FOTD

The Daily Face #24 | Smokey Eyes and Rosy Lips & Cheeks

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I acknowledge that with my general busy-ness over the last few weeks I could write a book on the things that I’ve been slacking on but one of the most noteworthy things that I’ve been slacking on for a much longer period is doing these daily makeup posts on the regular – it’s been likely over three months since my last one and I haven’t been doing them consistently since last summer, even though they were once one of my most frequent posts – and here I am, finally getting my act together with one. This is a neutral but smokey eye kind of situation with a rosy lip and all things that I love and go for when I have a bit of time and effort to put into my makeup – because of all that blending etc. – and I’ve featured some well-documented love products, a few new items that I’ve been enjoying from my recent Target trip and the Sonia Kashuk Creme Bronzer that I just felt like digging out today for the first time in ages.

Face

DSC_0323To be completely honest, I did the entirety of my eye makeup before even thinking about what went on my face because I could for once but I seem to have a mental block against actually starting off the post with anything other than the face, but I digress. Before going in with a pump of the DiorSkin Star Studio Makeup in 20 (and a little bit more to help the matching situation on my neck), I went in with my newly-acquired Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime in Blur + Redness Control to actually prime the face. I’m actually rather enjoying the silicone-based primer because it’s rather lightweight but it does not have much of a green tint applied to the face to be honest. To cover my generally problematic undereye darkness, I dabbed on some Pixi Brightening Peach Correction Concentrate, with most of the product staying in the inner corner. I randomly decided to go for some cream bronzer today, concentrating the product, the Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer in Rich Bronze, in the hollows of my cheeks before blending out to the temples and the top of my large forehead before setting my t-zone with some of the lovely MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Light. For blush, I went for the gorgeous rosy-coral hued Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat and feeling kind of dull and matte after that bit of powder, I went in with Incandescent Light from the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette  as a highlighter, focusing on my cheekbones.

 

Eyes

DSC_0334I started the whole face with my beloved NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base because it actually works to keep things on and relatively uncreased, despite my deep-set eye situation before moving onto the gorgeous Dior 5 Colour Eyeshadow in Cuir Cannage that I’ve been loving reaching for on the daily. I began by blending some of the matte caramel shade into the crease, before building it up to add some depth and then applied the shimmery champagne onto the inner 2/3 of my lids with my fingers, dabbing a nice amount in the inner corners along the way – then the smokiness happened. I smudged the metallic plum along my lower lash-line and applied it to the outer corners of my eyelids, blending it somewhat into the crease, before finishing off the eyeshadow situation by concentrating the blackened plum shade in the outer corners, building up the colour before blending it into the surrounding haze of colour. On the eyeliner front, I went for a thin line and the subtlest flick using the L’Oreal Lineur Intense Brush Tip and for mascara, I went for a nice coat of Maybelline The Falsies on both the top and lower lashes. For the brows, I’ve still been using my rather large sample of the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe and have been enjoying it tremendously – I apply it with an angled brush focusing on the outer tail and arches of my brows before bringing it forward slightly and this way it gives a defined but actually believable sort of effect. It will be purchased full-size before long.

Lips

DSC_0329There really should have been some balm in the equation first but to be honest, I went straight in with the rosy coloured Annabelle Stay Sharp Waterproof Lip Liner in Java – which I’m loving by the way, especially for having a creamy formula and a retractable tip that actually does not break off – to both line and fill in my lips. Over the top, I went for the comfortable muted rosy-red offering from NARS, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita; and this is equally as amazing for a warm-hued true rosy shade for the lips, if you had any sort of doubt.

What makeup have you been reaching for as of late?
Maggie, x.

The Daily Face #23 | Same Old, Same Old

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Today seems to be the perfect day to do one of my ‘the daily face’ posts for numerous reasons. First, I’ve been seriously slacking on posts of this series for months, second, I actually have time to put one together because I don’t have class until four o’clock today and last, I’ve kind of just received my Sephora VIB order in the mail and I’ve been wanting to have a play with a few of these items. I’m ridiculously excited.

