I have recently figured out the best way to apply nail polish to avoid chips. It works for almost all brands, as long as you ensure to take the time to apply a base and a top coat. This is my first video for you guys! So let me know what you think, and if you’d like to see more!
Category Archives: Make-up
10 Things I Can’t Live Without
I’m sure all of you have tried and true products or tools that you use on a regular basis. I thought I’d share with you 10 Things I Can’t Live Without:
1. My Clothes Steamer
A steamer makes life so much simpler. I never think twice about buying anything due to the fabric, because I know it just takes 2 min to steam it before I step out of the house!
These days you can purchase hand-held steamers and they actually work quiet well! I take my hand-held steamer while travelling and its great! Who still irons these days?
2. Sephora Pore Cleansing Pad
This little baby is a miracle worker on my skin. I use it every night before bed, and I now never have flakey skin! I wrote about the details of this product a while ago, check it out.
3. Ojon Damage Restore Instant Restorative Hair Serum
This stuff works wonders. I have platinum blonde hair, and this is one of the best things to tame my ends. I use it after every wash to smooth out the cuticle.
4. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
I’ve been using this product probably for 8+ years. I love the texture, and the coverage. It’s light like a powder, but you can build it up to cover like foundation. I have also recently tried All In One Face Base from The Body Shop, and it is a very close second. It doesn’t have quite as good coverage as Studio Fix but since using it, my skin has cleared up a bit more…so depends which you prefer!
5. Quo Cosmetic Applicators or Q-Tips
These never ever leave my beauty routine. The Quo Applicators look similar to a Q-Tip, but one side is pointed and the other is flat, like an eye shadow brush. I use these bad boys to spot remove make-up, help repair a cat eye or create a smokey eye with shadow. These are a must have tool.
6. Mineral Oil
I’ve been using mineral oil to shave my legs for years, and it is the only thing that doesn’t dry them out. Not only does it help give you a smooth shave, but the oil also increases the longevity of your razor. Just put a few drops in your hand and smear all over your legs for a silky smooth finish!
7. Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner
I love the look of the classic cat eye, and I’ve searched and searched for the perfect liquid formula. I love the Stila liner because it stays on all day, dries quickly, and the pointed felt tip makes it easy to apply.
8. Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Blush
It’s no secret that I have very fair skin. I embrace it, but I NEED to wear blush without looking like a ghost! This blush is amazing. It’s a cream blush that is highly pigmented, so you don’t need to use much to get the impact. This stuff never seems to run out and the best part is, it lasts all day! Make sure when you are applying it goes under your powder but over your foundation.
9. Klorane Dry Shampoo
It’s cheaper than the products you find in Sephora, and you can find this brand at most drug stores. This dry shampoo doesn’t leave your scalp white and helps absorb the oil for a full day or two. It’s a great refresher if you don’t like to wash your hair every day, or if you have more of an oily scalp. I use dry shampoo because I colour my hair and it’s not heathy to wash everyday, but my scalp is still quite oily and this dry shampoo prolongs my colour and keeps my hair looking fresh. I especially recommend it if you have bangs! ‘Cause oily bangs are the worst!
10. True Blue Spa Super Softening Hand Lotion
I’ve been using this lotion for years, and I absolutely love it. It is really rich, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily. I use this lotion as a part of my nighttime routine, just before going to sleep I lather up and don’t massage it all the way in, this lets it absorb throughout the night. If my hands need some extra moisture, I’ll wear spa gloves and load up on the lotion while sleeping. When you take the gloves off in the morning my hands are silky smooth! You can find this lotion at Bath and Body Works.
What are a few of your favorite products? Are you loyal to certain brands or do you like to try new things?
Make-Up Tip Of The Week: The Power Of Finishing Powder
This powder is pure magic. It’s something I’ve had in my repertoire for many years now, and I can’t live without it. It is essential if you want your make-up to last all day.
HD Powder by Make Up ForEver is a finishing powder. Once you have applied your entire face, take a large powder brush and spread the powder over your entire face, even your eyes. Just make sure you don’t inhale as it is a loose powder! This magic powder will increase the longevity of your make-up and keep you looking shine free and fresh all day!
Have you noticed some celebrity photos floating around with bad white powder on their face?
Guaranteed these ladies are wearing HD Powder, but it was poorly executed! My guess is their make-up artist applied in a dark limo just before they hit the red carpet and unfortunately they didn’t blend it well. However, this is a product is still used by many different celebrities. It’s how they manage to look flawless at the end of a 3 hour Oscar show!
Are you going to run out and get some HD Powder? My suggestion is blend blend blend! Blend until it is completely translucent. Another tip is to tap your brush before you apply, so you’re not dealing with a huge bunch of powder at once, and so that you can build it up! You can purchase you’re own powder at Sephora online or in stores.
The Facts:
What it is:
A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone.
What it does:
Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skintones.
What else you need to know:
It’s completely translucent and goes on any skintone. Its dermatologist-tested and talc-free formula does not dry the skin and is formulated with 100% silica.
