London Calling!

Just a quick note to say that I'm excited about going to London next week. I'll be gone for a week and when I get back I'll post a blog sharing all the wonderful details and the goodies that I'm hoping to bring back. My first stop is to visit the lovely and oh so clever fellow blogger, motorcross mamma and youtuber Lizzclare!!! I'm going to the english countryside....woohoo! Also, if all is okay with Anna's dog Albi then I'm hoping to visit with the one and only The Style Diet creator, Anna Saccone in London. Oh, and lets not forget her forever faithful and uber charming boyfriend Jonathan Joly, the 3D Animation dude.

Jumping Into Fall: Lise Watier Teint Lift Foundation and Blush Review

Every so many months I start itching to try a new foundation. I don't always give in to that urge but, since I have made good use of my Chanel ProLumiere Foundation I decided to use my Shoppers Optimum Points which are rewards points offered by our large chain of drugstores in Ontario called Shoppers Drug Mart and buy a new foundation.

I've been eyeing the Canadian company Lise Watier for a while and decided to test their Teinte Lift Anti-Rides Spf 20 foundation. I have already repurchased Lise Watier's Portfolio Professional Concealer/Corrector in both color wheels and their eyebrow powder because I use them often in my freelance makeup work. The texture, the shades, the payoff and the buildable coverage are amazing. By the way, the dark corrector wheel has some of the best shades for concealing imperfections on dark skin tones.

I purchased the foundation in 'Neutre' shade and used one and a half pumps of product to apply onto my face and I found it was enough coverage. I also purchased the Lise Watier Blush-On Powder in Natural Glow. The blush is beautiful and it really does give you a natural peachy-pinky glow, not too shimmery and not too oily looking. Plus, its packaging is great and it has an ample fan brush underneath the blush compartment. I already knew that Lise Watier made good makeup, its quality is above average and it has not been given the credit its due. I must say I'm happy with my purchase. As my skin will change over the next few months we'll see if this foundation can keep up with my skin's needs this winter which can become dehydrated and ruddy at times.

Before I mention the other items I used to create this fall daytime smokey eye and neutral lips look I wanted to mention, I LOVE FALL!!!! Its all about the gorgeous, deep colors, the harvest holidays and the never tiring and comforting smell of pumpkin pie, free Wi-Fi and outdoor cafes, farmer's markets and drinking really good, robust red wine, and dinner parties, ooh la la! Also, all the amazing berets, toques and hats that I love to rock out. Its my favorite season. I may be genetically 100% Italian, but I'm Canadian born and bred and with our wacky, humid summers I welcome the bright and chilly days.

OKAY, back to what's on my face and nails:

Eyes: MAC Painterly Paint Pot allover lid and brow bone, Twinks eyeshadow allover lid, Kid e/s in my crease, Vex e/s inner eye corner and Brule e/s on my brow bone. I've lined between my lashes, top and bottom with PowerPoint Eye Pencil in Stubborn Brown and then smudged and used again in the waterline. Eyebrows are more defined in MAC's Lingering Eyebrown Pencil and then set with a bit of Lise Watier's Eyebrow Powder in Dark Brown. Mascara is Maybelline Stylist at the base of my lashes and L'Oreal Telescopic, for the length, both in Black.

Face: Lise Watier Teint Lift Spf 20 in Neutre, Kid eyeshadow as cotour for cheekbones and then Lise Watier Blush-On Powder in Natural Glow on the apples of my cheeks. For highlighter on top of my cheeks I used a hint of MAC's eyeshadow in Claire de Lune (ltd edition).

Lips: Cupids bow topped with Vex Eyeshadow and a touch on my lower lip and I slighty lined the bottom of my lip with Lingering Eyebrow Pencil. Gloss is Revlon Super Lusturous in the shade Nude Lustre, lately this is my to to gloss thanks to Yorkieluvs

Nails: MAC's Nail Lacquer in Vintage Vamp (a must have color)

For those of you who follow my blog and notice every detail on posted pics like I do.....yes, I did chop off a good chunk of my hair. It was getting drab and too long. When I wear it straight its about 2 inches longer, so I get the best of both worlds. I feel sexy again.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Fall!! xxNadia

Cover FX Review

CoverFX has been around for about twenty years. It was first used in the Dermatology department at Sunnybrooke Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. For many burn victims and patients who had issues with vitiligo, rosacea and the like, CoverFx Foundation for the face and body was a godsend.

