Let's Be Clean Ladies!!!

I found an article and wanted to pass on some VERY important information!!! I have met so many ladies and have worked with so many individuals that have had makeup since high school or at least 10 years or so. I know that at some point in this time that they have been sick, or had an infection and STILL used their makeup. This is GROSS Ladies!!! I have already stressed the importance of cleaning your brushes. Aside from the fact that they contain bacteria, makeup pigments mix with the oil from your skin making your brushes sticky and dirty. Please wash them uuuuuuunless you love little creatures crawling on the bristles and being rubbed all around your face....gag!!! Click here to see how to clean them (alert OLD video!!!) But what about the cleanliness of your actual makeup??? You should occasionally take some rubbing alcohol on a tissue and clean your lipsticks. Sharpen your pencils often to shave off germies, and ALWAYS do this if you are going to share makeup!!! I don't let ANYONE use my mascara and neither should you. As for the shelf life of your makeup, here's some professional advice on how long to keep it around before its time to toss it out.

Foundation: • Life-span = 6 months to 1 year • Warning signs = thickening, altered color, or change in odor

Concealer: • Life-span = 1 to 1 ½ years • Warning signs = color change or

thickening

Face powder, Eye-shadow: • Life-span = 3 years • Warning signs = texture

change when applying, dryness or change in color

Pencils: (for eyes or lips) • Life-span = 3 to 6 months • Warning signs = Change in odor, texture, or color

Lipstick and lipgloss: • Life-span: 2 years • Warning signs = taste or odor change, stickiness

Info from Enizio.com

As for mascara, It is so important that it is replaced every 3-4 months.

This is one you definitely should not keep around longer!

And one last thing... Never add water to formulas that are drying out. You're

just asking for problems at that point! If you have to add water, you're way overdue!!

Busy busy... [Attended a Wedding + Review]

Yeah, again life took over and I got really busy the past couple weeks. I attended a wedding as a proxy for my dad and started prepping myself up for school (shopping, hanging out with friends as much as possible, etc). I partied pretty much all weekend just to make up for the fact that once school starts, I won't have any time to at all. Thanks to my best friend, I had a load of fun on my last weekend before school starts.

So now that I have oh, say about 14 hours left before my freedom is taken away from me again, I figured I should take the time to update this little blog of mine before it started gathering dust.

Last June 6th (yes, I am aware of just how behind I am in posting, my gosh haha), I attended a wedding that my parents were invited to. I attended as a proxy for my dad who couldn't make it to the event. Of course I was really psyched, I mean I don't always get to attend events where I got to dress to the nines... not to mention I got to shop for dresses and shoes to wear!

I had bought a dress for Php500 (roughly $11) in May, but while I was with my mom helping her shop for her own dress, I spotted a dress that was pretty much sent to me from heaven. Why do I say that? Well, it was originally selling at Php2000 (roughly $43) but it was on sale for 70% off. So I got it at around php600 (around $13). It's amazing since it was the last piece of that design, last size and all, and it fit me like a glove. Best part: the dress had pockets! Man am I glad I lost weight, if only for the fact that I'm now able to wear cute dresses that I picked just off the rack. Well the dress was a tiny bit loose on me, but it wasn't that obvious. In any case... I suppose I should show photos!

PS: I wore the dress with a black swarovski necklace, but my cousin told me to remove the necklace because we were attending a Chinese couple's wedding and black is not a welcome color for them. Oops!

Also, I forgot to take a shot of my makeup before it melted off my face, but I did get a shot of my eye makeup at least.

In the hotel bathroom, snapping a quick shot after the wedding reception

"I'm gonna sit down, take a picture of me quick!!"

Me and my mom

me and my mom 2

The couple had hired a photo booth service to cover their wedding, and this is one of the photos my mom and I had taken (I had to crop it since my aunt was in it too)

Makeup products used: Celeteque moisturizer, ELF Studio two way powder foundation, MAC Studio Fix in NC35, Maybelline Perfect Concealer, NYX Pinky blush, Physician's Formula pearls of perfection bronzer, Fashion 21 brow kit, Art Deco eyeshadow base, Shawill 12 color e/s palette, Dollface cosmetics gel eyeliner, Maybelline Volum' Express Cat Eyes mascara, NYX Tea Rose round lipstick

My mom's hair--yes, I did it myself! Haha

When I got home from the wedding, I of course had to take my makeup off. Just a couple days before June 6th I had run out of my favorite eye and lip makeup remover (Maybelline) so I had to pick up some more. But as soon as I got to the department store, I spotted this new product from the local cosmetics company Ever Bilena. Seeing how cheap it was I didn't hesitate to grab a bottle to try because it just might be a good, cheap alternative for my usual makeup remover.



