The Importance of Skincare

I recently had NARS training last week and thought I should share some new words of wisdom. This time around we learned the importance of skincare. Living in Edmonton, my skin is faced with harsh weather, pollutants, and the layers of makeup I use on a daily basis. I'm not necessarily saying go buy NARS Skincare, but more importantly make sure you're taking care of your skin. Start early- why not? I can't stress enough the use of sunscreen. Come on people it's combats aging! And for all my colored friends-just because our skin tone is darker, does not mean we don't need to wear sunscreen. So lather up. I took a few photos to show you a sneak peek of training in Calgary.

 

Although we tend to use makeup everyday, I cannot stress enough that we need to be nurturing our skin with cleansers, moisturizers, and toners.  Please use these products daily and continue a routine with skincare. This last picture (left) was the gift I received from the company at the end of the long training session. Notice the promotion of skincare in the gift. I'm sure you guys are all wondering about the other pics. If you're familiar with artwork, you'll see a link to Andy Warhol. Guess you'll have to wait and find out what will happening with NARS in the fall. I can't kiss and tell. Until later....toodles.

Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation

Today I am writing about the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation by Bobbi Brown. I purchased this product about two months ago, in hopes of a foundation that would assist with my dry skin.

I bought it in the Warm Natural shade. After my applying NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer, I applied the foundation and found it to be almost creamy. The texture seemed moisturizing enough.  As I applied the foundation, I found it was very light and didn't feel thick.  The finish of the foundation was quite soft, but I found the coverage wasn't as great as I thought it would be. According to the website, "Bobbi's popular moisturizing formula provides SPF 15 sun protection while it hydrates skin and delivers a soft, beautiful finish. The formula is buildable, allowing medium to full coverage as desired." I found that I couldn't achieve a full coverage with it, even after applying layers of the foundation on. I would recommend it as a daily foundation with a light or medium finish. It does have a soft and smooth finish.  I have continued using it in the summer as a light foundation and definitely do enjoy the moisture from the product.

Sorry

To all my readers:

I apologize for not writing anything recently. I have been swarmed with numerous wedding appointments.  I have also been traveling a great deal this summer.  It's been hectic thus far. A little overwhelming at times, and I am sorry about my lack of blog posts in the last two months. Don't worry- I've been testing numerous products out and have much to complain about- I mean teach you about. Please be patient and keep reading.

Thank you!

-Jasmine

Foundation Tip

Hey all! Sorry for my lack of posts. I've been traveling and haven't had a chance to function properly. Anyways, I know the weather is getting hotter. We go through bottles of foundation every year. Summer is all about a little bit of color. I'm tanned already and find myself moving into a darker shade of foundation. Make sure you're upgrading your shade as you tan through the season. As well, lighten up the foundation coverage by adding some of your moisturizer to the foundation. I would highly recommend a tinted moisturizer or lighter coverage foundation for the au natural skin glow, especially for this season. Keep it real! Make sure you're using a sunscreen- doesn't matter what color your skin is! Sunscreen helps us look young, wild and free! Enjoy the beautiful weather! Take care.

Touche Eclat

 I decided to go French and try out the famous YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch. I'm sure you have all seen or read about this product numerous times in magazines.

What is it exactly?
Touche Eclat is a concealer, brightener, and highlighter all in one.

Where do you apply it?
Well, this product is focused for the under eye area, and above the apples of the cheek.  You can apply to other areas, such as around the nostrils, and above/below the lip area, to accentuate these features. Remember it does act like a highlighter and tends to brighten up specific areas. 

What does it do?
According to YSL's website-
"The beauty secret of the world's top makeup artists and models, Touche Éclat is the original must-have for a radiant, flawless face. Capture 8 hours of sleep with the click of a pen. With a few strategic strokes of this award-winning complexion highlighter—dark circles, fine lines and signs of fatigue virtually disappear. Powered by the radiance-boosting Luminocaptide Complex, skin is instantly illuminated, so you look rested and refreshed—even if you’ve been up for hours. Sleek and sophisticated, it discretely slips into a makeup bag for quick touch-ups anytime. It’s the one beauty essential no woman should ever be without."

Where do you buy it? How much is it?
Well it's available at Sephora, Holt Renfrew, Murale, and some locations of The Bay. It's about $50.00.

Initially, what did I think about it?
Well, the consistency of the product was nice and light, but I found that the colors were a little wonky to start with. Sorry- I'm not a pink undertone but an olive undertone- come on I'm Indian!  When I first attempted to find a shade that was similar to my skin tone, I found that the shades jumped from really light to really dark.  There was no medium. I ended up getting the Luminous Ivory shade, which seems a bit light for me. 

After trying it on....
I found myself a little perplexed about the product.  I have horribly dark circles (as you should all know by now), and I found that it wasn't enough coverage for my dark circles.  It's a sheer coverage and does add some look of radiance to my skin, but I'm still unsure. I needed a thicker concealer to help.  But I guess over time and use, the product helps with dark circles, lines, and blah blah blah.  The usual situation with most under eye products.  I'm going to keep using it, to see if it actually helps my dark circles. Only time will tell.

