Everyday Fall Makeup

Hey, guys! Hope you are having a great week! Just wanted to update you on some of my favorite makeup items that I use pretty much everyday with a few variations. It's a very fast and simple look that I wear to work. So these are the products:

1. MAC fix+ (I spray my Body Shop kabuki brush with it and then apply my loose mineral foundation - it turns out to be very natural looking)

2. MAC mineralize SPF15 foundation loose in "Extra Light"

3. MAC mineralize SPF15 foundation in NW30 (I contour my face with this darker cream foundation using my MAC 128 brush)

4. Chanel's soleil tan de chanel (add a little bit of this with the same 128 brush by MAC)

5. MAC "Soft Ochre" paint pot as an eye base

6. Giorgio Armani eye shadow in №25 all over the lid (with MAC 252 brush)

7. Bourjois white eye shadow in the corners (same 252 brush)

8. Nars black glitter pencil (it has a little bit of glitter in it, but it actually turns out just black on your eyes) smudged with MAC 219 brush

9. MAC studio fix lash mascara in "Black Fix"

10. Lately I've been loving these lip products - Maybelline color sensational lipgloss in "Freshly Sliced" №150, Nars lipstick in "Roman Holiday" (gorgeous pink), MAC sheen supreme lipstick in "Gotta Dash!" (very nice coral)

xoxo
Alisa

A Little Bit of Everything

Hey, everyone! Hope you all are having a great weekend! Just wanted to make a quick post on some things that I've been loving lately :)

FOTD/HOTD: This is the makeup look that I've been wearing a lot! It is super easy and fast! I hope you like it. 

Almost forgot to tell you about my hair do: I usually don't like braids, but I got some compliments on this hair style and it's so easy and fast as well. I actually am into braids now!

This is what I used:

FACE - pro longwear foundation, studio finish concealer, msf natural, "tenderling" blush (all MAC)

EYES - brow wax by MAC, "bamboom" paint by MAC, shiseido cream shadow in "lemon sugar", "fascinating" eye kohl by MAC, white shadow by bourjois, loreal liquid liner, kiss lashes №026

LIPS - MAC lip gelee (don't know the name, sorry!)

HAUL: I wanted to share with some beauty things that I got and really like

MAC mineralize all-over lotion - love it! use it all the time! this is my third tube!
MAC eyeshadow in "crystal" - pretty light silvery purple
OPI exfoliating cuticle treatment - keeps your cuticles neat and healthy

Duo lash adhesive - it's the best
And I love my new mirror from Stockmann :)

I also wanted to show you my beloved MAC palette. I've been using it a lot lately, I feel like I have to give it a break and use other shadows that I own. It's really cool, because it has colors literally from MAC stores all over Europe, they were like little souvenirs to me :) some of the shadows I depotted myself, some are limited edition. It's not full yet, but I like that I still have some free spots in it. I only have one large palette, because most of my MAC shadows are in a pot form. 

Top row (left to right) - star violet, sushi flower, jest, paradisco, coquette

Middle row - graphology, green-smoke, stately black, electra

Bottom row - crystal, sumptuous olive, too dolly, white frost

RECIPE: I enjoy cooking Chinese lately! Check out these shrimp pot stickers http://www.marthastewart.com/334077/shrimp-pot-stickers-with-sriracha-ginger

I actually made wontons myself too :)

Until the next time, everyone!

Important Day

Hey, guys! I have some exciting news to share with you! So recently I've been asked to be a makeup artist on one of the photoshoots. As I already told you, I'm really into freelancing as a makeup artist, so thanks to my blog, one photographer got interested in my work. Inspite of being very busy lately, especially with teaching, I found time to do my first makeup job :) This was the Julianne Moore look we were going for (the model also has red hair):

Me wearing kinda the same makeup :) My eyeshadows - White Frost, Knight Divine and Print by MAC

What I wore that day (on my eyes - Satin Taupe and Club by MAC):

Shirt - H&M
Pants - Zara
Blazer - Zara
Shoes - Guess
Jewelry - my regular jewelry

My nails - Parlez-vous OPI? by OPI:

The fun part - what I took with me in my train case. Many of you actually requested to post some pictures of my makeup case filled up, so here it is. It's the makeup that was necessary for the particular photoshoot, so there was no need to bring everything with me. 