Ever Bilena Advance Makeup Remover (Eye & Lip)

Directions for use (as stated on the bottle): shake well before use. Soak cotton pad with the lotion and apply on your eyes and lips.
Ingredients: Water, cyclopentasiloxane, isohexadecane, cyclohexasiloxane, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyethylene-polypropylene glycol, tetrasodium edta, dipotassium phosphate, potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, tocopheryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenoxyethanol, CI 42090

I started with this:

And with 1 swipe ended up with this:


The makeup remover had managed to take off the eyeshadow on the area I had wiped off, as well as most of my gel eyeliner--only a few specks of it remained on my eyelid. With a few more wipes I took off the rest of the eye makeup, but it took me a while of rubbing to get my mascara off.

Eyes, completely makeup free

Cotton pad, front

Cotton pad, back

So now that I've used the product, what's my verdict?

PROS

• Cheap - only Php95 (roughly $2) per 80 mL bottle
• Locally available and widely distributed, easily availed of

CONS

• Stings eyes
• Requires rubbing to take off stubborn mascara
• Bottle packaging LEAKS
• Need to use more product to get stubborn makeup off
  

Because the EB bottle leaks, I transferred the rest of the product into my empty Maybelline bottle.

So as usual, I got my money's worth. I think cheap items are hit and miss, and this one was a miss. I thought I was going to get a bargain but I guess not! This makeup remover by Ever Bilena works but it's not really the best, and any eye product that stings my eyes isn't a very good one in my opinion. I'm going to stick to my Maybelline eye and lip makeup remover. This is a product I won't really recommend.

Well, I guess that's all for now. School starts tomorrow, wish me luck!

Guest Review: L'Oreal Paris Studio Line Indestructible Volumizing Mousse

The texture of my hair has changed dramatically over the years from pin straight to curly curls... It has settled at this point at an in between wave which I'm ok with. Every now and then I like to avoid styling tools and like to give my already damaged hair a rest by using mousse and leaving it wavy. I have probably tried over 20 different mousses over the last few years all promising me this or that in order to get the perfect wave or curl, some have lived up to my expectations and some sadly have not. This is one of those that did not.

I tested this product out for a few weeks giving it many chances because I really wanted to like it, honestly I did enjoy some aspects of this mousse but just didn't feel it gave me any volume what so ever. Maybe my hair is too long or too heavy for it to really do its job I'm not sure, however I feel like it may work well for medium to short haired ladies.

The pros would definitely be the spout that is super easy to use. I also enjoyed the smell and the fact that it didn't leave my hair feeling crunchy at all. The cons I would have to say for me the lack of volume and definition of the curls/waves.

The product claims to also have Bounce Back Technology that allows hair to return to its styled shape even after the daily stresses on hair. During the day I hate my hair in my face so I clip it back, when I removed the clip the style was ruined or altered and the bounce back I had hoped for never happened.

Overall, although I don't think I will be rushing to the store anytime soon to purchase this mousse, I think it could work wonderfully for those gals with shorter hair. I liked the barely there feeling of product on my hair but it just didn't do much for me in the way of volume or styling.

L'Oreal Studio Line Indestructible Volumizing Mousse is available in drugstores all across Canada and the United States.

What do you think of this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

About Farah

"Mama Far" as she is called amongst her fellow Toronto beauty bloggers, is a talented makeup artist and founder of beauty blog, Faces By Farah. She is utterly sweet, warm and has the most gorgeous long hair! Be sure to check out her blog for great product reviews, beauty tips and her Sunday posts "You Go Girl/Boy!" where she features a must-know personality in the beauty, fashion and entertainment industry! Thank you Farah for your review! Stay tuned for more reviews from her!

http://facesbyfarah.blogspot.com

Now Hear This!

Summer Faves: Lips

It's not officially summer but it sure feels like it! My usual staples for the summer season has always been punchy brights on the lips but lately I've been reaching for my more muted shades. The effect is still gorgeous, effortless beauty.

1. Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Secret ($30 USD): Everyone was raving about the new Rouge Coco's and being the makeup junkie that I am, I had to see what all the buzz was about. Back in April the lovely and fabulous beauty blogger, Michelle from Lipstick Rules, met up with me in her second home, Holt Renfrew. I was tempted to purchase Cambon (gorgeous) but since I had so many brights, wanted a subtle shade for everyday. Michelle excitedly suggested Mademoiselle, which is beautiful on her but I wasn't really feeling it on me.