Go Away Dark Circles!

I look like a zombie in the morning. No jokes. Absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't want to wake up beside myself. I'm plagued with horrible dark circles and often find myself layering on concealer and foundation under my eyes.  I don't know whether it's my ethnicity or my lack of iron, but it truly sucks. I've recently invested in Shiseido White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream, which is $68.00 from Sephora or The Bay.

This little jar of miracles has helped my dark circles greatly. AMAZING stuff! According to the Sephora website, "Specially developed with Shiseido's own Spot Deacti Complex, this lightweight cream addresses both melanin formation and poor local microcirculation, two major causes of dark circles. The Dark Circle Targeting Complex reduces melanin and diminishes the appearance of melanin pigments. By gently massaging the cream onto the skin, local microcirculation is improved while a unique mix of Asian plant extracts recover moisture balance. Additionally, it contains Multi-Luminizing Powder with light diffusing properties to instantly bring luminosity to eye areas."

I've been applying it every morning and every night before bed. I can honestly say that my eye area seems lightened and revitalized. I would highly recommend this product! No doubt.

The Power of Eyeliner

A perfect eyeliner is vital in adding shape and depth to the eye.  Especially recently, prominent eyeliner on the lash line of the top eye lid has been in high demand for so many looks.  We love the vintage look with the winged out eyeliners. For those of you who don't have a steady hand- gel eyeliners are an easier product to use than liquid liners. The two brands I would recommend and use are Bobbi Brown and MAC.  I carry both, but I would say I enjoy the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink which runs for about $26.00 and is water-resistant.   Let's be honest, we tend to be quite the emotional creatures, whether it's because of Ryan Gosling in the 'Notebook', a bad fight with a boyfriend, or just because we feel fat. This product-no doubt- will last through any emotional dilemma that we women are often plagued with. I find the MAC Fluidline in Black Track dries up a bit faster than the Bobbi Brown one.  It also is cheaper at only $18.00.  MAC's Fluidline is long wearing and smudgeproof.  It comes in a ton of colors.  Unfortunately I own so many of these colors! I know-I have a horrible addiction of costly makeup. They both dry at a fast rate and tend to have that dark bold black color.
 I find the main difference between the two is the consistency of the product.  I would recommend both, but would say go with Bobbi Brown if the you have the money to do so.  Gel eyeliners are great to play around with as you can smudge them or really get a nice straight edge.  I find the easy to work with and super easy to correct.  To get the best effect with gel eyeliners is to use a small angled brush.  In order to get the products off use a eye makeup remover to remove products off the eyelids.
I used MAC Brush 208 to apply the liner and applied it the upper lash line as well as to the outer corner of my lower lash line to create a more 'seductive' look.  

 I did wing it out a little bit but not significantly, as I was attempting to get a subtle daytime look with eyeliner and one shade of eyeshadow.  My eyeliner was a bit thinner because of the daytime look.  Thickness of eyeliner completely depends on the shape and size of your eyes.  If you have smaller eyes, make sure you keep your eyeliner thinner, otherwise it looks like eyeliner is taking over your eye. This way you keep the eye from looking any smaller than they already are. Larger eyes can pull of a thicker eyeliner as they have the room to do so. 

Let me recommend- don't just stick to black! Try out other colors! I own navy, greens, purples, golds, and silvers.  If you have lighter skin, even try using a brown eyeliner.  Sometimes black looks too dramatic for the daytime, so take it down a notch with a brown or charcoal. Let me know how it goes, and please feel free to make comments or ask questions.

Eye Shadow Base Tip

Hey all! I know I've really been slacking in the blogging department! I'm really very sorry.  April has been quite the hectic month with work and school. Just a heads up- I've gotten numerous new products that I am actually so excited to blog about! May will be full of reviews!

Today, I just wanted to share a little tip. The reason I suggest wearing an eyeshadow base is to keep the eyeshadow from creasing and to hold the color of the pigment.  It's really not necessary to buy a base because you can easily use concealer over the eyes lids.  The concealer holds the color and keeps the eyeshadow from smudging.  Just spread the concealer all over the eye lid with your fingers and then apply the eyeshadow afterwards.  That's all.  Simple and easy. 

Funny Face

As you should know, I don't usually wear bright lip colors or anything of the sort.  As I attempt to be adventurous in the treacherous jungle of colors- I fell for the tiger of all lipsticks. NARS Funny Face is a must have hot pink number that I think everyone can pull off!

It's a semi-matte lipstick, meaning it's not too shiny or too dull. This lipstick is super moisturizing and works with many skin tones! I know I took a massive plunge with the color but I've gotten nothing but compliments about the look! I paired it with a the NARS Larger than Life Lip gloss in Gold Digger, which gave it a little bit of a glossy look.  I totally ventured with this product during the day, so I thought glossy would be more feasible for the daytime.  It's only $30 and available at Sephora, The Bay, and Holt Renfrew (some locations). Anyways love it! It stayed on great and kept my lips ready for a good pucker up.  I guess that's why it's called Funny Face!

