REVIEW AND SWATCHES: Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation

Beauty Gonzalez

                         Beauty Gonzalez

Last year, I was lucky enough to receive the entire colour selection of the new Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation prior to it's launch to the general public. I remember walking downstairs, seeing a big box, opening it and literally screaming!

Becca is known for the amazing glow that their products can provide (from the backlight primer to the shimmering skin perfectors). Plus I have dry dull skin. SO.... you can only imagine the excitement and anticipation that I felt when I saw the package and the name of the product!

I have now tried and tested the product so I feel confident enough to give you all a thorough, honest and in depth review. So keep on reading guys!

So as I mentioned, my skin is a normal to dry and is very dull. It is also sensitive considering that I have eczema. I will also mention that I tested out this product on my face when I had texture forming on my face, when I had a slight rash that was slightly inflamed, when my skin was showing a lot of redness and when my skin was overall not looking or feeling well. 

Okay, so let's start with the basics - the packaging. It is a gorgeous frosted glass package with a gorgeous lid. It is heavy - but that to me indicates that it isn't "cheap" feeling or "cheap" looking. But as always, heavy packaging means that the product is not travel friendly. The glass package also renders the product "not-travel-friendly". But this does not in itself cause me to dislike a product...ever. 

Now the colour range. I think the colour range that they provide is quite substantial and really caters to a wide range of colours from very fair skin to very deep skin. The lightest shade being "fair" and the deepest being "deep bronze". 

To give you a good idea of the shade range - I was originally "light". Then I tanned - going to the Sydney beaches on scorching hot days and spending a week in the Gold Coast can really do that to you. My tan line was insane and everywhere I went people couldn't help but comment on the fact that I was "so dark". But despite this, I was still only sitting in "medium" as my perfect shade. So this (plus the swatches) should show you that the colour range really does cater for a lot of people. 

One other thing to note is that I have very yellow skin. I always say this, but I think I look like I belong on the Simpsons. That is how yellow I am. And I think that this really gives us yellow undertone ladies a good selection of colours. I think that it will also work well for those with neutral undertones. However, I don't know how well it will suit more pink undertone ladies - so I would suggest going in store to test them before you buy, or look at reviews by those with more pink undertones.

This is the entire shade range in order. The frosted glass obfuscates the actually colours in the bottle, but they are much darker when you use them than what it looks like when you simply look at the bottle.

Swatches of the Colours. L-R:

Fair - Light - Beige - Medium - Tan - Warm Honey - Dark Golden - Deep Bronze

Please note: I got very sunburnt/tan the day before taking this photo so my skin colour is quite orange/tan.

SO moving onto how to apply the product. This is where it already starts to get interesting. Firstly, you really need to shake the product well. It does say that on the package (it comes with a little sticker that you can remove that says "shake well before use"). But... if you use half your brain before using the product, you will notice that the product 'separates' inside. Now that sounds really bad but it isn't. It's just that you will notice at the top of the bottle (as pictured below), begins to form a layer that is not the same colour as what's in the rest of the bottle. This is obviously very easy to rectify - simply shake the bottle. But I do think that it is important to remember to shake well before use. 

(Apologies for the bad quality of these photos. Just wanted to show you the cap!)

When the button is yet to come up.

Then, in order to dispense the product things get super interesting. You twist the cap and a little button pops up at the top. (Pictured below). This is a button for the dropper. 

After the button has popped up.

Then I like to press the dropper button about 2 or 3 times and then pull it out of the bottle. You then just simply use the dropper to dispense the foundation where you wish. I personally like to put foundation on the back of my hand and then use a brush, sponge or my fingers to put it on my face. 

So already, I found the process of using the product quite unique and interesting. But now moving onto the formula. Okay so I am going to start by letting you know that I really love the foundation. And I want to make sure you understand that this is not because they sent it to me. It is genuinely what I have been looking for in a foundation that I was struggling to find. 

The dropper

So the formula itself is a more thin and water-y formula. On the skin, you can barely feel that it's there because it's so thin. It also looks like skin on your face - you can't see the foundation! It's amazing. It is also a rather hydrating formula. I have super dry skin so many foundations just make me feel like I have had the life sucked out of my skin! But this one doesn't do that for about 5-6 hours of wear which is very good for my skin type. 

The finish is extremely glowy. Imagine the Shimmering Skin Perfectors (liquid) mixed in with your foundation - and voila! That's what this baby looks like. I love it. The glow is gorgeous and whenever I am wearing this foundation, people are commenting on how gorgeous, healthy and flawless my skin looks. I seriously cannot get over how gorgeous and perfect the finish is. It isn't wet looking like some foundations are, and it isn't just a simple satin finish. It is a gorgeous glow that is created all over the face. 

The coverage is also really good. I think that this is a solid medium coverage foundation. Now, different people have different perceptions on the coverage, but I tend to use a fair bit and really pack it on with a flat top brush rather than using a beauty blender or a buffing/stippling brush, so naturally I will be getting more coverage. So for me, it covers all my spider veins and my redness, which suggests a medium coverage to me. So I love it. I love that this foundation offers a gorgeous glowy look but isn't that thin or light coverage but it provides a very decent coverage.

