Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

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