MAC Friends & Family Sale

MAC is having another of their coveted Friends & Family Sales! If you haven't heard yet, it's happening from June 16 to June 18, online only.

To get your fix, enter code SUMO at checkout to receive 25% off your entire purchase - on everything in stock!

Hurry and make your order early starting June 16, just in case someone has the same idea and snags your favorite product before you do!

MAC Free Shipping

MAC is swimming in deals and discounts lately, isn't it? Tons of sales and discounts - and now, again, free shipping!

For two days only, today and tomorrow, MAC's website is offering free shipping on ANY purchase. Just enter code 2DAY at checkout and free standard shipping is yours!

Enjoy! :)

25% Off MAC Online!

MAC is inviting you to "be superfine in '09" with a gracious discount to ring in the new year - but only for three days!!

Right now, and online only, you can receive 25% off everything in the online store. How? Just enter code MACFF9 at checkout, and you'll get these amazing savings.

Hurry on over to MAC now to take advantage - this sale won't last long! It ends on January 8.

25% Off MAC Holiday Kits

Whether you've already been eyeing MAC's holiday sets and kits this season or not, you may want to check this offer out! Starting today and while supplies last, MAC is offering you 25% off on ALL their holiday collections!

This deal includes the following kits, sets and collections:

Passions of Red
"Bewitchingly bejewelled. Glossy, glamorous, insistently erotic lip and eye compacts to covet in five shades of passion. Features new and bring-back shades for red-hot exclusivity. The quintessential Holiday colour revamped. Passion like this simply can't be contained!"
Shop Passions of Red


Adoring Carmine
"Alluringly red. Passionately perfect. Adoring Carmine: our limited-edition Holiday Lip and Brush bags. Restrained to risqué, a selection of Lipsticks, Lipglass or professional brushes are always at the ready. Choose your passion and apply with confidence."
Shop Adoring Carmine


MAC Exclusives
"Two giftable ways to exceed the need for glamour, with everything a selective girl needs to get seriously sophisticated, sensually adept - Enchanting Vermillion: 5 Basic Brush Set, and Charming Garnet: Glamour Basics. Impossible to survive the season without! A M·A·C Exclusive."
Shop MAC Exclusives


Little Darlings
"Small never looked so sexy! A gifted collection of promotional-sized glamour goodies for experimenting anew with eyes, cheeks, lips...all gathered together for you and your favourite people. They look sweet as sugar, but Little Darlings know what they're doing."
Shop Little Darlings

In addition, free shipping on all purchases ends TODAY! Go go go!

Personally, I'm hoping for some Little Darlings for Christmas! Hint, hint. :)

MAC Free Shipping for Three Days Only!

Just as a quick heads-up, MAC online is now offering another period of free standard shipping on ALL purchases! Great for those of us who missed the last one!

This particular offer is in effect from October 31 to November 2 only, so if you don't have a MAC store around, get your butt over to the website and place your order ASAP!

Remember to use code 3DAY at checkout to receive your savings. Happy shopping!

Free Samples: MAC Zoom Lash Mascara with Purchase

Now while supplies last, MAC's website is offering a free sample of their Zoom Lash Mascara on orders of $50 or more. MAC and free samples? Who would've thought?


To take advantage of this deal, enter code ZOOMLASH at checkout.

In addition, receive free shipping on orders of $60 or more. Who doesn't love free shipping when stocking up on all that makeup? :)

DIB: MAC Tendertones vs. L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms

Yes, it's true - I've finally finished my post comparing MAC Tendertones an L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms! Sorry to make everyone wait so long... I really wanted to give both products a good run before posting about them, though. :)

Here's my review of these two great lip balms, comparing the different qualities of each.