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Seeing as I wasn’t in the mood for any sort of primer, I went in with my beloved Diorskin Star Fluid Foundation in 20 first, that somehow magically seems to glide over dry patches in a flattering way, provide impressive medium-full coverage and leave the skin with the most gorgeous luminosity. Next, I applied the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Bisque underneath my eyes with patting motions in order to allow for the product to sink in to the skin and before patting out the inevitable little itty bitty creases. At this stage, I’m one to go for their eyeshadow base of choice and mine certainly is the NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base. Next I killed two birds with one stone with the NARS Contour Blush in Paloma that I also adore and use constantly; first going in with the darker shade to sculpt the cheekbones before brightening up the under-eye region with the cream shade. Then was the blush, undoubtedly the most exciting part. With my Sephora order, I went for my first Becca product ever, the Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. The cream texture was not overly emollient and easy to use, depositing a fool proof amount of product and quite possibly the most beautiful highlighting effect that I’ve ever seen. Drool. I’m also rather partial to the subtle rosy berry-tinged hue. The face was finished with the tiniest bit of MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Light through the center of the face.

Eyes

The eyes began with the brows and although I’ve been sticking to the usual suspects, I’ve been going for a more sculpted look and have been digging it. Obviously, the products were the MAC Coquette Eyeshadow and a nice little angled brush. There was no particular novelty associated with the rest of the eyes, either. I went in with MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow on my lids, MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow through the crease and MAC Smut Eyeshadow through the outer corner and along the lower lash-line. I did a nice little kitten flick with the L’Oreal Infallible SuperSlim 12Hr and finished off with a nice coating of Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara on both my upper and lower lashes.

Lips

As far as lip balms go, I went for the EOS Sweet Mint – because I find it to be their most hydrating offering, despite the slightly irritating minty sensation – prior to going in with my brand new NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita that I’ve been lusting after forever. I’m in love. The texture is just as nice as everyone says and I love the slightly warm rose hue.

What makeup have you been reaching for lately?
Maggie, x.

The Daily Face #22: An Everyday Autumnal Thing

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Long time, no daily face post, huh? Well, here I am bringing you yet another edition of detailing the products that are currently residing on my face, after a somewhat long hiatus. I assure you that said hiatus was accidental; for a while towards the end of the summer, I wasn’t necessarily feeling the result of my makeup or writing posts of this variety and as soon as I got out of that funk, school was in session and things got all sort of crazy and I just wasn’t mustering the energy to take decent face photos or product photos and all that jazz. Except today — but I’m doing this as another form of procrastination, so I’m not sure that it completely counts… Alas, I thought I would give a rundown of the products gracing my face and provide some information on the highlights.

Smashbox Photo-Op Eyeshadow Palette in Cherry Smokes ($44)

I’ve yammered on about this before and my mixed thoughts towards this beauty (read: amazing quality interesting shadows but lacking coherence as an intensive stand-alone palette) but recently I haven’t been able to get enough of this more wearable rusty autumnal-eye that features this palette and just this palette. For simply blending purposes, I began with the matte cream Bare shade all over the lid but then when for the peach-tinged champagne shade called Shell. I went in with the stunning coppery shade Oxidize on the outer portion of the lid and through the crease and this was definitely the most interesting part but then I finished with the deeper matte Rustic in the outer corner and along the lashline. I’ve been pleased with how this straddles the line in between having that gorgeous red-tone and being overkill on a daily basis.

