Although they aren’t necessarily any better than their drugstore counterparts, there is just something so special about luxury foundations. Maybe it’s the fact that it costs so much money that you feel it has to be good, or just the rush of owning something from a brand that turns out items that costs thousands of dollars… I mean, it does feel nice to apply a designer item on your face, am I right?
Anyways, although my foundation collection is quite large by this point, I do get excited trying out new ones and one that has been on my hit list for years now is Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Oil-Free Froundation (C$80). This foundation, which comes in a staggering 40 shades, is a lightweight medium-coverage buildable foundation that is designed to give your skin a radiant glow and an amazing complexion.
The oil-free formula contains a Micro-Fil technology that produces a low-density product with lots of pigments and a weightless texture. The first thing I noticed when I used this foundation was how lightweight the formula was, which in the times of COVID and the fact that I don’t really wear as much makeup as I used to, I really loved. It’s very lightweight and you don’t really feel it on your skin, which is very pleasant.
I got the shade 5.2, which the brand categorizes as a light-to-medium peach tone, and I find that it does suit my natural skin tone quite nicely. I have only applied this foundation with a beauty sponge but really like how it makes my skin look and feel. Like I said, it’s very lightweight and doesn’t feel like you have anything on your skin. The coverage is also really nice. It does a good job of giving you just the right amount of coverage you need without overdoing it. Of course, if you want a little more, another pump of the product will do the trick.
Pair the foundation with their new Luminous Silk Lightweight Liquid Concealer (C$49). This concealer, available in 20 shades, conceals and highlights with that same lightweight feel that the foundation is famous for.
Apply the concealer via the doe-foot applicator to reduce the look of dark circles, as well as to hydrate the area you’re applying it. The formula contains amino acid coated mineral pigments to cover up any imperfections on the skin. Since the formula is lightweight, it’s also very blendable, meaning that a little goes a long way with this.
I got the shade 4.75 in the concealer, which is light with a cool undertone. I find it pairs nicely with the shade I got in the foundation and together, they really give my face a beautiful glow. This concealer also contains caffeine and vitamin E to reduce dark circles and wake up the eye area, as well as glycerin to hydrate.
I pair these products with the brand’s Luminous Silk Lightweight Primer, which together with the foundation and concealer, the three work in perfect harmony to give you a perfect complexion.
At $80 and $49 each, these products are definitely on the pricier realm of products, but I do think they perform really well. If you had to choose one of them though, I would go with the foundation. I love the way it looks and feels on my skin. The way it applies is so natural-looking and you really don’t feel it, which during this day and age, is super important right now (also I didn’t find there was much mask transfer). There is definitely a reason why it’s a top seller in the foundation realm and I would say it definitely lives up to the hype.
Have you tried any Armani Beauty Luminous Silk products?
Please note, products supplied by PR. All opinions are my own.
Every time I see eyelash extensions on people I instantly get jealous.
I used to have eyelash extensions years ago. I initially got them done probably eight years ago and then stopped (I honestly can’t even remember why) and then I got them again years later and after about six months I developed an allergy to the glue so I stopped again.
Truthfully, as pretty as they are, they just don’t suit my lifestyle anymore. I use a lot of serums (the oil in serums can loosen the adhesive), I sleep with an eye mask (it’s not good to have them covered like that for hours), and I wear glasses about 98% of the time now. As pretty as they are, they just aren’t for me anymore (and not to mention the cost really adds up).
When I got my microblading touched up last year, Varbie at Wink Studio, where I get it done (and actually the first place I got my extensions done so many years ago), mentioned that I might like a lash lift and tint as it’s a procedure done on my natural lashes to make them more noticeable. That was a year ago and truthfully, this has been on my mind ever since then. So, when I popped by Wink Studio a couple weeks ago for my year three microblading touchup, I was like let’s do it!
So what is a lash lift and tint? It’s essentially a perm for your eyelashes. The aesthetician puts down a silicone shield, which is gently glued to your eyelid and then your lashes are combed up onto the adhesive on top of the shield as well. From there, an eye-safe perming solution is applied. There are three types solutions to choose from depending on how noticeable and curly you want your lashes to look. I obviously went with the most noticeable (go big or go home!).
Once the solution is applied, you basically just sit there for 40 minutes or so. After that the aesthetician puts on the tint and that takes another 10-ish minutes for them to dye. After that, they gently unstick the lashes and remove the silicone shield, wipe off the excess product, and voila! You have lashes that look like you curled and applied mascara to them.
In all, the process took probably just over an hour, and I fell asleep for most of it.
I am about two weeks in with my lashes now and they are still very curly and noticeable. I don’t need to apply mascara to them, but when I do, they truthfully look like I’m wearing falsies.
The procedure cost C$75 at Wink Studio in Winnipeg, which I found was pretty affordable and similar to a lash fill for extensions. I was also told that it should last about a month or so, which I’m happy with as well.
Like I said, lash extensions just don’t suit my lifestyle anymore, but this procedure is a total game changer. The fact that I can just wake up and have beautiful lashes that are mine is fantastic. I don’t have to worry about babying them or stressing if they look too sparse when they start to fall out (like with lash extensions of course), and if I want them to be really noticeable then a couple coats of mascara does the trick (applying it also won’t harm the process either).
I love how low maintenance my lash lift and tint is and truly cannot recommend this enough. Especially with the days of COVID we are going through and the fact that I don’t wear as much makeup as I used to, having this done is a real treat and still makes me feel somewhat glamorous every day.
Have you ever had a lash lift and tint?
Please note, this procedure was gifted to me. All opinions are my own.
I’m lucky in that I get to try a lot of different beauty brands. One brand that has always interested me but I have never tried is Mario Badescu.
Whenever I’m in line at Urban Outfitters I always see his products near the cash and since the price point is so amazing I’ve always been super intrigued to pick up some products (especially their iconic face mists).
Anyways, since I’ve aways been interested in their products, I was super excited when a box of them showed up at my doorstep one day. The brand was kind enough to send me some of their best-selling items and I couldn’t wait to dive in.
If you are on the hunt for some Mario Badescu products, then here are some top picks!
Enzyme Cleansing Gel
The Enzyme Cleansing Gel (C$19) is the brand’s best-selling cleanser. This green cleanser is infused with papaya and grapefruit and removes excess oil and impurities from the skin to reveal a fresh complexion.
I really like this cleanser and find it does a good job of cleaning my face, leaving it feeling bright and refreshed. It’s also appropriate for all skin tones and is ideal for oiliness, dullness, and uneven texture.
I will also note that it does have a particular scent to it, which is hard to explain. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly pleasant but I don’t mind it enough to not use the cleanser.
Botanical Exfoliating Scrub
If you need some extra TLC to get rid of dead skin cells then take a look at their Botanical Exfoliating Scrub (C$34). This exfoliator is made from finely ground seeds of Ecuadorian Ivory Palm which is in a gel base to polish away any dirt, grease, or oil from the skin. Apply it using light pressure in a circular motion for 30 seconds to reveal clearer, more radiant skin.
This is ideal for uneven skin tone and texture as it also contains aloe vera, coconut, ginger, ginkgo, and green tea extracts to hydrate and make skin more radiant. Use it one to three times a week for the best results.
Super Peptide Serum
If you’re looking for some anti-aging products, take a look at their Super Peptide Serum (C$56.25). This serum is formulated to diminish and defend against visible signs of aging.
The formula contains peptides and a sodium hyaluronate complex to give you a more smoother and youthful appearance, while also hydrating skin. It also has conditioning botanicals to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles.
This gel moisturizer is aimed to give you intense hydration without weighing skin down. It contains squalane and two molecular weights of sodium hyaluronate for maximum hydration, as well as green tea, thyme, and cucumber to boost clarity in the skin.
This moisturizer is ideal for dry or dull skin and will help to boost your complexion for a beautiful glow.
Drying Cream
One of the most iconic Mario Badescu products are their drying products.
The Drying Cream (C$24) is a spot solution that helps to get rid of small bumps and surface blemishes. It contains sulfur and zinc oxide to draw out impurities, as well as niacinamide and aloe vera to rebalance the skin.
Apply a small amount of this product onto areas you want to treat, such as pimples and rub it in until it blends into the skin.
Drying Lotion
For surface blemishes, try their Drying Lotion (C$23) (the Drying Cream is for small bumps and blemishes), which was originally formulated by Badescu in the 1960s and is one of their more popular and award-winning products.
This spot treatment is formulated with salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide to draw out impurities from the skin. It comes in a little bottle and the brand mentions to make sure that you don’t shake up the product as it’s designed to work as a bi-phase solution.
All you need to do it dip a Q-tip into the pink bottle and apply a dab of the product on the area you want treated. I like applying these kinds of products at night since I do find them noticeable on the skin. It also contains calamine for a cooling and soothing effect.
This toner helps to restore clarity and radiance to the skin after you cleanse it. It contains aloe vera to replenish skin, as well as black rose, rose water, and rose oil to fill your skin with antioxidants.
Apply this to skin morning and night after your cleanser (I love pairing it with the Enzyme Cleansing Gel) for a fresh, youthful complexion.
This face mist is great to use as the last step in your skincare routine or just whenever you need a little pick me up.
Spray it on dehydrated skin for a dewy glow. The formula contains rose extract to moisturize, gardenia extract, as well as thyme extract to clarify skin.
Summer Shine Body Lotion
If you’re looking for the perfect summer glow, then look no further than the Summer Shine Body Lotion ($10 USD).
This lightweight lotion is enriched with vitamin A and is infused with subtle shimmer to give you glowing skin and skin-smoothing hydration.
Apply this to your legs, shoulders, or collarbones for a radiant sheen that is sure to turn heads.
Mint Lip Balm
You guys know how I feel about lip balm, so I was excited to try their Mint Lip Balm ($8 USD)
This balm, which comes in a squeeze tube, is infused with peppermint and vitamin E to moisturize dry lips and leave them with a cooling feeling. It also contains avocado and sweet almond oil to renew lips for a soft and smooth feeling and appearance.
Throw it in your bag for touchups whenever you need or apply at night for an extra moisturizing mask.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for Mario Badescu products. They also sent over a variety of bath and body ones and there are tons more in their arsenal of items to try out as well. As you can see, the price point is amazing for this brand and truthfully, I don’t think I have ever heard anything bad about any of their products.
Have you tried any Mario Badescu products?
Products provided by PR. All opinions are my own. Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
Pair the foundation with their new Luminous Silk Lightweight Liquid Concealer (C$49). This concealer, available in 20 shades, conceals and highlights with that same lightweight feel that the foundation is famous for.
