MAC Alluring Aquatic First Impression/Review | TheMakeupDiaries

WARNING: This blog post is going to be very long but definitely worth it so keep reading:)
A few days ago on May 22, 2014 MAC came out with the new limited edition Alluring Aquatic collection. Both of us desperately wanted products from this collection and were lucky enough to get our hands on a few things. Before the collection came out Roshelle and I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and read many blog posts which gave us an idea of which products we wanted to purchase. Planning what products to buy beforehand is a great thing to do. It saves you the time of looking around and gives you a clear visual of what you're looking for. Anyways, the collection is absolutely stunning. The packing is by far the best MAC packaging we have seen. It's so cool, creative and we've never seen anything like it before. (You'll here more about our thoughts on the packaging later.. haha) Before we get into the first impression/review, here is an overview of what the collection has to offer.

Silver Sun, Soul Serenade, Lorelei, Fathoms Deep, Sea Worship

Seduced at Sea, Sea Me, Hear Me

Aphrodite's Shell, Delphic

Refined Golden, Golden

What Comes Naturally, Half-Red, Black Line, Black Swan

Siren Song, Pet Me, Please, Enchanted One, Mystical, Goddess of the Sea

Clear Water, Peachstock, Water Deities, Seducing Sound, Modern Lure

Submerged, Neptune, Shimmerfish

Makeup Bag, 127 Split Fibre Face Brush, 233 Split Fibre Eyeshadow Brush

CAN WE JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE HOW CUTE AND FUN THAT PACKAGING IS?! It represents summer and water and the choice of colour is beautiful. There are 3D droplets of water on the packaging which takes it up a notch and completes the packaging perfectly. MAC has separated the collection into two categories Alluring Aquatic: Face and Alluring Aquatic: Colour. MAC describes Alluring Aquatic: Face as "Bronzing Powders and Extra Dimension Bronzer in gentle, pearlized shades set skin aglow for summer. Limited-edition compacts in aquatic teal are dramatically accented with crystal clear droplets. Anticipate waves of adoration when carrying the coordinated chic, teal clutch, with texturized water droplet finish and translucent sides in aqua". This part of the collection includes the following products.. 127 Split Fibre Face Brush, Alluring Aquatic Makeup Bag, Alluring Aquatic Bronzing Powder and Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Bronzer. The second part of this collection is the Alluring Aquatic: Colour. MAC describes this as "Sirens of the deep inspire an aquascape of shades, as waves of tarnished olive, seafoam and darkened plum surrender to water's enticing spirit. Sultry eyes take on a subtle radiance, while luminous Extra Dimension Blush waters over cheeks, creating a goddess glow. Under the sea, nails glisten in aquatic chrome and metallic Nail Lacquer, as in Lipstick, Lipglass and Lip Pencil dive deep into colour. Limited-edition teal packaging, dramatically accented with sheer water droplets". This part of the collection includes the... Alluring Aquatic Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner, Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Eye Shadow, Alluring Aquatic Tinted LipGlass, Alluring Aquatuc Lip Pencil, Alluring Aquatic Lipstick, Alluring Aquatic Nail Lacquer, 233 Split Fibre Eyeshadow Brush and Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Blush. Now that you know more about this fantastic collection, it's time to stop rambling and start the first impression/review.

Alyssa's First Impression Review:
Purchased Products

Packaging

Products I Purchased

Mystical Lipstick

Mystical Lipstick

Lorelei

Fathoms Deep

• Cremesheen Lipstick in Mystical

Before the collection officially came out, I knew I needed to get my hands on the Mystical lipstick. Not only was it a cremesheen my favourite finish but, the colour caught my eye. I don't have anything like it. Of course the packaging sucked me in as well. The formula of the lipstick is wonderful. It glides on easily and it's very creamy. It's also very moisturizing, glossy and long lasting. Mystical is described as a midtone creamy rose and I totally agree! I am a huge fan of how natural the lipstick is and I think it would look good on everyone and look great with a variety of different makeup looks. I cannot stress how ecsatic I am about having this lipstick in my collection. Honestly, I wish I picked up the matte lipstick in Enchanted One as well. 

