Update (why I have been MIA)...and...April Favorites

Hi Friends!

I’M SO SORRY I have totally neglected to post something….again!! L It’s been a while since I have been blogging, and this time I have been out of the loop because of having a family emergency within my immediate family for the past 3 weeks.  Everything is finally better and back to normal, so I’m ready to get back in the swing of things. 

Anyhoo….I thought I’d share my April favorites.  Goodness…..I can’t believe we are already in the month of May…how time flies.

So lets get started:

Makeup

·         Fix+ spray from MAC – I use this daily…and I mean everyday seriously!  This is like a refresher spray, but some people like to use it as a setting spray.  I use it for both! J  After applying my moisturizer, I like to spritz my face with Fix+.  For me, it helps for when I buff my foundation on.  And then after I’ve applied my full face makeup, I spritz again and the fix+ just helps my skin look a bit more dewy and not so matte and of course everything stays in place  

·         Naked 2 Palette – Yes yes….I have been using the heck out of this palette.  I still swear by the first Naked palette, but this one just has a few unique colors that I love and it has a matte BLACK…..finally a palette with a matte black.  This is a quick and easy palette to grab when you’re on the go (I know I promised a review on this, but because I picked this up so much later I’m sure there are tons of blogposts and videos out there so I don’t want to repeat what’s already been mentioned)

·         Infallible Lip Colors – I’m back to using this lip product again.  Perfect for when I’m on the go, and especially when I don’t want my lip color to budge since I sometimes don’t touch up throughout the day.  I have done a review on this product, please check back in my blog posts

Beauty

·         MAC Turquatic perfume – Love this smell…it’s not to strong and it’s not to subtle it’s just right to wear daily. Love it!

·         Oribe Hair Spray – Love the smell of this hairspray…and the hold, its just perfect.  It keeps my curly in tack, but leaves my hair feeling still soft and NO stiff crunchiness

·         Aveeno Nourish + Conditioner Treatment Spray – I use this all the time before my hair straightening process begins.  After washing my hair, I spray the lower half of my mane with this treatment.  And let me tell you….it helps with making my strands feeling so soft and nourished (as what is says it does J)

This concludes all of the products I have been loving and using religiously for the past couple of weeks.  It’s not much since I’ve been dealing with personal issues within my family practically the second half of this month….so I promise next month will be interesting. 

Take care beauties….talk with you soon! xo J

Beauty Deal Announcement....please read...it'll be worth it!! :)

Hi Beauties!!

Ohh goodness…..I just came across the best deal ever.  It’s the Smashbox Photo Op 78 Shade Mega Palette.  Of all places, I found this on QVC.com for $98.48…BUT it’s on an easy pay plan for $23.37 for 4 installments.  Is that a great deal or what!!! J  It contains the following:

·    56 - 0.044-oz Photo Op Eye Shadows

·    4 -  0.032-oz Brow Tech Powders

·    1 - 0.024-oz Brow Tech Wax

·    8 -  0.031-oz cream eyeliners

·    2 -  0.298-oz blushes

·    3 -  0.132-oz Soft Lights

·    4 -  0.024-oz lip glosses

Seriously this is all you need for a starter makeup kit, definitely great if you’re traveling, or just want a good deal on some Smashbox products.  Just alone, an eyeshadow from Smasbox is $16 and the blush is $24.  Yes you may get a little more product in a single item; however, look at how many other colors you get for a fraction of the price….and then some!!

So anyhow, I thought I’d share with you a great deal that is definitely worth checking out.  Happy shopping! J

Click here to shop: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A217751.desc.smashbox-Photo-Op-78-Shade-Mega-Palette

Quick Check-in...and what's up n' coming...

Hi Everyone!

Thought I do a quick check in.  So sorry there was not a post yesterday for Makeup Monday.  Things again are getting hectic….lots and lots of clients and appointments, daily life, etc.  However, I have tons to share over the next few days:

1)      A recent haul of items that include…NYX products I picked up at Ulta that was 40% (huge deal), I FINALLY got the Naked 2 palette….and much much more.

2)      I will share must have beauty items to pick up for prom….and budget friendly too.  So for all you young ladies out there soon going to prom and can’t get your makeup done professionally, it’s okay…I’ll provide a list of affordable items you can pick up at local drug stores.

3)      A list of Spring favorites (and not just all makeup related, hair and skin too! J)

So definitely please come back to check out these amazing reads….you will love them, so don’t miss out!!

