We're Back! October 2013 MAC Matter Purchase

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 was a super fun month, because I did my shopping with my series collaborator, Pam! We met up at the MAC counter at Nordstrom Mall of Georgia, both of us with our little ones in tow, and had a blast selecting our picks for the month AND getting a preview of the holiday collection. My selection this month was a tad boring, but oh so necessary...

MAC Studio Fix BoldBlack Lash Mascara! The artist at the counter {I'm so sorry I can't remember her name, because she was super helpful to both of us}, helped me to select this particular formula when I told her that I was in need of a mascara that was lengthening at that would hold a curl, but not necessarily volumizing {I find that with the de rigor black liner on my top lash line, I get the illusion of volume without having to worry about clumpy lashes}.

I think what sold me on the mascara, was the brush: it's a rubber/silicone brush, with spiky bristles that will do a great job of combing through and separating my lashes, while lengthening and defining.

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 

...was the original purchase, but it ended up getting exchanged for...

MAC Satin Lipstick in Spice...

April 2013: Rule and Espresso eye shadows...

May 2013: Viva Glam V Lip Glass

June 2013: Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium/Deep

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep 

As per usual, 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 Studio Fix BoldBlack Lash Mascara is $16. I had a budget of $21 for this month, so now I have some carryover, making my budget for next month $26! 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...