DIY Glowy Makeup Setting Spray

Setting sprays have become extremely popular over the last few years. Beauty Bloggers across the internet and YouTube Beauty Vloggers have identified these sprays as essential to creating the perfect makeup look. There are so many sprays on the market promising to do everything from prep and prime the face for makeup to set and perfect a completed makeup look, control oil, provide just the right amount of luminosity and ensure your makeup lasts 12+ hours without fading, caking or creasing.

Those are some big promises! And for the record, no single makeup product can do all that. That being said, a good setting spray can do some great things in terms of finishing your makeup look and providing some nice benefits to your skin, depending on the ingredients included in your spray of choice.

You have be careful because there are a lot of setting sprays that have high alcohol contents (e.g., the very popular L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Spray and Set is extremely high in alcohol and fragrance so it’s basically like spraying hairspray on your face!). The alcohol in some (thankfully not all) of these sprays can not only dry out your face but has been shown to cause death to skin cells in a dose-dependent rate (read more about alcohol types used in skin care and the latest research here). In layman’s terms that means the more you use those sprays, the more you could be killing your skin cells (source). Scary stuff!

The best alcohol-free setting sprays tend to have a few common ingredients (generally a base of water, glycerin, some sort of slip-agent and a few antioxidants thrown in), but they can also be fairly expensive. MAC’s Prep and Prime Fix+ (AKA Fix+) is one of the most enduringly-popular setting sprays with some of the most vocal YouTube devotees (including my favorite YouTube beauty blogger Tati Westbrook AKA . Cost = $23 for 3.4 fluid oz. MAC’s website doesn’t provide the full product ingredient list but states Fix+ is “infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber.” According to the Paula’s Choice / Beautypedia Fix+ review here, this spray is composed primarily of water, glycerin, butylene glycol (slip enhancer), along with some chamomile, cucumber and green tea extracts as well as some Vitamin E, panthenol and caffeine thrown in for good measure. But the key ingredients in terms of makeup setting, eliminating a powdery look and helping several layers meld together into a seamless finished look are actually the water and glycerin. The glycerin is especially important for imparting that lovely glow and helps the other ingredients in the spray blend together well so I encourage you not to skip it. Vegans take note – vegetable glycerin available from Amazon, Vitacost, or other Internet sites.

Consider the antioxidants in this spray as an added bonus, not your primary source. You’ll still want to use your regular serum and moisturizers. But this recipe includes some great antioxidants! Green tea is well-established as a potent anti-oxidant and skin soother. Chamomile is a great ingredient to include in your setting spray because it also provides antioxidant and skin-soothing even benefits (source) and some research has shown it may be helpful in fading sun spots (source, and the marks left behind from acne scarring (source).

A Few Notes about Storage: Many of those un-pronounceable (not sure that’s a word) ingredients you see so often in cosmetics are actually preservatives which extend the shelf life of the product, since companies have no idea how long they’ll sit on the shelf before purchase and/or how long it will take you to consume the contents. This spray has no preservatives or funky chemicals. For that reason, once you get the full recipe mixed up, you may consider pouring half into a smaller spray/storage bottle and stashing it in your refrigerator until ready to use.

Since I’m all about reduce and reuse, if I make this spray during the summer (when I’m likely to store it in the refrigerator full-time), I usually pour the full recipe into this dark-colored bottle which previously held One ‘n Only brand Argan Oil Treatment, which I’ve carefully washes a couple of times with hot soapy water. Then I just keep in the fridge so it’s nice a cool when I use it!

Otherwise, I pour half into this 2 oz. bottle which previously held E.L.F. Cosmetic’s Mist and Set which excludes glycerin but includes several great skin-beneficial ingredients and antioxidants including forms of Vitamins C, E and A and some Green Tea. The dark bottles protects the fragile antioxidants in this recipe. If you don’t have any suitably-sized dark bottles available for reuse, keep in mind that Walmart and other discount retailers sell spray bottles for reasonable prices in various sizes and colors.
Ingredients:
• 1 pouch each green tea + chamomile tea brewed with 1/2 cup (or 4 oz.) total distilled or filtered water
• 1 Tbsp. glycerin
• 2 Tbsp. rose water
• 1 Evening Primrose Oil gel-tab (optional, oily skin types may skip this as it adds additional oil)

Hardware:
• Measuring Spoon
• Clean 6-8 oz. spray bottle (preferably one made of opaque or dark-colored material to preserve antioxidant ingredients)
• Sewing needle (optional)
• Funnel (optional)

Instructions:
1. Brew chamomile and green tea in 1/2 cup filtered or distilled water if possible. Allow tea to steep at least 5 minutes. For best results, allow tea to steep covered overnight in the refrigerator.
2. Pour cooled tea into a clean 6-8 oz. spray bottle (I find using a small funnel help prevent making a mess or wasting half the tea when pouring). Then add 2 Tbsp. rose water and glycerin.
3. Finally (if desired), using a clean sharp sewing needle very carefully puncture evening primrose gel-tab and squeeze contents into spray or storage bottle. Then tightly secure lid onto the bottle and gently shake bottle before using or pouring into desired storage bottles.

