Carolina Braina

The Perfectly Imperfect Smudged Liner, AKA the Ultimate Bada$$ Look

June 8th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 27 Comments

Smudged Liner Look How To — Messy hair and smudged black liner is what I like to call “The Ultimate Bada$$ Look”, LOL!

If you knew me in real life, you’d know that I smile a lot and, most of the time, have a pretty friendly face.

Like, for instance, I’m one of those people who always get asked for directions in the street. I even got asked for directions in Copenhagen, even though I don’t exactly look like your typical Danish girl, right?

But if you knew me really well, then you’d also know that I’m not always that easy to approach… I mean, if I don’t want to be approached, I know how to make sure no one does it.

Like, at my old job, I was friends (or at least friendly) with most of my colleagues, but there were a couple of fake, toxic people I really couldn’t stand.

Whenever I wanted to be 100% sure they wouldn’t bother me, I’d make my “I’ll-take-no-sh*t” face, and they wouldn’t even dare come near me.

Basically, I’d never take my eyes off the computer screen, and just look like I was very, VERY pissed off. I swear it always worked.

A L W A Y S.

In case the “I’ll-take-no-sh*t” face sounds like something you may want to try, let me suggest the perfect makeup to go with it…

Well, it’s the smudged liner look! Strictly in black.

Listen to me — if you ever need a little help with your “don’t-you-dare-come-near-me” face, put your black kohl to good use, and you’ll instantly feel more bada$$, I promise! 😉

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Have a Peek Inside My Handbag!

June 6th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 16 Comments

My everyday essentials can easily fit into this tiny Dampaì Bernarda Handbag!

The beauty bits that accompany me on my daily journey could easily fit even into the smallest of my purses. I like to think that it’s because I’m so low-maintenance (HA! — I can’t even keep a straight face while saying that!), but more likely that’s because I have a bad back and the less weight I carry around, the better.

Besides my wallet, phone and keys, very few are the products that you can usually find in my purse. Let’s have a look!

Handbag Beauty Essentials — My handbag beauty essentials: KIKO Blotting Papers, BIODERMA Hydrabio Moisturizing Anti-UV Mist SPF 30, Merci Handy Hand Sanitizer, Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry (mini-size), Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed

Let’s start with my most essential essential – that is, lip balm. My favorites are the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments ($24 for the full size), because not only are they nicely moisturizing, but also add a pretty tint to my otherwise corpse-like lips.

If I’m wearing lipstick, I’ll usually pop it in my bag for any touch-ups, but lip balm is most definitely a permanent resident in there.

Coming in a close second on a scale of on-the-go essentialness are blotting papers (I use KIKO’s — $10). Being cursed with oily skin, I love how they turn me from ‘grease ball’ to ‘freshly made up’ in an instant — and no, regular tissue doesn’t work the same!

Unless it’s a special occasion, I don’t keep very much makeup in my handbag at all. Most of the time, I’m happy with just a bronzer, which I can use throughout the day to liven up my complexion. For the longest time, I used the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder ($58 at Nordstrom) in shade 50 because of the pretty decent brush it contains, but now that I’ve almost finished it up, I’ve replaced it with the slim Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed ($28 at Sephora), paired with the Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush ($9.99).

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The Forum: Answer My Beauty Questions and Ask Your Own!

June 2nd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 61 Comments

KIKO Wanderlust Free Spirit Lips & Cheek Free Flamingo Swatch — Let’s chat!

Are you down to mix things up a little?

Yeah?

Well, that’s just awesome, because today I’d like to open up a forum! My idea is that you can all ask for product recommendations or general beauty advice down in the comments. At the same time, it would be great if you could answer any questions from the other readers — and obviously, I’ll do the same!

Let me go first!

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder Universal — I need alternatives to these products!

False lashes for long lashlines?

Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of falsies and only like those natural styles that basically just make you look like you were born with great lashes.

Individuals work quite well for that, but I’d also like to get a few full-strip styles that give the same effect. The problem is that in Italy it’s pretty hard to find any falsies other than MAC’s and MUFE’s, and I don’t really want to spend that much on lashes.

I can get other brands online, but it’s not easy to choose the right ones, you know? Like, I got a pair of Ardell Demi Wispies, but the strip is too short for my big eyes… Do you think I should get the Wispies, then?

Do you have any other recommendations? What I need is affordable, natural-looking lashes with a pretty long, clear strip.

