I understand that “Love Cycle” and “Supersweet” are repromotes, with a new name, from an earlier collection from 2008, but that was before I was really into MAC, so these are new to me. One thing I like about these duos is that I can use the swirl side as my all over color, and then use a wet brush to apply the solid as an eyeliner, which makes the blue not quite so scary.

These are $20USD and are on counters now, while they last.

*Disclaimer: I received this product from the company for editorial consideration.

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He told me that they wanted to go for a “sophisticated, gothic, twisted woman, but quite super chic at the same time” look. He went with a matte finish face and both strong matte eyes and lips.

Model getting her foundation applied backstage at the Badgley Mischka Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Model getting her eye makeup done backstage at the Badgley Mischka Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Model getting her eyeshadow smoked out backstage at the Badgley Mischka Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Model getting her eyeshadow done backstage at the Badgley Mischka Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

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He told me that he created a really strong smokey eye, drawing ideas from “The Artist”.

The model look for the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

A makeup artist applies foundation to a model backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Makeup artists making up multiple models backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Model getting her eyeshadow smoked out backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Model getting her eyeshadow wing smoked out backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Another model getting her eyeshadow smoked out backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Carla, from Nordstrom Beauty, talks to MUA Romero Jennings about the makeup look for the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

The final makeup look for the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

MUA Romero Jennings amazing shoes, backstage at the Carmen Marc Valvo Fall/Winter 2012 fashion show.

Love this shirt on the MUA -

However, the downside has always been the availability factor and the lack thereof. You just couldn’t get it locally on a whim. But that has now changed with the release of the MAC Charged Water Cleanser and the NARS Makeup Removing Water.

Both of these cleansers are clear, except MAC has a tint of blue, but not noticeably on the cotton round. They are mostly odorless and tasteless – there is a hint of something that distinguishes it from water, but nothing really perceptible. And they both work really well in removing makeup.

Now, I can’t speak to how they remove waterproof mascara, since I don’t wear it to try it out, but it did remove my regular makeup like a breeze. The main difference that I see is in the bottling – the NARS comes in a 6.7oz squeezable bottle and the MAC comes in a 3.4oz shakeable bottle. I’m used to squeezing to get my cotton round soaked, but, yes that can be wasteful, so some may appreciate the ability to regulate just how much you get out at one time from the MAC bottle. I really feel like this may come down to a brand preference for some.

Both are on counters now. The MAC runs $23USD and the NARS runs $28USD.

What say you – have you tried cleansing waters? Are you more likely to try one now that brands you recognize locally are making them?

*Disclaimer: I received this product from the company’s PR for editorial consideration.

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This new line has 10 colors, broken down into neutrals (*Too Cool, Audacious Asphalt, Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe and Bold Gold) and bright colors (*Painted Purple, Pomegranate Punk, Tenacious Teal, Edgy Emerald and Fierce & Tangy), of which I have tried them all but Fierce & Tangy (*but really, I don’t think the orange would work for my cool, blue eyes anyway). These make great base primers for powder shadows, but, with the different textures (*matte or shimmery), they work well on their own as a lid wash, with a slash of eyeliner. I can’t speak to their 24hr wearability, but I can say it was still one after I slept in it the other night. (*What? It was for “research”!)

Check out a closer look of the colors I tried below, as shown in natural light:

Maybelline Eye Tattoo by Eyestudio

05 - Too Cool

15 - Audacious Asphalt

20 - Painted Purple

25 - Bad to the Bronze

30 - Pomegranate Punk

35 - Tough as Taupe

40 - Tenacious Teal

45 - Bold Gold

50 - Edgy Emerald

What say you? Do you like a cream shadow? If so, do you wear it alone or as a primer? If not, will a drugstore version entice you to give it a try?

*Disclaimer: I received these eyeshadows from their PR for editorial consideration.

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Luckily, I was able to grab some phone time with him earlier this week, and after chatting about our mutual love for Oklahoma and Sonic Drive-In, he gave me a lot of insight into Daphne and her collex (*some q’s a bit paraphrased – we ramble chatted):

Me: I see you’ve been working with Daphne Guinness quite a bit this year – can you tell me what you have been working on?
RJ: For the last 6months I’ve been doing Daphne’s makeup for a short film she has been filming called, “The Legend of Lady White Snake: A Tribute to the Spirit of Alexander McQueen”. It’s a very artistic film directed by Indrani. In this film you will actually get to hear her voice. (*he loves her voice – says it’s very soothing.)

Me: Did you use her MAC collection on set?
RJ: YES! Throughout the course of the shoot, we used every product in some way. They all seemed to work with each of the different looks that she gets to show, whether they are a golden dress or silver metallics. She would have some input into her look – she is very specific in what makes Daphne “Daphne”, but she also likes when you can bring her something extra. (*This is where we talked about some cool metal and paper lashes that he created for her, using MAC lashes as the base. She got to where she would expect him to bring her a new pair every day, because she liked them so much.)

