Hey everyone, I did a few bridal shoots recently. To view my portfolio please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo_search.php?oid=143115511770&view=all

I am really not the one to advice people on skincare. I am not a dermatologist or an aesthetician. I have problematic skin myself. I am just going to list what I use for my skin. But please note that everyone’s skin is different, people may be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients and everyone’s skin care regime should be unique according to their own needs.

Problems with my skin:

I have combination skin with very oily forehead, shiny nose and very dry (almost flaky) around the nose and under the lips. My skin very acne prone – I am not among those lucky people who get pimples once a month. I pretty much always have acne, pimples, blemishes etc. I have dark patches on both my temples. My skin colour is very uneven. My forehead and lip area is darker than the rest of the face. I have extremely dark circles all around my eyes (both under the eyes and on the eyelids).

What I use:

My diet is pretty bad, I eat a lot of deep-fried foods and I am sure that is a big reason for my acne (as well as weight gain). Until I change my diet, nothing is going to cure my acne. So I use products that tend to keep the acne under control.

Clean and Clear Morning Burst Purifying Facial Cleanser: It cleans the skin well. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. Gives me an “awake” feeling after washing my face.  Overall, I like it.

Clarisonic Brush: It is Canadian $217 and honestly I think it is worth it. However, that doesn’t mean everyone should go and buy one. I had to save for a long time before buying it, so think of it as an investment. It is a chargeable spinning brush. You press the button and it runs for a minute. You can adjust the time with beeps every few seconds (you can choose how many) – read the manual carefully about this part. You have to change the head (the actual brush) every 3 months for best results ($25). They have 3 different brushes: sensitive, normal and delicate. I have the sensitive skin brush.

You are supposed to wet your face, put some cleanser on and gently move the brush with a circular motion. Don’t press it too hard. It cleans really well – skin feels super clean afterwards. The amazing part is that it is waterproof (the charger isn’t). So I can clean my face during the shower without worrying about any accident. They also make a bigger brush for body that is obviously more expensive.

Lancome Oil Control Mattifying Toner Oily skin: It is a toner, so goes on after cleanser and before moisturizer. The mattifying white solid component stays on the bottom, the liquids stays on top. You shake the bottle up, so the components can mix up. I apply it with a cotton swab, and it tightens up the pores.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin: Though it is a product for normal to dry skin, I like it a lot for my skin. A lot of moisturizes for combination skin are still too oily for my forehead and too dry for the flakiness on my skin. This moisturizer seems perfect for me. The trick is to apply only a little bit. At first, it feels very heavy but feels natural once the skin absorbs it.

Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye treatment: It does the job of an eye cream, but didn’t lighten the area as it claims. My dark circles are hereditary, so no cream is going to lighten them. I still wanted to try an eye cream that is moisturizing. It is very expensive, $60 and I will purchase a cheaper eye cream once I run out of it.

Shiseido Pureness Blemish Clearing gel: It is a spot treatment for acne. I apply it on the new acne spots, it dries them out and the acne goes away with 3-4 days. I really like this product though it’s expensive. It has become a must-have product for me.

Vaseline Healthy Hand and Nail Lotion: Since it is fall now, I use this almost every day. It instantly moisturizes my dry hands.

Today I am going to review some mascara that I used. I want to start off by saying that I don’t think mascara is an item for which you need to spend a ton of money on. Any inexpensive mascara can give you good results if you know how to apply it. I feel that application technique is more important when it comes to mascara than the brand or mascara itself. A lot of mascara from different brands work pretty much the same for me. I have long and curly eyelashes so I don’t curl them. But if you have straight lashes, I recommend using an eyelash curler. I like to use mascara that volumize lashes without clumping. I start from the base of lashes and take my time to wiggle it so it builds volume. I make sure to brush the tip of lashes so it looks longer.

I have extremely sensitive eyes that get watery with a little bit wind or dust. So if I use regular mascara, black water runs from my eyes. So obviously I mostly own waterproof mascara. Even if you don’t have watery eyes, I still recommend waterproof mascara since they prevent any smudge or mess.

