FOTD: Face of the Day

Today is Tuesday January 31 and today I felt like having y'all get ready with me. This is everything I'm wearing makeup-wise today...

FACE: listed in the order applied
primer - Benefit Porefessional (a great primer to use not only for long-lasting makeup but also to hide the look of enlarged pores)
Garnier anti-dark circle roller (I use this mostly as a primer for my real under eye concealer because I have heinous dark circles)
foundation - Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid makeup in 20 Natural Ivory.(this foundation is supposed to be a dupe to Nars Sheer Glow. I haven't tried the Nars foundation but I know I love the one by neutrogena. It leaves a nice finish to the skin, doesn't look cakey, and provides buildable light-medium coverage.)
Bobbi Brown corrector in porcelaine peach (a great holy grail product. Hides my dark circles and stays on all day)
Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat (This product is stupidly expensive and I don't know if I think it's worth it. I use it under my eyes just for a touch of illumination, and in other places I want to highlight. I don't really see that big of a difference in terms of illumination. I'm still going to keep using this product until it's gone because it would be such a waste of money otherwise. This is a product that I think is definitely not worth the hype.)
concealer - Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer in SC-3. (This product truly is the perfect concealer. It doesn't look cakey when applied sparingly, and you only need to use a little bit to achieve really great coverage. I don't use this product under my eyes because it's a little to heavy, but on blemishes, redness and discolouration, this concealer is the best.)
blush #1 - Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush in Peach Satin. (This product is the new cream blush to come out from Maybelline. They've since discontinued their line of dream mousse blushes and replaces them with these. The colour payoff is very good and the product is easily blendable. I like the product, for what it is, but I think the bouncy aspect of it is a total gimmick.)
bronzer #1 - Chanel Soleil de Tan (Some people say that they think that this bronzer is too orange, but for my skin tone, it works really well. It's a cream/gel consistency bronzer so it's a really different kind of product. It buffs into the skin seamlessly and it lasts all day. I apply Soleil de Tan underneath my setting powder for 2 reasons: 1) It's a cream/gel so if it was applied over powder it would look really cakey and 2) I'm really pale so I can look this product look really natural by applying my setting powder over top - it glows from underneath my makeup)
highlighter - Benefit High Beam (I know I already said that I use YSL touche eclat as a highlighter of sorts, but it's not ever enough. I use high beam for the perfect highlighter on the tops of the apples of my cheeks. It catches the light so beautifully and really adds a little je-ne-sais-quoi. Word of caution, do not apply high beam over powder, only under!)
Benefit Powderflage setting powder for under-eye concealer. This product is really unique - it's a very finely milled pink hued powder that you use to set your under-eye concealer so that it doesn't crease. Not only does it set it, but it also highlights dark areas to create luminosity. I sometimes use powderflage around my nose and on my chin just to highlight other darker areas on my face)
Setting powder - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus. (This powder set to a satin finish so it's perfect for the desired dewy/highlighted/satin look to my skin that I want to achieve. It can be used as a setting powder or even by itself as a powder foundation. Light Plus is my winter shade, whereas Medium Plus is closer to my summer shade. This is my all time favourtie powder - I only wish it came with a mirror, that way it would be great for on-the-go touch ups)
blush #2 - Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde. (I don't know what it is, I guess I'm scared that all of my makeup will be gone by the end of the day, but I like using cream products under my foundation and then topping it off with a powder. Hence the two blushes and two bronzers. I featured the Blonde mineralize skinfinish in my Mini MAC haul a little while back. I've been using it everyday since. I love the sheen it gives to the skin and the colour is a really lovely and fresh pink. It's the perfect "blush" for me at the moment. I really really want the other mineralize skinfinish from the MAC Naturally collection but I HAVE TO STOP MYSELF...but they're so pretty.)
bronzer #2 - Bourjois Delice de Poudre bronzing powder in shade #51. (This bronzer smells like chocholate! It's so neat. I also like the shade - it works well with my Chanel Soleil de Tan. I use the powder bronzer basically all over my face, neck, and chest because like I said, I'm really pale. This bronzer adds great colour to the skin without looking too orange and fake. I'm thinking of buying the next shade up #52 but obvi not until I use up this one...

