Im moving - Please come too

Hi my Darlings this is just a super quick update, to let you all know that I am moving Blogs. Desiree's Makeup will be no longer, but don't panic a new fandangeled blog will be there to replace it. So please come check it out I promise it will have something for everyone of you, i am making it my mission to post a lot more frequently so stay tuned, you can find me here from now on ::

                                     http://www.madamerougemakeup.blogspot.com/

Thank you for reading my blog, i appreciate your time and i hope to see you all over at our new home xx

My Daily Skin Care Routine

This isn’t a how to or a text book skincare routine this is purely what I’m using at the moment and what is working for me.

In my routine I am using a alpha- hydroxy product and it is not for the faint hearted, I would really advise caution when using this type of product.

Morning routine-

I cleanse my face with my USPA Nourishing milkcleanser using my sigma cleansing and polishing tool. I follow that with the USPA renewal exfoliating tonic and then the Burts Bees eye cream. And finally  the pure c complex serum from USPA as well.. I am loving the results I get with this combination of products, my skin looks and feels smooth and hydrated.

I then proceed with my sunscreen and primer depending on if I am wearing makeup or not that day.

Evening routine –

When the day is done I remove my makeup either with the MAC cleans off oil or makeup remover wipes, depending on how lazy I’m feeling by that time of the day. I then wash my face with dermalogica special cleansing gel followed by the daily mirofoliant , then I apply the Neo strata aha15% lotion.

Now my routine is not ideal for most but after a lengthy battle with adult onset acne I have finally found a routine that works for me so I’m sticking with it for now. I have been using this basic routine for about 6 months now and I have seen my skin turn about from extremely angry and red and full of acne, to pretty clear most days. I still have the hormonal breakouts once a month but before my skin was unbearable at that time of the month now its only the odd pimple here and there. I still have quite a bit of scaring as I’m so fair it tend to really stick around, I am considering some microdermabrasion down the track.

Other than that the only other products I use is a couple of masks the Super 3 minute facial I apply after I cleanse my skin in the shower once or twice a week, and on the odd occasion I use the MAC volcanic ash mask.

So that’s it in a nut shell if you have any questions or suggestions let me know

my Latest Obsession - Illamasqua Cream Blush

The first time I visited an Illamasqua counter I was so overwhelmed by all the beautiful products I didn’t know where to start I wanted it all. But unfortunately an unlimited budget is not something I have so I had to pick a few of the many things I desperately felt I needed in my life.

Left to right- Brazen, Dixi, crush

At that time I got the rich metals pallet and a cream blush in Dixie.

Since that time I have fallen head over heals in love with the cream blushes, Dixie has become my go to blush and I have to make myself reach for something else at times.

The pigment is amazing and gives the skin a beautiful dewy glow and I haven’t found a skin tone that this colour doesn’t look great on.

 The texture of the cream blushes is beautiful, so smooth and creamy they apply really well with a brush and emulsify wonderfully when applied with your fingers (my favorite way to apply this product).

I have since purchased two more of the cream blushes in Brazen and crush, I am looking forward to growing my collection as soon as I can. I would recommend the Illamasqua Cream Blushes to anyone who loves cream blushes, or is looking to give them a try, you will not be disappointed.

Brazen - Dixi - Crush

The most anticipated weekend of the year-IMATS- ABBW2011

Well the makeup even of the year is almost here, what is it I here you say, none other that the International Makeup Artist Trade Show or IMATS as its commonly known.

It coincides with the other most anticipated event that is the ABBW2011, the Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend. A whole weekend of amazing event created by the incredible Jacie from http://www.youvegotnail.com/, and Kimmi from http://www.theplasticdiaries.com/, with over 80 beauty bloggers from around the country in attendance it promises to be a cracker of a weekend.

This will be the third year I will be making the trip to Sydney town to join in the festivities.

There is a fab tag floating around the blogosphere all about IMATS so I thought I would have a go.

What am I most looking forward to????

That’s hard to narrow down, meeting some of the wonderful people I have “met” online but have yet to have the pleasure of their company, Seeing all the new products and tools available, and being surrounded by like minded people who share my love for all things makeup.

What am I hoping to purchase????

I’m hoping to pick up some more brushes from crown and royal and lannickle. I also want to get some more inglot freedom systems and some more of their lip paints.  

I really want to have a look at what’s new in airbrush makeup I’m always on the hunt for something new and different. I am also interested in finding a portable airbrush system.

I will probably pick up some OCC lip tars, it doesn’t matter how many I own I can always find a new colour that inspires me.

I will also be on the hunt for a new liquid/ cream foundation to add to my kit.

I am also really excited to check out the hakuhodu brushes, I have seen them previously but I am keen to add some to my brush collection soon.

