Review - Coolway True Smooth Hair Spray Part 2

(Click  here for Part 1)

Beauties, my hair looked so good after one week  that I decided to put it to the test and see how much longer the results would last.  I am happy to report that Coolway True Smooth Hair Spray did not disappoint.

I still can't believe that my hairstyle lasted for more than a week.  It looked just as good on the final day as it looked on the first day; even though I exercised regularly during that time.  

Have a look at these photos and see for yourself.  

Day 6

Day 8

Day 11

Here is the list of make-up products that I was wearing:

Face (Day 6,8,11)

1. e.l.f Mineral Infused Face Primer
2. Iman Perfect Response Oil Blotting Powder - Deep
3. e.l.f Makeup Mist & Set

Brows(Day 6,8,11)

1. Milani Easyliner Retractable Pencil for Eyes - Espresso (applied with an angle brush)
2. Eve.Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer & Treatment - Dark/Deep

Lips

1. Day 6 - Bath & Body Works Liplicious Lip Gloss - CottonCandy
2. Day 8 - NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss - Perfect Red
3. Day 11 - Arista Lipstick - Purple Rain

Sadly I'm not wearing blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara,  read my post Tick! Tock! I Must Beat The Clock Pt1 to find out why.

I can't help but gush about this amazing product, which has fast become one of my favourites.  I will definitely repurchase, and I recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on it. 


Don't forget to use code BeautyStat14 to receive a 10% discount on all °Coolway  purchases at www.coolwayhair.com (not including shipping revenue and  taxes). This item was provided for review courtesy of BeautyStat.com.


"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

Review - NYX Studio Perfect Primer

I remember thinking that I didn't need Foundation Primer because I did not have any fine lines or visible pores and my make-up already had a smooth, flawless finish because my skin is naturally smooth. The Iman Cream to Powder Foundation and Iman Luxury Pressed Powder I was using worked well on their own, so Foundation Primer wasn't critical to my face prep routine.   

All of this changed when I stopped wearing Foundation and only wore Powder.  I could not believe it, the Powder was not lasting.  It would disappear during the course of the day even though I was using a make-up setting spray. I was not pleased at all because I was not accustomed to having this issue. 

I was chatting with Danielle from ColourCoded Makeup about my 'powder problem'  when I visited their booth at the BMEX Trade Show, and she advised that using a primer would make a huge difference.  I had nothing to loose, so the next morning I reached for my NYX Studio Perfect Primer (the Clear one), and I'm happy to say that my make-up stayed put until I cleansed my face.

Image Source www.nyx.cosmetics.com

While at BMEX I purchased a Sleek BB Cream from the Essential Trends Booth, but  unlike the Iman Cream to Powder Foundation, the BB Cream was not applying properly.  I decided to apply the NYX Studio Perfect Primer first and I no longer had that issue either.

NYX Studio Perfect Primer is a fantastic product, I say this because it did just what it promised.  What makes me love it even more is that it makes my skin feel like velvet, yes velvet and who woulldn't love velvety skin?  I must confess that every-time I apply it I keep touching my face in awe of how lovely it feels. None of the other Foundation Primers that I have used so far made my skin feel like velvet.

I have no complaints about this product, it has earned a well deserved place on my favourites list.  

I've also used elf Clear Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer,  click here for the review.

Do you use Foundation Primer? Which brand is our favourite?

"...because your make-up should always enhance." - Nakita Squires

One Important Thing You Must Do When You Prep Your Face

Have you noticed that when some products are applied to the skin, it leaves your skin feeling moist/wet?

All you need to do is wait a few minutes to allow those products to absorb into your skin (i.e. your skin feels normal when you touch it) BEFORE applying the next product in your make-up routine.  This is especially important for your moisturizer, mattifier and primer which prep your face for your make-up.

If you are like me with little time to spare;  you don't have to just watch the clock while you are waiting.  I'm sure you can find some part of your daily/nightly routine to do.

Here's how it usually goes for me:

1)   While waiting for the moisturiser to dry so that I can apply primer, I apply body lotion and spritz on some perfume.  

2)   While waiting for the primer to dry so that I can apply my eyeshadow and foundation, I enhance my eyebrows with browliner.

Waiting a few minutes gives the products time to do what they are supposed to, which should result in evenly applied and lasting make-up.  I don't know anyone who wants streaky, unevenly applied make-up, do you?

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

A Make-up Night Adventure

I remember everything about that night so clearly; as though it only just happened.  It was the first of its kind, and hopefully the last.

I was getting dressed for an elegant event and I was behind schedule.  All I could do when my ride arrived was to toss my essential make-up items (powder, lipstick, brow pencil, mascara, blush) into a cosmetic bag and rush through the door.

Applying make-up in traffic is nothing new, but it usually occurs during the day in slow moving traffic, not at night with the driver's foot flat on the gas pedal.  I thought to myself "this will be interesting" and it was, to say the least.

