Tick! Tock! I Must Beat The Clock Pt2

(Click here for Part 1)

As I thought about it I realised that I really did not have much of a choice, I had to reduce the time spent on my eyeshadow.

At first I tried only Steps 1 and 2 and added a brow highlight.  The brow highlight looked amazing but the skintone eyeshadow required to much effort for something that is basically invisible.

Skintone Eyeshadow and my natural brows (http://instagram.com/beautifulandunspoilt)

Skintone Eyeshadow (http://instagram.com/beautifulandunspoilt)

The only thing left to do was to leave out the eyeshadow all together. Never in a million years would I have anticipated this.  I didn't think that I could do it because I love eyeshadow so much.

To compensate for my loss of colour I decided to add some drama. I started lining my eyes with black eyeliner and I started wearing mascara and blush. I haven't looked back since and surprisingly, I don't regret it.

My 'new' look received raving reviews and created alot of fuss. I was shocked at the response.  I never thought I would say this, but strangely enough I don't even miss the eyeshadow.  Don't get me wrong, if time was on my side I would be rocking my eyeshadow.

No Eyeshadow (http://instagram.com/beautifulandunspoilt)

The icing on the cake was when I used concealer to even out my brows.  My natural brows are uneven,  so I fill them with a brow pencil to enhance them.  I prefer my brows to look identical, I'm even willing to settle for similar but they must look alike.  This particular morning one brow was filled thicker than the other and my efforts to make them even by wiping with a tissue was failing miserably.

I was running out of time, and out of desperation I reached for my concealer.   The concealer worked like a dream and gave a finish out of this world.  I was so impressed and excited.  I made sure the concealer was well blended and not visible.  Visible concealer seems to be the trend right now, but that is a trend that I will not be following.  It's called concealer for a reason; you are supposed to see the effect of the concealer not the concealer itself.

Using concealer on my brows does take some time and effort but it is worth it.  The result far outweighs all of this. I had to give up something to enable me to do this, so I no longer line my eyes with black eyeliner.

I have now reached the point where I had to stop wearing foundation, mascara and blush, and I only use concealer when needed.  I think I've reach my limit - I am now down to primer, browfill, powder,setting spray and lipstick /lipgloss.  I do miss what I call the 'extras' - mascara, eyeliner and blush.  But a girl has to do what a girl has to do to leave the house on time.

Now that I don't wear my eyeshadows these days, I'll have to find more night events to attend so that I can wear them.  I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my neutral lipsticks which I would wear if my eyeshadow was bold.  Just give me some time and I'm sure I'll think of something.




"...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

Instagram Here We Come

Don't miss Beautiful & Unspoilt's 'FaceOfTheDay' and much more on Instagram .

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

Guidelines For Recreating Make-Up Looks

One of the best feelings in the world is being able to recreate a make-up look that you love, whether you saw on it Youtube or in a magazine etc.

But...sometimes trying to recreate these looks can be very challenging and frustrating, especially when they don't look the way they should, even after a few attempts.

Well I have great news for you!

If you use the correct Techniques, Tools and Products, and you Practice (and practice some more); those gorgeous make-up looks will be all yours.

Yes, it really is that simple; no rocket science here at all.

You may have to try it again and again, (and then still try it one more time), but DON'T GIVE UP!!!  All of your time and effort will be worth it in the end.

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

Vote For Me - September 2013

Whenever there is a make-up contest, and I am inspired by it's theme I can't resist submitting an entry.

September 2013's Black Opal Beat that Face Contest with it's rainbow, glitter and sequins theme caught my eye and my imagination.

Below is the photo that I entered - I wanted to create a look that was colourful and fun, yet wearable.

Click Here to vote for my entry by Liking the photo or Commenting.  You can also Share so that others can vote too.

Thanks so much.

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

Beautiful You

Beautiful You by n2fab on Polyvore

Vogue Germany
models.com

Summer Breakfast
fotki.yandex.ru

Beauty Buyers Beware

I wanted a purple and a pink lipstick, in fact they were all that I could think about.  So to put my mind at ease, I added them to my shopping list and the hunt began.


The pink lipstick was no problem and the price was so right that I bought two of them, but the purple lipstick was another story.  I had visited a few stores but they did not have any, and there was one more store that I could check. 


I was late but I still wanted to stop to buy a purple lipstick (mistake #1).  I checked my watch and hurried into the store which is known for selling a particular affordable brand.  The Sales Rep advised that there were no purple lipsticks and recommended a lipgloss which I tested on my hand. It was so gorgeous and pigmented that I knew I had to buy it.


As  I went to select my product from the display case I noticed that it was shaped differently and packaged differently to the tester and to the other lipglosses beside it.  The Sales Rep saw my reaction and assured me 'oh it's the same thing'.  I pushed my doubts aside figuring that the packaging had been updated and bought the lipgloss.


When I reached home and went to swatch the lipgloss I felt devastated.  


Yes, the product was the same colour and it even had the same name but it was a different brand, and one that I have no problem using but it is not the brand that I went into the store to purchase.


To make things worse it did not look nor feel the same way as the brand that I had tested.  In fact the store is not known for selling this brand, which is also affordable, but is not a prestigious as the other one.





I was sad, upset and angry.  In my opinion what the Sales Rep and the store did was unethical and dishonest.  


After much thought I decided to keep the lipgloss because my schedule would not have permitted me to return to the store anytime soon. 


