MAC/Rodarte vs. The women of Cuidad Juarez?

The rundown:

MAC has collaborated with fashion designer Rodarte to release an collection called Rodarte for the fall. They state it is inspired by the ethereal beauty of the towns that border USA and Mexico that they discovered on a road trip to Marfa.

The problem:

Calling the border town (Juarez in particular, for which one of the nail polishes is named) ethereal could not be more misleading. Juarez is one of, if not the, most violent town(s) in the world. Since 1993 countless women have been raped, tortured and murdered in this so called idyllic town. Most of these women work in the maquiladoras or factories (coincidentally the name of the other polish in this collection is factory) for slave wages.


If you want to know more about Juarez:

An NPR series on CJ
Another NPR story

At the Drive in Made a video about this very subject, the death toll at the time was 573. That was almost 10 years ago!

My take on it all:

I don't really see them as racist or ignorant. I feel like they knew what they were doing. They wanted to stir things up and capitalize on the controversy. They did not count on people being as educated as they are. It just seems in opposition to alienate your target audience (women) by taking something that affects them so lightly. It's like a matzo ball company naming their wares the bergen-belsen. No offense to my Jewish friends I know the scale of these crimes are way smaller, however I hope you can see that I am just trying to point out MAC and Rodarte's insensitivity. As someone of Mexican descent I find it a slap in the face that they put some emaciated white girl with black circles around her eyes a mile out as the "face" of their campaign. I mean, if you stuck a flower on her forehead she could be a sugar skull FFS. Estee Lauder does give their companies the freedom to make their own decisions while having the advantage of all the R&D they have spent so much money on. This time they had enough rope to hang themselves although I doubt they will feel anything from this aside from the fleeting PR blemish, especially from a company that is so profitable.

MACs response to it all?:

"We understand that product names in the M.A.C. Rodarte collection have offended some of our consumers and fans," the company said in a statement. "This was never our intent and we are very sorry. We are listening carefully to the comments posted and are grateful to those of you who have brought your concerns to the forefront of our attention. M.A.C. will give a portion of the proceeds from the M.A.C. Rodarte collection to help those in need in Juarez. We are diligently investigating the best way to do this. Please be assured that we will keep you posted on the details regarding our efforts."

This just in MAC has decided to change the names in addition to the 100k donation. You can read more here I guess money (and a name change)CAN fix everything. I think it is good that they are donating the money but they should have done this in the first place if the misery of so many was going to be their spring board. They should have came correct and acknowledged this and not painted a pretty picture (their "inspiration") all the while putting what is really going on (the names of the products) under our faces. I think that MAC may be trying to do the right thing now at least(albeit as damage control, much in the way many prisoners find Jesus in jail). Rodarte on the other hand? Spoiled little rich girls with not a bit of taste in sight.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 PA+++

Sigh I'm sorry for nearly abandoning this blog. I had the best of intentions. I read that's one of the things white people do on stuff white people like. Since I am only half white I decided to only half abandon my blog. At any rate, I finally decided to try this sunscreen. It has been sitting in my cabinet, beckoning to me. I had been using the lancome UV expert with Mexoryl, trying to be good and use it up. It's a good sunscreen in it's own right but not super cosmetically elegant. I must admit here that I am a sunscreen freak. I use it everyday without fail. It's part of my routine. I believe I have found a winner here. This is a great matte sunscreen. I know that alot of people have really preferred the old SPF 55 formula, saying this is greasier. I can only assume the 55 was like rainbows and unicorns dancing on your face because this is pretty good stuff. It does go on a bit oily but it soaked in VERY quickly for me so that was not an issue. I do have an oilier skin particularly during the summer which is very unforgiving in Texas. I wish it had a higher PPD rating (the measure of UVA/Anti-aging protection for you non-sunscreen geeks) but other than that it's dreamy! I love how lightweight it is. I find the smell pleasant. Just be aware you do have to shake it well or else you will end up with a handful of oil. I noticed it was all oil coming up when I squeezed that bottle to smell it. (everyone does that right?) This is my first time around with it so I cannot speak to breakouts but will certainly update if need be. It doesn't however seem to cause any irritation, although I am not typically sensitive so did not anticipate any.

