The Lust List: Summer Edition

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer:
This is one of those products that has been on my shopping list forever.  I always swatch it in store, get excited, put it in my basket and then put it back every time, thinking to myself "I'll just get it next time!"  It has a beautiful consistency and is supposed to have the technology in it to diffuse light, and soften your completion.  Retail: $32.00

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish:
I find that my skin always clears up in the summer time; it's amazing what a little sunshine and vitamin D can do for your complexion!  I always like to revamp my skin care routine around this time of year and I'm yet to find an exfoliant that I absolutely love.  First Aid Beauty (FAB) is a brand that's new to me and this facial polish (doesn't that sound fancy?) uses natural exfoliants that are supposed to be gentle enough to use daily.  Sounds to me that it could potentially become a new summer skin care essential.  Retail: $30.00

Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation:
I've been using my Naked Skin Foundation on a daily basis but as the weather gets warmer I think I need something with a natural finish and offers some SPF protection!  I love BB creams and this foundation claims to "combine the benefits of BB and foundation with light to medium coverage and SPF 30"  which sounds pretty damn good to me.  Retail: $41.00

Benefit Gimme Brow:
I love the idea of this product; it's meant to give you a natural brow effortlessly, which I like (who doesn't), and it's waterproof.  I've read some great reviews and I think it would be perfect for summer time when I want to do the bare minimum but still look put together.  Retail: $26.00

Benefit POREfessional:
(Not pictured) This is another one of those products that has been on my shopping list for so long.  I received a sample with purchase from Sephora a hundred years ago and immediately fell in love.  It probably has the best texture out of all the primers I've tried... But it seems that primers are always the things I put off purchasing.  I guess I would rather buy a powder or a foundation than something that goes underneath it.  Retail: $37.00

Have you tried any of these products? What's on your wishlist this season? 

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xoxo

#BLOGGERSDOITBETTER: Finding The Perfect Bronzer

Bronzers are beautiful; when using a product that compliments your skin tone can achieve the perfect sun-kissed glow.  However, the trick can be finding the right product in order to avoid looking orange, muddy, or dirty.

To help with your search here are four tips/ tricks to find and apply the perfect bronzer:

Know the difference between contouring and bronzing 
Contouring is the strategic placement of bronzing products in order to make your face look slimmer, your nose smaller, and your cheek bones more pronounced.  Contouring is generally done in the hollows of your cheeks (right under the cheekbones), your hair line, down the sides of your nose, and along your jaw line. A good contour mimics a shadow so as a general rule using a cool-toned brown is best.

Bronzing is dusting bronzer around the areas of face that the sun naturally hits, giving you an all over glow and a slight tan.  Around your hairline, above and on your cheekbones, and down the center of your nose. In contrast to contouring, warm browns are best when bronzing because a tan adds warmth to your skin tone and warm colors will look the most natural.


Using the right tool
For contouring purposes a small and precise brush works best.  Popular among many is the NARS Ita Brush, but it seems hard to get your hands on.  I rarely contour but when I do I chose the MAC 109 rounded contour brush, or the Sigma F86 Tapered Kabuki (which is technically a concealer brush but the dense tapered brush makes application easy)

While bronzing your face a larger fluffy brush will give you a sunkissed glow and ensure you apply an even amount of product.  One of my favorites is the Real Techniques Blush Brush.  It's also a tapered, tulip shaped brush with synthetic hairs that diffuse colors seamlessly into the skin.


Choosing a shade
When choosing a bronzer look for a product 2 shades darker than your skin tone.  This will ensure it's not too dark, which can become muddy; or too light, which may not show up at all.

Like mentioned briefly above it is also important to note the undertones of the products your choosing.  On lighter skin products that are too warm in tone can appear orange.  On most skin tones a golden bronze will work, but if you're really fair (with cool, pink undertones) a more peach tone will compliment you nicely.


Choosing a finish
Once again, generally speaking there are three finishes to chose from:

Matte: Best for contouring, or also what I reach for when I'm using a blush with a lot of shimmer in it.  When using a matte bronzer you run the risk of looking flat, which is why I pair it with a shimmer blush or a highlight.  I like Too Faced Chocolate Soleil in Medium/ Deep but there is also a Light/ Medium shade for lighter skin tones.
Satin: The most natural looking finish.  My favorite go- to bronzer right now is MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Dark Golden.  Not technically a "bronzing powder," but since it is a skin finish (two shades darker than my skin tone!) it's a very natural- looking option.  It blends like a dream and gives the sun-kissed glow we've been talking about.  Satin finishes will also be the most forgiving if you go a little overboard.
Shimmer: Beautiful for the summer time; a bronzer with a shimmer in it will give you a glowing highlighted effect.  NARS Laguna Bronzer is my go to product for a glow-y look as the powder blends out beautifully and isn't too shimmery.  L'Oreal Glam Bronze in Brunettes is a more budget friendly option that gives a beautiful highlighted flush of color to the skin.  

Choosing a finish is completely a personal preference so don't be afraid to play around and try a variety of products in order to find one that works before for you.  Although you can find excellent products in the drug store I'm a strong believer in shopping in places like Sephora that have associates to help you test and try on product (and even return them within 30 days if it's not working for you)

What are you favorite bronzers/ bronzing products? Which finish do you prefer?

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

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xoxo