Clean Slate

I always keep this particular product in my kit and I'm consistently using it with clients.  I can't live without it: Shiseido cotton pads. I know you're thinking- cotton pads- really Jasmine? No joke. I find them vital.

 Cotton pads can be bought everywhere from the local grocery store to the drugstore. These particular pads are found at The Bay and Sephora. I'm sure you've all used the the ghetto cotton pads we get from a drugstore.  They always fall apart, and the cotton literally sticks to you. Sometimes the cheaper cotton pads tend to stick to product and turn into a string of webs.  It's a mess, especially with nail polish removal. I kid you not, the Shiseido cotton pads are a must have in everyone's makeup kit-big or small.  The cotton doesn't fall apart, and does not feel like a cat gnawing on your face.  I always find, that some of the cheaper cotton pads, actually irritate my face.  Maybe I'm just crazy sensitive or a little too demanding, but I don't like my face feeling 'cut up' when putting on toner. No thanks! This cotton pad is soft and super absorbent. I use them with cleansers, toners, makeup removers, and nail polish removers. I urge all of you to try them out.  A pack of 60 sheets is only $9.00.  That's all! Clean your slate with the good stuff. 

It's not a massive purchase, but what I believe is an essential one.Try it out. Let me know what you think. I hope all of you find as much love this product as I do. Happy cleansing!

Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush

One of my most recent purchases includes the Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush from The Bay.  I believe it was $33, which is actually a damn good price for a foundation brush.  The moment I saw this brush- I literally fell in love.  According to the Japanese company, "Shiseido's innovative technology combines with traditional Japanese brush-making techniques to create the perfect foundation finish. Excellent pick-up of all types of formulas for a uniform application and impeccable finish. Gently tapered strands create an angled slant that best allows bristles to reach all facial contours. Short handle allows for precise control during application and portability for travel."

 I love the texture and the angle of the bristles.  I've tried using it with all types of foundation and find the product doesn't clump in the bristles, which is what I find with many brushes. If you're looking for a foundation brush, I would highly recommend it as it is affordable and does the job of a 'perfect' flawless finish.

Spring Cleaning!

I know I haven't talked about this much, but a lot of our makeup products need to be thrown out or cleaned up.  It's essential that we take care of the old.  For one, our brushes should be cleaned at least once a week! I'm not saying you need to clean all of them.  Just clean the ones that you use most often.  This may include, foundation brushes, powder brushes and blush brushes.  Other brushes, like eyeshadow brushes can be cleaned less often, depending on how often you use them.  Eyeliner or angled brushes should be cleaned twice a week to reduce the spread of bacteria, especially in the eye area.  It's all good to share, just make sure you're cleaning your brushes on a regular basis to reduce the spread of bacteria.  Brushes tend to hold on to the oils from the product which can cause breakout if they are not cleaned.  Clean your brushes! It's vital. 

 Ladies, mascara is not supposed to last you 6 months.  Mascara is only good for 3 MONTHS! Otherwise it can cause irritation, redness, or even pink-eye! Nasty, I know.  But this is a product that you should be replenishing consistently.  Dry products, such as eye shadows and powders are often good for up to 2 years. If they start to have a pungent smell- throw it out!  Anything that starts to have an odd smell- just chuck it.  No need in spreading bacteria and disease.  Liquid foundation is usually good for 8 months. Liners, lipsticks, and glosses- well those should be thrown out after a year or so.  Like anything else, if it smells funky- toss it in the garbage can!

Some of the recommended brush cleaners:
-MAC Brush Cleanser $16.00
-Lise Watier Makeup Brush Cleaner $14.00
-Sephora Purifying Brush Shampoo $6.00
-Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser $13.00

If you don't have one, or don't find it necessary to use a brush cleaner, I suggest using a mild shampoo to clean off the bristles. Why not? It's hair anyways.

Full Exposure

I'm a huge mascara fan, and find it is one of my staples to wear on a daily basis. I continue my search and struggle to find mascaras that go on perfectly.  I don't have the longest or the thickest lashes.  They're actually quite thin and look ridiculous without any mascara.  My concern is always finding a mascara that adds volume AND thickness to my lashes.  I'm sure a lot of women have this struggle.  I find it's usually a battle between lengthening and volumizing with most mascaras.  My mission: to find one that does both, and a good one at that.  Today, I've chosen to purchase Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black. It's decently priced, and according to the Smashbox website, "our new studio-tested mascara exposes your longest, fullest lashes."

