Tag Archives: Benefit

How Much Makeup is Needed to Create a Natural Look

Posted on by under blush, concealer, eye makeup, eye shadow, face makeup, false eyelashes, makeup, makeup artistry, makeup tips, YouTube

I wanted to write a post regarding natural makeup and what it takes to create a full face natural look.  There seems to be a misconception that creating a look that appears to be natural requires less products.  The truth is, it actually still requires just as many products as a look that appears more dramatic.  When you use more products, the good news is that you do end up using much less of each product so a little goes a long way.

For someone who wants to keep their products to an absolute minimum, it can definitely be done but the face typically will not look as complete, potentially will not last as long throughout the day, and might not look as flawless by the end.  As a professional makeup artist, my visual standard of perfection is much higher than the average person so that is why I will continue to use this many products because I understand how they work and the exact purpose they serve.  I do not like to cut corners when it comes to any makeup application so however many products it takes to get to the end result, I will still use them.

I made a video to show every single product I was wearing today.  I do not wear the same exact products every day as I do enjoy switching up the eye shadow, lip color, and blush.  This is just a general idea of what an every day look for me entails.  I will list the products below that are mentioned in my video:

  • MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot “Soft Ochre” (eye shadow primer)
  • MAC “Vanilla” eye shadow (lid color)
  • Kiko Milano #09 eye shadow (highlight)
  • Addiction “Flash Back” eye shadow (crease color)
  • MAC “Bronze” (outer crease color)
  • Maybelline Line Stiletto “Blackest Black” liquid eye liner (top liner)
  • MAC “Teddy” eye kohl pencil liner (bottom liner)
  • Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara
  • Red Cherry “Wispy” false lashes
  • Benefit Porefessional face primer
  • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer “Custard – Medium 1”
  • NARS Sheer Glow “Deauville – Light 4” liquid foundation
  • Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free “Translucent” pressed face powder
  • Becca “Moonstone” pressed highlighting powder
  • NARS “Benares – Dark 1” powder foundation (cheek contour)
  • Chanel “280 Golden Sun” powder blush
  • Anastasia “Ebony” brow powder duo
  • Lancome “Sable” eye brow pencil
  • NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil “Bahama”
  • Lipland “Fifty-Fifty” liquid lipstick

As you can see, the final look is very natural looking.  However, I ended up using a total of 20 products to create it, hard to believe (I know)!

Summer’s Not Over Yet – My 5 Must-Have Products of the Season

Posted on by under makeup

Summer Must have productsAlthough summer might be moving along quickly as it does every year, the season isn’t quite over just yet so I wanted to share some of my favorite products.

1 – Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip:  The shade “Vice” is the one I have photographed above and it’s a great summer color.  I love this product because I generally will only wear long wearing products on the lips (meaning no touch-ups required) and these really do last.  I like the matte finish and there are many shades to choose from on the website.

2 – Kiko Milano Cream Crush Lasting Colour Eyeshadow:  I originally discovered the brand during my vacation in Milan this past winter.  I bought a couple of these to try and have been wearing “01 Pearly Vintage Rose” almost everyday this summer.  I bought this to use as an eyeshadow base but it actually works well as a single eyeshadow.  It provides just a pop of champagne shimmer on the lids while lasting all day.

3 – Moist Labo BB Essence Cream SPF50:  Another international find, I picked this up from a drugstore in Japan a couple years ago.  Being it was from a drugstore, I had no way of testing the product first but figured I would take the chance.  I’m so glad I did!  I loved it so much that I ordered it again at the beginning of summer.  I like that this face product has a high dosage of sun protection while providing a sheer amount of coverage to even out my complexion.  In the summer time especially, I have a less is more approach to makeup.

4 – Chanel Natural Finish Pressed Powder:  Although I tend to gravitate more towards a loose powder, I like to use a pressed powder more in the summer as it’s much more travel friendly.  I love this powder because it’s very lightweight on the skin and the finish is smooth and matte.

5 – Benefit the POREfessional Face Primer:  For the most part, I find a primer is a primer and most will do the job in terms of prepping the face prior to foundation.  During the summer months, I truly do need a primer that is even more mattifying and going to go the extra mile in combatting excessively high humidity levels.  This is definitely one of my favorites and mattifies the skin instantly upon application.