The BeautyButterfly

This is the go-to concealer that I use every day. I can use it to cover my dark circles under my eyes, the redness around my nose and the tip. I also when I need a little more coverage, I will apply a different concealer. Though I must say that you can build the coverage with this concealer without it looking cakey or flaky. The creaminess of this concealer means that it can be blended into the skin with a brush for light to medium coverage or fingers if you want full coverage.  

This is a great everyday eyeshadow. I like to apply it with my fingers blending from outer corner to inner corner. If I want a more defined look, I will use a blending brush around the edges. Using a pencil brush to apply it to the upper lash line and then what is left on the brush to the lower water line.

This is another one of their new shades. For me, this is the colour that you wear on those days that a nude is too soft or a red too vibrant. You want to look confident and for me this is it. It goes brilliantly with casual jeans or smart jeans as well as the smart casual look to. Like other lipsticks I have tried from M.A.C. these feel comfortable and comforting on the lips. They last all day and do not bleed. It can be applied straight from the bullet, or with a brush if you want a more structured look. I like to apply it with my fingers especially when I want a casual look with my makeup.

Some of the items in the M.A.C. Faves  Let’s start with a moan. If only they did this in green, blue, purple, brown or grey then this would be my go-to eyeliner. This is a soft pencil that can be worn smudge or not. When I feel like being a bit goth-looking, this is the eyeliner I use. Not only lining the top lashes and waterline but also the lower lashes and waterline. When I want to smudge it, I use a small pencil brush.

 I love this makeup remover. I use it to remove my makeup during part of my nighttime regime. It is also great to use when you have made a mistake such as mascara dropping or eyeliner not looking its best. Just remember to shake it before use.

 I love this mascara. I have tried both types of brush and prefer the micro to the mega brush. I think its to do with my eyelashes are not the best. I can cover all my upper lashes perfectly and I do not poke myself in the eye with the micro brush, my inner and outer corners of my eyelashes are covered and noticeable.  I have found that my eyes look better with only the top lashes covered rather than top and bottom. My eyelashes used to touch my eyebrow.  With this mascara and eyelash curlers they do get there. It does not smudge it does not run when caught in the rain. It is the perfect mascara and brush – please bring out brown, purple, green or blue.

This is for when I want my eyebrows to look a little full especially when I am wearing a full face of makeup. Occasionally, if I want a fuss free look, I will use this on its own rather than layering it with the corresponding pencil. The fibres in the gel help create a fuller looking brow. It is buildable so you can create various looks and effects with it. As my eyebrows are slowly disappearing, I will be wearing this more and more.  

During Covid I decided to grow my hair and embrace the greyness of it. So, by doing so I could no longer use a brown eyebrow pencil as I wanted a softer look. This is a great pencil to use to fill and create my brows. Thunder is a soft grey ash which blends into my eyebrows without making it look obvious. I can create hairs or outline my eyebrows and fill them in without it being too harsh. This is my go-to eyebrow pencil.  

This is a great brush as you can use it in two different ways to create different effects. The paddle end of the brush to apply the foundation of your choice.  You can blend and build with this end. If you like a more diffused look then the dome-end is perfect for that. I have sensitive skin and certain types of brush can make my skin feel like I have hundreds of spiders crawling across my skin, neither end causes this as well it is a pleasure to use it when needed.  

 I do not wear foundation every day, this is for special occasions, and this is the perfect foundation for that.  It is lightweight, blends into my skin perfectly and a little goes a long way. My skin does not feel dry once applied or becomes patchy after a few hours.  I like the fact that I can apply it with my fingers, brush or a damp sponge. With my fingers I can press it into areas that I want a little more coverage. Using a brush or damp sponge gives a lighter finish. The only thing I do not like the smell of the product but it wears off.  

This is one of their new shades. For me it’s the perfect pink nude that goes with every look or event. Its great with jeans and t-shirt or a dress or a suit. Its should be in everyone lipstick arsenal for those times you need a nude with a matte finish so that it does not detract from the fantastic eye look created or that no makeup makeup look. To be honest I was scared that the matte lipstick would be drying but this is soft and smells like cocoa. It does not dry my lips out and they do not peel which most lipsticks do.

 This is a sample of their newest foundation which I got through MAC’s website and their shade selector.  Brilliant foundation but just not my shade it’s too dark.  It’s a lightweight foundation that has a matte finish which I love.  You can build it up in areas that you need too. It made my skin look flawless - my T zone stayed matte.  I have bought a different shade and will show you the results another day.

