Too Faced Dark Chocolate Soleil Bronzer Vs.City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Bronzer

A Tale of Two Bronzers

Bronzer is a staple in my everyday makeup routine. My face is considerably paler than the rest of my body so I use bronzer to add a nice tanned appearance to my skin. Both of these bronzers are matte in texture which means there is no trace of shine or shimmer. This is great because they can double to give a slight contour if desired.

The first of the two I had was the Too Faced bronzer. When I first opened the compact I was like “why is my mouth watering?'” Oh I know! This bronzer has actual cocoa powder in it and smells just like a chocolate bar. The texture is very smooth, with a good colour pay-off and easy blend-ability. I use it with a Sedona Lace Duo Fibre Brush to lightly build the wash of colour and the result is always a gorgeous even bronze.  

The City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Bronzer cannot even sit with the Too Faced bronzer when it comes to packaging. It is very basic, however it is functional because the top is clear and you can readily see the shade. There is no delightful smell like the Chocolate Soleil bronzer. Now that we have thoroughly judged the Be Matte Bronzer on appearance, let's get into what's important ….let's look deeper haha. Ok so I use the same Sedona Lace brush to apply this bronzer and the results are pretty similar! City Color has great colour pay off however it is just ever so slightly less blend-able that the Too Faced bronzer.

Which one is my favorite? There there kids, I love you both! I say if you have some extra dollars spurge and get the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil for the luxurious smell that just instantly puts you in a good mood and actually has the benefits of the anti-oxidants found in cocoa. However since I have both I will be using my City Color bronzer for everyday use and save my Too Faced for special occasions or when I simply feel like being extra.

If you have tried either of the two comment and let me know what you think!

Xoxo

Dee

In A Rose Quartz World

A few extra holiday pounds, resolutions to be abandoned by February, time lines flooded with “new year, new me” posts...some things are inevitable with the start of every year. However there is one new year staple that is much more fabulous. Influencing runway trends, makeup, jewelry and even home décor; fashion lovers everywhere anticipate the color of the year to be released by global color authority Pantone. The color choice for 2016 is unprecedented, we have two! Presenting Rose Quartz (13-1520) and Serenity (15-3919)

There is no way I am about to revamp my whole wardrobe in light pinks and baby blues. What always excites me about the unveiling of the color of the year is finding ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe and makeup. Style is about taking elements of fashion and appropriating it into my own pieces so I create a look that I am comfortable in and feels authentic. Admittedly 98% of these looks is inspired by the rose quartz hue.

For the makeup I wanted to incorporate a nice rose gold shimmer on the eyes. The lips are a bold deep burgundy red. To opt for a more subtle look simply swap out the red for a nude lipstick or gloss.

  

Eyeshadow: Inglot #48 over #09

Blush: Nars Taos

Highlight: NYX Blush in Copper & Becca Champagne Pop

Lipstick: Absolute New York Lip Velvet in Vampette

My wardrobe is comprised of mostly dark pieces. Here is how I would weave some of those on trend colours into a typical semi casual outfit. I simply paired my black skinny jeans and micro suede top with a pair of soft pink heels and gorgeous rose gold aviator sunglasses. The result; a look when paired with a blazer can take you to a business meeting straight to date night. The sunnies add an edgy on trend flair while the heels keep this look feminine.

Jeans: Forever21 Classic Fit Skinny Jeans in Dark

Top: Suede and chiffon spaghetti strap

Heels: Christian Siriano for Payless

Sunglasses: Rose Gold Aviators from Payless

No outfit is complete without jewelry. These are pieces from Jewellers Discount that are not only beautiful but affordable.

This soft pink pearl and crystal shambala style bracelet is currently one of my favorite pieces in my personal collection. The sterling silver opal stud earrings are the perfect fusion of Serenity and Rose Quartz. Also in store are these unique porcelain necklaces and bracelets. Beautifully hand painted ensuring each piece is different. 

Remember style is something very personal. You have the power to present yourself to the world in any way you chose. Have fun with it! What do you think about Pantone's choices for the colour of the year? How would you incorporate it into your wardrobe? Let's get this discussion going, I want to know!

xoxo

Dee

Special thanks to Jewellers Discount International for providing the pieces for this article. They have three locations Sky Mall Haggat Hall St. Michael, Bridge Street Mall Bridgetown and Southern Plaza in Oistins Christ Church.

