Finally! A Perfect Foundation Combo!

I am sure I have mentioned it before, but I will mention it again: foundation is my FAVORITE make-up.

Now, I do take really good and consistent care of my skin, but due to genetics I tend to have acne, dark scarring and alot of redness down the center of my face. Thus, whatever I can not fix with skin care treatments, I "fix" with foundation.

Needless to say I am always looking for full-coverge foundations. The terms "natural" or "sheer" are not in my foundation vocabulary. However, I would also prefer not to look like I am wearing a cakey mask - which is actully a hard thing to find when looking for a full-coverage foundation.

Also, I always look for a luminous finish in my foundation (think Jennifer Lopez skin) which is difficult to find in full coverage.

After about three years of adding luminous products to matte foundations at an attempt to create a "dewy" finish, I believe I have finallly found what I have been looking for!

Beware, this is a serious combination of products but it is absolutely flawless!

First I put one pump of Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation in 'Ivory 2c' (which I actually HATE because it is sooo pink) on my foundation brush, then I add a pump of Makeup Forever HD Foundation in #117 - a super yellow colour - and I apply the combintion of these two colours starting from the t-zone and working to the outer areas of the face.

After I apply liquid foundation, I usually avoid powders because they tend to add a matte finish. However, I have found two powders that when buffed into this liquid foundation actually enhance the luminosity while keeping the foundation in place all day.


The one I use regularly (because it is much less expensive than the next option) is Cliniqe Blended Face Powder in "Transparency #2". This is a semi-translucentloose powder with a slight yellow tone and tiny particles of shimmer.

If I am going out and want an extra beautiful and full coverage luminous look, I will reach for YSL Poudre Sur Mesure in #1.

Here is a picture of the foundations/powder in natural daylight!! Love it!

(Please excuse my puppy's nose in the bottom right corner!)

I will post a new video tomorrow using this foundation and I will provide tips and tricks for a 5-10 minute FLAWLESS face!

Talk to you soon! xo!

Do You Take Care of Your Face?

What's your skin care routine? Do you have one? Or even have any idea what I am talking about?
Well, I will explain just in case you don't!
A skin care routine can be something as simple as using a facial cleanser once a day or it an be something as complex as using a parade of products: make-up remover, facial cleanser, toner, multiple serums, eye creams, creams/lotions, and sunscreens, performed twice a day.
I think that outside of the beauty industry, the skin care routine is not considered to be all that important. However, I personally feel that the source of all natural beauty comes from beautiful, healthy, radiant skin. Some women, of course, are born with this type of skin, having to put little to no effort to make their face appear flawless (my best friend happens to be one of these people - it's so frustrating)! These usually end up being the women who have no idea what a skin care routine is! However, for the rest of us, achieving a balanced and beautiful skin tends to take a little bit - or a lot, depending - of effort.
The best way to begin on a skin outine is to keep it simple. This way, you are more likely to commit and stay consistent to your routine. An example of what I consider to be a simple skin care routine includes three key proucts: cleanser, toner and moisturizer. All of these products would ideally be suited to your skin type/ skin care concerns. For instance my skin type is combination oily. E.g. normal feeling cheeks, shiny (greasy) chin, nose and forehead. My skin care concerns: uneven skin tone and texture. Thus my 'simple' skin care routine would look something like this:
Cleanser - for normal/combination skin
Toner - for normal/combination skin
Moisturizer - for normal combination skin which also evens skin tone

Seems simple enough right?
Something else I might mention is that not everyone has to have a skin care concern. You might be perfectly happy with the appearence of your skin, but are just looking to begin a routine to take care of your face! In this instance, you would just choose your moisturizer based on your skin type! Ideally a skin care routine is to be done twice a day, no less, and definitely NO MORE (oily skin ladies, I am speaking to you). I guarantee if you begin treating your skin with this type of consistent care, no matter how great your skin is to begin with, that you will see an improvement in the texture and radiance of your skin within a couple of weeks! Also, you will be removing all of the icky grime that builds up on your skin throughout the day and throughout the night - who wants a build up of pollution on their face!?
So cleanse on, ladies. Cleanse on.

P.S. Would you really like to know about the complexities of my skin care routine?It's quite scary, actually.
Morning
Cleanser: Lancome Mousse Radiance
Toner: Lancome Tonique Radiance
Serum: Lancome Genefique
Spot Corrector: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Eye Cream: (depends on the day) Elizabeth Arden Prevage SPF15
Moisturizer: Complex 15

Night
Make-up Remover: Lancome BiFacil
Cleanser: Lancome Mousse Radiance
Toner: Lancome Tonique Radiance
Serum: Lancome Visionnaire
Spot Corrector: Clinqie Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
Eye Cream: (depends on the day) Guerlain Super Aqua Eye
Night Cream: (depends on the day) Lancome Genefique Repair
. . . . Told you it was spooky!

