Tag Archives: foundation

Welcome the Year of the Dragon with MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit and Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque.

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MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond

We’ve all heard about the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD foundation from beauty junkies all over the world. It has made a permanent home in many a girl’s foundation arsenal. Many makeup artists have it in their professional kit. Now I am here to tell you that, well, I believe in the hype. I adore this foundation.

I guessed my shade to be #128 Almond using MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Shade Finder, and I am glad to say that it is a great match. For reference, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona is also a good match for my skin at the moment.


MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Swatches

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit ($89) really does make a difference with the performance of this foundation. The HD primer smooths out fine lines and big pores to prep the skin. I like that it doesn’t have that heavy silicone-y feel of other primers I’ve tried in the past. The foundation itself has a beautiful skin-like, semi-matte finish. It does an amazing job covering up any redness and evening out my skin tone, allowing me to walk around with really good looking skin. It doesn’t cover up everything; I have dark bumps on my upper lip area that I have developed from waxing (!!!) and they are still visible in my after photo. To finish off the base, the powder creates an angelic soft-focus effect to the skin. What’s not to like, eh? By the way, I took a photo with flash and the white powder was nowhere to be seen.

Here’s a before and after shot. In the before I wore brow powder, mascara and lipstick (absolute necessities for this kind of thing). That’s it. I did not wear under-eye concealer in either photos, which to be honest, I am really regretting. Anywho.


MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Before and After (click to enlarge)

On its own, I like the foundation applied with a brush instead of my fingers. With the latter method, I find myself using more product. I do have one problem with the foundation though: who the heck came out with the numbering system? It is totally all over the place and definitely needs work. May I suggest breaking them up into undertones, i.e., pink #1, #2, #3, yellows, olives, and so on?

Oh yeah, for those who are celebrating, Happy Lunar New Year! Of course, I had to use the new year — the Year of the Dragon — as an excuse to pull out the amazing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon ($42). In my opinion, it’s totally worth the kidney I sold to buy it. Why do I always get in some sort of trouble when I buy Chanel?


Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon — Swatch


Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon

Along with a little kitten eye flick (YSL Shocking liquid liner) and a little blush (Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed), my Year of the Dragon look is complete! Oh, and the rumours are true: the size of my smile is directly proportional to how much I love a lipstick. :) Can you tell I love Dragon?

Have a great week, pretties!

P.S. If you fancy being a model, don’t forget to enter the MAKE UP FOR EVER open casting call.

The Ultimate Natural Multi-Tasker: Pure + Simple Pure Foundation.

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It’s no secret that I’m a liquid foundation kinda gal, but there are days when lazy happens. :P  On these days, I can’t be bothered to put on several products just to even out my complexion.  Even though I’m meticulous about my eye makeup, I prefer my skin regimen to be quick and easy.  That’s where powder foundation comes in.  It’s my foundation and setting powder in one, and the one that I’ve been using lately is Pure + Simple Pure Foundation in Marzipan ($39.95/compact and $29.95/refill in all Pure + Simple spa locations and online).

Ingredients: Mica, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated coconut oil), Olea Europaea Fruit (Organic Olive) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Zinc Stearate, Zinc Oxide, Tochopherol (Vit. E). May contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

Pure + Simple Pure Foundation

Pure + Simple Pure Foundation

I have it in the old refillable plastic packaging.  Now they are actually housed in an adorable refillable cardboard packaging:

To use it, I swipe the compact with my elf kabuki brush, then I buff it in using circular motions all over my face. On areas where I have redness, I go back with a sponge to get more coverage. This foundation gives me coverage that I’m comfortable with (sheer-to-medium coverage).  You can definitely get a lot more coverage with a sponge, but I find that it can get powdery when you layer more. A light dusting with a fluffy brush gives an even matte, fresh look.

No foundation (left) / Wearing Pure + Simple Pure Foundation (right)

I like my foundation to look like skin.  When I’m in a hurry I just brush this on and go, but on most days I spritz it with a setting spray like MAC Fix+ for a less matte and more natural finish.

Wearing P+S Foundation only / Wearing P+S Foundation and MAC Fix+

I really like this foundation because it feels weightless and looks very natural, which are my top two reasons why I would stick with any foundation.  It’s great for normal-to-oily skin as it helps keep the oilies down to a minimum.  The colour lasts an entire work day on my face, but it certainly doesn’t look as fresh.  I’d say it holds up for about 6 hours before needing a touch up.

Pure + Simple Pure Foundation also provides the added benefits of natural sunblock with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.  With the hot Toronto sun we’ll be getting this summer, I’m glad to know that my makeup is working double time by making me look good, and keeping me covered.  Gotta love that! :)

What’s Your Preferred Foundation Formula?

Are you a liquid, cream, or powder foundation kinda guy/gal? I still like liquid for my special occasion face, but for everyday I like a sheer tinted moisturizer or powder to even out my skin.

How Cover FX Hydrated My Skin in One Hour Flat.

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I was so excited to be invited to a Cover FX Hydrating Clinic that was held at The Bay on Queen Street on March 8.  The Cover FX team always puts on such fun blogger and media events, so I knew I was gonna be in for a treat!

