Category: lips

Becca Cosmetics Mineral Blush and Beach Tint

Becca Cosmetics is a company that focuses on natural, flawless skin for every complexion. I love that they offer 34 concealer and 30 foundation shades. They truly offer makeup to ALL women. You don’t hear too much about this line – it definitely flies under the radar. So I wanted to highlight their Beach Tint and Mineral Blush in anticipation of the summer months – both great products to get the sunkissed glow (safely and without sun damage!).

BECCA Beach Tint is a blendable 2-in-1 crème stain for cheeks and lips. The water-resistant formula makes it perfect for the hot summer months – throw it on a bare face before the pool or the beach. Unlike other stains, it doesn’t dry out lips at all. Its dermatologically tested formula makes it safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin. These are ever so slightly scented in a totally pleasant way. You can keep them in a hot car or beach bag without worrying about them melting everywhere.

Becca Beach Tints are available in seven shades: Strawberry (warm orange red), Watermelon (bright pink), Peach (warm orange pink), Raspberry (deep berry pink), Grapefruit (pale coral pink), Fig (tea rose pink) and Guava (bright coral pink). The pigment goes on pretty sheer. Just make sure to exfoliate your lips with a product like Bliss Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub beforehand.

The Becca Mineral Blush is loaded with skin care benefits (Vitamin A, E and C). The mineral complex and conditioners give the appearance of smooth and even skin. There is something in the powder formula that allows the blush to blend like a cream. It never looks cakey on my dry skin and there is just a hint of highlight and illumination. It is truly a demi-matte finish. And the silver disk in the compact makes it surprisingly easy to find in a huge purse!

Becca Mineral Blush is available in five shades: Damselfy (coral), Flowerchild (peachy pink), Sweet Pea (rosy plum nude), Wild Honey (peachy nude) and Bolero (bronze).

These two products definitely go hand in hand. The Beach Tint can be layered under the Blush for added intensity. They are also free of parabens and preservatives. You can find Becca Cosmetics at Dermstore.com.

LORAC Wild For TANtalizer® Collection

For my recent trip to Los Angeles for LuckyFABB, I brought along this summer kit by Lorac. I knew for a conference that was held literally at the shore, I needed a summer look that was still natural.

The set contains:

The bronzer is on the darker side but still worked for my light-medium skin. I used it under my cheekbones, forehead and neck. It would also look great on the collarbone and décolleté. This is on the shimmery side of bronzers and gave a very healthy glow. The eyeshadows were a subtle range of shimmery taupe. The lightest (Fierce) is a great highlighter. Both middle shades work on the lid, and the darkest (Saber) makes a great, natural liner. I love the gloss – nurturing and perfectly nude. It does have a slight cake batter smell. Wish they had gone with a more tropical coconut or vanilla flavor, but I don’t mind the baking scent.

3floz.com

One of my all time favorite websites is 3floz.com. When I first discovered it years ago, it was a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment. Everything beauty related is made travel friendly. They have an amazing selection of products that are perfect to pick up for a trip or try out at home. But to get a real sense of the all-stars, I asked the heavy hitters for their favorites. Founders, Alexi and Kate, share their top picks and Stacy Small, traveler and agent extrodinaire shares her “must haves” for her many days on the road. I also threw in my favorite items for good measure. Enjoy and be sure to check out the pins of the items on my Makeup Makeup Makeup Pinterest Board.

Alexi:

  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – I have these in every bag and my medicine cabinet. They are perfect for taking make up off, especially the eyes – they don’t burn like most Towelettes. I use them as hand sanitizers, cool down after the gym, after a long ride in the car/plane/subway. Basically, you can use them for anything.
  • Archipelago Dubai Travel Tin –  You never know what your hotel room is going to smell like so I like to be prepared. Dubai is blended with Amber, Mandarin and Musk.
  • BlowPro Beach Blow Texturizing Mist – I love my hair after a day at the beach…. The texturing mist gives my hair a day at the beach look!
  • Philip B Lavender Body Wash – Hot man smell in a bottle
  • David Kirsch Wellness Vitamin Juice Packets (Raspberry flavor) – I am pretty forgetful about taking vitamins every day! With the DK vitamins I pour a pouch into my water bottle in the morning while at my desk and drink my vitamins.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels – I use these daily on my skin. They peel off the dead skin and leave my face feeling fresh and wrinkle free, or so I tell myself!

