March Favorites

I'm SO over winter. Yes it's technically spring, but there is snow falling outside my window as I type. To combat my Seasonal Affective Disorder (weather-related depression us Canadians deal with), I've been obsessed with peachy makeup. I've made some great product discoveries in the past month and it took some effort to narrow it down to a handful of items:

NARS ORGASM BLUSH
I've held off on buying this puppy for quite some time. I already own some NARS blushes and mixed reviews had prevented me from buying the cult classic "Orgasm", quite possibly the world's favorite blush. I'm not sure if it's the provocative name or the universally flattering shade that makes this so wonderful, but I have hopped on the bandwagon. I don't think my swatch in the picture above has done it justice, but it is a lovely light peach with golden shimmer running through it. It is such a luminous blush that looks angelic on the cheeks. It's not as pigmented as my other NARS blushes, which I think is a good thing because it's hard to over-do it. I totally get it now. I can't believe I waited this long to buy it. I've literally worn this every day since it arrived in the mail. Two thumbs up!

BENEFIT HOOLA BRONZER
For some reason, Benefit products don't generally appeal to me. I think the packaging is pretty tacky most of the time and I don't think an expensive blush should come in a cardboard box. I've been looking for an appropriate contour powder for fair skin and this is definitely it. I love to use this under the cheekbones, around the jawline and on the temples to make my facial structure look more defined than it really is. This can also be used all over the face to bronze up the complexion. The bronzer has a hint of grey in it, which makes it look more natural on fair and light skin tones. I'm still not crazy about the packaging, but I absolutely love the product.

SONIA KASHUK #123 SMALL POWDER/BLUSH BRUSH
This is the perfect blush brush for me. I love this brush because it is smaller than the average blush brush and delivers product to very precise areas of the face. I love that I can easily control blush placement to be swept high on the cheeks towards the temples or swished just on the apples of the cheeks. This brush applies a small amount of blush at a time, so it's hard to go overboard with highly pigmented blushes. This is a very affordable brush and is available at Target.

L'OREAL MAGIC LUMI LIGHT INFUSING PRIMER
I'm still obsessing with this lit from within primer. This gives a gorgeous, non-greasy glow that helps to blur out my imperfections. I can't shut up about it. Read my review here.

CLARINS INSTANT LIGHT NATURAL LIP PERFECTOR IN #02
This is the perfect lip gloss for people who hate lip gloss. It looks like a lip gloss but literally feels like a lip balm. NO STICKYNESS, I promise. This looks great on it's own as a sheer peachy gloss or looks lovely layered over peachy or nude lipsticks. I keep this one in my scrubs pocket. These comes in a variety of colors from baby pink to nude to candy pink. I think this would be a lovely Mother's Day gift.

WET N WILD MATTE LIPSTICK IN #903C JUST PEACHY
This is so cheap and lovely. A great matte lipstick that doesn't dry out the lips at all. I've gotten so much wear out of this over the past month and adding a touch of lip gloss to the center of your lips makes you look like a Victoria's Secret model. Such a beautiful peach that doesn't lean too orange and a very affordable purchase for spring. This compares to much more expensive lipsticks and I highly recommend it!

SHISEIDO PERFECT ROUGE IN PK343 SECRET
This was my first time trying anything from the Japanese brand Shiseido, and I am highly impressed. This lipstick is so buttery and hydrating with fabulous color pay-off. It's like no other lipstick I've ever tried. The color is perfect for spring, a peachy pinky coral color that has a pretty satin finish that looks even better with some gloss on top.

EOS SHAVE CREAM IN POMEGRANATE RASPBERRY
EOS is widely known for their little round lip balms (which I have never tried!) but this shave cream is phenomenal. It actually makes me want to shave my legs, which is never something I enjoy doing. It comes in a pump bottle which I like much better than an aersol can. It dispenses a beautiful thick cream that smells delicious enough to eat and makes shaving a breeze. I love that the sweet pomegranate scent actually lasts on your skin after getting out of the shower. I think everyone needs this in their bathroom. Seriously, you need this in your life.

So that was the cream of the crop for the month of March. There were so many other product discoveries that I can't wait to talk about in upcoming posts. What products did you love in March? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.   

