How to Achieve Glowy Skin

Most days, I’m all about wearing as little makeup as possible…especially during the warmer months when it’s too hot and humid to spend time applying makeup that will just melt off as soon as I leave the house.

As soon as the temperature starts rising, I tend to go through phases where I will play up only one feature at a time. Sometimes I’ll create a bright eye look, other times I will opt for a vibrant lip shade. Lately, I have been focusing on fresh, glowy skin; it’s easy to achieve and gives the complexion an effortless radiance.

Since I don’t wear foundation, I always begin with a moisturizer (with sunscreen). After waiting a few minutes for my skin to absorb the moisturizer, I apply MAC’s Mineralize blush in the shade Dainty. I find that mineralize blushes work best on bare skin and they never look chalky. In terms of application, I like to buff Dainty onto the apples of my cheeks by swirling my Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour brush in a circular motion. Using this technique prevents any harsh lines or uneven patches.

Next, I use my Sigma F50 Duo Fibre brush to sweep a bit of Benefit’s Sugarbomb face powder over the blush. To finish, I curl my lashes, swipe them with a bit of Vaseline, and dab my lips with a lip balm. The result: A peachy-pink, healthy (but not glittery) glow. I wear this look every day and I always feel fresh-faced and confident despite the fact that I’m hardly wearing any makeup. The best part is that I don’t have to wash off a full face of makeup at the end of the day.

What’s your go-to routine for glowy skin?

Week in Review: Makeup Products

This week, the focus of my makeup was a combination of three eyeshadows. We got a slight break from the extreme heat so I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to experiment with my eye makeup.
Eyes
As always, I began this look by applying a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion from lashline to just above the crease. My base colour was Shroom by MAC. I used my Sigma E55 Eye Shading brush to pat this shade all over the lid and under the browbone as a highlight. Then I added some depth to my crease by blending MAC’s Kid eyeshadow above Shroom with my  Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush. Since it’s summer and I love to add an unexpected pop of colour to my eye looks during this time of year, I added a bit of Crystal eyeshadow from MAC to the outer corners of my eyes into the crease with my Sigma E70 Medium Angled Shading brush. Crystal looks a bit damaged in the photo below because I am not the best at depotting shadows (I will be purchasing pro pans only for now on). I finished off the eyes by curling my lashes with my Shiseido curler and swiping on a generous coat of Buxom Lash mascara from Bare Escentuals.

Lips
With more colour on my eyes, I opted for a sheer tint on my lips. First I applied a layer of Vanilla Softlips to add a smooth base and an SPF of 20. I then used Tarte’s Maracuja Divine Shine lipgloss in Achiote which gave my lips a coral-pink tint that complimented my cheek colour nicely.

Face
This week I was less than adventurous with my face makeup and used the same products that I have been using for most of the summer. I used my fingers to pat some product from Garnier’s Anti-Dark-Circle roller under my eyes, and then I applied Tarte’s Amazonian Clay blush on the apples of my cheeks with my Sigma F40 Large Angled Contour brush. To give a flawless finish and add a bit of glow, I used my Sigma F50 Duo Fibre brush to lightly sweep Benefit’s Sugarbomb face powder overtop the Tarte blush.

Which products did you wear last week?

MAC Brush Cleanser

In the past I used to use gentle shampoos to clean my brushes. They worked fairly well but I always wanted a cleanser that I could use to spot-clean my brushes daily in addition to deep cleaning them every so often.
MAC Brush Cleanser was recommended to me and, after using it for a few months, I am thankful that I purchased it.
MAC claims that its brush cleanser cleans, disinfects and conditions brush fibres so that brushes will last longer. This product is said to be convenient to use and specifically designed to extend the life of high quality brushes. It also claims to leave brushes smelling fresh and clean, and help shorten their drying time.
I have to agree with all of the above except for the part about leaving brushes smelling fresh and clean. My brushes really don’t smell like anything after I cleanse them but that is not a big deal as long as they don’t smell bad.
For  cleansing I put a drop of the cleanser on a folded tissue and then gently move my brush back and forth in the liquid to clean. This process is very quick and gets my brushes completely clean. They also feel very soft after.
At $14.50 CAD for 233ml, this cleanser seems a bit expensive. However, a little bit goes a long way and I think that my bottle will last for quite a long time.
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Spring Makeup: Pastel Purple Eyeshadow

When I think of spring, pastel purple eyeshadow always comes to mind. It’s fun and colourful without being bright or too overpowering. You can wear it to school, to the office, and even for a night out. The following pastel purple shadows are my favourite for spring:
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*Bare Escentuals Princess*
If you desire a completely matte look, Princess is an ideal colour for you. This light lavender shadow is opaque and gives the lids an ethereal effect that is perfect for spring.

* MAC Digit*
Digit, a satin formula shadow from MAC, is the newest addition to my collection of purple shadows. It’s a soft violet colour with a subtle pearl sheen.  This purple applies very lightly which makes it perfect for daytime. To make it look as vibrant as possible I suggest using an opaque white or coloured base underneath such as one of the jumbo shadow pencils from NYX.

*Bare Escentuals Hugs*
For those who like only a slight shimmer, Hugs is perfect—it is matte for the most part but has some sparse tiny gold shimmers. I find that this colour is more on the warm side and would be perfect for those who do not feel comfortable wearing cool-toned purples.

*Bare Escentuals Sincerely, Heather*
Add shimmer to the eye with Sincerely, Heather. This lilac twilight colour is icy and glowy and is the perfect shadow for a shimmery spring look. Apply it wet for a glimmery night-time eye or pat it on the lids dry for a pretty shine during the day.

Which pastel purple shadows are your favourites for spring?

MAC Dainty Blush

I have been using Dainty Mineralize Blush from MAC for about a month now. I purchased it as a replacement for the blush that I had used for about 5 years—L’Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Blush in Soft Rose. While I loved the colour of the L’Oreal blush, I was tired of the mess that the loose powder always made. Also, I have heard mixed information regarding the company’s stance on animal testing so I wanted to find a blush that was mineralized, yet pressed, and made by a company that was cruelty free.
Many people suggested Dainty blush for me but I was hesitant to purchase it for two reasons: #1, in pictures it appeared to have a lot of shimmer which I do not like in a blush. #2, at $26.50 CAD for 3.5 g / 0.11 oz (non-mineralize blushes from MAC are only $23.50 CAD for 6 g / 0.21 oz) it seemed very expensive.
I first tried to find this blush for a discounted price in the sale section of certain beauty forums but ultimately had no luck. Then one day I took a trip to my MAC counter to return my tube of Syrup lipstick (I have a blog post here on why I did not like Syrup: http://putbeautytowords.blogspot.com/2011/02/mac-syrup-lipstick.html). I decided to check out Dainty while I was there.  It looked very vibrant and shimmery in the pan so I was not convinced. The sales associate handed me a duo fibre brush and told me to try it anyway because it would work really well with my skin tone (very pale and cool-toned).
I loved it! It gave my skin the prettiest pink flush and there was no visible shimmer. My complexion was radiant and glowy and before I knew it I was on my way out of the store with a brand new box of Dainty blush.
The next day I applied the blush and was no longer impressed—I looked sunburnt! I thought about returning it but decided to give it another try the next day. I used a much lighter hand and concentrated it on only the apples of my cheeks. It looked great again and I have worn it every day since with success. Ever since I started wearing Dainty I have been receiving compliments on my skin. I’m able to get the most flawless application when I apply Dainty using my Sigma F55 brush (http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/f55.htm?Click=62512).
MAC describes the colour of Dainty as a light yellow pink with gold pearl. While I agree that there is a gold pearl running through the product, I would call it more of a rosy pink rather than a yellow pink. Either way, it is a gorgeous colour that I will definitely repurchase.
My rating: 5/5
*click photos to enlarge*

Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows: Bikini Line & Nice Melons

