Four Products for a Flawless Base

Usually I switch up my base routine daily, which considering the number of foundations I own is probably a good thing. But recently I've settled into a routine that's had my skin looking pretty perfect (if I do say so myself). So much so that customers at work have been asking me what I'm wearing on my skin and I have to whisper that we don't carry it in our store but here's where you can get it (lol sorry to my manager). Anyway, here are the four products and why I love them!

I'm a sunscreen person. Always have been, always will be. But it's so hard to find a sunscreen that doesn't mess with your makeup. Enter Glossier's Invisible Shield. I have a whole post on this here so I won't go on for too long. But basically it sinks right into your skin and is totally clear making it the perfect under-foundation product. in love (obviously). Don't forget to shop my link here or click the G in my menu bar to order (and get $ off your first order!). Onto the new queen of bases which has very very quickly made it to the top of my list. The Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Finish Foundation is definitely a mouthful but it's totally worth it. If you've been on the hunt for a skin-like foundation that makes your skin look even and beautiful you can just stop it here. It has a medium coverage and a quite liquid consistency that blends in perfectly. I wouldn't knock it upon first application, because once it sets down to its satin-y finish that is when you'll notice the magic. It really truly just looks like a second layer of beautiful healthy skin.

Because the foundation is a medium coverage, I use a little somethin' somethin' extra to over up my bit of acne scarring. That little extra is the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer. This little magic pot has a satin-matte finish that completely conceals my blemishes without looking dry at all. Thanks to hyaluronic acid and peptides that keeps skin looking plump, genius. That satiny finish is also somehow blurring? Don't ask me how but it makes my forehead and chin look photoshopped. Honestly considering buying another to use as a foundation (lol). If you're looking for something matte matte this isn't it, but I adore it. Speaking of adore, I'm so so happy I splurged on the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette because it is GORGEOUS. It adds the perfect bronzy sun kissed radiance to the skin in a smooth formula that is undetectable on the skin. I'm a fan of letting my freckles show through, but sometimes bronzer can make them look nonexistent. This one however somehow lets you skin show which is some kind of miracle (right?).

So those are my four favourite base products at the moment! Do you guys have any new foundation loves? As if I ever need another one. I'm also thinking about doing a post/video on my favourite high-end foundations so let me know if you're interested!
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Bright Lips For Summer

I'm not exactly the kind of person to branch out when it comes to choosing lip colours. In fact, I'm downright boring. I generally stick to nudes or dark reds and it rarely goes past that. But for some reason, this year I've been finding myself reaching for much more fun colours. Mostly sticking in the hot-pink-raspberry or red-orange category, but it's still branching out (right?).

The Glossier Gen G Lipsticks are awesome if you want to dip your toe into some bright shades this summer. Zip, a poppy red, and Crush, a bright raspberry pink, have quickly become favourites. They're quite sheer, and super easy, but can also be built up to a more pigmented lip. If I'm really feeling like adding a punch, Bobbi Brown's Art Stick in Sunset Orange is pretty incredible. The pencil formula makes it really easy to apply and the formula is creamy but still matte. I never thought you'd catch me dead in an orange, but this bright reddish orange just looks so chic. Especially when worn with only mascara and a nice even base. Très Parisienne.

Speaking of Parisian, I'm also a wee bit obsessed with the Bobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick in Parisian Red. These are a super rich, super creamy formula. Usually I'd be weary of such a bright colour in anything other than a matte, but this wears so so well! It's definitely more on the red side of the spectrum, with a hint of orange to keep it interesting. Last but not least in the line-up is the beautiful Rose Pop from Clinque. I immediately went and bought this after seeing Sam from Pixiwoo talking about this in a video a while back. Okay it obviously doesn't look as good on me as it does on her, but the bright raspberry pink is truly gorgeous (even if it makes my teeth look a tiiiiiny bit yellow ew). It's incredibly pigmented and again the matte formula is comfortable but wears really well.

Obviously I had to get that low saturation image in there because aesthetic, but here's what they actually look like! Do you guys bring in the fun colours for summer?
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Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen +

SHE. IS. HERE. And she is a game changer, believe me. Glossier has launched the Invisible Shield and I don't think I've ever been so excited in my entire life. If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know using a dedicated sunscreen is something I find non-negotiable in my skincare routine. I don't care if it's cloudy outside. You use sunscreen every. single. day. But I also know how difficult it can be to find a sunscreen that works for you. They're often heavy and greasy or have a white cast or don't sit well under makeup. Invisible Shield has changed all of this.

After two years in R&D, Invisible Shield SPF 35 Daily Sunscreen + has arrived and it is perfect. Invisible Shield is an innovative chemical serum-like sunscreen, not a psychical one. There are a lot of people who wanted a physical sunscreen, but those utilize mineral filters meaning a white cast (ew). Chemical filters also allow for the incredibly lightweight texture and the invisibility (duh). It dispenses as a cloudy, almost watery gel (think milky jelly but runnier), then blends completely into the skin turning totally clear! It smells divinely of orange by using sweet orange peel essential oil to cut through the typically sunscreen-y smell of the filters. Also the packaging. The electric lime stands out from the typical baby pink of other Glossier products, but that's on purpose! It's meant to stand out and to remind you...

Invisible Shield is your daily sunscreen. Meaning, you apply it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. But keep in mind, this isn't a beach or sweaty activity sunscreen. It's legitimately to be worn everyday. Did you know that the glass in your car window only blocks UVB rays, not UVA rays? And that it's UVA rays that really cause the damage? (More on this later). And for those of you who think that the clouds protect you from the sun, think again. Up to 40% of the sun's radiation will still reach the earth on a totally cloudy day. So wear your damn sunscreen! Basically radiation will find you anywhere, in your car, in your office, on your couch. It doesn't discriminate. SPF 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays (nothing filters 100% but this is pretty damn close).

The actives are Avobenzone (with Bis-Ethylhexyl Hydroxydimethoxy Benzylmalonate to stabilize), Homosalate, and Octisalate. Avobenzone protects the skin from UVA rays by absorbing them instead of blocking them (like a mineral sunblock would). UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin's dermis, where it can cause premature aging and wrinkles. UVB rays on the other hand are what cause immediate effects aka sunburn (yikes). It damages the skin's epidermal layers, but also plays a lead role in the development of skin cancer. Homosalate provides mostly UVB protection, but also provides a narrow protection from UVA (which is why it's generally combined with another ingredient). Octisalate also protects the skin from UVB rays. 

Invisible Shield is formulated with water, a lot of water. The water gel formula means it disappears into the skin without drying alcohol or greasy ingredients. The active microcapsules store the UVA/UVB filters that break upon application releasing them! (This is pretty cool right?) You can see the little tiny bubbles when you dispense the product. What I think is the greaaaaatest thing about Invisible Shield is that it's full of antioxidants. A powerful mix of Vitamin E, Vitamin P, Broccoli, and Aloe Leaf extracts help fight free radicals which cause sagging and wrinkles (rude). Also it contains fermented yeast and vegetal extract. This sounds a whole lot like Marmite to me, but it actually creates an invisible matrix on top of skin that prevents pollutants from getting into your skin! Because you best believe free radicals don't just come from the sun, they come from everywhere. Smoking, drinking alcohol, fast food (ouch), and just the blinking air as well. Yeesh. Nonoparticulates in the air can be up to 20 times smaller than your pores. This means they can sneak in and cause dehydration, sensitivity, inflammation, fine lines, dark spots, and more. 

Obviously the only thing I can speak to now are the ingredients and texture, but I'm genuinely so so happy with this. It wears incredibly well under makeup or on its own. I've done a little video for you guys here if you want to see how it applies and what step in your routine to apply it! I was very lucky to get to sit in with the Glossier team to learn about Invisible Shield and received the product from them, but am going to purchase (several) backups today!

Don't forget you can shop my rep link: glossier.com/reps/amelia to get 20% off your first order! Thank you guys so much for supporting me and the blog by shopping the link!

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Top Picks : April 2017

I know I'm a wee bit late for a favourites post but life has been so hectic the past few weeks, so better late than never right? Between moving, finals, and going to New York (more on that soon!) I really haven't had much time to experiment with anything so I've been sticking to a routine. Not to mention all of my makeup and skincare was in boxes (still traumatized). But that also means I really got some use out of these products and really really love them!

I got the Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation pretty recently, but I've worn it every single say since. It's one of those bases that really makes you look like you have incredible, glowy skin. It has a light to medium coverage, so if you want to you'd still have to spot conceal. But it does even out the skin really beautifully. As far as staying power goes I personally find it lasts all day! I set it with a little bit of powder in my tzone, but that's all. If you have drier skin you'll love it, if your skin is oilier definitely use setting powder and maybe a spray but I think you'll still be able to use it. To add some warmth back into my face I've been pretty much obsessed with the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze & Glow Palette. It is pricy, but so so so beautiful. The bronzer is the perfect not-too-warm shade and the highlight is a gorgeous champagne. The formula of the powder is super smooth, it never skips even on top of just liquids!

I've mostly not been bothering to wear eyeshadow, but if I do I reach for the Burberry Pale Barely Eyeshadow. It really is a perfect shadow for every day because it looks quite complex on the eye. It's a medium neutral-beige, but if blended onto the lid and crease looks like several different colours. The formula is also amazing and is soooo smooth. I'm in love. I switched over to the Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil and will never ever go back to ABH. It literally could be the same pencil and is only $12. Major win. For lips again, I mostly couldn't bear bothered. But if I need a little something something the Glossier Generation Gs are perfect. They're a sheer wash of colour you don't have to think about. I've mostly been sticking to Like, which is a gorgeous light pink!

I'm quickly developing a very dangerous addiction to the Chanel Le Vernis polishes. This shade is Organdi and is the most incredible nude colour. It's almost a bit of a rosy-pink and has a super full coverage. The formula of these is amazing which is why I can't seem to stop buying them! Last but not least is my beloved Kypris Antioxidant Dew. I am actually obsessed with this. Kypris is an all natural brand with the most beautiful products. Antioxidant Dew is a water based serum which protects the skin from pollutants and free radicals. It's super soothing and also hydrating! This is something I see definitely staying in my skincare routine. That's all I'll say for now because I'm going to do a Antioxidant post soon!

What did you guys love this month?
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