Your Makeup Bag

Makeup essentials

And Summer Tips

 There are tons of beauty products on the market so walking into MAC, Sephora of even your local drug store may be a bit overwhelming for those of you who do not know which products are good and which essential products you may need in your beauty bag. In this posting I am going to list some essentials as well as recommend some great tips for the summer. Enjoy! 

EYES:

1.  Eye primer:

For those of you have not yet used an eye primer before applying your eye shadow you are missing out!

 Summer Tip: Eye primer is a great way to smooth out your upper lid and keep your eye shadow from creasing. It also makes your shadow last all day without getting messy and coming off which is especially useful in hot humid conditions.

Eye primer also helps make the true color of your eye shadow visible and vibrant. I would recommend Urban Decay`s Primer potion, I have been using this for years and I cannot do my makeup without it!

2. Eye shadows and Palates:

Eyes shadow selection really depends on your personal preference, you are drawn to the colors you like and the colors that will complete whatever look you are trying to achieve. One great palate is the Costal Scents 88 shimmer palate or the 88 matte palate. In these palates you get 88 colors in a wide range which can help complete any look. This is a great palate to start off with because you can experiment with blending and matching colors together for different looks. You can order this palate from: http://www.coastalscents.com/

 Another two palates to consider are the Urban Decay Naked 1 and Naked 2 palates. When it comes to these you only need one of the two depending on the shades you prefer. These palates have nice neutral warm shades along with great brow highlighting colors and great crease shades to help you create wonderful light summer looks.

If you are going for a more daring look the Faces single sparkle dust eye shadows or the sparkle dust towers come in a beautiful array of shimmery ultra pigmented colors that will give you a bold look which is perfect for the evening. 

Quick tip: Apply your eye shadow first before applying your foundation, sometimes eye shadow residue falls onto your face which you will then have to wipe off along with any foundation you have already applied.

Always be sure to check out your local drugstore where you can find great eye shadows on sale from popular brands such as Maybelline, Covergirl and Revlon. Sephora also has an abundance of shades and brands that you can swatch and sample against your skin tone. MAC gives you the option of creating your own custom palate as well as single shadows, highly pigmented lose shadow and much more. 

Quick tip: using a shimmery shadow right around your inner tear ducts and swept under your inner bottom lash line can brighten up your eyes and really make them stand out.

3. Brow pencil or filler:

For those of you who have sparse or thinner eyebrows, or even those of you who have slight spaces and gaps in your eyebrows a brow pencil or filler is a great way to make your eyebrows look full and even. Try to get a color that closely matches your brow color.

Brushes and applicators: 

For eye shadow application you can begin with the basic brushes and expand your collection from there.

*Eye shadow brushes are a great way to start; you can get them in varying sizes but begin with a wider set brush for all over lid application. You can also use this brush to apply a highlight color under your brow.

*An angled eye shadow brush is also great to have for creating that nice V shape in the outer corner and crease of your eyes.

*A fluffy blending brush is great to have for blending in your crease color and blending out the areas between your lid, crease and highlight color. 

*It is always good to have the classic sponge eye shadow applicator that will come with most eye shadows and palates; I find these applicators to be the best for applying loose or shimmery shadows.

4. Eye liner:

Whether you use a gel, liquid or pencil eye liner it really comes down to personal preference but for beginners liquid or gel eyeliner may be easier for application and control. I personally use the Revlon Color Stay eyeliner pencil which works great for me and never needs to be sharpened.

Summer tip: For summer waterproof eyeliner is your best bet, it will stay on longer prevent smudging and won`t run down your face in the heat.

I would also recommend you purchase the basic colors such as black which looks good with any eye color and brown. For the summer right now colourful eye liner as a fun accent on the lower lash line is very popular, so if you like this look then blues, greens, gold and silvers can be added to your bag. 

Quick tip: white eyeliner on your lower waterline can make you eyes appear brighter and larger

5. Mascara

Great mascara can really kick up your entire look. If you are like me and you do not like to wear cumbersome false lashes work with what you have!

