After reading
aboutShizuka
NY’s Clay Cleanser, hearing some testimonials,
and after some seriously scrutinous back and forth (note: I’m NOT a big spender
when it comes to high-end facial cleansers); I decided to give my scrutiny a
rest and just buy a bottle. So,
what made this product so captivating in the first place?
1
1.It’s made
with Moroccan lava clay. I’ve heard that clay cleansers have generous
anti-aging and skin detox qualities as it helps refine pores and tighten the
skin, so the main ingredient itself was enough to tempt me. Quite simply, I’ve
never used a clay cleanser before and the thought of it on my skin sounded well,
nice.
2.It claims to
“lift impurities from the skin” and “aids acne-prone skin and minimizes minor
blemishes”. I don’t normally have oily skin, but due to all the sunscreen,
moisturizers and make-up I’ve been wearing (mixed with NYC’s current
“stinky-hot” air (yes, that’s how I would describe it!)), my pores needed a
little TLC.
I’ve been using it for a week now and admittedly look forward to using it
at the end of each day! It’s best used
on dry skin and goes on wonderfully smooth and light. Its delicate scent no
doubt comes from a few of its alluring ingredients: green tea, pearl protein,
lotus flower, German chamomile, and licorice root extracts. As an added bonus,
especially during the summer months, the cleanser also includes a little
peppermint oil which leaves my skin feeling cool and refreshed.
I just changed the site address to http://beautifulfacesblog.blogspot.com because I'm expanding this blog to include some very fashion-forward, beauty junkies, and awesome writers to write posts here.
(p.s. If you'd like to be a volunteer blogger email me at alaine83 at gmail dot com and tell me about your beauty hoarding (hahaha), why you want to be a blogger, and if you have any experience professionally in the beauty/fashion world (optional) )
Me with my airbrush machine! Photo Credit: Di Zhang
I've been using my toothbrush to exfoliate my lips until I discovered Sara Happ's Lip Scrub is AMAZING! I originally picked up the scrub to replenish my professional make up kit. As a rule for stuff in my kit, I have to test it first. I am addicted to the scrub! Its a permanent fixture on my bathroom sink. Looks like I have to pick up a second pot of lip scrub for my kit.
I own the peppermint scrub (I'm a sucker for mint!) and use it about 2x a week. You put a small amount on your lips and then tissue it off - this leaves the lips super soft.
With packaging like this, who could resist picking up this lip scrub? I think this scrub would also make a fantastic gift for a friend, mother, sister, etc.
I saw a few Youtube videos of "beauty gurus" that were doing the make up tags... Thought I'd do something similar here.
1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?
2 years old! I used to sneak into my Grandmother's and Mother's make up drawers and play around with their make up. I also used to get into a lot of trouble for cutting my own hair. Needless to say, my make up skills were a lot better than my hair cutting skills!
I started wearing make up for school around 6th grade, then I couldn't be bothered with make up too much in high school b/c I was too sleep-deprived from all the activities I did each day. I only wore make up for dance performances and figure skating competitions in high school.
2. How did you get into makeup?
I got into doing make up because I hated people touching my face. I used to re-do the make up that my mother did on my face for dance recitals when I was a child b/c I didn't like the way it looked. When I got older, I started learning theater make up and signed up to be on crew so I wouldn't have to sit in anyone's chair! lol.
3. What are some of your favorite brands?
Stila, Make Up Forever, NARS, Fresh, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Origins, and Body Shop
4. What does makeup mean to you?
Make up is a wonderful way to enhance natural beauty. It is also fun to mix it up and try a new look b/c at the end of the day, you can wash it off!
5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face what would they be?
OCC Tinted Moisturizer, Stila's Cherry Crush lip/cheek stain, Alison Raffaele's Transparent Finish to go, Shu Uemura mascara
6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?
The ability to lift a mood, look and feel fabulous, and the confidence it brings.
7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high end makeup?