Make-Up Tip Of The Week: How To Properly Wash Your Face
So many times we think, the more we wash, the cleaner it gets or the more we scrub the less acne we will have…This is the wrong thinking when dealing with our faces.
I just read an interesting article about how to properly wash your face, and I’ve been trying it now for 1 week. I’ve noticed significant changes!
How to:
At night, do a thorough wash with a gentle cleanser. If you have normal skin exfoliate about once a week, and if you have dry skin or large pores exfoliate around 4 times a week. (This is light exfoliating, not hard-core scrubbing) Make sure all your make-up is removed before going to bed! Then, apply your favorite moisturizer before getting some shut-eye.
In the morning, splash room temperature water on your face and cleanse with your fingers. No wash cloth scrubbing!! Then pat dry with a towel, never rub dry, you don’t want to take out all the moisture from the water.
This process lets your skin figure out its natural oils and balance it. I have combination skin, and I’ve found that this method has made my skin look so much better! I hardly even need to use a moisturizer in the AM!
Try it, and see if you notice a difference!
For The Love of Lipstick!
I came across this beautiful, stark picture of Krysten Ritter by Pej Behdarvand and it triggered the idea behind this post. It reminded me that have always loved lipstick. Maybe it’s my love of Marilyn Monroe, or for the 60′s, but one of my favorite make-up looks has always been the cat eye with bold lips. I’ve had platinum blond hair for quite a while now, and I keep it mostly so I can continue to experiment with different lip colours! If you know me, you know I’m NOT blessed with luscious lips like Krysten- but I don’t care. Small lips can wear lipstick too! I say, the one rule you can break with fashion and make-up is: If it makes you feel great and puts an extra spring in your step, do it!
Want some more lipstick inspiration? Check out these ladies rocking a bunch of different hues. This Spring/Summer it’s all about the brights!
If you’re thinking of investing in some lipstick, there are a few brands I’d recommend:
-MAKE UP FOR EVER: Their colours are endless and they’re always on top of the hottest trends.
-MAC Cosmetics: They have a variety of textures and shades that can work within your means. Plus they have a recycling program; if you bring in 5 used MAC containers you get your choice of free lipstick!
-Revlon: At the drugstore price, you can afford to experiment with a few different shades!
If you still aren’t sure you’re ready for such a statement of colour, try playing with lip gloss or lip tint first, you can work your way up to a bold lip!
Make-Up Tip Of The Week: How to Lock in Moisture
Summer is fast approaching which often means most of us will get dry skin. In order to wear all those little summer dresses, tank top and shorts without showing of flaky white elbows, hands and knees- you need to lock in moisture. Here are a few tips on how:
-Before heading into the shower, rub some petroleum jelly on your dry spots. Believe it or not, water actually can make your skin dryer. Jelly gives your skin a protective shield.
-At night, lather up with your favorite lotion or oil (make sure it isn’t rubbed in all the way) and wear spa gloves- this will help your hands retain moisture all night long and leave you with fresh soft hands in the morning! **You can also do this trick for your feet by wearing socks.**
-Prior to shaving, lather mineral oil on your legs, this is the best way to avoid razor burn and keep the shave smooth while capturing moisture.
-If you don’t love the feel of petroleum jelly, try using coconut oil or mineral oil. Smooth over dry skin after getting out of the shower. Give it a few minutes to absorb before getting dressed, you don’t want the oils on your clothing.
-Get a night time routine. Have your favorite lotion or oil next to your bed and make it a habit of lathering up!
For my die-hard lotion ladies, here are a few of my personal favorites:
True Blue Spa at Bath and Body Works works wonders. It’s made with paraffin, vitamin E and argon oils. *Black is the New Black favorite*
Naked Body Butter by bliss. It contains coconut oil, soybean oil and vitamin E and A.
Hand Cream by L’Occitane. It’s loaded with shea butter.
Soothing Relief Moisture Cream by Aveeno. It contains natural colloidal oatmeal which is known for is soothing properties.
Make-Up Tip of the Week: Coconut Oil
The other day I went into a store/restaurant here in Vancouver called Organic Lives and they talked me into getting coconut oil. The sales person helping me said she not only used it as a substitute for butter but also used it directly on here skin as a moisturizer. I quickly asked “You use oil on your face? Doesn’t that just make it shiny and more oily?” She said her skin has never felt better…hmmmm…It got me curious that for sure. So curious I figured I’d try it for myself. Lately my skin has been a bit bi-polar one week its dry, the next week it breaks out, so what did I have to lose trying coconut oil?
I purchased a large container from Organic Lives. This one goes for $20. (Make sure is PURE organic virgin coconut oil and not an imitation!)
I then took a tablespoon and put it into a new container for “face lotion” so that I could save some for cooking. I chose to add a little peppermint essential oil, because I prefer the smell of mint and I like how refreshing it makes your skin feel. Feel free to add in any of your favorite essential oils. Once the oils were mixed I put dime size dabs on my skin, maybe even less. You do NOT need a lot of this product, which means it will last you for a while! Start off with a small amount and work up from there.