I was first introduced to CoverFX six years ago when I was having trouble over the winter months with bouts of rosacea on my cheeks. The product that was available was the super, high coverage foundation in a pan. The coverage was extremely dense that it could cover tattoos, scars and hyperpigmentation in a blink of an eye. The downfall for me was that it looked like I had a mask on my face because it was too much coverage. Instead, I used the CoverFx as a concealer and spot coverage rather than a foundation. Later on, I started experimenting with the product and found that if I scooped out the tiniest amount with my spatula and put it on the back of my hand or metal palette I could sheer out the foundation by adding mediums like MAC's Fix+ , Rosewater, or CoverFx's Brightening Foundation Primer SPF50, which by the way, is a brilliant product, or by simply adding my favorite moisturizer and dampening my applicator brush.

CoverFx has now come out with Natural FX Water Based Foundation which allows for a more sheer coverage with only the tiniest amount. Its much easier to apply and once the foundation is warmed between your finger tips it can be applied onto your face with your fingers. With this product a little goes a long way and they're not kidding.

At the moment, I'm in love with the CoverFx Brightening Foundation Primer SPF50, I add this products before I apply my foundation and I add a little product after I apply my foundation at the top of my cheekbones and my temples. The glow is amazing and it has SPF50!! Have a look at the picture with the product on my hand. The range of foundation shades are great, but my only advice is try on the shade before you buy it.

Let me know if you've tried this, how you use it and are you a fan? Thanks for stopping by.....Nadia

Vintage Versace Inspired Look

I recently made the transition from working on an airplane to working with management for one year. I'm excited about this new opportunity because it will provide new challenges in my work environment. My husband invited me for a celebratory dinner at a nice restaurant that had a gorgeous outside patio. We felt like we were in Europe, it was very similar to being at a beer garden in Mainz, Germany. We had a lovely time.

I had a craving for a bold print that evening. This top has a boat neck and big triangular bat sleeves. The print reminds me so much of early 90's Gianni Versace. The necklace is a touch gaudy and it suited the look, it was purchased at a secondhand store. Something about this necklace reminds me of art deco.

I kept my makeup in the brown and beige tones including my lips which are glossed in MAC's Boy Bait Dazzleglass. Since recently returning from our beach vacation I'm about as tanned as I would ever get. I prefer myself pale as I find its sometimes difficult to play with makeup when you are sporting a tan. The hair....well, the hair is puffy and big and lends itself to the overall look. When it comes to summer frizz I've just learned to make do with what I have. I'm glad big hair is coming back in vogue.

Thanks for stopping by, your continued support and comments are always appreciated. xxNadia

Glowing Skin: Gold & Neutrals Photo of the Day

I was in the mood for what I call a sunny makeup look. Considering the weather has been hit or miss I needed to look and feel like it was summer. Typically, I like to remain pale and I slather myself with spf 60 religiously and in the winter I wear spf 30 or spf 50 every day. Today, I looked in the mirror and felt like seeing some bronze, gold and brown. This look is actually a neutral look with a twist of sheen and a pinch of shimmer.

The one thing that I want to mention is that when I choose to sport a glow a la Carrie, in Sex In the City, I choose to do it with liquid highlighter as opposed to powder. Liquid is much more forgiving and it can be applied in various ways to get the look that you want, for example, a damp sponge spritzed with MAC's Fix+ or rosewater or your fingertips. In contrast, powdered shimmer/shine is a little less forgiving. With liquid highlighters you can still apply it over bumps, wrinkles, crow's feet. Powders will settle into any crevice and show off any bump or acne pock mark you want to camouflage. Its best to apply powdered highlighters with a light hand and a bit at a time. If you can get your hands on No7 Radiant Glow Beauty Lotion buy it, I am loving this product. I have used it often over the last 2 years and will definitely repurchase. It is my go to product for bridal work when I want a luminous look. Brides and mother's of the brides go gaga over this product when they see the effects.

I just started using the Faux Cil Mascara from YSL and I have to say so far I'm pleased. I'm waiting to see if it dries out as quickly as Chanel's Inimitable mascara. For the price that is being paid for these mascaras the least they could do is come up with a formulation that does not dry out in less that three weeks! I was not impressed with Inimitable Mascara to say the least.

