CherryTalks: Top 8 MAC eyeshadows to start with

So today I decided that I would talk about what I feel are the best shades to start of your MAC collection, if you decide to start off one (and if you haven't well, that's okay too!)

I'm pretty sure people are going to wonder why I say Top 8 rather than Top 10.  The reason being the pro palette quads - I explained in a previous post (linked here) why I think pro palettes (vs the potted) and the quads (vs the 15 pan palette) are better - and save $$ too.  Obviously 4 may be enough for you (meaning one quad), but I feel like 2 quads will give you enough range to start off with, and be able to do enough looks (plus if you travel, you can bring one or the other, or both!)

Above: my two quads that I use the most (even though it doesn't look like it...hahah, yeah the pans are relatively new since I restocked)

Left quad (clockwise left to right): Blanc Type, Shadowy Lady, Satin Taupe, Naked Lunch

Right quad (clockwise left to right): Shroom, Handwritten, All that Glitters, Woodwinked

CherryReview: My most used MAC eyeshadows

A lot of people always ask that question - what MAC eyeshadows are worth investing in?  While I myself do not own a ton (I currently own 10 with another on the way and possibly a few more to replace that I haven't gotten around to), I have narrowed it down to the few I own/will own (based on usage from a MUA) so that I don't waste my money.  With MAC, it is key to:

a) always go pro - the quad (empty) costs $10 CAD (don't know about the larger version but I prefer the quads because it's easier to travel with and fits better in my drawer dividers - plus the price has gone down) and the pans cost $12 CAD + tax a piece (down $2 from last year, where I bought a pan for $14 CAD + tax), which is a few dollars cheaper than buying individuals.

b) make your money's worth - I've heard people say buy colour you use the most from the drugstore brands and buy "special" colours from MAC.  Okay, there are drugstore brands that can compete with MAC and the price is less steep but in my opinion, if you buy MAC you will technically spend less because there is better pigmentation and you will probably purchase less just because you already spent on MAC and have the right colour (hence the need to choose wisely)

c) buy colours that can work with everything or a lot of the colours you own - when I first started, I got shroom, woodwinked and satin taupe.  Why?  Because I wanted a good highlighter and two colours that could work on their own and separately.  On top if that, I knew that Woodwinked would work with the existing purples from one of my L'Oreal quads, as well as with my matte navy Revlon eyeshadow (I had asked the MUA too)

So here are the 10 eye shadows I currently own - note that I actually don't like one of them, but I'll explain that later.

(Top is without flash, bottom is with flash - these are my three quads (note that two pans are empty) but I only really use the two on the right more)

Colours are - from left to right going clockwise:
Goldbit, Humid, (empty), Li'Lily
Shroom, Handwritten, All That Glitters, Woodwinked
Blanc Type, Shadowy Lady, Satin Taupe, (empty)

CherryReview: Bronzers (Tarte, MAC, Benefit and Too Faced)

I first dabbled into bronzer when I decides that I was getting too pasty white while living in Hong Kong.  Yes, I would avoid the sun in one of the hottest places in Asia just because it was too darn humid outside (and I burned at the beaches...all the time!)  In Hong Kong it wasn't a big thing to wear bronzer because white skin is coveted (it means you are wealthy because you don't have to labour in the sun).  But I was born in Canada and a healthy glow/tan is always better.  I have a small collection of bronzers, so I figured I would do a review on the few that I my opinion on what works (and what doesn't).

Left to Right: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil in Medium, Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Warm Blend

CherryFOTD: office appropriate smokey purple

I decided to step away from my normal neutral look since I am wearing monotone to work today (grey and black) and do something with my favourite colour - purple!

   

(Photos taken by my iPhone...yeah for some reason one eye looks bigger than the other - guess my blending wasn't super good since I was trying to hurry up)

What I'm wearing:
*Grey top from In & Out in HK (has the poofy sleeves and grey rhinestones scattered on the front)
*Black blazer from one of my suit sets (Mastina, brand in HK)
*Heart necklace - gift from bf
*Banana Republic earrings - bday gift from a friend (my bridesmaid!)

CherryReview: MAC pro palette quad - new vs old model

Hello yes I am back!

I know it's been more than 4 months since my last post and I haven't got much of an excuse aside from that I have just been having writer's block on what to review or write about!  I'll be trying to pick back up the pace soon :)

Also - apologies for the poorer quality of photos.  My laptop died and I haven't gotten a new one yet, and my standby one doesn't like reading SD cards (on top of that, I need to figure out how to work Photoshop CS since I lost my PSP8 CDs grrr...).  This post's photos were taken via my iPhone since I was over at my boyfriend's.

Today I'll be talking about the new MAC pro palette quads.  Here is a photo comparison:

(Old on the left, new on the right)

Left is the old version with my existing eyeshadow pans (shroom, woodwinked, handwritten and satin taupe), right is the new one.  The size is essentially the same, although the new one is slightly thicker.