And Benefit offered to give you all of them in a box set for $30?
You’d obviously take the second choice wouldn’t you?
Benefit is gifting us this Holiday Season with the Benefit Powder Pop Set (As originally seen on Kiss and Make-Up). And I do mean GIFT! This is a steal at $30 bucks! Grab yourself some Hula, Dandelion, and Dallas plus a mini brush all in one cute box!
Benefit Powder Pop Set
Benefit is slowly healing my emotional wounds from past purchases! I may not need therapy after all.
MAC Beauty Powders in Micro Pink and Natural Flare
Yay!
I ended up purchasing two of the eights colors and I know at least four more of the colors that are on my wish list!
Ok these confuse me slightly as I thought MAC had previously released a similar product. The other reason I am puzzling would be I am unsure if these are being released via MAC anytime soon or if these are a MAC Pro exclusive. I thought I had seen something about the release being with the Holiday goodies but I am too lazy to go looking at the moment So don’t quote me on that!
I ended up with Micro Pink and Natural Flare both of which I am very happy with! Micro Pink should probably be kept with the fair skin group because it may appear slightly chalky on a deeper skin type and Natural Flare is good for all skin types in my opinion.
I guess if you took a Mineralized Skinfinish and you cracked it up into finely milled powder and added a little sparkle you’d have a MAC Beauty Powder. Maybe it’s me but that is what I am getting in terms of finish and texture on my face! Which is great because who doesn’t want a loose powder format of Mineralized Skinfinish right? Plus sparkle? I’m all over that!
For those of you yelling boo at the sparkle have no fear it’s a very natural finish and you’re not going to look like you’re ready for a night in a club or anything remotely glittery and loud. It applies with a nice, even finish and the sparkle is there but barely noticeable. These remind me of Bare Escentuals Rose Gossamer Powder for some reason!
MAC Micro Pink Beauty Powder and Bare Escentuals Rose Gossamer
I used Natural Flare this morning with a peach blush and it really made my blush pop up a little. It also made my blush a bit more subdued and natural looking!
Excuse the crummy eye make-up! Last few days I feel like I’m rushed in everything I do So disregard the mucked up eyeshadow and concentrate on the gorgeous look Natural Flare gave my cheeks!
I normally reserve my 187 for applying Mineralized Skinfinish but it dipped happily into my pot of Natural Flare this morning and worked wonderfully to apply the powder! I think the 187, 188, or a small kabuki would be great for application! If you want more of a loose effect I’d try applying with a puffier brush such as the 129.
Overall, I’d say nab a few of these to add to your collection because they are quite good! I’m loving the two I got and hopefully will get the others that I’m currently wanting!
These are available via Phone from MAC Pro or if you happen to live near a MAC Pro store you can hop right in and purchase them for $21 USD.
My camera doesn’t pick up swatches well and Micro Pink looked like I had nothing on however it did ok with Natural Flare.
If I may, allow me to introduce you to a wonderful little Japanese Brand entitled Canmake.
Canmake is pretty much the bottom of the line in regards to cosmetics. It’s a cheap and cheesy little brand that packs a baby punch of goodness
It’s cute, usable, and inexpensive. If you’re on a budget we are heading into the land of sweet cosmetics that will cost you a few dollars and leave you left over money for lunch! Yay! Canmake kinda reminds me of a time when I was 10 or 11 and Bonnie Bell was the epitome of fine cosmetics and if you had a lipgloss from Bonnie Bell you were the height of fashion, style, and sophistication (or maybe that was just me feeling this way hmmm).
MuseTV Presents: A Spotlight On Canmake Cosmetics
Canmake has both an English and a Japanese site. For some odd reason or another I enjoy visiting the Japanese site more than the American site, don’t ask me why, we’ve already established I could be mental. Canmake’s site is pretty darn helpful as they have diagrams for application all over the bloody place! I love user friendly sites don’t you? This isn’t something you’ll find in any brand stateside so enjoy the helpfulness of the Japanese and take advantage of the great tutorials and how to’s on some of these sites because I personally find them very helpful and just awesome!
Canmake has a HUGE catalog of goodies and I only have a few of the items they carry! The entire line is pretty darn big. They carry a little bit of everything. Glosses, Blushes, Skincare, Perfume, Etc…
One item that I failed to mention in my video that deserves a good healthy rave would be the Cheek Gradation. Basically this is a highlighter not a blush, which means don’t try wearing it by it’s lonesome, it’s not nearly pigmented enough to make any difference on a bare skinned face. Apply your blush and afterwards apply the Cheek Gradation of your choice and Presto! Chango! You’ll glow and elude a soft dewy look! Yum!
The Gradations I’ve used are 01, 04 (we’ll take more about 04 in a second), and 02. Basically the Gradations give me a soft sparkle after using my blush and a cheaper Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick effect. I liked all the ones I have but my favorite would be the limited edition color 04. I don’t normally like a bronzed look and 04 gives the appearance of being a somewhat bronzy color however, upon using it, you’ll find out that it’s the most pigmented of all the Gradations that Canmake makes. It could possibly be used alone as a blusher (I haven’t tried that yet). 04 oringally started out as a limited edition shade but my little eye spies it on both the Japanese and the American site so if you have the means try and grab this gem! The Cheek Gradations run about $7 bucks each and hey if you’re really wanting a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick but the price seems just a little too much right now…spend $7 and get yourself a Canmake Cheek Gradation and call it a day The Muse loves them and recommends them fully!
