So What The Heck Is Micellar Shampoo Anyway?
When your hair is so big it needs its own postal code you try every product on the market to help tame it. I’ve learned that starting with a good shampoo is key and the wrong one can flare up frizz like it’s the 70’s again.
When micellar shampoos landed on my desk I thought, “I see you, but are you just another marketing ploy?”
We use micellar water to remove our makeup at the end of the day, so why do we need it to clean our hair and are there any benefits?
I had the chance to ask Herbal Essences own Product Developer, Rachel Zipperian about the key benefits of micellar in our shampoo. Here's what she had to say.
"Want to know the magic behind the micelles? It can be tough to wash away oil because oil repels water. The tiny but powerful cleaning micelles work so well because they are essentially bi-polar. One side of the micelle is attracted to oil, the other end is attracted to water. During use, the micelle is activated so it can trap the oil and suspend it in water that is then rinsed away."
So What Is Micellar Shampoo Anyway?
feat. Herbal Essences'
Product Developer, Rachel Zipperian
WoahStyle: Why is micellar water a great ingredient in hair care?
Rachel Zipperian: Micellar water is a great ingredient in hair care because it is filled with tiny, but mighty cleaning micelles that work to gently and effectively removes dirt and unwanted oils from hair as you wash. Micellar water shampoos formulas are ideal for an everyday shampoo because it cleans away the gunk your hair has picked up during your day but does not leave hair feeling stripped or overclean. A great way to lighten up and get a fresh, clean start for your hair.
WS: What does it do for hair?
RZ: Mother Nature created hair to protect humans. By design, hair picks up gunk throughout our day. Micellar water gently cleans away this unwanted gunk to reveal fresh, clean hair without over stripping. Our bio:renew blend is also part of our Micellar Water formula. With bio:renew, your hair will also get a dose of natural antioxidants with every wash.
WS: Why is it similar/different from micellar water in skin care?
RZ: From a gentle cleaning standpoint, they are similar. Micelles are tiny cleaning ingredients that are designed to gently remove dirt and oil and easily rinse away in water. The main difference is how you use the products. You don’t need to rinse Micellar water products in skin care because the micelles are already activated in the product so they can effectively work on a cotton ball or wipe. In hair care, you do have to rinse micellar shampoo out when you’re done lathering. (For a no-rinse option, we have awesome dry shampoos.) The rinse water is needed to activate the micelles to carry the trapped dirt and oils from hair.
My first micellar shampoo gave me give bouncy hair that was virtually frizz free! Air dry all the way!!
High end vs. drug store micellar shampoo. Redken's (left) is silicone and sulphate-free while Herbal Essences bio:renew (right) contains SLS, a foaming agent which some people avoid as it can be an irritant in a small percent of the population.
My favourite drug store shampoo, Herbal Essences bio:renew, welcomes four new shampoos and conditioners to the family: Deep Sea Minerals, Blue Ginger, Bourbon Manuka Honey, and White Strawberry & Sweet Mint! The entire range smells incredible and is safe for coloured hair.
Digging the results of my first micellar shampoo. I let my naturally wavy and frizz prone hair air dry and just love the results!
Redken's Clean Maniac Micellar shampoo and Clean-Touch conditioner leave a bigger dent in the wallet at about $20 a bottle. On the other hand, they're silicone and sulfate-free and are safe for coloured and treated hair.
I used Herbal Essence’s bio:renew micellar shampoo in the shower the other day and noticed two things straight away - it felt like a normal shampoo and it smelled like micellar water.
Okay, okay.
By the time I was done washing my hair I realized it had some slip to it and felt squeaky clean. No really. It was making a squeaky clean noise and I kinda liked it. I'm wondering if the micelles almost give the shampoo a boost and make it act like a clarifying shampoo. Hmm...
Seeing as I had a busy day of shooting ahead and I'd be staying indoors, I didn’t blow dry my hair and opted for air dry instead. You see, I have a lot of hair that happens to be thick and wavy and air drying is the lesser of two evils. 20 minutes drying my hair? Or 3 hours heat-free waiting for it to air dry? 🙋🏻
Moving along.
My Top Rated Hair Care For Frizz Free Locks
A couple of hours later and my hair was almost dry, virtually frizz-free with mega volume! I felt compelled to turn on a fan and snap some selfies because what else do you do with big hair?
My post hair washing routine stayed the same - a dab of Herbal Essences bio:renew Argan Oil cream at the ends, followed by Bumble and Bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil, and finally a pump of OUAI’s Hair Oil.