I will say however, because it is a more glowy finish, it doesn't set the same as a matte foundation. So I always have to dust a light powder on top (I like to use the MAC Mineralise Skin Finish because it's very thin and natural looking so it doesn't just get rid of the glow that the foundation provides). This way it will minimise transfer of the foundation and it means that the contour, blush and highlight powders that I put on top can glide on rather than go all muddy. The foundation stays pretty tacky even after a substantial amount of time (and I have dry skin), so if you're oily normal combo you will definitely need to powder the foundation. 

It does also oxidise ever so slightly. That means that the foundation does change colour (a little darker) over time. So when I first used the medium shade it seemed a bit light for my skin, but then over time as I was finishing my makeup it oxidised and seemed like a better colour match. So bear that in mind when you're purchasing the shade that you want.  

Photos of me wearing the foundation. (Follow me on Instagram @mnh.beauty for more!) 

I have heard that this is also amazing on oily skin. I cannot speak about this from experience because my skin is dry. However, I have read comments by multiple people that say that this foundation also works amazingly on oily skin people. I would just recommend that you set it with a powder because otherwise your oil and the glow may create.... too much glow. ;) 

Compared to Ellis Faas

If you have read my Ellis Faas Foundation Review (link HERE), you will know that I have been on the hunt for a foundation that is full coverage and glowy. Although the Ellis Faas was amazing, it has a hefty price tag and has a very limited colour range! So I have still been on the hunt for something that is more suitable to a greater number of people. Now, I don't think that this foundation is full coverage - it is medium coverage, but the glow factor, colour range and coverage altogether is really amazing. So I honestly think that this is a great alternative to that foundation. It doesn't have the same hydration has the Ellis Faas, but everything else, it is either better or on par with it! 

Overall: I love the packaging. I love the finish. I love the colours. I love the formula. I love the coverage. I love the colour range. The only downfall for me is the fact that you have to set the foundation and the fact that it isn't travel friendly. I also find it ever so slightly inconvenient that I feel the need to really shake the product HARD before using because the separation is palpable. But these are all minor things and to be honest, I truly love love love this foundation. It is definitely what I have been searching for.

Source URL: http://mnh-beauty.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/review-and-swatches-becca-aqua-luminous.html

Pimples Cure Home Remedy

Beauty Games

Pimples gives the worst situation to the teenagers regarding their skin care. Pimples give a bad look to the face when it is more. Not only the bad look but the pimples give a bad texture after the pimple has gone. In some cases it produces holes on the facial skin. This causes mental worry to teens. Lots of products are available in the market that claim sudden cure. But most of the time the experience from the store brought products are not that much favorable. Not only that sometimes it gives side effects. It causes skin damage etc. At this point of time it is quite natural to think about a sure home remedy for pimple cure. As it is natural there will be no side effects. Here is a natural home remedy using neem leaves and tulsi leaves.

Neem leaf

It is highly medicinal. This is used for several skin problems. Here we need few fresh leaves. Take five or ten leaves depending on the purpose.

Tulsi leaf

Tulsi is also used for several skin disorders. Here we need 5 leaves.

Preparation of Pimples cure home remedy

Neem and tulsi leaves we require in the proportion of 1:2. If you take 10 tulsi leaves then take 5 neem leaves. Here you take 6 tulsi leaves and 3 neem leaves. Make a paste by adding few drops of water. You can mash the leaves using small hand grinder.

Application

Wash the face well with water. Wipe the excess water from the face. Apply the paste, ONLY on the pimple area. Apply thickly on the pimples. There may be some burning feel but don't worry. Leave it for 10-15 min. and wash it off. The main ingredient here is the neem leaf. So if you do not feel any discomfort with the neem leaf then next day you increase the number of neem leaves used. But if you feel discomfort then you have to take less number of neem leaves on the next day. Do this daily for five days consecutively and then repeat it once in three or four days till the pimples disappear. This pimples cure home remedy is safe and effective.

Full Blog: http://natural-homemade-beauty-tips.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/pimples-cure-home-remedy.html

Fall Beauty & Fashion Haul! Eden Sky, Papaya, Sephora & Lush

Source URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTtCAtA83Jo

NEW IN! SUKIN HYDRATING FACIAL MASQUE

Beauty Evolved

                     Beauty Evolved

If you are a fan of the Australian, natural skincare brand Sukin, you will be excited to know that they are expanding their range of facial masks to include a brand new Hydrating Facial Masque.

I have long been a fan of Sukin's original, clay based Purifying Facial Masque, along with many of their other products, and have gone through around three tubs to date! I am a bit of a face mask junkie at the best of times, and I love having masks in my skincare wardrobe that cater to the different needs that my skin might have from time to time. Sometimes I feel that my skin needs a good cleansing and brightening mask, sometimes one with a kick of glycolic acid to exfoliate, and sometimes just pure hydration and plumping. The Sukin hydrating mask falls nicely into the latter.

