Tag: foundation

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation

Nothing like diving into a new brand with their latest and greatest (this is the brand’s first product review on the blog!). I’ve always been super impressed with MAKE UP FOR EVER’s High Definition Foundation – I’ve used it at a couple special events and found it stays put and photographs beautifully. The new Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation has that same beautiful finish with the flexibility of a wet or dry application and a compact that makes on-the-go application a breeze.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Creator and Artistic Director Dany Sanz tested 70 formulations before finding the perfect performance. No wonder that she managed to come up with something that has flexible coverage and finish. Not to mention the ability to last throughout the day.

A Vegetal Lecithin coats the pigment, allowing it to stay on skin effectively. Silica and Sericite powders give that radiant finish with soft focus effect. And Ximenia Oil and Aloe Vera nourish the skin. Because there is less talc, you don’t get that chalky, cakey finish I find in so many powder foundations.

For a black tie event on Saturday, I applied the foundation dry for a matte finish and full coverage. I used the Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. The result was a natural looking, complete coverage with matte (but not too matte) finish. While it didn’t have the glow of my other favorite liquid foundations, I liked the effect paired with a simple eye and red lip. I also appreciated the flexibility with coverage so I could build on my nose to cover the redness but still remain fairly sheer on my cheeks and forehead.

This morning, I wanted more of a sheer and satin finish. I used the included sponge – got it wet and rung out the excess water. Picking up a bit of the powder, I swiped and blended from the center of my face outward. The effect is not unlike a tinted moisturizer with maybe just a kick more coverage. Again, you can build coverage where you need it. I don’t get quite as much staying power with this kind of application, but it is such a breeze to throw this compact in your purse for needed touch ups.

The foundation comes in an impressive 25 shades covering the spectrum. Overall, I admit to being a bit of a convert. While I would have said before I always prefer a liquid foundation, MAKE UP FOR EVER has come up with a powder version that offers tons of flexibility with a silky, ready-for-photos effect that I can’t resist.

Jonathan Adler for bareMinerals (SF and NYC: Party Time!)

Today marks the launch of one of the coolest collaborations: bareMinerals Jonathan Adler! Now you can find his fresh and cheeky designs on the classic and award-winning bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15. The packaging on this limited-edition luxury sized foundation, Handy Buki Brush and signature collectible box manages to be cheerful, classic and artful all at the same time. How great will that brush look on a vanity?

For you lucky little devils in San Francisco and New York areas: Leslie Blodgett (creator of bareMinerals) and Jonathan Adler are celebrating their collaboration with two soirees full of cocktails, music and complimentary mini make-unders. There will be an exclusive Q&A with Leslie and Jonathan and the first 25 guests at each event will also receive a special gift from bareMinerals.

SAN FRANCISCO EVENT:

When: Thursday, February 7^th
Time: 6 to 8pm (with an exclusive Q & A at 6:30pm with Leslie and Jonathan)
Where: Jonathan Adler SF 2133 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115
RSVP: [email protected]

SOHO EVENT:

When: Tuesday, February 12^th
Time: 6 to 8pm (with an exclusive Q & A at 6:30pm with Leslie and Jonathan)
Where: Jonathan Adler SoHo 47 Greene Street New York, NY 10013
RSVP: [email protected]

I’d love to know if you go so I can live vicariously! Keep me posted.

Beauty Myths Busted

Today, I am back on Fox 23’s Great Day Green Country to talk about beauty myths. Now, I am one to say there are no “rules” in beauty – what works for you is always the right answer. But I believe busting these five fallacies will really shake up your routine in the best of ways.

1. MYTH: Use mascara to the last drop. TRUTH: Mascara should be tossed every three months. Germ issues aside, mascara formula can dry out, resulting in suffering performance. To get the lushest, silkiest lashes, keep that tube fresh. Drugstore mascaras are outstanding for those who don’t want to splurge on something used for a short time. Try Maybelline’s new The Rocket Mascara and Volum’ Express Mega Plush Mascara.

