Carolina Braina

4 Lipsticks I Love That No One Ever Talks About

March 25th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 31 Comments

Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery on my lips

Well, I’m sure that some people did talk about them back when they were first released, but they seem to have fallen into oblivion in favor of more recent launches…

We beauty lovers are a little like spoiled children sometimes, don’t you think? We like our brand new toys for about 10 seconds, and then we want newer, shinier things to keep ourselves entertained. 🙂

But today is a different day, and I’m bringing back the love for four these not-so-recent lipsticks I absolutely adore!

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — Clockwise from the top left corner: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rebellious Rose, Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery, Maybelline SuperStay 14HR in Fuchsia Forever, and NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage

Swatches NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Carthage Maybelline Superstay 14H Fuchsia Forever Tarte Matte Lip Tint Fiery Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick Rebellious Rose — L-R: NARS Carthage, Maybelline Fuchsia Forever, Tarte Fiery, Estée Lauder Rebellious Rose

1. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage ($28)

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The Ultimate Italian Makeup Look May Not Be What You Expect

March 23rd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 34 Comments

“Italians are always well-dressed.”

Who hasn’t heard that one at least once in their life?

It’s one of many stereotypes about Italians and, just like any stereotype, it’s not entirely true…but it does have a kernel of truth to it.

In my experience, people here are generally very concerned with the way they look, and they’ll usually put a lot of thought into what they wear.

There’s also a general sense of decorum that people are expected to observe. For instance, you’ll never see college students go to class in sweats and flip-flops. Here, dressing appropriately and looking nice are real social conventions.

So, what is makeup’s role in a country where most people always try to dress well and look good?

Well, Italians don’t normally use as much makeup as you might expect. A typical Italian look, which I’ve recreated for you today, will usually feature very few products.

Care to know which ones? 🙂

Foundation (often a shade too dark)

Italian Makeup Look — The foundation I’m wearing today is Diego Dalla Palma 2 W. W. Mattifying Foundation in 43 Warm Beige

That’s for two main reasons. The first one is that many people think the purpose of foundation is to make them look tanned, while the second one is that it’s pretty hard for those here with lighter skin tones to find the right color match.

The lightest shade of foundations from Italian brands will usually be my skin tone or darker and, although I’m pretty pale, I’m definitely not the palest. Even international brands will often have a more limited shade range here than abroad.

Bronzer

Most Italians don’t contour very much, but they definitely like to bronze. A LOT.
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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 2: Neve Cosmetics

March 22nd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Eyeshadow Palette Italian Makeup — My mug shot with the Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Palette. I was arrested for possession of too much makeup!

Neve Cosmetics, eh?

Neve is the Italian word for snow, and while any other day I’d start by telling you all about the beautiful reason behind this name, today I can’t associate anything positive to any form of water falling from the sky.

This is because it’s been raining for two awful weeks, and my meteoropathic self can’t take it anymore.

If you follow my blog, then you’ll know that it all started with me evoking an ancient curse and triggering the wrath of the gods, so I shouldn’t really complain, since this horrible weather is all my fault (*goes to cry in the corner*).

Instead of moaning, I should focus on the flowers in my metaphorical garden, just as Karen taught me. 🙂

Neve Cosmetics Blush Garden Tuesday Rose cream blush — Neve Cosmetics Tuesday Rose from the Blush Garden

Neve Cosmetics definitely adds many flowers to my garden, including this adorable rose blush and the inspiring philosophy behind the brand… They think that, just like snowflakes, all people are different and beautiful in their own unique way, and I personally share the same view. I believe that makeup should enhance your natural beauty, rather than mask it.

The Turin-based company also adds flowers to the lives of many by supporting nonprofits that help humans and animals alike, and all of their products are cruelty-free and free of silicones, parabens and petroleum products.

Neve Cosmetics Italian Makeup — Neve Cosmetics products are all made in Italy with high quality ingredients

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 1: Diego Dalla Palma

March 18th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 19 Comments

If you were to ask me which beauty brand you should check out first on your next trip to Italy, without a doubt, I’d point you in the direction of Diego Dalla Palma.

Well, thinking about it, I’d actually ask about your taste and budget first, but based on my personal taste, that would definitely be the answer.

Diego Dalla Palma is a famous Italian makeup artist who launched his own cosmetic range in the late ‘70s. After starting off as a professional line, it has slowly but surely evolved into a mainstream high-end brand that can be found in most profumerie (beauty stores) and department stores across the country.

Diego Dalla Palma’s vast range includes everything from makeup to skin and hair care, which I’m sure can be a little overwhelming for someone exploring the brand for the first time. So, in case you ever find yourself in front of DDP’s mammoth display and have no clue where to start, today I’m sharing with you my five favorite products of the moment.