Wisdom for the Day:
“In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines in all its brightness.” ~Revelation 1:16 (God’s Word Translation)
Read more here.

If you’re interested in discovering an easy and delicious recipe combining the health-benefits of green tea and the proven anti-aging benefits of collagen proteins, check out this link from Daily Beauty Wisdom: The Amazing Anti-Aging Power of Collagen Part 2 – Beautifying Beverage Recipes

Making Milani’s Conceal+Perfect Foundation Work for All Skin Types

Milani Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer

Recently, I wrote how my excitement to try Milani’s Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer quickly turned to disappointment when it didn’t look very pretty on me. After all the buzz around this foundation, I really wanted to make it work for me so I kept playing around with it and discovered some tricks that ensure I achieve a beautiful result every time I reach for this.

I have come to the conclusion that this really is a great foundation that’s worth the hype. But this is not as easy foundation. It’s not one to reach for on lazy (AKA no-makeup look) days. It’s the one to grab when you’re short on time. This process I outline below involves several steps (5 to be exact; though you could conceivably combine Steps #1-2 if you have a favorite water-based daytime moisturizer that gives you broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or more. I’ve just never found one). This may require more time than you may have most mornings. So you may want to save this for special occasions or days when you have extra time because the result is beautiful and worth the effort.

Some basic concepts to help you achieve the best results:
• First and foremost you need to understand the chemical composition of this foundation. It’s oil-free and made up primarily of water and silicones (if you’re interested I’ve included the full ingredient list at the bottom of this post and highlighted all the silicones for reference). So you want to diminish the amount of oil on the surface of your skin and avoid using any products that contains oils to ensure prettiest application and longest wear-time of the foundation. Hint – this is NOT the time to use Wayne Goss’ famous add a drop of oil to your foundation trick. Instead, you want to follow a couple of other Wayne Goss tips, blotting your face of excess oil throughout the application process and carefully avoiding any products that counteract the ingredients in this foundation.
• With each step/trick, I try to give several options for the products I suggest. You almost certainly can get this done with products you have on hand once you get the idea of the types of products that work. Then check out your stash for similar options you could try.
• I’ve done a complete review of the foundation below for anyone who may be curious about this foundation. You can read that review posted separately here.
• Each of the following steps are based on prepping the skin to be in the best condition to receive this foundation, so the makeup applies its best and has every chance to last 10 hours (or longer). In order to make this foundation work, you need to use products that have similar ingredients to Conceal+Perfect….again, reference the ingredient list – avoid oils and stick to water or silicone-based products. When I first tried to use this foundation, my biggest problem (when I had bad results) was trying to apply it over several oil-based moisturizing products which were basically counterproductive.

Application Steps and My Tips:

Step #1 – Prep your skin with a good silicone-based oil-free antioxidant serum followed by a water-based moisturizer. The type of serum and moisturizer you use are important. This is NOT the time to use your trusty Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing+ Lotion (it’s a sesame oil base) or to use Argan Oil (yes, it is good for you, but it won’t work here). My favorite antioxidant serums are from Paula’s Choice, and Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum is absolutely brilliant under tricky foundations like this one. It provides an extraordinary cocktail of anti-aging skin goodies in a super-light silicone base with zero oil. Top your serum of choice with a good oil-free moisturizer. CeraVe’s PM Moisturizing Lotion (or CVS’s awesome generic version, pictured above) and Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry Skin or Hydro Boost Water Gel (for normal/combination skins) are great oil-free moisturizer that absorb quickly while providing excellent hydration and skin-beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Allow lotion to absorb into skin at least five minutes. Then move on to Step #2.

Step #2 – Using a plain tissue (do NOT use the kind with added lotion or emollients), oil-blotting paper or even TP (no shame), lightly blot away any excess moisture from your face. If you’re applying this foundation at night, you can go ahead and skip ahead to Step #3 now.