2. MYTH: Rub in your perfume after you spray pulse points. TRUTH: The rubbing action crushes and corrupts the fragrance. Instead, spray on your neck and wrists and let dry for 30 seconds. I also love to spray perfume in unexpected places like my hair (don’t go too wild – it can dry hair out) and the back of my knees (for a more subtle scent).

Foundation

3. MYTH: Foundation should be matched to your jawline, forehead, cheek or anywhere on your face. TRUTH: Foundation should actually be matched to your neck as it is representative of your true coloring. Not only will this prohibit a line where your foundation ends and your neck begins, but the shade will look more natural.

Shampoo

4. MYTH: You should wash your hair every day. TRUTH: Washing hair strips natural oils, making hair more brittle and dry. Shoot for 3-4 times a week, workouts permitting. I found that my hair became less greasy the less I shampooed as time went on. In the mean time, dry shampoo can really save the day. Spray on dry shampoo and wait five minutes for it to “activate”. Then work through your hair with fingers or a blow dryer.

all images from Pinterest

Brand Spotlight: Koh Gen Do

It all started with a cleansing water. That is, my love for Koh Gen Do. While I sung the praises of this “best of breed” makeup remover, I had yet to try other makeup from the line. Well, that’s all changed. I’ve been trying out two foundation formulas and a powder for the last month or so. In true Asian fashion, the makeup has deep roots in skincare while still having coverages and finishes suited for Hollywood.

The line was created by actress Ai Saotome 25 years ago and evolved into a eco-friendly makeup line. The products are created for hi-def cameras. But that doesn’t mean they are heavy or only for film. I am hooked on it for everyday and special occasion wear.

First up is the Maifanshi Moisture Foundation, a mineral makeup in liquid form with light coverage (however, it is buildable). This foundation is the jewel of the line and no wonder it is a bit of a cult-classic. The formula uses a technology from Japan, integrating two types of light-reflecting particles. The liquid feels substantial but in a moisturizing way. It almost is gel-like in consistency. This made it particularly helpful on a recent airplane trip – my skin looked even and stayed well hydrated. While coverage starts off sheer, it has properties similar to a BB Cream, evening fine lines and color correcting. Maifanshi Moisture Foundation is now part of my permanent “favorites” collection as an everyday, light coverage foundation, particularly in the dry winter months.

On Monday, I appeared on a morning talk show and my foundation of choice was Aqua Foundation SPF 15 PA++. A step up in coverage, the formula is a high-definition, smooth finish foundation with lasting coverage. I am particularly impressed with its ability to cover up my hyper-pigmentation. The finish is satin and nearly flawless (without feeling heavy). Seawater minerals and birch sap extracts add hydration and radiance to keep skin looking healthy and natural.

And, my newest favorite product, across the board, is powder. I used to turn my nose up at powder, but today’s formulas don’t have that heavy, matte, dusky finish. Maifanishi Face Powder is a finely milled, silky translucent powder. The extra step on top of foundation adds a luminescence and staying power. And dry skin suffers will love the addition of moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid. Rather than making my skin look flakey and powdery, it hydrates my skin and makes the foundation finish even more radiant.

Shop my Koh Gen Do favorites here:

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.

Prescriptives Live Chat Custom Blend

One of my first memories of makeup is the iconic Presciptives counter. I loved the scientific look of the jars along with the familiar scent of Calyx. I was surprised in 2010 when the brand promptly shuttered their counters given so many people were devoted (note: the brand was still available online). In particular, people loved the custom blended foundation and powders. Turns out it was pretty expensive to have those highly trained master blenders at every counter.

After months of calls from distressed customers hankering for their custom blend, the brand launched a video chat to bring the service to a new generation of women. Last month, they officially launched Live Chat Custom Blend, offering “Color Printing” to customers everywhere there was an internet connection.

Always at the cutting edge, Presciptives now has the latest in digital innovation. I booked an appointment on prescriptives.com and pretty soon, Nikki and I were chatting face to face about what I wanted in a foundation. She asked me about current favorite brands and shades – and what I would change if I could about those formulas. We talked how my skin tended to behave (hello, redness). I uploaded photos of my bare face. I also sent over a shot of my bare face with my two favorite foundations striped on my cheek. She was able to tweak coverage, skin care elements, corrective color and desired finish.

