Author: Lindsay

NARS The Multiple

With my recently embraced bold lip, I have been looking for a subtle approach to eyes and cheeks. SJ (my makeup guru) lovingly calls a little color being “tarted up” but we certainly don’t want to take it too far! I have fallen for NARS Multiple in Cococabana because the shade is so subtle. There isn’t too much shimmer in it, and it doesn’t appear dewy. It actually is a cream-to-powder application. I apply it with my fingers and first intended it for only my brow bone with a totally nude lid and cheeks. But I also love it for the cheeks and even on the decolletage for evening. Envision a great bold lip like MAC Lady Danger with a completely neutral face and just a hit on this pearl for effect. Because this is totally translucent, don’t expect any color. But the powder effect does last a full day.

Eye Makeup Remover Done Right

I can’t stand greasy eye makeup remover that leaves 30% of your face feeling like an oil slick. But I have gentle skin, so I looked for something effective but not drying. I came up a winner with two great products. Lumene SENSITIVE TOUCH Cleansing Wipes are great to travel with, Alcohol-free and developed in co-operation with the Allergy and Asthma Federation. Makeup came off fast and there was no redness. The other winner was Chantecaille Rose Eye MakeUp Remover, a gentle eye make remover that is actually soothing and hydrating. The formula also promises brightening. But my favorite part is how pretty it looks in my bathroom. The Chantecaille brand always makes such beautiful vessels for their products.

Beauty on the Internet – Customer service

Outstanding beauty brands have embraced social media as a way to interact with customers. I would like to recognize four brands that have impressed me with their response, knowledge and engagement. Renee Rouleau (@ReneeRouleau) suggested products that would be kind to my gentle skin. I was thrilled with my purchase of Synergy Eye Cream which hydrates without being irritating. Le Métier de Beauté (@MetierBeaute) arranged for me to have my makeup done by an artist visiting my local Neiman Marcus. BG Beauty Tutorials (@Bergdorfs) has introduced me to wonderful brands and the store has brought on an official BG Beauty girl (@ThisThatBeauty), an expert I already admire. Keep your eye on Bergdofs beauty social media. Lastly, I found out about BirchBox (@birchbox) through twitter. Their shipments are a highlight when the pink boxes arrive in my mailbox each month. I continue to be impressed with the samples and full size product I receive. That said, not everyone does it well, so it’s worth pointing out the rockstars in the social media beauty world.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

So, I was going to a show on Saturday. Like, live music and I wanted to be edgy and cool. I wore my biker jacket and slouchy boots and thought this would be the perfect excuse to use the Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Misbehaved. Think snakeskin or fishnet pattern (far right, third down). They were super easy to apply. Each appliqué has two ends and you can select which one fits your nail bed shape. They are made with real nail polish and you can tell with the scent when you open the package. Although they promised 10 days of wear, mine came off after three days. But it was worth it. Nail art can only be enjoyed for so long.

Le Métier de Beauté ‘Kaleidoscope’ Eye Kit

Confession: one reason I like this line is because I get to practice my best French accent when saying it. Really. But Chelsea at Neimans gave me many other reasons to love Le Métier de Beauté this weekend. I am so shy with pigmented eyeshadow, so these colors frightened me a bit. Not after Chelsea got them on me… the pigment is strong but the shades blended to achieve a clean look – one that I would sport during the day or evening. She said I could just use the first color alone for a neutral look – which I loved. But I love the layered effect of all the shades even more. The pink also doubles as a blush, which is great for travel. The price tag is hefty, but this collection is a serious multi-tasker.

Metier de Beaute

This weekend I dove into the Metier de Beaute counter at my local Neiman Marcus. I thought the products were flawless, albeit in the luxury price range. My final look was polished and clean. While there are some valuable and powerful active ingredients in some of the products, none irritated my sensitive skin.