Current Favorite Foundations

I don't wear much makeup on a regular basis, especially now since the weather is getting unbearable warmer in Florida. But when I do, I like my makeup to feel light and comfortable. Today I will be sharing with you my top foundations!

 Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++

I was introduced to this foundation by Fenny. She sent me a travel size and I loved it so much, I ordered this full-size shortly after. This BB is thick when it comes out but spreads easily and looks very natural on the skin. Don't let the "BB" fool you. This stuff is full-coverage. I absolutely love how it has high SPF, although I never rely just on SPF on a foundation. I always add a high SPF under makeup during the day. 

Preferred method of application: fingers.

By Terry Sheer Expert

This foundation is definitely sheer, as the name suggests. I like to use this on "good skin days" when I just want to even out my skin tone. It has a soft, creamy texture. The silicones in it help the product spread with ease. I personally hate silicones in skincare, but don't mind them in makeup. 

It has a "natural" finish, in my opinion, but I feel like it looks even prettier as I wear it througout the day because it becomes a bit dewy. This is perfect for someone who has minimal skincare issues and is just looking to get a hint of color with some radiance. 

Preferred method of application: fingers.

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

This foundation is beau-ti-ful. I gravitate towards it when I want my skin to look gorgeous for a special event. Add to that a great bonus: it photographs so well! No flashback. It has a liquid consistency and medium (but buildable) coverage. Expensive? Yes, but totally worth it (unless you have oily skin). 

Preferred method of application: damp Beauty Blender.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream

Oh, Bourjois. If only you were available in the US...

I love Bourjois. I feel like if I had more access to it, I would own so many more things by the brand. My sweet friend Anne kindly sent this to me from Dubai. Even though it has a low SPF (15), you can actually detect a sunscreen smell in this foundation. It doesn't bother me, but it's something I thought was worth mentioning. Just like the Missha BB Cream, don't let the whole AA BB CC DD EE FF thing get to you. Look at this as a tinted moisturizer. One with great medium coverage that makes skin look juicy, luminous and gorgeous. 

Preferred method of application: buffing brush. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum 

Sweet Aleja knows how much I love Bourjois foundations (Healthy Mix is ANOTHER great one) and got this to me from Portugal, where she now lives.

This foundation is so, so lightweight. From the texture to how it feels on the skin. This is the lightest foundation I own and one I grab when I don't want to feel like I'm wearing anything, but still want to even out my skin. It has light coverage but it's just so, so beautiful and natural looking. This would be a great one for young women/men or anyone who hates the look or feel of thick foundations.

Preferred method of application: buffing brush. 

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

I really think that everyone would benefit from having this in their collection. Yes, it's thick and yes, it can be tricky to apply, but it can be sheered out easily by mixing it with a drop or two of any facial oil or by blending it in with a damp Beauty Blender. This is the most full-coverage foundation I've ever come across. It always comes in handy when I want to conceal any pesky hyperpigmention. A couple years when I got it, I was obsessed with wearing it all over my face. I still do sometimes, but not as often as before because it is more of a "heavy" foundation. Regardless, it looks natural on the skin. 

I still remember when my friend, Fiorella, was filming a makeup tutorial I was doing and as soon as I put it on she gasped and said, "That thing is PHOTOSHOP!" and she's right: this is so powerful, it can conceal and blur everything, making skin look absolutely PERFECT.

Preferred method of application: buffing brush/damp Beauty Blender. 

Natural Dewy Makeup Look

This post is all about juicy-looking skin. Radiant. Dewy. Healthy.

As always, I begin every look with my eyes. I used Mac Paint Pot in the shade "Painterly" to even out my eyelid's skin tone. Paint Pots are not primers, contrary to what you have heard. They crease easily, so you should use the slightest amount. I applied it with my ring finger. 

I then applied Inglot #77 Gel Liner to my top lashline creating a flick; this creates the illusion of bigger eyes. I followed with three coats of mascara on my top lashes using Lancome Hypnose Drama and one coat on my bottom lashes.

I took my time with my eyebrows; more than usual. Brows is one of those things that may seem easy to "do" but I find it extremely difficult. I brushed my hairs up and filled any gaps with Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in the shade "Granite".

As you can see below, Lancome Hypnose Drama adds a good amount of thickness.