Powder Blush in 13 Orange Peach (€27.90/$30.30)

Aside from the virtually useless brush (unless you have a niece or daughter, in which case I’m sure she’ll know how to put it to good use), I love everything about this matte blush. It’s the perfect peachy shade; has just the right amount of pigment (as it’s not too sheer nor crazy pigmented); a smooth, finely milled texture and great wear time.

2 W.W. Mattifying Foundation (€33.90/$36.80)

About this foundation, let me get the not-so-good out of the way first. A) It has a distinct floral scent that I’m not a big fan of, but since it dissipates in a matter of minutes, I can personally live with it. B) As it happens with most (if not all) Italian foundations, the shade range doesn’t cater to the fairest or deepest skin tones.

OK, done. Now we can focus on what I LOVE about this product.

Look at the packaging! That sleek plastic tube with its highly efficient pump perfectly embodies the essence of Milan style. It’s practical and understatedly elegant. Isn’t it brilliant? I totally think it is, but in case you don’t give two hoots about packaging, you’ll be happy to know that what’s inside is even better.

Despite being formulated with combination/oily skin in mind, I think this foundation can actually suit a wider range of skin types, including normal and moderately dry — especially in the warmer months. It’s not excessively matte, doesn’t sink into pores and doesn’t emphasize fine lines or dry patches. It just looks like your skin — well, a perfected version of it.

Lip Pencil in 87 Orange (€18.90/$20.50)

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How to Get the Most Natural Rosy Flush With a Super Bright Blush

March 16th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 13 Comments

Am I the only one who gets mesmerized by pretty colors?

Like, sometimes I go to Sephora just to have a look around (as if…!), and the next thing I know I’m exiting the store with a hot pink or bright coral blush in my shopping bag.

Beautiful? Very.

But nine times out of 10, too bright for my corpse-like winter complexion.

I mean, I can usually get away with powder products by using a very light hand, but when creams are involved, it’s not always that simple.

So, the sad fate of those poor impulse buys is to gather dust in my stash for at least one half of the year… Wait, did I just say “IS to gather dust”?? Sorry, I meant “WAS”.

Yes, “was”, because I’ve finally found a way to use those overly bright cream blushes to get the most natural rosy flush. If the situation I described above sounds even vaguely familiar, you may want to listen to this.

Before we start, go grab a pigmented cream blush of your choice, a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer and a beauty blender…

Got ’em?

Cool! Now, apply the blush on your cheeks using your fingers, without worrying about blending it out. I’m using YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in 05 Rouge Effrontée.

Unless you purposely want to sport that Heidi look (I’m talking about the Girl of the Alps here, not the famous supermodel) or look like you’re going to an ‘80s party, now is the time to tone the blush down and blend it out a bit.

So, using your beauty blender, dab the foundation or tinted moisturizer on top of it (I’m using Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet in shade B20) and anywhere else, and it’s important that you use dabbing motions, rather than swiping; otherwise, you’ll risk rubbing the blush off.

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Many Things in Life — Including Your Makeup Game — Can Benefit From a Different Angle

March 11th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 26 Comments

Bologna Asinelli Tower — Torre degli Asinelli, Bologna’s tallest medieval tower, as seen from two different angles

“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science beauty”. — Albert Einstein

Sorry, Bertie, I hope you’re not turning in your grave. But, you know, your quote can totally apply to any field — including beauty.

You really were a genius, after all…

Yes, because regarding problems from new angles is a great way to go, I think. If you’re stuck seeing things from a single point of view, you’ll never grow nor improve and, most importantly, you’ll never solve your most troublesome makeup problems (HA!), like:

Does applying eyeliner to your waterline bother you?
Do your filled in brows look like illustrations in a coloring book (that is, like a solid block of color)?
When you apply lip liner all over your lips, does it feel scratchy and uncomfortable? And does it look uneven?

If you answered yes to any of the above, today’s your lucky day, because we’re about to solve your problems!

YOU JUST NEED TO CHANGE YOUR ANGLE. *Cue heavenly choir and rays of glorious sunlight.*

More specifically, you need to change the angle of your pencil. Next time you do your makeup and you’re using a pencil product, try angling it so that you’re using the side of the tip, rather than the point.

It’ll be life-changing, I promise.

How to Apply Eyeliner to Waterline — No more tingly feeling! And you can do this on the upper waterline, as well.

How to Apply Brow Pencil — Harsh brows, begone! Especially if you have dark brows, using the point of your pencil can easily make them look too strong.

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Rambling Thoughts on Italy’s Two Souls, Feat. Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Memories of an Amazing Vacation in the Italian Deep South

March 9th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 30 Comments

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro 400 The Red Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick Devil 620 — Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 400 The Red ($38) and Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Devil 620 ($34.50)

Italy has two very different souls, which coincide with its geographical extremes — the north (where I live) and the south.

For example, think about Milanese Giorgio Armani and Sicilian Dolce & Gabbana, Italy’s most influential designers… Could they be any more different?

Giorgio Armani perfectly embodies the soul of Milan, Italy’s financial center, located in the north. He is famous for designing everyday clothing for the career woman, and his signature piece is the white-collar uniform par excellence: the suit.

