Category: lips

Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund

September is officially Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and also the launch of the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. And it is always a no-brainer – support a brand and cause that is important by buying new makeup! All September, Laura Mercier will donate 100 percent of the profits from the sale of two products – Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette and Rose Hope Lip Glacé – to the Fund.

Join me in supporting Laura Mercier. The lip glace is a rosy, shiny gloss that I love alone but would also worked layered for depth of color. I am already smitten with the palette – super portable bronzers and blush that blend beautifully. These are a go-to for me for creating a natural, sunkissed, look. Use your fingertips to apply Bronzer Veil over areas where the sun naturally hits, like cheeks, nose, browbone, forehead and chin. Use your fingertips to blend Cheek Veil over the apples of your cheeks. You can apply either shade alone, or blend both shades together for a custom color. Use your fingertips to blend Glow Veil over the high points of your face – cheekbones, center of nose, browbone, cupid’s bow and top of forehead.

Both Laura and her President and CEO, Claudia Poccia, have been personally touched by the disease – Laura through a dear friend, and Claudia through her sister. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women. The mission of the fund is to raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts that will help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer.

Chanel Fashion’s Night Out

One of the thrills of Fashion’s Night Out are the exclusive launches fetting the occassion. This year, Chanel amped up its offering with three lip and nail duos. As always, Peter Philips, the creative director of Chanel Makeup, has hit the trend perfectly with the purples, plums and beiges. There are three new colours for lips – Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Délicate, La Provocante and L’Infidèle – and three new nail varnish colours to go with them – Chanel Le Vernis Délicatesse, Provocation and Infidèle. I’ve got my eyes on the vampy, purple set! How about you?

These shades will be available at select Chanel boutiques on September 6th.

Bliss fabulips treatment kit

A few weeks ago, I was talking about a facial for the hair. So why not a facial for the lips!? A healthy pout is not only prettier, but absolutely mandatory for lip color. There is nothing worse than an uneven, flakey bold lip. Might as well make an at home, mini spa treatment out of priming those lips to look their best.

The kit includes everything you need for the four step treatment:

  1. Lift impurities and lip color with the foaming lip cleanser.
  2. Polish lips and remove dead skin with the sugar lip scrub.
  3. Use the  volumizing instant lip plumper
  4. Moisturize with the softening lip balm.

The lip “facial” has amazing results. But these are also great to use solo. I adore the foaming lip cleanser for removing lipstick or stain at the end of the evening. It gently cleans with Cocoa butter, shea butter and rice bran extract. Let it set for 20-30 seconds to activate and foam.

I keep the sugar lip scrub in the shower for daily exfoliation. It contains almond and walnut shell to exfoliate and nourishes with jojoba seed. It is packed with vitamins and, on its own, leaves my lips hydrated.

The lip plumper comes in handy before big events (it doesn’t tingle or irritate – just minty). Cork tree extract and peptides volumize and contour. Sodium hyaluronate keeps hydration in, boosting volume even more.

And the balm is so silky and soft. This is probably my favorite of all. It is perfect for right before bed. Waxes and oils condition delicately. Shea butter, jojoba and grape seed oils seal moisture in with a dose of Vitamin E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mighty Shiny Lip Gel

Nothing gets me quite as giddy as a newfound favorite lip gloss. Youngblood Cosmetics is a brand that is recently on my radar as a cruelty-free company committed to environmentally friendly packaging. And I am seriously impressed with their recently launched Lip Gel.

These juicy and non-sticky lip gels come in a squishy (sorry… but it is the best word!) tube. The formula is long-lasting and shiny while moisturizing and natural looking. Jojoba Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil soften and condition dry lips. Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract workds to fight free radicals with an anti-aging effect.

The angled tip is small enough for precise application of both the translucent and vibrant colors. I am loving Stripped (clear with iridescent shimmer) for a neutral summer look. Unveiled, my other favorite, is a sheer and cheerful pink.

You can find Youngblood cosmetics at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, Henry Bendel in New York or select spas. Check the locator here. Pauline Youngblood, founder of Youngblood Cosmetics, built her brand on exceptional mineral cosmetics. She developed the line after seeing a need while performing as a paramedical aesthetician to dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Willa Natural Skincare

Willa Natural Skincare is designed specifically for pre-teen and teenaged skin, but don’t think about stop reading if you don’t fall into those categories.  Because, Willa makes some products that I find compelling and fabulous for my more mature and drier skin. And I am not alone – beauty editors from Lucky, Refinery 29 and Daily Candy agree.

Willa, a pre-teen herself, and her mother have been working for over three years to develop the line. Willa perceptively asked why she has to use her little sister’s “babyish” soap one evening. After an unsuccessful search for an age-appropriate alternative, Willa Natural Skincare was born. Willa’s mother, Christy Prunier, knew developing an early routine to prevent acne and sun damage was crucial.

The packaging is adorable – feminine and fun without being juvenile. I applaud the various SPF products. The color collection is so age appropriate but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to wear it all myself! Perfect subtle color for hot summer days. Some of my personal favorites from the line (all under $11):

  • be brillant natural body lotion contains aloe and chamomile, healing my skin without being tacky or sticky. It absorbs super fast and has a clean, refreshing scent.
  • start fresh foaming face wash has that voluminous, airy foam that makes my skin feel so very clean. But it is gentle, preventing the tight and dry feel. It contains anti-oxidant green tea leaf extract and hydrating Glycerin.
  • smile shine lip gloss is super moisturizing, packed with vitamins C & E, giving lips a sheer ultra-shine. I love the clever clip… no more searching a huge handbag when in desperate need of lip hydration.

The whole line has a conscious formula: Paraben and sulfate free, DEA and phthalate free and Not tested on animals. Made in the USA.  Willa Natural Skincare is available at Target.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss

It is getting uncomfortably hot outside. And I have a terrible summer cold. Not so fun. But I’m taking comfort in my new favorite glosses – bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss. The cooling minty flavor is so soothing. A blend of shea, avocado, and murumuru (a palm native to Amazon Rainforest) butters is hydrating and nourishing. The formula is thicker but not sticky, qualities lending to a longer lasting color.

The color is sheer and ultra-glossy. I’ve been playing with a number of shades and the color is so sheer that there isn’t a tremendous difference between them. I find myself reaching for Trail Blazer, a nude gold, and Party Starter, a fiery coral, most often. I also love Hot Shot, a flamingo pink. As a bonus, these glosses could make your lips appear fuller: based on an independent clinical study, women saw a 52% improvement in lip fullness in as little as 4 weeks.