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Wednesday 29 October 2014

Wool Jacket...something to keep warm with!

I love that Stradivarious has come out with a REAL wool jacket! Now. I know it's just 40% wool, but seriously this stuff keep you nice & toasty! 

I love this jacket because it's perfect for everyday wear & wraps around you like a blanket with a big hood to protect you from the windy city. Going out later? No problem! Throw on a pair of booties & lipstick you're good to go! You'll be kept warm on your way home.

Perfect for November weather, a good medium between your fall and winter jacket. And too be honest if you layer up, you can probably sport this jacket during some of the warmer winter days. 

This jacket is perfect for that on-the-go girl.

Nomadic Beauty


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Monday 27 October 2014

Benefits of eye cream, the difference between eye cream & face cream.

Regardless of how old you are, skin care is extremely important. Cleansing (especially at night), exfoliating (ONCE a week if you're under the age of 30), and of course moisturizing.

We all know about face creams and more or less why we should use them. But what about eye creams? What's the difference? Until I started using an eye cream I struggled with dark circles under my eyes. Now, along with proper sleep and hydration, I don't need to use concealer anymore!

The skin around our eyes is much thinner than the rest of our skin, which makes it more delicate and prone to show signs of ageing. When the area underneath the eyes gets dark circles or puffy, it is a sign from our body that tells us we are dehydrated or not getting enough sleep. As a result, this area begins to age more quickly. Since it's the only place on the skin that doesn't contain oil glands, they need extra hydration, not only from drinking water, but topically as well. This is where the eye creams come in.

Eye creams contain more emollient than regular face cream (emollients help hydrate the skin and help keep moisture in). They also contain collagen, and antioxidants such as Vitamin C & peptides that aid in retaining collagen. You may also want to use an eye cream instead of your face cream under your eyes because some facial creams can contain ingredients that are too powerful for the delicate eye area. 

Tip: Apply your eye cream a few minutes before your makeup so that it can properly absorb into the skin .

I always recommend that you do research on your skin care products and make sure that they are safe for you. But here are two of my favourite products that I switch between:









I love the RE Corrective Eye Cream! Even though it's anti-aging it's still ok to use it under 30
It's a bit thicker & super moisturizing which I LOVE for the dryer/colder seasons.


I like this one for the warmer/humid months. It's not as thick but still packed with all the good stuff
& meant for the younger generations. 



Nomadic Beauty
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Friday 24 October 2014

Your femininity, use it & embrace it!

“...women were inspired by a mannish way of dressing, but today liberated women realize they can wear skirts and use them as a weapon.” - Oscar de la Renta
This is one of my favourite quotes by the late De la Renta. Why?   For centuries women have been oppressed & men ruled the world. Today, at least in the western world there's more "equality"...This is my favourite quote Because in today's day there seems to be confusion between what feminism means.  For me, feminism as a liberated and radiant woman!  The word feminism seems to have a negative connotation, often tending to an extremist point of view. However, everyone who believes in the equality of genders, is in fact a feminist.
"I think of feminism as a liberated and radiant woman!" - Natalia Solar, Founder of Nomadic Beauty Blog
About a decade or more ago women dressed in more box like clothing (shoulder pads, straight suits, loose clothing) to have more shape of a man as they entered the work force, mostly to get respect from their co-workers (men).
Now that women have a place in the work force & are respected (for the most part) we've relaxed and now it feels like there is an new age coming upon us that is encouraging women to embrace their femininity. This is something that I feel that Oscar de la Renta represented in his designs.
After his death, I spent an afternoon researching about him. The quotes and images that I found are very heart-warming.  His philosophy in his designs were for his designs to let the woman shine and not over power her. He understood the woman body and clearly understood & respected women.
His designs are classic, elaborate & detailed. The elegance is incomprehensible! As a creative consultant and professional makeup artist, my respect comes from knowing the sheer talent and skill level that is necessary to exude the kind of work Oscar de la Renta exuded.
I think a woman embracing her body is one of the most beautiful things to see, and obviously Oscar agreed with me too as he draped women in beautiful gowns that let them shine, which is my exact philosophy about makeup. Let the makeup make you shine, because the focus is YOU, not the makeup itself.  
Feminist or not, it is time for women to stop looking for ways to hide yourself. Instead, find ways to help yourself shine, things and ways to enhance you! You're a woman and you are powerful! Use it!

Deep down, no one wants to see a front, people just want to see the real you. Expression is everything.   So...WHO are you? Do you RADIATE who you truly are?

