{BEAUTY NEWS} | M•A•C Viva Glam Ariana Grande II

My M·A·C senses reached peak tingle yesterday when Ariana Grande released images for her second Viva Glam collection! And believe me, it is a GOOD one! Ariana has a killer, unique voice that sounds pretty amazing whether she’s singing a pop tune or belting out an emotional ballad. She also has strong opinions on many issues and uses her celebrity voice to speak out on behalf of minorities which makes her even more likeable and 100% perfect as the face of Viva Glam.

Viva Glam is a concept very close to my heart. It was launched by MAC in 1994 and directs 100% of the selling price to the MAC AIDS Fund which supports organizations fighting to combat HIV/AIDS as well as those that work to improve the lives of those who live with the epidemic. Over the past 20 years, they have raised over $400 million and are the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical HIV/AIDS funder. I try to make sure that I purchase both Viva Glam collections every year. Celebrities like Rihanna (my fav!),  Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Lisa Marie Presley and Sir Elton John have lent their faces to Viva Glam campaigns in the past.

The new, sugary sweet, campaign appears to be based on doll-like elements. The tagline is, "Be a doll, and go glam!" and campaign images seem to have Ari crammed into a tiny dollhouse. Her signature pony is adorned with a gigantic bow and she’s wearing a baby-pink dress and hot pink Mary Janes with frilly socks.

Ariana’s Viva Glam 2 duo is made up of a deep mauve matte lipstick and shimmery pale pinky lavender gloss. The Lipstick looks to be a bright orchid shade with blue tones and the Lipglass looks pretty and frosted. I absolutely love how different this lipstick is to Ariana’s previous Viva Glam one. M·A·C girls can rock them both and the 2 lipsticks definitely accentuate the different facets of Ariana.

The collection launches September 8^th in the U.S and will stay on shelves for 6 months. I don’t have any dates for South Africa yet but as soon as I do I will put them up!

I urge you to buy Viva Glam. Not only is the product fantastic but you’re also contributing to the empowerment and improvement of the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Until next time

Love and sugary pale pink sparkles

Zaakira xox

{BEAUTY NEWS} | M•A•C Tendertalk Lip Balm

I must admit that it’s often that I become “utterly obsessed” with some or other beauty product. M·A·C collections usually hit the top of the “utterly obsessed” lists and this time is no exception. The latest offering from my favourite brand is called the Tendertalk Lip Balm; which is described as a “smart lip conditioner”.

“Awaken to a sweet new sensation: Tendertalk Lip Balm, a smart lip conditioner that creates a personalized tint based on your chemistry. Combining nourishing skincare and technology, this perfect lip transformer helps keep lips soft and moisturized while intuitively offering the right hint of colour.”

So basically these are neat little lip tints that change colour depending on the chemistry of your skin! They also provide nourishing moisture to the lips. Being a huge fan of anything that changed colour and mood rings during my childhood, I think this is awesome! It looks sophisticated but still provides happiness to my inner child.

Tendertalk Lip Balm comes in 5 gorgeous variants

Candy Wrapped               - Sheer pink

Pretty Me Up                    - Sheer coral

Play With Me                    - Sheer red

Teddy Pink                         - Sheer bright pink

Side Dish                             - Sheer plum

Candy Wrapped and Teddy Pink are already on my list!

Another thing I LOVE is the packaging. The silver holders are really chic and the little holographic detail is super cute. I’m pretty sure they smell amazing too!

I don’t have many details on pricing and when it will launch here in South Africa but it will launch in the United States on June 16 and cost $20. If I get any info I will share it with you immediately!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

P.S Pop over to Instant Artistry event on 27, 28 & 29 May 2016 in Sandton City, Johannesburg. It is an interactive makeup experience designed to equip you with professional tips. There will be video content, live demos and one-on-one consultations to empower you through your makeup journey! (It’s free!)