So, the final verdict?
I mean, it's hard to say after just one wash. Was I having a good hair day or is micellar shampoo is the real deal? I'm not sure yet but if my unruly hair just so happens to air-dry into bouncy waves, then I say it’s worth checking out!
Confessions Of A Shoe Addict + Saint Laurent Haul
I love shoes so much it's insane.
I love them as much as I love my cats and Geoff. Okay, that's a bit nuts and obviously, I don't mean that, but if my house burned to the ground tomorrow and there was nothing left, I'd be really sad about losing shoes that have taken me years to collect.
I've been obsessed with shoes for as long as I can remember. In high school, I was the only kid that wore "grown-up shoes" that clacked on the floor every time I walked. My peers would turn around thinking it was a teacher but nope, it was just me, in my Catholic uniform and fancy shoes.
I wore Doc Martens from the ages of 13-15 during my grunge/goth, and later in my late teens I was all about my black Converse Chuck Taylor's but I never stood as tall as I did wearing a nice pair of shoes. In fact, I used to hunch over a lot when I wore Docs and All Stars and I'd secretly hope that I was invisible and no one would notice me.
Matisse boots from their collaboration with actress Kate Bosworth. These are called the Charlotte boots. They're half a size too big but I only discovered them when they went on sale and had practically sold out. Better half a size too big than too small. All candles featured here are from Diptyque. The book is Walton Ford's Pancha Tantra, one of my favourites.
I scored these Saint Laurent Baby Cat studded loafers on sale at Ssense.com for about $300 a few years ago. They were my first pair of Saint Laurent shoes and I remember loving them so much I never wanted to wear them. The crossbody YSL bag behind them are a purchase from New York last year and the leather moto jacket is from The Kooples.
That's the thing with good shoes. They boost my confidence and instantly lift my mood.
I can wear the same black jeans day and in and day out without a care in the world but there's no way, I could ever wear the same shoe two days in a row. Nope. It can't happen.
MY OUTFIT IN THIS POST:
Silk leopard print blouse; Equipment x Kate Moss / Black skinny jeans; Zara / Leather belt; Brave Leather / Black ankle boots with star detail (pictured in the last 3 photos of this post); Matisse X Kate Bosworth / Bracelets; Valentino (left) and David Yurman (right)
Travelling is the toughest as a shoe addict because I have to narrow my choices down to 4 pairs, which of course takes up a majority of my carry on. I normally wear a comfortable and stylish pair on the plane. That can mean anything from my black platform Saint Laurent boots or a pair of Vans depending on where I'm flying. I pack a chic pair for evening, maybe a cobalt blue Alexander Wang strappy sandals, and of course I need a statement shoe, preferably coloured or metallic like my hot pink Gucci loafers. Hell, why not throw another statement shoe in there just for fun? Saint Laurent metallic sandals anyone?
The thing with collecting designer shoes that no one tells is this. It's the equivalent of buying a car. It's a bad investment and you'll never recuperate your money the way you would a designer handbag. Why? Because you wear shoes and they get beat up and scoffed and the leather wrinkles and never looks as cute as when they're unworn.
Shop Statement Shoes:
I've seen Chanel shoes go for $200 at consignment shops around the city and even at that price, I'd never think about buying them because I don't want shoes someone else has sweated in. Pass.
I collect shoes because I love them. They are my wearable pieces of art and each pair reminds me of where I was in my life -
what job I was working at the time and how much, er, how little, money I had in my bank account after I bought them because there was a time I was making shit money at a shit job and I had no business buying $600 Alexander Wang shoes, but there I was, buying them anyway.
I can't remember the last time I wore half of my Saint Laurent shoe collection but it doesn't matter. Having them on my shoe shelf is enough and I could never part ways with them. Not to be morbid but it would have to take me dying or my house burning down before that happens.
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
Shop The Post
A Personal Note
It's almost the Christmas, it's almost the New Year and heck, I just celebrated a birthday! Who else is looking forward to 2018 and setting new goals? I know I am!
I don't know about you guys but I look forward to setting new goals every year. I'm not talking about new years resolutions like "lose 10 pounds", but enriching things like "travel to Iceland" or "finish my basement renovations" or "start a new company."
I've been setting goals for myself since I was in my late teens and I still do it because it really helps me stay on track with what I want to get out of life and turns my dreams into reality.
Goals are awesome for self-improvement and holding yourself accountable for accomplishing what you want out of life.