Waterproof Mascara:

Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Boost Waterproof in Very Black: Probably the best mascara for my eyes and lashes. Most volumizing mascara have HUGE brush that I can’t get in the inner corner of my small eyes. This mascara gives me the volume I need, yet doesn’t smudge while I put it on.

CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof in Black: It’s a great volumizing and lengthening mascara. The brush is really big- so if you have small eyes like me it will be a problem getting in the inner corners. It has a strong chemical smell. You can only smell it when you open the tube, you can’t smell it once it’s on your lash.

Something I noticed about this mascara: I used it for 3 months till it dried out. While I was using it, it actually lengthened my lashes. Not only when I was wearing them, but it lengthened the lashes in general. When I stopped wearing this mascara and wore another one, my lashes went back to its original length.

Maybelline Intense XL Volume +Length Waterproof in Very Black: Really good lengthening mascara. It doesn’t volumize much. Thus brush is really big.

L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black: Really good volumizing mascara. The brush size is good for everyone.

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Lengthening +Defining Waterproof in Very Black: Great every-day wear mascara. Give natural finish – nothing extreme.

Lancome Hypnose Waterproof in Black: Gives a lot of volume, the brush size is also great. But I won’t purchase it again simply for the cost of it ($33 CDN).

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Waterproof in Black: Great volumizing waterproof mascara and the brush size is great. But it dries out VERY quickly (before 3 months). The price is also too much ($28 CDN).

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof in Very Black: It’s a good defining mascara, but the brush doesn’t work for me. I make a mess every time I try to use it.

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof in Clear: I use it for my brows in the days I want a very natural look yet I want the brows to be defined.

MAC Zoom Lash in ZoomBlack: It volumizes really good. The brush is big- so I can;t get to the inner corners. It dries out in les sthan 3 months. I won’t purchase it again.

Regular Mascara:

Too Faced Lash Injection: I think this mascara is over rated. It is just like any other mascara and I wouldn’t pay the extra bucks next time I purchase another mascara.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash in Black: This mascara is also overrated in my opinion. It is nothing special and I won’t pay the extra bucks again.

Rimmel Extra Super Lash in Black: It makes the lashes look really long and defines. But that’s about it.

Don’t Buy these Mascara:

L’oreal Volume Shocking Waterproof Mascara in Black: It comes with a primer in one end and mascara in another end. It doesn’t give any volume, rather it clumps all the lashes together. The mascara doesn’t have a brush, it’s a comb. But the comb is so sharp – it pokes the eyes and hurts pretty badly. If you accidentally poke yourself hard, it can damage the eyes totally. I will avoid this mascara and will ask everyone to avoid it as well.

MAC Splashproof in BlackSplash: It is water resistant but not waterproof. It dries quickly. And most of all it stings my eyes. I will never buy it again.

ELF Regular and waterproof Mascara Duo in Black: Doesn’t work and stings my eyes. Will never purchase it again.

I have bought these, I will try them after my current ones dry out:

Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof in Glam Black

Lancome: Definicils in Black

NYX Doll Eye Waterproof in Extreme Black

Rimmel Glam Eyes in Black

Photoshoot 2:

Photographer: Lee Burton

Makeup Artist: Raisy Kazi

Models: Nicola Butterworth and Victoria Goring

Clothing designer: Victoria Goring

Concept: Fashion

I went to the clothing designers Victoria’s place and did her and Nicola’s makeup. I felt like I did much better than the first photoshoot. Both the models looked pretty. Nicola had amazing skin – so the foundation went on very smoothly on her. When we started walking towards UofT, it started raining like crazy. I didn’t bring any umbrella and there was no extra one. So I and the photographer had to walk in the rain. Walking in that condition with a heavy roll-on suitcase and a handbag is really hard. But it was all worth it. The photos came out AMAZING! Especially when we were at the last location, rain stopped completely and the sunlight was perfect. To view my portfolio please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo_search.php?oid=143115511770&view=all

Third Shoot:

I won’t be receiving the images, so I decided to delete the info.

