Author: Lindsay

Radiant Cosmetics Matte Winter Red Lipstick

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and, in my opinion, there is no better way to show your support than picking up a new lipstick. I had the pleasure of meeting Nicole, owner and founder of Radiant Cosmetics, back in December. The vision behind Radiant Cosmetics is to end human trafficking and, as of right now, Nicole and Radiant Cosmetics donate a minimum of 20% of profits from each purchase. This month they launched an initiative called “Kissing Slavery Goodbye” to create awareness.

Even better than supporting a worthy cause though makeup is when the makeup is truly fantastic to use.  I have been wearing the Matte Winter Red lipstick the past couple of weeks.  I reach for it far more than my old standbys: MAC Ruby Woo and Russian Red. It is a very cool and very deep red that manages to make my teeth look bright white. It has great staying power and a baby powder scent. The packaging is high quality and product is made in the USA. You can see the depth of pigment in the side-by-side images below.

Read Nicole’s amazing Story here or on radiantcosmetics.org:

For as long as I can remember I’ve been enamored with makeup. I grew up wanting to be a beauty editor at a fashion magazine. I pursued this goal, eventually finding myself in New York City working for a fashion house on 5th Avenue. I was living the dream, or so I thought. Inside I was miserable; something was missing.

After leaving New York City and graduating college I felt called overseas and wound up on a crazy year-long adventure, doing missions work with an organization called The World Race. 9 months into my journey I became friends with a prostitute in Thailand.

My heart broke for this woman. Walking Bangla Road, home to over 200 bars and countless women who’ve been trafficked or are trapped working in the commercial sex industry (which feeds the beast of trafficking) to provide for their families, I felt alive. Like I belonged. I was filled with an overwhelming sense that something had to be done and I was going to do it. A vision began to form.

I was given a new dream; to run a makeup company that partners with human trafficking organizations financially as well as getting people involved in their own communities physically. Especially in the United States, where trafficking happens in our own backyard.

The cosmetics industry generates $170 billion annually. Women dominate this industry and of the over 2 million human beings trafficked each year, 80% are women and girls. My dream is to awaken a generation of women to not sit back and allow this injustice to happen to our fellow sisters.

My dream is to set the captives free, one lipstick at a time.

Sunday Riley Soft Focus Finishing Loose Powder

I can honestly say the Sunday Riley cosmetics launch has been one of the most exciting for me. Sunday, who has had a long-seated interest (and success) in anti-aging skin care, has incorporated her proficiency into a new makeup line. I managed to get my paws on some of the goodies in advance of the February 2012 launch and couldn’t wait to report on my new favorite loose powder.

I normally could take or leave the extra step of finishing powder over my foundation but this Sunday Riley Soft Focus Finishing Loose Powder has me hooked. I think the difference is its light-weight formula. The powder doesn’t make me uber-matte, but just more polished. My hyper-pigmentation and redness was mysteriously blended away above and beyond what my regular foundation could do.

Enter Sunday Riley’s skin care expertise: the powder contains Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, a talc alternative. The calcium is what diffuses blemishes and fine lines. It also contains Nylon 12, making the powder silky and preventing that dusky, overly matte feel so many powders give. Lastly, she included mica to create a radiance.

Sunday Riley’s family has a LONG history in Texas (like when it was its own country). Her heritage included using Native American botanicals in day-to-day life, including skin care. She is best known for her NV-5 Ageless Complex, a proprietary blend of 5 Native American botanicals to detoxify, heal, and recharge the skin.

The powder will be available in three shades at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman in February.

Tammy Fender

Over the holidays, I had the pleasure of using some of my favorite products from Tammy Fender. I was eager to say the least – I recently visited her skin care center and was blown away about her approach to skin care.  Not to mention, the amazing facial coupled with holistic healing treatments.

