The Importance of Make-up Sanitisation

What do MAC, RiRi Woo and herpes have to do with make-up sanitisation?  Click here to find out.  The outcome of this case should be interesting.

Make-up sales reps should do everything in their power to protect customers from the spread of germs and infections.  Sadly, I have not found this to be the case. This is the latest occurence that I witnessed first hand. 

We all have our part to play, don't think that make-up sanitisation is only for make-up artists and make-up sales reps.  It should be incorporated into your personal make-up routine as well.

Here are some tips from a previous post that I did on Make-up Hygiene.

You can also check out my 'Keeping It Clean' Facebook Series Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 for four important personal make-up sanitisation tips.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Review - Bodico Forehead & Chin Strips

On my last visit to Collins I saw a different (and cheaper) brand of pore strips on the shelf.

The adventurer in me decided to give it a try.  I figured that I could trust Collins' judgement, or so I thought. HUGE MISTAKE!!!

I bought the Forehead & Chin Strips to see if they would remove the whiteheads on my chin and at the outer edges of my lips.

I followed the instructions and waited impatiently for the strips to work their magic.  When I attempted to remove the strips they did not come off as easily as the other brands that I have used.   In fact, it caused me some discomfort and slight panic. I started to feel nervous  because I had never experienced anything like this before. I had to soak the strip with water before I could peel it off, and at first it felt like my skin was coming off with the strip.

When I examined the strip I saw facial hair on it but no skin, thank God.  I'm wondering if this batch got mixed up with the wax strips? I'm just saying.  Would you believe that the whiteheads did not budge?

My skin was sore afterwards; so you can imagine how harsh this product was. I had to apologise to my skin.

I could not even find any product  information on the internet when I was searching for photos for this post.  I saw a few products by the brand, but not this particular product.  Should I be even more concerned?

I would not recommend this product to anyone, not even if their skin is tough like old leather.

Don't forget to visit us every week for our latest post.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Does Expensive Make-up Always Equal Better Make-Up?

When I started wearing make-up I was a teenager attending school and I had to use a lot of the more affordable brands.  As an adult I still use some of those brands, and others I replaced as soon as I could.

Over the years I have used a variety of make-up products from every price range available. Sometimes the expensive products did justice to their price tag, and other times they disappointed.  I have also been pleasantly surprised by some of the more affordable products.

Here is a list of products that are always welcome in my personal cosmetic bag:

Skin Care -  Simple products nourish my skin without irritating it.

Mattifier - Mary Kay gives my face a fresh, powdered look.

Foundation - Ben Nye, Iman and Mary Kay match my skin tone perfectly and feel light as a feather on my skin.

Powder - Iman and Mary Kay give my face a matte finish. 

Mascara - Maybelline Lash Stilleto and L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion lengthen my very short lashes.

Brow Liner - Milani and Kleancolour fill my brows without making them look fake.

Eye Shadow - L.A. Girl and Jordana are so pigmented that I don't have to apply multiple layers for the colour to show up on my dark skin tone. 

Lipstick - NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colours and Milani are very moisturizing.

Lip Gloss - Lancome Juicy Tubes give my lips the perfect glossy effect.

Don't miss out on all that make-up has to offer just because you can't afford the more expensive products. There are reputable, affordable products that can do the job just as good or even better. 

Which products are on your welcome list? 

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

"I've selected my outfit, but which colours should I use for my make-up?"

Considering the Time of Day, Occasion, Focal Point and Outfit (T.O.F.O) and Colour Theory help me to answer this question each time, and it can help you too.

Here is a summary of how they work:

T.O.F.O:

• Time of Day (see previous post) - Use softer colours during the day and bolder colours at night.  Depending on the look you want to create; you can also use softer colours at night or a hint of bold colour during the day. 

• Occasion - Subtle colours are suitable for professional or elegant occasions; while bolder colours are great for fun or festive ones.

• Focal Point - Equally bold colour on your eyes, lips and cheeks usually has an overwhelming effect. Apply the bolder colour to the feature that you want to stand out and you can use a softer shade on the others. 

• Outfit - Softer colours go well with boldly coloured outfits.  Outfits that have soft colours can be worn with either bold or soft make-up.

Here is an example of T.O.F.O in action:

Time of Day - Morning 

Occasion - Professional

Focal Point - Lips

Outfit - Royal blue 

Based on the T.O.F.O results above; I knew a soft look was the way to go.

Where does Colour Theory fit into all of this?  It will help you to choose the actual colours you will use.

I decided to use bronze with a hint of dark green for the eye-shadow, red-orange lipstick (for a pop of colour) and bronzer.

Never heard of Colour Theory? Find out the basics in my Facebook series on Colour Theory - Part 1 , Part 2  , Part 3 , Part 4 and Part 5 . 

T.O.F.O and Colour Theory make a great team,  they really do remove the guess work when it comes to choosing colours.

Ultimately your colour choices will reflect your personal style.  What method do you use for choosing your colours?  Are you going to give T.O.F.O and Colour Theory a try?

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"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Love It Or Leave It?

There are so many make-up products available today.  Every advancement within the make-up industry leaves me wondering "what could they possibly think of next"?

Primer is no longer limited to painting,  BB does not only refer to a Smartphone, CC means much more than carbon-copy and setting spray is not only for your hair.

I often ask myself  if I really need whatever the current craze is.  Sometimes the answer is yes; other times it is a loud no.

For some women, many products are not a part of their beauty routine for one of two reasons - they are either unaware of the benefits of using the products or they are not sure how to use them.

Here are some of the products that I used to leave on the shelf; plus the reasons I now love them:

• My skin care routine consisted of washing my face with my bath soap.  After I was advised that bath soap is too harsh for the skin on your face;  I began using cleanser, toner, moisturiser and facial scrubs.

• I used to only wear face powder and thought I didn't need foundation; until I realised that both of them work together.  The foundation creates a base for the powder and helps the powder to last longer.

• I loved how mascara lengthened my short lashes but my eyes used to water and would leave my eye area messy .  Enter water-proof mascara and the end of that problem.  

• Concealer meant nothing to me until I saw how it brightened my dark under eye area.  These days I don't leave home without it.

• I believed that I could not wear blush because I have dark skin.  But a hint of blush takes my make-up to a whole new level. I also use bronzer depending on the effect that I want to create.

After I started using each of these products, my make-up looked so much better.

What about you, which products do you or did you leave on the shelf?

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires