Contouring and Highlighting

Contouring and highlighting is nothing new to the make-up industry. Originally it was used primarily for photoshoots and video. Currently, it has become very popular for creating everyday looks.  

From what I have seen, some have mastered it, while others make a mess of it. I have lost count of the times that I have cringed at some of the make-up I have seen.

For those who have never tried it, or haven't mastered it as yet, it isn't hard to do at all. You just need the right products, tools and technique.  I love this Wayne Goss YouTube video , I used it as my guide when I first did it.

Let me warn you about how crazy your face will look BEFORE you blend the products. I was horrified at what I saw. I was convinced that I had done something wrong because my face looked like a huge mess. 

I was very skeptical and had many doubts about the outcome, but I decided to finish what I had started. I had come to far to turn back now. The skepticism and doubts vanished when I say the finished look - my face looked amazing. I did not recognise the person staring back at me in the mirror. 

I currently do it sometimes for special occasions but I don't do my entire face, just my cheeks. I only did my entire face when I was entering make-up competitions. Highlighting and contouring requires time that I don't have to spare. I'm always rushing to get ready remember? (Read about it here)

So if you have the time to spare, give it try and let me know how it goes or how it has been going.

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

How I 'Fixed' My Faulty Make-up Setting Spray Nozzle

I remember when Setting Spray was part of my make-up routine.  It no longer is after this happened.

I've tried three brands so far ( (read my reviews here).  Make-up Forever sprayed on evenly, but Graftobian and Elf did not.  It seemed as though the nozzles were faulty because the spray was not coming out in an even mist.  Whichever area I sprayed (cheeks, forehead etc), the spray would drench a small spot, leaving the rest of the area untouched. This was very frustrating.

I would not dare toss the product - that would be a waste of product and the money I had spent. What could I do?  I had to find a way to make it work.  I continued spraying the product onto my face but I started using my powder brush to spread it evenly.  This worked but I had to work quickly before the spray dried - so no daydreaming for this make-up addict.

One day I decided to skip spraying the setting spray on my face and I sprayed my powder brush instead. Next I pressed the dampened brush onto my face.  This worked even better than the previous method.  There was still no time to lag with my daydreams but I didn't have to work as quickly as before.

After a few days the brush started to feel sticky and stiff.  Luckily I had two of them so I started using a seperate brush to apply my powder.

I never thought that something so simple would have solved this issue.


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

The Day My Concealer Brush Disappeared

Image Source - n2fab.polyvore.com

I had just finished filling in my brows with brow pencil and  I reached for my concealer brush to neaten and highlight my brows.  Why wasn't it in it's usual spot?  I looked everywhere, but I still did not find it.

Why me? Why now? What about my brows?

Talk about bad timing.

As I stood there trying to figure out how I would finish my brows, I remembered a recent conversation with a work colleague.

She had mentioned that she preferred to use a flat eyeshadow brush to highlight her brows with concealer because it worked better than the concealer brush.  When she showed me the eyeshadow brush, I saw that since it was a flat brush like the concealer brush it would work.

I found a flat eyeshadow brush and put it to the test.  It earned a distinction!  It applied the concealer easier, easter and better.  I was very pleased with the results.

I was so pleased that even after I found the concealer brush weeks later I continued to use the eyeshadow brush.

This is why you shouldn't obsess over the brush type/label; the shape, thickness etc are more important - click here for more.  Years ago there weren't so many different types of brushes, it's great to have them all but you don't need most of them.

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

Review - 21 Genius Lipstick Hacks Every Woman Needs To Know

What would life be like without Lipstick?  Obviously less colourful, and probably less fun.

Let's see if these 21 tips found on MSN Lifestyle are truly genius, and if we really need to know them all.

1 - This is a similar concept to using a toothbrush, which is the best method I've tried so far.  Another option is a lip scrub, which is popular right now, but the ones I tried didn't work for me.

2 - Great tip but then you have to clean your finger after. I prefer to use this method and toss the tissue in the garbage when I'm done. 

3 & 4 - Most makeup products are multi-use products, despite what is specified on the label.  You don't have to wait until your eye-shadow is broken though, I surely don't.

5 - Using a lip brush or the lipstick directly has the same effect.  All you have to do is take your time and apply it as many times as necessary to get the look that you want.  

6 - For a stained look you just need to apply a small amount of lipstick and spread it lightly. 

7 - Has anyone tried this? I honestly never remember to do it because I'm always rushing (read about my dilemma here).  I just default to auto-pilot and do the basics, I don't have time for anything more. 

8 - You can also try this if your lips are hyperpigmented to provide an evenly coloured base for applying your lip product.  How dark or pale your lips are will also alter how the colour looks on you e.g the more pigmented the lip product, the better for darker skin tones, otherwise you hardly see any colour.

9 - You should try to make your lips look larger if they are NOT naturally large, but any lip size can fill in their lips with lip pencil etc.

10 - Has this worked for anyone?  I always promise to try this but that's a promise I can't seem to keep - I wasn't kidding when I said that I am always rushing.

