Have you ever wondered what types of foundation to use to achieve that “baby soft, smooth” finish? As always, the first step in accomplishing this look would be to seek professional skin care routinely, and to keep in mind that professional skin care can be affordable. Besides general skin care, other factors are the tools that you use (i.e. brush, sponges). Knowing what types of foundation is best for your skin type, and the finish you are seeking i.e. matte, natural matte, satin, or dewy. Let’s begin discussing foundations for skin types:

Oily skin: For oily skin, the foundation most recommended is a water-based foundation (meaning water is the main ingredient). This skin type should stay away from oil-based foundation. When researching products be aware that some products that are labeled oil-free simply means free of mineral oil, but may contain some content of oil that binds the properties. (We will discuss ingredients in greater detail in the future). Another recommendation for oily acne prone skin is to use a silicone based primer before application. Silicone helps the foundation to go on smoothly. All skin types can use a silicone base primer. Water-based creams or alcohol-based liquids can be used under the foundation. If medicated gels are applied they need to be allowed to dry before the foundation is used. Liquids, powders, and aerosol foundations are suited for this skin type. For skin with many comedones (blackheads), sheer foundations are best.
Dry skin: Oil-based products are recommended for dry skin. Oil-based and some water based foundations with a moderate degree of oil will give you the best chance of retaining moisture in your skin. The oil will give a semi-matte finish, and will be easier to apply. Cream sticks are suited for this skin type.
Sensitive: Sensitive skin types should use lightweight foundations that are hypoallergenic and non-comedegenic.
Combination: If you have combination skin (like dry skin with oily T-zone) then you need a makeup that has moisturizers in it but is also oil-free and provides shine control for your oily spots. There are many makeup choices for combination skin. This skin type should concentrate on picking products that best suit whichever problem is worse — oiliness or dryness.
Scarred skin: Cake foundations are recommended, as well as a silicon base.
Mature skin: Mature skin with concerns of fine lines & wrinkles should use a firming foundation. Mature skin, as well as dry skin, should refrain from using mineral-based foundations due to their settling into the lines and causing the finish to look blotchy.

Tips: # 1 It is very important to know your skin’s undertone coloring. Are you warm, cool, or neutral? Warm tones are yellow, orange, or red orange. Cool tones are blue, blue green (olive), or blue red (pink). Neutral tones have equal amounts of warm & cool colorings. Some professionals also view the undertones in ranges such as: very light, porcelain or white, ivory, cream, pink florid, sallow, olive, tan, brown and ebony. Foundations should be matched to your natural skin under tone and should appear as if you have nothing on. Keep in mind that the purpose of a foundation is to even out the skin tone, minimize imperfections, and give the skin a smooth, healthy glow. During the course of a year, it is recommended that you use one of two foundations. One shade for summer and another for winter. Skin tones tend to lighten during the winter months and become darker during the summer months.
#2 Before applying foundation be sure to always apply a moisturizer first, then your primer. A primer is not to replace your moisturizer. The reason behind the moisturizer is that if your skin is thirsty for moisture when applying foundation the skin will absorb the foundation thinking it is hydrating; leaving an uneven coverage. For women who want coverage that is the same consistency as a tinted moisturizer, but delivers more coverage, a great way to achieve this is to add a little of your liquid foundation along with your daily moisturizer.
#3 SPF- Sunscreen is important and can’t be stressed enough. The number one cause of aging and damage to the skin is sun exposure! Sun protection is the most important skin care product you can use everyday. The first and most important defense against wrinkles is the daily use of sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher. It can be in your foundation or moisturizer and it will help to prevent new wrinkles from developing and existing ones from getting deeper.
#4 When applying foundation be sure to apply foundation a little below the jawline. Also, if taking photos be sure to touch up the ears.

Malak El Ezzawy, one of our favorite local evening wear designers, tributes the “Little Black Dress” this fall with her limited edition collection.  What I love, is that it is a perfect addition to my LBD post (posted a couple of weeks ealier, click here).  As mentioned before, the LBD transcends time and trends and is the perfect “throw it on and still look chic” dress.  A staple in every woman’s wardrobe, just like a man’s white chemise.  Below is a sample preview of her limited edition collection, more on this Facebook link, and in store at the Melodies Atelier at 24 Tharwa St., Mohandeseen, ground floor.

