Category: Powders
2 The Ben Nye Banana Powder: Why the chaos?
What is the BEN NYE BANANA POWDER?
Ben Nye brand describes it as : ” Formerly known as Visage Poudre Luxury Powders, these ultra-neutral powders provide superior matte and subtle finishing. Often compared to French powders with silky-fine textures. The Ben Nye Bella line of powders are translucent with just a hint of color.”
The powder has a non sparkly/shimmery finish. It is completely matte. It’s called banana powder- but NO- it doesn’t smell like bananas!
Why is it yellow?
All translucent powders are white in color- but this translucent powder is yellow because it helps preventing your skin from looking ashy. If you have a medium color skin tone or olive or darker it would suite you best. What you will love about this is that when you get photographed wearing it- you won’t see any white blotches like other translucent powders.
I believe if you have more yellow undertones than pink- it will work better on you. I wouldn’t use this on very fair skin.
This translucent powder blends flawlessly. Also, anything that is translucent will work well on oily skin as it doesn’t change in color (darken) with the oil secretion from your t-zone.
USES
You can use it as a powder on top of liquid foundation to help it set. It will control the shine, doesn’t really change your foundation color much ( it does tend to make fairer skin to look weird & yellow), has no perfume in it.
But I believe the main use – which a lot of makeup artists use it for is- Highlighting as in part of contouring! I always use it for that- after a lot of practice- I have mastered it and It is very natural!
I’m sure you have seen Kim Kardashian’s contouring pictures- her makeup artists use this a lot on her! It helps in setting the concealer and brightening it up naturally.
It is the perfect powder to highlight and bring out those areas out in the face. When contouring, I believe you need to highlight in order to contrast between the light and dark areas. See below to know where to highlight (white areas). I recommend keeping the yellow powder on your face for a few minutes before you blend it off with a brush.
The thing I hated about this powder is the packaging/ container. Instead of dipping your brush you have to use it like a baby/talc powder.
So you would have to use it on a plate or something then take it from there. When I contour- I use it with these triangular sponges.
The banana powder is affordable- you can order it from many websites online.
0 Harmonie Poudre De Soleil – Summertime De Chanel Collection- My review
This beautiful collection from Chanel “Summertime De Chanel” screams summer. It includes a mixture of sophisticated nude & coral lips, a mix of muted browns and a focus on glowing bronzed skin!
Chanel- always keeping it classy- opt for pretty simple and subtle shades instead of extra bright hues for the summer.
As Chanel describes it, “Sun-kissed cheeks, magnetic eyes, and radiant beauty”.
So I have this bronzer from the collection- and I can tell you- from just seeing it- you will feel that it is the MOST natural bronzer you will ever see, due to its very subtle colors. BTW- this bronzer is used on the model’s face in the above photo.
The bronzer “Harmonie Poudre De Soleil” #907 Sable Beige is the bronzer’s name. The collection does have another one called “Sable Rose” with some pink & gold to give some hint of blush.
It comes in a cute velvety pouch
Sable Beige bronzer has a mixture of beiges & browns. You will notice that the colors range from soft to intense, all in form of blocks! This will make it easier to swipe the different colors and give your face a beautiful mixed glow (light & dark)- Not just dark as other bronzers (orangy result)!
So it has 7 color strips. They blend beautifully and naturally contour (which I LOVE- not a dark shown contour).
If you want a super natural bronzer- this is the way to go. For extra dark bronzed look- this is the wrong choice.
However, it will go beautifully if you are tanned & want to add a hint of a natural glow. You will feel that this bronzer is super lightweight!
I like using these type of bronzers/blushes with a KABUKI brush- easier to use and take on all the different colors.
Can’t wait to be fully tanned again in a week so I can really feel how this bronzer will give me a natural glow!
My swatch is below- notice how very natural it looks- a beautiful reflecting sheen… but you can always add more for it to show
The bronzer’s retail price is 28 BD
Summertime De Chanel Full collection is available in Bahrain. It’s limited editon so get yours asap! It is one of those chanel powders (like Blush De Horizon-pink) which are causing a huge stirr in the beauty industry!
You can get yours at:
0 MAC – ‘In Extra Dimension’ Skinfinish – MORE THAN SUPERB!
Thanks to one of my followers (more like a sister) who got this product for me from the UK!
