Starting out in Makeup : Part 1 - Using Primer

Face - Creating the Base

I've met so many ladies who don't wear any makeup but really want to. The problem is that they don't know where to start. 

You'll find millions of different makeup products out on the market ranging from inexpensive to very expensive all declaring they can do amazing things. It can be confusing and intimidating for those who don't know much about makeup to know just where to start and to work out if it is worth paying extra for the luxury brands . Plus some makeup shops (and staff -ha ha!) can be really intimidating...

The best way to enter the makeup world, is starting off with the basics. I'm going to help you cover all the basics starting with the "Face" and breaking products into little sections so it isn't too overwhelming. I will also cover brows, eyes and lips once I've finished with covering the face

Lets gets started!

Face Primer

The purpose of using a face primer is to help your BB cream/foundation last longer, blend easier and look smoother. It also fills in fine lines and pores and can help control oil for those who have a oily skin type. 

Primer is used after your moisturizer and before your BB cream/Foundation.  It creates a base for your foundation and I consider it an essential product in summer as it really helps your foundation last through the heat of the day.

Affordable Options: 

• She Pure Magic Primer (all skin types ) 

• Rimmel Stay Matte Primer (oily skin)

Splurge Options: 

• Smashbox Photo Finish

• Mac Prep and Prime Natural Radiance

Personally sometimes I skip using primer in my makeup routine...  Some day I just want to do wear a touch of makeup but I can really tell the difference in how long my makeup lasts and how fresh it looks.  So if you want your makeup to last all day I really recommend using a primer first and you will be able to see the difference.

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DUPE ALERT : MAC Matte Finish Lipstick - Lady Danger

MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in Shade Lady Danger vs.
NYX Matte Lipstick in Shade Pure Red

Image credit - http://beautyproductsaremycardio.com

Quite some time ago I purchased a MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in the shade Lady Danger.... I don't often wear red lipstick but of course everyone needs to own one red lipstick that flatters their skin tone! I found this warm-toned red, super flattering and lovely to wear on a special occasion when I wanted to rock standout lips :)

Unfortunately I mislaid this perfect lipstick and due to budget constraints have not replaced it - even though I would have loved to.

So I did what every sense girl would do and started looking for a more economically replacement. As NYX is now more readily available in NZ I was thrilled to learn that the NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red is often recommended as a dupe. So for a small outlay I purchased a new lipstick and agree that it seems to be the perfect dupe for Lady Danger :)

The colour is almost totally identical and it feels great on my lips! Personally I can't really tell any difference between the MAC and NYX lipsticks once I've put them on and both seem to last well on my lips.

Obviously it is lovely to wear MAC lipsticks and they feel luxurious in their little black bullet casing however when you are looking for a cheaper similar product I definitely feel like I've hit the jackpot with the NYX Matte Lipstick.

Do you love dupes as well?  Let me know your favourite....

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REVIEW : ZA Cosmetics BB Cream

Za Total Hydration 12 in 1 BB Cream

Really a 12 in 1 BB cream???

ZA say this...

The Za Total Hydration BB CREAM is a multi-functional 12-in-1 BB cream that will give your skin a healthy natural glow.

Za Total Hydration BB CREAM has a special mineral formula, it moisturises your skin and protects it from the sun’s harmful rays with SPF 43 and PA+++, it also works as a foundation and conceal to hide blemishes and other skin concerns, and smooth’s skin to achieve a healthy skin tone.

Can we really believe one product can do the job of 12 products?

I was very keen to give this product a try as I really love it when I discover a product that makes my life easier.  After trying this product I was hooked and it is a perfect product for me when I'm travelling :)

So here are are my thoughts on this product...

It is great value for money - I paid less than $12.00 for it at LoveMy Makeup

The squeeze tube makes it easy to dispense and you don't need to worry about the container breaking in your makeup bag

The lightweight coverage blends well into my skin. I use my finger tips to apply!

At SPF 43 it is good extra sun protection for my skin

(although I still like to use a proper sunscreen if I'm heading to the beach)

Gives your skin extra moisture. Acts as double moisturiser when conjunction with your usual moisturiser

A small amount of product goes a long way and it looks really natural on 

It asts well through the day - even when the day is hot and sticky

To me the only downside is that it only comes in one shade - the colour suits my fair colourings but won't match darker skin tones

I'm not sure if does the job of 12 products but it certainly is a great multi purpose product and certainly worth trying if you are looking for a good BB cream with SPF

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REVIEW - NYX Professional Makeup - Lip Lingerie Lipsticks

NYX Professional Makeup 

Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick

Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick

OK I'm probably a bit late to the party in trying this product as I realise they have been around for a while...  However until relatively recently it has been rather tricky to get your hands on this range in NZ. I'm definitely pleased to see more NYX Professional Makeup products available in the local market :)

(NAME CHANGE - We are used to talking about NYX products the proper company name is NYX Professional Makeup so I'm going to try to use this going forward!)