I'm a make up snob/junkie/hoarder - I love good quality products so tend to stick with products I've tested on myself and that it works well. I'm also transitioning my make up to also be cruelty-free b/c bunnies don't deserve to be mistreated and tortured for the sake of cosmetics. There are so many products that humans are willing to try and test out if it works.
8. What is one tip of advice you can give to a beginner?
Hone in on the skills you are good at and focus your energy on that. You can't do everything.
I'm not an FX make up artist, nor a body painter, or do fantasy type make up but have tried all those things out. I'm just not good at it and there are so many more talented artists who can do that kind of work. My best skills is in beauty make up and airbrush make up applications. I like continuing to expand my skills so I practice a lot and have done some pretty interesting transformations during Halloween for clients and friends.
9. What is one makeup trend you never understood?
Eyelid taping. This is predominant in Asia, I had to tape an Asian brides lids a few times because they wanted a "double lid" effect. This changes the way the eyes look and I never understood the phenomenon of looking completely like a different person when this trend has been done as well as using make up to transform the entire face especially when it comes to weddings. Its just weird to me. I understand that you need to transform the entire face for a theatrical production or a film/tv show and embrace the joy that make up can do that but for an everyday look or a wedding?!?!?! Thats just living behind a mask.
10. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube?
Some of the videos make me cringe but its like watching reality tv shows, you just can't help but watch it. This video is really cute though....
It's the new "it" color of the season that everyone seems to be talking about these days... I've been rocking the coral color when everyone was rocking the bright red lips a few years back. My favorite combination is orange lips, coral cream blush, gold lids, and fluttery lashes.
Believe or not Orange is a universally flattering color for most skin tones if done correctly. I think Coral blush is the easiest one to pull off.
#1 Rule for creme blush: Blend Blend Blend! Make sure you start with the smallest amount possible and build from there, otherwise you run the risk of looking like a sunburnt tomato
Just in time for the summer NARS has a new tinted moisturizer with an SPF 30 added to it. I'm fair skinned and burn easily so always wear sunscreen on top of my moisturizer before heading out the door.
I currently love the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics tinted moisturizer but my bottle has run out so I'm in the market for a tinted moisturizer that feels just like silk and provide coverage for everyday usage that doesn't feel heavy.
I used to combine my moisturizer with the NARS sheer matte foundation but that extra step to combine foundation with a moisturizer sometimes can get messy. I'm currently combining my Kett airbrush foundation with my moisturizer. Its not working so well b/c my moisturizer is thick and doesn't blend well with the foundation. I like my foundations to be on the watery side b/c I use moisturizer and sunscreen underneath; I just don't like that cake-y feeling traditional make up feels on top of my skincare regimen. (Thats why I love airbrush make up applications & recommend it for special events)
Can't wait to check the NARS tinted moisturizer the next time I'm in the NARS store on Bleecker or a Sephora.
I've been teaching quite a bit of private make up lessons the past few months and its come to my attention that the average woman doesn't clean her make up brushes! How often should we clean our personal make up brushes? This is my formula... After every use, I swipe my brushes onto a tissue paper to get the surface gunk out. Once a month, I do a deep clean with a brush cleaner. I like Cinema Secrets brush cleaner b/c I can purchase a big bottle since I deep clean my professional brushes after every use.
How to Deep Clean your make up brushes: 1) Pour Cinema Secrets brush cleaner onto a cup 2) Swirl your brush around in it 3) Squeeze out excess liquid 4) Dry it out with Paper Towels 5) Reshape the brush 6) Store in flat brush roll
Note: if the brush is still wet, you can place it by the side of the sink with the bristles facing towards the sink. You don't want to place your brushes in a cup when its still drying because the liquid will seep into the handle and damage the brush.
1. It’s made
with Moroccan lava clay. I’ve heard that clay cleansers have generous
anti-aging and skin detox qualities as it helps refine pores and tighten the
skin, so the main ingredient itself was enough to tempt me. Quite simply, I’ve
never used a clay cleanser before and the thought of it on my skin sounded well,
nice.