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Tuesday 21 October 2014

Most sought-after fashion designer passes. Quick read on Oscar de la Renta


"Mr. de la Renta loved women and you saw it in every design that he did. He honoured women's features, he honoured our bodies. He wasn't afraid to pull back and let the woman be the star of the look."-
Jennifer Garner



At the age of 82, Oscar de la Renta, one of the most sought-after fashion designers, had passed away Monday October 20 in his family home in Connecticut. 

To be honest, until now I didn't quite know anything about him other than many celebrities have sported his beautiful dresses on the red carpet. I spotted this photo on Instagram this yesterday morning and was  totally drawn to it. Not just from the charming photo of him, but mostly from the caption. Two very important & beautiful qualities for a woman to posses.

Reading a few of his quotes  has inspired me to dedicate the rest of the week to this classic designer. So here a bit about him and his life.

Oscar, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic to Spanish & Puerto Rican parents. As a young man of 18, he traveled to Madrid to study art. During that time he quickly became interested in fashion and started sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses and then started working along side Cristobal Balenciaga.


  • In the 1960's he dressed first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy & many more after that
  • In 1965 he started his company in 1965
Oscar de la Renta was known for his intricate, elegant evening wear & a fashion designer that was conscious of quality.

Here are a few of his wonderfully classic designs:













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Monday 20 October 2014

Good Girl vs. Bad Girl


What I like in this video is their take on "good girl vs. bad girl" because in truth all of us has a bit of both, ying & yang.

Love that Stradivarious gave the conservative look a bit of edge by mixing textures like knit & leather (my favourite!) and pumping up the makeup to give it an editorial edge.
The texture of the hair was also played around with keeping it in the same style (big waves) but giving them a bit more texture for certain looks.

While wearing something conservative, your makeup & hair can be bad ass and vice virsa. Try it out! Play around with your wardrobe, play with your makeup & play with your hair. What's life without a bit of plaisir???


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Travel? Europe? Coffee? Yes, please!

Are you traveling through Europe soon? Love checking out new cool places to hang out? I do! Especially cozy coffee shops where I can get my work done answering emails, writing and designing.

Stradivarius has made a cool video on a few cool takes of coffee shops like; you can go get your laundry done and meet up for brunch with friends. Check out this beautifully shot video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLlD7pCANmo&list=UU7mg-R8sonGRbOtLYEsy4EA
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Thursday 16 October 2014

Fringe & a summer glow?


I love the makeup & hair that Stradivarius did for their June 2014 Lookbook!

Now, I know it's autumn & we're all in love with big bold lips, but who says that you can't maintain your healthy summer glow? And no one said you can't wear fringe after labour day, so add it your look. I've got my favourite blue Steve Madden purse with fringe attached to the zippers to add some flare to my look!

Here are a few products that I absolutely LOVE to recreate this look to go along with your fall wardrobe!



FACE: I'm in love with Arboone's Sheer Glow Highlighter limited edition in gold for the holidays! You can either mix in a nickel sized drop into your foundation. And then apply the highlighter over your eyelids. You can also use it to highlight your cheekbones, brow bone and inner corner of your eye.


Brush a touch of M.A.C 's Bronzer pressed powder right under your cheekbones with an angle brush.  A TOUCH of it! You want it to create a LIGHT shadow to define your cheeckbones, we don't want to be creating streaks across your face! 


EYES: Marc Jacob's Highliner Gel Eye Crayon perfect to elegantly smudge out close to your top lashes and bottom. You can use a liner brush or dry Q-Tip.

Arbonne's It's a Long Story Mascara gives perfect lash definition! Apply a couple of coats, wait about 30 seconds between each coat. Because of it's botanical ingredients it actually aids in growing and streghthening your lashes, which is one of my favourite parts. (I will dedicate a blog to this mascara shortly...that's how much I love it!)


LIPS: Finish off the look with your favourite lip balm to keep your lips plump during the dry weather! 



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Eyebrows, why are they important? Why have they become so important?

After almost 2 years of being a brow designer at The Brow House in Toronto, I now find it impossible to complete a look without giving a bit of love to the brows. Wether they are the feature of the face or the more subdue brows there to enhance. 

Why you ask? Why are brows so important? 
Eyebrows are what frame the face, they can also either age you or give you a more youthful appearance. They are what frame your eyes and aid in your expressions.