Each session, called “Drench The Skin You’re In,” was one hour long.  I went in during my lunch break, because that’s what beauty obsessed people do instead of eating lunch.  True story: one time I met up with Michelle (Lipstick Rules) for “lunch” and we ended up shopping at Holt Renfrew and MAC. :)

Dehydrated Skin Tips From Jenny Frankel

There’s no denying that my skin has been incredibly dehydrated due to the sucky winter weather.  To begin the session, Jenny Frankel, Co-Creator of Cover FX, took my skin moisture level with a fancy shmancy tool that they use at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  It basically concluded that my skin was dehydrated, and I agreed. Chances are that your skin is dehydrated, too. Good news: Jenny gave me some great tips for retaining moisture in your skin.

  1. Ban Hot Baths. Hot water robs skin and washes away natural protective oils & moisture causing dry skin, so it’s best to take shorter showers in lukewarm water. This also means infrequent or skipping baths. Forego hot tubs as the hot temperature, combined with drying chemicals, is torture on dry skin. The same rule applies to face-washing: Wash face in lukewarm, never hot, water. If your skin turns red, the water is simply too hot.
  2. Moisturize When Wet. Moisturizing skin care & foundation is the key to soft, supple skin. Apply moisturizing skincare when skin is slightly damp to trap moisture still on your skin. For best effect, pat skin dry instead of rubbing with your towel before application. Then follow with moisturizing foundation to boost & seal in moisture all day.
  3. Identify Ingredients Wisely. Search non-comedogenic, emollient-rich ingredients such as silicones, oils, butters & humectants (glycerin, amino acids, hyaluronic acid) in your skincare and foundation products to keep moisture in and prevent TEWL (trans epidermal water loss).
  4. Ditch Drying Soaps & Toners. Harsh soaps & frequent cleansing dry out skin by stripping away skins natural protective oils. The bubbling and foaming action removes the oils from the surface of the skin and dries it out. Look for milder fragrance free, soap free & alcohol free soaps & toners rich in glycerin and emollients.
  5. Exfoliate Every Week. Moisturizer penetration is much more effective on properly exfoliated skin. Use a mild scrub on a dry skin (mix with lotion if its not moist enough). Massage a few minutes, then rinse.
  6. Hoard the Humidifier. Dry air is probably the most common cause of dry skin, especially during the winter, as it draws moisture right out of the air. Cold, harsh weather and wind are outdoor causes, the bigger problem lies indoors with dry heat churned out by your furnace. Humidifiers get more moisture (up to 30%) in the air, which helps skin from drying out.
  7. Hydrate for Your Health, Not Skin. Many people believe if they drink more water, they’ll hydrate skin. But this is a myth and you simply cannot significantly moisturize skin from the inside out. Dehydration does affect skin, but a normally hydrated person isn’t going to see major benefits by drinking even more water.
  8. Seek a Specialist. Ask a beauty advisor or esthetician to analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skincare regimen, and give you advice on skincare and makeup products you should be using.
  9. Layer of Love. As your skin condition changes, so should your skincare routine. Consider layering rich, oil based moisturizer and foundation to create all day protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture. A strong protective barrier also prevents toxins, pollutants, sensitizers, allergens, and irritants to enter the skin and cause red, sensitive, irritated skin.
  10. Ask Medical Advice. The side effects of a number of medications dry out the skin, such as diuretics and retinoids. If you notice the onset of a dry skin problem after starting a medication, talk to your doctor for advice.

My Customized, Hydrating Foundation System Recommended by Derek Selby

When I sat in front of Derek Selby, National Retail Director of Cover FX and Cityline Guest Expert, he asked if my skin usually gets oily.  The answer was obvious; my T-zone was “extra radiant” and I forgot my ClearPrep FX that day.  He made some great suggestions to help hydrate my skin while still keeping the T-zone matte and fresh looking.

Primer: ClearPrep FX Matte Foundation Primer & Anti-acne Treatment, $39

No brainer here.  They already know how much I worship ClearPrep FX ;) , also known as the best primer ever for oily skin types.

Foundation: SkinTint FX Moisturizing Treatment & Tint in M Light, $39 or Natural FX Water Based Foundation in M50, $37

I don’t have a lot of skin concerns save for some redness and dark circles.  This I can attribute to good genes and a solid natural skincare routine.  For running around everyday, I would probably reach for the SkinTint FX, which is their moisturizing tinted moisturizer with SPF 15.  SkinTint FX contains hyaluronic spheres to boost hydration and firmness.  On the other hand, Natural FX is their water-based, medium coverage foundation with SPF 15.  It has vitamin E and what they call a hydra-silicone technology, which is supposed to prevent the water in our skin from evaporating.

At my makeup consultation, Derek applied Natural FX (his personal favourite) on me lightly where I had redness.  He also patted it on using a synthetic concealer brush under my eyes and around the nose to up the coverage.  A really cool tip I learned: this foundation can be layered over setting powder if you want more coverage.  So, apply Natural FX, then Setting FX, then Natural FX again, and so forth. :)

Blotting Powder: Matte FX Oil Absorbing & Blotting Powder in Medium, $22

Even near the end of winter, my skin across my forehead and down the nose still gets very oily.  Applied on the T-zone only, this keeps the Natural FX’s radiance while keeping the oily areas matte.  I’m gonna go out to buy this ASAP, and I know once we get together, it will be love, sweet love. :)