Without them, it's easy to go year after year telling yourself "I hope I can afford to go on an epic holiday soon." Instead, change your mentality and change the words to "I will go on an epic holiday this year".
Tell yourself and believe that you're finally gonna do it. Start planning, start saving and make it happen.
True story, Geoff and I went to Iceland in October this year with our best friends and it was incredible! It was number one item on our bucket list and it was everything we could have imagined and more!
Thing is I had been planning this trip for years but something would always happen and we'd never move forward with it.
At the start of 2017, Geoff and I promised each other that we'd go to Iceland no matter what. We held each other accountable to our goals and in March of 2017 we took the first step and booked our flights.
We set up an auto savings plan with our bank so that we could easily save money for our vacation without even having to think about it. All we did was plan the holiday itself and everything just fell into place.
That's the thing with goals. They don't have to be massive or life changing but they should be fun. I mean, what's life without looking forward to something and making those dreams a reality?
Put it in writing and work towards that promotion at work, get that tattoo you've been planning forever or move to that city you've always wanted to move to.
Life is happening now.
Make those dreams a reality and get out there and reach those goals because when you get there, it's pretty awesome!
I hope you guys have been enjoying WoahStyle in 2017 and like I said, I can't wait for the new year. I have a lot of cool shit up my sleeve and I'm finally gonna hit those goals and get it out there.
I also just want to say thank you all so much. You guys make me want to constantly improve my craft and give you something new and exciting to look forward to.
I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday and Happy New Year!
xo,
Nathalie
Favourite Outfits of 2017
In the start of 2017, I wrote a blog post called "I Quit Shopping". I've haven't entirely held true to those words but I've cut back a lot!
I scaled back on buying new clothes, shoes, and bags and only focused on the stuff I truly 110% loved. My new (but actually pre-loved) Celiné nano luggage bag in Vermillion had been on my wishlist for years now. I also bought a beautiful pair of brown suede Prada slides with a curved heel that are both comfortable and elegant and a wild pair of Saint Laurent Candy platform sandals in metallic leather that are so ridiculously amazing that every time I look at them, I smile.
While I didn't exactly quit shopping, I kept it to a minimum and really focused on what I loved and bought pieces that would serve me well for years to come.
Since I was shopping less, I had to get creative with how I repurpose my existing wardrobe. I purged a lot of what I don't use anymore to a local women's shelter, Value Village and sold some pieces online. I kept only clothes, bags and shoes that I love.
Somehow minimal shopping/purging have made it easier to come up with new outfit combinations and get dressed every day. My closet is more streamlined in terms of cut and colour - think lots of denim, classic cut blazers, silk blouses and plenty of jackets for layering. Oh, and lots and lots of t-shirts although shoes still remain my fave and it's rare that I'll part with a pair.
Anyway, if you guys haven't already tried it, I strongly urge you to look at your closet and donate/sell any clothes or accessories you don't need anymore. Heck, try shopping less too!
Part of the reason I wanted to quit shopping was to put more money towards upgrading my house and traveling more!
This year we went to Iceland, Halfix, and Miami (I'm not counting PR trips here!) and bought our dream couch, new living room furniture and we're almost done our basement renovations!
You know what, quitting shopping ain't so bad and I might just keep it up for the new year!
The Statement Jacket
A statement jacket like this furry one from Revolve makes getting dressed super easy. Take away the jacket and I'm wearing a classic V-neck, from my collab with Queen of Hearts apparel, and pair of standard black skinny jeans. Good accessories also help but even without the Chanel bag, this outfit would still stand well on its own.
Playing with Layers
Layering is one of my favourite ways of putting an outfit together. I put this outfit together because I needed something cool and comfortable for my flight to New York, knowing that once we landed we'd be doing photos and then going straight to a PR event.
I'm wearing the same black v-neck tshirt as the previous outfit and yet another pair of black skinny jeans. Again, the accessories play a major role in the outfit and I opted for a strong statement Saint Laurent boot here.
A Nod to Rock and Roll
Music has played a large roll in my personal style and how I embrace fashion. I grew up in the 90's listening to bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana and Pearl Jam in addition to classics like The Beatles, CCR, and Hendrix. My personal style is reflective of my love for music and I truly love playing with denim, strong colours and graphic patterns.
Denim on Denim
Denim on denim never gets old and there are a million ways to interpret it. For this look, I went for a pair of zippered, distressed Rag & Bone jeans and a shredded jacket from Zara that I picked up for $50 earlier in the year. I decided to go for a classic polka dot silk blouse underneath to keep the outfit from looking too tough. I always like adding a contrasting element to my outfits by adding a feminine touch or a pop of unexpected colour. The blouse does just that.