Quick tip: One of my tricks is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline to my lashes before I go to bed at night! It may sound weird but it really helps moisturize my lashes and helps them grow longer and thicker! You can also purchase mascaras that help your lashes grow but the Vaseline trick is a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

Before you apply your mascara it is a good idea to use an eyelash curler to achieve nice fanned out curled eye lashes, especially if your lashes tend to be on the straighter side. These are very inexpensive and they can be found in almost every makeup section.

If you want that false lash look there are tons of mascaras on the market that claim to give you exactly that. One of my favourites is the Loreal Voluminous falsies. This mascara has lengthening fibres that attach to your lashes and make them look longer and fuller. The only downside is that the fibres may travel into your eyes later on in the day and cause some irritation, so contact wearers beware.

Maybelline also has a line of falsies mascaras, which does not give quite a dramatic finish but they are very easy to remove at the end of the day and will give your lashes some definition.

 Summer tip: Another great tip for summer is to look for waterproof mascara, waterproof mascara will last longer and stay put in the heat and humidity but they can be a bit more difficult to remove at the end of the day.

Face

1. Sunscreen and moisturizer:

Before I apply anything to my face I apply a sunscreen or a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. This step if very important if you are going to be outdoors in the summer time, UV rays are strong and exposure to sun can cause sunburn, and premature wrinkling and aging of the skin so  it is very important to protect your skin. Opt for a cream that is non-greasy and oil free. The Nutrogena SPF 70 sunblock is great.

2. Face Primer

Summer tip: a great way to help your foundation and concealer stay put in the hot summer months is to first apply a face primer. Face primer will smooth out your skin making application easier and also help keep your foundation on your face.

One of my favourite primers is the MAC prep and prime face primer, but Smashbox also makes an excellent face primer. For those of you looking for something more affordable try the NYC perfecting face primer.

3. Concealer:

There are many concealers on the market but if you are purchasing your very first concealer I would suggest you go into a store such as MAC or Sephora or a brand of your choice where the sales associates will try different colors and match one to your skin tone. After you have some idea of what your color match is you can branch out and try other brands. Concealer is a great way to cover any blemishes, redness, marks or scars on your face and give you an even complexion. I use the MAC Studio Fix Pro Long Wear Concealer which gives excellent coverage but there are a lot of brands to choose from.

Quick tip: when you are considering purchasing concealer or foundation from places such as MAC you can always ask for a sample before you buy, that way you can go home and try out the product for a while to make sure you like the match.

Brush: for concealer you can use a concealer brush but I find that for precise application your fingertip can work just as well if not better.  Put some concealer on the tip of your finger and pat it into the area you need to conceal. Using a makeup sponge will just suck up too much product and waste it.

Summer tip: in summer most people do not like to wear a lot of makeup, if you get a full coverage concealer that matches your skin tone you can use the concealer and a setting powder alone without having to use foundation.

4. Foundation:

Summer tip: There are many brands of foundation that now have SPF protection in the formula, try to opt for one of these for some extra sun protection.

Like concealer you will first have to go into a store and actually try out a few foundations to find a match for your skin tone. Foundations should be as close a match as you can possibly get, if the color is too light your skin will look gray and chalky.

 When choosing a foundation shop around and see which formula you like best.  You may find that you prefer light weight foundations or you may want a heavier foundation. Foundations also differ by coverage; you can go for light, medium or full coverage foundation depending on your needs. You can also chose foundations based on what finished look you are going for, some foundations will give you a dewy finish while others will give you a matte look. I use the MAC Studio Fix liquid foundation.

Brushes:

Foundation  brush

*A good foundation brush is an essential tool for your beauty bag. Get a brush that is soft but has stiff enough bristles and apply the foundation using the stippling method. For example dab the foundation onto the tip of the brush and using just the tip press the foundation into your skin instead of swiping or painting it on. If you stipple the product into your skin you get a nice air brushed and even look, if you apply it in swipes you get a streaky messy look. 

