Beauty Maverick

BeautyMaverick x M.A.C

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Back in late February, M.A.C tapped 80+ beauty bloggers to submit their ideal eyeshadow/lipglass formulation for an upcoming capsule collection, which was to be curated by top execs including SVP and Global Creative Director James Gager. Naturally, I had to place a bid.

Fast-forward to April, when 9 of us were gifted with a golden ticket to the brand's original, highly-secure Ontario production facilities. Over the course of two days, mood boards and personal trinkets were transformed into the industry's first-ever consumer-driven collection, Bloggers' Obsessions.

As you might imagine, each M.A.C enthusiast worked alongside an established chemist to create their ideal finish. For Caqui, my aim was to achieve a lip color that's not only original and on-trend, but also buildable and universally flattering.

The result? A juicy, shimmer-free persimmon orange with a subtle, smile-brightening blue-red base.

Available exclusively online, my go-to hue launches June 21 on MacCosmetics.com.

Hope you'll enjoy! xx


Pics of Caqui, my inspiration, the production process & complete collection above. (Interviews, additional images & more available 06/21/11 - 08/02/11 via MacCosmetics.com.)

CHANEL Online Exclusive: Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu

The brand's latest Rouge Coco Shine sheer hydrating lipstick hue, Royallieu — a versatile pinky-rose (pictured above) — is now available on CHANEL.com, for a limited-time only.

Shanghai Fever

From Ralph Lauren's latest showing to late nights at Mr. H, NYFW has left me with a serious craving for all things eastern-inspired.

My fix:

KohGenDo Maifanshi Makeup Color Base in Pearl White
Boasts micronized pearl powders for an optical smoothing and brightening effect.

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Aigle Noir
Delivers a buildable, velvet-black finish w/flecks of gold.

CHANEL Le Vernis in Dragon
A sexy, seasonless apple-red.

Shiseido White Lucent Eye Brightening Treatment
Illuminates instantly, whilst Asian plant extracts work to retexturize skin for brighter, more vibrant eyes.

La Mer The Whitening Essence
An intensive, lightweight treatment that realizes skin's most luminous beauty.

Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Nutrient Mist
Fortifies and replenishes weak, thinning hair whilst providing body, lift and control.

A Declaration of Love

OK, full disclosure here: I wanted to not like this cream. It comes in the kind of excessive packaging – a jar in a pouch in a plastic housing in a box in another box with a cellophane wrapper – that suggests that either

a)   the folks at Sulwhasoo didn’t get planet Earth’s memo about the need to minimize waste and conserve resources

or

b)   their Concentrated Ginseng Cream contains nuclear material, hence the need for inordinate layers of containment.

Also - ginseng is one of my less favorite fragrances. I’d rate it somewhere in between wet dog and that piece of frittata I just discovered in my fridge that I had meant to eat back in early October; not repellent per se, but kind of fascinatingly bad nonetheless.

Having said all that, I admit: this face cream is amazing. Ridiculously good, bordering on miraculous. I love it. My skin looks radiant. Strangers ask what I use on my skin. Friends suspect I may have met someone - my skin has that glow.

I just really, really hope it’s not radioactive.

— Claire

Midnight in the Garden of Good Skin

It seems like only yesterday I was bemoaning how dry, cold weather does a number on my dry, old skin and I’m not getting the kind of response I was hoping for when people ask how I am and I say, “Apart from major organ failure, I’m fine.”

Apparently I’m going to have to one up this guy in the hominid jerky stakes, if I want to elicit even a modicum of sympathy but, thanks to Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, that’s not going to happen. This rich yet lightweight potion contains Squalane and Evening Primrose Oil, which deliver major moisture to the skin.

Applied at night, I was amazed to awaken to soft, hydrated, happy skin and the combination of Lavender, Rosemary, Jasmine and Rose oils means it’ll freshen up any sphagnum bog or peat wetland.

— Claire

Evidens de Beauté Le Masque Spécial

Three words: pores no more.

This luxuriously potent facial treatment purifies, tightens and conceals like nothing else. A stimulating blend of menthol and mentyle lactate combine with the brand's exclusive Triple Collagen complex to invigorate and tone the skin, leaving it smooth, supple and semi-matte.

I've been storing my stash in the fridge, applying it first thing Monday mornings. It's now my favorite way to start the week — especially after an indulgent winter weekend.

Retailer: EvidensdeBeaute.com
Cost: $195.00

Think Pink

Support the cause with any— or all!— of these brilliant beauty buys:

Clarisonic Plus
Quite possibly the best all-in-one cleansing, exfolianting and (thus) anti-aging skincare tool on the market. A must for face and body.

Darphin Intral Soothing Cream
Respects skin's vulnerability as it replenishes skin with essential moisture and helps protect against environmental aggressions.

Shiseido Luminizing Lip Gloss in Pop Life
Intense, pure moisture encapsulated a light, silky formula that's both long-lasting and universally flattering.

Bumble & bumble Spray de Mode
A multi-dimensional styling tool with flexible hold, workability and exceptional memory; Takes heat, re-styling and repeated brushing.

Aveda Pink Ribbon Hand Relief
Soothes dry, chapped hands— leaving them noticeably softer and smoother; Hydrating plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti-oxidants also help to diminish signs of aging.

Essie Nail Polish in Pink is Powerful
Subtle, sheer and oh-so-delicate, Essie's latest creation is one you'll want to wear year-round.

Crave more BCA must-haves? Click here to visit my Lifetime TV beauty blog.

Clé de Peau Soin Intensif

Designed to minimize the effects of everday life, this potent weekly treatment by Clé de Peau works instantly to amplify skin's natural vibrance using a two-piece masque soaked in anti-aging wonders like L-Serine (removes dull surface cells), super bio-hyaluronic acid (reinforces barrier function whilst retaining moisture) and vitamin e (promotes blood circulation).

Soin Intensif is fast-acting, easy-to-use and extremely effective. An absolute must for lackluster skin.

Retailer: BergdorfGoodman.com
Cost: $140.00

Les Khakis de Chanel

In celebration of Fashion’s Night Out, CHANEL is offering a limited-edition collection of three fall-friendly Le Vernis Nail Colours: Khaki Brun, Khaki Vert and Khaki Rose.

(Global Creative Director Peter Philips designed each stunning shade to be worn alone, or combined for an urban chic camouflage effect.)

Available online and in-store September 10.

Retailer: Chanel.com
Cost: $25.00

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser

I adore the ritualistic nature of Eve Lom's classic cleanser, but it's not the most convenient of products when you're tight for time, space or when traveling.
Enter Morning Time.

A convenient, rinse-off, lightweight cleansing balm alternative, this essential is formulated with 100% natural ingredients, including papaya fruit enzymes and carrot oil to revive and awaken skin as it cleanses, gently exfoliates and decongests for a smooth, radiant complexion.

No muslin cloth required. Suitable for all skin types.

Retailer: SpaceNK.com
Cost: $60.00