M.A.C. Cosmetics – Fabulous Forever Blog

05
Jun
2017

Fabulous Links of the Week

categories: Fabulous Links, Hair, Makeup

I was in a reflective mood…

It was my birthday week. I’m another year wiser! (I hope.) While I was turning the page on another year, Mariah Carey announced her beauty line is definitely happening and Selma Blair shut down the shamers of her gray roots.

Apparently, Mariah Carey and her manager Stella Bulochnikov are starting a beauty line, complete with it’s own brick-and-mortar store in Beverly Hills. Hopefully, it will launch in time for the holidays when “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is on repeat. Mariah’s collaboration with M.A.C. was such a success, I can’t wait to check it out. (New York Post) (Allure)

Selma Blair? #grayhairdontcare! Blair took to Instagram to clap back in the best way at those daring to throw shade at her peek-a-boo roots. What’s a little gray among friends? (Allure)

This week on the blog, I reviewed DermaE’s Vitamin C Skincare Collection.

This year, I’m doing the Eyecandy Project 52 photography challenge. Every week, we have to take a picture inspired by a prompt, such as From Above. Some prompts are relevant to the time of year, some are more evergreen. I’ll post my more successful efforts here about once a quarter. Check out the Q1 highlights here.

Be sure to subscribe to Fabulous Forever using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to follow me on social media. Here’s my Twitter and Instagram. I’m on Snapchat at clobuono. And don’t forget to like the Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

13
Mar
2017

Fabulous Links of the Week

categories: Fabulous Links, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

Up & Out Blow Out Bar near me always has the best signs!

Brrr…We’re bracing for an epic snowstorm here in NJ. But on to more important things. M.A.C. fans and Ulta shoppers celebrate, Hillary Clinton has a new look that has the Internet going crazy, and Birkenstock is dropping a skincare line, in this week’s Fabulous Links!

M.A.C. is coming to Ulta online and in stores in May and June. In time for all your wedding season needs! (WWD) And p.s. You can now get nyakio skincare at Ulta, too. I am still obsessed with nyakio Hydrating Face Oil with Kola Nut! (I don’t see it available anymore, but they have three other oils to try: a brightening oil with marula and neroli, a maracuja and yangu soothing oil, and a manketti and mafura anti-aging oil)

Hillary Clinton got new hair (with bangs!), and the World Wide Web approves! I like this look on Charlotte and Aden’s grandma! (Huffington Post)

You loved their sensible sandals, now try their…skincare?! Birkenstock, the German brand known for their hippy-ish, cork-soled sandals, announced this week it is dropping a skincare line. The products contain suberin, a substance in cork oak extract with anti-aging effects. Since the brand has been working with cork for about 240 years, maybe they know what they’re talking about. Look for Birkenstock Cosmetics this fall. (WWD)

This week on the blog, I reviewed Alastin Skincare. Once the snow gets going, I’ll post The Essence of My Neighborhood photo essay I did for photography class.

This year, I’m doing the Eyecandy Project 52 photography challenge. Every week, we have to take a picture inspired by a prompt, such as From Above. Some prompts are relevant to the time of year, some are more evergreen. I’m thinking I’ll post my more successful efforts here about once a quarter. Wish me luck!

Be sure to subscribe to Fabulous Forever using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to follow me on social media. Here’s my Twitter and Instagram. I’m on Snapchat at clobuono. And don’t forget to like the Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

29
Aug
2016

Fabulous Links of the Week

categories: Fabulous Links

Sample swag from IBE NY 2016!

Cool girl makeup brands, M.A.C.’s collab with a real cool Cookie, the passing of a fashion pioneer, beauty from the maker of your fave scented candles, and a reaallly weird sunscreen, in this week’s Fabulous Links!

If you favor small, quirky makeup and skin care brands, check these out. (Byrdie)

The Cookie Monster herself, Empire‘s Taraji P. Henson, has collaborated with M.A.C. on a new collection, coming out the first week of September. iCal alert! (Allure)

French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel passed away this week. She was known for beautiful knitwear and the “poor boy” sweater worn by style icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot back in the 60s. (NY Times and Allure)

Diptyque, maker of cult-fave scented candles, has come out with a skin care line that supposedly smells as awesome as its candles. Just FYI. (Allure)

KFC has come out with a fried chicken-scented sunscreen. I’ll leave that right here. (Allure)

This week on the blog, I gave an update on my Essie Gel Setter manicure and shared some pics from the Indie Beauty Expo NY.