Prepping the complexion is always important. You should never, ever apply foundation to a un-moisturized face. My go-to day serum is Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Serum which not only quenches the skin, but also adds a believable healthy glow thanks to the 24-karat gold it contains.

Since I wanted minimal foundation on my skin, I blended a bit of concealer under my eyes -- my favorite, Bourjois Happy Light followed by half a pump of Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream. I applied it and blended it with my fingertips. I've talked about this BB Cream before. It is an ACTUAL BB Cream - not a simple tinted moisturizer. My skin always looks a lot better after I've used this. It also provides a good amount of hydration, and if I don't powder it, it will leave a luminous finish. 

The beautiful blush on the picture above is from Anna Sui, a Japanese brand and the shade is 300. 

A highlighter is a must for a dewy appearance to the skin. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in the shade "Opal" on the top of the cheekbones adds the perfect glow while a bit of Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium creates the perfect contour.

As for the tools I used:

1. Spooly to brush my eyebrows up

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills #15 brush to fill in brows

3. Mac 210 to apply gel liner

4. Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Blush to apply concealer

5. Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply highlighter

6. Mac 168 Brush to apply blush

7. Artdeco Foundation Brush to apply contour

For lipstick I went with Mac Ablaze which was limited edition. If anyone knows of a good dupe for this lipstick, please let me know! I rarely use it because I love it so much.

This is the only picture I edited on this post (PicsArt for anyone interested) because my bathroom objects were too obvious on the background #selfiefail.

Best of 2014

  I am so happy to be sharing with you my beauty favorites from 2014! It's been an amazing year full of discoveries I'm revealing today. Please keep in mind that every skin is different, so what works for me may not work for you. Also, I am not sponsored by anyone. These are my genuine thoughts and I'm recommending the crème de la crème. 

 

Skincare 

The cleanser: I raved on and on about Nude Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly because it's that good. I even have two backups. I look forward to washing my face every morning and night just to use this. Yes, I use it in the morning. I find it's a great "skin" cleanser as it always leaves my skin feeling comfortable, nourished, cleansed but with a soft-focus glow. Bonus: the jelly-like consistency minimizes the risk of messiness and the plastic packaging makes it excellent for travel.

The skin transformer: Peel pads are a quick way of removing dead skin cells in a non-abrasive way revealing a more youthful appearance. After experimenting with several methods of exfoliation, I fell in love with Radical Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads. They do seem expensive at first, but considering you get sixty pads you only need to exfoliate once of twice a week, it's not a bad deal at all. I absolutely love the ingredient list; the blend of AHA's and BHA plus antioxidants provide visible results in weeks. They're also easy to use: just cleanse, tone and run the pad across your face and neck. Follow up with your eye cream, serum and moisturizer/oil.

Good Genes by Sunday Riley had to make it to the list to. It's a powerful serum (though it has a lotion-like consistency) that contains 40% lactic acid. Talk about glowy skin in a pump, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and minimized pores. I don't use it every single night because I do find it runs fast, but when I do, my skin looks noticeably better.

The skincare splurge: I had always wanted something by La Prairie because I grew up watching my mom use it. This year I graduated as a Psychologist and to reward myself, I decided to get something from the line. I knew I wanted a serum because I love them; they are potent, effective and you only need a small amount. I went for the Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex because it was on the lower end of the spectrum price-wise. I tried it at Bloomingdale's and fell in love with the immediate tightening effect. The best part is that you only need one drop and the packaging comes with a pump, so all you have to do is very lightly press it down - otherwise you'll get too much product and waste it. I reviewed it here.
 

The brightening serum: Tatcha Deep Brightening Serum has an incredible lightweight feel to it, unlike serums that feel more like light lotions. Tatcha uses HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex (a blend of green tea, rice bran and red algae) and licorice to reduce hyperpigmentation and give the skin luminosity and  clarity. Just one pump is sufficient to cover my face and neck, gently pressing it into the skin. 

The moisturizer: Tatcha Moisture Rich Silk Cream has everything I look for in a moisturizer: it has a light, gel-texture that feels amazingly soft, I get a beautiful blend of ingredients, my makeup glides effortlessly over it yet it's nourishing enough for nighttime. It's never oily and never feels heavy. I highly recommend it to those with normal to combination skin.

