Summer Must-Have: Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (and Cat Ladyness).

May 14, 2011 | 38 Responses

Some things that come to mind when I think of summer:

Hot sun and blue skies.
Backyard barbecues.
Ice cream.
Beaches.
Bronzers.
Backyard barbecues.

Pardon me while I wipe the drool off my face.

Anyway.

It’s that time of the year again, when new collections are now rolling out to makeup counters, and they always bring out the best for summer. Summer collections always strike a chord with me. I’m a huge fan of the carefree sun-kissed look because it is — as my friends from the Bay Area would say — hella sexy. Speaking of which, isn’t Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora ($48) just ooze pure sexiness?

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora

Aurora’s basket weave pattern of golden brown and pinky peach powders creates the most flattering lit from within effect on the skin. It’s something that I haven’t seen from other bronzers I’ve used in the past. It has the most sophisticated glow; you won’t see any chunky shimmer on your face from Dior Aurora.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (close up)

The bronzer comes with a velvet pouch with a pocket for a soft small brush (seen in the first photo). I’m so happy to say that the brush is actually pretty good! However, I still prefer to use a tapered face brush similar to MAC 138 to apply it on my temples, chin and cheeks. Then, I wear more on my cheeks using my blush brush.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (close up)

Since my Dior counter mini-spree (yes, there will be more coming up!), I have used my Aurora bronzer almost everyday and sometimes without any blush. I think that makes it a must-have, don’t you think?

Wearing Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (all over, no blush)

Just Because It’s Caturday…

Scherbie!

Other makeup I’m wearing: UD Toasted all over lid, MAC Soft Brown in crease, MAC Brun on outer corner, UD Sin on inner corner, UD Bourbon liner. On the lips, I’m wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Phoenix.

Have you hugged your cat today?

What’s Your Favourite Summer 2011 Makeup Collection?

I really think that Dior hit it out of the park with this collection. The two new bronzers are outstanding. I think NARS also has a great collection out. Their Dogon eyeshadow duo and Carthage (hot pink) lipstick kinda make me crazy!

First New Bronzer Of The Season: Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder is Almost Too Pretty To Use.

April 24, 2011 | 15 Responses

It’s that time of the year again when makeup companies come out with their latest and greatest bronzers! Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder ($39, at Shoppers Drugmart and Murale) is a beautiful, huge pan of lilac, pink, peach and bronze powders.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder

Kaleidoscope is big enough (8 whopping cm diameter!) that you can use the colours separately; the peach and pink would make a beautiful blush and cheek highlight, respectively. For a quick face, I just swirl my powder brush around, and the combination is a warm peach bronze that is neither shimmery nor matte. The finish on the skin is very natural and skin-like. It’s perfect for faking a good complexion when you’re feeling kinda blah. Do you feel the same way? When my skin is looking dull, I always turn to bronzer for a quick pick-me-up.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder Swatches (lilac — barely visible, pink, deep bronze, golden bronze, peach, and blended)

As for the shade, I think it’s a good choice for those with warmer skin tones. Try before you buy if you are pale and have a lot of pink in your skin, as it may look more orange on you. It’s pretty hard to overapply because the bronzer applies sheer and builds very well, so layer on as much as your little heart pleases.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder — Size comparison to Scherbie’s head

Wearing Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder (all over, no blush)

Besides the gorgeous colour, I have to point out that the bronzer smells so fresh in the pan and I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I catch a whiff of it. Is that weird? It doesn’t smell like anything once it’s on, but the fresh smell is always a bonus in my books. It is a lot of money to spend $39, but it is very big (20g / twice the size of a MAC Bronzing Powder!). If you have a pressing need for a lot of bronzer, like say, you are the makeup artist for the cast of Jersey Shore, then it is a very good deal. Otherwise, even though it is pretty, it’ll just take up a lot of space in your potentially cluttered vanity table. Am I right? :)

Are You A Bronzer Fan, Or Do You Embrace Your Paleness?

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know how much I love my bronzers (and self-tanners!). Are you a fan as well, or has Jersey Shore scared you away from bronzers for life?

Can My Lips Get Any More Neon? Apparently So with MAC Impassioned Lipstick.

March 18, 2011 | 21 Responses

I heard my heart go pitter patter yesterday at the MAC counter. I went in to buy Girl About Town, which has been on my wish list for a very very long time. But after realizing that it looks exactly like my shu uemura Rouge Unlimited PK376 lipstick, I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. I had a couple other shades in mind that I wanted to try, and ultimately came home with MAC Impassioned ($17.50).

MAC Impassioned Lipstick

MAC Impassioned is the brightest lipstick I now own. It is a bright pink with an orange tinge. Such a unique and bold colour requires a little bit of planning with the rest of your makeup. You certainly don’t want anything else to compete with your lips. The only thing that’s problematic about this lipstick is the formula. It’s an amplified cream, which means it goes on opaque but it sucks the moisture out of my lips within hours. I suggest prepping with a good lip balm.

MAC Impassioned Lipstick

MAC Impassioned Lipstick Swatch

Get the Look

For the face, make sure any redness is taken away with foundation (FACE atelier Ultra Foundation in #6 Honey) and/or concealer (theBalm TimeBalm in Medium). A nice and even base is a must.

For the eyes, the first step is to define the brows (MAC Brun). Stick to neutral eyeshadows. Apply a peachy beige (MAC Arena) all over the lid, and a warm matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) in the crease. Highlight the brow bone and inner corners (Chanel White Pearl from Ombres Perlees palette). Line the top lash line with a gel liner (MAC Blacktrack) or liquid liner, adding a small flick on the outer corners. Some people refer to this as the kitten eye.

“Did somebody say kitten eye?”

Finish off the eyes with lots of mascara (Rimmel Glam’Eyes mascara) to both top and bottom lashes.

For the cheeks, warm up the apples of the cheeks with a peachy brown (MAC Cantaloupe). Highlight the top of the cheekbones with a shimmery white gold (Chanel White Pearl from Ombres Perlees palette).

For the lips, apply MAC Impassioned lipstick straight from the tube for crisp, full colour.

Wearing MAC Impassioned Lipstick

How Would You Wear MAC Impassioned Lipstick?

Would you wear it any other way? Let me know in the comments!