Beauty Favorites: Laura Mercier

~ happy belated #makeupmonday lovelies!! we're back for another beauty favorites series this time with makeup artist favorite Laura Mercier!! known for her specialty in creating the flawless face, Laura Mercier is a world-renowned makeup artist and creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. as the personal makeup artist to celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, and Juliette Binoche, she creates looks that are both flawless and accentuate one’s natural beauty. a favorite luxury brand of makeup artists worldwide, Laura Mercier's collection of products are beautiful in its simplicity. no bells or whistles, just pure beauty. we're sharing our favorites and recommended products and hope you love them! ~

~ Primers: Original, Radiance and the new Protect primers are 3 of our SBDgirls must haves! all 3 primers work on all skin types at any time of year.  we started out and fell in love with Laura's classic Primer for it's light weight, silicone free feeling.  Radiance Primer is beautiful alone, under makeup or just under the eyes to diminish dark circles, SBDgirl Tarah also likes to mix it into her body lotion when going out! the new Protect Primer is still light weight and silicone free but has the added benefit of having a broad spectrum spf 30 in it as well, perfect for sunny days!

- Repair Eye Serum is another favorite of SBDgirl Tarah, perfect for anyone who suffers from chronic dark circles.  it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a blend of Japanese botanicals. geranium extract helps firm the appearance of skin, while arnica extract and caffeine brighten the look of dark circles.  very little is needed from both eyes, about the size of a grain of rice for both eyes, since this product comes in a pump, you only need about a 1/4 pump.  a full pump of product will be way too much and you will waste it. ophthalmologist tested, dermatologically and allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation and fragrance free.

- Secret Camouflage is essentially how the line was created!  Laura developed this concealer for her own skin issues and it's been on Best Product lists ever since!  it contains a unique two-shade system, one to match the skins depth of color and one to match the skins undertone, making it possible for every woman to custom-blend her own perfect shade. with 90% pigment, very little is needed to conceal imperfections on the face, but as it's a drier concealer you need to warm the pigment up before applying it. we recommend to warm it up on the back of your hand before applying it with your fingertips or the Secret Camouflage brush. 

- Secret Concealer is your answer to bright under eyes! say good bye to dark circles with this moisture-rich concealer designed specifically for around the eye area.  we recommend to use your ring finger to apply, gently press into the pigment and tap around the eye area.  very little is needed to cover, and using too much can cause creasing in any fine lines.  if dark circles are a concern for you, set your under eyes with the Secret Brightening Powder.

 - Secret Brightening Powder is one of those unique products that no other line has, it's specifically formulated for the eye area and not recommended for use on other areas of the face.  it gives an invisible lightening boost,and the transparent white color brightens skin instantly.  micronized pigments will not settle in fine lines or accentuate shadows,and it's for all skin types but especially those with texture around the eye area.

- Baked Highlight #1 is a perfect highlighter for very fair to medium skin tones, it's more of a champagne color than anything too gold or pink and the sheer, buildable coverage lets you customize your glow.  it's longwearing formula wears all day (8 hours) and the color stays true without oxidizing for an even wear.

- Baked Eye Colors in Black Karat and Aubergine are two of SBD Girl Tarah's absolute favorites!  the pigments are beautiful used dry or wet are these are two very unique shades that can be used on any skin tone.

- Caviar Eye Sticks in any color are an absolute MUST in a makeup artists kit, and you know if it's a favorite of ours it will be for you too.  a few of our favorite shades of this water proof, crease proof and smudge proof shadow stick collection ( of 23 shades)  are: Rosegold,  Copper, Sandglow, Plum, and Amethyst.  use them alone or under an eye shadow for more intense color and longer wear, certain colors can also be used as eye liner when applied with a brush.

- truth be told, there are too many of our favorite products to name from this brand, whether your buying makeup for yourself or if you're a makeup artist building your kit.  Laura Mercier is one of the few artistry brands left that is helmed by its creator and it definetly shows in the quality of products.  Check out the entire line at Holt Renfrew Vancouver, Nordstroms (when it opens in the fall) and the line's best sellers at Sephora. 

