product reviews of the collection's Cream Bronzer to come! I'm loving it so far...I've been on a cream blush/bronzer kick as of late! :)

A huge thanks to Caitlin for answering our beauty questions! Be sure to follow Caitlin on Twitter for more beauty inspiration! :)

Images courtesy of MAC Cosmetics. Image layout by Rhia Amio.

One thing that I love about fall is how dramatic make-up always makes a comeback. Whether it be in the form of smoky eyes or dark lips, I'm always one to support a little heavy-handedness. :)

Enter MAC's Style Black line - another limited edition collection in the tradition of MAC releases (in other words, get it before it's gone!). The collection features a selection of black-inspired shades for eyes, nails and even lips. Goth make-up has never been so chic!

EYES

MAC Gilt by Association and Blue Flame Mineralize eyeshadows

I finally had the time to thoroughly test run a few of the items I had picked up earlier this month, and my favourites quickly emerged. Hands down, my top item from this collection is Gilt by Association Mineralize eyeshadow. The multi-dimensional blackened shade has flecks of gold and bronze that make it a universally flattering choice for all skin tones, and a particularly gorgeous colour for those with green eyes.

It's a perfect option to do an evening smoky eye with - the multi-dimensional aspect spares you from having to buy a palette of different shades and from having to blend to your heart's content. Simply apply any of the Style Black Mineralize eyeshadows and smudge with your black eyeliner for a dramatic effect.

Bonus: The eyeshadows work beautifully when applied both wet and dry. When applied dry, the black hues of the shade tend to stand out more. Add a bit of water (or an eyeliner transforming product) and the intensity of the shimmer really pops.

Here are some pics of how the eyeshadow appears on the lids (haven't done one of these in a while!):

MAC Blue Flame

MAC Gilt by Association (my fave from this collection!)

My only regret? ...is not picking up the eyeshadow in Cinderfella! ...and now it's sold out! They don't lie when they call it limited edition!

LIPS

MAC Midnight Media Lipstick, Blackware Gloss, Black Knight Lipstick

Ok, so the products for lips from the Style Black collection are not exactly practical nor wearable for the everyday woman. I picked up a few of the lip items anyway, as a good quality black lipstick isn't the easiest product to find! The nice thing about this collection was that it had choices for getting black coloured lips in a variety of textures! I scooped up Midnight Media Mattene Lipstick, Blackware Gloss and Black Knight Lipstick. Of the three, Midnight Media is the most opaque while Black Knight glides on more sheer (think more like a black stain). Again, no practical use for everyday client appointments but these products will work amazingly well for photoshoots....and of course, Hallowe'en!

ARTIST TIP: The trick with doing any kind of dark colour is to make sure your lips are smooth. Dark colours are unforgiving (see pic at left) and cling to any imperfection on the lips. My bottom lip was dry and you can see how the lip colour can really make the dry texture stand out. Make sure to exfoliate the lips and apply lip balm (especially during these colder months). Before applying the dark shade, pat your lips with concealer to act as a base and barrier for the application...a little concealer on the lips will help to prevent the dark shade you've applied from seeping into the tiny lines in and around the lips.

Q: I have really oily eyelids so anything I use seems to disappear or smudge in only a few hours. Based on your recommendation, I tried using one of L'oreal's liquid liners, but find that it's not working for me either. By the end of the day, my eyelids are still oily and the oils (I think) break down the liquid liner, making it smudge. I've almost given up on it, but are there any make-up artist tricks you can advise of? Thanks for the help!!

A: Great question! I used to have this issue when first starting to use liquid liner. In the early days, I experimented with using some concealer and powder on the eyelids to help act as a barrier between the natural oils on the lids and the liquid liner.

But once I discovered MAC Paints and MAC Paint Pots, I never turned back. Just choose a neutral colour that matches (or is slightly lighter) than the skin on your own eyelid for a natural effect. From the Paints, try Sublime Nature, Bare Canvas and Paint Pots in Soft Ochre and Bare Study to see which one best suits your own skin tone. Either apply the product all over the lid from lashline up to the eyebrow or focus the application simply atop the eyelid. You may see some slight creasing later the day (especially if your eyelids are oily like mine!), but the liquid liner will definitely remain intact!

