♡Full Face Foundation Routine in 10 Steps♡

My foundation routine is quite simple...
BRUSH
FOUNDATION
APPLY IT
DONE!


Okay...well it's not that simple but it's the jist of it all and today I'll walk you through the entire routine including the left out parts!


For starters I take great care of my skin..okay I'm lying...but I do try! It's really important to have a smooth canvas to work on and that is metaphorically speaking; my skin needs to be super smooth and healthy otherwise I don't bother putting any product on my face because my skin won't look good underneath the makeup. However, for the purpose of this blog, I did this foundation routine during one of my nasty breakouts. Needless to say, I do not have flawless skin, but immediately afterwards, I removed the makeup from my face.


Also, this routine is not daily, I use foundation only when I have something worthy on my agenda, other than that I don't use foundation everyday.


So let's begin, shall we?


♡1. I prep my face with a moisturizer that has at least 30 SPF otherwise I apply sunscreen over my face and let it settle into my skin. Lately I've been using Amore Pacific SPF 30 moisturizing sunscreen and/or Aveeno Oil Free Sunblock Spray SPF 70

no makeup

♡2. Apply a little water on your face with my foundation brush, this helps for the liquid foundation to apply easier and settle in evenly. You can also use a refreshing vitamin water spray (Ulta) or a moisturizing spray (I love the Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Spray it's heavenly)!


♡3. Dab a bit of foundation with your brush in four sections (both cheeks, forehead & chin), now buff evenly. Make sure you work up into hairline and past jawbone.
 PRODUCT- Maybelline Fit Me #220

foundation swipes

foundation blended

♡4. Your done with foundation...but not entirely
        ❥Using your fingers, dab concealer lightly underneath your eye done to the tip of your cheekbone.
          ❥Blend into tear duck, waterline and tip of cheekbone area with light swipes and dabs-this will ensure even application.
PRODUCT-Revlon Photoready Concealer in Medium

concealer swipes

♡5. Using a big face brush (tapered preferably) apply translucent setting powder or pressed foundation powder over your entire face making sure you get underneath your eye area. This ensures to lock in the moisture from the products you used making your face look mattified but not powdery or cake-like.
PRODUCT- Nars Pressed Foundation SPF12

setting foundation

foundation routine complete

♡6. Apply your favorite highlight along your cheekbones, corners of eyes, tip of nose and cupid's bow. This will give the illusion that your face is iridescent and pleasantly glowing where the light naturally hits your face.
    ❥ TIP: Highlight your eyes
      ❥Use a flesh toned pencil or even your concealer stick will do the trick and apply to your waterline to give the illusion of refreshed, wide eyes...white color can be too striking at times but works too..remember, a little can go a l   o   n   g way :)

left eye is lined-right eye is not

♡7. Using your eyebrow brush apply an eyebrow powder of your choice with light short strokes for an even and natural look. 
    ❥ TIP: Dab a bit of water/concealer to your eyebrow brush and l i g h t l y short stroke underneath you're eyebrow to clean up any possible fallout from the powder for a more polished esthetic.


♡8. M A S C A R A! When I'm not doing my over obsessed over done cat eye I opt to apply mascara on both top and both lashes for that W O W factor.
    ❥ TIP: With your fingers or a clean mascara wand apply Vasaline to your lashes, this will promote healthy lashes, give your lashes a volume and glow AND helps with the clumping from the mascara.

curling lashes

lashes curled & highlight applied
PRODUCT-Smashbox Photo Op

lengthening mascara applied
PRODUCT-Maybelline Lash Stiletto

volumizing mascara added
PRODUCT-Too Faced Lash Injection

♡9. Apply the lipstick or lipgloss and cheek product of your choice.


♡10. Smile...cause you're done :)

before

after

♡Nars 'Taj Mahal' Blush♡

OH yes! I am crushing over NARS' blush! I was never really keen on the cliché beauty idea of "beauty is pain" ... you know like, oh sayyyy wearing incredibly dangerous but gorgeous high heels that no human being  can possibly walk more than a consistent block in without risking her poor ankles...and lets face it, social indentity, when she embarrassingly falls ass last to the ground! Another one is waxing ☹OUCHES☹ or shopping throughout the mall carrying 3 H&M bags, 1 humongo F21 bag and 2 Zara bags full of gorgeous garments weighing down your two poor arms...doing this, holding a figi and texting is not completely ideal folks! Or...yea the list could go on but you catch my drift! The concept is clear but the point remains flawed however, remarkably accepted...whoever started that aged beauty mantra is insane...but aren't we all?? 


When I purchased NARS 'Taj Mahal' I cried a bit cause I knew I wasn't getting the lump of cash back and I asked myself is it really worth it?? Then, picked up the tester, felt the velvet textured product, glided it across my skin and I literally glowed! The hues in this blush are stunning! The pink, yellow and gold dust undertones are quite intriguing. However, the underlying  fact is, the color of this blush isn't traditional at all and it's daring which, my friends, makes this product even more exceptional and one of a kind.