White On White
As much as I love all black for making a strong statement, I love white on white for the same reasons. I wore this outfit to the Nordstrom opening at Sherway Gardens earlier this year and it's probably one of my faves to date. I didn't want to go with the usual jeans since the event was a bit more formal but not exactly black tie.
I went for a mini shirtdress from Topshop that I've had for ages, an oversized creme blazer from Zara that I scored for $40 and a pair of brown Prada slides and a pop of colour with my vermillion Celiné bag.
Playing With Colour
I love colour and nothing makes me happier than a pop of red, hot pink or cobalt blue. For this outfit, I had a mashup of complimentary colours - blue, yellow and bits of red thanks to my Kate Cate handbag strap and Armani sunglasses. I anchored the colours with a black leather mini skirt from The Kooples. It gives the look an edge and ties everything in and keeps the overall vibe true to my personal style.
Texture Play
Because I dress in a primarily monochromatic colour scheme, I place a lot of emphasis on texture to keep my outfits from looking flat. If you pay attention to the outfits in this post, you'll notice that I often throw together something with denim leather, velvet, patent leather, wool, and faux fur. Bonus points for metallic leather as yes, I totally count it as texture.
A Week of Edgy Outfits
A couple of weeks ago, I sat down to go through my 2018 plans for WoahStyle. One of the things I want to do right away is to start presenting my fashion posts differently and in a gallery format. More like a feast for the eyes in order to really capture my personal style - my weekly outfits, my closet, my workspace, shoes, accessories... You know, the whole shebang!
Thing is, Geoff and I spent hours and hours each weekend creating street style content when we're both exhausted and just wanted to spend time relaxing.
Long story short, with the arrival of my new Sony A6000 camera, I feel completely inspired to tackle on self-portraits, which is exactly what I've started doing. Since I'm now behind the camera (and in front of it!), I feel I have full creative freedom and my photos are coming out more raw and truly capturing my personality.
Do you like?
BTW - I'll be posting a week behind so everything you see here happened a week before or ealier.
Early Last Week
I realized that I haven't shared much of my closet since I redecorated it this summer. Truth is, I don't spend a lot of time in that room and half the time it turns into a dumping ground for PR packages. I really have to stop that!
Early in the week, I went shopping with my mum and came across the cutest Marc Jacobs drawstring bag. Naturally, I fell in love with the gold.
Chanel N°5 L'eau has been a favourite of mine since this summer. I'm all about the purse spray right now that's perfect for travel. It comes with 3x 20mL refillable vials and the sleekest white case. Oh, Chanel, how I love thee!
Mid Week
I was redecorating my living room this past weekend and moved my much-loved bookcase into the hallway to make more room.
Since we got our new sectional sofa from EQ3, it seemed like our living room got tighter.
Our townhouse is long and narrow and so is our living room so we felt like we were constantly squeezing our way between the piano and the occasional chairs and it was getting annoying fast.
My solution was to move around the entire living room (naturally), and while the space looks more open now, I'm really missing my books.
End of the Week
Between redecorating my living room, strategizing for 2018, and jumping back into action on my beauty blog, lipsick.me, last week was insane. To top it off, I was feeling low energy so I tried to make home cooked meals and me time a priority.
BTW - I feel a bit like a cheat because the two outfits here were actually shot in August and October. Can't blame a girl for being resourceful when she's stretched thin!
I really hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, shoot me a DM or leave me a comment below and let me know!!
M·A·C x Robert Lee Morris
I'm one of these people that lives for artist collabs. Does anyone remember the MAC x Hello Kitty collab? How about the Iris Apfel one? Liberty of London anyone?
I recall going to so many MAC stores just to hunt down a particular lipstick shade from the Iris collab with no luck. Instead, I ended up getting a bottle of nail polish, also under her collab, in the most stunning vibrant pink that I've ever seen.
I'm one of those weirdos who loves limited edition stuff. I always have been and I always will. I much prefer having something that's made in small quantities versus something everyone has.
Take, Gucci's insanely popular Dionysus bag. When I bought mine, I thought the red suede was a seasonal colour and the style was a limited release and yet here we are, almost two years later and it's still available.
A lot of the appeal has actually been taken away no thanks to Instagram. To this day I launch the app and I still see the bag everywhere. If I just saw it less, I might still be wearing mine but instead, I'm thinking of putting it up for sale.