Well, this collection didn’t arrive in Bahrain yet and it will arrive on doomsday I guess:P
The product I will review here is from a new collection in MAC- which already launched in the US and Europe for a while now.
The product is from a collection called “In Extra Dimension“- the full product listing/pictures can be found in a previous post- click here !
This amazing collection features beautiful eyeshadows & skinfinishes…. all in 3D texture.
FYI: it’s called ‘extra dimensions’ for a reason- to highlight the dimensions of the face & bring out it’s unique features.
According to MAC- “Introducing a new liquid-powder formula with prismatic reflections that sculpts, highlights and models the face.”
Gorgeous shades- and I fell in love with a skinifinish which I had to get a hold of!
“Superb” – is one of 3 skinifinishes available. I fell in love with the color.
Superb is more of a nude peachy color with a hint of gold with it. More like rose gold
It does have shimmer- but I love how it is NOT too shimmery/glittery. It’s a subtle shimmer to give a beautiful glow.
Many girls will get confused, believing it is like other mineralize skinfinish products from MAC. Well, it is completely different- I think they should have named it something else. The texture and finish is totally different than the other skinfinishes.
FYI- this product is a highlighter. Meaning that you would use it to accentuate the features on your face. I love using it on my cheekbone & nose.
What I absolutely love about this specific shade, it goes perfectly with a tanned look! Many of the highlighters we find don’t contain a golden/nude sheen – more leaning towards silverish white colors. A sunkissed look goes perfectly with “superb” skinfinish.
Use it with a sigma brush F35 or MAC 188 to apply on specific areas. Don’t over apply – make it look natural.
It is easily blendable- highly pigmented- long staying power.
Check out my swatch below
This product is selling out FAST- and it is LIMITED edition… so get it while u can!
2 Meet Clinique’s Powder- My 2nd Favorite Loose powder!
So as you all know, my favorite loose powder is from Chanel- Poudre Universal Libre !
Chanel’s powder is simply amazing, yet sooooo Natural! I have been experimenting with a few loose powders- trying to find which one can be voted as 2nd best….
And I have found it!!
Clinique’s Loose powder
It’s actually called
“Blended Face Powder”
I haven’t heard raves about this product in the makeup industry- but wow I am impressed & I’m sooo glad I found it! Trust me it is SOOOO Good
It’s amazing how it’s sooo lightweight- so extra natural- does NOT add color to your face- it’s somewhat transparent yet with a hint of color. What I love about this is it does NOT change your foundation color- it helps set it with a transparent protective powder. NO CAKEY Effect!
It is basically an Allergy Tested, 100% Fragrance Free lightweight powder, which sets & perfects makeup. It also helps make pores disappear resulting in a flawless finish! What I also love about it is how it controls oil, gives you a natural perfected look and enriches your skin with minerals!
It’s amazing for those people with sensitive skin or even oily skin or combination or natural!! Clinique has the best products always for sensitive skin.
It is suitable for all skin types & the coverage is sheer.
There are 7 shades for this :
My shades is 04 (transparency 4)
As you can see below, a test swatch on my hand to show you the powder on my hand
The picture below shows you the right one is before blending and left after blending! See it disapears naturally!
After applying my foundation, I use my MAC (187) duo fiber brush to apply the powder with all over my face
The loose powder comes with a small swivel brush- but I threw that- it’s so rough (NO USE).
0 The world’s No.1 loose powder- CHANEL’S POUDRE UNIVERSELLE LIBRE
I can’t explain how much I’m in love with loose powder! I’m not a fan of loose powder, but I’m in love with CHANEL’s!!!
I always hate how loose powder sometimes looks chalky or cakey & I hate how it tends to sit in fine lines & makes the face look dull!
I brought it a while back, but never tried it– until last week!!
Basically, it’s a natural finish loose powder, which is an ultra-soft loose powder that provides sheer, light coverage with a soft matte finish, setting & perfecting makeup as it evens the skin tone.
It even has photo – reflective pigments to help disguise imperfections without emphasizing lines.
It’s available in 4 shades: 47 Feerie (limited edition), 20 Clair, 30 Naturel, 40 Dore.
It goes very well with Chanel’s foundations!!