Long story short, the sales lady suggested Secret, a peachy rosy-brown, and applied it with a nude lip liner and Galactic Glossimer which gave the most amazing shimmering effect (will have to save for another post). With many ohhs and ahhs from other Chanel fans, I purchased Secret and Galactic. However, when I got home and pulled it out of the box I wasn't too excited about it. I went a week later to exchange it for Perle but they were all out. Over a month later, I was curious to try Secret again on its own and I am in love! I think the nude lip liner made the shade look more muddy but on its own is divine. It's the perfect summer nude and goes great with bronzy skin and peach cheeks! The texture is ultra-moisturizing and the colour is long-lasting. Definitely a winner and I may have to pick up a few more shades!

2. Lancome Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin in Crazy Raspberry and Dot Apricot ($22 CDN): Juicy Tubes are a cult classic and the first glosses to come in a tube.  Lacome is celebrating its 10 year anniversary and has collaborated with renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who has created 5 optimistic and colourful designs to customize this it-gloss. I absolutely adore the funky designs. Limited edition and if you're a die hard Juicy Tubes fan, a collectors item. 

The 100% Natural formula is made with shea butter and honey, leaving your lips hydrated and unbelievably smooth. These glosses are more for shine so if you're looking for more colour you won't find it with these sheer glosses. Crazy Raspberry has a tint of raspberry pink and Dot Apricot is a sheer apricot but looks more clear on my lips. These are fabulous for those days when you just want a glossy finish or layered over top of your favourite lipstick or lip stain.

3. M.A.C. To The Beach Tinted Lip Glass in Splashing ($16.50 CDN): I love the packaging of M.A.C.'s summer collection! In the past, I haven't really been a fan of the stickiness of the tinted lip glasses but the eye catching shades get me all the time. Splashing is the pink to wear this summer! This blue-toned pink with soft gold pearl makes it so versatile. Layer over top of a pink lipstick for intense pop, swipe over a peach lipstick for a peachy-pink finish (love pairing it with Chanel's Secret), and worn on its own gives just enough colour without looking overdone.

4 & 5. Balmshell Lip & Cheek Gel Stain in Tabloid Tammy and Lip Gloss in Curse of the Purse ($20 CDN): Balmshell hosted a blogger event a few months ago which I wasn't able to attend. But the awesome ladies at Balmshell reserved a sweet swag bag for me with my chosen products.

I love lip and cheek stains and was very excited to try out Balmshell's version. Tabloid Tammy is beautiful bronze, a shade I had yet to add to my collection of stains. I tested it out on my cheeks bare and with a tinted moisturizer. Unfortunately, the stain on the cheeks was a complete fail for me. I really wanted to love it but  found it blended horribly and looked splotchy on my cheeks. However, on the lips looked lovely especially with the gloss in Curse of the Purse, a sheer creamy peach, over top. The stain and gloss combo made for a long-lasting lip colour and gave my skin a warm toasty glow. The gloss on its own is pretty and subtle and looks amazing with a colourful or smokey eye.

6. Everyday Minerals Lippie in Enough Talk, Kiss Me! ($8 USD): If you're looking for an organic, vegan, and eco-friendly makeup line that is packed with pigment and affordable you will love the products from Everyday Minerals. This new lippie is included in the On The Reef, Coral Collection. This warm coral shade can be worn anytime of the day whether you're off to work or sunning on the beach. The balm-like finish keeps your lips feeling hydrated yet stains the lips for lasting colour. Add a gloss over top for a shimmering effect. The easy and portable twist-up tube is great for throwing in your tote or beach bag!

Stay tuned for more summer favourites! Have you tried any of these lippies? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Make Your Makeup Stay

Here are some tips for making your makeup last.

AND THE WINNER IS.........

The tallies are in and the have been counted out.  The winner of our 100 Follower Giveaway is, drum roll Please!!!!!!........

Brittany Rae!!!!!!

Brittany has a boutique in Rexburg, Idaho where she offers clothes, hair accessories and TONS of one of a kind items provided by many vendors. Adelyn Shop Designs can be found there too! Congrats Brittany on winning and bringing SO many followers to the Classy Family!!! Looks like I might need to get a 200 Follower contest up and running here soon =). Thanks you to everyone that participated and here's to many more to come!!!