If you are getting ready to go out during the daytime, you now want to apply a lightweight easily absorbed sunscreen with broad spectrum sun protection of at least SPF30. I like Coppertone Clearly Sheer Faces Broad Spectrum SPF50 (which is an all-chemical sunscreen best for non-sensitive skin types) or Neutrogena pure & free Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50 with purescreen® (all-mineral sunscreen best for sensitive skins. Read more about this product and other inexpensive broad-spectrum sunscreens here). Both these products have a thin, almost watery consistency that absorbs quickly. The Coppertone option is a chemical sunscreen so it absorbs more easily leaving no white or gray cast behind, but it’s also more likely to cause an allergic reaction in the most sensitive individuals. Allow sunscreen a few (3-4) minutes to absorb. Then proceed to Step #3.

Step #3 – Blot your face again (oily skin types, do NOT skip this step). Then apply a silicone-based primer to your T-zone and any other areas where your foundation tends to apply unevenly or break up during the day. Allow primer to set at least 3-5 minutes. Then blot again (yes, again!) with a clean tissue or blotting paper.

A few of my favorite primers for this application include: L’Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream SPF30; Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother; Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (I have the Green Color-correcting one, but they’re all terrific); Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Radiance Boosting Primer (this is the best primer for dry or aging skin). Give your primed skin at least 3 minutes to allow primer and other products to fully absorb and skin to be completely dry before proceeding to actual foundation application (Step #4).

Step #4 – Use a damp makeup sponge apply 1 pump Milani Conceal+Perfect foundation and 1 pump (3-4 drops) of your favorite oil-free BB Cream (my favorite is Dr. Jart’s Premium BB Cream SPF45+ though be careful with this because it contains a teeny amount of soybean oil) or an oil-free highlighter (dry skins or anyone looking for a more sheer more luminous finish). My favorite liquid highlighters for this step include: Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights (which is an excellent inexpensive liquid illuminator but has become increasingly difficult to find in stores though according to Revlon’s website indicates that this product has not been discontinued) and NYX Cosmetics Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator. Stay away from Becca’s Shimmering Skin Enhancer in this case, though. Because even though it’s a terrific liquid highlighter and comes in some really flattering shades, it contains both avocado and mineral oils, so it will cause the foundation to break apart and look patchy.

Build this foundation in thin layers if you’re a makeup novice (like me) and not an expert makeup artist. It’s easier and ensures a prettier result. For the final layer, I like to mix equal parts Conceal+Perfect foundation and concealer (my current favs are Tarte’s Shape Tape and Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer ) on the back of my hand and dab that mixture in a triangle shape under my eyes and cheek area using my finger. Then I’ll blend this mixture out using my damp beautyblender® sponge. Finally, I’ll use a small amount of foundation to touch up any other blemishes or discolorations needing additional concealing before moving onto finishing touches (Step #5).

Step #5 – Once you are satisfied with the level of coverage you’ve achieved, blend out any creasing and set this product with your favorite setting powder. There are lots of good ones available in all price ranges so don’t get carried away by the hype. I definitely recommend setting this foundation with powder, even for drier skins but especially for those with combo to oily skins not only to avoid creasing but for best longevity and most flawless result. If you have the time, you can also bake the undereye or areas where large pores are an issue. And I like to finish with a few spritzes of setting spray. My current favorite setting spray is E.L.F.’s Makeup Mist and Set but any oil-free setting spray will work.

Additional Notes on Application: Milani states this foundation may be applied, “…with fingertips or a brush beginning at the center of the face, blending outward.” I prefer applying this with a damp beautyblender® type sponge. I had some success using my finger as well, but I just really dislike apply foundation with fingers. For some reason I dislike the feeling of it on my fingers and hands. Has nothing to do with the texture of this particular product. Actually, if you enjoy using your fingers to apply foundation, this may be a good match for you because the warm of your fingers may help you spread this around. Because it’s thicker than your typical liquid foundation (MUF’s Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation for example), I found that applying it with a brush left streaks and wasn’t very pretty. I wouldn’t try brush application unless you’re lucky enough to own an Artis (oval 7) foundation brush. Finally, though Milani suggests applying “a dime-sized amount of product,” all at once, I’d caution against it. I suggest applying thinner layers until achieving desired level of coverage. Trying to apply too much all at once tends to make the product bunch up and look heavy.

Summary: Remember that this foundation is oil-free and composed primarily of water and silicones, so you want to take the time to prep your skin using water and silicone-based products and control any surface oil you may have on your skin. Avoid using any products that contain oil. Dry or combo skin types will want to use a water-based moisturizer and allow sufficient time for it to absorb. Then tissue off excess moisture before applying a light broad-spectrum sunscreen and silicone-based primer. Those with oily skin will want to take extra care to prime skin with an oil-controlling primer and tissue off excess oil between each step. Because this foundation is thick, it is best applied in thin layers with a damp makeup sponge. You can thin it out even more by adding a drop or 2 of highlighter or BB cream. You can also mix it with your favorite (oil-free) concealer to highlight and brighten. Be sure to set this product with your preferred setting powder and finish with your favorite setting spray (if desired).

#NoFilter Milani’s Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer

Ingredient List: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate (oil-free emollient), Cetyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Mica (shine), Glycerin (oil-free emollient), BIS-PEG/PPG Dimethicone, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone, Ozokerite (wax), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Beeswax (wax), Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate (oil-free emollient), Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Isododecane, Propylene Carbonate, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Glycereth-18, Aluminum Dimyristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Allantoin, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, C18-21 Alkane. +/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Read the full Daily Beauty Wisdom Review of Milani Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer here.

Wisdom for the Day:
All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory. ~II Corinthians 3:18 (Good News Translation)
Read more here.

Super Cheap+Super Easy DIY Makeup Brush+Sponge Cleaning Spray

Take Care of Your Brushes and They’ll Last a Long Time!

As I’ve written previously, I believe good quality makeup brushes are a wise beauty investment. And like any investment, you need to protect your investments by caring for your brushes and cleaning them regularly.

Clean Brushes All in a Row and Ready to Be Hung up to Dry

I have found that Sephora’s Solid Clean: Solid Brush Cleaner ($14 for 1 oz.) is excellent for deep cleaning brushes and ULTA’s Makeup Brush and Sponge Cleaner (spray; $10 for 5.1 fluid oz.) is less expensive; works well for quick cleanups; but doesn’t provide the same thorough results and has an odd smell to me.

So I set out to create a simple, inexpensive brush cleaner recipe. This recipe works very well, effectively removing the most tenacious waterproof gels and stains. I store this in a small (6oz. size) spray bottle. Then I make a second batch using slightly less water (described below) to keep in a non-spray bottle to clean my sponges.

Brushes in Need of Cleaning

Clean Brushes in a Jiffy!

I love using Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo to clean my makeup brushes! I find that it’s the best thing for remover tough, waterproof gels and creams. The best place to purchase Kenra products is probably ULTA because ULTA always almost offers $3.50 off $10 coupon is available electronically or in their catalogs. (Click here to sign up to automatically receive ULTA emails or here to enroll in ULTA’s text alert program). ULTA also periodically offers 20% off coupons and other deals for Platinum ULTA Members and ULTAMATE Rewards Credit Card holders. Learn more at ULTA.com or the ULTA store nearest you.

If you already have a clarifying shampoo that you love or just want/need an even cheaper option, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo may be substituted for the Kenra Shampoo and works (almost) as well. And you can save some more money by signing up here to receive Johnson and Johnson brand coupons.

Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. Dawn Original or 1 Tbsp. Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid
• 2 Tbsp. Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo or Johnson’s® Original Baby Shampoo
• 5 oz. (10 Tbsp.) filtered or distilled water

Hardware:
• Measuring spoons
• Small spray bottle (6-8 oz. size)
• Small funnel

Instructions:
1. Carefully pour all 3 ingredients into a small spray bottle.
2. Tightly place lid on bottle and shake well to thoroughly combine ingredients.
3. Shake well before each use.
Makes about 5 oz. of cleanser.

NOTE: If you need a liquid brush and sponge cleaner or just don’t want to use a spray, you can easily adjust this recipe as follows – decrease the amount of water from 5oz. to 4oz. (8 Tbsp.) and keep all other measurements the same. Then, pour mixture into desired storage bottle.
Cleanser recipe can also be doubled to product 8-10oz. Use twice the above amounts of shampoo+dish liquid (to 4 Tbsp. of each) and double water to 10oz. (20 Tbsp.) for spray bottle or 8oz. (16 Tbsp.) for non-spray bottle.

Check this related post – $1 Makeup Brush Cleaning Tool – if you want to learn more about this genius and inexpensive little silicone cleaning tool you can pick up for just over $1 at your local Wal-Mart.

Wisdom for the Day:
“That is what some of you used to be! But you were washed clean, you were made holy to God, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” ~I Corinthians 6:11 (Common English Bible)
Read more here.

$1 Makeup Brush Cleaning Tool – Available at Walmart

Can a $1.25 Tool Clean My Messy Makeup Brushes? Yes!!!