I use the shade 40
& swept it a MAC 187 brush- the effect was flawless!! It finished off my makeup so beautifully- without looking chalky/cakey. What I loved about it is how it does NOT make my complexion dull. You can also apply it with a powder puff.
I definitely recommend this powder to every woman out there. I always use MAC’s mineralize skinfnish powder after my foundation, but this (CHANEL) is my other alternative!
The CHANEL powder is there without even showing that it is actually there- VERY NATURAL!!
Another great thing about it is that if you don’t like to apply foundation, then you can apply it on your bare skin to give you a lovely polished look.
It might sound expensive- (approx 23 bd) but take into consideration the size of the pot/jar!! It’s huge!
AMAZING QUALITY, AMAZING SCENT, BEAUTIFUL PACKAGING!
2 Colorescience Pro- the innovative choice of mineral makeup!
I’m sure many of you might have not heard about this brand “Colorescience pro”- and so did I- until a few weeks ago when my friend introduced me to them!
I tried some samples & i must say.. they are amazing!
(a few products will be sold in my makeup workshop!!)
Lemme tell you more about this brand.
Basically, colorescience pro is a brand with NO CHEMICALS/PRESERVATIVES! All of the products are free of talc, mineral oil, alcohols, emulsifiers, dyes & perfumes. It claims to give you beautiful results without infecting your skin with harsh preservatives. The brand provides a huge line of makeup- few of lipsticks & eyeshadows, but mostly skincare & foundations (face products).
What i came to love about their products is how they stop anything from coming into your pores. Also, i love how many of their products come in a tube- a brush on one side & a powder in the other. This makes it so convenient & easy to use! I realized that their products DO cover imperfections amazingly!
Let me introduce you to some of their best products:
Sunforgettable SPF 30: a lightweight mineral powder with a barely-there feel that provides a safe, non-irritating, instant UVA and UVB sun protection. The self-dispensing powder brush makes this sheer formula easy to apply and reapply throughout the day. Shake it up & puff it on! (6 shades)
Loose Mineral Foundation: SPF 20, takes the mess out of minerals with a simple, self-dispensing powder brush. Get perfect color and coverage every time to achieve a balanced skin tone and glowing radiance. This lightweight powder formula feels as smooth as a cream and doesn’t dry the skin (13 shades)
Sunreliable Primers: SPF 30, provides a high level of non-irritating, instant broad spectrum UVA and UVB sun protection while evening skin tone and creating a more youthful texture. This comes in different types: skin brightner, skin bronzer, skin mattifier, skin soother, real menerals.
Mineral blush powder: Nothing is as classically feminine as a cheek with a healthy glow. Colorescience Pro’s Mineral Blush Powder works gracefully with your skin and foundation to add just that hint of gorgeous, natural colore. The result is a long lasting, natural looking colore that seems to come from within (5 beautiful shades)… This is my favorite.. the blushes are amazing with a hint of shimmer.
Mineral bronzer powder: Much more than just a self-tanner, Colorescience Pro’s Mineral Bronzer Powder can be used for contouring and highlighting, adding richness and warmth to your complexion. It let’s you layer and blend your colore so you can achieve a weightless, healthy-looking glow every time. (4 shades)
4 DURALINE- INGLOT’s way of transfering powder 2 creamy products!
I’m just amazed by this product!!
It is reallllllly something you should get! I will keep on repurchasing this product!
WHAT IS DURALINE??
Duraline is a product by INGLOT which is a special formula- that when mixed with powder (any) will turn it to liquid- (CREAMY)!!
This means that you can basically use the “pigments” you have bought… transfer them to a creamy formula & apply it as a creamy eyeshadow!
It comes with a convenient dropper to control the amount you want to use.
I’m going to show you my experiment with MAC pigments, as you can see below- they are in a POWDER form
Added a few drops (2-3 drops) on each pigmented powder
Mix the powder + DURALINE with a brush until it turns to a liquid form
There you have it, Look at how the pigments changed to a CREAMY LIQUID!!
You can see (hand swatch) how the colors look creamy on my hand! Gives a glossy look to those powders with shimmer!
What is also great with DURALINE– you can use it with the CREAMY eyeshadows/gel liners you have to soften them up & apply it really quick & easily!! Also, some gel liners or paint pots are just dried up, so you don’t need to throw them away- just add a drop of DURALINE & it will be good as new!