The SPF: Second time in a row winner, Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free SPF 42. You need to make sure you give it a good shake. This is superbly light and quite mattifying, so it's the perfect final step to your skincare routine. Even though I have normal to dry skin, I've never had any issues with it making my skin feel dry or tight because of all the layers of moisture underneath (toner, serum, moisturizer). If you hate sunscreen because it reminds you of oil, stickiness and the beach in an unpleasant way, give this a shot.

The mask: Another second-time winner! Arcona Tea Tree Mask is the perfect mask, in my opinion, due to its antimicrobial properties and its ability to quickly reduce inflammation while providing an invigorating, relaxing, cooling experience. It doesn't harden on your skin like most acne-fighting masks. And even if you don't have problematic skin: this mask just feels too delicious to pass. 

The brand: I tested a lot of skincare this year and playing with foreign ingredients can lead to unhappy skin. No matter what the problem was, Tatcha was there to solve it. I love it because it is such a balanced skincare line with only a few steps in its routine. Aside from that, the team behind is an incredible family that always makes their customers feel like friends -- they even include handwritten notes in every order, and its lush packaging makes you feel spoiled and pampered. No matter what my skin concern is, all I have to do is go back to Tatcha so my skin goes back to its prime state.

Makeup

The foundation: everyone raved about it but it took me a while to get it. Armani Luminous Silk makes skin look perfected and flawless. It photographs beautifully, making it a must have for special events. I do want to point out that this isn't a good foundation for you if you have oily skin. It's best for those with normal to dry skin.

Me (left) wearing Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for my brother's wedding. It photographs so beautifully!

The concealer - high end: Second time winner, By Terry Touche Veloutee. I am still using the same one, so even though it's pricey, it lasts a long time. One pump is sufficient to dab this full, yet natural coverage concealer under my eyes to illuminate and conceal. I like to use my fingers to blend it out. The texture is absolutely lush.

The concealer - drugstore: I was lucky enough to discover Bourjois Happy Light Concealer this year thanks to my sister-from-another-mother, Anne. It immediately became my favorite after smoothing it under my eyes using my ring finger. It is so creamy, has excellent coverage and wears well. You also get a lot of product and you don't need a lot to do the job. I absolutely LOVE this concealer!

The brow product: Anastasia Beverly Hills has done it again for me this year. Brow Powder Duo features two long-wearing shades that can be used on their own or mixed together to fill in your brows. Another bonus is the variety of shades available -- there is something for everyone.

The blush: My friend Fenny introduced me to Dolce & Gabbana The Blush Luminous Cheek Colour. I was so impressed by the texture; despite their powder-formula, these go one so creamy on the cheeks. Just beautiful.

The highlighter: I could never get ahold of Mac Whisper of Gilt, which is such a beautiful gold-toned highlighter. I kept seeing Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in the shade Opal being compared to it so I decided to get it and oh-my-God. It is now my go-to highlighter, I never reach for anything else. It provides the most dewy, glowy highlight while being creamy and easy to blend. Note: be careful with your brush; you don't want to apply too much product as this is highly pigmented. Remember it's easy to add makeup than to remove it.

Wearing Becca "Opal" as my highlighter

The red lip: Now we have second time winner, Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in the shade "Beso". There's just something about this red that is so perfect. I always feel sexy when I wear it and I think it's a very universal red. I love how long-lasting it is and how pigmented it is.
 

The mascara: My eyelashes are straight and very stubborn. The majority of the mascaras I've used have failed to impress me, but Hypnose Drama by Lancome is awesome. It's buildable, so you can go from natural looking eyes to thick, dramatic lashes. It isn't as volumizing as Too Faced Better Than Sex, but at least Hypnose Drama doesn't flake.

The eyeliner: Most of my eye looks include eyeliner. I feel "weird" without a wing. I found an intense black gel liner this year, but unfortunately, it can have the tendency to smudge a bit. Inglot #77 Gel Liner is an opaque creamy black that goes on smooth.  

Using Inglot # 77 Gel Liner + Mac 210 brush

Contouring and highlighting: When I want to sculpt dramatically, my go-to is the Mac Prep+Prime Radiant Rose Highlighting Pen set with the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light which is lighter than my skin tone. I then bronze my skin with any matte bronzer and then contour with Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium. This combo photographs beautifully, too!  

