Mac Mineralize Dupes

Mac Mineralize Dupes by ladyjskincare on polyvore.com

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish $29

• Soft & Gentle vs. Milani Baked Blush Amber Nectar $7.99
• Gold Deposit  vs. Milani Fantastic all over Baked Bronzer Face & Body Bronze $8.99
• Blonde vs. Milani Baked Blush Dolce Pink $7.99
• Redhead vs. Milani Baked Blush Terra Sole & Bellisimo Bronze $7.99

Mac Mineralize Blush $23

• Fresh Honey vs. Milani Baked Blush Corralina $7.99
• Love Joy vs. Revlon Colorstay Mineral Blush Roseberry $11.99 or Palladio Baked Blush Rosey $7
• Dainty vs. Milani Illuminating Face Powder Beautys Touch $9.49
• Subtle Breeze vs. Palladio Baked Blush Wish $7
•  Gentle vs. Milani Baked Blush Berry Amore $7.99
• Early Morning vs. Milani Baked Blush Terra Sole $7.99
• Gleeful vs. Palladio Baked Blush Choc-au-lait $7
• Love Thing vs. Milani Red Vino $7.99
• Warm Soul vs. Milani Illuminating Face Powder Hermosa Rose $9.49 

*Milani cosmetics available at Walmart, CVS & Walgreens.

*Palladio cosmetics available at Sally's Beauty Supply & Ulta.

*Revlon available at Walmart, Target, CVS &Walgreens.

How to Choose a Foundation

Stumped on what foundation you should be using?  Take into consideration your skin type and needed coverage.  Apply in this order: 1. Moisturizer 2. Spf 30+
3. Primer 4. Foundation 5. Concealer 6. Powder (to set your canvas.)

How to Choose a Foundation by ladyjskincare on polyvore.com

1. Liquid: For all skin types and offers sheer to full coverage.  The easiest to apply.  Apply with foundation brush, flat top brush or clean fingers.
2. Stick/Cream: Dry or mature skin and full coverage.  Often has moisturizing benefits.  Apply with stick or foundation brush and blend out with brush.
3. Powder: Oily skin and buildable coverage.  Wear sheer to full coverage.  Apply with a kabuki brush (foundation) or fluffy powder brush (setting powder).
4. Cream to Powder: Oily skin and full coverage.  Dries to a matte finish.  Apply with sponge or foundation brush.
5. Mineral: Option for those wanting a more natural foundation and have sensitive skin.  Apply with kabuki brush  or fluffy powder brush. 
6. Tinted Moisturizer: For a sheer wash of color on any skin type.

Tips

• Blend, blend, blend your foundation for the most natural and seamless look. Avoid a line of demarcation and blend, this means blend a little foundation further down your jaw and on your neck.
• Test foundations in natural light and try a sample first if possible.
• The correct shade will disappear on your skin.
• Clean brushes once a week.  Soak for 15 minutes in a cup of warm water and anti-bacterial fragrance free dish soap.  Do not fully immerse bristles, this will loosen the glue binding the hairs to the brush.  Thoroughly rinse brush with warm water till clear, squeeze excess water and lay flat on a paper towel until dry. 

Foundation for Women of Color

Foundation for Women of Color by ladyjskincare on polyvore.com

I have gone through the frustration of finding a foundation that suits my skin.  Most cosmetics company's foundations, concealers and power's have a pink or beige undertone and are not suitable for ethnic skin tones, giving a unnatural and ashy appearance.  Here are MY top picks for women of color.   These brands cater to women of color, with yellow, red and blue undertones.

1. Bobbi Brown is my personal favorite!  My shade:6 Golden.  Foundations are very natural and look like second skin.
2. Giorgio Armani
3. Nars  My shade: Tahoe
4. Mary Kay
5. Iman
6. Black Up, Frances #1 Ethnic makeup brand, now available in the USA.  Yellow base, matte, full-coverage foundation. My Shade: FM01.
7. Face Atelier
8. Illamasqua 
9. Milani has affordable bronzers & blush!

Lady J's Favorite Primers for Acne Prone & Oily Skin

• Tarte Recreate Sillicone free Primer $32 
• Ulta Hydro Primer $22
• Derma-e Vitamin A Pore Refining Gel $14

Lady J's Favorite Primers for Acne Prone & Oily Skin by ladyjskincare featuring heart shaped jewelry

Plastic Bat heart shaped jewelry
£6 - hannahzakari.co.uk

Korres Face Primer 1.01 oz
$28 - sephora.com

Clinique 'Pore Refining Solutions' Instant Perfector
$18 - nordstrom.com

Products for a Brighter Complexion

Products for a Brighter Complexion by ladyjskincare on polyvore.com

Korres Wild Rose Foundation WRF4, $30
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer -Sand, $22
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder, $22
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask 3.4 oz, $54
Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20, $45
Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, 8 Oz, $25
Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, $18
Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum, $45

Love Your Style Solange

 

That skin, makeup, hair, killer style I love it all!!=)

I would love to raid Solo's closet.

We will miss Whitney Houston

I am deeply saddened by the news of Whitney Houston's death.  She shared her gift of music with the world.  Prayers to her daughter and family. 

Beauty Obsession of The Day: Eva Marcille

Killer cheekbones. Flawless skin. Hypnotic eyes. Diva strut.  Eva Marcille is a DIVA!  I loved her determination on America's Next Top Model and envy her immaculate makeup and funky style.  Eva is constantly working with her talented cousin, Terrell Mullin makeup artist to the stars.  WERK!

Beauty Obsession of The Day: Rachel McAdams

I have been a fan of Ms. Rachel since The Notebook.  She looks fabulous with or without makeup and is a fan of Organic cosmetics and skincare, including John Masters Organics.  She is always red carpet ready with celebrity MUA's Troy Jensen and her sister, Kayleen McAdams.

Apple Stem Cells in Green Beauty Youth Boost Facial Serum

A vitamin packed serum, Green Beauty Youth Boost Facial Serum firms, illuminates, evens skin tone, and smoothes the appearance of fine lines.  Also contains Swiss apple stem cells, clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  Green Beauty was created created to be pure, authentic, beautiful, luxurious, natural and organic.  In a clinical trial over 4 weeks, 100% of subjects showed a visible improvement in wrinkle depth and crows feet.  This serum also makes a great primer as it left my skin silky smooth, a great canvas for foundation. 

Ingredient Benefits:

• Apple Stem Cells reduces wrinkles.
• Vitamin A&C enhance skin luminosity.
• Amla fruit makes skin glow.
• Green Tea contains antioxidants & protects against damaging free radicals.
• Licorice root brightens skin and evens skin tone.

PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica (Swiss Apple Stem Cells) protects longevity of skin stem cells, fights against UV Radiation, repairs DNA, protects against oxidation (prevents skin from darkening & physical signs of aging), and preserves the youthful appearance of your skin.  I find this serum is great for preventing physical signs of aging and I recommend for normal, dry, combination skin.  Acneic skin may break out.  As for fine lines and crows feet, this serum is a great pick me up!  This serum comes in a air tight pump, great for keeping ingredients fresh and active.

Contains NO:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Propylene Glycol
• Parabens
• Petrolatum Ingredients
• Mineral Oil
• Phthalates
• Artificial Colors
• Animal derived ingredients or testing

Product provided by Green Beauty $38
 This review is my honest opinion.