The Only Makeup You Need This Summer feat. DIOR Backstage
I love testing out new makeup because so many of them have big claims and gorgeous packaging, and yet, they simply don’t perform well. When I find a foundation or concealer that works, I feel compelled to tell everyone because finding good quality makeup is hard!
To give you an idea of what I deem to be good, it has to:
Look natural on the skin.
Apply seamlessly over the skin with both a makeup sponge and fingers - for those lazy days.
Have a diverse colour range.
Not settle into any fine lines or pores.
Be long-lasting.
Not fade or melt in the hot summer months on my combination skin.
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation comes in 40 shades, has a natural finish that’s buildable coverage, and is water-proof / sweat-resistant. The coverage level on this foundation is medium and yet I find it looks natural on the skin, not cakey - especially when applied with a makeup sponge.
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I had a chance to test the water-proof and sweat-resistant claims at the gym and found that after a sweaty hour-long workout, my makeup was still intact. Even without setting powder!
When it comes to concealer I prefer a full-coverage liquid formula, and Dior nails it with their Backstage Concealer.
With 22 shades the Dior Backstage Concealer “is a caffeine-infused, radiant concealer that delivers waterproof and crease-proof full coverage.” Basically, everything I want in makeup.
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If you’re looking for a long-lasting, natural finish makeup, check out Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation and the Concealer. You won’t be disappointed!
Photos by: Geoff Martin.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Dior, Sephora, and LTK for sponsoring this post. All photos and opinions are my own.
Treating My Dry Hair with Baobab Essence
This post was sponsored by Pantene.
I’ve always taken good care of my hair, however with fewer trims and dry conditions means my hair has been on the drier side. I’ve started using Pantene’s Baobab-based hair care to whip my dehydrated hair into shape and get it looking soft again.
Also if I’m honest, it’s been months since my last trim and my ends have been looking parched so this is how I’ve been giving my hair an extra bit of TLC.
My goal is to hydrate my dry hair and so I’ve been using Pantene’s Hydrating Glow Shampoo with Baobab Essence. I like it because it’s free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, dyes, and fragrance-free. It’s also enriched with Pantene’s iconic blend of pro-vitamin B5, antioxidants, and Baobab Essence and leaves my hair feeling soft and refreshed.
For conditioner, I’ve been using Pantene’s Hydrating Glow Conditioner with Baobab Essence. Similar to the shampoo, the formula is hydrating and vitamin E infused, free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, dyes, and it’s also fragrance-free. It keeps the tangles away and hydrates my ends so that my hair looks and feels hydrated and glowy.
Post shower, I’ve been using Pantene’s Thirsty Ends Milk to Water Serum, also from the Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence.
This milky serum transforms to water and is meant to be used on the ends of the hair to lock in moisture and prevent split ends.
It has long-lasting hydration and can be used on both wet and dry hair to give ends a moisture boost whenever needed.
For my thick, frizz-prone hair, I was happy to see how The Thirsty Ends Milk to Water Serum smoothed out my hair and left it feeling and looking soft and hydrated. I like to use it on my ends whenever they’re looking parched and need a hydration boost.
So by now, you’re wondering what exactly is baobab if you haven’t already heard of it.
WHAT EXACTLY IS BAOBAB?
Baobab is a tree native to Tanzania where the climate is extremely dry and arid. It stores water in its massive trunk and produces nutrient-dense fruit. This is pretty amazing considering the climate it lives in, which is why the baobab is also known as “The Tree of Life”.
BENEFITS OF BAOBAB
In skincare and haircare, Baobab is moisturizing, soothing, and hydrates dry hair. It’s also rich in antioxidants, surpassing goji berries and match, and is rich in vitamin E.
PANTENE’S BAOBAB ESSENCE
In their new Baobab Collection, Pantene has created a formula that’s excellent for reviving dehydrated hair and restoring hair’s softness and glow.
The three-piece haircare collection includes the Shampoo, Conditioner, and The Thirsty Ends Milk to Water Serum - a new favourite of mine.