EYES: listed in as close to the order applied as possible
eye primer - MAC paint pot in Painterly. (I really like paint pots. They're super easy to apply and blend with your fingers, they last all day, don't crease, and provide a great base for eye shadows. Painterly is a must-have colour because it blends in perfectly with most lighter skin colours so it covers over any veins and discolouration on the eyelids.)
eye shadows:
    1. Stila in Kitten. (A really pretty, shimmery pink-champagne colour that creates a good wash all over the lid. It really makes the eyes pop and sparkle)
    2. Urban Decay Naked Palette - Half-baked (middle lid), Smog & Darkhorse (outer V), Naked (crease), Sin (brow highlight)
eyebrows:
    1. Naked (from UD Naked palette) filled in the brows with a small angled brush
    2. Revlon Colorstay Brown Enhancer in Blonde (tinted wax to set my brows and add a little more colour to make the perfect shade for me)
eyeliner:
    1. Physicians Formula eye booster liquid eyeliner in Black. (apparently this eyeliner contained a lash boosting serum that is supposed to enhance your lashes. It's not the best liner on its own, it's not very opaque and smudges a bit, but if its claims are true, I'll keep using it.) 
    2. Maybelline Master Drama eyeliner in Midnight Master. A super black and long-lasting eyeliner from the drugstore. I used this today on my tighline to add more depth and volume to the look of my lashes. I use this sometimes on my lower waterline and it lasts all day.)
    3. NARS Larger Than Life long-wear eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte. (This eyeliner is a nude/skintoned liner that I use on my lower waterline on especially tiresome mornings. It makes you look more awake by widening the area of your under-eye area. I like it better than using a white eyeliner on my waterline because it looks too stark and unnatural.) 
    4. Prestige waterproof eyeliner in 10, Star. (This is a really pretty shimmering white eyeliner pencil that I use in the inner corner of my eye to add a touch of lightness and shimmer to open up the look of my eyes.)
mascara: Bourjois Volumizer (Seriously the coolest mascara. It has 2 wand options, 1 or 2. 1 takes off more product that leaves a wand with just enough mascara on it to lengthen and separate your lashes. While the second option leaves the wand packed with product to create a more volumunious look. Sometimes I either use 1 or 2 but today I layered them together. 

Eyeshadows used from the UD Naked Palette:
Virgin (brow highlight),
Naked (eyebrows & crease),
Half-baked (centre lid),
Smog & Darkhorse (outer v)

LIPS:

lipstick - Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Primrose. (A really pretty pink colour that can be made to look like your lips are just naturally that beautiful pink, juicy colour. I love this lipstick! It's so effortless)

lipgloss - Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lipgloss in Candy Baby. (This lipgloss smells so good! Like candy/baked goods/delicious! It's not too sticky and there is actually colour pay off, which is surprising for a lipgloss from VS.)

And that's the finished look. Honestly, it takes me a long time to get ready in the morning, but I love it! I love putting on makeup; I find it relaxing and I always look forward to the different colour combinations I come up with to create a look I love. I know I use a lot of products and there are probably some steps I could really do without but this is the routine that I've come up with and I don't plan on changing it anytime soon. It works for me :)

So ya...that's the way I do it. I like it :) For now that's the look I'll be wearing, until something else tickles my fancy. Then I'll do an updated post. So you can expect that next week (HA!)

Have a great day, y'all! I'll be posting more soon to come

xoxoDarlingBuds

I burn, I pine, I perish: Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C clutch

How beautiful is this bag? I love the bright teal colour. I feel like it's one of those bags that, no matter how bright the colour, it will work with so many different outfits in so many seasons to add a pop of brightness and personality. It's on my wishlist...in $200 this bag will be mine!