The brand also claims that it doesn't clump or flake off! Tell me something new! I find it so annoying that every company says this, but when you try it out- it's the farthest thing from what's been advertised.  Although I would agree, this mascara does not clump.  The texture of the product seems to be a little more watery- but this perhaps may be due to it being new.  I always find that when you buy a new mascara, it often tends to be too wet (if that makes any sense).  When I first tried this product, I thought it was too wet and made my lashes look very spider like! I wiped off and decided to dip the brush and then clean it on the inside of the mascara tube.  This method tends to get the excess mascara off and doesn't give you that spidery effect.  I put on two coats and found that the product did say what was promised.
I  tend to pick my mascara off- I know there's many who do! So, I did find some flaking, obviously, when I was picking off the mascara from my lashes.  Just me.  I know.  But overall- not too bad with volume and lengthening.  We'll see how it lasts. Here's a look at the final product on my lashes (I'm not wearing any other eye makeup in this particular picture- so you could see the full effect of the mascara).

The Full Exposure mascara is $19 on Sephora.com. I believe it is also available at some drug stores, such as Shopper's Drug Mart.  Please share any of your mascara experiences!

Under Eye Concealer Tip

Short and simple. I'm unsure about how everyone feels about this, but I find that concealer tends to dry up and crease. You know- when it looks nasty and you can actually tell that someone's wearing concealer. Yah- that's not right.  This should NOT be happening. Don't get me wrong- this totally depends on the brand and how moisturizing the product is. If you find yourself getting creases or having your concealer dry up, just add some eye cream. This revamps the concealer and helps keep that area smooth and hydrated. When doing this you could either add both the concealer and eye cream to the palm of your hand to heat the products up. This will better blend the two products, therefore creating a healthy finish. If that doesn't work for you, I suggest mixing the two products together just under the eyes. I you don't even have an eye cream- well that might be the problem! It's essential to use an eye cream rather than a face moisturizer under the eyes because the skin is thinner and more sensitive than the the rest of your face! VITAL- especially to avoid getting future crow's feet. Try this tip and see if it helps!

Camera Ready

I finally got my BB Cream in the mail from Sephora.  I actually decided to go with Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream instead of choosing other brands.  I found the color matched me quite well and it was decently priced at, $39.  According to the back of the tube, this product, "moisturizes, primes, perfects, protects and control oils in one step to create a flawless face in a flash."

Initially opening the package, I liked the sleek, simple appearance and was quite ecstatic about the fact that it had an SPF 35.  I'm a firm believer that we should protect our skin, regardless of what shade our skin is.  Everyone may be prone to getting skin cancer, so let's just reduce the effects of this and aging by using a sunscreen.  A BB Cream like this makes this easy for all of us.  If you are always in a hurry or never have enough time to do your makeup, I would highly recommend using a product such as this. The shade I used was a Medium, which matched my skin wonderfully. Anyways, what I didn't like about this was the consistency of the cream.  It was very thick! Being myself, I hate that feeling of caking my face, so all I used was literally less than a dime sized amount.  Since, I didn't like the consistency of the product, I just added a little bit of my moisturizer to thin it out.  I used my fingers and applied from the inner parts of my face (nose and cheeks) to the outer portions of my face (forehead and chin).  The coverage for this item was quite a bit.  I was expecting a light coverage, but I would say this was a medium coverage.  I finished up with my concealer and pressed powder over my T-Zone. Even better for those people on the run and no time to touch up during the day.  For the most of the day, the product stayed on and didn't melt off my face (I'm only saying this because I was wearing it while doing hot yoga). It did leave a flawless finish and did leave my skin feeling smooth.

Other BB Creams I have looked into:
-Dior HydraLife BB Cream
-Estee Lauder DayWear BB Cream

I hope that helps, if you're searching for BB Creams.  Let me know what you think of this product or any others that are similar.

Fake it- Create Cheekbones!

Hello, hello! I've been asked to write about how to create cheekbones.  Let's admit it, we all don't have some that show.  This is just a quick post, showing how to create a contoured cheek so your face looks leaner, skinnier, and beautiful especially in the summer! In this particular post, I've used NARS Bronzer in Laguna to contour my cheeks.

All you need is a larger brush, such as a blush brush, and a bronzer.  Try using something that is near your skin tone. It should be just a few shades darker than your natural self.  Also make sure, the bronzer isn't too gold or shimmery.  This takes away from the effect of the contouring, making it look more fake, or too much! I'm not a big fan of glitter on the cheeks, so the NARS bronzer is perfect for me.  My look prior to using bronzer is below:

As you can see, I've done the rest of my beauty regiment for today.  My cheeks have only a bit of foundation on them.  Other than that, they're pretty plain jane.  Steps in applying bronzer for contouring:
1) Gently, press your brush into the bronzer.  You don't want to get too much, so just tap any excess powder against your arm.
2) Apply the bronzer, in a line, moving from the bottom/middle ear towards the corner of your lips.
3) I would say put more on if you're going out at night, as it's more difficult to see.  Take it easy in the daytime.  You will still have contoured cheeks with less than more.  It just looks more natural.

