Wednesday 25 September 2013

"Rosie" Lips

I was reading People Stylewatch the other day and have come to a conclusion.  Guys, I need Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's lips.
Not just because they get to kiss Jason Statham either, although, that is a major selling point!
It's the pillowy, pouty quality of them in the pic that I fell in love with!  The texture is beautiful, as well as the colour.  She tends to wear a lipstick which is the perfect shade of rosey-nude.
When I wear lipstick, it's usually a statement shade, or a beigey tone if I'm doing a smokey eye and its never on the matte side.
Well, that has all changed, thanks to Rosie!
I have a fairly dark pigment to my lips, so I had to play around with a few different products to get the texture and shade I was after.  The final look was achieved with three products.
1- Lancome Le Lipstique Sheer Lip Liner in Sheer Raspberry all over the lips.  This is a warmer toned pink which gave me a nice smoothness to the lip colour.
2- Lancome Colour Design in Vintage Rose. This lipstick is a very soft pink with a touch of mauvey irridesance to it.  Ultra girly!
3- elf Matte Lip Colour in Nearly Nude.  This is a very pale matte beige.  I applied this sparingly near the middle of the mouth for a little dimension. I pressed this in with my finger to give the lips an almost "worn in" look.
I am of the opinion that make-up is alchemy a lot of the time. If you don't have the exact shade or texture you're after, play around with what you do have!  You might surprise yourself!
I am absolutely going to add this lip look to the rotation!
Do you guys like it on me?  Be honest!!!!

Donna Xoxo

Thursday 12 September 2013

Sonia Kashuk Brushes, and Why You Need Them.

If you are anything like me, you get a HUGE thrill from a good makeup brush. It is so important to have the right tool for the job!  
When Target opened in my area, I bee-lined to the Sonia Kashuk brushes!  The quality is spectacular and so is the price! There's a couple that were missing from my arsenal, and I'm going to brag all about them today!
First is the Flat Top Multipurpose Brush, which lives up to its name, and then some!  The first time I stumbled upon this type of beauty was a Lancome brush years ago. It's a great brush for applying a creamy foundation or blush. It buffs the product right in for a flawless finish. I also like it for contouring. It fits wonderfully under the cheekbone!  And the black sculpted handle is just sooo pretty!
Next I have the Duo-fibre multipurpose brush. Again, this brush is so versatile!  Because of the differing lengths of the bristles, the application of product is diffuse and sheer. It's great for a hilighter, either powder or cream, and a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. A few sweeps of hilighter on top of the cheekbones and down the nose with this beauty will leave you with a soft luminescence. The black and white handle looks very chic too!
The finish from these brushes will leave behind beautiful, glowy skin. For under $20.00 each, these brushes are must haves!  
Go get them!!!
I'd love to hear about any brush faves everyone else has!  Do tell!

Donna Xoxo



Wednesday 4 September 2013

My Favourite Fall Look Featuring Clinique and The Body Shop

Happy September!
I like summer, but I'm totally a fall girl!  I love the richness of the colours associated with fall. I'm also a big fan of layering clothes. There is nothing I enjoy wearing more than a scarf with a great cardi!
I'm also sooo excited to update my makeup look!  There are two things in particular which are absolute musts this season for me. 
Matte, but still luminous skin, and deep plum or berry lips. 
I started with a smooth canvas. I applied a foundation with a medium-full coverage. I'm really in love with the Extra Virgin Mineral foundation from The Body Shop. The coverage is buildable, and the finish is smooth. It blends well, and feels quite creamy. It has a nice glow to it. After adding powder, you're left with a finish that's not chalky.  Matte, but luminous!  A little concealer and cream hilighter helped too!
I added a softly defined eye next with, of course, lots of lashes, (Thank you L'oreal Double Extend Mascara!!!!) along with a sculpted cheek. 
On to the lippy!
I have always loved Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey!  It can look terrifying in the tube, but, don't be scared!  It goes on quite sheer and leaves a beautiful blackberry stain. The texture is between a balm and a full coverage lipstick. Apply it with a finger for more of a true stain, or straight from the tube with a lip liner as I have in the picture for a more opaque finish. 
This face is the kind of look I'll be wearing all over the place these days!  It works with jeans and a pair of Toms while running errands on a Wednesday just as well as it will while having a couple of drinks on a Saturday night. Different footwear, of course!
What is your go-to face for this fall going to be?  I'd love to hear!  Now, as for the hair situation above, I'm waaayyy overdue for a cut and colour!  It's getting remedied tomorrow. 
Don't judge me!!!

Donna Xoxo