Category Archives: makeup kit

31 days to a prettier 2017 : look cute, be cute

Posted on January 24, 2017 by stephanie

By now, the winter season is possibly taking it’s toll on you; everyone gets hit with a bit of blahs before the end of January and it doesn’t quit until at least the end of February. It might be time for a pick me up!

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Day 24 : January 24

Pick up a bright new makeup bag!

It could be something that you find at The Dollar Store that makes you smile … or it good be one of those cute ones from Sephora with the funny phrases on it. It doesn’t matter just as long as you love it and it makes you smile every time you open it up to start your day. If you’re smiling before you even start your makeup routine, you’re already looking good!

Happy shopping!

TIP : Make sure you choose a bag big enough to house everything you consider a “must have at all times”. Pack it up with all the stuff you would want to have on hand if you had to do your makeup in  the car or at the gym.

HOMEWORK : Before you buy, consider what you love and don’t love about your current makeup bag or storage system.  If you need to keep things separate, only choose a makeup bag that has compartments. If you need to keep tools and brushes in there as well, look at ones that have pockets to hold brushes and a plastic flap over it to keep the rest of the bag clean.

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31 days to a prettier 2017 : brighten up the eyes …

Posted on January 18, 2017 by stephanie


Today, I’m going to tell you to treat yo’self …

Day 18 : January 18

Buy yourself a new eyeshadow.

We spoke about eyeliners before for defining the eyes, but today we’re going to talk about brightening up and highlighting the eyes. You’re going to do this with a simple swipe of eyeshadow. You probably already have plenty of shadows ranging the colours of a rainbow, but the shadow I want you to pick up will be a neutral shimmer.

Look for something across the lines of soft champagne, rose gold, soft gold, or bronze. Shades that fall within this category can be swept across the lids and instantly lift and brighten the eye area within nothing more than perhaps mascara.

It’s a great way to get ready quick with minimal makeup! And don’t worry, the right neutral shimmer can always be incorporated into your full colour looks from winged liner to smokey eyes!

Now, off you go!

TIP : For easy on the go, try cream eyeshadow sticks. I particularly love Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown!

HOMEWORK : Buy yourself just one, but it doesn’t hurt to take note of other shades that don’t make the cut. You can always pick them up later!

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31 days to a prettier 2017 : commit to an all over balm …

Posted on January 17, 2017 by stephanie

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We’ve all been in that situation when a dry patch comes through our makeup midday, or our cuticles look rough, or  our baby hairs get a little feisty. You cannot carry your vanity table with you everywhere you go, so here’s our trick for MacGyvering your pop-up beauty dilemmas.

Day 17 : January 17

Commit to an All Over Balm (or skin salve).

An all over balm or skin salve is like the duct tape of makeup … while most are advertised as a quick way to hydrate the skin in a convenient carry with you everywhere tube they do so much more than that! They come in all sort of consistencies and are cased in everything from tubes to tin pots (as mentioned, portable!). The ones I prefer comes in a firmer (but smooth), waxy texture and in tin or glass pot form, just because you don’t waste any product – you can lightly pick up some on the finger tips without overdoing it, or gather a bit more by scooping it out when needed. Tube salves are just as great, but I’ve been known to squeeze out too much more often than not!

What can you do with your balm?  Plenty!

  • Apply a light layer over dry patches of skin midday, as needed
  • Soothe minor cuts and wounds
  • Heal chapped lips in a pinch
  • Sweep up high on the cheeks for a quick highlight
  • Refresh your makeup, especially under the eyes
  • Tame brow hairs
  • Tame baby hairs and flyaways
  • Soften cuticles
  • Press and blend over your eyeshadow for a glossy eye look
  • Dab blush to the lips and smooth salve over for a DIY clip colour
  • Remove makeup mistakes

See – it’s truly the duct tape of makeup.

All over balms or skin salves can be found with in both conventional and organic brands, and a bunch of sizes. Brands I suggest : NYX, Glossier, Antipodes and RMS.

Happy Shopping!

TIP : I say commit now (which I do mean), but you can also test out a few before making a hard purchase!

HOMEWORK : Once you’ve chosen a salve, try turning to it first whenever you come across a skin issue or beauty dilemma – start testing out what works for you and what doesnt, how much you need to solve the dilemma or how much you don’t!

