What I love for my skin

Hi! It has been a while since I have blogged, it's been a busy time for me lately having began my makeup studies and working any time I can inbetween. The weather has been dull and gloomy lately and it was today being rainy and having a bit of free time that I decided to revisit my blog, which I have missed! I will try to be more consistent from now on . . .

In this post I wanted to share my skincare routine during the winter months. The following products I am to share with you have really helped with hydrating my skin and keeping it supple, which in previous years I used to struggle with. I love these products so much that I will be using them well after this dreary season is over.

Origins Skincare has an amazing range of products that I have heard so many good things about. Their Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask is one of my favourite facial masks. It has a beautiful scent that reminds me a little of lollies. Containing Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado and Japanese Seaweed, whenever I apply this creamy mask to my skin leaving it on overnight, my skin feels nourished and healthy. I like to use it once a week or whenever I feel my skin needs some love.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask has been my go-to product when my pores need a good cleaning. To prepare my skin and open up my pores, I wet a hand towel with warm water and press it over my face before application. Containing Charcoal, which draws out all the yucky debris and White China Clay, which removes oil, this mask definitely does the job of unclogging and minimising my pores, which has helped reduce breakouts.

My favourite exfoliator at the moment is also by Origins, being the GinZing Refresh Scrub Cleanser. It has a lovely orange scent that just adds to the fresh feel of my skin after use. It is a two in one cleanser and exfoliator and is gentle enough for daily use, however I feel using this product once or twice a week is enough to keep my skin in check.

Lately I have been alternating between these three masks, the Origins one, Avene's Soothing Moisture Mask and Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask. Between the three I cannot pick a favourite as they all do a wonderful job at hydrating my skin, making it nice and supple. Avene's Soothing Moisture Mask is lovely to use in conjunction with their Thermal Mist to enhance hydration. I apply it to my skin for fifteen minutes before spraying some of their Thermal mist and removing any residue with a cotton pad. Similarly, Burt's Bees Intense Hydrating Treatment Mask with clary sage is also ultra creamy and hydrating. I would say this mask is probably the most hydrating out of the three so I tend to save it for times when I really need to quench my skin's thirst. I leave it on for about fifteen minutes and remove it in the same way I do with the Avene Mask.

Both the Avene and Burts Bees Mask are non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested, so they are perfect for sensitive skin. The Origins mask contains some pore-clogging ingredients such as coconut oil, however I have not experienced any breakouts from it.

Of course my skin cannot live on a mask alone, drinking plenty of water and eating healthily also help to maximise my skins hydration, as well as staying away from strong sunlight and heavy makeup.

I hope you found this post informative. Please leave a comment if you have tried these products or refer me to a mask that you love, I think nowadays you won't catch me without one on.

Kristina xx

Glowy Makeup Look

Hello! The other day I created a glowy makeup look and I wanted to share it with you on my blog. Of the products I used I will inform you of the main ones that gave my skin a luminous glow.

Base - MAC Strobe Cream
To prep my skin I applied MAC's Strobe Cream after my moisturiser was absorbed. It's a beautiful cream that has a silky consistency that is easily absorbed into the skin. Immediately after application my skin had a luminous sheen. You can also mix this cream with your foundation if you wish.

Foundation - Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
To enhance the 'glow' of my skin I used Nars Sheer Glow foundation, in shades Deauville and Fiji. I used this foundation for this look because it has a dewy, radiant consistency.

Highlighters - MAC Mineralise Skinfinish; NYX Liquid Illuminator; Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed
I used three highlighters on my face to achieve a luminous glow. One of them was MAC's Mineralise Skinfinish powder in Global Glow, which has a bronzey/ silvery colour with lots of sheen. I dusted it over my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and swiftly brushed it along my hairline and jawline. It is quite pigmented so a small amount on your brush goes a long way.


On the highpoints of my face (cheekbones, tip of nose, eyebrow bone, top of my brows) and cupids bow, I applied NYX's Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam, which is described as a Golden Peach Pearl colour. It has a lovely shimmer to it that is easily applied to the skin. Again, a little goes a long way with this product. I LOVE this highlighter!

Over the top of the NYX highlighter, I applied Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed powder luminzer in Opal. It has a superb shimmer that catches the light beautifully enough to be used on its own, however it also works nicely with the NYX liquid highlighter. This highlighter is one of my faves at the moment.

Bronzer - NYX Matte Bronzer, Deep Tan

To complete the look I applied NYX's Matte Bronzer, which is a lovely smooth texture this is completely matte, which is perfect for contouring the face. 

To see my complete glowy look, you can find it on my sister and I's makeup page @mnkmakeup on instagram or Facebook under MNK Makeup. The links are found on the buttons at the top of my blog page.

Hope you like the look! What are your go-to products when it comes to creating a glowy look?

Kristina xx

Bloglovin'

Stila Shape & Shade Custom Contour Duo

I've recently started using Stila's contour kit and I love it so much that I wanted to share it with you! 

Coverage

The shades are highly pigmented and a little goes a long way. It has an all-day wearable coverage, which gives a natural contoured look.

Texture

This palette is a cream palette, so the shades are very creamy and easy to blend, they glide smoothly onto the skin upon application. They are also very buildable. You'll get no dry patches or streaks with this palette.

Colour

The contour duo kit comes in three shades: light, medium and deep, which suits a variety of skin tones and complexions.  The palette I purchased is 'light' and it comes with a contour and highlight shade, which have a matte finish. It's also non-transfer, water-proof and sweat-proof.