Hope you enjoyed! If you would like me to make a list of makeup kit essentials, I would totally do it! Take care, everyone!

FOTD: Spring Corals

Hey, my lovely readers! Another FOTD post for you!

What I used:

FACE - MAC mineralize foundation loose in extra light, MAC studio finish concealer (NC15), MAC "tenderling" and "trace gold" blushes

EYES - MAC liquidlast liner in "classic cream" as a base, MAC "all that glitters" eyeshadow on the lid, MAC "wood-winked" and "texture" eyeshadows in the crease and on the lower lash line ("texture" looks kinda orange on me, probably, because I'm very pale, but that's ok, I was going for a warmer look this time), MAC "fascinating" eyekohl (inner corners), Bourjois white eyeshadow (corners, brow highlight), Dior eye pencil in "black", MAC "smolder" eyekohl, Loreal telescopic waterproof mascara

LIPS - Sephora lip pencil №12, Estee Lauder lipstick in "toasted walnut", MAC lipstick in "thrills"

Necklaces - my gold one and a TopShop chain

FOTD: Weekend

Hey, everyone! Just a quick post on my makeup that I wore the previous weekend. It was pretty much the same look on Saturday and Sunday with some small variations. Also, next time I'll take some pictures with my eyes closed so that you can see my eye makeup better, sorry!

This is what I used:

Face - MAC pro longwear foundation (NC15), MAC studio finish concealer (NC15), MAC mineralize foundation (NW30) for contouring, Chanel bronzing powder, MAC "smooth merge" msf

Eyes - Lumene eyebrow pencil in "blond", Shiseido brow gel, MAC greasepaint stick in "brown, now" (I love this!), MAC "fascinating" eyekohl (inner corners), Dior eye pencil in "black", MAC "smolder" eyekohl, Loreal telescopic waterproof mascara, EYESHADOWS - Saturday: MAC "star violet" (lid), MAC "twinks", MAC "folie", Make Up Store "tie" (crease), MAC "white frost" (inner corners, brow highlight), same shadows blended on the lower lash line; Sunday: MAC "jest" (lid), MAC "star violet", MAC "twinks" (crease), MAC "white frost" (corners, brow highlight), same shadows on the lower lash line. I also used my MAC lash curler (forgot to put it in the picture).

Lips - Saturday: Dior lip pencil in "mauve veil", YSL rouge volupte №7 "lingerie pink", MAC dazzleglass in "like venus"; Sunday: Sephora lip pencil №12, MAC "pretty please" lipstick, Sephora lip balm

My clothes - TopShop

Thanks for stopping by, until the next time!

OOTD: Holiday Weekend

Hey, eveyone! 

We have 10 official days off here in Russia - from December 31st to January 10th (we celebrate Christmas on January 7th). Holidays are always great! So one day we decided to spend some fun time with our friends going to the movies and having dinner at T.G.I. Friday's. Here is what I was wearing:

cardigan - H&M
shirt - Guess
shorts - H&M
tights - don't really remember, I'm guessing TopShop
boots - Ecco
necklace - Swarovski
watch - Guess
other jewelry - my everyday jewelry
handbag - United Colors of Benetton

As far as makeup goes, I was wearing pretty much a neutral look (a brown smoky eye with some black eyeliner and some black mascara) with this lovely lipstick that I really like and recommend to all of you - "Lustering" by MAC. I found that I love a lustre finish in MAC lipsticks, you can wear a dark lip color without it being too dramatic.  

I was also wearing my "That's Un-blini-vable!" by OPI. It's so pretty, it reminds me of a liquid rose gold :)

Hope you enjoyed it! 