Malak’s LBD collection is full of lace, as we call it in Egypt, dentelle.  The dress below worn by Menna Shalaby is a dentelle top with a chiffon and tulle skirt and a sexy low back.

Menna Shalaby wearing Malak's LBD

This LBD is the perfectly structured tube dress, which I believe, will be flattering to many.  The dress is very futuristic (which I don’t usually like, but this is cool).  I also love how the designer utilized both polka dot and stripped prints on one canvas.

Polka Dot & Stripped Structured LBD

This matte paillette, aka sequined, one shoulder LBD is IT! The fall season is all about embellishment & sequins, in addition to asymmetric dresses.  I guess this LBD is an ALL-IN-ONE must have!

Matte Paillette One Shoulder LBD

I decided to end this post on the perfectly simple, yet sexy, LBD.  The uniqueness of this dress comes not only from its simplicity but its texture.  Velvet is a material that faded away for a while, but is back it style and feels very rich.

Perfect Velvet LBD

Seguindo a nova tendência da maquiagem, onde tudo é mineral ou matte, a Bourjois já tem novidade fresquinha!

É a base mineral que é um mousse, que tem efeito totalmente matte. Segundo a Bourjois o produto não obstrui os poros, é ótima para peles sensíveis (como toda maquiagem mineral), e é fácil de aplicar, deixando tudo mais homogêneo.

Fiquei aqui com a impressão de que o acabamento deve ter aquele toque aveludado do Magix da Avon.. Será?

Step 1:  Prep skin with a lightweight foundation.  For a matte finish that will keep the focus on eyes, zap excess oil with pressed powder, says Blandino.  To try:  Almay Powder Skin Stays Clean.

Step 2:  Using a deep purple of black eyeliner (such as CG Smoothers Eyeliner in Onyx), follow the contour of upper and lower lashes.  Then sweep a shadow in a similar tone across lids.  The hottest shades are plum, eggplant and lavender—are super wearable says Strong.  Follow with a pale highlighter just above the crease.  To try:  M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Nocturnelle.  Rimmel Metallic Eye Gloss in Notting Hill.  For a range of color options, choose a multihued palette like Victoria’s Secret Eye Artistry Shadowing Pallette in pastel Plum or Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in wild Orchids.  Go for glamour with a gold shade, says Wende Zomnir, creative director of Urban Decay.  Curl lashes and apply two coats of thickening mascara, such as Dior MaximEyes Mascara in Plum.

Step 3:  Impart a natural dewiness with a translucent gel  on the apples of your cheeks.  Golden shades flatter a tawny tone, while pinks are best for fair complexions, say Zomnir.

Step 4:  Finish with a nude gloss.

Source:  Fitness

Om ni läst mitt senaste inlägg, det jag skrev i natt, så vet ni ju att Nicki försvann när vi hade kommit hem sent igårkväll strax efter tolv.

Jag va vaken bra länge och väntade på henne. Vid 2 tiden på natten va jag så trött att jag inte orkade va vaken längre så jag gjorde mig klar för att sova.
Gick ut en sista gång för att ropa på henne och gick sen in igen.
När jag kom in fick jag en tanke som sa mig att för säkerhets skull gå ut och kolla så jag inte glömt henne i bilen.

När jag går ut med ficklampa och lyser in i bilen ligger det en svart liten pälsboll i baksätet.

Kan ni förstå hur dum jag kände mig?
Där hade jag gått omkring utanför bilen och ropat och visslat, jag hade blivit frustrerad för att hon inte dök upp.
Inte så jäkla konstigt att hon inte dök upp när hon låg instängd i bilen!
Dumma mig!!
Fy va jag skämdes och kände mig taskig! Där hade hon legat i den kalla bilen alldeles ensam och inte kunnat annat!

Det är inte alltid bra att ha en lugn och tyst hund. Åtminstone inte om matten är senil i förtid =(

När vi kom in fick hon en extra portion mat och fick sen krypa ner under mitt täcke och värma sig hos mig. Hon låg hos mig länge, länge något som inte alls är vanligt för min lilla Picks som annars kan tycka det är jobbigt med för mycket närkontakt.

Nu ska jag klä på mig och brumma in till Frösön och hämta älskade lilla moster igen! Myspys! Idag ska vi inte åka haschraket dock, idag blir det herrgårdsvagn a ‘la Ford =)

Förlåt igen till världens bästa Nicki från en matte som skäms… fortfarande…

Recently Beauty from the Earth admitted they sell straight repacked mica as well as custom blended shadows.  In their honesty they promised to discontinue selling these Primary Pigments (much like AL is phasing out their Pure Hues) in favor of making exclusively custom blended colors.  This disclosure, made by the owner, as well as the many favorable posts I’ve seen recently prompted me to place my own order.

