Splurge vs steals: My picks for the best alternatives to pricey makeup

The first step to building great style is knowing and loving who you are; in whatever shape, size, colour or personality. It your blueprint for design, before any building can take place. You must first know who you are, in order to go about finding the right tools and equipment to build around  your personal style.

The foundation to be laid after this, is your body. Take care and nurture yourself with luxurious-feeling products. Take long baths. Exfoliate. Cleanse, tone, moisturise and photo-protect. Exercise. Eat well. You know what to do!

I definitely choose to invest in professional hair and makeup products. No matter how fab the outfit is- the power of a Bad Hair Day cannot be overcome. However, these things can get pretty pricey, and I'm always on the look out for less expensive alternatives. I have already found some makeup and hair products and tools that I would even choose instead of the bank-breakers. Here's what I love so far!

1. While running to the Guardian building for our CNC3 interview on a hot Monday morning, my Co-host for "Own you Beauty, Power and Magic", Sacha, was stunned that my face remained matte and fresh. She on the other hand likened herself to a Saheena! (I didn't say it eh- she did. I didn't think she was quite at Saheena-status yet.)  I whipped out my secret for staying dry! I know what you're thinking- it has to be the MAC Oil Control Lotion, right? While I think that MAC has an amazing product, L'oreal's Translucide Powder over my liquid foundation, seems to seal in all moisture, leaving me fresh-faced all day! Best part is, I got it at a nearby SuperPharm for under TT$100!

Came home after a loooong day, and my skin still looked as fresh as when I left the house hours before!

2. I firmly believe in having great makeup-applying tools! I searched long and hard for affordable yet quality brushes, and often found myself spending hundreds on each brush since the cheaper ones basically SUCKED. The bristles were either too loosely packed and would fall out on my face, or they simply didn't feel good on my skin. I had decided that brushes would be one of those things that I had no choice but to splurge on, and then Eco Tools came into my life! Not only are these brushes (case and all) made from natural (bamboo) or recycled materials, but they feel amazingly soft, and apply makeup just as well as any professional brush would! I got all mine at SuperPharm, but I see that you can order from their website too! I see a whole bunch of brushes that I will soon be adding to my list at  www.ecotools.com Here are some of the ones I use:

My First EcoTools Purchase- No turning back now!

My Latest EcoTools Purchase

Most Convenient: Retractable Kabuki Brush

3. We are all on the search for lipstick with staying power. No one likes to see their mouth left behind on a glass, or worse; running down their chin! While I was in UWI I discovered L'oreal Infallible Lipgloss, and over the years I experimented with all sorts of other stuff, but I would always go back to the Infallible! The first one I ever tried, has always been my favourite; Undeniable Mauve. Recently at a Bridal Shower, I won in a game, an Infallible Lipstick in a bright Coral Colour, which is now competing with my first love though! I just love how these lipsticks stay on through meals and constant chatting! Even better is the number of different colours to choose from! It seems endless.

First Love: Undeniable Mauve

Charismatic Coral

4. I have tried a tonne of tinted moisurisers, but none took me through the day without looking like I rubbed my face on a bag of phoulorie. I had been on the look out for something easy as a rub-on cream, that provided some sort of coverage, but would keep me from being shiny. I experimented with the most celebrated tinted moisturiser; Laura Mercier, as well as Dior (which looks fab in the first hour, but doesn't go further than that) and some others. They weren't quite doing it for me. My cousin suggested I try Garnier's Skin Renew BB Cream, and upon taking that advice, I must say I've found it! I love that BB creams have added benefits for the skin, so I feel really good about putting it on. The coverage is pretty sheer, so I tend to add my concealer of choice under my eyes and on my pesky post-acne demons. Under some sheer mineral powder, this BB Cream is fantastic for day.

Making Love

It has been labelled as a cultural flaw, that Trinidadians are not the most supportive bunch. We are excited about bacchanal and corruption. Our newspapers are slathered with sensationalist pictures and headlines about the demise of the nation and its leaders.We cheer at others' failure. We are hesitant to trust- In fact we think something is wrong with anyone who trusts at all. We mock anyone who attempts to do anything out-of-the-box,

...or so I thought.
I have been pleasantly surprised by a level of love and kindness by my fellow Trinidadian women.

 I have always felt somewhat out of place. I never really jumped on any bandwagon growing up. As a matter of fact, I think I rebelled at the norm intentionally, because I never wanted to conform to anything. In a High School where the Science classes were so full that they had to be divided into two, and every child dreamed of the title "Dr", I was sketching gowns, and looking to follow in Diane Hunt's footsteps. My passion for fashion and the longing to create beauty, led me to the heart of it all- women.

It is because of women and their desire to be forever changing and evolving, that the fashion industry has thrived. I have been surrounded by a plethora of amazing and influential women throughout my life, and today I am proud to be a part of a sisterhood that works to fire up a revolution with new ideas and positive resonance. When I made fashion fashion my full-time career, I was met with unexpected love and support. I was so used to people questioning me about the frivolity of it all, and wondering how I could possibly disregard all my years of formal education to do something so unheard of in this culture! Now to have people in my corner, congratulating me for taking these risks and offering kudos-- well I didn't see that one coming.

Do you believe in "The Secret"? That what we put into the Universe would return to us? Well my genuine cheer-leading for the women around me has come back. I have met some amazing people in the past few years. I feel like I have known them my whole life, and that I love them like they are my own real sisters. In a society where courtesy and patience aren't common, gestures of generosity are a big deal. These women have far surpassed any expectation I have had for our relationships, and I cannot truly express how blessed I feel to have them in my life.

 Very recently I discovered that a group of young women (that I have seen grow up before my eyes)  has gotten together to start a non-profit campaign, "The Fairy Godmother Project", to donate graduation dresses to high school girls! Only the other day did I realise that my friend's sister is the founder Studio W; a place where women can go to strengthen their minds and bodies. Without having to ask twice, amazingly selfless ladies have been using their own time and resources to help me have a truly special event on April 13. So if you are a little bit cynical (like me) stop and look around at the magically giving people that surround you. There are people who will root for you like their life depended on it. There are people who genuinely believe in you and want to see you take on the world with success. There are people who emanate real love, even for a stranger.

So to these special ladies, I just felt to write tonight, "to put down in words, how wonderful life is, now you're in the world"