Looking forward to your comments! 

xoxo

Alisa

My Favorite MAC Eye Shadows

Hey, everyone! I would like to share with you my 10 favorite MAC eyeshadows. It was quite hard to choose 10, but here they are. I love these colors and use them a lot. There's no description of the colors - I think the MAC website has the best description of their products, so you can find it there.  

  

1. Prussian
2. Smut
3. Satin Taupe
4. Club
5. Antiqued
6. Wood-winked
7. Carbon
8. Fig. 1
9. Pink Freeze
10. Motif

What are your favorite eyeshadows? I would love to know :)

Thank you for stopping by!

FOTD: Winter Look

Hey, my dear readers! How was your weekend? 

Just a quick face of the day post for you. Recently I've been wearing pretty much the same makeup everyday, only changing my eyeshadow or not using an eyeshadow at all. And I'm a fan of a brighter lip right now. All in all, I love these products :)

Here is what I used:

Face - Bare Minerals foundation in "fair", MAC studio finish concealer along with this concealer palette that I don't know the name of (Coastal Scents had the same one), MAC "tenderling" and "earth to earth" blushes, Alpha highlighting powder

Eyes - Lumene mineral eyebrow pencil in "blond", MAC "soft ochre" paintpot, MAC "fascinating" eyekohl, MakeupForLife eyeshadow palette, Bourjois white eyeshadow (I don't know the name, the sticker came off, but it's a very nice white color with a little bit of shimmer), Dior eyepencil in "black", MAC "rapidblack" penultimate eyeliner, MAC splashproof lash mascara with MaxFactor false lash effect waterproof mascara

Lips - MAC "beurre" cremestick liner, Chanel "positano" lipshine, MAC dare to wear lipglass in "ban this!"

Thanks for stopping by, until the next time!

Mini Haul - Jeans

Hi, everyone! My husband and I went to check out this new mall that opened recently here in St.Petersburg. Here is my latest haul. I got these H&M jeggings, cause I love legging-type items and I wear them all the time!!! So I thought these would be very comfortable and versatile. Plus they are so inexpensive too :)

We also stopped at TopShop and my hubby purchased me those cool high-waisted skinny jeans. It's my favorite style of jeans right now, I own a few already. I think they are very flattering for my type of figure. So here they are:

1. H&M jeggings
2. TopShop jeans

Oh, and there's a separate MAC store in that mall now, so they sell pro palettes and pan form eyeshadows! Finally! 

Hope you liked it, bye!

My Current Routine

Hey, everyone! I read this in Makeup by Ansa, a lovely blog I follow, and decided it would be fun to share with you my current routine. So here it is:

Face

1. Cleanser

Fresh Line foaming oil blend face wash or MAC cleanse off oil

2. Toner/Lotion

Sometimes I use Fix+ by MAC

3. Serum

Don't use any

4. Moisturizer

MAC mineralize all-over lotion, MAC moisturelush eye cream

5. Facial Mask

Matis energising mask or Mineral Beauty System purifying mud mask

6. Exfoliator

Clinique 7 day scrub cream 

7. Makeup Remover

MAC cleanse off oil

Body

1. Shower Gel/Soap

I like Palmolive shower gels

2. Body Lotion/Cream

Kings&Queens myrrh body butter

3. Hand Cream

I use Lush massage bars

4. Lip Balm/Lip Treatment

Elizabeth Arden lip protectant stick in honey

5. Perfume

Gucci by Gucci

Hair

1. Shampoo/Conditioner

Estel Professional color hair shampoo/The Body Shop honey moisturising conditioner

2. Mask or Other Treatments

I use a lot of products on my hair, but currently I'm loving Lee Stafford bleach blondes moisturising treatment. Even though I don't have bleached hair, it works for me. 