{BEAUTY NEWS} | Ariana Grande for M•A•C Viva Glam

This week M·A·C Cosmetics announced their new spokesperson for Viva Glam. It’s Ariana Grande! I personally think it is a great choice! I’ve been a fan of Ariana since her red velvet cupcake hair and Victorious days and she’s grown up to be quite lovely.  Ariana has a killer, unique voice that sounds pretty amazing whether she’s singing a pop tune or belting out an emotional ballad. She also has strong opinions on many issues and uses her celebrity voice to speak out on behalf of minorities which makes her even more likeable. She isn’t without some controversy though but I think that this just makes her the perfect M·A·C girl!

Viva Glam is a concept very close to my heart. It was launched by MAC in 1994 and directs 100% of the selling price to the MAC AIDS Fund which supports organizations fighting to combat HIV/AIDS as well as those that work to improve the lives of those who live with the epidemic. Over the past 20 years, they have raised over $300 million and are the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical HIV/AIDS funder. Celebrities like Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Lisa Marie Presley and Sir Elton John have lent their faces to Viva Glam campaigns in the past and this year is Ari’s turn.

Ariana’s Viva Glam duo has a deep plum lipstick and a frosty, glitter pink gloss (frosted donut ;) perhaps?) which are said to represent the “good and bad girls in all of us”. For me it is the perfect combination because while I love being sweet and girly I also think that sometimes you need to rock a dark purple lip and the attitude to match!

The collection launches in January 2016 in the US. In South Africa, it will be available in store and online on 4 February 2016!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

M•A•C x Giambattista Valli

“Fashion designer Giambattista Valli brings his effortless elegance and luxurious celebration of the female form to a stunning collection of timeless lipsticks.”

Every fashion lover has heard of Roman designer Giambattista Valli. Inspired by the city of Rome, the movies of Antonioni and the celebrated Yves St Laurent, he shows haute couture four times a year at Paris Fashion Week. 

His ultra-feminine collections adorned with flowers and constructed with metres and metres of tulle fill the dreams of fashion girls everywhere.  I know that there is very little I wouldn’t do for a Giambattista Valli piece!

M·A·C Cosmetics has made it a little easier to own a little something by Giambattista Valli. The makeup company and design house have collaborated on a beautifully packaged, very limited collection of lipsticks. 

There are four colours, ranging from a soft pretty pink to a sultry, dark cherry shade. All the lipsticks have a classic matte finish and are highly pigmented. There is also a clear gloss with a subtle pearly shimmer which you can wear on it’s on for a delightful, light glow or use to compliment your lipstick.

Here’s what you will find in the collection:

LIPSTICKS (ZAR230)

BIANCA -  pale white-pink (matte)

TATS - bright hot pink (matte)

MARGHERITA - yellow bright peach (matte)

CHARLOTTE - rich yellow-red (matte)

EUGENIE - dark cherry with blue undertone (matte)

CRYSTAL GLAZE GLOSS (ZAR230)

LENA - clear with subtle multicoloured pearl

I have the lipstick in Tats and I am in love!

You can find the collection online at maccosmetics.co.za or at selected M·A·C counters. Do note, however, that this collection is limited edition and highly sought after so get your hands on it as soon as possible!

Which is your favourite?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | Chasing Pink

Dress – Topshop | Leggings – Woolworths | Boots – ZARA | Frames – Prada

Today I am (finally) sharing the photos I shot with Zeenat from Pursuing Pictorialism when I was in Cape Town. I had literally just gotten off the plane (a 7am flight!) and I was feeling like the walking dead.  Zeenat, however, was so good and patient with me and managed to make me look so calm and refreshed!

I felt that since I was going for a MAC event I had to go with a black outfit.  It was one of the last warm days and I got to wear this lovely jewelled collar dress from Topshop. I love wearing my dresses with leggings and if you get it right with colours and textures you can end up with a really chic look. Also your legs are warm and cosy! I’m wearing my favourite Zara boots again. As I’ve mentioned before, they are so versatile and can be worn in many different ways!

I really wanted the pink lipstick to pop because it was the only colour in my outfit. I wore a mixture of Candy Yum Yum and Viva Glam Miley (obvs) and Zeenat really managed to capture the vibrant pink. You can still get your hands on Miley’s hot pink Viva Glam lipstick (ZAR210) and lipglass (ZAR200) at your nearest MAC counter. Remember that 100% of the selling price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to help adults and children living with HIV and AIDS.