Dior Star Fluid Foundation in 20 Light Beige ($50)

So, I spotted this enticing talked-about beauty for the first time at Shopper’s Drugmart yesterday and after seeing that it was only $50 (the same as it costs in the US, unlike the $58 that Sephora lists online) and asking the girl there if I could return the product if my skin went crazy, I had to get it and so I did. I’ve only tried this once (today) but I couldn’t resist sharing my very early thoughts here. This shade is ideal for me, with lovely beige undertones that is a perfect match for me now and should also suffice as I grow paler, which is rather nice but I rather enjoyed the product too. Despite being free of irritating alcohol, this foundation offers substantial medium-coverage and a weightless feel on the skin. It was a nice finish that was particularly flattering on uneven texture, starting off satin-y with that kind of inner luminosity to it and so far so good. Time will only tell if this turns out to be as fabulous as I’ve heard bloggers saying left and right…

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 FACE: Dior Star Fluid Foundation in 20 | NARS Contour Blush in Paloma | Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette | L’Oreal True Match Blush in Innocent Flush
EYES: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Bisque | NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base | Smashbox Cherry Smokes Photo-Op Palette | Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner in Brown(out) | L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara | MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette
LIPS: L’Oreal Glossy Balm in Ginger Candy

What have you been wearing lately?

Maggie, x.

The Daily Face #21: Actual “No Makeup” Makeup

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I’m neither someone who has an authentic affinity for minimal product makeup or the kind of makeup that hardly looks like its there but after countless attempts at both, I have to say that I’ve been far more successful with the latter and I figured I would share the countless steps I took to give the illusion of not wearing makeup unless one was to examine my face ultra-close with meticulous detail.

Because my skin is about as combination as it gets at the moment – my t-zone might actually appear to produce oil like any normal t-zone but I’m suffering from dry patches on the cheeks – and of course I’m suffering from my usual dehydration, the skin required the most thought in order to appear bare but much nicer. With this in mind, I began with a little bit richer of a moisturizer, the impressively lightweight Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer to make sure that whatever I put on top would not be sticking to the skin in an unflattering way. Keeping up with this theme, I also went for my primer of choice, the Annabelle CC Colour Control Luminous Finish Instant Perfecting Base, making sure to massage it into the skin. Foundation-wise, I went for a scant pump of the trusted Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory and really went to town, buffing it into my skin to perfection with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. 

Afterwards, I really went to town on creating a natural-looking luminous and rested complexion and this was not easy especially considering the quality of my sleep as of late. As per usual, the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light-Medium Bisque was patted underneath the eyes to camouflage darkness and afterwards the L’Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer in Fair was lightly applied and blended below the concealer to brighten that area and on the cheekbones, center of the forehead, chin and above the jawline to highlight in an undetectable way. Furthering the rested and luminous look, I put the subtle but instantly-dewy Benefit Girl Meets Pearl liquid highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones; unlike outwardly shimmery powder highlighters, this one looks invisible on the skin but fakes that luminosity to perfection. I then set my t-zone lightly with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light, mixing in some of the Incandescent Light shade when applying to the forehead to avoid the weird effect that the shade can give off. And because I wanted to be as subtly highlighted as possible, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Incandescent Light was dusted over the cheekbones for even more glow. I then went in with my L’Oreal Glam Bronze Mono in Universal Sun to add some (subtle) shape (and warmth) to the backs of my cheekbones before applying the peach-leaning tan MAC Tenderling Powder Blush with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

I’m pleased to inform you that the skin was the most work overall and that I didn’t spend ages and ages to look like I didn’t put any effort in at all. I began by priming my lids and correcting any discoloration with the L’Oreal Colour Riche Eye Primer before moving onto shadow. Before I begin with the explanation here, I thought I would note that I have deep set eyes so I feel that I can pull off more added depth to my eyes without looking made up in the slightest – I know for many, this would look obvious, blah, blah, blah. First off, MAC Soft Brown Eyeshadow was blended through my crease, to be followed with a generous portion of MAC Dazzlelight Eyeshadow, a cream hue with subtle golden shimmer running throughout, all over the lid and packed into the inner corner of the eyes. The last shade used was MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow, a warm reddish brown and it was then used to add depth to the crease and the outer corner. At this point I blended smudged some of the soft-black Lancome Le Crayon Khol along the outer half of the upper and lower lashlines but diffused the upper lashline further by adding more Swiss Chocolate in the outer corner and along the lashline. For mascara I chose the L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess, as it brings definition and natural-looking volume to the lashes and obviously there had to be something done with the brows so I ran the MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette through them, concentrating on the outer arch portion.

