beauty: How-to-fake it with bronzer

Hope you all are enjoying your Summer! Hi, Monica here from Beauty Parler. You don't need a lecture from a beauty blogger about the dangers of suntanning. By now most of you know that the best way to fake a tan is using a bronzer. However, finding the right bronzer might mean buying a few to find the right shade and finish. Here are a few staples of mine that are just the right shade of brown without looking too muddy or red. A few are meant for more shimmer while others are great as a contour powder.

Which bronzers are your favourites?

MAC Cosmetics Bronzing Powder //  MAKE UP FOREVER Pro Sculpting Duo // Physicians Formula Bronze Booster // Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer

-post by monica darosa  

BEAUTY: SUMMER FOUNDATIONS

Hi Everyone! Monica here from beauty parler.  Hope you're all embracing the nicer weather. Although the weather has it's dips in temperature this time of year the hot sticky Summer days are coming! Which means sweaty makeup which can look caked on. Well, that's a definite no and can all be avoided by switching out your foundation to a more Summer friendly one.

On hot sweaty days, the last thing I want to do is wear any makeup. But on days that I head out to work or attend beauty events, I like to wear a little makeup. Makes me feel more polished and put together. Anyone else feel like that too? Here are three of my Summer must-have foundations.

1/NARS All-Day Luminous Weightless Foundation | 2/MAC Face & Body Foundation | 3/Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid Touch Foundation

In general, all three of these are similar in texture. Light-weight, watery, and build-able coverage. With formulas so watery those with drier skin types will find that they'll need to apply a good moisturized base or can emphasis dry patches. These formulas work wonderfully for those with oily to combination skin types. The NARS All-Day Luminous Weightless Foundation and the Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid Touch Foundation are a semi-matte to matte finish. Whereas, MAC Face & Body Foundation has a dewier finish and those with drier skin types will like this foundation better than the other two.
In terms of application because these are so watery they are best applied with your fingers or foundation brush. I'd suggest not using a beauty sponge as it would just absorb too much product.

I hope I helped you start your Summer makeup routine. Share your favourite Summer makeup?


-post by monica

BEAUTY: BEAUTY & THE BROWS

 Hi! Monica, here from beautyparler.  Jen, is away enjoying her bundle of joy today! So happy for her & her husband! As a mom to an 18 month old, I know how tiring and exciting those first weeks are.

So, March is here already which means Spring is near. One beauty trend that will continue this Spring is the full brow. In all honesty, regardless of trendy or not I've always been a fan of a fuller brow. Now, not all of us are born with full brows. So, sometimes we just have to FAKE it.  Growing up as a teen in the 90's meant that two brow trends came into effect. For the first part of the 90's full sculpted brows and by the mid to late 90's a thinner brow was in.  My mom warned me, "once you start tweezing those brows they'll never grow back the same or ever".  Mom knows best! Thankfully, I listened.

Weather you use a brow pencil, cream or powder there are countless brow products to choose from and fake it if necessary.  A new release is Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Drama, an easy to use mascara for brows. A great method for those that don't want to fully commit to a full sculpted brow. Looking to fill in sparse brows, a pencil is another easy method. An old favorite of mine, MAC Cosmetics Brow Pencil, is a no nonsense pencil that defines and allows for a more precise brow. For shading in brows, Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings is a great kit for beginners.

Although, brow powders can be a tad time consuming you can achieve a more natural looking brow. The newest brow product in my kit, Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade is a water-proof cream formula that basically does the job of all three products listed above but in one product. Sculpt, define, shade, and fill-in brows using the dip brow. This product is for those not afraid of a more intense brow. Lastly, Wink Eyelash and Eyebrow Enhancer is for those that over tweezed. Increase and thicken hair with usage of Wink.

What do you think of fuller more natural eyebrows?

-post by monica darosa