I really loved working with Zeenat on these photos and I hope to work with her again in the future. She even managed to get my thick glasses (#BadEyesightProblems) in with no glare! You can find her on Instagram @PursuingPictorialism. If you’d like her contact details for a booking please pop me an email or tweet and I will forward them to you.

Until next time

“Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude!” – Miley Cyrus

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

M•A•C Project Bao Bao Wan

Today an amazing limited edition M·A·C Collection has hit our shelves. I know I’m kinda late to the party on this one but honestly I didn’t realize it was already the week of release! :/ Anyway this time it’s in collaboration with the beautiful Bao Bao Wan who is a Chinese socialite. She is known as a pop philosopher and muse but most importantly she is a jewellery designer and so gold and jewel tones are the essence of this collection.

This is what you can find in the 9 piece collection:

1 Pressed Iridescent powder - ZAR620

1 5-shade Veluxe Pearlfusion Eyeshadow - ZAR500

4 Lipsticks - ZAR250

3 Nail lacquers - ZAR190

I received the eyeshadow and it is a must have! The quality is impeccable and the shades can take you from a sensual smoky eye to a soft metallic look. The shadows are very pigmented and highly buildable.

You can find Project Bao Bao Wan at all standalone M·A·C stores but hurry, I’m pretty sure this one is going to sell out quick!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

M•A•C Viva Glam Rihanna II

Rihanna’s second Viva Glam collection with M·A·C has hit our shelves this week. Viva Glam is a concept very close to my heart. It was launched by MAC in 1994 and directs 100% of the selling price to the MAC AIDS Fund which supports organizations fighting to combat HIV/AIDS as well as those that work to improve the lives of those who live with the epidemic. Over the past 20 years, they have raised over $300 million and are the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical HIV/AIDS funder.

I am truly in love with this collection. While Rihanna’s previous Viva Glam collection provides the perfect frosted red, she had a little more fun with this one, creating a metallic almost gunmetal lipstick and a frosted mauve lipglass with iridescent pigments. Both are extremely edgy and so very Rihanna. I think the girl at the M·A·C counter put it perfectly in saying that she has a “girl crush” on the collection. I think I do too! You can wear them together or on their own and the gloss goes beautifully over lipsticks like Cyber and Rebel, creating a soft but futuristic effect. They both glide on effortlessly and are pretty long lasting although naturally the lipstick lasts longer than the lipglass.

The packaging remains the same. The lipstick is encased in a velvety, deep red tube and when you remove the lid Rihanna’s signature appears. The lipglass is in a clear tube with Rihanna’s signature on it covered by a lid in the same colour as the lipstick tube.

The lipstick retails for ZAR195 and the lipglass for ZAR185. I will reiterate that 100% of the selling price (not just the profit) goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. Here are some facts about the fund and what your money could be funding.

You can purchase Rihanna’s Viva Glam collection at any MAC store or online at www.maccosmetics.co.za

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

The M•A•C Maleficent Collection

The Maleficent Collection by M·A·C hits standalone M·A·C stores this week. The film, starring Elle Fanning and Angelina Jolie is the untold story of the wicked villain Maleficent who cursed Sleeping Beauty into her long nap. It released in the U.S on the weekend of May 30 and dominated the box-office. I haven’t seen it yet but I am dying to! It has been receiving fairly good reviews and I love origin stories and Angelina Jolie! The fact that Lana Del Rey did a song for the soundtrack helps too ;)

Anyway, the limited edition collection is inspired by Angelina Jolie’s depiction of the main character Maleficent. There are really classic colours and formulas in the collection but they have this dark edginess to them. If you know me, you know I am SOLD! The packaging is gorgeously dark, adorned with black wings which I am to believe are a huge part of the story.