Simple Spring Trend: Orange Lips

Spring is just around the corner! Here's a quick little post on one of my favorite makeup trends for Spring 2014. Orange lips are such a simple update to anybody's makeup bag. There are a ton of orange lip options from high end to drugstore, including sheer lip balms and matte, opaque lipsticks. I am wearing a satin formula in the above picture, my new Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Timanfaya, which is a bold reddish-orange. Choosing a more red based orange will likely be easier to pull off than a pastel option, but it comes down to personal preference.

My suggestion for wearing an orange lip is keeping it all very simple. Maybe just a coat of mascara on the lashes and a touch of peachy blush on the cheeks for a vibrant and fresh daytime look (see above). To jazz it up for a night out, I think this would look amazing with a bold cat eye flick liner.

How do you like orange lips for spring? I'll definitely be rocking this trend over the coming months!

Thanks for reading.

Hangover Beauty: The Morning After the Night Before

My Hungover Before

My Still Hungover After

Good morning folks! I'm currently writing to you from the comfort of my own bed, having had a little too much fun last night. For those of you who are feeling a little under the weather from the previous night's festivities, I have some tips on how to pull yourself together and look a little more human. There is no secret to looking or feeling great after a heavy night, but there are things you can do to counteract the side effects of a hangover.

SKINCARE

• If you can remember to do nothing else, PLEASE wash your makeup off before bed. If you can't remember to do that, wash your face the very second you wake up. Stash some makeup remover wipes on your bedside table if that will increase the likelihood of washing your visage. I usually put some cotton pads and makeup remover on my sink before going out, as a reminder to wash my face when I get home. 
• After you wake up in the morning, wash your face again! Now is the time to put the moisture back into your skin. This means bringing out the big guns, if you are a fan of face masks like I am, slap one on (I use Vichy Aqualia Thermal Masque). As an alternative, apply a rich moisturizer and really massage it into the skin to help things along. I love to use my Clarins Daily Moisturizer Energizing Cream which is loaded with Vitamin C to add some life back to my face, but any moisturizer will do. I also like to use an eye cream for my very puffy eyes (see picture above). Eye roller balls are also a fabulous invention to help bring down the swelling of puffy lids. The main idea is to use the skincare available to you as your toolkit for faking a good night's sleep (sans alcohol). 
• Next, poor yourself a big glass of ice water and drink. Refill, and repeat.

MAKEUP

• I like to use a hydrating base to improve the look of my parched complexion. If you own tinted moisturizers or BB/CC Creams, now is the time to break them out. This is not the time to load your face with tons of foundation because a cake face will not hide your hangover. If you only have a foundation on hand, mix in some moisturizer with it to make it look more dewy and radiant on the skin. I will used my trusty Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer for it's glowy finish. My favorite "photoshop in a bottle" primer also comes in very handy in this situation (read about it here), as it helps to add some radiance back to the face.
• Concealer is your friend in this situation! Use a concealer under the eyes to conceal unsightly dark circles and bags and cover up those blemishes that may have popped up over night.
• Next use a cream blush on the cheeks. I love cream blush because it looks really natural on the skin and helps to make the cheeks look plump and healthy. I chose the Bourjois Cream Blush in #1 Nude Velvet for a peachy tint that makes me look a little less corpse-like. 
• Next up, add a nude color eye liner pencil to the lower waterline to counteract the redness of bloodshot eyes, I like my Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude for the job. Next add any eyeshadow of your liking to help cover the darkness surrounding the eyes. I like to use a light, neutral color like the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow in Bold Gold. Finally, add a coat of black mascara to finish off the eyes.
• Lastly, I like to apply a sheer tinted lip butter for a pretty and low maintenance pout. Today I'm using Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach.

HAIR

• I'm all about bed head. I like to channel my inner Kate Moss by messing up my hair a little more and using some dry shampoo to help give my hair that gritty texture that I love so much. If this grosses you out, opt for a messy bun or a classic ponytail that requires very little effort.

So there you have my top tips for hangover beauty. What are your favorite tips for disguising a hangover?

Thanks for reading.

