My Powder Foundation Routine

Back in February, I posted about my foundation routine. I planned on showing you my powder foundation routine soon, but... "soon" has a different meaning here on Miss Diorista than in the rest of the world, so you're getting my powder foundation routine now :)

I really like powder foundation, since it's quick and simple. Also, I'm young and I don't always need the heavier coverage that a liquid foundation gives me, but I still want something. So give it powder foundation a try if you haven't already!

1. First, I conceal my under-eye circles and any dark spots that have to be concealed. I really like the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, since I can use it both under my eyes and on my skin, because it doesn't have a pink undertone to it.
2. I set the concealer with a setting powder, very often my Dior Diorskin Powder. Sometimes, I also sweep a bit of this over my forehead, nose and chin to control any shine, before I put on the actual foundation.
3. Time for the foundation! I really like Hello Flawless! by Benefit, but I also have one by Dior which I really like. For both of these, I use a sponge (you can get them at the drugstore) for sweeping and patting them on. I also bring the powder down to my neck.
4. If I'm looking too powdery, I really like to buff the foundation in with a Sigma F80, which is a flat top kabuki. It makes everything look more natural and blended.

That's it! Finally, a nice tip to remember when wearing powder foundation, is that it never hurts to use an illuminator with it. You can either apply a luminizing primer underneath, or sweep on luminizing powder afterwards. Either way, you will look more glowy, younger and always fresh.

Love,

Miss Diorista

Benefit - Hello Flawless!

I... am in love with this. You all know that I love powder foundation, and this (as well as the Diorskin Nude Compacte one) has to be my favourite so far. For reference, mine is in the colour "Gee, I'm swell - shell" (and don't you just love that name?!)

The compact is made out of plastic and is not very sturdy, so I wouldn't travel loads with it. It has two "floors", the upper one is the powder itself, and the lower one keeps a brush (pictured above) and a sponge (which I've already thrown away and replaced).

Frankly, the brush is really not good, I think. It is scratchy and thin, and simply scrapes up powder... don't like it. The sponge was good, though, and when it got too dirty I just bought new ones at a drugstore. I like to use a sponge with this powder, since that gives me better coverage than a brush could. 

As you can see, I´ve already hit pan on this, I use this so much! The coverage is really nice, light to medium, but buildable.

I honestly don't know what more to tell you, all I can think about right now is how much I love this product :) Ask in the comments if I didn't cover some of your questions about this product, I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Product (65%) - 9.5/10

Value (10%) - 8/10

Would I repurchase? (15%) - 9.5/10

Packaging (10%) - 7/10

Overall - 9/10 (because of the flimsy packaging...)

Love,

Miss Diorista

My Current Foundation Routine

Some of my favourite posts to read are all kinds of routines - foundation routines, skincare routines, blush/bronzer routine... you get the idea :)

So I thought I'd share my own foundation routine with you. This is my liquid foundation, I'll post my powder foundation one later (which is quite simple, though...). But let's get into it, hope you enjoy it ;)

1. First off, I prime my face with the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, using clean fingers. Now I love this stuff, but I've been hearing from people who break out from it, so be careful... try before you buy :) 
2. I like to put on foundation before concealer, so next up is my current go-to foundation, Dior's Nude Foundation. I prefer using my fingers for this foundation, I just make sure they're clean. I can't say enough about this foundation!
3. Now my foundation is in place, I can see where I need some extra coverage. I'm currently using Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer under my eyes, but I also use Benefit's Erase Paste. If I have anything else than has to be concealed (for example redness on my nose and/or chin), I generally use the "green" side of Make Up Store's Cover All Mix. This stuff really hides redness. Again, I use my clean fingers for both concealers.
4. For a setting powder, I've been using Dior's Diorskin Poudre Compacte in "Transparent Light" for quite some time now. I use the included sponge for this powder, and I feel it actually does a great job.

That's it! Really quick and simple, and I've been using this same routine for a little over a month now... ever since I got the Dior Nude Foundation actually :)

What is your fave foundation routine? Please tell me in the comments! Oh, and don't forget to include your favourite foundation, I'm always on the hunt for new ones to try out.

And finally: Have you tried Sigma brushes? What did you think of them? I'm looking into buying a brush kit from there...

