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

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

Flying the Skies

Many of you have requested I post a look of how I wear my hair and do my makeup for work. If you don't already know I am a Flight Attendant with a large national airline in Canada. We have strict guidelines for our appearance. Many of us stray a little to the left or a little to the right when it comes to bending the rules of how we can wear our hair or uniform components but it can't be that noticeable......or else! I keep my makeup clean and simple, I call it bridal makeup because its what I would do for my clients on their wedding day. Basically, I apply a clean and fresh look. I quite often layer my makeup in order for it to last a 15 hour day sometimes. There are many, many, many times that I apply my makeup at 3am and I'm still half asleep but you'd never know! Thank God for concealer, eyebrow pencils and mascara!
I usually powder my t-zone about 4 hrs into my work day. In general, I try not to touch my face too much and at work I am even more paranoid about doing that especially because I interact with the public constantly, in addition to handling aircraft carriers, trolleys, ticket stubs and money. Blot powder, lipstick, gloss and Fix+ and hand cream are in my purse at all times. I reach for MAC's Fix+, organic rosewater, or The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Spray to keep my skin hydrated and looking refreshed. This is on top of drinking at least a litre of water for every hour and a half of flying.

My hair is usually tied up with what I called a humped-styled ponytail and sometimes I wear it down with the sides pulled back and secured with a small clip and the crown has the usual hump happening. I am so used to having a bit of height at the crown it seems to me that if I don't wear it I feel weird and very flat. Its one of my quirks.

In the pictures I've posted I am sporting two different scarves, the darker blue scarf identifies me as the head crew member or what they call a Service Director (the next person in the chain of command after the First Officer) and the other lighter blue scarf was just released yesterday for the launch of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. The other Flight Attendants wear a red and black patterned scarf. I am wearing a dress and blazer in the pic but we have a choice to wear a skirt with a light blue dress shirt with/without a cute navy cardigan and you can pair it with navy blue flat front pants. The uniform is not bad, I've seen better and I've seen worse. I don't care how nice a uniform looks because after day four on the road it feels like its part of your skin and it won't come off!

I'll try to be more detailed about the exact makeup colors I use for work in another post and what tips and tricks I use in order to make my makeup last all day without creasing or fading. If you have any specific question I'll try and answer them for you as best I can.

We're in the middle of major house renovations and each corner I take a pic in its either bare and patchy or crammed with stuff. Please bear with my pic backgrounds. Thanks for stopping by. xxNadia

MAC's Strobe Liquid Lotion, L'Oreal Infallible Foundation & Bright Blue Liner

As always I am on the quest to find a way to simulate soft, subtle and perfect looking skin. I'm infatuated with that slightly dewy looking skin that most 11 year olds possess. My time for naturally dewy skin has come and gone but I do not fret, instead I just fake it. I'm always experimenting with various foundations mixed together or altered with mixing mediums. The majority of my foundations are from one of the Estee Lauder umbrella companies such as MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, just to name a few. I admit I don't own a lot of drugstore foundations, in fact, I only own two: Revlon ColorStay and most recently I purchased L'Oreal Infallible Advanced Never Fail Makeup. What I've noticed since purchasing these two products is that drugstore brands have really changed their formulations for the better.

I decided to mix one pump of the L'Oreal Infallible foundation with one pump of my all time staple MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion. Strobe Lotion and Strobe Cream I am never without in my personal makeup stash and in my professional kit. Strobe Liquid is a girl's best friend because its buildable and can be mixed in with other products or it can be sheered down with MAC's Fix+ and then added to an airgun for airbrushing. I have used an empty spritz bottle and added equal amounts of Strobe Liquid and Fix+ and used it on my body for that night time sheen. Perfect for when you go out dancing and partying on those hot summer nights.

My goal is to have sheer coverage which makes my skin look dewy and fresh, but still be able to cover the areas that I want to hide. Have a look at my pics and you decide what the results are.

What's on my face:

Foundation: L'Oreal Infallible Foundation and Strobe Liquid Lotion

Conceraler: Used the L'Oreal foundation without mixing.

Cheeks: Contouring with Tenderling Sheertone Blush and Pinch'O'Peach on the apples of my cheeks

Eyes: Annabelle Cream Shadow in the palette Coffee Talk. I used darkest color on eyelids
MAC Pigment in Copperclast on top of cream shadow and in the crease.
Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Liner in 240 Acqua Sparke & Waterline is Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Liner in 061 Jet Black
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black

Lips: MAC's Lipliner in Stone, Pinch'O'Peach Blush tapped onto lips and MAC's Plushglass gloss in Pretty Plush (another staple)

Your comments are always read and very much appreciated. Thank you to all my followers for your continued encouragement and well wishes, your comments really do mean a lot. Thanks for stopping by. xx

Startin To Feel Like Summer: Photo of the Day

Ttoday I felt like wearing something colorful and I was feeling lazy and wasn't in the mood for the full face effect.  This is what I came up with.

