Coloured Eyeliner!

I got a new eyeliner from MAC from the Archie's Girls collection. 
This perfect purple eyeliner was part of "Veronicas" makeup.
I loved it so much it inspired me to do a blog on coloured eyeliner!

I love coloured eyeliner, and have been wearing it for years! 
It's actually just in the past 5 years that I have been wearing more neutral colours like black and brown.

The Do's of wearing coloured eyeliner...and making it work for day!

The trick to wearing coloured eyeliner and making it the focus, is to keep the rest of the face neutral.

On my face

Garnier BB Cream for combination to oily skin in Light/Medium / Garnier Skin Renew dark circle eye roller / Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in 120 / Maybelline concealer in 20

favourite powder! MAC Studio Careblend in Medium

When wearing coloured eyeliner I like to keep my cheeks neutral by using bronzer as blush and a highlighter on the top of the cheekbones. These work well together!

MAC Bronzer in Refined Gold  / Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt

close up of the highlighter, very pretty with bronzer or tanned skin

neutral eyeshadows by MAC 

(left) Shroom used all over lid / (right) Wedge used in the crease

MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Designer Purple

this is really purple...love it!
BONUS...it lasts all day! perfect for hooded eyes :)

When using a coloured eyeliner make sure you really load on the mascara top AND bottom! 

favourite eyelash curler Shu Uemura / L'oreal Explosion Mascara / MAC 205 fan brush

close up of my 205 fan brush...gets every single lash, perfect for lower lashes!

MAC lipglass in c-thru...perfect neutral

The end result!

face and lips are kept neutral so coloured eyeliner stands out!

close up! with this bright colour you want to line your whole eye!
imagine this purple on green eyes!

Everyday 15 Minute Makeup

I am always in a hurry in the morning getting ready for work. 
I am not a morning person!  I would rather sleep than give myself extra time for makeup.
Here is my 10-15 minute Monday - Friday makeup routine

BEFORE:  Yikes! This is very rare...showing my mug without any makeup!
I am not sure why, but I am sporting extra spots. Good day for a before shot!
This is fresh-out-of-the-shower, people!

First I put on a moisturizer and a primer...

Next I mix my favourite foundation MAC Studio Fix Fluid (NC20) with my Garnier BB Cream. (during the winter months, when I need more moisture and coverage)
I always use my favourite foundation brush Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki Brush to buff it into my skin, starting in the middle of my face...

 

Then comes the much needed concealer.  Dot it under my eyes and on any blemishes and buff/stipple it in with my MAC 224 Brush.  I like the "airbrush" affect it gives...

 

Powder is a must!  Need to set your foundation and concealer into place. Makes a world of difference, especially if you're normal to oily, which I am.

LOVE the MAC Studio Careblend and my favourite powder brush MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush.  I usually press the powder (with the puff that comes with the powder) and dust off access with the brush.  The tapered brush is perfect for getting under your eyes.

 

Blush Blush Blush...a girls best friend, especially during the winter months when your skins feels a bit blah. I usually switch up my blush and today I went with a MAC Mineralized Blush in Gleeful

This is great for days when you need a little bit more out of your blush, it has a nice shimmer to it, not a lot, but enough so you look awake.

Brows.  Brows are so important for that all together face look. They really do frame the face.

I feel naked without them!  Lingering Eye Brows from MAC is my favourite eyebrow pencil ever! This has been repurchased over and over.  It suits a lot of brows too, so I always have one in my makeup kit.  I like to draw them in and use an old mascara wand to brush the colour up and through my brows, so it doesn't look so penciled on.

 

Eyeshadow time!  My go-to eyeshadow palette and brushes...

From left to right (all MAC) Vanilla (brow bone); Bisque (all over lid); Wedge (outer crease); Patina (crease). I use the Sigma E40 Tapered Blending (black one) to put Bisque all over the lid; the Sigma E25 Blending (white one) to put Patina in my crease and Wedge on the outer crease. Lastly I use the Sigma E70 Angled Brush to put Vanilla on my brow bone.

Phew, sounds like a lot of work, but it isn't ;)  I think it's worth at least putting a wash of eyeshadow over the lid that's close to your skin colour like Bisque. It hides any discolourations and sets your lids if you put foundation/concealer on them.

Yessss, eyeliner time!  If it's one thing I need it's eyeliner!  I have light eyelashes and I need a liner to bring more definition to my eyes.  I love using the MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner, it's very smooth going on and lasts all day. Lord It Up is my preferred colour.  I like to use it under my eye and blend/smudge it in with the MAC 219 Pencil Brush

 

How I love Mascara! Especially the Telescopic Explosion Mascara by L'oreal.  The ball applicator works so well to get the corner lashes. It's easy to "direct" your lashes where you want them to go.  I always curl my lashes first with my shu uemura lash curler and use an old mascara wand to help separate if they look a bit clumpy.

