The 'no makeup' makeup look

Let's face it, when we're having a good skin day we don't always want to put on a whole face of makeup, we want to look natural, yet accentuate  our features. Whenever I have one of these days I focus on two things: face definition and eyes. My face shape isn't going to change, even if I'm having a good skin day, so I always like to do a slight contour to accentuate my cheek bones. Using the Clarins Bronzing Duo gives a more natural contour because it's a sutble brown unlike the darker Nars Laguna. You even have the added benefit of using the lighter bronze shade as an all over lid colour and the darker brown for the contour. Besides defined cheek bones, the only other thing I aim to do for a 'no makeup' look is add mascara after curling my lashes. This helps to open up the eyes, drawing attention to what I believe is the best feature of my face--the eyes are the window to the soul after all. And VOILA, with just three products you have a complete face of makeup without really using makeup at all. You still have the definition and accentuation you want without the cakeiness or heaviness of a lot of makeup. 

How to: Get the most out of Sephora VIB sales

Sephora very rarely has discounts or sales, so when the VIB sale comes to town it must be taken seriously. Because the VIB rouge sale started today, I thought I would share some tips to help get the most out of your Sephora sale experience:

1) Plan ahead

Sephora sends out an email to VIBs before the sale begins. With this fair warning it's best to plan out what you want to buy--I like to actually put the things I want in my online basket well before the sale starts. Because these sales are so sparse, people will go crazy. Hot ticket and limited edition items tend to sell out fast during VIB sales, so the faster you check out, the greater your chances are of getting the products you want.

2) Purchase items--you want of course--that are limited edition

During sales limited edition products and new releases sell out fast. If you had your eye on a product that recently came out or is limited edition, purchase it will you have the chance, because it may sell out during the sale and not be restocked. This is what happened to me and the Ambient Lighting Palette from Hourglass.

3) Spend more

In order for you, realistically, to get the most out of a 15% or 20% discount, you have to spend more. You won't be getting double digits off your total until you spend close to $100. It's a better deal to have to spend $90 instead of $100 over $18 instead of $20.

4) Buy more expensive, luxury items 

Taking the last note into account, this is a great time to buy those Dior or YSL products you've always wanted. It's best to splurge when there's a sale! PLUS, it helps to get the most out of your discount.

5) Repurchase staples

If there are products that you constantly re-buy from Sephora now is the time to get them as opposed to waiting until a month later when you have to pay regular price. It's a great time to stock up on Clarisonic heads and cream!

6) Use gift cards if you have them laying around

Nothing is better than a discounted price than getting to pay even less! If you have any vouchers laying around now is a great time to spend them!

7) Buy gifts

If you have an occasion or a birthday coming up soon and you know that person loves Sephora, then now is the best time to buy. You're going to be buying them something from there anyways, so you may as well do so at a discounted price!

8) Wait till' the morning

With most people busy at work or being at school,  the optimal time to purchase is in the morning. This way you can avoid slow processing and sold out products.

9) Try not to buy items that are breakable if you're ordering online

Realistically with influx of business and alot of orders to fill, often times customer care suffers. More packages tend to come in the mail broken when during Christmas time when people are ordering and shipping like mad. Purchase you brushes and blushes online, but maybe save your perfumes till in store.

10) Share the code with a friend

Sephora will always chide you to share your code with a friend when VIB sales come around AND SHARING IS CARING!

Sephora VIB Rouge 15% Coupon Code

Starting today until April 11th, Sephora is giving all VIB Rouge members 15% their purchase upon applying the code: ROUGETICKET. So, for all of you Rouges' out there, take advantage of this while you can! Happy shopping!

Must have spring acessories

                  Top image: Forever21.com; 

                 Bottom images: H&M.com

Statement sandals:

Forget flip-flops and find a pair of sandals that will go with everything yet have a bit of umph. These ones from Forever21 have two buckles at the ankle strap which adds interest, yet, it's a neutral brown and a classic shape that will pair beatifically with a variety of looks. 

Wide brimmed hat:

Hats have long been a trend that I have seen in magazines and OOTD's so I picked one up from Forever21 to test the hype. When I styled it with a pair of denim skinnies, a nautical stripped top and black ankle boots, I knew I was onto a beautiful thing. It adds a level of interest and put-togetherness, like you tried, but not too much. It will make any casual outfit that little bit special. 

Simple, yet statement, necklace:

Everyone tends to wear the same thing in the spring and summer, high waisted demin and a short sleeve shirt. Add a unique twist by pairing a necklace with your look to make yourself look more put together. Imagine how nice it will look with your hair up in a bun to have a necklace accentuating your look. Adding a simple acessory makes your outfit more complete and it's easy to just throw on without looking overbearing. 