Local Beauty: TVAL Skincare Haul and Review

Today I'm happy to post about a lovely brand that is born and bred in St. John's, Newfoundland! The TVAL store is located on Water Street in downtown St. John's. My favorite thing about the little shop is that when you walk in (besides the gorgeous scents that meet you at the door), you can see the workers making the products literally behind the counter. I don't know of many businesses that have their production and sales so closely tied together, but it makes for a nice touch. The store has been open for over a decade now and I remember falling in love with the brand at a young age. It's been quite some time since I tried their products and I was eager to get a handful of products and share my thoughts with you. If you have never visited the store, I would highly recommend popping in and having a sniff. The store has such a nice atmosphere with friendly staff who are more than happy to share their product recommendations. Their product line includes handmade soaps, bath and body products, skincare, hair care, mother/baby products and more besides. The products are also available online on their website (found here).

TVAL BLUEBERRY MUSK WHIPPED BODY BUTTER
I went into the store initially on the hunt for a new body butter. I'm such a fan of body butters and use them year-round for keeping my skin as soft as possible. I spent a considerable amount of time sniffing their gorgeous body butters but somehow got hung up on the scent of the TVAL Blueberry Musk Liquid Soap. I happened to mention that I wished that I could find a body butter that smelled close to the liquid soap, to which I was informed that they make CUSTOM products. To my delight, I received a phone call a few days later informing me that my body butter was ready for pick up. The TVAL Blueberry Musk Whipped Shea Body Butter is divine, it has a blueberry scent that comes across as very sultry rather than fresh. The formula of the butter is thick and nourishing but seems to sink into the skin within seconds, leaving a smooth and non-greasy finish to the skin. I have really dehydrated and dry skin on my body and tend to go through body butters really quickly (my skin literally drinks them up). This body butter definitely goes much further with a smaller amount of product. I've been using this for a few days and I'm absolutely in love with the formulation and the delicious scent that lingers on my skin for an entire day. I love the idea of customized bath and body care and think it's a great idea for birthday gifts or the upcoming Mother's Day.

Grade: A+

TVAL WHIPPED SUGAR BLUEBERRY VANILLA PARFAIT BODY SCRUB
Oddly enough, I'm normally not a fan of blueberry smells but TVAL has converted me. I was in the market for a new scrub and this TVAL offering is fantastic. It's definitely a coarse scrub when first applied to the skin but seems to melt into a rich, exfoliating oil. I like to use body scrubs on my legs before shaving and on my elbows, knees and feet on a weekly basis. The TVAL Whipped Sugar Body Scrub in Blueberry Vanilla Parfait smells good enough to eat and exfoliates the skin without drying out the skin. I also love how the delicious scent is still present on the skin post-shower.

Grade: A+

TVAL MADARIN VANILLA LIP BALM
The two sales associates happily directed me to the Mandarin Vanilla Lip Balm as one of their favorites. I love the silky texture of this balm that creates a smooth, hydrated base that works really well under lipstick. I would recommend this balm for daily maintenance to prevent chapped lips, as I prefer to use heavier lip treatments at night to repair my dry lips. This lip balm smells and tastes SO good, and I think I've narrowed down the scent as similar to Creamsicles. This is a great lip balm to throw in your purse for an easy, everyday lip balm.

Grade: A

TVAL EXFOLIATING LIP BALM
Prior to my visit to TVAL, I was actually considering ordering a $25 lip scrub from Sephora. Insanity. I've been trying to track down a lip scrub for quite some time, as I love to wear matte lip products but hate the dry skin on my lips that becomes so obvious on application. I was really looking forward to trying this out and I am happy to report that this product has met my expectations. I use the TVAL Exfoliating Lip Balm straight onto the lips before lipstick and wipe off the sugar bits with a tissue (or occasionally lick it off my lips... and assuming it's ok for ingestion). I will then follow up with the previously mentioned lip balm for perfectly prepped and primed lips without the icky dry bits. I think it's super convenient that this product comes in a stick form (rather than an un-hygienic little pot) with a fresh minty scent at the great price point of $5. Very impressed.

