Packing for the tropics

I've spoken about what to pack when traveling in previous blog posts before but it's another year and another tropical holiday. So, of course this calls for an update on my makeup essentials to pack for those palm tree, pineapple and coconut kinda trips...

Photo by Kyashi Orasato

What's your skin care brand of choice?

Obviously I don't have one particular go-to brand but here are some of my past and present...

Taken on Samsung Galaxy S7

• Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Acne Clearing Exfoliating Treatment - Specifically designed to target existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts. I use this once to twice a week 
• Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser - Formulated to fight acne and also calm and soothe acne inflamed skin. I use this as a daily cleanser when I'm breaking out.
• Glossier Priming Moisturizer - Light and buildable moisture for a dewy, smooth canvas. My everyday moisturizer before I apply makeup 
• KORE Pearl Optimal Repair Cream - Multi-purpose moisturising formula which rapidly penetrates to hydrate, tone and repair the skin. I love to use this at night after applying my serum.
• Embryolisse Lotion Micellaire Makeup Remover & Cleanser - Soothing and cleansing make-up remover for the face, eyes and lips. No rinsing required and great for all skin types
• Skin Laundry Clarifying Medicated Foaming Facial Wash - This medicated facial wash gently exfoliates while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits to calm skin and protect it from future breakouts. I use this as a daily cleanser when I'm breaking out.
• Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser - This Olive-derived formulation offers exceptional cleansing without stripping skin; ideal for those prone to dryness or sensitivity. I use this as an everyday cleanser.
• Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser - This delicate blend of botanical extracts gently removes impurities from sensitive facial skin without stripping, allowing skin to breathe freely. I use this as an everyday cleanser.
• MUSQ Gel Moisturiser - Properties of Aloe Vera soothe the skin while the energising elements of Lemon Peel revive the skin and senses. Enriched with Juniper Berry and Grapefruit to hydrate and heal the skin. Love this as an everyday morning moisturiser.
• Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser - A mild cleanser that effectively eliminates dirt, oil and makeup without stripping skin of its natural oils and never leaving skin feeling dry or tight. Great everyday and night cleanser after removing makeup and ideal for sensitive skin.
• Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater - Refreshing, hydrating mist for all skin types. I use this as a toner or every face spritzer.

Let's talk about concealers

There are some days I don't feel like wearing foundation, CC cream or tinted moisturizer so it's important that I have a few good concealers in my everyday makeup drawer. It should definitely be a staple product for anyone who wears makeup but the key is to find one that answers your skin questions.

I'm not really one to follow the hottest brands in right now but I do think sometimes it's worth checking out. Here's my current concealers on rotation, one missing from here is my Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer which I love as an overall concealer for blemish coverage, uneven skin tone and under eye concealer. 

Image taken on my Samsung 5S

KORE Skincare

Last month I was sent some products from KORE Skincare, an Australian company focused on producing luxury Skin Care products. I was introduced to this local brand by a good friend of mine and got to know a little more about their background. KORE's history was focused on researching the studies of ancient healing potions and remedies once used by our forefathers for spiritual or medicinal cures for a variety of illnesses and problematic skin disorders.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I don't have the best skin and have always battled confidence issues due to my hormonal acne but I was blessed to be given a few products to try out in their skincare range. I got to try out their Foaming Cleanser, Cleansing Bar, Repairing Hand Cream and my favourite, the Optimal Repair Cream which feels like magical mousse.

What I also love about this brand and any brand gives back is that they have chosen a foundation that they support donates 20% of purchases to the llhan Foundation.

 

http://koreskincare.com.au/

Face oils, the verdict

If you follow me on Snap, you know how obsessed I am with face oils/serums. I don't use a wide variety of them but I do have my go to products on daily rotation. As a combo skin type, I always use to be scared that it would make my face like it's ready to fry an egg on it but slowly and surely I started appreciating their use and since then have swapped face moisturizer for oils/serums instead. Since making the switch, I've found that my skin has become more soft and well hydrated.  If you'd also like to make the change or consider incorporating oils and serums into your face care routine, here's a few tips you can consider before you spend that moolah....

Taken on my Samsung Galaxy S5

10 Foods for Healthy Glowing Skin via #MISSBISH

We all know that before makeup, skin is the base of all basis' so here's a quick, easy article I came across on #MISSBISH that I thought would be a great tip for my readers. It's true when they say, eat good, feel good, LOOK good! (Article By Lindsay Jang)

Photo by: Gretchen Röehrs

LASHES BY KVMUA RELEASE

I can't believe it's already February and I've completely missed a whole month in updates of the release of my new Lash Line. Dipping into blogging in the last year has definitely proven to be a bit of challenge, clearly through my lack of posts but #LASHBEHONEST that's definitely not an excuse! (see what I did there, lol) 

Anyway... I’m proud to announce that January 2016 was the launch of my new Lash Line, LASHES BY KVMUA. Created and designed by yours truly, I have sought to capture four of my favourite looks that bring out my makeup artistry style. 

