HOW TO CREATE A SUN-KISSED GLOW
With summer here I want my makeup to be soft, glowy, radiant and fresh. I also want to get ready in 10 mins or less because it's summer and I want to get out there and enjoy the weather (or get to work, let's be real).
This look is inspired by sun-kissed skin (without the sun) and it's all about being effortless. My goal is to make the skin look like it's glowing from within. It's true what they say, the "no makeup look" takes some effort but trust me, it's worth it.
SHOWER, MIST & SPF:
I start my summer glow in the shower. Body Shop make some of my favourite body washes and their new Pina Colada scent makes me feel like I'm on holiday. Post shower I'm loving Mediterranean Blue Waters from Bath & Body Work's. It's light body mist that smells amazing, "with the scent of sparkling passionfruit, watery fig, driftwood musk & Mediterranean white coconut". I seriously can't get enough of this stuff. Finally, before applying any makeup I always slather on SPF. Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection in SPF 50 is excellent and it's even suitable for sensitive skin.
CREATING THAT SUN-KISSED BASE:
I prep my skin for that sun-kissed glow by ditching the foundation and reaching for Benefit's Dew The Hoola. It's a liquid bronzer that's good for light-medium skin tones. To cover up imperfections I've been loving Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer in Sand. I let it sit on my under eyes for a bit before blending it with a Beauty Blender. Then I bake* my under eyes with Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Powder. It's the only powder that doesn't dry my under eyes because it's super light weight. I set the rest of my face with Physician's Formula Super BB #InstaReady Trio Powder. It has just the right amount of shimmer, which is perfect for this look. (*If you're not familiar with baking makeup, make sure to check out this quick tutorial by Tati Westbrook.)
BECOMING A BRONZED GODDESS:
Here's my favourite part. Now that the bronzed base is down it's time time to make those features pop! My all time favourite bronzer is still Benefit's Hoola. I sweep it on the hallows of my cheekbones, on my forehead (just follow the hair line) and jawline. For blush I start with a peachy shade like CORALista, and then layer a touch of pink in the shade Dandelion. These colours are all part of Benefit's Cheekathon Palette. I've been loving this palette so much but I just wish the colours were a bit more pigmented. This part is optional but I like to add a bit of shimmer to my décolletage using Rockateur. Then I add Jaclyn Hill's Champagne Pop on my nose, cupid bow and tops of my cheekbones for major glow. Finally a swipe of Posie Balm, a sheer pinky coral, to hydrate the lips and add a touch of colour.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EYES:
When I'm sporting the "no makeup look" I like to go heavy on the lashes. I start by priming my lashes with Benefit's They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer. It's been a fave of mine since it launched a few months ago. Then I add 2 coats of the Tartiest Mascara on the top lashes and finally a coat of Cover Girl's Super Sizer Fibers Mascara. CG is the only brand that doesn't smudge on my lower lashes so it's a constant must-have in my beauty bag. For my brows I've been using Rodail's Glamobrow in Dark Ash Brown. The colour is very natural looking and it stays on even in the hot summer weather.
WoahStyle brand ambassador Marvin, the black cat, approves this sun-kissed glow. His summer faves include sun-bathing in the late sun and fresh salmon.
I MET SELENA GOMEZ
Last week I met Selena Gomez and it was awesome!
When Pantene invited me to Selena's Revival Tour with a chance to meet her pre-show I said "Heck ya!"
I was almost expecting her to be sitting down behind a table signing autographs but no, there she was, standing and meeting everyone face to face, smiling and hugging us normal people asking us about our day. In person she is the cutest - super polite with excellent manners and very engaging. And her hair! It's even bigger and shinier in person but else do you expect from Pantene's brand ambassador? I'm almost tempted to grow mine out and then I remember how high maintenance long hair is. I wish I'd had the foresight to ask her for some beauty tips. Maybe next time.
Funny enough I had a close encounter with Selena in LA earlier this year when I stayed at the Mondrian. She was staying at the same hotel and it was would have been super easy to go up to her and say "hi" but I never did. Funny how life works out!
As for the concert, it was awesome. She's a talented singer and she knows how to preform. I have her latest album, Revival, playing on repeat.
Special thanks to Pantene for the amazing opportunity to meet Selena!
xo, Nathalie
I felt old AF at the Selena Gomez concert. I was convinced I was going to look like her mom in our photo. A wave of relief hit me when I got the pictures back and I realized we look like cousins not mother/daughter. Hah!
HOW TO MAKE BUSINESS CASUAL COOL
My career trajectory these last few years has been in the creative field. I was a set designer/stylist in my last job for a well known Canadian television channel and now I'm a freelance blogger. The biggest perk is that I've always been able to dress like myself and business casual is something I left behind in my old marketing job. I've seen Geoff get ready for work over the last ten years and his outfit dilemmas are always the same - what coloured chino's to wear with what plaid top. Honestly, it all looks the same to me. He has a separate wardrobe for work and then a whole other set for real life.
