Tag: powder

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

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!

bareMinerals READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil

This summer, I’ve been on the hunt for a pressed powder to throw in my purse. I don’t have oily skin, but with all this heat I was getting shiny. At the same time, I didn’t want a lot of color. A tinted BB Cream is already part of my routine, so I just wanted something that would improve staying power, cut the shine and provide a little touch up.

Eureka! bareMinerals READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil hit the nail on the head. This solid mineral compact uses their proprietary SeaNutritive Mineral Complex. So you get anti-aging benefits while you touch up. I love that it also has SPF. It isn’t enough alone, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. The effect is soft skin that looks even and airbrushed. It doesn’t have a matte finish, but reduces shine in a natural way.

You can use it with the enclosed puff, but I carry a Trish McEvoy Bronzer Brush in my purse and I love the way it blends out the powder. While this also comes in Tinted, I prefer the Translucent. It doesn’t require precision while you are on the go. And works for any skin color.

Cover FX Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder

While I am not usually a powder girl, some makeup control is necessary in my hot, sticky, Texas Summer. But I was looking for something that didn’t create an artificial matte look because I like to rock some “dew”. Good thing I came across sweet Melissa at CoverFX who introduced me to Translucent Setting Powder in Dark.

I am relatively fair so I was a bit taken aback when I saw the darkness of the powder. But I gave it a chance. So when you see it in person DO NOT ABORT. I repeat DO NOT ABORT. Even though it appeared dark, it comes off as a great shade for me in the summer.

It appears on the skin with a sheer dose of natural and sunkissed color. It isn’t a bronzer as the color intensity isn’t strong enough for that effect. But it simply adds a “summer radiance” or glow. I blend all over with my Le Metier de Beaute Kabuki brush. The powder also comes in Translucent for those who want to shy away from color. This would also work great in the winter.

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot

Laura Mercier is known for creating the “flawless face” with her four-step routine. I am definitely not one to sign up for so many steps in a makeup routine, but her refined process and products really do lend to a blemish-free and well, “flawless”, appearance. Recently, she threw us lazy-types a bone with the introduction of the undercover pot. This pot consolidates steps three and four into one product – use the top to conceal and then the translucent powder is conveniently stored below to set your look. The oil-free secret camouflage, a long-time cult favorite, is creamy enough to cover blemishes but dry enough to achieve staying power. Secret concealer has an emollient formula to cover the eye area – the creaminess keeps the product from settling into fine lines. Then the translucent powder sets makeup – while I don’t think the powder changes the finish, I do think it keeps the makeup looking great for a longer period of time. Trust me, it is worth all those steps.