Today I felt like putting something colorful on and I didn't feel like heavy makeup so this is the look I came up with. Summer gets me excited because it reminds me of easy makeup and loads of accessories and lots of wonderful colors. I often refer to them as vacation colors such as corals, lush greens like palm trees and rich browns like the bark on a tree and blues with hits of turquoise in it just like the beaches in Sardinia. Oh, and I better not forget the color purple which reminds me of the thousands of dendrobium orchids all along the roadside which I remember vividly from when I vacationed on Hawaii.

If you haven't already guessed I am a very visual and tactile person and because of this summer for me is an explosion of sight and smells that keep me going through the long, bleak and dreary winter months. When I see the sun and feel the warm breeze on my skin I can't help but be in a good mood and walk around with a half smile. In Canada our summer season is short lived and we make the best of it.

On the face:

MAC spf 50

MAC Oil Free Face & Body Foundation

MAC Springsheen Sheertone Blush

Brown liner and mascara with Malt eyeshadow in the crease and Espresso brown in outer corner mixed with Blackberry shadow.

MAC Fluidline in black in my waterline

Lingering Eyebrow pencil on my eyebrows (which are almost non-existant)

Dior Lip Glow with a clear gloss on top

Hope you are all having a sunny day. Thanks for stopping by. xx

How I Style My Lazy Days Hair & Makeup: Photo of the Day

Hi Everyone,

This week turned out to be a particularly busy week for me and I felt like I never had a chance to just sit and rest. In these pictures I am going on day 6 of my crazy schedule and my fatigue is reflected in these photos. When I have days like this my hair gets put on the back burner, especially when its grey and raining for four days in a row. What's the point of getting my hair primped and perfect when its going to frizz or drop or do both in less than an hour from when I step outside? This is my famous hairdo that I wear often when I'm not sure what do to with my hair. This style is easy and looks like I spend some time and effort on my appearance. I achieved this look by doing a touch of backcombing to the crown of my head and then pulled the sides loosely back and secured with a tiny clip and pushed the clip in an upward motion to secured it in a 'puffed' position. Most of the time I don't even add hairspray because it can weigh my hair down even more. This is a sweet hairdo for a Sunday brunch or a hot date on a Saturday night. Its very versatile and all you need is a rat tail comb and a small clip or bobby pins.

The same goes for the makeup I'm wearing. When I don't feel like putting effort into my face I apply thick, winged black liquid liner to the upper lash line and then I add generous coats of L'Oreal Telescopic mascara. Then I apply neutral eye shadow in the crease such as MAC's Malt or Kid, pinky/white eyeliner in my bottom water line so that I appear more awake, a touch of contouring on my cheeks and a neutral or nude lip color, such as MAC's High Tea or Delish lipstick or Revlon's Nude with a tiny bit of lip liner and some clear gloss or MAC's Love Nectar gloss.

There you have it, Nadia's version of lazy day makeup and hair. I still can't believe that I get loads of compliments on this style because people are under the false impression this style of hair and makeup take a long time to do when in fact it doesn't. Is spend a total of 15 minutes on my hair and my face. I usually need on average 45 minutes to style my hair and put on makeup. I'm including the multiple interruptions from a 2 & 4 year old.

Thanks for stopping by.xx

Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm Review & Photo of the Day

I'm sure many of you are enticed by the ever talented duo on YouTube known as Pixiwoo. It appears the Chapman sisters have the midas touch and any product they categorize as 'bloody good' we run to the stores and wipe out their stock. I am no different and I gobble up every tidbit of info they throw our way. After watching their videos I discover that I have made a list and the anticipation of running to the makeup counter the next morning seems almost unbearable.

This time was not any different as I find myself a couple of days ago at Sephora's asking a beauty consultant about a new product that I wanted to have a look at, the Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm. At first glance it looks like a regular lip balm except it has a hefty $32.50 price tag! After I quietly mumble a curse word under my breath I approach the lip balm to have a closer look. It has no scent, no color and no need for it to make its way in to my purse and go home with me. My, my, how things can change with a swipe of color across your lips. Lorraine, the beauty consultant told me the day she was wearing it she sold 5 tubes of this stuff. This news causes me to raise my eyebrow. After careful disinfecting I try it on and the color turns pink and then more pink withing 15 seconds. Basically, within 30 seconds I was at the cash with Dior Lip Glow in tow and a sample of the Dior Nude Foundation. I have no will power and I admit it.