Photographer: Yvan Dube

Makeup Artist: Raisy Kazi

Model: Katie Campanella

Theme/concept: Portrait

I contacted the photographer through Craigslist and we arranged the date and time. I didn’t see the model’s portfolio but it wasn’t really my concern considering I don’t even have a portfolio. Both the model and the photographer were REALLY pleasant people. Both of them were very nice to work with. The photographer let me know before that he wanted to use the morning light along with his equipment. So I was feeling the rush, otherwise I was not nervous in the beginning at all considering it was my FIRST professional photoshoot!

The model Katie sat on one side of the bench. I kept my products at the other side of the bench and I was sooo messy. I keep everything neat and clean at my home all the time – so I was surprised to see how messy I could be under pressure. I really have to work on it.

Now on to the makeup. I think I did a terrible job and let down both the photographer and the model. First I did the eye makeup – the two eyes were UNEVEN. I forgot to put moisturizer on – but the model told me she had combination skin and I thought it would be okay. Then the foundation, I pulled out the lightest foundation and put in on her. Guess what? She had a tan, but I had no time to fix it. Then I realized it was going on patchy (oh her skin missed the moisturizer so badly)! Then the blushes and he lipstick was uneven as well. I pretty much went through a nightmare during the time I didn’t show it outside, acted like I was calm. However, my body knew I was so not calm! I was sweating like it was 40° C (it was actually half of that). I really have to get my acts together when it comes to working well under pressure. Otherwise I will be out of this industry before even entering it.

The photoshoot went really well though. The photographer changed the location quite a bit in the lawn and in front of the hall. The model was sweet and pretty. I received the images and honestly they are not so bad as I thought! I am actually happy that my first photoshoot was with such nice people and the photos were decent

To view my portfolio, please visit my Facebook group Makeup by Raisy.

MAC lipsticks with Lustre finish: Lipsticks with Lustre finish are usually not very pigmented. When you put it on you don’t get the same colour that you see in the tube. It comes as a sheer colour with sheen to it. It feels creamy on the lips. Even the darkest colours go on very sheer. I like them a lot everyday use.

Left to right:

1. 1. Most Popular from Hello Kitty collection (limited edition): A burgundy plum colour – doesn’t show up that intense as it is a Lustre lipstick.
2. 2. Capricious: A pink lipstick – I think it suits my skin tone very well (My colour is MAC NC42 foundation)
3. 3. Blow Dry: It looks like a coral colour in the tube but goes on like a nude peach colour on skin.
4. 4. Viva Glam VI Special Edition: It is one of my favourites from MAC for going out. I think it suits every skin tone.
5. 5. Cute-Ster from Hello Kitty Collection (limited edition): It’s a peach colour in the tube, goes on nude on the skin.

MAC lipsitcks with Glaze finish: Lipsticks with Glaze finishes are usually two toned. It has glitters in it that has a different tone than the colour of the lipstick. It looks gorgeous in the tube but when you put it on all you see are chunks of glitters. I personally don’t like this finish much and will think twice before purchasing another lipstick with glaze finish.

Left to right:

1. 1. Lollipop Loving: It’s a nude pink lipstick with green glitter/shimmer. Looks gorgeous like any other Glaze finished lipsticks but not so much when you put it on.
2. 2. Hue: Hue is a “blah” nude colour for me. It is one of the products that I regret buying the most.
3. 3. Big Bow from Hello Kitty collection (limited edition): It’s a deep coral pink with blue glitters embedded. Looks beautiful in the tube but again I don’t like it that much on my lips.

MAC lipsticks with Amplified finish: If you like rich pigmented lipsticks, then Amplified would be your best lipstick. I think you get the most out of your money from these lipsticks. You get exactly what you see in the tube. It goes on creamy and feels dreamy (okay the rhyme was cheesy!)