Video Blog Introduction!

Hello Friends!

I have been saying for a long time that I was going to start creating and contributing to a make-up video blog. However, nerves and insecurities got the best of me - until now!
With my new computer (thanks, Bob), and all of the new make-up collections being released for fall, I figured there was no better time to start than now to start.
Here is a link to my firsit video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v​=PLgijeNppS8

I realize I haven't figured out how to edit the credits yet, haha, but just give me a little bit of time!
The reason I am writing this blog following the first video, is to provide you with information on the products I was wearing.

Starting with foundation:
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in "Ivorie 1N"

Concealer:
Lancome Effacernes Waterproof Concealer in "Porcelaine"

Powder:
Lancome Ageless Minerals in "Ivorie 20"

Bronzer:
Lancome Star Bronzer in "01 Lumiere"

Eyeshadow:
Lancome Color Design Five Shadow and Liner Palettes in "Taupe Craze"
Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in "Drape"

Eyeliner:
Elizabeth Arden Smokey Eyes in "01 Black"

Eybrow Pencil:
Lancome Le Crayon Poudre in "Taupe"

Lipstick:
Lancome Color Design Lipstick in "Vintage Rose"

Mascara:
Lancome Hypnose in "Deep Black"


I think that's it!
. . . . Well I hope it is anyway!
Thanks for reading!

A Little Extra Time. . .

I was off work the other day with not much to do, so I decided to play with my make-up!
About two hours later, this is what had happened to my face:

Daily Make Up Photos!

Hello y'all!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post!
I started to lose a little steam, but I promise - it's back!
Here are some photos from the last several weeks!
I hope you enjoy, and please message me with any questions!

Pictures from my latest Photoshoot!

Here are some of the photos from my latest collaboration with Niche Photography!
Hope you enjoy!

Daily Make Up Photos!

Lancome Color Design Matte Lipstick in "Posh Pink"
Smashbox Photo Ready Lip Gloss
Make Up Forever Full Coverage Concealer in #1
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
DuWop BrozeRush Brozer (discontinued)
Lancome Hypnose Mascara


Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in "Bone"
Guerlain Terracotta Skin in "Blondes"
Lancome Effacernes Waterproof concealer in "Porcealine"
Bare Minerals Blush
Lancome Hypnose DRAMA mascara

Contact me for more product information!



A couple from the previous week! Nothing too fancy, just a variation of dramatic daytime looks!

Daily Make Up Pictures!

Here are some of my star products for my favorite "Going Out" look:



Stila Smudge Pot in "Kitten". This is probably one of the most universally flattering eyeshadow colours I have ever seen! It's not gold, or pink, but something in between. It makes an amazing eyeshadow base for ANY colour!!

What more can be said? This is the best mascara I have ever used! And believe me, I have tried them ALL! It's totally customizable - you can choose to wear it natural or incredibly dramatic (as you will see in the following pictures)!

I haven't been this in love with a foundation since I first discovered Teint Idole Ultra by Lancome! Of course the consistency is a little thick (it is my favorite foundation after all), but it feels lightweight on the skin and looks totally natural if blended properly!

Here are some pictures from Friday night!!

Best. Mascara. Ever.

P.S. The gloss is Smashbox Limitless Gloss in "Infinite".

The shadows are a combination of MAC, Benefit and Lise Watier. Inquire for specific colours/types!

By the way, if you find yourself getting bored of my face - why don't you volunteer your face for my blog!! :)

Primers . . . a dangerous subject. ! :)