NOTE: It makes eye shadows and liners smudge proof, & you can play with the color intensity- if you add more duraline in eyeshadows- you will get less color intensity. Less duraline = more color intensity.
2 THINK PINK: My Fav Pink Products
Since October is known as the “national breast cancer awareness month”, let’s think pink!
I’m gonna post my all time favorite products- pink of course!
Some I might have wrote about before- so bare with me!
I LOVE:
MAC’s “expensive pink” eyeshadow
This eyeshadow is a pinkish peachy color. It’s a mixture of bright/baby/&hot pink- all in one tub. Dirty pink with some hints of gold! You might think it’s bold to wear pink eyeshadow, but this one is just amazing on its own!!! (natural looking)
———-
MAC’s “neo-orange” loose eyeshadow pigment
This intense pink salmonish color is one of a kind. It can also be described as an electric peach, orange mixed with pink.
The trick is using a tiny dot to blend it the “background” of a smoky eye. When blending with black it gives a brownish/copperish color. Don’t be scared from the color- this pink will go beautifully IF BLENDED. DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT ON ITS ONE.. FAIL!
———
MAC’s “please me” lipstick
It’s a soft baby pink. It looks gorgeous on everyone! It’s matte though!
———
Bobbi Brown’s pot rouge “pale pink”
Comes in a pot, can be used for both cheeks & lips
A very pinkish pale color or a bright pastel pink- I just luv luv luv this shade!
———
MAC’s “pink swoon blush”
The bubblegum Barbie-ish color! This bright pink color gives you the doll cheeks. Soft pink, very subtle
——–
NARS “Turkish delight” lipgloss
Voted for Best lip gloss for olive skin-2011 “InStyle”- a dense gloss with a pink sorbet shade, or a milky pink (I would describe). I use it on top of please me or angel lipstick (MAC).
——–
Bobbi Brown “Candy” lip pencil
A medium-bright pink lip pencil- I love this! I love its color. Goes with almost all pink lipsticks- from MAC mostly!
———
Bobbi Brown “Sand Pink” Blush
It is a gorgeous soft pink with a hint of berry shade. Can be also described as a mauve pink blush- gives you a flushed look! It has brown undertones so it will give a natural flush to the cheeks. What I love about it is that it’s not too light & not too dark!
Do not apply a lot of it though!
——
It would really mean a lot if you all contribute to charities for this matter- help the patients with breast cancer! Let’s make a difference…
Please check out http://www.thinkpinkbahrain.com/ & donate
4 The Perfect Powdered Foundation? POWDER POWDER POWDER
Many girls are asking me: What is the best powdered foundation? Many girls want to know. When I say powdered foundation- I don’t mean loose powder. I mean-the compact powder (pressed powder) in which u apply it with a sponge (some ppl apply it by brush).
If you have oily skin- powder is the way to go (although liquid foundations with mattifiers –oil free- are available). Powder tends to absorb the oil, but the trick is- to find one that doesn’t give you the “CAKEY” effect!!
I have tried A LOT of powders, trust me. The Holy Grail of all foundation powders- I must say is KANEBO. It’s a Japanese company which specializes in skincare & makeup, and many girls swear by this product.
The KANEBO “Sensai Foundation”- Total Finish- includes SPF 15, & will glide on easily + firmly onto the skin.
The finish is long lasting. You use it as any other foundation- and for best results; use it with the sponge which comes with it, inside the compact.
There are a variety of shades:
I was using this foundation for the past 6 years. I love it!! I have an olive skin tone, so i used to have shade 204.5 and 205. I stopped not because there’s something wrong with it, but because I switched to liquid based foundations. It is an amazing product; it beats MAC’s + Chanel’s powders. This product- guaranteed- won’t give you the CAKEY effect. It is very smooth & will last long!
It’s Refillable: You buy the foundation in the compact case for starters, after it’s finished, you refill your compact case with a new foundation!
0 FULL PRODUCT LIST: KIM KARDASHIAN WEDDING- ALL PRODUCTS USED
Exclusive- only from Mario Dedivanovic, Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist- who applied her wedding makeup. He posted the full product list used on Kim’s face!! (FROM A-Z)!
Unfortunatly, many of the products are not available in our country :(
SO HERE IT IS!!
