mac

Flawless Foundation Routine

Hello beauties! I’ve been asked a few times what products I use to achieve a flawless face. In this post I’m going to show you all of the products I use including the most important tools.

Step 1: Moisturize and Prime

I’ve been using the Belief True Cream Moisturizing Bomb (rewards), Origins Ginzing Eye Cream, and the YSL Blur Primer (deluxe sample). I apply the primer in the center of my face and around my mouth.

Step 2: Apply Foundation and Concealer

IMG_2426I am currently using the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation and the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. My foundation is in the shade Natural Beige and my concealer is in the shade Custard. The concealer is about one shade lighter than my skin tone. I normally use the UD Naked Concealer, but my under eyes are a little to dry for that one right now. I also love using the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer.

The most important tool to use when blending in foundation and concealer is the Beauty Blender. The only thing I dislike about using it is how long it takes takes to blend. Feels like foreeevvveerrrr. But it works and it’s the only tool that blends everything flawlessly.  I first apply my foundation and then my concealer. If I really want to highlight under my eye then I apply the concealer in a triangle formation. I also apply it on my chin, cupid’s bow, tip of the nose, and the center of the forehead. I blend my concealer with the beauty blender as well.

Step 3: Set Foundation and Concealer

IMG_2423The KEY to a flawless face is setting it with powder. My favorite powder to set my concealer is the yellow shade (Lucid) in the Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette. This really highlights the under eye and makes it look flawless. To do this, I use the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush. I gently press it on the same areas I applied concealer. I NEVER blend in, just press onto the skin.

To set the rest of my face I use the NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder. You can use any kind of brush for this. I normally use a larger powder brush. I feel like the NARS powder is underrated. People rave about the Laura Mercier one, but I hardly ever see anyone mention this one. I’ve never tried LM (it’s on my list), I’m sure it’s great, but this one gets the job done too. This product also works great for the ‘baking’ technique.

Step 4: Bronze, Blush, and Highlight

mufeNow the fun begins… First, I apply bronzer, the middle shade in the same Kat Von D palette. I hardly ever take the time to really sculpt my face. I’ve seen many people ask how to contour and what tool to use. I don’t think contouring is necessary more than half the time, just add a little bronzer and your good to go. I do believe the right brush is needed. I prefer to use a flat type of brush. I’ve been using the MUFE Large Powder Fan Brush.  This brush is amazing and makes bronzing/contouring so easy! It allows you to create the perfect line. I also run the brush across my nose, top of forehead, and around jawline. You could also use this brush to apply blush and highlight. It’s a huge brush so it takes a while to get used to holding it. But once you do, you’ll love it!

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After applying bronzer, highlight, & blush

Finally, I apply blush and highlight. Those two vary from time to time. Lately I have been using a Tom Ford blush/highlight duo that came out last year in their holiday collection.

Step 5: Setting Spray

I don’t really like my face to look too powdery so I always apply a setting spray. My go-to’s are MAC Fix Plus and Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. If I want my makeup to last all day and night then I use the Urban Decay.

I also wanted to mention that if I am wearing a lot of eyeshadow, like a smokey eye, then I do that first. I normally apply the foundation, then the eyeshadow, and then the concealer. This way you can easily clean up any fallout or mistakes. You can really use that concealer to clean up the eyeshadow.

So there you have it. Those are all of the steps I do to achieve a flawless look. I usually do this about once a week. I prefer a lot less steps and makeup on a day to day basis.

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*Eyebrows: Diorshow Brow Styler, Eyeshadow: KVD Shade + Light Eye, Liner: KVD Tattoo Liner, Lips: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in More Better.

Thanks so much for reading. I hope this was helpful. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions!

XO, Diana

 

 

Favorite Lipsticks for Summer-2015

Summer is here! It is definitely feeling like summer here in Seattle. It’s been crazy hot here!

It is time to show you my top lipstick picks for the season. I normally wear whatever color I’m feelin’ that day but for some reason I have been leaning towards lots of reds and pinks lately.

MAC- Lady Danger

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This is a must have red lipstick, especially for summer! It’s a bright bold orange-red. It is a matte finish. This one isn’t as dry as other mattes. I think it’s a color that will look great on any skin tone.

MAC- Relentlessly Red

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This color is perfect for the one’s who don’t prefer orangey-reds. This is described as a “bright pinkish coral.” I simply see it as a neon coral red. It has a retro matte finish so it is a little dryer than the regular mattes.

