Beauty Monday: Batting My Lashes With It's A Long Story Mascara

When clients & models used to ask me about what the best type of mascara I would just give them names of my favourite Drugstore brands like L'Oreal's Volume mascara or Mabelline's Great Lash mascara which I had very good experiences with and used both in my kit and personal makeup. Because I never believed you should spend 40 bucks on a mascara, those were my go to's, although I once got a sample of Dior's mascara and really liked it...I didn't like it enough to spend more than $12 on a mascara.

BUT, after a month of using Arbonne's "It's A Long Story Mascara" for health reasons, I fell in LOVE! My lashes have grown & strengthened, I wasn't promised this so when I noticed I was pleasantly surprised! I'm a two coat girl cause I like the volume and it coats the lashes beautifully!
Without mascara my lashes feel healthy & hydrated, long & voluminous I absolutely LOVE it!

Arbonne's products are botanically based, vegan & cruelty free, which is my reason for switching over and paying a bit more for my mascara. It's basically the dirtiest thing you put on your eyes so you want to be safe as possible. "It's A Long Story Mascara" not only looks great but smells great too!

Nomadic Beauty

Fashion Thursdays: Classic Knits & Plaid

I just checked out Stradivarius(click on the link to view November's lookbook) and I am totally digging this lookbook for November. A mix of classic knits (MY FAV!) & plaid, which I would have personally never put together. But after skimming through this lookbook I feel like I will venture out into that plaid world! 

 Here are two of my favourite images from the lookbook! I love how the makeup is keeped pretty and simply with some eye contouring & cheek contouring with great brows and lip that just enhances her natural lip colour. Although the November lookbook is a bit more "rough" looking, the makeup balances it out!

Definitely looks like a comfy but fashionable transition into winter!

Nomadic Beauty

Something loveable about Stradivarius

First off, let's start off with how much I love their fashion videos. I love film & I love fashion! Stradivarius's videos give you the best of both worlds with their artistic angles paired with models sporting their latest collection. All this with the music they accompany it with? How could you not love their videos?

So I watch their videos for inspiration...and of course pleasure. But one thing that really inspires me is that include the different countries that their stores are in. Stradivarius was started in Madrid, Spain and is now in 57 countries around the world! They interview fashion bloggers from different countries (not just Spain) & show you cool places as well. 

I love to travel & I love diversity! This is one of many reason I've fallen for this company.

Here are a few examples of their videos.

Fashion Blogger from Berlin

Fashion Blogger from Amsterdam

Photographer & Fashion Blogger from Madrid

Blogger from Poland

Enjoy!

Nomadic Beauty

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.

Check them out at http://www.stradivarius.com/es/en/

Nomadic Beauty

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?

Good Girl vs. Bad Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22OAQtEFOQ&index=31&list=UU7mg-R8sonGRbOtLYEsy4EA

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???

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

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

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

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)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHN0a40mjfk&list=PLOejj1BNdcfpHo-DgXcl-1UdsAtsD_K_9

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.

http://instagram.com/p/sBUc33pCB5/?modal=true

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

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.

Travel Tips

On my way home!!!!

Bring an empty water bottle with you in your carry on to ensure you're getting your proper intake of water throughout your travels. 

+

I always bring on of my big square polish scarves with me on the plane. Use it as a scarf, shawl, fold into a pillow or even use as a blanket. My scarves have already traveled with me from one side of the world to the other. Wonder what adventures we will go on next?! ‪

Comfy City Fashion

Sporting printed linen pants and nude leather "ked-like" shoes found in Poland.Taking a break from heels today:)

Arbonne's Garden Palette Review

Arbonne's Garden Palette perfect for transitioning from summer to fall looks. Blush/bronzer combo has the perfect amount of shine and shimmer to highlight those cheek bones! Comes with an awesome 3 in 1 lipstick, lip gloss and lip balm, which I love to use on a daily basis!
BEAUTY TIP: Loving the green eyeshadow, wet you brush with water and use it as a liner. Great for blue eyed babes!
HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Rebalancing

Since getting back from my travels, I've been drinkingTiny Tea 3 times a day to aid my body to get back to it's natural balance. With my full scheduale.