The trick with putting on an Amplified lipstick is that you never apply it directly from the tube. It will be too much if you do. I recommend using a lipliner underneath (even a clear one). Use a lip brush to apply it perfectly. Then blot with a tissue to remove access colour. Then apply again with a lip brush. This will give a stained affect and last your lip colour for hours making you look gorgeous.

Left to right:

1. 1. Impassioned: It’s a coral pink and one of my favourite colours from MAC.
2. 2. Show Orchid: A hot pink and another of my favourites.
3. 3. “Red” She Said (limited edition): A nice red lipstick. However I like MAC Red and Russian Red more than this red lipstick.

MAC Creemsheen Lipstick: This is another lipstick that goes on just like the colour in the tube. It is less pigmented and more shimmery than Amplified finished lipsticks.

Left to Right:

1. Dare You: It’s a hot red lipstick. I personally don’t like this type of hot red, but if you are going for that look then definitely give this a try.
2. Hot Gossip: A shimmery rose pink colour. It is not my favourite but there is something about this colour that I like – can’t put my finger on it though.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red: If you don’t like any shine/shimmer/glitter or even a creamy feel then go with a matte lipstick. Matte would also stay on for the longest time without touching up. The colour Russian Red is a must have red for a lady’s vanity. It has a blue undertone and looks great on any skin tone.

MAC Satin Lipstick in MAC Red: Satin finishes are almost like Matte with just a tiny bit sheen to it. MAC Red also is a blue toned red lipstick and also a must have in my opinion.

MAC lipstick with Frost finish in Strayin’ from Hello Kitty collection (limited edition): I only have this lipstick with Frost finish, so I can’t compare different colours. This is a soft pink – I like it.

MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Bare: Slimshine lipsticks come in a sleek black packaging. It’s narrower and taller than other MAC lipsticks. The lipsticks has a shine and goes on creamy. The colour Bare is one of the best nude colours for light skin tone. But I look washed out in it.

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Popster from Hello Kitty collection (limited edition): A very hydrating lip conditioner. It’s sheer soft coral pink colour. Looks very nice on the lips.

Lipliner is important to create a finished look. Lipliner makes a barrier between the lips and the lipstick, it makes the lipstick last longer and prevent bleeding. I personally use a clear lipliner everyday and like it very much. However, I really like to put an effort for special occasions and my colourful lipliners come in handy during those times.

The first picture shows the lipliners and second picture shows them applied on the back of my hands. From left to right:

1. Revlon ColorStay Lipliner in Clear
2. MAC Cremestick Pearl Liner in GingerRoot
3. MAC Cremestick Liner in SummerFruit
4. NYX LipLiner Pencil in 817 Red Hot
5. Elizabeth Arden Lip Pencil in Blush
6. Elizabeth Arden Lip Pencil in Cocoa Rose
7. Annabelle Metalic lipliner in 305 Nude Lustre
8. ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Spice
9. ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Bark
10. ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Natural Blush
11. ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Bitter
12. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in 704 Red Hot
13. Sephora Lips Pencil 405

My favourites from the bunch:

Revlon ColorStay Lipliner in Clear: This is my absolute favourite lipliner. I use it every day and think it should be a staple in every woman’s makeup bag. It’s clear, so it can be used under any coloured lipstick/lipgloss/lipstain. It works great – my lip products don’t bleed. I am very happy with this product and will repurchase once I run out of it. It’s inexpensive and can be found at any drugstore/Walmart.

MAC Cremestick Pearl Liner in GingerRoot: It’s a peachy brown colour – very versatile and can be used under a lot of lipsticks. It’s very creamy and easy to use.

MAC Cremestick Liner in SummerFruit: My lips are unevenly pigmented. So when I wear a lipstick that’s not very pigmented my uneven lip colour shows through. I like using this nude lipliner underneath sheer lipsticks.

NYX LipLiner Pencil in 817 Red Hot: Every girl gotta have one red lipstick. Red lipsticks tend to bleed the most (or it is the most visible when bled). This is a great lip liner to use under any red lipstick. It’s very creamy and easy to apply. It prevents the lipstick from bleeding.