Canmake Cheek Graduations
01, 04, and 02
Canmake makes quite a few different shadows, most of which I’ve tried. Sadly, you can’t expect too much from a Canmake shadow. Shadows are a good texture but they are very, very sheer depending on which shadow series you end up purchasing!
The first shadows I’ll discuss are the Eye Nuanace Trios. These are tiny circular palettes that include three very workable shades! I should say that if you aren’t a fan of pigmented shadows or you like a sheer, no nonsense, minimalist look, these are great! I’ve used these on many occasions when I am just not up for a full on eye makeup look! The trios always have colors that work well together so if you enjoy colors that are neatly organized you’ll love these! I have six of these and my favorite of the lot is 11. The combos of green and yellow are just lovely and it goes on for a pretty nice look!
Canmake Eye Nuance
03, 14, 11, 12, and 09
Oooo this guy got left out of the group picture my mistake Canmake Eye Nuance in 15
Overall, I’d say for around $5 you get what you pay for. If you have the means to get them do add them to you cart however, don’t pay more than retail for them! That’d be a waste!
Next up on the eyeshadow line would be a favorite of mine, the Metallic Eyes single shadows. These little guys are great! They pack a nice sparkle to them and are pretty nicely pigmented for the price of $4.50 or so! I use these as a highbrow highlighter or an all over color wash. They go on pretty heavy with the first stroke and you can build the intensity as little or as much as you like! I give these a high recommendation because they do exactly what they promise!
Canmake Metallic Eyeshadow
01, 11, and 08
Another that falls into my favorite list is the Glitter Eye palettes. These are pretty cute palettes. What I failed to mention earlier is the packaging these all come in is really tiny and small so it makes great for toting around! Now the Glitter Eye palettes are a favorite however, you have to be aware that some colors are more pigmented and others are very sheer. These are a tad on the grainy side, think the middle color in the Lunasol Geminate Eye Palettes, of course it’s not nearly as bad as that but as you get deeper into these palettes it gets a bit grainy. Most of the colors I can’t use alone for a look unless I really want a minimal no makeup look but I do use them as washes of colors to prep my eye area or as a highbrow highlighter and they work a treat! Purchase 06 or 05 if you want to wear these alone as those are the most pigmented I’ve come across for these! For $5 a pop these are worth getting one or two of just to try! The Muse recommends them!
Canmake Glitter Eye Palette
06, 05, 04, 01, and 02 Almost done with shadows! Two more to go
Next up the Dual Sparkle Shadow from Canmake. These are very sheer, so sheer they may be transparent. I don’t get too much sparkle from these but the good news is they do a great wash of color to prep my eye area for something that packs a better punch. I can’t say I don’t recommend buying these because I actually do. At about $4.50 you can’t afford not to at least try one or two! The colors offered are pretty nice and the shadows have a good, smooth texture to them.
Canmake Dual Sparkle Shadow
03 and 02
Finally on our list is another favorite of mine! The Glow Twin color are pretty darn pigmented for the price of $5.50 each. These are fantastic for a really, super quick make-up look! Darn good multitasking shadow in that you can create a simple look, use them as highbrow highlighters, use them as color washes, or even dip a blush brush in and powder your cheeks with them for some sparkle! The texture is very smooth and almost creamy when applied. I find that the top color has a bit more shimmer than the bottom color. The bottom color almost appears matte in texture compared to the top! I really like these and give them a big thumbs up
Canmake Glow Twin Color Shadows
03 and 02
Canmake has a really nice size line of glosses! I’ve only tried the Lip Essence and it goes right onto the recommendations list. It’s one of the few Japanese Brands that I’ve seen a sponge applicator with, as much as I like the spatula style applicator, sometimes it’s nice to have a sponge one
Canmake Lip Essence
Colors: Lip Essence and 02
The gloss is nice and slick minus any tacky, sticky feelings! The colors are very nice and you can wear them alone for a nice wash of gloss, shine, and a tiny bit of color. My favorite is 02 it gives me a nice reddish pink kissed look! $6 or so each and the Muse says it’s a steal for a great gloss!
Our Canmake Spotlight comes to an end with the Super Glitter Liner! Looking for a cheap inexpensive glitter liner? Well, here it is! Works just as well as the MAC Glitter Liners, or Too Faced, or Pop, or any of the other designer brands that put out Glitter Liners
Canmake Super Glitter Liners
01, 03, and Limited Editon 04
These liners are about $5 each and are perfect for adding a little sparkle to your lower and upper eye line! Wanna get the most bang for your buck? Use them as a liner, use them to smooth onto your lashes for a bit of sparkle, use by patting ont your shadow for some extra POP!
Another fine product from Canmake!
That’s all for today my friends! I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about my favorite inexpensive brand of cosmetic, Canmake! If you have any questions do give a shout and I’m happy to answer
A lovely reader left a wonderful comment for the Muse and had asked a question in regards to Lush and using Angels on Bare Skin.
I’ve discussed Lush a plenty on my blog as it’s part of my main skincare/bodycare/haircare regime so I pimp it as much as possible as I’ve had such brilliant results with it and of course when it works good the Muse must pass that info onto all you lovely ladies I’m positive you recall my rather long post about Lush prior to this but if you happened to miss it do click here and have a look!
Now her question was about a product called Angels on Bare Skin. Angels on Bare Skin is a Preservative Free Face Cleanser. First time users may be confused how exactly to use it! So…here’s a tutorial for Stephanie and anyone else who was interested in the best way to use Angels on Bare Skin!
Stephanie thanks for your comments and your question! I hope this helps!
MuseTV Presents: Angels on Bare Skin Tutorial
(If the video doesn’t play right away please try back in a few)
So don’t quote me on that!
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