Makeup Trends Spring / Summer 2012

This year’s Spring / Summer Season is different from last year’s season as we put our focus more on checks and lips this year. Stay away from matte skin this summer. Fresh, dewy skin is in. No Spring / Summer look is complete without a splash of neon color.

Start by prepping your skin. Exfoliate once or twice a week. Use a deep clay mask to remove all impurities from the pores. Tone and most importantly don’t forget to moisturize and use SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

This season is all about that sun-kissed glow, that is not overdone.

Glowing Skin
Dewy, fresh, clean skin is in. Glittery Sparkles and subtle pearl finishes are the way to go this season.

Start with a luminizing face primer over moisturized skin.
Even out your skin tone with a thin layer of foundation or use a tinted moisturizer.
Sweep the blush of your choice to the apples of your cheeks, up to the temple area.
Finish off with a light dusting of translucent powder.

Accentuate the eye area
Play off the smokey eye look. Instead of going darker, go lighter instead. Try some violets, blues, pinks, or soft browns.

Cheeks
Don’t be afraid to try new colors this season. Burnt oranges, corals, terracotta, peach or copper. Lightly dust it on and try to remain as natural as possible. Remember we want our skin to feel fresh, and glow!

Lips
Try some pretty pastels, bright or dark reds. Keep it matte, or add a glossy finish, but remember to keep the eyes soft.

You can play around with a splash of neon colors. Choose one, either your eyes or your lips. You can mix two colors together; just make sure they complement one another.

Whether your fair, or dark skin toned, there is always a color that will complement your skin tone best.

Fair: pastels, dark lips.

Dark: metallic work wonders for you. Try a softer lip color or gloss for added shine. 

The Hottest Spring Trend

 The hottest Spring look
         right now.. 

            NEONS

 

 

The hot pink look is totally awesome. Applying the milk jumbo eye pencil  by NYX will only make ure eyes pop and look even brighter. You can also try the yellows, bright blues, greens and purples this season. Apply the eyeshadow  single pan by NYX in the same color for added color staying power. It will hold the shadow in place all day long, without smudging or fading. Neons are so in at the moment, they are a great way to start the season right. Nice, cheery and bright. Who wouldn’t want to smile?

With a variety of colors to choose from, the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils are vibrant and fun at the same time. Truly an amazing product, that I recommend you check out. Retailing online at http://www.nyxcosmetics.ca  for $5.99 each. You can also check them out at your local drug store, Target, and other locations.

Use the Jumbo Eye Pencil to line your waterline, as a primer or alone as an eye shadow. This all in one product, is creamy and glides on smoothly, which lasts all day. Highly pigmented, color sticks and is vibrant, which makes the eyes pop. Use the "Milk" Jumbo Eye Pencil around your eyes to really make them stand out and brighten your eye area. I'm totally in love with it. I use it in my inner tear duct, and a highlighter under my brows. It really makes the eyes stand out.

When used with shadows these colors really last all day. They don't fade or smudge. The creamy texture blends easily, and is perfect in creating the "smokey eye" look. Some colors for Spring to consider are Strawberry Milk, Lavender, Electric Blue, and Iced Mocha. Use them as a base or a shadow. Depending on my mood, or if I am going out with the girls for a night out I like to try new colors and techniques to dress up my eyes.

Use the "Eyeshadow Single Pan" shadows over your Jumbo Eye Pencil to really make your shadow stick. Layering is the key to a flawless application. Apply the same shadow color as your base or play around with different colors to achieve a funky look. There colors range at $6.99 each. From browns, gold's, to pinks and blues, in sheer, frosty, matte, glitter or shimmer there are many options to choose from. Create a simple look for daywear or go all out and use the brightest colors. There are many choices to suit everyone's needs. 

 

What is Magnesium Sulfate?

Magnesium Sulfate in simpler terms as most of us know is Epsom Salts. 


