Tag: concealer

Miracle Skin Giveaway

I went about this a bit backwards. I was already hooked on the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Body SPF 20 but hadn’t yet tried Miracle Skin’s original product: Miracle Skin™ Transformer. There is certainly no method to my madness. But moving on, I was met with just as wonderful of a product as I expected. Sarah McNamara (Miracle Skin founder) has developed a core set of products that are simple, effective staples for your vanity (and mine). Plus they are made in the USA and not tested on animals, snagging my seal of approval.

The Miracle Skin™ Transformer isn’t a tinted moisturizer, but a tinted skin enhancer. The coverage is very light (but buildable). The silicone formulation improves the look of skin by minimizing fine lines, dark spots and blemishes. My complexion is evener but not covered up. At the same time, using the M3 Complex, the skin is hydrated while active antioxidants and vitamins (A, K, and E ) go to work. The formula literally calms down my perpetually red skin. And this winter, it has been my go to sun protection (SPF 20/UVA/UVB protection). I use Light. It is pretty sheer so it works, but I suggest you go a shade darker than you think you need. Next time, I’m going pick up Medium Tan.

Available in six shades:

Since I was clearly a convert, I HAD to try the Miracle Skin™ Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face. This might be the all-star. It is actually a serum that conceals while it treats acne, redness, lines, bags, circles or whatever needs hiding. Salicylic acid helps treat blemishes – but it is gentle enough not to anger my sensitive skin. Vitamin K treats vascular conditions like nasty dark circles and redness around the nose. White rose and chamomile extracts calm the skin. Unlike any other concealer, it is silicone derived, creating a smooth and natural coverage. This is the least cake-y concealer I have used. I use light for the undereye, but I think next time I will pick up light/medium. Light is great for circles but a little too fair for my blemishes.

Available in three shades:

I can’t help but share this enthusiasm with you, my dear readers. So Miracle Skin and I are giving away a Miracle Skin™ Transformer AND Treat & Conceal Eye & Face to one lucky reader. Just enter using the widget below. Good luck!

Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation and Concealer

Early this week, I posted my favorite drugstore foundation. As an alternative, Clé de Peau Beauté makes my pick if you are in the market for luxury foundation or concealer. Some of the advantages to paying more include assistance in finding the perfect shade and glamorous packaging. No matter your preference, I want to cover the bases!

Clé de Peau Beauté knows what they are doing. It is a Japanese brand that has been around for 30 years, with a focus on bright and radiant skin. After I apply the Silky Cream foundation, I am very moisturized but not too dewy. Coverage is medium with just about as flawless of an effect I have ever seen. But amazingly still very lightweight. Application has been outstanding with the Shiseido ‘Perfect’ Foundation Brush.

This tube is surprisingly small for the heafty price tag. But I can assure you, the amount needed per use is incredibly small. We are talking pea size here. Plus the tube makes the FAA cut off for carry on.

The concealer basically speaks for itself with all of its awards. It was a Neiman Marcus Beauty Awards Finalist. InStyle Magazine named it best undereye concealer in May 2011. Just like the Silky Cream Foundation, the concealer is powered with Revitalizing Moisture Complex to lock in moisture and smooth out texture. Unlike some other popular concealers, it isn’t so dry you cannot blend it – blending leads to a more natural looking appearance.

I have been using this as my go-to concealer for about six years. The formula is perfectly balanced between creamy and matte. It does beautifully under the eye, but can cover a blemish too like a champ. And the tube will last you months.

As a note, I found this tip on the Neiman Marcus website and felt it was worth repeating:

Tip: For lighter skin tones, the Honey shade can be used underneath your matching concealer as a color corrector for truly dark areas. Apply the Honey shade to your darkest area. Pat lightly. Apply your matching concealer on top and blend.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

Darn genetics: I have just a touch of darkness under my eyes. The new Creamy Concealer Kit was designed just for this problem so I had to give it a whirl. The concealer is one of the creamier formulations I have tried, and it works well on my normal-to-dry skin. I have tried application with both a brush and my finger and I definitely recommend the precision of a brush. While there isn’t a lot of luminosity to the pigment, the color is very natural. The setting powder gives powerhouse stay-ability. The formula did slightly settle into fine lines, but over all, the long-lasting wear makes it a winner. ($32)

Cover Girl Olay Simply Ageless Concealer

This double shot of makeup and anti-aging is a winner. Aside from the fact the swirl of the two products looks really cool in the container, the concealer works very well under the eye. While it does contain Olay Regenerist Serum, the pigment is just strong enough to cover up dark circles while still appearing luminous. It is easy to apply because the consistency changes as you apply it to the skin. While it looks cakey in the container, it turns to a smooth liquid on your skin. Because of this, I recommend using your finger. I try to use the ring finger because it offers the least pressure on the delicate eye area. While you can’t really use this for blemishes because it is really creamy, I did use a little on my chin and nose instead of foundation and it works great!

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot

Laura Mercier is known for creating the “flawless face” with her four-step routine. I am definitely not one to sign up for so many steps in a makeup routine, but her refined process and products really do lend to a blemish-free and well, “flawless”, appearance. Recently, she threw us lazy-types a bone with the introduction of the undercover pot. This pot consolidates steps three and four into one product – use the top to conceal and then the translucent powder is conveniently stored below to set your look. The oil-free secret camouflage, a long-time cult favorite, is creamy enough to cover blemishes but dry enough to achieve staying power. Secret concealer has an emollient formula to cover the eye area – the creaminess keeps the product from settling into fine lines. Then the translucent powder sets makeup – while I don’t think the powder changes the finish, I do think it keeps the makeup looking great for a longer period of time. Trust me, it is worth all those steps.