Bare Escentuals is really stepping up their game with their new Prime Time Primer Shadows. These rich, creamy primers come in 6 different colors that can be worn alone as an eyeshadow or under your regular powder eyeshadow for even more intensity and staying power. Safe for those with sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers and those who are allergic to fragrance. $18. Available at sephora, sephora.com and bareescentuals.com
For the past couple of days I have been discussing concealers – shade selection and application and whether or not you should apply concealer before or after foundation. Today I will discuss the 5 most popular formulations/packaging of concealers and the specific areas of the face they should be used on.
Tube: This form of concealer is creamy in texture. Offering a range of coverage from medium to full, this form of concealer is perfect for concealing blemishes on various areas of the face. This formulation can also be used under the eye, providing that you mix in a little of your eye cream with it for better blending. Brands that include tube concealers are Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer, Smashbox High Definition Concealer, Clinique All About Eyes Concealer and Dior DiorSkin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer.
Pot: Also creamy in texture but tends to be more opaque. Can be used for dark marks but is best for under eye circles. Brands that include concealers in this category are Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, Korres Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Concealer, and Makeup Forever Camouflague Cream Palette.
Stick: These look like lipstick and can be applied directly to the face. Providing a range of coverages, this form is not recommended for under the delicate eye area because they can drag the skin. Brands include Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer, Nars Concealer, Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer and Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer.
Wand: This form, which can be used on all areas of the face, provides sheer coverage. Use the wand to apply directly to your skin and blend with a brush or sponge. Brands include, Cover Girl Queen Collection Concealer, YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch, Tarte The Eraser 4 in 1 Concealer, Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer.
Powder: This formulation provides sheer to medium coverage and tends not to cake up as much as some of the of the other formulations. Great for the eye, nose and cheek area. Brands include Bare Minerals Multitasking Face and Physicians Formula Mineral Wear 3 in 1 Concealer Foundation Powder.
*Whichever formulation you use, please remember to blend, blend, blend :0)
If you are anything like me, you carry a large purse (super cute of course) with everything in it – I mean EVERYTHING: a book, a magazine, makeup, snacks, defibrillator, wallet, (only kidding about that defibrillator). In addition to that, I like to carry other personal items such as deodorant, oral care, etc. and, of course, I want a really cute way to carry all of those items. Well check out one of the best inventions ever called MINIMERGENCY KIT FOR HER by Ms. & Mrs. This cute little pouch (measuring 3.5″x 2″ x 2″) holds the tiniest of personal care/fashion/beauty emergency products for on the go. Available in a variety of colors, the pouch holds items such as nail polish, double sided tape, mouthwash, earring backs, tampon, etc. It’s perfect to keep in your purse, glove compartment, or desk. Also available are kits for him, special occassions such as weddings, and for school. Kits start at $12. Available at Sephora as well as sephora.com and msandmrs.com
searching for a great lip product? well here are several amazing lip products, some new, some tried and true that will treat, shine, plump and make your lips oh so kissable :0)
Avon Pro Color & Gloss Lip Duo – a wonderful lipstick/lipgloss duo that you can wear together or separately, creating 3 unique looks. what i love about the packaging is that the lipgloss is in an inner tube within the lipstick so it’s like a “two in one” deal – no more searching for separate lipstick, gloss, and/or applicators. the lipgloss is a shade lighter than the lipstick which will create the illusion of fuller lips if worn with the lipstick. (my favorite color is foxy brown) $10, 10 awesome shades. avon.com
Korres Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick – there is nothing more sumptuous than a product that goes on like a creamy shiny lipgloss with the staying power of an rich luxurious lipstick. this cooling (yes it feels like a cool drink of water on the lips), water based liquid lipstick which contains certified organic acai palm pulp oil, smooths lines and protects against free radical damage, leaving lips hydrated and more youthful looking. (red 56 which is a vibrant red and nude beige 30 which is a neutral pinky beige are my favs). $22, 6 beautiful shades. korresusa.com