While Tammy Fender is adored by Hollywood celebrities and has been featured in magazines like Vogue, her skin care flies slightly under the radar. It is almost part of the allure. Every product and skin care center experience has an authentic and sincere feel. The products and treatments are crafted with care, packaged in glass containers. And each works to benefit each individual on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

My take-home skin care regime started with the Purifying Cleansing Gel, containing Spearmint & Alfalfa. This gel does not foam and is very gentle. Sometimes I needed an extra step to get off a full face of makeup. But this cleanser wasn’t about just a clean face – the herbs balanced my skin, drastically reduced redness and lifted my mood with the lively scent.

Alfafa was a new ingredient for me – I’ll be keeping an eye out for it in the future. The high chlorophyll content and minerals promote balanced absorption and healing. Mint has always been a favorite for detoxifying and reducing redness – plus I love the scent can put a pep in my step.

Next up is the Capillary Strengthening Blend. While this is technically a “treatment”, it often fulfilled my moisturizing needs as well.  No wonder since it has Jojoba and Borage Oil. In my early thirties, I have noticed more redness around my nose. While I have confirmed it isn’t technically rosacea, I do have that nagging inflammation. So I am right in the market for something that can protect my capillaries. This treatments repairs delicate tissue with chamomile, neroli, rose and carrot seed. And bonus – it helps regeneration of healthy new skin cells.

I admit, my last product, Antioxidant Creme Neroli & Orange, was on my list solely because of its amazing scent. But after a couple weeks, I discovered it is equally lovely because of the supple skin it fosters. It has collagen-stimulating benefits and the Neroli helps heal scar tissue and reduces puffiness. Sweet Orange is one of my all time favorite scents. Its vitamin C encourages collagen production and can clear blemishes.

Overall, I am impressed with the holistic and original approach of the line. The skin care institute is a “must” for anyone in the Palm Beach area and worthy of a field trip for those who need an excuse to visit sunny, South Florida.

 

New Years Nails!

Can’t think of a more appropriate name for the polish used in my New Years Nails: Essie Cocktail Bling with a coat of Set in Stones to top it off.

Happy New Year to all my readers – so grateful for a fabulous 2011 and what I know will be a beautiful 2012.

NARS The Multiple in G-Spot

The name of this beauty might give you a flush all on its own. And that true “burst of cold air” flushing is exactly what you get with the newest NARS Multiple. These multitaskers have had much critical acclaim, winning “Best Overall Highlighter” 2011 InStyle “Best Beauty Buys” and a “must have” for so many makeup artists. The Multiple, infused with vitamins and antioxidants, is designed to be used on eyes, cheeks and lips.

Part of the holiday collection, G-Spot is NARS’ new signature gold-infused rose hue. It isn’t so pink or red as to look unnatural. It actually blends in to a very authentic look. I normally drawn to nudes and peaches like Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed. But this cold weather up here in Oklahoma had me looking for a rosy-cheeks. I like to use my fingers, straight from the end of the stick, but just a dot from the end of the applicator is the perfect amount for a sheer, rose. Then blend away!

 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm is like a little slice of European Spa heaven. This black balm has a relaxing, natural scent that I only can describe as spa-like which assures me that the cleansing must be outstanding. I’m probably getting a whiff of:

  • Hungarian Moor Mud:Brimming with calcium and magnesium carbonates, acts as a magnet to impurities and make-up.
  • Sweet Almond Oil: Nourishes the skin and leaves it soft and silky.
  • Orange Blossom: A surprising whiff of orange blossom transports to distant shores.

A finger scoop of the greenish, black cream cleans out my pores and brightens my skin without stripping it of hydration. While it sounds messy and more mask-like, it really is a cream cleanser empowered by European detoxifying ingredients. Just massage all over the face – I’ve tried dry and wet skin and either works. Then rinse using a washcloth. Any skin type can take advantage of the balm.

The mud used in the balm has been around for 2,000 years, used in Hungary’s thermal baths for curative purposes. Five years ago, Margaret and Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza began using this ancient healing resource in their skin care system. Their packaging is elegant and harkens a glamourous age.

Right now, at Neiman Marcus, you receive a gift with any $100 Omorovicza purchase – reason to run out and pick some things up. I am a fan of so much of the line and have several Omorovicza product reviews coming up, including Queen of Hungary Mist, Gold Eye Lift and Gold Shimmer Oil.