Battle of the Setting Sprays: MAC Fix+ vs Urban Decay All Nighter

I have been using makeup setting sprays regularly for about 3-4 months now. The two that I have been going back and forth with are the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray and MAC Fix+. Both setting sprays are effective but when it comes time to repurchase, I definitely have a preference.

Features of the Urban Decay All Nighter:

• Helps makeup last all day


• Spray nozzle is concentrated, and sprays quickly and exactly where you want it to spray


• Once sprayed, the product settles on the skin and doesn't get lost in the air


• Fragrance free

Features of the MAC Fix + (Pictured is the rose fragranced version from A Rose Romance collection circa 2009):

• Helps makeup last all day AND it gives skin a natural look, removing all cakiness


• Feels refreshing on the skin, especially if you refrigerate it during the summer


• The product is very misty and stays in the air for a few seconds before settling on the skin, but this also allows for more of a misty feel


• Smells refreshing and clean (or fragranced if you get a fragranced version like the rose one I have)


• Spray nozzle has a locking mechanism that comes in handy for travel

If you couldn't already guess, I much prefer the Fix+. I love how it feels on my skin and how it takes away the cakiness of foundation. Also, I think that the All Nighter makes foundation oxidize quicker, so whenever I use it I always feel like my foundation looks half a shade darker.

What do you think? Have you tried any setting sprays?

New and Improved!!!

Welcome to the new and improved Kajal Couture blog!!! Let me tell ya, it took hours and hours of work to get here! You may have noticed that the blog now sits at www.kajalcoutureblog.com, but along with the new domain and layout, there are many features that will help improve the usability of the blog, commenting, and hopefully make the whole experience better for you! All the old posts and comments are here, but the format of some of the older posts might look a lil funky. I still need to work on that, and make some minor modifications here and there, but at least everything is up and running, and I can resume posting again....yay!

If you do run in to any technical difficulties, please do let me know by emailing me at kajalcouture@gmail.com. I will do my best to fix the issue.

Hope you like the new site! =)

Changes

Hello! You may have noticed that I haven't been posting much recently, and the reason is because I am working on some upgrades to the blog. I am hoping to have things up and running in the next day or so. I am hoping the new site will be a better experience for you, so stay tuned!

XOXO

Beauty Blog Link Love

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed revels in the luxury of lash extensions - come admire her fluttery lashes and find out what they have in common with Gremlins!

Christina Aguilera was the inspiration for the celebrity makeup challenge over at SocialiteDreams. Check out the recreated makeup looks and participate on the next celeb!

Addicted to Beauty gets fresh and fruity with her Strawberry Nail Art Tutorial.

Madame B Fatale finally continues on with her Decades Past series with a 70's inspired makeup look.

From Benefit to Dior, theNotice has all of your new-product-needs sorted. Check out this week's recent launches, products, and deals!

Amy Antoinette reviews Topshop's new Smoke & Mirrors collection.

Midnight Violets shares some bargain brushes that have become a part of her everyday routine!

Kajal Couture shows you a cheap and easy storage solution for makeup and skincare that you use on a daily basis.

Dollar store beauty - trash or treasure? Check out Confessions of a Glitterholic and you be the judge!

Is there a dupe for the new minty-blue shade from Color Club? Find out in polish insomniac's Color Club New Bohemian comparisons and dupe search!

Still looking for the perfect red lipstick? Anita thinks she's found hers in Guerlain's Garconne Rouge G!

Lydia from Perfectly Imperfect shares her daily beauty plan of attack and favourite products.


Head over to Adorable On Your Vanity for a chance to win NINE amazing L'Oreal Paris Color Infallibe Eyeshadows.

Phyrra is giving away the entire Madre Labs bath and body product line from iHerb!

Enter to win a chance to win a NEW Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Raspberry from the "Blushes You Can't Have" series on the Pink Sith Blog. Giveaway ends September 30th!

MAC Dupe for Nars Orgasm

In the last couple months I have received several requests asking if there is a MAC dupe for the infamous Nars Orgasm blush. A lot of bloggers recommend Springsheen, but personally I think Peachykeen is the closest:

Nars Orgasm with a pan of MAC Peachykeen on top

Orgasm has tiny flecks of glitter in it that are slightly visible once blended on the skin. Peachy keen looks satin in the pan but it has a bit of sheen on the skin. 

L-R: Nars Orgasm and MAC Peachykeen in indoor light

L-R: Nars Orgasm and MAC Peachykeen in daylight

Both shades are super similar but I prefer Peachykeen because I don't like the look of glitter on my cheeks. Have you tried either (or both) of these shades?