After applying bronzer, you can see the definition in my cheek:

See that definition. Even with this picture you can see that- wow Jasmine has a bit of cheek bone. My overall look is below:

My look is very subtle, but like I said, if you're planning to go out, I'd say add some more! Darken those areas and enhance your cheekbones.  Let's fake it and make some cheekbones! Good luck!

A Story About Inner Beauty

The other day, while working at NARS, I was introduced to a new client.  She was a 51 year old bride, getting married in August.  She's been married previously and is a devoted Christian.  I meet a lot of brides, but for some reason yesterday- I felt very compelled to talk about my experience with her.
This woman is a bit on the larger side, and seemed to have very low self-esteem and lacked a confidence. I know there are many women out there like this, and I know every woman has their own insecurities.  While removing her makeup, she warned me about her appearance and continued making remarks of how 'fat' she was.  Honestly, I felt kind of bad and wanted to help her feel better about herself.  Continuing with her makeup consultation, she opened up a lot and told me about her past experience, her dress, fiance, and her wedding.  It was so nice to hear that she'd found love again, especially at an older age.  Even while showing me pictures of her dress, she continued to put her self down about her body.

I finally learned that she had battled cancer! I was shocked!  This woman has gone through so much, even having battled uterine cancer, she didn't believe in herself. It was my mission to make her feel beautiful! It was such a great experience to meet someone so strong and having gone through so much. As our consultation continues, I gave her tips and talked about her beautiful features, such as her eyes. I firmly believe, we should focus on what we love about ourselves, instead of focusing on what we hate about ourselves! We continued talking, and I really got to know her.  She's done well, considering she had lost her hair through chemotherapy.  She looked amazing! She was honestly quite surprised that she had met such a fantastic guy.  She called it a blessing.  Anyways, I told her that I was going to show her makeup at the end of our session. So, she wasn't allowed to look in the mirror the whole time- 1 hour! I know, you're probably thinking- Jasmine, how can you tease someone so much? Well, I wanted to show her how beautiful she could be.  Basically, I wanted to give her a shock factor.

As we approached the end of our session, I handed her the mirror. Wow- her reaction was absolutely flooring. She literally teared up and said, "Jasmine, you've made feel gorgeous.  I have never felt so beautiful.  Thank you so much! I look amazing." Hearing that- I realized I had probably done so much for this woman! I made her feel gorgeous, inside and out. She was so happy that she met me. It made my day.  It's days like this, when I realize, it's really more than just applying makeup. I actually helped this individual feel good about themselves. And essentially, that's why I love doing what I do. I know- I sound corny, but it's completely true!

With telling you all about this story, I would like to share my email address: jasmine.sehra@gmail.com. I want you to nominate yourself, friends, or family members, for a makeover session with me! I will teach and show you techniques to make yourself or another person feel beautiful. If you know anyone who has a hard time realizing how amazing they really are- nominate them! Tell me their story and why you've nominated them! I would love to hear all the stories, good or bad. The person who receives my *FREE SERVICES* will be contacted by email, and we will set up a date and time that works for both myself and this special individual! Unfortunately, this will only be valid for those in the Edmonton area. Don't be shy and share! Can't wait to hear from my readers! Contest will close March 31st, 2012!

Spring Corals

I'm usually one who doesn't go crazy with the lip color, but lately I feel as though I should take the plunge.  I've been experimenting with a lot of corals.  I know- you're probably thinking- Coral, Jasmine really, that's a plunge?  I'm typically one who plays up my eyes and leaves my lips a little subtle or nude.  So for me, it's slow progress.  Although, I have been known to randomly bust out a flash of red lipstick here and there (not my mom's favorite look on me). I thought going coral would look gorgeous with the bold colors and floral prints coming in this season! If you've seen or know me, you'd know I'm quite lame when it comes to color in my wardrobe.  A bold move for me was buying eggplant purple toned pants. I know- I'm LAME. In terms of my Indian clothing- I guess I'm an array of colors. After analyzing my closet, I decided to venture out and attempt to add some color to both my wardrobe and lipsticks.

So I bought some new products from NARS- I love this stuff! The reason being, I find it moisturizing, especially in Alberta's dry climate.  Lip balms are a must have for me, especially in winter! But the weather is gorgeous and so are my lips!

Last week, I purchased 3 new products from NARS Cosmetics:
1) NARS Satin Lipstick in Casablanca- This lipstick has a lustrous shine to it and is the definition of coral. The lipstick itself is $30 and available at Sephora, The Bay, and Holt Renfrew (some locations).  It was "Best Overall Lipstick” 2010 & 2011 InStyle "Best Beauty Buys”. Super moisturizing.
2) NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita- How can I describe this color? Well it's a bit of a dusty rose mixed with a tinge of coral and smidgen of red. So this matte pencil goes on very smooth and doesn't feel dry.  The vitamin E in the product provide nourishment, and the silicons keep this product on. It's also $30 and well worth the purchase.  But you will need a pencil sharpener large enough for this lip pencil! 
3) NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Gold Digger- This a sparkly peach shimmer lip gloss and also $30. NARS Cosmetics actually just released this new line of lip glosses.  Essentially, this lip gloss has an anti-aging component that also plumps.  I'm cursed with itty bitty little lips, so I definitely need something extra for a larger pucker!