• Extra Dimesnsion Eyeshadow in Lorelei
• Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Fathoms Deep

Once I saw the collection at the MAC store I immediately fell in love with everything. I planned on just buying the lipstick but I got sucked into buying these two eyeshadows. They are so gorgeous. I feel that no words can express just how pretty they are. They are metallic, pearlized and shimmery. Also, they are very opaque and have phenomenal colour pay-off. I picked up Lorelei a shimmery golden beige and Fathoms Deep a lovely deep blue.

Hi guys!! So as you can see, Alyssa did a very detailed post already so I'm gonna keep it short. I got the same lipstick as Alyssa in Mystical. Mystical is a cremesheen, and it's my first cremesheen! I usually go for lustres, but I really love the formula of cremesheens. It feels very creamy, and buttery, and when swatched, it goes on super pigmented and smooth. The colour is soo gorgeous, and perfect for days when you just want your lips to stand out but not be to bold. And obviously the packaging! So cute. I've never seen such clever packaging. I really want to try the blushes in the collection as well!

NYX Megashine lip gloss First Impression/Swatch | TheMakeupDiaries

So recently I picked up the NYX Mega Shine lip gloss in Beige. I adore the NYX Butter Gloss' and rave about them all the time and I heard about this through Ingrid, a long time ago but I decided why not give it a shot because NYX has yet to disappoint me with one of their products! I feel like everything I try from here I love so much. I got this for about $6 at my local London drugs.  Anyways, I got it in the shade beige which is like a mauvy-pink (I still have noo idea why it's called beige haha) the formula is smooth and extremely pigmented. Way more pigmented than the butter gloss' in my opinion. It smells like cherries while the butter gloss' smell like a desert of some sort. It's a little stickier than the butter gloss' but still comfortable to wear on the lips. It lasts longer than the butter gloss' so you can reapply it less. I think this is a product you should try if you are a fan of NYX gloss' already or if you've never tried NYX at all! 

Getting my braces off 101 | TheMakeupDiaries

Hi guys! So today is a very very special post because a few days ago I got my braces off! And back in March, someone left a message on tumblr asking to do a Braces 101, which I did end up doing (you can find it here.) In that post, I described how I got my braces/the pain/the experience. I wrote that over two months ago, and finally after 732 days and 100000 dentist appointments later, I am so happy to say that my braces are off and that I can finally eat what I want!

When you get them off
So before you get them off, the dentist takes a moulding of your teeth in order to make retainers for when you get your braces off. Literally takes 2 minutes then you're good. The next appointment is to finally get your braces removed! It took less than 20 minutes, and what they was basically get one of their orthodontic tools and started breaking the brackets off and then the entirety of the braces came off (the brackets/the wire etc) Then they broke off the metal in the back, aka The Molar Band which is what hurt the most because I felt is the most as my dentist just yanked it off. Out of 10 it hurt like 0.5 so close to nothing at all, and then they clean off the glue and your teeth look so different! I looked at myself in the mirror and asked "is this really me?!" But I'm so glad that I went through those 2 years because it finally paid off!

So for those of you that still have braces, keep going! It's so so soooo worth it :)

Aftercare
Basically you can do anything without braces! Make sure you wear your retainers at all times unless your eating or brushing your teeth, you brush and floss everyday, and take good care of your retainers! Other than that you are free to do whatever you want :)

Here are some photos:

Refer to the "Braces 101 post" for a before and during photo of my braces. Here.

Just about to get them off

I took this right when they came off! Ahhh can you tell how excited I am (lol)

Day in the Life: Victoria Trip | TheMakeupDiaries

Hi guys! So we recently (about a week ago) went on a trip to an Island to the West of where we live and we thought we would do another Day In Our Life because it seems like you guys really like it! Sorry we couldn't get that many photos, we were constantly on the move as we were in a group and the weather was just horrible. But it was a fun day and we hope you guys enjoy :)

Government building

FERRY!!!

The Lip Product Addict Tag! | TheMakeupDiaries

QUESTIONS:
1. Favourite balm/treatment?
2. Best eye-catching red?
3. Best luxury & best drugstore?
4. Best MAC lipstick?
5. The most disappointing?
6. Liner - yes or no?
7. Best gloss?
8. Something extra!

1. 

