How can I Make My Pores Appear Smaller?

Can you make your pores smaller?

Nope. There is no way no how and cosmetic companies know that which is why their products always say the continued use will only make pores APPEAR smaller.  Usually the branding will say “minimizes the appearance of pores.”

Think about it: just a cosmetic product can’t change the physical dimensions of anything on your face!

Any silicone-containing product or a powder will help minimize the appearance of large pores.  Niacinamide will make them produce less oil which could help.  Or you could use retinol which helps regulate oil production too.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Vasanti

Shout out to Canadian brand Vasanti, which has been making cosmetics for women of colour for over 15 years!  I remember when they were a kiosk in the mall but they’re now at Shoppers Drug Mart. The best thing in their product line is their concealer – it has orange in it which counters the blue that is under your eyes, so it works as a corrector and then you can conceal.

Vasanti a mid-range brand and many times, the colours and products that you’ll find there will be in neutral, natural tones so that you can create a flawless natural look.

Lately, I’ve really been liking their lip products. I have their sheer lipstick and a lip gloss in a coordinating colour and they are the most flattering products I’ve tried in a while. Both are in a sheer berry shade, and are not sticky at all. They go on smooth and make your lips look naturally pretty.

These are available at online at VasantiCosmetics.ca or at some Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

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Translucent Powder Show Down

It’s taken me a long time to write this post because there’s been some intense powder testing going on.  Which two powders am I talking about?

MAC’s Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder and Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinishing Powder.

Both powders are translucent, both look like they’re white, and neither one of them will show up on your skin.  There isn’t a huge price difference between the two of them, but one is available at MAC stores (which are everywhere) and the other is available only at Sephora (some people haven’t even heard of that store).

So which one should you get?

I hate to say this but the Make Up For Ever powder is amazing and is totally worth the $10 more that it costs.  After wearing both on alternating days, it’s clear that the MUFE powder lasts longer, really keeps you shine free, while the MAC one doesn’t really seem that different from all their other powders.  It’s nothing amazing and just doesn’t work as well.

Have you tried any of these?  What did you think?

The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder is $48, and the Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder is $35.

 

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen Video

Hello everyone! Hope you guys are having an awesome summer and staying out of the sun! I had to do a video review of one of my favourite sunscreens, and I can’t believe that I’ve been using it for over 2 years now! Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen is light, it’s fresh, and it’s moisturizing so it’s great for dry skin. I basically use it as a face and body moisturizer all summer line, so that I can take the kids to the park without even thinking about it.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B_ivlsdpVWS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Watch the video and tell me what you think!

You can read the original review of this sunscreen here.

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Empty: Kerastase Chronologist Rinse Out Pre-Shampoo

We’ve been at home and I’ve been washing my hair everyday, so I added the Kerastase Chronologist Rinse Out Pre-Shampoo to my routine because I’ve been holding on to it since… 2016 and it was time to finish it. I swear, most shampoos don’t last that long in my house, but treatments are hard to incorporate into a routine unless you’re really committed.

You can read the full review of the Chronologiste line here. It’s really luxe.

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Diane Kruger at the MET

Just a throwback to a great look. The dress, makeup, and hair are all timeless.

Pay attention – blush on the apples of your cheeks actually makes your cheekbones stand out more.

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Organic Everything?

So as we become more conscious of the environment and our impact on it, there’s a trend towards using more organic/natural products instead of whatever’s been working for us.

Is there really a need?

Maybe.  Maybe not.  I still think that what matters is whether the product works for you.  If you get an organic facial cleanser and you have to use double the amount to even get your makeup off, then you’re probably using more water anyway, and that’s not good for the environment.

A product that comes to my mind is Organic perfume which is becoming more and more popular.  Roots’ new scents are of that nature and for some reason, there’s the association of being healthier if you use an organic scent.

The only problem is that although these perfumes smell really nice, they have almost no staying power. Is it really worth it to spray something into the air where it has no impact?  You can decide that for yourself, but I’ve decided that it’s not for me.  I like my scents to last, and I’m very happy when I can get one that stays on with just one spray.

What do you think?  Are you starting to buy more things that are organice or does it not have an effect on your purchasing choices?  We want to know!

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Kenzo Amour Florale

Kenzo Amour Florale is a  flanker to its iconic hit Kenzo Amour. The Kenzo Amour Florale is meant to a be a fresher alternative to the heady deep Kenzo Amour.

There’s still a musky base to the scent, but the heart smells more floral, with a mixture of rose and gardenia. The top notes are grapefruit and cardamom, which I could smell right away but only for a very short while.

I actually like the Kenzo Amour Florale more than the original because it’s not so heavy and I think it’s a near-perfect feminine fragrance for summer nights.

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Empty: Vivier C+E Antioxidant Serum

I really loved Vivier’s C+E Antioxidant Serum which I reviewed here. The texture of this serum is amazing – it’s light but potent and you can layer whatever moisturizer you want on top of it.

Have you tried Vivier skincare products? They are available in medi-spas and are potently formulated to actually work. This serum is about $175.

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