I’ve tried to be honest about the fact that I’m not a makeup artist/expert. I’m a makeup fan/lover (there’s a big difference). My skill level may best be described as amateur, but I’m getting better, primarily because I’ve gradually acquired some nice makeup brushes. Quality makeup brushes are an investment. You really only need 5-10 high quality makeup brushes to take your makeup application technique to the next level.

Of course, you’ll need to properly care for those brushes in order to ensure they last a long time and give you the most bang for your beauty buck. And that means regularly cleaning them. That’s the step that tends to trip up busy moms (like me). We all know cleaning our brushes is important. Dirty brushes = patchy uneven colors; poor distribution of creams and liquids; breeding grounds for acne-causing bacteria; etc.

In recent years, an entire industry has grown around makeup brushes and cleaning led by innovators like the Chapman Sisters of Real Techniques fame along with Rea Ann Silva and the others at beautyblender®. So many companies today now offer cleaning supplies including brush cleaning solutions, wipes, mitts and even electronic brush cleaners like these (for a whopping $120+)!

Don’t worry. You don’t have to spend that much to quickly and effectively clean your brushes. One of my favorite YouTube Beauty vloggers – Emily Noel – raved about these silicone brush-cleaning eggs mitts she discovered at an “everything for $1” subscription shopping website in this video:

Emily is so adorable and enthusiastic. She almost always convinces me, but I’m trying to avoid signing up with any additional shopping sites. Too tempting. Still, those brush cleaners intrigued me, especially at just $1 + $3.95 shipping (roughly $3/each). So when I spotted these Lil’ Scrubbies facial brushes at Wal-Mart priced at just $2.43 (plus tax) for two, I grabbed them immediately hoping they’d work as well as Emily’s egg mitts. I tested my Scrubbies-as-makeup-brush-cleaners theory, and they worked great!

To be clear, the Lil’ Scrubbies are designed to be used as facial exfoliators. But (as I’ve written before) I don’t need that because I’m really satisfied with my Foreo LUNA sonic cleanser. Both my Foreo LUNA and the Lil’ Scrubbies are made of quality silicone and have very similar scrubbing surfaces. So if you don’t currently have a daily facial cleansing tool you love, these little guys can meet that need as well (although Lil’ Scrubbies obviously will not provide the oscillating sonic technology of the Foreo LUNA).

Left: Foreo LUNA (Sensitive/Normal Skins)
Right: Lil Scrubbies Silicone Facial Scrub Brush

Lil’ Scrubbies’ have 2 different surface textures – tiny bristles and little round nubs which allow you to quickly clean different-sized and shaped brushes. The small nobs are especially effective at cleaning the sides of tapered brushes. The Scrubbies are made of a single piece of silicone with a suction cup feature built into the back. This suction cup piece makes it easier to securely hold the wet soapy Scrubbie securely between two fingers of your non-dominant hand while you scrub the brush with your dominant hand.

You’re also able to keep the Scrubbie and the brush secure while cleaning and also have your thumb free in case you need to apply more pressure to spread out the tip of the brush to get it thoroughly clean (as Emily describes around 6:00 in the video).

I found them exceptionally easy to use and effective in cleaning all types of brushes – from large fluffy powder brushes to flat-topped kabuki brushes to tapered shadow brushes and lash combs. Lil’ Scrubbies cleaned my brushes gently without ripping out the bristles or breaking the hairs. All this for a price of $1.215 each!

Lil’ Scrubbies themselves are easy to clean with warm water and (if necessary a gentle soap). Then simply store on your mirror using the suction cup feature until ready for next use.

Clean Brushes All in a Row and Ready to Be Hung up to Dry

One last thing, toward the end of the video Emily talks about the brush drying “Sunflower tree” she uses for drying her brushes. Those trees retail for around $40 plus tax and shipping. Learn more here. But I use this recipe book rack I had sitting around (unused and in the way) in our kitchen. It works perfectly to hold for most (not all) of my brushes as they dry. It keeps them off the bathroom counter and holds them at a slightly downward angle, preventing water from collecting in the metal barrel of the brushes (which can damage the brushes and shorten their lifespans).

Multi-Tasking – A Repurposed Recipe Rack Holds Clean Makeup Brushes

Wisdom for the Day:
Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ~Psalm 51:7 (God’s Word Translation)
Read more here.

