April 2013 MAC Matters Purchase: Almost There!

Before I share what I purchased for this month's installment of MAC Matters, here's a brief recap of what this whole shindig is about:

This series is the brain child of the fabulous Pam of Pammy Blogs Beauty. She basically decided that instead of continuing a subscription to a beauty box service, she'd use the money ($21) to build a core collection of products from MAC Cosmetics. I read about it and immediately asked if I could do it with her.
Here are the rules for the MAC Matters Makeup Challenge:

Goal: Build a core MAC Collection using an average of $21.00 per month. (Pam came up with this amount because it is what she was spending on a monthly subscription service that she decided to cancel.)Purchase at least one item a month: If the item is under $21, save the remainder for the next month. While there are many items priced under $21, there are plenty that are over the $21 range that we can save for. Some months, we will be "saving" the $21 to go towards a bigger MAC purchase.

Do a monthly blog post to share what we purchased! The goal is to continue this series for 12 months to see what kind of core collection we each can build! (I also think it will be very interesting to see the difference in the products we choose to purchase and what constitutes a "core collection" for us individually.)

If this series is popular, we will continue it with another brand once the 12 months of MAC are completed. There are already discussions as to what the next brand challenge should be! We're thinking that a drugstore line could be fun! Perhaps NYX? Pam has already suggested the title "NYX Fix" which I think is super cute!

This month, I thought it was time to revisit my original purchase of the empty Pro Palette Eye Shadow x 4, because the sole shadow in there, All That Glitters, was looking a little lonely...

So I purchased two more eye shadows: Rule and Espresso! Rule is described by MAC as a "matte, vivid orange," while Espresso is a "matte, muted golden brown." The plan is to use All That Glitters as an all over or highlight color, Rule directly on the lid (but concentrated in the center of my lid) and Espresso in the outer v of my eye and a bit in the crease. I can also use Espresso to fill in my eyebrows if I'm in a pinch. I'm super pleased with this month's purchase, because all I need is one more shadow to complete my first ever custom palette!

Here's what I've acquired so far to build my "core collection":

November 2012: an empty Pro Palette Eye Shadow x 4 and All That Glitters eye shadow

December 2012: MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline gel eyeliner

January 2013: Teddy Eye Kohl Pencil

February 2013: Matchmaster Foundation with SPF 15 in 6.0

March 2013: MAC Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer

So once again, a very practical purchase for me, but honestly I think that's sort of the purpose of this series. I'm trying to build a "core collection" of makeup items that I can really work with on a daily basis.  MAC's eye shadow refills are $12 a piece so I spent $24 this month. Because of my overage from last month, I had $27 to spend, so now I have a budget of $24 for next month! What do you think I should get next; I'd love to hear your recommendations! And don't forget to go see what Pam purchased this month. Until next time...