Boldly Bare Lips From MAC's Too Fabulous Collection

After Sunday's Toronto Beauty Blogger Meetup most of us took a stroll to the MAC's Pro Store on Queen Street.  After selecting a handful of items that I needed restocking, I added a couple of things from MAC Cosmetics' up and coming collection Too Fabulous.  A fellow blogger Delia showed me what she bought and I was complaining that Spice lipliner is too orangy on me and I wanted a neutral liner with a slightly more pink undertone.  Delia then pulls out of her bag a lipliner appropriately named Boldly Bare.  After swatching this on my hand I had to have it.

This lipliner from MAC is a beautiful neutral light brown-pink shade with no orange undertone.  I've included pics of of yours truly wearing this liner as a lipstick.  This color can definitely be worn alone as I did in the first pic or with a swipe of gloss overtop as I'm wearing in the second picture.  Its unfortunate the pics I've taken were not the best, but the color is still awesome!  Just a rule of thumb, if you're going to wear a lipliner all over your lips, please, please ensure that your lips are properly exfoliated and hydrated.  Just like a matte foundation lipliners/lipsticks with a matte finish are unforgiving and will enhance every indentation, wrinkle or dry spot.  A lipbalm applied over your lips then dabbed with a tissue is a good idea when wearing dry matte liners on your lips.

I've noticed my buddy Michelle from Lipstick Rules has posted her pics sporting the same liner.  Her pics are clearer.  Check out her blog.

I have just one regret.........that I didn't buy two of them.  That's next on my list.  Thanks for stopping by.

 xxNadia

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

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