The High-End Favorite
MAC Tendertones SPF 12

Price: $14.50

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The Budget Contender
L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms
Price: $8.99

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Packaging & Price: Both lip balms come in a twist-top glass jar. To apply, you have to either use your finger or a lip brush. I tend to dislike sticking my fingers into products, so I prefer a lip brush for easy, fuss-free, sanitary application (and no product stuck under my nails). The price difference is not huge, but significant enough: MAC's version is $14.50, while HiP's is around $8.99 or so. In addition, you can often find L'Oreal HiP products on sale or with buy one, get one free deals, making them even cheaper in the long run.

Texture: These balms feel pretty similar, although the HiP balm may be more on the solid side, while Tendertones are slightly softer to the touch. Both are very smooth on the lips, with a soft and silky texture. Both feel thicker than a normal stick balm, but less so than lip gloss. I'd say that because they're more solid, the Jelly Balms may be a tad bit thicker, but are hardly sticky.

Look: Some of the MAC Tendertones shades have pigment and shimmer to them, while none of the HiP balms have shimmer. Instead, they are very shiny and glossy looking, with a touch of pigment, especially in the darker shades. MAC combines pigment, shine, and shimmer into their balms for a very fun, yet elegant look that might appeal to younger tastes more. There are a few color options that do not have shimmer, though.

Feel & Wear: As previously mentioned, the MAC balms are a little softer and silkier, so they glide over the lips a bit more easily. They also feature an SPF of 12, which the HiP balms do not contain - therefore, you'll need to either risk having no SPF, or use a balm underneath that has one.

Both feel relatively similar, being satiny and smooth, and the Tendertones are just a little stickier than some other balms, though not to the extent of a gloss. Neither have very long staying power, but fade gradually with a lingering stain of shimmer and pigment. They will not hold up very well to things like eating or kissing, so don't expect that either. These are mostly short-term wear balms that look gorgeous for a while before you have to reapply.

They also share the same long-term conditioning and softening benefits, moisturizing lips with extended wear and keeping them smooth all day!

Both have a great scent and light flavor; MAC's version smells like kiwi strawberry, and HiP's smells lightly sweet, like vanilla or caramel, very delicious. :) The preference is entirely personal, but I love both!


You'll like MAC better if: you love MAC, you aren't on a tight budget, you prefer shimmer in your lip balm, you need an SPF for your lips, you prefer a softer lip balm

You'll like L'Oreal HiP better if: you're on a budget, you want a glossy and pigmented lip balm, you don't need an SPF, you prefer a more solid lip balm


Overall, MAC Tendertones are great for their SPF factor, gorgeous shimmer, and soft and silky texture, while HiP Jelly Balms are best for their beautiful colors and glossiness, plus a fantastic price - especially if you buy them on sale. Both have fabulous conditioning effects and pigment, and look great on all lips because they're so versatile. If you're on a budget, definitely give L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms a try. Or even if you aren't! Some people actually prefer Jelly Balms, especially because they're so naturally flattering and non-sticky.

I hope you enjoyed my little look at these two amazing lip products, and that you'll give either one a try! Let me know if you do, and how much you like them. :)

DIB: MAC Dazzleglass vs. Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss

Did you ever invest in the MAC Dazzleglass collection? I did - I'm not too afraid to say it. I'm a huge lip gloss junkie. But boy did my wallet hurt after I took those puppies home! I feel a little bit of regret, but I'm glad they're sold out now so I won't be tempted anymore.

Have you been looking for a budget alternative? Smart and thrifty girls know there's one for everything - and I've come to share a product I love that might fit the bill.

Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss is the closest thing to MAC Dazzleglass I've seen yet... and you know I've tried a lot of products. It's not only high-shine and glossy, but intensely sparkly as well. The multi-colored glitter is what really makes it comparable to Dazzleglass, which had the most unique, intense multi-faceted shine and shimmer. They also have a very similar thickness and consistency. While these glosses aren't exactly alike, they come darn close! I'm currently wearing Bejeweled, a sheer, light coral color that goes with everything.

Lipnotic Gem Glosses are available in 10 beautiful, wearable, shining shades, from shimmery clear to a deep, dark plum. They are oh-so-lightly pigmented, but the shimmer and sparkle is what you're after, and they deliver just that, along with nourishing and conditioning benefits of botanicals and vitamins.

So while MAC Dazzleglass may be sold out and hard to find, you can count on Sally Hansen to have the next best thing for women on a budget - each gloss is around $6.99! Fabulous, right?

Swatches:Left: MAC Dazzleglass in Steppin' Out; Right: Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss in Bejeweled

Preview: HiP Jelly Balms vs. MAC Tendertones

I couldn't restrain myself... after just a few days of seeing them in stores, I had to cave in and check out the new L'Oreal HiP jelly balms. Everyone already knows what a lip addict I am, right? Well, these looked like a delicious treat - I love shiny, colorful lip products, one reason I enjoyed MAC Tendertones so much.

Here's a short preview of my upcoming post comparing the two products. Which one will come out on top for quality and value? Don't worry, I won't keep you hanging too long. ;)

The full review is on the way, with more photos and possibly some swatches!

Left: MAC Tendertones in Hush, Hush; Right: L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms in Ripe

Which one? Hmm...

EOTD: MAC Cool Heat

As I mentioned in my last post, I had the pleasure of visiting a real MAC store for the first time this week! It wasn't much different from a department store counter, but it did appear to have more products... big duh, right?

Anyway, with my sale coupon in hand, I headed over to the Cool Heat display to see what it had to offer. Everything was even nicer in real life than I had expected! Every shadow had a beautiful color and finish, and the Slimshines - which I'd never tried - are a great alternative to lipstick. Of course, the saleswoman insisted on trying out a few things on me.

Here's my Cool Heat eye look with greens and blue! This time I tried some flattering outdoor lighting. :)


On eyes:

MAC paint pot in Rollickin'
MAC shadow in Solar White
MAC shadow in Gulf Stream
MAC shadow in Warm Chill
MAC shadow in Cool Heat
MAC ProLash mascara

How did she do? I ended up coming home with Solar White for about $12, and later discovered my boyfriend had also bought the other two shadows for me... yay! :)

You can bet I'm trying to find some dupes for these colors. I know nothing beats the pigmentation or quality of real MAC, but you can come close to matching the look on a budget! I'll let you know what I find. I'm thinking some of my ULTA and HIP shadows might work!

Splurge of the Month & Review: MAC Tendertones

A post about MAC products? Have I gone nuts?! Don't worry, the world isn't ending, and neither is my love for all things budget beauty.

The Tendertones re-launch is the only collection since Fafi to really catch my eye among the billions released this year. (I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.) I'm more or less a MAC newbie, but I've been trying to pick up an item or two from each collection I like... when my budget allows. And since I do get the opportunity to test some more expensive or high-end products on occasion, I like to let my readers know about them, too. While I usually advocate affordable beauty finds, I feel it's also my duty to keep you in the know about products that may or may not be worth a higher price tag.

These balms supposedly fuse the silky texture and shine of a gloss together with the protection and conditioning of a balm. They're available in 10 beautiful, semi-sheer shades, most of which contain a subtle shimmer. Each has a light strawberry-kiwi scent and barely-there flavor, and the packaging is essentially the same of that of paint pots.

Here's a look at MAC Tendertones, from the perspective of a budget beauty girl.

Product Description: "Combines the look of a gloss and the benefits of a balm, with the protection of everyday SPF 12 sun protection. Smoothly satin in texture, and non-sticky. Provides just-enough colour. Conditions, moisturizes, helps to smooth and improve the look of the lips. Features a light, strawberry-kiwi flavour." --maccosmetics.com

Price: $14.50/0.2 oz

Results: While I really enjoyed the product overall, the one thing I disliked right away is that no applicator is included for this product. Normally, I would just stick my finger into the jar, but having nails makes this difficult to do without getting anything stuck under them! This is a small personal peeve, though, and I'm sure many girls have no problem with jar products. It does feel a little less sanitary, though.