Ordering

This past weekend Beauty from the Earth switched from their old website to a new one.  I actually ordered some samples from the old site just a day or so before they switched.  Unbeknown to me if I would have waited a day I would have been able to use a 20% off coupon.

They totally redid their image with a new logo and the site.  It’s very sleek and professional.  They have several new products listed that aren’t available yet, such as glosses and bath & body, so I expect the company is in the process of expanding.

It’s easy to navigate and the site is organized well, the cart is always visible on the top of the page.  They have a wide range of shades and finishes, but I was really interested in seeing their mattes, so I primarily ordered those.

I ordered several samples as well as full sizes of:

10$ Pineapple

Paranoid (Matte)

Girl Next Door (Matte)

Cheeky (Matte)

Shipping

I ordered on November 16th and my order arrived on November 20th.  I was very pleased they arrived so quickly.

Shipping is free for orders over 50$, my order was about half of that and shipping was only 4$, but using the coupon (BFTE20) it worked out to just about free anyway.

Packaging

They were packed in a bubble mailer wrapped with my invoice as well as a full sized shadow as a thank you.  I don’t see the color of the free shadow from my order available on the site, so I wonder if they are sending discontinued colors as samples, but either way I found it generous.

The jars are standard round 5gram jars with a silver rim and clear lid.

Product / Colors

10$ Pineapple – This is a color I see a LOT of bloggers using, and while I don’t normally love yellow, this is an exception.  It was the only non-matte shade I got.  I can’t seem to get any picture I take of it to do it justice.  It’s described as:

Low shimmer base of a cool yellow base, with gold, peach and pink micro glitter.

Paranoid – It’s described as a matte brown with red undertones.  It reminds me maybe of cocoa.

Girl Next Door – While there is no color description on the site for this one, I purchased it on the swatch alone.  I had thought it was more of a pink, but when it arrived I was a little disappointed to find out it was actually sort of a soft coraly orange, very much like terra cotta.  It actually goes well with Paranoid, however it’s not really a color I would wear.

Cheeky - is a soft lilac color.  I have a  ton of purples, but not very many mattes, so this will be great in experimenting with textures and blending.

From left to right : 10$ Pineapple, Paranoid, Girl Next Door, Cheeky, Summer Days, and Twilight.

The last two were included as free thank yous.

They come packed full in 5gram jars.  An empty 5 gram jar weighs about 7 grams, the full jars from BFTE weigh 9 grams giving you approximately 2 full grams of product.

It seemed like I spent a lot of time trying to blend these colors.  I wondered if it was because of the primer I was using.  So I started over without a primer and found the color wasn’t quite as dark (opaque, bright, sharp?) without the primer.  It left me wondering what I wanted more, vibrant color or blended color.  Eventually I decided to use the primer and just work on blending.  It seems to be a common issue with any true matte shade that it’s going to be tricky to blend.  While it wasn’t impossible, it might seem like a little more work, but worth it. You can see the mattes were actually tricky to swatch, as well.

The matte  formula is soft, not chalky.  The shimmery shades are vibrant and full of color, very well pigmented and blended on a long wearing base.

Conclusion

Would I order from Beauty from the Earth again?  Yes.  I already have.

• They ship really quickly, which is a MAJOR plus.  I’m still waiting on orderes I placed on the 1st from several other small companies.
• While I don’t love their mattes, they are nice and I do like the other shades I got.
• They have lots of extras coming to their site, and I’m interested to see what they will offer.

I was nothing less then impressed with the owners transparency over the issue of repacking.  She was honest about it, apologized, and moved on.  Very noble.

Here’s another fun Konad that looks great matte. I think that chromes in general do very well matte. I was told that this is a “crazy anime zebra stripe” design. LOL

Misa Toxic Seduction with Konad m69 and Sally Hansen Royal Purple Chrome

Here’s the matte top coat added. I seem to like this better:

Misa Toxic Seduction with Konad m69 and Sally Hansen Royal Purple Chrome and Essie Matte About You

Thanks for looking!