Setting powder for a dry under-eye area?

I’ve already told you numerous times that I have oily skin, but I don’t think I told you that my eye area isn’t. It’s actually more normal to dry, and I find that most setting powders tend to emphasize the dryness.

So, what’s your favorite setting powder for a dry under-eye area?

A brush for cream blush/bronzer?

I’ve mentioned here and there that lately I’ve been all about cream blushes and bronzers. I normally use my fingers to apply blushes and my Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush for bronzers, but that’s the brush I usually keep in my handbag, so I’d like to get another one.

What do you think of the Real Techniques Stippling Brush? Any other recommendations?

Now it’s your turn, ladies! Shoot any beauty-related questions you may have, and answer mine or those of the other readers if you can.

C’mon, don’t be shy. It’ll be fun! 😉

Carolina Braina

Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

The Orange Beauty Edit

May 25th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 25 Comments

Orange Beauty Products — A few of my favorite orange beauty products

I LUUURVE orange.

To me it is such a mood- and energy-boosting color… It makes me think of a summer sunset on the beach, when the sun is an orange ball of fire and everything looks magically better in its warm light.

Since orange-toned makeup is my favorite to wear at this time of the year, today I thought I’d tell you about some of my favorite products in this fun, energetic hue, including a couple of non-makeup extras.

Let’s dive right in!

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Flame ($52)

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte Flame Swatch — Wearing the Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Flame on my lips, the MADINA Prisma Blush in 03 on my cheeks, and the Essie Nail Polish in Fifth Avenue on my nails

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this lipstick. I don’t know if it’s because it’s called ‘Flame’ (apparently, I have a thing for makeup products whose names evoke fire or places in North Africa… – don’t ask), or because I got it last time I visited my favorite city in the world (AKA the City by the Bay), or because of its perfect point of red-orange that I like to wear no matter the season or time of the day… All I know is that I love it with my heart and soul, and if I had to keep only one lipstick out of my entire collection (oh gawd, the thought of giving up all my lipsticks but one is beyond horrifying… Why did I even go there?!), it would most likely be this one.

The Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Flame is the lipstick I chose to ring in my third decade on this planet, and it remained pretty much intact through an Italian-style BBQ, two desserts and numerous toasts.

Despite having a bomb staying power, it’s very comfortable on the lips and doesn’t dry them out…

Did I mention that I LOVE it?

Maybelline Color Sensational The Creamy Mattes in Craving Coral ($7.99)

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General Tips and Product Recommendations for Oily Skin

May 23rd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 32 Comments

Oily Skin Tips Products — Having oily skin, blotting paper is like an extension of my hand, LOL!

After battling oily skin my whole life (well, since my teens, more like), I think I’ve finally come to terms with it. For the way I see it, you just can’t win a battle against oily skin, so the sooner you realize and accept it, the better.

I mean, think about it. If you have oily skin, it means that your sebaceous glands produce more oil than normal… Do you really think you can change the amount of sebum you produce just by applying something on top of your skin? I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t think that’s possible.

You can use products containing oil-absorbing ingredients that do help a little, but if you really have oily skin, nothing will keep you shine-free all day. What I try to do is use products that won’t make me oilier, which unfortunately, in my experience, is not as easy as it sounds, especially because many products specifically formulated for oily skin on me have opposite effects than they promise.

But luckily, after about 15 years of trial and error, I can now say that I’m finally satisfied with my skincare regimen, and today I’d like to give you a few general tips and product recommendations that I hope may be beneficial to at least some of you.

At which point I’ll insert the usual disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist, and all the advice and recommendations in this post are solely based on my personal experience. Obviously, what works for me might not work for you.

That being said, if you have oily skin and are not satisfied with your skincare, the following tips and products might inspire you to change something in your routine that will hopefully help keep your skin under control.

Cleanse with gentle, yet effective products

You’ve probably heard it a million times already, but I’ll tell you for the million-and-oneth: cleansing properly is essential to keep your skin healthy. As an oily-skinned gal, it’s important you find the right products that get rid of any excess oil without being too stripping.

The Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser fits the bill perfectly. It’s not one of those cleansers you remove your makeup with (for that I love my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – been using it for years!), but it’s great in the morning (which is my favorite time to use it) or as a second cleanse at night.