As you would imagine there was no lighting and I had to make the best of every street-light that I passed.  I waited eagerly for the moments the vehicle was forced to slow down or stop because I did not want to make any mistakes.  I cringed whenever the road got bumpy or there were potholes.

I had to be as quick as possible instead of my usual leisurely, enjoyable pace.  I created a simple make-up look, to attempt to do otherwise would have resulted in certain disaster.

Even though I could barely see what I was doing, I have applied make-up for so many years that I just did what I was accustomed doing.  When I arrived at the event I checked the mirror for the last time.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I realized that my make-up looked great.

"All's will that ends well" they say and after all of that excitement I was so thankful that it did end well.

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

Tick! Tock! I Must Beat The Clock Pt1

I'm wearing less make-up products these days, not as a result of any careful planning, but through necessity.  I'm always trying to beat the clock but I usually end up losing.  Well I decided that it was time for me to win.  I have reached the point where I'm tired of running out of time when doing my make-up.  I want to complete all of my tasks before I leave home; instead of having to skip some of them.

Here is my everyday make-up routine:

Step 1  Eyeshadow
Step 2  Brows
Step 3  Foundation
Step 4  Powder
Step 5  Lots of blending
Step 6  Setting Spray
Step 7  Lipbalm, Lip Colour and Lipgloss

Seems simple enough, but Steps 1 and 2 do take quite a bit time.  By the time I finish Step 1; I have to rush through the other Steps, and then I have to rush through all of the other non-makeup tasks that need to be done.  To make a bad situation worse,  the Sleek BB Cream that I am currently using (which I love), has a better finish with foundation primer.  This means there are now 8 Steps instead of  7,  which I have to finish in the same amount of time.

The reality is my eyeshadow application requires too much effort, and the results do not equate to the time spent.  I have to apply multiple layers because the colour barely shows up on my dark skin tone. Plus I have a sizeable eyelid so a quick sweep of the brush never works for me.

Check out these shots of the make-up I wore to work.  You can't even see the eyeshadow.

From L-R
1,2 and 6 = red eyeshadow,
3 and 5 = navy blue eyeshadow
4 = purple eyeshadow

 (http://instagram.com/beautifulandunspoilt)

Here's my typical eyeshadow application process:

Step 1  Primer or base
Step 2  Two layers of skintone eyeshadow
Step 3  At least 3 layers of the eyeshadow colour for the day
Step 4  Lots of blending to make it flawless

For each layer of eyeshadow I have to swirl the brush in the eyeshadow 8 times  to get maximum colour payoff.

All of this takes time...

Too much time...

Time that I do not have to spare.

I'm a girl that loves to see colour on my eyelids, it lifts my spirits and makes me happy.  But the time/effort needed vs the final result was frustrating me. (CLICK HERE for the details)

I have tried various brands - Fash Professional 120 Palette, Sugarpill, Maybelline Colour Tattoos, but the results are the same.  I do have Naked and Makeup Doll Cosmetics eyeshadows which are vibrant, but I prefer to wear those at night. ( CLICK HERE to find out why)

I needed to find a solution to my problem and I needed to find it fast.

Click here for Part 2.


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

Review - MAC Technique 2013

  Last Saturday I attended the sophisticated affair that was MAC Technique. 

It felt wonderful and exciting to be in the midst of make-up artists, enthusiasts and so many products.

The session was informative, fun and worth every cent.  I was still able to learn a few things despite my vast knowledge of make-up.   Even if there had been no refreshments, or the registration fee was not redeemable in MAC products; I would still have been the happiest make-up artist in the world.  It really was a win-win situation.

Before (No Flash)

The time flew by so quickly that I can't believe the session lasted for 3 hours.

I only wish that it had started at 3:00pm as advertised.  Having to wait in the sweltering heat was not fun at all and then we were rushed  to finish at the end. It was dark when I left the venue and I found myself alone at the bus stop after 6:30pm, I am thankful that the area was well lit by the gas station nearby.

For whatever reason there was not enough blushes nor lipsticks for each table but the MAC Ladies were very helpful in ensuring that each table had a chance to use them.  A scheduled break would have been a good idea because when I went for refreshments at the end of the session, the table was bare.  You see, I didn't want to miss anything and wanted to complete every stage before having a snack, but that was a bad decision it would seem.

Oh how I would have loved a Certificate of Participation.  I think that would have been the icing on this cake, hint hint for future sessions.

The Aftermath

After (No Flash, With AC)

After (With Flash, No AC)

Overall it was a WOW experience and I would recommend it to make-up enthusiasts and novices alike; to MAC addicts and those curious about MAC.


MAC here's a huge thank-you for taking me on a magical, make-up escape.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I must also thank Moden Makeup for posting the MAC Technique details; otherwise I would not have known about it.  Moden Makeup was in attendance and I did not even realise that Lucinda had taken a photo of me while I was getting MAC'd; check out her review here.

I now have to decide which MAC products I will choose. These will be my first MAC products and I can't wait for them to join my make-up family.

It was a tough decision, click here to find out what I purchased.

What are your MAC faves?

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