For those of you who know my makeup style, you should know by now I love wearing Falsies! However, through my years of being a makeup artist I have found that there hasn’t always been a wide choice for Australian/Melbourne consumers on inexpensive, beautiful-looking lashes. So, understanding the need for makeup artist and makeup lovers alike, I wanted to offer my clients a piece of me to take away with them.

The preliminary designs - Bonita, Cozy, Klassy and Queen - offers a cute full-effect finish, a natural day-to-night look, elegant alternative or a full glamorous Queen Bey style… because at the end of the day, Beautiful Eyes Never Go Out Of Fashion.

SHOP NOW >

The benefits of Beauty Sleep

My lifestyle is pretty hectic the bottom part of the year due to wedding season and full time job commitments as well as working on all my passion projects on the side but that’s no excuse not to make time for sleep. When I don’t get enough sleep, I’m less productive and my work suffers. This year I decided to make a change by prioritizing enough sleep into my daily routine. I realized if I wasn’t gonna get something done that day/night there was always tomorrow to get it finished properly, rather than half-a**ed. I also found that the poorer quality of sleep people get gives an incredibly negative effect on the way we feel and on the way we look. In learning about sleep, here are my personal tips on the benefits of a solid shut eye.

Simplifying your beauty routine

I'm definitely a fan of keeping my beauty routine very simple, there's so many products on the shelves these days and it becomes overwhelming choosing what products to use. But is there really an generic answer or a one size fits all approach when it comes to beauty and skincare?

As different as we are, most Makeup Artists will tell you one thing - skincare before makeup, always! Healthy skin is the basis of all flawless makeup and makeup should only be used to enhance and I guess filter to a certain extent. Ultimately, it cannot completely cover how you look on the outside and feel on the inside, we all know that starts with YOU. I remember the more I use to stress out and worry about my skin, the more I broke out. So I took the first step and made the realization that my skin would heal in it's own time, until today I still have my insecurities but I just try to keep positive.

Recently I came across an article that I truly related to regarding my skin journey this year, the message was easy - simplify and keep consistent. Further in the article, it goes into limiting yourself to 30 products a month and making sure you finish the product before purchasing another. As a makeup and skincare product hoarder, this is a challenge. However, I've given it a go and this has been on rotation for the last month for me. I've relisted the items on her list but modified it to my preferences/what I use to give you my simple guide.

Winter skin ft. Double Wear

Image taken from Google Search

Price: $50 AUD inc tax (purchase from Myer, David Jones or Online)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Packaging: 4/5 (Glass packaging always feel more luxe)

15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change color, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day

MUSQ Skincare Review

Social Media, good or bad? According to the latest news Instagram has created a new “buy now/shopping” feature on the app, what a complete game changer. Well, it is for people like me who tend scope out brands, products and food via Insta rather than physical retail shopping. Like most of you, my attention span is NIL so apps like Instagram, Pintrest and Snapchat have been lifesavers for quick answers. The latest beauty product I’ve come across is an Australian skincare and cosmetics brand called MUSQ, I don’t know why I hadn’t heard of it earlier especially since I’ve been on the all natural, animal cruelty free, organic skincare binge for over 18 months now.

Get Sh*t Done by MiGoals (Melbourne), The Horse watch by The Horse (Sydney), MAC Notebook from MAC Pro Australia

Current go to Makeup Brushes

Taken using my Samsung Galaxy S5

1. MAC #138 Tapered Face Brush (RRP AU $105.00) - I love how this brush is pointed, I like to use it for light powdering, bronzer and sometimes blush

2. Shu Uemura Natural Brush #18 (RRP AU $105.00) - Bought this in Hong Kong last year, pretty sure the price wasn't this high when converted. I love to use it for under eye concealer, liquid foundation, highlighting and contouring

3. Inglot Makeup Brush 27P (RRP AU $32.00) - Under eye concealer, spot concealing, nose highlighting and contouring. Some people want to know what I use to apply cream blush, this is the brush I like to use for it.

4. Gorgeous Cosmetics Brush B111 Shadow Blender (RRP AU $38.00) - My all time favourite eye shadow brush for blending. I also use it for spot concealing, nose highlighting and contouring with creams and also loose dust.

5. Double sided angle brush & mascara spoolie (RRP AU $4.00) - I bought this at a random brush stand at IMATS years ago (can't remember if it was Coastal Scents or Crown Brush). I love it for liquid or gel eyeliner and it's the only type of brush I use for brows. 

Brow appreciation

If I've ever had the pleasure of making you up, you know how much I love a full and (sometimes) dark brow to create a masculine yet polished and power woman look. Let's take a minute to appreciate brows from the recent Spring runways in New York...