Kate:

  • Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam – Better than mousse!!  Use on the ends and sparingly on your roots for noticeably fuller hair.
  • Serge Norman Metasilk Shampoo and Conditioner – Luxurious is the only word to describe this combo.  I was a afraid my hair was going to be weighed down by these ultra lush products but that was just not the case and now I am a convert.  Moisture rich shampoo and conditioner that still gives me volume-AMAZING!
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – This product is life changing.  The reason the BFD is my fav is because it really soaks up the oils and works on all hair.  My hair is dark and so I apply it over the crown of my head, massage it in-you need to massage it in like you would shampoo-and use my blow dryer to get rid of the extra powder.  I can extend my blow out a least 2 days longer than I should with this product.
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads – these wipes have saved my skin!  Since I met these wipes tanning has never crossed my mind.  They work with your own skins Vitamin D so the color is perfect and they exfoliate the skin leaving a healthy glow.
  • Supergoop City Serum SPF 30+ – First serum I have ever found that does not irritate my skin and doesn’t like that dry film.  I include a few drops in with my daily face moisturize and apply it directly to my neck and décolletage.

Stacy:

  • Air Repair Complexion Quenching Facial Mist – The aloe leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA makes this stuff a champion at fighting the drying effects of flying. It actually soothes irritated skin and leaves me radiant upon arrival.
  • Ole Henriksen See the Difference Serum with African Red Tea – As a frequent traveler, I am constantly on the look-out for products that will hydrate my skin without clogging my pores. The Ole Henricksen Red Tea serum is like a magic potion that does just this…especially on the plane and when traveling in colder climates than I am accustomed to.
  • David Kirsch Wellness B-12 Spray – The B12 Wellness spray is a fantastic way to get my needed energy boost when jet lag hits.
  • Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector – I love the Murad pomegranate lip protector year-round; have tried so many different lip balms and glosses and this one is soothing and shiny without being greasy.
  • Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray – My naturally straight hair loves the Phyto volumizer as it adds just enough volume without that awful product residue of many sprays and volumizers.
  • Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 – Vitamin C can work against those stubborn dark eye circles and I love the SPF is already included.

Me:

  • Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes – I love their mixed bag of towelettes because I use different scents for different things. On an overnight flight, the lavender is a perfect way to remove germs while unwinding. The mint refreshes in the AM. And citrus is perfect after a rush through an airport or a workout.
  • Yes to Cucumber Towelettes – Like Alexi, I stash these everywhere. They are perfect if you are just too tired to do the whole routine in the evening. Just wipe your makeup off and fall into bed.
  • Blow Faux Dry Shampoo – Kate introduced me to this stuff. Thank goodness, because it is the best dry shampoo I have tried. I love how you squeeze the bottle to dispense. It leaves hair fresh and clean.
  • Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF 25 with Natural Mint & Shea Butter – Actually designed for men, I can’t quit this lip balm. It is super conditioning and thick, but also with a hefty does of SPF. The mint is really refreshing.
  • Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil – You know how you can get kinda sore after being cooped up in an airplane? I love throwing this stuff in a bath upon arrival. It supports muscle flexibility and soothes sore joints and muscles.

A Rosy Pout for Spring

There is something cheerful about rosy lips in the spring. Anything from a wash of color to a bold pink, paired with a flirty dress and you are all set. My favorites to achieve the look are:

Korres Lip Butter in Quince (very sheer)

This hydrating balm jut provides a wash of color, but it is makes your lips shiny and healthy. The butters are made with natural oils and extracts. Shea butter and rice wax provide hydration.

Lipstick Queen Jean Queen Lipstick  (sheer)

This just has slightly more color to it and also is super hydrating. If you don’t like pot format of the Korres, this is a great alternative. It gives a rose stain with literally zero dryness.

Cle de Peau Beaute Enriched Lip Luminizer in 213 (slightly sheer)

This is silky, slippery skin care for your lips. The color literally melts on. It is still fairly sheer but you are getting a good wash of color. I love how healthy this lush balm makes my lips feel. It is sold as a holder and refill.  The swatch is from Nordstrom.

