Fall 2013: MAC Retro Matte.

Who doesn't love a new lip color for fall? It is one of the easiest ways to incorporate a new trend into your beauty look. This season it is not just about the color, it is about the texture. Matte is a beautiful texture that is great for fall. The new MAC Retro Matte collection takes both of these into account; beautiful color and matte texture. It all equals one beautiful fall look.

With its one-of-a-kind Retro Matte texture, Ruby Woo Lipstick has become a smash hit both on and off the runway. Inspired by its stunning popularity, M·A·C has revamped this lipstick legend with invigorating, bold shades in its Retro Matte finish. Eye-catching new colours like Dangerous and All Fired Up create a look that’s feminine yet fierce. M·A·C also introduces its Pro Longwear Lip Pencils in a vibrant, new colour palette, giving this long-lasting and transfer-proof lip pencil an exhilarating makeover.

I love how the matte finish offers a stronger color payoff that looks bold and lasts. I prefer a glossier feel on my lips, so I do use a bit of C-Thru Lipglass dabbed into the center of my lips over these shades.

Lipstick - $15.00
Steady Going light pink matte
Runway Hit light nude matte
Dangerous orangey red matte
Relentlessly Red bright pinkish coral matte
All Fired Up bright fuchsia matte
Flat Out Fabulous bright plum matte
Ruby Woo very matte vivid blue red
Fixed on Drama rich wine matte

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - $19.50
In Anticipation soft yellow pink
Staunchly Stylish pink beige
Shock Value bright pink cream
Dynamo bright peony
High Energy bright orange red cream
Trust in Red bright cool red cream
More To Love intense bluish pink
Fashion Boost bright purple cream

I have all the lipstick shades except for Ruby Woo.

Check out the MAC Retro Matte collection at all MAC locations and maccosmetics.com now.

The Wantable Makeup Box.

There is another sample box on the market and this one was made just for us makeup lovers. Sounds great, right? Meet Wantable.

Now, I am admittedly not a fan of sample boxes after trying and comparing beauty sample boxes late last year. Let's take a look at Wantable and see if I have changed my mind.

When going to website, wantable.com, you can select from different boxes. Currently there is makeup, accessories and intimates. I am obviously going to talk about the makeup box, so you under makeup, you would click on "select box". This will bring you the a page showing this months box. It is a subscription service, in which for $36, you will get a new makeup box each month. You can also just purchase a one-off box for $40.

You next go through a very intensive quiz so the service gets to know you, about your coloring, needs, likes and dislikes. It took me about 10 minutes. I "told" the quiz what colors and formulas I liked to get a very customized box.

The box I received was the August box and it contained 5 full sizes makeup products, plus two samples. The box was curated by expert Matthew Ambrosio and he centered the box around bold eyeliner. In the box was an FACE Stockholm Gel Eyeliner in Brown ($24), a Japonesque Smudger Brush in a travel size, to apply the liner ($14.50), a Michael Marcus Brow Pencil in a Blonde Shade ($24), a FACE Stockholm Blush in a pretty rose shade ($20.00, and a Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer in Mint Flavor ($10). You can see the value is there. The products separately would cost $92.50. Would I have necessarily bought these items? Now that is the question.

I really like the eyeliner, blush and smudger brush. As far as the brow pencil goes, I have never heard of Michael Marcus and the brow pencil color was wrong. I must have mentioned that I have blond hair in my profile, but my brows are far from blonde. I have never heard of Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer either, and for the price, the quality is just not there. Can I justify the $36 for the products I like? Sure. I could have done without the samples though. I am not for trying an eyeshadow on a card and the lip balm seemed a little too homemade for my taste, but all in all it was a very good value. Knowing that each box contains 4-6 full sized items is definitely a plus.

If you are already a fan of beauty sample boxes, I would highly recommend this one for you, as you already know what to expect. But for someone as picky as me, I am still undecided. I really am torn on this one. While I would usually say you would be better off spending your hard earned cash on something you really want, I really liked three of the products that are far worth more than what I would have paid. I think I will need to see a few more boxes to give it a better judgement. I will let you know!

Bigger is Better: 6 Supersize Beauty Products to Buy Now.

When shopping for beauty products that you use often, bigger is better. Think of your favorite beauty products. If they are products that you really love and buy month after month, stock up by buying supersize. Not only will you save trips to the store, you will be saving money to boot.

Take my favorite Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser as an example. I could purchase the 3oz. size for $10.00 ($3.33/oz), 8oz. size for $22.00 ($2.75/oz), 16 oz. for $33.00 ($2.06/oz), 24 oz. for $41.00 ($1.71/oz), or 32 oz. for $50.50 ($1.58/oz). Obviously, the best deal is to buy the largest size and pay less per ounce.

Here are my favorite supersize beauty products that are super beauty buys.

It Cosmetics Supersize Airbrush Silk Luminizer .49oz. - $44.54
This silk finishing powder that adds a soft, airbrushed glow to skin is infused with Vitamins A,C and E to help skin as it makes it look better.

h2o+ Raspberry Guava Shower and Bath Gel Jumbo 32oz. - $24.00
This invigorating body wash has little beads suspended throughout that are full of Vitamin E to nourish the skin as it washes it. It smells so good, just like fresh, ripe raspberries!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream 12oz. - $39.00
A super thick, rich nourishing cream that works hard on even the driest of skin. I use this all over extra dry spots like feet and elbows for instant and soothing relief.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate 5oz. - $175.00
If you want the results of a facial in a few minutes right in your home, this best seller does the trick better than any other. This scrub works by way of enzymes that slough away dead skin, unlike most scrubs that are harsh on the skin. It does so immediately and over time to give skin a super healthy glow.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 1.7oz. - $49.00
The best selling foundation primer, preps and primes skin by filling in pores and lines as it makes for a perfect base for makeup. Foundation just looks better and lasts longer when using.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser 32oz. - $50.50
My favorite cleanser and product I use each and every day, removes every trace of dirt, oil, makeup with just a very small amount. I have yet to find another cleanser that works as quickly and effectively on my face, while keeping it soft and smooth.