B&A and FOTD: My "Everyday" Face

I try to mix up the products I use on my face everyday. In fact, there is not even a single foundation I use everyday. I love trying out new things and trying to incorporate fun pops of color into my look. There are a few consistent attributes of my look that remain essentially the same: perfected, dewy skin that is light enough to still show my freckles, something to make my small eyes appear larger, natural but slightly more perfected brows, and lipstick...allllllways there is lipstick.

I've been working at an office this summer, so I've been utilizing some of the softer, more professional products in my collection. I don't have a standard routine, but this is a before and after of the sort of look I've been sporting quite frequently.

Oooooooh my gosh. That is so insanely unattractive. Granny curlers...undereye bags...lots o' blemishes...barely open eyes. It must be morning! But this is what I look like literally when I wake up first thing in the morning.

And here's an after shot. Ah, much better! I have kind of hooded eyes so you can literally see nothing of my eye makeup...

I've been using my new custom MAC quad, and I'm loving it! 

This summer, I've been wearing my glasses on a day-to-day basis because I get up waaaay too early for my eyes to be accepting of contacts, so this is my glasses look.

These are the products I used!

• L'Oreal True Match Lumi foundation--this stuff is a revelation for girls with dry skin! I love a glowly look, and this helps you achieve it. In fact, I'm so happy with this foundation that I haven't got around to actually purchasing a high end foundation. I'm so happy with this one!
• Some random lip balm
• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush--the only brush you'll ever need for foundation application!
• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer--it's an "eh" product. It gets the job done, but once you've used NARS primer, it's hard to go back.
• Bobbi Brown Corrector--Love this! It's the first thing I've used that actually makes my undereye circles look decent.
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge--it's nice enough. I have it in Ulta Light, which is perhaps a touch too light for me.
• Revlon Nearly Naked Powder--This is nice, but I'm almost out and want to try something new.
• NARS Blusher in Douceur--LOVE THIS STUFF LIKE WOAH. The perfect natural flush for a pale girl.
• ELF Eyebrow Kit--eh, it gets the job done.
• MAC Quad with Blanc Type, Wedge, Satin Taupe, and Sketch--I used ST on the lid, Wedge in the crease, and BC under the brow. 
• Essence Brow Gel--gets the job done. It's hard to justify spending over $3 on brow gel once you've tried this stuff!
• MAC 217--like I could do all of my makeup with this one type of brush if I had to. You have to have this.
• Sonia Kashuk Shader Brush--It's hard to distinguish between shader brushes. I honestly believe it's the brush that you don't need to spring for. 
• Tarte Lash Curler--I hate this thing. I'm just waiting to replace it when I can.
• MAC Syrup--the ultimate "my lips but better" shade. You can tell that I literally already have only a nub left. Don't worry, I've already got a backup!
• Real Techniques Blush Brush--like the rest of the brushes of this line, it's very nice.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Hustle--love this brownish copper shade, I feel like it goes very nicely with my eye color.
• Rimmel Eyeliner in Nude--This stuff is supposed to last in your lash line, but it doesn't on mine. I guess my eyes are too watery.
• Maybelline The Rocket Volume Express Waterproof Mascara--THIS STUFF IS DA BOMB DOT COM. I bought it on leighannsays's recommendation, and it's perfect for stubbornly straight lashes. 

So yes, this is a typical look for me at the office. Definitely an improvement over the before!

Until next time, kiddos,

xo, Maria.

Review and Swatch: MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Lady at Play

If I was only allowed to use one type of cosmetic for the rest of my life, it would have to be lipstick. I freaking love lipstick. It completely transforms your entire face in one step. I love all kinds of colors: bold reds, bright pinks, crazy purples, sometimes even a nude. Additionally, if I was allowed only one lipstick brand, it would have to be MAC. No one comes close to their variety of colors and finishes. So naturally, I get excited every time MAC announces a new kind of lipstick finish. The Mineralize Rich formula came out a few months ago, but you know. Here at EngineeredBeauty we like to be fashionably late to the party. They are $22 for 3.6 g, as opposed to the $15 for a regular MAC lipstick for 3.0 g. With the Mineralize Rich lipstick, you're paying $6.11 per gram, and with the normal lipstick, you're paying $5.00 per gram. This means that the regular lipstick is a better monetary value, and I imagine that the increased cost comes from the new, fancy packaging.

According to MAC's website, the Mineralize Rich Lipstick is, "a 77-Mineral Moist Complex that instantly nourishes lips with maximum moisture in a lightweight, non-sticky formula. Larger bullet applies bright, long lasting colour in a single stroke. Medium shine finish, buildable coverage. Magnetic closure." Not sure if there are 77 minerals in the lipstick, or if that's just some marketing spiel.

I can confirm, though, that Lady at Play is moisturizing, lightweight, non-sticky, a larger bullet, a long lasting color, medium shine, buildable, and housed in a magnetic closure. Way to be accurate, MAC website!

The packaging is larger than the normal MAC lipstick with a really cool magnetic closure. I'm a big fan of the magnetic closure; there's less of a chance of the lid popping off in my bag, and it's fun to play with. These are the things I care about.

Lady at Play is described by MAC as a "mid-tonal cool tangerine." I'm not entirely sure how much I agree with that description. To me, it's more of a neutral pinky coral. 

Swatchy swatchy. This thing is super pigmented, y'all. This was two swipes of color. When worn on the lips, it feels like there's basically nothing at all. I really like the level of shine to it. I'm a matte lips girl, and this seems like a happy medium between the matte-ness I love and a glossy creme. I would compare the feeling on the lips to a Revlon Lip Butter, but this is much more pigmented. A good thing about this lipstick is that your lips don't have to be in the best shape for this to work. 

Lady at Play is a bolder color, but I feel completely comfortable wearing it in the office because it's a no-fuss color. 

This was me putting it on in the car as soon as I purchased it. It was love at first sight. 

Here's me wearing it at work. Loving how you can't see my eyes because of the lenses of my glasses. 

And here's me making a confused face and wearing it with some bad hair. Also, please don't judge me for the Hollister polo. I love polo shirts and it was half off. I had to suffer ten minutes of breathing the cologne-infested air of that wretched place to get this shirt, okay! Cut me some slack!

Overall, I freaking LOVE Lady at Play. The formula is amazing, it sits so nicely on the lips, and the color is fantastic. It's an everyday way to way a bolder summer shade...although let's be real, I'm still going to be rocking this baby in the dead of winter. I love it that much.

So get thee to a MAC counter! And grab you some of this goodness!

Until next time, kiddos,

xo, Maria.