Plus I hadn't seen any purple lip products in the other stores that I had checked.


I considered making a complaint, but knowing how customer service is in Barbados, I doubted that anything would have come out of it.    Thankfully it only cost BDS$10, so it didn't cause my purse too much pain.  I cut my loses and learnt a huge lesson:


1. Never go make-up shopping for a new product when I am in a hurry
2. Don't ignore my 'gut-feeling'
3. I can't trust Sales Reps 100% (so sad but so true in this case) 


 Sales Reps have a critical role to play because they make recommendations that influence your purchase decisions.  This is the first time I have experienced something like this and it is not something that I would want to ever experience again. 

 How to Choose the Right Shade of Foundation or Powder highlights a another bad experience that I had.


Come on Sales Reps, you can and should do better than this.


*UPDATE* - Would you believe that eventually fell in love with purple lipgloss?View the Facebook tribute here.


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

The Eyes Have It

Wow, where do I begin?

Apparently a popular beauty trend in Korea right now is Aegyo Sal aka under-eye bags.  Yes, you read it correctly.

I first learnt of this trend after reading Beautystat's post and I could not believe my eyes - pun intended.  I did a double-take and my mind began to work overtime, because under-eye bags are usually avoided like the plague.  I can't even begin to understand it, I'll just accept it and move on.

I find it interesting that there are varying interpretations of beauty, especially in different cultures.  It is not a trend that I will be trying.  In fact my under-eye area is the total opposite, it is sunken and darker than the rest of my face.

In my search for a solution I've read that this is caused by broken capillaries.  It seems like my under-eye area has been like this forever, well they have been for my entire adult life.  It's as though I woke up one morning and they appeared.  I don't recall ever doing anything that would damage the thin, super-sensitive skin there.

Hold that thought - while writing this post I stumbled across Hello Magazine's article that gives more detail than anything else I have read so far.  I think stress may have caused mine.  I was studying diligently for an Undergraduate Degree; which was a far cry from the A'Level studies that I had just completed in 6th Form. Actually, stress would be an understatement.

That article also lists some solutions but I honestly don't think any of them will help me much.  I had started applying coco butter to the area after reading an article that assured it's readers that this would work.  There has been a subtle improvement but I may be at fault because I usually forget to do it.  I'm still trying to make it into a habit, but any change no matter how small is welcomed.

I am still hoping that one day I will be rid of it, but until I find the answer concealer will be my bestfriend.

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

Swatch Me - Meta OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss

At first glance I thought that this 'neon-red' was too bright for me and that I would never be able to wear it.  I'm happy to say that I was wrong and I actually like it.

Meta is a fun, playful colour and that is exactly how I feel when I wear it.  It isn't opaque like the Lip Tars nor as thick.  The colour is still very lovely and the name isn't bad either.

Wondering what a 'Swatch-Cloth' is?  It's how I affectionately refer to the evidence of my swatching.  I included it to give a behind the scenes peek - there is alot of wiping off and reapplying (to say the least).

Special thanks to Lip Factory, Inc. for taking me out of my 'Colour Comfort Zone', I won Meta in one of their giveaways. Even though I always find a way to wear most make-up colours, and look great while doing it; I would never have given that colour a second glance.  

As the saying goes 'don't knock it until you try it' because you may find a lovely make-up treasure.

In case you missed them here are swatches of OCC Lip Tar Hoochie and OCC Lip Tar Stalker , who also make an appearance on the 'Swatch-Cloth'.

Thanks so much for visiting, see you next Wednesday.

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

Swatch Me - Hoochie OCC Lip Tar

I remember my reaction when I first heard about OCC Lip Tars.  I was very confused as visions of lips covered in asphalt danced through my mind. Thankfully I was totally wrong.

If you are unfamiliar with this product; you can find out more about this breakthrough in the Make-Up Industry.

Presenting 'Hoochie' (I'm not a fan of the name)-

What do I love about it? - It is VERY pigmented and a little bit goes a long way.

What don't I like about it? - The product separates in the tube, but a quick shake solves this.



Depending on my outfit and the occasion, I sometimes wear a coloured gloss over it.

I bought the Lip Tars here in Barbados from Dee Blackett/Essential Trends.  (I also bought my Sleek BB Cream and Sleek Blush by 3 from her, see the swatch and review for them here) and  I won Meta in a Lip Factory Inc giveaway.

Next on the 'Swatch List' are OCC Lip Tar Stalker and OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Meta.  See Stalker and meet Meta.


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

Sneak Peak - Fall 2013 Make-Up Trends

Harper's Bazaar is so excited about these 7 Fall Make-Up Trends, that they want us to start rocking them NOW!

Red Hot - There's no danger here, just be sure to tone it down or intensify it according to the occasion and time of day.

Power Pouts - Hot pink lipstick is fun and festive, while deep merlot adds drama.

Metallic Lids - Perfect for a night at the Club, or if applied sparingly, can be worn to an elegant event.

Bold Black Eyeliner - Be sure to vary the intensity according to the occasion  and time of day.

Blue Eyeshadow - So many options, from Navy to Teal and every shade in between.

Smokey Eye - One of the make-up classics, no longer limited to black or dark grey in modern times.

Glowing Skin - A little radiance does the skin good!

I've tried them all at some point, and once it goes with my outfit, I'll rock any of these trends.

I can't wait to see what the Winter Trends 2013 will bring.  What about you?

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