Roshelle: Definitely either my normal Vaseline or my Dior Creme De Rose. Those are my go to lip products if I want my lips feeling soft and plump. 

Alyssa: Besides Vaseline, my favourite lip balm/treatment is the Nivea Kiss of Milk and Honey lip balm from the drugstore! I talk about it all the time but it's seriously so amazing! I really enjoy the Sugar Fresh lip balm as well. 

2. 

Roshelle: I don't usually wear reds, so I have none! But the only red I own is Rimmel's apocolips in Big Bang. It's super gorg!

Alyssa: I find that red is a really bold choice of colour so I have no red lipsticks in my collection! If I was ever to buy one I would purchase MAC's Ruby Woo or Chanel's Pirate lipstick. 

3. 

Roshelle: 

Luxury: Dior Creme De Rose 

Drugstore: NYX butter gloss' ❤️ (I did a blog post a couple days ago on them!)

Alyssa: Hands down my luxury lipstick is my YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 29 Opera Rose (Roshelle got me this and it's my most prized makeup possession) My favourite drugstore lipsticks are the Revlon Colourburst lip butters. 

4. 

Roshelle: My favourite of all time is Syrup, but I've been loving Impressive lately! 

Alyssa: My favourite MAC lipstick is Plumful! Such a beautiful and versatile colour.. it also looks good all year round which is a plus! 

5. 

Roshelle: Mary Kay's lipstick in Black Cherry. Applies so uneven and splotchy :(

Alyssa: My most disappointing lipstick is the Makeup Forever lipstick that comes with the birthday gift.

6. 

Roshelle: No. I don't usually wear liner. 

Alyssa: Yes! I've only tried liner a few times but I love how long lasting it is!! 

7. 

Roshelle: NYX BUTTER GLOSS'!!!!!!

Alyssa: Stila Lip Glazes! SO AMAZING

8. 

Roshelle: 

Special shoutout to the L'oreal Colour Riche Balms and the Revlon lip butters!! Love them as well. 

Alyssa: Something extra would be the Maybelline Colour Whispers!! I'm a huge fan of them. 

Top 10 under $10! | TheMakeupDiaries

Hi guys! So today we're gonna show you our top 10 Favourite products all under $10! There are some hidden gems at the drugstore and some if our HG's are from the drugstore! So let's get into the post!

Roshelle's top 10 under 10$: 

• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind 
• Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso 
• NYX butter gloss' 
• NYX eyebrow powder 
• Wet n wild eyeshadow
• L'oreal voluminous carbon black 
• Maybelline master precise liquid eyeliner 
• Maybelline the falsies mascara
• Maybelline fit me concealer 
• Revlon nearly naked foundation

Alyssa's Top 10 under $10

• Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
• Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara
• Loreal Voluminous Smouldering Eyeliner
• Revlon Colourburst Lip Butters
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme
• Covergirl Clean Whipped Creme Foundation
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 
• Maybelline Fit Me Powder
• Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder
• Revlon Balms (Kissable, Laquer, Matte)

NYX Butter Gloss' Review | TheMakeupDiaries

Hi guys! So I wanted to talk to you guys about my FAVOURITE and Holy Grail lip products from the drugstore! Which are the NYX Butter Gloss'! Omg guys if you have never tried these lip glosses, you are seriously missing out. The formula is AMAZING, such beautiful pigmentation! And it literally melts onto your lips, feels super comfortable on the lips, doesn't stick to the cracks of your lips, super creamy/buttery and just insanely wonderful! Last Christmas I got the shade Crème Brulee from Alyssa which is a nude-pink and absolutely fell in love! I don't know how many times I wore it by itself or paired it with MAC's Syrup. Anyways, I was so so so in love with the formula that I had to pick it up in another shade. I was so torn because I wanted to try out one other colour cause I usually only buy one colour in the entire range/line to see if I like the formula. So I went with Apple Strudel because I heard one of my favourite youtubers, MakeupbyAlli talk about it, and it looked so pretty! I would describe Apple Strudel as a milky pink, perfect for everyday. If you haven't picked these gloss' up yet, I definitely recommend doing so because they are so wonderful and I will continue using them and raving about them!!