Lips can be very drying during the winter months.  It's easy and quick just to put on a "chapstick" or a lip gloss just to make your lips look healthy and moisturized.  Throw in your purse for touch-ups during the day.  I like MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink.  The perfect neutral pink.

 AFTER:  the final look!!! Wow, thanks Makeup...I really needed you today ;)

My Favs for 2012

Here is a list of my favourite products that I loved using over 2012.

These products were either new in 2012 or new to me in 2012!

Sorry, some of the pictures seem to be blurry, the lighting was not so good :(

makeup brushes, haircare, beauty, makeup and nails

 OPI nail polishes

Live and Let Die / The Living Daylights / Russian Navy

 
I am in love with MAC Mineralized products!!
Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (left) minimizes pores and leaves my skin so soft.
Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream (right) keeps my under eyes feeling moisturized. 

Can be used for day or a light night cream.

 

Vaseline Lip Therapy cocoa butter.  Put this on at bedtime and you will have super smooth lips in the morning, smells good too!
Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum works great on my frizzy hair.
Great inexpensive alternative to Argan oil.

 

Mascara

I have sooo many mascaras, these are the two I use most.

 L'oreal Telescopic Explosion / Avon Drama

 Love the applicators for these mascaras, makes it look like you have false lashes!

 Can't say enough about this Urban Decay Naked 2 palette!  Excellent colour selection, awesome pay-off, good quality eyeshadows.  I can use these on anyone.  I recommend this palette to anyone wanting neutral colours.  Comes with a mini lipgloss!

 

Best eyeliners by far!  MAC has come out with some great longwear eyeliners.

They glide on so smooth and literally last all day.  That's saying a lot for me.  

These are perfect for hooded eyes, it doesn't transfer to my "saggy" eyelid.

My two favourites are Lord It Up and my newest edition Night Trail.

Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Medium. I hit pan! This is definitely my go-to powder.

I first saw this being used by Romero Jennings at a MAC PRO class. 

It took me awhile to actually try it...now I wonder how I lived without it!

It's so flawless, makes my skin smooth without that powder look.

I will be repurchasing this over and over!

I just purchased these from the new Strength collection.  I love the colours.  

Taupe Shape (left) is a perfect contour shade.  Poised (right) is a perfect everyday blush.

Maybelline Fit concealer in shade 20.
I am usually not a big fan of Maybelline concealer or foundation.

I found out about this by another MUA who raved about it on youtube.

I decided for the price why not try it out.  Now I use it everyday!  

It's creamy and blendable, just what you need for undereye!

Brushes!! My favs for everyday use!

For foundation, I can't live without the Sigma F84 (left). 

Buffs foundation into the skin effortlessly with a very natural airbrushed look.

For concealer, I have a lot of brushes but find this one from Sephora (right) 

is the one I always reach for.  It's the Sephora Brand Airbrush Concealer brush.

It's meant to mimic your fingertips, which is what you need under your eyes.

For powder I use the MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush (left).

The pointed tip is perfect for applying and blending powder blush, highlighter or face powder.

For blush/contouring the Sigma F40 Angled Contour (right) is perfect for getting under your cheekbones or applying blush on them.

I love these eyeshadow brushes so much, I have two of each.

The Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush (left) is great for applying one shadow all over the lid or blending harsh shadow lines.

The Sigma E25 Blending Brush (right) is great for applying a medium colour in the crease and can be used for blending as well.  It's also great for applying concealer under the eye.

Nails, Nails, Nails!

Nail polish has become really popular.  It seems a lot of makeup companies are into making their own brand.  Along with many colours there are also textures like magnetic, crackle, 3D, nail art design stickers etc.  It seems every colour is trendy now so you can't lose.
There are also many tutorials on you tube, one of my favourite is cutepolish.
If you follow me on instagram you will see I try to update my nail colour every week.  I tend to like darker colours for fall and winter and then go back to lights and brights in the summer.  Another trend I like is painting one or two nails a different colour/shade or applying nail art/decals.  My favourite are the sally hansen salon effects.  I usually do this to my ring finger.

essie nail colours















OPI up front and personal, with sally hansen salon effects polish strips






Here are some of my favourite nail polish colours, mostly OPI

    lights / neutrals

    bubble bath, sweetie pie, coney island cotton candy, up front and personal, moon over mumbai, mod about
    you

    fun / brights

    save me, heart throb, elephantastic pink, hot & spicy, atomic orange, bright lights big colour

    darks

    i have a herring problem, lugerne-tainly look marvelous, catherine the grape, wooden shoe like to know,
    brisbane bronze, my private jet

    mac polishes 

    mean & green, pearl formidable, nightfall, baby goth girl, rocker

 