I applied the velvet matte lip pencil first, then the lipstick and lastly, just a bit of the gloss.  Those are the 3 products I've used to get my coral look! So far, I've heard good things about my lips.  Please comment- let me know if you've used these products or are tempted too. Hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick's Day and has recovered from the hangovers! The most green I wore was on my nails. I know- LAME! Take care.

For the Shiny Boys!

Guys- this one's for you! A lot of guys have asked me what to do about oily skin? If you look greasy and a little on the shiny side, try using Matte for Men. These products are made with sunscreen and are meant to take care of the seriously shiny forehead, T-Zone, and the scalp (I know, I was shocked when I saw this as well)!  This particular brand also has an anti-aging line for the oldies. For those men with the bold, tough-looking, shiny and bare head- this stuff is great! If you're just like Mr. Clean, try this stuff out. According to the website, "the products are fast-absorbing and non-greasy."  For some reason, I fell that men get more shiny than women do.  I know guys tend to keep their skin regiment a secret.  Don't worry- just because you're looking at this post- it does not mean you are any less of man. 

The Sephora website concludes, "Matte For Men Complete Head Care Lotion is the first product to combine the three most important benefits that men want in a lotion: sun protection (SPF 25), superior moisture delivery, and oil and shine control."  The products and line can be purchased at Sephora stores or online. The price of this shine reducing product is only a mere $30. Yahhh! Fantastic for an active and sweaty individual.

Let me know what you think?  Has anyone tried these product before? Thanks for watching out for your shiny self! Play and tell....

Simply Vera

The infamous wedding dress creator has put away her sewing machine and is coming out with a new makeup line, April 2012.  She's a 65 year old designer, and has yet to get out of the realm of beauty and fashion.  Her new makeup line will be alongside her affordable clothing line, Simply Vera, at Kohl's. According to US Weekly, "Like fashion, makeup is also transformational," Wang said in a statement. "I love its artistry to accentuate, enhance or create a mood for any time of day or occasion."  Her new cosmetics line is starting off with 16 products, including concealers, eye shadows, eyelash serum, and lipsticks.  Prices for the products will range from $16.50 to $39.50. 

"Vera's approach to beauty is very much in line with her approach and aesthetics in fashion. It's about enhancing a woman's natural beauty by creating a perfect skin canvas, and then allowing the woman to express her personality and embellish through color," Veronique Gabai-Pinsky, global brand president of Aramis and Designer Fragrances, BeautyBank and IdeaBank at Lauder.  Products from the line are meant to enhance one's natural beauty, by protecting the skin and adding a hint of color.

Vera Wang, the 65 year old designer isn't stopping yet. She continues to strive and succeed in the realm of beauty and fashion.  We may not be able to afford her gorgeous wedding dresses (at least I can't), but we can always try her makeup line.  Unfortunately, it will only be sold in the US :(

Let's go High Definition-HD!

Within the industry, I've heard numerous and wonderful remarks about the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. Being my curious self, I went to Sephora  and bought the HD Complexion Starter Kit, which comes with a color matched foundation for you.  I was quite curious about the product and decided to go for it. The Starter Kit itself was $89.99 and the HD Invisible Cover Foundation is $46.00 (if purchased on its own). The Starter kit includes: HD Microperfecting Primer, HD Invisible Cover Foundation, HD Microfinish Powder, and HD Kabuki brush.

After following my normal face cleansing, and moisturizing regimen, I went on to put on the HD Microperfecting Primer. Initially, this product didn't seem any different in texture from other primers I've tried out. Moving on to the next part, I put one squirt of the foundation (shade-153) on my hand. It was literally a dime size amount of foundation.  Initially, I used my fingers to disperse the foundation on to different areas of my face (usually- cheek, nose, forehead, and chin). Then I just fix it up with a foundation brush.  Honestly, this foundation went on smoothly and didn't make my face feel caked on at all. I'm not a fan of a think layer of foundation, so I was quite content with the amount of coverage I got for the liquid consistency of the product. It seems like a medium to full coverage foundation, depending on how much you use.

At this point, my skin literally felt like silk. No jokes! After being greatly excited about the results of using these two products, I move on to the HD Microfinishing powder.  I thought this powder may make my complexion look lighter, due to the white pigment of the powder.  I used my Kabuki brush and brushed this finishing powder all over my face. First off, the brush alone felt like heaven.  The bristles were ridiculously smooth.  It felt like a cashmere scarf was caressing my face. Secondly, the HD Microfinishing Powder completely added to the softness of my face, and didn't make me look like a ghost. I know I sound like I need a support group for this product. But, one downfall I did find, was the fact that I had a few dry patches here and there- meaning my nose and chin.  I have brutally dry skin, that worsens in the winter, and this foundation is probably better for me during the summer.

