Face of Christmas Day

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas Holiday! I spent mine with lots of family all day and it was lovely. Since things got started really early in the morning I kept my morning face pretty easy. 

I used foundation and concealer and then followed it with Tarte Blush in Stellar. It's my go to blush for a nude/pink blush. Then I just applied a wash of Modern Minerals eyeshadow in Uma. It's a nice champagne color with a good bit of sparkle thrown in. Of course I followed with a ton of mascara. I'm using up my Bare Minerals sample I've got but not sure what I'll use when it's out. 

Later that night we headed to a family party and I broke out the smoky eye using my Jane Iredale Mystikol in Smoky Quartz. Then I popped on a not quite nude lip with Bite Beauty's Musk lip cream and was finished. I really don't like the name of that lipstick, but I love the color so I'll survive. 

By the way if you're looking for great lipsticks with an amazing selection of reds check out Bite Beauty. 

Jane Iredale Pencil Eyeliners

Jane Iredale pencil eyeliners are some of my favorite natural liners that I've come across as a makeup artist. They're super smooth and creamy, come in a great range of basic shades and have great durability. Creamy pencils are a must for me as I hate pencils that feel like you're stabbing your eye (then again no one should like that right?). Now these aren't the best for the waterline as far as longevity but they are comfortable to wear on the waterline. 

Below I have the all shades except the white, which I felt like I owned but can't find anywhere. I also included Cocoa, which is technically a lip definer but I use as a warm brown liner. With the training I've had with JI over the years I've found that you can use lipliner on the eye area as they don't use any FD&C dyes and are made with conditioning oils and waxes. Great for me as I love multi-purpose products!

 (top to bottom: basic black, black/grey, midnight blue, basic brown, cocoa, taupe)

 (left to right: basic black, black/grey, midnight blue, basic brown, cocoa, taupe)

 (top to bottom: basic black, black/grey, midnight blue, basic brown, cocoa, taupe)

Jane Iredale pencils can be bought here and run $11USD

Face of the Day

I love my Saturday off. It usually involves me spending time with family or running errands. So I like to be comfortable. And I like my makeup to be kind of comfortable too. It's not really a no makeup look but it's a no-fuss look. Something I can throw on and know that I look put together without trying too hard.

So for skincare I have my current morning routine. I always start with my La Bella Figura barbary fig seed oil and then apply either argan oil or lately I've been trying LBF's barbary fig renewal serum. Eye cream has been by Kahina which I'm testing out and will have a review up in another week or two. My SPF has been the same 100% Pure one I've been using forever. Last but not least we have lips and it's my current favorite LBF la curacio. Not that I'm having a current love affair with LBF or anything...

My makeup for the day was simple and easy. I went with fresh skin thanks to Vapour Luminous Foundation (shade 115), and Illusionist concealer (shade 010). I followed up with Vapour Aura Multi-Use in Torch and a little rms living luminizer. I never leave the house without brows so I use my trusty Jane Iredale Bitty brow kit in blonde. Josie Maran mascara and Bite beauty lipstick in Fig and I was out the door. 

Today was spent baking cookies with my mom and trying on new lipsticks!

Kahina Giving Beauty - Antioxidant Mask

  

I have some serious love for facial masks. Store bought or homemade I think that they are all awesome. They're not only relaxing but a great way to "feed" your skin. This Kahina mask has been a total staple of mine since I received a rather large sample of it earlier this fall. It's described on the website as a multi-tasking mask. One that detoxifies the skin, stimulates collagen, delivers antioxidants and exfoliates. This mask is a powerhouse filled with lovely argan oil, rhassoul clay (this clay is awesome see more info on it here), 

extracts of pomegranate and acai, along with a great essential oil blend.

 For me it's been my go to for when my skin is misbehaving. Particularly when it's breaking out. Seriously zits disappear overnight. 

If something does that for me it's a total keeper. 

The texture of the mask is a nice whipped consistency, with the tiniest amount of scrub texture. And it has a nice earthy minty scent. I pop a thin layer all over and then leave it on anywhere from 10 minutes or longer. And BAM! skin is glowing and breakouts are taking a hike. Take that crazy hormonal skin! 
Since I've been using it regularly I've noticed a great improvement in my skin. It's clearer, brighter and has fewer breakouts. I'll be keeping this in my skincare routine from now until they stop making it. =)

Are masks a part of your skincare routine? What's your favorite?

5 Holiday Red Lipsticks

Seriously to me there is nothing more festive than a red lip. Now granted I love bright lipstick but this time of year there is something extra special about a swipe of red over the lips. Maybe it's the contrast between darker winter colors and the brightness of red but either way I love it. 

So here is a list of a few of my favorite reds that you can try for the holidays. 
I am sorry that one of these is discontinued but it is such a favorite of mine I just couldn't leave it out.

(left to right: Revolution Organics, Ilia Beauty, Jane Iredale Joy, Bite Beauty, and Jane Iredale Carrie)

(top to bottom: Bite Beauty Tannin, Jane Iredale Joy, Ilia Bang Bang, Jane Iredale Carrie and Revolution Organics Freedom)

1. Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in Bang Bang

A great red that is on the sheer side. This can be built up in intensity and looks great over a red lip pencil.

2. Jane Iredale PureMoist Lip Color in Carrie

A classic red lipstick, this is what I wear when I want that 1950s red lip. 

3. Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Tannin

This is a gorgeous deep matte red that has a slight wine undertone. This has excellent wear time.

4. Revolution Organics Lipgloss in Freedom

This packs some serious punch for a lipgloss. If you're a fan of reds you need this in your life. 

5. Jane Iredale PureMoist Lip Color in Joy

*tear* The one that got away. I have one little tube left of this and it was my favorite winter lip color. It's the best of both worlds between berry and red. If you know a dupe for this please share!

And last but not least the one I'm lusting after

rms beauty lip2cheek in rapture

It looks like a fantastic brickish red. As I don't have one I of course need it.

What is your favorite holiday lip color? What kind of makeup do you pair it with?

*all products purchased by me. Reviews are my own opinions. Photos and content copyrighted to Alexis Danielle.*

Winter Lip Care

It's cold, it's hot, it's dry, it's not.
 Your lips this time of year my dears are put through the whole shebang. 
That's why I find lip care especially important when the temperature drops.
For me this trio of balm, treatment and exfoliation works wonders!

(Left to right : LBF La Curacio lip treatment and Suvana Paw Paw & Honey Balm )

I start with exfoliating my lips 1-2 times a week. For me I just use a little organic sugar mixed with a little water to make a paste. Massage lips gently and then wash it off. Pretty easy and most of everyone has it in the house. No fancy lip scrubs needed here. 

The balm I have been carrying with me everywhere is the Suvana Paw Paw and Honey Balm. It's hydrating without being sticky, smells nicely of honey, and leaves lips glossy. 

For night time and first thing upon waking I apply a thicker richer balm. La Bella Figura's La Curacio is  full of amazing emollient oils and butters. I noticed after the first couple nights of using this that my lips are softer and haven't cracked (something they always do in the winter). And it might be my imagination but I swear they are rosier (maybe the bit of ginger in it?). Either way it's a total staple. I just bought a backup and one for a gift too. 

Next up I'll have a post just in time for the holidays on 
my most favorite red lip colors! 



*all products purchased by me. Reviews are my own opinions. Photos and content copyrighted to Alexis Danielle.*

Autumn Skincare Haul

So I picked up just a *few* skin care items from 

La Bella Figura, Olie Biologique and Kahina Giving Beauty. 

I have a review up of the Barbary Fig Seed Oil but reviews of the rest will follow soon as I'm trying them all out. 

For now here's a sneak peek at the goodies. 

Barbary Fig Seed Oil, Lip Treatment, and samples.

Argan Oil, samples of Huile Moderne and oil 006

Argan oil, Antioxidant Mask and Eye Cream

*All products were purchased by me and all reviews are my own opinions as always.