#TBT Fragrance Edition – Amarige de Givenchy

Givenchy Amarige EDT and EDP

Aaahhh-marige! My precious! Full disclosure before beginning this “review” of Givenchy’s Amarige – I cannot and nor will I even pretend to be a neutral observer when it comes to this now classic opulent white floral powerhouse. Amarige is the first grown-up French perfume I’ve ever really “worn.” There’s a difference between a tween applying (usually over-applying) a nice perfume and the moment you become mature and confident in yourself enough to truly inhabit a grown-up woman’s perfume. I discovered this somewhere around age 19, around that age of maturity. It became my first signature fragrance and remains the only perfume I’ve ever truly loved. So it will be difficult for me to keep this write-up brief. To that end I’ll rely on reviews from other sites and will try (my best) to distill the key points.

Givenchy Amarige Eau de Toilette

First, understand Amarige is one of those fragrances that tends to illicit strong opinions even among perfume aficionados. Remember that scene in Pretty Woman where Richard Gere’s character is explaining to Julia Roberts’ character the strong reactions people have when they first experience the opera? He says, “People’s reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic; they either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don’t, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul.” Amarige is like that. I loved it immediately. Some people will hate it at first whiff. Most perfume lovers who don’t love Amarige can appreciate its craftsmanship, the expert blending and nuanced layering of so many notes even if they could never wear it. I understand that because that’s exactly how I feel about Opium and Shalimar.

Next point – Like all perfumes, Amarige will not smell the same on everyone. It will react uniquely with each person’s unique chemistry and may smell differently on the same person at different times of the year or during various hormonal shifts. This reaction is especially common with super powerful floral notes like tuberose and gardenia as well warm, heady dry-down notes like musk, amber and sandalwood.

Amarige is an anagram of the French word for marriage (mariage), and it’s meant to capture the moment of pure blissful emotion of love at first sight. Created by master French perfumer, Dominique Ropion, this now classic opulent white floral was first released a quarter century ago, in 1991. Givenchy called its newly launched fragrance “Feminine. Ethereal. Beautiful.” Today, Amarige is described by some as “the heart of femininity with soft, sweet notes that are truly radiant” and by others as “a strong white floral-oriental fragrance that is sensual, youthful and timeless.” Amarige combines mimosa with citrus fruits, soft florals, precious woods and vanilla.

Category: Classic French / Floral-Oriental

Notes: The top notes are composed of fresh fruit including peaches, plums, oranges, and mandarin. The floral heart, very intense and luscious, is created of mimosa, orange flowers, tuberose, gardenia and violet along with a hint of black currant. The warm woody base is composed of musk, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, Tonka bean, rose and acacia woods and cedar.

Layers of Fruits, Florals, Greens and Woody Notes Combine to Create Amarige

Sillage: Amarige may accurately be described as both extremely feminine and extremely powerful. It can be overpowering, especially if you tend to be heavy-handed with the atomizer. Well crafted perfumes tend to unfold throughout the day, the middle and heart notes effusing gracefully as your body temperature increases. For some, the release of those middle notes can be intoxicating. Despite my devotion to Amarige, I’m careful to avoid it during hot or humid days. Several years ago, Givenchy released Amarige Ice (no longer available), which was essentially a lighter version meant for folks who find it difficult to wear this during warm weather. I find it easier to just save this sillage monster until temperatures dip below 75˚ Fahrenheit.

Longevity: Reading the list of notes in this fragrance you may expect relatively short lifespan on this one, especially since Givenchy almost exclusively sells only EDT version of Amarige. Don’t let the plethora of fruit notes fool you. Amarige has excellent longevity, particularly when sprayed on or near clothing or other fabrics. This is tenacious stuff, with a longevity befitting a high-end, high quality fragrance. The lingering scent is particularly lovely on fabric and clothing.

My Impression and Experience: On first spray I get a hit of juicy peach and some orange that quickly transitions into orange blossoms mixed with gardenia and tuberose. I get hints of plum but not much because the fruits disperse so quickly that it’s tough for me to differentiate peach from plum. Some sites also state Amarige’s top notes include hints of melon. I’d like to state for the record that I cannot find melon anywhere in this one. The floral notes continue to dominate for several hours but I never find the tuberose overpowering or overwhelming. On me, the mimosa in Amarige never takes a turn toward that unwashed (dirty) note that can become unpleasant. The scent remains warm and enveloping; sensual but not dirty. The scent is always available and never evaporates which is gratifying, particularly in this generation of short-lived citrus vanillas. It’s strong without suffocating despite its largely floral heart. It is always charming; always pretty and eternally feminine.

Bottle: The Amarige bottle was designed by Pierre Dinand, taking as its inspiration the ruffled sleeves of the “Bettina blouse” Hubert de Givenchy created for another muse, model Bettina Graziella.