YSL- 19 Fuchsia in Rage

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Ok, YSL will always win for having the most beautiful packaging. This lipstick is part of the Rouge Volupté Shine range. It’s a gorgeous fuchsia color. It looks a lot more purple in the bullet but it’s not. These lipsticks are sheer which is not something I usually go for, but this lipstick is an exception. It is perfect when you’re on the go, very easy to apply, and no lip liner needed. When I do want it to look a little bolder, I line my lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Magenta.  

Dose of Colors- Pinky Promise

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Pinky Promise may just be my favorite pink lipstick! This color is a straight up hot pink. It has a very warm undertone. I really recommend this lipstick. I also own Kiss of Fire which I mentioned in my Spring favorites. This lipstick will last you all day so you wouldn’t have to worry about touching up.

Stila- Bella

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Bella is also a beautiful bright pink. This one has blue undertones. This color was part of their Summer Collection. This formula reminds me of the Anastasia Beverly Hills liquid lipsticks, but I honestly prefer the Stila. So if you like the ABH lipsticks then you will like these! FYI, if you join Stila’s Email List you can get 20% off your purchase.

It was so hard to choose but I am happy with my choices!

Lady Danger

Lady Danger

Relentlessly Red

Relentlessly Red

Fuchsia in Rage

Fuchsia in Rage 

Pinky Promise

Pinky Promise

Bella

Bella

Summer is all about bright colors so go out there, have fun, and rock a bright lip! Let me know what lipsticks you will be wearing!

-Diana

MOTD- Cinderella Collection


IMG_1064-1Thanks to my wonderful husband I own the majority of the MAC Cinderella collection. I sent him to the mall to pick up the beauty powder and the glitter the day they came out in store. He ended up coming  home with those two items, the eyeshadow palette, both lip glosses, and both lipsticks. I didn’t want to do a full on review since it’s not available and so many people missed out getting anything.

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DiorSkin Nude Air Foundation, MAC- Pro Longwear Concealer, Nars-Madly Blush, Kat Von D-Shade & Light Palette, ABH Brow Wiz

I absolutely love the eyeshadow palette. MAC did a wonderful job creating it. Today I used three of the colors, Omega (crease), Satin Taupe (lid), and Phloof (inner corner). My favorite eyeshadow in this palette is Satin Taupe. The good news is that all of the colors are permanent except for Stroke of Midnight (darkest one). Omega is also a great color, it’s perfect for the crease!

I have the Mystery Princess Beauty Powder. It’s described as a “pink beige with silver shimmers.” It has a very subtle shimmer and gives a nice light glow.

I lightly lined my lips with Whirl lip pencil. I then applied Free as a Butterfly lipstick and topped it off with the lipglass in Glass Slipper. The lipstick is a sheer nude, nothing special to be honest. I’m not really a lipgloss kind of gal but these lipglasses are beautiful. Glass slipper is a very light pink with silver and pink shimmers. I have yet to swatch the other lipstick or lipglass. I could possibly include them in a shade of the day!

Here’s a little casual OOTD as well!

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T-shirt- Nordstrom (Similar), Cardigan- Forever 21, Jeans- Express, Shoes- Target

 

My shirt totally says Celfie not Elfie haha!

Happy Easter!

Diana

Shade of the Day- Valentine’s Day

image I FINALLY get to talk about all the lipsticks I wear. This is one of the biggest reasons why I was so excited to start this blog!

Kat Von D- Backstage Bambi, NARS- Costa Smeralda

Kat Von D- Backstage Bambi, NARS- Costa Smeralda

Today’s lipstick choice is Backstage Bambi by Kat Von D. These liquid lipsticks are by far my favorite formula. They are super long lasting and do not transfer AT ALL. This color is a vivid hot pink with a blue undertone. If you don’t like extra drying lipsticks then try MAC Pink Pigeon.

KVD, MAC

KVD, MAC

I lined my lips with NARS Velvet Lip Liner in Costa Smeralda. I was so excited when NARS came out with these last fall because I am such a fan of the Velvet Lip Pencils. These liners are also long lasting and will prevent any feathering. I will say they are a bit tough to apply and can even be a little sticky. It doesn’t bother me because of the color pay off and longevity make it worth it.

NARS

NARS

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day. My husband and I decided to go on a mini road trip to Portland! Yay for yummy food and tax free shopping! Happy weekend!

Diana