BeautyBlog53-March 2010 Favorites

Hi my lovelies,

It's time, albeit a bit late, my March 2010 favorites.

March was all about having my make up be fast, natural and easy.

First off, I've fallen in love with my MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Natural - my shade is Medium Plus. It has basically replaced my MAC Studio Fix Powder. Why I love it: A more natural finish - less caky finish, a lot lighter coverage and my skin feels soooo soft!



I've been applying my skinfinish with my new favorite brush - the SIGMA SS150 Brush. If you haven't tried or don't know about SIGMA I highly recommend their brushes. They are exact MAC dupes - only 50% off! One of my favorite guru's on YouTube Makeupbytiffanyd is the official spokes person. Check out her review of the brushes here and the SIGMA website here! They ship worldwide and you can either buy the brushes individually from $9, in small sets from $39 and a big professional set + eyeshadows $99.



Another favorite this month is a gift from a dear, dear friend and fellow make-up addict. For my birthday last month, she gave me MAC's Cremesheen Glass in Partial to Pink. I absolutely love this. As opposed to a lot of MAC/lipglosses in general it's not sticky at all. It's very smooth and feels hydrating.



During winter/cold times, my biggest problem is chapped lips. My lips dry like crazy when it's cold outside! I've been looking for the perfect combo for my lips for a while. Now I've found it. The lipstick I've been using a lot lately is the Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick in 702 Rose Sorbet. The color is a slightly darker pink with coral shades. Love it with Partial to Pink over it.



I've been into pinkish and a little shimmery blushes for a while. My ELF Studio Line Blush in Tickled Pink gives me a perfect flushed look. It's also a great dupe for Nars' Blush in Super Orgasm. I paid $1.50 for mine - (got it at 50% off;) the Nars Blush is $26.



After I switched up my facial routine - how I cleanse and take care of my skin - last fall it's been doing really well and looks better than ever. Will do a post on my routine soon! However, I do tend to break out (feels like I'll be a teenager forever, when that happens and I'm 27! hmmm!) Well, a few years back a friend recommended a great spot treatment from Shiseido called the Pureness Blemish Clearing Gel. It is part of their acne medication line and contains salicylic acid, which is supposed to treat the spots. I really like this product. If I feel a break-out on the way, I put the gel on the spot liberally throughout the day and it often helps prevent an actual breakout! It is a bit on the pricier side ($19 for a mere 0.5 Fl. Oz/15 ml) but it last a long time and it's worth it!



Those were my March 2010 favorites.

Please comment and tell me if you've tried any of the products, what you think and what your own favorites are!

xoxo
msbeautyblogger

(photos: web.me.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com, lookfantastic.com, sca.shiseido.com)

BeautyBlog38 - The 40 Beauty Related Q & A

Hi my lovelies,

This will just be a Q & A that is going around...40 Beauty Questions Tag!

Feel free to do you own!

So on to the questions:

SKINCARE:

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice, morning and night - morning with Cetaphil, evening eye make up remover, cleanser make up wipes and Cetaphil.

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Normal to Oily - especially my t-zone!

-What is your current facial wash?
Cetaphil and I just looooove it!

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes!

-What brand do you use?
Either Clinique 7 Day scrub or my Lush Ocean Salt. I've been out of my St. Ives Abricot Scrub for a while.

-What moisturizer do you use?
Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion

-Do you have freckles?
Nope!

-Do you use eye cream?
Yes, Clinique, All about eyes.

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes - and it sucks.

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
I tried it once a few years ago for three months and it actually made a difference, I was quite sceptical! However, I only liked the cleanser and toner - the lotion did nothing for me!

MAKE-UP:

-What foundation do you use?
Revlon Color Stay in 350 Rich Tan - since it is winter, I'm a bit lighter and since I don't have a lighter shade, I sometimes use a Clinique foundation mixed in or by itself if I need minimum make up!

-How about concealer?
YES! MAC Studio Sculpt!

-Do you know your undertone color?
Yep, yellow! I'm Asian!

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
Looks great! Have yet to try them though!

-Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?
I do...and I'm not that good at actually remembering!

-What brand of mascara do you use?
Lash Blast by Cover Girl

-Sephora or MAC?
I am in love w both stores!

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
Nope....I wish but I would spend way to much money...:)

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Sigma and Coastal Scents brushes

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes - too faced eye shadow insurance - am using it up and moving on to Urban Decay Primer Potion

-For the face?
Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I love neutrals! So possibly Caught in the Act Courtney by The Balm or Satin Taupe by MAC

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Rarely!

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Never really used them.

-Do you use mineral makeup?
Not really...I have some but never really tried them out!

-What is your favorite lipstick?
Airy Fairy from Rimmel or Circe from NYX

-How about lipgloss?
Honey, NYX

-What is your favorite blush to use?
Right now Clinique in Sunset Glow with NYX in Angel.

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Nope!

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
YES!

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
I would if I lived in the States!

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Not really.

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Gotten a lot better over the last year or so, so no not really.

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Left-over mascara marks! Q-tips people!

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I do like purples and some greens and blues but I primarily use neutral tones.

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Hmmm....Beyoncé often has it down!

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Mascara or concealer!

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Usually no, but I actually did in the US a couple of times...I was kinda proud!

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
No not really, I think it makes a tremendous difference, particularly to my eyes. Make me look more awake, and concealer + foundation clears up my skin.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
MAC

-What do you think of Makeup?
I love makeup - it's a constant source of inspiration and when put on correctly it can make you feel great! It's something to play with and to get exited about but it is still just makeup! However, it's been a great thing to get into for me over the last year and an half:)

Okay, so this is it for my 40 Q's - let me know the answers to yours!

xoxo

msbeautyblogger

BeautyBlog37 - My love affair w/ Sigma Brushes

Hi my lovies,

If you are a make up addict like me you've probably heard about Sigma Brushes! No? Then let me tell you more about the wonder that is Sigma.



Sigma Makeup - from 2009 - originally sold quality brushes, think MAC quality and the best part is that they are 50 % cheaper than MAC brushes and the quality is just as good! They are handmade and practically dupes of MAC brushes all they way down to the number of the brush.

I first got the 188 and the 187 - the two stippling brushes. I used them for foundation and blush and loved them! For a flawless finish! I then got the 217 - small eyeshadow contouring brush and the 150 big powder brush! They are soooo soft and they come packaged so nicely!








I still dream of the smaller 109 for perfect application of Mineralized Skinfinish from MAC.

According to Sigma Makeup they offer a full line of "professional brushes specifically designed to highlight eyes and face. Each brush was individually tested for performance, resistance, and durability."

One of the things I love most is the Sigma Brush roll, which makes it easy to transport and store your brushes! I bought my first Sigma brushes after having watched dozens of reviews online. Particular by Makeupbytiffanyd - SIGMA! Affordable MAC-Quality Brushes

Now Sigma Makeup also sell make up - they new line launched in November 2009 and it's supposed to be very good. However, for me it's all about the brushes! I love them! And you will too;)

They just launched new brushes - I've got my eye on the 131, 134 and the 138!



Check out Sigma Makeup here!

Let me know what you think of these!

xoxo
msbeautyblogger

(Photos: Sigma.com)