Blog Sale #2 - Armani Beauty and MAC - Starting Weds, Oct. 15

Hi there!  Thanks for checking out my latest Blog Sale!

If you are not familiar with me, I am abfabjeanius on Makeupalley!  As you can see, I have over 400+ positive tokens.  In the past, I have always swapped, but lately, I've been bogged down with far too many things to use, so I'm hoping to find good homes for them!

Let's get started…

First, the logistics:

1.  If you are interested in an item, please contact me at makejeanup@gmail.com
2.  Once we agree to a sale, I would like to receive payment via PayPal within 24 hours.
3.  On PayPal, I prefer not to have to invoice, as that costs and extra percentage/fee, but we can certainly discuss.
4.  I charge $6 for shipping for the first item.  Each additional item is $1.  (This is for shipping in the US.  Canada and International are on a case-by-case basis.)
5.  I ship via USPS First Class, and will include Delivery Confirmation.  If you require Insurance or any additional services, shipping costs will be extra.
6.  I can usually ship the next day after receiving payment.  (Obviously, barring national holidays and/or Sundays, etc.)
7.  ALL SALES ARE FINAL!  Unfortunately, I cannot accommodate returns or exchanges.  If you need additional pictures or details before we agree to a sale, I can help you out, but after we agree to a sale, and the item is shipped, that's it.
8.  In addition to that, I will package all items carefully, but cannot be responsible for anything lost or damaged by the post office.

Now, for this round of items..
I am crazy for taupes, so I spent quite some time hoarding MAC taupes.  Here are some items from my "vault":

From Left to Right:
MAC Smoke & Diamonds - 90% remaining - no dip - $10
MAC Moth Brown (from Barbie Loves MAC collection) -90% remaining - no dip - $10
MAC Go - 95% remaining - no dip - $10 (will include box)
MAC Warming Trend - 95% remaning - no dip - $10 (will include box)
MAC Hypnotizing - 95% remaining - no dip - $10 (will include box)

Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill silk eyeshadow:

These are lightweight, multi-dimensional, long-wearing pressed shadows.  Really beautiful colors, but I don't reach for them much.
From Left to Right:
Armani Eyes to Kill #8 - used 3X - $23 (will include box)
Armani Eyes to Kill #5 - used 3X - $23 (will include box)
Armani Eyes to Kill #2 - used 3X - $23 (will include box)

Giorgio Armani Beauty Maestro fusion foundation:

One of the best foundations on the market.  The color I have is #4, which would be a good match for a MAC NC20-25.  About 80-85% remaining, as you can see in the picture.  The expiration date is 11/15.  Offering this for $38.

On a sidebar, I also have a GA Maestro Eraser Concealer in #3 (not pictured), if you are interested.  I would say there is about 70% remaining, and I could offer it for $20.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #2:

I don't know why, but my photo makes it look so washed out!  In real life, it is a nice pinky-peach.  This blush is a staple of many makeup gurus and artists alike for the natural flush that it gives.

My Sheer Blush #2 has approximately 70% remaining, and I am offering it for $20.  I will also include the box.

Thanks for looking, and have a beautiful day!

Breakdown for My Profile Pic (bigger pic inside)

This pic was part of a series of different makeup looks I did for a "photoshoot" that Jarrett wanted to do. This looks was supposed to be glowy, very neutral, sort of reminiscent of a Calvin Klein ad. Here, I am wearing:

FACE

Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivoire (which I've reviewed before)

CARGO Liquid Powder in Beige

I got this some time ago as part of a value set from Sephora, but never used it much. When purchased by itself, it retails for $22, which is not cheap. The premise of Liquid Powder is as a multi-tasking product -- a primer, a setting "powder," or as a touch-up "powder." It has an interesting texture, because even though it is a liquid format, it applies with a powdery finish. The finish is matte, but it has lots of shimmer in it (which you can kind of see in this pic) to give the skin some dimension.

Unfortunately, if you are allergic or sensitive to silicones, this may not be for you. Even though this product is oil-free, it has lots of -cones to give it a good amount of slip.