NOTD: featuring Deborah Lippmann & Essie

Sometimes I'm in a sparkly mood. That was the case when I did my nails yesterday with Essie's "Lady Like" and Deborah Lippmann's "Some Enchanted Evening." I saw Ingrid, or Miss Glamorazzi, use these two nail polishes together so I decided I would give it a try too. "Lady Like" is a really demure mauve-pink colour, that is neutral but still offers  a bit of colour to the nails. "Some Enchanted Evening" painted over top offers a nice sparkly, yet understated, look on the nails. I really like it!

I was perusing the makeup section of my local drugstore the other day (so bad and tempting, I know!) and I stumbled upon a display of new Revlon nail polishes. One of the new colours, called "261, Sparkling" is an EXACT DUPE for the Deborah Lippmann shade. I had to buy it. This purchase is justified in many ways: a) "Some Enchanted Evening" is not my nail polish, I borrowed it from my roommate. b) Revlon nail polishes were on sale that day. c) I was thinking of purchasing the Lippmann colour for myself but the Revlon shade is a fraction of the price...therefore it was a good buy.  On the nail, the two shades are identical. From the photo above, can you tell which finger has Lippmann and which finger has Revlon?...didn't think so.

I did good :)
xoxoDarlingBuds

My 2012 Oscar Predictions & Commentary

My Oscar 2012 Predictions & Commentary

Best picture - I’m torn between which film should win Best Picture. I’ve marked in bold the two movies that I think are equal candidates for the aware. “Midnight in Paris” and “The Descendants” are two films that explore topics otherwise not usually seen in film.

“War Horse” - this movie was so boring and exactly the same as “Black Beauty except the horse was brown

“The Artist”

“Midnight in Paris”

“Moneyball”

“The Descendants”

“The Tree of Life”

“The Help”

“Hugo” - WHY WAS THIS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR AND NOT HARRY POTTER?

“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Best actress - I am once again torn between which actress, Glenn Close or Rooney Mara, should win the award for Best Actress. Both Close and Mara exhibited true examples of what it is to be an actress: to transform into a completely different person and/or character. They portrayed characters so far from their usual selves that the transformation was so believable and extraordinary. I have a soft spot for Glenn Close, but considering how new to the scene Rooney Mara is, and considering how different Lisbeth Salander is from other roles she has portrayed in the film makes her a real candidate for the best actress award.

Glenn Close, “Albert Nobbs” 

Viola Davis, “The Help”

Rooney Mara, “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”

Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn” - She was good; but I don’t think her performance was as Oscar worthy as others, per se. I think the Best Actress category holds the most competition this year

Best actor

Demian Bichir, “A Better Life”

George Clooney, “The Descendants” -  Beautiful representation of a desperate father trying to do everything for his children after tragedy strikes. Yes, we’ve seen this type of character before in film, but never from George. And I love him :)

Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”

Gary Oldman, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

Brad Pitt, “Moneyball”

Best supporting actress

Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”

Jessica Chastain, “The Help”

Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids” - I really do like McCarthy, but Oscar nom? Really?

Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs”

Octavia Spencer “The Help” - She should win. That’s it.

Best supporting actor - WHAT ABOUT ALAN RICKMAN??!?! WHERE IS HIS NOMINATION?

