Summer is finally here!! Please do not gauge your knowledge of summer on the ending of a school year or the temperatures outside…today marks the first official day of Summer and brights are here and in full effect! What a better way to start summer than fun new goodies to play with??
One of the things I try to do each season is stock up on makeup based on how my skin reacts during the season. With combination skin, I shy away from foundations with more of a petroleum base, which gives you that “dewy” look. I will share what I stocked up on, some inside makeup tips, and what I recommend and what I’ll stash away until the fall.
Lips
MAC Satin Lipstick in Snob (L) & Pink Nouveau
This season, I am ALL about the colors. Yes! Especially bright, flashy, in your face pinks. These colors can serve as the punch of color to any outfit.
Wearing MAC Satin Lipstick in “Pink Nouveau” & MAC Blush in “Dollymix”
MAC Cremesheen Glass in “Right Image”
I’m in love with Cremesheen glass! This particular color was chosen to wear over bare lips or as a sheen topper over a lipstick of choice.
MAC Lip Pencil in “Plum”
I’m not really into lip pencils, but the artist let me try this to line my lips along with the lipstick and I liked it. I wanted something that wasn’t too dark, natural looking, and didn’t give me a lip line that is too visible. This is a definite keep!
Foundation
MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation in “NW47”
So the girl at the counter introduced me the new Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation the other day. I was already skeptical because of the texture and my combination skin. She assured me that this foundation was different because it settles and looks like actual skin when applied.
With my skepticism, the foundation worked well. It did, indeed, look like skin and it gave medium coverage without that “makeup-y” look. HOW.E.VER. I was right – my face looked super greasy by the middle of the day…and I was sitting inside in an office all day. I always finish my makeup with a translucent power that absorbs oil, but this magical stuff was no match for this foundation. While I will not throw it away, I won’t be using this until the weather cools off tremendously.
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation in “NC50”
I also purchased the MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation today because I wasn’t too happy with how my foundation felt. During the summer months, it just does me justice when I need a foundation that doesn’t feel like it will sloth off my face. I like this waaaaay better.
Now a secret tip: MAC foundations come in with the NW and NC codes. If you’re undertones are more on the reddish side, you should purchase NW foundations. The higher the number (i.e. NW47, NW48, NW50) the darker the pigment gets because of the reddish pigment. If you’re undertones are yellow (like mine), you should opt for the NC’s.
Now pause…
I’ve been buying from MAC for YEARS and never once did anyone explain this to me. I was always handed the NW45, but the foundation always ended up looking gray on me. So I went for the NW47. It was a better blend, but at times it made me look darker. As a woman of color, I don’t want to look lighter, nor darker; I want to look like myself! So when my makeup artist told me the difference, I decided to try it and immediately saw the difference in the wear!
Lesson learned: foundation shouldn’t just accomodate your skin tone, but always flatter based on your undertones. Take the time to understand your skin!
Blush
MAC Powder Blush in “Raizin” and Sheertone Shimmer Blush in “Dollymix”
These two colors are PHENOMENAL!! Raizin is more of a natural color. Dollymix gives more of that POW! effect without the horrid “rouge on cheeks” look. Both can be used, even for the beautiful chocolate skin tones. I highly recommend both!! It will definitely get used a lot this summer.
And there you have it!!! Now, I’m all set for summer. Are you?
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This review is strictly based on personal experience and opinions of products. I am no way affiliated with the brand.
Thank you for the information on the foundations. I always use NW43 but it looks ashy @ times and the NW45 looks to dark. I will definitely look into the NC foundations when I visit again.
@1Mo No problem. Thought it would help someone. It surely helped me!