As I’ve mentioned in a previous post of mine you know that my life is very full of staff right now. I have so much staff to do and to plan – it’s just insane. But I do have meetings and situations when I have to look presentable, but I don’t have much time to get ready or I simply son’t want to spend my valuable time.
Several year ago my makeup routine only consisted of applying a foundation with my hands – I didn’t even own a brush – and applying some mascara. But now … whole other stories. New products and techniques keep popping up, my interest and excitement keep growing.
One of those techniques is highlighting. Highlighting became a must for me. Why? 1. I have dry skin, so any way to make my face look fresher, healthier and more dewy gets a thumbs up. 2. I have a chubby face – highlighting can make a face appear slimmer, yes, I’m for it.
So I’m a junkie for highlighters – the products you barely need, but ones I have enough to serve a lifetime. The product that started my love affair is very very famous MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft&Gentle – available here. I did review it separately here so have a look – it’s a goooood one.
The highlighters collection isn’t complete without a cream product – MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study – available here. This is lighter the MSF, it’s more white based, more metallic-ish, if I can say so. I love to travel with it, cause i can be also used as an eyeshadow primer or an eyeshadow. Very multipurpose and bag friendly.
Another non-powdery highlighter is KIKO Skin Glow light effect day cream – available here. Best used under your foundation taped on the high points of your face, look incredibly natural, very subtle, but at the same time makes your face so awake and glowy without adding another layer of product.
Another KIKO product is KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 07 – champaigny goldy shimmery shade – available here. The only highlighting I use it for is inner corners. It place just the right amount of product, it blends easily and stays put through goof amount of time. Of course it can be used as a cheekbone highlight – thin stripe and blend blend blend. No fuss.
The star on the post is theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Luminizer – available at feelunique. The gorgeous gorgeous product – so finely milled, has insane color pay off – definitely pigmented, so be careful with that and use light-handed. It does look natural and gives an eye-catching reflection on your face. It’s buttery, not chalky at all.
If I’m running late always I never skip highlighter, cause for me it does that difference that allow me look and feel (!) more alive and happy.
As for the brushes I like to use – both Real Techniques and both contour brushes: one is ‘normal’ and the other is duo-fiber. They blend the product seamlessly and you won’t look like a disco ball for sure.
Where to apply highlighter? Cheekbones, inner corners, cupid’s bow, forehead, under the brow bone (just make sure it’s not too glittery)…
Are you a fan of healthy sheen? What are your favorite highlighters then?
-S
The ultimate month of the year? Whaaaat? I cannot believe that another year is passing. Actual I’m very excited, I cannot wait till Christmas and New Year – the family dinner, holidays, presents. What can be better? I don’t know. It’s probably the most cosy and cuddling time of the year.
For December cuddling I have to things to show and talk about. Let’s get down to business, shall we?
Can I start with nail polishes, please? Essie ‘Leading Lady’. Can a nail polish be more festive? It’s from Winter collection’12 and it’s a berry red full on glitter. Works great either for an ascent nail or all over 10 nails. Next up is China Glaze ‘Lorelei’s tiara’ – on my. Opaque glitter in 2 coats – silver with blue sparkles a.k.a. winter.
Following up the beauty trend – highlighting. Personally I love a bit of a glow on my face and being a person with normal-dry skin (especially in winter – super dry) this is just what doctor ordered. During the winter I go for something creamier since it looks for natural and doesn’t emphasis dry skin – MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study. I never use it as an eyeshadow base, but as a cheek bone treatment – wow – stays put all day, subtle shimmer and a healthy glow. I also pull out my eyeliners. The waterline is just asking for them – the darker the edgier and I kinda like it – Lancome Le Crayon Khol in grey.
Don’t forget about haircare. Kérastase Elixir Ultime. The new addition to my stash, but I’ve already kinda like it. Planning to do a separate post on my haircare.
What can be cozier than worm fuzzy socks? I love those ones – they keep me warm all day and night. Good book, hot coffee – perfect evening.
Diptyque diptyque diptyque… – tobacco & spice.
The spice I love all year round but especially during colder months: its taste makes drinks more sophisticated, its scent – home warmer and dessert more spicy – cinnamon.
Online shopping – the solution to Christmas shopping. Amazing deal, great sales and extra points to spend later, Plus some sites offer either reduced shipping or even free one with certain purchases. I’m hooked. Spotted the Space NK card? Yes, that’s what I’m talking about.
Good Christmas movie. Me likey a good movie. And probably my favorite one, no, I cannot pick one. So it’s either Polar Express or How Grinch Stole Christmas.
For more cosiness you cannot go wrong with candles. I love to burn some scented ones or even unscented ones during the dinner – purely romantic atmosphere in the apartment. I prefer more musky / woody scents, I got so tired and exhausted of those floral and sweet scent, so those ones are good substitutions. And I may of order a new Diptyque Candle Set. Ooops.
What do you do to get into a festive mood?
-S
Well, congratulation guys – we made to the 10th post in the series! I cannot believe, that the next HEROES will be in December.
I’m literally confused – no snow, the temperature is above 0, but it’s almost December. Everywhere is Christmas decorations, gift guides (by the way – I’m gonna have a full week dedicated to Christmas – gift guides for HER / HIM, stocking fillers, home decorations, festive nail art and of course makeup look for party – so stay tuned for that, I’m so excited to start those posts!)
Okay, enough for blabbing, let’s move on to products!
Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque – I’ve already talked about it my Mask Round-up post, it’s a good do it all mask. It clarifies, it smoothes, it renewals. Whenever I feel ‘fallen-apart’ this comes very handy and helpful. You put it on 10-15 min on a cleansed face and then just rinse out with water and you are done!
I love YouTube, I love watching beauty videos / hauls / favorites videos – everything. Lately I’ve been obsessed with Claire Ashley. She has YouTube channel and I spent the whole evening watching her videos! She is adorable, you make up is always flawless and the isn’t afraid to experiment. You should definable check her out! I insist :)
MAC MSF in Soft n Gentle – I love that stuff, I even have a full review on it on my blog here. I’ve been pretty lazy with make this week, so I’ve used it both as an eyeshadow and as an actual highlighter.
Music time. I had this song on repeat for days! Milton – I Can See It In Your Eyes. I don’t know it’s so catching – you just cannot stand still – you have to dance and sing and do everything! I can see it in your eyes, can see it in your smile…
What have you been loving lately? Hope you had a great weekend!
-S
Thanks to make up and special techniques it can help you to cheat. Bigger lips? Conceal the lip line and draw another one with a lip pencil. Light and spaceless brows? Eyeshadow and a brush or an eye pencil and you are Cara Delevingne. No cheekbones? Contouring and highlighting and you are done with the complexion.
The last one is the one I use the most. I’m not Vivien Leigh, so I need something to enhance something or that little that I have. I’ve a lot of bronzers and highlighters, but todays I’m going to talk about one of my favorite one – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish ‘Soft and Gentle’. I just love it. I won’t say it is finely milled at all, there even a small line of chinky glitter (this by the way I like to pop into inner conners with a small brush). At the same time I won’t say that you look crazily glittered with it, no, If you a highlighter-guurl – this one is for you.
Another thing I like to use it for it when I fancy a minimum make up day look I apply it as an eyeshadow, the shimmery lids and a mascara – and you look stunning without any fuss really.
Now I’m on a hunt got theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer. This one seems to be heeeeeaaaven…. Something tells me you gonna see me hauling. Poor pocket.
Are you fond of highlighters? Do you have the-one one?
-S
Sweet Bounty 