 This is the final mystery item in the Golden Hour Kit. This lipgloss is the ultimate lipgloss. It can be worn over a lipstick, lip pencil or on it’s own. A little goes a long way. It gives hydration and comfort to my lips and when I wear my hair down it does not stick to it.  The lipglass can be mixed with powdered pigments to create different effects that can be applied to lips or different parts of the body but not the eyes.  It should be in everyone’s makeup kit.

 This was the third mystery item in the Golden Hour Kit.  Mehr is a wearable every day pink lipstick with a matte finish that does not dry my lips out. My lips felt comfortable and hydrated all day. It’s one of those pinks that goes with jeans and T-shirts or business attire. 

This is the second mystery item in the Golden Hour Kit. This is not only a highlighter but also a moisturiser that adds a soft glow to the skin. It can be used under foundation all over the face to provide clarity and smoothness along with radiance and hydration. Or over foundation applied to cheek bones as a highlight.  On those days that I feel my skin look tired and dull I will use this as a moisturiser. It gives my skin that healthy glow and makes me feel better. Foundation looks better and lasts longer.  This should be in everyone’s arsenal  

 This is the first mystery item that was in the Golden Hour Kit.  A brilliant black mascara that gave me definition and length. My lashes looked curled without using curlers, not clumped together.  I like to use the tip of the brush to make sure that I have covered the inner and outer corners of my upper lashes.  It is a great black mascara for every day wear as it doesn’t smudge or flake.

Product: M.A.C. Eye Pencil - Coffee Brown Who for: Anyone and everyone who wants a change from black First impressions: Lovely rich colour After one week: My new black After one month: My new go to eyeliner Stockists: MAC Cosmetics, Boots, John Lewis This is the final piece from the Summer Vibes Kit exclusively available from Boots.  It is a great alternative black eyeliner.  It is brilliant tight liner too.  The creaminess of the eyeliner makes it a dream to apply above the lashes without dragging and in both the top and bottom waterline.  Once applied it can be smudged for a softer look or left alone for a stronger look.  It does not budge.  It’s a great eyeliner to any look that you might be wearing – jeans and t-shirt or smart, even smart casual.  

 Product: M.A.C. Prep and Prime Fix + Original (Mini) Who for: Anyone who wants to make sure that their makeup lasts all day First impressions: Smells nice After one week: Makeup looks perfect After one month: Stays put even in the heat or rain Stockists: MAC Cosmetics, Boots, John Lewis This was part of the Summer Vibes Kit that was exclusively available at Boots.  I must admit that I have never used a setting spray before this one so cannot compare it to others.  I have tried this spray in various ways such as spraying it before powdering or concealer as well as after applying my makeup and I can hand on heart say that my makeup lasts.  If I use it before applying powder etc I would wait a few seconds for it to ‘dry’ before continuing. I have also sprayed a shadow brush with it to enhance the Amber Lights shadow to give it a shinier look.  This is more than a setting spray, and everyone should have one.

 Product: M.A.C. Extended Play Gigablack Mascara Who for: Anyone and everyone First impressions: Narrow bristle brush After one week: Brilliant everyday mascara After one month: Maybe my new go to  Stockists: MAC Cosmetics, Boots, John Lewis This was the mascara included in the Summer Vibes Kit exclusively available at Boots.  I am used to using a rubber brush with my mascara rather than a bristle brush.  This is a brilliant brush that coats every lash and separates them.  It does not clump, drop, or smudge.  Even when I am using my eye drops.  It is great everyday mascara as it gives definition to your lashes.  I think I will be replacing my Benefit Badgal Bang with this. 

 Product: M.A.C. Eyeshadow Amber Lights Who for: Anyone and everyone First impressions: Very shimmery After one week: Perfect for everyday wear After one month: So adaptable Stockists: MAC Cosmetics, Boots, John Lewis This was one of the products from the Summer Vibes Kit from MAC only available at Boots.  I am very wary of wearing eye shadows – the drop off getting into my eyes as they can irritate my eyes.  I was also worried hat as a woman of a certain age shimmery eye shadows on hooded eyes might not work.  I was wrong.  It can be swiped over as a single colour, or you can build the intensity of the colour to create a smoky eye.  It can also be used in the centre of the upper eye lid to provide highlight when used with matte shadows.  It can be applied using fingers or brushes depending on what finish and look you are wanting to create.