BCBG

Shop: The Traveller

I am forever looking for ways to pack less and less beauty products every time I go away, this time I'm traveling interstate over the Queen's Birthday long weekend (Happy Birthday Queen, thank you for this holiday). My last trip was about a month ago to beautiful Indonesia (blog post still in progress), weather was hot and humid yet I still found a way to wear makeup most days #makeuplife. I've mentioned before that packing my makeup travel bag is almost impossible for me, hence I almost always over pack. Lucky for us, beauty companies like MECCA make it simple and have recently come out with an all in one pack, making it so much easier for indecisive ladies like myself. I might even pick one up for my trip this weekend....

"The covetable set features the Mecca Cosmetica edit of our favourite travelling necessities housed in carry on-compliant sizes to ensure you look and feel your best on-the-go." This set includes;

- Lip de Luscious SPF 25 Lip Protectant, 7ml

- Soft Focus Smoothing Primer, 15ml

- Beauty Sleep Artistry Eye Brightener

- To Save Face SPF 30+ , 30ml (even in winter we need sunscreen)

- Clean Slate Remover, 35ml

- Clean Slate Face Washing Cloth

To complete this pack I might add in a tinted moisturizer/lightweight foundation, creamy concealer and water resistant mascara. To shop the rest of the Traveller Series, click here

   

Product Review: MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

 

Price: $54 AUD inc tax / $32 USD + tax
Overall Rating: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5 (I love that it's not in a glass jar like most other MAC foundations)

"A tenacious waterproof formula that can be used as a foundation or concealer, wearing for an unprecedented 24 hours. Neither rain nor tears can budge this oil-free watertight product that actually repels moisture from the surface of the face. The formula blends seamlessly on the skin with medium to full weightless coverage and a natural satin finish"

Product Review: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Price: $32 AUD inc tax / $20 USD + tax
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Packaging: 3.5/5 (wish they opted for plastic rather than glass but I LOVE the pump)

"A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours.  Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations. Comes in a clear glass vial with a matte black pump"

KV Makeup Artistry

Be my canvas

www.katrinavillegasmakeup.com

Taken using my Samsung Galaxy S5

Travel Beauty Essentials

Keeping in the theme of Travel blog posts for this month this post will focus on which beauty essentials I think you need while traveling. I don't know about you guys but I hate packing, especially when it comes to makeup. I don't wear much these days, my everyday to weekend routine consists of concealer, (swapping between) tinted moisturizer and full coverage foundation (for night), bronzer (matte finish, always), false lashes (only for going out) and my eos lip balm (or lipstick for a night out). But when I travel, it's a completely different story, I must always be prepared so I tend to pack more than I actually need. As a frequent traveler, I have finally made a shortlist of my must have travel essentials whether you are only going on a short trip, month long or whatever.

Taken on my Samsung Galaxy S5

1.  Primer - make sure it's a moisturizer and has UV sun protection in one. They say less is more, most primers can do it all, but most importantly it should hold your makeup into place for hours. Sometimes you don't have time to go back to your hotel room to freshen up or you might find yourself going from the beach straight to the club. My current picks are Hourglass veil primer, MAC P&P face primer UV50+ (only sold in Asia) & Embryolisse Lait Cream (moisturizer & primer in one). 

Tropical Traveling

As I plan my trip to Bali later this month, here's some of my fave items I like to take with me when I travel to a tropical paradise anywhere in the world;

•  iPad & headphones - lying in a hammock or the beach all day listening to music sounds like my perfect break!
• Clear Sephora Makeup Bag (great for airport security to place all your liquids under 100ml) 
• Shu Uemura High performance cleansing oil - Gently removes makeup (including waterproof) while leaving your face so soft
• Arbonne 5 brush travel kit
• MAC Mineralise Skinfinish - great alternative to foundation, can double up as an everyday bronzer too
• Passport - well unless your road tripping, then don't forget this!
• Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies
• Panasonic Lumix Digital Waterproof Camera
• Roll on Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume, this is great for travel coz you don't have to lug around a whole bottle
• Bumble and bumble surf spray - for sexy beach style tressles
• Travel size Arbonne FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Crème
• MAC sized to go Fix +

(Image taken on my Samsung Galaxy S5)

KV on the Art of makeup

Creative influence
Travel, museums, markets, city street culture and style, architecture, home deco and the people I meet. 

Most important tool(s)
The beauty blender, a clean blending brush and an eyelash curler 

Favourite product & feature(s)
Any great skincare product. Before makeup can look good on anyone, skin is the first step, the base. My other favourite feature of the face is eyebrows, they can do wonders to the structure of your face and can also create youth or add years, a great tip is to use a brow product lighter than your actual hair colour. 

Most admired makeup artists
Kevyn Aucoin and every artist I've ever worked with 

If you had to jet to your favourite place in the world in five minutes, what products would you pack and why?
I'm a massive fan of multipurpose products so I try to keep my makeup travel bag as light as possible. I would definitely need to bring a good base (primer or moisturiser) with SPF, tinted moisturizer, makeup wipes, vaseline, a dark brown pencil that I can use as both an eyeliner and brow pencil, a peach-pink lipstick that I can double up as a blush and lastly a pair of falsies