Rose Gold Face

After holidaying in Florida last Easter, I decided to buy a haul of Mac products to re-vamp my makeup bag. I've always used mac for their lipsticks and bronzers but was always curious about the other products they had to offer.

My current makeup bag consists of;

Mac Foundation - Studio Fix Fluid NW15.
-this is a full coverage foundation which I found was great to cover my pores and acne scars.  The NW on the colour shade stands for Neutral Warm - this is what the mac store shop assistant tested my skin to be and therefore an appropriate match was considered. Below is a colour/shade chart to explain this in more detail.

Mac Concealer - Pro Longwear NW15.
-this has a lighter density in comparison to the foundation. This is great for contouring light parts of your face. I also found this to be amazing with covering spots or any blemishes I have.

The chart below was created by MAC to help you understand the wide array of foundation shades that they offer. Each shade’s name is a combination of letters followed by numbers For example, NC 35 or NW 15. The number represents the shades range from 15 (very pale) to 55 (very dark). The letters C, NC, N, NW or W distinguish between different skin tones.

Here is a breakdown of MAC’s foundation codes:

Shade:	C	NC	N	NW	W
Stands for:	“Cool”	“Neutral Cool”	“Neutral”	“Neutral Warm”	“Warm”
Match for:	Yellow/Golden Olive Undertone	Slightly Golden Undertone	Neutral Undertone	Slightly Pink Undertone	Pinkish Undertone

The number that follows the letter(s) denotes the depth of the shade. The higher the number, the deeper the colour. This is why it is advised to get a colour match when choosing high end products as everyone's skin is made up differently.

                             

Mac Mascara - Haute and Naughty Too Black Lash -I previously owned haute and naughty black Lash and decided to purchase this one as it states it is "too black" - therefore darker and thicker. After using this product I noticed it made my lashes a lot thicker in comparison to my other mac mascara. Another reason why I really like this Mascara is that it has one brush but two different thickness' of Mascara you can choose from. If you unscrew the top part it unfolds a brush with a light layer of Mascara on for a more natural look. The second part is unscrewed to reveal the same brush but with a lot more of the Mascara contents on the brush hence your eyelashes appear thicker and longer.

Mac Bronzer - Mineralize Skinfinish Shade: Medium Deep - I already owned this product so re-bought it. It's typically used as a foundation powder for your face. However I bought 4 shades darker to be used as a bronzer/blusher. I've never been one to use shades of rose Pink on my cheeks, I've always chosen dark orange based shades. This product is an amazing two in one for me where it can be used as a Bronzer and a blusher.

Mac Highlighter - Mineralize Skinfinish Shade: Soft and Gentle - this is the first ever Highlighter I have ever bought and it definitely hasn't been the last. I have become obsessed with the gold glitz glam. I only tend to use this product on special occasions or days I fancy sprucing up. I place it in all the spots I want to highlight; below the arch of my eyebrow and on my cheekbones. Sometimes I even put a dab on the inside part of my eye, really makes them pop!

Mac Brow Gel - Fluidline Brow Gel Creme Shade: True Brunette - I have used other eyebrow gel pots before, but since the rest of my makeup bag was consisting of Mac -why not? This product comes in a small pot and doesn't come with a brush or anything. I purchased my own brush - of course from mac! It's an angled brush (mac208) but any angled brush would do. This is an amazing product where a little bit really does go a long way.

Mac Primer - Prep and Prime Fix+ Spray - I have always used primers under my foundation however they have always been a gel form. Mac Primer comes in a spray bottle and liquid form. After my normal washing face routine (which you can find a blog post about under beauty regime) I put cream on my face to moisturise and then put the Primer on. I only need three sprays max and my face feels tingly and fresh. It doesn't leave your skin oily or hard. It sinks into your skin leaving you feeling rejuvenated. I have found that since using this my skin appears a lot better. It doesn't look as dull.

Mac Pore Treatment - Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment - this is an item I use less regularly than the Primer spray. This is great for my pores. You really see them minimalise. I also like the way this feels on my skin. It tightens the skin so makes it feel firmer and taught.

Having bad acne for several years, I could never get the grasp on how much dirt there could be on my face considering I wash my face so regularly. After purchasing several Mac Makeup brushes I realised after several uses my skin was getting clearer and clearer. I also found that by using my fingers to apply my foundation I must have been putting thousands of germs on my face without even realising.

The mac brushes I purchased were; 

Foundation Mac 190
Eyebrows Mac 208
Blush/Bronzing Mac 135

These are all black handled brushes with White bristles with darker tinted tops. I also purchased the Mac Brush Cleaner. I found this to be an amazing product. Whilst cleaning my brushes, you realise how much product cleans off it and without a poignant smell. It's definitely a must buy!

All of these items are available to purchase at any Mac Cosmetics Stand or www.Maccosmetics.co.uk