Stippling brush

*Stippling brushes are another great way to apply foundation, use the same stippling method mentioned above and purchase a brush with soft sturdy bristles. 

Quick Tip: For people with oily skin I would suggest a foundation with a matte finish, the dewy finish can make your skin look even more sweaty and oily. These foundations tend to dry quicker.

For those of you with dry skin you can go for the dewy look to add a nice glow for the summer. These foundations tend to have wetter formulas.

Summer tip: you can try a powder foundation for the summer if you do not want to wear a heavier liquid foundation. Powder foundations can feel lighter on your face while still giving you excellent coverage.

5. Setting powders

After you apply your foundation you will need to set it with a powder. You can get a powder that is pigmented and matches with your skin tone or you can opt for a translucent setting powder. Again there are many different brands out there that you can sample. I use the Cover Girl powder in creamy beige to set my makeup.

blush brush

Brush: for your setting powder use a big fluffy powder brush or a Kabuki brush.

kabuki brush

6. Blush:

Blush is great for the summer time because it can add a subtle touch of color to your cheeks and give you a radiant look. Blush also depends on what colors you like for your skin tone but some popular colors right now are pinks and peach tones. Blush should be applied to the apples of your cheeks.

Brush: to apply blush use a soft blush brush.

Quick tip: When applying blush a little goes a long way.

7. Highlight:

Sumer tip: brushing a highlight over your cheek bones and in your t-zone where the light would normally kiss your face is a great way to get a summer glow that will make you look radiant.

There are many highlight products out there including compacts and cream highlights so look for one that compliments your skin tone.  What you choose will depend on how much shimmer you want to add to your face. Some highlights have a lot of shimmer and some are more tamed down and give you a brighter look without the shimmer so it depends on what you like.

I use the Lorac Tantilizer Baked Bronzer which I use as a highlight and sometimes as an eye shadow.

Brush: The consistency of your highlight will depend on what brush works best. If you choose a highlight in a compact you can use a smaller sized brush similar to a blush brush, if you prefer a cream highlight you can use the pads of your finger or a concealer brush for application. 

8. Bronzer:

Bronzer is a great way to give shape and contour to your face. Again get a bronzer that works with your skin tone.

Bronzer brush

Brush: for bronzer you can purchase a bronzer brush, I prefer the angled ones. 

9. Makeup setting spray:

Summer tip: Applying an even mist of makeup setting spray after you have finished applying all of your makeup will help keep your makeup in place the entire day. It sets your entire face and will keep your makeup looking fresh through the heat and humidity.

Makeup sprays vary but some popular brands are Model in a Bottle, Urban Decay De-slick Setting Spray and the MAC setting spray.

LIPS

Quick tip: before applying color to your lips make sure they are exfoliated which means they are smooth and not cracked or peeling. There is nothing worse than having cracked lips under a nice bright lipstick! Start off by gently exfoliating your lips the night before while you exfoliate your face and then apply a moisturizing lip balm before bed.

Summer tip: use a lip balm that contains SPF protection to help keep your lips protected and prevent cracks and peels.

1.  Lip balm:

Start off by applying a thin coat of lip balm to your lips and then blotting off any excess. I use the EOS organic lip balm which is my favourite. Also good are the Baby Lips by Maybelline and the Sugar clear lip balm by Sephora. 

2. Lipstick:

Summer tip: for summer don`t be afraid to do a bold bright color on your lips.

Pinks, reds, corals and even purple-pinks are very popular for the summer time; they brighten up your lips and give you a fun splash of color. My favourite brand is the Revlon crème and lustrous lipstick because they are affordable creamy and come in wide variety of nice colors. 

3. Gloss:

Gloss is always great; it keeps your lips from getting dry while adding a splash of color. You can even pair up a lipstick with a gloss over top.