Have a great day beauties… J xo

Makeup Monday: Contouring and Highlighting

Hey Everyone,

Lets talk about highlighting and contouring your face.  Some people don’t understand the concept of doing these steps to your face…and here I’ll explain the benefits of doing so! J  Yes, they are 2 extra steps added to your face routine, but it’s okay because they are quick and definitely worth it….so lets get started:

Contouring

When using a contour shade you want to be sure that it’s a matte finish and also your color is at least 2x darker than your normal skin tone.  The purpose of contouring your face is to shade the areas on your face so that you have a very defined look and the planes on your face are very prominent.  For example, if you want to define your cheek bones, give your jaw line and chin more of an elongated look, and of course you want to hide the “fluff”; follow the guide in the picture I’ve provided below.  Be sure that when contouring start with a very light hand so it’s easy to blend.  The worst thing for when applying a contour shade is you have that strip of color that doesn’t look evenly blended, or it looks very muddy and dirty on your skin.  For best results, use an angle brush also known as a “contour” brush.  If you want subtle contour, blend the areas and buff out the color very thoroughly. 

Highlighting

Ladies….I just have to say this is the best best best thing you can add to your face routine if you don’t already.  Just in general, highlighting your face adds that extra pizzazz to your face making you look very refreshed, glowing, hydrated…just the best ever! J  The purpose of highlight is…exactly what the word means; to highlight the areas of your skin where the sun hits natural.  However you can highlight in many ways and with different products and techniques.  To highlight naturally without using a shimmer, you can achieve this by using a concealer or foundation.  But before doing that you’ll need to correct your imperfections or skin problem areas if necessary.  The shades you’ll need should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin (the opposite when finding a contour shade).  Or you can find a highlighting concealer product (i.e. YSL Touché Éclat) that can easily match your natural skin tone.  To achieve the highlighting glow look, find products that are consider highlighters (i.e. MAC Mineralized Skin Finish, Bobbi Brown bricks, even a shimmery eyeshadow in a nude/ivory/golden shade depending on your skin undertone).  Follow the guide I provided below to see the best highlight areas…besides just your top cheek bones.  One dilemma, do not apply a shimmery highlighting product under your eyes.  You will look like a disco ball and just odd.  Even though in the picture it looks like you’re highlighting under your eyes, and yes this is true please do so….but do not with use a shimmer product.  You’ll need to use a concealer as I explained above (“highlighting the natural way”).  Definitely use all amounts very lightly in the beginning so you can build up the product.  Quick tip: when picking up product onto your brush, pat the back of your hand to eliminate that chunk of product so that when you apply directly to the skin you don’t have a patch of intense product in one area.

I hope this helps you all with understanding the benefits of contouring and highlighting your face.  Definitely try it at home if you don’t already, you’ll love it.  Also, please reach out to me if you have any questions.   I’ll be able to answer anything you ask more in depth if I happened to not explain it properly here. 

Thanks bellas….and have a lovely day! J xo

March Favorites

Hi Everyone!

I’m so sorry I didn’t do a Makeup Monday series this week.  My schedule got the best of me and I just was crazy busy.  Anyhow, rather than do a Makeup Monday on a “Thursday” LOL, today I will feature my March favorites.  It’s my first time doing a month favorites and I think I will start doing this monthly because things I do use can change, and of course I just love to share my most favorite things I use and I feel are worth buying.  So lets get started…

Skin Care:

·         My everyday skin care I use is Philosophy’s Purity Cleanse and the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash.  However, that scrub I feel is gentle at times, so I use the ST. Ives Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead Control.  This stuff is amazing (for me anyway) to exfoliate the dry skin, blemishes, just the nasties on the skin.  Because it’s a little “rougher” I love to use this when my skin needs a little refresher.  Especially with this weather going on it’s just a mess.  The cold to warm, to rain to dry….it’s really making my skin go crazy

·         The Lise Watier l'Expérience 24-hour Dual Eye Contour Program has been wonders also…love it.  It’s an eye treatment for day and night.  The tube to use during the night, it helps lock in the moister under your eyes gives you that firm and well rested look.  For me it has also helped diminish some of my dark circles as well.  The day tube helps with smoothing the fine lines and wrinkles leaving your eyes looking very bright and fresh.  (You can only purchase this at Naimies in Los Angeles, or on www.naimies.com, or by going to Lise Watier directly.  It’s very limited sold in the USA as it’s from Canada)

Hair Care:

·         For the past months, I have really been babying my hair because I want it to grow long…and it’s been doing great.  Thanks to the Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Mask, this stuff is also amazing I love it.  I use it as directed, but also when I don’t do anything to my hair and throw it in a bun, I will leave this in all day.  And I swear you hair is so soft and moisturized

·         When I put any heat to my hair I have been using the Tresemme Instant Heat Tamer.  This also helps with my hair staying moisturized especially when I flat iron it.  This really does protect your hair.  I have used many other heat protecting sprays and they fail, this one works wonders

