Category: face

NARS Palettes For One Stop Shop Beauty

While it is painfully clear how much I love all things NARS, I had never had one of their palettes in my possession. Sure, I can stock a Sephora with my eye shadows and blushes, but a one-stop shop palette? That wasn’t on my vanity. Until now…

Neutral Soft and Feminine Makeup

While I can appreciate bold and artistic shades, I will always gravitate towards natural, nude and soft colors. I’ve amassed quite a collection of products to achieve this look, but I certainly have some favorites. Here is a round up of my all-stars:

Tom Ford Lip Color in Casablanca – the perfect nude adds just a hint of pink and looks like your lips, but better.
By Terry Light-Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush in Vanilla Light – this brush/foundation combo has a luminous sheer finish.
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée – this jelly textured blush can be applied with fingers for a sheer wash of color.
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody’s Baby – I tap this super hydrating color onto my lips for a barely there look.
Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow in Impressionist – this handy palette contains a primer and has luxury-like soft powders that are so wearable.

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A Skin Story: A Perfect Trio

I’m always changing up my routine. Things move in and out of my rotation quite frequently. But occasionally, I will be simultaneously testing a wonderful trifecta of products and it is like the stars have aligned. Right now… that’s happening. Here’s how I have been perfecting my complexion these last couple of weeks.

First: Josie Maran’s new Argan Tinted Moisturizer. This formula is rich and luxurious. Coverage is very generous for a tinted moisturizer. I would say it is in the neighborhood of NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 but with a thicker texture. The SPF 30 is all natural and admirable for a makeup product. And her signature Argan oil makes it ultra-moisturizing and nourishing. She also threw in some antioxidants for good measure. This is my new pick for favorite Tinted Moisturizer/BB Cream for sensitive or dry skin. I use Light 2, but am getting closer and closer to needing Light 1.

Next up, I touch up spots needing a little more assistance with Benefit Erase Paste. This creamy, high-coverage concealer camouflages like a champ. The formula finishes with a nice radiance, especially helpful in the under eye area. It came with a spatula which I unfortunately tossed with the box, so I apply direcly with my finger. I actually like the way I can work it into my skin even if it isn’t the most sanitary method.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder makes for a weightless, perfecting finish. The balance between matte and radiance is ideal. The formula is oil-free and should play very nicely with oilier skin types. Like other NAKED products, optical blurring pigments perfect skin. You won’t find any chalkiness here. This step ensures hours of wear.

LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette

I snagged this little gem in a gift bag at NYFW and never could imagine how much I would come to cherish my LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette! While I had my eye on the LORAC Pro Palette for months, I actually am more thrilled with this travel friendly and nimble version.

Not only does it have everything you need for loads of looks. The LORAC PRO To Go Eye/Cheek does it well. Powders are finely milled, blendable, natural-looking and long-lasting. Plus the packaging is well made. The sturdy exterior solidly closes via magnet. The included brushes, one small eyeshadow and one eyeliner/brow, are high quality albeit a little short.

On the eye side, there are two rows of three shadows – one matte and one shimmer. The base shades are generously sized. A matte black works perfectly as a liner. And the darker brown works well on my brows. On the cheek side, three wearable shades are nicely spaced with large wells of pigment. The coral has a little bit of shimmer. Pink is decidedly cooler and on the matte side. And the bronzer is perfect for contouring with its matte finish and rich pigment.

Specifically designed by Lorac Creator Carol Shaw to keep celebrity clients looking fabulous, I love this for regular folks just like us. It is an amazing value at $38. Available at Sephora.

Find Your Favorite Concealer

A good concealer can often stand on its own. Covering redness, dark circles and a rogue blemish can give the appearance of even skin without the need for a heavy foundation. That’s why I always recommend starting your makeup with concealer – you’ll find you don’t need as much foundation or tinted moisturizer as you thought!

But how do you find the right formula? I have loads of favorites and they are each suited to particular skin types and concerns. I’m guessing one of these will tickle your fancy:

Benefit Erase Paste is a new find and I am wild about the creamy, blendable coverage. It doesn’t disappear in the middle of your day. And it works on both blemishes and under eye circles. The texture is a little thick to cover redness. Best suited for: under eye circles and blemish-prone skin.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Custard has been in my rotation for months and is the one I reach for most often. The smooth and buildable texture does wonders on my areas of redness. And I love the luminous correction on darkness under eyes. Best suited for: drier skin and redness.

Cle de Peau Concealer has long been a makeup artist favorite. While pricey, this little tube lasts forever. I find the formula works best if you warm it up between your fingers and pat on. It covers blemishes and dark circles like a champ. Best suited for: normal to oily skin, acne-prone skin and dark circles.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage is a long time classic but has a new long-wear upgrade. The two shade system, one to match the skin’s depth of color and one to match the skin’s undertone, ensures a perfect match. Used with a precise brush, this camouflages any spot into a flawless complexion. Best suited for: skin with age spots and blemishes.

Lancôme EFFACERNES Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer has a balanced finish, somehow being matte but still with some radiance. But the real beauty to this concealer is its waterproof properties, making it well-suited for tearjerker events, long days or hot weather. Best suited for: oilier skin, brides and those who need all day coverage.

Favorite Fall Launches on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

I’m back on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country this morning to chat about my favorite launches for fall. Representing my favorite brands, these new products mark great technological advances, delicious scents and the best formulations. So tune in if you are in the area at 10AM (if not, I’ll post the clip later this week) and catch the roundup here:

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder is part of a skin collection that reflects weightless, undetectable coverage. This powder achieves that luminous but still semi-matte finish that is on trend for fall. Optical blurring pigments perfects skin with natural looking coverage. The effect is perfect for pictures (or television appearances!).

One of America’s most esteemed, Avon, just got a little revamp. And their makeup is better than ever. This summer, they launched the revolutionary Mega Effects Mascara. The ergonomic design with swiveling handle gives complete coverage of lash-lengthening, inky pigment. Another standout, the True Color Eyeshadow Quads, are packed of vibrant but wearable pigment. The creamy powder is luxurious and ultra-blendable. I love Metal Eyes and Purple Haze.

If you just can’t let go of that summer glow, pick up Caudalíe Divine Leg Tinted Body Lotion. I fell for this scent with the launch of Divine Oil, and this part of the collection gives the perfect subtle bronze. The lotion also nourishes and moisturizes skin and doesn’t budge or transfer.

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is helping me atone for my summer skin sins. After loads of days out by the pool, my hyperpigmentation was really acting up. This serum promised to work in just one week. And it delivered. Hydroquinone and glycolic acid team up to jump start progress towards more even skin.

Unlike any other powder foundations, Laura Mercier ‘Smooth Finish’ Foundation Powder manages to be luminous and hydrate my dry skin. The formula glides on without settling in fine lines or giving an overly matte finish. The formula can be used dry for sheer to medium coverage or wet for medium to full coverage.