Full brows are not just a trend, they are an asset to your face. Different width & length suit different people because we all have different faces. Going to a trained proffesional (not the lady in the back of your nail salon) on brows is important to do, we are trained to see proportions and know what would best suit you, your lifestyle & your natural brows. Wether we are starting from regrowing your brows or shaping unruly ones.

Kate White (former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine for 14 years & writer) wrote in her book "I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: Success Secrets Every Gutsy Girl Should Know" on how important in is to professionally shape your brows. 

Want to know more on brows? More on YOUR brows? Check out The Brow House website! And make eyebrows your trademark!

Hope to see you there! 
Nomadic Beauty

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Wednesday 15 October 2014

Why I've fallen in love with Stradivarius?

From their cheekily worded t-shirts, to their wonderful high heels, Stradivarius is the ultimate store to go too when looking for something that's urban yet sophisticated & my favourite...practical! Being a makeup artist, you need practical items your closet!

Since 1994 "Stradivarius makes dreams a reality for all those girls who are too young to dress like their mothers and too sophisticated to dress like Teenyboppers."

http://www.stradivarius.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ItxStandardCompanyPage?storeId=54009550&langId=-1&catalogId=50109552

What started as a family owned business with an innovative concept in fashion in Barcelona, Spain. It is now international with stores 877 stores in 57 countries! One of them is Poland and every time I go over I always stalk up on some Stradivarius goodies.

As they say they are for women between the ages of 20-35 (young professionals) you can find things to mix & match to dress up or down or go straight to formal. Not only affordable, but also good quality items is something I really appreciate.

I'm pretty sure that I've received compliments on almost every item that I've brought back with me from Stradivarius. Absolutely in love with their clothing, brand & philosophy.


Check out their lovely "Making Of" video!

Nomadic Beauty
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Monday 13 October 2014

How do I get inspired? By watching these type of videos...

I love creating high level clarity for artistic projects! You might not notice the makeup, the fashion & the models, but I do. Those little details are only noticed when you have experience, passion & vision; I love what Stradivarius is doing with their artistic direction. What do you think? (watch video)



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Wednesday 8 October 2014

"Types" of red?! Find out how to get yourself started on some rouge!

Let's scratch the "or" and replace it with an "&". It's a perfect day for a red lip and everyday is a good day for confidence! 

BEAUTY TIP: Not comfortable in red? Or think it looks awful on you? There are two types of colour undertones, "warm" toned and "cool" toned. Try a "cool" toned red like MAC's "Russian Red" (my fav) & you might just LOVE it! Let me know how it goes!

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Tuesday 7 October 2014

Why should I cleanse my personal makeup brushes??? + Clean: Organic Brush Shampoo Review

Whether you are a makeup artist or girl that uses makeup, you most likely have makeup brushes that need cleaning.

WHY do you need to clean your brushes??? 

Other than for hygienic reasons when working on person to person as professional, your personal brushes will build up bacteria. Any liquid makeup in your  brushes will build up bacteria and then cause you to break out because you are smearing that built up bacteria all over you face...I know, when I put it that way it can give you the creepy crawlies.

Now, you may say "But I only use powders" Well, your face has oils right? Even if your face is squeaky clean because you just washed it, your brushes will still pick up some of your natural oils. 

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from my clients is "How do I clean my makeup brushes?"

This video below is how I USED to clean my brushes. Shampoo (regular hair shampoo), condition (regular hair conditioner), and rinse with warm water. Which was a process in itself.


But last week I stopped by one of my favourite stores, Blur Makeup Room on Queen St. W and picked up a product called Brush Shampoo.

I tried it out today to clean my brushes after a busy week of shooting and bridal, I instantly fell in love with this product! I grabbed two containers of water, dipped my brushes in one to wet them, swirled them in the Brush Shampoo, then rinsed them in the second container. Left my brushes super clean without vigourosly massaging the life out of my foundation brushes. (Makeup artists, you know my predicament)  
All in all, why do I LOVE this product??? It get's all the makeup out of your brushes, it saves you time on your brush cleaning, it's organic & smell organic (smell like you've just walked into a yoga studio) & just makes life a lot easier! 

Where can you find this awesome product? At Blur Makeup Room http://www.blurmakeuproom.com/products/copy-of-clean-organic-olive-oil-brush-shampoo
Comes in many different delicious scents. Check it out!


Nomadic Beauty


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Thursday 2 October 2014

Warm up with a bit of gold.

For today's chilly weather I put my hair into a "no fuss bun" & used my usual lipstick Makeup Forever's Rouge Natural Artist with Smashbox's Divine for a touch of gold.
Of course, sporting my combat boots today.
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