All photography by Durand Blackett of Inspired Living

Lip Service: Swoon Worthy Lipsticks for Fall 2015

Everyone knows just how much I love lipsticks. So I thought I would share with you the lipsticks that I am reaching for recently more and more this season. 

Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lipstick in Mocha-licious.These lip colours are semi-matte, glides on smoothly and are long wearing. This rich brown is lovely with almost any look and a staple in my makeup bag for sure.They retail here in Barbados for $10 bds in Imart. If you are in the USA drugstores sell them for a wallet friendly S1.99 usd.

 Milani Cosmetics Color Statement Lipstick in Sangria. Everyone that I have gabbed about lipstick to in the last 6 months knows that I have loved this lipstick shade and formula for ages. Deep berry color, semi-matte, comfortable to wear and pairs beautifully with gold tones. These can be found in many beauty stores and drugstores locally for around $15 bds.

Nsrriah Lipstick in Marcy (shown in the photo above). Marcy stole my heart as soon as I tried it on. It is a very deep plum that can be worn on its own or paired with a dark liner like Black Currant by MAC to make it even deeper and more sultry. This lipstick is gorgeous with both gold and silver tones. Every time I have worn it numerous people would stop me to find out what shade lipstick I was wearing. Long wearing yet moisturizing; this is certainly a winner. Available locally from Stylish Apparel in Sky Mall for $30 bds.

MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous. I refuse to put away my pinks and reds for this season. This shade is exceptionally beautiful and looks amazing on every complexion. Flat out Fabulous is a rich Fuschia shade with a very matte texture that ensures staying powder. Be sure to moisturize your lips before hand. An added benefit is because it is blue based it makes your teeth appear whiter! Everybody loves a life hack like that right?!

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red. Described on their website as a 'matte bold classic red'. It is everything it claims to be. I am now personally on my 3^rd tube of this lip stain. I remember when I was about to purchase my first one someone told me “it is the only red you need”; every time I apply it I hear those words in my mind and yes it could not be more true. It is the red of my dreams, dries to a matte finish that looks like velvet, comfortable to wear and the staying power is amazing. Obviously this lip colour and formula transcends all trends and seasons for me. It will always be a win. This product can be purchased Sephora's website for $14 usd.   

There you have it Beauties! My top lipstick picks for Fall 2015. What lippies are you swooning over right now?

Third Quarter Beauty Favorites!

Welcome to my quarterly favorites of the beauty world. I feel like this third quarter has come around with lightning speed. I thought I should mention all of the products mentioned were used in the above makeup look. Let's delve right into this! 

Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque was added to my skincare routine about 2 months ago and I'm absolutely loving it! Clay masks are fantastic for drawing toxins out of the skin. It certainly has improved the clarity and texture of my skin. I use it at least 3 times a week and when I wash it off my face feels soft and refreshed. 

 L.A. Girl Pro Conceal Corrector in Orange. I love this to help me cancel out darkness around my eyes. The orange tone adds a brightening effect to the area. As this corrector is very rich in tone I use a small amount at a time. 

NYX Micro Brow Pencil. Personally I prefer brow pencils on myself instead of gels for everyday use. They are less cumbersome and easy to use. This brow pencil comes in at a great price, with excellent utility of having a spoolie at the other end. Admittedly it doesn't have as much colour payoff as MAC brow pencils, however they are decent for the price and I love the fine lines that can be created with this micro pencil.

Sleek Makeup I-Divine Palette in Ultra V Matte Darks. As Fall inspired makeup looks have come around, makeup hues are leaning towards darker more sultry colours. This is one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes all year round but recently I have been reaching for it more and more. The formula is very pigmented and blendable. Plus you cannot go wrong with this collection of colours for this season. 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes. I absolutely live for lip colours as you Beauties know. This has been my favorite nude lip colour to wear for these last three months. The formula of these lip creams is very comfortable on the lips. its buildable and this shade is gorgeous. 