If you're looking for a hydration boost to your dry hair, I’d highly recommend checking out Pantene’s Hydrating Glow Collection with Baobab Essence to convert your dry hair into soft, hydrated locks.
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VIDEO: Armani Shade Expansion, Luminous Silk Foundation
I’ve been using Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundations for years, however, I’m between shades. (Admittedly I was wearing the wrong shade for well over a year but that’s a whole other topic.) With 10 new shades in their line up, it’s about time they expanded their foundation shades don’t you think? Better late than never!
Make sure you click on the video above to hear my thoughts on this iconic makeup and my preferred way of applying it.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
Artwork and photos by Nathalie Martin.
Stock photography from ShopStyle.com.
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Add This To Your Foundation For Glowing Skin!
Let's hand it to Kim Kardashian for putting M.A.C's Strobe Cream on our radar. She credits the stuff for giving her that beautiful healthy glowing skin she's known for. Sure, it doesn't hurt that her list of staff includes celebrity makeup artists Mario Dedivanovic and Joyce Bonelli or that she gets facials on the regular or that she's blessed with crazy good looks but you know... Even though we're not Kim, we can strive to get our glow on.
Lately, I've been experimenting with liquid highlighters and I've noticed a big shift in how my skin looks when I add a drop of this stuff to my foundation. I just dab a 1:1 ration of liquid highlighter and foundation to my fingertips, rub both hands together to mix it and then apply it straight to my face to do my makeup as normal.
I love the results because I get the coverage I need from the foundation and my skin looks radiant thanks to the light reflective shimmers in the highlighter. Bonus, it takes no extra effort and it works with all of my foundations, including the mattifying ones.
For more makeup tips, make sure to check out my article on The Fail-Proof Way To Cover Up Dark Under Eye Circles!
MAKEUP TIP:
Liquid highlighters have some major light reflecting shimmers and you'll notice your skin will glow right straight away and look healthy and dewy.
Adding a face powder over top to seal your makeup will matte away the dewiness.
To get the benefits of the powder and bring the glow back into your skin, just dot a bit of liquid highlighter on your cheekbones, apples of the cheeks, cupids bow, and nose with your fingers to warm up the product and help melt it all together.
Remember to dot and pat, and not rub, to prevent from disturbing your makeup.
Finish by misting your face with some mineral water or a makeup setting spray.
The result, glowing skin that Kim K would approve of.
How To Get Glowing Skin With Zero Effort
The thing I've struggled with the most in my thirties is lackluster skin and I'm sure a lot of ladies in their 30s and 40s feel me. Aside from using exfoliating skincare products, I learned that adjusting my makeup is key because otherwise, I look tired AF even if I've had 8 hours of sleep.
The easiest thing you can to get glowing skin is to add a liquid highlighter to your foundation. Just mix a 1:1 ratio of foundation and liquid highlighter and you're set. Top it off with some rosy blush and a good concealer to even out your skin and you're good to go!
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter, $55
This peachy-gold gel highlighter is lightweight and can be applied directly to skin, or mixed into your into foundation for a universally flattering glow. It's infused with coconut and provitamin B5 to hydrate and nourish skin.
BENEFIT COSMETICSThe POREfessional Pearl Primer, $42
This soft pink pearly primer is lovely under makeup and hides all of the large pores on my nose so obviously, I love it. I hear you can mix it with your foundation but I haven't tried it yet and honestly, I much prefer it as a primer. It's oil-free and lightweight.
M.A.C Strobe Cream, $40
The original highlight cream that started the hype has quickly become a staple in my makeup bag. I love the Pinklite shade (pink-pearly shimmer) under my foundation and mixed it to help brighten my dull complexion. I also dot a little over top of my cheek bones to give my skin a dewy finish.
COVERGIRL Vitalist Go Glow Luminizing Lotion, $10
This new one from COVERGIRL is easy on the wallet and well worth the try at $10. Infused with vitamins E, B3 and B5, this lightweight moisturizer with light-reflecting pigments gives your skin a naturally hydrated luminous glow. ~ covergirl.com
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