What do you want to see? TELL ME HERE!!

Hey beauty geeks! So as some of you may have noticed, my blog has been very inactive for quite some time. I am looking to update it more (1-3 times per week). However, I want to know what my followers want to see. Leave a comment on this post letting me know.

Nail tutorials?
Makeup tutorials?
Product reviews?
Other?
Please leave a comment with your suggestion and what you would be most interested in viewing!


xoxo Bianca

Summer Makeup Essentials

Now that the cold, drying weather is gone, it's time to put down your rich moisturizers and cream blushes, and grab some SPF! Here are some products that are suggested for anyones summer beauty kits:

• Daily moisturizer with SPF

I cannot stress enough how important it is to apply sunscreen to your face. Although everyone should throughout the entire year, this is an especially important product for summer. The SPF will protect your skin from the harsh sun rays, which will help prevent skin damage as well as pre mature aging. (Also note, it's important to wear sunscreen over your entire body if you are going to be in the sun at all!). As far as facial moisturizers go, I have enjoyed the basic ones from Garnier (Moisture Rescue with SPF15 is good for combo skin), and by L'oreal (Future - e with SPF 15). 

• Waterproof eyeliner

Although you can definitely get away with wearing washable mascara in the summer, I do like to use a waterproof eyeliner. Waterproof eyeliners come in every formula (pencil, liquid, gel, cream, etc) and many brands (drug store and high end) carry these. Some of my favorites are:

MAC fluidline eyeliner in blacktrack, L'oreal telescopic waterproof liquid eyeliner, Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil, and Revlon Colorstay pencil. 

Another fun idea for summer, is to use colored eyeliner pencils. Urban Decay has a bunch of bright liners to choose from, and many brands carry colored cream liners as well.

• Setting powder

Sometimes during the colder weather months it is easy to apply a foundation, without setting it with powder. However, the summer can be hot, sunny, and humid as well so it is important to apply some powder to absorb excess oils and keep shine away. Almost every makeup brand will carry a blotting powder or setting powder. If you want a powder that will even out your skin tone and give you some coverage, try MAC Studio Fix powder plus. If you're looking for something to just control oils and prevent shine, you should try Covergirl's line of face powders, or a loose translucent powder from Marcelle.

• Blotting papers

Ok, blotting papers are not necessarily an essential but they are good to have on hand if if you tend to have oily skin, or you're going to be out and about all day. These can be found pretty much anywhere; drug stores (clean&clear makes some), Sephora, MAC, etc. Basically, if your skin is feeling too dewy or oily, you just take out a paper and blot your skin with it. These magical little papers suck up all the extra oils from your face, leaving your skin fresher, shine & oil free.

Nails of the moment...

          In case you are not familiar with this nail polish, it is a deep eggplant colour. PERFECT for winter & fall, but why not rock it in the spring & summer too? I'm the type of person who wears whatever nail polish i'm feeling at the moment, rather than limiting my options according to the current season.

Here's what it looks like on my nails: (With a major amount of flash, lol)

I realize this is a horrible photo because of the harsh flash, but I chose to include it because that strong flash actually captured the true essence of this colour. The polish LOOKS black (or almost black) when on, but in sunlight you will notice the deep plum/purple tone it gives off. 

Another, less flashy swatch: (No flash)

Here's a photo of the bottle/name, Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI.

QOTP: (Question of the post) What nail polish are YOU currently wearing?

Easter/Pastel Nail Design

Here's a simple nail design you may be interested in. 

                                    

I went nail polish shopping a few days ago, and couldn't decide which colour I wanted to wear first. So I used 3 of the 4 that I bought that day, plus another one that I already had. Haha. Here are the colours I used:

 

Essie borrowed & blue used as the base colour 

  

this is what i used to create the dots... a bent bobby pin!

I love this because it incorporates pastel nail colours, AND it's super easy to do. Just be sure to apply a top coat once you're done!

QOTP: (Question of the post) Would you wear this? If yes, what color combo would you do?

Spring Nails

     Although I love wearing colorful nail polish all year round, it's especially beautiful during the season of spring (perfect for summer as well of course!). I decided to make a post, showing what colours I really enjoy wearing going into spring. Keep in mind that I definitely wear these colours during summer, fall, and winter as well (including neutrals and dark shades), but just in case you are looking for a little inspirations, here are a few of my picks! 