ARTIST TIP: MAC Paints and Paint Pots also double as a great base for eyeshadow application.

Related posts:
ARTIST TIP | How to Make Eyeshadow Last
Q & A | Smudging Eyeliner on Asian Lids
PRODUCT REVIEW | L'oreal Lineur Intense

Ok, so I'll be the first to admit that I probably do a better than average job taking care of my skin when it comes to my face...but when it comes to the rest of my body, let's just say that when winter rolls around my maintenance techniques for the rest of my skin that isn't visible also go into hibernation!

So of course on an annual basis, the warmer weather of summer comes around and it's time to fast track my once-covered skin into an acceptable level for public viewing. My usual trusted go-to product is cocoa butter, but ever the fan of trying something new, I opted to use a sample received of MAC's Naked Honey Skin Salve.

Now a month later, my skin is back to a presentable condition with the help of Skin Salve! I especially love using it on rougher areas of the body like the elbows, knees and feet. The product is derived from beeswax, sunflower oil and other organic ingredients that instantly moisturize skin (especially my dry, neglected winter skin). I'd love to see how this product would work in the winter, but of course, it's limited edition!

MAC's Naked Honey Skin Salve retails for $22.50 CAD, and is available at MAC counters and stores for a limited time only.

MAC's latest Style Warrior collection (available May 20th, 2009) is not a collection for the faint of heart. The diverse colour combinations and animal print packaging call out to the bold make-up connoisseur. African themes are hot this summer (think Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2009, where bold colours, chunky jewellery and animal prints were staple elements on the runway); the colours of the Style Warrior collection are an easy (and relatively economical) way to incorporate the bright trends of summer into your look!

Some products I love from this collection are Purple Rite, an orchid lipstick with a frost finish and Violet Fire, a bright magenta purple nail polish. Consider yourself warned: the collection may be Savannah inspired, but camouflage you it will not!

Check out the limited edition collection and add a little pop of colour (and in-trend packaging!) to your everyday beauty routine.

This past April was another lovely month for new MAC Collections. The aptly named Dazzleglass collection is a brilliantly sparkling set of glosses and mascaras. Both the glosses and mascara have finely-milled specks of glitter that catch the light beautifully and give that perfect lighter touch for spring make-up. The sheer glosses can be worn on their own for a glossy sparkle, or can be layered over your favourite lipstick for a different look [try Moth to a Flame (a sparkling pearly pink) or Goldylocks (a high voltage gold shimmer gloss)] pictured below . I love that the Dazzleglass formula isn’t overly sticky, as past MAC glosses. Stock up on these while they are available, as they are limited edition!The ad campaign for a second collection, Rose Romance, completely drew me; I just had to see what the collection was about from looking at the promo items! The collection features a few limited edition items and permanent staples to the MAC line-up. The colours of the collection are more subtle (think romantic), which are perfectly in tune with the lighter make-up routines we turn to for the warmer seasons ahead.

Fix+ Rose!
Delightfully, the Rose Romance colllection also comes with a new variation on my beloved Fix+ (a post-make-up moisturizer and setter that adds the perfect glisten to your application. I’m a huge fan!). Fix+ Rose is infused with all the good-for-your-skin stuff as the original formula, but also comes with the refreshing scent of rosewater. The rosewater scent has calming effects on the psyche and on your skin. It’s the perfect finishing touch and treat to your own make-up application or that of your client!

top photos courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Q: I took a look at the MAC Zuca case the other day in store and it seemed to look smaller then I thought, can it really hold a lot? I have a ton of stuff and really need to update my kit to something thats plane friendly, organizes and holds alot. Does the ZUCA pro seem like a better case? I'm debating whether or not to buy the MAC sport zuca at the store or the online ZUCA Pro.

A: For the ZUCA bag, the dimensions are the same. It's the same bag re-branded for MAC, and comes with clear-topped containers that really help with organization and accessibility to your make-up items. I do carry an extra set bag when I use the ZUCA bag, but it pretty much fits all the make-up I need. The containers can be filled to the brim and then zipped shut, which you can't always do with the trays of some other kits. To be plane friendly, a bag also has to fit certain dimensions, and the internal organization of the ZUCA bag is a great way to maximize its space.

If you decide to go with the ZUCA Pro off the site, it does come with plush containers as well, but from what I understand the tops aren’t transparent. It's totally up to you which one you go with but I believe the ZUCA Pro is on back-order right now, and the one through MAC immediately sold out on the MAC Pro site from what I hear from other bloggers. Keep in mind the duty taxes you'll have to pay if you're ordering online from zuca.com since we're in Canada. That played a huge factor in the ZUCA case I got as I've been researching since November. I'm glad I held out - the ZUCA MAC bag totally fits my needs!

Ever the fan of finding more efficient ways to haul around my make-up kit, last November at the CMS in Toronto, I made it a priority to scope out what other professional make-up artists use to tote around their make-up loot. One case that particularly caught my attention had the words “Zuca Pro” on it; I made a mental note to do some research on the brand.

ZUCA Pro
From what I saw online, the ZUCA Pro bag (pictured below) wasn’t designed specifically as a make-up artist train case, but it totally fit the bill of what I was looking for. Some features of the bag:

• plenty of room (case dimensions 19 3/8" x 15 1/2" x 13 1/8")
• easily mobile on wheels, with another set of wheels to aid in lugging it up stairs
  
• slim enough to fit in overhead compartments and through the aisles of most commercial aircraft
• contains stackable and removable fabric trays where you can organize make-up to your heart’s content
• sturdy frame that doubles as a chair. ZUCA Pro supports up to 300 lbs in weight so “you always have a seat”. (What will they think of next?!)

Yes, the ZUCA Pro bag definitely had a lot of pros (versus cons) going for it, but being a Canadian resident, I had to factor in the dollar exchange and duty taxes into the overall pricing. I know...not fun.

ZUCA for MAC
Now, MAC has released their own ZUCA traincase that has all the features of a ZUCA Pro with MAC branding on the exterior. The case is a make-up artist's dream and comes complete with make-up artist friendly plush trays that have plastic see-through tops (differs from the original ZUCA Pro). The visibility allows for easy organizing and easy access of make-up items.

I just received the ZUCA for MAC case on Friday. I ordered it on Wednesday, and two business days later, I had it my possession (and without having to fork over extra dollars for duty tax!)

Pre-ZUCA, I’ve been going back and forth, packing and unpacking between the different cases I have, depending on the size of the job. I have this exciting feeling that this bag is going to simplify my life, and spare me the time packing and upacking. I’ll have to revisit this product review after a couple of times taking this case on the job.

For now, it’s pretty much love at first sight…

Hope everyone is recovering well from St. Patty's Day - the festive day where anything green goes! Shamrocks, green beer, green-adorned patrons, and even some green make-up looks were to be found all around Toronto yesterday. As festive as it is, true green coloured make-up is hardly flattering...on anyone! Check out the products below and learn how to make green make-up more than just a St. Patty's Day fling:

MAC Eyeshadow in Sumptuous Olive
This neutral green coloured eyeshadow is a perfect shade for both day and night looks, and suits a wide variety of skin tones. For a light daytime look, sweep the colour all over the lid up to the browbone and blend softly into the crease. For a sultry evening look, replace your usual black eyeshadow with Sumptuous Olive for a fresh take on the classic smoky eye look.
MAC eyeshadows are consistenly well-pigmented, gliding on the skin true to the colour in the packaging. The formula is also long-lasting, but to increase its longevity, I always like to start the application with an eyeshadow base. Applying the base not only helps it to last longer, but also helps to bring out the true colour of the eyeshadow.

