Tag: foundation

Three Must-See Favorites

Hey… because it is almost Friday – three superstars I had to share with you. Click on the items in the image for more shopping information.

BeautyADDICTS Face2Face Cream to Powder Foundation

This indie brand isn’t widely available but it should be. While I usually don’t care for cream foundations, this one works to improve skin while it covers flaws. The formula contains vitamins A and E and green tea to heal and protect skin. Special ingredients work to hydrate so the powder finish looks luminious and flawless, not cakey or overly matte. This is my pick to throw in my purse for on-the-go. I recently learned those plastic covers that I previously thought were part of packaging and threw away actually help protect and preserve product. This version has a flip lid attached so no need to keep track of a translucent (elusive) slip of plastic.

Nest Vanilla Orchid & Almond Scented Candle

I can’t really say there is a NEST fragrance I don’t love. But their newest marries my beloved oriental with a rich and sultry gourmand vanilla/almond mix. Patchouli and musk keep it from being overly sweet while Mediterranean almond and white orchid soften the scent into a romantic deliciousness. Orchid and Almond is the perfect fragrance to bridge seasons and usher in warmer months.

Kanebo Sensai Collection Silky Bronze Self Tanning Gel for Face

Before this gem, I had not found a self-tanner for the face that I love. Finally, just in time for spring, this gel from Japan provides both hydration and a bronzy glow. The smoothing gel works beautifully under makeup and other skin care. I’ve been using 1-2 times a week for a subtle glow but plan to up my frequency to every other day so I can skip makeup and bronzer and still look sun-kissed.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN 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.

Estée Lauder Lilly Pulitzer GWP and Skincare & Foundation Calculators

Looking for a perfect match? And an excuse to shop? Look no further than Macy’s with their current Gift With Purchase and new Estée Lauder interactive tools to find a perfect match. The Estée Lauder Skincare Finder and Estée Lauder Foundation Finder are both exclusive to Macy’s. The short quizzes can help narrow down their wide range of products to what is particularly suited to you.

And now with any $35 Estée Lauder purchase through Macys.com, get free makeup valued at $120 and a one-of-a-kind Lilly Pulitzer cosmetic bag until March 23. Included:

Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black (10-day supply)
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion (deluxe travel size)
Exclusive Cosmetic Bag in an Original Lilly Pulitzer Print
Choice of deluxe size Moisturizer: DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 OR Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme SPF 15
Choice of Makeup:

Subtle: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Sugar Honey (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Sugar Biscuit, Nude Fresco, Hot Cinnamon and Lavish Mink

Bold: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Pink Parfait (full-size) and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Tranquil Moon, Iridescent Violet, Tempting Mocha and Amethyst Spark

And get an additional bonus gift with any purchase over $70.

Double-Ended Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (choose Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep or Deep) and Pure Color Gloss in Magnificent Mauve
Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea (full-size)
Lip Conditioner (full-size)
Lilly Pulitzer Print Travel Mirror

Tis the Season to be Pretty With Neutrogena

Plans for New Years Eve? Frankly, I am not one who loves dramatic all out celebration. I prefer a cozy night in with friends, champagne and festive foods! But should you be going for the all-out approach, I have a nice party prep with budget-friendly Neutrogena products. This routine will get you a radiant and flawless complexion, looking great in photos (and in person of course!). #NoFilterNeeded

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation

I’ve been curious about Perricone MD’s No Foundation Foundation for quite a while. I’m not sure if it was the quirky name or the idea that makeup could look that natural. Now that it has landed on my desk, I wish I had checked it out a lot sooner! Frankly, it turned out to be something totally different than I expected.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder

I used to think that those who used a powder foundation were somewhat a rare and exotic breed. I never understood the draw, maybe other than portability. The matte look and cakey finish just wasn’t flattering. And there were plenty of oil-free liquid foundations if you had oilier skin that did a great job.

Then Laura Mercier went and did something totally different. With my preconceptions, I was a little hesitant when this new foundation formulation landed on my desk. But Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder promised a silky, natural feel. Directly from Laura’s mouth, she promised a matte finish without being “dead matte”. Maybe this is the way I can finally rock that fall trend of matte skin without looking dusky?

Amazingly, this oil-free powder went onto my skin like silk. It gave a luminous glow and actually hydrated. Applied either wet or dry, you can get a range of coverage. I like using a buffing brush dry for a very sheer look. Use the enclosed sponge dry and apply like pressed powder for slightly more coverage. Or dampen the sponge and apply for medium to full coverage.

I’ve been wearing shade 5 (Linen) and 6 (Wheat), but I can tell it will only be a couple more weeks and I will be wearing 4 (Buff) as my tan fades. Again, I applaud Laura Mercier with her comprehensive offering of 20 shades.

Available at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Shiseido Sheer & Perfect Foundation

Well, let me just tell you about this little gem that hit my vanity last week. Talk about a new favorite foundation! The newest from Shiseido is one of those perfectly balanced foundations that conceals but doesn’t hide. You still look like your skin but only better.

Now, first a note – after a weekend full of reading September issues, I fully understand that a matte complexion is on trend. But after a short twitter chat with my friend, Lara, we both accepted that a dewy, glowy finish just works better. I agree with her wholeheartedly that it looks healthier, more natural and more youthful. So that being said, this isn’t for you matte lovers out there.

The oil-free formula packs a dose of hydration. I’d say coverage is light to medium but solidly buildable for those who want to move towards medium coverage. I love the silky texture and the finish is dewy but not sticky. The interesting part of the foundation – gets me everytime – is while it feels and looks like it could be a tinted moisturizer, my redness and dark spots are banished.

Kudos on their wide range of 18 shades across the spectrum. I’ve been wearing a near perfect match – B20, a light natural beige. While I promise Sheer & Perfect has a dewy finish (but not overly so), the formula does use powders. The optical powder complex helps conceal uneven coloration:

green powder cancels out redness and blemishes
blue powder cancels out dark spots and circles
white powder cancels visible pores

While the bottle is fairly small, $35 for a luxury foundation isn’t bad. And it is so good, you won’t even want to look at the price tag. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Sephora, Macy’s, Barney’s and Shiseido.