Heavy sculpting + Stila "Beso" liquid lipstick

Body 

The smoothest legs: 2014 was the year I stopped using shaving gels/cream. Yes, they are cheap, but after using an oil in the shower, I have not looked back. L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is a thick oil that warms up as you massage it on your skin and makes a great base for shaving. My legs are never irritated afterwards but rather smooth to the touch. I also love the Almond Supple Skin Oil. It's very nourishing and makes my legs glossy and look sexy - great if you're wearing shorts or a dress! If you don't like oils and prefer cream textures, their Almond Milk Concentrate is absolutely lush and has great slip to it providing intense moisture without needing to use too much product.

Hair

Calling all curly-hair gals:

"I cannot even count how many hair products I've gone through in my lifetime trying to find the one product that keeps my curls looking hydrated, soft, bouncy, yet not crunchy or wet looking. Moroccan Oil not only smells divine, their Curl Defining Cream works. It is my HG curl product. I love how much product you get for the price you pay (a whooping 250 ml for $33.60!). All you need is a pump -- massage it between your hands and run it down your towel-dried hair. I personally always let it air dry. I'm left with soft, voluminous, frizz free curls. I have received tons, believe me, tons of compliments on my curly hair. Thank you, Moroccan Oil." (December 2013)

This is my favorite product for curly-hair gals once again. I agree with everything I mentioned last year, only that now I use two pumps instead of one because my hair is a lot longer. Everyone always compliments me on my curls and it's all due to this gem!

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas and New Year's Eve and that 2014. From the bottom of my heart, thanks to everyone who takes the time to read my posts. Your support was one of my biggest highlights of the year. 

Much love,

Patricia

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks

My sister from another mother, Anne knows me well, so she picked two lipsticks from my favorite drugstore brand, Bourjois which is extremely hard to find in the Americas (Canada carries them and recently Walgreens launched a few items from the range).

From top to bottom: 04 Peach Club, 07 Nude-ist

Left to right: 04 Peach Club, 07 Nude-ist (They look satin-y because they were freshly swatched)

Both shades are beautiful. Peach Club is a gorgeous muted coral that I love to wear when I want to instantly "brighten" my complexion. Nude-ist is a warm rose shade perfect for those who are seeking a "my-lips-but-better" look. 

Formula-wise, they feel wet when you first apply them but as they dry, they become matte. Even though these lipsticks have a matte finish, they feel creamy on the lips. Having said this, I always recommend applying a lip balm prior to wearing any kind of lipstick to "prep" the lips, especially if you suffer from dryness.

They last a good six to eight hours on my lips but keep in mind, these do transfer. Despite this, I like the stain these leave behind as they fade. 

These are not the most opaque lipsticks but this is good news for those who don't like overly-pigmented lipsticks. And those who like a bit more of intensity, you'll be happy to hear that layering them isn't an issue. I've found some liquid lipsticks like the ones by Stila or Hourglass become patchy if you try to add layers.

Another pro is the price tag. With Bourjois you're always paying a drugstore rate for quality that feels high-end. 

One of the negatives I can think of is the scent, which I can't quite put my finger on (I'm not the best at describing scents to begin with). Paint. Chemicals. Those are some words that come to my head when I smell this. Luckily, the scent subsides after a couple minutes upon application. 

Another negative is of course - inaccessibility. Anytime my friends from Europe talk about Bourjois, I admit I get quite jealous. I wish Bourjois was more considerate of their fans and distributed their products to other continents in the world. 

Here I am wearing "Peach Club"

25th Birthday Skincare + Makeup

First of all, I want to thank everyone who congratulated me on Instagram and Twitter. I was overwhelmed by the amount of kind comments. I feel truly blessed to have such sweet followers and friends. 

July 13 was my birthday and I wanted to share with you the beauty products I used. 

I had been feeling under the weather the last couple of days and my eyes were showing it. I popped some Tatcha Eye Masks and let them sit for a good forty minutes (though you're supposed to leave them on for a lot less). I enjoy its cooling cooling sensation and it immediately hydrates my under-eye area while at the same time getting rid of puffiness. I then used the Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Serum as it plumps my skin, leaving a beautiful radiant finish. I love using this serum for special occasions. Makeup sits so well on top of it. You can read more about both of them here.