Tarte Eyeliner Birth of Venus
Tarte's eyeliners are well-pigmented and glide on easily without tugging or dragging the delicate eye area. Tarte's signature liners are also infused with "skinvigorating" ingredients which means not does this product make you look good, the ingredients of it are also good for you!
Birth of Venus is a gorgeous neutral green with depth. Apply it just to the top lashline for an easy green daytime look...or fully rim the top and bottom lashline for a smoky eye that will have others green with envy!

(Sorry, I just had to...)

I’ve been using Studio Scuplt Foundation for over a month now since its release and the verdict? I’m loving it! The cream foundation glides on smooth and blends well without much effort. Coverage is easily buildable and produces a finish that’s medium to heavy with the more layers you apply. You literally only need a pea-sized drop from the tube to give the face moderate coverage, which is a nice quick fix when putting on my “out-in-public” face on in the morning! When layered on, I prefer the look Studio Scuplt provides over the other staple heavier coverage MAC foundations in my kit (Full Coverage and Studio Fix). With Studio Sculpt, the buildable coverage doesn’t give the face the undesirable flat, matte look – just flawless skin! For those light days when you prefer a sheer and dewy look to your foundation, the formula can easily be thinned out by mixing in a tiny bit of moisturizer.

As for Studio Sculpt Concealer, I found the formula to be too tacky for my liking. The product lasted well on blemishes, but was difficult to work with when applying to the undereye area (my main area of concern when evaluating to see if a concealer "works" for me). Studio Sculpt likely just wasn’t the best concealer for me, as the skin under my eyes has changed from my teens and early 20s (with age, sun exposure, lack of sleep, etc., etc.). The sticky paste formula would blend best on someone with a smooth undereye surface, but I definitely need more “slip” from my concealer. Nonetheless, Studio Sculpt is a great concealer product hiding imperfections well - I just need a little more work!

ARTIST TIP: If your undereyes are similar to mine and are more crepey (ugh, that sounds terrible. Let’s say “have more character”), stick to a concealer formula that has more “slip” (i.e. liquid-based) to help prevent the product from creasing into fine lines around the eye. Yes, character indeed.

Related posts:
BEAUTY 101 | All About Foundation
BEAUTY 101 | The Basics of Concealer

Up here in the Great North, we're just getting past our (hopefully) last taste of winter. But worldwide, fashion houses are setting the scene for what looks we'll be after come Fall 2009! We go backstage with MAC Cosmetics for this sneak preview Fall 2009 beauty trends:
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RUNWAY BEAUTY TREND: Gray LipsGray-toned lips (Doo-Ri, Rodarte) were the answer to the goth-hot black lips that dominated runways last year. At Doo.ri, MAC Pro Artist Tom Pecheux mixed Black Lipmix with concealer to achieve a gray colour for the lips. (An actual gray lipstick? That remains to be seen!)

From Runway to Realway:
Now, runway looks aren't necessarily intended to look great on the everyday woman, but in this case, even a supermodel hardly makes a gray colour "work". Wear gray on the nails and on the eyes (like at Badgley Mischka), but please let's reserve this look for the runway.

photo on right: www.fashionindie.com

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RUNWAY TREND: Red Lips
At Ruffian, face make-up was clean in order to set the focus on stand-out red lips.

From Runway to Realway:
To me, red lips are a look that never go out of style. Pair it with a stroke of liquid liner on the top lash line and defined lashes for a classic glam look.

photo on right: www.wwd.com

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RUNWAY TREND: Brown Eyeshadow and Clean Skin
Donna Karan is known for her New Yorker practical chic approach to fashion, and the same modus operandi reflected in the runway make-up for her Fall 2009 collection. The focus of the runway make-up look was flawless skin, highlighted with neutral eyes and lips. MAC Pro Artist Charlotte Tilbury used Copper Walnut Pro Gloss mixed with a Bit of Reflects Gold for a fresh look on the eyes.