This is what you can find in the collection:

LIPSTICK (ZAR210)

TRUE LOVE’S KISS - a clean bright red (amplified)

PRO LONGWEAR LIPGLASS (ZAR200)

ANTHURIUM - a clean bright red

PRO LONGWEAR LIP PENCIL (ZAR210)

KISS ME QUICK - a yellow red

MALEFICENT EYE-SHADOW QUAD (ZAR410)

GROUND BROWN - a dirty deep brown (matte) (I’d probably use this for cheek contouring too)

CONCRETE muted taupe brown (satin)

CARBON intense black (matte)

GOLDMINE intense gold with shimmer (frost)

PENULTIMATE EYE LINER (R220)

RAPIDBLACK – A true black

EYE BROW PENCIL (R180)

FLING - a light taupe ash blonde

SCULPTING POWDER (R250)

SCULPT – A soft taupe matte

BEAUTY POWDER (R350)

NATURAL soft peachy pink

PREP + PRIME HIGHLIGHTER (R280)

BRIGHT FORECAST - A mid-tone peachy coral

NAIL LACQUER (ZAR150)

UNINVITED – a neutral nude with slight pearl

FLAMING ROSE - a true red

NOCTURNELLE - a black-as-night black

LASHES – ZAR140

36 Lash

30 Lash

I have the Flaming Rose nail lacquer and it is the perfect, sultry and classy red. Once I purchase from the collection I will do some photos and swatches. I really want to get the lipstick (of course) Nocturnelle lacquer and perhaps the eye-shadow quad. I was hoping there would be a makeup mirror or something more permanent that I could keep forever. I missed out on the Disney Villains M·A·C Collection so I feel like this is my second chance!

Have you watched Maleficent yet? Will you be getting anything from the collection?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Lorde for M.A.C | A First Look

Woooohoo! The first images for Lorde’s collaboration with MAC are out! It will be a 2 piece collection consisting of a purple/plum lipstick called Pure Heroine and a black Penultimate Eye Liner called Rapidblack.

Like the 17 year old New Zealander, the collection is simple yet dark and vampy. I’ve admired Lorde since she broke out into the music scene. With stars like Miley Cyrus being very “it” at the time, I really admired how Lorde stayed grounded, made it all about the music and, well, kept her clothes on. She’s won many accolades since then and has featured on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Lorde has said about M.A.C, "I have loved M•A•C Cosmetics since I was a little kid. I remember saving up to buy my very first M•A•C lipstick [Snob] at 14, and it was used by about 20 of my friends! M•A•C has a very clear aesthetic, that has always felt fashion forward to me. So I was really excited to work with them on these products, which I use pretty much every day and night. I hope you will too." 

A simple cat-eye is a classic look and you can go a little thicker for an edgier look. Deep, purple lips are huge this Winter and they aren’t going away anytime soon so this lipstick is going to sell like hotcakes. If Rihanna’s M.A.C collab is anything to go by, the lipstick will be sold out after only a few hours of hitting the shelves!

The Lorde for M.A.C Collection hits shelves in the U.S on June 5 this year and will be sold until July 3. I’m not sure when it will hit South Africa but I am to believe it will be sometime in the late Winter. I’ll be there on launch day waiting to get my hands on both the lipstick and the eyeliner.

See you in line!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week JHB

I was lucky enough to attend Mercedes Benz Fashion Week as a guest of M.A.C Cosmetics. Part of the experience was getting to go backstage and watch the M.A.C artists hard at work turning the models into runway perfection. With the super talented senior artist Michelle Lee Collins at the helm, it was an extremely productive setup which was mesmerizing to watch.

The amount of M.A.C makeup backstage made my heart beat really fast. It was amazing watching the artists take these simple bottles, pots and tubes of products and turn them into walking works of art. One of the quotes I heard backstage went something like, “I’m going to put some mascara on you and then some more mascara and then more mascara” As a (especially M.A.C) makeup addict I was in heaven.

It was an amazing experience which I am so happy to share with you. There’s nothing better than being around hard-working people that breathe fashion and perfection.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

MAC | Viva Glam Rihanna

Yesterday a new MAC collection by Barbados beauty Rihanna hit our shelves. This time she is the spokesperson for her very own Viva Glam campaign for which she created a lipstick and a lipglass. Viva Glam is a concept very close to my heart. It was launched by MAC in 1994 and directs 100% of the selling price (minus VAT) to the MAC AIDS Fund which supports organizations fighting to combat HIV/AIDS as well as those that work to improve the lives of those who live with the epidemic. Over the past 20 years, they have raised over $300 million and are the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical HIV/AIDS funder. Celebrities like Ricky Martin, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Lisa Marie Presley and Sir Elton John have lent their faces to Viva Glam campaigns in the past and this year is RiRi’s turn.