The Benefit website (www.benefitcosmetics.com) says that these velvet eyeshadows “glide on light as a feather & the gorgeous shades look fabulous on everyone.”
I purchased two shades: Bikini Line and Nice Melons. Both shadows, though powder, are incredibly creamy, smooth, and blendable. They are shimmery, but not glittery, have great pigmentation and last for hours without creasing (I have only used them with a primer). Despite being very soft and sometimes creating a bit of dust in the pan, these shadows create very little fallout during application and wear. The packaging is also very appealing and features a unique bird pattern.
Bikini Line: This colour is described by both Benefit and Sephora as a desert sand colour. On the lid it appears as a light buttery gold colour. This shade has been compared to MAC’s Ricepaper, Nylon, and Creme De Miel, and Femme Fi eyeshadows. I think that this colour is perfect to use all over the lid or as a brow bone highlight and would compliment most skin tones.
Nice Melons: This colour is described by Benefit as a papaya pearl colour and by Sephora as a golden peachy pink. This creamsicle shade adds a glowy warmth to the lids that I believe would be flattering on most skin tones. It has been compared to MAC’s Melon pigment.
So how do they compare to MAC Shadows? Well, a MAC shadow pot is $14.50 USD or 1.5 g / 0.05 oz whereas the velvet shadows are $18 USD for 3.00 g or 0.11 oz. Both shadows are equally pigmented and are high end quality. Benefit’s shadows are much softer and easier to blend. MAC shadows come in many different colours whereas Benefit currently only sells approximately 12 shades. MAC shadows come in a range of shades and finishes whereas Benefit shadows all have a slight sheen and are lighter, more wearable colours. Neither company tests on animals. Both companies’ products have sleek stylish packaging but Benefit’s is more original. In my opinion (and I am someone who prefers lighter shimmery colours), Benefit Velvet shadows win this competition with their generous amount of product, sleek packaging, and silky smooth formula. Either way, I will still purchase shadows from both companies but want to work on building my Velvet shadow collection at the moment. Which do you prefer?
My rating: 5/5
*click photos to enlarge*
-Bikini Line is on the left in each photo and Nice Melons is on the right-

A Unique Highlight Colour: MAC Vapour Eyeshadow

At first glace, Vapour looks like a typical highlight colour—a matte light neutral. However, a closer look will reveal this shadow’s violet pearl iridescence.
Vapour is one of MAC’s velvet formula shadows. When applied to the eyelid or brow bone it appears as a matte peachy pink colour. When it catches the light a pretty violet shimmer becomes visible.
I like to wear this shadow as a highlight colour when I want to add a bit of uniqueness to a neutral eye or when I want my highlight colour to compliment other purple, pink, or blue shadows that I am wearing at the time.
My problem with this shadow is that it is not extremely pigmented. I have to pack on a lot of the shadow to get the effect that I want. I had planned to use Vapour as an all over lid colour but, once applied, it basically matches my skin tone and shows very little colour. I also wish that the violet pearl was more visible.
That said, I really like to use Vapour as a highlight colour because it is subtle and makes the area under my eyebrows look neater and brighter. Also, I like how the violet pearl appears when the light catches it.
My rating: 3.5/5
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My Favourite Blush Brush: Sigma Small Duo Fibre - F55

A few months ago I decided to make my first purchase from Sigma. I was looking for some new brushes and wanted some that were of MAC quality but that were more affordable.
Since I had never purchased from Sigma before I only bought a few individual brushes instead of buying a whole brush set in case I did not like them. Among the brushes that I purchased was the F55 Small Duo Fibre for $14 USD . It is comparable to MAC’s 188 brush which costs $41 CAD.
For much less than half the price of the MAC brush, the F55 has incredibly soft bristles that rarely shed. The brush’s handle is well made and the bristles are attached very securely to the ferrule.
This brush is perfect for applying and blending many different types of blush. I use it daily to apply my L’Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Blush in Soft Rose (which is a loose powder blush). The F55 gives this blush a very blended almost airbrushed look. On occasion I will use it to apply MAC’s Ladyblush cream blush or a pressed powder blush and the results are always flawless as well.
You can check out this brush as well as other brushes from Sigma by clicking here: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=62512
My rating: 5/5
*click photos to enlarge*