Back to Blogging!

It seems that I've taken a long absence from the blogosphere so if you thought I was dead don't worry I'm back. If it offers any consolation think of the extended absence as a time where I discovered what I really wanted liked and disliked in products and trust me opinions were formed!

-A

FOTD: Beach Makeup

I don't like to wear makeup at the beach, but I feel naked without a little bit on! There are few things that I refuse to compromise on and one of them is a good base. Luckily for me my skin is clear at the moment and I can get away with only applying foundation to the center of my face. Afterwards I use a bit of bronzer on the tops of my cheeks and down my nose to give some color to my complexion. Finally I pop on a tiny bit of mascara and whip my brows into shape using a tinted brow gel and then I'm all set!

Products used:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Nars bronzing powder

Loreal teloscopic mascara

Anistasia tinted eyebrow gel

Caudalie lip conditioner

-A

Weekend trips: What's in my beach bag?

For the first time this summer I took time off to spend the weekend at the beach. I figured that it would be nice to show some of the things I'm taking with me.

1. bathing suit

2. sunglasses

3. makeup bag I'll do a separate little post on what's in my makeup bag

4. flip flops

5. sweater

6. hoodie

7. denim shorts

8. Sun block

9. t shirts

10. makeup bag

11. beach towel

12. DSLR camera

13. book I'm currently reading Landscapes for Art: Contemporary Sculpture Parks and I highly recommend it.

14. beach tote

What are your beach essentials?

-A

REVIEW: Nars Laguna Bronzer

Oh wow, cult beauty product everyone talks about and I'm late to the reviewing party, but better late than never right?

I like this product, and it's a great contouring powder (and great for faking those cheek bones for people like me who don't have any!) and gives me a nice little tan. When I first did a test run of Laguna I was a bit nervous because I'm on the paler side ( I got a tan! and I've moved down a shade from light to light plus! I digress) and I wanted a nice touch of warmth for the summer but not an oompa loompa tan. I can proudly say that I did not get the orange skin (In my personal opinion, you have the jam the brush in the pan and muscle your way around to get so much product to make your skin orange. Then again I've been using the Elf studio blush brush to contour and that brush doesn't pick up any pigment whatsoever :P).

Yay! Crappy Iphone Photos!

While the Bronzer has the smallest amount of Shimmer in the pan, it is completely undetectable when applied onto the skin. 

What's your favorite Bronzer?

-A

Makeup Impressions: Bobbi Brown BB Cream

First things first, I love the packaging (actually I'm a sucker for any sleek packaging and Bobbi Brown packaging is just beautiful) but before I get carried away with the packaging let me tell you a little bit about the product. This particular BB cream markets itself as a super natural makeup that covers imperfections, evens tone, controls oil, brighten skin over time, reduce the look of wrinkles and helps to protect against UVA/UVB rays.

The product itself has 40 mL that is contained in a slender plastic black squeeze tube. There are 5 colors 

available: Extra Light, Light, Fair, Medium, and Medium Dark. The bb cream's consistency is somewhere between liquid and cream. It settles down into a natural skin-like finish that doesn't rub off. 

I'm quite fair with a neutral skin tone so I got the color in extra light . I apply the BB cream with a damp sponge starting from the center of my face and blend out focusing on the the parts that need the most attention (i.e. redness, dark spots and uneven areas) to even me out. Then I go back and layer more on trouble areas, such as acne and dark circles.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

     -covers and provides even coverage

     -blends into my skin really well

     -matches my skin tone better than most

     -plays nice with the rest of my products

     -doesn't oxidize

     -SPF 35

Cons:

     -it does clog pores so it might not be the best for acne prone skin

     -there seems to be a dramatic jump between the lightest shade (Extra Light) and the second lightest (Light)

     -the colors seem too yellow 

     -the price is pretty hefty ($42)

Pictures!

This is the bb cream blended out on the left side of my hand. The right side is bare.

Despite the price, I really like the product and would recommend it.

                                                            -A.