Rihanna has said to Teen Vogue magazine in an interview related to her Viva Glam campaign, "I've been around so many people who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. It's my turn to spread awareness. Because when people don't talk about this, they feel like it's not happening." She is also quoted to have said that she is doing this especially for young girls.

The lipstick and lipglass are both described as a frosty blue-red. I managed to get my hands on them yesterday and they are really chic and wearable. The lipstick glides on to a creamy, frosted red on the lips and the lipglass is similar but goes on semi-opaque. I wore the lipglass yesterday and one application lasted about 3 hours.

I must mention how much I love the love the packaging. The lipstick is encased in a matte, frosty red tube and when you remove the lid Rihanna’s signature appears. The lipglass is in a clear tube with Rihanna’s signature on it covered by a lid in the same colour as the lipstick tube.

The lipstick retails for ZAR185 and the lipglass for ZAR175. It’s really a small price knowing where your money is actually going. You can purchase Rihanna’s Viva Glam collection at any MAC store or online at www.maccosmetics.co.za

Until next time

Love and sparkles
Zaakira xox

Lipstick Warfare | MAC Candy Yum Yum vs. Topshop Bombshell

I had been after a bright pink lipstick for a while and I was lucky enough to score the last tube of Candy Yum Yum at the MAC counter in Canal Walk when I was in Cape Town. A few weeks later I saw Bombshell at the Topshop sale and thought why not? Both are quite similar in colour (Barbie pink is what I call them, really not for the faint hearted) so I’ve decided to do a little comparing. I will be likening the two lipsticks in a few categories and you can decide which one is more suited to you.

Packaging

Candy Yum Yum – The classic MAC packaging. Sleek, sturdy and classy. I’ve dropped my MAC lipsticks possibly hundreds of times and from many heights and none have broken or come loose.

Bombshell – I’m really not pleased with the packaging here. The lid is very fragile and has already cracked a little. It also doesn’t close all that well and I’m terrified it might open and tint everything in my handbag Barbie pink.

Scent

Both lipsticks have a pleasant, subtle vanilla scent and no taste once they are on my lips.

Texture

Bombshell is a lot creamier than Candy Yum Yum. Although Candy Yum Yum wasn’t drying (which is lovely for a matte lipstick), Bombshell felt a little more moisturizing. They’re both comfortable to wear.

Colour Intensity and Longevity

Judging purely on the colour, I’d say both are pretty similar. Both are a blue-based, powerful neon pink.

Candy Yum Yum – One swipe gives you the intense pink you see in the tube. Also after eating a yoghurt and a cup of tea, it was still quite intense. It’s difficult to remove and I’m pretty sure it lasts at least 6 hours. (Tip: I use Lush Bubblegum lip scrub to remove MAC matte lipsticks.)

Bombshell – I needed 2 swipes to get the desired pink. I needed to reapply at least twice in the same time-frame as Candy Yum Yum and although it was easier to remove than its rival lipstick, it was still quite difficult to remove.

I’ve included a photo where I just wiped the swatches on my arm with a tissue. Candy Yum Yum left a dark stain while Bombshell is mostly gone.

Price and Availability

Candy Yum Yum – Retails for ZAR185 at MAC counters nationwide. The availability is quite inconsistent though as it is a cult colour and sells out quite quickly. Hopefully with it being included in the new retro-matte collection from MAC it might be more obtainable. (P.S go check out the new MAC standalone store in Sandton City, it is fab!)

Bombshell –Originally retails for ZAR139 (I got it on sale for ZAR69) at Topshop. I don’t know if they currently have it as I tried calling a few times this morning to no answer. (Frustrating!)

So there you have it… I’m not going to conclude with which I think is superior, I’ve given you the facts I’ve gathered and left the deciding to you.

Until next time

Love and sparkles (and Barbie pink kisses)

Zaakira xox