bb cream

In the world of beauty, new products are anticipated, coveted, and generate lots of buzz with promises of revolutionizing our skincare and beauty routines, perfecting our look or correcting some type of misfortune on our faces.  Well, I must say, with the introduction of BB cream to the market, I was less than excited.  Why you may ask?  Well because I didnt understand it’s purpose.  To me it was nothing more than another primer.  So what now?  After doing minimal research (remember I wasnt that interested) I found out that this BB cream, which stands for beauty balm, is all the rage in Asia and was initially used to treat post procedural skin (skin laser surgery) with its skin regenerating benefits.  Ok that’s great but for those of us that arent having any type of surgery in the near future, I was still wondering why I should care about this product.  Then I found out why bb creams are such an amazing product.  BB creams can be used to prime the skin, provide sun protection, control oil and hydrate the skin.  And if someone needs minimal coverage, some of these bb creams such as Dr Jart’s can provide that benefit.

Awesome.  Now another issue arised, well at least for me anyway.  The bb creams that I experimented with initially were for people with fair skin.  What are people with darker skin supposed to use if they want some of this illustrious bb cream?  Problem solved.  There are several brands out there that have shade range and I going to shout out Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream with SPF 35.  Prime. Protect. Perfect.  Hydrate.  Control Shine.  Four shades from fair to dark.  Thanks Smashbox for actually thinking that various skintones could benefit from such a product.  Thank You.   (and the dark is actually kind of dark.  I am dark skinned and this pretty much blended into my skin without looking chalky).  Put a pea sized amount on your fingertips.  Press into the skin.  Foundation is optional if you want more coverage.  Even better is the fact that this particular bb cream has anti aging peptides that will improve skin over time.   Awesome.  Now how’s that for revolutionary beauty!?

Primer Trouble Shooting

Ever put on your foundation primer, particularly the type with dimethicone (a form of silicone which creates slippery-like texture – think Smashbox Photo Finish Primer), and it starts pilling or rolling?  Some reasons why this may be happening include…

• Dry/dehydrated skin.  Sometimes when skin is dry and flaky, the primer mixes with the dry skin and begins to roll around on the skin instead of adhere or absorb into the skin.  Try using a gentle exfoliant to slough off dead skin followed by a moisturizer.  Allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin then apply a small amount of primer to the skin.
• Using too much primer.  Listen – a small amount goes a long way.  Try applying some of the primer to your fingertips and then apply to your face with a pressing motion.
• Silicone on top of silicone.  Sometimes when you are using a moisturizer with silicone in it and then put a silicone primer on top, it can roll.  Try using a moisturizer without silicone and then use a primer or just use the moisturizer with the silicone as that should not only hydrate the skin but also perfect and prepare the skin for foundation application.

Hope that helps.

Toodles :0)

Concealers (Part 2 – Conceal Before or After Foundation)

There are two schools of thought on whether to apply concealer before or after foundation.  Some people say to apply the concealer before the foundation when heavier coverage is needed.  Other people say apply the concealer after the foundation because the imperfection is small.  I always tell people to do what works best for them but I personally find that applying concealer after foundation works better because by doing it the other way you are actually pulling (or wiping away) the concealer away from the imperfection you are trying to cover. Follow these steps to ensure that you get the best concealer coverage…

• After prepping your skin with the proper skincare and applying your foundation, select a concealer that mimics your skintone.
• In a stippling motion (bouncing with your finger) apply the concealer to the blemished area (*note:  if you re trying to conceal an acne scar/pimple, try applying an eyeshadow primer to the area to make sure the concealer adheres to the area)
• Be sure the blend away any lines with a blending brush.
• Set your face with translucent powder.

Maybelline Fit Me

So for the past couple of days i have seen this commercial for a new line of makeup from Maybelline called Fit Me.  Initially I sat there watching this commercial with annoyance because i felt like this was just another commercial promoting just another product.  And then I became very intrigued.  I went and did some research and came across a blog/article on stylelist.com that gave me a little more insight about this new product.  The three points of difference from the post that made me raise an eyebrow of interest are:

• All products, foundation, powder, concealer, and blush are made to work together as a full face regimen.
• Powders are labeled the same number as foundations, making it much easier to select the corresponding shade.
• The products will be set out in rows according to shade, instead of by item. So dark powders will be next to dark foundations which will be set next to the blushes and concealers recommended for that skin tone.