Makeup:

·         My foundation that I have been using all month is the Chanel Perfection Lumiere.  Love love love!  I have done a blog review on it, please check it out

·         I have also been using the Woodwinked eyeshadow from MAC all month as well, actually maybe longer.  It’s a perfect everyday shadow that I can just throw on, it gives your eye a little spark, but in a subtle way as well.  It’s perfect for everyday…in my opinion

·         MAC’s mineralize skinfinish in Gold Deposit has been my all time favorite for a long time.  This just gives you the perfect sunkissed golden glow.  My skin is an olive complexion with warm undertones, and this highlighter is sooo perfect.  I just love it

These are my all time favs that I’ve been loving and used all month, definitely these are re-purchases for sure.  They are becoming my staples in my beauty collection. J  Let me know if you have any questions, and also please share with me your March favorites as well.  I would love to hear about your items……I’m always loving to try out new things. J

Take care beauties…..see (or hear…lol) you in the next blog!! xo J

Makeup Monday: How to make your eyecolor pop

Welcome back to Makeup Monday!

I want to share with you colors that are recommended in making your eyes pop.  So for all you blue eyed, green eyed, and even brown eyed makeup wearers want your eyes to pop and look radiant, read below in how to accomplish your look:

Blue Eyes – Using colors such as gold, orange, copper and browns will make those beautiful bold eyes pop.  You can also use blue as well and maybe purples, but I would advice using darker shades and in moderation.  For a fun twist of pop, add a blue eyeliner to the waterline…this enhances your blue eye color and accents the whiteness of your eye without looking over dramatic. 

Green Eyes – Using colors such as pinks (go for more the warmer and deeper pink shades), plums, purples, and maybe burgundy for an extra pop.  You may use green as well, but again go for a darker shade and apply in moderation.  Definitely you’ll need to add depth to the look, so apply black eyeliner to the waterline for a more intense look. 

Brown Eyes – Using colors such as purples, teals, blues and greens.  For lighter brown/hazel eyes, green shades would look amazing.  You may also use brown shades as well, but add a pop of color on your cheeks or lips so your face won’t look so blah.  Applying purple or blue to the waterline definitely boosts your eye color and also accents the whiteness in your eyes just making them look very bright. 

Depending on your skin tone and the colors you use, you’ll determine the cheek and lip color to use…but remember always apply lightly first and then build up your color if needed.

I hope this helps you all with switching up your normal makeup routine, but also trying something new for an extra pop of goodness! J  Definitely don’t be afraid to try.  Personally, since I have brown eyes lately I’ve been using a medium to dark purple liner and it really makes the eyes pop without going overboard…it just adds an extra pizzazz and sparkle to the eyes! J

Have a great day beauties! xo

Product Review: Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation

Hey Everyone!

I’m finally here to give you my review on the infamous Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation…..as it’s way over due

So I’ve had this for about a month now, maybe a little longer and have really been enjoying it.  I am a huge fan of Chanel foundations and I knew this new product wouldn’t disappoint me.  Although I have to say I’m a bit surprised on how it wears on my skin and the longevity.  So lets get on with the deets….

·         The foundation has a slight fragrance to it, so if you’re sensitive to any smells, this might not be a right fit for you.  Although it’s not perfume-y, it just has a fresh clean slightly floral scent (just a hint nothing over powering), but it doesn’t stay like that all day.  Only when you first apply the foundation to the skin is when you get a hint of the smell (I love the smell so it never bothers me…to me it just smells high-end LOL J)

·         The consistency is smooth and it applies really well, not heavy at all.   I find that buffing the foundation into the skin is best; rather than applying with a traditional foundation brush or fingers (which I’ve tried all methods).  When you buff into the skin it gives great coverage.

·         The foundation I would say is light to medium, but you definitely can get a full coverage if you continue working it into your skin until perfection

·         It really does last all day and does not feel cakey at all….seriously!!  It’s a bit on the matte side, but your skin looks really refreshed (which is different from most foundations).  Often times I spritz my face with MAC Fix+ to take away the matte look slightly so I can have that dewy finish

·         This foundation is highly concentrated so a little goes a long way. Only 2 pumps you’ll need at the most.  And this is good because you get your money’s worth and it will last you for a couple of months

In summary, I really like this foundation because it reminds of the Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation, but with better qualities.  (I did a review on foundations please check my previous posts)  This is similar to the matte version, but better because you look very refreshed, it doesn’t feel heavy throughout the day….and it last all day. 

I hope you all enjoyed this review, please comment or email me if you have any questions.  Have a great day beauties!! J xo