NYX Blush in Copper. A friend put me onto this as a highlight. I. Am. In. Love. This blush right here looks so natural on me as a highlight. Admittedly a part of why I love this so much is because I can build it up as much as I want for a subtle sheen on the high points of my face to a full on glam glow. This colour also works well with other highlighters so I know it is going to be a staple in my makeup bag for a while. 

Crown Brush Flat Top Bronzer. If you did not know that I cannot live without bronzer before, well now you know. It is an essential part of my makeup routine. For a while I have been using a more tapered brush to apply bronzer however this brush has changed that whole application. The flat shape applies the bronzer evenly while the soft natural bristles ensure the finish is not too heavy. 

There you have it Beauties my favorite products for the third quarter of 2015. Stay tuned for my last post because I am already swooning over some fabulous new beauty goodies. 

xoxo

Dee

Fall 2015 Beauty Round Up!

I am so excited to bring to you Beauties some of my favorite picks for Fall 2015! Lucinda Robinson of Moden Makeup is a huge nail polish aficionado so it would be a crime not to have her collaborate and let you Beauties know her top nail polishes for Fall. We also have a makeup tutorial and the latest in lingerie from Adore me. Let's get right into this!

Press play to see my Fall 2015 makeup tutorial.

Top Five Fall Polish Shades

I know we don’t experience Fall in Barbados but you know I’m a fan of vampy lips and cooler weather. So when Dee asked me to do this collab I thought it was great idea. #TeamModen readers know I love dark manicures; emphasis on manicure since I rarely wear dark shades on my toes. Anyways, enough with the backdrop – you came here for polish.

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear ‘Coin Flip’

If you follow the nail polish collection trends, metallics are big every Fall. ‘Coin Flip’ has the advantage of being a pretty universal shade with ridiculously high shine. The absolute best thing about this range is that it’s inexpensive and readily available in Barbados. I got this from Collins.

Essie ‘Armed and Ready’

This dark green is giving a hint of somethin’ somethin’ with its gold micro shimmer that runs throughout. My current swatch doesn’t even do it justice; you gotta check out this manicure in the sun here. Essie polishes are also easy to get your hands on.

Orly ‘Coffee Break’

I’m a big fan of the Orly polish formula though I only have a hand full of them in my collection. ‘Coffee Break’ is a favourite because it’s a perfect nude for my complexion…and nude manicures are good in any season. I amped this one up by sealing it with O.P.I’s Matte top coat. Something about a flat, no shine finish to this manicure just makes it look even more sophisticated. Orly polishes can be found in iMart locations island wide.

Clinique A Different Nail Enamel ‘Black Honey’

The most infamous shade in all of Clinique’s history is ‘Black Honey’. I don’t know why but everything they make in this shade is just a fan favourite. This nail polish line is marketed as better for sensitive skins…I don’t know about all of that but what I do know is that the shine pay off on this polish is amazing! These retail for $42BDS in Cave Shepherd so I was initially a little sceptical but after the first coat I was a believer. Dark reds are also ever present in popular Fall nail polish collection releases. This shade stains so please use a good base coat.

RGB Cosmetics ‘Cobalt’

I saved the most expensive for last. RGB Cosmetics prides itself on being a ‘5 free’ nail polish brand. Available exclusively from Pure Source Barbados, they retail for $54BDS. Before you run for the hills check out the picture; that’s three coats with no top coat. ‘Cobalt’ is an inky blue that can stain your nails so wear a good base coat. If you prefer metallic formulas check out ‘Sea’ from this brand.

Be sure to let me know your favourite Fall shades are in the comments. I know I didn’t mention any burnt oranges so if you know of one you think I should check out fill me in.

Thanks again to Dee for having me!

Last but certainly not least, the brand new lingerie sets from Adore me! When they sent me photos of their Fall 2015 collection I fell in love with these dark emerald green sets.
 This rich colour coupled with exquisite lace is a must have for any of you Beauties to add to your collection. Simply head on over to Adoreme.com to view their collection.