From Runway to Realway:
DK's runway make-up look is easily achievable - you can likely get the look with products that you already have at home. Use a cream eyeshadow (try MAC Paints) as a base before applying neutral eyeshadow all across the lid. The cream eyeshadow will reduce the chance of your eyeshadow creasing by day's end!

photo on right: www.instyle.com

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RUNWAY TREND: Flashback 80s
Kohl-rimmed eyes are always a great look for the fall season. For Fall 2009, the eyes at Nicole Miller made a bold statement with electric blue eyeshadow. MAC Pro Artist James Kaliardo achieved the look by using MAC Pro Marine Blue Ultra Paint Stick as a base, and then blending MAC Freshwater and Atlantic eyeshadows over the lids.

From Runway to Realway:
Yes, you can wear blue eyeshadow. Save it for a fun night out or opt for a subtle blue eyeliner look for daytime. Pair the look with neutral pink lips to keep the look balanced.

photo on right: www.instyle.com

The heavy-hitters at MAC have done it again releasing a new line of face make-up products developed to meet the demands of both make-up artists and everyday customers. In this latest Studio Sculpt collection (available February 7th, 2009 at MAC stores and counters), a new range of cream foundations and concealers have been designed to give the skin a satiny finish with medium buildable coverage. According to Nick Gavrelis, VP of Global Development for MAC, Studio Sculpt "had to have the wear, flexibility and flawlessness that our makeup artists demanded, as well as the comfort, moisturization, smoothing and perfecting qualities that real women have been asking for."

I love how MAC offers the widest range of skin tone selection - they definitely can't be beat in that department. I'm especially looking forward to trying Studio Sculpt concealer, as I'm always on the hunt for the next latest and greatest product to hide my undereye circles (my current fave is Stila Perfecting Concealer)! Since Studio Sculpt is also cream-based, I'm curious to see if they'll work well as contouring products (hopefully the "sculpt" lives up to its name!)

Check back as I'll be sure to post a follow-up on my experience with Studio Sculpt within the coming weeks!

Launching this Thursday (February 5th, 2009) is MAC's latest release for lips: Creme Team. The collection builds on the success of MAC's lipstick formulation, Cremesheen, and combines more lipstick colours, lipliners and lip glasses to the mix! The collection's lipstick and lip gloss products glide on sheer to give a creamy and high shine factor to the lips. With the Cremesheen lipliners, you can easily fill in the whole lip area and use it as a base for lipstick application - and you won't have to worry about it being drying to the lips. (Sublime Culture lipliner is already part of my kit!)

I love the texture of the Cremesheen lipglasses: flat without sparkle and not overly sticky (as in past lip glass formulations!). I test ran Cremesheen Glass in Looks Like Sin, a neutral plum colour that worked great for both daytime (worn with liquid eyeliner) and night-time (when paired with a smoky eye).

NOTE: Be warned that if you try to apply the Cremesheen gloss as advertised, you'll likely encounter feathering gloss earlier than expected. The gloss actually goes on quite sheer so my attempts to build up the colour were futile...and messy! Save yourself the trouble and the wasted product - keep the gloss application to two coats max and you're ready to pucker up!

Cremesheen lipsticks will remain part of the permanent collection, but Cremesheen lipglasses are only available until the end of March 2009.

True-to-Dame-Edna form, the eye-catching and mauve-packaged limited edition collection hit MAC stores late December. Inspired by the beauty routine of the Great Dame, the collection is for the glamour girl that likes to make a bold statement with her look. In Dame Edna's own words: "We all need a MAC-over, possum." I couldn't have put it better myself - read up on my review of Gladiola Matte Lipstick and Possum Nose Pink Lipglass from the Dame Edna collection!

Dame Edna MAC Collection - Gladiola Matte Lipstick
The inspiration behind this bright and bold lipstick was clearly Dame Edna's coif (all natural, by the way!). The matte mid-tone blue pink is a super trendy look when paired with cat-eyed liner and false lashes . Dare to wear this colour only if you know how to rock it like the Great Dame (i.e. this colour is not for the subtle)! Pair it with the collection's Hot Frost lipgloss for some added dimension and shine.