What's on my face:

Face:

Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation in N08 and then No7's Radiant Glow Beauty Lotion (I give this product 5 STARS) and Select Moisturecover concealer under the eye area and on my chin applied with a 224 brush.

Cheeks: Light contour with MAC's Blunt Blush and then MAC's MSF in Sunny Disposition and on apples of cheeks MAC's Springsheen Sheertone Blush

Eyes: Prestige eyeshadow in C-179 Golden Retriever all over lid and MAC's Blush in Blunt as my midtone crease color with Mystery eyeshadow in the outer corner. Bourjoise eyeshadow in 08 Rose Beige (another must have) in the inner eye corner. Lined my lower waterline with MAC's Brownborder and used MAC's Spite eyebrow pencil used to fill in my non-existent brows

Lips: Revlon Matte Lipstick 001 Nude Attitude with MAC's Lipglass in Lychee Luxe overtop

Rocker Mom: Embracing My Many Alter Egos

Here is my take on rocker mom. Its not my everyday look, but it is a look that I enjoy sporting once in a while. Sometimes I get bored being just plain old mom. Inside all of us we have a silent partner, an alter ego that itches to be set free. I confess I have many. This is not surprising at all for those who know me and its pretty typical of most Geminis. I sported this look for date night with hubby this evening who took one look at me and gave me that certain smile that made me throw my head back and laugh and made me forget that I own a diaper bag. I paired this top with a pair of jeans, patent leather and cork wedge heels from Betseyville, silver jewelry, a black wooden bangle and my cuff watch. When I wear my hair straight I often get inspired to sport an edgier look.

On my face:

Foundation: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and NW20 Select Cover Concealer

Cheeks: No7 Bronzer in Medium on cheekbones and some contour, MAC Tenerling Sheertone blush on apples of cheeks

Eyes: Annabelle Blue Kohl Liner and MAC Paint Pot in Delft all over lid (amazing blue colour btw). MAC Kid eyeshadow in crease. No highlight color on brow and L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Black

Lips: A hint of MAC's New York Apple lipstick blotted with tissue.

Thanks for stopping by. xxNadia

Look of the Day: Falsies & Frizz

Later on this afternoon we're headed to a BBQ for Canada Day. The weather is confused because its raining one minute then the sun is out the next. My hair of course, is having a bad reaction to the weather and its deciding to frizz like crazy. I've managed to tame it a little and pull it into a side ponytail. I'm realizing that in summer time there is no point fighting with frizz but rather work with it. Its a good thing that I've discovered Moroccan Oil and I'm thrilled that big, unruly hair is in vogue this year, this means I'll fit right in.

I've decided to wear half lashes for my look today and I wanted to keep the focus on my eyes and cheeks. I often wear half lashes during the day because it gives you the effect you want but doesn't look ridiculous. In case you're wondering I'm wearing a boat neck Versace inspired top that I got as a gift recently from my sister who brought it back from Miami. The necklace is from Tiffany's and its part of the Elsa Peretti collection. Her and Frank Gehry are my favorite designers at Tiffany's. This is one of four pieces I received from Tiffany's this year for my birthday. The earrings I picked up on one of my travels, they are sterling silver and I wear them often. I don't remember where I got them from.

What's on face:

Foundation: Natural FX by Cover FX, Water Based Foundation in shade M40 and MAC's Blot Powder in Medium on the t-zone area.

Concealer: MAC Moistureblend Concealer in NW20

Blush: MAC Lilicent Cream Blush applied lightly on cheek area and Jane Be Pure Mineral Blush in 01 Soft Mink applied to the apples of the cheek only

Eyes: MAC Painterly Paint Pot all over lid area, MAC Amazon Eyes Quad (ltd) edition. Basically I used the peach/pink Colour outer third and then brown color in the outer crease area. I used the lighted color as brow bone highlighter and on my cupids bow. Ardell False Lashes #301 in Black (half lashes). Eyebrows are filled in with MAC's Brow Pencil in Lingering

Lips: Lined lightly with MAC's Brow Pencil in Lingering & Beurre Cremestick Lipliner and dabbed on with my fingertips Annabelle Le Gloss in Nectar Lust.


Thanks for stopping by. I read and appreciate all the comments that you leave me. Thank you and I hope you're having a nice summer. xxNadia