Hey! I did this bronze summer skin look a while ago when I was in Trinidad. It’s the look that I also wearing in my latest video (check it out here). This is a great look for warmer weather. Let’s face it, no one wants to wear a lot of makeup when it’s hot, but you still want that glowy, bronzy, sun-kissed look!
There are a few keys to getting this effortless look. First start with good skincare and good skin. The better the condition of your skin, the less product you would have to use. Definitely treat your skin with the utmost care, start with the basics, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen. Even if you don’t have amazing skin, you can still get this look. I know the trend now to pile on the foundation and to have super heavy contouring but this is a no #cakeface look. Pick the lightest coverage that allows you to even out your skintone. If you have eruptions or texture due to acne, you can’t really cover that up with foundation without looking overtly made up. So just pick something lightweight.
The end of August/beginning of September is often a marked time of year for me. There is always a lot going on at that time. A lot of change. For one it is Independence Day on August 31 for my beloved twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago. It’s Labour Day in the US, the beginning of Fashion Week in NY and other major cities and it is the unofficial end of summer! I know, heartbreaking!
As you may know, this year, I dedicated to brows and gorgeous skin. I still love a colourful, somewhat complex eye look (that I WILL wear to the gym), but I wanted to see what else I could do, how else I could challenge myself and not just rely on eyeshadows to give me a beautiful look. I have been enjoying glowy skin, minimal eye makeup and bold lips! A clean look with minimal product.
So here are the products that I have reached for over the past few months.
My summer favourites!
Facial oil – my number 1 for glowy skin! I have been experimenting with different brands and also with making my own! Packed with nutrients that help lock in moisture. Great for ALL skin types, including oily ones. Just need to get those that are thin and similar to natural sebum.
Cream eye shadow sticks – There are a lot of them out there. I like the ones from tarte especially this one in rose gold that is shimmery and not glittery and looks natural on my skin. Makeup done in a few seconds.
Modster Eyeliner by Ardency Inn in Cream – a yellow liner that I use on my lower lashline to brighten up my eyes. Better than using a white pencil
Milani Powder Gel Eye Shadow in 04 Bella Caffé – beautiful texture! Almost matte and it is a few shades lighter that my skin color. Looks barely there and it is a great way to get a clean even look on my eye lids when wearing graphic eyeliner and/or bold lips. I recently did a review here.
Senna Eye Color Glow in Cordovan – One of my favourites! Butter smooth shimmer and great for when I want something chocolate on my lid.
NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley – matte black gel liner. A must for hot weather. Does not budge! I use it with an angled brush to create a winged liner or on my lower waterline.
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black – recently rediscovered this and I can see why this is a classic. Great formula, actual volume and intense black colour. A great drugstore find!
Cozzette Tapered Vegan brush in S175 – One of the BEST brushes that I have used. I love a beautiful, well designed handle (love the lacquered purple!). And get this, it is vegan i.e. made with synthetic fibres and is super super soft! I will do a review on this soon. Great for laying a wash of colour on the lids or for definition in the crease.
Becca Beach Tint in Papaya – Holy grail product for years. Cream blush that is water resisitant. Can be subtle or bold if you like. I have written about it lots of times. I need to get the liquid version of this!
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Stained Gloss in Dekadent – Don’t let the tube fool you. This gives a glossy shine with a hint of colour.
Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Stiletto – a reddish orange. LOVE THIS! Gorgeous colour! I have posted it on Instagram many times. Must have for women of colour. Very bold!
Magnolia Makeup Illuminating Powder in Soul Glo – Makeup brand from some fabulous women in New Orleans and this is one of their signature products! I use this a subtle hightlight on the high points of my cheekbones. Always get compliments when using this. Not chunky or glittery. Perfect for dark and very dark skin, but they also have lighter colours.
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Topaz – lots of hype on this product and it is well deserved! Easy to apply and it just lights up my face. I keep saying, don’t sleep on Becca. They are fantastic and very women of colour friendly. Silky soft and smooth. Finely milled. Gorgeous on the skin. Lots of compliments on that one too!
So I attended the launch of the NARS Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection at the NARS boutique on Bleecker Street, and I was instantly drawn to the intense, saturated colours, especially for a holiday collection! This limited edition collection features a new/special texture that appears in this collection only called Cinematic. Actually it’s just they eye shadows and lipsticks, which allows them to be buttery smooth and highly pigmented at the same time. NARS has amazing quality products to begin with but this just kicked the level up a few more notches.
Anyway, I don’t have a lot (or any as a matter of fact) copper-toned eye shadows, so I picked up this gorgeous colour Cambodia.
Cambodia Cinematic Eye Shadow by NARS
Swatch, Cambodia
Très riche!! A beautiful coppery, reddish brown colour! Actually this texture reminds me of the previously released MAC Starflash texture. Very finely milled, but pigmented and smooth.
So for this look, I decided to also combine my favourite eye shadow from the summer as well incorporating a little colour theory.
Here’s the look, that I previously posted on Instagram! Follow me here —-> NoireTropicalB
I enjoyed digging into beauty this year. I loved that we embraced colour, texture, prints or anything bold. It was ok to colour block or to dress with some opulence. I love that these trends will continue into 2012. I’m over all-neutral looks.
So here’s what I loved in 2011 (in no particular order):
I love this product! I have it in Peach and it is probably the easiest blush to apply. Super smooth texture and it just melts into the skin making to colour look like it came from within. Works on all skin types. A must have in all seasons!
So I have wanted to do a look inspired by Adele for a long time now. Adele is an amazing chanteuse! I love her voice, her look, her style, vibes, everything! Her albums are full of true, true tabanca songs. She’s just stunning to me!
Adele’s signature style seems to be modern 60’s makeup. The focus is always the eyes, winged out liner, full, flirty lashes and the rest of the face is understated. Nude lips, matte foundation, cheek contouring and not a lot of shimmer. She also follows this up with full, sexy, voluminous hair and spiked nails. I love it all! It matches her personality and curvy figure well and I hope she does not succumb to societal pressures.
Anyway, I saw the October 2011 cover of Vogue UK and had to a look based on it.
