MAC Ruby Woo: Review and Swatches

I'm a huuuuuuuge fan of matte lippies! But I don’t buy any product without doing hours of research on it.

So after spending a few sleepless nights reading up on a gazillion reviews I finally decided to invest in MAC's Ruby Woo, which is now my Holy Grail red lipstick! 

I was literally jumping in excitement when I finallly got my hands on this gorgeous shade and I'm super happy to review it today!

What Mac claims:

Formulated to shade, define and showcase the lips. Hundreds of hues, high-fashion textures. The iconic product that made M·A·C famous. 

Teen Vogue 2014 Readers Choice Beauty Awards: Best Red (Ruby Woo)

Retro Matte: matte finish

Review:

This lipstick comes in the signature mac lipstick packaging and is part of the permanent collection. The black mac casing is very sturdy (I've dropped mine a couple of times *facepalm*) and makes the product look and feel oh-so-fabulous! 

Ruby woo is a gorgeous blue toned red, the color payoff is amazing! One swipe is enough to give you full coverage and the perfect red pout!

The picture below is swatched with only one sweep in regular lighting. 

What I really love about the retro matte collection is that the formula is very very matte unlike the regular mac matte lipsticks which kind of have a creamy matte finish to them. It can be a bit drying though so make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips properly before application so the lipstick glides on easily!

The lipstick stays on for upto 12hours; I haven't left it on for a longer period of time. It needs a few touchups if you eat oily food otherwise stays put and surprisingly does not get on the rims of glasses, wowza! 

The fragrance is the signature vanilla scent, which I actually really like, but its barely noticeable once you put it on in case you're not a fan of the scent

I am a Mac NC 30, which is medium toned skin and this blue toned red suits me just as much as it suits my friend who is Mac NW 30 and my sister who is Mac NC 35. I think it’s the kind of red that will suit almost anyone! It actually makes my face look brighter and fresher every time I wear it! 

I carry my lipstick around in my bag and keep it in room temperature and up till now it hasn’t shown any signs of melting or cracking. I got mine 5 months ago and I am absolutely in love with it, its definitely going to be a staple in my makeup stash! 

I got mine from Scentsation in Dolmen Mall for Rs. 3,200. I know it’s double the retail price but I had heard some people complaining about getting expired one's at Agha's, Yikes! Nevertheless I'm not going to buy MAC from there again cause its too expensive, so totally worth it though hehe 

You can easily get any mac lipstick for Rs. 2,200 from pages like Amor on facebook. They're very reliable! 

In Conclusion:

The Yays:

• Very matte

• Great color payoff

• Full coverage

• Suits almost any skin tone

The Nays:

• A little drying

• Its expensive

• You don't like the vanilla scent (no!) 


Rating:

5/5

Hope that this was helpful! 

Until next time,

xoxo

The Girl with the Silk Hijab   

MAC Strobe Cream: Review and Swatches

Hello beauties!

Today I'm going to be reviewing the mac strobe cream!

What MAC claims:

The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals to refresh and moisten. Boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with nutritious vitamins and a mega-dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight.

Key claims and benefits:

•    Smoothes skin

•    Improves clarity

•    Provides radiance

•    Hydrating

•    Dermatologist tested

•    Ophthalmologist tested

•    Non-acnegenic

Review:

Truer words could not have been said about this product. Mac describes this product perfectly!

This product is from mac's skincare line and its a perfect moisturiser for my combination skin! Usually my T zone gets reeeeeally oily in a couple of hours and I need to blot even on the days when I don't use a moisturiser. I've been using this product regularly under foundation as well as BB creams in the summer heat of karachi and even after an entire day it doesn't make my face oily at all! I'm just as surprised as you are! 

What's so great about this product is that it doesn't only moisturise but it instantly brightens up your skin too. It gives you that amazing fresh healthy glowing from within look without making it look like you've applied anything! 

I love the look of matte foundations but I was always on the look out for that extra something that gives a little oomph to my makeup look. And I have found it! If like me you were trying to find something that makes your face look hydrated and fresh and not flat then you have found the answer! 

When you take it out you can see that it looks quite pearly. The consistency is a little thick but it feels very lightweight on the skin. 

It has a particular fragrance but that doesn't really bother me much and it disappears after application. 

It can be used separately with a loose powder on days when you don't want to dress up your face too much but want to look healthy and glowy, or it can be used underneath foundation. 

I usually take a pea-sized amount and with my fingers I apply it all over my face and neck right after I've washed my face.

A lot of people use it justtt as a highlighter, which also looks really great! Just apply it on the high points of your face like your cheekbones, brow bone, nose and cupid’s bow and blend, blend, blend! 

The packaging is also pretty sturdy; I've had no issues with the cap or any sort of leakage. 

I'm definitely going to stock up on this particular product! 

I bought the 30ml tube for Rs. 1,750 from the facebook page Amor. 

The Yays:

•    It’s a moisturiser and a highlighter!

•    Gives a natural glow

•    Has anti-oxidants and green tea which are actually very beneficial for your skin

•    It's lightweight 

•    Can be worn alone too 

The Nays:

•    The fragrance might bother you

•    You just want a moisturiser

•    You don't like the consistency 

Rating:

5/5

Hope that this was helpful! 

Until next time,

xoxo

The Girl with the Silk Hijab  

First Post, Yikes!

Growing up I was always the type of girl who went out with just a sweep of an eye pencil and a little bit of lip gloss. But like every other makeup freak my love for makeup started with obsessing over one particular lipstick and it has been growing ever since!

I'm the kind of person who reads a gazillion reviews before I buy any makeup product, so I've decided to start keeping my own record of all the makeup adventures I've taken! :)

- The Girl With The Silk Hijab