I finished off the "prep" phase by spraying some of her Dewy Mist - my favorite hydrating mist - all over my skin. It's so lightweight yet provides the perfect amount of moisture. As you can see, lots of Tatcha. It was my birthday! I wanted to use the very best.

I used the Lorac Palette on my eyes - by far my favorite neutral palette and it has been for over a year. Sable and Espresso on the crease, Cream as a browbone highlight and the gold shade on my lid. I created a subtle flick using my Estee Lauder Gel Liner and the Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Perversion on my waterline. I wanted my lashes to look thick and long, so I used the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara which I've talked about here.

For brows, I went with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo, as always. 

I used two Bobbi Brown Foundation Sticks - one to even out my skin tone and another one to contour. I absolutely adore them and I've raved enough about them. I concealed my dark circles with the By Terry Touche Veloutee and then highlighted using the Mac Prep + Prime Highlighting Pen in Radiant Rose, set with Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in the shade Light. I set my contours with Benefit Hoola. To add a pop of color on the cheeks I used Illamasqua Excite Powder Blush. To give a glow to my face, I used the Too Faced Candlelight Highlighting Powder Duo.

Lastly, I wanted a flattering lipstick and coral is my favorite color, especially on the lids. Peach Club Velvet Matte Lipstick from Bourjois was a no brainer.

I know. The cake. My aunt makes the best Nutella cakes. 

My Foundation Collection

I take foundations pretty seriously - I don't buy them impulsively because I am very meticulous about what I look for. So this isn't your ordinary collection post. I love all these foundations for various reasons and on this post I am sharing with you why. Hope you enjoy. 

It's Time to Throw Them Away

I decided to really "clean up" today and get rid of the stuff I don't really need, and when you're a beauty junkie, you've got plenty. In the process, I found these products which I had to get rid of. Two mascaras and a gel liner. Mascaras need to be tossed after three months, anyway. They become bacteria central pretty fast (Sorry, all of you OCD readers, but it's true).

So what do I think of these?

The Bourjois Ultra Black Volumizer Mascara was actually pretty good. This two-step mascara does the job without making the lashes feel gritty or heavy. Step #1 claims to define and add volume. I find that it gives the lashes a very subtle, natural finish. Step #2 is optional, and it claims to give "11x more volume and no clumps guaranteed." (Why "11"? Why not 13 or 17?) I don't know, these claims always leave me dubious. As to the "11x" increase in volume, well, I can't say an exact number, but it does add volume. It makes the lashes appear thicker and darker, but not in a WOW way. 

Benefit They Real! Mascara is, in my opinion, over-hyped. It's one of those products you either love or hate. I don't hate it, necessarily, I just thought it performed OK. But man, it's a pain to clean this off the lashes. Bioderma, cleansing oils... try all you want, but it's just a pain. It makes the lashes feel "thick", not in a good way. 

If I had to decide between the two, I'd go for the one by Bourjois.

The next product I threw away was my Mac Blacktrack Fluidline. It was OK, but it's definitely not the blackest black out there, and I found that it dried too quickly.

Have you tried any of these? What are your thoughts? 

PS: Now is a good time to throw away those +3 month-old mascaras. 

There's Something About Kevyn Aucoin

I have never felt so strong about a foundation before. Actually, I have never felt so strong about a makeup product in general. Most things come and go. I fall in love with a blusher, and then the feeling subsides as my attention shifts towards another makeup product.

Face of the Day (22.05.13): Easy, Natural Makeup

Hi dolls!

"Natural Makeup" to me equals a better you. Something that looks fresh and doable. This type of makeup is excellent for students because the makeup is not over the top-- meaning no crazy bright shadows, nothing too exaggerated. 

If you're interested, continue reading. 

Face of the Day (16.05.13): Teal and Gold

Hey gorgeous! 

I've been waking up pretty early these days, so I have been experimenting with makeup before going to school. Today I created a look inspired by lots of pictures I have seen on Instagram lately. Basically, you pick two colors-- one added on the inner and outer corner, and the second color should pop on the center. I chose to work with teal and gold. If you're interested in finding out how I achieved this look and which products I used, please continue reading.