Be sure to subscribe to Fabulous Forever using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to follow me on social media. Here’s my Twitter and Instagram. I’m on Snapchat at clobuono. And don’t forget to like the Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

08
Aug
2016

Fabulous Links of the Week

categories: Fabulous Links

Ocean view from Allenhurst Beach Club

L’Oreal’s new UV patch, the one and only Troy Surratt, and the surprising inspiration for M.A.C.’s latest launch, in this week’s Fabulous Links! (And how gorgeous is the sunset view from the boardwalk in my hometown, Allenhurst, NJ?)

L’Oreal’s new My UV Patch monitors UV exposure to keep you from getting fried. Pure genius! (Gadgets and Wearables)

I had the honor of hearing celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt speak at The Makeup Show NYC a few years ago. He is brilliant, and can do my makeup any time! (Racked)

M.A.C.’s latest collection is inspired by ….bowling?! Like The Dude, we abide. (Allure)

This week on the blog, I reviewed the Soy Face Cleanser and the Rose Face Mask from Fresh.

Be sure to subscribe to Fabulous Forever using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to follow me on social media. Here’s my Twitter and Instagram. I’m on Snapchat at clobuono. And don’t forget to like the Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

28
Feb
2016

Fabulous Links of the Week: Academy Awards Edition

categories: Fabulous Links

Kiehl’s Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

What to know before you get Botox, a new M.A.C. collaboration, the step missing from your hair care regimen, the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, and the most unforgettable Academy Awards beauty moments in this week’s Fabulous Links!

Thinking of getting Botox? The Zoe Report got a top derm to answer your FAQs. (Zoe Report)

Caitlyn Jenner and M.A.C. announced their collaboration on a limited edition lipstick, available online April 7. (M.A.C. Culture blog)

Apparently, scalp exfoliation is important. Who knew?! I bought the Kiehl’s scalp exfoliator mentioned in the article, and I promise to report back. (Zoe Report)

You may have heard about the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, claiming that a woman developed terminal ovarian cancer after long-term use of it’s talc-based baby powder and Shower to Shower products. (Reuters)

Looking back on Oscar’s best beauty moments. Because Oscar. (Glamour)

Oh, and this week, I gave bliss spa’s new fabgirl leave it to cleavage a try.

Be sure to subscribe to Fabulous Forever using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to follow me on social media. Here’s my Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forget to like the Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

16
Dec
2015

Holiday 2015 Gift Guide

categories: Hair, Makeup, Miscellaneous, Skincare

I was trolling the Web for holiday gift guide ideas this weekend. (OK, so the gift ideas were actually for me, and I was wasting time after yoga until the Jets-Giants game started. But at least I’m honest.) I found some great things that the beauty junkie in your life would appreciate.

Almost everything is less than $100! (The one-year Birchbox and Birchbox Man subscriptions are $110.) Many items are less than $75. I tried to include things at different price points.

Makeup

How adorable are these Charlotte Tilbury Mini-Lipstick Charms?

And these M.A.C. “Irresistibly Charming” mini lip gloss sets come in nude, pink, and violet.

If you’ve got a rock chick on your list, she’ll love the UD x Gwen eye shadow palette from Urban Decay.

The bareMinerals blush and eye shadow wardrobe has everything she’ll need, in colors that flatter everyone.

Nails

Empire fans will love this nail polish set from Deborah Lippmann, with colors inspired by the Cookie Monster herself.

And how gorgeous is the Deborah Lippmann Roses In the Snow Nail Color Duo?

Or maybe she’s a fashionista. She’ll love this Allure for butter LONDON Nail Lacquer Set.

I love the colors in the butter LONDON RSVP Set. They’re perfect all year round, actually.

For the girl who likes to change up her polish color, how about butter LONDON’s Twelve Months of Manis set?

Skin

The masks in this Glossier Mask Duo are supposed to be amazing.

I love the Wonderglow Instant Soft-Focus Beauty Flash Primer in Charlotte Tilbury‘s The Gift of Goddess Skin Travel Set. And I have heard good things about the Goddess Skin Clay Mask and Charlotte’s Magic Cream.

For a few more dollars, you could get Charlotte’s The Gift of Red Carpet Skin Travel Set, which has the mask, primer, and Magic Cream, and also includes Multi-Miracle Glow, Supermodel Body body contouring cream, and Take It All Off makeup remover.

Makeup Brushes

If it’s makeup brushes she needs, how great are these “Enchanted Eve” travel-size brushes from M.A.C.?

Hair

The Living Proof “Happy Hair Days” Collection includes the Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo I love. A “No Frizz” Discovery Set and a “Restore” Discovery Set are also available.

Every beauty editor will tell you how great Moroccanoil Treatment smells. So any woman will love the Hydrating Travel Kit or Volume Travel Kit. Each kit includes a shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and either Moroccanoil Treatment or Treatment Light.

Can’t decide? A gift subscription to Birchbox will let her discover new favorites.

For Him

The guys on your list might like this Kiehl’s Manmade Essentials Starter Set.