Opt for an alcohol-free toner

The Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion is alcohol-free and contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that helps prevent any blemishes

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 11: MADINA Milano

May 19th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

MADINA Milano Italian Makeup — Wearing MADINA Exact Color Bronzer all over my face and neck, MADINA Crystal Glass Powder on my forehead and sides of the nose, MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer in the classic 3 shape, MADINA Chic & Shine Highlighting Stick on my cheekbones, and MADINA Exact Color Lipstick on my lips

You know that feeling when you fall so madly in love with someone that you wonder how you survived for so long without them? Well, it’s the exact same feeling I had when I recently tried MADINA Milano’s makeup for the first time!

The products that have stolen my heart include Pat McGrath’s favorite highlighter and a lipstick that looks good enough to eat…

Are you intrigued?

Just keep reading, then! 😉

MADINA Exact Color Bronzer (€10/$11.37)

OK, I don’t know how it does it, but the MADINA Exact Color Bronzer makes my complexion look so much better without having any actual coverage. When I apply it all over my face and neck, it gives me the most gorgeous sunkissed glow that doesn’t pull orange AT ALL, while it makes my skin look smoother and keeps it shine-free longer.

As if that weren’t enough, it also acts as some sort of tinted primer by making my foundation go on so much more easily.

I’m telling you, gurl, this is Holy Grail status.

MADINA Crystal Glass Powder (€16/$18.20)

The MADINA Crystal Glass Powder is actually not a powder, but I guess it’s called that because you can use it on top of your makeup like you would a finishing powder.

It’s basically just pure silicone that you can either use as a primer or on top of your base to minimize the look of pores and fine lines. I personally like to pat it on after foundation using the flat side of my dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I don’t use it on a daily basis, but for special occasions it really works wonders!

MADINA Crystal Glass Bronzer (€16/$18.20)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 10: puroBIO cosmetics

May 17th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 20 Comments

puroBIO cosmetics Organic Italian Makeup — Wearing the puroBIO Eyeshadow Palette in 002 Fallen Tones on my eyes, and the puroBIO Smoothing Mattifying Primer for Oily Skin, the puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01, and the puroBIO Resplendent Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 on my complexion

Organic makeup lovers, this one’s for you: I have a real treat for you today!

I’m talking about an Italian brand called puroBIO cosmetics, a range that features only organic-certified, vegan-approved makeup products that retail for very reasonable prices.

Wanna see my top picks?

puroBIO Indissoluble Compact Powder in 01 (€9.99/$11.40)

If you only get one product from puroBIO, the Indissoluble Compact Powder should be it! Thanks to its extremely finely milled texture and non-powdery finish, it’s earned itself a spot in my everyday makeup bag.

puroBIO Resplendent Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 (€9.99/$11.40)

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 9: A Face of the Day with Giorgio Armani Beauty

May 13th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 18 Comments

Armani Lip Maestro 400 The Red Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow 5 Gold Blitz — Wearing Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red on my lips, and Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz on my eyes

Let’s do something a little different today, shall we?

I’ve only ever tried two products from the Giorgio Armani Beauty range, which is definitely not enough to write one of my usual brand spotlight posts. Those two products are so good, though, that I feel like I can’t not somehow tell you about them.

I’m talking about the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red and the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz. They’ve been around for years now, but if you’ve never tried them before, here’s what you’ve been missing out on.

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red ($38)

I think the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestros were the first lipsticks in liquid form I’d ever heard of, but they couldn’t be any more different from the moisture-sucking liquid lipsticks we’re so used to seeing these days.

The Lip Maestros are so creamy, and comfy, and lush…

Applying shade 400 The Red on my lips feels like coating them in the softest velvet drape, if that makes any sense… It really makes me understand what a ‘velvet finish’ truly is. Besides, its amount of sheen and point of red are just right.

Honestly, gurl, I think this lipstick is pure perfection.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz ($35)

Speaking of pure perfection…

Aside from the hefty price tag, there’s nothing less than perfect about the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 5 Gold Blitz. It is the creamiest, most pigmented, easiest to blend eyeshadow I’ve ever tried.

Its gorgeous metallic finish makes your lids look like they’re coated in golden foil – a look they keep for hours, and hours, and hours…

For today’s face I’ve applied 05 Gold Blitz on my mobile lids with my finger and blended it out past the crease with a MAC 217 Blending Brush. Then I’ve applied it along my lower lashlines with a MAC 219 Pencil Brush and diffused the edge with ZOEVA’s 231 Luxe Petit Crease brush.

Other products used for this look include:

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