Chanel Bronzer (from the Summer 2009 collection, which I have reviewed before.) This has 4 different colors that you can mix to create darker or peachier shades.

EYES

MAC Eyeshadow in Omega (which I've reviewed before) to fill in the brows. I made the brows a lot thicker than they naturally are.

Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette

This palette contains 6 "nude" colors and retails for $60. What's great about her new palettes and packaging is that everything is interchangeable and refillable. My confidence in BB was restored when I purchased this, as I stopped using her brand some time ago which just didn't seem that interesting to me anymore.

The colors n this palette are:

Navajo (matte bone), Pebble (metallic silvery-taupe), Chino (matte grayish-taupe), Beige Linen (light shimmer khaki beige), Maple Sugar (metallic honey-bronze), Caviar (matte dark, deep brown-black).

The textures are all very smooth, even the metallic ones, and I think this palette is versatile enough to create lots of different work looks and also take those looks into a smokier, night-time look.

Here, I am wearing the Maple Sugar color from lashline to crease, and then under the lower lashlines. I really packed it on, and as you can see, this does not look orangey at all. I also used the Caviar to line the upper and lower lashlines.

Estee Lauder Turbolash Mascara (one of my HG mascaras, which I've reviewed already.)

LIPS

I wanted a really nude lip, but nothing too matte or washed-out looking, and I didn't want to use a gloss. Here, I blended two MAC lipsticks in order to get the effect that I wanted.

MAC Satin Lipstick in Myth

This applies fairly matte, and like other MAC Satin finish lipsticks, can be a bit drying on its own. Myth is an opaque, light peachy-beige color. It's sort of a peachier version of a concealer color, to be quite honest. I like the look, but it shows every little imperfection or line in your lip, which can be frustrating.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme D'Nude

The Cremesheens are quite soft in texture, and the finish is glossier than the Lustre finishes. However, I do find it is less long-lasting on the lips than the Lustres, and there is the same sort of issue where is shows every little imperfection in the lip. Creme d'Nude in tone is pinker than Myth, and is described by MAC as a "pale muted peach beige." In fact, it's quite similar to Myth, just different texture and opacity.

This was fun, and I think definitely a look that I might wear to work.

MAC Daddy

I've greatly reduced the amount of MAC makeup that I own, but there are a few things that I've kept. This eye look is a modified version of an old shadow look that I used to wear in college. (Ahh, the college days...)

I am wearing:

FACE

MAC Face & Body Foundation in C3

This was the first MAC foundation I ever purchased, except the first time I purchased this (about 8 years ago), the sales associate had directed me to C2, which is too pale for me. Since then, I've purchased it in C3. Even though it looks dark when you squeeze it out, it would match NC25-NC35 skin tones.

Face & Body is very reasonably priced, at $32 for a big 4 ounce plastic squeeze bottle, and is available in 11 colors. It is sold exclusively at MAC Pro stores and on the website. It is supposed to be waterproof and transfer-resistant, and can be used on the face or body (hence its name.)

It is water-based, and the consistency actually feels very watery. The coverage is sheer to medium, like maybe a step up from a tinted moisturizer. You don't need to use powder to set it, but just note that the finish is very dewy -- there is no shimmer (unlike Hyper Real), but it does look very realistic-skin... maybe too much so for someone like me who has a super-oily t-zone.

I don't love this foundation, but it's pretty good for daily use and when you don't need a lot of coverage, and you can quickly apply it with your fingers. I've tried using on my legs before, but it does rub off onto clothes, unfortunately.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC20

This retails for $16.50 for a 0.19 ounce glass pot. The container is kind of cumbersome, and the twist-off lid can be annoying if you're used to the convenience of a flip-top lid.

As for the actual concealer, the consistency is very creamy, but not as cakey as the Studio Finish. The coverage is heavy, and can be used on dark undereye circles or on blemishes. It is supposed to be water-resistant and long-wearing, but I do find it can slip around a bit, especially the undereye, if you don't set with powder. Also, for best results, apply with a brush.