Elizabeth Arden Lip Pencil in Blush: It’s a great soft pink lipliner. It’s very creamy and a nice colour to have in the makeup bag.

Okay lipliners:

Elizabeth Arden Lip Pencil in Cocoa Rose: It’s a dark plum colour. I don’t tend to use it a lot, but it would look beautiful on most dark skins.

Annabelle Metalic lipliner in 305 Nude Lustre: It is a brownish-plum colour. Very creamy and feels nice on the lips.

ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Spice: A brownish plum colour. ELF lipliners are not as creamy as MAC or Elizabeth Arden. But it still works and the colours are nice.

ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Bark: A brownish plum colour.

ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Natural Blush: A soft pink lipliner

“Don’t purchase” lipliners:

ELF feather Proof-Moisturizing Lip Liner in Bitter: This particular lipliner from ELF is very hard to touch, though the other lipliners from them are much creamier. I don’t like the colour either.

NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in 704 Red Hot: This is a jumbo lip pencil. But it is too creamy as a lipliner- it wouldn’t prevent bleeding. If you want to use this as a lipstick you will need a lip brush. The colour is quite nice though – hot red like the name says.

Sephora Lips Pencil 405: It’s a glittery plum colour. It makes my lips looks even more pigmented and doesn’t goes with my skin tone at all. I got this for free at an event at Sephora – I still regret getting it.

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Eye primers are GREAT investments when it comes to making up your eyes. Eye primers enhance the colour of your eyeshadow, prevent eyeshadow from creasing and make it last longer. I would never wear eyeshadow without an eye primer underneath. Because eye makeup usually takes the most time – it is not worth it without a primer underneath (in my humble opinion). There are many different types of eye primers such as invisible liquid primers, cream bases, MAC Paints, MAC Paintpots, MAC shadesticks, NYX Jumbo Pencils etcetera.

The first picture has all the eye primers and the second picture has MAC Electric Eel eyeshadow on left and MAC Shimmer Moss eyeshadow on right.

Eye primers from top to bottom:

1. Urban decay Primer Potion (can’t be seen since invisible)

2. Too faced shadow Insurance (can’t be seen since invisible)

3. MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

4. MAC Paint in Sublime Nature

5. MAC Shadestick in Beige-ing

6. NYX Jumbo Pencil in violet

7. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner (don’t know the name)

8. Vincent Longo Eye Shimmer Souffle in Babelon

Invisible eye primers:

Urban Decay Primer Potion: UDPP is beige coloured but goes on invisible once you blend it in. UDPP enhances the colour of the eyeshadow – makes it a lot more vibrant. Eyelids tend to get oily throughout the day and eyeshadow creases on the folds of the eyes. UDPP prevents any creasing of eyeshadow. Normally a powder eyeshadow disappears by midday. UDPP also makes eyeshadow last throughout the day. It makes the value of the eyshadow (no matter what brand or type) a lot more than what it really is. It is $17 USD/ $22 CDN for 0.34 oz product.

One disadvantage is the packaging that UDPP comes in. The tiny bottle is genie inspired and very cute looking. The straight sponge tip applicator can only go straight in the tube. Where as the tube is curvy. So a LOT of the products get stuck in the curves of the bottle. And you would think you have used all up. But if you cut the bottle open in the middle you will find one 10 g jar full of product inside. But cutting the process includes using a knife. So the hassle and danger involved to get all the product out – to make your money worth ticks me off.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance: TFSI is also beige coloured and goes on invisible on skin. It also enhances eyeshadow colour, prevents creasing and makes eye makeup last longer. TFSI is $17 USD/ $24 CDN for 0.35 oz product.

TFSI has two advantages over UDPP. The first one is that I think it is better for oily lids. But a lot of people think both products are the same. So I might be totally wrong. Second advantage is that it comes in a squeeze tube. So you don’t have to cut it open – you can all the product out just by squeezing the tube. I absolute can’t live without this.