Yours,

Miss Diorista

Dior - Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Sculpting Powder Makeup SPF10

That has to be the longest product name in history... (if you know a longer one, though, let me know!)
I have talked about this product to you before, and it is a powder foundation - that is, a powder, which covers like a light foundation. If you read my blog on a regular basis, you probably know that I love powder foundations. However, there are a few "extras" about this one, which made me fall completely head over heals:

• The compact itself is beautiful, can be carried around easily, and has a special place for a small brush/sponge.
• You not only get powder foundation, but also blush and highlighter, in the same compact!
• When you're done with the powder, you can buy a filling, instead of having to buy a whole new compact. Environmentally friendly :)

 Now on to the product itself.

 

 This is what the product looks like (mine is in shade 020, called Beige Praline).

It comes with an accompanying brush, which is actually usable if you want very sheer coverage, but I don't use it so I couldn't find it... sorry :S

You can see I've already hit pan on the foundation part, which is the lowest one. The middle part is a beautiful peachy blush with some shimmer to it, and the top part is a matte highlighter. Let me tell you, I'm in love with this highlighter! Nothing makes my nose look slimmer than this ;) All the powders are very smooth and easy to work with (I like using a sponge for all of them).

The foundation gives me even coverage, it is definitely buildable, but covers light to medium. The average wear-time is about four hours (maybe five) before I have to touch it up. This product can also be used as a setting powder, over liquid foundation. I even think my foundation looks slightly more natural with this powder than without it. However, most of the time I wear this product by itself.

I tried swatching those for you, but my camera was giving me a hard time with the lighting and all... but as I said, the blush is a light, fresh peach with shimmer, and the highlighter is a soft, slightly pinkish white/beige.

The only obvious downside I can see to this product, is that you go through the foundation part so much quicker than the blusher and the highlighter, since you alternate those more. This can be a problem when you want to buy a new filling for the compact, but still have more than enough of blush and highlighter. However, I don't mind this problem, since I really love the foundation.

Product (65%) - 9/10

Value (10%) - 8.5/10

Would I repurchase? (15%) - 9/10

Packaging (10%) - 9.5/10

Overall - 9/10

Love,

Miss Diorista

January Favourites!

It's already February! I can't believe it :) So it's time for another monthly favourites post, yay! I don't have an awful lot of products to show you, but I have also included one TV show and one foodie... or maybe it's a drink. Yes, water it's definitely a drink :) Enjoy!

L-R, top row first: I don't know why I haven't mentioned the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer to you before - 'cause I love it! I have seriously come to the point where I can't wear foundation without applying this to my skin first!

The Diorskin Nude Glow Foundation you already know - I've told you how much I love it, been wearing it non-stop this month! You can find my review here.

How come I am first now discovering the wonders of blotting sheets?! I've had those Bourjois Anti-Shine Blotting Sheets forever... maybe three years, I think, but I never used them until three weeks ago. Now I can't leave hourse without them, these are a lifesaver.

The blush is by Make Up Store, Frozen Daiquiri - it is a beautiful, bright colour with shimmer (see my haul and swatches here). I love this for a pop of colour on the apples of my cheeks - but be careful! This is very pigmented - which is why I use the next and the last product on the picture to apply it - the MAC 188. In case you aren't familiar with it, it's a small duo-fibre brush which can be used for mineral blushes, regular blushes (if very pigmented) and even foundation. I find that by just tapping the brush twice, very lightly, in the product, I get about the amount I need. Then I blend out with a kabuki.

Mixing blushes - I love this! It gives you such a natural flush, much more natural than you could achieve using just one product. I will do a separate post on how to mix two blushes for a flushed but contoured blush-look, without having to use a contour colour!

Dexter - Is loving him wrong? Because I can't help it :)

Sparkling Water - I can seriously drink dozens of bottles of sparkling water!


What are your favourites for January? I'd love to hear, please comment and tell me ;)

Love, Miss Diorista

P.S. I'd be happy to review any of those for you - let me know if you would like to see reviews, and then I'll be sure to put them on the top of my list!