MAC Frost Blush in Margin

This blush now retails for $18.50, but I got it at the company outlet for $12.75, which is a more appropriate price, I think.

Margin is a warm-toned peach with golden shimmer. On me, it's a more golden-tawny version of NARS Orgasm. MAC's frost blushes are all kind of too frosty, and this one is no exception. Also, unlike the NARS blushes, or Chanel, they are not as blendable or finely milled.

It's a decent blush, and if you can find it for a good price, I would recommend getting it, especially if you do like peaches. This would be flattering on anyone with a golden undertone, though for darker skintones, it may show up more goldish.

EYES

MAC Matte Eyeshadow in Omega (Used on brows. I have reviewed this already.)

MAC Paint in Bare Canvas

I love using this as a primer. It is a matte, creamy beige color that is slightly lighter than my skintone. The container is annoying (like a tube of oil paint) and messy, but the product inside is great. It really evens out the skin and creates a good surface for shadow.

MAC Satin Eyeshadow in Shale

Retails for $14.50. This is a mauve-plum with just a bit of shimmer. I am wearing it all over the lid. This shadow is pretty versatile, because you can use it on the lid for a soft, smokey effect, or in the crease when paired with a lighter shade. Also, this is really pretty on girls with hazel or green eyes. Like other MAC Satin shadows, it is fairly blendable, and decently pigmented.

MAC Satin Eyeshadow in Shroom

Retails for $14.50. I've purchased this many, many times because it is just so versatile. It is a soft creamy beige with some slight shimmer. In this pic, I am using it on the browbone, but I've used it before in the inner corners, all over the lid as a wash, or even as a highlighter for the cheekbones. As mentioned in the Omega review, it also looks pretty paired with Omega.

MAC Velvet Eyeshadow in Black Tied

Retails for $14.50. I got this in one of the smokey eye holiday palettes a few years ago. It's a black with silver sparkle/glitter. Unfortunately, the glitter doesn't really show up much, and the black of this is not as pigmented as MAC Carbon eyeshadow (which I prefer, but no longer own.) Also, I have to note that if you have sensitive eyes or wear contacts, you will get some glitter fall-out if you use too much of this. In this pic, I am wearing in outer corners and blended along the lashlines.

MAC Frost Eyeshadow in Vex

Retails for $14.50. One of my favorite MAC shadows, because it is so unique. In the pan, it looks like a silvery-beige, but it has a duochrome effect of pink and green pearl. In this pic, I am wearing just a touch in the inner corners to brighten the eyes, but I also love it on the browbone or all over the lid. Two of my favorite looks are: (1) Vex from lashline to browbone and Club - another very original frost shadow - in the crease; (2) Club on the lid, Satin Taupe - another MAC mainstay frost shadow in the crease, and Vex on the browbone and inner corners. Vex works well with greens, plums, and browns.

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

Retails for $15.00. One of the first "gel" eyeliners, Blacktrack applies very smoothly, and is a deep, rich black. The finish is somewhat shiny, akin to a liquid eyeliner. I apply with the MAC #266 angled brush, which works pretty well. My only complaint with this is that it is a little *too* slippery, so you need to have good control when applying. Also, I do find that it does smudge a bit on the lower lashlines. As far as gel liners go, I prefer Bobbi Brown's.

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara (reviewed yesterday) Not MAC, but I didn't have a MAC mascara.

LIPS

MAC Lip Pencil in Subculture (reviewed before - one of my fave nude liners)

MAC Lipglass in Prrr

Retails for $14. This lipgloss gained infamy by purportedly being the favorite of Paris Hilton, but I've been using it off and on for almost 10 years, so she's got nothing on me. It is a light peachy-pink with an icy shimmer. I like pairing it with heavier eye makeup, but it has enough pink in it not to look too washed out with lighter/neutral eyes. As with all other MAC lipglasses, this has a doe-foot wand applicator, and is very sticky/tacky. It *will* give you that dreaded white ring around the mouth effect after a few hours, but overall, it is fairly long-lasting.

If you like light pinks and peaches, definitely give this a try.