The Secret to Perfect Eyeshadow!

If you've ever had your eyeshadow fade, crease, or disappear, keep reading!!

Before applying eyeshadow, I always use an eyeshadow base on each & every client that sits in my chair. No exceptions. They can all attest to this, I'm sure! ;)

Benefit's Stay Don't Stray, $30, Sephora/Shoppers Drug Mart

This little ditty came into my life about a year ago, & since then I haven't looked back. It is A-MA-ZING! Not only is it good for keeping eyeshadow in place, but concealer too. And it'll make your eyeshadow look more vibrant & true-to-colour. The product itself is a neutral beige that works with most skintypes & colour-corrects any veins or discolouration on the eyelids. I'm not overly crazy about the packaging - the pump is a little touchy - but I love this product enough to work around it! I find that lightly pumping it several times about 1/4 of the way down works well.

How to Use: Dab a small amount onto the eyelid, browbone, and under the eye (if you wear concealer). Blend it in & let dry before applying your eyeshadow. (SO EASY!)

I swear to you, your eyeshadow will not budge once you have this underneath!

Product Rave: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Long time no blog! I have been crazy busy these last few months & it seems like I've fallen a bit behind! With fall already here, & winter being right on its heels, I thought it was time for a skincare post. We all know the havoc that cold weather wreaks on our skin - dryness, flakiness, roughness, patchiness, loss of radiance, etc. (All of which can drastically affect your makeup application) Thankfully these issues can be fixed with one thing.... EXFOLIATION! A good exfoliant will slough away dead skin cells, leaving you with a smooth, radiant complexion. 

There are two types of exfoliants - physical & chemical. A physical exfoliant is an abrasive scrub that contains granules or man-made beads. A chemical exfoliant is made with AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids). These can include: glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from milk), tartaric acid (from grape wine), citric acid (from citrus fruits), and malic acid (from apples). So which exfoliant is my favourite?

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $72, available at Milestones Spa

This October marks the 10th birthday of Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. This product is incredibly unique, as it is a rice-based enzyme powder exfoliant. It contains no artificial fragrance or colour, is suitable for all skin types, and can be used daily. (Whereas, most other exfoliants are only recommended to be used once or twice a week.) It's really simple to use & the results are impressive & quick! After cleansing, dispense half a teaspoon of powder into wet hands and create a creamy paste. Apply to the face in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Massage gently for one minute and rinse thoroughly. 

Tada! That's all it takes to get smooth, glowing skin. 

I can't rave about this product enough! Try it out & your skin will thank you. :)

xoxo,

Primer 101:

By now, you've all probably heard the buzz surrounding makeup primers. And they are definitely worth the hype! With a primer, your makeup will glide on smoother and wear a lot longer. Always apply your primer after your moisturizer (make sure it's completely absorbed first) and before your foundation. Different primers offer everything from mattifying qualities & anti-aging benefits, to acne treatments & skin tone correcting qualities. I've tried nearly ALL of them (no, seriously) and I keep coming back to the same one....

Sephora, $39

...Smashbox's original, oil-free, Photo Finish Foundation Primer. For years, my only gripe was the airless pump packaging - it didn't like lying down in my makeup kit & constantly had air bubbles in it which would clog the opening. (SO embarrassing having to repeatedly smack the thing on a counter in front of my clients!) Thankfully, the lovely people at Smashbox recently repackaged it into a smaller, kit friendly, squeeze tube. It's worth mentioning that the new tube is a few dollars cheaper than the old packaging - for the same amount of product! Photo Finish is composed of an antioxidant blend of grapeseed extract, green tea, and vitamins A & E. It smoothes the skin & actually reduces the appearance of pores & fine lines. And the oil-free formula keeps your t-zone shine free! Now really, what more could you ask for from one product!? Try it once and I swear you'll be hooked.. I am! :)

xoxo,
 

Safe Sun: Sunless Tanners

By now we've all heard about the dangers of excessive sun & UV exposure. Melanoma is a serious threat to everyone's health. Thankfully you can still have your golden tan without baking in the sun! (Or worse, in a tanning bed!)
Most self-tanners contain an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is a colourless sugar that interacts with the skin cells located on the surface of the skin. As the sugar interacts with these cells, a colour change occurs. This change in colour resembles a natural tan & usually lasts about 5-7 days from the initial application.

1. Pick

First, decide which type of self-tanner is best for you. A gradual self-tanner is perfect for those who want to slowly build the intensity of their tan, and who don't mind having to reapply a few days in a row. An "instant" self-tanner is great if you need a deep, bronzed glow - FAST! (Well, in 6-8 hours) Next, you'll need to choose which texture to use. If you have dry skin, stick with a lotion or cream. Skin types with a tendency to break out should use a gel or mousse formula. 

2. Prepare 

Exfoliate the skin regularly before starting a self-tanning regimen. Use either an exfoliating body scrub on an exfoliating mitt with regular bodywash in the shower. This will remove any dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and will give you a smoother, more even tan. It is best to shave your legs the morning before as self-tanners tend to settle into open hair follicles - resulting in spotted legs. Make sure that your skin is completely dry before applying your tanner. Any moisture left on the skin will result in an uneven and blotchy tan.

3. Apply

I like to apply my self-tanner in the evening so it has time to develop while I sleep. Start by applying the prodcut to your legs and work your way up the rest of your body. Use long, even strokes and keep your fingers pressed firmly together to avoid streaks. Apply sparingly around the ankles, knees, & elbows as these areas tend to be drier & will soak up more product. Be sure to BLEND well. Do not apply to the soles of the feet. Lightly blend whatever product is left on your legs down to the tops of your feet. 

Apply to your face, avoiding your eyebrows & hairline. Blend down to your neck & chest. Thoroughly wash hands, concentrating on the palms & in between the fingers. To avoid that telltale line between your wrist & hand, apply a very small (tiny! a lot less than you think you need) amount to one hand & rub the backs of both hands together. Lightly blend into the wrists. 

4. Extend

Allow to dry completely before getting dressed. Avoid wearing light coloured clothing for at least 4 hours. Do not shower, swim, etc. for at least 4-6 hours after application. In order to extend the life of your tan, try not to aggressively exfoliate the skin until you're ready for your next application. Keep shaving to a minimum & use an ultra-hydrating lotion daily. Reapply every 3 days to maintain your tan.

Happy Tanning!! :)

xoxo,

Trend: Nails S/S 2011

I am LOVING the S/S nail trends this year!! So fun & unconventional! (Aside from the "nude", but in my opinion, that's always in style!) Foil, moons, greens, & blues.. really?! I love how all-over-the-place nails are this season.. check out how great these are!

Gold Foil

Moon Manicure

Nude 

(As seen at Monique Lhuillier S/S 2011)

Mint Green/Bright Blue

xoxo,