Monthly Favorites - March!

Hello Everyone!

Here is my first 'Monthly Favorites' post! It's a mix of skin care and makeup products. I grabbed the five products that I've used the most or kept going back to during the month of March.

 

The first product I reached for a lot is the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer. I don't use this product as a foundation, I use it as a highlighter. It's easy to blend and is long wearing! My color is in SxO8. Also, this is finally carried on the Sephora website! It retails for $58 in Canada.

The second product I reach for every single day is my Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip. This contains an SPF 15. This not only keeps my lip protected from the weather, it also nourishes and give my lips a natural tint. This retails for $26 Canadian. Also, this is available on the Sephora website and in tons of different shades.

For my every day concealer I use the Laura Mercier Full Coverage Concealer. The reason why I'm so in love with this product is because it also corrects my under eye circles and is not drying under the eyes. This concealer provides a full coverage without appearing cakey under the eyes (FINALLY). The smallest amount goes a very long way. I would suggest warming the product up with your fingers and applying it with your ring finger. This product retails for $35 Canadian. 

Every three months I try a new mascara and it takes quite a bit to impress me but I have been loving this Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. It is lengthening and volumizing. The brush helps separate the lashes and doesn't clump them together. It is not water-proof. This mascara retails for $26 Canadian

Lastly, I've tried out a few eye creams and so far I have found this one to be the only one that actually helps with hydrating my under eye area. This is the Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream. Since it is a gel, it instantly absorbs. It also helps brighten under the eyes (Thank You Fresh!). This retails for $47 Canadian.

- Savleen

Quick Loose Curls Tutorial!

Hello Lovelies!

Being a full-time student and working in the cosmetics industry I find it difficult to make time to curl my hair. So, I have finally come across the most efficient way (for me) to achieve loose waves that look like they took me more than 10 minutes to do! Here is my step by step tutorial for you all, I hope this helps!

Here is what you need to achieve this look:
- A Comb
- Jaw Clips
- 1.25 inch styling wand
- A finishing spray/gel
 
Firstly, apply a heat protector all over the hair. Then, separate your hair into 6 sections; I use the Sephora Collection 'Hold It Together Blow Dry Clips'. Now, take out one of those sections and begin to curl your hair away from your face. Hold it for about 3-5 seconds and repeat until you've curled all of your sections and then let your hair cool down. Using your hands apply either a finishing gel or spray. My two favorites are the Tresemme 'Curl Defining Spray Gel' and the  Living Proof 'Flex Shaping Hairspray'. To finish styling your hair use your fingers to comb out your hair! By the end of it you should be able to achieve your desired loose curls.

- Savleen

Flawless Complexion Favorites!

Hello Everyone! Firstly, I'd like to apologize for my absence. I finally have more time to blog more.

Before continuing on with this post; I'd like to remind you all that your skincare and diet are the essentials to having a beautiful complexion, makeup can only do so much. With that being said here are my flawless complexion favorites excluding my skin care and primer.

For my foundation I love using the Marc Jacobs Marvelous Mousse - Full Coverage foundation. It contains skincare ingredients that help with hydrating, soothing the skin and has anti aging properties. The best way to use this product is by warming it up on the back of your hand and using a brush that is fairly dense in order for you to receive the full coverage this product claims to offer!

The Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer provides you with a medium-full coverage. This concealer also has skin care benefits (always a plus in my opinion), it also has light diffusing technology and lastly it's extremely hydrating to use under the eyes. A lot of the concealers I have tried have been very drying under the eyes even while I'm using an under eye cream, so this is a huge pro for me. I like to lightly pat this product on using my ring finger.

Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer does wonders! I use this product as a highlighter and it blends in seamlessly and does not look heavy on the skin. A very little amount goes a long way. If you are an extremely dry skin I would suggest mixing in a bit of moisturizer. This can also be used as a foundation, personally I like it better as a concealer. To use this I either use a damp beauty blender or warm it up with my fingers then blend it out.

I hope this helps if you had any questions about one of those three products! If you have any requests for another blog post feel free to email me at empressstudios@gmail.com

- Savleen

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

Recently, I've discovered that I am a lipstick hoarder.. especially stains! These Kat Von D liquid lipsticks are phenomenal.