Still Searching for a Mascara that Blows my Mind: Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Mascara Review

For about a month or so (on and off) I have been using the Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara:

I was excited to try this because it of the name (doesn't it sound like it would make your lashes fab?) and the description: 

"dramatically thickens, lengthens, curls and sculpts lashes with each stroke. The lightweight, nutrient-infused formula leaves lashes super-shiny, soft and clump-free all day long."

I think the mascara has potential, but needs some work. I like the brush because it is full and thick, but the mascara formula itself is very goopy. It is thick and clumpy on the brush, on the tube, and on my lashes. I am embarrassed to show you this, since I am very particular and clean with my makeup products, but this mascara just gets all over the place...check out the tube after only 15 or so uses:

Once on my lashes, it does a good job of holding curl and defining the lashes, but it does not thicken or lengthen my lashes at all. Also, since the formula is so clumpy, I have to brush through my lashes with a lash comb EVERY time I use this mascara. Annoying.

Lashes curled with no mascara

With one coat of the Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara

If this wasn't so goopy, it might be ok. In that case I would even consider layering 2 or 3 coats, which might give a little more ooh-la-la to my lashes. 

In other news, are you attending any fashion related events in your city? It is currently Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Week in NYC, and there are tons of fashion related events happening here in Philly. Most of them are open to the public and there is a good chance there are similar events occurring in other US cities. I went to one fashion show at my local Macy's and I will be posting about that soon. 

Smashbox Luxe Metallics Glambox Swatches and Review

Smashbox does it again! Remember how much I loved the Smashbox Studio Stash set? I may have found another set I like even more! The Smashbox Luxe Metallics Glambox!! Smashbox releases a glambox set a couple times a year and they literally come in a cubed box:

This Luxe Metallics Glambox has 7 products in it:

- Fusion Soft Lights in Luster

- Blush Rush in Surge

- Eyelights Quad in Luxe

- Full Exposure Mascara Mini in Jet Black (the one pictured above is the full size because I misplaced the mini one that came with this set)

- Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp

- Arced Liner Brush #21 (full size)

- Lip Enhancing Gloss in Gilded Nude

- Lip Enhancing Gloss in Rose Quartz

 Fusion Soft Lights in Luster and Blush Rush in Surge

L-R: Surge blush, Luster Fusion Soft Lights (the 3 individual shades, then all swirled) 

Eyelights Quad in Luxe and Full Exposure Mascara 

Eyelights Quad in Luxe

 

Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp and Arced Liner Brush #21

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Gilded Nude and Rose Quartz

L-R: Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp, Gilded Nude gloss and Rose Quartz gloss

The kit also includes a pamphlet with instructions on how to create a Bronze Glow look and a Metallic Smoke look:

My fave of the two looks is the Metallic Smoke look, so I tried that look first. I followed the instructions exactly, using only my own foundation, concealer, and brushes.

What I was most excited about in this kit was the Arced Liner Brush #21. I have been wanting a bent liner brush like this for a long time. I have only used it a few times but so far I like it. It is SO much easier to use than a regular liner brush that has a similar brush head but is not bent. However, since I have been using an angled brush (the MAC 208 is my fave) to apply gel/cream liner for many years, this is going to take some getting used to. I was also excited to try out the Blush Rush formula. I was a bit hesitant of the color because it appeared so bright on my hand, but when blended well, it adds a soft pink flush to the cheeks. 

Overall I really like this kit and will be using these products a lot, especially as Fall and the holiday season approach. Speaking of, this would make a great Christmas present! Or if you are like me and have no patience, a great anytime present to yourself! =)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were provided by PR for consideration. Please read my disclaimer for additional information.

MIssoni for Target

If you are crazy about fashion and live in the US, you know that infamous fashion house Missoni collaborated with mass retailer Target to release a cheap-chic collection yesterday (Tuesday Sept 13th). Within just a couple hours of the collection going live on Target's website, the website crashed! People went CRA-ZAY over this collection. Not to mention the thousands who visited Target stores in the morning and snatched up everything worth grabbing. By the time I was able to actually get through to the website the items I wanted were sold out online and the website showed they were out of stock at the stores near me. I was able to get a couple items from the beauty section, like this cosmetic case which I think is absolutely adorable:

Missoni for Target Passione Cosmetic Valet

I must admit that I wasn't going crazy over this purely because of the label, but I really do like the purple zig zag pattern. I think that a lot of Missoni's patterns are beautifully abstract and complement neutrals in the perfect way. Since I didn't get the accessories I really wanted, I may have to hunt through all my neighborhood Targets or dream of winning the Lotto so I could afford the real deal. 

Did you lust after anything from the Missoni for Target collection?