I can’t tell you how much a shiny face annoys me in the summer. I leave the house looking glam and by the end of the day, if I don’t use the right products, I’m like a greaseball! Gross! Find out what product combo I use for matte skin all day long – even on those hot, muggy days.
Nicole by OPI always surprises me with their fashion-forward nail lacquers and the latest collection to make its way to my doorstep is definitely one of my all-time faves.
Matte, matte, matte! That’s all I can say when it comes to fall trends. And Nicole by OPI has nailed it with the Matte Collection of nail lacquers ($10.49 each). Although the shades reflect the matte texture popularized on the runways this year, that’s not to say the shades are dull or lifeless. In fact, this collection is just the opposite.
I wouldn’t actually recommend sporting the colours the way I have in the photo. I only did that to show you as many of the colours as possible. As you can see, the bold colours are bursting with shimmer, even though they have a smooth, classy and matte finish. (TIP: I would skip on the top coat with these nail lacquers to keep the trend in tact.)
On my fingers (from index finger to pinky), I’m wearing Respect the World, a shimmering jade green; Stolen Kisses, a sparkling pinky-red, Virtuous Violet, a dazzling purple haze, and No Limits, a rich black bursting with sparkles. There are seven awesome shades to choose from: all sparkling, all matte and all on trend.
What do you think of the shimmering matte polishes? Is the irony a little too much for you? Or are you loving the combo?
Shimmering bronzing powder may be our BFF all summer long, but come the cooler weather, it’s time to ditch the shimmer and turn to matte, sophisticated and subtle bronzer instead. As much as you may hate to admit it, your skin will lose it’s summer glow and become pale over the winter season. Shimmering bronzers look a little too fake against pale complexions and contrast far too much with your neck’s colour.
Matte bronzers are the perfect solution this year because makeup is moving toward the satin finish over the sparkling one. Here are my top 5 picks of the absolute best matte bronzers for fall that I not only tested, but alternate regularly and personally love.
The Benefit: Gives a dark summer glow all year.
2. Bronzer in Laguna from NARS Cosmetics ($38)
The Benefit: This bronzer leaves a smooth yet utterly radiant finish.
This bronzer is also a dark one so depending on your skin tone, you may want to apply only a touch of it and only to important areas like the cheekbones. It has a very soft, matte texture and although it does have a slight hint of sparkles, the makeup itself leaves a matte finish that highlights and illuminates the skin rather than making it look shimmery.
3. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium-Deep from MAC Cosmetics ($31)
The Benefit: This product acts as both a foundation and a light bronzer.
While covering up imperfections, this matte pressed powder glides smoothly onto the skin and gives a natural, healthy-looking glow. In winter, our skin tends to become pale and it loses all traces of pigment which can make us look washed out or sickly. This light, subtle powder will give you a radiance boost. I like to apply it with a powder brush for optimal results. It awakens the skin without looking like a faux pas fake-n-bake tan.
4. Bare Minerals Golden Tan Foundation at Sephora ($31)
The Benefit: It’s a loose powder that leaves behind a flawless finish.
One of the advantages of loose powder mineral makeup is that it makes the skin look utterly flawless. Just dab your imperfections with concealer, sweep this powder all over with a bronzer or powder brush and there you have it: fresh, glowing, flawless and totally matte skin. Plus, it’s super light and, as the name suggests, your skin will look barely made up. Bonus: This product contains SPF 15!
5. Givenchy Le Prisme in Amber Organza at Sephora ($52)
The Benefit: The combination of four different shades adds depth to the face.
Most people don’t want to wear bronzer for radiant skin and blush for depth and contour. Luckily, Givenchy has got you covered with a product that does both at the same time. Four natural-looking hues with a pinkish-brown tint makes this palette your one-stop-shop for matte, radiant skin this winter. You can apply it to select areas or even all over because the colour is so subtle.
