My foundation collection

Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup- 021 Linen
-Long lasting, luminous finish. Medium to full coverage. Consistency is a bit thicker and heavier than I like but the finish is nice.

YSL Teint Resist- 05 Peach
-Long lasting, quite powdery finish when you first apply but after an hour or so it gives a satin finish. Color selection could be better. If you can find the perfect color match then this would be the perfect foundation.

Bourjois Healthy Mix- 52 Vanilla
-Long lasting, but heavily scented which could aggitate sensitive skins.  Gives a satin finish to the skin. Color is a bit too light and yellow for me.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation- 5.5 beige
-Color is good for me when I self tan. Gives a luminous glowy finish and feels really light on the skin. Medium coverage. Probably best for people with dry skin.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere- 30 Beige
-Semi-matte finish, medium to full coverage. Long lasting but you have to work really quickly with application cause it dries fast. Good for photos.

Chanel Teint Innocence Cream Compact- 2.5 Soft Bisque
-Dewy luminous finish with medium coverage that's buildable. Heavier feel since its a cream compact but good for on the go.

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation- 3.25 Cool Beige
-Natural Finish. Coverage is light but buildable. This one looks better throughout the day.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free- Light Tint
-sheer to light coverage with Semi matte finish.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer- Nude
-sheer coverage

For MAC reference I'm about a NC25.

Keira Knightley Inspired London Premiere Makeup Look

I saw a picture of Keira Knightly at the premiere of "A Dangerous Method" at MayFair Hotel in London and I thought she looked gorgeous. I tried to re-create that look but the products she used were all Chanel. I tried to match colors I had to the Chanel Eclosion Eyeshadow Quad which was used on her eyes. I do not have her eye shape so I couldn't bring the eyeliner along the outside of my inner tear duct, mine hoods over that area. She also has full bottom lashes which mine are pretty much undetectible but I used the same color scheme. Here's what I used.

Face: Chanel perfection lumiere 30 Beige, Estee Lauder double wear concealer in light
Eyes: Chanel illusion de Ombre Ebloui as a base, Inglot eyeshadow #423 on the lash line, lower lashline and outer v, Shu Uemura eyeshadow M Brown 810 crease, Lorac Cocoa eyeshadow inner crease bone, MAC Nylon eyeshadow inner corner highlight, Clinique gel eyeliner in True Black, Urban Decay 24hr eyeliner in Zero
Cheeks: NARS Laguna Bronzer, Urban Decay Score blush
Lips: Chanel Coco Rouge in Chintz

NARS Makeup Removing Water and BIODERMA

These water solution makeup removers are gentle on the skin and effective in removing all traces of makeup. I have tried Neutrogena makeup removing wipes, Neutrogena oil-free eye-makeup remover, and Almay's eye makeup remover pads and none of these work as well as the water makeup removers. I find the Neutrogena makeup removing wipes break me out and does not leave my skin feeling clean. The eye makeup removers always leave a film of grease even though it says oil-free and stings my eye if I get any inside. This was especially true with Almay's eye makeup remover pads.

The first water solution remover I've tried was Bioderma Crealine (Sensibio) H20 and I've been using this for about a year now but it's not readily available in the US. You can buy it online for about $22-$25 for a 250ml bottle. (picture is the 100ml bottle)

NARS Makeup Removing Water just came to US counters last month and it retails for $28 for a 200ml bottle. The cost of NARS is a bit higher and it comes with less product than BIODERMA.

They both are gentle on my face and do not cause any breakouts. Both products contain water and cucumber. It leaves my skin feeling clean and soft. I've used them both as eye makeup removers and they take off all my gel eye liner, mascara, and eyeshadow without stinging my eyes. I just soak the cotton pad and rest it on my eyelids for a few seconds and wipe off the residual. I've used both to take off my face make-up on days I do not use my Clarisonic and I follow up with a cleanser. 

There are slight differences between the two products. First is of course the price. Let's say I take the higher price spectrum for BIODERMA of $25 for 250ml. It cost .10 per ml vs. NARS .112 per ml. BIODERMA  also comes in 3 sizes that I know of. They have a small travel size of 100ml, a regular size of 250ml and a bigger size which has 500ml of solution. NARS only comes in one size for now, so it's not convenient for travelling. However, NARS is available in the US and you can only purchase BIODERMA online if you live in the US so you probably have to factor in shipping cost (unless you get free shipping :)). Second is the packaging. NARS removing water is more luxurious and sleeker but has a twist on cap whereas BIODERMA has an attached flip-up cap. Not a deal breaker but I like the flip cap of BIODERMA since I don't have to use two hands to open it. Lastly, I do find NARS makeup removing water has a slight scent to it whereas BIODERMA does not. It's almost like an alcohol scent which it does not contain but that's the best way I can describe it. 

Based on price for amount of prodcut and they both do pretty much the same thing, I would probably go back to BIODERMA when I run out of the NARS makeup removing water. I do however feel NARS is a bit more gentle to the skin which leaves it slightly softer and less red after cleansing, it might be because it contains Chamomilla. That being said, BIODERMA removes makeup a bit cleaner the first time around. I guess it just depends on your preference. Hope this helps!

