MAC MSF: Stereo Rose / Review

Stereo Rose has been one of the most coveted MAC MSF's I have ever encountered. Before the re-release, I had been searching everywhere for it! I received the 2010 one as a gift many months ago but not before perusing eBay at its ridiculous prices! Since the re-release, it had me thinking of its hype. Is it worth the hype? Are their any dupes? 

This MSF makes for a beautiful glowy blush and an extremely lovely rose highlighter. It's a bright coral with bronze undertones. The golden shimmers are subtle and adds a nice warmth to the pan which is just a swirl of prettiness! 

It looks darker in my photos due to indoor lighting but the blush translates gorgeously onto the skin with its vibrant sheen. 

Lasting power is really impressive. It stays on all day through wind and rain. It's of those blushes where a little goes a long way. The pigments are amazing!

The packaging is classic MAC. Sleek, with a see through lid. You can see the shimmers straight from the pan but it is not sparkly at all.

These swatches aren't even close to how pretty this blush is in real life!

Overall, I really love this blush. I don't opt for this regularly because the blush is very obvious when worn but I think it looks fantastic in photography. It really is a "must-have" for blush fiends and highlighter lovers but Milani's Rose D'Oro is a very close dupe. Personally, Petticoat is amongst one of my favorites from MAC but Stereo Rose has its place in my heart as well.

Did you buy into the hype of Stereo Rose? Thoughts?

Stila Rose Gold Highlighter

I realized how much love I am not giving to my highlighters these days! I endlessly (and shamelessly) collect them. I recall Stila's Rose Gold being one of my most adored ones because of the simple and cute packaging and the baked pan.

This is more of a finishing powder but I kind of see it more like a highlighter because of the shimmer in it. And Rose Gold is very fitting for V-day! - the subtle glow, the romantic color (rose and gold is the loveliest combo ever! Am I right?) - absolutely perfect for a night out in town.

Rose Gold is a bit like a champagne shade with hints of gold and peach and swirls of a courser gold color running through its veins. Gorgeous! A fan brush is the perfect brush to sweep this around your cheekbones.

Many people online do not like this particular product from Stila and it's a shame because I found it to be really nice. Not as a finishing powder of course (what the hell were they thinking?!) but as a highlight, it is more than pretty! Texture-wise, it's not as soft as MAC MSF's but the shimmers here are less prevalent and much more sophisticated. 

What are your go-to highlighter(s)? :)

Disclaimer: Bought this myself!

Oldies but goodies

I think I've been doing pretty good with keeping my makeup addiction at bay =p Everytime I review something new, it's really not new new. I've usually had it for awhile and in queue to be talked about. I haven't actually hauled much things lately, but it doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it, compulsively or otherwise ;) My current want is Dior's Amber Diamond. But since that's not happening... $44 is a little steep for a bronzer (or is it..?)

I've been a little more than obsessed with highlighters lately.  I'm not normally a huge fan of MAC,  but I think their MSF's are aweeesome.  I'm going to do a full post of my MSF collection in the coming days :) I mostly like their LE ones and I've just discovered them not long ago so I had to hunt down many of the discontinued ones o_o