A gift subscription to Birchbox Man keeps him thinking of you after the holidays are over.

Here are links to the complete gift guides from Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta.The options are endless.

I mentioned trying to include budget-friendly ideas, but if you are the type who goes big or goes home, here’s Rachel Zoe’s luxury beauty gift guide. That UD eye shadow vault? Drool.

What are you hoping for this holiday season? Happy Holidays! xoxo

Before I forget, Fabulous Forever got a makeover just in time for the holidays! Be sure to subscribe using the form on the top right of the homepage, and use the social sharing buttons below the form to spread the word. And like the new Fabulous Forever Facebook page!

20
Oct
2015

Makeup: Dream Beauty Collaborations

categories: Makeup, Miscellaneous

Last week, M.A.C. announced its collaboration with designer and Project Runway judge Zac Posen. And a few weeks ago, Urban Decay said it was teaming up with Gwen Stefani, while M.A.C. said the face of its 2015 holiday campaign was Mariah Carey. So when I saw this slide show about dream beauty collaborations on teenvogue.com, of all places, I decided to play along.

My number one dream collaboration would be Diane von Furstenberg and NARS. Diane did have an eponymous makeup collection back in the day. She also loved doing her makeup, and that of other women. As she writes in her book, The Woman I Wanted to Be, “I loved sitting on the sink in my bathroom with my feet in the basin to be close to the mirror and play with my face. I loved applying the makeup on others, too.”

And Diane loves travel, particularly adventure travel, so I’d love to see what exotic location inspired the colors in the collection. Finally, considering her way with prints, Diane would definitely come up with a very cool design for the packaging.

I’ve been thinking about Donna Karan, too. She just came out with a new book, My Journey, and recently stepped down as head of Donna Karan International. Maybe now she’ll have time for a collaboration with, possibly, M.A.C.? Starting with her “seven easy pieces” in the 80s, Donna has defined how women have dressed for work. A M.A.C. x Donna Karan collaboration featuring soft, more neutral colors would take you to the office and then out to happy hour.

My final pick is Victoria Beckham, so I love Teen Vogue‘s idea of Urban Decay and the Spice Girls. With their pop music roots, Beckham and the Spice Girls are just edgy enough for Urban Decay. And 90s-era brown lipstick is making a comeback, so maybe they could include one. I’d buy it.

Now its your turn. What are your dream beauty collaborations? I can’t wait to read about them in the comments!

p.s. Here is a sneak peak of the UD x Gwen eye shadow palette posted to Urban Decay’s official Instagram!

This is way too exciting to keep under wraps! 15 of @gwenstefani's can't-live-without shades in one eyeshadow palette. #udxgwen #gwenstefani #urbandecay

A photo posted by Urban Decay Cosmetics (@urbandecaycosmetics) on Oct 19, 2015 at 6:20pm PDT

18
Oct
2015

Fabulous Links of the Week

categories: Fabulous Links

Its definitely apple picking season!

M.A.C.’s new collaboration with none other than Zac Posen, tips for a more restful sleep, celeb derm Nicholas Perricone’s anti-aging regimen, an enzyme that could hold the secret to aging skin, Taraji P. Henson’s empowering hair moment, the return of 90s-era brown lipstick, and Birchbox’s new line of makeup in this week’s Fabulous Links.

Hello designers! M.A.C. just announced a collaboration with Project Runway‘s Zac Posen. [Allure]

I met Candice Kumai at the Biossance launch party. Love her! Here, she shares her best sleep tips. [Well + Good]

How famous dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone fights aging. He must be doing something right. [The Cut]

Blocking this enzyme could prevent wrinkles. Keep your eye on Granzyme B going forward. [Allure]

Taraji P. Henson called this photo with her natural hair “inspiring.” I call it beautiful. [Glamour]

The brown lipstick we rocked in the 90s is back! Here’s how to wear it in 2015. [Allure]

Birchbox just launched its own line of makeup pencils. So pretty! [Glamour]

20
Sep
2015

Makeup: NYFW SS16

categories: Makeup

Shop girls and their clients at Mansur Gavriel SS16

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week just ended. The #NYFW and #SS16 hashtags were all over social media and slideshows were posted all over the Internet. My favorite makeup looks from the runway were retro-inspired, with a nod to the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Badgley Mischka

The MAC color chart for Badgley Mischka SS16

For Badgley Mischka, makeup artist Tom Pecheux created what he told WWD was a “young, but very rich look,” inspired by 50s-era socialites in Argentina. Instead of blush, Pecheux applied M.A.C. Cream Colour Base in Crevasse below the cheekbones for a sculpting effect and a cream highlighter on top of the cheekbones for a glow. He swept a pink-and-gold flecked shadow over the lids.

