Beauty Blender! (No, it won't make you Guacamole...)

To me, application of liquid foundations is not a standard routine: sometimes I use my fingers, sometimes a brush, depending solely on what I feel like doing that day.

No matter how I choose to achieve the "perfect" base for the rest of my makeup, it has become a daily habit of mine to bounce a moist beauty blender on top as soon as I put on foundation and concealer.

The reason is that it manages to blend everything seamlessly and provides the perfect bare canvas for the rest.

I have also used it the conventional way, meaning that I applied dots of makeup all over and then used it to spread on my face but I don't actually like it this way for two reasons:

• I feel that make up just stays on top of my face
• A lot of product gets absorbed in the sponge which to me is not only wasteful but also makes cleaning it a bit difficult. 

For these reasons, I firstly work the foundation on my face with fingers or a brush and then bounce it on. It's an extra step but to me totally worth it.

I also use it on top of blush or bronzer when I feel that I applied a bit too much, the remainder of foudation on it tones down everything without messing everything up. 

In fact, a lot of times I overdo blush in purpose and I follow up with a few bounces because it takes away the powdery finish and I end up with dewy cheeks, naturally flushed (how cliché, lol!), perfectly diffused, with no visible blush "ends". If you're struggling with blending out blushes etc, this is the perfect tool. 

In conclusion, I don't think that it is a must have tool, especially if you're happy with the way you apply foundation. 

I do think it is a nice to have tool, because it definitely perfects makeup application and it is multitasking, because it can be used with all kinds of cream/liquid products (makeup, concealer, blush, bronzer, highlight etc). 

If you love "diffused" application this is definitely a must.

On the other hand, if you don't want to pay $20 for it, or if you haven't used a sponge like this before and you're not sure if you'll like it or not, I would propose trying out a more affordable alternative. 

The one I have been using before the Beauty Blender is a Hondos Center find by the brand Cosmopolitan. I had never heard of this brand before but I got it on a whim, it was on a stand by the cashiers so I grabbed it while waiting in line.

As you can see it is well loved and quite battered up, so when I was considering repurchasing it I decided to try the "real thing" instead. 

In comparison, I would say they do pretty much the same thing.  The difference is that this one is more dense and doesn't expand in size while the Beauty Blender is more fluffy, soft and tender to my face. 

One thing that is important is that either of these is supposed to be used damp, not wet. I always wet it and then put it on a tissue paper and squeeze it hard before every use.

No matter what you choose, I wouldn't end this post without some maintenance tips and in particular how to clean them because from what I gather it is what most of the users struggle with. 

First of all, it definitely should be washed after every application or after two applications at the most. It is high maintenance without a doubt, or else you end up with a bacteria farm on your hand that goes on your face and it defeats the purpose.  

It also depends on how you use it: if you put foundation on top of it and then on your face it gets more stained because it absorbs more product. If you apply foundation with your hands or a brush and then use it to blend everything together, it absorbs less so it doesn't get much stained. 

Lastly, the reason I chose the Beauty Blender in the Pure (white, or light beige to be accurate) version is that I wanted to be able to see at a glance where and how much dirty it is because it makes cleaning it easier.

Enough blabbing, here's how I clean my sponges:

I start off with a very dirty sponge, (lol) on purpose, and a bowl with lukewarm water and some kind of soap. I have used hand soap, dish soap and I just got an Apivita Propolis soap that I'm excited to try out!

And then I squeeze it in the water/soap mixture.  A lot. It's kind of an excersize.  I also change the water 2/3 times and continue to squeeze until it's clean. 

Most importantly, I don't rub it, only squeeze it. My pink Cosmopolitan is so scarred because I used to rub it up viciously (before I came up with the bowl method).

Here it is, as good as new! The whole process takes me about 2-3 minutes.

What are your thoughts on this kind of sponges? Do you recommend a specific one?

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving! 

Fair as a Ghost: Estee Lauder Maximum Cover & Mac Pro Longwear Concealer.

Being quite a pale gal when the summer "tan" goes away, I start to look like Casper's sibling.
The problem that I find with my skin tone is that is hard to find a light enough foundation to match me and even when I do, they're usually too pink or too yellow.

I've used foundations that are a tiny bit darker and at first the difference is not apparent but after a while the colour usually oxidises and by midday I look a bit like oumpa loumpa!

So, after a lot of trial and error, I realized that finding a true match will probably never happen and I concluded that the only way was to DIY a shade myself!

In order to do that I needed a true white foundation and my first choice, years back, was the Mac Face and Body foundation in white.

I really liked it for the purpose but I disliked the huge bottle because in the end it went bad and in the garbage.

A few months ago I purchased the Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover foundation in shade 11 Very Light.

I found two uses for this one:

• it works beautifully mixed with another foundation in order to make the shade lighter
• it is perfect for the inner eye corner, as a highlight and also everywhere on the face where there is a shade and I want to lighten the area, for example under eyebags when I wake up a bit puffy.

On the other hand, texture-wise this is not one to use as is because used alone is quite dry and mask like. 

I also like the tube because it is very easy to get the right amount of product and at the same time it is very sanitary. 

A more recent find is the Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in shade NW15.

At first I swatched the NC15 but the SA suggested that I should try the NW15 and it definitely is a bit lighter than the NC15.

I use it for the same purposes as the Estee Lauder one (although it technically is a concealer) but it is more opaque so it offers more coverage and it is also very long lasting.

I wouldn't use it normally alone as an under eye concealer though because this one is also very light and it can result in the reverse panda effect.

Off course it can work as a concealer if used with a light hand and buffed adequately (and quickly because it sets fast!) then the under eye area looks really rested and light.

It comes with a pump and although I do like it because it is very hygienic at the same time I don't like it because I always end up with more product than I need, it is difficult to regulate the pressure. 

I also hate the fact that it stains my brushes, especially the Sigma ones are a nightmare to clean. On the other hand it comes off really easily from my Real Techniques brushes. They're all synthetic though, I don't understand why there's such a difference!

Enough talking, here are some photos!

Estee Lauder on the left, Mac on the right. 

Any suggestions for pale foundations are highly appreciated. 

That's it for now, I hope you are all well and thriving!

Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup

My experience with powders is more or less limited because I haven't been using them for a long time, nor have I tried many brands. My skin is dry so I was skeptical about how such a product would work on me.

The only reason I started using powder was for setting liquid foundations, mainly to prolong their longevity.

So far I was somewhat successful, either with the Mac MSF natural or with the Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten powder. The main drawback though was the powdery look but it was nothing that my Mac Fix+ couldn't fix.

It goes without saying that I've been searching for a better product and I have been lusting for a long time over the Laura Mercier mineral powder foundation that everyone has been raving about. The truth is that I was very reluctant to pay 40-50 euros for a product that seemed not suited for my skin type.

Until one day, when I watched this review of the Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup from pinkiecharm and it was the first time I heard about this powder foundation. Afterwards I did some more search online and I read only good stuff about it.

Coincidentally there was a 35% off sales at some store so I decided to give it a try and I got it in the lightest shade available here, that is #20 Light Beige.

The packaging didn't rock my world because the size of it is quite small so it's hard to use a standard powder brush, it loads only partially with the product.

Also, the shifter doesn't have the rotating cover that allows you to reveal just a few of the holes. Instead, there is an internal transparent removable lid that keeps the powder from going everywhere.

This lid is also indispensable because it helps retain the quality of the product intact.

As for the shifter itself, I removed the sealing tape only partially in order to contain as much of the powder inside it.

And these are the only negatives I could find of this product. The rest of it simply perfect!

Company description: This loose powder foundation contains 20% water and offers the skin the sensation of freshness upon application. Water acts as a veritable moisturizing and energizing coctail for the skin. The complexion glows with radiance and with daily use the skin becomes more and more luminous. Apply after fluid foundation or alone for a silky and transparent finish.

It comes in 7 shades but I believe that the lightest one, #10 Ivory is not available here.

What I think it is: Dior's next level interpretation of a mineral powder foundation

I love it because:

• It's the finest milled, silkiest powder I've ever tried
• It feels like nothing on my face
• It doesn't cake or set into fine lines, even if i apply a little heavily, not even after many hours
• It gives a gorgeous flawless and fresh finish that looks like skin instead of something on my skin.
• It doesn't oxidize on me (hooray!)
• It doesn't dissolve midday, it just stays put (hooray again!)
• Worn alone it gives a decent coverage.
• Used moderately on top of a liquid foundation, it can provide almost full coverage without the mask effect.
• Although it does contain Bismuth Oxychloride in its ingredients, for some reason it doesn't itch at all. I have had this problem with the first mineral powder I tried, from ELF.

How I use it:

Because it is so fine and lightweight I just pour some into the internal lid and then gently pick up some on my brush. Then I tap it all over my face and then I buff it in.

I have used the Sigma Sigmax F82 brush and the Elf Studio Powder Brush to buff it in and they both work fine.

All in all, to me this is a HG status product.

 

As always, if you're interested in it, go to a store and try it on prior to purchase. What works for one person may not work for another.

 

That's it for now, I hope you're all well and thriving!

Δημοσιεύτηκε με το Blogsy

Basics: Face tools

First of all, face brushes are the tools that enable me to achieve the best possible results in combination with the products that I use (foundation etc.).
Given the fact that they come in contact with my face on a daily basis, they must be of a good quality and they must be regularly cleaned.
That being said, I was really sceptical and undesicive about selecting face brushes. The reasons are:

• there are too many choices out there
• they are not cheap
• even if they were cheap, it wouldn't be practical to me to have too many brushes 

So, after a lot of searching and reading and taking in consideration my needs and the products that I use, I visited my local Mac with a clear plan. 

The first brush that I had to try was the very popular 187 (also known as duo fibre or stippling or skunk brush) and the Mac assistant told me that this is definitely THE must have brush. Although I'm always reserved when I hear raves about a product, this time I found the raves to be true.
In the store I wasn't that impressed (but I'm never impressed with brushes), but when I got home I used it right away and then I got sooo excited, because it is simply PERFECT for:

• liquid foundation: I get an even, flawless coverage, almost airbrushed, with minimal use of product. 
• powder: it delivers the desired amount of powder for my dry skin (that is less is best).
• blush: even the more pigmented ones (that were a nightmare to blend) have become my best friends
• bronzers: I was intimidated to use on my fair complexion but with this brush it is a pair made in heaven!
• mineralize skinfinishes: I get glow without the discoball effect.

Best feature is that it delivers the right amount of every product and even in layering it doesn't get cakey.
Mac 187 - €46 (€34,50 on a 25% discount)
So, here's my loved Mac 187 brush

Next day I run back to my local Mac shop and I got the 188 as well. It is the same brush as the 187 but narrower.
I use this one for the base products for eye makeup:

• concealer: it blends it like a dream (and I use cream concealer, not the easiest product to apply)
• powder: here too, it applies just the right amount (as already mentioned, less is best for me)
• paint pots: with cream eyeshadow bases in general, I get an even, flawless coverage.

Mac 188 - €37 (€27,75 on a 25% discount) 
Here's my loved (and a little dirty!) Mac 188 brush

The next brush is the Mac 168 angled contour brush and I got it when I started to contour my face with matte bronzing powder. I found that I needed more precision (in comparison to the 187), for example under the cheekbones etc. I also tried it with blush, higlighters etc, and it works great when I want a little heavier application (again in comparison to the 187). It also can be used for foundation. I don't love it like the 187 or 188, but it is a really practical one.
Mac 168 - €37 (€27,75 on a 25% discount).
Here's my handy Mac 168 brush

Here they are all together :-)

Cleaning my brushes is an essential step that I rarely miss:

• everyday, after I 've completed my makeup, I spray some Mac Brush Cleanser on a paper towel and I swipe them repeatedly on it. For that reason I keep in my brush case a small travel bottle with a spray pump.
• once a week, I wash them with a baby shampoo

Mac Brush Cleanser 235ML - €11,00 (€8,25 on a 25% discount).
Mac Small Travel bottle (package of 2) - €5,50 (€4,12 on a 25% discount).
Mac Spray Pump - €4,00 (€3,00 on a 25% discount).

Talking about face basics, I could not ommit my Mac Face & Body foundation. Although its coverage is on the light/sheer side, I love it because:

• it melts into my skin and it actually looks like my skin but better
• it evens out my skintone
• it gives my dry skin a dewy and fresh look
• even when I use two layers, it doesn't look like "makeup"
• it is quite affordable even fullprice - €34 for 120ML of product!

The funny thing is that I get the best coverage and less dewiness from it (more natural this way) when I apply it with my palms: I put some on my palm and rub my palms together until it starts feeling less slippery and more sticky. Then I "rub" it gently all over my face.
Shadewise, I was never into Mac foundations because they're dark for me, but in the summer (when I purchased the F&B) I was tanned so N1 was perfect. Now, it starts getting darker on me, so I got the Face & Body in White (available only at the Pro Mac stores, I got it in the Ermou street store) and I mix the two colors. Now that I think of it, this is a way to adjust the foundation to my skintone throughout the year, at least until I get excited to try something new!

By the way, I tried to get the new Mac Matchmaster in 1.0 (I think it's the lightest Mac shade) but there's nowhere to find it! The lightest shade they got is 1.5 and it's not that 1.0 is sold out (Mac at Ermou street hadn't even set the display for this collection). Maybe Mac supposed that all greek women are fairly tanned??? Well, news for you Mac, there are many greek women that could use the 1.0!

Anyway,  back to the topic..
Mac Face & Body 120ML - €34,00 (€25,50 on a 25% discount).
Here are my foundations

During the summer, I also used some Elf mineral makeup (very lightly) as a setting powder.
Although it makes my makeup last even longer (all day) without touch ups (dry skin), I didn't like it that much, it felt weird, not itchy but close to that.

So, last week, after reading all the positive reviews about the Mac Careblend pressed powder, I decided to give it a try and I got one in Light. What makes this setting powder "special" is that it is supposed to be the most moisturising of all the Mac powders. Powder and moisturizing definitely sounds like an oxymore but, it really has a creamy-like feeling. I use it only with the 187 brush, so that I get the least possible amount of it and then I buff it into my skin.
It has a mirror and a little sponge application.
Mac Studio Careblend Pressed Powder - €25,00 (€18,75 on a 25% discount).
Here 's my Careblend

Last thing that I use on an everyday basis is the Mac Fix+ spray. It is supposed to be like a setting mist, after the makeup application to blend everything seamlessly together. It can also be used as a moisturizer, before makeup application.
Well, it didn't sound like that much, nor like a product that I must have had, but, one day, I saw the mini bottle of it and I got it out of pure curiosity. And (surprise!) it became a staple product to me. I keep the mini bottle in my purse at all times and I also keep a large one at home with my makeup stuff.
The reason I love it is mainly because it gives me the solution to "combat" the midday dullnes, when my face becomes flat and dehydrated. A couple of spritzes is all it takes to bring life and moisturization back to it!
I also use it after completing my makeup, it melts everything into my skin.
Mac Fix+ 30ML - €11,00 (€8,25 on a 25% discount).
Mac Fix+ 100ML - €17,50 (€13,12 on a 25% discount).
Here are the two of them

So, long story short (LOL!) these are my basic tools for face makeup.

What's your staple product for face makeup?