Beauty

2 Things I Bought at Sephora VIB Sale

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As many beauty enthusiasts know, the Sephora VIB sale happened at the end of April. I’m VIB Rouge, and I’m not entirely sure how that happened. I’ll probably go back to being a Beauty Insider in 2018 with the rate I’m not spending on beauty products. Also? I’m a little ticked that VIB Rouge received the same discount as VIB folks. Y tho? We spent much more to get to that status, and get nothin’ more. Needless to say I’m a bit ticked — and I wasn’t going to purchase anything from the sale but I knew I wanted that Tom Ford product that just launched, so I bit the bullet and did it. The Tom Ford Clutch-Size Lip Balm in L’Odissea is mine.

Then I did it again. 1 more order for a black BeautyBlender sponge. Because a day or two after I placed my first order, an e-mail came in from Sephora mentioning my birthday gift was available. The Tarte Blush in the shade paaarty (and lipstick, which is great but the blush is A+) is amazing and I’ve been wearing it every.single.day. Every other blush pushed to the way-side. Good goin’ Tarte. I like it. It’s peachy and purdy and conveniently tiny. I love anything tiny/travel sized beauty. I want a store to open that only sells Sephora mini’s. Wouldn’t that be neat.

I even thought about purchasing another shade in the Tom Ford Clutch Sized Lip Balm when I was in Bloomingdales in San Francisco the other week. Except I was a bit taken back by the sales associate trying to make his commission. So many eye-rolls. “This colour would like great with your eyes.” Okay dude, great — I know, blue eyes are wonderful I get it. Just leave me be so I can swatch all-the-lipsticks on my hand to decide lol. /endrant.

Did you buy anything from the Sephora sale last month?

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Beauty

bareMinerals Modern Pop

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bm-Modern-PopbareMinerals wasn’t a brand I usually gravitated towards, since a number of years back I thought all it consisted of was mineral products (ie: loose powdered products that was a recipe for disaster with my clumsy-self). But lately I’ve been thoroughly enjoying their lip products, and now trying out their eye shadows I’m a convert. One dab into the eye shadow pan and it packs on colour like nobodies business. So you can definitely say their colours are pigmented, and you only need to dip into the product with your brush ever so slightly to get this natural look — something I tend to go for on the regular.

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I’m going to walk you through the steps on how I created (yet another) natural look using some of the items in the bareMinerals Modern Pop collection.

bareMinerals-Complexion1. Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair: If I don’t apply an under eye cream my eyes get really dry. This is one of my 2 favourite eye creams that I’ll keep repurchasing.
2. philosophy Full of Promise: This is a firming neck cream, but I prefer to use it on my face when I have annoying dry patches that won’t even go away after exfoliating. It’s the epitome of moisturizing face creams and feels luxurious going on.
3. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue & Beauty Blender Sponge: A new foundation out by bareMinerals. It definitely has a strange consistency as it’s a gel cream formula. What I like best is its a no-mirror application type of coverage. It glides onto the skin but doesn’t give too much coverage unless you want to pile it on.

BeautyBlender-application1. Cle de Peau Concealer & Beauty Blender Sponge: I can’t believe I am almost out of my super expensive concealer. I will definitely head back to Nordstrom to pick this little fella up again. Like always, apply concealer in a triangle shape on the face and under the eyes to appear brighter. Blend in with beauty blender sponge for a natural creaseless look.
2. Nars bronzer (shade Laguna) & bareMinerals brush: I haven’t picked up another full sized bronzer by my favourite brand because I’m trying to use up some samples. I don’t mind this bronzer, but you have to apply using a light hand!
3. NYX Cream Blush (shade Glow): This was the cream blush colour I used on my wedding day. A favourite piece of makeup I cherish, and to achieve a healthy glow with a bit of pink to the cheeks.

