Spring 2013: M∙A∙C Baking Beauties.

I love a pastel look for spring and all of these new "beauties" from M∙A∙C definitely fill the need. What could be cuter than a collection based on my favorite sweet, the cupcake? Nothing, really. This is M∙A∙C Baking Beauties.

M·A·C loves everything about a cupcake. Face Powder arrives in exclusively designed cupcake patterns, and Lustre Drops create a luminous finish. Pro Longwear Paint Pots add a touch of dazzle. Haute & Naughty Lash delivers two-in-one coverage. Lipstick lays it on soft and tempting in tones including Devil’s Food and Raspberry Swirl. Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm provides nutrient-rich moisture. Nail Lacquer decorates in glittering Bleu Velvet and Pistachio Crème. And for professional results, two limited-edition brushes with pastel accents. Hello, cupcake!

The Baking Beauties collection:

Lipstick - $15.00
Pure Decoration - light white peach (cremesheen)
Raspberry Swirl - light white blue pink (cremesheen)
Lavender Whip - light cool lavender (cremesheen)
Devil’s Food - glossy deep plum (frost)

Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm - $19.50
Baking Beauty - creamy light peach
Cheery Cheery - creamy mid-tone blue pink
Sweet Tooth - creamy lilac
Glacé creamy - pale baby blue

Haute & Naughty Lash - $20.00
Haute & Naughty Black - black

Brush
252SE Large Shader - $31.00
129SE Powder/Blush - $35.00

Pearlmatte Face Powder - $29.00
In for a Treat - champagne base with matte coral flower and mint leaves
Pink Buttercream - light silvery pink base with dark pink flowers and periwinkle leaves

Pro Long Wear Paint Pot - $18.50
Fancy Frosting - frosted white
Let’s Skate - pale pink with pearl
Mooncake - warm beige
Éclair - light chocolate with gold pearl
Dangerous Cuvée - frosted cool grey

Glitter - $21.00
Reflects Transparent Teal - sparkling white with turquoise
Pink - bright pink

Lustre Drops - $21.00
Pink Rebel - blue pink with gold pearl

Nail Lacquer - $16.00
Confectionary - light blue pink (cream)
Pistachio Crème - light teal mint (cream)
Bleu Velvet - light periwinkle blue (cream)

I seriously can't get enough of the products or the names. Like I said in my favorite cream eyeshadow post, I love the pretty Pro Long Wear Paint Pots in this collection. They create the softest yet sparkly perfect eye for spring. The star products of the collection have to be the Pearlmatte Face Powders though. Just look at them! They are beautiful and either warm up the face in subtle glow of champagne and coral or pink and silver.

MAC Pearlmatte Face Powder In For a TreatMAC Pearlmatte Face Powder Pink Buttercream

The M·A·C Baking Beauties collection is available now at all M·A·C locations and online at maccosmetics.com.

7 NEW Hair Helpers from the Drugstore.

It seems like a ton of new hair products have come across my desk lately. Everything from breakthrough ingredients in shampoos, to deep conditioners and new styling aids; there are a lot of new hair care goodies on the drugstore shelves these days. I have been testing them all and have some new favorites.

Here are my new favorite hair helpers - all from the drugstore.

1. L’Oréal EverStyle Texture Style Beach Spray - $6.99
This sea-salt infused spray gives hair fresh-off-the-beach waves. Hair is softly tousled and textured without any buildup. I like to mist it over my dry hair to separate and add texture to my curls.

2. & 3. Garnier Fructis Haircare Volume Extend Fortifying Shampoo & Conditioner - $3.99 each
Perfect for fine or flat hair, this ultra-light formula, with natural fruit fibers like papaya and cucumber, strengthens and thickens hair. My hair is left voluminous without being weighed down.

4. L’Oréal EverCurl Hydracharge Leave-In Cream - $8.99
This is my air dry wavy hair dream. One pump of this leave-in cream provides intense hydrating nourishment with no weigh down to feed my curls (really they are waves) with moisture and definition while it helps block frizz. My hair is left silky soft and naturally wavy.

5. Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo - $7.99
This great smelling dry shampoo not only rejuvenates hair for a clean, fresh look in between shampoos, it gives hair a volume boost throughout the day. If I need a mid-day touch-up, I spray a bit at my roots and my early morning volume is back.

6. Head & Shoulders Damage Rescue 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner - $7.99
This fresh and fruity smelling shampoo not only controls dandruff, it also addresses a major need that many women have with their hair. This shampoo and conditioner in one, helps to repair damage the more often it is used.

7. Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge 1 Minute Moisture-Plenish Treatment - $5.99
This powerful lightweight formula, with superfruits of goji berry, passion fruit and kiwi, quickly and deeply conditions hair. I apply it once a week and it adds in the hydration I lack as I go about heat styling day after day.

A Moment of Silence for Boston.

By Sswonk [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

This is a sign I see often as I drive into Boston. Today, the city of Boston and the people of Boston are in my thoughts.

The Boston Marathon bombing tragedy struck very close to home for me. I live about an hour outside of Boston and knew too many people in Boston yesterday. Some friends ran the Boston Marathon, others were there cheering on the runners (a large group from my town runs the marathon), some were at the Red Sox game, and others were in Boston just sightseeing on a beautiful spring day during school vacation. It was hard getting in touch with family and friends, but those that I care about are safe. I pray for those that are not and their loved ones.