@PFCosmetics Awesome PH MatchMaker Powered Lip Gloss Review

If you have not yet had the opportunity to try the Physicians Formula make up range, now is the time. I recently acquired the PH Matchmaker Powered Lip Gloss and the Eye Booster  2-In-1 lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum  which I will review after I have used it for a bit longer. Since I am a professional free lance makeup artist, you can imagine my excitement in the cosmetic isles and stores. I can literally spend hours going through each brand looking at new unknown brands and of course swoon over the tried and tested brands. It is almost impossible for me not to buy something that I either think will work really well for my needs or for my clients.

I have been on the search for an amazing lip gloss that adds colour without fading and moisturizes my lips at the same time. I know quite a few people don’t like gloss as it can be quite sticky but I must admit I love the smooth feeling gloss creates and the youthful appearance of the shine. I loved my Plump Potion- Needle Free Plumping Cocktail that I received at the Jozi Blogger Meetup last year so much that I was keen to try a few more products from the range.

I liked the packaging and what attracted me to the lip gloss was the claim that within 60 seconds, the matchmaker gloss uses “photochronic powders- light adjusting pigments that adapt to your environment so the color looks the same indoors & outside” and into my basket the product went. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I discovered there was more to this gloss than meets the eye. Ladies, seriously I had a squeal when I figured this out. I saw that not only does the lip gloss have a little mirror on the side, the gloss has a light that when you hold to your lips, perfectly illuminates your lips to apply in dark areas or clubs. So friggin awesome. Now that I have a new toy, the actual product is super cool too.

 

I put on the gloss before going to bed (I was too excited and couldn’t wait till the next morning to try it) and I was super impressed that the next morning I woke up, my lips were still full of colour so not only is this the most amazing little gimmick, the colour is long wearing. It comes in three shades and I chose the light pink which actually comes out a rosy pink colour on my lips. Perfect for photos and a bit of quick application of colour when I don’t have the time for the whole lip treatment. Thank you PH Formula for making such an awesome cosmetic gloss. I will definitely continue recommending this to all my clients. With Mothers Day coming up, this could make the perfect gift for all Mom’s.

A tip from a makeup artist for lips

• To exfoliate dry lips, try brushing your lips at least once a week with your toothbrush and apply a thick coat of lip treatment that contains beeswax or argan oil. Let this soak in over night.
• Lining the lips with a nude color liner primes the lips for any colour and gives the appearance of a neat application which exudes “put-together” for any occasion and also saves you the cost of investing in too many colours.
• It is always a good idea to ask your make up artist for a touch up kit, at the very least with your gloss or your lip colour that they use.
• Apply foundation on the lips to create a smooth blank canvas for color to prevent lips from changing color due to natural pigment of the lips. This will also prime your lips and give your lip color longer staying power.

Till Next Time

Keep your lips soft and beautiful

Xoxo

The reason they call it Social Media – My Love for Twitter

There is a reason they call it Social media. It was only last year October that I joined the illusive Twitter bandwagon and when I say join I mean really start engaging with the platform and becoming a “twitterholic”. I had opened an account a while before that but never really understood the power of Twitter until last year September when my Mom and I discussed the concept of Face Value Academy. A ladies etiquette and empowerment academy akin to a modern day finishing school that teaches ladies how to navigate this modern world through fun, intimate workshops.

Having a concept helped me build my my online twitter account. I knew what kind of tweets to look for, what kind of brands I wanted to follow and the kinds of people who shared insights into any of the modules that we would offer at Face Value. This is how I started and over the last few months I have become increasingly more active on Twitter and I am not exaggerating when I say Twitter has changed my world.

1. I have made new real life friends through Twitter. The joy of this social media platform is that you can find people who are like minded and interested in the same things as you are or you can find totally opposite awesome people that open up your world to discover new things. Unlike Facebook, your world is opened to strangers which offers positive diversity. I have met ladies through twitter that I can genuinely call new friends. It is so wonderful.

2. I have started rediscovering my love for words. Twitter encouraged me to start my own blog and I have done. I love being able to write to remember. Having a blog is a happy way of sharing my experiences at what ever level I decide. What I like about sharing this online is that I tend to want to share the best moments and it has evolved into a happy memory “online scrapbook”. When I am having a tough day or moment, I start to re-read posts and all the good things that have happened jump out at me and remind me how wonderful this world I live in really is.

3. I have a huge fear of rejection and Twitter has helped me “feel the fear and do it anyways” as Susan Jeffers encourages. I have met new people, some may not like me, others may really dig me. In the end, I am experiencing new things and people every week. I am following my dream of becoming a makeup artist and have started my makeup business this year with quite a bit of success. Turning a passion into a business is super gratifying. I am even taking the plunge and trying out for Master Chef this year, if nothing else, I will get a great blog post out of the experience.

4. I have started empowering myself through activities such as self defense, with a new twitter friend. I am attending fashion conferences, fashion shows, pamper parties, comedy evenings, perfume parties, sun glass hut VIP parties, blogger meetups, girl geek dinners and even attending a horse jumping show a little later in March. My social calendar has never been this full and filled with fun. I am rediscovering Johannesburg as if I just arrived in this city.  I look at every outing and experience as an opportunity to enjoy and engage so that I can write about the experience later. I have become closer to family and friends and I don’t find myself questioning life’s meaning any longer. I’m living life excited for all the new lessons that I am learning and all the new relationships I am forming. I am even engaging more at work and writing about experiences there too.