So, I have been wearing a full face of make-up (meaning concealer, mascara and eyeliner) since I was in grade five - or maybe even four. Wich I believe would have made me ten or eleven? Correct me if I am wrong!
Oddly enough, I only found myself employed in the cosmetics industry a little over a year ago! And up until that time, I honestly had NEVER heard of a primer! How pathetic is that?!
It was never suggested to me by any beauty consultant and I guess I just sort of skipped through articles and blogs written about primers.
So this is where the real question comes in - are primers really neccessary?
Do you want me to tell you the truth?
There is not a chance in the world that I would be wearing a primer every day! Why, you may ask? I am already putting soooo may layers of product on my face that I honestly just couldn't be bothered! Secondly, if you have a good quality, long lasting foundation and your skin is in good condition, it really may not be neccessary for every day use.
Having said that, there are individuals who suffer from the following skin conditions in which a primer is EXTREMELY helpful: super oily skin, large pores, extremely dry or dehydrated skin, extremely red skin or even acneic skin.
For me, the most important thing a primer can do is enhance the longevity of any foundation.
Other than that, my foundation always blends PERFECTLY when I use a primer - the colour stays truer.
I like that there are options for radiance enhancing primers (MAC strobe lotion/cream, Smashbox Illuminating Primer, Aargon Oil illuminating primer, etc), so you don't actually have to put anything shiny on your face (amazing for pictures)!
And obviously the importance of mattifying and hydrating primers go without saying.
However, the reason I am really writing this particular post is that I noticed something - on Wednesday I tried the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation for the first time. I absolutely fell in love with it!
So, of course, I wore it again on Thursday and took several other photos of my make-up that day. But I ended up deleting them because there was just something about them that I was not satisfied with.
Then I wore the make-up again today, and I have to say that I am not as thoroughly impressed as I was that first day. It finally dawned on me that the only thing I did different on Wednesday was apply a primer!
It really filled in my pores and my acne scars and helped my make-up stay truer longer! If you must know, I was wearing the Laura Mercier original primer - which I was initially not that impressed with but I guess it must be great!
And my final consensus - a primer for every day? Absolutely not, unless you deal with one of the skin conditions mentioned above.
Is a primer neccessary? Absolutely! For flawless make up, a primer is the way to go!
Stay tuned for my favorites!!!!

Daily Makeup Photo!

Matte Nude Lips - as suggested by Chris Barnes (Jennifer Lopez MUA), not sure if I am a huge fan of this look on me! I need a little gloossss

A light smokey eye - I need to learn how to commit and just really go for it!
A daytime look with peachy lips - BIG trend this season! Also, the previous look was created from this one. Easy transition from day to night: a little bit of black shadow and nude gloss!

Full Coverage Foundations!

Full coverage foundations are one of my top three favorite make-up items. Although they can be almost as impossible to find as an igloo in the desert!

Many foundations that claim to be full coverage are actually labelled "moderate-to-full", which means that with extra product and more blending the foundation has the option to provide full coverage.

This is where the majority of people get confused into thinking that full coverage foundations are always cakey and unnatural looking - this is NOT true!!

Though most women are rarely in need of a real full-coverage foundation on a day-to-day basis, it is always imperative to have a flawless canvas when doing any sort of dramatic make-up for special occasions (smokey eye, red lip, bright cheeks, etc).

So here is a short list of my favorite full coverage foundations:

1. Lancome's TEINT IDOLE ULTRA

This is my favorite full coverage foundation. It is oil-free, SPF free - so it photographs perfectly (this is an American picture, which is why the bottle says 'SPF 10)! It is also transfer resistent and has a colour true technology, so the colour does not change under the heat of your skin. It's AMAZING!

2. Dior's DIORSKIN EXTREME WEAR FLAWLESS FINISH MAKEUP SPF 25

This foundation is not as long wearing as the Teint Idole Ultra, and the SPF 25 makes me a little weary of what it might photograph like under harsh lighting - it looks amazing in natural daylight. This is one of the only full coverage foundations that I know of which doesn't have a completely matte finish - but more of a natural silk finish. However, it can get a little greasy by the end of the day.

3. Guerlain's PARURE EXTREME LUMINOUS EXTREME WEAR FOUNDATION

This would realistically be my number one or number two choice, if it weren't for the minimal colour selection! The lightest colour available (unless you happen to be shopping in the Guerlain Boutique in Yorkville) is Beige Clair 20, which is super, super dark on my fair skin. However, the finish, coverage, and wear-time of this foundation is second to none. It is absolutely flawless!

4. Chanel's PRO LUMIERE PROFESSIONAL FINISH MAKEUP

Amazing, again colour selection is limited. This foundation (where I have been shopping - Holt Renfrew, The Bay, etc) also does not come in extremely light, or extremely dark colours. However, it is Chanel - it is a luminous, matte, long-wearing, flawless finish with an SPF that doesn't photograph strange in pictures! You look naturally beautiful and flawless at the same time.

5. Clarins EVERLASTING FOUNDATION

My favorite for brides, but next to impossible for every day. This foundation will hide ANYTHING, due to it's thick consistency and great pigmentation. It fills in pores and does not crease in lines, however it is not the most natural looking foundation for every day. Again, very limited colour selection.

6. Lancome's PHOTOGENIC LUMESSENCE

Another favorite, this one can be compared to the Diorskin Extreme Wear - but it is being discontinued! So if you like it, grab whatever the stores have in stock!!

There are a few other full-coverage foundations out there (let's not forget Cover FX or Vichy), but nothing that I would really reccomend for photography, or even for a natural every day use. Remember, you can make your full coverage foundation work for you every day by mixing it with your moisturizer or primer for a sheer finish! And no powder on top unless it is TRANSLUCENT!

Have a beautiful make-up day!