My overall rating for these lipsticks is a 9/10. They are long lasting, even after eating/drinking you don't have to retouch. Your lips won't feel dry or appear flaky. This new formulation is truly hydrating. I love the applicator it applies the right amount of product. You also don't need a lip liner for a defined lip. I hope that Kat Von D comes out with more shades that are more wearable for people who can't wear bold/bright colors for work.

The lipstick is described as "A long-wear, full coverage liquid lipstick with a smooth matte finish." The formula is infused with vitamins A, C, E and without parabens.

Facts:

• $24 CAN/0.22 oz
• 12 shades
• Hydrating
• Matte Finish

xoxo, Savleen

Tried & Tested: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Hello Beauties!

I'm certain that you all have heard about MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer, I decided to try it out myself. I got matched to NC42 by an artist in store. My review is based off a month and a half of using this product.

The product claims to be a lightweight fluid that provides a medium to full coverage, gives a natural matte finish, lasts up to 15 hours and that it conceals and corrects under-eye circles. The longest I've had this product on for a day is 10 hours.


Facts:

• $24/9ml
• 16 shades 

Pros:

• comes with a pump
• easy to blend

Cons:

• creases
• pump dispenses too much product
• turns ashy

Overall, I was disappointed with this product. Although, I love the fact that this concealer has it pump, it dispenses way too much product. This product would be great for someone who has minimal to no dark circles. If that doesn't work use a corrector underneath. If you're interested give it a try but look into MAC's return policy before hand if you're unsure.

DIY: Lip Scrub

Hello Beauties!

With the colder months approaching you may notice your lips becoming dry and chapped. I've been making my own lip scrub for a few years now and I've been loving it! It removes the dead skin gently as well as moisturize them. Keep in mind not to over exfoliate your lips.

You will need the following:

• extra virgin olive oil
• brown/white sugar
• small container

Directions:

1. Put a TBSP of white sugar in your small container
2. Mix in a dash of extra virgin olive oil
3. Continue to mix until the olive oil makes the sugar stick together
4. Scrub for about 15-20 seconds
5. Leave the scrub on for about 30 seconds
6. Remove with a damp cloth
7. Lastly, apply a hydrating lip balm.
   
   I've got a couple of DIY beauty recipes I'd like to share with you all. Stay tuned by subscribing. 

xo,
Savleen

Tried and Tested: Sephora Collection Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

Hello lovely people!

I've been wanting to try this foundation for quite a while now. So, I caved in and bought it. It is an airbrush foundation with an ultra fine mist. The foundation is exclusive to Sephora.

Facts:

• Retail price is $35 CAN
• 2.5 oz
• 9 shades
• Satin Finish
• Buildable Coverage
• Oil, Parabens, Sulfates and Phthalates Free.

The suggested use according to the Website is:

1. Shake well for five seconds before each use. 
2. Cover hair and clothes.
3. Close eyes and hold can 10 inches away from face while pressing on nozzle and moving in circular motions. 
4. Blend with Sephora PRO Foundation Airbrush Brush #55. 

For achieving a light coverage it says to spray directly on to Sephora Pro #55 and blend it in. For a fuller coverage, spray six to eight inches away from the face spraying in circular movements.

I tested out the method of spraying the product on the Sephora Pro #55 brush and then blending it in and it didn't provide enough coverage for me. Although, spraying the product on to a brush is defeating the purpose of an airbrush foundation, it's less messy. The next time I used the foundation I sprayed it on to the Sephora Collection #45 brush and blended it in. Man, did I ever get a full coverage since the brush is more dense.

Overall, The foundation is great! I would give this foundation an 8/10. Due to the fact that I didn't like the finish without setting it with a powder and the color selection is still very minimal. If you're a dry skin you don't need to set it unless you want a matte finish. For my fellow combination to oily skins, set the foundation in your t-zone in order for it to last you 8+ hours. Throughout the day the foundation held up great. Since I do set the foundation with a translucent powder it stayed 11 hours without becoming blotchy.  (I have really long days)

Here's a fun fact about Sephora Collection, it's owned by Louis Vuitton. So yes, it is luxury and nothing less than any other brand Sephora carries.

I wore this foundation for my first set of Head shots.

xoxo,
Savleen