The lips weren’t anything new — I simply filled them in with the Annabelle Lipliner in Demure and applied the darker warm-browny-pink based nude, the sheer MAC Patisserie Lipstick. The final touch was a few spritzes of the NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray, eliminating any hint of powderiness to the face.

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What do you reach for when achieving the “no makeup” makeup look? Thoughts?
Maggie, x.

The Daily Face #20

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It has been a good couple of weeks since my last ‘Daily Face’ post, strangely enough, so it goes without saying that it was time for another one. On another note, don’t get used to this whole two posts in one day kind of deal — it’s only happening because life has gotten in the way lately and this morning’s post was really meant to go up yesterday, so it truly is the post I wanted to put up today and I had the time, inspiration and focus to do so. With it being all Summery and whatnot paired with general life busy-ness, I haven’t been feeling like playing and faffing around as much with makeup so it’s on the more basic end of the spectrum for me and easily takes less than 10 minutes.

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DSC_1153First things first, I promise that the above shot is not doing my eyeliner justice — it’s the angle that makes the line look uneven, seriously. End Ramble. Seeing as I’ve accidentally gotten a bit of colour from the sun (whilst using good spf of course), I’ve been able to wear the lovely dewy Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation in 73 without having to work at blending the rather dark shade into my pale neck and therefore I did so. I was much too lazy to do that whole pinpoint concealing regime, but I had quite a red blemish on my right cheek so I covered it up (somewhat) with the Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Light and my finger. As per usual, I relied on the tiniest amount of the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Bisque to cancel out some undereye darkness. At this point I decided to run some of the MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette through the brows for some heavy-duty taming and some natural-looking effortless definition — before I went on and continued with the face.

I decided to use my loved MAC Harmony Powder Blush that I recently depotted to contour the face a bit and then of course, I decided to use a whole load of MAC products — apparently I’m having a bit of a MAC moment. For blush, I used another shade in my palette, MAC Tenderling Powder Blush, a rosy tan hue to add some warmth and colour to my cheeks with little to no effort. Then I went and grabbed the lovely Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette , running Dim Light throughout the t-zone for some finishing and blurring action and finishing with a dose of Incandescent Light to highlight the cheekbones.

As I have been for the last week or so, I went for the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded as my base to add some much-needed longevity. Then on the eyeshadow front, I stuck to three colours from my MAC palette that I’m currently obsessed with; Soft Brown was blended through the crease, the antiqued-gold Woodwinked went all over the lid and my recently acquired shade, Smut was placed in the outer corner and used to line the lower lashes. I’m having a bit of a love affair with all of these shades but Woodwinked might be the most noteworthy as I’ve had it for ages and have just recently rekindled my obsession with it. In the last week or so, I’ve also become reacquainted with my liner love, the effortless L’Oreal Lineur Intense and I obviously went for a subtle flick — that I repeat is much more on point in real life. Because we all know that mascara is a necessity, I’m sure you’re unsurprised to hear that I went for the Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara.

On the lips — you guessed it — I went for another MAC shade that I’m currently obsessed with and that shade is the MAC Lipstick in Kinda Sexy. While it’s a matte lipstick it’s not overly drying or unflattering on the lips but most importantly it’s the most flattering my-lips-but-better rosy peach shade with the subtlest brown-tinge to it. Neither words or swatches do this one justice, I’ll tell you…

Thoughts on this makeup?
Maggie, x.