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil (opaque)

I never knew a pencil could be so buttery and soft. This literally translates into a gloss, but packs a punch of color. This is for those who want a true, hot pink rose on their lips. It still is moisturizing with ingredients like vitamin E, hyaluronic spheres, and phytosterol esthers.

 

As a side note, check out my interview on Priscilla Francine Makeup! So excited to be featured by this artist based in my former “home city”, San Francisco. 

Drugstore Hits and Misses

1. Almay Eyeshadow Trio Smoky Smoky Hazel – Sorry to start out on a negative note, but skip this guy. The powder has very little pigment and is quite dry. I like the idea of a kit that caters to eye color, but they missed on this one.

2. L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow – Instead, pick up these pots. They look like pressed powder but have a creamy formula. They apply like a dream. I wish they had more colors and some less metallic options but only because I love them so much. I have Endless Pearl, which is relatively matte and a great base color. Bronze Taupe is a beautiful, warm and multifaceted neutral. These appear much more expensive than they are. Also, they mean it when they say don’t discard the little interior plastic to press down the product. If it isn’t on there the powder loosens. Whoopsie.

3. Ardell Fashion Lashes Black (110) – I am relatively new to false lashes and was incredibly intimidated to try them. But I gave it a whirl with these, using Duo adhesive. It was a breeze! They look very natural and I got loads of compliments. They were comfortable to wear didn’t damage my own lashes. Use tweezers to hold the lash strip. Put a dot of glue on the back of your hand. Slowly and carefully dip the lash strip into the glue several times along base of the lashes. Lay onto your lashes, add mascara and liner to blend with your own!

4. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Blackest Black – This guy is an award winner and no surprise why. The formula has massive staying power. The color is a perfect, deep black. The brush is easy to handle. Need I say more?

5. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake – I’ve been ooing and ahing about this innovative product all over the social media waves. The texture is what makes this blush different. It almost feels like a makeup applicator sponge at first. It is malleable but springs back. It applies like a cream, but dries to a long staying powder appearance. The effect is not matte but there is no shimmer (which I love). I picked up Coffee Cake, a nude peach that works great for a tonal, natural face.

6. eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm – I reviewed these here, but I just had to mention them again. They are fabulous balms and are so easy to find in a big purse. They have loads of flavors with medicated and SPF options.

7. Maybelline Color Tatoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze – Another standout drugstore eyeshadow. This is creamier than the L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow, with slighly less pigment but a little more staying power. Bad to the Bronze is a lighter version of Bronze Taupe. I also wish this came in more colors because I love it so. Many of the shades are dramatic and on the cooler side.

8. eos Shave Cream, Ultra Moisturizing, Lavender Jasmine – If you like a foaming shave cream, this isn’t for you. But the smell is what sold me. It also comes in pomegranate raspberry, island blue, cucumber melon, vanilla bliss and sensitive – fragrance free. It is massively hydrating and almost feels like conditioner.

9. eos Refresh Active Care Hand and Body Lotion – Again, they got me on the fabulous scent. The fresh cucumber lingers just enough. It isn’t greasy in the least bit. These products aren’t tested on animals and paraban-free. I’m becoming quite the eos fan.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain

I’ve run across some incredibly clever video vignettes from the cosmetics companies lately, like this one from Chanel. Literally, as I was testing out the new YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain, I stumbled on this charming video about making the glosses.

http://youtu.be/pN5zCZqfkbM

A product this inventive is deserving of it’s own movie. The formula is literally like no other. It bills itself as a “glossy stain”, but I think it falls slightly more on the stain side of the spectrum. What makes it different is the supple, shiny application. It looks like a shiny lipstick after applied. After a couple hours of wear, it fades into a stain. It is not drying in the least and in the stain phase, works great under a sheer gloss.

This bottle looks deceivingly like nail polish and I love the shock factor of pulling it out and swiping it on my lips. And it has a subtle but pleasant fruity flavor. I was worried about the relatively large applicator but it is actually quite nimble. I chose Rouge Gouache (a slightly darker version of what appears to be a blogger favorite, Corail Fauve). It is a bold red with just a touch of fuschia. Even though it is darker, the texture is so lightweight, it is perfect for summer. Those little boxes online are horrible indicators of the color, so I suggest checking out Karla’s gorgeous swatches to help you decide which shade to pick up.