June Favourites / Summer Essentials

What a hot day in Toronto today! I thought there was no better day to share my June/ Summer make up favourites. Items listed below are not in any specific order.

1.

Peach Bellini 3 wick Candle from Bath & Body Works

This candle smells absolutely divine! It's sweet but not too excessive so the husband likes it too :)

2.

 

Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge

I actually got this from Sephora at a higher price (ouch!). Check the link underneath the picture to get it at a better deal. I love this because it's meant to be use wet. Any foundation or concealer that are too cakey or heavy can be easily blended using this sponge. It creates a flawless finish and makes your foundation look extremely natural, like a 2nd skin!

3. 

Beauty Rush Dazzle Shine Lipgloss from Victoria's Secret in Dazzling Citrus

Not sticky and extremely shiny! I have rather dry lips and this totally hides it!

4. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

This product is absolutely AMAZINNNNG! I used this for my wedding ceremony in Malaysia (30C+; 99% humidity) and my make up still looks the same after over 10 hours of wear! I kid you not, I was sweating like mad and none of my make up moved! I did not even touch up! I will do a wedding make up tutorial soon.

5.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes (Black)

My favourite black pencil liner so far. Does not smear, smudge or transfer on my oily lids. Very reliable!

6. 

Maybelline Falsies Volume Black Drama Mascara

I picked up the non waterproof formula because I hate scrubbing off my eyes trying to remove my eye makeup. The formula is not too dry or wet. Your lashes will looks thick with a lot of  volume after about 3 quick coats. Favourite drugstore mascara so far!

7. 

NYC Bronzer in Sunny

Initially I thought this colour was way too light for me but I was wrong. It's very affordable and one of the best matte bronzer out there in the market that does not look orangey if piled on. Perfect for contouring!

8.

ZA 2 Way Brightening Powder

I only use it 1 way, which is the dry way. I apply it with my ELF Flat Top studio brush for full coverage. I like using powder foundation when the weather is hot.

9.

Essie Nail Polish in Lights

Loving this neon pink nail polish for summer. It is quite long lasting and does not chip. Mine chipped after about 5 days without top and base coat.

That's all for now! See you tomorrow for more beauty posts. In the meantime, stay cool! And for my friends in Australia, stay warm!

What's in my travel makeup bag?

Hello everyone! I'll be heading over to Forest today for 3 nights, so I thought to share the things that I've packed for this trip.

This is what it looks like inside

I got this Quo cork makeup bag from Shoppers Drugmart awhile ago for only $5 :). It's quite spacious and there are some slots on the side to hold my brushes.

Sigma Premium Travel Kit

I like this travel brushes because it contains most of the eye brushes that I would use! It actually also has a blending brush included but it's now being used.

FLTR: Spoolie, MAC Pencil Brush; Sigma E40; Elf Complexion Brush; Elf Powder Brush; Sigma F80

I also like to carry some extra brushes just in case! Sigma F80 is a must for foundation application.

ZA 2 Way Brightening Powder; Revlon Photo Ready in Nude

Kiss Nude Lipstick in 02; Etude House Pink/ Red Lipstick

Kiss lipsticks are super glossy and taste nice (don't eat it!). I bought it in Japan from Loft. The prices are quite high for a drug store make up therefore this is the only product I have from them.

Canmake blush in PW19; NYC Bronzer in Sunny

Biore UV Aqua Sunscreen; Maybelline Falsies Mascara

I'm really liking the mascara so far! It's performing really well compared to the others that I own and it does not require much work for full looking lashes. Though I wouldn't say that my lashes look like falsies.

Everything!

I like to bring the Smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette for the face and eyes since it can create looks for all occasions!

I have to be honest that this is quite a lot that I'm carrying with me for a trip. There are times when I will only bring a sunscreen, an eyeliner, and a powder foundation and out the door I go. 

Happy Canada Day long weekend for everyone in Canada and for the rest of the world, enjoy your weekend. 

See you tomorrow for the ELF Flawless Finish Foundation review.

Lazy day make up (suitable for work/going out)

*** GIVEAWAY : http://aivysbeautyadventure.blogspot.ca/2012/06/maybelline-dream-fresh-8-in-1-beauty.html ***

Hello there! Today I'll be demonstrating a look that I often wear out during my lazy days. It's suitable for work, hanging out, and humid days. This is also a very cost friendly look!

First remember to put on your sun screen! My apologies that I look sleepy here. I think I didn't open my eyes properly when the camera flashed at me!

