June 30, 2010

It's the last day of the month of June and time for my favourites. Again you will notice a trend for summer appropriate makeup here. Though the weather is still pretty spring like here (one day it's 15C next it's 30C), when it's hot out the humidex is quite high. My choices of favourites definitely reflects the weather conditions.



1. MUFE F&B in shade #32 - I went through a whole bottle of this amazing foundation last summer and picked up another bottle at IMATS Toronto. F&B foundation is a great water based and light foundation. It feels like nothing on and also has a bit of a cooling affect as you apply it. It's hands down the best warm weather face product I've had the pleasure of trying. This particular shade should match NC25/Nw25-NC30/NW30.

2. Ben Nye Final Seal Spray - this is another IMATS purchase that I've been using quite often lately. I love how this spray actually sets your makeup and keeps you matte for hours. It def works much better for me that Fix+ (which does nothing for me honestly). I really love all Ben Nye products I've tried.

3. MAC Thrills l/s - I picked this up from To the Beach collection and have been wearing it more often than I thought. It's a gorgeous rosy bronze shade that is surprisingly universally flattering. I don't have anything like it in my stash and love it with my warm toned summer eyes or even bare faced.

4. Chanel Rouge Allure Lacque in Phoenix - I hope I haven't already put this one in a monthly fave post, lol! This lipstick has got to be one of my faves of all time. It's a lovely raspberry pink shade in Chanel's super awesome lacque formula. It feels light on lips yet it's opaque and long wearing. You can find my swatches for Phoenix here.

5. Blue Peep f/l - I honestly cannot believe I waited so long to pick this up. Blue Peep fluidline is a gorgeous blue gel liner with hints of teal mixed in. It's the idea summer eyeliner to me. It looks equally amazing as a base. I've been wearing this product few times a week and cannot get enough!

Have you tried any of the above products? What are your favourite products for the month of June?

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June 29, 2010

Hey guys! This past Sunday hubby and I got professional photos taken for our 3rd wedding anniversary which is coming up on August 11. We used the same photographer that we had for our wedding since we were extremely pleased with him. We both had a tone of fun during the photo shoot and cannot wait to get the actual pictures. I will be sure to share some of them with you guys on here :)

I went with neutral eyes and bold pink lipstick as I've heard that's my best look. The eye look I've prob done 1000 times, it's my go-to neutral combo. I was very annoyed with my hair though. I flat ironed it but it was such a friggin humid day (humidex of 85%) that it would not stay straight, arghhhh! I hope it still looks good in photos though.

Face
Nars Sheer Glow foundation - Medium 1 (Punjab)
Ben Nye Powder
Sculpt
Nars Desire blush

Eyes
Painterly p/p - base
Blanc Type e/s - all over lid *hit the pan on this*
Espresso e/s - crease
Cork e/s - outer lid
Embark e/s - outer v
Wedge e/s - above crease
Vanilla p/m - highlight
Blacktrack f/l - to line
Feline e/k - tightline
Lancome Hypnose mascara

Lips
MUFE 16L l/s
Nars Schiap l/s
True Babe l/g





and this was one of my outfits, I changed into something else after dark (photoshoot was from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm). Both dress and shoes are from a random boutique in Montreal.

June 28, 2010

I wore this look out on Saturday to watch the Ghana vs US game at bar with some friends and coworker. To my extreme happiness Ghana qualified to go through, I was definitely rooting for them as the only African team standing.

I went for sparkly teal and gold combination as it was a nice summer day and I wanted to shimmer and glimmer, haha! Hubby really likes these shades on me so he was quite pleased. Hope you guys like this too :)

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
Nars Sheer Glow - Medium 1 (Punjab)
Ben Nye powder
Nars Laguana Bronzer

Eyes
Delft p/p - base
Crest the Wave e/s - inner lid
Old Gold p/m - lid
Teal p/m - outer lid
NYX Black e/s - outer v
Blanc Type e/s - highlight
Undercurrent p/g - lower lashline
Blacktrack f/l - to line
Lancome Hypnose mascara

Lips
Blankety l/s
Nymphette l/g

June 26, 2010

Happy Saturday everyone! Hope you all starting a great weekend. I had a heck of a week in the office yet again but I'm glad it's finally weekend. This week is going to be super short as Thursday is Canada Day (a holiday for us here) and I have Friday off. Yey!