Makeup

1. Foundation

Bare Minerals or YSL matt touch foundation mixed with studio moisture tint by MAC

2. Powder

MAC MSF natural when I use liquid foundation

3. Blush

"Tenderling" by MAC

4. Mascara

MAC splashproof lash

5. Lipstick/Lipgloss

YSL rouge pure № 141 in Pink Satin (I believe that's the name)/"Ban This" dare to wear lipglass by MAC

6. Eyeshadow

"Tan" pigment by MAC

7. Eyeliner

Lancome artliner and Dior eyeliner pencil in Black

P.S. Since my previous post was a lot about food, I wanted to tell you about the meal I cooked recently. It's the recipe by beautiful Dulce Candy. I love Mexican food, so I decided to try this. My tacos turned out really good!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments! Thanks for reading!

MAC Haul

Hey, everyone! Here is a little haul/review post for you. Me, my husband and our daughter went to Budapest for ten days. It's a special place for us, we used to live there for a month two years ago. I will make a whole post on our trip later, but for now - what I've purchased in MAC there. When we got back, I decided to buy some things in MAC here in St.Petersburg.

This is what I picked up in Budapest (swatches are in the same order):

1. Brush Cleanser. I like it so far.

2. Mega-Rich Rigment. As far as I know, it's a discontinued color. I needed a deep gold color and they did have that pigment in a 7.5 g jar, so I was lucky. I adore this product :)

3. Sumptuous Olive Eyeshadow. Very nice green color, looks great with golds and browns.

4. Green-Smoke Eyeshadow. It's just like the color of my eyes, green-grey. I think it will look nice on me.

5. Star Violet Eyeshadow. I wanted this one for a long time. Although it's a bright color, it's very wearable. 

6. Jest. Great highlight.

St.Petersburg MAC (swatches are in the same order):

1. Cleanse Off Oil. As I already wrote, this is probably my favorite MAC product ever. Definitely a must in my skin care routine. 

2. Fling Brow Pencil. I use it all the time, perfect color for blondes.

3. Style Influencer Mineralize Trio. You can create many looks with this little palette. Navy blue is gorgeous. I've been told, In the Groove was the first MAC collection to release mineral shadows with satiny feeling that are very pigmented. They really are different. 

4. Mineralize SPF15 Foundation Loose. I'm out of my Bare Minerals foundation, they don't sell it here, I ordered it online. Now I decided to try MAC's loose mineral foundation. In my opinion, it's very nice. I think it's quite underestimated.  

Hope you found it helpful! See ya!

MAC Questions

Hey, girls! So my favorite makeup brand is definitely MAC! Most of my beauty collection is MAC products. They helped me to become more professional and creative at the same time with my own makeup. I can't say enough good things about the company. Recently I came across these questions about your MAC history :) And I decided to share my answers with you. Hope this helps you find some new stuff to try out!

How long have you been using MAC?

I've always wanted to try their products, but they didn't have a store in my city. About two years ago my husband brought me some MAC presents from Moscow. He was so cute calling me and asking what eyeshadow colors I needed :) He took the picture of his purchase and sent it to me, it was really cool. Here it is, my first MAC haul:

And a few weeks later MAC finally opened in St. Petersburg, so I'm using their products for about two years.

What was your first MAC product?

I remembered that my first MAC purchase was actually Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I got it in Tallinn. 

What's your all time favorite MAC product?

I think Cleanse Off Oil. It's my holy grail skin care product! I'm also loving their eyeshadows and brushes.

What's your least favorite MAC product?

Strobe Liquid Lotion

Do you own a Pro Card?

Unfortunately, I don't. 

Your MAC foundation shade:

NC15

Your favorite MAC foundation:

Mineralize Foundation SPF15

Eyeshadow:

Wood-Winked

Lipstick:

Pretty Please

Lipgloss:

Like Venus dazzleglass

Liner:

Smolder eyekohl and Point Black liquidlast liner (stays on forever and easily removes with Cleanse Off Oil)

Brush:

242 and 187 - the best! Couldn't pick one.

