Showing posts with label woc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label woc. Show all posts

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Face Color Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder SWATCHES

I have been adding a little bit extra to my make up look, over the years. Although It’s subtle, it makes me happy! Like right now I’m really into highlighters and contours.
Should I do an extra post on this?

A while back Make Up For Ever launched their Artist Face Colors Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder ($29 CAN) and asked me if I wanted to try it out. My answer is always yes! I Love when I can share Products on the blog that can be use for all skin tones from the ivory to Ebony. Especially when it comes to things like blushes and highlighters. When you’re deeper toned you need cosmetics that are going to amplify your look!

Wearable Pinks for Dark Skin Women + My Favourite Combo at Moment

If you follow me on Twitter: JENNMUA. You know that I speak a lot about wearable soft pinks for dark skin women. Apparently it's hard to find *insert the eye roll emoji*. A true unicorn. Let me start off by saying, it shouldn’t be. Some of us just want a nice pink which is NOT a porn star pink. You know exactly what I’m talking about!!! I'll spare you the imagery.


I know I’m a couple days late for #nationallipstickday but I thought it be great to speak about this combo that I came up with! I love it but I totally wish I could find this all in one bottle/tube. Either way it will due for now.

Arbonne: Smoothed Over Lipstick - SWATCHES

I know that I'm behind on swatches but please forgive me! 
When I heard that Arbonne had some new lipsticks, I really wanted to try them. 
I really LOVED Arbonne's eyebrow basic brow combos so I had high hopes for the new lipsticks.

I'm so used to wearing matte lipsticks that when I get something hydrating- I'm so shook up! These babies have the attributes of a balm but with the power of a lipstick. I know it sounds odd but wait until you see the swatches. One word to describe them: SMOOTH.
Arbonne: Smoothed Over Lipsticks ($29.00 CAN)

Valentine's Day Red: Sabrina from SHP

Valentine's day is coming up!
Looking for the perfect lipstick to slay in this week?
Look no further! I decided to make it easy for you.
I had the opportunity to talk to some of my favourite WOC bloggers to get the scoop on everything from their favourite lipsticks to lipstick confidence.

Meet Sabrina from SHP
wearing Sephora Cream Lipstain in 01 Always Red


Tell me about your blog?
SHP is a beauty blog where I feature my most loved products and divulge all of the tips and tricks that I've learned over the years.  I currently review products, create beauty looks for women of color and give every day lifestyle tips.

What is your favourite-
High end red

Low end red

High end pink
Too Faced - Cinnamon Kiss

Low end pink
Colourpop - More Better

SHOP HERE:



Any advice on how to confidently sport a new lip colour? 
My advice would be for you to find a shade that flatters your skin tone by looking at beauty blogs and visiting makeup counters, then test out your selected shade around the house to see how you like it throughout the day.  Also, if you are new to wearing color, try a gloss or light lipstain first so that you get accustomed to seeing yourself with a different look.  

Do you have a favourite WOC red or pink lipstick moment?
Janelle Monáe's signature red lipstick moments are all my favorites. 
She's amazing and her lipstick choices are always on point.

Everyday Makeup: Cat eyes & Pink Lips

Right now my to go look is a cat eye and pink lips. It's a face that I can do in 5 minutes flat! I find it also looks best whenever I go with a natural canvas. That means no foundation, contour, highlighter or blush. No extras!

It's important that your cat eye is clean. There are so many advances out there right now to help you achieve that! A pointy tip liquid liner pen is vice of choice. Essence's liquid eyeliner waterproof “Black” is one of my top fives under $5.00.

As a woman of colour, finding a perfect pink is crucial. I always go with the one that has a blue base. If you see L’Oréal Paris Extraordinaire by Colour Riche  “Rose Symphony” in stores- Pick it up! It's a pigmented lip gloss that has a smooth application.

On the brows, I'm actually using a Revlon® Colorstay™ eyeliner. It's long lasting and the perfect shade.

What is your everyday makeup look?

NewYorkColor: Fall 14 Runway Challenge

Here is my second look for NYC Canada Beauty Pro program challenge. 
September's theme is Fall 14 Runway looks.

Do I go for Derek Lam's coloured smokey eye or Rag & Bone's dramatic Cat eye?