Dame Edna MAC Collection - Possum Nose Pink Lipglass
Possum Nose Pink Lipglass is a gorgeous coral gloss that is more of a universally wearable colour than Gladiola above. The sheer bright colour gloss has multidimensional sparkle built-in. I love wearing this gloss for daytime, but find it very similar to a colour already in my kit (as in my earlier review here). You can never have too much of a good thing though and since this colour works for me, it's a welcome addition to my personal touch-up kit!

Photography and Make-up by Rhia Amio

Related posts:
PRODUCT PREVIEW | Dame Edna for MAC

Q: Ok rhi, so where is the apple of your cheeks, and would doing so make a round shaped face look even rounder?

A: Great question! The apples of the cheeks are the rounded, fleshy areas that become more visible when you smile. Using a blush here can actually give the illusion of less surface area on the cheeks, and add dimension to a round shaped face. The trick is to keep the blush application higher on the apples and not blend too far downward. Smile as you're applying your blush for a better view of the apples.

Here are some pointers:
For a subtle, dewy look use your two fingers (index and middle) to blend cream blush in circular motions atop the apples of the cheeks. Or for a brighter matte look, try a powder blush and brush. Apply the blush in circular motions atop the apples, and blend so the look is soft and diffused.

ARTIST TIP: If you feel like you've applied too much, dust a bit of translucent powder atop the cheeks to tone the blush down.

Recommended products:
MAC 129 Blush Brush ($41 CAD)

Related posts:
Q & A | Do I apply blush on the apples of the cheeks or I contour?
BEAUTY 101 | All About Face

The crease brush is an indispensable tool for applying your eyeshadow. The crease brush completely transformed the method I used to apply eyeshadow both on myself and on clients. The tip of the crease brush tapers towards the centre to form a pointed shape and allow for precise application of eyeshadow. The brush is particularly handy for building colour into the crease of the eye and for advanced make-up looks (like the smoky eye). It doubles as a great smudger brush, working well to blend eyeshadow and eyeliner for a subtle smoky effect.

ARTIST TIP: To get your best smoky eye yet, dip the brush in eyeshadow and tap twice to get rid of any excess eyeshadow. Push the brush back and forth into the crease (the fold of the eyelid). Keep the darkest part of the eyeshadow in the crease of the eye, and blend slightly upward for a smoky effect and to get rid of any distinct edges. Repeat the process to build to your desired intensity.

TIPS FOR ASIAN EYES: If you have gorgeous Asian eyes, the crease brush is a definite must-have for your own daily routine. The smaller surface area of the tapered brush point gives you better control over where eyeshadow colour is applied. This works especially well when trying to do a smoky eye, as part of the trick to making this look work is knowing when to stop! Using too much of a dark coloured eyeshadow can make eyes look smaller, but the trusty crease brush does all the work for you and keeps that colour in the crease! Blend away!

Recommended brushes:
MAC Cosmetics 219 Pencil Brush $27.50
Elegant Faces Pencil Tip ($11)

Related posts:
PRODUCT REVIEW Splurge vs. Steal Part II - Eye Make-up Brushes

MAC's latest Brunette, Blonde and Redhead collection is designed to simplify the colour co-ordination process and complement one of the most coveted female features - hair! The personalized colour palettes offer a range of products for eyes, lips and cheeks that are specifically "formulated to be coiffure-friendly".

It appears as though I'm a Brunette, Blonde and a Redhead, as I'm loving items from all three hair colours of the collection! Check back soon as I'll be posting my reviews of some of the gorgeous products that fall under this collection.

Available January 8th, 2009 at MAC stores and counters nationwide.

Much to my excitement, I recently learned (it's been on the wire for a few months now) that MAC's gorgeous Mineralize Collection is now a permanent staple at MAC counters and stores! The Mineralize Collection offers foundations, powders, eyeshadows and blushes infused with rich minerals that add dimension and luminosity.

