MAC Imperial Flower and Ming Blue

I remember liking the swatches of the MAC Jin Soon polishes from last fall, but didn't feel the need to run out immediately and buy them.

I saw Imperial Flower and Ming Blue at the CCO for $10.50 each, which is not a significant savings over retail, but... outlet mentality took over. Sigh.

Luckily, I actually like both these shades very much!

MAC Imperial Flower - I'm really into oranges this season, I'm not sure what's come over me!



Comparison: MAC Imperial Flower and OPI Ecuadorable Coral - I used to think the OPI was retina searing, but in comparison.. wow is it ever tame! XD


Comparison: MAC Imperial Flower and Essie Vermillionaire - Loving both of these!


MAC Ming Blue - I like this a lot more than I thought I would! The shimmer is not so apparent indoors, but it's still quite pretty!



Comparison: MAC Ming Blue and OPI Russian Navy Suede w/ topcoat - I was surprised to find I did not have a dupe for this!


So my long winded story:

Before purchasing, I asked the SAs if I could take a peek at the brushes to make sure they were not wonky. I was told that, no, I could not because air and germs would contaminate the polish. I was told I could look at a tester polish to see that brush. They did not understand how a MAC polish could have a wonky brush at all. I said I had seen wonky brushes on polishes straight from MAC's website, and their response was: "Well, that's the website. The brushes should be fine if they're from here." Because websites are known for selling irregular items, not outlets. Right? Waitaminute...

Anyway, I decided to just buy them, check them right there, and return if necessary. The brushes were fine. I didn't say anything to "educate" the SAs, but it makes me wonder if they thought I was being the weird one.

Silly muggles.

MAC Bad Fairy and Misa Under My Sunbrella

Hey guys! I am loving the weather right now in NJ! Beautiful sunshine and low 70s - PERFECT! I want to live somewhere where it's like this year round! I know NorCal has beautiful weather, but it's too rainy in the winter for me D:

One of my favourite bloggers, Lola over at Suburban Beauty, has been sporadically having little giveaways and I happened to win one! I love her pics so, so much, and her blog layout is too adorable! (I hope you guys don't mind the complete ABSENCE of design on my blog LOL, I'm just assuming everyone reads through Google Reader!!) If you aren't already an avid fan of hers, you definitely need to check her blog out!

So, what did I win? Well, if the subject line didn't give it away already, it was the highly coveted MAC Bad Fairy! I wanted this when it came out, but a few things held me back: MAC's annoying, yet brilliant, limited edition marketing strategy, the wonky brush on their lacquers, and the price per mL. I'm super happy to have won this polish!! Thanks so much, Lola!!!!

MAC Bad Fairy - This is three coats. I love how light-reflecting and eyecatching this shade is! From a normal viewing distance, this polish appear magenta on my skintone. Up close, the polish flashes orange and pink from different angles. So pretty!





I'm on my second day of wearing BF, with only a few chips on my ring and index finger of my right hand. To be fair, I've been having some peelies on those nails, so I don't think I can fault the formula there. I did get some shrinkage with SV, but I tend to expect that when it comes to polishes like this (same with the Orly FXs and many of Zoya's foiley-glass-flecked polishes).

Lola also (very generously) included a bonus polish from the most recent Misa collection! I wish Misa would promote their collections more by providing samples to bloggers, because they need more recognition!!

Misa Under my Sunbrella - The name of this yellow glass-flecked jelly is too cute! I don't think this is flattering on me (the pics make it look a bit darker than it does in real life), but it has a great, 2-coat formula. I'm currently trying to think of ways to layer this, since the glass-flecks in it polish are TDF!



I hope you guys are having a great hump day!