Packaging

The kit comes with two shades in a neat little palette that's light to carry around. It also comes with a little guide on how to contour/ highlight according to your particular face shape.

Application

The kit comes with a brush, however for application I prefer to use my Zoeva brushes. Firstly, I apply the contour shade, using my Face Shape (110) brush about halfway on both my cheekbones, starting from the middle of the ear. I then line my jaw, top of my forehead and along the bridge and tip of my nose. To contour my nose I use the Luxe Pencil (230), because it has a finer tip. Then, to blend along my jaw, forehead and nose I use the 110 brush and for my cheekbones I use the Cream Cheek (128) brush. 

With the highlight I use the Concealer Buffer (142) brush, which I use to apply and blend the highlight below the cheekbones, sides of the nose/ cheek area, chin, forehead and bridge/ tip of the nose. 

To blend it in properly and blur any lines I just go over it with a beauty blender. And that's it! I know it might sound like it may take a long time to do but it takes less than a few minutes to apply and blend.

I highly recommend the brushes I use as they are super soft, leave no colour transfer and are really easy to work product into the skin.

Cream cheek (128) brush: Blending contour on the cheekbones.

Concealer buffer (142) brush: Applying and blending highlight.

Face shape (110) brush: Blending contour on jaw, forehead and nose.

Luxe pencil (150) brush: Applying and blending fine contour i.e. nose

I don't just like this product . . . I love it!

Let me know your thoughts on it or recommend me some kits that you love.

Kristina xx

Bloglovin'

Back in time to the 1950s . . .

A few weeks ago I attended The Dressmaker film's costume exhibition at Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Unfortunately the leading stars in the film, Kate Winslet nor Chris Hemsworth, were there but it still was an amazing night!

Rippon Lea, completed in 1867, is located in Elsternick, Melbourne and is a heritage listed home that I have visited numerous times for I love the history and the beauty of it. A grand, sweeping driveway leads up to the mansion that's shrouded by tall trees and lamposts. Surrounding the house are vast, green gardens, a greenhouse, pool and lake, which alongside the house, is open to the public to tour or hire as a venue.

When I heard that a 1950s theme pop-up bar would be held there in addition to a viewing of the costumes seen in The Dressmaker, I just had to go. The event requested to dress up in 1950s attire, so I went for a black and white polka dot dress with little kitten heels and the famous 50s red lip and wing liner.

Arriving at the mansion, it was already night time and so walking through the long, winding driveway that was lit by glowing amber lamp posts felt really magical. Arriving at the house, they had two 1950s style cars with the sign 'Dungatar,' at the front, the town in The Dressmaker. People, especially the women, were all dressed up themselves in beautiful vintage dresses and furs, walking amongst them I felt as though I was really back in time at a party in a Downton Abbey-like place (my dream! Yes, I am an old soul . . .).

The house was completely removed of its furniture and replaced with mannequins dressed in a variety of elaborate and beautiful costumes in front of backdrops portraying the barren bushlands where the novel/film takes place.  

I love the stark contrast between the setting and the costumes.

I loved these two dresses below, they were my favourite.

Costumes as worn by Chris Hemsworth and Kate Winslet

 I also loved how within certain areas they set up mini sets. This one is of Tilly Dunnage's (Kate Winslet) dressmaking station.

Alongside the display of the Parisian-couture inspired costumes, designed by award-winning costume designer Marion Boyce, there was also a display of beautiful hats and hair pieces.

After touring the house and ooing and ahhing at the beautiful costumes, we then set off to a  swinging 1950s style party in the mansions ballroom, whose large terrace doors were thrown open and overlooking the gorgeous view of the pool area that was lit with fairy lights. I was too shy to get up and have a boogie because some of the dancers were amazing, but I was happy just sipping on my lemonade and pretending that I was a lady from the 50s at a real-life fancy 50s party . . . I didn't want it to end!

I hope you enjoyed the photos! What do you think of the film? Have you been to any 50s themed parties?

Kristina xx

Bloglovin'

Watt's Up! Benefit Soft-focus Highlighter

Watt's up! Today I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on Benefit's Soft-focus Highlighter. It's packaging and name is presented by the concept of a lightbulb, which I think is quite different and clever. I saw this product on instagram and being in love with highlighters at the moment I thought I'd see watt's it all about  . . . hehe.

Packaging
The highlighter comes in a cute little box that's designed to look like a lightbulb box. The actual product itself is in a stick on one end, which you twist. On the other end of the product is a soft sponge tip used to blend the product into the skin. It is quite a small product, so it's easy to carry around.

Application
The product is meant to be applied by swiping the product on the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow and brow bones. Afterwards, you blend it into the skin using the little sponge tip. I find applying the product onto the skin from the stick onto the cheeks and other areas easier than swiping it along the bridge of the nose, as it tends to take some of my base off as I glide it on. When applying onto my nose I prefer to dab it on with my finger. As for using the little sponge tip to afterwards blend the product into the skin, I prefer to use my finger as I feel using the sponge tip tends to take the product off. Simply blending the edges gently with a finger helps to get a seamless sheen.

Colour
The colour of this highlighter is a soft champagne colour, which you can see by the swatch below. It has a luminous sheen that I think complements a range of skin tones.

Texture
The texture is a cream highlight, so it's smooth and very easy to apply and blend. It just glides onto the skin.

Coverage
One swipe of the highlighter provides a soft, beautiful sheen that for me lasts all day (approx 7-9 hours).

Sponge tip

Soft champagne sheen

What do you think of this product? What other highlighters have you tried? Feel free to comment in the section below.

Hope you had a lovely weekend :)

Kristina xx

Bloglovin'