punkcouture

[punkcouture]

[punkcouture]

all about: FOUNDATIONS!!

Foundations are very tricky, and essentially the most important part of your makeup routine. This is the canvas to your art, so we want to make sure it’s clean, smooth and even. One size does NOT fit all!!! In todays post, we’re gonna talk about different formulas for different skin types, bb and cc cremes, and how to find your perfect shade, so keep on readingggggg! 

Matte Foundation: 

Matte foundation is easy to blend, doesn't feel to heavy on the skin and the number 1 choice for people who have oily skin. Matte foundations are oil-free and water based making these the best choice for oily skin while still keeping skin hydrated. Sometimes, people with dry skin like to use matte foundations and I wouldn't recommend this unless you prep your skin very well before hand with an oil or serum as matte foundations can exaggerate wrinkles, and flakiness in dry skin. 

Try: too faced born this way foundation $39, loreal true match $7

Oil-Based Foundation:

Oil-based foundations look amazing on the skin. They tend to plump up your features a little and providing a nice dewy finish making this an option for people with dry skin and aging skin. 

Try: MAC face and body foundation $30, fitme dewy smooth foundation $7

Powder Foundations:

These are a little tricky. They provide a smooth finish for normal skin (can also be used if you're normal to SLIGHTLY oily or normal to SLIGHTLY dry) and gives a soft beautiful luminous glow and is very lightweight. I would stay away from this formula if you have very oily skin and very dry skin, they can leave a very unflattering finish on both skin types. Also, these are good for sensitive skin types that are sensitive to other foundations, but please be weary as you can still be sensitive and super oily and sensitive and dry.  

Try: benefit HELLO FLAWLESS powder foundation $34, the balm photoblam foundation $31

Creme Foundations:

Creme foundations are easy blend and come in various finishes but are ideal if you don't want anything TRULY matte or TRULY dewy if you get what i’m puttin’ down. Usually are medium to full coverage and suitable for dry and mature skin. They can feel a little heavy on the skin, so take that how you’d like. 

Try: maybelline dream mousse foundation $7, chanel perfection lumiere  $50

BB and CC Creams and Tinted Moisturizers.

BB 

BB is short for beauty or blemish creams. They even out and hydrate skin while providing skin with antioxidants and anti-aging benefits and sun protection. BB creams also offer a much more natural finish and amplify the beauty of your skin. 

Try: estee lauder beauty benefit cream $43 (oily skin) , clinique age defense bb cream (combo), dr jart water fuse bb beauty blam $34 (dry skin)

CC

CC cremes are color correcting, skin perfecting and offer a little more coverage than a bb cream. They are meant for people who suffer from redness, sallowness, hyper pigmentation, etc. 

Try: it cosmetics your skin but better cc cream (normal to dry) $38, giorgio armani luminescence cc creme $55

Tinted Moisturizer 

What are tinted moisturizers? It’s all in the name! Tinted moisturizers are sheer moisturizer, and provide a natural look. These are great to use if you're going for a no makeup makeup look. Perfects the skin slightly and gives a dewy look. Unlike bb creams these come in a variety of shades and bb creams tend to adjust to the skin. 

Try: bareminerals complexion rescue tinted moisturizer $30, bobbi brown extra spf tinted moisturizer $60

Now, choosing the right foundation when going makeup shopping is a different thing. 

Here are some tips. 

1. Don’t rush, it takes some time trying on the right foundation. 

2. Do NOT test on your skin or on your inner arm. The skin on your body and on your face are not the same color---as a matter a fact, they're an entirely different shade. 

3. Make sure you swatch on a clean and moisturized canvas and swatch on the mandible to neck to ensure you get an even color. If you’re wearing makeup wipe the area with a makeup removing wipe and then apply a moisturizer. This is KEY to make sure the foundation settles with your skin as it should.

4. BLEND!!! Make sure foundation looks smooth. 

5. Give skin about 10 minutes to see how the foundation look on the skin. Foundations usually oxidize, oxidization is when then oxygen causes the product to break down. Which results in the foundation getting darker. 

6. Test out how it'll look in natural light. Step outside---or in front of a window and check out how it looks in natural lighting. Lighting has an effect when it comes to makeup. 

If any of these steps are incovienent, ask for a sample! Almost ALL makeup counters provide samples so you can try em on and get a feel for the product.

[punkcouture]

Nutrition and Beauty

You are certainly what you eat. Nutrition has an impact on the appearance and the health of our hair, skin and nails. What our body takes in will reflect in our skin, what we ingest can improve our skin health, or agitate it. A lot of foods can help build up collagen and elastin (which keeps us looking younger and keeps our skin more supple to help avoid texture), repairs DNA, fight against free radicals and soooooo much more.

Here are some foods that are beneficial to our skin. Everyone has different requirements for their diets due to their body types, so use this a guide to incorporate some of these foods into your diet...

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains antioxidants. When applied topically it helps neutralize free radicals, keeps skin smooth and protects the skin from premature aging.

Tips!!

Two spoons of olive oil will improve your overall health.

You can use olive oil as a cuticle oil.

Olive oil is amazing as a shaving cream/aftershave.

Tomatoes 🍅

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is extremely imporant in helping our skin protect against sun damage when ingested.

Tips!!

Tomato juice works as a great astringent and helps shrink pores, which is great for oily skin.

Tomatoes are also great for acne, if left on the face for an hour.

Tomatoe juice mixed with honey is the prefect mixture of glowy skin!

Dark Chocolate 🍫

Many people would be surprised to hear that dark chocolate has lots of incredible health benefits for our skin, and hair! Dark chocolate contains flavonols, these are antioxidants that help your skin protect from UV rays, which means no wrinkles and most importantly, no skin cancer. Chocolate (Caffine) is an excellent skin detoxifier, which exposes new fresh skin and promotes glowy skin.

Tips!!

Dark chocolate is a mood booster, chocolate reduces stress levels! Stress can definitely refeclt in the skin.

Regular consumption of chocolate helps a achieve a problem free complexion.

Helps reduce hair loss and helps treat hair conditions.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is great for inflammed and oily skin. Can be used to help soothe eczema and heal psoriasis. Oatmeal is rich in anti oxidant properties and helps reverse damage done by UV rays, pollution and chemicals.

Tips!!

Oatmeal baths are not only beneficial for eczema, but also for hives!

You can incorporate lavender and epsom salt in your oatmeal baths.

Green Tea 🍵

Green tea is one of the most effective things for you, not just to drink, but also for topical application. Green tea has anti inflammatory properties which fights inflammation and bacteria (great for people suffering from porasis). Green tea is also great for sun damaged skin helping the skin protect against sun rays, reduces oiliness, and is a natural skin toner used topically. Plus, there are so many health benefits! Drink your tea!!!

Tips!!

A green tea rinse and green tea fortified shampoos are life savers for people who suffer from dandruff!

2 cups of green tea a day can reverse sun damage.

Dried green tea leaves can be used as an exfoliator.

If you suffer from dark circles and get puffy eyes, boil some water, let the green tea sit for about two minutes and use them as a eye compress and leave em on for about 10-20 minutes.

Almomd Milk 🥛

Dairy is an aggressor to skin and to skin conditions. It agitates skin and makes it more reactive, plus it’s gross!! Oak and almond milk are better choices and contain 50% of your daily vitamin E intake should be to keep your skin glowy and smooth.

Tips!!

You can spritz almond milk on your face (keep in a 4oz spray bottle), and then blot using a tissue. This is food before bed, and I’d recommend this for acne prone skin, but is beneficial for all skin types!!

Rose oil + oatmeal + almond milk is a great rejuvenating mask, great for dark spots and for achieving an even complexion.

Some other foods that are extremely beneficial are

Oysters

Avocados 🥑

Coffee ☕️

Kiwis 🥝

Garlic

Artichokes

If you suffer from acne stay away from the following:

Saturated fats

Processed foods

Dairy 🥛

What helps:

Raw veggies

Whole grains

Zinc

Tuna

Greens

If you suffer from psoriasis stay away from:

Alchocol

Red meats

Citrus

Tomatoes 🍅

Gluten

What helps:

Fish 🐠

Cold pressed oils

Ginger

Cumin

Garlic

Carrots 🥕

Avocados 🥑

White meat

If you suffer from eczema stay away from:

Dairy 🥛

Eggs 🥚

Seeds or nuts 🥜

Soy

Wheat 🌾

What helps:

Bananas

Chicken/beef broths

Potatoes

Onions

Fish

Black/green tea 🍵

[punkcouture]

Beautiful Audrey Hepburn.

[punkcouture]

Skincare Routine

I love this cleanser! Great for all skin types and so thick to remove any makeup residue. I wouldn’t use this without removing some of my makeup first, you can use any makeup remover really but I use the Aveda composition oil to remove my makeup. Oils are excellent makeup removers because they really break down the product on the skin and make the whole cleansing process much easier and cleaner. So if you loooove a full beat face, I’d definitely recommend using a (NONCOMEDOGENIC) oil to remove makeup. This requires less scrubbing on your face, which means, no wrinkles. You want to be delicate and careful when applying products on to your skin. Especially around the eyes.

Exfoliation is a little tricky. Everyone’s skin is different and some people need to exfoliate more than others. I love the Clinique 7 day scrub cream. It’s gentle enough to remove dead skin throughout the day. Although it’s gentle enough to use everyday, I wouldn’t suggest exfoliating everyday. You’re skin needs a rest!

Another one of my alllll time favorite exfoliators is the Aveda Radiant skin refiner! It’s soooo gentle but such a deep exfoliator. You can mix it with a cleanser if you’d like, or use it on its own. But I wouldn’t use too much of this either. A little goes a long way. Remove with water, or with a warm washcloth. You’ll be left with beautiful, radiant skin! I typically do this once a week.

For toner I use the Pixi Glow Tonic. I just started using this and I love it!! It preps my skin so well for any masks or moisturizers I may end up using. If you have oiler or acne prone skin I’d recommend using and astringent instead, but be careful because it can cause a lil redness or irritation if used recklessly.

As a refresher I love to use the Mario Badescu facial sprays. I looooove the new one. It leaves my skin looking amazing after every use. I spray this throughout the day and I also apply this after my makeup but BEFORE applying my Mac fix plus for added hydration and glow.

LETS TALK ABOU HYDRATORSSSS!!! To me this is by far one of the most important things. Let’s just say my skin is a little moody so I use all three of tese because each cater to me on a different day.

The Belif moisturizing bomb does exactly what it says it does. Lasting moisture! For some time I was on the hunt for a great moisturizer and this one definitely took the cake. I’ve also tried the Clinique moisture surge and it’s also pretty amazing. A good drugstore alternative is the Burt’s Bees even tone moisturizer, it has a gorgeous finish.

The Tarte Maracuja oil is a badass! Maracuja is the fancy term for passion fruit. I use it in my hair, on my skin and body and on my nails. Super moisturizing on its own. Kicks any other oil to the curb. You could warm this up as well and use it in your hair and great for after waxing.

I’m currently out of the Maracuja oil and I’ve been using the farsali gold exlir and I am truly impressed. It’s sooo versatile. The gold flakes give a beautiful golden glow to the skin. I like to use this by itself as a moisturizer and I like to use it as a lip hydrator. I’ve also tried mixing this with my foundation and I loveddddd it. It’s a little thicker than the Maracuja oil, but that doesn’t really bother me.

Last but certainly not least is sunscreen! I’m currently still on the hunt for a sunscreen I love and can rave about but right now the SunBum sunscreen stick is doing me well. I do prefer a cream rather than a balm but it’s all good. You can apply this before your moisturizer as well. Pleeeeease always wear sunscreen, you may think you don’t need it but no one is immune to UVA rays, free radical damage or skin cancer. Please don’t neglect the importance of sunscreen and the health of your skin just for a temporary tan.

Disclaimer: This is what works for me and my skin. If you would like any recommendations for your skin type I’d be happy to help.

Aveda Purifying Creme Cleanser $23-$63

https://www.aveda.com/product/5356/16808/skin-care/cleanser/botanical-kinetics-purifying-creme-cleanser#/shade/5_fl_oz%2F150_ml

Aveda Radiant Skin Refiner $41

https://www.aveda.com/product/17739/46720/skin-care/masques/botanical-kinetics-radiant-skin-refiner#/shade/3.5_fl_oz%2F100_ml

Clinique 7 Day Scrub $22

https://www.sephora.com/product/7-day-scrub-cream-rinse-off-formula-P122661?skuId=47936&icid2=products%20grid:p122661

Pixi Glow Tonic $15

https://www.target.com/p/pixi-174-skintreats-glow-tonic-3-4-fl-oz/-/A-17408487

MARIO Badescu Camomile Spray $6-$12

https://www.ulta.com/facial-spray-with-aloe-chamomile-lavender?productId=xlsImpprod17411021

Belief Moisturizing Bomb $38

https://www.sephora.com/product/the-true-cream-moisturizing-bomb-P394624?skuId=1686419&icid2=belif_lp_moisture_attack_carousel:p394624

Tarte Maracuja Oil $16-$48

https://www.sephora.com/product/pure-maracuja-oil-P376726?skuId=1468438

Farsali Rose Gold Exlir $22-$54

https://www.sephora.com/product/rose-gold-elixir-P417139?skuId=1931518&icid2=products%20grid:p417139

SunBum SPF 30 Stick $10

https://www.target.com/p/sun-bum-sunscreen-face-stick-spf-30-45oz/-/A-21515070?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=t&location=9004250&gclid=Cj0KCQjwibDXBRCyARIsAFHp4fpWpFSQ_7i7V26wrcGdg0qfk6P0sx8N2bnz1F9DnL921sgJ6xNjnQkaAjXQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[punkcouture]

Birthday Makeup!

[punkcouture]

Skin:

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue TINTED HYDRATING GEL CREAM W/ SPF 30 in the shade TAN 07

LA Girl PRO conceal in Medium Beige

ELF Cream Highlighter

Eyes:

ABH Modern Renaissance BUON FRESCO and GOLDEN OCHRE

Milani Metallic Baked Eyeshadow in I HEART YOU

Stila Stay All Day waterproof eyeliner in Intense Black

NYX micro brow pencil in BLACK

Loreal Paris TELESCOPIC Mascara in Carbon Black

Lips:

Velvet Teddy

Aveda Lip Saver

[punkcouture]

[punkcouture]

Skin:

NYX HONEY DEW ME UP Primer

BORN THIS WAY TWO FACED FOUNDATION in WARM BEIGE

laura mercier SECRET CAMOUFLAGE SC-5

Two Faced CHOCOLATE SOLEIL MEDIUM/DEEP

CARLI BYBEL PALETTE PINK HIGHLIGHTER

Eyes: 

ABH MODERN RENAISSANCE LOVE LETTER SHADOW

CARLI BYBEL HIGHLIGHT

CARLI BYBEL SHADOWS

Lips:

MAC Velvet Teddy

[punkcouture]

If a poem hasn’t ripped apart your soul; you haven’t experienced poetry.

Edgar Allan Poe (via quotemadness)

[punkcouture]

[punkcouture]

[punkcouture]

[punkcouture]

EYES:

TWO FACED BOUDOIR EYES IN THE BUFF AND BIRTHDAY SUIT

STILA Stay All Day waterproof eyeliner in INTENSE BLACK

Lancome Extreme Longwear eyeliner in COTE D AZUR

[punkcouture]

MILANI METALLIC BAKED EYESHADOW IN I HEART YOU

Naked 3: Blackheart 

[punkcouture]

Inspo in Harlem

[punkcouture]

YONKERZ