MAC Tropical Taboo: Mineralize Skinfinish Review, Swatches and Photos

Undoubtedly the most anticipated products of a MAC Mineralize collection are the Mineralize Skinfinishes, and this summer's collection Tropical Taboo is no exception. Featured in Tropical Taboo are three new limited edition Skinfinishes: Adored, Lust and Rio ($35.00 CA/$30.00 US). All photos taken in natural light, swatches on NC 40/42 skin.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish: Adored, Lust and Rio

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Adored

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lust

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Rio

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish: Adored, Lust and Rio

Adored - described by MAC as "coral with a light beige pearl." Once mixed Adored turns into a champagne beige shimmer with a hint of peach/pink. On most skin tones it would work best as a neutral highlighter, as it's pigment is on the light end and it's colour is essentially close to that of skin. On darker complexions it will obviously look cooler and more dramatic. It's texture is very finely milled and a little powdery so it tends to blend out very easily.

Grade: B+

Lust - the description of Lust as a "pale pink with cranberry pearl" is somewhat misleading as I would peg Lust as a light-medium pink with pink pearl. Unlike Adored or Rio, Lust has an added pearl or fleck, which gives it's finish a slightly glittery/metallic look. It's texture is a little bit grittier than Adored or Rio due to this added pearl. Out of the three this one was the most pigmented on my skin, so on  light skin tones I could see this working as a blush. On medium and dark skin tone sit would be a slightly more dramatic/metallic highlighter.

Grade: B

Rio - a "bronze with a bright pink pearl" is more like a beige-coral on my skin tone. My favorite out of the three, it has a finely milled, powdery texture and a warm tone that I would imagine would be flattering to both warm and cool complexions. Pigmentation is on the light side, so this would again be best as more of a highlighter than a blush. On really fair complexions this would make a great companion to soften or blend out bronzer.

Grade: A-

I was very pleased to see MAC producing a refined group of MSF's. In the past this product has been extremely frosty/glittery which is fine for more dramatic looks but much too obvious for a "natural sheen" effect. I would like to see MAC continue to move towards this trend of finely milled highlighters...maybe they could end up somewhere in the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders end of the spectrum?

J

LUSTING: Marc Jacobs Lola

Oh I'm drooling...

I own Marc Jacobs first fragrance Daisy in solid form in one of those delightful limited edition cocktail rings and now look at the gorgeousness that is this perfume bottle? It contains Marc Jacobs' new fragrance Lola, which I've tried a sample of and love, but what I want to know is can I wear that gorgeous blossom on top of the bottle?

Here's what Sephora has to say about Lola:

This warm floral bouquet conveys the free spirit of today's sexy, modern girl - she is playful, cool, and flirtatious. The long-lasting, day-and-night scent opens with pink peppercorn, pear, and ruby red grapefruit. Blooming midnotes of rose, fuschia peony, and geranium make a feminine statement. Layers of vanilla, warm tonka bean, and creamy musk create a sensous drydown.

This is the type of lively feminine fragrance that nearly anyone can pull off. Sultry, citrusy and feminine but without being in your face.

LUSTLUSTLUSTLUSTLUST...

Lusting.

C.

LUSTING: Bare Escentuals Radiance Rocks

Bare Escentuals is that mineral make-up company you've probably seen infomercials for or on the Shopping Channel or splashed out all over Sephora with its powdery goodness. I'm hooked on BE and all the products I've tried from their Mineral Veil to their Buxom mascara and lipgloss.

So whenever they come out with a new product, my heart starts beating a little faster. No lie.

Bare Escentuals Radiance Rocks is a brand new, Sephora exclusive product that has me lusting. Look at how gorgeous the packaging is! Three balls of pure mineral bliss in a bright pink container with one of BE's perfect little kabuki brushes for application. Held together only by water, applying them feels cool and refreshing on the skin and leaves behind a gorgeous, sheer shimmer to cheekbones, eyes and all over if you wish.

Available only from Sephora and only for Sephora Beauty Insiders.

C.

LUSTING: STELLANUDE

The genetically gifted and enviously named, Stella McCartney has a new fragrance out called STELLANUDE and if this new fragrance is anything like her previous ones - Stella, Stella in Two or Stella Sheer - I will be head over heels in love with it.

The notes as listed by Sephora are: Moroccan Rose, Grapefruit, White Peony, Pink Pepper, Precious Vanilla, Grey Amber and Musk.

C.