     In the spring, i especially love lighter, paler colours of nail polish because it reminds me of the Easter season. I feel that pastel colours have been very trendy this year, especially. You will notice that i also included some brighter colours as well, just because I LOVE them! Ha ha. But spring nail trends for 2011 that you could expect to see are creamy, pastel colours with very little to no shimmer.

Each colour in the photo above - Starting from the OPI colour (orange), going clockwise.

• OPI - In My Back Pocket (a softer, but bright orange from the paige denim brights collection in 2009) 
• OPI - Ogre the Top Blue (a rich electric blue from the Shrek collection)
• OPI - Rumple's Wiggin' (from the Shrek collection - this polish is actually not mine, I borrowed it from a friend but I think its gorgeous for spring! looks JUST like Lilacism by Essie, LaceyLilac by Salley Hansen Xtreme Wear, and Light as Air by China Glaze)
• Rimmel Lasting Finish - Steel Grey (it's a greyish-brown shade, a PERFECT dupe of Sephora by OPI's Metro Chic)
• Color Club - Orange Revenge (a gorgeous, very vibrant neon orange)
• Color Club - Sexsea (an amazing coral-red colour)
• Color Club - Twiggy (a beautiful soft leafy green)
• L'oreal Paris - 606 Ocean Breeze (this was limited edition from a summer collection, but it's a bright but soft looking baby blue. Looks a lot like 27 Brisk Blue Insta-Dri by Sally Hansen)
• Sephora by OPI - I'm Wired (given to me for my birthday last year. It's a really pretty pinky coral color - also great for summer!)
• China Glaze - For Audrey (one of my new favourite nail colours! It looks just like the tiffany blue colour, also very similar to Essie's Turquoise and Caicos)

Left to right: Steel Grey, Rumple's Wiggin',
Ogre the Top Blue, In My Back Pocket

                                         

Left to right: 606 Ocean Breeze, Twiggy, Sexsea, Orange Revenge

Left to right: For Audrey, I'm Wired

Since I am currently wearing one of the colours mentioned above, here is Rumple's Wiggin' on my nails! 

      

     Here are more nail colours that I absolutely love and would totally recommend for the spring time as well. Since I unfortunately don't own any of these colours, I found these photos online to show you. Here they are:

OPI - Canberra't Without You
A peachy nude, perfect if you're looking for a nude but with just a hint of colour.

OPI Pink-A-Doodle 
A pale, muted pink. 

China Glaze - Refresh Mint
A very creamy, clean pastel green.
(Slightly similar to For Audrey by China Glaze (listed above),
but more green, rather than sea foam blue.)
*A great, cheaper dupe for this shade is Minted by Relvon.

China Glaze - Something Sweet
A girly pale pink with a hint of lilac purple. (Almost a very muted bubble gum pink)

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz
A pale (but slightly brightened) lemon-yellow.

                                                      

Essie - Mint Candy Apple
Quite similar to Refresh Mint by China Glaze, but slightly more
of a very pale green with hints of blue. 

have fun painting your nails! 

xoxo, Bianca.

This? ..or that?

blush or bronzer: bronzer! all the way! because it could be used all over the face, for contouring, or even on the cheeks where blush is usually applied.

lip gloss or lipstick: lip gloss!

eye liner or mascara: oh boy... i love eyeliner but id have to choose mascara. since i wouldn't wear eyeliner with no mascara!

foundation or concealer: foundation. you can always build on it where you need more coverage :]

neutral or color eye shadow: neutral. but i do love coloured shadows as well! especially for the lower lash line, with a neutral look.

pressed or loose eye shadows: pressed, for sure! definitely quicker and less messy to work with.

brushes or sponges: brushes. 

OPI or china glaze: OPI... the brushes and formula are really nice! 

Long or short: short. since my idea of long is probably what short is to many people, haha!

Acrylic or natural: natural! 

Brights or darks: ahhh! i like ALL nail colours! but at the moment, i'd definitely say brights!