Kenneth Branagh, “My Week With Marilyn”

Jonah Hill, “Moneyball”

Christopher Plummer, “Beginners” - Amazing actor and he played a very controversial role wonderfully. I feel like this might be a repeat of Stanley Tucci from “Lovely Bones” - great actor plays controversial role, gets nominated for Oscar but doesn’t win. Boo. But I hope Plummer takes home the award

Nick Nolte, “Warrior”

Max von Sydow, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

Best director

Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”

Alexander Payne, “The Descendants”

Martin Scorsese, “Hugo”

Terrence Malick, “Tree of Life”

Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris”

Best original screenplay

“The Artist”

“Bridesmaids”

“Margin Call”

“Midnight in Paris”

“A Separation”

Best adapted screenplay

“The Descendants”

“Hugo”

“The Ides of March”

“Moneyball”

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

NOTD: Essie's "Absolutely Shore"

I LOVE THIS COLOUR! I just think it's so pretty, modern, wearable. I think this colour can double for winter and summer wear. In the summer, it would look like a nice mermaid/ocean-y colours, whereas in the winter, it's almost a greyish-hued blue. It's so versatile. This colour is much lighter than Essie's "Mint Candy Apple," and that colour I find is much more wearable in the summer than Absolutely Shore. 
The only thing about Absolutely Shore is that it can be hard to find in Canadian stores. But I highly recommend picking it up if you find it
xoxoDarlingBuds

Mini MAC Haul

The other day, I went to my local MAC store in Ottawa and guess what...I bought stuff. Shocker, I know. 
I've been eyeing the new "Naturally" collection online (mostly Temptalia.com) and I knew that there are things from the collection that there were products I wanted to try. I've never owned a MAC mineralize skinfinish before, but all the youtube beauty gurus and bloggers always say to snatch them when they're released in a collection. The MAC naturally collection has 2 mineralize skinfinishes: "Redhead" which is a golden/corally hued highlighter, and "Blonde" a more pink coloured product. I wanted both, by Redhead was sold out, so I picked up Blonde. I'm actually glad I got Blonde because the product can double up as a shimmery blush, whereas Redhead is more limited in its uses.
I also picked up another mineralize skinfinish natural. This product is amazing! It doubles as a mineral foundation and setting powder. I had been using the colour "Medium Plus" since the summer, but it's winter now and that equals pale. I got the colours "Light Plus" and that seems to be a good winter shade for me. 

"Blonde" mineralize skinfinish swatch

I am very satisfied with my purchased from MAC, as I usually am. There are some really great collections out from MAC right now and I am taming myself: I am not going to me tempted to purchase anymore makeup until absolutely necessary. In all fairness, this little MAC haul was from before I decided on my New Year's resolutions - so this doesn't count :P
xoxoDarlingBuds

Hautelook: NYX cosmetics haul

A couple of weeks ago on hautelook.com they had this amazing NYX cosmetics sale that I couldn't refuse. The first purchase I made was a set of 6 eyelashes! (The 2 sets pictured without the case are my favourites)

 The NYX lashes are really unique in the sense that the lashes overlap one another, almost in a weaving effect. I've seen this effect before on more expensive lashes, like those from Makeup Forever, but never before in a drugstore range. At first glance, the lashes look really dramatic and not entirely wearable; but, I've seen plenty of youtube videos depicting people wearing these type of lashes and they look really natural once applied. I'll be sure to take photos of them when I finally use them.

My next splurge was on a bunch of NYX lip products. Hautelook was offering a ton of lip bundles that I just couldn't pass up.

 This first set of lip products followed a red theme (can you tell?). The set came with 3 lipsticks and a Jumbo Lip pencil. I really like the first 3 colours of lipsticks(Electra, Chaos, Hero) but I don't think I'll ever wear Raisin, the deeper brownish shade. 

 I'm a fair, pink-toned, white girl and I think Electra may be the perfect red for me. It's has more purple undertones than blue, but it still offers a nice deep red lip when applied. I love the raspberry hues of Chaos and Hero. They're really beautiful wintery lip colours, and I feel like Chaos is very comparable to MAC's Rebel (one of my all time favourites).

"Electra" on my lips

the jumbo lip pencil included in the red lip set is "plush red." It's another raspberry red colour, a nice shade for both day and night wear. The texture of this product is extremely smooth and creamy, and it glides right on your lips when applied. I plan on trying out more shades of jumbo lip pencils because they are just so lovely to apply. Because this product is in pencil form, it applies with the precision of a lip pencil, but with the wear and sheen of lipstick/gloss. I can't wait to get more wear out of this product!

