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. 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

 As soon as I hit twenty-five, I began noticing changes on my skin. The areas that used to be oily became dry. I then realized I had developed "normal" skin, which just means that it isn't too dry or too oily. I always prep my skin prior to applying makeup, always, but using specific products can help you get juicy-looking skin.

This year I also learned that I love "glowy" skin and one of my favorite ways of achieving that is by using a highlighter. I had seen "Opal" Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed on Instagram far too many times. I gazed at the golden glow knowing I needed it in my collection. 

Fast forward, it's now my favorite highlighter. I find Opal to look great on people with yellow undertones, however, Becca has a few more shades, so I'm sure you could find something suitable for you. 

Though this is a powder product, it blends as if it were a cream. Its high pigmentation means you have to be careful when dabbing your brush. It's always best to build the product little by little as it is never easy to "remove" makeup once it's on the skin. 

I love using my Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply it directly to the high points of my face. Highly recommend!

Four Mascaras, Four Opinions

I've had these mini mascaras (which surprisingly last a long time) for a little over three months now. In case you didn't know, you're supposed to toss your mascara every three months, as the brushes are a ground breed for bacteria. 

Today I will share with you its claims vs. my thoughts on them. 

Blinc Mascara $26

Its Claims

If you're looking for a no-hassle, no-smudge mascara that you can take throughout your day with no re-application, blinc mascara is your answer. Instead of painting your lashes like conventional mascaras, blinc mascara forms tiny no-smudge, water-resistant "tubes" around your lashes. Once applied, these mascara tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.

Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout or out to dinner, your lashes will look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied blinc in the morning. blinc mascara will add volume and length to give you a radiant natural look that lasts all day.

Only when you are ready for removal, the tubes will effortlessly slide off your lashes into your hand without the use of a harsh makeup remover.

My Thoughts

A good friend of mine actually swears by this mascara. She loves that it deposits little tubes into every lash giving the illusion of thicker lashes. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I felt like it did nothing for my lashes and the formula was very wet. 

Note: if you try this, don't freak out when you're removing it with water at the end of the day. It's not your lashes that are falling off, it's the little "tubes" that coat them. 

Benefit They're Real! Mascara $23

Its Claims

They're real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had! What else you need to know:
94% saw dramatic length & volume* 90% saw base-to-tip curl* 94% saw visible lift* 100% saw long-wearing results*
*Results observed in a consumer panel survey

My Thoughts

This used to be my go-to mascara about a year ago. I loved the way it thickened my stubborn, straight lashes. However I then began noticing that the plastic bristle was hard and hurt my top lashline. On top of that, it's a pain in the ass to remove. There's actually a drugstore mascara that is way better than this one for half the price and better results.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes $23

Its Claims

Take your lashes to the extreme with this ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly!

Product Performance: Take your sultry, flashy lashes to the extreme with this amped up, ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies lashes for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly! Powered by tarte’s proprietary triple black complex, this longwear, vitamin-infused formula emphasizes length and volume while conditioning lashes for a dramatic look that won’t dry out, flake or budge. The custom-engineered, dual-molded brush boosts even the skinniest lashes for an exaggerated, voluminous look. First, the shorter, denser side of the brush delivers the optimal amount of mascara to volumize and coat each lash perfectly, then the longer, firmer side of the brush lengthens and separates for maximum volume without clumping.

Powered By: Provitamin B5: vitamin B derivative that helps treat and thicken lashes.
Beeswax: a protective barrier between the skin and the environment that has been known to naturally stimulate collagen production.
Mineral pigments: soothe and soften lashes.

My Thoughts

Yada, yada, yada...some people take marketing to the extreme these days. I don't like to use the word hate, so lets stick to "strongly dislike". I strongly disliked this mascara from the moment I first tried it. It's dry, the brush was uncomfortable and out of all the mascaras I'm reviewing today, this one is the worst, in my experience. 

Lancome Hypnose Drama $27.50

Its Claims 

Get instant lash drama in a single coat, no clumping or flaking.

• Intense black pigments
• Triple coating system delivers a fluid and creamy application to quickly and easily build big, battable lashes that won’t clump or flake throughout the day.

My Thoughts

This is my new holy grail mascara. In spite of it not being waterproof (though they do have a waterproof version I haven't tried), this holds a curl like no other. When I carefully coat each lash, I notice instant volume. I also love that my lashes appear to be longer and ahhh -- the formula. It doesn't flake. I love it!

Yes, it is an expensive mascara. No, your lashes and mine are not the same, so perhaps there is a mascara in here that you love and I disliked. Perhaps some mascaras that I love and you dislike. That's just how it goes! 

Are there any mascaras you love or strongly dislike? If so, do share!