I know I look like the biggest geek- but at least my skin looks flawless!

 Overall reaction: I would definitely recommend these products. I'd like to use this on future clients because of the flawless look created, as well as the compatibility with photography and videoing.  Definitely a must for a bride, who wants to look amazing in her videos/photos. Like always, let me know if you've used the products and what you thought of them? Please don't hesitate to comment on the page. Thanks!

Dark Circles and Baggy Eyes- Instant Solution

I recently discovered this product and had to write about it! I think it's unreal. It's called the Shiseido Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask. No joke of a lie- you put this 'mini mask' under and around your eyes for 15 minutes and it works with the collagen in your skin to INSTANTLY reduce puffiness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So one of the wonderful ladies at The Bay, showed me these fantastic products for use in my makeup kit. She said it was great for dealing with 'hangovers' or for someone who needs to fix up the crow's feet around the eyes ASAP. I definitely did not believe her until I tried it out. No joke- it was refreshing and definitely helped the puffy tired eyes. I know I don't have wrinkles- thank God- but just the rejuvenating sensation of this product was amazing.

It honestly goes back to what I was talking about in my Age-Fighting Retinol blog, with the immediate effects of retinol on the skin. Definitely something I think everyone should try out, if they have a brutal under eye area.

According to the Shiseido website, "the original Pure Liquid Retinol Delivery System, penetrates skin rapidly and helps combat wrinkles, dark circles, dryness, and loss of resilience. It helps minimize uneven texture, fine lines, and crow's feet in just 15 minutes for a look that is visibly younger and smooth as silk. Contains Hydroxyproline, a high-technology amino acid that parallels skin's own natural building blocks and helps natural collagen production."

Although it is pricey, costing $68, for a box of 12 packets (2 pieces in each), I would recommend this to people who need a quick 'fix-me-up' and no time to sleep. Honestly, I'd probably use this if a) had an event to go and looked like death that day, or b) needed help with aging (not yet at least). Try it out, and let me know if you've tried other products like this on the market.

Age-Fighting Retinol

Lately, I've been seeing many retinol products out there. Retinol is actually a form of vitamin A, essential to the skin. Many products such as Philosophy's Help Me-Retinol Night Cream, have been introduced and are becoming more popular in the realm of anti-aging skincare.

Initially, retinol was introduced as an acne fighter years ago, but is now seen to have numerous benefits. These are listed on beauty product labels as retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, retinyl palmitate and retinyl proprionate in the ingredients. Retinoic acid (also called tretinoin) is a potent derivative of vitamin A, and is used in most acne medications. To make things plain and simple, listed below are the effects of retinol on the skin:

1) Fades sun-induced sun spots.
2) Help release collagen in the skin, plumping out wrinkles and eventually making the skin appear more youthful than it is.
3) Safeguards the skin from potential enzymes (released during sun exposure) that may breakdown the collagen.
4) Smooths out the skin and makes it feel softer.

Most cosmetic moisturizers use very little of the retinol derivatives, as they are very potent. Initially using a product with retinol, may cause some irritation to the skin, as well as dryness. This is completely normal.  It takes time for the retinol to kick in, usually taking about 2 to 6 months to see a noticeable difference. It is very important to continue using the retinol products, otherwise sun spots and wrinkles will reappear.

Most night creams use retinol, as vitamin A does not react well with the sun.  Many women in their 40s and 50s tend to use such creams, but you can literally start using retinol creams at any age.  If you're like me in your mid-20s, then I say there's no harm in starting the anti-aging process early.  I don't know about you guys but I'm terrified of getting wrinkles. I'll do anything to help the aging process. Here are numerous links of different retinol creams that are available on the market:

- LiftActiv Retinol HA
-Dermaglow NuVectin
-RoC Wrinkle Correxion
-La Roche-Posay Redermic
-Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv

I personally haven't used any of these creams, but eventually will try some out. Please share whether you have tried or are currently using retinol products. What are your concerns with this ingredient?

NAKED

The Urban Decay NAKED 2 Palette is a newer product that I received as a gift from a girlfriend of mine. I've been playing around with this palette quite a bit and am starting to enjoy the many looks you can create with it. The palette can go from a natural day look, to something more extravagant and sparkly. Urban Decay has a wide range of products and has created the two NAKED palettes. Both will be looked at and discussed briefly:

1) NAKED- This palette includes more browns and neutrals, but focuses more on bronzes. For the most part it is a very safe palette, and includes three slightly different shades.  It's easy to use and includes a brush and mirror.  The packaging for this is a suede cover, which I'm not really a fan of because it gets dirty so quickly. Colors included in this palette from left to right are: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Dark Horse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, and Gun Metal.

2) NAKED 2-  This palette is what I have discovered recently and really enjoy! First off, the packaging is in a new tin casing, which makes it easier to clean and damage-proof.  I don't know about you guys, but my makeup deals with a lot of torture through traveling, and due to work. The range of bronze, golds, and browns are quite shimmer, adding an extra oomph. The palette definitely adds sparkle to many looks, but only includes three matte colors, which is a little disappointing.