Modern-Pop-eyeshadow1. bareMinerals Modern Pop eyeshadow (Modern Icon palette): Apply chic all over the lid, in the inner corner and on brow bone to lighten up the entire eye area.
2. Using the same palette dip your brush into the colour carefree and apply only to the crease of your eye for a pop of peach.
3. Finally, add a touch of the colour exhale to the outer corner of the eye to add depth and deepen up the lash area.

bareMinerals-SS20151. bareMinerals Lasting Line: Apply this shade to the lower lash line.
2. bareMinerals Lash Domination: I loved this mascara so much I gave one to my neighbour. She loves it too! It adds volume and whispy lengths to create a voluminious natural full look to your eyelashes.
3 & 4: I mixed up the two photos, forgive me! I applied bareMinerals lipstick in Express Yourself, and then for some added glossy shine I used bareMinerals cream glaze lip topcoat in a gorgeous vanilla cream colour.

The final look:Final-look-BM-Spring

bareMinerals products were sent for review.

 

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Beauty, Photos, Reviews

BeautyBlenders are amazing

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BeautyBlenderI bought a Beauty Blender.

Then it sat in my make-up drawer for two years without being used. I was very skeptical on a silly little pink sponge being a life altering change to my make-up routine. But I already saw what the hype was about after using it just two times.

This sponge will cost you anywhere between $15-$20. Purchase it anywhere from Nordstrom, Amazon to of course, Sephora. I can only find fake ones at Target and Ulta. I’ve never used a sponge to apply my make-up in the past, so I cannot compare any other replica to the Beauty Blender itself. From what I’ve heard on YouTube, no replica compares to the Beauty Blender. I don’t know why.

BBlendersHow to use the Beauty Blender

You can use the Beauty Blender wet, or dry. I prefer dampening the tear dropped shaped sponge under water for it to absorb and grow to twice its size. Once it’s wet and springy, wring out the excess water, and apply foundation to the back of your hand. Bounce the blender onto your liquid foundation, and use the rounded bottom and start dabbing the foundation onto your face. Don’t swirl, just dab. Using the Beauty Blender when it’s damp creates a more dewy, flawless finish. I haven’t tried using it dry, but I can imagine it being patchy. Don’t quote me on that.

The base of the Beauty Blender sponge is ideal for the larger areas of your face. I leave my concealer for last, and use the pointed tip for precise application in your hard to reach areas, like the under eyes or around the nose.

If you want fuller coverage, Beauty Blender’s website suggests to stipple and twist the sponge over stubborn areas.

Why I love the Beauty Blender

  • Because hellewww it creates a flawless finish no brush has ever given my complexion, you really do get an airbrushed effect. I don’t know what it is, but I thought my Real Techniques brushes were the epitome of make-up brushes (even my high end ones didn’t compare), and I’ve been using those since last summer.
  • I don’t get brush strokes or lines on my face when I use a brush, yet I can’t even explain the way the Beauty Blender makes your skin look. If you’re interested in it that much, just go for it and I guarantee you another Beauty Blender, you won’t be disappointed with the finish it gives you.

Cons about the Beauty Blender

  • It is a $20 sponge that will only last a few months.
  • Just as any tool you use when applying make-up, you need to be vigilant about keeping it clean.
  • Using the Beauty Blender is a little messier than slapping product on a brush, and swirling it around your face. Since you have to wet the sponge before each use my hands are all slippery, and wet then I have to lay down the blender on a tissue to not get and dust, dirt or hairs on it, apply my foundation to the back of my hand, and dab the sponge into it.
  • The sponge is still damp when you’re finished applying your make-up for the day. I end up wrapping it in a clean tissue, and store it in my make-up bag. Kind of a waste, but I have no idea where else to put it.
  • I have found that the Beauty Blender uses more foundation than using a make-up brush would.

BeautyBlender-spongesHow to clean the Beauty Blender

I understand you would probably want to clean the Beauty Blender sponge after each use. But 100% of the time, I don’t feel like doing that. You can use this Beauty Blender solid cleanser, make up remover, or plain old hand soap like I do with all of my make-up brushes (and now sponges). Note that a damp sponge left to sit, is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, so you’re going to want to clean it often and air dry it well.

My results are in. I’m completely sold on the Beauty Blender and how it trumps any make-up brush I have ever tried. But being completely honest I’m not sure I’d go out and drop $20 each time I required a new sponge every few months. We’ll see how it goes.

How do you apply your make-up?

Have you ever used the Beauty Blender?

Do you use liquid, mineral, or powder foundation?

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