How To Smell Good This Summer: My Favourite Fragrances for a Hot Day.

Lise Watier Bora Bora EdT, Dior Addict Shine EdT, Auric Blends ‘Love’ Perfume Oil, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil

There’s no reason why you have to smell like sweat or armpits on hot days like today.  Besides your deodorant (here’s a good one, by the way), the perfect light fragrance will leave you smelling pretty all day long.  Here are several that are tried and tested, regularly worn and loved by me. :)

Dior Addict Shine Eau de Toilette

I have been having a love affair with my bottle of Dior Addict Shine Eau de Toilette (around $75) since last summer.  It’s a light floral with a hint of fruitiness.  The fragrance’s notes include cedrat, gardenia, raspberry and cedar woods.  I wear this most of the time, but it’s too bad it doesn’t last an entire work day.

In my own words: It’s like I just rolled around in a field of flowers without my allergies going haywire.

Auric Blends ‘Love’ Perfume Oil

Ahhh, Auric Blends ‘Love’ Perfume Oil (around US$7) was an unexpected gem of a fragrance I picked up near the Las Vegas airport.  I don’t think it’s available in Canada though.  It’s a blend of florals and light powder that blends well with my skin.  Because it’s an oil, it lasts longer than an eau de toilette.

In my own words: This is how I ideally would smell like when I step out of the shower.

Lise Watier Bora Bora Eau de Toilette

We’ve encountered Bora Bora before, and now we’re kicking it up a few notches with Lise Watier Bora Bora Eau de Toilette ($50).  My goodness, this is my fragrance crush this summer.  It smells like a mix of florals and a piña colada.  Notes include passion flower, jasmine, rose, amber, vanilla and wood-scented musk.

In my own words:  Tropical beach vacation.  I’d wear this one on the beach while reading cheesy chick lit and listening to Bob Marley.  “Baby don’t worry about a thing… ’cause every little thing gonna be all right.”

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil

If you want a multi-tasking workhorse that you can use from head to toe, you need NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil ($42 for 100 ml at Beautyphica).  Like really, you can put this one on your face, hair, and body.  Since it’s an oil, it also leaves your skin with a nice glow, but without being greasy.  This one is heavier than the previous fragrances, but not heavy enough for the day in my opinion.  It’s a complex one that’s hard to explain (sorry!).  Trust me though; it really does smell good.  Just read the bottom line below…

In my own words: I smell expensive.

What are Your Favourite Fragrances for Summer?

Any fragrances that you just can’t stop wearing?

Mermaid Colours with MAC Swimming Eyeshadow.

MAC eyeshadow in Swimming is my most recent acquisition, and it has quickly become a must-have.  I really think it’s a hidden gem in MAC’s permanent line.  It’s a gorgeous shimmery sea green that pairs perfectly with blues, teals, golds and purples.  I couldn’t wait to show off this beautiful colour, so today I bring you this face of the day.  My inspiration is this Fantasea Girl look from Sephora a few years ago.  Instead of copying the entire look (which is totally fab by the way), I wanted to make it more wearable by not bringing the colours all the way up to the brows.  It’s a fun way to do colour for a summer weekend. :)  Read on to learn how to get the look.

Swatches (from left): Auraline Bright Violet, Sassy Minerals Off Kilter, MAC Swimming, Annabelle Blu-Ray, MAC Soft Brown, Urban Decay Sin

Get the Look

For the eyes, start by patting down a purple eyeshadow (Auraline Bright Violet) on the inner third of the lid going a little bit past the crease, and the inner third of the lower lash line.  Layer a glittery lavender pigment (Sassy Minerals Off Kilter) on top of the cream eyeshadow.  Next, apply a shimmery sea green (MAC Swimming) from the outer two-thirds of the lid all the way up past the crease.  Apply the same green eyeshadow along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.  Next, apply a thick line of a matte navy blue (Annabelle Blu-ray) along the outer half of the upper and lower lash lines.  Blend a warm medium matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) above the crease to add warmth and depth.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin), as well as the inner corner of the eyes to brighten.

Line the lower waterline with a teal liner (MAC Undercurrent).  Smudge the same teal liner on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line.  Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill) on the upper and lower lashes.  Add a pair of gigantic lashes (Illamasqua No. 23) to finish off the eyes.

For the cheeks, bronze all over the high points of the face with a peachy bronze (Dior Aurora).  Then, apply a matte pink (Tarte Dollface) high on the cheekbones, making a ‘C’ shape around the outside of the eyes to make them pop.

For the lips, apply a coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) to complement the summery look, and top off with a shimmery gloss (Chanel Maline).

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Special Event Makeup: Smokey Cat Eyes FOTD.

It’s almost June, and you probably know someone getting married in the next month or two.  If you’re looking for inspiration on how to do your makeup, here’s a look that I wore to a wedding last weekend.  It’s enough to make your eyes pop without wearing making the eyes too heavy.  The emphasis is on the smokey eye liner and the shape. :)  I loved wearing this look, and it’s something that I’ll probably wear over and over again.

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, MAC Arena, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Coquette, MAC Brun, Chanel Black Pearl

Get the Look

For the eyes, shade in the lid with a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and top off with a low shimmer peach (MAC Arena).  Mix the shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) and peach (MAC Arena) to highlight the inner corner and inner half of the lower lash line.  Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Sin).  Lightly contour the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown).  Apply a matte medium taupe (MAC Coquette) to the outer corner to define the eye further.

Using a smudger brush, take a dark cool brown (MAC Brun) and smudge along the upper lash line and wing out on the outer corner.  This creates a guide for the black eyeliner liner.  Then, smudge using a creamy black liner (Giorgio Armani Waterproof Liner) over the cool brown to deepen it.  Apply the black liner to the outer third of the lower lash line.  Smudge and drag the liner to the middle, while making sure that the line tapers off at the middle.  Line the top and bottom waterlines.  Go over the black lines with a shimmery charcoal (Chanel Black Pearl from Ombres Perlées Palette).    Apply mascara (Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill).  Optional, apply half false lashes to the outer corner (Ardell 120 Demi — cut in half; I used the shorter half because I have short lashes).

For the cheeks, dust a peachy bronzer (Dior Aurora Bronzer) over the high points of the face.

For the lips, apply a creamy nude lipstick (Vasanti Luxembourg).

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