Women are lucky in our work/real life wardrobe options compared to the guys. Often, we can get away with wearing most of our clothes to and out of the office. The key is to invest in quality separates and to be strategic in how we shop.
For example, in my aforementioned marketing job I was very creative in how invested in business casual wear. I would buy dresses from (the now defunct) Marc By Marc Jacobs, Joie and Banana Republic. I'd wear them to the office with blazers or cardigans and then on the weekends with cute sandals or a large cozy knit cardi. Most importantly I was investing in separates that I loved and I still have some of those pieces today.
Silk blouses and blazers like the creme coloured oversized one I'm wearing here, are easy to wear in an office setting and for off duty look, just pair them with jeans, denim cut off shorts or even a mini skirt. Think about pieces that suit your body type and what makes you happy so that you're creating longevity and versatility in your wardrobe as opposed to just buying trends.
The sandals are sleek and remind me of the Celine Bam Bam's I've always lusted over. The heel is under 4 inches which means they're comfortable and appropriate in an office setting, and they look badass with cropped skinny jeans or a dress. They'd also look superb with all black - paired with either black jeans or a black pencil skirt and a merino knit. You guys know I love a contrasting shoe and I wouldn't shy away from wearing it at the office either.
Like I said, it's been a while since I've had to wear anything business casual but if I need to step into a meeting tomorrow, I know my wardrobe has the right core pieces.
xo, Nathalie
Check out Banana Republic's latest collection from June 2-3, 2016 at the following locations:
80 Bloor St West,
Toronto Eaton Centre
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Sherway Gardens
Special treats and surprises are waiting for you in store.
*This post is sponsored by Banana Republic. All opinions and photos are my own.
MAKE UP FOR EVER FEAT. CHARLI XCX
Creamy formula, glide on application and waterproof staying power means these new Make Up For Ever Aqua XL eyeliners are ready for summer! Better yet, they were created in collaboration with pop star Charli XCX. You might have heard her song Boom Clap or that other one she did with Iggy Azalea, Fancy.
Let's assume for a sec that Charli tested these liners on stage while preforming. I'd think they'd hold up pretty darn well under hot lights and sweaty conditions. For example, I wore the colour I-24 (an iridescent blue with green sparkles) to the Selena Gomez show yesterday and it stayed on until the end of the night -even when the rest of my makeup had pretty much faded. It was ridiculously humid last night and of course, when I needed it the most, my trusty MAC Prep + Prime Fix + failed me because my makeup was not on fleek when I got to meet Miss Selena herself. Luckily my eye makeup stayed fleeky because these Aqua XL pencils do not budge!
So what can I tell you about this collection? The pencils are highly, and I mean highly, pigmented. They glide on like a dream due to their creamy formula but with that being said, I feel like they do dry up if you don't use them for a while. The tips of my pencils broke off when I did my first swipe because they had dried up, but I just gave them a quick sharpen and they were as good as new. There are 20 colours in total in the Aqua XL collection, each more amazing then the next. Like I said, these do not budge, even on the waterline.
Wether in real life or on stage, I think these Aqua XL liners have awesome staying power. You did good Charli!
xo, Nathalie
"When I needed it the most, my trusty MAC Prep + Prime Fix + failed me because my makeup was not on fleek when I got to meet Miss Selena herself. Luckily my eye makeup stayed fleeky because these Aqua XL pencils do not budge!"
I received the full collection in a boxed kit from Make Up For Ever. Pencils are sold individually and retail for $25.
In collaboration with Make Up For Ever. All opinions and photos are my own.
STAR GAZING
From one post to the next, and even in real life, it seems like I'm wearing something star printed 24/7.
When I get an idea in my head I go full blown obsessed. For example, the other day I thought I'd grab a star printed dress, and then this top, and then another star top and star shorts. See what I mean?
Blame it on my mild obsessive compulsive nature or my need to collect things - I've been this way for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I collected Barbies. I must have had like 50 of them at some point. Queue my comic book collection in my 20's, my Alexander Wang obsessions a few years back and now it's stars printed everything. Lucky for me this is far cheaper.
Is there something that you guys are obsessed with right now and if so, what is it?
xo, Nathalie
*In this post I'm wearing jewelry from my good friend at Lisbeth Jewelry. Check out her amazing collection, which coincidentally includes star necklaces, bracelets and rings!
DRUGSTORE BEAUTY FAVES
I haven't done a drugstore beauty fave post for a while now since I always seem to find some sort of excuse and never actually get around to it. So, why not now and in fact, why not make this a month column since there are always so many amazing things at the drugstore! Here are some of my current faves that are summer appropriate and will make your get-ready-routine more fun.
IN THE SHOWER: For soft frizz free locks, dampen your hair before you hit the shower and apply Pantene's 3 Minute Miracle. Leave it on for a few minutes and then go ahead and shower. Rinse it off and shampoo as usual and then apply the 3MM again for that frizz-free, super silky soft hair I was telling you about. Oh, and while you're in the shower, lather up with Olay's Energizing Lime & White Tea body wash. The scent is a pleasant light floral with a hint of citrus that's super refreshing in the hot weather.
SUN PROTECTION: You should be wearing an SPF all year round but if you only wear one during the summer months, make sure you check out Olay's All Day Moisturizer with UV protection in SPF 15. The lotion formula is light and perfect for the hot weather.
Anti-aging tip: Did you know that your hands reveal your age? I like to SPF on the backs of my hands to protect them from the sun.
SUMMER GLOW: During the hot summer months I skip the foundation and reach for a tinted moisturizer. Cover Girl's Clean Matte BB Cream is made for oily skin so it keeps the shine away. For all of you olive coloured boys and girls out there, shade 540 Medium is the perfect neutral for our skin tone. Finally, I love big bold lashes to make that "no makeup look" pop! I think it looks so fresh and adds the right amount of drama. Cover Girl makes the best smudge proof mascaras, perfect for the hot weather. Their new Super Sizer Fibers Mascara will give you big bold lashes in a couple of swipes.
In collaboration with Beauty United. All opinions and photos are my own.
CITY & COTTAGE SHOES
As much as I complain about our harsh winters, one of the perks of living in Canada is the diversity of our weather; rainy spring days, hot summers, colourful autumns and snowy winters. Fashion translation: more options for footwear!
I spent some time at the cottage recently and of course, I had to bring more than one pair of shoes - my Dolce Vita lace-up sandals and my Sam Edelman slip-ons. Both are incredibly comfortable and can be found at Town Shoes. They're suitable for the city and cottage but for this trip I was partial to the slip-ons since they're great for boating.
What are your go-to shoes this season and where will you be wearing them?
xo, Nathalie
*Nathalie is this years brand ambassador for Town Shoes and this post is sponsored by them. All opinions and photos are her own.
FIRST SUMMER OUTFIT OF THE SEASON!
It's the first long weekend of the season and it finally feels like summer. I busted out the bronzer and my favourite denim cutoffs to pair with this graphic star blouse that I got from Sincerely Jules' shop. I love how to top is so feminine and flowy, perfect for the warm weather but I know it'll transition well into winter as well. It's not often I buy clothes but when I do, I always make sure they're versatile and transition from season to season. Shorts obviously don't fall in that category and I only own about 3 pairs.
As for accessories, I went for my Isabel Marant Jaeryn sandals. I've wanted these shoes for well over a year now and when I scored the last pair, I was thrilled. Sadly they need some breaking in and after our hour-long walk around the neighbourhood, I was limping back to the house.
The jacket was my first ever Mackage piece and still my favourite leather jacket. It's got a shrunken fit that I love.
Enjoy the long weekend and the beautiful weather. I'll be headed to the cottage with some friends for the first time in a while and I can't wait.
xo, Nathalie
ANTI-AGING TIPS FROM A 35 YEAR OLD
Sleep is really important to me and so is getting ready for bed. I'm religious about my night time "get ready" routine and I always find the time to take off my makeup and moisturize after a long day. This past week I've been so exhausted that I've been crawling into bed after brushing my teeth without washing my face. *Gasp! Gross! I know. Judge away but I have been comatose-tired and washing up was the last thing on my mind.
We hear it constantly - washing your face before bed, moisturizing and using an SPF is the best thing we could do for anti aging. I'm 35 years old guys and I get told over and over again that I don't look my age (hallelujah!). I can easily sum it up to years of taking care of my skin and protecting it from the sun.
So let's say you have some catching up to do and you want to start taking care of your skin now in your 30's or 40's or 60's. It's never too late in my opinion. Invest in some quality moisturizers and serums, like Nivea's Q10 Plus line, because hydrated, glowing skin looks beautiful at every age. Moisturize every part of your body, I'm not even kidding. Décolletage, boobs, hands, lips, your feet, all of it. I keep Nivea's Anti-Aging hand cream in my car because I'm constantly reapplying it. I slather Nivea Creme on my feet before going to bed so I can wake up with cute crusty-free feet and then of course, I moisturize my face religiously, day and night. In fact, I've drilled into Geoff's head that he needs to start taking care of his skin too and you know what, it's working!
Today's lesson, moisturize, wash your face and use an SPF. Your beautiful radiant skin will thank you!
xo, Nathalie
In collaboration with Nivea. All opinions and photographs are my own.