Nail Polish:

Scorcher

Pro Product:

Pro 15 Eye Shadow Palette

Comment on the following MAC product. Have you used them? If so, give feedback.

Prep & Prime Skin:

Wasn't that impressed. Probably because I'm not a huge fan of primers.

Full Coverage Foundation:

Never used

Studio Sculpt Foundation:

Nice foundation if you have dry skin. I also love the packaging.

Face and Body Foundation:

I really liked it. It is very lightweight but gives a nice coverage. Easy to use. 

Mineralize Satin Finish:

Never used, but planning to.

Studio Fix Fluid:

To me it was a little bit drying.

Studio Moisture Tint:

My favorite tinted moisturizer.

Select SPF15 Foundation:

Never used

Select Powder:
Never used

Studio Tech Foundation:

I liked it but I think if you are looking for a liquid to powder compact foundation Mineralize Foundation SPF15 is the best.

Studio Fix Powder:

It was ok for me in the summer but in the winter my skin was too dry for it.

Mineralize Foundation SPF15:

As I mentioned, my favorite MAC foundation. Has great ingredients and blends nicely. I use my 130 with it. You can get darker shades for contouring.

Mineralize SPF15 Foundation Loose:

Never used, but it's on my wish list.

Beauty Powder:

Didn't get a chance to get one, so never used.

Sculpt and Shape Powder:

Never used

Blot Powder:

Never used.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:

I love mineral makeup in general. My skin feels great when I use mineral products. And I use MSF Natural in Light everyday as my setting powder. Sometimes I wear it in the summer as my foundation, I buff it in with my kabuki. I also own MSF Natural in Medium Dark and use it as an all-over bronzer. Too bad the powder doesn't have a mirror though.

Mineralize Skinfinish:

I absolutely love them! I own 3: Gold Deposit, Soft and Gentle and Smooth Merge. I like Gold Deposit as a bronzer, Soft and Gentle as a highlighter and Smooth Merge can be used as a blush and as a hightlighter as well. They are so pretty on the skin!!! You can also use them as eyeshadows!

Bronzing Powder:

I owned one in Refined Golden and it was a very nice shade.

Powder Blush:

I own a few of them, my favorite for the moment is Trace Gold. I'm a fan of bronzy shades.

Blushcreme:

Never used

Mineralize Blush:

I love them. They are like mini MFS versions. I have Earth to Earth - gorgeous bronze color with a tint of purple.

Cream Color Base:

Great multi-purpose product. My favorite is Shell.

Beauty Powder Blush:

Never used, but heard good reviews.

Studio Sculpt Concealer:

I like it. Creamy and easy to blend. Nice packaging (actually I love MAC packaging in general).

Select Cover-Up Concealer:

Never used.

Select Moisturecover Concealer:

I think it's the best, it is so moisturizing and lightweight.

Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer:

It covers everything, but it is too drying. Works if you have to take pictures.

Lip Erase:

Never used, but would like to try.

Tinted Lip Conditioner:

Never used.

Lipstick:

Love these. Amazing shade range, different finishes. I think MAC has the best nude lip colors. I love Myth and High Tea. Snob is my favorite pink and Diva is one of my favorite dark matte colors.

Lipglass:

Love them. Favorite of the moment - Nice to be nice from the hello kitty collection.

Dazzleglass:

I only own one in Like Venus and I really like it! Stays on your lips for a long time.

Cremesheen Glass:

Never used

Lip Gelee:

Very nice glosses. Not sticky and smell nice.

Lip Liner:

I love MAC lip liners. Cremestick Liners in Beurre, Summerfruit and Pink Treat are my favs.

Solar Bits: 

A lot like MAC pigments.

Lustre Drops:

Great liquid highlighter. I also like to mix it with my foundation for some glow.

Nail Lacquer:

I heard different reviews on MAC nail polishes, but the ones that I own are really nice - don't streak and last a long time.

Shadestick:
Love these as eyeshadow bases or on their own. Like the color Taupographic. I also enjoy greasepaint sticks.