Beauty in Simplicity – The Amarige Bottle Designed by Pierre Dinand

Price and Where to Buy:
Amarige is available at most major department stores in the USA (Belk, Dillards, Macy’s Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s etc.). ULTA and Sephora stores also carry most Givenchy fragrances. Interestingly, Sephora and Givenchy beauty (including Givenchy’s Fragrance House) are owned by the same parent conglomerate, LVMH. In recent years, Amarige has become available at lower price points from discount chains (Walmart etc.) and drugstores. Unfortunately, the quality of the EDTs sold at these stores is not the same as the bottles sold at department stores and cosmetics retailers. I recommend saving your money and purchasing a more expensive bottle for best quality and most reliable perfume experience.

Brand History: Hubert de Givenchy grew to prominence as an haute couture fashion designer in the 1950s and 1960, making a name for himself primarily as the signature designer for his muse Audrey Hepburn. His work was prominently displayed throughout each one of Ms. Hepburn’s movies. One need only watch such glamorous films as Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Charade to see the extraordinary results of this collaboration. In 1957, Givenchy created L’Interdit EDT as a tribute to Audrey. The same year the fashion house released Le De Givenchy and other successful fragrances followed. Givenchy Beauty is owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH. Read more about LVMH beauty and fashion houses here.

Read more about Amarige and Givenchy Beauty here.

Read the full Fragrantica Summary and Reviews here.

Wisdom for the Day:
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Take for yourself the finest spices: 12½ pounds of liquid myrrh, 6¼ pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6¼ pounds of fragrant cane, 12½ pounds of cassia, and one gallon of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a scented blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be holy anointing oil…“Tell the People: This will be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations. It must not be used for ordinary anointing on a person’s body, and you must not make anything like it using its formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you.” ~Exodus 30:22-25, 31-32 (NIV)
Read more here.

Milani’s Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer – Product Review

Milani Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer

When YouTube Beauty experts began touting a new drugstore foundation that provided water-resistant full coverage for less than $10, I was super excited. I went to multiple drug stores across our area. I ultimately located a single bottle in a CVS store over an hour from our home (thank you online product locator!). I waited to try the product until I found another bottle in a second shade. Another family member heard about my searching and found a couple of stray bottles in her town so I ended up with 3 bottles of this tough-to-come-by product. But alas, after all that effort and all the hype, I was pretty disappointed because it just didn’t look very good on me. The coverage was there but it seemed to emphasize every tiny bit of texture on my face. Worst of all, it settled in the crows feet around my eyes. That’s an unpardonable foundation sin in my eyes (no pun intended). So I set all 3 bottles aside, writing the whole experience off as yet another makeup disappointment in along the way in the endless search for my holy grail foundation.

A few days later I noticed those bottles and got to thinking about all the effort that went into obtaining them so I decided to play with it a little to see if I could make it work for me. I really wanted to like it because inexpensive foundations with this level of coverage do not come along every day. When I was younger, not that much younger, but before I got married and before I had our daughter playing with makeup was fun. Now it’s more of a chore because I don’t have a lot of time to do it, but I happened to have a few minutes on this day to play. So I took my time and prepped my skin with a good moisturizer and sunscreen. I allowed it sink in and then blotted my face before applying a primer which I allowed to set for a god 5 minutes. Then I used a damped beauty blender® and applied 2 pumps of this foundation along with another couple of products (explained in a separate post) and set it with a powder. You know what? It’s a really beautiful foundation! I discovered that even those of us with dry or mature skin can wear this foundation and have a lovely result. I have come to the conclusion that most people can’t just slap this foundation on and expect it to be pretty. It’s tricky for both dry and oily skins alike. But with proper prep it’s lovely; has a beautiful full-coverage finish and long wear-time. It may not be realistic for you to go through the prep to wear this everyday. But at this price point, Milani’s Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer deserves strong consideration for a spot in your beauty top drawer lineup.

MILANI Conceal+Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation+Concealer. Photo from Milani.com

Price: $9.99 for a 1 oz. pump

Color Range: Milani created 14 shades this foundation in 14 shades most of which are neutral, with varying levels of yellow or red undertones. It’s worth noting that several reviewers have complained that the lightest shade, 01 (Creamy Vanilla), is too dark and/or too yellow for very pale complexions. I can successfully wear shade 03 (Light Beige) or 04 (Medium Beige) and noticed that several of the shades are workable for light-medium skin tones. I’ve also noticed that most drugstores only carry a few shades; that none of the Walmarts in our area carried this foundation; and that none of the stores carried any of the darker shades which was really disappointing.