What I love about the Mineralize collection:
Mineralize Skinfinish Powder
$30.00 CAD

Mineralize Skinfinish Powder has a gorgeous subtle shimmer texture. Use the lighter shades of this powder to highlight atop the browbone and cheekbone. Use the darker shades as a contour for the cheekbones and around the eyes. Mineralize Skinfinish Powder also works great as an all-over powder for light and multi-dimensional coverage.

Mineralize Skinfinish/Natural
$30.00 CAD

Similar to Skinfinish Powder, Skinfinish Natural also provides lightweight multi-dimensional coverage, but with a matte (rather than shimmer) finish. This powder is a staple in my personal make-up bag for touch-ups throughout the day, and a favourite go-to product for bridal appointments. I love using it as a subtle highlighting and contouring powder, without the shimmer! The darker shades also work well as bronzers.

Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo
$21.00 CAD

Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos contain two complementary or contrasting shades of eyeshadow with a shimmer finish. The eyeshadows give a subtle sheen when applied dry, and an intense, heavy metal look when used wet. You'll find Mineralize duos in Engaging and Earthly Riches in my own kit.

Q: I have creaseless Asian eyes and I’ve practically given up on eyeliner, because it never seems to stay in place! Any tips for us crease-less gals?

A: Great question! I know part of the frustration is that after accomplishing the feat of applying the eyeliner perfectly, you blink and an imprint of the eyeliner appears on the eyelid! And for whatever reason, now the eyeliner seems tougher to remove without ruining the eyeshadow you just carefully applied as well.

To apply eyeliner on gorgeous Asian lids, it’s best to use a 2-step approach:

1. Minimize oily lids by first applying a cream concealer or a smudgeproof cream eyeshadow.

i) using a CREAM CONCEALER
Apply a layer of skin-tone matching concealer all over your eyelid (from lashline to eyebrow). Blend well so that you don’t see any visible streaks of the product. Set the concealer with a dusting of loose powder to help it last longer and smooth out the eyelid.

OR

ii) using CREAM EYESHADOW
Apply the cream eyeshadow in a neutral base colour all over eyelid in the same manner. Blend well. Try MAC Paints or Paint Pots.

Using one of the above products will help act as an absorbing agent for oily lids, reduce the chance of unwanted eyeliner transfer!

2. Use either a waterproof pencil liner, gel liner or liquid liner. “Waterproof” and “smudgeproof” are keywords when looking for your liner of choice here.

When applying, keep the line very tight to the lashline. If you take the eyeliner too far up, it’s more prone to imprinting where you don’t want it to. Instead of drawing a thick line, use a black cream eyeshadow (make sure it's smudgeproof) to add height to the line. The eyeshadow will blend out smoothly and will be less messy looking when you blink and look down.

ARTIST TIP: If you’re using pencil to line the eyes, set the look by tracing over it with black eyeshadow. I love liquid liner for its incontestable staying power. If you want something that doesn’t budge, use liquid. The line is more ‘harsh-looking’, but if you keep the line tight to the lashes, you don’t have to worry about looking vampy!

Hope this helps!

Related posts:
How to Make Eyeshadow Last
All Eye Posts
All Eyeliner Posts

If you're stuck for New Year's looks, why not revisit (and reinvent) an Old Faithful? The smoky eye is the perfect option for any evening out. There are so many options for the look (here's just one version of the Smoky Eye I did with Sam). You'll see the method of application is consistent, but the colours and textures are totally up to you! Have fun!

I used a taupe-grey as a base with a sponge-tip applicator to build up the colour:
The crease brush, a Kit Essential, was used with Lise Watier's Magic Pearls eyeshadow in Black/Orchid to add depth (and the smoke factor!) into the crease: I layered MAC Paint Pot in Blackground in between layers of the Lise Watier eyeshadow to up the smoky intensity (and increase eyeshadow longevity!):To add a little pop of colour, I highlighted the inner corner with an intense cream shimmer eyeshadow (MAC Starflash Eyeshadow in Grand Entrance) and traced underneath the eye with a purple-blue shimmer eyeshadow (Lancome Colour Design Eyeshadow in Trendy):