Tag: foundation

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.

L’Oreal Visible Lift Smooth Absolute Instant Age Reversing Foundation

Brilliant – turn the foundation bottle into a wand with a built-in, high quality brush. Add in L’Oreal’s Hydra-Collagen Complex for an anti-aging, plumping effect and you have have an easy-to-apply, smoothing foundation with SPF 17. Not to mention serious bang for the buck.

As you twist the product up into the brush, somehow the perfect amount is provided. I do a quick swipe on my nose, chin, forehead and cheeks and then blend. The brush is unique in its high quality, streak-free application. Turning the brush on it’s side, you are able to get around the nose and underneath eyes. While it is medium coverage, the effect is natural because it isn’t too matte. Only downside is a lack of shade range with only eight options, all in the fair-skin range.

L’Oreal Visible Lift Smooth Absolute Instant Age Reversing Foundation is available at Target for $13.48.

Shiseido ‘Perfect’ Foundation Brush

During a pit stop at the Cle de Peau counter, I was trying out their amazing foundation. More coming on that later. As the artist was expertly applying, I was enthralled with this strange looking brush. “Tell me more!” I pleaded. Very quietly, he said, “you MUST have this brush, but it isn’t sold here” and flashed the “Shiseido” logo.

Didn’t take me long to scour the internet and place my order. Be advised that this brush can be hard to find, but good ole HSN has it in stock. I don’t know about you, but I feel kinda naughty when I buy something on HSN, like in a good way. As if I am lounging on the couch, eating bonbons and shopping on television. Anyway, back to brushes…

The beauty of this odd-looking foundation brush is its ability to work with liquid, cream or powder formulas. The flat surface, along with a full brush, create the perfect foundation finish – no streaks, no cakey coverage. Gently tapered strands create an angled slant that best allows bristles to reach all facial contours. Short handle allows for precise control during application and portability for travel.

I tried this brush with MAC Studio Fix (a dryer cream), NARS Sheer Glow (a less viscous liquid foundation) and the Cle de Peau Silky Cream (more of a cream than liquid) and coverage was precise, even and flawless.

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MAC Face and Body Foundation

I was tired of listening to people rave about MAC Face and Body Foundation. I had to see what the fuss was about. Especially after I learned it was a lightweight, water-based foundation that was insanely long-lasting.

The formula was designed to be used to even coverage on the entire body – duh, hence the name “Face and Body Foundation”. At first, it appears really sheer, but is very buildable so you can vary your level of coverage. It almost has the feel of a moisterizing lotion and follows up with super hydration action, so it works even on my drier skin.

Originally developed for beauty photography, this is my choice if you are being photographed and I also hear it is fabulous for weddings and events. I think it will definitely be in my suitcase for the long, crazy days of New York Fashion Week.

This foundation is only available at MAC stores and is a great value at $32.50 for an enormous 4 fluid ounces.

Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment

We are about the enter the world of luxury cosmetics – hang on tight! Peau Vierge has made its ride from relative unknown to cult status to luxury standout. No wonder this isn’t just a little tinted moisturizer but also a foundation, sun protection, anti-aging and illuminizer.

As far as coverage, I think this falls squarely between a lightweight foundation and tinted moisturizer. I tend to get fairly comprehensive coverage but don’t feel weighed down. Unlike other tinted moisturizers, there is definitely a radiance with Peau Virage – something I enjoy so much, I generally skip powder.

Sounds pretty good, right? Let’s not stop there. Even with light coverage, this formula has SPF 20. The way it blends allows me to cover my face all the way down my decolletage so I know I am protected beyond my face when I use this product.

Because this product contains powerful anti-aging ingredients, I encourage everyone to ask LOTS of questions about Retinol it contains and potential effects on your skin. For this reason, I have used this product for over two months before I felt okay offering a review. My skin looks healthier, although I do not sense a highly active Retinol treatment. For instance, when I use the Retinol my dermatologist prescribes, I have sensitivity, redness and, sometimes, peeling. But my dark spots are dramatically reduced and my pores are clear and small. With Peau Vierge, my skin looks smoother, more radiant and clearer (a more subtle Retinol effect). Le Métier de Beauté uses a distinctive delivery technology that claims to provide Retinol more efficiently and effectively.

While I first tried this product over a year ago, I didn’t purchase it until they released Shade 1 recently. Even though there are only three shades, I think they are comprehensive enough to satisfy most skin shades:

Color:

Shade 1: a light, creamy tone with peach undertones
Shade 2: neutral beige
Shade 3: a deeper tone with golden undertones

Available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

You know those long days when, around 3PM, you are in desperate need for a refresh? A portable foundation that I treat more like concealer is a handy solution. What I love about this product is its compact packaging and adjustable coverage. But this complexion-fixer requires a well moisturized canvas. If you are on the dry side, like me, make sure your skin is very well hydrated or the application will come off flaky. I also started by using a foundation brush with this stick, but I actually prefer using my fingers to spot apply where I need to eliminate redness or cover a blemish.