Category: eyes

Drugstore MVPs

Fall trends are quickly approaching and there is no better way to try on a trend than your drugstore beauty aisle. For the autumn months, I am liking a natural, healthy-looking face with a bold lip. After months of wearing a bun in this hot weather, I am excited to stretch a blow out for a couple days – finally possible without the excessive heat. And for weekends, I love a super hydrated nude lip. Don’t forget to reassess your skin care and make sure you rotate out those more drying items.

1. Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes are the perfect “too tired to wash my face” cheat. I love how gentle these are on my drier skin. Literally, you have no excuse for going to bed with makeup on.

2. L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral is another version of the lipstick/balm hybrids. This is a little thicker than the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter, with better staying power.

3. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk was the first dry shampoo I ever tried. It might even be the best. While it does have a white coloring, it absorbs well and works even on my dark brown hair.

4. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick has to be one of the coolest celebrity/beauty collaborations. Leave it to Kate Moss to create classic colors that look polished but utterly fashionable. They aren’t drying and stand the test of time (literally and figuratively).

5. Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith’s Rosebud Salve is always at my desk (I also like the mint variety). It is super hydrating – a must to prep for the vampy shades that will be popular this fall.

6. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF 30, not to be confused with a foundation, is a ultra-light tinted foundation that has a radiance. It feels like you have nothing at all on, but it magically evens skin.

Note: I received the Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes as a Klout perk. All other items I purchased myself.

NARS Eyeliner Stylo

I am a huge fan of a budge-proof, tight line right at the lashes. And, in my opinion, a liquid pen is the best way to achieve one. I am currently obsessed with the new NARS version that hit shelves on August 1st. The pen is super-fine for total control. And the waterproof formula has great staying power. The inky colors are richly pigmented for the perfect line, whatever shape or size.

I like taking the pen, parallel to my eyes, and laying down the end along my lash line. I move from inner corner to outer and the result is a thin, even line. It makes lashes look longer and is a neat, natural effect. Your basic facewash isn’t going to do much for this liner. Sometimes (don’t tell) I just wash my face and leave the liner on. It doesn’t even smudge and I am ready for brunch in the AM. When I am feeling more virtuous, the Almay eye makeup remover gets the pigment off in a jiff.

I am loving the classic black, Carpates, but NARS Eyeliner Stylo also comes in three other shades:

Nuku Hiva – Brown
Atlantic – Navy
Koala – Grey

Some of my other favorite liners:

Mark Wet/Dry Eyeshadows

Mark recently reformulated their eyeshadows and I am excited to report: I love them! The real treat is how these guys are packaged. But more on that in a bit. The new shadows are highly pigmented and blend well. They are nimble – you can apply them either wet or dry. I tend to like a sheer look, so I apply the lighter shades over the lid. And then use a wet eyeliner brush with the darker matte shades as a liner.

Now the packaging. These shadows are sold in a metal pan to be placed in one of their Snap To It compacts. They make two Snap To It compacts – one for two shadows and one for four. You can easily switch out what shades you are currently wearing. I love the flexibility of creating your own duo. For instance, I am loving my unusual combination of satin taupe (minx) and navy (nightly) to be used wet for my eyeliner – not something you often packaged together!

You can find them on meetmark.com for $7 each.

NARS Fall 2012: Let’s Get Sparkly

You don’t really expect to see loads of shimmer this time of year. Maybe that is why I love it so in NARS recent Fall collection. And maybe the fact that we haven’t been under 100 degrees here in weeks. So an eyeshadow that evokes “icy wind” and a glittery versatile stick? Bring it. I just can’t wait for fall.

I must admit, when I got my paws on the newest Multiple, I slathered it on my eyes, face and lips. NARS Multiple Stick in Undress Me does have some substantial glitter and essentially nude base. But it WORKS. The powder finish makes it long lasting. It is slightly noticeable and flirty without being overdone. Other Multiple favorites include G-Spot (if you want more rosy gold) and Cococabana (click on the links for previous reviews). I love these for highlighters and cheek color.

Now, for the “icy wind” aka NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Vent Glace. I think the smokey eye might be a bit overplayed. This summer, the combination of platinum and silver smoke with defined liquid liner just hits the right note. It is most certainly frosted, but makes you look a little bit more awake. If you don’t wish to go full-bore frosty, this duo makes a great highlighter for the inner corners of the eyes or along the brow bone. And if you want a full on metallic lid, layer this on with Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

RevitaLash ‘Spotlight’ Highlighting Pencil and ‘Raven 12 Hour’ Eyeliner

RevitaLash is a line that was on my radar, but only as a treatment for fuller lashes. So imagine my surprise when I found out they make my newest, favorite highlighter. This genius “pencil”, which is really more like a crayon, is perfect to swipe and blend. You can use it below your brows, on your cheeks or even right on the cupid’s bow of your lips. I’ve found the ‘Spotlight’ Highlighting Pencil is surprising versatile across all skin tones, but it does have a slight pinkish undertone. The shade corrects dark pigmentation. But has a balanced shimmer keeping it sophisticated and subtle.

RevitaLash also makes a great eyeliner: ‘Raven 12 Hour’ Eyeliner. I’m impressed with its staying power. The consistency is creamy, but at the same time precise. Both of these products are available at Nordstrom and are the perfect treat to pick up during their annual Anniversary sale that begins tomorrow!

Le Métier de Beauté introduces The Beauty Vault for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

My adoration of Le Métier de Beauté is no secret. I think the boutique cosmetic brand continues to chrun out innovative and well-made makeup that channels cutting edge technology. But all that science ratchets up the price point. Now, there is a great opprotunity for newcomers to the brand to try out the cult classics without breaking the bank. This whole set is only $49!!!

To celebrate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Le Métier de Beauté is offering a collection with travel sized:

Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer (Shade 2)
Precision Liquid Liner
Anamorphic Lash Mascara

The Peau Vierge Tinted Luminizer works like a tinted moisturizer, letting the skin show through but blending away imperfections. It is on the sheer side of coverage. The formula combines the anti-aging benefits of retinol with the innovative Syntoc Actif delivery system to effectively plump and smooth wrinkles from the inside out for soft, beautiful skin.

Precision Liquid Liner in Noir, perhaps my all time favorite eyeliner, has a Mont Blanc crafted pen. What makes it unique is the calligraphic precision. This is perfect for that precise cat-eye that we are seeing everywhere for fall.

Anamorphic Lash Mascara mini in Black is made with beeswax and has a full brush. The effect is lashes full of volume that isn’t a total pain to remove.

The Beauty Vault is available, as a set only, at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com from July 22 to August 1, 2012 (but I hear it is already on counters and I found it online here).