March 21, 2017

that glow tho.

Who doesn't want to be glowing? What did we ever do before the invention of highlighters? And strobing? I guess we were all just a little flat. But thankfully now the market is packed with highlighters of every shape, size, and colour, and I'm going to share some of my favourite ways to get your glow on!


Top (L-R): MAC Lightscapade/MAC Soft & Gentle/MAC Global Glow
Middle (L-R): The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer/ABH So Hollywood/Benefit Watt's Up
Bottom (L-R): Kevin Aucoin Contour-Highlight Duo/Revlon Skinlights Bare Light


first, what colour should you be using?

If you haven't noticed, they come in a few different shades, and picking the right one for your skin tone (and makeup look) is key.

If Your Skin Is FAIR choose: Silvery Pearl
If Your Skin Is LIGHT choose: Peach
If Your Skin Is MEDIUM: Warm Gold
If Your Skin Is DEEP: Coppery Bronze

Now these aren't hard and fast rules... if you are fair but are going with a bronzed goddess look by all means go for a highlighter with warm/golden undertones, just make sure the tone isn't too dark.

powder vs. liquid?

Powder highlighters are so easy to use, can be blended perfectly and can be intensified (or applied subtly) depending on your desired look. Liquid highlighters (like Cover FX liquid illuminator) are nice because they can be worn alone for serious glow power, or mixed in with your foundation/moisturizer for a subtle glow, but beware: liquid can be a little less user friendly when used on their own as they can be more noticeable if not applied and blended perfectly!

where do you put it?

Unless the look you are going for is "unicorn", don't put highlighter all over your face. It should only be applied to certain areas that you want to 'pop', not only giving you a glow, but also creating angles (aka cheekbones). Highlighter should be applied to the tops of the cheekbones, inner corner of the eye, underneath the brow, and on the Cupid's bow (making the lips appear fuller).
Powder highlighters are best applied with a fan brush or small tapered brush.
Cream highlighters can be applied with a small fluffy brush, beauty blender, or your fingers.

my faves

POWDERS
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator in "So Hollywood" (warm gold) $28 USD, anastasiabeverlyhills.com
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in: "Lightscapade" (silvery pearl), "Soft & Gentle" (peach), "Global - Glow" (bronze) $25, maccosmetics.ca
- Kevin Aucoin The Celestial Powder in "Candlelight" (champagne) $53, sephora.com
- The Balm Cosmetics "Mary-Lou Manizer" (light gold) available at petite&sweet beauty boutique (shop local!)
- Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit x Anastasia Beverly Hills (multi-colour palette) $52, sephora.com

LIQUIDS/CREAMS/STICKS
- Benefit Watt's Up Cream-to-Powder Highlighter (silverly pink/peach) $40, beautyboutique.ca
- Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops (various colours) $52, sephora.com
- L'Oreal Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator (various colours) $15, Walmart


Shine on my beauties! 

- Lianne
xo


March 15, 2017

correct. conceal. cover

I often get asked about my favourite concealers, what are colour correctors? and how to properly cover spots, dark circles and redness. Concealing is probably one of makeup's more confusing elements, but I'm going to try and make it a little less confusing!

First things first, assess your skin and determine if you need to conceal dark circles/spots, redness, dullness, breakouts, or just want general concealing/brightening (or a combination of a few). This will determine what products you need. Colour correctors are really becoming popular (and with good reason), so you may have seen various palettes of unconventionally coloured concealers on the shelves. These palettes are great because they usually have all the colour correctors you may need in one product, and don't skip this step! If you don't correct the underlying 'problem' no amount of foundation will give you a truly flawless face. See the colour wheel below for quick reference of what colour will cancel out




1. colour correct

If you have an issue that needs correcting this will be the first product you put on your face.

Green - Corrects redness. Apply to red spots/patches, and around nose area.
Peach - Corrects blue/purple dark circles. Apply to under-eye circles before applying any foundation or concealer.
Purple - Corrects dullness. Apply to skin that appears dull or ashy.

Make sure to apply sparingly, and blend out the edges really well.
From the drugstore I like the NYX Colour Correcting Concealer Palette, $14, nyxcosmetics.ca, and the L'Oreal Total Cover Concealer Palette, $17, Walmart. 
From Sephora I like the Urban Decay Naked Colour Correcting Fluids, $35, sephora.ca 

2. foundation

After you've corrected your problem areas, you can go in with your foundation or BB cream to cover the concealing you just did, and even your skin tone. 

I always recommend Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Fluid Foundation; it's lightweight but buildable, comes in every shade possible, and works on just about every skin type. $52, sephora.ca

3. conceal + brighten

Lastly, apply your usual concealer to brighten and highlight; this will be applied mainly to the undereye area, but also a bit on the chin and centre of forehead. I love to apply my concealer in an upside triangle shape under my eye and blend with my beauty blender. 
***Don't forget to set with powder to avoid creasing!*** 

From the drugstore I like Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, $8, walmart.ca. 
From Sephora I like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $37, sephora.ca.



If you have tried colour correcting or have a favourite concealer, let me know in the comments below!

- Lianne
xo