smokey-glow

I've been in the mood for a worn-in, glowing, smokey eye look these days. I just bought the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in Matte black (which one of my students Shirley highly recommended) and wow... am I ever impressed. It's so intense with a really nice matte finish that blends effortlessly!

Here is a quick way to try this look:

1. Apply foundation like one of my all-time faves, MAC Face & Body. Rub into hands and pat on your face. Apply a touch over your lips as well to tone the natural colour down.
2. Apply the MUFE, or any black eyeliner around your eyes. Smudge with a brush. Then wrap any shimmer shadow around the edges, such as a black-gold, bronze, olive, eggplant or burgundy.
3. Clean up any fall-out under your eyes, and apply a concealer. I've been using Clinique Airbrush concealer for this look, since the little brush makes application precise and easy.
4. Apply bronzer, like my fave Mark Pro-Bronze along cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin.
5. Dip your finger in a little Korres Lip butter, pat over foundation on your lips. You can also tap on the higher parts of your cheeks for a bit of natural colour and glow.

Mark cheek bronzer
$13 - meetmark.com

Clinique concealer
$20 - saksfifthavenue.com

Korres lip treatment
$11 - asos.com

Beauty product
$19 - amazon.com

natural-care

I've gotten into using more natural products over the past couple years. I've mentioned before that I have very sensitive skin, which my Son has inherited and we both suffer from mild excema. This made me want to look into more natural options with less possible irritants.

Last year I was PVR-ing a cheesy but informative show called "Simply Beautiful" on the ONE Network, which focused on natural living. They talked about how skin is our largest organ, so anything we put on topically does get absorbed. That made me rethink a lot of what I was using.

I'm so glad that there are so many great natural lines available in all price ranges. Some products have been better than others, so from my experience, this is what I loved:

Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream
$31 CDN @ www.spaboutique.com
My friend Donna introduced me to this line, when she worked for them.
This cleanser is gorgeous, doesn't leave the skin tight, but
nice and soft. Can remove makeup well. The smell is great.

Yonka Phyto 58
$72 CDN @ www.spaboutique.ca
One of my students used this line, as soon as I smelled it, I was
immediately attracted. She ended up getting a few samples for me from
her facialist, and it was like a dream. The price is high, but a little
goes a long way and it does work. The natural scent from the essential
oils is like the best aromatherapy treatment as well!

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream
$29.50 @ www.origins.com
I heard about this one through a beauty blogger. I've had a hard time
finding a good eye cream. This one feels really nice, doesn't
interfere with eye makeup because it's quite light. It's a
great texture, almost light yet rich, so it absorbs easily.

Origins Mega-Mushroom Mask
$35 @ www.origins.com
I'm extremely sensitive to many masks, but this one works well.
Skin gets softer and dry patches smoother. The smell is funny,
I like it, but I can see that is might be kind of gross to
some people. Lets just say you can tell it's unscented.

Josie Maran Argan Primer Mist
$36 @ www.josiemarancosmetics.com
I'd been looking for a natural primer. I first tried
the Korres one, but  my skin broke out from it.
This one is a lot lighter and feels great on. 

Burts Bees lip balm
$4.99 @ www.londondrugs.com
I love coloured lip balms. It's so easy to throw on, get a little sheer colour and for me that's good enough for day-to-day. It's great that you are caring for and protecting your lips at the same time. 

Korres Lip Glaze or Butter
$12-14 each @ www.sephora.com
(Usually they have value sets like the one shown)
This was the first natural tinted lip conditioner I
tried. I love the colours they have, the texture and
smell are so good too!