Coloured eye primers:

MAC Paint: It is a transfer-resistant creamy base than gives a powdery finish. It comes in a squeeze tube. Be careful when you use it for the first 10 times. A lot of the product comes out with just a little bit of squeeze. It lasts for a LONG time. It is totally worth my money. Some has a satin finish (almost matte -with very slight slimmer) and some are more shimmery. These come in mostly skin tones colours and I love this product too. It is thick and pigmented- covers the eye area well evening out the skin tone. I use Sublime Nature Paint (a satin finished paint – my skin tone) almost every day over Too Faced Shadow Insurance before putting on eye makeup.

One con is that it tends to dull the eyeshadow colour a little bit. But I will always love it because it evens out my skin tone.

MAC Paint Pot: It comes in a small jar. It comes in a lot of colours including skin tones colour. It comes in matte/cream, satin and frosty finishes. They are really good to enhance the colour the eyeshadow. They are so pretty I would all of them if I could afford it. However, I don’t find myself grabbing them as much when I do my eye makeup.

MAC Shadestick: The packaging is like a mechanical eye pencil. But it is too big to be used as an eye pencil. It is a cream base that comes in a stick. But I personally don’t like it because it doesn’t blend well. It goes on flaky on my eyes.

NYX Jumbo Pencil: These are great alternative to MAC Shadesticks. These are not mechanical – so you have to sharpen them. But the Jumbo Pencils are very creamy and very pigmented and easy to use. I like using them a lot.

Benefit Creaseless cream Shadow/Liner: It’s a cream base and doesn’t crease. I like it a lot.

Vincent Longo Eye Shimmer Souffle: It is a very creamy and shimmery base. I tend to use to under colourful eyeshadows.
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Contouring and highlighting gives some dimension to the face. Contouring goes on any places that are behind from the plane of the face or are shadowed. Highlighting goes on the place that comes forward from the face. Such as the cheek bones, bridge of the nose, the brow bones, forehead and chin. I like to use a shimmery highlighter on the cheekbones and a shimmery eyeshadow on the brow bones. I avoid shimmer on the T-zone since it is already shiny. Highlighting should be done with a fluffy and less dense brush since too much shimmer looks tacky even on dry skin types. A dense brush can be used only on the cheekbones. Don’t use a dense brush on forehead, nose and chin.

My favourite highlight brush is MAC188 (right). It will pick up a little product if you brush it on the product lightly. Start from the start of the cheekbones and make a half circle bringing the colour around the eyes – up to above arch of the brows. This brush picks up and delivers just the right amount. I also live this brush as a blush brush. It can also be used to apply lightweight foundation like MAC187 brush.

This Posh brush (left) is called Blending brush. The size is such that don’t know if it is a blending brush for eye makeup or face makeup or cheek makeup. However, I found a use of this brush. I use it to highlight on the days when I want a strong highlight. It is very dense and picks up a lot of product. But I wouldn’t consider this brush a necessity.

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Contour goes on the hollow of the cheekbones and sides of the nose. Find your cheekbones with your finger. The hollow is right under it. I also like to contour my jaw line and side of my temples to give  myself a slimmer look. I personally use bronzer to contour. If you like to stay out of shimmer then use a matter brown eyeshadow or blush. Contour brushes have to be narrow so that they can go on narrow places like hollow of cheekbones and sides of the nose. They have to be dense give the affect of high cheekbones, narrow nose and a slimmer face. They also have to be a little bit fluffy so the colour can be blended.

My personal favourite contouring brush is MAC109 (right). It is a dense and narrow brush with a circular tip. It is just the right size to contour my face. I pick up my bronzer and its very easy to apply – no tricks involved. I starts from my temples and come forward towards the centre of my face.

My second favourite brush for contouring is MAC168 (left). It’s an angular dense and narrow brush. It can be used to contour holding it sideways – starting from temples and coming forward. It can also be used as a blush brush holding it normally – starting from the cheeks going towards the temples.

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