Beauty Favorites: Make Up Forever

~ happy #makeupmonday everyone! we hope you are enjoying the sunshine!! with the forecast full of beautiful, albeit very warm weather, we wanted to share a beauty favorite of ours that is perfect for its long-wearing, waterproof qualities. MAKE UP FOR EVER is a favorite of makeup artists worldwide. a no muss, no frills brand that has a wide range of products perfect for any kind of event, be it bridal makeup or Cirque du Soleil, you can find something for everyone. we love the AQUA line as its perfect for those hot summer days where we want to look cute but take a dip in the ocean also.  check out our favorite products below!! ~

~ Face and Body Liquid Foundation is a do everything foundation that you can find in almost any makeup artist's kit, especially if they do a lot of body work such as swim suit photo shoots or lingerie.  it's light weight, water based formula means it's great on any skin type at any age and can be built up in layers to achieve a full coverage look. it's water based formula adds hydration to any skin type, it's best applied to the face or body with a damp sponge, and if you want to waterproof and sweat proof your complexion , spray some Mist and Fix on the sponge, est voila! 

~ NEW Artist Plexi Gloss has just arrived at your local Sephora, this gloss is something we got a preview of at the Vancouver IMATS this year and we were impressed! the shade range is spectacular (35 Shades) and also has a selection of pearly and non-pearly finishes to sheer and opaque colors.  the  wear-ability is up to five hours of color impact with 360-degree, reflective shine beads maximize shine, try one on yourself today at your nearest Sephora! 

~ it's all about the brows and has been for a while now, gone are the days of tad-pole thin eye brows and in place we've embraced a fuller shape.  cosmetic companies are bringing out their version of a liquid or cream brow product but this one has been around the longest! Aqua Brow is a full pigment liquid/cream brow color that's waterproof, oil proof and sweat proof.   it comes in 7 different shades and ranges from light blonde to brown almost black and all the shades in between. most artists have 3-4 shades and mix to match their clients needs.  to use, we recommend to use a small amount, about the size of a grain of rice with a thin angled brush (if your brows are sparse) or a dense coarse bristled angled brush (if your brows are fuller) and apply from the outside of the brow inwards to avoid applying too much to the front part of the brow. pick up your Aqua Brow individually or in a kit at your local Sephora or online ~

~ HD Cream Blush is another of our favorite brands of cream blush, it's one of the only ones that can be applied under AND over the HD Powder.  formulated with the perfect balance of silica powder and synthetic mica, HD Blush has a soft focus effect that diffuses light for a radiant finish. Its blend of waxes and oils creates a lightweight texture that easily glides on the skin for a flawless result, and it's studio-tested with an HD camera. it comes in 16 different shades that can be used as blush, bronzer, contour color and lip color, a perfect multitasking product ~

~ Full Cover Concealer is another favorite that both Oz and I use in our personal and professional kits.  it comes in 12 different shades and is perfect for concealing the most extreme flaws, such as scars, severe skin damage, beauty spots, pigmentation or birthmarks. it's full coverage formula can even hide tattoos. waterproof and long lasting, it holds even under extreme conditions, on a blemish it actually reduces swelling, taking away the inflammation around the breakout.  we DO NOT recommend it for use under the eyes, as it's a oil absorbing formula it can cause the eye area to look drier, highlighting any fine lines or wrinkles.  perfect for use on face and body, just avoid the eye area and use either the HD Concealer or the Liquid Lift ~ 

~ Aqua Black Cream Liner is another personal favorite of ours as it's one of the only cream liners that we have found not to dry out as fast in the tub, it stays put in the waterline when you want to create that perfect smokey eye and you can blend it out with a dense shadow brush.  apply it with a liquid liner brush or a thin angled brush for a precise, dense line;  or with a precision shader brush ~

~ Mist and Fix with O2 complex is a waterproof makeup setting spray that has a TON of different uses.  spray it onto your makeup sponge with applying any liquid or cream products and voila, your makeup is now waterproof.  it was one of the first to be created with no alcohol, so no drying out your skin, and the O2 complex hydrates and plumps any fine lines.  spray it on after you've finished your makeup, and even wet your eye shadow or eyeliner brushes with it to waterproof any of your eye shadows! it comes in a full size and a travel size as well and is definitely a Sephora favorite ~

~ Aqua Rouge long lasting liquid lip color is formulated with a combination of high molecular weight polymers and volatile oils, Aqua Rouge locks color on the lips for a waterproof result that will not transfer or fade. Its intensely pigmented formula provides immediate, opaque color with extreme shine, and its creamy, non-sticky texture glides effortlessly on the lips for comfortable wear.  apply the color direct from the applicator for an opaque, full color or with a brush for a sheer finish.  the clear gloss sealer on the other side is a must even if you want a matter finish.  apply that once the color has set to add a little moisture and to seal the color, if you like a more matte finish, just blot off the excess ~

 find these and more Make Up Forever products online or at Sephora!