Bite Beauty Lip Love Ultimate Lip Rescue Kit

I suffer from dry lips. Really dry lips. It doesn't help that I bite them whenever I don't have anything on them. 

While walking through Sephora, I saw that my favorite lipstick brand, Bite Beauty had come up with a couple holiday sets, but "Lip Love" ($40) in particular caught my eye, especially since they labeled it as "Ultimate Lip Rescue Kit". 

I do own lip balms that I love: Nuxe Reve de Miel, Tatcha Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm, Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy Treatment. They are all great, but my lips needed something stronger.

What you get inside: 

• 2x Lush Lip Wipes
  
• 1 Whipped Cherry Fruit Scrub: 0.13 oz. / 3.7g (Original price $18 for 0.26 oz)

• BB for lips SPF 15 in the shade "Tawny": 0.12 oz / 3.52 g (Original price $24 for 0.12 oz, so you're getting this full size)
   
• Agave Lip Mask: 0.18 oz. / 5.0g (Original price $26 for 0.52 oz)

If you go visit Bite Beauty in Sephora, you'll see rave reviews on their Agave Lip Mask. And I can't believe it took me this long to get it. 

You need the tiniest amount, and by tiny I mean the following: 

It does have a very medicinal scent with a very ironic taste: it's surprisingly sweet. I love using this both in the morning and at night prior to bedtime. Something I've noticed about this lip treatment in contrast to other lip "balms" I've tried is that this one doesn't sit on your lips. It doesn't feel heavy either. It actually hydrates so much, all my flaky spots are gone by the morning. 

Key ingredients: resveratrol (antioxidant), medical grade lanolin, jojoba oil, organic agave nectar. 

I LOVE that it doesn't contain petroleum (basically what you find in vaseline, cheap)

The lip scrub has a delicious cherry scent (think the RED starbursts!). Unfortunately, this was a disappointment. The granules in this are very sparse meaning you don't get a "proper" exfoliation. It is creamy and very nourishing though, so my lips felt very soft after using this. 

Key ingredients: resveratrol, vitamin C, rice bran, olive fruit oil, pistachio seed oil, beeswax.

When I heard Bite Beauty had come up with BB for lips, I admit I sighed, a bit underwhelmed. BB? For lips? It seemed like a gimmick to me, that's why I never even paid attention to them at Sephora even though Bite Beauty is my absolute favorite brand when it comes to lips. This is what I love about these holiday kits: you end up trying things you wouldn't have thought of getting in the first place. 

Boy... oh, boy. 

This is lush. 100% lush. It's unlike any other tinted lip balm I've ever tried, especially when layered on top of the Agave Lip Mask. My "cracks" disappeared. I couldn't even feel them afterwards. My lips where so nourished, soft and plump afterwards, it was almost addictive to rub them together. 

Bite Beauty says:

"Say hi to your new lip essential. BITE’s new BB for lips is a multi tasking miracle balm that hydrates and nourishes, as well as colour-corrects and protects. Shea butter and essential oils soften lips, SPF 15 protects, and sumac wax locks moisture in, repairing and priming for all day coverage. The balm comes in 5 natural mineral tints that create a healthy looking flush.

Show off your natural lips, only better!"

I agree. And even though the shade "Tawny" looks dark in the picture, it is actually very sheer. It's definitely a "my lips but better" shade. It immediately plumps my lips and the softness endures throughout the day. LOVE. 

The only thing I haven't tried from the set are the wipes, but Bite states they were developed exclusively for the lips to hydrate while removing old color. They can also be used anytime to nourish while mattify at the same time. 

Overall, I think this is an excellent holiday kit perfect for anyone who suffers from extremely dry lips or perhaps for yourself! As someone with chronic dry lips I can say: this works and it gets an A+ for me.

Disclosure: I bought this kit myself.

Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder

For the longest time I was contouring with Benefit Hoola - a warm toned matte bronzer. Sure, it did a good job of accentuating rather untraceable contoures on my face but it was still a bronzer, hence it was just a tad too obvious it was there. 

I also tried a darker shade of the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick but it had too much red in it.

A contour should be ashy in color with a grey cast to it to fully imitated the natural shadow on hollow areas of the face. 

Kevyn Aucoin - I had read enough about his Sculpting Powder in Medium and how it was the perfect shade for those with light to medium skin tones. People were right. This is worth the hype.

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder will give the illusion of a slimmer face with more dimension. Don't know what to do with that bronzer you were using before? Use it for what it's meant to be used as: to warm up your complexion.

What is your favorite contouring product?

