REVIEW: MAC MSF in Stereo Rose

When the MAC Fantasy of Flowers collection launched in February, I only had my eyes on one thing: the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (MSF) in Stereo Rose. This beautiful product has quite the story behind it. 

In 2010, MAC launched Stereo Rose in a Limited Edition collection and everyone went nuts for it. I didn't pick it up back then and kind of regretted that. Imagine my excitement when they were going to bring it back for the 2014 Fantasy of Flowers collection!

Look at the gorgeousness of this baked product! The left swatch is blended into the skin (and so it would look like this on your cheeks), on the right you can see the swatch after one single swipe over the baked product.

But beware, this Stereo Rose MSF is not entirely what it seems. When compared to the Stereo Rose launched in 2010, the newer version of the product is lighter, and more peach instead of coral colored. Although I do not appreciate MAC launching two 'similar but not really similar' products under the same product name, just because it was such a hype, I do really like this color. It's much more wearable for lighter skin tones than the 2010 Stereo Rose.

I added these comparison swatches from Temptalia.com, just so you can see what the old and the new MAC Stereo Rose look like.

Source: Temptalia.com

From left to right: Stereo Rose (2010), Stereo Rose (2014)

Source: Temptalia.com

Use: I use a light duo-fibre brush to lightly apply it on the cheeks. If not applied carefully, it could look a bit lobsterlike, especially for us fair skinned girls. But the bronze, peachy sheen it gives to your skin is so amazingly beautiful. Perfect for spring and summer!

Price: I purchased this Mineralize Skinfinish for around €28. Not the cheapest product out there, so it was definitely a splurge to purchase this limited edition product. If MAC ever repromotes Stereo Rose, I do suggest to go and swatch it in store. You'll surely fall under its spell.

Conclusion: Although I don't think MAC should've launched this product under the same name, I do really like this product. Apply lightly and you'll look glowy, fresh and summerproof!

What's your favorite spring time cheek product?

xX Anine

Spring fashion haul: Graphic prints

Another spring trend I went crazy for, were the graphic prints. You can't imagine how many pairs of graphic pants I tried on, but sadly they look like pyjama bottoms on me. Recently, my mom showed me a pair of pants she got from H&M. I liked it a lot and weeks later, when we were at H&M together, she pushed me to try on the same pair of pants. Admittedly, I tried it on, convinced that I would look like a clown. I was in utter surprise when I saw this pair of pants and fell in love. And I'm not ashamed to say that I indeed have some clothes the same as my mother! It's nothing to be ashamed of!

I love the cute, but yet modern print of this pair. Because of the cool marine blue color, the white dots don't remind people of an easter egg, which was a fear of mine. I usually fold over the end and wear my blue pumps underneath, which makes me look sophisticated but comfy. Love it. The picture doesn't do it justice.

The next item I purchased back in november, desperately wanting something that was chic and to add something to my closet with a graphic print. It's from Primark and the sides are leather strips, which I adore. It has a nice peplum bottom, which is beautiful for my fuller figure.

An other H&M-item I succumbed to, was this H&M jacket. The print has dark blue, marine blue, white and red in it. It's not meant to wear it closed, it's just supposed to BE, you know. That's what I love about it. The sidepieces in the front of the jacket have a special design and flows on my body-shape like a Valentino-dress. Need I say more.

Last but not least, I got this top from the Conscious collection from H&M. I actually wanted the dress version, but sadly, it didn't suit my body at all (Let's just say my behind looked huge). This top suited me much better and had me falling in love with the beautiful print that makes me feel like I am on an exotic holiday.

These three pieces are probably the three clothing items that I have been most obsessed with these last months!

Spring fashion haul: pastels!

Hey everyone!

Technically it's already spring, but here in Belgium, it's actually snowing. Yeah, you read it correctly. IT'S SNOWING! No wait, it's more like a blizzard... Now don't get me wrong, I love snow, but only when it's being accompanied by christmas songs, a warm fireplace and lots of turkey. But after New Year's Eve, snow is a forbidden form of precipitation in my book.

To try to forget about the snow, I did what every woman does when she feels down. I shopped. I shopped a lot. Spring seemed to be shouting at me and waiting around every corner to jump in front of me and scream "Hey you, buy me, you'll look great!" and I gave in like a purring kitty that just got a furry toy.

The first kind of fashion item that made me go berserk, were pastel colored items. Last year, I was convinced that this trend wouldn't suit me. But this year, I fell in love with the sweet colors that reminded me of macaroons, flowers and taking naps in meadows.

It started out with pants. I know, so innocent. I needed lots of pants, since I had thrown away all my bad pairs and was left with just one very nice pair of Levi's. One pair of pants? That's not livable! I entered the dressing room with a whole stack of pants, thinking I would be incredibly lucky to even find one pair that fitted me. As it turned out, almost every pair fitted me. I bought two pairs of jeggings, two pairs of normal jeans and then the pastel colored pants caught my eye. And I was in love. I bought three pairs, one in a coral-pink color, a sky-blue color and a mint green color. Take a look at these beautiful babies!

All three pairs are from Yessica (C&A). On the way to the cash register I fell in love with this light coral-pink scarf and in my happy buzz I just grabbed it and hopped to the queueing line without thinking about it. Afterwards, I purchased this mint green baggy top at H&M and I got this striped coral-pink knitted sweater at Primark a few months ago.

And last but not least there's this amazing clutch I got at Primark for just three pounds! I think every girl would agree with me that three pounds for this clutch is a STEAL!

What do you think? Are pastel colors the it-trend for this spring and summer? What trend do you prefer?

xoxo
Anine

LUSH Haul

I went  to Lush! Finally! I've heard people rave about this store for so long and finally decided to try out some products. Now, don't get all worked up yet people, I bought most of this stuff for a friend's birthday that is coming up.

When you enter a Lush store for the first time like I did, I can imagine that you get addicted to the amazing smell. "I can't believe I ever lived without this stuff." was my first thought. Okay, that might be a little exaggerated, but it is amazing though. It's perfect if you just want to take a half hour or hour out of your oh-so busy life and just pamper yourself. 

The first product I bought was the Whoosh shower jelly. It might sound funny or icky to some people, but it's basically just hand soap. Only, it's a jelly and not a bar of soap. Come on, how awesome is that? I hope my friend will like it.

The second thing I bought was the Sugar Scrub. The saleswoman said it was very popular since it is famous for decreasing cellulite. Now I'm not so naive to think it would actually work. I just thought a bum and leg scrub sounded fun. It's never bad to have soft skin there, right? I've only used it twice, so I don't know if it's actually working but the skin feels really soft days after using it. 

I bought this Karma bubble bar because I wanted something to moisturize my skin while I bathe, because I tend to bathe a lot. (I love bathing a lot because it's the only personal relaxing moment I have, I usually read a book while I bathe. Now during the exams, I bathe even more because I study the best while I'm in the bathtub. I know, that's weird.) Bathing too much tends to dry out the skin, so that's why I bought this in the scent Orange. It smells sooooo good. You're supposed to break a piece off and crumble it underneath the running water. 

  

And lastly, I bought the stepping stone foot scrub for my friend. She tends to walk around barefoot in summer, even when she's walking on the streets. Not if it's like a high street or something of course. It's supposed to soften the skin of your feet. I'm curious to hear from my friend if it works.




I hope you enjoyed my small haul/mini-review!
See ya! xX