Beauty Favorites: NARS Cosmetics

~ happy #makeupmonday everyone!! today's beauty favorites is the incomparable NARS Cosmetics . Francois Nars's eponymous lines carries some of the most recognizably-named products. if you walk into any store that sells NARS and say, "i'd like Orgasm, Laguna, Copacabana and Dolce Vita" i promise, all the beauty advisors would know exactly which line you were asking for. NARS has something for everyone. whether you're a minimalist or prefer a full coverage type of makeup, you'll find something at the NARS counter. and the beauty of it is, the line works for a wide demographic, ranging anywhere from a 15 year old's first black eyeliner to a more mature client who might want a long-wearing product. we both use the line on ourselves and on our clients and have likely spent much more money than we needed to on the various palette's for eyes and cheeks from sephora {please stop making palettes...they take all our monies}. check out our favorites below, you'll be sure to fall in as much obsession as we are ~

~ Larger Than Life Long Wear Eye Pencil {$25} comes in 17 different shades for your {and our} indecisive minds.  rich, creamy color that glides on smoothly with a completely budgeproof finish. Incomparable 12-hour wear with no smearing and no caking. deeply dramatic shades named for the most iconic streets in the world. the twist up packaging means no need for a pencil sharpener!

~ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil {$26} a lipstick combined with the convenience of a pencil in a jumbo crayon design! use it as an all over color or as a lip pencil when paired with another lip product.  enriched with vitamin e and a blend of silicone's to give lips a smooth, non-drying finish for hours.  check out one of our favorite shades, and the color you get in your Sephora BDay Gift, Cruella!

~ Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita {$27} is SBDgirl Tarah Kostenko's go to lipstick for her bridal clients or when she's creating a natural makeup look for herself or on camera. this sheer soft rose brings out the natural color of any clients lip. NARS patented blend of of conditioners and antioxidants hydrate while providing translucent color. grab yours in any one of their 15 shades

~ The Multiple in Copacabana {$39} is a multi-use product that can add just the right amount of radiance to any area of the face and body. when The Multiple first made it's appearance on the cosmetics market, it had already wowed makeup artists backstage at the world's fashion week's. on counter, it can sometimes confuse clients as to what it's for, this was before the days of beauty vloggers and beauty bloggers, but it's an easy solve, it's for anything you want it for! use it along cheek bones, under brow bones and on to of the cupid's bow for an incomparable glow, mixed with body oil for an all over shimmer on arms and legs in the summer, as a cream eyeshadow....the possibilities are endless!

~ Bronzing Powder in Laguna {$39} is a cult favorite for a reason.  one of the first neutralizing bronzing powders, Laguna never looks orange on any skin tone.  beautiful for an all over warmth, as an eyeshadow or to naturally contour the face, this award winning bronzer is a must for any makeup kit

~ Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder {$36} this paraben free, and fragrance free pressed powder is a colorless dream for setting your complexion makeup. the nice thing about colorless powders is that you never need to update your color throughout the year.  this powder incorporates NARS photochromic technology which diffuses light and adjusts to different light sources throughout the day, making fine lines disappear and pores look invisible.  unlike other colorless, light reflecting powders you can reapply this throughout the day to absorb shine with out what we makeup artists like to call flash back {when the powder shows white on the skin in flash photography}

~ Body Glow {$59} is the a cult classic and one of the first luxury body oil's on the market. it's rich, chocolate shimmer gives the skin a beautiful (never orange) warm glow and the lightweight Monoï de Tahiti oil is composed of pure coconut extract macerated with the bud of the tiare flower {Tahitian gardenia}, which infuses the oil with nutrients as well as a delicate, natural fragrance. not only does your skin look fantastic but you smell like everyone's dream vacation! nothing better than that

~ And God Created the Woman Palette {$59} is a personal favorite of SBDgirl Oz Zandiyeh.  A staple in her makeup bag, this new take on a neutral palette gives you a ton of options to play with.  along with their award winning eye makeup primer (for crease free, long wear) you also get the signaature blending brush to press and blend to perfection! pick your up today online or at your nearest Sephora

 

~ check out all the NARS Cosmetic products listed here at your local Sephora, or Holt Renfrew in Canada.  go online if one of these stores isn't available to you and for all our artist friends, check out their artistry discount program!

Beauty Favorites: Benefit Cosmetics

~ happy #makeupmonday beauties and welcome back to our beauty favorites series! we hope you are all enjoying your long weekend! its been a nice, quiet, family-filled one for us. today we're sharing our beauty favorites from Benefit Cosmetics. Benefit has been a brand favorite of ours since we were first introduced to it in our younger beauty junkie years. cute packaging, adorably named and most importantly, products that work beautifully. you'll find Benefit in every bloggers, every IT-girl, every makeup artists makeup bag. the products work flawlessly on different mediums, whether for everyday or for photoshoots. if we're honest, we'd share the entire line with you all, that how much we love it! we've selected a few of our current favorites, ones we're using at the moment and ones that are perfect for summer weather also! 