My intention was not to purchase the Lip Glow because a lip balm is a lip balm is a lip balm, but not for $32.50. Nonetheless, I've worn it religiously for three days straight and I can see the product already depleting. The color is nice and when pairing it with a gloss over top, its gorgeous. This balm does not stain your lips it tints them. For staying power I rate this product a 6.5 or 7 out of 10 for endurance. This tube is going straight into my Flight Attendant uniform because up in the air its very dry and we're constantly applying lip moisturizers. You should see the stash of lip and hand products in our purses! I'm hoping to find a dupe for this product so this won't hurt my wallet.

In the meantime, I snapped a few photos of myself wearing the Dior Lip Glow on my lips and nothing else. Its actually really pretty on but at this rate it might get to the bottom of the tube within two weeks. For that reason alone, I'm not sure if I will repurchase this product. This is my intention at least for this week.

Hopefully this was helpful and thank you for stopping by.xx

MAC Face and Body Foundation Review & Photo of the Day

I've been using MAC's Face and Body Foundation or about two years now and it is one of my main go to foundations for summer. I typically prefer medium coverage in a foundation but, in hot and humid climates I prefer a lighter, more natural coverage and an oil-free, water based foundation. This particular product is great because it has buildable coverage for the face and body, meaning if you apply your foundation and find its too sheer just apply more on top until you get the coverage you desire and it still won't look heavy. Also, you can use a darker shade of foundation on your legs and body and rub it in and you get instant color. The Face and Body foundation is very easy to blend and its long-lasting. The consistency is almost water like when squeezed out from its nozzle tip but it quickly disappears into your skin once blended (see pic 2).

I use this foundation on brides quite often because it applies easily and can be manipulated depending on the type of applicator you use, whether it be a sponge wedge, a 187 or 190 brush or even your fingers. I love applying this with a drop or two of MAC's Strobe Liquid or Benefits High Beam, both of which add an angelic, sheer highlight to the face and shoulders, and collar bones, without looking powdery. You can even pour this liquid into an airbrush gun and it works perfectly. Although this foundation is very sheer looking it delivers professional results and it photographs beautifully.

This foundation is available in a wide range of colors and comes in a large 120ml bottle. Its only sold at MAC Stores and available on the MAC Pro website. Next time you are in a MAC store make sure to ask for a sample. As a side note, I have never experienced an acne breakout while using this foundation.

The picture above is of the shades I normally take with me to bridal or special event gigs and the other picture is of myself wearing the foundation. Here is what else is on my face:

Foundation: MAC Face and Body Foundation shade: C2, Powdered T-zone with MAC Blotting Powder Medium-Dark

Concealer: Laura Mercier Cream Concealer in shade #2

Blush: Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy #070

Eyes: Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten all over lid

Upper Waterline: MAC's Brown Border Kohl Eye pencil

Mascara: Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in Black

Lips: Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy #070 and NYX Goddess of the Night Lipgloss in #155 Perfect.


Thanks for stopping by. xx

Its Friday and Its Spring!!: Photo of the Day

Hello All,
I was feeling particularly skipper this morning, considering I survived my first week returning to work and it wasn't so bad. Isn't that always the case, we think that some event is always worse than it really is? Anyways, I've let my Flight Attendant bun down and let my wild hair (literally) down and shook it out. I saw this top that I am wearing at Winners and I had to have it, I love all the colours in it and its feminine and flowy. There is a sash at the bottom of the top that ties at the side.

Winners is another gold mine in Canada and although its hit or miss, each location has its strong points. For example, one Winners might be known for its shoes selection, another its jewelry, another its purses or housewares...you get the idea. Winners is similar to TJ Maxx in the US because its actually owned by TJ Maxx. Basically, if you look hard enough and have the time and a bit of luck on your side you can dress like a million bucks head-to-toe, decked out in designer duds all for between $100-200. That's not bad at all. I've scored Furla leather boots which I saw in Rome or downtown Toronto for mucho bucks. I've seen Coach purches, Roberto Cavalli and Gucci sunglasses, and even Seven jeans for $19.99!! And of course, one of my favourites that cost over $200, Fly London and Betsey Jonhson shoes. I even picked up a houndstooth A-line fall coat for my daughter by Citizens of Humanity for under $20. Everyone shops at Winners because there are treasures hidden deep inside.

I you live in the Toronto or GTA area or anywhere in Canada for that matter and you found a treasure in Winners please let me know, I love to hear of the great buys that others find in Winners.

