Gift Giving: MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag

MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag

I'm a fan of giving gifts no matter what time of year it is, because the idea of shopping during the holidays stresses the crap out of me. After working over a decade in the retail industry I can assure you that the month of November and or December doesn't bring out the best in some of us. Stores don't make it any better either with their rock bottom pricing on [insert that special item you thought Jane or Matt needed, but didn't even know they really wanted].

Cheap televisions, stinky cologne and riot-inducing toys aside, the cosmetics industry certainly brings their own je ne se quoi -- gift packs with single use samples which can be a b*tch to open and well, after squeezing half the product onto the floor your gift recipient is left thinking, "why bother?" This said kit is then tossed into a drawer, left for dead until Spring 2016 and promptly chucked in the bin with the rest of their dusty castoffs.

My advice to you when shopping for your significant other, loved ones and or friends is to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, "would I want this for myself?" Now, I realise this takes a modicum of effort, but isn't this time of year really about the thought that counts rather than obligatory timing?

What I have here today is something for the makeup lover(s) in your life, MAC's Red Keepsake Red Lip Bag; this set also comes in nude and coral if you're uncertain about their level of makeup brazenness. Why does this particular thing make for a great gift? Well, let me breakdown the art of gift giving for both the giver and receiver.

• It comes in a box = easy to wrap/unwrap
• The price point for this gift pack is a few dollars cheaper than purchasing each item individually. Don't forget about that sparkle-laden makeup bag, MAC practically throws it in for free!
• Full-size items on the cheaper
• Options abound for the wearer 

Finally, if you feel like spending a few more dollars on Jane, may I suggest throwing in a pencil sharpener, pencils don't sharpen themselves and a tube of MAC's Prep + Prime Lip, chapped lips and matte lippie isn't a good look for anyone, got it? 

Ruby Woo swatches from left to right: lip pencil, gloss and lipstick

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag:

• $89.00 AUS ($12.00 savings) / $39.50 USD ($7.50 savings)

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — a biased selection on my part because I love me some Ruby Woo.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• MAC's matte lip edit is drool inducing.

Eyes to mesmerize: Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir

Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir

You can have friends and they might even come and go. Then there's your best friend, the guy or girl in your life you will forever carry in your pocket. Years might even separate the last time you've seen each other, but you always pick back up like it was yesterday.

So, what does this have to do with mascara? Well, choosing a mascara or two is similar to making friends - complex personalities, differing backgrounds and timing. What brought you together will either make or break that long-lasting foundation or bond.

This bond, I'm sad to say, with Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir was never meant to be.

Inimitable Waterproof Mascara is flashy with her wet formula, yet the heaviness of her pull forces the lashes to stick together as opposed to lifting and separating. The qualities I cherished in the non-waterproof version - feather light, flirty lashes complete with a matte finish were nowhere to be found.

Wearing Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir:

• $72.00 AUS / $30.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 3 out of 10 bags — Don't let a waterproof formula be the only factor in your decision making process.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• The elusive Sweet Star will forever be that unicorn in the sky.

Beauty in a tick: Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick

Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick

Have you ever built something up so much in your mind that the idea of it (whatever it is) proved to be more exciting than the item itself? I really have no words for the sort of disappointment and regret I feel at this moment, to the point where I feel so uninspired to even write about Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick. I picked this up last year during an adrenaline fuelled shopping trip through Ala Moana Mall -- I shopped 'til I dropped. The time I allowed to pass by since buying this lacklustre blush should've served as some sort of indication that A.) I really didn't need it and B.) it's a stinker, a bomb, a dud. I hate it.

While pretty in the pan, it did very little to brighten my cherub-like cheeks. IMHO there's certainly room for improvement as the texture is gritty to the touch and I found the finish to be a tad too powdery for my liking.

Individual swatches of Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick (left) and blended (right)

Wearing Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick on my cheeks

Blush? What blush?

If you're looking for better colour payoff, do me a favour by chucking this imposter in the bin and pick up something else like NARS Orgasm or one of Clinique's Cheek Pops.

Normally I don't like to be so negative, but I'd be doing everyone a major disservice by not saying anything at all.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick:

• $72.00 AUS / $44.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 1 out of 10 bags — So happy I didn't buy this in Australia.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Not at this stage.

A glimpse at the lips: NARS Audacious Lipstick in Fanny

A star is born

Fanny's not looking back as her dreams and wishes are bigger than the small town country name bestowed upon a former unknown. Her quiet smile, cute button nose and soft ivory skin are all bursting to jump from the shadows to be see, known and heard.

"See those stars." she said.

"Yes." he whispered.

"Well, they mean more to me than you will ever know. You'll soon see."

A trail of broken hearts, scorched earth and failed false starts swirl behind this ingenue who can no longer remain contained. The great unknown was calling.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Fanny

Francois had my ear when he posed, "who do you want to be today?" Well yesterday, I was really feeling Fanny, a warm berry. Despite the old world name, this lipstick is by no means meager -- Fanny is Norma Jean, Frances Houseman and the girl in the back waiting for that big break. Fanny is patient, but she'll take that chance when the time is right, no matter the season.

Swatch of Fanny

Wearing NARS Audacious Lipstick in Fanny

What's so great about Nars latest release? Well, for one it's creamier than a Milky Way bar. It outlasts his much-loved and highly touted existing lipsticks on offer. What you see, is what you get. No hidden agendas, just creamy, opaque goodness.

Forty colours (ten of which are exclusively sold in the US), forty ladies and forty chances to try something new or begin again. 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Audacious Lipstick in Fanny:

• $44.00 AUS / $32.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Addicted.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Your kiss is on my list. I'll be picking up a few more colours when I hit the States next month. Or, or, I could invest in The Vault.