Tag: foundation

Drugstore Favorites for the Fall

I’ve been trolling the beauty section of my local drug store and want to report on some of my current favorites. I’m keeping in mind the fall trends and drier air. Not to mention the big holiday parties we have coming up. Not included in the round up was the obligatory candy corn I stocked up on yesterday. Why is that stuff so good?

CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation: I’ve been really impressed with this foundation. It has medium coverage with a matte finish, without requiring a ton of product. I love the addition of skin care, so you are working to improve the appearance of your skin. It plays especially well with my drier skin.

Visine Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops: At first I was skeptical of this red carpet staple. But I am so glad I picked some up at the store. I used it recently before a big event and my eyes were clear and bright. I needed less eye makeup and I appeared more awake. I probably wouldn’t use this in my daily rotation, but I now consider this a “must have” for big nights out.

Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Serum: Olay is definitely a forerunner in the skin care game along side so many luxury contenders. This hydrating primer would be a perfect moisturizer for someone with oilier skin. I use it as a primer – it has very similar consistancy to Smashbox Hydrating Primer. And I keep it at my desk to treat dry spots throughout the day.

Bio-Oil Scar Treatment: While marketed as a scar treatment, Bio-Oil also makes for a great body oil. While I do use this on some older scars, hoping to see some improvement, I’ve found it makes for a great moisturizer post shower. It has a baby powder scent with a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Essie Miss Fancy Pants: Essie did it again with their fall collection. While the bolder colors are also fabulous, I love this grey taupe for an understated elegance. If you want something more festive, try Stylenomics.

 
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A Cruelty-Free Face

I fell hard for two recent product launches. And they both happen to have a policy that I admire as it relates to animal testing. Neither Chantecaille nor Youngblood Cosmetics tests on animals. And their products do not contain any animal byproducts (except Youngblood’s beeswax and carmine). I know this policy and mission take work and diligence to implement. So I wanted to recognize these two products for a cruelty-free face.

Youngblood Cosmetics introduced a Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation that has coverage but feels light on the skin. It smooths on but finishes to a luminous, powdery finish. Nourishing nutrients soothe out the redness in my face. And despite the powder finish, it hydrates my skin, leaving it supple.

This foundation is the perfect marriage with Chantecaille’s recently introduced HD Perfecting Powder, part of their new Safari Collection. The formulas work well together and this stunning, stone-like compact is perfect to throw in your bag for touchups throughout the day.

The ultra-light perfecting powder comes in one shade but can correct on any complexion. The micro-fine powder adds a luminosity that can mask wrinkles and large pores. And with my television appearance tomorrow, you better bet this is coming with me – the natural finish will look great in front of the camera. Wear this hydrating formula over your makeup.

These advanced technology products will give a flawless face you can feel good about!

Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup and Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

In today’s world, we get to experience foundation that looks like skin. Technology has made these foundations easy to wear and beautifully undetectable. My current favorite version is Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup. It has balanced coverage and finish with great staying power.

The formula contains light-diffusing spheres – probably what makes this foundation luminous without being overly dewy. Urban Decay also managed to work in some skin care. Matrixyl 3000 is a wrinkle-fighting peptide, Litchiderm brightens skin, Green Tea works as an antioxidant and Sodium Hyaluronate hydrates. Urban Decay’s precise shade numbering system distinguishes between warm tones (ending in “.0”) and cool skin tones (ending in “.5”). With my light-to-medium skin with red undertones I am a solid 3.5.

I highly highly recommend picking up the Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush too. I certainly didn’t need another foundation brush, but this one is unique. The domed shape allowed me to buff foundation into the skin. This buffing technique, known as “Optical Blurring”, prevents streaky finish that can occur with a flat brush, fingers or a sponge. It makes the foundation look smooth, which is a huge plus for more mature skin. The dense brush is perfectly sized so you can get into the nooks and crannies (nose, eyes, brows) but still get fast, even coverage. The brush’s handle is made of recycled aluminum and the synthetic hairs are vegan.

I put two pumps on the back of my hand and pick up product with the brush as needed, starting from the center of my face (nose) and working outward. At first I thought 3.5 might be too light, but as it settled into my skin, it oxidized into the perfect match. Keep this in mind when you are selecting your shade.

bareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation Sneak Peek

There is no one way to categorize this groundbreaking foundation. While it could be called a solid mineral foundation, it is wildly hydrating and never looks cake-y. And rejoice – perfectly portable. bareMinerals took all their experience and knowledge of mineral makeup and incorporated skin-renewing sea minerals. This formula leads to coverage that looks nothing like a regular mineral foundation.

My skin has always been too dry for anything but tinted moisturizer or creamier foundations. So I was concerned this might not work for me. This is actually a moisturizing foundation thanks to the inclusion of cold-pressed Rose hip seed oil. The time released hydration system hydrates the skin all day long. And the powder that actually feels like a cream is buildable for varying coverage.

It is definitely worth it to pick up the accompanying brush – Precision Face Brush. It also comes in a retractable form for on-the-go. The brush head is specifically designed to fit the contours of the face. Swirl the brush lightly in the powder, tap and buff it onto your face. I move from the center outward. Repeat until you have your desired coverage.

The foundation will be available in 20 shades for $29 in September at Sephora, Macy’s, Ulta, Dillard’s and Nordstrom’s.

Check out some of my other bareMineral favorites:

Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer

I admit that, at first, I was a little confused by the Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer. Does it provide coverage? Why is it so watery? Do I need it? After some experimentation, I was quickly hooked. First, it does not provide tremendous coverage, but it does even skin. I’ve come to embrace the water texture. It soothes my skin and blends effortlessly. And yes, I do need this. It is the perfect daytime makeup. And makes a great canvas when you are wearing foundation.

The oil-free and oxygen-rich formula actually ventilates my skin, quenching and hydrating. The smooth but sheer finish actually is refreshing and makes me look more radiant. Truly a unique product! Also available in Deep. And be sure to check out another Sunday Riley favorite: Sunday Riley Soft Focus Finishing Loose Powder.

3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++

Back in May, I covered my favorite BB Creams for various skin types and needs. Since then, I’ve come across another BB Cream that is worthy of All-Star fame and I had to add it to the roster. 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ is like the super-charged, ultra BB Cream. Exceptional is a word that comes to mind.

Like many other BB Creams, the 3LAB version is quite the multi-tasker. It makes my skin vastly more even, brightened and smooth. It isn’t quite as dewy as the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++, but more luminous than Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++. 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream is available in three shades: light, medium and dark. Medium works perfectly on my NC30-NC35 skin. Coverage is pretty substantial for a BB Cream, but looks extraordinarily natural.

Its efficacy is emboldened by some serious technology. The formula contains a patented Human Growth Hormone (hGH) that treats fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides help whiten and brighten skin. Ingredients like pea proteins help promote collagen production. And it can help calm skin and reduce irritation. I love the high SPF factor and vitamin E as a natural antioxidant. You can tell these guys don’t mess around, using state of the art technology to  bring us a BB Cream that goes above and beyond.

Available at Nordstrom with free shipping.