I purchased another set of lip products from NYX from a new line marketed as "soft matte lip cream." The product comes in a cute little package, resembling the package of a MAC lipglass. The colour is applied with a doe foot application, allowing for a more precise application. I found with some of the lighter shades ("Istanbul" and "London") that two coats of the product is required to create a more opaque look. This product is really unique because it is a liquidy-lip product that creates a completely matte colour on the lips. It is not drying, however it is not completely moisturizing either. A gloss over top of this product would suit to add a little bit of extra moisture to the lips. I've worn this product multiple times throughout the day and I find that it lasts for a couple of hours, 6 max. Towards the end of of its wear, it tends to bunch up a bit at the ends of mouth, so I would advise caution when wearing this product for multiple hours throughout the day - touch ups are definitely necessary. 
All in all, I think the product is really unique and it gives people another option to the otherwise drying matte lipsticks; or for people who just don't have that steady of a hand when applying a lipstick at all (like me!)

AND FINALLY...I got some blushes from the Hautelook sale. I've always heard great things about NYX blushes but they aren't available to purchase in stores in Canada. The blush set I chose from Hautelook contained 3 blushes: Mocha, Angel and Mauve. I haven't used these blushes too much yet since purchasing them but from what I have used, I really like that they aren't completely matte - they offer a little sheen on the cheek. I'm really into the whole dewy look now that it's winter and my skin is drier so these blushes offer the perfect finish in a blush for me right now.

And that's it! That's all! It's all been said and done. 
Until next time!
xoxoDarlingBuds

NOTD: Nail of the Day

OPI's Dulce de Leche

Sorry about the quality of the photo - it's taken on my iphone

2012 New Years Resolutions: Beauty Edition

1. Eat Healthier. It's a known fact that eating right is one of the best ways to live a healthier life. There are so many benefits from eating healthy: skin, hair, energy, weight, and overall happiness are greatly improved by eating healthy. Green tea, lots of fruits and vegetables, proteins, and other foods and drinks high in vitamins and minerals (antioxidants, omega 3) make it that much easier for you to function happily everyday. It is my #1 resolution for 2012.


2. Wear sunscreen/SPF everyday. I know that protecting my skin from the sun is the right thing to do, but I haven't ever really taken into account it's actual importance. I've usually been too concerned with getting a great tan than protecting my skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, but not this year. I am going to either wear sunscreen under my makeup everyday, or look for a moisturizer and/or foundation with a high SPF content to protect my skin. 


3. Never sleep in my makeup. No matter how tired, lazy, drunk I am I will NOT skip this step. I've figured that part of the reason my skin has been breaking out was because of a poor cleansing routine at night. I got a Clarisonic Mia for Christmas and I plan on utilizing it to my full advantage. Even something as simple as running a makeup wipe over my face to rid it of the day's makeup would be better than going to bed with it all on. 


4. Makeup Buying Ban! Use up makeup products! People that know me know that I buy WAY too much makeup. For this year, I resolve not to buy any makeup until a previous item has been completely used up. No more foundations, blushes, eyeshadows, nail polishes, mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, lip glosses...Nothing! I need to get this addiction under control.


5. Take my vitamins daily. There is an array of vitamins that I am supposed to take daily (calcium, vitamin C, omega 3, vitamin E) and I want to make sure for this year that I keep to taking them regularly, instead of just once in a while. Having a rich supply of vitamins in your system will make for a healthier you in all aspects.


6. Drink more H2O! I guess this could be considered as a part of eating healthier, but I'm going to give water it's own resolution - I think it deserves it. We couldn't LIVE without water! It's so vital to our lives, not to mention the awesome health and beauty benefits it possesses. Drinking plenty of water is good for your skin, keeping it hydrated and supple; it's good for your digestion and metabolism, and it's also just a great beverage to drink to stay hydrated! I pledge to drink lots and lots of water every single day of 2012. I am also going to pledge from here on out NEVER TO DRINK ANOTHER SODA AGAIN IN THE YEAR 2012. Starting today.