The new things: Spring edit

                             All images from Sephora.com

With spring here (though the weather here suggests otherwise) brands are releasing limited edition collections and new permanent collections. Here a few that have caught my eye:

1) Bobbi Brown "Nude and Nectar" eyeshadow palette ($50.00): 

Bobbi Brown never disappoints with their limited edition eyeshadow palettes, they always contain a variety of neutral, everyday colours, with a few extra, more unique colours. In this case, you are given neutral browns--some leaning true brown, others leading peach--and the two pinky-peachy shimmer which lend to the collection's names: you get nudes and you get nectars! I purchased the "Rich Chocolate Eye Palette" in the winter and was not disappointed, so I don't think that this product will be a disappointment either. 

2) Tarte "Colour Correcting Primer" ($43.00): 

Tarte's face products have yet to disappoint me. I absolutely love their "Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation" so as soon as I saw this product it immediately peeked my interest. I love stick foundation products--the Maybelline "Fit-me Foundation Stick" is my favourite drugstore base--and I suffer from hyper-pigmentation and redness, so a colour correcting product caters to my skin type. If you like a no mess product that will both prime your face to help your foundation stay on in the spring and summer heat, and has the skincare benefit of colour correction, then this product it most definitely worth it.   

3) Too Faced "Pardon my French" collection ($59.00): 

Clearly I had to talk about this because it incorporates my favourite thing in the world: Paris. Too faced always has the most unique and nicely packaged limited edition collections, and I don't think that this release is an exception. Ringing in at the same price as the "Chocolate Bar" palette I talked about in my last post, you get: an eyeshadow palette, an eyeshadow primer, a mascara and an eyeliner--you basically get everything an eyemakeup lover would ever want. Not only do you get a limited edition palette that has beautiful neutral browns and pop of colour--a pink, a golden-orange and a blue--but you also get a trial run of bestselling products from their permanent line. NOT TO MENTION, it comes neatly and convientatly packaged in a makeup bag. 

My pick: the Too Faced "Pardon my French" set, it is too good of a deal to pass up. 

Current Lustings

                               All images from Sephora.com

As a beauty enthusiast my online Sephora basket always has something in it. Currently,

I am lusting over three products:

1) Givenchy lipstick in "Golden Brown" ($32.00):

If you haven't been able to tell from my previous post, I am currently loving the trend of orange lipsticks. While I love being able to get a good deal, finding drug store picks that fit my beauty cravings don't always work out, sometimes you have to pay to get what you want. Most brands just offer orange lipsticks that are red or coral in tone--in other words, bright. But I want a deeper, rustier shade of orange--a shade of orange that I can wear on a more everyday basis. I came across this beauty on the Sephora site and I knew that it had to be mine. 

2) Formula X for Sephora nailpolish in "Monumental" ($11.00):

I love me a new product and I have long been waiting to try this new product out. I love nail polish almost as much as I love lipstick. I change my nail polish every few days to fit my mood so it always seems to be a good investment for me. Nudes are hide to find, especially at the drugstore and nudes match with any season, any occasion. Considering that Essie nail polishes are $9.99, spending $11.00 on a higher end nail polish seems like a good deal to me. 

3) Too Faced "Chocolate Bar" palette ($59.00):  

I have long been lusting over this product since it was released in the fall but I kept talking myself out of it, thinking that I have too many neutrals palettes. However, the more and more that I look up swatches and tutorials, the more I want it. I have an affinity towards gold and burgundy shadows so this palette is right up my alley. I think that this palette has a good mix between mattes and shimmers; neutrals and some more unique colours. PLUS, it smells like chocolate. What more do I need? Chocolate makes everything better. 

Supplementing my lip product addiction

           

I'm a huge proponent of lip products, no matter what season. Whether it's winter, or spring, having moisturized lips and pop of colour are what I look for when I'm formulating my makeup wish list. I recently picked up two new products for Spring that I thought were essential: a lip balm and a bright, bold lip colour. I have long crowned Dior as my favourite high-end brand so their "Créme du rose" lip balm has long been on my wish list, so when my wallet was a little heavier I knew I had to get it. Upon first review of the product, it's size it great for popping in my purse, it smells lovely and has a nice, smooth consistency. My lips are dry and flakey no matter what season, and considering that spring and summer are the time of bright lips, I need a product to prime, smooth and plump before I even think about smacking on a lipstick that will draw attention to my lips. The second product I picked up, which I plan on wearing overtop of the Dior lip balm is the MAC matte lipstick in "so chaud" which is described, and true to colour, as an orange red (not a red-orange like "Lady Danger"). Orange lips have been trending over the last while and I have jumped on the bandwagon. With my yellow toned complexion and caramel ombréd hair, orange is very complementary.  

Bienvenue

Bienvenue! Thank you for stopping by! I have long had an unhealthy and excessive relationship with makeup--but hey, you only live once. I have decided to dedicate a little time out of my life to share my love for all things beauty with all of you and I hope that you'll accept me!