What are they used for? Most common use is to have a bath with Epsom salts. It reduced stress, and soothes muscles after a long day at work. Pour 1-2 cups of salt into a warm bath and soak for about 20-30 minutes. You may wish you add some essential oils for a more therapeutic bath. I'd recommend lavender, or vanilla. Lavender helps to relax you, while vanilla just smells wonderful and it very comforting. 

Epsom salts remove toxins and heavy metals from skin cells which help muscles to relax and minimize body pains. It helps to ease muscle cramps and inflammation as well. Epsom salt can assist in blood circulation, aid in wound healing, remove foot odor, soften your skin and increase your strength and stamina. It is a mineral lacking in most of our bodies, and a good way to get it back into our system is a good, old fashioned bath. 

Womanity

I received a postcard sent by mail on a sample perfume by Thierry Mugler called “womanity”.

The postcard itself was super cute & fun. Love the way the perfume bottle is designed but most importantly the smell is delicious. Perfect for the sophisticated business woman, I’d say. It will make you seem confident and ready to tackle any project that may come your way.

A woody, sweet and savoury

        Eau de Parfum

It is a fragrance whose sides reflect the countless faces of womanhood.

Sweet scent , fruity-juicy notes, saltiness & woody notes all combined into one bottle.

Comforting, fierce, and classy.

This fragrance is one not to miss, be sure to add it to your spring/summer collection.

Can be found in most department stores in your neighbourhood. 

Hair damage...how to limit the damage.

I cannot stress how much damage you do to your hair by blow drying it, curling, straightening, coloring your hair really does to your strands. We all want to keep our hair as healthy as possible and nice and shiny, but the only way we can do that is by protecting it from heat damage. Yes, even the sun causes heat damage. Dry air, not eating well all contribute to damaged hair. So one way to help prevent and protect is to use a "heat protectant spray".

The one that I use all the time is the "thermal shine" by KQC.

It says:
for silky smooth shine and heat protection-use with a flat iron or hair dryer.
Lightweight, non-greasy, mirco-mist spray, eliminates frizz, softens & polishes hair without buildup.
Designed for all hair types.

I will say this is the BEST heat protection spray that I have ever used. And yes I have tried many brands, most feel like they add water to your hair, after spraying it on. This one feels like hairspray, does not wet my hair, or leave it oily. And believe me when I say I have oily hair.

I use it before blow drying my hair, and before I use any styling tool to my hair.

This product is 142 g, so 5 oz. It can be found online at:


(click link) ----> "Flat Iron Experts"  <----(click link)

It is not an expensive product under $20 dollars. 

You can read some more reviews from other customers on their experience with this product. 

Hair Chalking

The new trend for spring this year. Sure it's been around many years now, but it is coming back in style. A perfect way to add color without a commitment. Add a few highlight pieces, do your whole head it's all up to you.

So, lets get started on what you will need.

-soft pastel chalk (not oil-based)

-spray bottle with water in it

-a comb

-hair straightener, or curling iron

Now that you have all the supplies...

Wet ONLY the strands of hair that you will be coloring.

Then twist your hair all the way down.

Apply the chalk, motion downwards.

Then lock in with some heat. (either straighten that piece of hair, or curl it).

Voila, you are done!

Just continue till you get as much or as little color as you like. Experiment with different colors, yellows, pinks, blues, green, teal, the list goes on and on.

Whatever you do, just have fun!

Candy...

And No I am not talking candy to eat. I am talking about "PRADA".

The new line of perfume called "Candy" by PRADA.

Notes of: musk, caramel, benzoin, with warm, sweet notes of vanilla-scented honey.

Think of cotton candy, a hot summer day, drizzled in warm honey. Sounds delicious right. Well this scent is so intoxicating it blows my mind.

I received a sample of this perfume from my local mall, and ever since then I have been addicted to this fragrance. I love anything sweet, candy smelling, so this is perfect for anyone who loves SWEET-scents.

A must have for summer this year! 

Take Years Off Your face...