I decided why not do both!


How to Get the Look:
  • I took HD Trio Eye shadow ($2.99 US) in Blue's Cafe and applied the blue over my lower lid. Making sure that it didn't touch my crease.
  • Then I used NYC Waterproof Eyeliner pencil ($3.99 US) on my upper and lower lash line. Filling in any gaps and using it to clean up my wing.
  • I took HD Trio Eye shadow ($2.99 US) in Blue's Cafe and applied the gold on my inner corners.
  • On top of that I used NYC Sparkle Eye Dust($2.99 US) in Golden Champagne.

I finished off the look with liner + Mascara. Also a nude lipstick since the eyes were bold.


Would you wear this look?

Festival Style with Hard Candy Cosmetics

It's definitely festival week in Ontario & Montreal. 
With the VELD, OVO Fest and Osheaga going on, 
I know that everybody is scrambling to find the perfect make up look.

Do you go bright and bold? 
Or do you go in neutral and soft?

I decided to go bold
Hard Candy sent me some of their festival must haves to try!

Here is what I used for my look: 
From left to right:
Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain ( $4.98 CAN)
Hard Candy Single & Loving It Eye Shadow range- World peace ( $2.98 CAN)
Hard Candy Walk the Line Liquid Eyeliner- Electric slide ( $5.98 CAN)
Hard Candy Shadowholic Eye Crayon- Golden rule ( $4.98 CAN)
Hard Candy Ginormous Lash Lash Boosting Mascara ( $6.98 CAN)

All Hard Candy products can exclusively be found at Walmart!
Which product do you want to try?

 

NewYorkColor: Times Square Challenge

I was asked to be apart of NYC Canada Beauty Pro program. I felt like it was the perfect thing to participate in so I can share looks that work for WOC and try new products from the line.

The first theme was Times Square. It's one of my all-time favourite places to visit in NYC. 
The bright lights- sounds- food .. I could go on and on!

In July's package there was:
  • One (1) Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara
  • Three (3) Show Time Velvet Eyeliners
  • Three (3) IndividualEyes Eyeshadow Powders
What I used & The Look:

NYC New York Color's Individual Eyes palettes ($4.99 US) are an all-in-one product!
It comes with a primer, illuminator, applicator and complementing eye colour shadows.

NYC New York Color's Showtime Velvet Eyeliner ($1.99 US) are different than your typical coloured eyeliners because they have little shimmers in them. 
They come in three colours.

NYC New York Color's Big Bold Mascara ($4.99 US)  has a rubber brush that makes hard to catch lashes quite easy.

Would you wear this look?


Purminerals- JUPITER ASCENDING Collection Swatches

 I missed playing with palettes- mixing and matching colours to get the perfect look. I received this Purminerals palette inspired by the movie JUPITER ASCENDING ($35.00 CAN). Which stars Mila Kunis and my favourite eye candy Channing Tatum.

Let me start off by saying- this is a limited-edition makeup collection which is sold exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. The colours in the palette are based of Jupiter Jones’ signature look.



Inside the encasing there is a light-up lip gloss in Galaxy. Which is a appropriate pink for all skin tones.
Plus a liquid precision eyeliner in Outer Space. Also nice black liquid eyeliner perfect for making a clean cat eye.


This palette comes with a mini eye shadow applicator brush. 

Colours from left to right:
  • Majesty eye shadow (pale taupe)
  • Destiny eye shadow (cream)
  • Night Sky eye shadow (slate)
  • Jupiter eye shadow (rose)
  • Caine eye shadow (mocha)
  • Cosmos eye shadow (iridescent white)
Are you feeling this collection?

Clinique Cheek Pop- SWATCHES

I feel like it's blush week here, over at Spiced Beauty. I'm a sucker for a well designed blush.
I swear sometimes I don't even want to swatch them! They're so pretty. 

That's how I felt with Clinique's new Cheek Pop ($24.00 CAN) blushes! 
How cute is the name?
Vibrant yet natural-looking cheek colour that looks virtually powderless. In a silky smooth, stay-true formula with shades for every skin tone. That just-pinched look, simply effortless.

These blushes are getting rave reviews.
The formula is very light, pigmented and long-lasting!