 

The Daily Highlights 07.16.2014

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Before I really get into things here, there are two things that I want to say and if we’re lucky, these two things won’t turn into a novella… First, I’m in this weird blogging funk where I have so many blog post ideas but as a result am unable to commit to one of them and therefore unable to bring anything into fruition and secondly, for some reason that I appear to be unable to articulate or even think about with any sort of coherence, I am even less competent at taking decent selfies with my new and improved camera than on the good ol’ iPhone. The point of the second thought? A picture or two of lesser quality might appear in this post seeing as I was unable to capture an aspect or two of the daily face otherwise. And I have the need to ramble, even if it is through typing.

L’Oreal Glam Bronze Mono in Universal Sun: Given the number of times I’ve made declarations of my love for this bronzer, it shouldn’t be surprising that I can’t put it down and that I don’t want to. With it’s pigmented and creamy soft-matte texture, it’s the most forgiving true warm red-toned bronzer; it works to add authentic-looking colour to the skin but also seems to be able to help with a bit of cheekbone sculpting as well. Love.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation:It seems like many absolutely adore this foundation and place it as superior to all others but I don’t exactly fit into that camp — I go through phases of liking it but find myself resenting it and putting it away for months at a time. If you ask me, it’s one of those products that only works well when applied in the most precise of ways and with it’s tendency to highlight dry patches on the face, it can easily look very obvious on the skin and isn’t the easiest to sheer out either. However, I applied it optimally today when I decided to pull it out and I instantly remembered why it was worth putting the effort to prime the skin for it and spend ages massaging it into the skin. This is one that I like to be very well moisturizer for and applying a primer on top doesn’t hurt either.

MAC Creme d’Nude Lipstick:I know I’ve gone on before about how this shade was my first lipstick love but now I tend to find it difficult to wear unless I’m sporting a serious smokey eye as it washes me out but when I paired it with a neutral lipliner today, it was perfection. The creamy formula does show the most severe of all dry patches but other than that, it can’t be faulted when applied in this way. When the concealer lip effect is eliminated, this warm peachy nude shade is gorgeous. Note to self: apply in this manner more often.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow:I may have stopped constantly declaring my love for this cool-toned pink blush, shot through with marbelized pale opal veining, however, I still love this blush to pieces for giving that gorgeous pink rosy glow to the cheeks. It actually helps with diffusing imperfections which is nice and I can’t exactly explain why I love this one so much – I just do. With a little more colour to my skin this one does require a little more building up though, but that’s to be expected with such a muted colour. I’m in need of at least one more shade of these. Ahh — run, wallet, run!

Have you tried any of these? What products have caught your attention today?
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

 

 

The Daily Face #19: Simple But Not Minimal

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I think that it’s about time that I come to grip with the fact that I’m somewhat of a failure at the whole minimal makeup thing; sure, I can leave the house without a lick of nothing gracing my face and I do simple and quick makeup quite often but there’s no real in between for me. I thought I would share something rather laid-back and simple and would go with a bit of a different format for today…

Annabelle Colour Control Luminous Finish Instant Perfecting Base: This remains the first primer that I’ve actually found that’s worth the effort of applying. It doesn’t have a bothersome texture and it doesn’t irritate the skin whilst prolonging the wear of makeup in its ideal state and adding a subtle flattering glow.

Skin79 Snail Nutrition SPF 45++ BB Cream: It’s not my favourite base product in the world but on days when I’d rather not layer on a million different products on my face, it ticks all of the boxes — a nice foundation with a bit of glow and medium coverage, a potent sunscreen and an extra boost of hydration in one. With its heavy spf content, it requires a good amount of blending into the skin and for this I went for the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Light: On my cheeks, heading towards my jawline, last month’s breakouts have come and gone but uneven texture and scarring galore remains and even with heftier coverage foundations, they need some extra help and this concealer has been a go-to for me because of its mixed ease and efficacy; as unsanitary as it might be, I can just dot the applicator onto the dark marks and blend it in with my fingers and the spots are less visible and my makeup doesn’t look any more noticeable at the same time. And unless there’s some flaking blemish situation going on, it doesn’t show any sort of dehydration.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Bisque:Just as I predicted shortly after trying this beauty back in April, it has remained an integral part of my routine and has made all other concealers pale in comparison. The cost is justified. The pink-tinged cream has a flattering emollient texture for underneath the eyes and I apply the tiniest amount and it combats darkness like no other. In an ideal world, another concealer would be used to cover it but I’m much too lazy for that, so I’m mindful of the amount — today I applied some of the BB Cream first, however, and it helped to keep the pink cast from coming out underneath the darkness.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette:This is the treat that I picked up for myself last week at Sephora after debating getting it for months and I’m impressed; however, I’ve really only been loving using Dim Light as an allover setting powder as I did for this ‘face’. It does what it says in a subtle way, adding glow to the face while making everything look slightly nicer and brighter.