As you might have guessed....Today I will be talking to you about the importance of protecting your face from sun exposure, and how important it is to keep your skin hydrated. With Spring coming up and Summer just around the corner, the UV index will be high and you need some protection, especially on your face. We all want that youthful glow, and baby soft skin and just by following a simple routine every morning you can help better protect yourself from the sun.

I'm talking about a simple moisturizer with SPF 15.

Right now, I am using the "Olay" Complete, all day moisturizer UV skin shield SPF 15 for combination / oily skin. It comes in a 120ml bottle.

Formulated with antioxidant vitamins E & C. Dermatology tested. 100% oil-free. 100%  PABA free. won't clog pores.
The active ingredients in this formula are:
octisalate 5%, avobenzone 3%, homosalate 3%, octocrylene 2.6%


I have been using this product for a while now, and my HONEST review on this product is:
It says it's for oily skin, and when I 1st apply it, it does take a while to soak into my skin. So minus points on that one.  :(   But once you apply your make-up as usual you don't notice any residue, or heaviness or anything like that. There is no shine afterwards throughout the day or anything like that. It does make your foundation go on alot smoother, and most importantly it does hydrate the skin with the added benefit of the SPF in it.


Would I re-purchase this product again?
Yes and no, I would like to try another brand 1st and see the comparison.

I love....

I LOVE...TROPICAL PARADISE...moisturizing body lotion.


One of my favorites lotions at the moment is: this tropical paradise lotion by I Love Cosmetics. I purchased mine at the drug store, and I got a good deal because I got it on sale for only $3.99. It is a 250ml bottle, comes with a pump for easy application. I use this lotion all the time. It is super moisturizing and does not leave the skin oily.

It smells of coconuts, pineapple, and fresh grapefruit that will leave you feeling like you're on a tropical island.

This lotion does come in many other scents as well....
If interested please visit their website at:    www.ilovecosmetics.eu

This company is located in the UK, but you can find these products at your local pharmacy.

My Favorite Foundation Brand

We all know girls love their make-up, and always want to look their best. So, what do we use to give our complexion the nice finish we are looking for. That's right! A good foundation. There are many brands out there nowadays. From Maybelline, Cover Girl, you name it. They come in many colors from pale to dark skin tones, from oily to dry skin. From trail and error that is how we decide which foundation best suits our individual needs and preferences.

Here is my story:
Ever since I 1st started wearing make-up, and going through my mom's make-up collection, Cover Girl is what I 1st tried. Back then sure it seemed wonderful and great, but over the years skin changes. Due to climate, hormones, age, you name it we've all been there. Honestly, I have not used many brands, other than Cover Girl, I have tried Maybelline, and Almay's, until I came across the brand I still keep using to this day. Can you guess what it is? Here's my little secret! It's called "Rimmel London". Ever since I started using this foundation my skin seems flawless. It acts very well with my skin texture and matches my skin tone well.

Now a little on the type of skin I have. I would classify my skin on the oily side. I am fairly pale too. With other foundations even after washing my face in the morning and using the foundation my face would get really oily within a few hours of wearing the foundation. And NO that is not attractive. But with wearing Rimmel my skin feels really nice. It seems to control the oil and lasts pretty much all day for me. I don't have to re-apply my foundation throughout the day, or even bloth my face with tissue.

Let me tell you a little about this foundation and the claims the company makes.

I use the Rimmel London lasting finish. (25 hour foundation)
In winter since I'm paler I use the 100 ivory.
In the summer when I am tanned I use the 103 true ivory.
It comes in a 1 fl oz or 30 ml screwed on cap container.

It says it's naturally flawless, hydrating and lightweight feel.
Sweat, heat and humidity proof for up to 25 hours. Transfer resistant. Enriched with a revitalizing Mineral Complex and moisterizing Aqua Primer. Skin feels energized and hydrated all day long.

So, my recommendation to all you girls out there who are trying to find a good foundation for your skin. Is to go out and try a few brands, and see which one you like best. For me, this is the brand I will keep on using. :)