Looks I am Loving: Marie Antoinette

Kirsten Dunst in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette

So for awhile now, probably since I went back to a more natural blonde/"brond" colour of hair, I have been digging a somewhat more minimalist look. I don't find I need as much makeup, or as much eye makeup anyways than I did when I was super blond there for a bit. Also I have been really trying to go easier on my hair to grow it out so I have been working my my natural curl and using a lot of no-heat curl methods like the Japanese (Asian? does anyone know, seriously) foam rollers that I mentioned in my hair post. So I have been crushing on some historical-ish hair looks to pin my curly hair fantastically around my head, and basically I fantasize about something that looks like Marie Antoinette would have worn at Hameau de la Reine, her model farm (look it up, its awesome) or if she would have lived in 1975. Still completely glam, but in a casual way, if that's possible.

My Top 5 Favourite Things

Julie Andrews singing My Favourite Things in Mary Poppins.
I couldn't resist

...These are a few of my favourite things! Again! so still getting beck in the blogging spirit. I thought I would review some products, most of which I have talked about before, that are still and will always be kicking around in my bathroom and would probably die if they were discontinued. Even though I have a pile of makeup, these are things I use pretty much daily, and are probably kicking around in my purse right now. Criteria for making the list is that I have used them for over a year and still haven't found something I would rather use. Even though most of them are at a relatively inexpensive price point. I buy them, without a discount, even after I am not working in the land of beauty, and I feel lost without them. I most likely have multiple security bottles...I might have a problem.

My Three Favourite Hair Things!

Marc Jacobs Fall 2013

Hi Guys,
So I am the worst person ever. I haven't written on here for months. I am a grad student, cut me some slack. I haven't slept let alone blogged. Anyway... long story short, I think I am going to post on here some blogs to get myself back into the grove of things.

I have been out of beauty now since Christmas... and just to let you know, things have gone a bit to seed. You would think moving to New York would up my beauty game, but alas, I am broke and being a grad student I have been somewhat sloppy. I could be a grad student in Zanzibar for the amount I have been out and about in New York. Anyways my posts are going to be slightly different, more cheap finds, more how tos, less new collections, since I am sure you are already seeing enough paid promo for that anyway. Tell me if you are down with this and more of what you would like to see in the comments. So without further ado...

Looks I am Loving: Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly

Dolly is Fab

Ok so I have been experiencing technical difficulties. I have started my first semester of grad school and life in crazy. Also if you hadn't noticed, all the pictures on the blog disappeared for no apparent reason. So, as tedious as it is, I have been slowly working to restore all the blogs back to their former glory. I said I wasn't going to write any more until all of the old ones are fixed, but its boring! Thank God I put everything in a Pintrest folder so it isnt a total pain. Any tips fellow Blogger users? So I am working towards total blog restoration, in the meantime, here is a blog....

So on to Dolly! Not exactly a cult classic, but still awesome, Hello Dolly is a musical with Barbra Streisand as the lead character Dolly Levi directed by Gene Kelly (Gene Kelly! 'nuff said). Anyway, it is suppose to be set in 1890, but clearly the makeup is all 1969. I am pretty sure eyeliner wasn't even invented yet let alone having a full on swoop of cat eye. Not exactly period appropriate, but I am sure they make concessions for Barbra.

How to: Survive a Hangover

Everyone has been there

So you had a rough week, so you wanted to blow off some steam then the next day you have an even rougher morning. And now you have to go to work. In a beauty department.

In a perfect world, this never would have happened because you are a responsible adult. And since you are a beauty person, you would have known the harsh effects that alcohol has on your circulation causing wrinkles, roughness and dehydration and you wouldn't drink at all. In fact you would have instead gone to bed early after removing your makeup, eating organic sprouts after having a rousing spin class at the gym. ...Riiiight.

How to: Bangin' Brows

Very pretty girl with great brows
Again, perfect features do not come with fixing of brows (but darn close maybe)

So seriously. What is up with the internet?
My computer had an unfortunate blue screen-related melt down, which was fun (not) so I have been on hiatus yet again. Plus, you know, grad school in New York; no big.
But seriously though, have you seen the brows lately? Has everyone gone crazy?

How to: Use Sunless Tanner

*Body does not come with application of fake tan

Tis' the season for the fake tan. After my Serena post, I realized I wanted to go full out and do the tan that goes with. Done and done. Plus it has the added bonus of covering up most the cuts, bruises, mosquito bites (who da thunk there would even be bugs on Manhattan?) and other signs of a summer well lived. So I thought I would explain how to do a good one, so it looks like you froliced in the summer summer as well, even though hopefully you tried to stay out of it, or enveloped in a cloud of SPF.

Looks I am Loving: Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl

Spotted: Serena getting off the train at Grand Central

I decided to do this Gossip Girl post because I have been re-watching the entire series as prep for New York. Yes, I admit it is totally unrealistic, soap opera-ish, and ultra glam prep but sue me. This post is a little late in the game but I still really want to look like Blake Lively, aka Serena van der Woodsen circa 2008. This being not nearly as cool as doing a re-creation of a look from some obscure cult classic from the 80's or a classic hollywood film I realize, but it is my blog and I will blog about what I want! I still want to live out my Gossip Girl fantasies in New York, unrealistic as they may be, gallivanting on the Upper East side (which turns out is kind of boring really, who'da thunk).