Note: After talking to my friend who works at Lancome the UV expert will be replaced with a new Bienfait liquid sunscreen. To compete with Shiseido I assume. It will no longer contain Mexoryl so my concern is that it will not maintain the same level of UVA protection. I don't know why they took out the mexoryl after going to the trouble to have it patented. Not so cosmetically elegant? Flipper babies? If anyone knows please tell me.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Swatches

I realize EL does not typically get alot of love so I had to share how amazing these lippies are. I know they are old news but I couldn't find any swatches online so I figured I could make some myself. They remind me a bit of the MAC glaze formula but feel a but glossier. They are not opaque but seem to be buildable. Without further ado here are a few swatches of the Pure Color Crystal lipsticks.



Starting from the bottom row

Rose Tea for reference (it is a pure color but not the crystal formula), Crystal Rose, Crystal Coral and Ripe Papaya. Top Row: Crystal Nude and Red Apple

The winners well they are all winners but the coral is a bit to orange for me. I love Bois de Rose in the regular collection so the crystal rose is a must for me. Ripe Papaya seems very unique and Red Apple seems the perfect amount of depth for a day that you don't want to do over the top vampy. All in all a great formula. I hope to swatch the rest soon.

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland book of Shadows

With the exception of a few glitter bombs this is a great set and deal. I missed out on BoS II and have regretted it ever since. I had the chance to redeem myself with AiW. I had to go to school (for work) at the nearest mall with a sephora right when this came out and I figured I would stop in and ask after school. They had not put them out yet but did have them in. I was the first one to buy from that store. Glad I did as they sold out in 2 days! Yikes! Well I have my new toy and played with it quite a few times already. They shadows are pigmented as typical of UD and go on very buttery if you sweep or pat on. I prefer to pack on the glitter bombs using a wet application to avoid gratuitous fallout. The 24/7s are great, although I find them to be a but smudgy on me but I know they work great on many people YMMV. The UDPP is a must have of mine and I don't wear shadow without it. I'm taking the first train to crease junction otherwise. I really like the variety of colors here but would have loved to see more out there colors and less neutrals.
Just a caveat: This palette does include many colors that we have already seen in other palettes and singles. If you already own a ton of UD shadows you may not want this.

MUFE Mat Velvet Revew

(Note: I will be adding pictures soon)

This is the matte, smooth, full coverage foundation that I have been looking for. I found it to keep me pretty matte with minimum touch-ups. It did melt a little on the first mildly warm and humid spring day here in Texas. It made me look vaguely like an aging drag queen but after a powder touch up all was well. I'm now searching for a primer that compliments this and prolongs the matte finish as well as a good stippling/buffing brush for application. I got around 5 hours on the above mentioned day. I did find that quite a bit rubbed off on my phone so I need a setting powder. It did not dry me out but few things can when it starts getting the least bit humid. I think I would prefer a pump bottle but that would probably jack up the price so I'm good. What do you think?

I'm a Street walking cheetah with a heart full of Napalm

I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb

What a strange Sunday off. I was up at 10 and made the 11:45 matinee to see shutter island (good movie). It's just hyper bizarre me being up and around that early on a day off unless I have an appointment or some such nonsense.



Products Used:
Face:
MUFE Mat Velvet in 30
Mac Mineralize Blush in Grand Duo
Origins Multigrain in Light Medium to set


EYES:
From the AIW Palette Drink Me Eat Me (Sin)on lid, Mad Hatter (Twice Baked)in crease, Midnight Tea Party (Midnight Cowboy Rides Again)above crease and White Rabbit (Polyester Bride) for a highlight
UDPP
Clinique Cocoa shimmer for upper lid and EL LE Bronze Goddess on lower waterline
EL Projectionist Mascara

Lips: Clinique in Blushing Nude



What a lame look, I'm almost ashamed to post it. Almost.


I'm trying to teach Cooper to dance. He is not interested unless it is the hustle.



The camera loves fawkes almost as much as fawkes loves the camera...

Maybe tomorrow will bring a better face!

When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low

I wanted to do something that would convey how I feel about the upcoming year and my emotions that go with it. I feel I've been letting the grass grow beneath my feet. Letting routine bite hard. I'm ready to change it up. I've decided to do more volunteer work and focus on my art, photography, fibercraft and possible musical collaboration with my husband. I passed up more hours at work and am glad that I am able to do so. This comes in addition to my new re-commitment to a solid exercise routine, reading a book a week minimum and my current volunteer work with the Master Gardeners and of course work (both employment and house). My goal is to make the world a more beautiful, peaceful and educated place. So I feel absolutely electric after this epiphany!!!


Coming at ya like a pocketfull of loose change!


I'm preparing to eat your face little dog!!



Products Used:
Face:
MUFE Mat Velvet in 30
Smashbox Blush in Dolce Vita
Origins Multigrain in Light Medium to set


EYES:
Mac Pigment in Fuschia
Fyrinnae in 1.22 Gigawatts
EL shadow in Nautical Matte (Crease)
UDPP
Smashbox Liner Creme (don't care for this, I find it too waxy BUT I feel obligated to use it)
EL Projectionist Mascara

Lips: Lancome Lip Gloss in Iridescent




My new performance art gig as a human blow up doll.

Coolest Tea Infuser Ever

Being an avid tea drinker a infuser is a must have. My inginuiTea from Adagio Teas is absolute aces. I have however found something I love due to sheer overwhelming moxie.



Ah Yes, the yellow tea submarine. TeaSub, you shall be mine. I will brew a tasty earl grey within your yellow hull.

She talks in stereo

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Wake me up before you go go!

I knew my makeup would be a mess when I got home after spinning so I decided to take it before I walked out the door.

Here we have a fab robe!

'

Ok I'm so glad my huge melon decided to cover up the dead rosemary in my window that I could not seem to root for some reason. I really need to get that in the compost bin...

Products Used:
Face:
MUFE Mat Velvet in 30 (Love this beyond words, possibly HG)
Lancome Blush in Shimmer Mocha Havana
Origins Multigrain in Light Medium to set


EYES:
Lancome Sun Sea Sand Palette
UDPP
Lancome Laque Liner

Lips:Estee Lauder Tiramsu



I'm trying to get my photo editing sorted so that these wont be so blurry, please bear with me.

I never use a primer on my face. I use a serum (sometimes), moisturizer and a decent PPD sunblock. I can't help but think if I add primer to the equation that you may well be able to take a cross section of my face much as you would count the rings on a mature oak.

I can't stress how important a photostable sunblock is if you want your skin to stay youthful. I don't leave the house without it. I currently use Lancome with Mexoryl. It is a good PPD but a little pasty for me. When I run out i will be switching to Shiseido Lotion. It has a lower PPD but gets rave reviews and many say it eliminates the need for a primer. I'm game.

You're a prima ballerina on spring afternoon

Happy Valentines day!!

I did a cut crease today. I love them and Valentine's day is all about amour, non?

Today's FOTD is a bit tired. I didn't have time to take pics until later in the day. I'm creasing up a bit so hence no closed eye pics...


Products Used:
Face:
Revlon Photoready in Shell
Clinique Blush in Smoldering Plum
Origins Multigrain in Light Medium to set


EYES:
UD AIW (Yeah, I know I'm on a tear on this one)- Absolem (Homegrown) on lid, Cut Crease with Mad Hatter (Twice Baked) and Sheered out the crease with Mushroom
UDPP
Lancome Laque Liner
EL Projectionist mascara in black
UD 24/7 e/l in Zero in Waterline and Flipside under eye

Lips:
Clinique Blushing Nude



I choose my pictures based on if they make me laugh, obviously not on if they make me look cool



Eye close up:

I'll call you 'jaguar,' if I may be so bold...

Quick and dirty and out the door.

The snow is melting. The streets, full of slush.





“Kiss and make up--but too much makeup has ruined many a kiss.” - Mae West

Palace of the Brine

In a place they say is dead
in the lake that's like an ocean
I count about a billion head...

Today brings another snowy lazy day. What better to do than ham it up with a dog that looks like sausage.

Today's eyes are from the Fascinating Ruby: Smokey palette. Lauder projectionist Mascara. No lips, its my lazy day.




Today's dog is from the dachshund collection









The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something.
Gene Simmons