For an amazing low price of 22 dollars....okay.. who am I really kidding, that's crazy talk expensive for  b l u s h O__o 
but take it from me, it might be worth your while...indulge. Treat yourself. Smile. ☻

Blush On

Exact Color

True To Color Swatch

The packaging is gorgeous & sleek as always. The trusty NARS' 'Black and White' minimalist esthetic with a compacted, convenient mirror is satisfactory overall.

You can find NARS 'Taj Mahal' online or at your nearest NARS Cosmetic store or Sephora. OR if you're not completely sold you can always slap on some bronzer to those cheeks with a dab of orange eyeshadow here and there and then...voilà! you've got yourself a dupe my friend:) Imagination is key when your money is funny folks ☺ Well 'to each his own'...now that's a mantra we all should incorporate in our fussy beauty world ☻


Here's a video of my review on this blush.. Enjoy.

♡Homemade Sugar & Honey Bikini Wax♡

We all know that razors can be our worst and best friends. They're convenient, easy to use, mess free, and cost friendly. However, with the glorifications of this hair removal technique there are also the cons such as, razor bumps, fast hair regrowth,  seemingly thicker  hair growth appearance, accidental cuts etc. Also, depending on the brand of the razor, you may find yourself spending 15-20 dollars on extra razors and shaving creams, not to mention products to prevent razor bumps and healing creams! So now that we think of it, this is starting to not be friendly as to my wallet as we thought nor is it  always friendly to my skin...what now??


Well, there are several different ways  to removing hair on your body such as using depilatory creams and laser hair removal  treatments, some of which can be costly, wayyyy too messy or just not effective. Today, however, we're going to talk about waxing. Wax hair removal can be performed at your nearest licensed esthetician or it can be done within the comfort of your own home performed by you...yes YOU! I know it can seem overwhelming with all the different types of wax and different techniques of waxing and all the mess that can come with it, but when it comes down to it,  hair removal is our target and we can achieve a hairless body with supplies I'm sure you already have in your household. However, if you don't have the supplies needed for todays waxing job, trust me when I say, they're inexpensive and easy to come by. So for all you hair waxing skeptics out there who can't stand the pain of waxing, don't enjoy the sticky mess and don't have the time, here's my relatively mess free, sorta painless and easy way for wax hair removal...oh and by the way you won't need to do this again for another 2-6 weeks...imagine that :) Talk to ya later razor!


Before we start here's a list of the supplies you'll need.

PREP:

BABY POWDER

TYLENOL (IF NEEDED)

BABY OIL

WAX:
1 CUP HONEY
1 CUP SUGAR
HALF LEMON


UTENSILS:
WOODEN SPATULA/POPSICLE STICK
STRIPS OF MUSLIN FABRIC/STRIPS OF COTTON FABRIC (TSHIRT)
PLASTIC BOWL

Okay, you've gathered all your items, correct?? Good. Now it's time to prep your skin. 


PREP:
If necessary take aspirin or use numbing cream for a less painful experience. Personally, I don't have a high tolerance for pain,  I'm a good ol' fashioned wimp but this process isn't extremely painful either so needless to say, you can probably skip the pill popping process and head on over to the next suggested step.


Pat baby powder on the area you'll be applying the wax. What this helps to do is absorbs the oils from your skin so that the wax will adhere properly.


UTENSILS:
For Bikini waxing, cut up about 10-12  medium sized rectangles of muslin/cotton fabric

WAX: 
Here's how to easily make your own Sugar & Honey Bikini Wax
1: Pour HONEY in a hand-pot on your stove at a medium heat for a bout 1 minute. Stir.
2: Add SUGAR & LEMON & and mix thoroughly with HONEY.
3: Let this mixture heat up for 10 minutes. Stir periodically.
4: Turn off stove & let the wax cool down for about 5-10 minutes
5: Pour wax mixture from the hand-pot into your plastic bowl.
6: Let the wax cool down or put it in the refridgerator for about 5-10 minutes.


ALL DONE☻


Now take your bowl of wax and test to see if it is tacky with your wooden popsicle stick. If it's tacky then it's ready, you may have to reheat the wax in the microwave for about 10 seconds. If the wax is too hard it won't adhere properly but make sure it's not a super drippy consistency either. When it's too drippy and there's no resistance to the wax then it won't adhere properly as well, plus, that is a sign that the wax is too hot.


Next step, use your popsicle stick to apply a thin amount of wax towards the direction of the hair growth, pat down the strip of fabric on to the wax,  and in a quick taut motion remove the fabric towards the direction of hair growth. ALL DONE☻


The hair is gone! Now repeat this till you've removed the desired amount of hair...told you it'd be easy


Don't forget to apply BABY OIL afterwards to sooth your skin and exfoliate your skin gently and daily to prevent ingrown hairs. I also use hydrocortisone cream daily to help soothe my skin as well.