Happy Birthday, Mami!

Hi my beauties!

Today (April 27) was my mom's 60th birthday... 

She's the reason why I'm obsessed with skin care, and she's one of the sweetest people on Earth. I've got a few pictures for you aside from, of course, my makeup.

My sister wasn't home on her birthday, which was on April 7th, so we celebrated both birthdays. It was very intimate-- only our closest relatives came over, but we had a beautiful day.

THE MAKEUP

You wouldn't believe it after seeing a bunch of products organized together, but I only had about 15 minutes to do my makeup today-- which is nothing to me, since I usually take a long 40ish minutes. 

I used the Make Up For Ever Aqua cream in the shade 15 as a base, which I applied with my ring finger. I have mentioned before how it's important to work with one eye at a time when using Aqua Creams, because they're completely waterproof and once they set, they set. Moving on to eyeshadows, I used the shades in the Givenchy Travel Palette, blending the darker colors into an outer V. I skipped gel liner today and just used a black kohl liner on the waterline-- Rimmel London Scandel Eyes in the shade "Black". After curling my lashes, I applied two coats of Benefit They're Real Mascara. I filled in any gaps on my already super dark eyebrows using the Clinique Super Fine Liner for Brows in the shsade "Soft Brown". 

I then moved to my face, which I primed with Smashbox Photo Finish Light. I mixed a dot of Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in the shade SX 08 with a drop of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil, blended both together on the back of my hand and then applied it on my face using a Real Techniques Buffing Brush. To conceal my dark circles, I used the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in the shade "53 Dark Radiance", and then I set everything in place with the Face Powder in the Givenchy palette. I then sculpted my face with MAC Sculpting Cream in the shade "Richly Honed", applied the blush from the Givenchy palette, and highlighted the top of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow with Benefit's Watts Up. 

I had already moisturized my lips using Lush Whip Stick Lip Balm prior to doing my makeup so they would be smooth by the time I applied lipstick. I used Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the shade "Dolce Vita".

PS: My nose was peeling due to a mask I had used the night before, and I didn't have time to exfoliate this morning, hence the flaky skin on my nose! If you already know about my OCDness, you then already know that, yes, the flakes are gone by now. 

MY FAMILY

My mom, Zulay, and my sister, Paola

That's it for tonight! Keep your eyes open for tons of reviews this week...

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely night and a lovely morning to my sweet followers on the other side of the world! XOXO

Don't Be Afraid of Red Blushers

I posted this picture on Instagram about a month ago when I found the Real Techniques Stippling Brush at my local drugstore. 

I have an obvious adoration for my Illamasqua Cream Blusher in the shade Brazen because you see it in almost every post. It is such a great product. First of all, it does look scary in the pan! It is a bright red and it is extremely, I mean extremely pigmented, which can be hard to work with. 

Many women stick to traditional pink-toned blushers, not knowing that red can look absolutely fabulous when applied the right way - a color similar to the natural shade on your cheeks after a long run our after a day out during winter. 

I'm sharing this post with you today because the Real Techniques Stippling Brush works amazingly well when paired with the Illamasqua Cream Blush. The bristles need to barely touch the product, and simply tap the brush onto your cheeks, then blend. Trust me, you need the tiniest amount. This product will last you ages, making it a product of good value. 

Here is a picture of today's Face of the Day where I'm wearing the blusher. 

Full List of Products

1. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Light/Medium

2. Illamasqua Cream Blush in the shade Brazen

3. Laura Mercier Secret Concealer shade 3

4. Dior Amber Diamond 

5. Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerville

6. Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows shade Soft Brown

7. Bourjois Ultra Black Volumizer Mascara

8. Tarte LipSurgence in the shade Envy

PS: The Tarte Lip stain is amazing. It has a matte finish and it is definitely plumping...as you can see!

I'm off to the US tomorrow to visit my family. But I will take my laptop with me to continue blogging. Have a great day everyone!

Get Ready With Me!: Bronzy Eyes + Announcements

Hi my loves!

I worked hard for today's post because I wanted to deliver something helpful since I will be away for a few weeks. I'm going to the US for vacation before I start school in May. Oh, and my youngest brother is getting married in Puerto Rico! I'm so excited! I will take lots of pictures, so you are all coming with me! 