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31 days to a prettier 2017 : find your beauty spirit monster …

Posted on January 9, 2017 by stephanie

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With January signalling a time for change and evolving yourself, it is always good to have related visuals to your direction or goal to inspire and guide you. For example, I want to be fitter this year, so my current Instagram feed is nothing but before and after photos of women who really got into and did the work to be healthier and happier. You may want to cook more, so perhaps you’re pinning recipes on Pinterest. Or maybe, you want to quit your 9 to 5 and your Flipboard is lined up with articles about entrepreneurship.

Having a vision keeps your end goal in reach …

Day 9 : January 9

Find your beauty muse … or as I like to call it, my beauty spirit monster.

Whether you want to be glammed out on the daily like Kat Von D, or beachy and bronzy like Jennifer Lopez, or naturally imperfect like a Parisian girl … it’s always good to study the look. Following someone’s beauty evolution and style isn’t about copying their makeup from magazine and calling it a day. Rather it’s more like learning about the products they love and the techniques they (or their makeup artist) use and that work for them, to grow your own look.

Having one or two beauty muses can encourage you to try new colours or techniques, and bring you out of your comfort zone. It can prevent you from getting stuck in a beauty rut as well which is the quickest way to age you faster.

If you don’t already have Pinterest, it is a great tool to collect images of your chosen style muse, products you want to try and also, how-to articles on almost any makeup technique you want to try. If you have a 20-minute bus ride home, you would be surprised at how much pinning you can do.

Happy celeb hunting!

TIP : Images can help you shop better as well. Having images of a celeb’s look on hand when you hit a beauty counter can help the makeup artist determine what products and colours will work for you to achieve the same look and style.

HOMEWORK : If you love a good old magazine and have tonnes of them lying around BUT also know its time for them to hit the recycling bin, then grab a bottle of wine, park yourself in front of your pile and start ripping out photos of your beauty spirit monster. You can even tear out pages of makeup you’re interested in. Once your done with one magazine, toss it in your blue bin and move on to the next. Collect your images in a file folder for future reference.

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31 days to a prettier 2017 : brush up for the next week!

Posted on January 7, 2017 by stephanie

It’s Day 7!!  Go on with your bad self.  You completed a whole week of the guide. We’re going to level up a bit next week with our tips and tricks for beauty … so consider this week a fun+pretty warm-up. You did fantastic!

Day 7 : January 7

Wash your brushes.

If you’re a makeup freak and every single brush under the moon and use all 1,999,998 brushes daily – this task is going to suck, but in the end your makeup and skin will continue to look flawless and your product will last longer. Swear to Sephora.

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Now, you should be washing your brushes regularly – at least weekly – and sterilizing and lightly cleaning in between each use. If you’re a habitual cleaner and a little bit OCD about your products and tools – then this comes as a no brainer to you. Get washing holmes! If you’re a newly minted newbie to makeup … or never really thought to wash your brushes (side eye!) … continue reading.

First, you’ll want to gather up every brush and reusable sponge today, plus your favourite brush cleanser or bottle of baby shampoo.

Next, prep your area. You’ll need access to the sink, but then also a cleared and clean area to lay down your brushes and leave to dry. Be sure to wipe down the area thoroughly and lay down a fresh clean towel or drying mat for your brushes to rest on.

The trick to washing your brushes is to use warm water and a little bit of soap or cleanser. I like to dollop the cleanser on the back of my hand, wet the brush, and then swirl lightly in the cleanser to give it a bit of lather. Do not smooth your brush into your cleanser. Holding the brush downward to rinse, I remove all traces of soap. The reason you hold the brush downward is so that water and cleanser does not travel into the ferrule of the brush head (the barrel that covers the connection of the brush fibres to the barrel) where it can loosen or breakdown any glue holding the fibres together.

Once you have cleansed and rinsed, reshape the head of the brush and lay the brush flat to dry. If possible, leave the head of the brush over an edge to prevent the hairs from lying in its own dampness while it drys.

And from here, you go on to then next brush and so on, so forth.

Again, you should be doing this regularly for your brushes and tools. It will help to prevent transfer of bacteria and keep your skin free of any irritations. if your currently experiencing a breakout or skin issue then try to be more diligent, washing every few days and keeping your beauty area as clean as possible.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat!

TIP : In between cleaning, keep your brushes stored properly away to prevent the growth or spread of bacteria and dirt.  Keeping them in a cool dry place, and contained is your best bet. You can also spray with alcohol in between each use, or try my favourite spray : 1 part tea tree oil ( a natural disinfectant ) to 2 parts water.

HOMEWORK : Make it a habit. Pull out your planner, and mark the next “bubble bath” day for your brushes!

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