This is one of my favorite pictures!

Blush: Brushes, Colors & Powder or Cream?

You want a healthy, natural colour?  Then let’s introduce you to my dear friend Blush.  Blush has the ability to bring a youthful dewy glow and is simple.  Apricot and pink blush colours are definitely my favourite.   When I want more of a dramatic effect, I’ll use a darker colour.  

I want to start off with brushes.  Attached is a picture of some of my favourite MAC Cosmetic brushes I use.  These five brushes are my BFF’s when it comes to applying blush.  The 109 Small Contour Brush is used on your face to apply, blend and/or contour powder products, it blends colour smoothly into your skin.  The 116 Blush Brush is perfect for shading and highlighting your cheeks and face.   The 129 Powder/Blush Brush is more of an all purpose brush that can be used with blush or face powder.  The 168 Large Angled Contour Brush picks up a perfect amount of product and helps contour your cheekbones.  The 182 Buffer Brush is my have to have tool.  It helps blend product into your skin.  I usually take the blush colour I plan on using and apply it first onto the cheek area with brush 182 and then take a blush shade a bit darker and apply it to cheekbones with a 168 brush for a more defined finish.

When selecting a colour, my best advice is look for a colour that matches your cheeks when they are flushed.  Take a look in the mirror after you’ve just come in from the cold or after exercising.  You’ll want blush to look natural.  With fair complexions try rose, olive complexions try peach and dark complexions try apricot.  Another trick when picking the right shade of blush is finding one that matches your lip colour.  Or simply just pinch your cheeks.

For best results, skin should be prepped and foundation applied. When applying blush, always start with less and then you can add more if needed.  Take your brush with blush on it and tap it at least twice to get rid of any excess blush.  Place the brush onto the apple of the cheekbones and blend backwards.  Stay 2 finger widths away from your nose and use the brush to blend backwards towards your hairline.  Sweep the brush back and forth on your cheek.  Make sure you look at what you’ve applied from all angles this way you’ll know it’s completely blended in and there are no visible edges.  Blush should not go below the bottom of your nose or any closer into the center of your face than the iris of your eye.  If you find that you look pale after you’ve applied blush to your cheeks you can also apply a small amount of blush to your forehead (where the sun normally hits the face).  Want to give your eyes sparkle?   Applying blush by your eyes helps.

Blush comes in powder, cream, liquid or gel form.  Powder blush is the most commonly used and is usually good for all skin types and easiest to apply.  Powder blush is best applied after face powder and is best for oily skin.  Cream blush provides a more intense shade than powder blush and should be used sparingly and blended well.  I would recommend applying cream blush with your fingers and it contains moisturizing ingredients which make it suitable for dry skin.  Always apply cream blush over foundation and before you use face powder.  Liquid or gel blush provides strong and concentrated colouring.  It lasts longer. Liquid blush helps aid a sheer glow to your face and is considered to work best with oily to normal skin.  Liquid blush dries fairly fast so it’s hard to spread onto dry skin.  Apply it over foundation or onto your bare skin.

For over applied powder blush, use a translucent powder on top to calm down the colour.  If cream blush is over applied, blot the colour off with a tissue.

Distillery Masks

These are mask chairs in Toronto's Distillery District.  I had to take a picture of them!

'Pretty City'

Took this picture on Polson Street, I heart my city!!!

Blog Suggestion Winner!!

RDBG held a blogging idea contest on our Facebook Fan Page and asked what you would like us to blog about next.  Amazing ideas were written on our wall and we thank each and every one of you for your suggestions. After we carefully went through each item written, we decided to go with Courtney Toffoli’s suggestion.  

Courtney wrote;

‘Blush so we don't have another lindsey lohan court disaster. So how to pick the right shades... what's better powder or cream...’

The Lindsey Lohan reference did give us quite a chuckle and we have to admit, who really wants to walk out of their house looking like a clown?  Hopefully (I’m crossing my fingers) you all feel the same way.  If it’s Halloween, you work as a clown, you just want to stand out in the crowd or whatever the case may be, sure then knock yourself out and go nuts with wearing blush.  If it makes you happy then no matter what anyone says just do it up! 

Thank you Courtney for your suggestion!  As promised, you get a free RDBG cut & style and we look forward to seeing you!

Coming up next: 'Blush: Brushes, Colors & Powder or Cream?'

Where you at R.A.G.E.?

I just realized that the last time I blogged was in June!  YIKES! 

I want to apologize for the time it took me to write this.  It does feel like forever since I last wrote to you and I plan on making up for loss time!

I have a few things going on that I'd like to share with you...

STAY TUNED...

All The Rage?!

There's not a day that goes by where someone doesn't ask me "Why Rage?". So time and time again, I reply "What do you mean?". Low and behold, I always get the same answer...  "But doesn't Rage mean something bad?". And so I respond "No, everyone has a little RAGE inside!". ;)

I'm dedicating this blog to all whom are wondering why I chose 'Rage'. Let me fill you in on why I feel that Rage is an important aspect in each and everyone of us. 

Rage, presumably, is interpreted negatively by most at first thought, however there are many definitions... Following are two that I'd like to highlight;

' A current, eagerly adopted fashion; a fad or craze' 
 'A burning desire; a passion.'

There are many fashion trends being placed in the spotlight that once available, there's a little extra RAGE to be the first to rock it.  Whether you've noticed that jumpsuits are everywhere or that it's time for some 'Colour Blocking' on your feet, hands, face or wardrobe - they're all considered 'Must Haves' and we may feel the dire need to own them in order to fit the bill of a fashionista.

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you could envision yourself doing anything to get it?  Maybe it’s your dream job, home, car, relationship, a pair of shoes that you didn’t buy that are now haunting you in your sleep or working your butt off at the gym to kick those last 5 pounds to the curb... All you know is that, you want it so you’re going to do what you can to have it. That right there my friends, is what I consider desire at its core and passion. 

Most of us envision ourselves in such a way that shines through our overall look.  Just ask that brunette you know who'll never go blond again or ask your blond friend about the time she had dyed her hair dark and instantly regretted it.

Desires and passions are manifested when the beauty industry advertise their products and instill the want to mimic their image. We all have a specific image for ourselves, and do our best to flip that image into reality. I see no harm in wanting to unleash your inner diva, to look and feel your personal best!

This is why I chose the word Rage.  I ignore the negative feelings associated with it and emphasize the positive! 

Visit my website at www.ragedesignsbygina.com to learn why I feel that Rage is an important part of both you and I in the 'About Us' section.