I also might... Well, I'm bad at surprises! I will have a giveaway when I'm in the US. Everything in Venezuela is ridiculously expensive because we have really high inflation, which is why I hardly buy anything here and I would not be able to afford a giveaway. But let's not get political here, because I hate politics and this is a beauty blog. In conclusion, I will work on getting goodies for a good giveaway to thank all of you for supporting me though I'm a "newbie". I have a lot of things I would like to get off my chest by writing a post about it but I worry I might get corny and you might get bored... but I really am thankful to all of you. 

If you want to see my Pictorial, keep reading!

Easy, Simple Romantic Look

I was asked to do a "romantic look" and when I think "romantic", I think: a better you. 

If you're going on a date, you don't want to be wearing too much, otherwise, it will be obvious that you're trying too hard. 

Keep it natural and keep it simple. Focus on the areas on your face you like the most. Your eyes? Lips? Cheekbones? Whichever the area is, let it be the main focus. 

If you're interested in seeing what I came up with, continue reading!

Mac Eyeshadow for Brown Eyes/Olive Skin Pt. 1

I was asked to write about the best Mac eyeshadows for olive skin, but I twisted it a little bit and incorporated two other requests: eyeshadow for brown eyes and a smokey eye look. Smokey eyes can be done in various ways, so for this post I'm focusing on smokey eyes using colors other than black. In this entire look, I'm using three eyeshadows only, followed by other products that can be used to enhance the eyes. 

If you're interested, keep reading!

Me pidieron que hablara sobre las mejores sombras de Mac para piel morena, pero le agregué unas cosas más: sombras que resaltan ojos marrones y un look smokey eye. Smokey eye significa maquillaje de ojos ahumados y se pueden hacer de diversas maneras. Hoy me estaré enfocando en un smokey eye utilizando tonos que no sean negros. Utilicé un total de tres sombras nada más, seguido por otros productos que podrías utilizar si quieres aun más énfasis en los ojos. 

Si estas interesado/a, continúa leyendo! 

Aqualia Thermal 24Hr Hydrating Fortifying Lotion SPF 25 Review

Hi everyone!

I had been in the hunt for a simple sunscreen that wouldn't leave me with a white cast. Finding no good options anywhere around me, I went for a two in one product. Vichy's Aqualia range is one that I had tried before - I love their eye gel - so I figured I would try their moisturizer with SPF 30.

What is it?

A moisturizer with SPF 25.

Why is a sunscreen necessary? 
For a long time I used to hate the thought of sunscreen. It would remind me of funky scents and a white, greasy face. Not flattering. But wearing sunscreen daily is, in my opinion, the most important beauty advice. Not only are you protecting your skin against harmful UV rays which can lead to skin cancer, but you're also shielding it against premature aging. Yes, sun damage causes early wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation.

Use sunscreen on sunny days AND cloudy days as well. Everyday, all-year round.

Packaging
You get a good 50ml in a small, portable light blue plastic bottle. It comes with a pump which makes this a very hygienic product.

What is the texture like?
Creamy, but easy to blend. It doesn't leave any white streaks behind. The product does have a light fragrance to it - to me it smells like regular sunscreen, but it is not overpowering.

It's good to know that...

- It's oil-free and paraben-free.

- It contains Vichy Thermal Water and hyaluronic acid.

- It's allergy tested, so it's good for people with sensitive skin.

- It's non-comedogenic. 

What type of skin is this recommended for?

For those that are new to the blog, I have combination skin. My T-zone tends to get oily while the rest of my face is normal. I would say this would be good for people with dry, normal and combination skin. 

My thoughts?

I think this is an extraordinary daily moisturizer. It's very moisturizing, yet not greasy. It leaves my skin soft and plump and my favorite part of all: it doesn't leave any white streaks on the face. It's easy to blend across the face and it works great under makeup. It does not make my face shiny nor oily. Love!

What I'm wearing today

Vichy Aqualia Thermal UV Lotion

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl 

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Bourjois Voluminizer Mascara Ultra Black

Dior Creme de Rose 

Get Ready With Me!: Dewy Skin

Hi gorgeous!