Asså, gaaaaaaaaale va seeeeegt internet är inne här inne. Bara för att avståndet till routern är megalångt. Jag vill att det ska funka bra ju! Det var likadant i mitt förra rum… Åh, vad fuskigt det är!

(ja, jag tog bilden från google; sökte på “sur” och tog den tredje bilden)

Men nu ska jag i alla fall plugga lite matte. Banken gick bra tidigare, men jag är lite fattigare för det… Lyssnar på Britney Spears’ “Amnesia” just nu. Den é gó!

While I was away visiting Northern Japan, at the SEMA Show there was a matte black LFA!!

I think everyone already knows that the 500-vehicle limited edition LFA will go on sale next year.

The LFA’s body colors will have 10 standard variations. There will also be 20 special colors for a total of 30, and this matte black is one of those special colors.

However! Cars painted with these special colors won’t be coming out of the factory until 2012!? They’re sure showing off early, aren’t they?

And if they’re going to have a lottery here in Japan just to decide who will be able to order the LFA…. what about the Sports version which rumor has it they’re going to release 2 years down the line….??? Where can people buy that, I wonder???

Kloklippning och slöande är vad vi ägnat kvällen åt här hemma hos oss. Mr Hund tycker ju att det är lite mysigt att man håller på så det är ju inga problem att klippa klorna på den inte!

Annars har vi mest slöat och slappat, skönt att kunna göra det också. Läste att det blivit ett himla liv om dopingreglerna inom ridsporten idag när Internationella ridsportförbundets generalförsamling sammanträdde idag i Köpenhamn. Man vill bland annat tillåta medlet Fenylbutazon, butta, som varit förbjudet i Sverige i många år.  Fenylbutazon är ett antiinflammatoriskt preparat. Det får mig att fundera över gamla synder, när jag tänker efter har jag nog själv tävlat en dopad häst. Men det är 25 år sedan så det är väl preskiberat vid det här laget, och förmodligen gick det inget bra heller, det brukade det inte göra! Kanske det rent av var ett annat preparat han fick också, minnet är inte så lysande så här långt efter.

Och tro nu inte att jag red en halt häst och mörkade det med medicinering. Nej, det är inte min stil. Men hästen drogs med sviterna efter en trafikolycka och stod på rätt lång tids medicinering vill jag minnas. Pigg och ohalt var han i alla fall! Och glad i att kasta av sin matte var han också!

Förresten så sken solen här i dag och jag passade på att ta en lång lunchpromenad i solskenet, kanske därför jag känner mig hyfsat pigg nu i kväll? Nu ska jag ut på en promenad igen, utan solsken denna gång. Sen blir det en kopp te framför TV:n tror jag!

cool shot

Dois dos esmaltes mais procurados atualmente são o Jade (verdinho da Chanel) e o Matte (tem de várias márcas!).

Na verdade o Matte não é bem um esmalte, é tipo um acabamento que ao invés de deixar o esmalte com brilho, deixa fosco! Tipo o esmalte da Karen O nessa foto!

A única marca brasileira que resolveu fazer alguma coisa parecida foi a Big Universo

Vários blog já haviam comentado da marca, mas nunca tinha visto em lugar nenhum aqui em Belo Horizonte.

A Isadora (zazoza) então, resolveu mandar um email e perguntar!

E voilà !  Beauty One Rua dos Caetes, 374 – Centro Belo Horizonte

E é barato! R$1,55!

O Matte provavelmente fica melhor em cores escuras. Passei no roxo que eu tava usando e ficou ótimo!

Fiz o teste do Jade ontem e achei que ficou um pouco neon, mas na Zazoza ficou ótimo! Depois, resolvi testar o Matte por cima do Jade e FAIL, não tentem em casa!

Big Universo

por amaaandaaa

Pamplona Purple is a beautiful purple creme from the 2009 OPI España Collection. I have topped it with Essie’s Matte About You topcoat. I probably won’t do that again. The Matte topcoat made the polish streaky and just too flat. It also lightened the color quite a bit.

Base coat, 2 coats + matte top coat

I’ll update this post when I use this polish without the Essie top coat.

Alli

Akkurat no: Matte med Annis!
(alltid like gøy)

UKENS HOROSKOP FOR TYREN:

Gode dager: 19.
Krevende dager: 17.18.22.