~ Gimme Brow is a quick way to get your #browgamestrong. a gel-like fiber that adheres to the brow, making them appear fuller with just a swipe of product. the best part is that it's long-lasting and waterproof! perfect for beach days!

~ Fake Up is an ultra-hydrating, crease-proof concealer perfect for hiding the dark circles of last nights shenanigans. the easy-to-use twist up makes its a great on-the-go addition to your makeup kit!

~ Stay Don't Stray is a long-wearing primer for concealer and eyeshadows which makes it a must have for hot summer days! a small dab on your lid and under your eyes and your shadows and concealers won't budge!

~ Roller Lash makes curling your lashes fool-proof. with its "Hook'n'Roll" brush feature, even the straightest of lashes experience lift and curl for a gorgeously sexy wide-eyed look!

~ Bad Gal has been a favorite for a long, long time. we're all about volume and drama for our nights out and this mascara doesn't disappoint. we love to combine it with our other mascara favorites for seriously insane looking lashes

~ POREfessional is a pore-minimizing primer that helps smooth out the skin texture before application of concealer, foundation or tinted moisturizer. a small dab before makeup application or a little touch here or there to mattify skin during the day. the best part is how translucent it is!

~ Posie Tint is a poppy-colored cheek & lip tint that is long wearing with just the right pop of color perfect for spring and summer. we love how so little product can provide such a gorgeous color to our cheeks!

~ HOOLA has always been a favorite bronzer of ours. its matte with no sparkles allowing it to look so natural but most importantly, it has no orange undertone to it causing it to look fake {which is THE worst when it comes to bronzer}. and since we're advocate of healthy sun, its the best way to fake a gorgeous looking tan!

~ as we said, we could go on and on and on but we hope you enjoy the few selects we've chosen. you can pick up your #benefitfavorites at any Sephora or Shopper's Drug Mark Beauty Boutiques ~

xoxo

Beauty Favorites: {Drug Store Favorites}

~ there's something to be said for being a savvy beauty junkie. it doesn't always mean having the most expensive products in your makeup kit. Rather, it means knowing what products are investment pieces and which ones you can save on.

~ being makeup artists, we go through A LOT of product. there are certain make up items that we are always replenishing and sometimes it just doesn't make sense spending so much on items that you go through so quickly and frequently. we practice this philosophy with our personal make up kits also. absolutely there are items that we will spending some of our hard-earned money on and feel no remorse or guilt whatsoever {we're looking at you Tom Ford lipsticks} but there are some things we just can't bring ourselves to spend all those dolla bills on for the following reasons:
1. we don't use them too often {like foundation ~ Oz is a tinted moisturizer kinda girl} 2. the lifetime of the product just isn't worth it {most mascaras because we go thru them so fast} 3. trendy items {certain shades of lipsticks or eyeliners are only popular for so long, no sense in spending so much money if they're only being used a few times} and lastly, 4. tried, tested and true {these products are just as good as their luxury counterparts!}

~ we've chosen 6 of our favorite drug store products that we think you'll love just as much, starting off with Oz's selects.
we would love to hear your favorites also in the comment section!!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips ~ i probably have 10 of these in all my coats and purses. they're so hydrating and impart a hint of color that can actually be used in lieu of lipstick or gloss. as an added bonus, they visibly renew the texture of your lips leaving behind super soft lips

2. Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom ~ mascara is something i thru a lot! i'm a minimalist when it comes to my every day makeup routine
3. L'Oreal Infalliable Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour ~ this gel liner is amazing. ah-may-zing. it glides on super smooth without tugging at your skin, the brush gives you a lot of control with flexibility {for those winged eyeliner days} and it stays. like on. for a very long time. it is also a favorite of many a celebrity make up artists
4. L'Oreal True Match Concealer ~ i don't know about you but i like my makeup application to be quick and foolproof but have me looking beauteous. this easy to use concealer that blends in seamlessly with color match perfection is a great on-the-go product to have for quick, cell-phone camera touch ups
5. Eco Tools Brushes ~ i'll be honest with you, i like fancy brushes. they bring me lots of joy when i use them on myself and my clients. i came across these brushes by accident: i went to a makeup gig not realizing that i had misplaced my brushes in a different kit {fortunately it was a friend and i got there super early and we were close to London Drugs}. while i could have easily done a full makeup with my hands and fingers {fashion makeup artist yo!} i do hold myself to a level of professional decorum. my salvation: eco tools brushes. they are really nice. really nice. and trust a makeup artist when they tell you if brushes are the bomb.com or not. these beauties are now my mainstay personal brushes
6. Revlon Colorstay Foundation ~ if and when i wear foundation {very rarely if ever} i like a foundation that works with my combination skin, gives me a decent amount of coverage, but most importantly, stays on my face. fortunately, this one does all of that and doesn't make me feel like my skin is caked on with makeup {yes, i am a makeup artist who doesn't like to wear foundation. we do exist}