My skin is finally clearing up (it freaks out when I don't get enough sleep) and bloating has dramatically reduced since drinking it for only 4 days. Already feeling like my body is getting back to usual.

Your Tea is an amazing mix of Chinese herbs and most important, laxative free! Check them out!

“Why do I keep breaking out?! I can't figure out why!"

Listen to your body.

Here is are a series of questions to ask yourself when you notice that you are breaking out more than usual:

1. Is it my time of the month? Or close to it?

If it’s around 2 weeks before your period, chances are that hormonal changes are the main reasons causing you to break out.

2. Have I changed foundations?

If so, the new foundation that you are using may be too heavy for your skin, especially if your previous foundation was of a lighter formulation (silicon vs. water based). Another possibility to consider is that the new foundation contains a certain ingredient that your skin does not respond well to, in which case it’s signalling you to stop using it.
If you haven’t recently changed your foundation, then figure how long you’ve been using it for. If it’s been more than 2 years…THROW IT OUT, IT’S GONE BAD.

Note: Any creamy/liquid products have a shelf life of about 2 years. 

3. Have I changed my skin care brand or regime?

Any change of your skin care products or your regime MAY trigger a breakout. Sometimes when you switch to healthier products, your skin breaks out because it’s cleansing itself of toxins. If you’ve used your new products for a couple of weeks and you're still breaking out, the products might not be right for you and your skin. It’s a trial and error process. 

TIP: If you are trying out new products or switching regimes to improve your skin for a special event (even when getting advice from a professional), remember to do so at least 4 weeks prior to it. Everyone's skin is different, and what might work for one person may not be right for you.

4. Are there any changes to my daily routine, environment, food and/or emotions which can be triggering my body to react in a different way?

For example:
-Travelling (different time zone)
-Not getting enough sleep
-Not eating well (toxins in unhealthy foods cause breakouts)
-Healthy changes in eating habits (switching to a healthier diet plan may trigger you to breakout as a result of a cleansing process)
-Am I exercising more? (Wash your face immediately after sweating...sweat causes breakouts)

In the end, any changes that you go through on an internal or external level affect your body. Listen to what your body is telling you. Your body gives you signs and signals all the time, but your job is to take notice of them and make changes.

That’s all my loves. Please comment and like. I would love to know YOUR opinions. 

Feeling great while traveling

Good morning my Nomadic Beauty readers,

As I was sitting waiting for my flight in Boston Logan Airport I was inspired to write about how to stay feeling comfortable throughout your travels. Avoiding anxiety, fidgetiness, soar muscles (from sitting) & how to over all feel great during your trip.

1. If you've got a long flight ahead of you make sure to exercise before trip. If you have a later flight then day of is ideal. For example I went for a run this morning then did my squats, lunges and core workout using my own body weights since I did not have access to a gym.
If you've got an early flight then  make sure to get a workout in the day before. Either way try to get some fresh air since you'll be inside for many hours.

The view during my run before my flight.

2. STRETCH - WHY? Because by stretching you will improve your circulation, relieve anxiety and massage your internal organs. While waitng between flights bust out some yoga posses and deep breathing to bring you back to yourself.

3.  Avoid super sweet and salty foods. These foods can make you bloated and mess with your hormones. You're already stressing your body by changing times zones and environments. Try to eat more natural foods if you can. I always carry a few protein bars and shakes as well as a banana and apple and some veggies with me so that I don't have to rely on "convenient" food available at airports. Here are the bars and shakes that I love & travel with:
https://www.arbonne.ca/shop_online/showCatalog.asp?category=190

And of course remember to drink lots of water. Throw in an empty reusable water bottle  into your carry so that you can refill from water fountains at the airport.

4.  Last but not least. Stay in a positive attitude. Line ups, crowds, security checks and delays can get annoying and frustrating.  But not letting things get to you is the best choice. Smile at everyone you come in contact with, who knows you might just make their day, but your also more likely of having a pleasant experience with them.

Till next time !

Natalia xo