There are two many wonderful retailers to mention I am sure I will make some unplanned purchases due to the multitude of awesomeness that is IMATS, I can hardly contain my excitement.

For more info on IMATS – http://www.imats.net/

All you need to know – http://www.theabbw.com/

Its all about colour baby - Kit cosmetics Viva La Colour

I was super excited to be invited along to the release of Kit cosmetics new Viva la colour range. I was given the most wonderful makeover by one of the fantastic artist at the Brisbane city store. I have only had my makeup done by someone else on a few occasions, so I really enjoyed being pampered.

The colours in the range are incredible, the minute you walk into the store the bright colours of the products and the packaging instantly make you smile.

The beautiful pallet containing 12 mineral eye shadows, 4 mineral blush, 2 cream blush, and 6 lipsticks caught my eye instantly, it was so compact and versatile I wanted it in my life. At $69.95 it was a great buy, but I talked my self out of it at the time, because I already own so much makeup did I really need it???

As well as the makeup application I was also given 2 of the products from the range, I picked a blush in the colour peachy keen and a lipstick in the colour fire starter a beautiful pinky coral.

 I didn’t own a kit lipstick until this one and I am really impressed the product is beautiful, it applies so well it has a creamy finish that feels amazing on the lips and the pigmentation is fantastic.  The thing I was most impressed by is the packaging it doesn’t feel flimsy at all it is really sturdy and I don’t have to worry about it getting damaged in my handbag.

The artist also used Kits mineral foundation on me and I was really happy with the results the coverage was great, and my skin felt fantastic I couldn’t stop touching it, it didn’t feel like it had makeup on at all it felt hydrated and silky, I will be adding some to my collection ASAP.

When I arrived home my mind kept wandering back to that beautiful pallet, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. After seeing how well the products lasted on my face I felt I would most definitely get a lot of use out of it, so I jumped on the kit cosmetics website and ordered the baby.

Since it has arrived I have found myself reaching for it everyday, the colours are really versatile and I find I can achieve a multitude of look from the one pallet.

I think I may have to make another order the nail polishes in this range are super cute as well.

MAC Face and Body Foundation - Review

I have been using MAC’s face and body foundation personally and in my Kit for about 12 months now, and it is on of the products I get asked the most about.

I think it is a product people get scared of because of its name, people tend to think there is something complicated about the way this foundation needs to applied. But it’s simply a sheer coverage foundation that is commonly used on the face as well as the body.

The foundation delivers a very sheer coverage with a dewy finish, it gives that “my skin but better” look that works really well for people with reasonable skin. I wouldn’t recommend this product to people that love a full coverage, it is buildable but only from sheer to a light/medium coverage.

It does give a beautiful natural finish but I find it can feel slightly sticky.  If I use a translucent powder it does settle, I have also set this with the MAC mineralized skin finish natural for a semi mat finish.

If my skin is behaving its self I can get away with this foundation but if I have a few breakouts I don’t feel that this gives me enough coverage.

I do use this a lot in my kit as it looks really natural on the skin so it works well in photography and film, I also use this a lot for teens as it isn’t to heavy.

I prefer to apply this either with a traditional foundation brush or with a wet beauty pod, I have also put this through my airbrush and achieved a great result.

The price of this foundation is one of the huge selling factors for myself, and a lot of others out there. It works out so economically  that is a great addition to a makeup artist’s kit.  At $60 for a huge 120ml bottle compared to your standard foundation size of 30 mls, what a ripper I am well and truly sold, on both performance and price.

sunscreen review

I am the first to admit that i have been lazy with sun protection in the past. Especially for my face, i am quite pale and have been pretty good with sunscreen for my body over the years but on a daily basis my face has been forgotten.
I am always vigilant with the kids and they all get smothered with sunscreen everyday before school and on the weekend, but i never think to put it on myself.

Recently i have started using an AHA products on my face and the warning about using a sun protectant were to glaring to dismiss. 

One of the main reasons i don't like to apply sunscreen to my face is the grease factor, i have had no luck finding something that will protect my skin but also sit well under my makeup.

So when i spotted USPA Organic Sun Defense SPF 20 while i was in a salon recently i was keen to give it a try.

 Firstly i applied a small amount to the back of my hand to give it the first swatch test and i was pleasantly surprised the product didnt feel heavy or very greasy. The sun defense also has a really nice "herbal"sent not at all like other sunscreens.

The product does leave a shimmer on the skin not unsimilar to MAC's strobe liquid but as the product dries i find the shimmer disappears.
I personally love this product and i will continue to repurchase this one,  i love the organic nature of this product and my skin seems to love it too.
USPA products are available at selected salons or online at - http://www.uspa.com.au/store/default.asp
I have also been using other skincare items from there range and will have reviews up for them soon