Make Up For Ever BRIGHT Tutorial Coming Soon

Bite Beauty Lipsticks Review: Sucré, Violet and Corvina

I've been a proud fan of Bite Beauty ever since they launched in 2011. I've never been a lippie person -- I'm more into eyeshadows. However from the brands that I've tried in the market, this Canadian brand beats all other lipstick formulas. Creamy, comfortable, pigmented -- everything you want in a lipstick. I suffer from very dry, chapped lips, so I guess I'm a good candidate to try "creamy" lipsticks. 

Something that is so distinct about Bite Beauty is that their lipsticks are actually edible -- they're that "natural". You'll be happy to hear that they are free of synthetics, polybutenes, petroleum byproducts, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. They are also certified gluten-free. 

Leaving those nasties aside, Bite Beauty lipsticks are rich in resveratrol, a very powerful antioxidant. They also contain other yummy ingredients like jojoba oil, castor seed oil, and shea butter. 

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick

After seeing Amra post a picture wearing this lipstick, I knew I had to get it. Unfortunately, I didn't really like how the color looked on my lips and to be honest, formula-wise, it could have been better. 

Pigmented? Yes, but it does become patchy as you try to layer it. I had to go over some areas resulting in more unevenness. 

The shade is beautiful but washes me out. I'm sure other people can pull it off. Not a fan of this formula. 

Regardless of my dissatisfaction, here I am wearing "Melted Coral". 

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. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Review

Too Faced Better Than Sex is actually pretty good and I have photos to prove it. I got mine in a Sephora mascara set but the full size retails for $23. 

It's very black, lengthening and volumizing. The wand is very big and thick (that's what she said) however I find that it always translates on my upper lashline upon application which results in me having to draw a line with eyeliner afterwards. Usually I'll go for my Eyeko Eye Liner or the one by Stila. 

Please excuse my eyebrow's current state. They're in the process of growing and they look like a bushy mess. Picture #1 has no mascara on. Picture #2 has one coat of Better Than Sex. Picture #3 has two coats of Better Than Sex. 

This mascara doesn't flake on me. I do want to point out that I don't like using this particular mascara on my lower lashes because it does have the tendency to smudge. Another thing is I wish it held a curl longer but then again, I have extremely stubborn, straight lashes. Other than that, I think it's pretty good! 

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts? 

Current Go-To Makeup

Lately I've been reaching for the Missha Perfect BB Cover SPF 42 +++. I love how quick it is to apply and I find that blending it with my fingers gives the most natural, beautiful finish. The Bourjois Happy Light Concealer was a favorite since the first time I used it. It's creamy, easy to use (I apply it with my ring finger) yet stays put and covers my dark circles like no one's business. I always like to set my concealer with my Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light which is lighter than my skintone because I also use it to highlight. I love it because it never looks cakey. Benefit Hoola is something I always come back to to add shading and dimension to my face - though the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder is on my wishlist as a proper contour product. These days I've been opting for a fuss-free pink shade, and Blissful from Tarte seems to go well with any eye-makeup I wear. No matter what, I always use a highlighter at the top of my cheekbones. I'm still using this Benefit Watts Up deluxe sample which I've had for over a year yet it's still going strong. 

On my eyes I've been loving this combo: Mac Passionate, Saddle, Rule and Blanc Type. I like using a Mac 224 to blend out Passionate and Saddle on my crease, Rule from outer to center of the lid and Blanc Type underneath my browbone and inner to center of the lid. I love this look because not only is it quick and easy to achieve since I'm just buffing out a bunch of colors, but it actually ends up looking effortlessly beautiful - like you spent much more time working colors in. I so wish I had a camera so I could film a tutorial wearing them! 

And of course no eye look is complete for me without winged liner. My go-to is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Gel Liner in Stay Onyx. I've tried many gels liners but always come back to this one. Even though it's not the richest black, I love the fact that it stays creamy on my brush allowing precision instead of drying up in seconds resulting in a harder application. I also find the L'oreal Butterfly Lash Out Mascara to be pretty darn good for a drugstore mascara. It thickens and lengthens - I just wish it held a curl better. 

I am currently trying to grow out my eyebrows as I was told at Benefit Brow Bar they are naturally thicker and I've been over-plucking on some areas - shame on me. The hard thing about growing them out is going through that "awkward" phase of having stubborn hairs on stubborn areas and not knowing what to do with them #firstworldproblems. Despite this, I always fill in my eyebrows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder in the shade Granite - the perfect shade for gals with literally black eyebrow hairs. 

On my lips I've been constantly opting for the Bourjois Velvet Rouge Edition Matte Lipstick in Peach Club - a must for coralish lovers. Even though it leans on the warmer side, it instantly brightens up one's complexion. I also love the formula as I find it to be very comfortable and long-wearing.