This product has a lot in common with Urban Decay’s recently launched “All Nighter” Foundation (similar texture, coverage and longevity promises). But while Milani offers fewer shade options, those shades don’t tend to darken, change colors on the dry-down or noticeably oxidize which are common complaints among reviewers at Makeup Alley of All Nighter.

Coverage: This is FULL coverage friends! Full. Coverage. Lots of foundations promise full coverage, but this one delivers. 2 Pumps was fully sufficient to cover my whole face with a damp sponge. I had enough left over to cover some sun spots on my chest and touch up some red areas around my nose that always need extra coverage.

Re Milani’s claim that this doubles as a concealer – yes and no. As I mentioned above, additional layers or spot application quickly and easily covered and sun spots or minor discoloration but it is not sufficient to cover the puffiness and dark circles under my eyes. For that, I need to mix the foundation with high-powered concealer.

Texture + Finish: The texture of this one could be described as a liquid/cream hybrid. The finish is more satin than matte with a hint of luminosity that is flattering at first, especially on dryer skin. However, it can emphasize any uneven texture or flaws on the skin and may not flatter oilier skin types.

Wear: Milani claims this foundation is waterproof and wears all day, and “works around the clock to keep skin looking naturally perfect.” This will wear at least 6 hours with a silicone-based primer. And because the finish is more satin than matte, I’d recommend setting it with powder, even for drier skins and especially for those with combo to oily skins. Oily skins will get the longest wear by using a mattifying primer underneath. Dry skins should be careful not to use an oil-based moisturizer or sunscreen product before applying this foundation. Because this is an oil-free foundation it won’t react well to oil-based products and that oil will in fact cause the foundation to break apart, shortening the its longevity.

Application: Milani recommends the following application, “Apply a dime-sized amount of product with fingertips or a brush beginning at the center of the face, blending outward.” I prefer applying this with a damp beautyblender® type sponge. I had some success using my finger as well, but I just really dislike apply foundation with fingers. For some reason I dislike the feeling of it on my fingers and hands. Has nothing to do with the texture of this particular product. Actually, if you enjoy using your fingers to apply foundation, this may be a good match for you because the warm of your fingers may help you spread this around. Because it’s thicker than your typical liquid foundation (MUF’s Ultra HD Foundation for example), I found that applying it with a brush left streaks and just wasn’t very pretty. I wouldn’t try it unless you’re lucky enough to own an Artis (oval 7) foundation brush. To avoid creasing, I’d recommend setting this with powder, even for drier skins but especially for those with combo to oily skins.

Skin Beneficial Ingredients: This foundation is composed primarily of water and a mix of multiple silicones (all the silicones highlighted below) as well as various oil-free emollients including glycerins and wax. This also contains a very small amount of a fruit-based (in this case plum) extract – Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract – shown to provide some antioxidant properties. But it’s way down the ingredient list and not a powerful or well-researched antioxidant so I would count on it to do very much for your skin.

Full Ingredient List: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononanoate (oil-free emollient), Cetyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Mica (shine), Glycerin (oil-free emollient), BIS-PEG/PPG Dimethicone, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Bis-Vinyl Dimethicone, Ozokerite (wax), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Beeswax (wax), Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate (oil-free emollient), Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Isododecane, Propylene Carbonate, Prunus Domestica Fruit Extract, Glycereth-18, Aluminum Dimyristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Allantoin, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, C18-21 Alkane. +/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Summary and Daily Beauty Wisdom Rating: There’s much to love about this product. But if you read the reviews, you’ll notice lots of people have trouble with it too. It’s definitely tricky. Oily skinned gals find it breaks up and gets shiny; while those with drier skin find it emphasizes rough patches and fine lines. When I first tried this foundation, I was really disappointed and was convinced it just didn’t work for me. It takes a couple of tries and sufficient prep to get it to work for you. If you have the time and patience, it can be a beautiful, cost-efficient foundation for days when you want to “go all out.” I’m loving this one now. After some trial and error, this has become my current fav. It’s even replaced Revlon’s ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup as my go-to foundation for a flawless, full coverage look. Be on the look-out for a follow-up post sharing the tricks I discovered to make this work for me!

Additional Reviews:
Influenster Reviews (4.2 / 5 star rating)
Makeup Alley Reviews (3.2 / 5 lipsticks rating)
Allure Magazine Reviews (ranked as Allure Best of Beauty for 2016 and Allure Best Beauty Steals for 2016)

Find full product detail and info at Milani’s product page here.

Wisdom for the Day:
“If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like.” ~James 1:23-24 (God’s Word Translation)
Read more here.

Daily Beauty Wisdom

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