SKIN:
-La Mer moisturizing lotion (face +neck)
-Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup (to even out skin tone)
-Terry Veloutee concealer
-Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder (to set makeup)
EYES:
-brows: L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Custom Brown Shaping Pencil (light brown)
-lid: Lancôme 5 pan eyeshadow palette (golden Frenzy)- golden shade on lid, darker shade on crease (with small liner brush). Lightest shadow for brow bone highlight.
-lower lash line: golden/bronze shades (outer corners)
-Eye liner: Lined eyes with Cover Girl exact liquid liner “very black”.Thinner in inner corner & gradually thickens.
-Lashes: two coats of Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes mascara in So Black! (top & bottom lashes)
CHEEKS:
-blush: Lancome Blush Subtil “Rose Romantique” on apple of cheeks.
-Contour: Guerlain Teracotta bronzing powder along hairline & jawline & hollows of cheeks.
-Glow: Giella’s Eye M Glam highlighter (Mario’s top selling own product)- along cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupids bow, inner eye corners.
LIPS:
-YSL Dessin Des Levres Lipliner (nude beige)
- Lancôme’s L’Absolu Nu lipstick (coral sand)
- Lancôme La Laque Fever Lipgloss (Ravishing Coral)
0 Product of the Week: Makeup forever’s STAR POWDER – U WILL LOVE THIS!
I was in MUFE (makeup forever) the other day & came across this amazing product. I usually skip the glittery shimmery pots, but this one just caught my eye.
This cute little pot is called Star powder, and it has a variety of shades. The one I loved is No. 926 (Iridescent Beige).
It’s a shimmery beigy brown with a hint of peach- loose powder or pigment. You can use it for many things. I love how I can highlight my brow bone with it & cheek bones.
Although it’s sheer, it gives of a beautiful attracting color. Keep in mind that it is very light, & not as heavy as MAC pigments.
I also use it for the last step of the eyeshadow application process. After you are done with applying your last shade, take a small brush, dab it in the star powder and press it on parts of your lid, front or full (your choice). Will give an amazing glow!
You can easily build the gradual look (light to dark). Apply a slightly dark base all over lid. Press the star powder in the inner part of the lid, & blend in between!
Use it also to highlight the inner corners of your eye (tear duct), it will capture attention!
You can also use it on its own, as a full base.
It’s a must have for the Neutral LOVERS. It basically spices your look, making your neutral look more glamorous!
Will look amazing when the light hits your eyes!
5 MY PHOTO TUTORIAL- How to mend your broken eyeshadows & blushes!!!
I decided to show you how to mend your broken eyeshadows/blushes, on my own, instead of videos. It’s very easy, just follow the steps.
This is my broken eyeshadow. I love this shade, it’s Nylon-from MAC.
Take any wand or stick and crush the broken pieces even more- make it EXTRA CRUSHED
Get a coin, make sure it fits the eyeshadow exactly, same size.
Take the coin and wrap it in a tissue, like the picture below. Then keep the wrapped tissue on the side.
Go to a pharmacy and buy a “Rubbing Alcohol/ Alcohol Disinfectant” – a bottle.
After crushing the eyeshadow (within its pan), pour a few drops of alcohol on it. Make sure to not pour too much.
It has to be a thick paste. If it became to watery, let it dry for a few hours.
Take the wrapped up coin in tissue and press it on the paste. You can press & twist it in a circular motion.
It will look like this, after being pressd. You can smooth it out any way you like
Let it dry for an hour or so, then place it in your palette, if you have one.
YAY! Mission accomplished!
0 How to mend your broken eyeshadows & blushes!!!
Your favorite eyeshadow /blush just broke into pieces? DON’T PANIC!
CRY NO MORE!!!
There is a solution for it! WITHOUT buying another one ofcorse.
All you need to do is a few simple steps & your eyeshadow/blush will look good as new!
The videos are really helpful & trust me you will try it out!
I WILL POST MY OWN PHOTO TUTORIAL AFTER THIS POST, SHOWING YOU HOW STEP BY STEP!!!
Check out those videos- they are all similar though-using the same techniques!
Video 1
or Video 2
Some use alcohol(vodka) or rubbing alcohol (from pharmacies), some use toner. It’s up to you!
I have a lot of eyeshadow repairing to do tonite! I’m so glad I don’t need to throw them out!