Source: www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/beauty

11 - Too much to remember? Here's a simple guide -  nude lipstick is not visible or it's barely visible on your lips.

12 - This is a good starting point for finding a red lipstick. Personally, once I test the lipstick and I like how it looks on me, consider it bought. 

13 - Be careful not to draw the "X" too wide or too narrow; otherwise you will create a bow - just not cupid's.  If you blend your lip liner with your lipstick there should be no tell-tale line.

14 - Use the correct shade of concealer for your skin-tone, keep the line as thin as possible and blend it in.

15 - Or you can pack a lipstick or lipgloss that can wear with every outfit - that's what I do.

16 - You can also keep the broken lipstick in a container and apply it with a lipbrush.

17 - I wonder if this will affect how smoothly the lipstick glides across your lips.  You may have to wait until it's at room temperature before using.  None of mine have ever melted but some have sweated.

18 - Don't forget to blend the colours where they meet.

19 - If this works the days of lip stick ruined items will be numbered.

20 - You can also use a smudge brush.  BONUS - this will work with your eyeliner too.

21 -  This should work depending on how bad the wrinkles are. Click here to find out what Primer does.

These are some excellent tips, easy to follow and helpful.  I hope you found tips that you can use or share them with someone.

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

Review - E.O.S Lip Balm

I remember when E.O.S Lip Balms first burst onto the beauty scene.  The stir that this product created with its novel packaging and shape is still fresh in my mind.

Image Source http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

Image Source http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

All of the fuss surrounding this lip balm and the rave reviews caught my attention.  Besides it's unique package; what else did this product have to offer?

It was quite pricey here in Barbados; so I bought one on my next trip overseas.  I was so excited!!!!!  I didn't delay.

I opened the package, took note of it's mild yet pleasant scent, applied the lip balm and waited for the magic to happen.  I was expecting fireworks, something...anything.  Sadly, I got nothing.  My lips didn't look different,  my lips didn't feel different, was I missing something?

 I visited the product website hoping to find some answers.   The first thing I saw was that they were also available in stick form (which I prefer).  I was a bit surprised because I had not seen the Smooth Sticks in any of the ads nor the reviews.  The sphere shape is too big and clumsy for me, I prefer something sleek.  

Image Source http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

Image Source http://evolutionofsmooth.com/

I also saw that this product is 99% natural, petrolatum-free, paraben-free, gluten-free and phthalate-free. *Translation* it's better for your skin than the majority of lip balms out there.  That alone would normally be reason enough to buy it, but after all the hype I was expecting something more.

Don't get me wrong, if you want to try it go right ahead.  I'm just letting you know that it didn't do anything for me.  I was neither wowed nor 'blown away'.

*Blog Love* -You can also read Moden Makeup's review of the E.O.S Lip Balms here.

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

The Day My Make-Up Melted

I was attending an outdoors event during the peak of summer, and I anticipated that the sun would be at its hottest.

I had  no worries when I applied my make-up that day. I believed that the Primer (click here) and Setting Spray (click here) would help my make-up to last, which is what they are supposed to do and they usually work for me (click here).  I even wore a baseball cap and took an umbrella. I felt confident that I would survive the sweltering heat.

Soon after arriving at the event I began to perspire - the heat of the sun was scorching!!!  I wasn't concerned because my make-up always lasts, but as the saying goes, 'there's a first time for everything'.

The sweat was pouring down my face.  I touched my face and when I glanced at my hand, it had make-up on it!  I was very disturbed; this has never happened to me before.  I could not believe my eyes.


I was very confused.  My make-up has survived the summer heat before, but today it was much hotter than usual.  My make-up didn't have a chance against the extreme heat.

I felt angry and disappointed that the products did not work; products that I had sworn by and recommended to others.

I was so upset that I stopped using Primer and Setting Spray in my personal make-up application routine. Don't get me wrong, these products have their purpose, but they failed me when I needed them most and I do not take that lightly.

And so the quest to for make-up that lasts in this tropical climate continues.  I'm planning to try a spray that water-proofs make-up -  I'm hoping this will give me the result that I am seeking.  One thing that I do know is that I'll have to keep trying products until I find something that works for me.  The reality is that products do not always work the same for everyone, even if it has rave reviews.

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

Do You Listen To Your Skin?

When I took the time to chat with a friend who had lots of questions about skin care products; I never imagined that this quote (created using Polyvore) would have been the result!

It's time for a reality check - products do not always have the same effect on everyone's skin.  It doesn't matter if the product is popular; it doesn't matter if it is expensive.

Never use products that irritate your skin.  If it stings, blisters or dries out your skin; please stop using that product.  That's your skin 'talking' to you; that's it's way of telling you that the product is too harsh.  Don't you agree that you should take the time to listen?

We must take care of our skin because we can't return it, we can't trade it in.

It's the only one we have!

For more advice/tips about caring for your skin, here are 2 other posts:

1) Make-up Hygiene Tips

2)How to Avoid Allergic Reactions to Make-up.

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