For the last day of the week, I put this quick purple look together. Purples are always awesome, I'm never disappointed when i wear them. Hope you guys like the look. What are your plans this weekend?

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
Annabelle mineralize foundation - barely beige
Nars Sin blush
Azalea Blossom b/o

Eyes
Fresco Rose p/p - base
Illegal Cargo e/s - inner lid
Nars Jolie Poupee duo - purple side on outer lid
Top Hat e/s - crease
Graphology e/s - outer v
Blanc Type e/s - highlight
Designer Purple p/g - lower lashline
Smashbox Heartbreaker l/l - to line

Lips
Trimmed in Pink l/l
St Germain l/s
Underage l/g











Oh, one of the things my parents brought back from Iran was the complete set of the "On Thousand and One Nights" books. I had especially asked for this book which is the most famous compliation of Middle Eastern folk tales. The stories were told by Persian queen Shahrzad to her King Sharyar over 1001 nights. Examples of the stories are Aladdin, Ali Baba, .... I cannot wait to read all of them. This book is a treasure in Persian history.

June 25, 2010

I have not posted a NOTD in moons! I just haven't really bought any new polishes but there are still quite a few in my polish stash that I haven't swatched. This one is Electric Coral by Color Club. The name says it all, it's a bright neon coral shade. It's definitely a great shade for hot summer days. I totally fail at photographing neons so you can't see how bright this is in the pic, but trust me it's one of the best neons ever made. Application was ok, I did three coats to get it opaque. I still have much better luck with Color Club neon vs China Glaze neons, they last much longer on me.

Here it is on my nails:

June 24, 2010

So we had a tiny bit of earthquake here yesterday and ppl are still talking about it. I was in the office when it happened and we all felt the entire building shaking. Since I was born in Iran and spent my childhood there, I'm quite used to earthqakes, it appens there quite frequently. I was not scared as everyone else but I think it's a good think that everybody was a little shaken. Maybe ppl can now understand what Haiti went through, not really the same but it opens your eyes.

Anyway, this is the look I sported to work yesterday. I love Nars Star Sailor duo. I think it's a great everyday duo. One side is a green toned light gold and the other side is a khaki shade; both gorgeous and pigmented. I love how these two shades bring out the gold flecks in my eyes. I paired them with coral lips which I don't seem to stop wearing this summer, lol! Hope you guys like this.

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
MUFE F&B #32
Ben Nye powder
Nars Laguana Bronzer
Nars Maldives Multiple

Eyes
Cash Flow p/p - base
Nars Star Sailor duo
Rich Life p/m - outer v
Blanc Type e/s - highlight
UD Stash 24/7 - lower lashline
BB Ivy Shimmer g/l - to line

Lips
Mouth Off l/l
Chanel Rouge Coco in Teheran (#56)
Perennial High Style l/g

June 24, 2010

Hey girlies! For this week's edition of Thursday's Poll, I thought I ask you about your favourite summer hair style as every summer I like to come up with fresh ideas myself.

I have mid-length wavy hair. My hair is not super thick (more like medium) but I've got a lot of it, lol! And right now I'm growing my bangs out. Since it's finally very hot in Ottawa, not to mention humid, I definitely like my hair outta my face and away from my neck if I'm outside for more than half an hour. My fave style this year is a combination of braided or twisted headband to keep my bangs up plus either a low side bun or another side braid. If I'm inside, I just leave me hair down and put on a headband. I don't really use any styling products besides my beloved Morrocainoil mask which I use once a week. I definitely favour the low maintenance styes especially in the summer.

What is your favourite summer hair style? I would love to hear your comments.

June 23, 2010

Happy Hump Day Everyone! Thank you all for your feedback on my tan vs no tan post. You all gave me great advice :) My hubby is also against my tanning, he finds it weird. It might have to do with the fact that he's from the Caribbean (half black half native American), so he's already dark enough. I'm gonna stick with self tanners this summer.

I did this look yesterday trying to break out of the summer bronzey looks I was posting all week, lol! I love silver shades with anything but my fave combo involving this shade is with pinks. Oh and hopefully this is the last time you'll see my eyebrows looking this nasty before I fix them. My bangs are also at an awkward stage right now; they need to be pulled up or braided to the side till they're longer. blaaaaah....