I think that this concept is great for customers who are not makeup saavy and/or clients who just want a quick makeup regimen without the fuss as well as a product that leave a natural, flawless finish.

eliminate eye shadow fallout

tired of cleaning up eye shadow fallout – that ominous dark cloud that has fallen around your eye while doing your eye makeup, made even worse when doing a smoky eye?  well here are a few tips, tricks, and time savers  to help you create a flawless face/eye without the hassle…

• do your concealer and/or eye brightners last so you dont have to reapply after wiping up the mess your eyeshadow has created.  this way, after you are done applying your eye makeup, you can use your concealer to “clean-up” the eye area.
• if you have already applied your concealer and you have eyeshadow fallout, put a small amount of primer containing dimethicone such as Smashbox Photofinish Primer (the one that has the “slippery” feeling) on a cotton round to swipe away the fallout without disturbing foundation/undereye concealer.
• use Shadow Shields. i absolutely love using these on clients when on location because it saves me so much time. Shadow Shields are self-adhering, moon shaped, disposable “shields” that catch fallout and eliminates mess.   just apply under the eye before applying eyeshadow and remove when you’re done.  in addition to that, Shadow Shields can also help to create the perfect lip line (bottom lip), again eliminating mess and saving time.   simple yet profound.  $12.99. shadowshields.com

Foundation Choices

putting your best face forward begins with healthy skin and the right foundation makes healthy, good looking skin look even more beautiful.  there are so many options today on the market for foundations regarding texture, coverage, finish, and formulation, each meeting various needs to provide the look you desire.  whichever you choose, only apply to the areas you need to ensure your look is natural.  following is a run down of the types of formulations that are available to you:

tinted moisturizers:  a sheer form of a foundation which has just a hint of color for a fresh, barely there finish.  when choosing a tinted moisturizer, select one with an spf of at least 15.

liquid foundations:  come in various types of coverage (sheer, medium, full) with various finishes (natural, satin, matte).  liquid foundations offer a wide range of shades to include all complexions.

cream foundations: offers full coverage and should be blended with a sponge or stippling brush to avoid a mask like appearance.

stick foundations:  smooth, creamy formulation which can also double as a concealer for spot coverage.  stick foundations come in water based (normal to dry skin) and oil free (oily/combination skin) formulations with a medium to full coverage and provides a semi matte finish.

cream to powder foundations:  goes on like a cream and dries to a powdery matte finish.  provides moderate coverage.

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation

i am super excited about one of the latest additions to the fabulous world of Laura Mercier.  Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation is one of the most sumptuous, luxurious creme foundations i have ever come in contact with.  the buildable formulation, which contains a multi-peptide complex with Dermaxyl, a very powerful anti-aging property, as well as optical diffusers to blur the lines of imperfection, looks natural and flawless on the skin when applied with a foundation brush and then blended/buffed out with a stippling brush.  my only call out is the fact that this product has a limited deeper shade range, however it is still a great product, perfect for those with normal to dry skin types.   $50 at Sephora and other fine department stores.

primed & and poreless: a love affair

ok so i have a new love in my life.  first just let me tell you that i am very stubborn.  im not always open to new things.  if i am happy with how things have been going, i dont change.  guess i should.  anywhoo.  i dont believe in foundation primers – not for myself anyway- even though i teach my clients about the benefits of such a product and i use them when im on location.  well that was until now.  Too Faced has just launched their new foundation primer called Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer and I have been changed!!!  this sumptuous formula which is actually good for your skin (vitamins a and c, mulberry extract, retinol) smooths, hyrdrates and firms, preparing the skin for flawless application of complexion products.  you can even wear it alone as the nude color disappears into any skin tone.  i love how this product improved the texture and tone of my skin.  it even looked glowier (not sure that’s a word but anywhoo).  even my co-workers kept telling me that my skin looked extra nice.  i told them what it was and now they’re on board and you should be too!  toodles :0)

firm foundation

good day all.  i just saw some not so exact advice floating around in twitterville on how to choose the right foundation.  i actually see women do this all the time – testing foundation on the back of their hand or inside their wrist.  this may work for some but generally speaking the skin on our hands/inside wrists are a different shade than what’s on our face.  to get a better read or indication on how to choose the right shade of foundation for your complection, follow these simple “rules”…

if your skin color is even – color stripe you foundation along your jawline

if your skin is lighter in the center of your face – color stripe just below your cheekbone

if you have variations of color in your skin – color stripe in each area of your face

if your face is dramatically lighter than your neck – color stripe to match your neck.

also when color striping, choose three similar shades that appear to match your complexion, draw a verticle line of each color along your jawline (or other specified area), wait a minute to allow the color to sit (oxidize), swipe through the lines horizontally with a cotton tip applicator and the color that disappears into the skin after blending is the correct match.

good day.

tinted moisturizer

so summer is near and so many ladies like their foundation but feel that it might be a little too heavy for summertime.  let me share with you how much i love tinted moisturizer which is – well – moisturizer with color so to speak.  this light formulation glides on evenly and beautifully and gives light sheer coverage.  some tinted moisturizers i have worked with in the past is stila (which have slightly more shade ranges), laura mercier and lorac.  i recommend making sure your skin has been buffed to a smooth beautiful finish (as always)  and still use your primer and concealer if necessary.