Happy Waxing♥♥♥

♡Sigma Beauty Brushes- Premium 7 Brush Travel Kit♡

Yea Yea Yea,


I know everyone and their mom has done a review on these brushes, but it never hurts to gain some more perspective just in case you feel a bit indifferent and you may have a few or more questions like:


Why you should spend 100 dollars on a kit of 12 brushes
Are twelve brushes enough to even be considered a proper kit? 
Are the brushes made of good quality?
Are there cheaper kits to choose from?
Do animals get harmed or tested on on the behalf of these brushes?
Do the brushes go bad after a single wash?
How about shipping I need brushes ASAP?!


✩This list may go on depending on the individual and their standards, however, you are definitely in for a treat because I had many questions as well and when you're spending your hard earned money you deserve quality and honesty....


✩Quite honestly....these are the BEST and most INEXPENSIVE brushes I've purchased to date!
Of course I was quite peculiar so I went ahead read some reviews (always do your research). Then after a month and some time (I'm very thorough lol)  I went for the 7 Brush Sigma Travel Kit! The best part about my purchase is that it came with a gift (an extra brush) and I got a discount (which we'll get into later)! 


✩The full 12 Kit brush isn't entirely necessary if you're starting off,  but it's quite worth it if you are looking for a great full brush set! I would suggest considering the 7 Brush Travel Kits from Sigma which aren't exactly travel size considering they're quite long in size but who's really complaining!!? Not I! The 7 Brush Kit offers enough brushes to complete a full face and the price isn't overwhelming-it's half the price of the full kit...in fact it's teeniest fraction of the cost of any 7 brush combination MAC can offer! We love MAC but hate MAC prices! Agreed?? AGREED!!




KITS:
✩There are several kits you can choose from but the main kits people opt for are the 7 Brush Travel Kit and their full 12 Brush Kit. In addition if you're not quite satisfied with the brush selection you can either buy individual brushes or you build your own kit and add the brushes you'd prefer.




SELECTION:
✩I opted for their travel kit because I travel often and it as necessary to my budget! I was relatively pleased with the brushes Sigma selects for their 7 Brush Travel Kit. All of the necessary brushes are provided to complete a full face!




QUALITY:
✩At first feel these brushes are mesmerizing, they're incredibly soft to the touch and quite frankly no shedding occurs when running your fingers through the synthetic fibers, which may I add are NOT made with animal hair/fur! The brush handles are durable and esthetically professional. However my E10 brush isn't my fav it's cut weirdly and isn't quite what I expected to help create my dramatic cat eyes...I dunno...I guess it's useful in it's 'too bad, make it work cause you bought and can't return it now' sort of way...




WASH TEST:
✩I usually wash my brushes with a bit of oil free makeup remover and a light baby shower gel and that usually gets all the grimey residue out of my brushes and I washed my brushes for the first time after a weeks use and to my surprise the brushes were softer than before...now I don't if I need to give credit to Johnson & Johnson but I honestly thought that the brushes were going to fail me after a good first wash and they didn't... entirely.


I did experience some shedding which is expected and my Face Brush needed some shaping but I did a quick fix on that and it went back to normal.




7 BRUSH KIT:

Small Eye Liner - E10 - Delivers a precise fine-line along the lash line. The length and density of the bristles are ideal for creating artistic designs. Synthetic filaments. 

Short Shader - E20 - Flat, short, slightly rounded and dense brush. Perfect for precisely applying colors on the lid and smudging along the lash line. Natural bristles. 

Small Tapered Blending - E45 - Small domed brush with highly tapered tip. Versatile, this brush can be used to apply and blend intense colors into the crease area. Natural bristles. 

Large Fluff - E50 - Ideal for applying and blending powder products on the lid, highlighting and contouring. Natural bristles. 

Duo Fibre Powder/Blush - F15 - Medium size tapered duo fibre brush.Generates a natural look during blush and highlighter application. Mix of synthetic filaments and natural bristles. 

Tapered face -F25 - Large domed brush with tapered tip. Ideal for application and blending of powder products, blush, and highlighter. Natural bristles. 

Large Concealer - F65 - Large synthetic concealer brush. Can be used to apply cream-based products to large areas. Also ideal for application of liquid or cream products. Synthetic filaments. 

Sigma Makeup offers a free travel size E25 brush with this kit! 


PRICES:


7 BRUSH KIT                      $49
12 BRUSH KIT                    $99
KABUKI BRUSH KIT        $42
5 BRUSH FACE KIT          $45
7 BRUSH EYE KIT            $45




PROS:
Inexpensive
Durable
Professional Esthetic
Soft Fibers
Synthetic Fibers
Decent Craftsmanship 


CONS:
Light Shedding
Didn't Pass Wash Test


BONUS:
Kit comes with E25 Blending Brush
I bought the super hyped F80 Kabuki Brush and it is a must have!!


Buy Your Brush Kit Today!
http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=110692


WATCH MY REVIEW!