7. Always use a heat tamer spray when blow drying/straightening/curling my hair. I want to try and avoid as much damage as possible. I know that heat is a terrible thing to put your hair through but (and I think most girls would agree) I could not live one day without styling my hair with heat. I will use a heat tamer spray and/or not use too much heat on my hair 

A Makeup Haul

I know shopping can be an addiction, hence shopaholic anonymous. But is there such thing as a shopaholic who only indulges in makeup? Makeup-aholic? Well, that's me.
Word of caution: this haul is special. It is a collection of things acquired over the Christmas break and from a shopping trip to Buffalo. This is beyond the normal amount of makeup I would purchase in a span of only a couple of weeks...usually. You have been warned. Proceed with caution...


My first makeup stop was Sephora at the Walden Galleria mall in Buffalo.

First I picked up some hair ribbons from the Sephora brand. Basically, they're a more elegant hair elastic - specifically a hair tie. They're super cute and they hold my ponytail in place. Only problem is they're a little small so I can only get my hair through it twice. These aren't good hair ties for a messy bun, but they look great in just a simple ponytail.

The second item I bought was Hand Food from the UK brand Soap&Glory. I always hear british YouTube beauty gurus raving about this product and I finally managed to get my hands on it. It smells lovely, isn't greasy feeling on your hands, and makes your hands touchably soft. The formula also works itself right into your skin, instead of lingering on the surface (I detest such hand creams). Hand Food is a great hand cream and I would highly recommend it. The texture is very comparable to the Shea Cashmere hand creams sold at Bath & Body Works.

The "Legally Bronze" value set from Benefit was too much of a bargain to pass up. It comes with: full size Gilded highlighting pencil, full size Hoola bronzer, full size High Beam highlighter AND a full size BadGal brown mascara...all for $38! Evidently I had to buy it
                                      
 The first item in the bag is the Gilded highlighting pencil. It is a golden tinted, shimmery pencil. It is very similar in consistency to the NYX jumbo eye pencils. It is very creamy and slides on the skin nicely. I would use this product either as a highlight around my eyes or even on my cheeks for a goldish shimmer.

Gilded highlighting pencil swatch

The next product in the bunch is Hoola bronzer. It's brown. It's matte. It's a bronzer. 'Nuff said

Hoola bronzer swatch

I was super excited that High Beam was included in the set. This product retails for roughly $30CAD on its own and to get a full size of it in this set was a steal! I love the way High Beam looks on the skin. It gives a really lovely sheen wherever applied without looking overly done. I've been really into the dewy look lately because my skin has been so dry during the Canadian Winter season.

High Beam swatch (right is blended out)

 Next up: BadGal brown mascara. I'm not really into brown mascaras all that much. I like to accentuate my eyes and a black mascara helps me do that. I will get use out of this mascara though, on lazy when I'm going for a natural look but still want definiton.

BadGal brown mascara wand

 After venturing out of Sephora, I found myself drawn to the beauty supply store in the Galleria mall. This store was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! They carried every. single. essie nailpolish EVER! The OPI selection wasn't as impressive, but thankfully they had all the colours I was looking for.

OPI (from left to right): "Lincoln Park After Dark," "Vodka & Caviar,"
"Cajun Shrimp," "You Don't Know Jacques," and "Dulce de Leche"

Essie (from left to right): "Lapis of Luxury," "Absolute Shore,"
"Fifth Avenue," "Trophy Wife"

All in all, it was a successful shopping month for beauty products, especially at the Galleria mall in Buffalo. Oh but wait, there's more. Running out of time right now, but I will haul and review more products soon time. Here's a little sampling of what is still to come...