To create a classic red lip, Pecheux mixed Rich and Restless and To Matte With Love. I love a timeless, French It Girl red lip! M.A.C.’s Ruby Woo and Russian Red are cult faves.

Mansur Gavriel

NARS Director of Global Artistry James Boehmer described the Mansur Gavriel show as taking place in the accessories department of a high-end store, done in pastel hues and complete with “shop girls” and “clients.” Gavriel’s SS16 collections featured textiles from Alexander Girard, a late 50s/early 60s-era interior designer and architect. “To reference the 60s without being too literal, we did chunky ‘Twiggy’ lashes and a fresh blushed look on the clients,” Boehmer said in a press release.

Shop girls at Mansur Gavriel SS16

The shop girls’ makeup is so Mad Men. To create their look, Boehmer used NARS’s new Audacious mascara and Velvet Lip Liner in El Agua and Audacious lipstick in Dominque.

MIchael Costello

The look at Michael Costello SS16

For his show, Costello wanted a look inspired by 70s decadence, NARS International Lead Makeup Stylist Uzo said in a press release. The makeup was reminiscent of a pool party at Studio 54. “We loved the idea of a mod icy-pink lip paired with shimmery eyes and soft, illuminated skin,” said Uzo. On the cheeks, she used NARS Illuminator and the Multiple in Copa Cabana (Laguna Illuminator and South Beach Multiple for darker skin tones), and Dual-Intensity Blush in Craving and Jubilation.

On the eyes, she used NARS Dual-Intensity Blush in Adoration and Jubilation (Panic for darker skin tones), and Tarvos Dual-Intensity Eye Shadow. Tarvos will be available next spring, but you can use Duo Eye Shadow in Vent Glace for now.

For the bold lip, Uzo used NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Santa Monica Boulevard and sheer lipstick in Roman Holiday.

Diane von Furstenberg

Who doesn’t think of the 70s and the wrap dress when they think of Diane von Furstenberg? The woman is elegance with a dash of cool personified. The look at her show was inspired by a pre-Raphealite painting of the Goddess Fortuna and the first time Diane wore her hair curly for a night at Studio 54, according to WWD. Lead makeup artist Pat McGrath took her cue from a butterfly wing to create a rich, blue-green aquatic eye. A tip: McGrath wet a flat eye shadow brush with water to give the colors more intensity.

Check out the New York Times slideshow of the DVF SS16 presentation and a how-to for the eye makeup from Allure.

What were your favorite looks from the runways?

17
Feb
2015

Frozen Photo Shoot

categories: Uncategorized

A fave pic from the shoot

On Friday, I kicked off the long weekend by having pictures taken for my online dating profile. My current pics needed an update. The photographer, German, and I did manage to get a few good shots, even though it was near record-low temps in New York City. I did my own makeup for the shoot, and here’s what I used. I think its a good look for date night.

I prepped my face with 3W Clinic Collagen makeup base, which I got in the Memebox Collagen Box. It has a greenish tint to neutralize dark circles. Try Smashbox Photo Finish Photo Finish Adjust Color Correcting Foundation Primer. I followed that with Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream.

I filled in my brows with the Lancome Le Crayon Poudre Brow Powder Pencil. Since one end is a spoolie, it’s easy to keep your brows looking perfectly groomed at all times. I lined my upper waterline with Buxom Insider Eyeliner in Chocolate Citrine and my lower waterline with my all-time favorite, M.A.C.’s Eye Kohl pencil in Teddy, a bronzy brown. The Technakohl Liner from M.A.C. in Brownborder is pretty close to Chocolate Citrine.

Then I used the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eye Palette in The Uptown Girl. I love Charlotte’s eye palette, which I got for Christmas. It’s color-coded, so its user friendly. To complete the look, I used Maybelline Volum’Express The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara. Best. Mascara. Ever. The dual-ended brush lets you get at the lower lashes to really open up your eyes.

On my lips, I layered Lancome Glossimer in Giggle over Clinique’s Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Curviest Caramel. This combo is a longtime favorite of mine. The colors compliment each other nicely, with Giggle giving my lips a hint of pink and just enough moisture to last through anything. I’m thinking Lancome Lip Lover Dewy Color Lip Perfector in Casse-Noisette is a close match for Giggle.

BTW, if you are looking to jump start your digital love life, I highly recommend Laurie Davis and her team at eFlirt Expert. Online dating can be awkward, but Laurie and Co. put me right at ease and patiently answer all of my questions. They are also excellent decoders of text and e-mail strings from your matches. You might say they speak fluent “flirting”!

Online dating photo shoot

A photo posted by Charlotte LoBuono (@clobuono) on Feb 17, 2015 at 8:43am PST

Posts Tagged ‘M.A.C. Cosmetics’