Apple Strudel

Creme Brulee at the top/ Apple Strudel at the Bottom

Swatch of Apple Strudel

Swatch: top is Creme Brulee and bottom is Apple Strudel

Maybelline Fit Me Powder and Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder Comparison/Review | TheMakeupDiaries

Powder is a crucial step in every girl's makeup routine. In my opinion, powder is magical. It does a variety of things such as setting your makeup, blending things in and does a great job at keeping your face shine free throughout the day. No matter what ocassion it is, whether I'm going out to a party or just staying at home with my friends I always need to apply powder to my face. Just this little step already makes you look ten times better! There are a variety of powders in the market and they are all meant to do different things. Searching for the perfect powder for you can be a struggle but once you find it, there's no going back. Before purchasing high end powders, I suggest starting off with drugstore ones. After trying these two affordable drugstore powders, I have to say I'm very impressed! Here's a mini review and comparison on the Maybelline Fit Me Powder and the Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder. Hope you enjoy xx

Maybelline Fit Me Powder

• retails for $7-$11(depending on where you live)
• comes with a mirror and applicator
• simple and durable packaging
• contains 0.3oz/9g of product

Claims:

• matches natural tone
• blends seamlessly
• let's skin breathe

My Thoughts: 

After carefully trying out this powder I have grown to love it. It's very soft and light. This powder does a great job at setting my makeup all while still letting my skin breathe. The quality is amazing and I agree with everything it claims to do. I think that it is definitely worth trying!!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder

• retails for $4-$7(depending on where you live)
• okay packaging
• contains 0.49oz/14g of product

Claims:

• up to 5 hours of natural shine control
• helps minimize the appearance of pores

My Thoughts: 

I have been using this powder for a very long time and I really enjoy it. The product itself is very good quality and it keeps my face matte for most of the day! It has a slight scent to it which does not bother me and this powder hides my pores well. Considering the price it's a steal!! 

Final Thoughts: 

I really enjoy both of these powders and they are great to have in my makeup collection. Both of the powders are of great quality and work extremely well. The Maybelline Fit Me Powder costs a few dollars more but, does more than the Rimmel London Powder. In my opinion, the Maybelline Fit Me Powder provides more coverage and gives me a more natural, glowy look while letting my skin breathe and the Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder keeps my face shine free throughout the day which I like. Both of these powders are great purchases and I recommend them both. I don't have a favourite because I like them both and work well doing different things. 

Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder

Maybelline Fit Me Powder

Swatches of the two powders. Rimmel on top (lighter) and Maybelline on the bottom (darker)

April Favourites ❤️ | TheMakeupDiaries

Hey guys! So we know we're doing this super late and April is long gone, but we decided to get an April favourites up for you! We loved similar products in April as in march because we haven't tried many new things but without further ado lets get started!

Roshelle's beauty favourites

❤️ l'oreal tru match foundation

❤️ benefit boi-ing concealer 02

❤️ maybelline fit me powder 

❤️ benefit gimmebrow

❤️naked basics palette (in particular; wos/naked2/faint)

❤️Nars Orgasm Blush

❤️ L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara 

❤️Nyx Butter Gloss in creme brûlée 

❤️Lush's ocean salt

❤️Lush's breath of fresh air 

❤️FAB cleanser/ultra repair cream

..my favourites are also similar to my March favourites!

Roshelle's non beauty favourites:

❤️ Lauren Conrad: Beauty

❤️ sports: volleyball and soccer!

❤️ youtuber: Jaclyn hill!! Soo gorgeous! 

Alyssa's Beauty Favourites: 

• Loreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sidecar
• NARS Laguna Bronzer
• Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 225 Medium Buff
• Benefit Watts Up Highlighter
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 25 Medium
• Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30

Alyssa's Non Beauty Favourites: 

Youtuber: TessChristine123.. I am in love with her clothes!!

Actress: Leighton Meester... Soo beautiful, I love her in Gossip Girl. 

Show: Gossip Girl and 90210... I am so addicted to these two shows. 

Human: Vanessa Hudgens... The Queen of Coachella! I loved seeing all her outfits. 

Food: Cookies and ice cream.. What can i say? If i could eat cookies and ice cream everyday without gaining weight it would be perfect<3