Foundation Routine: Shiseido + Rimmel

hey all :)

hope everyone's having a good weekend so far!!

so after playing around with my new shiseido dual balancing foundation (#B20), and trying to get it to work (with diff. brushes, powders, etc.), I have come up with the 'HG method' for making it work. I didn't like it as much before, but damn, do I love it now!! It has become my HG liquid foundation. Here's da method!

1. Apply a tiny (and i stress tiny!! you don't need a lot for it to work!) amount of the foundation on your MAC 189 brush. Blend away. Apply a bit more to areas that need more help :)

2. Set foundation with a flat brush ( I use the Italian Badger one; you can get it off coastalscents.com), using my HG pressed powder by Rimmel; Stay Matte in Translucent.


and you're done!!! :) easy, eh!! Well, I guess you could use this method with any foundation you may have. And try out the Rimmel powder!! It's cheap and amazing!!! ( I love it more than previous more expensive powders I've used; this one was only $4!!!). Oh, and that MAC 189 brush isn't all that necessary, but it does make a major difference. I tried using the standard foundation brush (MAC 190) and it did not work. Same goes for using the MAC 189 (that skunk looking brush, yeah you know what i'm talking about ;) and my fingers, but the 189 reigned supreme!!

Hope this helps someone out!

Lina

P.S: I only got the 189 brush a long time ago because a very awesome Youtube Guru named ChefCaffy showed it in one of her videos. Check her out if you don't already know her!!! :D

Review: MAC Studio Scuplt Concealer

I got this about a month ago, and have had a while now using it various ways. From different eye brushes (MAC224, Lise Watier Portfolio Brush, Anna Sui Concealer Brush) and even my ring finger (not so sanitary!). Here's some info on it:

5.5 g /0.19 US OZ
CA$20.00

Yet, the result is usually the same. The creamy, yet thick, consistency might seem nice when you swatch it on the back of your hand, but that's not how it appears when applied to dark circles. For me, it kept looking dry, uneven, and although it is thick, it was not very opaque. I had to keep laying a bunch on, which only made the under eye area look even brighter (and not so natural looking). I will admit though, the waterproof claim made by this concealer does stand true, even on humid days.

When I used my Primavista Bright Up Base under it, thinking this would solve the problem, it actually made my undereyes look worse. Very dry, and cakey. The only thing I put under it was a load of lotion, which only helped slightly.

So, overall, this concealer does not beat my HG Lise Watier Portfolio.

P.S: For all of you living in Canada/U.S who can't get their hands on the Lise Watier portfolio, you can get it here. Also, use the coupon code "KANDEE1C9" to get 10% off! Offer expires 9/30/2009.

Review: MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Light/Medium

I received this as a present about a month ago. To be quiet honest, this does not do anything amazing for me. I use it here and there when my face gets a bit shiny during the day. It does not do a great job of keeping your skin matte all day, just temporarily. Now, when I do use it, it does give the skin a natural look, and does not look cakey at all. In terms of the texture of the product; once you dip your brush into it, it does tend to go everywhere (flakes in all directions...) and does cause somewhat of a mess (and I hate that...I'm a clean freak fyi :P

The coverage is very light, and I think this is great for someone who wants to set their liquid or cream foundation. Since I use mineral makeup, I don't need to set it with a powder at the end.

Overall, this is a OK product for me. Nothing amazing. Also, I've heard a lot of people breaking out from this powder, and I haven't been using it that regularly enough to see a difference. So, bear that in mind :)

Everyday Look

Here are the products I use for my everyday look. I'm kinda embarrassed that I need 10 different things to get a 'natural look'. Oh well :(








Above, in the order I use them: Missha BB Cream, Lise Watier Portfolio Concealer, MAC paint in Bare Canvas, Shu Uemura: loose powder in translucent, MAC Brule eyeshadow, Shu Uemura eyebrow pencil, KATE eyeshadow, MAC Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz, Diorshow Mascara, MAC blush














The products used for the face.













The products used for the rest of the face. Eyeshadow & blush vary from day to day though...

















I like natural looks... not a fan of dramatic makeup, except for Halloween :)

This is my favorite everyday base to use. Since I don't like to wear eye shadows on a regular basis, this is perfect for a natural look. It conceals the darkness that I have on my lids, and I top it off with MAC's Brule eyeshadow which sets it. I even use MAC's Phloof! eyeshadow sometimes, if I want to look more "awake".
I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to try out a Paint Pot, but doesn't know which one to use. These things are like butter! So easy to spread, and they last all day and don't crease.
I plan on getting more shades in the future for sure! And they're not that expensive :)

My MAC brush collection

In order, from left to right: 190, 189, 116, 187, 224, 227, 219, 217, 252, 194, 209

And in my opinion, they are all worth the money. These brushes have amazing quality to them, and I would highly recommend them to anyone. Don't waste your money on cheap brushes that fall apart after a few months. These will last for years!