SWATCHES:

On my skin tone, I would gravitate towards Berry Pop. It would look great with a smokey eye or a nice monochromatic bronzed eye. I could also see myself wearing Ginger Pop with a nice cat eye and glossy lips. The options are endless.

Shop the blushes below:



Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Compact Blush- SWATCHES

I honestly think it's the year of the blush. Well for me... at least. I have come across so many great blushes and were not even half way through the year! If I had to pick one of my favourite blush formulas it would be cream. I love how you can play with the texture to get a desired look. 

Check out the new Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Compact blushes($9.99CAN)! 
Absolutely gorgeous!

A cream blush that transforms into powder upon contact with the skin.

Nicole by OPI: Carrie Underwood collection Swatches

I've been eyeing these polishes since I posted the announcement back in early December: 

Nicole by OPI never disappoints.
Creamy finishes and glitter with great coverage!
What more can a girl ask for.

Shop the Nicole by OPI- Carrie Underwood collection:



SWATCHES:

Lips are Dripping Honey
This multi-gold glitter is sweet on you.

Sweet Daisy
A bouquet of southern peach blossoms.

Party Bus
Celebrate on-the-go with this party-perfect confetti glitter.

Which Carrie Underwood collection swatch is your favourite?


Does Benefit Cosmetics lollitint work on brown skin? Pictures + Swatches

Tints are the perfect product to use for every season. 
It's long lasting and requires low maintenance.
I recently received Benefit Cosmetics lollitint ($36.00 CAN) in the mail and decided to give it a try. 
Our candy-orchid tint treats lips & cheeks to a “pop” of dreamy sweetness. It’s the flirtiest flush you can get from a bottle…and its smudge-proof, smooch-proof color lasts from A.M. to P.M. Talk about stain power.
"Sometimes you need to try something before you knock it."
This is my advice for 2014. Not just with makeup. It applies to food and overall life.
I seen this colour and never expected it to show up on my skin tone. It was milky and orchid.
Not I took usual colour I would gravitate towards.
Guess what?!?
I Tried it and loved it!

How to Apply:
Brush three strokes on the apple of your cheek and blend quickly with fingertips. Repeat on other side. Dab on lips & blend. For extra delicious color, repeat!

As a bride to be, this is the perfect product you have with you throughout your journey. 
Especially when you want to take your look can go to the next level!


Valentine's Day Red Lips -Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr lipstick


Every year, I try to do a v-day lip series. 
For 2014, I will feature mostly red lipsticks because I see hear/see a lot of WOC 
saying that they can't wear red. WHICH IS A HUGE LIE! 

Looking for something that wont rub off all night??
Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr 
lipstick is one of my top picks!

Check out the Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr lipstick colours:


I'm wearing Wine and Forever. 

Constancy:
Creamy (Almost a satin finish)
Price:
Range $10.00 CDN to $13.00 CDN
Availability:
Drugstore or online
Staying power:
It does not budge! My favourite type of lipstick!

Would you wear this colour? 
Why or why not?

Extensions that work with Natural Hair

It's important to try different textures when trying out extensions. Now that I have fully transitioned to natural, bone straight hair just doesn't work for me anymore. I was contacted by a Canadian on-line hair store in BC called Go Hair Shop to try out some clip-ins/bundles.

At first glance, I was going to decline because I only saw bone straight textures- which I detailed earlier- not my thing anymore. After doing some research with the owner (Jenia), she suggested I tried the Bohyme Brazilian Wave.

Let me say when buying hair online, it's important to get in contact with the seller to find out what they fully offer. The Go Hair Shop offers consultation on hair type to choose, colour or application method. They have everything from wefts to I Tip fusions to clip-ins.

Back to the Bohyme Brazilian Wave, If you're natural and looking for extra length it may be an great option because the hair has a lot of texture.

Bohyme is the name trusted by top salon professional worldwide. It is the first 100% remi human hair available in the market...each strand of hair is hand selected to ensure the cuticle layers are all aligned in the same direction so no tangle occurs.

The hair shop gives free samples with all orders. In my package, I received a small sample of Jamaican Castor Oil (my favourite).

