MAKEUP STARTER KIT

If you are someone looking to start wearing makeup, you may find it intimidating. There are so many products and techniques out there, which can be overwhelming for someone just starting out. Here are a few products that will help you get the ball rolling! These will help you achieve a simple, everyday makeup look.

CONCEALER / FOUNDATION

I suggest starting off with a concealer if you are not used to wearing any makeup at all. This will provide coverage for those troubled areas without it being too heavy. Once you are comfortable with that, you can work your way up to a foundation. Finding a good foundation to work with your skin type is really about trial and error, so don’t fret if you don’t get it right in the first attempt!

POWDER

This will lock in your foundation and concealer. If you choose to stick with only applying concealer, this is a great lightweight option to add some extra coverage.

BLUSH / BRONZER

Now that you have a flawless base, you want to add life back into your face. Blush or bronzer will give you some colour and definition. Bronzer will help you achieve that sun-kissed glow whilst blush will give you that pretty, rosy cheek.

MASCARA

This has to be my favourite part! Adding mascara will open up your eyes and make you look awake. To enhance this process, you can start off by curling your lashes to lift them up and out. Then apply your favourite mascara. When mascara is the only product on my eyes, I apply a few coats to make sure they are as long and as full as I can get them.

There you go! A simple everyday look anyone can surely pull off. Take a trip to your local drugstore and scope out the products. There are a ton of great products you can find, especially if you are just starting out. Be warned, this post may be the first steps towards a very unhealthy obsession with makeup. It is inevitable.

COLOURPOP ULTRA MATTE LIP: REVIEW

After seeing countless YouTube videos and Instagram posts on the ColourPop Ultramatte Lip collection, I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase them. I am always on the hunt for a classic nude/mauve lip that will work on my fellow brown skin girls, so I picked up a bunch in that colour range to try out. Here is my review on the products and some of the colours I have been loving to rock!

FORMULATION

This is a true liquid lipstick. The consistency is wet and runny, whereas some of the other ones I’ve purchased have more of a mousse texture. I find that it dries quite fast so you have to work quickly and diligently with it. I was pleasantly surprised that this is a comfortable product to wear. It is ultra matte but doesn’t feel like I’m wearing cement on my lips. It lasts me about 7-8 hours before having to reapply. I do find that it does transfer a bit and emphasize lines on your lips, but other than that I am very impressed!

APPLICATION

Like any matte lip product, make sure to exfoliate your lips beforehand. Line and fill in your lips with lip liner to give the product a base. This will help with even application and longevity. Then take your time to carefully fill in your lips with the liquid lipstick. Lastly, dab your lips together to evenly distribute them and let them dry. You will get the perfect application every time with these steps.

PRICE

These retail for $6 USD. They are affordable and the quality is comparable with high-end competitors.

TRAP

This is a pale pink shade. I was hesitant to wear this colour at first because it is on the lighter side, but if you pair it with a lip liner you are good to go! It is a nude colour I’m happy to add to my collection.

KAPOW

I am absolutely obsessed with this colour! It’s a pale greyish purple colour that gives the nude lip a whole new meaning. If there’s one colour you want to get out of the collection, I would definitely recommend this one. It is still nude but has a unique twist.

BEEPER

This is the perfect everyday lip colour. It is close to my natural lip colour but gives it that matte flawless look.

TEENY TINY

This is a deep pink colour. It is another great every day lipstick that gives your natural lip some subtle colour.

 STINGRAYE

This is a collaboration piece with YouTube Makeup Guru ItsMyRayeRaye. She always seems to sport the perfect mauve lip so I was thrilled to hear about this partnership. This is very similar to the ever so popular Kat Von D liquid lipstick in “Lolita”. It is a great dupe for an affordable price.

I have been wearing these lipsticks non-stop! They are absolutely gorgeous. ColourPop has a good selection of colours so there is bound to be a shade to work perfectly with every skin tone out there. Overall, these are high quality and affordable products I definitely recommend!

 

 

FAVOURITE DARK LIPSTICKS

Fall and winter are all about dark smouldering lips! Wearing a bold lip is my favourite way to add some depth to my otherwise simple everyday look. They are a staple in my makeup kit and I thought I would share a few that I have been loving to wear.

STANCE- URBAN DECAY REVOLUTION LIPSTICK

When I first put this on, I did not want to take it off! It is a gorgeous deep berry colour. I was particularly impressed with the buttery formulation of this lipstick. It glides on well, my lips feel hydrated the whole day, and it lasts for a surprisingly long time. I will definitely be purchasing more from this line of lipsticks.

DIVA- MAC COSMETICS LIPSTICK

This was the very first dark lipstick I have purchased and it has been a favourite of mine ever since. It is a classic burgundy colour that will give you that touch of elegance. It has a great consistency as well as a great colour pay off. One coat is all you need to get this vampy lip.