I've been asking and coming up with different ideas myself for my blog and Instagram. Please feel free to leave any suggestions on the comment section down below. 

I've always thought that healthy looking skin is what stands out the most. Whether you're good or mediocre with your eye makeup skills, what matters is a flawless looking base. It makes no sense to have beautiful eye makeup if your skin looks cakey or dull. 

Which is why I have a pictorial for you on how to get flawless-looking skin. Dewy skin. Yep, even for combination skin! If you're interested, keep reading!

Face of the Day (02.03.13)

Happy Saturday everyone!

Earlier today, I posted a couple of pictures on Instagram showing the eyeshadows I used for today and today's Eye of the Day. 

From left to right: Mac Sunny Spot, Lucky Green, Espresso

Sunny Spot blended along the crease, Espresso blended on the outer crease, Lucky Green pressed on the eyelid.

Onto the whole look now!

Face

Primer: Benefit Porefessional

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation shade 56 Light Bronze

Concealer: Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer shade 53 Dark Radiance 

Contouring: Mac Pro Sculpting Cream shade Richly Honed 

Blush: Illamasqua Cream Blush shade Brazen

Eyes

Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Eyeshadows: Mac Sunny Spot, Lucky Green and Espresso

Eyeliner: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Gel Eye Liner shade Onyx

Mascara: Rimmel London Lycra Lash Extender

Eyebrows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder shade Dark Brown

Lips

Buxom Lip Tarnish shade Busted

Where Have I Been? Sunday Ramble!

Hi beauties!

I'm currently reading and taking notes for class, but I wanted to write a quick post because I feel terrible I have been neglecting my blog this week. So I have a few things to say...

1) I was given the opportunity to reintegrate psychoanalysis classes in my hometown, which I am extremely happy about. 

I dropped out of school about a year and a half ago due to personal reasons but I will be back soon. I have a year left in Uni but I've been busy this week taking psych tests and I also had an interview. Don't ask me why they make us do this to students who left and were about to finish....anyway, the results of the people that will be able to go back to school will be published on May 2. If everything goes well, I'd be back in Uni this May, Psychology Major.

The psychoanalysis courses I'm currently taking are at another place. So I'm really enjoying being busy and feeling productive nowadays!

2) I've been spending a lot of time with my family. 

Family is a big thing in South America. We're known for being incredibly welcoming, warm and close to those whom we love. It was recently decided that my sister will be going to school outside of Venezuela, so we have been spending more time together. This is us last night. We went out on a "date" to a Japanese restaurant.

3) Onto Makeup

- I have been loving a dewy, fresh look.

I'm wearing the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in the picture above, with the Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder on the areas where the sun would naturally hit my face (which gave me a radiant look) and Benefit's High Beam on the top of my cheekbones. 

I was happy to find out that the Healthy Mix range won't be discontinued. It was actually re-formulated to be even more moisturizing. 

Another look I loved from earlier this week: Dior Forever foundation which gives great coverage paired with the Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Plum and a hint of natural radiance using Lorac Perfectly Lit Highlighter in the shade Spotlight on top of my cheeks. The lipstick worn on this picture is the Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple. 

After using a lot of neutrals for most part of the week, I wanted to use some color. The main focus for this look was supposed to be the Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in the shade 17 (Plum), but I added some turquoise over my black liner using another Aqua Cream, this time, the shade 21. 

Which brings me to another point I wanted to mention in this point:

An Instagram follower asked me how she can use these cream shadows. 

The following tips are for the Aqua Creams:

- Use your finger or a synthetic hair brush to apply. I like to apply it using the Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush that comes in the "Starter Set". 

- Work on one eye at a time. These creams dry fast (approx 10-15 seconds) and once they set, they set. They are waterproof. 

- You can wear them alone for a wash of color, they can be applied to the eyelids in conjunction with powder eyeshadows, or can be used as eyeliners. 

I blended a lilac shade above the Aqua Cream #17 (Plum) for the look featured above.

Also, remember to tightly close the lids so the product doesn't dry out.

I have nothing negative to say about the Aqua Creams.

I have to continue my date with Freud, but I promise to catch up on Blog-Reading soon. If you are a reader and have a personal blog you would like to share, leave your link below. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you are all doing well! xx