Tag: eyeliner

Folklore Collection From Laura Mercier

The Spring/Summer collection from Laura Mercier just hit counters. And this collection, inspired by cultures of South and Central America, have definitely been warming me up. Did I mention it was in the 40s here this week? Where are you, Spring? The rich, earthy colors are easy to wear and suit a summer glow perfectly. Or manage to fake one until the sun reappears.

First up is the product that seems to me the one that is getting the most buzz. Laura Mercier Limited Edition Baked Blush Bronzer in Ritual

is one of Laura’s classic formulas but with five shades that blend together. Each tile of bronzer is hand-mixed. When I first applied Ritual, I had a WHOA reaction. It was pretty darn dark. But for my light to medium skin and with a lighter hand, it proved a great option for a more dramatic warming. The natural color stays beautifully. And will transition well into the summer months.

I’m a long time fan of Laura’s Crème Eye Liner and the new Espresso shade offers a softer version of black that works so well in the summer. If you are on the hunt for a long-wear eyeliner, give this waterproof formula a whirl. Could it just be perfect for the beach? I think yes.

And I’ve saved the best for last. These creamy lipsticks hitting counters lately have me swooning. Laura Mercier Limited Edition Lip Crayon in Folklore has that hydrating feeling but great long-wear. And the shocking pink translates to a punch of spring color on the lips. Bonus points for the packaging, allowing great precision application.

Shop the post:

Highlights from Youngblood Cosmetics Spring 2013

I applaud Youngblood for their truly distinctive and fresh Spring collection. From a daring eyeliner to a real God-send for those with oily skin, each addition fills a product need elegantly. I’ve been trying out three products: gel eyeliner, new lipstick and anti-mattifier. Here’s the roundup.

I can’t stop hearing about blue for the spring and I was hesitant at first. Well, I’ve come around to embrace this trend whole-heartedly – whether you go for subtle navy mascara or bold turquiose eyeliner, this look is ultimately wearable. The New Incredible Wear Gel Liner in Lagoon is for a look with more impact. I am a huge fan of gel liners as they are easy to apply and last ages. This one is no different and with safe natural ingredients, limiting irritation. The finish has a golden sheen and the iron oxide makes for a deep, rich pigment.

The new lipstick in Debalicious is a petal/bubblegum pink shade – could you get more Spring? I think not. The formula is packed with natural oils and Candelilla wax to soften and hydrate lips. While the finish is on the matte side, the formula glides on creamy. The shade will really pop on those with deeper skin tones, but is totally wearable on my light-medium complexion as well.

Attention those with shine issues: Anti-shine Mattifier is a unique and effective solution for oil control. The formula absorbs surface oil while Nigella and Pumpkin Seed oils purify and balance the skin. So your skin will be oil free throughout the day. I don’t mind the included sponge for application, but I think it is best applied with fingers to spots prone to oiliness.

All these goodies are now available on www.ybskin.com.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Eyeliners

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. My requirements for eyeliners are as follows:

Waterproof
Built in sharpener
Velvety, creamy texture
Precise
Varied shades
Smudge-proof

This newest eyeliner from Anastasia ticks all the boxes. They developed an unusually rich, pigmented liner with great shades. Pixiwoo is also a fan of these liners and I love their technique for using them: apply a thin line and then use a MAC 266 brush to wing out and perfect the line. Or wiggle the pencil into the lashes for a tight-lined look. Admittedly, it doesn’t work great on the waterline (for this try this one), but for a great cat eye that is not going anywhere for the day or evening, this is a winner.

note: Pixiwoo is a beauty blogger with stunning video tutorials – check out their you tube channel here.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Eyeliner is available at Ulta, Nordstrom and www.Anastasia.net, $19

Le Metier de Beaute Indelible Inks Eyeliner

I am pretty partial to Le Métier de Beauté’s Precision Liquid Eyeliner so I didn’t know what to think when they came out with a second version of liquid eyeliner. I was already hooked on that Monte Blanc pen and inky black liner. But I love pretty much everything Le Métier de Beauté does so I had to give it a whirl.

The Indelible Inks Eyeliner is classical but with rich, modern pigments. The tube and narrow brush harkens the eyeliners of the past, but the highly highly pigmented formula is intense, with a serious no-budge promise. The liquid-gel consistency allows for nimble application. While it dries fairly quickly, you do have time to build a thicker line or perfect a thin one.

At first, I had some trouble with the ultra-fine tip. The key is getting just a little product on the brush. It is easy to wipe off excess before application. I also like using an eyeliner brush for a tighter line right at the lash line. Admittedly, I was able to do this with the applicator too after a couple tries. My favorite trick was using an eyeliner brush to apply on the base of lashes a la mascara – such an impact with the great shades!

I respect the way Le Métier de Beauté carefully chose these too innovative shade. Fans of black: don’t dismiss these too quickly. The darker blue has the same effect as an inky black, with a hint of glimmer. In other words, the colors are subtle but still make a statement. Artemis is a brilliant blackout-navy while Castalia is a rich aubergine eggplant.

Mine removed easily with Bioderma Créaline H2O Ultra-Mild Non-Rinse Cleanser for Face & Eyes (just order it and trust me – the bottle is huge and it is genius eye makeup remover for dry or sensitive skin).

Five Tips for Holiday Makeup from Neutrogena

Amy Oresman, celebrity makeup artist from Neutrogena, shares some of her tips using for holiday makeup. I’ve been test driving these items too over the past couple of weeks and am also sharing my thoughts on these drugstore buys.

1. During the holidays when you’re running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it’s important to start with a good base. The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Editor’s note: I LOVE, I mean love, this primer. It evens skin just on its own while cooling and hydrating. I love the SPF (non-irritating at that). And there is no balling and sliding under makeup.

2. Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes. Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles. Formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you’re close-up ready!

Editor’s note: I’ve had one of these in the rotation for a couple months. This is not an illuminator pen – it really conceals with a radiant and moderate-coverage finish. I love using it around my eyes and down the sides of my nose.

3. Often times, the photo flash can make your look washed out. To really make your eyes pop, eyeliner is a girl’s best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes. What’s more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

Editor’s note: This creamy liner is easy to use and especially great for a smudgy look (there is a smudging sponge at the other end). I love the in-cap sharpener and addition of vitamins and conditioners for delicate skin. This sadly doesn’t work on a water-line, but could be great in conjunction with your favorite eye kohl (remember: layering liners makes them stay longer).

4. My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is HEALTHY VOLUME® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes. The exclusive super sized Visible Volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging or flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.

Editor’s note: This mascara not only conditions and improves your lashes, but boosts volume in a major way. The large brush is my preferred tool and adequately coats each last for more length and fullness. There is no dry, crispy feeling (hate when that happens).

5. No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look! Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn’t always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months. Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with with ion₂complex™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips’ overall appearance. In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips’ rosiness.

Editor’s note: It is hard for me to not love a good balm. These did not disappoint They really are hydrating with a fruity flavor. I love “Sheer Shimmer” for an easy translucent lip and “Petal Glow” gives a subtle hint of rose, both leaving my lips super shiny.

Get The Look Video: Rich Lips and Winged Eyeliner

So excited to feature the second video from Sara and Rebecca in our “Get The Look” series. (Check out the first one here) Like Holiday Luxe, Sara and Rebecca used natural makeup products to achieve the look, including one of my favorite lines, Youngblood.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrYe-WEPWmo]

“While mixing too many trends can make you look overdone sometimes two looks are better than one! Winged eyeliner paired with a deep red lip creates a slightly retro look that somehow feels perfectly of the moment!”

The final look!

Makeup used:

images by Mia MacDonald