Grade: A+

TVAL KITCHEN COFFEE SOAP
This soap claims to remove kitchen odors (like onion, garlic, fish, etc) from your hands and it was the first thing I put my hand on in the store. For those of you who don't know, I love to cook and I especially love garlic (but hate smelling like garlic for 12 hours). This pretty block of handmade soap has taken up permanent residence at my kitchen sink and is well loved by both myself and the boy. The soap has coffee grinds and peppermint essential oils to remove unwanted kitchen smells. An invaluable investment for anybody who cooks!

Grade: A+

TVAL has countless more products and an impressive variety of scents that I look forward to trying out. I truly think it's one of those brands where there is something for everyone. It's a great place to go if you want to treat yourself to some beautiful products AND support local business. Have you tried TVAL products? What should I try next?

Thanks for reading.

When To Splurge: High End Makeup Recommendations

I love cosmetics. I especially love drooling over high end makeup. Some may think it's insane to spend more on a single makeup product than I would on an article of clothing... and maybe they're right. If it's in your budget or if you are luckily enough to have a gift card in your wallet waiting to be spent, these are my recommendations for good quality makeup. I truly believe there are some things that cannot be duplicated at the drugstore. High end beauty products are so luxurious with so much thought put into beautiful packaging to make you feel like a glamorous vintage film star(or maybe that's just me?). From my own experience, I don't think any of my friends or family have been disappointed with a great quality makeup product. If you splurge on nothing else, I really recommend getting yourself a good foundation because there is such a dramatic difference in the way they look on the skin and react with the skin.

Foundation

I used drugstore foundations consistently until approximately a year and a half ago, when I purchased my first Estee Lauder foundation. Base products are not my thing and I don't generally find them that exciting but trying a pricey foundation changed my mind completely. Not only do good quality foundations look more “skin-like” but also last longer on the face and tend to stay looking “fresh” for longer. Another perk of high end foundation is that you have a chance to test the color range yourself. I find that some drugstores don't even provide testers for foundations and you are left guessing your color from the look of the bottle. Purchasing a good foundation means that there is a nifty sales assistant to color match you to the perfect shade, without leaving you guessing under harsh fluorescent lighting. I recommend investing in something that you will actually wear. If you are the type of person who reserves foundations for a night out, maybe invest in a good tinted moisturzier or BB cream for everyday use. If you like to wear a full coverage on a daily basis, invest in a good high coverage foundation. Buy what works for you, don't get distracted by the latest and greatest releases at the front of the shelves.

 My Top Picks: Nars, Dior, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Benefit.

Eye Primers

I think a good eye primer is essential to anybody's kit. An eye primer will extend the wear-time of your eye makeup, make colors look more vibrant on the lid and lock eyeshadow in place all day (no smudges!). A good primer can also make cheaper eye shadows look more beautiful on the lid. Another bonus: an eye primer will last you a very long time. You literally need to use the tiniest amount of product to cover both lids. I use a primer daily and I could probably get at least 2 years out of a tube. This is a great investment for those with oily eyes lids that find their eye makeup seems to melt off by the end of the day. It's definitely one of those products where you don't know what you are missing until you try it. I would recommend getting a primer in a squeezey tube rather than a lipgloss (doe foot applicator) style tube so you can get every last drop of primer out.

My Top Picks: Urban Decay Primer Potion (the original, but the other kinds are good too), Too Faced Shadow Insurance and NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (good for oily lids but hate the packaging).

Eye Shadow Palettes

Believe it or not, this is the extent of my eye shadow palette collection. With these three palettes, I feel like I have the basics for looks that I like to do on a regular basis. A neutral eye palette is a valuable investment and is useful for creating a wide range of looks for day time or night time. High end eye shadows are incomparable to their drugstore counterparts. I love my palettes for their buttery soft consistency, blendability and gorgeous finish on the lid. If you are a normal person (unlike me), a neutral palette will probably be enough eye shadow to last you a life time. I would recommend buying a palette that suits you. If you wear smokey looks often, maybe consider a palette of greys/taupes/browns. If you prefer to experiment with colors, buy a palette with a range of different colors. A gorgeous palette is a great gift for anybody who wears makeup and provides the lucky recipient with endless possibilities of color combinations.

