Vasanti Eyeshadow in Stockholm: A Staple for Your Five-Minute Face. You’re Welcome.

March 9, 2011 | 15 Responses

I am not a morning person. I often hit the snooze button so many times that I’m left with 30 minutes to get ready (and not look like a zombie) for work. If I take 10 minutes for breakfast, 10 minutes to shower, and 5 minutes to get dressed, I can’t be bothered to put on some elaborate eye makeup. Meet Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm ($15), the perfect eyeshadow for a quick 5-minute face.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

Vasanti Stockholm is a medium shimmery taupe. Whether you are obsessed with makeup or just beginning to get into it, you need a good taupe in your makeup bag. It is a universally flattering colour and a goof-proof way to polish up your look with just a single swipe on your lids.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

If you are familiar with MAC Satin Taupe, Stockholm is like her fairer twin; these two taupes have the exact same undertones. On my medium skin, Stockholm is a my-lid-but-better colour. Paler peeps can wear this beautifully for a daytime, office-appropriate smoky eye.

Curious how Stockholm compares to other taupes? Here are swatches of all the taupes in my collection. Urban Decay Toasted is more pink. Like I said, MAC Satin Taupe is Stockholm’s tanorexic twin. MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds (LE) is a lot more grey.

Swatches (from left): Urban Decay Toasted, MAC Satin Taupe, Vasanti Stockholm, MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds

Today I wore Stockholm as a wash all over my lid. It has a really nice pigmentation and lasted all day without creasing. It is more than twice the size of a MAC eyeshadow (a whopping 3.2g / 0.11oz!), but actually costs a little less. All in all, this is such a fantastic value and is gonna be a staple in my makeup bag from now on.

Wearing Vasanti Micronized Silky Eyeshadow in Stockholm

Talkin’ about Taupe!

How do you feel about taupe? Do you have any favourites? Don’t you dare say you hate it, because then we can’t be friends anymore. I’m just kidding. Sort of.

So Winter has Made You Paper White, Huh? Get a Quick Golden Look with NARS Sertao Blush.

February 16, 2011 | 9 Responses

Gold, copper, and bronze are very in this Spring.

‘Kay. I think I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, always talking about Spring trends. But if you live in Canada, you totally get it. We’ve been waiting for Spring for many months, so it’s a pretty big deal ’round here. We even have a ceremonial dance to welcome Spring. True story; look it up.

So, I will talk about Spring trends whether you like it or not.

Let’s talk bronzer for a sec, shall we? What of it? Well, it’s probably not a good idea to douse yourself with the stuff right after Winter has taken away your Summer (sunless) tan. Here are some tips to slowly ease the golden, bronzed look back into your life as we transition into the most beautiful season ever.

#1 — Step Away from a Matte Base.

The bronzy summer glow starts with your base, so pick a foundation or moisturizer with a dewy finish. I have combination skin that’s more on the oily side, and really like NARS Sheer Glow ($55). For reference, I’m a MAC NC40 and my match is Barcelona. I don’t own this yet, but my sample from Sephora was very well-loved. Those with normal-to-dry skin types might love Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear ($23). It contains hydrating jojoba and and mica that imparts a lovely glow.

If, after reading all of the above, you are totally cursing me because your skin is so. very. oily, I have a solution for you. Apply your matte foundation, then infuse light back into your face with an illuminator like Mary Kay Liquid Illuminator ($23). Read more on these in a future post; they are kinda amazing and also limited edition! Illuminate the high points of your face only (cheeks, temples, nose bridge, chin) to put the dew back onto your skin.

#2 — A Multi-Use Eye & Cheek Product is Your New Best Friend.

NARS Sertao Blush

Here’s where NARS Blush in Sertao ($29) comes in. NARS blushes are well-known for their incredible pigmentation, and Sertao is no different. I recently discovered that it makes a beautiful light golden brown eyeshadow, too. A few quick swipes across the lids, on the cheeks, and temples et voilà — you are golden.

Another great thing about Sertao: it lasts and lasts and lasts. Most of my blushes I put eventually fade as the day goes on, but Sertao’s gorgeous sheen and colour stays on my cheeks until I take it off.

NARS Sertao Blush Swatches

#3 — Softly Define the Eye with a Smudged Brown Eyeliner.

A very monochromatic look may be great for the runway, but in real life it just looks like a lot of yellow. This is not cute, especially if you have yellow undertones in your skin. Break up the yellows by smudging brown eyeliner close to your upper lash line. Keep it soft; we don’t want to see a solid line. I used Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner from my Naked palette.

You’re 99% done at this point. Add some mascara, and your fave neutral lip gloss (I like Chanel Glossimer in Maline), and you’re set to run out the door.

Wearing NARS Sertao Blush (lid), Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner (top lash line), and MAC Studio Fix Lash Mascara (lashes)

Wearing NARS Sertao (eyes and cheeks)

Was that quick or what?

Are You Ready for Spring Yet?

What Spring trend are you dying to wear, or are currently wearing? Everybody knows I am crazy about my bright lips, but recently I’ve been wanting to try the brights on my eyes.

Signs of Spring: Pretty Colours and Berry Stained Lips.

February 13, 2011 | 10 Responses

This week I’ve been thinking about a pretty look that’ll be perfect for Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want to be too theme-y with the makeup, so instead of pulling out all my pink stuff from my vanity, I chose pretty colours that are reminiscent of Spring. Unfortunately, there are no signs of Spring yet here in Toronto, but maybe if we all put our Spring looks on, Mother Nature will give us what we want. What do you think?

Swatches (from left): MAC All That Glitters, MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds (LE), MAC Coquette, Auraline Bright Violet, MAC Brun, Annabelle Golden Shine, Urban Decay Virgin

Get the Look

For the eyes, pat a shimmery beige (MAC All That Glitters) all over the lid. Apply a shimmery taupe grey (MAC Smoke ‘n Diamonds) on the outer third of the lid for a subtle contrast. Using a pointed crease brush, apply a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) on the crease to add depth. Then, add a pop of violet (Auraline Bright Violet) to the outer V and outer crease. Deepen the colour with a little bit of a cool dark brown (MAC Brun). Smudge the violet over the lower lash line and extend past the eye to create a winged shape. Blend the violet into the top lid colours. Smudge black eyeliner (Urban Decay Zero) into the top lash line and lower waterline. Highlight the inner corner with a gold eyeshadow (Annabelle Golden Shine), and a shimmery champagne (Urban Decay Virgin). Finish off with lots of mascara (L’Oreal Voluminous + CoverGirl Lashblast Waterproof) to the top and bottom lashes.

For the cheeks, blend a rosy cream blush (Mary Kay Cranberry) on the apples of the cheeks.

For the lips, pat a berry lipstick (MAC Party Line) on the lips as a sheer stain.

Click here to see more pictures!