Get Your Glow On

Summer is fast approaching and what better time to have delicious, beautifully glowing skin.  There are many products that can deliver that effect, such as body oils and lotions, as well as body bronzers but i especially like the Nars Illuminator  to get my runway glow on because this sheer, luminous product can be used on the body as well as the face.  Use it by itself on the high points of the face, decolletage, and shoulders or mix it with your favorite liquid foundation or body lotion.  It comes in 4 shades:

• Orgasm: a peachy pink which looks best on fairer complexions
• Super Orgasm:  has more of a golden glow and beautifully highlights deeper complexions
• Copacabana: which is pearlescent and can be used as a highlighter
• Laguna: which is a bit more bronze and looks better on medium skin tones

$29 available at Sephora, sephora.com and narscosmetics.com

multiple use beauty products

have a lot to do but not enough time?  between waking up and going back to sleep,  you have to check emails, return phone calls, get to work on time, attend endless meetings, walk the dog,  eat (if you do that kind of thing) and not to mention look totally amazing so you need beauty products that are quick, easy to use, and deliver amazing results.  well read on for some of my favorite products that have more than one use and that are great for minimalists, women on the go, the novice and the pro…

nars the multiple:  a cream to powder stick makeup which comes in an array of colors,  can be used on face, lips, cheeks or body to add warmth, sculpt and highlight.  can be used with fingers,  or applied directly from the tube (blend with fingers).  nars’ signature and cult favorite shade is orgasm which is a beautiful peachy, golden pink and is actually a universally flattering shade (pinky peach on lighter complexions and golden pink on deeper complexions)

stila one step prime color:  this product, which has a light, mousse like texture, primes and highlights, is an eyeshadow, bronzer, cheek and lip color.  it is a smart product which means it reacts to your skin’s needs by correcting, priming and balancing in the areas that need it and is great for the skin because it is paraben free.  comes in six shades. the kitten and bronze beige shades make great highlighters on the high points of the face.

korres milk proteins 3 in 1 cleansing emulsion:  this product, which is made without sulfates and synthetic dyes,  is great for cleansing, toning and removing makeup.  best suited for those who have dryer skin and great for those who, after a long day, want to use one product to remove everything.  for quick easy cleasing in a flash or on the go, try their milk proteins cleansing and makeup removing wipes (dry skin) or my favorite, pomegrante cleansing and makeup removing wipes for oily and combination skin.

guerlain kiss kiss lip lift:  looking for a product that will act as a treatment your lips and keep your color on longer than a half hour, try this product which smooths, treats and primes the lips for long lasting color.  i even like to use this product as a reverse lip liner:  apply just outside of the lipline to create a barrier to prevent lip color (especially reds) from bleeding.  similar products that work just as beautifully are the too faced borderline anti feathering lip pencil and duwop reverse lip liner.

dr brandt pores no more pore refiner:  only the greatest invention since electricity and a personal favorite,  this product, made without sulfates and dyes smooths skin texture, refines pores and provides a matte finish.  in addition, used as a primer, it keeps foundation on longer and less foundation product is needed.  for drier skin types try ddf wrinkle resist plus pore minimizer.  it minimizes pores, hydrates, exfoliates and works great as a primer.

now if only triple mousse chocolate cake had multiple uses for our good….

duo lights

so about that sephora brand duo bronzer/lumizer.  i dont remember the time or the day this product came into my life.  i dont even know what possessed me to pick it up and try it.  all i know is that i go nowhere without it.  as i stated in a previous post, it is a cream formulation that glides smoothly and beautifully over the skin.  use the deeper bronze color on the eyes, cheeks, and shoulders and the lighter golden shade can be used above and below the brow bone, the center of lips, cheekbones – where ever you want to put it.  i personally take my brush and swirl it around to pick up a blend of both colors and swirl it on the high planes of my cheeks, in the center of my forhead, down the center of my nose for a bronzy (is that a word), glowy, dewy look and it helps control excess sebum production.  i cant get enough. 

light me up

i was at work today helping a client look for a liquid bronzer/luminizer (she had fair skin) that wouldnt be too dark.  i showed her several brands, one of which was my favorite  beauty must have – sephora brand duo lights which is a cream bronzer/luminizer combination which works on all complexions.  i take my blush brush and swirl it around then apply to my – wait. enough about me.  my client liked it but it wasnt quite what she was looking for.  during my search i kept showing her different products.    then i happened upon 4 treasures that i never considered before because is not a part of one of my go- to lines.  i think my life might be changed. (oh yeah – she loved it and bought it but enough about her).  what is it you ask?  Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator.  it is a sheer, lightweight liquid illuminator that can be mixed with any foundation or used alone.  use it to highlight brow bones, cupid’s bows, the inner corner of your eyes, and contour cheeks.  it’s great!!! it comes in four shades which can be used on any skintone (i have a dark complexion).  if i am not mixing this into foundation,  i would apply with my fingertips which is sometimes the best applicator because your fingers warm the product for better application.  yay!!!!