Instagram

Instagram is such a fun app. Here are this weeks pics. Follow me at csamantha and share your pics.

I got a new clutch and it was on sale at Saks for half off!! I love the texture and how sturdy the leather feels. 

Bag: Burberry, Pants: Habitual Audrey legging

Sister making a silly face with her huge eye glasses.

A peek a boo silky tie shirt under a knit sweater.

Essie Rose Bowl and FOTD

I've been busy with the holidays and haven't had a chance to post anything in awhile. The cold weather makes me want to stay in and not put any effort into getting dressed in the morning. Most days I simply throw on a sweater, leggings, and a knee high boots to keep me warm. I still want to look like I made a bit of an effort and to keep me from looking polished, bright red nails is the perfect solution. The one I have on is from Essie called Rose Bowl and it's a bright tomato reddish pink. It's one of their sheer gel like formulas that apply so easy and smooth. It's hard to mess this one up. Two coats and it is opaque with no streaks.

Face: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in 5.5 and Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52 vanilla (favorite foundation combo at the moment)
Cheeks: Nars Deep Throat blush, Nars Laguna bronzer
Eyes: Urban Decay Naked Palette- Naked (lids), Buck (crease), Sin and Virgin mixed (inner corner), Smog (lower lash), Clinique Cream liner in Black

Alberto Fermani Boots for Less

I've recently been getting so many compliments on these boots everytime I wear them out. Someone had asked me the other day if they were Alberto Fermani boots which retail for $625. Of course I would not shell out that kinda money for a pair of boots but it's great to have ones that look like they are more luxurious than they are. I got these Aldo knee high boots at an outlet in the summer for a steal. They were originally $170 but the store had an everything must go clearance sale so I got them for 75% off. Both are real leather and the Aldo boots are really comfortable.

The top pair is Aldo Rechtzigel and bottom is Alberto Fermani Over the Knee Boots. They look pretty much the same except the Alberto Fermani one has a full elastic seam on the back so it's entirely a pull-up style whereas the Aldo ones have a half side zip. Try looking at your Aldo Outlet store if you like this style or you can get the real deal.

Link here http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446431163&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0844511035935

What's In My Cosmetic Bag!!

These are the items in my cosmetics bag that is in my purse I carry everyday. I have more lip products than anything else because I never think about what lip color I'm going to wear when I walk out the door every morning. Most of the time I only use lip balm but I do like the option of throwing on my current favorite red lip or a nude.

From left to right:

Dior 'Rouge Dior' in Red Muse (favorite bright red at the moment)

Chanel Rouge Coco in Chintz (my go to special occasion light pinky peach, this is what I use when I go to any day-time weddings) 

FusionBeauty 'Lip Fusion' lip balm in Butterscotch (color is quite pigmented for a lip balm and conceals any redness in my lips but I do not like the scent and taste of this. I prefer non scented/taste.

MAC Viva Glam in Cyndi (very wearable sheer red) 

Revlon Super Lustrous in Primrose (best drugstore lipstick. Applies like a dream and there is no old school lipstick smell/taste you usually find in drugstore lipsticks) 

Mini Smashbox lipgloss in Pout (I hardly use lipgloss but I have it just incase I need some extra shine)

Sigma lipbrush L05 (must have for any dark lipsticks since I do not like lined lips but I do want a perfect shape)

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose (see below)

Laura Mercier Petite Eye Palette- Warm (I hardly touch-up but this is a tiny neutral palette that I have just in case I need some extra color on my eyes)

Rohto Eye Drops- Cool (for redness and I use this after I apply heavy eye makeup to brighten the whites of my eyes)

Sigma travel Blending Brush- E25 (this applies color all over the lid and blends out any harsh lines. It also the perfect size for my cosmetic pouch)

Cargo Blu-Ray Pressed Powder- 20 (to touch-up any oilyness and give a bit extra coverage on my t-zone)

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner- Zero (good basic black eyeliner just in case you go out after work and need a more night time look. Eyeliner will instantly make your eyes more dramatic)

Shiseido Perfect Mascara defining Volume- BK 901 Black (I often run out of the house and forget to apply my mascara so I always carry one. This doesn't say waterproof but it is hard to take off)

Chloe Eau de Parfum (this has to be the cutest mini perfume bottle. It is the only scent that doesnt make me nauseous with long wear)

Sigma Hollywood Glamour Flat Top Retractable Kabuki brush (I use this with my Cargo pressed powder and it's the same quality as the F80 Flat Top full size brush)

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose (I've been using this lip balm everyday. It is hydrating and gives a tint of color to my pale dry winter lips)

Coach cosmetic case (I got this years ago at the coach outlet for maybe 25-30 bucks? Kinda over anything with a logo but it is very durable and it's the perfect size. The inside is lined with nylon and outside is a coated canvas so it doesn't really get dirty and it's easy to clean. It has one large side pocket and two small side pockets on the other side)