My Top Picks: Urban Decay (Especially Naked 1, 2, 3 and basics), Dior, Clinique, Smashbox and Stila.

Blush

Please excuse the blush porn pictured above. I really really cannot say enough about a good quality blush. If you are displeased with some blushes from the drugstore, it's probably because they are made with talc which makes them look streaky and causes them to fade quickly (and potentially cause breakouts/skin irritations). A good blush can last year a couple years and brighten up the face to make you look more lively. There are so many different shades and formulas on the market and I'm positive there is one out there for everybody. I have a blush problem and have enough to last until I'm 90, but I'm totally ok with that. I think a lot of people are afraid of blush but I promise that it's not scary and makes all the difference. Good quality blushes mean that they are more pigmented (so you use less product with each application), longer lasting and they blend into the skin better to look more believable.

My Top Picks: NARS, Stila, Lancome and Smashbox.

Perfume

I love wearing perfume and generally smelling nice (don't we all?). Perfumes are such a personal preference and the key is to find the scent that you enjoy the most (since you will be smelling it more than anyone else). I love the look of a gorgeous perfume bottle placed a on vanity. A good quality perfume means that better ingredients where used to extract delicate scents from various flora and fauna. The perfume will last longer on the skin and will smell slightly different on each person due to your own personal body chemistry. I have my own signature scent, but there are so many more that I have sniffed and loved. Cheaper perfumes just don't smell right to me and I find they have an intense sickly smell. A great gift for a special someone that they can enjoy for years to come. 

My Signature Scent: Versace Pour Femme.

Lipstick

I think lipstick is a beautiful thing. High end lipsticks have such gorgeous shades and feel so comfortable on the lips. Generally I find them more moisturizing, longer lasting and easier to maintain with fewer touch-ups. Taking a fancy lipstick out of my purse also makes me feel super classy (and I'm not ashamed to admit that). There is a reason people like a good quality lipstick (and probably why MAC is so popular). Pick a color that makes you feel pretty, whether that be red, hot pink or a sultry nude. Treat yourself to one and I promise you won't be disappointed.

My Top Picks: Dior, Estee Lauder, Lancome, NARS, Clarins.

I love high end makeup and will continue to purchase these staples for their outstanding quality that compares to no other. What are your favorite products to splurge on?

Thanks for reading.

When to Save: My Drugstore Essentials

Happy Monday ladies and gents! Today I'm happy to present my guide to budget beauty. As a self-professed beauty addict, I am completely smitten with high-end beauty products but I think there is a time and place for splurging. There are some fantastic products out there for a good price that I wouldn't dream of spending any large amount of money on. Through much trial and error, I have figured out what works for me and where to save a penny here and there.

NAIL POLISH: With the fantastic quality of drugstore nail polish, why would anybody spend $25 on a high-end nail polish (not that there's anything wrong with that, to each their own)? I look to the drugstore for additions to my nail polish collection and trying new trends without breaking the bank. Some great brands include L'Oreal ("#410 L'orange" pictured above), Revlon ("#490 Urban"), Sally Hansen (Xtreme Wear range is great, "#33 Pacific Blue") and Pure Ice ("Jail Bait",review here).

SINGLE EYE SHADOWS: For some reason, I haven't had much luck finding drugstore eye shadow quads that I like. I have had great luck with singles though. The L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows are wonderful pressed pigments that look so chic and I've found that they are best used pressed on with the finger on to the lid. They come in a huge range of colors and are a great way to try something new before investing in expensive eye palettes. The Maybelline Color Tattoos are much hyped in the beauty community and for good reason. These cream eye shadows come at a great price point, I'm in love with the neutral shades that can be used in underneath powder shadow or used alone for a wash of color over the lid. They last all day and do not budge once they set. These are a great introduction to cream eye shadow for beginners. The Rimmel ScandalEyes Eye Shadow Sticks are also a no fail option. They can be used as liners, all over the lid as eye shadow, or on the inner corner of the eye as a highlight. Absolutely brilliant!

BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS: There are so many great lotions and potions are a great price point. I don't see the point in paying big bucks for body butters and shower gels when the cheaper alternatives perform exactly the same. If you look out for sales, there are great deals to be found at Bath and Body Works and The Body Shop with so many beautiful scents to choose from. At the drugstore, some of my favorite brands for body wash include Dove, Aveeno and Nivea. For body lotion, I adore Garnier Intensive 7 Day Ultra Softening Lotion which sinks in so fast and is non-greasy.

MATTE AND SHEER LIPSTICKS: I love high end brands for satin/creme finish lipsticks but have found some highly impressive matte/sheer lipsticks at the drugstore. The Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipsticks have a fantastic formula that's highly pigmented, long-lasting and doesn't dry out the lips. My favorite shades include a deep plum (#107) and a bright coral red (#110). Wet n Wild also do great matte lipsticks that feel really moisturizing, I have the shade #903C Just Peachy and it may be my favorite lip product for spring (I'm wearing it in this post). My favorite sheer lipstick formula is the Maybelline Color Whispers, which come in a wide range of on-trend colors. A fantastic tinted lip balm for busy days is the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm, I have the shade Pink Blossom and it never leaves the pocket of my scrubs while nursing.

EYELINERS: I use so many drugstore eye liners in my daily makeup routine. There are so many colors to choose from, not to mention some impressive long lasting formulas. My top picks include Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, NYX  Eye Pencils, and Milani Liquid Eye Pencils.

L'OREAL MAGIC LUMI LIGHT INFUSING PRIMER: My latest obsession, read about it here.

EYEBROW GEL: I wouldn't dream of paying more than $5 for a brow gel. It's basically hair gel in a mascara tube. I like Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara and the even cheaper Essence Lash & Brow Mascara.

MASCARA: I love the infamous mascaras done by the likes of Clinique, Lancome and Estee Lauder, but it's definitely not necessary to buy expensive mascara when there are comparable drugstore options. My favorites include Maybelline The Falsies, L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara (I cannot tell you the number of times I was asked if I was wearing false lashes when wearing this), and the classic L'Oreal Voluminous.

BRUSHES: It kills me to spend any large amount of money on makeup brushes when there are amazing and affordable options at the drugstore. The Real Techniques brushes are my absolute favorites, not one in particular, I love them all (available at Lawton's Drugmart and Walmart). They are synthetic which means they can be used for cream or powder makeup and are super easy to clean. I also love the Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes available at Target. Another brand of brushes that I haven't heard much about is Cala, they use natural bristles and are fantastic quality (available at Lawtons Drugmart).

So those are my recommendations for saving pennies when stocking up your makeup kit. If you watch for weekly sales, you will save yourself even more money and get these already great deals for a fraction of the price. What are your drugstore essentials?

Thanks for reading.

Photoshop in a Bottle: L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer

No photoshopping required! 100% unedited.

Looking for an update to your makeup bag for spring? Look no further than the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer! I heard a little bit about this primer through the grapevine but was not convinced that I truly needed it... until now. This is definitely not a traditional primer, which would normally be used to extend length the amount of time foundation lasts on the face or create a smooth base that covers pores. This primer creates a luminous, glowy base that shines through foundation to create a soft focus finish to the skin. Some may be skeptical and assume that it will make oily skins look like a greasy mess, but it is far from that. I have an oily forehead and I would go so far to say that controls oil production on my face. My initial concern was that a super glowy look would just highlight my minor imperfections such old acne scars and broken capillaries but it somehow tones them down and makes my skin look much better than it is. It comes out of the bottle as a white creamy color but becomes a pretty pearlescent sheen when blended out onto the skin. Did I mention that there are NO glitter particles in the primer? L'Oreal, I can't thank you enough.

HOW TO USE IT:

Option 1: Use it as a primer all over the face before applying foundation/bb cream/cc cream/tinted moisturizer on top. This is my favorite way of using it, it somehow shines through the foundation to create an illuminated, beautiful complexion. I use about 1 pump of product.

Option 2: Mix the primer together with your foundation of choice. This is a great option for those who don't want to give up the coverage of their favorite foundation but would like a fresh and dewy look. This method instantly amps up any foundation into a radiant, satin finish.