Mini MAC Haul

I went to MAC today to get a few things to add to my ever growing makeup collection.
I am actually doing makeup for 4 ladies this Saturday.  I got a call back from a wedding I did in February 2011.  It's always a good feeling when someone remembers you and wants their makeup done again!  This time they are not the wedding party, they are just attending a wedding.
Here are a few things I got today...

blush palette, lingering eyebrow pencil, blue swan eyeliner, crosswires lipstick, nicki minaj lipgloss, vex and typographic eyeshadow, mocha blush

It's been awhile since I have bought a new pro palette.  I was happy to see they changed it to a clear lid.
Now I can see what's inside!  Awesome!  Now I am tempted to buy all new ones for all my eyeshadows!  But that will come in time ;)

Here are some lipsticks I have been collecting for my kit and especially for weddings...

 brave, cherish, cosmo, crosswires, modesty, hot gossip, velvet teddy

Makeover / Tips for Mature Skin

I recently had the pleasure of being able to do a makeover on my Aunt!
I thought it would be a great opportunity to blog about tips for women with mature skin.

Tip#1  Foundation.
As we age our skin begins to dull and fine lines/wrinkles start to show.  You want a foundation that helps moisturize and brings a glow to your skin.  Look for foundation that is for dry skin and will give a dewy finish.

Tip#2  Concealer.
As with foundation, you want to find a concealer that is moisturizing.
Make sure you use all around the eye area including the lid to conceal any veins.
If you have very dark circles, try using a peachy corrector first.

Tip#3  Powder.
The less powder you use the better.  Use a light dusting to set foundation and concealer.

Tip#4  Blush.
Use a bright blush to add a nice flush to the cheeks.  I think blush is a very important step to show youthfulness.  Apply to apples of cheeks and blend out and up!
Make sure you blend well, no clown cheeks please!

Tip#5  Lipgloss.
Lips thin as we get older.  Using a lipgloss instead of lipstick will help moisturize and make lips look fuller.  Look for a plumping one!

Tip#6  Lash Curler.
Everyone should use an eyelash curler. Curling your lashes will open your eyes so you look more awake.

Tip#7  Eyeliner.
Lightly lining the eye is a must. I suggest browns and greys, blacks can be a bit harsh.
It's more flattering to wing your eyeliner up.

Tip#8  Eyeshadow.
Matte shadows are a must.  A touch of shimmer eyeshadow can be worn but only near the inner tear duct and just under the brows.  Never wear shimmer or glittery eyeshadow over the whole lid.

Tip#9  Eyebrows.
Eyebrows naturally thin as we get older.  It is very important to find a pencil or shadow that closely matches the natural shade of your brows.  Drawing in your eyebrows will frame your eyes which makes them stand out.  Use short strokes to mimic hair, never draw a solid line.
A very youthful and important step!

My Aunt Herma before and after

Thank you to my Aunt Herma for being my model and thank you to my sister Candace for taking all the pictures!
If you are interested in a makeover including photos, give myself or Candace a call to set up an appointment.  http://candacenaidoo.com/home.html

Maybelline Colour Tattoo Review

Dare to wear 24HR shadow

I was able to purchase 5 of the 10 available colours.
Here are my thoughts....
I love them!  They are easy to work with, buildable and they last all day...just like they say in their ads.
I am not sure about 24 hours though, as I do wash my makeup off before going to bed ;)

How to use:

Use finger or a stiff brush to pat colour on to lid ( I used the 239 MAC brush), blend out edges with a blending brush ( I used the 217 MAC brush).
You have lots of options for different looks.  You can use as a base for regular eyeshadow, which will help intensify the eyeshadow, or use on it's own. 

The neutral colours make a great base for an everyday look or intensify for a smokey evening look.
I just used Bad to the Bronze here with a darker shimmer brown liner.

The brighter colours are great on their own.  I used a bit of MAC black fluid line to define my lashes.  Eyeliner or liquid liner is another great option.

These could have been built up for a more intense look, but I was going out grocery shopping ;)

I am still thinking of purchasing some other colours, Bold Gold and Pomegranate Punch.
I have been hearing a lot of bad reviews on the Painted Purple, as the colour is not as intense and hard to blend.

Price:  $7.99 - $9.99.
For this review I give Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow 4 out of 5.
The only Con is that I wish there were more neutral colours, as they are comparable to MAC paintpots.

http://www.maybelline.ca/products/122/eyes/eye-shadow/eye-studio-color-tattoo-24hr-cream-gel-shadow/fierce-and-tangy/10?shadeId=634