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
Nars sheer glow - Medium 1 (Punjab)
Ben Nye powder
Azalea Blossom b/o

Eyes
Painterly p/p - base
Silverthorn e/s - inner lid
Platinum p/m - lid
Stars n Rockets e/s - outer lid and a little above crease
Bright Fuchsia p/m - crease
Post Haste e/s - outer v
Your Ladyship p/m - highlight
Lise Watier silver e/l - lower lashline
Micorviolet f/l - to liner

Lips
Bubblegum l/s
Electric Fuchsia l/g









And this is outfit of the day. I don't think I've ever posted work outfits here but I prefer fitted shapes on dresses most of the time. This one is from Mexx and is my fave this summer. The shoes are from Nine West.

June 22, 2010

Hey guys! I did this look in a hurry yesterday as I was late for a site visit and loved the colour combo. I know it's sorta similar to my Copper Sparkle look though; super sparkly and shimmer on lid and matte brown in the crease. But I was in a hurry in my defense to be creative. Also, while my eyebrows are still not fixed I'm not inspired to do super awesome looks :( I'm hoping that can change this weekend.

Hope your week is going great. It's pretty hot and humid here, me no likey! Oh, and please my To Tan or Not To Tan and let me know what you think I should do.

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
MUFE F&B #32
Ben Nye powder
Eversun bpb

Eyes
Delft p/p - lid to above crease
Crest the Wave e/s - inner lid
Steel Blue p/m - lid
Espresso e/s - crease
Embark e/s - outer v
Blanc type e/s - highlight
UD Covet 24/7 - lower lashline
Lise Watier Black Teal - to line

Lips
YSL Nude Beige l/s - #1

June 21, 2010

Hey guys! I wanted to ask your opinion on an idea I've been entertaining for a while. I used to be a big fan of the fake bake look and enjoyed some fake glow using tanning bed in my early 20's. At some point (to be precise fall of 2008) I started to worry about the negative affects of tanning and stopped going. I've had this annoying urge to go back to the beds this summer though and I don't know how to fight it :(

I'm by no means fair skinned. I do have light neutral skintone (about NW25 in MAC studio fix) that burns easily in the sun so I find the natural tanning a bit painful. This summer to fight my urge to visit tanning beds I've started to use self tanner but still haven't found my favourite. I have a glow but not the tan I'm looking for.

Here's a picture of me au-natural, from this past January:


And here one of me after a few visit to the tanning salon from a couple of years ago:


That's where you guys come in. Which look you think suites me best, tanned or au-natural? And also, what are some of your favourite self tanners? If you do use tanning beds, how often do you go?

June 21, 2010

Copper Sparkle is a difficult pigment to work with. For one it's very frosty and also a little chunky. I did a look very similar to this a couple of months ago and wasn't very happy with the outcome. It came out much better this time around. If you are working with high frost pigments, definitely layer them; first a layer of pigment with mixing medium and then another dry layer. Also make sure that the lid and crease colour don't cross or it will look messy, especially if you are working with a matte crease like I am here.

Hope you have all started an amazing week. Please let me know what you think of this.

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
MUFE F&B #32
Ben Nye Powder
Nars Laguana bronzer
Fad-dabulous mb

Eyes
Rubenesque p/p - base
Wedge e/s - above crease
All That Glitters e/s - inner lid
Copper Sparkle p/m - lid
Embark e/s - crease
NYX Black e/s - outer v
Blanc Type e/s - highlight
Smashbox Heartbreaker l/l - to line
Lancome Hypnose mascara

Lips
Naked l/l
Honeylove l/s
Nars Risky Business l/g









And here's summer outfit of the day. The dress is from Forever 21 and thong wedges are from Clarks. I like the dress very much but the neckline is a little low for my not-so-humble assets and I always have to wear a tank top underneath :(

June 20, 2010

I was doing my makeup today (will be posted tomorrow) when I thought of this discussion post. I know everyone and their entire families posted a blog post about what to do in the summer and what makeup to wear. I wanted to make mine a little different. Rather than saying what everyone should do, I will share my summer routine and please feel free to share yours :)

I definitely go for warmer tones in general in the summer. I'm pretty cliche that way. I tend to favour cool toned, matte and muted shades most of the year so in the summer I go for warm, shimmer and bright shades. I love shades like MAC's All That Glitters, Amber Lights, Bronze, Coppering, Freshwater and Teal pigment as the temperature rises. I also am a couple of shades darker June-September (coz of sunlight and spray tanning) so that is definitely another reason for my change of preference.