NYX Lip Lingerie lipsticks are liquids lipstick with a soft matte finish. The range is well known for the large range of nude colours and their must be a nude to suit every single skin tone!   When you are looking at all shades in the holder it can be rather overwhelming and personally I found it rather tricky to see the difference in some of the colours as they look so similar. However when you swatch them you can see they are actually quite different on your skin tone. 

Before I even applied Lip Lingerie I noticed the yummy smell...  I love vanilla scent and these are vanilla scented :) I tried 'Lace Detail' and it is really pretty on my lips.

To be honest I didn't really like the applicator wand, I mean it is ok but could be better.  I didn't feel it necessarily applied the product that evenly and smoothly on my lips. They have a mousse-like texture and although they are quite pigmented I did apply a second coat to ensure my lips looked perfect.

The product dries to a soft matte once it is on your lips.  As seems standard with liquid matte lip products they can feel a bit drying depending on your skin type. However the product looked good and lasted all day through eating and drinking etc. and that is really important to me.  Costing under $12.00 from LoveMy Makeup it was a thumbs up purchase!

All in all I would recommend this product but probably wouldn't wear it every single day but then with so many great lip products on the market I need to mix it up!

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REVIEW : Wet 'n Wild Gel Polish

Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel

To be honest my nails aren't in that great of shape at the moment but I've been very keen to try the Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel so please excuse the lack of photos of my nails!

Part of the reason that I've been so keen to try this product is that weirdly you can't actually view the product as the bottle is black. It seems a bit strange that you need to rely on the sticker on the front of bottle for the colour. I don’t know about you but I really like to see the actual polish colour through the clear glass like most other brands. 

Being a 1 step polish you don't need a base or top coat or UV light to set the colour. Although they're calling them a "gel", it isn't really a true gel because it doesn't require a light to cure it and in my opinion NO polish can give the whole gel look without using gel!

I found the brush applied the polish well and recommend several lighter coats of polish rather than 1 thicker coat. It dries fast and initially has the look and durability of gel. However don't expect it to look and stay like a gel manicure after a week. The gloss finish fades and the polish lasted about 5-6 days before needing to be reapplied. This is still longer than regular polish so I was pretty happy and will definitely buy more colours in the range. It is pretty good value for a nail polish.

I tried 'Pale in Comparsion', a soft pink and 'Cyantific Method', a shade of blue and the sticker on the bottle was pretty representative of both colours but didn't show the exact shade. This is totally fine if you are not wanting a perfect colour match, if you are very particular with your colour selection I suggest you stick with buying polish in clear bottles.

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PRODUCT REVIEW : LA Girl Metal Liquid Lipstick

LA Girl Metal Liquid Lipstick

LA Girl Metal Liquid Lipstick

18 stunning shades
Only $11.19 each
Available now from LoveMy Makeup stores

 It is always exciting when LA Girl releases a new product so I was thrilled to get my hands on some of their new Metal Liquid Lipsticks.

Now LA Girl is one of my favourite brands as they offer on trend products at an affordable price point.

I wasn't too sure what to expect when I saw they had released this line. Maybe I was worried they were going to be that heavy metallic look that I think is horrible! However I'm pleased to advise they although they do give your lips a metallic look but not too heavy & they look really pretty on (swatches below)

They are a long lasting lip product and I really like they way last even through eating and drinking, so you aren't always needing to reapply. I felt the texture was a bit like a whipped mousse to apply,  wasn't drying on my lips and didn't feel sticky after application.

There are 18 shades available ranging from a good selection of nudes through to more funky shades like deep purple, bold orange & blue.  

Definitely a must buy product in my opinion...

My favourite shades are Smoulder & Lustrous.  

Let me know you have tried them yet & what you think - I'll keen to know!

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Save or Splurge on Mascara?

Mascara: Splurge! 

If only we all had a limitless makeup budget...
But we need to make choices on where to spend our hard earned money and I think splurging on mascara is well worth it.

Not all mascara is the same and they can create drastically different looks. Depending whether you want some length and definition, noticeable volume, or you don't have naturally black eyelashes and need colour, you will be able to find a mascara that cater to your needs. 

Although a lasting, non-irritating formula is a must, the effectiveness of the mascara is in the brush. Better quality mascaras will have brushes that maximise volume, lift, and curl.

I suggest you buy the best mascara you can afford, ask your friends for their recommendations and speak with some makeup artists about what you are wanting to achieve with your mascara.


 However remember drug store brands like Maybelline and Rimmel do make fantastic mascaras as well  :)

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Using Cream Blush

USING CREAM BLUSH

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