The Life of A Ladybug

MAC Strobe Collection

Girls who are into bright color, the MAC Strobe Collection probably isn't for you.  This collection isn't about color at all - it's about adding light and iridescence to your face and lips.  That's it.  The Strobe Liquid, which I've tried, supposedly adds a natural-looking glow to the skin, reducing the look of imperfections.  I don't know how it does on reducing the appearance of imperfections, but I'm telling you, at least on me, the glow isn't natural-looking at all.  It's definitely a glow, but it's quite pinky-blue on me and can look ashy.  Brown-skinned divas, take note.

On the other hand, I'm loving the new shades of Tinted Lip Conditioner.  They leave your lips feeling silky soft, with just the barest hint of color. 

Strobe Kiss - sheer coral with a golden strobe pearl

Strobe Rays - light caramel with golden red strobe pearl

Strobe Blossom - light blue pink with red strobe pearl

Strobe Current - sheer plum with golden red strobe pearl

Strobe Beam - clear with strobe pearl

My favorites are Strobe Kiss and Strobe Rays.

Check 'em out now, in stores/on counters/online!

New on counters from MAC

New beauty from MAC!  Okay, seriously - when isn't there new beauty from MAC?  I think that's why it's one of my all-time favorite brands - there's always something new and fun to try!

Now on counters is Strobe!  There are three products available in this collection: Strobe Cream, which is a rich cream designed to add a touch of softness to the face and neck; Strobe Liquid, which is a lighter fluid with iridescent pigments; and new Tinted Lip Conditioner Sticks with SPF 15, containing strobe pearl, sun protection, color and moisture.

On counters next Thursday, the 13th, are the new Beauty Powder Blushes!  An entire blush collection, y'all!  Do you know how much I love a beautiful blush?  The Beauty Powder Blushes do double duty as they are pigmented enough to serve as blushes, but also act as softly highlighting shades.  These are Limited Edition, so be sure to snatch them up as soon as you can!

I'm a peachy bronze beauty!

Last night's skincare:

• Purity Made Simple
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Avon Anew Ultimate Repair Overnight Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Cleanser
• Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Liquid
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's make-up:

• Laura Geller Spackle
• MAC Select Cover-up in NC42 under eyes and NC45 to cover redness
• Monave Mineral Foundation in Beverly
• Benefit That Gal primer, patted under my eyes and used as highlight on my cheekbones and bridge of my nose
• Monave Face Illuminizer in Radiant, used as highlight under my brows and on my tear ducts and on my cheekbones
• Monave Mineral Bronzer
• Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in P Orange 53
• Tarte EmphasEyes used to line my upper and lower inner rims
• MAC Eye Kohl in Orpheus
• MAX Factor 2000 Calories mascara in Rich Black, two coats on my top lashes
• Rosebud Salve
• MAC lip liner in BBQ
• Guerlain Terracotta Lip Gloss in 20 (peachy-bronze)

Today's outfit:

• peach v-neck shell from New York & Company
• peach cardigan from New York & Company
• black and peach glen plaid pants from New York & Company
• black ankle boots by Nine West
• silver thumb rings
• silver filigree ring
• wedding set
• silver bamboo earrings
• white purse with gold hardware from www.baghaus.com

Today's fragrance:

The Body Shop Peach Body Butter, Fresh Fig Apricot eau de parfum

Benefit That Gal

Benefit That Gal intrigues me.  It looks all pinky and silky in the tube and I just want to love it.  But I don't.  Fortunately, the pinkish cast of the product doesn't make my skin look ashy, but it doesn't really do anything for me.  Nothing mind-blowing, at least.  As a primer, I haven't found that it allows make-up to apply more smoothly, nor that it makes your make-up last longer.  As a brightener, I'm just not seeing the appeal.  It doesn't really make that big of a difference, at least not for my brown skin.  I have seen some effects when patted on top of my under eye concealer - it does offer a smidge more brightening power in that regard, so I guess it wasn't a complete waste of money, but I definitely won't be repurchasing.

You can purchase Benefit That Gal for $27 in Sephora stores, online at www.sephora.com or at www.benefitcosmetics.com.