As far as my face is concerned, I always start with my beloved Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45; I have neutral toned and very sensitive skin that burns easily. I also keep my foundation super light in warmer months, I alternate between a water based liquid (MUFE Face & Body) and light mineral powder (Annabelle Mineral). I totally bypass concealer as well. I tend to always wear a bronzer in additional to either blush or highlighter but never all three. In most cases I just stick to a bronzer. I keep a bottle of Evian spray in my car and at my desk to spray as needed.

Last but not least, I stay away from matte lipsticks. I go for either bold and creamy or nude and shimmer shades most of the time. Some of my summer staples are Nars Schiap layered with MAC True Babe l/g (for a super bold summer lips) or MAC's Blankety l/s layered with Nars Risky Business.

So there you have it. Please share our routines too. I love to hear what everyone likes to do with their face in the summer :)

June 20, 2010

Hey guys! Hope you are all having a great weekend. I'm sitting down to watch Italy vs New Zealand game and thought I share this look with you before. I wore this look to pick up my parents from the airport. They're finally back from their one month vacation in Iran (where we are ethnically from). It was great to see them after so long. And thank God my mom can finally fix my eyebrows this week sometimes. They are looking monstrous!

Anyway, I wore Port Red after a looooong time! This is one of the most gorgeous shades in my stash and is perfect for summer. I have probably done similar looks to this before, but this was very rushed, lol! Hope you guys like it anyway and excuse the white SPF face, haha! Flash and spf are def not good friends.

Face
Neutrogena dry touch SPF 45
Nars sheer glow - Medium 1 (Punjab)
Ben Nye powder
Prim n Promer blush

Eyes
Rubenesque p/p - base
Stila Jewel palette, gold shade - all over lid
Bronze e/s - crease
Embark e/s - outer v
Blanc Type e/s - highlight
UD Bourbon 24/7 - lower lashline
Blacktrack f/l - to line

Lips
Annabelle Flame l/l
Port Red l/s
Chanel Jupiter glossimer

June 17, 2010

I'm on fire with the blogging today! I'm home a little early so I thought I post this review before I start cooking. I can multi task between writing this post and watching France vs Mexico game.

I grabbed a couple of the MUFE Aqua Cream liners last week and have been testing them since. I didn't want to get more for now to see how I like them first. Let me just say: I'm going back for more!

Aqua creams are very creamy and come in a array of bright colours, you can even find some gorgeous metallic shades in the range. I grabbed #5 (a peachy pink) and #22 (emerald green). The aqua creams come in a screw top jar that's made of plastic, that to me is the only con. I kinda wish they came in a glass jar like MAC's paint pots. It's all a matter of preference though. They are priced at $25CAD for 6gm of product. I would say you get a good deal of products as the paint pots are $20CAD for 5 gm. The two shades I purchased are very true to the colour in the pot; they show up very pigmented and blend easily.

Performance-wise, I use these babies as base and they last on me without creasing until I take them off at night (10+hours). I don't have oily lids though, I have the same luck with MAC paint pots and GPS as well as Benefit creaseless shadows. I never had to use an additional base. Additionally I love how multi-purpose these are. I wore #5 today on my lips topped with MAC clear gloss and it was perfect. They'r a little drying on the lips but nothing a little lip balm can't fix.

In summary, all I gotta say is two thumbs up! I will be passing by Sephora soon to grab some more! See below for pictures:


#5


#22


#22 left, #5 right (on NW25 skin)

Have you purchased any of the MUFE aqua cream liners? how do you like them?

June 16, 2010

I went for a very blue look yesterday and I also matched my top which I hardly ever do. I really liked how bright this looked in person. Too bad I got caught in the rain on my way to and out of a site visit and my hair was totally ruined and my top totally wet :( It was overall a pretty nasty day in the office but it's over now. I'm already looking forward to the weekend. More soccer games to watch, yey!

Hope you are all having a great Thursday. Let me know how you like this look :)

Face
Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF45
Nars sheer glow - Punjab (Medium 1)
Ben Nye powder
Sculpt
Prim n Proper blush
Shell Pearl bp

Eyes
Pure White c/l - base for lid
Painterly p/p - base for above crease
Clear Sky Blue p/m - inner lid
Winkle e/s - mid lid
Clarity e/s - outer lid and crease
Prussian e/s - outer v
Tilt e/s - above crease
Vanilla p/m - highlight
Blue Peep f/l - lower lashline I frigging love this!
BB Cobalt Ink g/l - to line

Lips
High Top l/s