How to: Survive Summer in New York (or any hot, humid place for that matter)

I want to look this hot in NYC... mostly I am trying to avoid sweating to death

So I have been on hiatus again... for good reason! I have been in NYC for the past five weeks attending a pre-course for grad school. And I am going to be moving there! which is incredibly exciting, Of course I go during a heat wave, at a time of year known for being unpleasant in New York and no Hamptons or whatever to escape to. And I wasn't just gallivanting around, I had to actually, like impress people and stuff. Attempting to make a good impression while drowning in your own sweat is not an easy feat. Keeping my skin nice, and not sunburnt was top priority because pretty much everything got sweated off. So here are the few things that actually worked (which were not many) in the extreme heat and humidity of the New York summer.

Looks I am Loving: Orange Lips!

J Crew Sprig 2013
Double colour! but pretty no?

When summer comes.... I am lazy. Hot weather to me equals less makeup and more time spent outside walking, bike riding, sitting on patios... mostly sitting on patios; enjoying what little summer we get in Canada. And I want to look cute but not wear a ton of makeup that is going to slide off my face. Or affect my sunscreen reapplication. So giant smoky eye is out of the question. But deep red lips? in the middle of summer? no I want cheer, bright happy, sunny! That's where orange come is. I love orange, its like pink's older, punker, neglected sister. I don't want to look like a Barbie all the time, I want to look cool and fashion-y. What's more fashion-y I ask you then a funky lip colour, a bareface and some big "sunnies"? Nothing. Nothing I say! So here is three levels of orange intensity from dip your toe, to full on.

How to: Giant Lashes (Without Falsies!)

Obviously these are fake.

So I have been on a serious blog hiatus I know. In between final projects, applying for grad school, friends and working at my actual makeup job, blogging went on the back burner. But not dead! We are back!

Tips for Dealing with Sensitive (Problematic) Skin

Careful!

So unfortunately I am a lot of skin sensitivity issues that I deal with on a regular basis. And the dryness/harshness of the seemingly never-ending  Canadian winter only further irritates it. I have found, after years of practice and trial and error that dealing with it requires some avoidance and some extra special care. Sometimes it just sucks and you have to deal. So here are my tips for keeping your extra sensitive skin from hatin' on you.

How to: Make Makeup Last (for Long Days)

Jean Paul Gautier SS 2013

I am sorry I haven't blogged for awhile, life has gotten very busy. I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The beauty people (the lucky shomos they are) complain about being so busy during fashion week but what about the rest of us that have to make it through real life long days where we want to be fabulous? I had makeup on my face for over 15 hours everyday this weekend. It has to stay put. Obviously no makeup can stay perfect that long (we don't expect miracles) but hopefully we still look pretty descent. So these are my tips for making it last.

Looks I am Loving: Oscars 2013!

The Oscars (just imagine Oprah saying it)

So I know the whole internet is talking about the Oscars, but I just did a short bit about my favourites. Bear in mind I am talking about the makeup! I am not rating in any way the fashion because we don't have all night. And most of the makeup I liked came with the dresses I hated so that's an issue. I am not going to dis anyone either because I am trying to keep it positive and we have the entirety of Twitter and Perez Hilton for that. My favourites in no particular order:

How to: Apply Foundation

Foundation, faking flawless skin (plus some photoshop I am sure)

So as a continuation from yesterday’s How to: Choose a Foundation post, I thought it would be important to explain how to apply it. You can customize the coverage of the foundation depending on the tool, from ultra glam perfection to naturally perfect. It also depends on your laziness level. So let me explain.

How to: Choose a Foundation

Swatch foundation more towards the jaw line, obviously neither colour is close

Foundation is one of the most difficult things to get right and one of the products we use the most and are the most loyal to. It is difficult to get right because not only does it have to perfectly match the skin (yes I said perfectly) it also has to work with the individuals skin type and lifestyle. And when the three pieces fall together? Perfection.

How to: Wash Your Face! 6 ways!

You need to wash your face!

So I feel like this is another forgotten category of skincare. Most people think I they can use whatever as long as their skin gets clean. Not true. I have even had people tell me they wash their faces with head and shoulders!  No wonder your face hates you (hint, it’s not your quality moisturiser. Washing your face gets all the pollution and dirt off your skin that can be aging and cause uneven skin. Think of proper cleansing as prepping the skin for all the great products you are going to put on after like your pricey serums and moisturisers.

The Acid Difference: Glycolic vs. Salicylic

Supposedly Cleopatra bathed in milk which naturally contains lactic acid, a form of AHA.

How many want to bet Elizabeth Taylor at least tried it?

So sorry I have been on a couple day hiatus guys, sometimes you just get blogged out and sticking to my own self imposed schedule was wearing on me. I am still figuring this all out and how I want to write this thing. So I have noticed that people seem to find the more technical blogs helpful so today is another that seem to be a topic a lot of people are confused with; the difference between glycolic and salicylic acid, a topic suggested by my good friend Amaira.

How to: Apply Blush

Anna Sui Spring 2012

I saved the best for the last, after bronzer and highlighter, because I think blush is my favourite cosmetic product ever and I wanted to do it justice. To me, it looks good on everyone and makes everyone look better; more alert, healthier. Isn't that what makeup is in theory supposed to do anyway  make us look like a better version of ourselves?

Looks I am Loving: Coloured Eye Shadow SS 2013

Peter Som Spring 2013

So I feel like I have been talking about a lot of heavy stuff lately, and I still am getting a feel of what you guys do and don’t like so I thought I would talk about something fun and leave all the talk of moisturising  and exfoliating behind for a minute and talk about stuff that give us instant satisfaction- Pretty, sparkly eye shadow. I somewhat talked about spring being about natural face + bold something with my last looks I am loving post about the Jessa look. Looking at more pictures from SS 2013 I have discovered another thing I love; the amazing natural face + coloured shadow. Again super simple and you could actually walk down the street without feeling super weird. It has surpassed its junior high school roots and in this other picture from Peter Som, looks down right edgy: