Glow On' Girl

Summer is Rapidly approaching and what better way to usher in the season than with glowy dewey makeup?? Being that I'm super oily (skin type), I like a faux glow. I thoroughly dislike my face to have an all over glow because throughout the day, the glow/dew will turn into more like GREASE! Yuck. Who wants that? So instead of illuminating everywhere, I strategically place my glow.

I've found the best type of products for me to use is Powder Highlights. They stay in place and they look better as the makeup sets into the skin. So basically, I choose this formula for it's longevity.

To help you navigate the endless rows of Highlighters, I've compiled a list of my TOP Highlighters.

*Disclaimer: Everything isn't for everyone. These are the products and brands that have been tested on myself and my clients. These are in no type of order and they work on a variety of skin tones

 

GOLDEN BRONZE SHEER LOOSE POWDER by MAC COSMETICS

www.maccosmetics.com

 

 

 

First PRO about this product is that it's a loose powder. Loose powders tend to be very easy to work with and leave a nice satiny finish on the skin. This particular shade is just perfect for so many. On my melanated girls I use it as the perfect highlighter shade. On my Caucasian skinned clients, I use it as a bronzer instead. On Olive skin tones, such as Middle Eastern women, this color is a dream!!! MAC used to have a shade in this same powder called SILVER DUSK. If you can find it/get your hands on it, then you'd definitely be winning. IT's AMAZING for Light to Medium Skin Tones.


ANATASIA BEVERLY HILLS GLOW KITS
www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com

 

 I think these highlighters MUST have descended from heaven. The price point is AMAZING for the amount of product you get ($40: $10 a shade). The shades are all extraordinary! ABH released 2 kits to target the full spectrum of shimmer. "That Glow" kit is better suited for Darker Hued beauties (like MAC NC40-50/NW40-50 shades) and the "Gleam" kit works best on paler skin tones. But if you're like me, then you bend all the rules and mix colors. These powders are smooth, finely milled, and shimmery (not sparkly/glittery). Definitely a GLOW STAPLE.

 

 

 

LOU-MANIZERS by THE BALM

https://thebalm.com

 

 

I believe of all the highlighters I own, These have to be my most used and absolute favorite. But be careful, these are not for those that want a subtle glow. They give off the ultimate SHINE FACTOR. They are still great for everyday though. They're sold separately and in a trio palette (I own both forms). I can easily wear all of the colors with my skin tone but my two faves are Cindy and Betty. Betty is a great bronze glow that goes well with all makeup. Cindy is more on the pink side and goes perfect with pink or neutral blushes.

 

 

SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTORS (PRESSED) by BECCA COSMETICS

 

These have to be the most talked about products by Beauty Vloggers and Bloggers alike. They retail for a pretty penny ($38) but they contain .28 ounces of product. Are they worth the price?? HECK YEAH. They're ultra smooth and silky. The shade range is IMPECCABLE. They have a shade for EVERYONE. The colors I own are OPAL, CHAMPAGNE POP, and BLUSHED COPPER (which is too dark for me to use as a highlighter but I use it as a blush). They also come in cream and liquid versions (which I don't prefer on myself due to my skins oiliness). So there is a formula and shade for everyone! I recommend using the "Poured" version for a subtle glow. The liquid version for the all over glow underneath makeup and the "Pressed" version for the strategically placed spot highlighting.

 

 

 There are many others I love and use but these few have been kit and personal staples of mine for quite sometime now. I love that the highlighters mentioned can be used on all skintypes and in various ways.

What's your favorite highlighter???


Until Next Post
Xxo

 

 

 



Spring 2016 Makeup Trend

Every year the trends in makeup seem to recycle themselves. Washes of color in spring hues, dewey skin, etc. Certain aspects many change (like where the focus of color will be or the textures used) but the basis of makeup via trend stays the same.

 

2016 is no different.

This year, for spring, we've been seeing a lot of eyeshadow and colored mascara looks. Not the graphic colored liner from years before.

 

Spring Makeup in 2015 brought us bolder lips and a more graphic liner done in brighter spring shades.  Spring Makeup in 2016 is more fluid and ethereal. Keeping the lips looking like watercolors and the eyes blown out with hues of blue and green.

 

But how can we translate these runway looks to our everyday life?? These are runway looks done on models and most of us are only walking our office or job runways! lol

 

Well it's simple. I'll tell you my easy steps to a spring face.

