The Foundation Hunt: A dewy finish with Inika Liquid Foundation

When I received my Inika products I was beyond impressed with how beautiful and luxurious they looked. The Truly Organic Liquid Foundation impressed me that much, I have used it straight away on a beauty editorial for White Magazine here. Amazing finish right? This foundation has been winning beauty awards for years so I was excited to finally give it a go. It is very lightweight and sheer and feels softening to the skin. It is not oily at all, nor does it sit on the skin. It feels more as if it becomes one with the skin and is undetectable. It's truly an HD finish in my opinion. The most impressive fact for me was that it achieves all these results without the use of silicone.

The coverage is light to medium when built up, so it won't cover blemishes etc. but that's what a concealer is for anyways! It can be mixed with the liquid highlighter Light Reflect for a super dewy finish, but I used it on it's own and the highlighter only on cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid's bow. It works well with fingers or any foundation brush. The smell is beautiful, sublte maybe a little floral, but there is no synthetic fragrance in this, the scent simply stems from all the high quality natural ingredients. If you are hypersensitve to essential oils I suggest trying out a sample first, just in case. The super chic bottle comes with a hygienic pump. The colour range is unfortunately limited to only 4 colours at the moment, I can only cross all my fingers they will expand the range, as I would happily include this into my pro kit. The existing colours do seem to adjust very well to a variety of skin tones, due to the sheer finish.

This is a great foundation for all skin types, (maybe not for very oily due to the radiant finish) And as I mentioned before: It is sheer, so if you are after a full coverage product this is not for you. I have been wearing this a lot lately and really enjoy it! My skin felt calm and clear after removing it at night, as it is packed with skin care benefits. Inika says on their website this product blurs the lines between moisturiser and foundation- well put! I couldn't agree more.

This foundation is certified Organic, not tested on animals and vegan.

Expert Advice: Best Beauty Foods For Healthy Skin

I am very excited to have health food expert, nutritionist and food blogger Monique Cormack, sharing er expertise. I met Monique a little over a year ago when she booked me as makeup artist for her wedding. Her knowledge blew my mind, so I feel grateful that she took my invitation to write a guest post for my blog.

Having radiant, clear skin makes you feel great and is really a beauty feature in itself.  While I take care of my skin externally by using simple, natural skin care products, I also make sure to nourish my skin from within by eating an abundance of foods that support skin health and regeneration.

So, what foods are good for healthy skin? A fun and helpful way to look at this answer is to think of the qualities we would like in our skin, and see them reflected in what we choose to consume.

Clear. This one is a bit of a no-brainer; I am talking about water! It is so important to stay hydrated, this will keep your skin looking brighter and fuller. Dehydration will be reflected in sallow, dry skin and tired-looking eyes. You can help to hydrate with liquids such as water, coconut water, herbal tea and vegetable juices. Also try to consume water-rich, hydrating whole fruits and vegetables e.g. watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, berries, cucumber, tomatoes, celery and lettuce varieties.

Clean.  It’s a bit of an overused term at the moment, but by eating “clean” I simply mean to cut back on processed foods and focus on eating as many foods as close to nature as possible. Fresh produce, lean meat, fish, eggs, raw nuts and seeds, smart carbs like sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa and buckwheat can be flavoured with herbs, spices, homemade sauces and dips without any chemical additives.  By removing processed foods you will also eliminate a lot of excess sugar from your diet, which can be a key trigger for bad skin.

Fresh. Making sure that the majority of the food you eat is actually fresh food, as opposed to pre-packaged convenience food, will help you on your way to having great skin.  Add a handful of fresh spinach to your scrambled eggs or breakfast smoothie.  Enjoy an orange or an apple together with a handful of raw nuts for afternoon tea.  Make sure that your lunch and dinner includes your favourite veggies, trying to include 2-3 different varieties (aim for 2 cups of veg) for a colourful plate; by eating the rainbow, you canvass a larger number of nutrients.

Vibrant.  Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables contain various micro nutrients which help to support healthy skin. Citrus, kiwi and berries are rich in Vitamin C, essential for collagen production (collagen is a major structural protein of the skin). Dark leafy greens are packed with fibre, minerals and antioxidant compounds which will improve digestion and help eliminate toxins from the body. Orange foods like carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, an antioxidant which is also essential for skin health.