While you can send back your initial recipie for correction, very few people require this step. I certainly didn’t. It might be hard for me to go back to any other brand (even my beloved Armani) because this matches my skin exactly. Exactly. Nikki’s formula for me was sheer, but buildable with a “breathable hyaluronic acid” for moisture and a touch of luminescence. And while I like powder, it wasn’t in the daily rotation – it is now. I love the perfectly toned finish and the way it sets my foundation and concealer. Nikki advised me on a touch bronzier shade of powder (which is almost undetectable) but it warms up my complexion beautifully.

And for those of you who already have your recipie, you are all set to go. Although the video chat is such a fun experience, you might want to do it anyway! And the site also has a ton of great “how to” videos here.

Still Christmas shopping? May I suggest a Prescriptives Gift Card?

images here, here, here and here

Giorgio Armani Foundations

Armani has consistently received accolades for their breakthrough foundation formulas. It is frequently referred to as “best of breed”. But all the offerings can be somewhat overwhelming. I wanted to break down the different options and tell you why the most recognized, Luminous Silk Foundation, continues to be my favorite.

First, I want to highlight Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15. This formula has been getting a ton of attention and was awarded Allure magazine’s ‘Best of Beauty’ award for Best Breakthrough, 2012. So naturally, I couldn’t wait to try it. Yes, as advertised it is ultra-lightweight. The pure color pigments are suspended in the oil-based formula to make for the thinest possible consistency. And the oil component moisturizes. The coverage is VERY light. I don’t like heavy makeup, but I didn’t get enough coverage and had trouble building it up. But for those who don’t mind very little coverage and need a super light weight feel, this could be an option. I am not sure I saw the value in a luxury price point with this little coverage.

While the Maestro Foundation wasn’t a fit for me, I am WILD about the Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser Concealer. The lightweight technology translates so well to the heavier coverage of concealer. It covers without feeling heavy or powdery. The moisturizing helps heal dark circles and the finish is radiant and luminous, but not shiny. Instead of the Maestro Foundation, I would suggest picking up the concealer and using where needed and skip foundation all together if you want a more natural look. I think I’ll be hooked on this stuff for the foreseeable future.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is the foundation I keep coming back to. I think I am on my fourth or fifth bottle. I haven’t had it in the rotation lately, so I snapped one up on last week’s trip to Neiman Marcus. The oil-free formula has moderate coverage but the effect looks like your own skin. The finish is not dewy but luminous. Exclusive Micro-fil™ technology allows for “glide-on” application and buildable coverage. If you haven’t sat down with an Armani artist to try it, I highly highly encourage you. After my reunion with it this past week, I am sold that it is the best luxury moderate coverage foundation out there. I love using the Giorgio Armani Blender Brush to apply this (and really any) foundation.

A couple months ago, I tried the Giorgio Armani Beauty Designer Lift Smoothing Firming Foundation. Smoothing Firming maintains the great finish and consistency of Luminous Silk with slightly more coverage and breakthrough anti-aging tools. Like the Luminous Silk, it uses the Micro-fil™ technology for a smooth application, with the addition of a micro-lifting matrix. Emollients and fillers stretch, firm and smooth the skin’s surface. Exclusive Prussian blue pearl pigment revives skin and color corrects. The finish has a luminous glow. For those with with visible signs of aging and want to go the anti-aging extra mile, this could be a good option.

Face Fabric is more of a tinted moisturizer with a powdery finish. The matte, feathery finish isn’t my favorite. You can read more of my thoughts on Face Fabric here.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lasting Silk UV Foundation was developed with long wear in mind. It also has an oil-free formula making it perfect for those who need staying power and may run on the oiler side.

Also note, the Giorgio Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer (InStyle Best Winner) is a great highlighter. I love mixing these with the Luminous Silk Foundation for a more dewy look or adding the bronze shade to darken in the summer.

Armani is available at Neiman Marcus (free shipping with code FALLFS). Shop my favorite Armani products here: