Natalia Zurawska – The Best Makeup and Hair Products for Summer
The Best Makeup and Hair Products for Summer
Summer is just around the corner and every woman deserves to look and feel her best. Here are some of my favourite products that take mere minutes with amazing results. Look even more beautiful – effortlessly!
Conair Hot Sticks
These little curling rods heat up in just a few minutes. Simply section hair down the middle and start rolling away whichever direction you like. Keep in mind that the larger the roller, the looser the curl. To prevent hair “hooking at the end” start from the middle and wrap the hair around tightly. The ends of the little rods connect, so there are no pins or clips involved. The sections of hair do not need to be the same size, as it will just add to the great texture. The Conair Hot Stix curl even course hair, eliminate frizz for beautiful, lasting curls.
*Quick Tip
To make curls last even longer, add a dollop of mousse beforehand and brush through before wrapping. Tresemme is my favourite for styling products.
Their Volumizing Extra Hold mousse is so light and airy and the price point can’t be beat.
Finish with a spritz of Tres Two Hairspray by Tresemme for perfect hair.
Moroccan Oil
The Moroccan Oil line of hair products is amazing for repairing hair from sun damage, enhancing shine and the smell is amazing. Their Original Oil Treatment is a staple.
Dust it by Osis
This amazing mattifying powder adds so much volume to fine hair. Simply apply to your crown and massage it in with fingers, or sprinkle in and backcomb for so much added oomph in seconds!
Goody Hair Accessories and Brushes
Goody makes such an amazing array of hair combs, brushes, “ouchless” elastics, as well as hairbands and pins. This company is amazing, with clear elastics to match any skin tone, or seasonal colours as well as a copper infused brushes to reduce dandruff dramatically. Amazing!
Jerome Russell Spray is by far one of my favourite hair products. It is a temporary spray that washes out completely in your next shampoo. It does not run. The variety of colours available, are almost limitless. This amazing product is great for touching up roots in a split second. Great for photo shoots, that hot date or business meeting when you don’t have time for a salon visit. It is also great to try out if you want to go a different colour and see what it looks like first. Simply style hair and spray as a final step and allow to dry for a few minutes. At $8.99 you can’t go wrong.
Nothing enhances makeup like Brite Prep by Cover Fx. This primer has an SPF of 50, moisturizes skin, makes it look so bright and fresh as well as makes foundation and or powder application seamless. The formulation also decreases lines and wrinkles. It is one of my favourites. Simply apply with fingers or a foundation brush before foundation and/or powder.
Hello Flawless by Benefit
This amazing powder with SPF 15 is a must have for any woman. I am absolutely in love. Choose your coverage – the powder comes with a brush as well as sponge. The brush is perfect for a more sheer finish, while the sponge can be used for spot blending or for full coverage. The container is super cute as well with a “lit up” mirror. I have dry skin and have used it on many skin types, works effortlessly on them all. I only needed a light touch up 5 hours later. Hello Flawless comes in 6 different shades, perfect for a wide variety of skin tones.
Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes by Benefit
This amazing palette has a great colour selection that looks great on all skin tones. It also comes with a concealer. I like to put some concealer on the eyelid as well as underneath the eye. This makes the eyeshadow last longer. A concealer and eyeshadow brush are both included as well as instructions in this super cute packaging. It is also perfect to throw into a beach bag, purse and even compact enough for a clutch.
Cargo blu ray
Cargo blu ray Blush/Highlighter is my absolute favourite. The consistency and colour are perfect for almost all skin tones. It blends so beautifully! Also comes with a great mirror.
M.A.C Eyelashes
M.A.C has such an amazing array of false lashes. The band lashes are perfect for a more dramatic look, or individuals to enhance your day look.
*Quick Tip
Use Duo Surgical adhesive for band lashes and specific glue for individual lashes (it will say on the package) as they are different consistencies.
When applying false lashes, always apply a little extra glue to the ends for added security and place as close to the eye line as possible and curl both the false lashes as well as your real ones to create a seamless line.
Always check to see if the lashes suit you first – smaller as well as individual lashes look best on soft/smaller features, whereas big lashes look great on big eyes and more defined features.
If the lashes are too long, (apply to eye first with no glue to check) and then measure how much you need to trim (DO NOT do the trimming close to your eyes, and make sure that the lashes are symmetrical after you are done.) Apply glue, let air dry for about 30 seconds so the glue becomes tacky and apply to eye – make sure they are symmetrically placed. Avoid placing the lashes too close to your inner eye, as this may cause some tearing.
To finish off, always apply a liner such as M.A.C Fluidline eye liner in blacktrack so the lash line is blended seamlessly.
For a less dramatic look, cut a lash band in half (provided it is symmetrical and not flared) and use only on the outer ends of lashes, or for a more dramatic look layer false band lashes together for extra oomph! I always like to add a few coats of mascara as well.
Covergirl Lashblast Mascara does wonders to open up the eyes, providing amazing volume and length. It also comes in different colours to enhance your eye colour and the price point can’t be beat.
*Quick Tip
Use the waterproof version for swimming, weddings or other cry worthy events. It comes off gently and easily with baby oil.
Nothing looks better in the summer than healthy, glowing skin. This is why exfoliating is so important. Yves Rocher makes an amazing Oriental Velvety Skin Scrub. This scrub contains Organic Argan Oil along with Moroccan Clay with the added power of Argan Kernel powder for extreme hydration and exfoliation. The scent is magnificent with hints of sunkissed fruit, rose and sugary notes. Massage into wet skin and rinse well. The result is a beautiful glow.
Sunblock is such a major staple today regardless of your age. All it takes is about a shot worth for the whole body. Apply before bronzer and makeup. Lots of creams as well as makeup have sunblock infused already. Just make sure to apply 30 minutes beforehand so it has time to absorb in your skin. Reapply after vigorous exercise and swimming. There are so many great companies out there.
I love Ombrelle by L’Oreal. This sunblock is colour as well as PABA free so no need to worry if you have sensitive skin. It also protects you up to 45 times longer from UVA and UVB rays.
Banana Boat has such an amazing smell and also great protection, depending on the SPF you choose. They also have a baby line, sports line as well as great after sun products. I especially love their spay on sunblock – it feels so light yet provides great protection.
There is also a reason why Coppertone has been around forever. It is a really great product. They also carry a Baby line for tear free application, a Sports line which really does last longer and does not run when you sweat. You can order samples right from their website as well.
Lorac Tantalizer Body Bronzer Luminizer
This is one of the best bronzing lotions on the market in my opinion. It blends so evenly as well as looking great on all skin tones including very fair skin. It has a beautiful dewy finish, without looking sparkly. It is great for both day and evening. Lorac’s Tantalizer can be used on the body and enhances muscle tone. It goes on very evenly, just remember that a little goes a long way and make sure to let it dry thoroughly before getting dressed. This is not a self-tanner, so if you are looking for a no commitment tan, this is the product for you. It also smells like heaven.
If you prefer a powder bronzer, NARS makes an amazing one called Laguna. It also suits all skin tones, makes skin look glowing and beautiful.
Both products available at www.sephora.com
*Quick Tips
When applying bronzer, apply with a decent size powder brush or Kabuki brush. There is no one company imo that makes amazing brushes – I do love M.A.C, Quo Professional and Sonia Kashuk, as well as Cover FX. You want to make sure that the bronzer is only applied to the parts of the body where the sun would naturally hit – forehead, cheekbones, nose and chin. Remember that a little goes a long way and you want to be sure that the added colour is blended well – also make sure to add a bit to cleavage (it enhances it) as well as to your collarbone and other areas where skin is showing to match. The most important things to avoid are streaking, an orangy oompa loompa look as well as shades that are much too dark as it will only look like dirt.
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To finish off looking absolutely fabulous, there is nothing nicer than a coat of O.P.I nail polish. With such a huge variety of colours, as well as long lasting power, give your nails the pampering they deserve.
*Quick Tip
When applying nail polish, always add a base coat and apply in three easy strokes, one in the middle, then on both sides. This prevents streaking. It is much better to apply a few thin coats than one or two thick coats. To finish, apply a topcoat with three strokes as well and apply to the backside of the nail to create a seal. This makes the manicure last much longer and prevents chipping. Allow to dry thoroughly – about 25 minutes. If you are in a big hurry rinse hands with cold water which allows the polish to set faster – about 15 minutes.
To prevent makeup and lipstick from melting, simply add a little ice pack in your cosmetic case or beach bag. Always put in a sandwich bag first to prevent melting.
Ziploc bags are amazing not only for your MP3 player and other valuables when you are travelling. If you want to save a lot of space, simply pour in some shampoo and conditioner in separate bags and roll up. No leaking or breaking and you can write what you want on the white little label.
Have a wonderful safe and happy summer!
