Author: Lindsay

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer SPF 20

bareMinerals has been releasing rockstar complexion products over the last couple month: bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation, bareMinerals READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil and bareMinerals ‘Stroke of Light’ Eye Brightener. They are now rounding out their offerings with a creamy, correcting concealer. While I tend to prefer drier concealers for blemishes, this seems to achieve both creaminess for under eye, along with enough coverage and substance for blemishes, perhaps due to the mineral content.

The formula contains copper that helps camouflage imperfections. Lemon peel extract helps with discoloration over time – huge for me as hyper-pigmentation is my main complaint. And the added physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide) isn’t irritating and always welcome. The finish is radiant (not too matte), especially for a mineral formulation. They have eight shades – find four sampled below:

I’ve been using my finger to blend below my eyes and a more sheer layer over my sun-damaged areas. I then follow with the bare Minerals READY foundation. I like how it sort of sets the concealer. Over all this is a full coverage look. But you could use just concealer where you need it for a lighter coverage.

Shop my bare Minerals favorites:

 

Molton Brown Plum-kadu Shampoo and Conditioner

I already was sold on Molton Brown (I adore their Vitalizing ABC Shower Gel), but I had yet to try any of their hair care products. And after a summer spent outside by the pool and a week in polluted New York City, I was definitely in need of some added shine and gloss to my hair. But the first thing I notice about the Molton Brown Plum-kadu Shampoo and Molton Brown Plum-kadu Conditioner is how it is one of the best smelling products I have ever used (seriously). Add in the way it added glossiness to my dull looking hair and you have a winner.

Plum-kadu from Australia detoxifies first to remove buildup. Moringa seed go after the urban pollutants that can cause dullness. Amino acids add in healthy shine. And the real highlight is the cardamom, waterfruits and sandalwood that added a fresh, clean smell to my hair.

I highly recommending taking a peek at these next time you are at Neiman Marcus or shop using the widget below.

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Color and Lip Pencil

Laura’s newest lipstick hits the nail on the head when it comes to finish. It isn’t too matte or too glossy and has great staying power. It is a tad drying, but that is my only beef. And for these amazing colors, I don’t mind starting with a nourishing balm. You will want Merlot – trust me.

The cream texture is lightweight. I got a decent amount of wearablity before needing to reapply. The formula contains olive oil and vitamin E – I wish they had thrown in a little Shea butter for some more hydration. But it is nourishing enough to glide, not drag across the lips. And the square, mahogany case is super elegant.

In related news, Laura has also released some new shades in her lip pencils. These pencils are by far my favorite – creamy with insane long wear. I love filling in my lips with the color as a base for a related lip color or gloss. And they are allergy tested – perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Shop these lip products and my other favorite Laura Mercier products using the widget below:

Cenoire’s Novo Atomizer Facial Mist Spray

So, I have a weird confession: you know, during facials, when they use mist your face? Yeah, I am kinda obsessed with that. I love the hydrated, plumped look and feel my skin has after a little session with steam. So when a recent product launch crossed my desk, I had to check it out.

Cenoire, manufacturer of portable electronic accessories, just released the Novo Atomizer Facial Mist Spray. It creates the same sort of mist as in a facial, but at your fingertips. I have been taking it for a whirl and might be hooked. When I arrived home from NYC, I was exhausted and dehydrated. I filled up the water vessel on my Cenorie and sat down to a four minute session.

The water is atomized into nano particles (sounds daunting, but really cool) that come out of a little nozzle on the side of the cartridge. These small water droplets are better absorbed by the skin. It feels dewy and moisturized. Just move it around approximately six inches from your face. If you don’t want/need the four full minutes, you can manually shut it off as well.

The steam isn’t hot, so it isn’t exactly like a facial. But it is so lightweight and portable, that is would be a breeze to travel with. It fits right in my palm and  is incredibly lightweight.  And such a treat when I am suffering from the aforementioned airplane dry skin.

Cenoire’s Novo Atomizer Facial Mist Spray is available with an MSRP of $39.99 and can be found at Amazon.com and Cenoire.com.

Favorite Cleansing Waters

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water is my holy grail makeup remover product. And I am not alone. Celebrities go gaga over this stuff. It can remove makeup and nourish sensitive skin without any irritation. It is made with thermal water from Yumura Hot Springs in Izumo, Japan. The formula also contains White Birch Sap – a rare ingreditient that contributes minerals and xylitol. And the best part is no rinsing required – literally no excuse to go to sleep with makeup on. It also comes in towelette form. I saturate a cotton pad, hold over stubborn makeup for a couple seconds and wipe.

Bioderma Créaline Micellar Water is incredibly gentle – makeup artists swear by it for NYFW when models are going through multiple looks a day. It removes even the toughest makeup. The only issue is it is hard to find without paying a tortuous markup. If you are ever in Paris, make sure to pick up a bottle. It is specially formulated for sensitive skin, and the soap-free formula balances skin. The soothing formula clears pores and is super kind to the delicate eye area.

NARS Makeup Removing Water, originally reviewed here, is soap-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free. It tones the skin while removing makeup. It is not the gentlest of the bunch, but it is super lightweight and refreshing. It is ideal for oilier skin. The botanical ingredients that leave my skin glowing and hydrated.

Klorane Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover with Cornflower is also super powerful against stubborn makeup. The formula has pH balance similar to tears so it is especially kind to the eye area. It decongests the skin without any burning. This is a relatively budget friendly buy that works on the most sensitive skin.

Shop my favorites using the widget below:

Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup and Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

In today’s world, we get to experience foundation that looks like skin. Technology has made these foundations easy to wear and beautifully undetectable. My current favorite version is Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup. It has balanced coverage and finish with great staying power.

The formula contains light-diffusing spheres – probably what makes this foundation luminous without being overly dewy. Urban Decay also managed to work in some skin care. Matrixyl 3000 is a wrinkle-fighting peptide, Litchiderm brightens skin, Green Tea works as an antioxidant and Sodium Hyaluronate hydrates. Urban Decay’s precise shade numbering system distinguishes between warm tones (ending in “.0”) and cool skin tones (ending in “.5”). With my light-to-medium skin with red undertones I am a solid 3.5.

I highly highly recommend picking up the Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush too. I certainly didn’t need another foundation brush, but this one is unique. The domed shape allowed me to buff foundation into the skin. This buffing technique, known as “Optical Blurring”, prevents streaky finish that can occur with a flat brush, fingers or a sponge. It makes the foundation look smooth, which is a huge plus for more mature skin. The dense brush is perfectly sized so you can get into the nooks and crannies (nose, eyes, brows) but still get fast, even coverage. The brush’s handle is made of recycled aluminum and the synthetic hairs are vegan.

I put two pumps on the back of my hand and pick up product with the brush as needed, starting from the center of my face (nose) and working outward. At first I thought 3.5 might be too light, but as it settled into my skin, it oxidized into the perfect match. Keep this in mind when you are selecting your shade.