SHOP MAC x RLM
Look, we all have are ride-or-die faves (MAC's Twig? Ruby Woo anyone?), but a limited edish artist collab keeps the mystique alive between us and our favourite brands.
It gets us excited about something fresh and let's be real, it gets us flocking to the cosmetics counter, which is all any brand wants right?
When the MAC x Robert Lee Morris collab landed on my desk for review, I couldn't wait to dive in but I'd have to wait a couple of more weeks since I was traveling most of November.
Fast forward to now. I've tried the collection and the lipsticks are amazing! Fig and Pumpkin are my faves and the blush in the shade Rhubard is superb!
I especially love the contour brush, which has some weight to it, thanks to the designer's touch and his love of playing with metals.
Actually, the whole collection reminds me of iron and brass and I love how RLM's artistic voice really came through in this collab.
I became familiar with Morris's work about a decade ago when I was deep in my Elizabeth & James obsession. (For those who don't know, E&J is Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's contemporary fashion line.)
The Olsen twins interviewed Morris for their book Influence and even collaborated with him on limited edition pieces of jewelry back in the day. I'm fortunate to own one of those pieces, a brass necklace with a half moon sculptural piece in the center, which I still have to this day.
I credit the Olsen Twins for giving me the confidence to embrace my personal style and I have to give props to them for making me aware of Morris's work. It's fabulous to see MAC shining the spotlight on this phenomenal artist who's truly a master at working with metals.
The MAC x Robert Lee Morris collection is beautiful. The shades are insanely flattering, the packaging is sculptural, truly unique works of art and 100% worth picking up. They are limited edition and available now so don't wait if you want anything.
MAC X ROBERT LEE MORRIS Powder Compacts
Face Powder (top) in Light Plus, $45
Powder Blush in Rhubarb, (deep maroon), right, $39
Powder Blush in Peach (bright gold), bottom, $39
Powder Blush in Linda (soft pink/bronze), left, $39
MAC X ROBERT LEE MORRIS Small Mirror Compact, $20
MAC X ROBERT LEE MORRIS Mattene Lipsticks, $25
From left to right:
Lychee (soft nude pink )
Persimmon (warm peach nude)
Pumpkin (warm pink)
Concorde Grape (dirty cool mauve)
Fig (deepened reddened rose)
VIEW THE ENTIRE MAC X ROBERT LEE MORRIS LIPSTICK COLLECTION ON LIPSICK.ME
The Fail Proof Way to Cover Up Dark Under Eye Circles
There's nothing worse than a sleepless night only to have to wake up the next morning and deal with covering up those dark undereye circles. I mean, the last thing you want is for your colleagues to sit across the boardroom wondering why you look so exhausted right? Or, maybe you're like me, and no matter how much sleep you get you still have dark under eyes! Regardless, you're here because you want to know how to cover them up and I want to tell you how. I've been batting with dark under eyes since I was a teen and I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert on the matter of concealing them. Below you'll find the best concealers and fail-proof methods in covering up dark under eye circles.
Best Concealers For Covering Up
Dark Under Eye Circles
BECCA Under Eye Brightening Corrector
Colour Corrector
This peach coloured concealer is your first step. Your primer if you will. The peachy tone helps cancel out the blue undertones in your undereye circles. Use it after eye cream and before your regular concealer by patting it on the darkest areas using your ring finger.
Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
Medium-Full Coverage
Those with drier skin will love this creamy concealer. It's the one Makeup by Mario recommended in the Master Class I attended this summer and it's the one I've had in my makeup bag for months now. I like to apply this one with a concealer brush and layer it bit by bit so it covers up the darker areas.
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Full Coverage
This concealer is drier than the Laura Mercier one (mentioned above) and it's better suited for normal-oily skin. The formula is full coverage and it's great to use when you're in a rush in the morning since it gets rid of dark undereyes quickly. Best of all, it lasts all day.
Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Creme
Full Coverage
If you prefer creme over pot concealers then you're going to love the following three. KVD makes an amazing one in an array of skin tones that's full coverage and easy to work with. This full coverage formula applies great with a Beauty Blender or fingers and doesn't crease.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Full Coverage
Similar to KVD's concealer in terms of coverage and texture, this one is available only in the US right now but you can always order it through ulta.com fellow Canadians. I love the full coverage formula and how it doesn't budge, but I could do without the weird chemically odor. Maybe that's why it's not sold in Canada. Hmmm....