Dior Serum De Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment – repair. treat. hydrate. smooth. plump. firm. define. spf 20. serious and luxurious. need i say more? $32, 17 shades. sephora.com
Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick – this product does triple duty as a liner, creamy lipstick, and a plumper. packed with powerful antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) and a built in sharpener, this Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick will take you from zero to gorgeous in no time flat. (monte carlo, a gorgeous magenta is my fav) $18, 12 shades. sephora.com
Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense – not for the faint at heart. rouge artist intense is formulated with 50% more pigment than traditional lipstick, delivering outrageous, attitudinal color intensity. my absolute favorite shade is #15, a pearly violet. i line/fill my lips with the makeup forever aqua lip waterproof lipliner pencil in 11c or 12c, layer #15 lipstick on top. my soul (and my lips) say YES!!!! $19. available in 3 finishes (matte, satin, pearly) and 50 shades exclusively at sephora and sephora.com
Wet N Wild Mega Slicks Lipgloss – yes an old school favorite of mine which is packed with vitamins A and E and comes in 14 colors and is only $1.99. if you want more popping lipcolor and shine, add the mega brilliance lipgloss on top for a frosty, reflective sparkly effect. (sometimes im in THAT mood). $1.99 at all of your local drug stores such as duane reed, cvs, and walgreens.
Black Opal Patent Lips Liquid Lipstick – cant get enough of this rich creamy color that goes on with the shine of a gloss and the staying power of a lipstick. comes in 8 amazing shades. my favorite is the coppertone, which is a brownish, coppery shade. $6.75 found at your local cvs and blackopalbeauty.com
Milani Buzz Worthy Lipgloss – love, love, love the sheer brilliant high shine packed inside of these convenient squeeze tubes. formulated with jojoba seed oil as well as vitamin A & E. perfect for layering on top of your favorite lipstick. $5.49 available in 9 shades. milanicosmetics.com
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment – say goodbye to your chapstick because this does more than coat your lips with a questionable wax-like substance. Made with real sugar, (a humectant which binds moisture to your skin), vitamins A, C, & E, and antixoidant grapeseed oil, this lip treatment penetrates your lips to plump and protect. even better, this product is made without parabens, synthetic dyes, and petrochemicals. worthy enough to be kept by my bedside and in my purse, maybe yours too. also a great prep for lips before applying lip color. available in clear, tinted rose and tinted plum. $22.50. fresh.com
Rosebud Salve - love love love this product because of the multiplicity of uses. great for dry cracked lips, hands, elbows, sooths minor burns and diaper rash. what else can you ask for? available in a tube and a small tin (and great for the fellas too). $6. sephora.com
looks like you have some shopping to do :0)
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….
If you’re anything like me, you like getting multiple uses out of one product…like a body wash that can be used as shampoo or a planter and serving tray that can be used together as a small side table (hmm that’s two items but you get the point). It is no different for Vaseline, an inexpensive product that I have come to love over the years for its multiplicity of uses. What’s even better is the fact that I dont have to travel the world over to get this product. I dont have to order it online or have a consultant to get my product. And I dont have to spend more than $4 to purchase it. I can go to any drug or grocery store and purchase it the same day for cheap! Here are some of my favorite beauty uses for vaseline…
A wonderful moisturizer for your face, especially for night and for cold weather season. Helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
An excellent makeup (eye) remover.
Can be used in lieu of lipgloss (my absolute favorite). It delivers high impact shine and has great conditioning/moisturizing benefits. Use with a lip brush if using it with other lipcolor.
Use it with your favorite eyeshadow to create a high impact, glossy affect.
It is also an excellent moisturizer for hands/feet/cuticles. For your feet, apply when damp, slather on a generous amount paying close attention to cuticles and put on some socks. You will have the softest feet ever.
Simple yet so profound. 