When I came back from my Mexico vacation my skin was doing all sorts of peeling, not such a hot look, and coconut oil was the only thing that stopped it! Like I said earlier, my skin varies from dry to oily, and coconut oil not only worked well on my skin for moisture, I also didn’t have any extra break outs! I would highly recommend it.
You can use coconut oil on cracked heels, as a body and facial moisturizer and as a cuticle oil. I would not recommend using it in your hair, it is a bit too heavy for that. Have you ever tried using coconut oil before? What did you use it for?
BB Cream…Uncovered
It has come to my attention recently that all the rage is “BB” Cream. I wondered, what does the “BB” stand for? Some crazy cosmetic term? Some scientific discovery? Or maybe it has to do with a new vitamin that was discovered to help uncover new radiant skin? Nope BB stands for either Blemish Balm or Be Beautiful. Yes. Really! That interesting discovery made me dig a bit further, because it seemed like some crazy marketing ploy to get us all to buy some magic cream. I can just hear the PR offices saying, “Lets call it BB Cream- it sounds more scientific and important when you have initials!”
I decided to speak with a make -up artist about the hype behind BB Cream. She shared that it is to create radiance for aging skin, which is not really what someone under the age of 40 needs. So all you girls that read my blog- its unnecessary! If you want a product that is similar, I’d suggest a tinted moisturizer. It gives you a little color to even your skin tone, and goes on smooth.
I also uncovered that BB Cream is a mix of primer, moisturizer, liquid foundation and sunscreen. Hmmm…how many of you out there already own all of those items? Why not save yourself the $35-$60 that BB Cream can cost and create your own! I haven’t tried to make my own just yet- but here is the ratio I am planning on doing:
10% Sunscreen (make sure its for the face and that is has an SPF of 30 or higher. Neutrogena has a great product.)
10% Liquid Foundation
30% Moisturizer
50% Primer
The best part about creating your own, is you already know which products work for your skin, and you’re not introducing something new for your skin to react to. No need to worry about break outs or any allergic reactions!
Ultimately, you could make your life easier and buy one product that will “do the trick” of 4 items, you could invest in a good tinted moisturizer or you can create your own. My personal vote is one of the last two. What is your opinion? Have you tried BB cream? Is it something you’d never go without?
*Click the top image for another great opinion on BB Cream.
Make-Up Tip of The Week: Knowing Your Skin Tone
In reference to my previous post- I thought I’d give my ladies a few great product ideas to help you pick out the best color and shade of make-up for your skin tone.
Cool:
Warm:
How To Know Your Skin Tone
Have you ever wondered if you have a warm or cool skin tone? Maybe you have, maybe you haven’t but you’d be surprised to find out the benefits in understanding your skin tone. For women, it will help you pick the right shade of make-up and men, it will help you pick the right color clothes to wear. Shopping will be so much easier when you know which colors you can and cannot wear! Here are a few questions to ask yourself when figuring out your skin tone:
1. When you tan, do you turn golden/yellow or reddish?
If you turn reddish you are most likely a cool skin tone.
2. What color are your eyes?
A general rule, if you have green, light brown or hazel eyes you probably have a warm skin tone. Chocolate brown and icy blue eyed people usually have a cool skin tone.
3. What color was your hair for most of your child hood?
If your hair turned a golden blonde or had any red tones in it, you have a warm skin tone.
4. Which color is better on you- forest green or hot pink?
If you answered hot pink you have a cool skin tone.
5. Could you be both?
Some people are blessed to have a neutral skin tone. This person can change their hair color from copper red to platinum blonde and have both look great. You can get away with wearing cool colors such as blue, purple and cotton candy pink as well warm colors like brown, green and gold. Drew Barrymore (see below) has a neutral skin tone.
Tips for warm skin tones:
Look for clothes that remind you of fall or summer. Think a wheat field or autumn leaves…Avoid any colors that are too unsaturated, like pastel green or light grey.
Ladies when purchasing make-up look for blush that has a peachy tone, eye shadow that is golden and coral lipstick.
Tips for cool skin tones:
Look for clothes that remind you of winter or spring. Think icy trees or Easter eggs…Avoid any colors that are too yellow or orange.
Ladies when purchasing make-up look for a blush that has a pink tone, eye shadow that is silver and pink or cherry red lipstick.
Still need help figuring out what your skin tone is? Here are a few celebrities that show the different skin tones.
Warm:
Cool:
Neutral: (Drew can wear a cool blonde and also a warm red hair color)
Make-Up Tip of The Week: Best Drugstore Nail Polish
For those who know me personally, know that I am a nail polish junkie. I have a basket full of probably 100+ polishes! I’ve tested pretty much every brand on the market, and recently I’ve found my new favorite drug store polish: Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel.
There are few drugstore brands that stay on longer than a day or two without chipping, but this one lives up to the name. It DOES NOT chip. The only thing it does is slightly fade around the end of your nail. For the small price of $7.99 you can get a polish to last up to 5 days (possibly longer, depending how gentle you are with your nails) with no chips. I recommend purchasing the base coat and the top coat to guarantee success.
Have you tried Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel? If so, how did you like it?