Sonia Kashuk Warm Tan Undetectable Creme Bronzer:I’ve been really into going for more of a warm terracotta-toned bronzers lately instead of the cooler-toned ones that I typically go-to for sculpting purposes and in general I’m having a love affair with bronzer in general. I haven’t been going for this one much lately, but because I was feeling more of a true bronzer, I went for this terracotta-hued offering.

Benefit Rockateur Boxed Powder:I was having a bit of an indecisive blush moment so instead of choosing from the current rotation, I grabbed this one that I hadn’t used in months. The warm rusty rose hued blush is usually one that I would go for in the cooler months but after grabbing it for this makeup, I have to say that I was wrong — it seems pretty universally flattering.

NYX HD Eyeshadow Base:I wasn’t feeling like going for more of a traditional eyeshadow base so I went for this colourless drugstore offering that actually does work to prolong eyeshadow wear and all that jazz.

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette:I’ve raved about this earlier this week so I’ll try to keep this short. The brow gel is actually waterproof and creates the look of natural but thicker and more defined brows in seconds without the faff of a pencil or powder and a brush. And this shade is amazing me because it’s neither too dark or anything other than ashy.

L’Oreal Tender Caramel Infallible Eyeshadow:I’m late to the party with these shadows and I’m sure you know all about their magical powers. Because it was rather hot, I went for this longwearing shadow and patted it onto the eyelids for that metallic look. I can’t describe the shade at all though, so i won’t even try.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Hustle and Virgin:I’m not really a one wash of colour eyeshadow girl, so you had to expect for there to be a few more shades added to the equation – and these shades I took from the good ol’ Naked Palette. I used Virgin to brighten up the inner corner without going into shimmer-overload territory and I added definition to the crease, concentrating on the outer corner, with the lovely plummy brown Hustle.

Maybelline Master Precise Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner: I’m still enjoying pencil liner (as I was last month) and I’m not completely off that kick, but I’ve been craving something more precise at times so I dug out this gel liner and made the effort to actually use and wash my Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush with it. As a result, I’ve found that when I put a little bit more effort in, I can create the most precise subtle flick — my go-to thing when not too much makeup is involved.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara + (a wee bit of) Revlon Grow Luscious Bold Lacquer Mascara:I haven’t been going for anything on a daily basis other than my long-time favourite mascara but as nice as the formula is dried-out, I’m kind of reaching the end of the time when the mascara isn’t so dry that it deposits actual colour so I added a wee bit of the much newer mascara on top. It made a slight difference perhaps? I really need to stop using this tube.

Nivea Vanilla and Macadamia Lip Butter:I’m aware that this is more of a skincare product but I make sure to apply some of this to my lips as soon as I start applying anything on my face for some pre-colour moisture.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Milan Moment:I’m completely obsessed with this “stain” at the moment; it does stain the lips after it wears and feels weightless on the lips, much like a balm without any stickiness of smell in sight. Plus, the colour is a neutral tangerine-coral hue that’s sheer but buildable is kind of my favourite thing ever because it adds something without being bold. You’ll hear more on this soon, I’d expect…

Have you tried any of these products? What makeup have you been reaching for lately?
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monthly Roundup #7: June 2014

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It doesn’t blow my mind that the month of June has already gone by, as shocking as that might be, but it’s kind of mind blowing that 2014 is more than half over but New Years seems like just last week. June was a good month, both as my Birthday month (I turned 20 – eek) and in terms of a month for blogging changes. I’ve changed the name of my blog (not by choice), upgraded it and have switched a variety of things around, aided by my new camera and been pleased with the 25 posts I’ve put up during the sunny and summery month — no complaints there if you ask me. Here’s a roundup of what I thought were my standout posts and I’ll try to be somewhat concise about it. I’m not promising anything though…

1. The Fuss-Free and Wearable Smoky Eye – where I provide my more detailed approach to my standard smoky eye than I can reasonably offer during my ‘The Daily Face’ posts, without writing a little novella.

2. The Summer Edit – where I provide a full-on standard seasonal ‘edit’ kind of post for the current season without nearing the territory of overkill. It was difficult to narrow the products down but I was rather pleased with the end result.

3. The Essential: NARS Orgasm Blush– where I articulate my love for the polarizing half cult-favourite and half overrated product much later than I originally should have.

4. The Acquisition: Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet– where I offer an abridged but comprehensive and all-inclusive account of my newest foundation love. My feelings haven’t changed one bit in the last month, unless they’ve perhaps grown stronger. I’m in a committed relationship with this one, not interested in settling for any other options more than once or twice a week at most.

5. The Daily Face #16– where I have written my first post with the new camera and am still pleased with the improved results and also did an everyday kind of makeup wordy post that I was pleased with the result of altogether. I rather liked the above photo and that might have slightly influenced my decision to include it here…

What were your June highlights?
Maggie, x.

 

 

The Daily Face #18

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This was not the post that I initially planned to write today but I was pleased with the result of my makeup today, I managed to get a decent picture or two of the result and it kind of captured that breezy, low-key but flattering kind of makeup look that I’ve been after as of late but hadn’t yet found success with. Although it was beyond unnecessary, I decided to begin with my eyes, using the NYX HD Eyeshadow Base over my lids and then filling in my brows with MAC Coquette Eyeshadow while the primer set. Although I haven’t been using it consistently by any means, I pulled out the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette. As a base of sorts and to brighten things up, I went for Burnouton the inner portion of the lid. Nooner was then blended through the crease and Liarwas packed onto the lid, concentrating on the outer-half. Because I can’t resist some outer corner definition even on these kind of makeup days, I patted Factory,the plummy hue into the outer corner and blended it out softly. Because liner is essential for me, I went for the Annabelle Smoothliner in Blackboth to tightline (because it actually doesn’t transfer) and on the upper and lower lashlines in a slightly-blended fashion. As always, I went for a few coats of the Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara to both upper and lower lashes. I finished the eyes, then, patting the Bobbi Brown Light to Medium Bisque Corrector into the areas of darkness underneath my eyes and blended as per usual.

As I’m continuing to enjoy the primer, I massaged the Annabelle “CC” Colour Control Luminous Finish Instant Perfecting Baseinto the skin to help with makeup sitting seamlessly on the skin and to add a subtle luminosity. The foundation used shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone, as I’ve been using the velvety but luminous and skinlike Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup in 10— I’m still in absolute love. I’m not usually one to apply highlighter before other cheek products but given the cream consistency of the subtle but instantly-glowy Revlon Photoready Skinlights in Pink Light,I patted it onto the tops of my cheekbones. Rather than going in with my usual Real Techniques Contour Brush, I used a much larger kabuki brush with the NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny for less of a contoured effect and more of a bronzed one and then I used my old stand-by, MAC Stereo Rose MSFon my cheeks.