This world is truly social and truly powerful in so many ways. I think of myself as a lifetime student at a large university. My curriculum is my relationship with the world I live in.

A makeup artists 7 minute makeup routine

I work in the corporate world and like so many others, I have limited time during my morning routine. My 7 minute makeup routine is all I need in the mornings to prepare for work. Being a qualified makeup artist has taught me a few tricks of the trade for a quick beauty regime.  I have spent time choosing the right products and the correct colour pallet before hand and of course, using the correct application tools which allows me to do my 7 minute routine with ease.

1. Skin Care – I cannot stress enough that the basis of any beauty regime is good skin care. More than half the battle is won if you are looking after your skin. That’s why I always (and I mean always) take my makeup off the night before. In the shower, I wash my face with my Kiehls Ultra Cleanser to remove any residue makeup and its gentle enough on the skin that it doesn’t dry it out. A quick spritz of toner and a good day cream with an spf. I also always add a Spf 50 on top of my cream. Prevention is better than cure. If your skin is looking a bit dull, I highly recommend using the Dermalogica Daily resurfacer that gives immediate results after cleansing and before toning.

2. BB Cream – An essential product for a quick beauty routine is having products that double up. A good BB cream (Beauty Balm) with built in SPF gives my skin a quick plump up and smooth surface and acts as a primer. If I am feeling like a bit of extra coverage, I add a layer of my Givenchy Fluid Foundation. I apply the bb cream with my fingers and then blend with a blending sponge.

3. Eyes – I sweep dark brown eyeliner on the tops of my lids, keeping my eyes closed. This is a quick way to add liner in one move  to both the top and bottom lines. I also use the eyeliner to gently fill in my brows. I recommend using a colour palette that enhances your eye colour. The Almay and Revlon Palettes work well. Alway try and use full size eyeshadow brushes. A good option is the Avon Eyeshadow brush that has a eye smudging tool attached. Use 3 – 4 colours max, a light overall colour, a semi dark colour over the bottom half of the lid and a darker colour in the crease of the eye. You can also opt for a highlighter on the brow bone. I finish off my eyes with Bio Nike Brown Mascara available at Dischem for work days as it doesn’t clump or smudge and lasts all day. It also separates my lashes and colours my lashes with little application.

4. Cheeks –   a cream blusher is easy to apply with the fingers and I add a smidge of blush powder over the cheeks, on the cheek bones. Again, using a full size angled blush brush makes a difference. Applying colour to the lips and cheeks is the easiest way to liven your look.

5. Lips – It has taken me many trials to get the perfect work lip colour right. I have finally found a colour that goes with every outfit I wear and is naturally nude. Take your time in finding the right colour for your complexion.

6. Setting – You can either set your makeup with a translucent powder or a setting mist. I opt to only use the setting powder on my t- panel and my chin so that I keep the dewy look from the bb cream on my cheeks. I also use a setting mist from Ulta which helps the makeup remain throughout the day and gives me added protective layer of moisture.

Till Next time

Xoxo

5 Tips for Bad Beauty Days

Even models have the occasional bad day when they wake up looking tired, eyes puffy and their skin appears sallow or blemished, breakouts seem overly obvious and nothing seems to help. Here are our top 5 tips for bad beauty days inspired by Bobbi Brown.

1. Add moisture – when we are dehydrated or our skin is dehydrated, it can look older and less alive. Double your H20 intake for the day, avoid caffeine and use a double strength moisturizer. We recommend the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, an iconic light textured moisturiser that retains moisture, leaving the skin feeling comfortable and well balanced.  For an added hydration boost add vitamin C to your water.
2. Skip the full makeup application – adding a full face of makeup on a tired face can enhance the tiredness. Rather opt for minimal makeup. A concealer, beauty balm, pink blush (preferably a cream) and gloss with a light handed application of mascara. This will give your face the boost it needs. Heavy eyeliner can make you look more tired. Try curling your lashes to open the eyes up. We recommend Vichy Idealia Beauty Balm with SPF 25 for a sheer glow and its “anti-grey” illuminating technology or Bobbi Brown Beauty Balm SPF 35 for a slightly more covered look but still gives all the added hydration benefits of a BB Cream. Remember to blend. 

3. Concealer tricks – We recommend the Catrice palette concealer available from Dischem that offers five shades in one palette. Cover and even out blemishes with the beige shades, cover up redness with the green shade and dark circles with the pink shade.  Use a concealer brush for application, the brush should have firm but soft bristles as this will be used on delicate areas under the eyes.  

4. Highlight– to lift tired eyes sweep a highlighter across the brow bone under the eyebrow, highlight the cheekbones and your cupid bow. This will lift these areas and make them appear more awake. We recommend any light colour concealer or shadow to do this. This handy face map shows you where to apply the highlighter.

5.  Bright lips – the easiest way to brighten the face is by adding a splash of bright lip colour and gloss. This will immediately illuminate the face and instantly refresh a tired look. At least once a week, brush your lips with your toothbrush to exfoliate the lips. Always apply a good moisturiser to lips. We recommend an argon oil based wax for best results. To ensure long wear, apply a light layer of foundation or BB cream to the lips before applying colour, this will also have the added benefit of reflecting the tube colour of the lipstick.

Till Next Time XOXO