Glowing.  What helps you glisten and glow? Healthy, shiny FATS. I cannot stress enough the importance of including good quality fats if you want great skin. A number of nutrients needed for skin health, including Vitamins A, E and K, are all “fat-soluble”. This means that our digestive system absorbs them via a molecule of fat.  Include quality fats such as a few tablespoons of cold-pressed coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil and/or organic butter. Chia seeds, raw nuts and seeds, oily fish, whole eggs, avocado and tahini are also excellent healthy-fat items to regularly include in your meals.

Toned. Protein! This is used in the construction of every tissue in your body. Skin cells are constantly regenerating, so we need to make sure we regularly consume adequate protein. This might be 2 whole eggs or approximately a 150 gram serve of meat or fish; plant-based sources include nuts and seeds, legumes and protein-rich “grains” such as quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth.  If you wish to use a protein powder, choose an additive-free one (I like Sunwarrior for a vegan protein, and the Bare Blends range is also very good).

Nourish Everyday Recipe: Skin Food Smoothie Bowl

This meal is so easy to throw together very quickly and makes a great breakfast, lunch or even a light dinner if you get home late and want to eat something that’s not too heavy before you go to sleep. I have chosen to blend together a selection of ingredients that are especially great for skin health. Avocado and chia seeds for essential healthy fats and a little protein boost.  Hydrating cucumber.  Cleansing, antioxidant-rich spinach for some essential leafy greens.  Pear for sweetness and an excellent fibre hit.  Top it with berries for your Vitamin C and also a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds, which are rich in zinc (great for skin and nails) and also magnesium (great for stress management - brides-to-be this is an important mineral for you!)

You need: 1 small pear (ripe or even overripe will work best) ¾ cup cucumber chunks 1 big handful baby spinach ½ avocado 2 tsp chia seeds 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 scoop vanilla protein (I use Sunwarrior Vanilla in this) ½ cup almond/rice/coconut/oat milk ½ cup coconut water or water ½ cup berries (fresh or frozen) 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds

What to do: Core and chop the pear up into chunks. Place the pear chunks and all the other ingredients, except the berries and pumpkin seeds, into your blender and process until nice and smooth. You can thin it out with a little more liquid if you prefer. Top with berries and pumpkin seeds.  (For a more indulgent smoothie you can also add some coconut flakes and cacao nibs as shown in the picture!)

You can find Monique for even more great recipes and services over here at Nourish Everyday

Monique Cormack Contact her via her directly via her contact form or follow her on social media for her latest foodie adventures: Instagram: @nourish_everyday Facebook: Nourisheveryday Pinterest: Nourisheveryday

Bye Bye Dry Hair: Natural Hair Styling with Yarok

I am always trying to use the most cutting edge, luxurious and quality products from around the world in my kit to create effortless & natural hairstyling. My latest discovery is Yarok from NYC. Developed by editorial stylist Mordechai Alvow, this line really works. A completely natural, green hair care and styling line developed for health- and fitness minding New Yorkers that were after professional results in the founders high-end salon in NYC's Chelsea. Since it has been used backstage at several fashion shows on New York Fashion Week's catwalks. While the range is fairly small, I was able to create all looks that I imagined with the few Yarok products I tried. I quickly learned that you only require a very small amount for these products to work, as they are packed with quality ingredients and rich botanical oils. Most mainstream hair products can damage the hair with frequent use and many models have extremely damaged hair due to the frequent styling. I know hair stylists that have dermatitis and skin other problems due to the exposure of harsh ingredients in hair styling products, so Yarok is a product range many have been waiting for.

Yarok is super gentle on hair and scalp and every product nourishes and protects the hair. My hair is very long and can get pretty dry at the ends, so I really loved how moisturizing the products are. All the packaging is sleek and minimal and the all the products have fun names, which describe what they do for your hair. I am already quite a fan of their FEED YOUR ENDS leave in conditioner, which doubles as heat protection. The FEED YOUR ROOTS mousse which gives an instant root lift is perfect to create volume for fine hair. The FEED YOUR HOLD hair spray creates natural hold and is perfect for setting any look. And then there is FEED YOUR DO a styling whip, perfect for short hair cuts or to texturize and enhance strands in longer hair. All products have a very beautiful uplifting smell, which is subtle enough not to be overpowering or to interfere with other products. I find these products perfect for personal and everyday use and also as hair stylist for all normal hair types. Especially for sensitive scalps and dry hair this is revolutionary. I have not yet tried them on challenging hair types, high humidity locations etc. and I will keep you up to date on how they perform under extreme conditions. I am also excited to try out the treatments and masques and other hair care products in this line soon. Read here how to create the Wild Braids look, that I have created for White Magazine. Yarok is available in Australia via one of my favourite luxury organic beauty stores: I Am Natural Store

Hot Lips with ILIA Lipsticks

Makeup by Liv Lundelius using ILIA Strike It Up Lipstick for White Magazine/ Photo by Scarlet&Sage

ILIA lipsticks are a new staple in my pro makeup kit. As I am revamping my kit after extensive research I am so excited about each new addition to my healthy & luxurious product selection. The ILIA range of lispticks is simply mind blowing, filled with modern and versatile shades. I have been on the hunt for a goregeous peachy nude like "Funnel Of Love" for a little while now, "Neon Angel" is a true magenta colour which is just perfect for that bold bright lip and works so well as a pink stain, when softly dabbed on with a finger and then there is "Strike It Up" a classic true red which is SO...striking! The beautiful high-end packaging that doesn't break when traveling in my kit is another advantage and makes them super chic for your own handbag too. The Lipstick colours are highly pigmented which means, that they work really well as as stain as well, and will last beautifully. I am beyond impressed with them and think most pro makeup artist would agree, that they are a dream to work with. I actually have a hard time taking my hands off them and have lately used them in every photo-shoot. Here in Australia a selection of their products is available via Mecca. Peeking on their US website, I just saw they came out with a concealer and tinted moisturizer range and I can't wait to try them as well. For now I have tried their Lipsticks, Lip Crayons and Multisticks , which can be used on cheeks, lips and eyes. Have you tried ILIA yet? Feel free to share your experience.

ILIA uses only the highest quality non-toxic ingredients, is certified organic and cruelty free.

The Foundation Hunt: A flawless finish with Adorn Creme Foundation

Photo by Scarlet & Sage, Hair&Makeup by Liv Lundelius using Adorn Foundation for White Magazine

Always on the hunt for a good natural foundation I recently tried and worked with Adorn Cosmetics Hydrating Creme Foundation. The Foundation: It's a mineral foundation with organic ingredients that comes in a convenient little compact. I was very impressed by the coverage, possibly the highest coverage I have seen in a natural foundation and it blends like a dream. I really liked the finish, it certainly has enough coverage for to conceal redness and light scarring. It does have a glow without being oily or shiny. It's not dewy but it's also not matte. It is completely unscented, which is great for sensitive skins and noses and I prefer products to not be scented, which gives this foundation extra points. The colour range is limited to 5 colours, I found a good match for myself, but I am not sure if it would cover all skin tones for professional use. The product is very high quality and easy to use. The only downside was the packaging: It comes in a round plastic compact with mirror, which is good for travel, however the quality of the packaging could be a little sturdier for my liking. I would love to see Adorn improving the packaging a little, but that's just me being picky.

The Brush: I used the super soft Vegan Kabuki Foundation Brush to buff the foundation into the skin, which worked extremely well. As makeup artist, to work on others I would use a brush with a longer handle. This is certainly a high quality brush that would recommend, it feels very luxurious. The Primer: As recommend to be used with the foundation I used the Hydration Plus Plumping Primer underneath. The primer feels very smoothing and lightweight on the skin, everything I want from a good primer, plus this one is silicone free, which I personally prefer. Another amazing quality product that comes in a travel friendly bottle.

The Iluminiser: For some extra dew and radiance I used the Loose Illuminiser which gave a golden sheen to the cheekbones. It's a great colour with a bit of a tan, as it has a yellow golden tone to it. Although I usually prefer liquid or creme highlighters, this is a very good product. Only the tiniest amount is needed, which makes it great for professional use as well. I have a feeling the little jar will last me a long time.

My final Foundation thoughts: Perfect for: Nighttime: It has great coverage and no SPF, Photo shoots: It photographs beautifully and evenly, making skin look virtually flawless Weddings: It does last and last and last at least on my skin. It was still perfectly in place after many hours of wear and without touchup's. It's also water resistant, so perfect for humid days. Daytime: For problematic skin that requires good coverage, with additional mineral powder for SPF Travel: Easy to carry and perfect for travel as it comes in a compact. An amazing high Quality foundation with high-end finish. All Adorn Products are crueltyfree, vegan and Australian made. The are free of parabens, talc, Bismuth Oxychloride and other nasties.