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Medium-Full Coverage
This iconic concealer is probably one of the brands best-selling product. If I remember correctly, one of my contacts from the Nars head office told me that a Creamy Radiant Concealer is sold around the world every minute. Wait, or was it second? Anyway, it totally makes sense because this medium-full coverage concealer is buildable and excellent for covering up dark circles.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Dark Under Eyes
Pay close attention because getting rid of dark circles isn't difficult by any means. It doesn't have to take long and you don't even have to use any of the concealers mentioned here but what matters most, in all absoluteness, is the application method. Adding a thin layer of concealer little by little will build up the coverage where you need it most without the cakiness or creasing.
Hydrate Those Eyes!
Start by hydrating your under eyes. Olay's Ulitmate Eye Cream is ridiculously hydrating without being oily and it has illuminating flecks in it to brighten things up.
Don't Skip The Foundation
If my under eye circles are particularly bad, I like to use a medium to full coverage foundation first with a drop of MAC's Strobe Cream. The foundation helps even out my skin tone, while Strobe Cream helps illuminate my skin. It's the perfect recipe for natural, dewy looking skin.
Prime Those Under Eyes
Using a peach (for fair-medium skin) or red (for medium-dark skin) concealer first will help colour correct the blue in your under eyes. Without it, it'll be more difficult to cover up dark circles so trust me, use that colour corrector.
Conceal, Conceal, Conceal
By now you'll notice your dark circles are looking much better but there's still work to be done. Using a brush (for more coverage), dab your under eyes with concealer and blend with your fingertips. The warmth of your fingers will help blend the makeup into your skin so it looks flawless. It might also take remove some concealer along the way which is why you'll want to work in layers and add more concealer back in where you need it. Do this until you're happy with the results.
Ready, Set, Go!
Time to lock that concealer in! There are two ways you can do this depending on the effect you want and how much time you have. Method one is the quick and easy way and more natural - dip a small fluffy brush into Laura Mericier's Secret Brightening Powder and pat over top of the concealer to set. This powder is at pricey at $31 for a small container, but it's light reflective properties and weightless formula is what makes it ideal for the delicate under eyes.
Method two will give you more flawless results and trust me, your makeup will not fade or crease one bit. It's called baking and what you want to do is take a damp sponge and dunk it in your LM powder and pat it on your under eyes. Build that powder up and let it sit for about 5 minutes as you work on your eyebrows before sweeping it away with a fluffy brush.
That wasn't too bad right? With practice, you'll be able move through these steps in no time and most importantly, no one will ask if you're tired. ;)
Blink or You'll Miss It! The NARSissist Wanted Palette Is Here For One Day Only!
If you're getting tired of limited edition makeup releases, well get over it because a big one is dropping today! Typical of NARS to always be on their A-game and give us exactly what we want - today they're launching NARissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette on sephora.ca. Yup, you read correctly, it's available for one day and then it's back in the vault till 2018.
The Wanted palette features twelve warm tones with a rich new buttery-smooth formula that has crazy colour payoff. From mattes to satins, shimmers, and glittery metallic finishes this palette has everything your eyeshadow obsessed heart desires. I personally love this palette for the versatility to create some amazing looks for day and night. Dare I say the Wanted Palette might even replace my favourite Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Eyes Palette! Don't get it twisted, I'm not trying to throw any shade at Charlotte (love you Char!), but seriously this is one of the only palettes that comes close to rivaling the glitter formulas that Charlotte Tilbury makes so well!
GET IT TODAY OR WAIT UNTIL 2018
The NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette is available today, November 27th, on Sephora.ca only for one day, and then it goes back into the vault like a Disney movie until it comes back on January 5th, 2018 (at Sephora) and then January 12th, 2018 everywhere else. Are you confused yet? Don't worry cuz I have you covered. All Canadian release dates are listed below.
AVAILABILITY:
November 27th, 2017 - sephora.ca (only for one day)
December 4th, 2017 - sephora.ca preview
January 5th, 2018 - Sephora
January 12th, 2018 - Hudson's Bay, Nordstrom, Murale, Shoppers Drug Mart
SHOP NARS PALETTES
NARissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette, $74
- BIARRITZ matte neutral cream
- SATISFACTION shimmering golden pink
- DELIRIUM metallic rose
- TEMPTRESS satin paprika
- SEVEN HEAVEN matte sand
- SHADOW HILL matte saddle
- MENDOZA shimmering pink copper
- WICKED GAME satin cranberry
- SHOOTING STAR sparkling champagne
- LA LA shimmering deep bronze
- FALLEN STAR shimmering antique bronze
- COCONUT GROVE matte deep brown
SHOP THE POST