Option 3: Use as a liquid highlighter. This can be used straight-up as a liquid highlighter patted on the tops of the cheekbones, inner corner of the eye, bridge of the nose and cupids bow for a super glowy, non glittery highlighted look. Make sure to use this method after all face makeup is complete (foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, etc).

I don't know what kind of witchcraft L'Oreal has up their sleeves but they absolutely killed it on this one. I feel like I look more awake and healthy when armed with this pearly primer. The photoshopping powers of this primer really put the cherry on top and make it an absolute makeup staple of mine, making me feel more confident about my complexion and allowing me to use much less concealer on my imperfections (not to mention it photographs beautifully). I purchased mine at Target for around $13 (the best price I could find) and it was money well spent.

Have you tried the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer? I highly recommend it for pretty and radiant springtime beauty.

Vintage Beauty in the Modern Age: 90's Grunge

 Happy Monday folks! I am so excited about today's post! As a 90's child, I have so many memories of the heavy makeup looks of the 90's. The makeup looks ranged from simple matte face makeup with the addition of a brown lipstick, to pure punky gorgeousness of bold eyes and bold lips. The color palette of 90's makeup was very tonal and natural including beige, medium brown, rusty browns, coppers, brick reds, and burgundy. I'm a total fan of the traditional 90's super model look with chiseled cheekbones, contoured eye creases and big pouty lips but decided to go with something a little more cheeky (and a little less Pam Anderson). My only regret is that I didn't have a Nirvana t-shirt to add into the mix.

Achieving this look doesn't require a whole lot of makeup products and any duo of brown eye shadows can be used to achieve the dreamy, sludgy eyes. I used matte eye shadows for this look but decided to press on a shimmery eyeshadow over the lids to add more dimension to the smokey look. I choose warm browns and coppers because I love how they look against blue eyes, but any shade of brown can be used (other colors can be added into the mix if you are feeling adventurous). Eyeliner is another important component to this look, I used a brown and a copper red eyeliner but black would be a good option as well. Blush was not necessary in this look but I used a grey-toned bronzer to contour the cheeks. Otherwise, I wanted my skin to look very pale and contrast again the eyes and lips. I could not decide on lip color so I decided to show both of my picks, a wearable browny nude and a strong matte burgundy lip. I had so much fun recreating my own interpretation of 90's makeup and ended up loving the look of grungy eye makeup on myself. Here's how I did the look:

BASE: I started off by using my new Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in #51 Light Vanilla all over the face. I set the foundation with my Clarins Ever Matte Pressed Powder in 00 Transparent Opal to make my face look very matte. I used Benefit Hoola Bronzer to contour under the cheekbones.

EYES: I first primed my eye with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I started off by putting MAC Mystery Eyeshadow all over my mobile lid to create a dark brown base for the coppery colors that I smudged on top. I then blended the matte mustard brown from my Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in #734 Grege on top of the dark shadow and up into the crease up towards my eyebrows. I smudged lots of this eyeshadow on my lower lid, almost down to my cheeks for a super grungy look.I rimmed my eyes with Milani Liquid Eyes Eyeliner Pencil in Brown (both upper and lower), smudging the lines slightly before they set. I also lined my upper and lower waterlines with the dark brown liner. I used my coppery-red NYX Eyeliner in #926 Copper to line the inner third of my eye (the part of the eye closest to the inner corner) on top and bottom to add some interest to the look. I then patted a layer of L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in #892 Amber Rush over the entire smokey eye too keep the eyes looking very copper-toned. I achieved clumpy 90's lashes by using multiple coats of both Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Mascara in #01 Black and Maybelline Mega Plush Volume Express Mascara in Blackest Black. I cleaned up any eyeshadow fallout under my eyes with my Clarins Instant Brush On Perfector in #01. 

BROWS: Brushed upwards and filled in with my Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel. The 90's favored bushy brows.
 
LIPS: For the first look: I used Essence Lipliner in 04 Honey Bun to make a browny nude pout. For the second look, I used Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick #07 over the liner to make the lips a deep burgundy.

I love this 90's makeup look! I especially like that there are no rules and that the messier this looks, the better. Are you a fan of 90's makeup like me? Or do you think the style should stay in the past? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.