Flower or no flower: no flower. 

perfume or body splash: perfume! i only like body splash/spray for right when i come out of the shower.

lotion or body butter: hmm, body butter for legs but lotion for everywhere else!

body wash or soap: body wash. 

lush or other bath company: LUSH!! (for their facial masks), but maybe i'd choose other bath company if I could only shop at one or the other for the rest of my life.

jeans or sweat pants: jeans. but sweatpants/pjs whenever i'm at home!

long sleeve of short: long sleeve. 

dresses or skirts: dresses.

stripes or plaid: plaid!

flip flops or sandals: flip flops. generally quicker to put on and more comfortable to wear, even though I think sandals could look a lot nicer/more put together.

scarves or hats: scarves! I love scarves! :D !

studs or dangly earrings: studs. (well, pearls)

necklaces or bracelets: necklaces! ..and rings..

heels or flats: flats! but if i wear a dress somewhere nice, i definitely will be wearing heels!

cowboy boots or riding boots: riding boots, although i don't own either.

jacket or hoodie: hoodie!

forever 21 or charlotte russe: forever 21, since i have never been to a charlotte russe.

abercombie or Hollister: ahhh i dislike both actually. if i HAD to choose, I think Abercrombie is a little nicer. 

saks 5th or nordstrom: im not sure. haven't been to either of these.

curly or straight: when my hair's straight, it's a lot easier to manage...especially bc the end result is a lot more predictable than when I style my hair curly.

bun or ponytail: low bun if my hair's curly, high/mid ponytail if it's straight!

bobby pins or butterfly clips: bobby pins. although i always lose them!

hair spray or gel: spray. 

long or short: long!

light or dark: well, my hair is inbetween. so, medium! ha ha

side sweep bangs or full bangs: side swept bangs, no doubt about it! but i love the way full bangs look on some people!

up or down: down.

Rain or shine: shine! but i love rain when i'm in bed about to sleep!

Summer or winter: winter! i love Christmas and dislike weather that is unbearably hot!  :)

Fall or spring: FALL! I LOVE FALL!

Chocolate or vanilla: vanilla!

East coast or west coast: i guess i'll say.... east coast!

What would you choose?

Simple Makeup Essentials (what I love)

         Of course, what is essential to me in my makeup kit may not be necessities to you at all. However, I wanted to share some of my favourite everyday products. No, i do not wear this every single day, but they are pretty much what I will use if I am going for a simple or quick makeup routine. This post will only include what products I love for cheeks (including a bronzer, blush colour, and highlighting powder), and my eyes (eyeliner-a pencil and a gel liner, mascara).

Cheeks
If I am getting ready in a hurry and want to wear makeup (but am too lazy to do my eyeshadow, ha ha) I focus on my cheeks as the main interest of my makeup look. This includes a bronzer, a blush colour, and always a highlighting powder. However, depending on what I feel like wearing, I will use my bronzing powder on my cheeks and skip a blush colour completely. When I do wear blush though, it's always a peachy or soft pink colour. I don't always use the one I included in this blog post, but I think the colour is a perfect representation of what I love to wear! These are the products that I like to use to achieve my desired cheek look:

Bronzing powder - Stila Sun (shade 02)

Blush colour- NARS Cream Blush (Penny Lane)

Highlighting powder- NARS Highlighting Powder (Albatross)

This is what they look like, swatched on my skin:

Stila bronzer, NARS cream blush, NARS highlighting powder.

Even if you are going "all out" with your makeup that day, (i'm talking eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip products, etc) don't forget about your cheeks! They are an important part to your face, and using products mentioned above can help define your cheeks by adding definition (with bronzer + blush), and highlights by bringing light to the places on your face where you apply your highlighting powder. I like to apply my highlighting powder on the very top of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose (lightly), on my cupids bow, and on my brow bones, since these are the key points to the face where light will naturally hit. 

Eyes

Once again, the following products are what I like to use when I'm in a hurry (or just don't feel like doing much with my makeup that day!) When I think of a simple makeup look, I think of three words; clean, defined, and minimal. Even though I have light skin and light-medium brown hair, I do use black eyeliner and very black mascara. Doing so, adds more drama with less product. (Less product, more impact!)

Mascara- L'oreal Voluminous (carbon black)

Pencil Eyeliner- Revlon ColorStay (black)

Gel liner- MAC Fluidline Eyeliner (blacktrack)

Liner Brush by Sephora (for application of gel liner)

Here is another image of the fluidline - for texture:

Here is an image of the two eyeliners, side by side, swatched on my skin - to compare intensity:

Revlon Colorstay, MAC blacktrack fluidline.

What products are essential to you and your daily (or any) makeup routine?