In 2009, he “invented” the always-appropriate greige color, a mix of grey and beige, which has since gained huge popularity in the beauty world as well (hello, Chanel Particulière nail polish!).

And after the ever-impeccable Cate Blanchett became the face of the Sì fragrance in 2013, “King Giorgio” stated that she perfectly represents the woman he designs for. This, in my opinion, says a lot about his style, which I’d personally describe in two words: elegant, understated.

Stefano Dolce and Domenico Gabbana are from Italy’s southernmost region, Sicily, and their creations strongly exude Sicilian passion and tradition. Their most iconic piece is the bustier dress, and Sicilian black lace is their most used fabric. While Armani invented greige, Dolce & Gabbana made leopard print their signature.

Unsurprisingly, the celebrity who had the biggest role in establishing their worldwide popularity was Madonna. The Sicilian duo and the queen of pop share the same provocative, innovative style, a style both sexy and loud.

I think the differences between these designers really do reflect the actual differences between northern and southern Italy.

The north is more heavily industrialized than the south, and there’s more of a feeling that time is money. For instance, in the south, it’s considered rude, when randomly meeting someone you know, to not stop to talk to them extensively, while in the north, doing that is sometimes seen as impolite, because you might be keeping the other person from things they need to do.

The north is more modern, while the South is deeply attached to traditions and religion (I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but Dolce & Gabbana’s jewelry collection features lots of cross-shaped earrings and pendants).

People from the south tend to have a flashier style than northerners, who are usually more low-key.

Southerners are often loud and flamboyant, while northerners are more reticent to show their feelings and emotions. Screaming through the window at your friend who lives in the opposite building is perfectly normal in the south, while in the north it’s seen as terrible manners.

Something that you can’t see by just looking at Armani and Dolce & Gabbana is that many southerners are often very hospitable. If you’re ever invited to have dinner at a southern Italian’s, expect it to last five hours, and expect yourself to eat at least half your own body weight in one meal. And if you ever meet someone from the south, rest assured that they are going to invite you to dinner — and there will be no way you’ll be able to decline.

Also, expect acts of gratuitous kindness in southern Italy. A few years ago I went on vacation to Salento (the southernmost part of Italy’s heel) with two friends, and I remember being completely astonished that a gas station attendant had cleaned our dirty windshield for free, without us even asking. Things like that don’t really happen often (read: never) here in the north because, as I said, time is money!

I have truly amazing memories from that vacation in Salento. The beaches were gorgeous, the people were kind and the food was delicious…

Salento Italy Sant'Andrea beach — Sant’Andrea Beach, Salento, Italy

Stuffed Focaccia Salento Italy — A mouth-watering stuffed focaccia, a local specialty

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Crazy Colors Made Wearable: A Question of Balance

March 4th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 41 Comments

Wearable Bright Makeup — MAC Lipstick in Heroine ($17) on my lips

If you know me (and chances are you don’t yet, but I do hope we get there!), then you’ll know that I love color, especially when it comes in the form of a TF-engraved bullet — but I’m not one to underestimate the power of purple eyeshadow or teal liner either.

Yet the comments I get the most on my blog are when I wear natural, classic looks. Which got me wondering… How’s that even possible? Can you wear colorful makeup and still look natural?

Well, as a matter of fact, YES, I think you totally can! As with everything in life, it’s a question of balance.

Which simply means that if you play something up, you should play something else down. So, if you’re using bright shades on your eyes or lips, in order to get well-balanced, natural-looking makeup, my main suggestion is to go very minimal with your base and brows. Let me explain this in more detail…

Start with a light base

Even though I often have quite a few blemishes to conceal, I usually like to apply a lightweight foundation (my oily skin loves Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet, because it’s matte, yet luminous), and then use a full-coverage concealer only on my problem areas, so that the end result is very natural and not mask-like at all.

Contour subtly with powder products

Since cream contour can often look too heavy and harsh, I recommend opting for sculpting powders, which are not as easy to overdo.

Skip the highlight

I know highlighters are all the rage these days, but in my opinion the very shimmery/metallic ones can look pretty artificial. If you feel like your complexion looks too dull and flat, try using something more understated like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders or a highlighting blush.

Keep your brows as natural possible

I think this is really crucial to balance out those crazy hues. Very strong, sculpted brows can easily make you look overdone, so my suggestion is to either use a tinted gel to define and set in one single step, or a pencil to very lightly fill them in (for a softer look, try using the side of the tip rather than the point).

Ditch those falsies and black liner

Although your Instagram or Pinterest feeds are probably suggesting that makeup isn’t complete without falsies and thick black liner, I personally disagree. In my opinion, if you’re going for a colorful, yet fresh-faced look, you can just skip them altogether. OR, if you find that lashings of mascara aren’t enough to define your eyes, I suggest adding a very thin line with a little flick and/or individual lashes.
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