Tarah's selects are coming up and she's a glam girl so be sure to check back soon!

xoxo

Oscars 2015 {Best Beauty Looks}

~ how perfect for makeup monday that we share our favorite beauty looks from last night's Academy Awards. as typical to any red carpet, the Oscars bring out {normally} the best beauty looks of the red carpet season. this year did not disappoint. we loved seeing the different ways celebrity makeup artists glammed up their clients. our favorite looks were a combination of the ladies who dared to go bold with their lip colors such as Emma Stone {by Rachel Goodwin}, Naomi Watts {by Pati Dubroff}, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Behati Prinsloo. we also loved seeing the soft, princess pink looks worn by Jennifer Lopez {by Mary Phillips}, Jessica Chastain {by Kristoffer Buckle}, Anna Kendrick and Reese Witherspoon {by Molly Stern}. these ladies won the beauty red carpet in our opinions and we're will absolutely be using these looks as inspiration for bridal season! ~

Top 10 Beauty Favorites: {2014}

~ 2014 has been quite a year, with ups and down {as to be expected} but a trail of glittery things has made for an overall pleasant year. i made too many visits to sephora {VIB Red yo!} and was fortunate to have a lot of support sent my way from various beauty lines {perks of being a makeup artist/beauty blogger/beauty editor}. i put together 10 of beauty favorites from 2014. i tried a lot of new products things year, from hair to skin and beauty. the biggest change for me was trying out bolder lip colors. that was a step and i'm glad i took it. i also developed a mild obsession with roller balls {they're so perfect-sized for all my handbags and clutches} and upped my skin care game {post coming soon}. i hope your year was full of pretty things and that 2015 is just as beautiful ~

1. NARS Laguna Bronzer
2. NARS Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
3. Benefit Fake Up in Shade 2
4. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black
5. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiore
6. Essie Nail Polish in Head Mistress
7. Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana Roller Ball
8. NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette
9. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
10. Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep

xoxo

Oz

{Makeup Bag Diaries}: Style Calling's Lyndi Barrett

~ hi lovelies, hope you all had a wonderful weekend! its makeup monday and today we are showcasing Lyndi Barrett from Style Calling's makeup bag. Lyndi is the editor of Style Calling, a local fashion publication that covers events of all kinds and interviews with some local, national and international designers. a bonus to being an editor: Lyndi gets to preview different beauty launches and beauty events! follow along with Lyndi's instagram and check out her beauty favorites below~

~Lyndi stores her every day beauty favorites in a sparkly makeup bag from Indigo and favors MAC brushes for precise application. Some of Lyndi's complexion absolute must haves: Tom Ford Illuminator, Dior Foundation, La Biosthetique Cheek Shimmer and MAKE UP FOR EVER Finishing powder  Lyndi loves to use Chanel eye shadows, La Biosthetique eye liner, Dior DiorShow Black Out mascara and Stila shadow palette to play up her eyes. She finishes her makeup with Mereadesso lip treats, Aerin lip gloss and Tom Ford Lip Shimmer on her lips. A spritz of her favorite Tom Ford fragrance and its #girlboss time. Lyndi understands the importance of good skin care and shares her advice,

"Before applying any makeup, I like to moisturize my skin with a serum. I am currently using {and loving} Estee Lauder’s Rosy Prism Radiant Gel"

xoxo
Oz

French Girl Beauty

~ bonjour beauties. it's makeup monday and who better to teach us about makeup and hair than french girls? i can across this article on vogue.com and needed to share it with you all. i subscribe to a very similar beauty philosophy for my own everyday beauty: minimalism at its finest with an emphasis on looking like the best version of myself by accentuating, not covering up. i've linked a few of my favorites products to achieve my everyday beauty look. give the article and read and share your everyday beauty essentials with us!

Style x Beauty Dept

YSL Touché Eclat
Nars Blush in Nico
Nars Eyeshadow in Abyssinia
Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagant Mascara
Nars Larger than Life Eyeliner
MAC Ruby Woo
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso
Bumble and Bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme



xoxo
Oz