Caring for your brushes:

My last tip is to make sure you wash your brushes regularly because bacteria can build up on the bristles and cause you to break out if you do not wash them. There are brush cleaners on the market but they are unnecessary, all you need is a container of water and shampoo. I would suggest washing your brushes at least once every 2 weeks but if you want to get away with doing it less make your own cleaning solution. Add rubbing alcohol to a small spray bottle of water and spritz your brushes and wipe them off after every use, this will help sanitize the brushes and you won`t have to wash them as often.

Coconut Oil, Natures Remedy

The use of coconut oil for cooking is now common knowledge but there are many health benefits in using coconut oil  for  hair, skin, stress relief, weight loss, lowering cholesterol and relief from many ailments including heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes to name a few.  

Good Fats

The composition of coconut oil is more than 90% fats including a few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.  But don’t be alarmed by the high fat content of this oil, these fats are good for the body and beneficial in many way.

Hair Care

My main use of coconut oil is on my hair. Coconut oil is great for adding nutrition to the hair as well as shin and softness. It helps alleviate dry scalp and dandruff and works as a great massage oil on the scalp to nourish the hair follicles and promote healthy growth. It also helps nourish dry hair acting as a natural conditioner free of harmful chemicals which prevents damage and breakage. I use coconut oil before washing my hair. I apply organic virgin coconut oil to damp hair because I find that the oil absorbs into the hair easier if my hair is damp. I start at the scalp massaging the oil throughout and then work my way down all the way to the tips of the hair. I apply extra oil to my ends because your ends are the oldest part of your hair and can be the most fragile and damaged. I leave the oil in my hair anywhere from 2 hours to overnight and wash it out thoroughly with shampoo before conditioning as usual. This treatment leaves my hair soft and shiny. I also use a very small amount of coconut oil after styling my hair to add shine and help protect my hair from drying out.

Most of the human hair that is used in the making of wigs, weaves, toupees, extensions and other hair pieces are made from hair collected from India. Indian hair is thought to be excellent for making these products because it tends to be healthy and shiny. One of the staples for hair and skin care in India is coconut oil, women and men use coconut oil after they bathe to maintain their lustrous locks.

 Skin Care

Another way I use coconut oil is on my skin during the winter months. Coconut oil may be a tad bit too oily to use in the summer and heavy moisturizers tend to make me overheat. Personally I often opt for a lighter less oil based moisturizer during the warmer months but you can use it all year round. Coconut oil helps alleviate dry skin leaving it soft and smooth and is said to be safe for all skin types unlike some other oils used for skin care. It can also prevent dryness, flaking and reportedly helps fight off wrinkles. Coconut oil can also help those suffering from psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and skin infections.

 Cooking, Weight Loss and Diet

You can also cook with coconut oil, some people prefer to use refined coconut oil for cooking because it does not give off the strong odour of coconut that the organic virgin oil does and the flavour of the coconuts does not seep into the food. The Organic virgin brands have a very strong coconut odour which is liked by some and disliked by others. I use coconut oil to fry my eggs and vegetables and ingesting coconut oil can help people who suffer from high cholesterol and diabetes. It can also aid in weight loss by boosting the metabolism, healthy functioning of the thyroid and burning energy. It may also help improve digestive system functioning and the absorption of nutrients as it is high in antioxidants. You can use coconut oil to replace butter as a spread on toast and there is a long list of products that are made from coconuts that you can use to cook with such as coconut milk, cream and flour.

 Make sure the coconut oil you buy is pure coconut oil, coconut oil should be the only ingredient listed and there should be no chemicals or additives. Although refined coconut oil still retains some health benefits after the refining and bleaching process the best coconut oil to purchase is organic virgin or extra virgin coconut oil which is pricier than the refined versions.

 For more information about the health benefits of coconut oil there are numerous sites on the internet you can find information. Here is one site that you can check out for a long list of medicinal uses of coconut oil:

ttp://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

 Note: some people can be allergic to coconut oil, before using it would be a good idea to make sure you have no allergies to the oil.

Vacation to: Turks and Caicos, Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

Another wonderful trip....