HEATHERS- ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS LIQUID LIPSTICK

This is an earth toned lip colour that I’m happy to add to my collection. It is brown with red undertones, almost like a “brick” colour. It’s a liquid lipstick that applies wet and dries matte. The formulation definitely lasts a long time, however I did feel that it was a bit drying on my lips when I wore it for a prolonged period of time. I would definitely make sure to hydrate beforehand.

COGNAC- BITE BEAUTY MATTE CRÈME LIP CRAYON

This is a dark brown lipstick that I have been reaching for quite a bit. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would look against my skin tone but as soon as I applied it I fell in love. It’s definitely a unique colour and I find that it compliments my skin quite nice. It applies easily and has a hydrating formula. It is marketed as a matte lipstick, though I would say it has more of a satin finish.

WITCHES- KAT VON D EVER LASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK

Now this colour is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it! It is a pitch-black matte colour, and I must say, I feel like a complete badass rocking it! It has a nice formula that lasts long, and is not too drying considering it is matte. I think everyone should at least give it a go, because it is completely empowering!

TIPS: Always pair a dark lip with lip liner. This will ensure a clean and crisp edge, without the colour bleeding through. It will also act as a base, helping the lipstick last longer. I usually use Mac’s lip liners in Burgundy or Nightmoth for these dark lipsticks. Also, make sure to exfoliate your lips before hand, especially when it comes to the matte lipsticks. The product will apply a lot smoother and look more polished.

Hopefully this helps you guys branch out and try some new dark lip colours. I definitely think these are universal colours that will look great on any skin tone!

GROWING OUT A PIXIE

Anyone that knows me probably recognizes me for having short hair. I’ve had variations of my pixie hair for about 6 years now and I figured it was finally time for a change. Growing out your pixie isn’t particularly the most fun process. There are a lot of awkward stages and times where you just want to chop it off again. There really is no method to this but there are definitely some things to keep in mind. Here are a few tips to keep your sanity while growing out your pixie.

PATIENCE

This is the hardest thing to do when you are growing out short hair. There are awkward stages where it’s not a pixie anymore, but not a bob just yet. Personally for me, the hair near the nape of my neck grows the fastest making it look like I’m sporting a mullet. Yes a mullet. Then there’s the stage where you look like Coconut Head from Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide. It’s not a pretty look for anyone, but it’s a hurdle you must overcome!

MAINTENANCE

Don’t be hesitant to trim your hair in the growing process. That way you will keep from having split ends and your hair will still have some shape to it. I personally just opted to let my hair grow as long as I could before going to trim and style it. Also, try to keep away from anything that could damage your hair. This is a great opportunity to step away from the heated styling tools as well as colour treatments. Just let your hair do its thing and it will eventually get to where you want it to be.

 STYLING

You’ll quickly learn that bobby pins are your new best friend. Any style where you pin back your hair usually does the trick. I personally loved doing a side braid using my bangs. It’s a cute look and takes the hair away from your eyes. Adding that extra touch will give people the illusion that this in fact is the look you were going for all along. No one needs to know you are growing out your hair, they’ll just think you’re rocking a cool braid.

CONFIDENCE

Last but not least, have confidence! It doesn’t matter if your hair looks like a mullet, a coconut, a bird’s nest, or what ever it may be. Just be confident with what you have and you will always look great! Besides, nothing beats a killer smile!

Now I have to admit I do miss my pixie but I’m looking forward to playing around with my new look. A new hairstyle can change-up your whole vibe and I definitely feel my overall style has changed as well. Change is a good thing so embrace it and rock your long locks!

NUDE LIPSTICK FOR DARK SKIN

It can be quite challenging to find that perfect nude lipstick for dark skin. Some lipsticks wash you out making you look sick, while others make you look like you’ve been eating powdered donuts all day long. What works on one skin tone may not work on another so let’s find one to match you! I’m in the colour NC45 at Mac Cosmetics, which should help you gauge what range my skin tone is in. Here are 3 of my go-to nude lip colours for you to rock all year round!

MAC CREAM IN YOUR COFFEE

This was the very first nude lipstick I purchased, and thank god I did. It has a brown undertone with a crème sheen finish. The formulation is super creamy and glides right on. This colour does a good job of adding some dimension to my lips without it being too overpowering. This is definitely the perfect nude tone for my skin.

MAC FAST PLAY

This lipstick is more of a pink nude. It’s one of those colours that is similar to your lips but better. Again, it has a creamy formulation and applies well. It’s a great every day lipstick to rock if you want to add a little colour to your lips without going over the top.

MAC WHIRL

This is more of a recent purchase for me, and I am absolutely in love with it! It is a mauve, taupe colour with a matte finish. It applies on smooth and isn’t overly drying which is great for a matte lipstick. This would be the perfect colour if you want to rock that Kylie Jenner inspired lip. It’s a great colour to transition into the fall, and I can definitely see myself wearing it a lot next season.

TIP: The trick to wearing a nude lip when you are a darker complexion is to use a lip liner. Mac’s Chestnut and Cork are great colours to use for any lip combo. Using a lip liner will give you that natural transition from your skin to your lips.

Hopefully this has given those of you with darker skin some options of what colour to try out next!