The packaging is reminiscent of all of Sukin's face masks, presented in a 100ml tub. I like to apply my masks with an old, flat foundation brush that I use specifically for that purpose. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using clean fingers, it's just a matter of personal preference. Like all of Sukin's products, this one won't break the bank either, with a very reasonable RRP of $15.95 AUD.

The list of active ingredients in the mask are impressive. Skin softening Mango Butter, Olive oil, Avocado oil and Jojoba oil provide the skin with a good dose of fatty acids, giving the skin a cocktail of soothing hydration. Fruit extracts of Mango, Papaya and Pineapple not only provide essential vitamins A,B and C, they also contain enzymes known for their anti-inflammatory action, and naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acids to brighten, exfoliate and encourage collagen production.

The texture of this mask is soft, light, and pudding like, and it smooths easily over the skin. It has a lovely fresh fruity scent, that is quite subtle and not at all overpowering. Applied to freshly cleansed, damp skin, I have left it on for the recommended time of at least 15 minutes, and find that it sets a little on the skin, but does not dry down completely.  I like to soften the mask with a couple of splashes of warm water, and then remove with a clean, warm flannel. My skin feels and looks fresh and hydrated, and I feel that any areas of dehydration and fine lines appear smooth and plump. A little tip I like to do when using a hydrating mask, is to apply a little to the backs of my hands to give them a bit of a treat as well, an often neglected area that certainly shows signs of ageing.

On one occasion, I used the Purifying Facial Masque first, and then followed it with the Hydrating Masque... a quick and easy double duty power facial at home! My skin glowed!

Worthy of note, I have only used the mask on two occasions thus far, and have personally not noticed any irritation from the product. I will keep it in rotation for the next few weeks and months, and keep you updated on my thoughts! First impressions are very good, and I can see this mask being of benefit to all skin types. To date, I have never met a Sukin product that I didn't love, from their beautiful body washes and lotions, body and facial oils, and haircare,  I warmly support the brand as a whole.

Orginal Author: http://the-beauty-vine.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/new-in-sukin-hydrating-facial-masque.html

Search for the Secret of Life and Death

Beauty Encounter

                          Beauty Encounter

Why can’t we all live forever? It seems a terrible flaw in the fabric of the world—that death haunts us from the moment we are born, injecting a note of tragedy into everything. And yet how could it be otherwise, if reproduction is equally a part of the fabric of space-time? 

An image of the endless search for the answer to this paradox is drawn by Jack Kirby in his comic book The New Gods. Metron is a character from New Genesis. His chair carries him wherever he wishes, and yet we can take him as a symbol of a search that never finds what it is seeking, in an ultimate sense. Though not the hero of the stories (very much a peripheral character, like Lightray) he offers the image of a powerful archetype.

Why life and death? 

Everybody comes to death eventually, either by disease or by “old age.” There’s a part of me, suffering from prostate cancer, that wants simply to get it over with. In that case the simplest outcome is to stay with the illness I have and see it through. Alternatively, I could recover, somehow, and in this way buy a few more weeks or months or years of life. 

And yet, and yet…. For God wants us to have a certain treasure, a wealth, that we can have only in a certain way—and that cannot come to us by taking something from him prematurely. “I can find that divine wealth that God, by his adoption of us, intends us to inherit. Wherever I turn, I shall find him. Whether life has smooth ways or rough, whether it hangs my path with lights or hides me in gloom, I am the heir to all that earth or sea or sky can boast of as their possession.” 

The “rich things of God,” are the things he wishes us to claim from him. For “I have a claim upon even more. I have a claim upon the very source of this wealth, that is, upon God himself, for he is the sole source of all his greatness.” There is no doubt about it. “I have a right to God himself. He is mine. He who holds in the hollow of his hands the fabric of the world, who with his divine power supports, and with his Providence directs, the intricate pattern of the world, has himself by creation entered deeply into the world; at the heart of everything he lies hidden.” 

The author of this remarkable passage (Magnificat, May 2014, pp. 198-9) is the English Dominican writer, Father Bede Jarrett, O.P. He adds that God “comes in a fuller, richer way into the depths of the soul” by grace. It is by virtue of this grace that “here in me are Father, and Son, and Spirit.” And we must conclude that God wishes to give himself to us completely, and in no other way than this. God gives himself to the whole world through us, by giving himself through life and death. 

God entered deeply into the world—so deeply that we can call it a merging, a uniting of his own nature with the world itself. It is no illusion, but a real uniting. We can participate by joining in the rhythm of life and death. God hides himself deeply within the world, not as an extension of life, such as an experience or two, but as the totality of being. At first it all seems inaccessible and impossible. The Cross seems impossible, incredible. It seems foolish, crazy. But we must join fully, deeply, truly. And we must start as soon as possible.

Credits here: http://beauty-in-education.blogspot.com/2014/05/search-for-secret-of-life-and-death.html

Fashion Haul Winter 2016 | Makeup Tutorials and Beauty Reviews

Read more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqwp0-Kczqg