Review: Black Radiance - True Complexion, Soft Focus Finishing Powder

Happy Wednesday!!!

I recently purchased this powder because I did a quick drug store haul at work because I was running late for work one morning and also forgot my make up bag (#epic fail). So, this Black Radiance Soft Focus Finishing Powder in the Creamy Bronze is something I purchased, and let me tell you hunny.....

I fell in love.

I used it on a Saturday when I attended two youth football games and it was hot and I was sweating. Therefore, I just applied this finishing powder and the shine disappeared.  

Also, please see how this finishing powder appears on me without any filters or editing (with flash). 

I am really impressed with how this powder blends really well with my skin tone and also how it creates a flawless finish. 

This True Complexion Soft Focus Finishing Powder is offered in three different shades: 

Creamy Bronze

Milky Almond

Golden Almond 

 As previously stated, I am in the shade Creamy Bronze.  

You can purchase this finishing powder from Drugstore.com for $6.99. 

 Let me know if you have any favorite powders that you can't live without. 

Also, let me know if you wouldn't mind purchasing this powder yourself. 

Thanks for Reading!!!

Blush for Dark Skin

Greetings, 

I recently came across an article that dicussed how darker shades of skin should not wear certain shades of blush. Long story short the article limited Women of Color to only wearing blushes in the color categories of orange and brown.  

I beg to differ (I do not agree with this). Women of color can wear any shade of blush they want. I definitely do. 

I think its just all in how you blend it, and the number one rule with blush is that a little goes a long way.  

The blushes I experimented with are in the color families of orange, pink, and raspberry (reddish purple).  I used: 

(1) NYX Cosmetics Powder Blush in Cinnamon  

(2) Jordana Powder Blush Pot Touch of Pink  

(3) Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Blush in Raspberry

Here are the swatches of each:

And here are how they look on me, where I believe that I am considered medium dark. I am currently wearing Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Sandalwood.

I do agree that there are some highlighters that darker shades need to stay away from in order not to appear ashy.  However, I believe that with blush the sky is the limit.  That's just me. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for Reading!

How To: Fill In Your Brows

Happy Sunday Beauties! 

In today’s post we will be covering eyebrows and how to fill them in.  Eyebrows are one of the most important aspects of the face that you really can’t ignore.  I used to try to ignore them, however they are not to be ignored because they frame your face. 

I have recently started doing my brows right after applying my moisturizer in the morning in order to get it over with (because they can be the most nerve wrecking aspect of my everyday make-up routine - Post coming soon).

Here is what they look like before filling them in (A Mess): 

Not really much to work with, right? This is what used to intimidate me. However there is hope for these bald brows, lol.

These are the products and tools I use:

(1)    MaryKay Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette, $11.00

(2)    MaryKayEyeliner/Eyebrow Brush, $10.00

(3)    BlackRadiance Perfect Blend Concealer, $5.99

Step One: With the eyebrow pencil I outline my brow to the shape I want it to be, beginning at the bottom of the brow. I then outline the top. 

Step Two: I grab the eyebrow/eyeliner brush and begin to brush out the harsh lines I made with the pencil. 

Step Three: Now on to the concealer. I then use the eyeliner end of the eyeliner/eyebrow brush and pick up both shades of the Black Radiance concealer product. Then I begin to trace along the bottom portion of the brow. Afterwards, I blend downward toward the eyelid. 

Step Four: Then I move on to outlining the top of the brow with the same two shades of concealer. Afterwards, I make sure I blend it out by swiping the eyeliner brush upward toward the forehead. 

Step 5: Lastly, I switch to using the eyebrow brush again and brush the eyebrows into place. I also brush in order to get rid of any other harsh lines created after adding the concealer.  The purpose of this step is to make the brow look as natural as possible.

This is the end product: 

Before 

After

My eyebrows take me a bout five minutes in the morning. The lady at the MAC counter recently told me that it takes her 45 minutes to do her brows in the morning. I do not have that much time (clearly) so this is what works for me.  I try not to dwell to much on making them match because eyebrows are considered cousins not twin sisters.  

There you have it. Let me know if you have any questions and what products you use to fill in your brows.  Also, let me know if this was helpful for you. 

Feel free to also let me know what you would like me to post about next.

Thanks for reading!

Courtney