When I first applied, I was expecting the consistency to be either very thick, waxy, or greasy, but I found it to be none of these things. How rare is that? Instead, it felt like a light gloss on my lips, silky smooth and almost weightless.

The color selection is absolutely gorgeous, making it hard to choose just one to take home. I tried on nearly every color in-store, and was very impressed. In the end, I picked Hush, Hush, which MAC describes as a "sheer gold with yellow-gold pearl." I was a little concerned it would look too harsh or gaudy against my pale skin and on my pigmented lips, but instead it applied sheerly enough to brighten them with a flattering hint of color and shimmer. I could see myself wearing this both casually and for more special occasions. In other words, the color range has some great versatility! These would probably also look excellent over a lipstick without feeling too heavy or sticky, like a thick gloss tends to.

The wear seemed pretty decent; these won't hold up well to eating or drinking, etc., but it's not claiming to be an all-day affair, either. How often do glosses really stay put well? Personally, I don't mind reapplying, as I'm not looking for product with super staying power. Another plus is that it felt very moisturizing, not drying, which can happen often with lips. I imagine it might live up to its claim of conditioning with continued use, but there's no way of guaranteeing it.

The light scent and flavor make it more enjoyable to wear than a lot of products, but there's always the chance that you'll want to lick it off! :)

My verdict? For lip product junkies like myself, Tendertones answer many prayers. Pretty shimmer and shine, sun protection (though more is always better), a hint of color, and everyday wearability. My issues with the packaging are small, so the biggest issue left is the price. "Is it worth it?" you ask. While I love the product and wish I could buy them all, it certainly isn't feasible, and I know there are cheaper alternatives out there. Are they as nice? Definitely not - so the choice of sacrificing quality for price is always up to you. If lip stuff just isn't your thing to begin with, you probably won't be crazy about them.

Find yourself a MAC store and test these out soon, as some colors are going fast. Balm and gloss lovers need to check them out, and definitely consider getting at least one. For the rest of you, feel free to pass... and keep using what you already like, or continue searching for a good equivalent for a better price!

Rating: 4.5/5

Some budget-friendly alternatives I recommend:
Sally Hansen Comfort Shine Lip Glaze
Jenn Says: Similar concept, no SPF. Several yummy flavors and two finishes to choose from, plus much more product for the money.
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20
Jenn Says: Great SPF protection and shiny, sheer glosses for a bit of color.
ULTA Moisturizing Liptint SPF 15
Sally Hansen Volumizing Lip Shield with SPF 15
Bliss Superbalm SPF 15
Jenn Says: For those simply looking for a balm with a good SPF, but without the frills.

MAC Friends and Family Event

Uh oh... guess I shouldn't have slept in today. Everyone is all over this sale already!

This week only, June 11-16, MAC is having - gasp - a sale! The Friends and Family event gives you 15% off all purchases in MAC stores only (not department stores).

If you can't make it in to a free-standing MAC, like me, then you can get the same savings AND free shipping for all purchases online on June 16 only.

Find a store near you!

Free Shipping at MAC

MAC online is now offering free shipping on ALL PURCHASES through 5/31/08. Whether your total is $10 or $100+, they'll ship it free for a limited time!

Just a little heads up for all you MAC lovers out there who might not have known... ;)


(Jenn wonders if you can actually purchase anything at MAC for $10...)

Makeup.com MAC Sale - 25% Off

If you haven't heard already, discount.makeup.com is holding a MAC sale right now! 25% off their supply of MAC products.

Selection is a bit limited, but you can still get some great deals on great makeup - eyeshadow singles for $10.50, pigments for $14.50, etc.

In addition, for a limited time, shipping is free for orders over $60, and you can receive a free 9-piece gift with orders over $75.

As always, I'll be keeping my eyes open for more sales. :)