How To Achieve A Flawless Face

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #05

I have found my holy grail foundation and the ironic thing is I wasn't even looking for one. I think the same can be said for dating when you least expect it, BAM! you fall in love. Boy, have I fallen hard for this foundation.

Let me just start off by saying that I have nice skin. I don't mean that in a bragging sense of the word, but more like let me lay my cards out here and be honest with you. I don't need a full-coverage foundation (thanks Mom and Dad!). In fact, prior to wearing this foundation, it had been years since I wore liquid foundation (I used one from MAC and cannot even recall the name of it) at all. I was more of a dab of concealer here and there person. For days I craved more coverage I turned to my trusty tinted moisturizers by La Mer and Le Metier (hello Peau Vierge). I was so happy with them that I didn't need or even want more coverage.

Here is how I achieve the perfect complexion:

I use Le Metier De Beaute's Classic Flawless Finish Concealer SPF 18 ($55.00) under my eyes and around my nose, then I use my Le Metier De Beaute Large Concealer Brush ($50.00) to blend in any concealer. Next, I use my Armani Silk Foundation ($59.00) and pump two pumps onto my Angled Foundation Brush by LMDB ($50.00) and blend until I see no more streaks. I finish off with light dusting of Le Metier's Classic Finish Loose Powder ($50.00) using my Burberry kabuki brush ($52.00). Then, I finish up with curling my lashes and applying mascara (at this point my eye shadow is already applied) and work on bronzer if I'm in the mood for it or blush using you could probably already guess it my LMDB Blush Brush (not pictured for $55.00). My finishing step is always, always, a spritz of Evian water to "set" my makeup!

Bonuses:

• oil-free
• feels weightless
• provides light-medium coverage
• great staying-power 
• comes in a wide range of colors

Negatives:

• it's pricey
• you need a separate brush to apply it (this isn't really a negative as much as par for the course with liquid foundation). 

My Burberry kabuki, My LMDB angled foundation brush, concealer brush, concealer and loose powder and Giorgio Armani foundation. 

 Luminous Silk Foundation in Shade #05

The foundation rubbed into my arm - it really is the perfect match!
*Just for reference I'm considered MAC NW20*

While using my handy tools and the above mentioned products I really have been achieving air-brushed finishes and I could not be more pleased!

This is serious holy grail territory here! Please share your holy grails with me!

A Mini Haul

Today has been a long day and I'm about to go drag my tired butt to bed, but before I do I wanted to show you a sneak peak of a mini haul. I've indulged in a little retail therapy as of late and here is a picture as proof! I will review each product later but for now I leave you with....

What have your latest beauty purchases been? 

Giorgio Armani's Eyes To Kill in Purpura #03 Swatch and Review

I'm not going to do a lot of talking about this particular eye shadow since I have done in-depth reviews on two other colors (pulp fiction #04 and champagne#08 ) here and  here.

I purchased this directly at giorgioarmani.com because it is not yet available in stores or at the stores online counterparts.

What is there to say about this color except for out of the three Giorgio Armani silk shadows I own, this one is my favorite. The color is so regal looking and the gold flecks keep the color from falling flat.

The swatch, I apologize is not the best. I am home alone with my daughter and I took the picture myself (I mean how hard is it to hold the camera and take a picture? Kids these days! I kid, I kid). I just want to stress that the color in the pan is different from the swatch. In the pan the color may come off as being scary, dark but it swatches into the most beautiful purple with lavender and gold highlights. If worn dry, I think the color would be suitable for conservative work environments and would really set off hazel and/or green eyes.

I just love how blendable these colors are and how well they stay put on the eye without creasing. I still need to experiment and see how these apply wet on the eye. I did do a swatch that is both wet and dry to demonstrate the color intensity and payoff.

The stomper holds the shadow together since it leans more powdery than creamy

This is a dry swatch

A dry swatch

The dry swatch is on the bottom and the wet swatch is on top. 

Retails for $32.00 USD for 0.14 oz. and can be found at high end retailers everywhere (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, etc.) and found online at giorgioarmanibeauty.com.

Isn't Purpura gorgeous? What is your favorite purple shadow? 

Giorgio Armani's Eyes To Kill in Champagne #08 Swatch and Review

Well, ever since I picked up one of these amazing eye shadows, I knew I needed more. I finally made it to the counter yesterday and after looking at the testers, settled on Champagne (#08).

Champagne is probably the most natural one of the 15 shades offered and is perfect for a natural daytime look. I love how shimmery these shadows are and yet it does not come off in a juvenile way whatsoever.

These shadows are so silky and even though they have a creamy texture they are more like powder shadows. The Armani sales associates recommended putting on a base first and then the shadow to give the shadows something to adhere to and to also prevent fallout since these shadows are shimmery!

The champagne color is closer to a rose gold with silvery undertones.  I noticed this particular shadow did not have the staying power that Pulp Fiction (#04) had (see my review on it here), but I also didn't wear it with a base. Next time, I will wear this over my MAC Painterly pot and see if I notice a marked difference. I also want to experiment and wear this particular one wet to see if it comes across as more dramatic, more intense looking.

I don't need a shadow to last 12 hours on me. I've always been the type that likes to wash her face as soon as I am home, it feels great to let my skin breathe after wearing makeup all day. I'm happy with 6-8 hours of staying power. I did notice that when I was washing my arm with soap and water to get rid of the swatch that the swatch faded quite easily, especially compared to Pulp Fiction (#04).

Retails for $32.00USD and can be purchased from high-end retailers everywhere (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, etc.) and found online at http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com/ .

Not in direct sun

In direct sun

Not in direct sun

In direct sun

It comes with this stomper to help contain the shadow

Which Eyes To Kill Silk Eye Shadow is your favorite?