The Carnival Destiny

If the favourite part of your vacation is lounging on the beach then you should definitely consider a cruise that stops in Turks and Caicos and Half Moon Cay. Cruises are a great way to visit numerous destinations on one trip while also having the luxury of fine dining, entertainment and so much more!

 My trip aboard the Carnival Destiny last November stopped in Half Moon Cay, Turks and Caicos and Nassau and we spent the entire 5 days of the cruise relaxing and indulging.

Miami

 We  spent the first three days prior to the cruise exploring all Miami has to offer, shopping, touring and enjoying the night life.

Shopping in Miami

One of my favourite malls in Miami is Dolphin Mall. They have a wonderful outdoor food court with live music and many good restaurants to choose from. The mall also has a lot of great stores. Some of the other malls I stopped at and are worth visiting are:

-Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise Florida

-Bayside Marketplace

-Miami International Mall

-West Land Mall

Attractions:

If you want to do some sightseeing in Miami and plan to visit a number attractions then it is a good idea to purchase the Miami Go Card. It allows you to pay one price and gives you access to all attractions. Purchasing this card saves you a lot of money.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Picture I took at Vizcaya Museum

Vizcaya gardens

One of the most beautiful attractions that we visited when we were in Miami was the Vizcaya Museum. The museum was built in 1916 and has rooms upon rooms filled with beautiful art, furniture and luxuries. Walking around this beautiful museum and its ten acre garden transports you into another era. Vizcaya is a wonderful place to take stunning photos.

Duck Tours

Biscayne Bay Miami

 One of the tours we took was the Duck Tours which was a tour aboard an enormous bus resembling a duck. The tour took us through the streets of Miami’s beautiful art deco buildings, past the mansions of the rich and famous, through South Beach and then we drove right into the Biscayne Bay as our tour bus became a boat.  This tour was a lot of fun and I would definitely recommend it.

South Beach

I have been to South beach many times and aside from the beach itself it’s a good place to have lunch and dinner, go bar hopping and do some shopping.

Jungle Island

Liger: Half tiger half lion breed

I visited Jungle island as one of my last sightseeing destinations and it left much to be desired. The attraction was within a very small space and it didn't see like the animals had adequately spaced enclosures in my opinion. The shows were also horrible and poorly hosted. If it wasn’t for the Miami Go Card we purchased the price to get into this attraction was overpriced.

Cruise on the Carnival Destiny

The Carnival Destiny: on deck

After our three days in Miami we boarded the Carnival Destiny and began our fun filled cruise. I won’t go into all the details about the ship but I will give you a quick break down of what I thought.

The Carnival Destiny was rather old and in need of some repairs, although the colors were not that bad the staterooms were shabby and in need of renovation. The amenities were less than what I expected but they did have the basics such as: pools, hot tubs, water slide, night clubs, casino, bars and lounges, theatre, mini golf, basketball court, ping pong, formal dining and shows and productions. The food was average, to me the cusine lacked flavour but there were a lot of food options so it wasn’t difficult to find something likable. The entertainment was mediocre, the comedy shows were good but the musical productions were a bit repetitive with the other Carnival ships I have been on.

Turks and Caicos

The best thing about this cruise was the ports we stopped at. Turks and Caicos was beautiful and the beach was amazing. There wasn’t much to do on the island except lounge around and relax which was perfectly fine with me.

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water was crystal clear, the sand was powdery white and soft and it was a sunny beautiful day. There is nothing on to do on the island except shop in the small sting of souvenir stores and swim in the warm ocean. We did not want to leave this island, it was like being in paradise. Because there were no restaurants on this private island the cruise line had a barbeque with tons of food. They also had a live Dj playing music as we swam and lounged around.  This stop was the epitome of relaxation and beauty.

Nassau Bahamas

The last stop we made was to Nassau in the Bahamas. This was the second time I had been to Nassau, I had previously spent a week there and I did write about it in a previous blog. We didn`t have very much time at this stop just enough time to shop, enjoy some food and music and go swimming at the beach.

 I had a wonderful time on this trip and I am anxiously awaiting the next one...