Posts Tagged ‘SPF’

Glowing Skin ~ get it instanly w/ Becca Cosmetics

By Melody Iafelice on April 12th, 2013   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

 

Some days I NEED more luminous skin and I want it NOW!  Regardless of the causes for the lack of radiance (lack of sleep, weather, stress, illness, etc.) you can have pretty and glowing skin so easily these days.

Becca Shimmering skin perfectorMy all time fave way is the fabulous Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector. (I’m a huge fan of all Becca) It’s a sheer, lightweight  lotion that is loaded with radiance and gives an instant veil of elegant shimmer the moment it touches your skin. It also happens to be good for the skin too. It contains broad-spectrum SPF of 20+, anti-oxidants, hydration and more, all to keep skin looking fresh, youthful and healthy.

My everyday shade is Opal (seen left) a soft warm pink, but I have other shades as well. There is Topaz – a warm golden bronze, Pearl- white pearl, and I want the new Moonstone – a pale gold.

They can be used in several ways depending on the result you want, just play with them.

  • under my moisturizer as a hydrating serum
  • alone as a lightweight hydrator in the sweltering summer
  • mixed in moisturizer or liquid foundation
  • tap above cheeks, down the centre of the nose for a hi-lighter
  • add to body lotion or straight up any where on the body
  • and more.  Melody's glowing skin

 

 

Becca for Canadians: Sephora online and a selection at eBeauty.ca  US: full Becca collection is here.

 

Ciao Bellas, Until Next Time

~Melody xo

 

 

My makeup: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector used all over top of my moisturizer. Foundation-Make Up For Ever face & body applied with fingers. Guerlain 4 seasons bronzer in brunette, cheeks topped with Giorgio Armani sheer blush in #10. Lips are Annabelle twist up lipstick in Mai Tai.

 

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{Travel, Packing your beauty bag for a sunny destination}

By Melody Iafelice on January 30th, 2013   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

 

Hello Gorgeous,

So your heading down south for a bit are you? I’m envious, but wish you a safe and well deserved trip!  Here are some tips on what and how I pack my beauty bag for a southern destination:

beach

~ALWAYS check with the airline you are using for safety and carry-on regulations, nothing is worse than having to open up your carry-on to toss out half-filled bottles because the packaging size is over regulation.

~Carry-on with wheels. I carry-on most of my beauty items and a change of clothes (what if your luggage gets lost? ahhhhh!!)

~A big purse or tote (for magazines, makeup/skincare bag, iPod/pad, pair of sandals, sweater to keep warm on plane, gum etc.)

~Get a clear plastic makeup bag, you’ll always find what you need so much faster in the airport, on the plane, and in a small hotel bathroom. This one is about $6.97 and comes with 2 refillable bottles, small jar and sponge puff for the shower.

photo (6)

~Size down…use small refillable containers for your creams, lotions and potions. Found different sets at WalMart from $2-$4CAD.

~Toothpaste minis for the carry-on, but I use a full size toothbrush, those travel ones are crap.

~Go miniature with your makeup, with a palette like this one from Too Faced $29.00CAD  you have eye shadows, blush, bronzer and a lipgloss. You can go from beach to dinner to late night dancing!  BTW:  use a wet liner brush to make the dark shades into eyeliners.

Too Faced Glamour To Go

~Mascara, a full size isn’t that big.

~Travel size makeup brushes, I found these at Wal-Mart for about $9.99 CAD and they are not bad at all.

ONTHEGO_EYES_m

~I don’t wear foundation at the beach or pool, but I do want my skin to have a  polished look for going out. Look at this multi-tasking dr. brandt BB cream from Sephora. It self adjusts to your skin tone, perfect as it’ll change through your vacation. It gives hydration, anti-aging, and has a broad spectrum SPF 30.  Just so you know, on Canadian packaging it has a sticker over the SPF 30 on the tube ; )

dr. brandt BB Cream

~You don’t need a full size glass bottle of your fave fragrance, try one of the refillable atomizers. Find at Shoppers Drug Mart for about $12-$15 CAD

Travalo

~Suncare, I pack the full size bottles in checked luggage, can’t have too much SPF lotions! I love Clarins formulas

~Sunglasses, the ultimate ‘makeup’ accessory, always look good anytime and you can look like your sleeping to the chatty passenger beside you ; )

Ciao Bella, Have a Wonderful Trip!!!

Until Next Time,

~Melody xo

 

*No products in this post were supplied to me.  The opinions expressed here are my own. Products and/or items mentioned in this post or any other post on this site are for general purposes only and are not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition, illness or disease. By trying any suggestions from this site you do so at your own accord.

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Video for $plurge or $ave? ~ Summer Beauty Essentials

By Melody Iafelice on May 31st, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

 

Hello Gorgeous Gals,

Here is the CTV Morning Live TV segment that features yesterdays blog post items.

I confessed admitted to a personal choice in the video after saying I wouldn’t (I’d squeal under a bright light in a cold interrogation room LOL)

So here’s the rest of my picks:

  • Clarins Suncare ($34 CAD)for myself  but I would take the L’Oreal Ombrelle ($13.97 CAD) for the kids, as you use way to much every summer to pay top dollar for it ; )
  • Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzer Blew the budget on this one ($82 CAD) but the matte finish and multi-shades truly made it an ‘adjustable’ (use light or dark shades depending on season/level of existing tan) year round item. You can always add a hi-lighter on top to give a subtle shimmer.
  • L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof, I don’t like to pay high prices for mascara and for an item that I may use a handful of times during the summer, that would be $$ down the drain! It’s was under $7 CAD.
  • Maybelline Baby Lips, feels great on, love the subtle tint and can’t beat SPF 20, the price (under $7 CAD)  made it easy to own several shades and always have one on hand.

 

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

 

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Top 4 Summer Beauty Essentials ~ $plurge or $ave?

By Melody Iafelice on May 30th, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

Hello Gorgeous Gals,

I’m so excited to bring my $plurge or $ave posts to life by way of  a new series of beauty segments to CTV Morning Live, starting this morning.

I’ve paired products from within the same category, share similarities, but are opposites in price range so there is something for everyone’s wants, needs and budget…I just narrow the search for you (saving time & frustration) It’s up to you to check out each item further before you decide on what/when to $plurge or $ave!   

SPF for the Body

Clarins Sun Care Cream SPF 20 ($34 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) They have a fab reputation with their skincare and their SPF collection is just as great. They boast several items and levels of SPF. I’ve used it for a few years with positive results everytime.  The L’Oreal Ombrelle SPF 60 ($13.97 CAD Walmart) may say its for kids but they have a few levels of SPF, waterproof, fragrance free formulas, great for anyone with delicate skin.

Bronzing Powders for the Face

Guerlain’s Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Powder (in 2 shades – $82 CAD – Shoppers Drug Mart) is a matte version, great when you don’t want shimmer and can be used year round as you dip into dark or light sections as needed…more ‘sunkissed’ than fake tan. Rimmel Match Perfection (2 shades $7.98 CAD- Walmart) is pretty darn close to being fully matte as compared to all the other Rimmel bronzers. The trouble with shimmery bronzers is that they give more hi-light than color and start to look cheap when over applied (regardless of the brand)

Waterproof Mascara

One thing I have learned over the years….never mess with a gal and her mascara ; ) I don’t suggest using a waterproof mascara for everyday as it can dry out & cause brittle lashes over time. If you need staying power try the water resistant ones first. However when a waterproof one is needed, be it for a wedding or a pool/beach party then you need to head straight for the mascara geniuses. Lancome Hypnose Mascara waterproof  ($31 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Lancome mascara have a cult following and Hypnose is one of the popular ones…get volume and waterproofing!    L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof ($6.72 CAD – Walmart) is of course the ‘sister’ brand to Lancome, so there is good reason why all the formulas are similar ; ) Just saying! Voluminous has been around forever cause it works. (reminder to read the package to make sure it’s the waterproof one you picked up)

Tinted LipBalms with SPF

Dior Addict Lip Glow ($35 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Yes it’s a luxury brand, but it moisturizes, glistens, feels great on, has several shades, SPF 10 and pretty to pull out of your purse. Maybelline Baby Lips (under $7 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Highly moisturizing, SPF 20 and 5 shades (1 clear) stock up with multiple shades, great for the beach bag and you won’t cry if you loose it.

What are your favourite Summer Makeup Essentials?

What do you prefer to $plurge or $ave on?

I’d love to hear what product pairs you’d like to see in future segments/posts.

Ciao Bellas

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

 

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Out damn spot, out! -Neostrata HQ Plus Lightening Cream

By Melody Iafelice on January 17th, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

Years of sun worshiping as a teen has left its mark on my cheek, literally. For years I have worked at hiding and concealing a sun spot aka hyper-pigmentation. I tried many natural, herbal and cosmetic ‘lightening’ concoctions with NO success leaving me completely frustrated and annoyed.

I used a concealer regularly, but the spot still managed to peek through, until I found a really great concealer. So now it’s hidden, yet it stared back at me in the mirror when the makeup was off.  It had to be faded. My friend Rosario recommended the Neostrata HQ plus Lightening Cream SPF 20.  I picked it up at Shoppers Drug Mart at the prescription counter (no prescription needed) The regular Neostrata skincare collection products was on sale at the time and so was this one, got it for under $30CAD reg. $40CAD.

“Contains 4% hydroquinone in a unique base of hydroxy acids (5% glycolic acid and 5% gluconolactone) to provide gentle exfoliation. Ideal for dark hyperpigmentation and all skin types. This cream NOW contains SPF 20 making it the ideal choice for daytime use”

Recommended to use 1-2x/day and you can use it all over, but I only apply it to the spot itself over top my moisturizer. I began to use it every morning and within a 2 week period I could see it starting to fade….finally! “insert happy dance here”  I’m soooo happy with the results. It has a perfume-y scent, not sure why they would add it in, but I got over it when I saw the positive changes. If you are looking to get rid of those dark spots, this is definitely something you should add to your routine!!

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~Melody xo

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