Dior - Diorskin Nude Foundation

I got this beautiful foundation for Christmas (see here what else I got ;)
Short review? I love it! If you want something a bit more in-depth, then read on ;)

I am shade 010, which is pretty much as close to my skin colour as I have ever gotten with a foundation.
What I love about this foundation, is how radiant and hydrated it makes my skin look. Made out of approximately 40% water, this foundation is really hydrating and does not dry me out at all.
The consistency is nice, a bit runny but that just makes the foundation easier to work with. The coverage is light to medium, but it can be built a bit. However, if you prefer full coverage, then this is not for you. You should also know, that the weartime of this foundation is not as long as with many others. After about four hours I can see that the coverage is starting to fade a bit. This does not make me love the foundation any less, though! Just grab your powder with you, and you'll be good to go.
The foundation also has SPF10, which is a plus, and the packaging is super-pretty, with a great pump, and choosing the amount of product you want is very easy.
However, the best thing about the foundation is that with continual use, your skin will look more radiant and beautiful than before, even without makeup. I've only had the foundation since Christmas, but I believe I can already see some difference with my skin.
Last but not least, I can't feel the foundation on my face at all - I don't look or feel "made up".

I decided to try using this "two-pic" layout. Let me know if you like it or not. Maybe not quite clear enough? Anyways, the upper left picture is without foundation, the lower right picture has one "layer". You can see that the tone of my hand has been evened out, yet not completely covered. Very natural.

Product (65%) - 8.5/10

Value (10%) - 8/10

Would I repurchase? (15%) - 10/10

Packaging (10%) - 9,5/10

Overall - 9/10

Love, Miss Diorista

P.S. I've made some of the most important facts from the review bold for those who just want to take a quick look - tell me if you like it or not!

Tag: Top 10 Summer Products!

I found this tag on YouTube a few weeks ago, and obviously, I'm a little late with it since half of July has already flown by, but still! I have eleven products, actually, but they're still ten... ok?
So let's get this thing started!Starting from the left:

1) Summer foundation. Mine is by The Body Shop (my nice nice aunt gave it to me - thanks!). It is a powder foundation, has very sheer coverage, feels light and gives my skin a healthy glow. You need the kabuki to apply it. Mine is shade 03.

2) Mattifying powder. This is possibly one of the most important things for summer, especially if you have the tendency to "shine"! My powder is by Dior, it is their Dior Diorskin Poudre Compacte, and mine is shade 001. It is sheer, but still gives me a bit of coverage as well as acting as a mattifyer. A standard in my purse!

3) Illuminator. When I'm out in the sun, I want my skin to literally glow, especially my cheeks and cheekbones. You can get powder, liquid or cream illuminators, but personally I prefer powders... No matter what you pick, though, be sure not to pick a glittery one, buy one which gives you that nice glow/sheen/slight shimmer. And remember that less is more, you don't want to look like a disco ball! My favourite illuminator this summer has been MAC's Beauty Powder in Shell Pearl. It was LE and came out with the Liberty of London collection.

4) Natural-Looking Eyeliner. In summer, I don't wanna do the whole dramatic thing with my eye makeup. I save the attention for my bright lips! So my favourite thing for 'a summer night out', is to wear a teeny tiny bit of brown eyeliner, instead of black. You can pick a matte one or one that has glitter/shimmer. I recently bought the Maybelline Line Definer in Brown Bronze Gleam. It is a dark brown with bronzy tones and a bit of shimmer.

5) Tinted Moisturizer. IMO, this is a must for summer! Preferably, pick one with SPF. I don't feel like wearing heavy foundation when it's hot outside, so I wear my tinted moisturizer. Now, you have to realize that I am letting you in on a secret, here... the tinted moisturizer you see above is absolutely... amazing! A dream... It is by Dior (surprise, surprise!) and is from their HydraLife skincare range. It is called Dior Pro-Youth Skin Tint. Mine is in shade 1, and it has SPF 20, which I love! This gives me the perfect coverage, evens out my skintone, gives me a glowy look, and is extremely moisturizing. Ok... I'll stop obsessing about it now... did I mention that I love it? And that applying makeup on top is easy peasy?! Ok... I know, I said I'd stop... I'll write a review on it soon!
1) Makeup Remover Wipes. A must-have when you're on vacation or just don't have time to do the whole thing. In summer, I want to spend most of my time having fun, not removing my makeup! So I love those, they are from Preven's Paris. Of course, washing your face with wipes every night is not a good idea, since it doesn't, IMO, do quite the same thing as a cleanser would. But two or three nights a week, three months a year, is no biggie!

2) Light-Catching Lipgloss in a Light Colour. I want my lips to look like precious jewels in the sun... lol! Well, maybe that was a bit too poetic for a beauty blog, but you get the idea! Mine is L'Oréal's 6H Glam Shine, in Forever Nude. I love it, feels nice, lasts decently, can be worn over lipstick, or alone.