Completed Look

Before

Begin with setting your face with some face powder. If you have anything you wish to conceal, do so before the powder.

Ecotools Angle Brush (available at drug store); Elf Powder Brush

ZA 2 Way Brightening Powder

Use the ELF powder brush to apply your favourite powder and blend evenly. 

Prestige Blackest Black Mascara, Physicians Formula Eye Bright Pencil in Black

Tight lining

Then tight line your eyes using the Physicians Formula pencil liner. This eyeliner is smudge proof and I am using it a lot at the moment!! 

Left eye: tight lined; Right eye: Bare

Tight lining makes your lashes look thicker and your eyes more awake. This technique is not for all as some people get very irritated on the eyes. Although it does come with practice and finding out which product suits you more. I particularly like doing this on myself, people with sparse eye lashes, or blonde lashes.

Close up

Use the eyeliner to go across only half of your lash line for a more natural look.

ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Hazy Hazel

Use Ecotools Angle Brush with the darkest colour on the palette and smudge it all across your lash line to blend out the eyeliner. I usually use a brown colour for this look so that it'll create a more natural effect.

Like so!

Apply the lightest colour on the inner corner and all over the lid to bring some light onto the eyes. Apply your favourite blush with the same ELF brush and blend, finish off with a lip colour of your choice!

ELF Studio Baked Blush in Passion Pink

ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry

Close up of the completed look!!

Tomorrow Yoshi and I will be heading to Canada's Wonderland so I may do a theme park themed topic!

Favourite Asian Drug Store/ Affordable Make Up

For some of us, access to Asian cosmetics might be easier than others. If you are one of the lucky ones, please take the opportunity to drop by an Asian cosmetics store to find the products mentioned below. If you are from Asia, you are able to find the cosmetics in your local drug store or designated brand outlet in your shopping mall.

The reason I have this post dedicated to Asian make up as some of us have difficulty to get cosmetics that compliment our skin tone. Asian brands are often designed to enhance our yellow tone skin colour and less defined bone structure.

Etude House Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips Lipsticks

Swatches

Unfortunately there are no specific name or code listed on the packaging itself, but this line has about 5 colours in total. They are moisturising and gives a gloss like finish upon application.

Etude House "I Love Paris" Lipstick in number 3

Perfect nude lipstick for Asian/ Yellow skin tone! Ideal for everyday wear. It is non drying, lasting power is decent.

Water Strong W Eyebrow Pencil and Eyebrow Liner

FTTB: Pencil swatch; liquid swatch

Brows are the most annoying but also most crucial part of the face! Due to my sparse eyebrows, I've been looking for the ideal brow product forever. I've tried brow powder, brow pencil, eyeshadow and everything in between. Currently I'm using this product as it gives a natural finish and does not smear off if I accidentally touched my eyebrows during the day. The liquid part provides a semi-permanent stain on your skin, suitable for pool/ beach wear. 

p/s: very difficult to find this eyebrow pencil. I purchased in while I lived in Japan. If anyone knows how else I can get my hands on more, please leave a comment :) Thanks!

Biore UV Aqua Sunscreen

This is an alcohol based sunscreen that provides a smooth finish to your face. I am a huge believer of sun protection and this product is good for the days when I like to have light make up on the face. It does not leave an oily residue, however if you are allergic to alcohol products on your skin, this is definitely a pass for you.

L'oreal UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector

I've used this product over 7 years. Although it leaves a slightly shiny finish, it acts as a great make up base for your foundation to adhere on it. It is slightly expensive but can be found in Duty Free zone in all airports. 

Majorlica Majorca Eyeshadow in BE286

This particular colour from Majorlica Majorca is absolutely beautiful on all skin tone! The pigmentation is great and long wearing. One thing to note about Asian brand eyeshadows is that they are generally more glittery or shiny rather than matt finish. 

Sweets Sweets Blusher in MP2

I purchased this is Japan for 720YEN in the local drug store. This brand is very affordable and has great quality. Usually I do not use the brush that comes in the palette but this one has served me well! 

ZA Brightening 2 Way Powder

Last but not least, the ZA Brightening 2 Way Powder is what a lot of people swear by! You can apply it dry or use it with a wet sponge for heavier coverage. It leaves a very natural finish and provides medium coverage. I usually wear this on humid days as it stays put on the skin.

Thank you for visiting my website and stay tune for tomorrow's update!