Me: Do you know how involved she was in this MAC collab?
RJ: She was very involved! She would come to the meetings with paint swatches and ideas of things that she would really like to see. She said that she was choosing colors that she hadn’t been able to find for herself. She is a very artistic and futuristic person – that was what helped her come up with the names for the pieces (*He also mentions that when she enters a room, it’s as if she floats in like a butterfly – her feet don’t touch the floor.)

Me: Knowing how porcelain her skin in, clearly her collection definitely favors the cooler-toned folks. Can you tell me how these pieces will work for warmer-toned, darker-complected lovelies?
RJ: It can *definitely* work on them, too! These colors tend to pop on warm-toned skin tones. For example, take an extreme look like Nicki Minaj and her darker coloring and then that bright, cool lavender lips she wears. It just jumps out. That’s what these colors can do.And by having gradients of colors in the blushes, there is more choice to personalize the products, too.

Me: Is there a favorite product in the collection?
RJ: The Pro Longwear Lipcreme in “Approaching Storm” is her signature color now. The Pro Longwear Lip Pencils have “saved my life”. Watching Daphne work the red carpets, dinner parties, etc, she is constantly talking to people for 6-8 hours on end, without time to touch up. So, I use the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil to line the entire lip, which binds to the lip – this will extend the wear of the lipcreme, and this combo will be bulletproof. (*He uses pencil “Kiss Me Quick” under “Approaching Storm. He also suggests using pencil “Nice ‘n’ Spicy” with lip creme “Warp Speed” & topping with Cremesheen Glass “Narcissus” and using “Anticipation” under “Red Dwarf”).

Huge thank you to Romero for taking time out of his busy day to shoot the breeze with me. As for the lipliner trick? I’m definitely giving it a shot on NYE, because the last thing I want to do at midnight is wonder if I need a touch-up before I pucker up.

The collection hits US counters on December 26th and Internationally in January 2012.

*Disclaimer: I received pieces of this from the company for editorial consideration.

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Not just one, but *two* pouches to hold my goodies.

As you can see, I have two bags – one for my larger products and one for my pencils & brushes, as I got tired of digging to the bottom of the bag to find them all the time.

In my bag, you will find several of my staple items, and after cataloging it, I realize I *might* have a plum/purple theme going on:

My cute Milly bag holds a bunch of goodies!

Laura Geller Baked Marble Eyeshadow in “Amethyst/Lagoon”
Three Custom Color 3C Eyeshadow in “Cool Peony” (*makes such a great base color)
Clinique travel-size Blushwear Cream Stick in “Rosy Blush”
Elizabeth Arden sample bottle of “Pretty” Parfum Spray (*sometimes you just need a touch-up spray)
MAC “Hocus Focus Clourful Face Kit” from the “Magic, Mirth and Mischief Holiday Collection”. From 2009. (*What? Shut up. “Pretty Baby” is the prettiest beauty powder for me I have found yet. That’s why.)
Sonia Kashuk 01 Powder Brush, with Blue Handle (*One of the first brushes I ever bought many years ago, and it’s still going strong!)
Josie Maran Argan Eye Shadow in “Parfait” (*This makes a great base for those warmer colors.)
MAC Fluidline in “Dark Diversion”, from the “Stylishly Yours” collex. (*Another candidate in my eternal quest for the perfect Plum liner.)
MAC Shadestick in “Street Cool”, from the “MAC Me Over – Icelandic Cool” collex (*Makes a great smudge for a lazy smokey eye, or just a base lid color.)
Mally Beauty Eye Brightening Eye Shadow Duo in “Lavender Glow” and “Plum Glow” (*From the no longer available “Rise and Shine” collex on QVC.)
Three Custom Color Crème to Powder Blush in “Kiss My Apricot” (*I love me some cream blush!)
Sampar Prodigal Pen (*For that last minute, unexpected pimples, without irritation.)
tarte Rise & Shine Lipstain and Lipgloss in “Nude”. (*A warm nude for when you are kind of washed out, but don’t want anything obvious. And it tastes good, too.)
MAC Lipglass in “Lap of Luxury”, from the “Fabulous Felines – Palace Pedigreed” collex (*Looks scary dark in the tube, but is a nicer dark, yet sheer, color for when you go out at night.)
Flirt! Cosmetics Glamourazzi! Extreme Lip Lacquer in “Paparazzi” (*Closest thing to a real Red that you’ll see me wear.)
Three Custom Color Lip Gloss in “Just Bitten” (*This brown sheers out to a nice warm nude.)
Maybelline “Dark Circle Eraser” (*I just love the little sponge tip applicator.)
Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express Mascara (*for when I want the most natural looking lashes)
Mally Beauty Voluminzing Mascara (*for when I want big, spidery, drag queen lashes as Mally would say!)
Maybelline “The Falsies – Flared” Volum’ Express Mascara (*my go-to daily mascara for to big fluttery corner lashes)
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender (*Duh! What *more* do I have to say??)
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush eyeshadow palette in “Spirited Seas” (*I love lining with that copper on the end.)
Maybelline Eyestudio Color Pearls in “Silver Starlet” (*I love the marbelized side so much, I have hit pan and *still* try to get some off of the side of the silver. No joke.)
Boscia BB Cream, SPF 27 PA++ (*This 5-way multi-tasker is heaven for a lazy gal like me to look somewhat pulled together on the quick.)
MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm SPF 35 (*I’m a big fan of MAC’s Prep + Prime line.)
CoverFX ConcealFX Camouflage Concealer (*color adjusts so it blends right in)
Mally Beauty Cancellation Conditioning Concealer (*This one is kinda light on me, so it’s good for those slight pinkish spots that need a quick cover, but nothing layered on.)
Ulta Brow Gel (*still one of my best ways to tame unruly brows on the quick, without needing to draw anything in.)
shu uemura Eyelash Curler (*It’s a classic.)