For my skin tone, I find this palette is great, because it includes darker colors, and goes into gray tones. The colors listed from left to right are: Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, Ydk, Busted, and Blackout.  My favorite shades on this palette are Chopper (sparkly copperish/bronze color), Tease (matte grayish/brownish), and Blackout- you can never go wrong with a matte black.
The pigment of both palettes is fairly decent and does add that color that's needed. In the images below, I've used two colors from the NAKED 2 Palette- Tease and Busted. I'm not a fan of the brush and have used my own. Initially I spread Tease all over the lid and then added Busted into the outer corners of my eyes. Busted was used in V-shape, working from the the outer corner into the crease of the eyelid. It's a pretty simple day look, with added depth.

Definitely a good buy and worth the $60 in store! Check it out at Sephora or look online at the links posted above.

Makeup Bag

For the most part, my daily look is pretty plain jane. Although I am a makeup artist, I think it's important to let your skin breath. Don't get me wrong, there are numerous days when I have to be decked up like a Christmas tree, due to work and events.  So here I am sharing, what's in my daily makeup bag.  These are the many products and things I throw on to look like this- I know it's not the prettiest picture but I'm going for the simple and natural look.

 

What's on my face?

1)  NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona and Dior HydraAction Skin Tint (tinted moisturizer) in shade 4, with SPF 20. I mix a little of both products together to get a light coverage on my skin. 

2) For concealer, I have my Lise Watier Concealer wheel, using mostly the Ivory, and Yellow Beige colors for under my eyes. Also mentioned in Concealing Imperfections.

3) Sometimes I do wear a pressed powder, but not always. I use NARS Pressed Powder in Mountain.

4) Using an angled brush, I usually fill in my eyebrows with a MAC eyeshadow called Swiss Chocolate. My eyebrows are sparse and not thick at all- not your typical brown girl issue.

5) Moving on to my eyes, I tend to use MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, with an angled brush. I tend to line the top lash line, going from thin to thicker (inner eye to outer). 

6) Next is the mascara. I go through mascara like no other. One of my favorite products. For myself, I use either Covergirl Lashblast Volume in Very Black, or Lancome Hypnose in Black.

7) NARS Bronzer in Casino is used for contouring from the bottom of the ear towards the corner of the lip. I'll talk about applying bronzer and how to use it for contouring in later posts.

8) Last but not least, NARS Blush in Deep Throat. Love the subtle pink shade that is applied to the apples of the cheeks. I don't necessarily use a lot of blush everyday. I tend to put more on for shindigs and what not. 

Basically that's it! I know, I have a lot of NARS products, but you need to remember that I work for the company and I love their products! Remember that I have a lot of makeup and have tried numerous brands. These are just some items that I use on a daily basis. 

Next up- how to create a smoky eye! Keep checking for new posts! What's in your makeup bag? Any products you swear by?

What the heck is BB Cream?

I don't know about all of you gals, but I've been seeing numerous commercials about BB Cream.  What is this miracle worker? I've been doing some research, and have looked at numerous products. My attempt now is to buy a BB Cream and write my own review.

What the heck is a BB Cream?

Well from what I've discovered, it's basically a moisturizer, primer, sunscreen, serum, and foundation all in one. How come I didn't discover this sooner? I have no idea. BB Cream stands for 'beauty balm' or 'blemish balm', as it works in so many ways. Created by a German dermatologist, Dr. Christine Schrammek-Drusio, this product was meant for patients that had undergone cosmetic work. It was developed to protect and lightly camouflage a patient's skin.

How do you use it?

You put it on just like any other moisturizer. Apply sparingly.

Where did this all begin?

From what I've found, many women have been using it across Asia, and in the past year it's come into America. It's the best kept deepest darkest secret by the East.

What's the coverage like?

It ranges from being a light coverage, like a tinted moisturizer, to what may seem like a medium coverage foundation. This totally depends on the brand or product you use.

What's in it?

Abyssine, a naturally-derived survival molecule, shields and soothes skin. Hydroxyprolisilane promotes skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Beta-Glucan provides essential moisture and protects against environmental damage.

I'll be testing out the  Boscia BB Cream, available at Sephora for $38. This is a oil-free, paraben-free, nourishing BB Cream. I've chosen this particular cream to test out, because it has less man-made chemicals than the others. It is also supposed to be super hydrating, which should work for my skin type. This particular cream also has a SPF of 27.


Let me know if you've used a BB Cream and what your reviews are about this particular product hitting the market. Numerous other brands, such as Estee Lauder, Garnier, Marcelle, Clinique, Maybelline, and MAC have all created a BB Cream. Some brands are not yet available in Canada, but continue to come out this year. Just wait- everyone will have this product! I will definitely be doing a follow- up review for this particular BB Cream in the near future.