The Big Unveil!

Having referenced bareMinerals' Mineral Veil in the My Time in the Sun post, I decided that further explanation of the product and its variances might be helpful. Mineral Veil or a similar setting powder is an essential step in ensuring that your makeup lasts throughout the day. Mineral Veils can be used in conjunction with other mineral-consistency products or with liquids, stains, mousse formulas - whatever texture you prefer. As the veil is going to be effective in setting your makeup, it should be used over all other face products; i.e. foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, etc. Many brands offer setting powders and advertise them for use with their own line of products, naturally. I am particularly pleased with the bareMinerals veil options for face and would suggest Dermablend's Loose Setting Powder for body, as if applicable.

bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil (initially named Featherlight) $19

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My personal preference in setting powder, the Illuminating Mineral Veil, creates a subtly luminescent glow. The powder, though appearing a very light shade in its container, applies translucent with a softly shimmering effect. The shimmer is in no way glittery or overpowering, however, it will best suit those seeking a luminous finish, not matte. Added perks are its SPF 15 and its ability to keep your makeup fresh with only a small amount of product. I have had this veil for 4 months and estimate it lasting at least one more!

bareMinerals Hydating Mineral Veil $19

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The bareMinerals Hydrating Mineral Veil offers a water-based formula and a finishing powder in one. While the product will be effective in setting your makeup, the hydrating promise will not provide a free-pass to forgo moisturizer. Additionally, those with dry skin should continue to use a primer, as this will help create a smoother surface to work with.

bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil (now available with an SPF 25!) $19

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The Original Mineral Veil has now been re-formulated to include an SPF 25! Though, I must say that even with the SPF 70 I wore to the beach recently I somehow got a tan. Is the sun getting closer?? I kid and I'll spare you a global warming comment. Continuing, the Original Mineral Veil is simply a translucent powder. Though they appear similar in the pictures above, the Original Mineral Veil and the Illuminating Mineral Veil differ in that the Original Veil will not have the luminous effect that the Illuminating Veil has. The Original Mineral Veil will work nicely for those looking for a matte finish.

bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil (now available in SPF 25!) $19

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Though the Original Mineral Veil is translucent, the Tinted Mineral Veil is intended for use with Tan to Deep skin tones. Darker tones should use this Mineral Veil to avoid the chance of a light cast or lighter tones can use it to create an extremely subtle sun-kissed glow. Do not attempt to utilize this product in lieu of a bronzer or for similar effect, as the product is quite sheer and will not produce your desired results. The Tinted Mineral Veil is great for setting and creating a flawless matte look.

All of the bareMinerals Mineral Veils are going to help to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and will create a somewhat airbrushed effect. The powders are very light and effective in maintaining the look and feel of your makeup throughout the day. Apply with a Kabuki brush or your favorite powder brush in small amounts (using the swirl, tap, buff method demonstrated here) - as with all bareMinerals products, a small amount goes a long way!

Sweet dreams, Darling!

xoxox

My Time in the Sun.

My days in Savannah are numbered as the date of our departure back to the Golden State draws closer, so yesterday, we opted to take a trip out to Tybee Island to appreciate the beach that is only thirty minutes away from us. Despite the beautiful weather, we packed three bags of items we could potentially need in any situation because we like to be prepared on road trips (even small ones)! I even followed the SPF instructions and slathered 70 screen on at least thirty minutes prior to sun exposure.

Most of the items we hauled along with us included snacks, towels, beach blankets and extra clothing in case of wind, rain, snow, sleet, a typhoon...you never know, right? I did, however, pack a small cosmetic bag with just a couple of essentials. Items in my beach touch-up makeup bag included:

A Physician's Formula bronzer in Baked Tan $11.49

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The Physician's Formula Baked Tan bronzer gave me a pleasant surprise as it was the perfect tan hue and had a nice texture. It was extremely easy to blend and will work nicely for contouring as well. At just over $10, I had no worries in regard to taking it to the beach with me as I would have with other, more costly and fussy products.

Loreal True Match liquid foundation in Nude Beige W3 $8.99

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An excellent liquid foundation that provides a nice amount of coverage. This product applies smoothly and is easy to blend. You will see best results when using this over a primer and under a setting powder like the bareMinerals Mineral Veil. It has an SPF 17, but I suggest using other SPF products as well, especially for days at the beach (hence the SPF 70 I mentioned above). Not only does this product's performance gain it kudos from me, the selection is shoppable as well. The shades offered are clearly organized as they are grouped into W, N, and C depending on whether your skin tone is warm, neutral, or cool. I have warm (golden) undertones and am a level 3, with level one being the lightest, seven or eight being the darkest. Though I have tried liquid foundations from varying price points, I am most pleased with this product as an everyday liquid foundation.


A powder brush like this one from Ulta $30

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One of the aforementioned VS lipsticks $12 in a nude hue and two other MAC lipsticks in
Viva Glam Gaga and Snob $14.

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I ended up not even needing to touch my touch-up bag once! It did, I must admit, make me feel a bit better knowing that I had it at my disposal just in case...perhaps similar to a child's baby blanket, my touch-up bag makes me feel a bit more comfortable.

Best of luck packing your bags, Beautiful!

Cheers to adventures.

xoxox

The Highlight of My Day.

With summer just around the corner and the world clamoring for the perfect sunless tan, let us not overlook the ultimate in creating the effect of a healthy, glowing complexion - radiance.

These three products are excellent for giving the illusion of a higher cheekbone and a radiant glow. Apply them along your cheekbone while concentrating your bronzer just below or your blush at the apple and extending along softly. You can also use these products down your nose for a thinning effect, or atop the bow of your mouth for a fuller-looking upper lip. Apply in small amounts at a time, adding more as appropriate so as to avoid the Edward Cullen-enters-the-sunlight sparkling effect (to clarify that last Edward Cullen reference, click here, another deposit in your pop-culture piggy bank).

BareEscentuals Pure Radiance $18.00

A mineral powder that is targeted for use all-over face. You can opt against total shimmer and use this along cheekbones for a more subtle, glowing look. Perfect for use over both liquid and mineral foundations.

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Smashbox Soft Lights $28.00

A traditional pressed pan that is an excellent highlighter for cheekbones, along the nose, just above the upper lip, and even along the brow bone. The highlighter may appear barely noticeable when applying, but the sunlight will catch for a soft, luminous glow. Perfect for use over both liquid and mineral foundations.

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Benefit High Beam $24.oo

A semi-dense liquid formula that applies with a nail-polish type applicator and rubs in along cheekbones, nose, above the bow of the mouth and along the brow bone. Recommended for use over moisturized skin or over That Gal brightening primer, also by Benefit. Because the formula is not a powder, I would recommend one of the above mentioned for use over liquid foundations or mineral makeup. Perfect for the minimalist who would like a bit of a healthy glow.

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Now get glowing, Gorgeous! And remember to try the products out a little bit at a time until you've achieved your desired effect!

xoxox