First impressions out of the pack: 
  • Looks like blown out natural hair.
  • Matches my hair
  • Soft & easily manageable.
It should be noted that once you wash the hair the texture COMPLETELY changes. It's turns into a tight wave. Still very pretty but getting it back to the original state was tricky. This is when products like dry oil becomes your best friend.

Cons:
  • Tangling at root & ends
    This hair is high maintenance. I tried my best not to add product other than Aloe vera gel or water but it still tangled.
  • Matting
    This hair can't be worn the same style for more than three days. Whether it be a twist out or curls- you need to add water product to the hair comb it out and start again.
Pros:
  • Texture was really nice.
    When I did my twist outs with Bohyme- No one knew I had pieces in. My hair matched perfectly.
  • Volume
    Two packs to either make clips ins or sew in is more than enough.

Overall if your natural like me and want to wear natural with a bit of help. I'd recommend the hair but remember it needs a lot of maintenance.

Queen Latifah People's Choice Awards Lipstick Colour

I had the wonderful opportunity to "live" tweet during the People's Choice Awards and giveaway a special P&G glam box. During the show, I asked what Covergirl on twitter what colour Queen Latifah was wearing and they told me it was the Queen Collection Lip Color in Burgendelicious Q410!

Isn't it gorgeous! She looks amazing!

Queen Collection's only lip color with as much rich, true color as the leading department store lipstick. Adorns lips with rich color and saturates them with moisturizers that actually improve the overall condition of your lips. Available in 24 luxurious shades

Check out other colours from the line:


This colour is definitely on my list!
It's rich and pigmented!
I wish we had the Queen collection in Canada :(

Holiday Hair with the Rowenta Beauty Curl Active

One classic look that will always be my favourite go-to for a night out is side swiped curls.
I've seen the look on a lot of girls who have shaved sides but for people like me who are too chicken to shave their hair AGAIN- try a braid on one side with curls.


Speaking of curls- I had the opportunity to try out the
Rowenta Beauty Curl Active ($179.99 CAN) recently.

What makes Rowenta Beauty Curl Active unique that is it a Motorized curling system.
Yup! It automatically curls pour hair for you with the push of a button.
Key Features:
  • Motorized curling 
  • Quick heat up- 90 seconds 
  • 2 rotation switches for the direction of the curls
  • 2 heat positions- one for fine and one for thick.
  • Ceramic coating to protect your hair
Before any curling, I used the Matrix Total Results Heat Resistance range to minimize any heat damage. Very important if you are putting any type of heat on to natural hair to use a heat protectant! 

It took me a while to get use to the process of using the Rowenta Beauty Curl Active. Practice makes perfect! My attempt at curling under was a fail but I had better success curling in the opposite direction. The medium setting did nothing for my thick hair, high worked much better for me (and it's recommended for thick hair). I do have clip ins that match my hair texture- so my curls where thicker than usual. If you have time, curl smaller sections at a time.


For anyone who is afraid that they are going to burn their scalp, the barrel automatically rotates back when it reaches the root. Pretty awesome safety feature.

Final Look:


Right now until December 24th, Rowenta Beauty Curl Active will be on sale for 
$99.95 at Trade Secrets!


Check out the Mary Kay skinvigorate Cleansing Brush

A new skin care gadget is on the market.
It's the Mary Kay® skinvigorate™($60.00 CDN).

I'm all for new skin care innovations which make my life easier. I think I've tried almost every single skin care device on the market but this is quite unique because of it's features.

Features:
  • White & pink
  • Small (perfect for travelling)
  • Two-speed power brush
  • Two brush heads in the package
I love it's small size but I think I'm more impressed with the two-speed options. I find that most skin care devices under $100 only come with one speed. That one speed is not suitable for every user. When my skin is overly sensitive using a device with one speed is the worst thing I can do. Now I can use my skinvigorate™on the lowest setting and not worry about anything.


Out of all of the brush heads I've tried, I have to say that these are one of the softest. 
I'd recommend it for anyone with sensitive skin. 

Mary Kay recommends four steps to get great skin this holiday season:
  • Remove eye makeup
  • Wet face/brush head and apply favourite Mary Kay® cleanser to face
  • Turn on speed control to the speed you prefer
  • Use gentle motions on cheeks, nose, chin and forehead (approximately 15 seconds per area); avoid eye area

Would you use a skincare device like this?