My lips are in that horrific state, chapped and peeling so I knew that I honestly shouldn’t be wearing anything other than balm but I didn’t listen, instead pulling out the balmy L’Oreal Colour Caresse in Sunset Angorathat I hadn’t used in forever seeing as the formula is both forgiving and hydrating. The pinky coral hue also is a bonus — I have to use this more in the future. I’m kind of fixated on the brightening and flattering hue and certainly I need more of these in my life…

So, here’s my attempt at more of a low-key everyday-appropriate makeup look (and not just to my standards). What’s your go-to makeup for days like these? I’m curious?
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

The Daily Face #17: ‘My Face But More Attractive’

Weekly Medley #20I’ve been meaning to do one of those popular but interesting to read nevertheless “no makeup” makeup kind of posts for ages around these parts but as I tend to be an all or nothing kind of girl — either a full face or authentic no makeup –, I’m hesitant at calling my attempts successful in the endeavour of wearing makeup to look like you’re not wearing makeup but rather look better – with clearer skin and brighter eyes than before — but here is my take! It also took about seven minutes which is ideal for a daily kind of basis when you’re like me and tend to benefit from more definition than just mascara on your lashes and shadow through your brows. But now looking at the finished result, I reckon that this is very similar to the picture in the sidebar from my Daily Face #12 – just in case the uncanniness was bothering you in the depths of your soul.

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I don’t think its necessary for me to point out the humidity in the air today — my out of control hair does all the talking for me — but it’s a rainy day so I skipped out on the sunscreen as its such a bother and I’m extremely lazy. I’m pleased to report that I’m through with the purging that resulted from adding tretinoin back into the skincare routine but I’m still suffering from the scarring and dullness that has been left behind; to combat this, I’ve been going in with the smoothing and subtly pearlescent Annabelle CC Colour Control Luminous Finish Instant Perfecting Base before going in with the skinlike Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting Makeup in 10 Bare Buffthat manages to somehow glide over dry skin and uneven texture while offering medium-to-full coverage and a damp sponge to maximize the effect. Although it didn’t make much of a difference because the imperfections that I was looking to cover up were no longer inflamed but rather textured scars, I went in with a small synthetic brush and the Make Up For Ever 5 Camoflage Cream Palette in 1and then I went for the radiant but invisible Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 125 Very Fairto brighten up the skin underneath the eyes.

Before starting on the eyes, I made sure to slap the EOS Summer Fruit Balm on to ensure that there would be no further chapping of the lips. Because nothing kills the ‘no makeup’ effect like shimmer overkill, I went in with the translucent NYX HD Eyeshadow Baseand while I was waiting for it to set, I filled in my brows with the matte light ashy shade from the NYX Parisian Chic Love in Paris Palette.For the eyeshadow, I was feeling the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, so I patted Strange into the inner corner, applied the peachy sheeny shade named Burnout all over the lid, blended Nooner through the crease and then concentrated the plummy Factory in the outer corner. As I’ve said before, I’m someone who really benefits from liner even on basic makeup days so I applied the Annabelle Smoothliner in Blackto the outer half of the lashline and smudged it, diffusing the line. I tried to keep the lashes looking natural with the separating and thickening L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess on the upper lashes only.

I targeted the dull skin problem further, by applying the sheer and undetectable-looking Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in 200 Pink Lightonto the tops of my cheeksbones with the pads of my fingers and I must say that it made such a difference in terms of making me look wide awake, revitalized and all that. Because of the minimal nature of the whole ordeal, I shockingly skipped bronzer and instead opted for a cream product, the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose, which I applied in dots quite high on the cheeks and blended into nothing with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. I skipped the powder altogether because this foundation really doesn’t require it and I find it makes face makeup that much more noticeable on the skin.

I’ve been really loving my new Annabelle Lip Liner in 405 Demure and I’ve been using the creamy rosy pencil to line my lips and fill them in as well. On top, I applied the slightly deeper but flattering Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose yet again, as it actually appears to work well on the cheeks and lips. I acknowledge that this might not truly be a “no makeup” makeup kind of deal but it’s my slight alteration on it and I hope you enjoy nevertheless.

What do you reach for on an everyday “no makeup” look?
Maggie, x.