3) Bright Lipgloss. I love bright and bold lips for summer. Why not make a statement? This summer´s pick was The Body Shop's Love gloss in shade 18, called Tropical Pink. It is not pink. That is simple! It is a bright coral colour, almost orange... but very wearable, yet bright. It is has shimmer (you have probably picked up on it by now, that I love shimmer!). If you look at the swatch on TBS website, then know that the gloss is way brighter in real life than it seems there!

4) Bright Lipstick. Yes. I love bright lips, so bright lipstick are love... My favourite for this summer is L'Oréal's Glam Shine Crema in Hot Lilac (check out my review!). It is a bright, glittery lilac colour.

5) Light-Catching Lipstick in a Light Colour. Light-catching, meaning shimmery and pretty... Mine is MAC´s Lipstick in Beachbound, LE from the To The Beach Collection. It looks like a simple nude indoors, but in the sun, it. is. beyond. beautiful. Period.

6) Nailpolish in a not-tradiational-summer-colour... long, and hard to figure out? No. Not at all! Just pick a colour that seems fun to you, but is not the summery pink/coral/red. My fave these days is the OPI Chicago Champagne Toast. It is very pretty and yes, has a sheen/shimmer to it!

So that is all. Please tell me your must-haves for summer, do this tag and let me know in the comments below! Or do you want a review on any of the products? Comment and tell me!

Yours,
Miss Diorista

June 2010 Favourites

Yes, I know I'm a bit late with this maybe, but still, I wanted to let you guys know what I've been loving this June! So let´s get started!

This one is to the side, just flip your computer if you can... or tilt your head! This is OPI's Chicago Champagne Toast. A really pretty pinkish plum colour, and a nice break from this season's bright corals!

This beautiful blush to the left is simply love, love, love. It is in shade 02 and it is by Golden Rose (I got in a pharmacy). I have absolutely been loving the gorgeous pink glow that it gives. You can see it swatched on the bottom.

The lipgloss is by GOSH and the shade is 0058. This is a really nice rosy pink colour with shimmer. Looks good on its own but is still sheer enough to be put over lipstick. It is swatched on top.

The lipgloss is 6H Glam Shine in shade 103, called Forever Nude, by L'Oréal. My aunt gave this to me for my birthday in April, and I love it! Love the texture, the colour, the shimmer, the consistency, the packaging, everything! It is a pinky nude, wearable enough to wear on its own but simply outstanding over lipstick! It is swatched on top.

The lipstick is my favourite lipstick, and it is by Dior, in shade 559, called Rose Drama. It is so wearable, a pinkish mauve colour, with a hint of plum maybe, and has a beautiful sheen to it. No chunky glitter here. Very sophisticated and goes brilliantly with the L'Oréal lipgloss. Swatched on the bottom.

This is a beautipowder by MAC, and it came out with the Liberty of London collection. It is called Shell Pearl, and the name really tells you all about it. This is a gorgeous pale pink powder. I love the pearly sheen it gives, and I use it either as a pale blush or over another blush to give me that nice, pearly look. Great to wear out in the sun!

FYI, you're looking at a miracle product here! This is Cover All Mix (in the lighter shade) by Make Up Store. I don't use the red colour, and the lightest shade I only use to prime my eyelids (works well as a primer, but not as a concealer!), but it's the green shade that I'm in love with! I use it on my chin and nose to conceal any redness that I have and this works wonders, covers well and blends in perfectly. Does not look green on the skin!

This is probably my number one summer product (though I do use it a lot no matter the season, this is one of my makeup collection's stars!). It is Dior's Diorskin Poudre Compacte in shade 001, called Transparent Light. I use it either to set my makeup or as a 'foundation' on those "almost no makeup days". It makes my skin look healthy, even and it mattes the areas which get shiny in summer (my forehead and my nose) without making them look powdery, chalky or 'made-up'. Just beautiful.

This is my summer foundation, Nature's Minerals by The Body Shop. Mine is shade 03. This is a powder foundation, but it gives me a very glowy, almost dewy look, and does not feel or look powdery at all. It is very sheer coverage, but on the other hand it looks so natural. The kabuki brush is necessary to apply it and I love this brush, so dense and soft.

This is it for now, I hope you enjoyed and please comment and tell me your favourites, or if you have tried any of the products above!

Dior-ish regards,

Miss Diorista