Diskusjoner i parforhold og familieforhold kan oppstå. Det vil være spørsmål om kontroll eller det å gi og ta som opptar deg. Selv om du gjerne vil ha dine synspunkter igjennom, ikke vær altfor hårdnakket og sta. Ikke la husfreden gå på bekostning av bagateller som dere kan snakke ut om.

Motto: Finn gode løsninger.

DAGENS HOROSKOP FOR TYREN:

Et nytt personlig kapittel skal til å begynne, og det er tid for å ta det første usikre skrittet. Nye horisonter trekker i deg.

Photos & text by: Ridhuan Abu Bakar (diwant)

A member of Pixelworks Photo Video

QUITE a busy weekend it was. Firstly it was the ‘Pameran Pengantin 2009′ at PWTC which I participate to assist the Pixelworks team, and secondly the Reception of Matt & Ila at Segambut Bahagia Tambahan on Sunday. I attended the exhibition on Friday & Saturday to assist the Pixelworks team promoting their latest wedding packages, which was quite a successful one I reckon, judging by the smiling faces of the bosses throughout both days I was there.

Then on Sunday, I had to cover this lovely couple’s reception at Segambut Bahagia Tambahan. Both of them are regular customer of us since the day of their engagement last year, in which Nik was their photographer for all their past event until today. I sincerely had a great time working with them from the start because they are such a cheerful and lovely couple in the sense that they know what they want and duly agreed to do whatever I asks them to do. And with this entry, I hope both of you enjoyed working with me especially the outdoor session at Tmn Metropolitan, Kepong that evening which was quite fun and full of laughter throughout. Also a big thanks to the friends that came along and made that shot possible. Without you guys, I would have asked the bride & groom to run instead, huhuhu….

This is quite a long entry, so take your time to see my works and care to leave some comments below…

• trivia: Who do you think Ila’s face looks like? (local artist)

• nice chap

• It’s called ’senget fotografi’

• ‘The Organized Run’ : my favorite shot of the day. Can’t stop smiling looking at this picture

© ridhuanabubakar 2009

I’m such a sucker for grey polish, so I love Loredana! In matte form, without topcoat, it looks exactly like graphite from a pencil. With topcoat…it looks like really sparkly graphite!

Sometimes when I buy a new cosmetic it’s like buying candy…sweet and self-indulgent. I bought two new lip products, which I already possessed in different shades. One is Revlon Matte lipstick, in Really Red. This is a great color, it’s a bright, loud red that doesn’t go pink. Of course I love the matte finish, and this proves to be a long-lasting lipstick. But perhaps not as long-lasting as the other product, which is Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor, which is a liquid lipstick, in Top Tomato. Again, a very bold red that really does last and holds all the qualities the ads claim. The thought of wearing a full-on red lip during daylight hours can be a little daunting…but then I think of the ads for these lipsticks that caught my attention in the first place, and I decide, if they can do it, what the hell, so can I. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone might think I’ve just had a cherry popsicle? Yeah, I think I can live with that.

Here’s I Want Candy by Bow Wow Wow.

Visst är det härligt med sånna här halvdagar?! Man börjar halv nio och har två lektioner innan klockan är elva och det är lunch. Sen är dagen helt plötsligt slut! Skoldagen i alla fall. Nu ska jag strax gå ner till centrum och besöka bank nr 1 och bank nr 2. Jag måste sätta in pengar, betala räkning osv osv… Sen måste jag köpa ett frimärke också, blir nog Konsum för det…

Är  nog hemma kvart i två och då är det matte som gäller i x antal timmar. Mycket att ta igen, och jag måste fatta också! Och som jag lovade ska jag leta efter mobilen också. Min strategi blir nog följande:

1. Först ska jag ringa till sjukgymnasten och meddela honom att jag har fått tid för knäoperationen.
2. Sen ska jag räkna matte i 45 minuter minst!
3. Dags att leta fram den där fördömda mobilen kanske?
4. Matte i 45 minuter igen… Suck…
5. Vid det här laget kommer jag antagligen vara hungrig!

Sen är det kväll och jag får se om jag går ett varv runt sjön, skriver lite på boken, räkna ännu mer matte eller bara ta det lugnt…
Jag kanske skriver en låt förresten. Har två “teman”/titlar som jag är sugen på att förverkliga; “You Are My Romeo” och “Sink”. Sen tror jag att jag har ett par texter som är halvskrivna, vore kul att få klart dem också!

Nu måste jag sticka! Vill hinna ner och göra allt innan bussen går, och utan att behöva stressa!