Paint:
I own Bamboom. Can work as a base or as an eyeshadow. Nice neutral color. The pachaging is cute.

Paint Pot:
Great eyeshadow bases, nice range of colors. I use Quite Natural on my eyebrows, by the way (with 208 brush).

Eye Shadow:
Can't say enough good things about MAC eyeshadows. For me, they are the best!

Pigment:
I love using pigments, I own two of them. It is probably the most versatile product that MAC offers. Tan is my favorite color. You can even make a nail polish color out of them!


Mineralize Eye Shadow:

They are really nice, especially when you use them wet.

Glitter:
Never used

Eyekohl:
I love Smolder and Fascinating. They are so soft, perfect for the waterline.

Chromaline:
Never used

Fluidline:
Love them as liners and as eyeshadow bases.

Liquidlast Liner:
I own Point Black and it's great; intense inky black color. I also own Classic Cream, you can use it as an eyeshadow base - your shadows will never crease.

False Lashes:
Never used

Mascara:
I love Splashproof Lash, it's waterproof, lasts all day, holds the curl nicely.

Eye Brows:
I use this self-sharpening brow pencil in the color Fling. It's great.


Perfume:
Never used

Your favorite MAC collection:
I liked BBR, the brushes were amazing. I also loved Hello Kitty, Naked Honey (High-Light Powders were great), Warm&Cozy (mainly for Mineralize All-Over Lotion) and To the Beach (lovely products, colors and packaging). I think my favorite is To the Beach.

I would like to tell you about some other MAC products that I love:
- Belightful iridescent powder. It is such a pretty pearl color with golden shimmer. Perfect highlighter. Also it has a mirror.
- MAC Skincare products. As I mentioned, I absolutely love Cleanse Off Oil. I also use Mineralize All-Over Lotion and I really like it. Studio Moisture Cream is good for winter and Moisturelush Eye Cream is good for undereye area.
- Pro Palettes. I love 4 eyeshadow palettes for traveling and 15 shadow palettes for keeping shadows organized on my vanity.
- Lash Curler. It's great!
- Makeup Bags. I own 3 of them and I love them.
- Fix+. I like to take it with me to freshen up my makeup during the day. It's also great for using eyeshadows wet.
- And of course, BRUSHES! I think I own almost all of them. Yeah... I love makeup :)

I really hope you found it helpful! And what are your favorite MAC products? Thanks for stopping by! 

Summer Style Tips

Hello, everyone! Here are a few of my summer beauty and fashion secrets! Hope you enjoy and find them helpful :)

When I want to look sexy...

I usually wear cleavage-flaunting clothes, especially dresses. I think, they look good on me!

In the summer I can't live without...

A pair of nice sunglasses. You have to protect your eyes!

I can't stop buying...

Bags and purses. In the summer, winter, pretty much all year round :)) When I go shopping, a new purse is usually never on my list because I own so many, but I always end up getting one, haha!

The key to great summer hair is...

To try not to use much heat styling tools on it. Also a good hair cut in the beginning of the summer is a must for me, I have long hair but I like to give it a shape.

My self-tan secret weapon...

It is actually MAC To the Beach Bronze Body Oil. It's not a self-tanner, but I don't usually use self-tanners and I find that this product gives my skin a little bit of a tan, it also moisturizes and makes your skin glow. Perfect for summer!

One beauty lesson I've learned...

I really like Lush Massage Bars to moisturize my skin. I used to use body lotions, but I felt that they didn't do anything for me. Massage Bars contain natural oils, your skin feels amazing afterwards.

When I'm looking for a bargain...

I go to Zara. It's the closest clothing store from where I live and they usually have good deals.

I love my...

Hair. I'm a natural blond and I never want to change my hair color. I used to put some highlights and lowlights in it to give it some dimension, but I haven't done that in a while and right now I'm loving my natural haircolor! I really enjoy wearing my hair down in the summer!

Happy summer, ladies!

Follow my blog with bloglovin