My makeup is the more or less the usual:

Foundation: Laura Mercier colour Nude

Blush: Jane in Soft Mink

Contour: Chanel Bronze Universal

Eyes: Art Jam Paint Mac, Annabelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown, Mascara Clinique High Gloss in Black, Eyeshadow Stila in Kitten, Contour colour in Dark Edge (ltd edition) and Blackberry both Mac

Lips: Lipstick Mac in Faux and Gloss is Mac in Mimmy (HK collection)

Thanks for stopping by!

Shoppers Drug Mart Haul, Swatch and FOTD

Here is my recent Shoppers Drug Mart haul. The usual always happens when I go in there. I stop in for diapers, cotton buds, or a prescription and I come out with that plus makeup. Somehow I always end up 'just having a quick peak'. I can count on one hand how many times I've walked into Shoppers and left without taking a peak.

I bought two lipsticks from Rimmel, one is called Celeb and the other in Just So. Its spring and I was in the mood for Pink, the shade Just So is the darker of the two and its beautiful. I have actually mixed this lipstick with a highlighter and a drop off bronzer and applied to the cheeks of bridesmaids for a wedding gig that I did recently. It looked gorgeous. I'm wearing the Rimmel Shade in Just So in the first picture at the top. The picture does not show the lipstick's true colour which is a little more pigmented. You can see it better on my hand in the other pic (on my hand its the above swatch, Celeb swatch is below)

The other items are a Gel Bronze Sheer Translucent Color Oil Free from Bonne Bell, in Golden Tan. I use this in the summer as a mixing medium, works every time. To top it off if I really want to look fabulosa then I add a hint of Bonne Bell's Glimmer Bronze in Gold'n'Glitz on the top of my cheek bone with a fan brush. When I say a hint, I mean a hint or else you'll look like a shiny disco ball. Next to Bonne Bells Dr. Pepper LipSmacker which is a staple in my makeup bag these items are a must for me. I use them on myself and for makeup gigs depending on the look. Both products are very versatile and are under $10, making them very affordable.

The next item is from Annabelle which is a cosmetic line exclusive to Canada. The gloss I purchased from Annabelle is Le Gloss Lip Shine in Breathless Souffle. There glosses are pretty good and inexpensive. I'm wearing the gloss in the second picture from the top.

The last item I've swatched on the top of my cheek is the Revlon Beyond Natural Concealer and Highlighter in shade 310 light-medium. I don't really care much for the concealer but the highlighter is a transparent gloss that is sheer and very Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex in the City.

Hope you enjoyed this haul and swatch. I've been ill for the last three days and its taken its toll on me, excuse my sleepy expressions, I'm still on the mend. Also, if you haven't noticed already the background in these pics is weird because I'm in the middle of a large renovation and we're trying to keep the dust contained to one area so everything is sectioned off with plastic. So, if you were wondering why my background looks like a scene from HBO's Dexter, this is why.

Thanks for stopping by. xx

Feeling Like Spring Again: FOTD

The weather these last few days has been down right weird. Last week you could go outside wearing just a sweater and scarf and 24hrs later we were hit with a 48hr snow/ice storm?!! I don't get. Today we are back to spring weather and warmer temperatures so I decided to take advantage and leave my heavy coat behind. I'm wearing my 7 jeans, patent leather wedges, a tailored black blazer which is one of my favourites cinched with a wide red faux reptile patterned belt. My husband snapped this quick photo of me while we were running errands. Actually, its right after we dropped off our children at preschool and were about to get a nice cup of java. Look at the happiness on my face, that's because I was free!!!!! My little ones were driving me nuts today and didn't want to get dressed, brush their teeth or go to preschool, forgive me people but I couldn't wait to drop them off. I'm hoping that spring weather has sprung where you live.

Have a good day.xx Nadia

Today Was A Pink Day: FOTD

Today I was in the mood for pink and purple makeup.  My inpiration for the pink and purple are from my two new purchases that I made in the last 24 hours.  First was my Estee Lauder Signature Silky Eyeshadow Duo in Amethyst and my Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in #042 'Just So'.  I tried to find the lipstick color Flirt, a referral from pixiwoo on YT but, I don't think Canada carries it.

What's on my face:

Foundation: Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation in LF2 (referral from Sardun1 on  YT)

Cheeks: Touch of Peony cream blush from Mac, Chanel Bronzer universal for contour, So Ceylon MSF Mac on apples of cheeks and MSF Perfect Topping for highlight.

Lips:  Rimmel Long Lasting Lipstick in 'Just So' and Stone Lip Liner Mac