Be sure to let me know what your favorite cosmetics, accessories and trends are for Fall 2015!
xoxo
Dee

Staying Inspired & Following Through: Suggestions from a Creative

Staying inspired is always a task for creatives. Our work takes a lot out of us. To interpret a vision in our head as best as possible and try to recreate it into something tangible that an onlooker/viewer can see with their own eyes and in some cases touch is no small task. However what happens when you are out of ideas or encounter that dreaded creative block? It is like being in limbo, in a space where inspiration is figuratively circling the drain. How does one break free of that space or prevent it from happening?

I have been in this suffocating uninspired space before and felt like I was in a huge rut. However with experience and reflection I realize there are things I can do to keep me inspired and excited about my art and business.

Before we go any further I want to remind you this is my personal experience. We are all individuals and what may work for me may not work entirely for you, but I do believe that I have some helpful points to share and look forward to opening up this discussion to all you creatives out there.

Be Aware

Many artists/creatives have been called dreamers; trust me this is a compliment to us. Sometimes we may literally just sit and daydream or 'tune out'. In our mind when this happens we are actually 'tuning in'. I try to be aware of what's happening around me; be it a beautiful sunset, a particular colour combination in a flower or how a specific song makes me feel. Be aware of the little things. I am not a neurological expert, but what I do know is when you make those conscious impressions on your brain it gives your creative energy something to feed on or draw from. You never know when something you take note of will serve you well.

Record

While we take notice of certain things that we may find beautiful, interesting or inspiring it is pivotal that we not rely solely on our own memory. This is an area quite a few of us lack in. We must record in some way when we are inspired whether it is by writing, voice recording or even video. What triggered this? Why? How did it make you feel? Be as sensory as possible. Documenting as much information as possible makes it easier to recreate this inspiration later. It helps our brain to relive that moment more clearly.

Be Organized

When you have decided what you want to create with the inspiration you have and also recorded, go on to set time lines for development and deadlines for completion. This gives our vision some focus. No matter what we are embarking on having these goals in place is very important so we know what we are working towards.

Be Kind to Yourself

We can always find something we could have improved on. Being overly critical of our own work just comes with the territory but try hard to fight against that. Note points to focus on improving on for future projects and move forward. When you have finished your project, admire your work and be proud of it. It is a manifestation that just started with a feeling and that is something amazing.

There you have it folks! Applying these four things have helped me to keep my creative engine fueled and also follow through on inspiration. It has also helped with anxiety regarding work and various projects. It is a beautiful world out there and we have the wonderful opportunity to 'tune in' and interpret that in our own unique ways.

What keeps you inspired? Any tips for us? Looking forward to your comments!

Until next time,

xoxo

Dee

Make the Most of Your Makeup: Sanitize!

This is a ritual your professional artist should know all too well. Makeup kits have to be sanitized after every job to ensure our makeup is hygienic and safe from contamination for all clients. Most people see the high importance of this practice for pros but what about you consumers and makeup aficionados? 

I have realized quite a few people do not think it is necessary to sanitize their own makeup. It is people! Here's a couple reasons why:-

1) When you do not sanitize your own makeup for example pressed powder products; with every use of a sponge or brush on this product, you are transferring oils from your skin onto your product. Oils essentially turn into dirt eventually and furthermore bacteria. Have you ever noticed your pressed powder foundation has a smooth crust on the top? That is a build up of those oils. Although this is your own personal product you can cause breakouts especially if you are acne prone. 

2) Regularly sanitizing your makeup increases their shelf life! Freshening your makeup helps to restore your products enabling you to get the most and best use out of them. 

"What do you use to sanitize?", I can hear some of you asking...

.

My spray of choice is one called Beauty So Clean. It sanitizes makeup in ten short seconds; simple mist directly on the product holding bottle about 6 inches away and wait till it is dry before closing. 

1) For those products that have a film or crust over them simple scrape the top part off gently with a spatula or spoon  Then spray the sanitizing mist on it and wait 10 seconds for it to dry. 

2) Have a routine or set day for your makeup sanitizing. I try to do it at lease once a week however in all honesty it is usually every two weeks. 

Unfortunately I have not found this spray locally in Barbados so I stock up when I travel. It is totally worth it and very necessary. 

Thank you as always for all of your article requests and suggestions! Have a wonderful week Beauties and don't forget to subscribe to this blog so you are notified when new posts are up!

xoxo

Dee