As you can probably tell, I might have a *smidge* of an eyeliner issue. But, if you pay attention, you might notice one thing some would say is glaringly missing:

I kind of have a thing for colored eyeliners.

Skinfood Banana Concealer Stick, from Asia (*the creamiest concealer that I have.)
Mally Beauty Brow Beauty brow fix (*I’ve never learned to use a powder, as this does the trick for me.)
Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils in “Ava” and “Gold Reef” (*Would you believe me if I told you I wore one or the other of these colors at least 5 days a week? True story!)
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liners in “Marked for Glamour” and “Signature Blue” (*My favorite felt tip liquid eyeliner!)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in “11 – Diamond Burgundy” (*part of my neverending HG Plum eyeliner search – the color is good enough for me to ignore the stiff felt tip pen.)
Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner in “Emerald Glow” (*just enough sparkle, without drifting into Glittertown.)
Daniel Sandler Velvet Waterproof Eyeliner in “Velvet Grey” (*The perfect grey – almost matte, but not flat)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Waterproof Eyeliners in “Alligator”, “Purple Stain” and “Blue Moon”. (*If I could marry these eyeliners I would, because they will be true and not leave me for anything. Seriously, these bitches don’t go ANYWHERE after you put them on. My fav bright color eyeliners!)
Bourjois Paris Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner in “grid tecktonic” (Much more amped up silver grey)
Three Custom Color Light Clarifier Pencil (*Everyone needs one of these. That is all.)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in “3L – Iridescent Navy Blue” (*Who says a blue-eyed girl can’t wear blue?)
Mally Beauty 24/7 Professional Eye Lining System in “Smoldering Topaz” (*Yes, I know it’s part of a system, but I like it just fine on it’s own.)
Mally Beauty Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in “Gunmetal”. (*Hands down my favorite eyeliner for that dark-but-not-black liner & it. doesn’t. move! Ironic for something to be called “Gunmetal” to be bulletproof?)
elf Studio Eyeshadow “C” Brush (*My most used brush. Of all.)
Bare Escentuals Flat Edge Liner (unavailable now) (*I use this for tiny concealer touch-ups.)
Sonia Kashuk Spoolie
Crown Brush Double-ended Brush (*I don’t use this one, but I keep it in my pencil case, since I can’t store it in my rock filled brush-holder.)
MAC 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush (*A shorter version of the full-size brush that is great for that windshield-wiper blending action.)
Avon Double-Ended Liner and Shadow Brush (*I think this might be discontinued now.)
Mally Beauty Double-Ended Blending Brush (*I am certain this came with one of my sets, but I’ll be damned if I can remember which one!)
Benefit Cosmetics Get Bent Eyeliner Brush (*My lining world was turned upside DOWN when I discovered this brush. Life changing. And now it looks like it’s discontinued. My preciousssss….)
Avon (*I think!) Eyeliner Brush (*This unmarked brush is really firm and works really good on my drier liners.)
Sonia Kushuk Lash Comb (*The foldable design has saved me many a finger puncture from the metal tines!)

Did you figure it out? (spoiler alert: There is not a black eyeliner in the bunch!)

So, that’s a gander at my goodies (*As the boys like to say) (*In the 1860′s). Tell me – do I have anything you carry in your stash? Let me know what are your daily must have’s, so we can compare.

*Disclaimer: I received some of these products from their PR for editorial consideration, and some of them I spent my hard earned money on.

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In this backstage interview, Keri tells me about the look and the inspiration for Rachel’s Spring/Summer 2012 presentation:

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that quad to come out – I love me some cream shadows.

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The feel was for an “All-American Classic Beauty – but completely wearable” look. Romero translated that to be a really strong red lip, contoured eyes, brushed up brows and light mascara on curled lashes. Aside from the fact that he used 3 products on the lips, all of this can be done pretty easily. I’d just throw on a single, bright red lipstick (*if you’ve found your perfect color), and it’s pretty much a daily wear dupe.

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She talks about music inspiring fashion and fashion inspiring music, too. Do you agree that one inspires the other? I know that rockstars always date models, but that doesn’t really impact the clothing, I don’t think.

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