 

Step 1: Prep and Prime the skin. The most important step for ANY makeup. I skip traditional moisturizers (If your skin is drier, you should definitely use moisturizer) but I've picked up a Mat Emulsion that gives enough moisture to the skin and mattifies at the same time. Then I prime my face with Becca Ever-Matte Primer. It controls my oiliness all day (For Dry skin types I like the Too Faced Hangover Primer)

 

Step 2: Keep the skin as natural as possible. Stay free from heavy foundations and powders. Opt for bb and cc creams and only powder where necessary. My favorite combination is Smash Box Camera Ready BB Cream Set with Nars Sheer Pressed Powder.  I set all over my face because I tend to get oily almost everywhere. But this combination last all day and tends to yield great coverage.

 

Step 3: Skip the heavy contouring and highlighting. Conceal where needed but Sculpt the face subtly was a powder or bronzer 1 shade darker than skin tone. I've been using Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer for a subtle sculpt. For concealing I've been loving the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer. Super creamy, light in feel but ultimate coverage!

 

Step 4: Play up the face with shimmer (not glitter). For day to day wear. I prefer to use a highlighting power with NO glitter but a nice subtle shimmer. I've been loving the Balm Betty Lou-manizer (it fits my skin tone well) and the City Colors Highlighting Trio (In both Collections). Another set of great illuminating powders are the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. Amazing-ness in a pan!!! But they are uber expensive.

 

Step 5: Add a watery hue to your water line or lash line. How you do it is completely up to you. I like to add a light blue to my lower water line or a grassy green. I tend to stay away from those hues in eyeshadows. I prefer to leave it on the runways!

 

Step 6: Leave the matte lipsticks in Fall and Winter. Instead, opt for a gloss, stain, or lacquer but in natural tones (nude, rose, pale pinks).

 

These steps are so easy to do and should take you less than 15 minutes once you get the hang of it.

Keep in mind, these are my steps. Everyone want love them but they CAN work for everyone. Make the steps your very own or take away only the steps you need.

 

As Always, I thank you for stopping by my blog today!! I appreciate all comments and/or feedback.

Be on the look out for posts twice a week!!!

 

SMOOCHES!!!

April Antoinette

 



MOTD: Black Opal Beauty

 We are all on the hunt for affordable cosmetics that are AMAZING in quality. And I am so FOR Black Opal Cosmetics. The pigmentation and quality of their products rival higher end brands. Some of my favorite products by this brand are their Foundations and Concealers and also their awesomely pigmented eye-shadows. Today, I used their eyeshadow duos in this easy to create look.

So let's get to the product break down!!

FACE PREP:

No7 Beautifully Matte Face Primer

Urban Decay De-Slick Spray

FACE:

Foundation| MAC Studio Fix Fluid "NC 44" 

Concealer| MAC ProLongWear Concealer "NC42"

Under Eye Setting Powder| MAC Set Powder mixed with MAC "Soft Yellow" powder (both are pro products)

Face Setting Powder| MAC MSFN in "Medium Deep"

Contour| MAC "Harmony" Blush

Blush| MAC "Good Girl Gone Bad" Blush (limited edition product)

Highlighting Powder| MAC "Lightscapade" MSF mixed with MAC " By Candlelight" MSF(limited edition)

EYES:

Base| MAC "Painterly" Paint Pot

Lid| Black Opal ColorSplurge eyeshadow Duo in "Gilty Treat" (gold color)

Crease| MAC "Saddle" eyeshadow

Outer and Inner Corner| Black Opal  ColorSplurge eyeshadow Duo in "Tawny Tease" (reddish brown color)

Browbone| MAC "NC 42" Studio Finish Concealer

 Top Liner|NYC Black Liquid Liner

Bottom Lash Liner| MAC Power Kohl "Raven" (limited edition)

Mascara| MAC Haute N Naughty "Too Black" Mascara/Lancome Definicils

Brows| Maybelline Define A Brow "Medium Brown"

LIPS:

Liner| MAC "Cork" Lip Pencil

Gloss| Buxom Full-On LipCream in "White Russian"

I love that this look is soft and daytime appropriate but can but smoked up for a easy transition into night. I would add black kohl liner into the water line and add false lashes to amp this up. And probably change the lip color as well.

I love creating the MOTD/Makeup Of The Day for working women. Of course you can achieve a similar look with less products. I say take the bits and pieces you need to make the look your own!

As always, I welcome your feed back and comments. I'd love to hear from you guys.

Until Next Post!

SMOOCHES!