FGW: Who you callin’ Shady?

I recently had a spur of the moment trip to join my Daddy-O for a few days. With 5 days of travel and 3 different hotels, I wanted my makeup kit to be portable but diverse. I needed something for transit, for the moment when I jumped into his arms, for a touristy walk through the art district, and for fabulous evenings out to dinner. How could I possibly fit everything all those looks required into one little train case? If only there was something compact that contained a plethora of flattering shades….

Ask, and you shall receive. Only days previous I had opened a box containing theBalm’s Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette(Limited Edition, Sephora only). I’d heard good things and I was headed out on an adventure anyways, so I just tossed it in my case along with a few brushes and hit the road. I guess I figured that if it didn’t work I could always use the excuse to hunt down a cosmetics counter and buy something new. It turns out that no hunting was necessary.

The palette case has a magnetic lid, a generous sized mirror, and is fairly sturdy. It survived being bashed about by baggage handlers, me, and later, my 15 month old daughter (a moment of silence please for the half a pan of Easy Wheezie which ended up embedded in her nails and my couch cushions). It’s smaller than a standard CD case so it can be easily tucked between folded clothes or jammed into the corner of your train case. Not that I would ever do such a thing.

There are 9 colors in this collection, ranging from light to very dark and covering every major color family. The 3 darkest colors are perfect for use as liners as well so you needn’t pack anything more than an extra brush. The color combinations are limited only by your imagination and I found that even the most seemingly insane combination were lovely. On a whim I used Curvy Cami(Plum shimmer with gold flecks) partnered with All about Alex(olive shimmer) and I loved the results. You only need to rub your fingertips across the pans of color to realize why these shadows are described as velvety. They apply smooth and clean, with no clumpy, chalky texture. They glide across your eyelid and stay quite well without feeling heavy in the slightest. I generally use a shadow base, but theBalm’s shadows stay well without one.

I think the thing that most impresses me about this set is the value. With nine shades for only $38 it averages to just under four and a quarter for each shade. There’s no way you’ll find a shadow of this quality for that kind of money anywhere else. This set has great potential for people who want to try several new shades without the expense of buying a bunch of singles. However, I think its true value is for the woman who wants variety and quality but can’t afford to lay down the cash this usually requires. I found that this palette offers something for every occasion, from a picnic at the park to an evening on the town, and something for every mood, from soft and playful to sultry and divine. This was a well thought out color collection of a fantastic eye shadow packaged in a convenient way. For the price and the quality I simply have no choice but to rate it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Total Beauty – Total Cure MySpace and Win Tarte Cosmetics

Pink Ribbon Alert!

Did you know that if you add the Total Beauty – Total Cure MySpace Page as a friend that you will be automatically entered in a giveaway sponsored by Tarte Cosmetics!?  One grand prize winner will receive a product gift set valued at $253!  The set includes:

-clean slate primer
-sunburst bronzing moisturizer
-lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 mascara
-picture perfect eyelash curler
-emphasEYES high definition eye pencil
-lock & roll creaseless eyeshadow duo
-tzone travel
-double dose berry boost & gloss
-cheek stain
-rest assured brightening wand
-rejuvelash declumping lash exhilarator
-fRxtion

AND, Twenty runners-up will win the ready-to-wear/prêt-à-porter palette!

Right now you can also receive 30% off your entire order at tarte cosmetics.  Just type in “luckybreaks7″ at checkout, this code is good until 11/30/08.   Thank you tarte!

FGW: Take it off, take it all off…

“Hi, I’m Mo, and I’m an exfoliator.”

Crowd:  “Hi Mo”

“I like passive exfoliators fine enough. You know Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids and all. But I just…I can’t give up my…my…aggressive exfoliators!”

Crowd:  *Gasp* “The horror, the shock! Wait, what are we talking about? What the heck do you mean anyway?”

Everyone has their own terminology for different types of exfoliators. In my world, chemical exfoliators are “passive”, while actual scrubs that physically push away dead cells are “aggressive” exfoliators. I use both, a chemical exfoliator twice a week and a scrub two to three times a week, depending on how my skin feels. Not everyone can or should exfoliate so often, and those with thin or sensitive skin should consult a dermatologist before beginning, just for safety’s sake.  I find that a lax exfoliation schedule leads to many more breakouts for me, and exfoliating regularly lets me get by with using less acne product overall.

Most people know that an effective exfoliation doesn’t require an expensive scrub. Many of us do it inadvertently when we use a washcloth to remove our cleanser. If that’s more your speed then there are products out there that can step up your game but still fit perfectly into your regimen.

The Supracor Spacells facial sponge ($12) is unlike any “sponge” you’ve ever seen.  Naturally antifungal, antibacterial and allergen free, Spacells unique honeycomb design is an energizing experience. Used with your usual cleanser it really clears off makeup and skin cells, but also stimulates blood flow and massages your skin. Be sure to use the softer clear side for scrubbing and the more firm side for massaging and for rough skin, like elbows.  Better yet, get a bath mitt ($32) for your body and keep the sponge just for your face. This is a durable and long lasting product, just rinse after use and allow to dry. Since you can use any cleanser you like with it, all skin types would really enjoy the refreshing experience of a Supracor spacells facial sponge. Supracor’s Stimulite products range far beyond just face and body. Mattress covers, foot wear, baby and pet products, and even an equestrian line truly offer something for everyone. That bed pillow has my hot headed name all over it!

Choosing the right mineral makeup for you

Meli recently asked a question at the Bare Escentuals VS. Drug Store brand Mineral Makeup post:

I would be happy to get your thoughts on Bare’s Get Started kit. Quality vs price? Which one of the following would the best pick?  Bare, Maybelline or Everyday Minerals? What about L’Oreal?

Sincerely, thank you for your precious answers,  Meli

Hi Meli, so great to hear from you!  There are so many mineral makeup lines and so many factors to take into consideration.  Hope this information will help you make an informed decision!

Here are a few things to consider in choosing the best mineral foundation for you:

• Skin type.  Finding the right match of formula for your skin type, oily, dry, combination…
• Skin color. Is your skin tone difficult to match, or do you tend to find a compatible shade easily?  Some complain that certain mineral makeups can look ashy or orange on their skin.
• Convenience. Do you prefer to purchase this at your local drug store or do you mind ordering on-line, or going to a department store counter?
• Price. A large range of prices when it comes to mineral makeup.

Here are my feelings on the specific mineral makeup brands you listed:

1.  L’Oreal’s mineral makeup is formulated with talc, so if you have sensitive or breakout prone skin, watch out!  Not recommended.
2.  Maybelline’s mineral makeup is best for those with normal or dry skin.  This is based upon many comments from a review at the Makeup Moxie website.  Another comment was that while they love this mineral foundation, but do not like the brush that is included.  I would suggest purchasing your own kabuki brush for optimum application.  If you have oily skin it will not work well for you, but it is a great value and you can purchase it at your local drug store.
3.  Bare Minerals is the most popular of all the mineral makeup lines, and many people love it.  I think it is best suited for those with oily skin.  For individuals with drier skin, it can accentuate fine lines and look flaky.  This line is more expensive, but their starter kits offer a better value ($30), and can be purchased online, department stores, and at Target.
4.  Everyday Minerals is a wonderful line and offers different formulas for different skin types (Original Glo, Semi-Matte, Matte, and Intensive) and at very reasonable price ($12 for a large container).  Their samples are generous and allow deciding which formulas are best for your skin.  Highly recommended for both quality and value.

My personal experience with mineral makeup is mixed.  My best results have been with the Everyday Mineral line, and that could be due to my specific skin type (combination skin and sensitive to breakouts) and I have liked their Original Glo and Semi-Matte formulas.  Ideally, I still prefer a liquid foundation or a tinted moisturizer. 

My biggest complaints with SOME mineral makeup foundations are:

• The “itch” factor, my skin feels coated and slightly irritated by the mineral makeup
• Some mineral powders can accentuate fine lines on my skin, and deposit in my laugh lines
• My skin ends up looking too matte and chalky
• The powder can emphasize flaking and dry patches on my face

But I realize that with the right formula and the right skin type, your skin can look amazing while using a mineral makeup foundation.  Here are some other MBB posts on the subject of mineral makeup:

• Mineral Makeup + Prime Time = LOVE
• Drug Store Mineral Makeup: Maybe Not So Good
• Attack of the Orange Foundation
• Follow Up: Mineral Makeup Mania

Best wishes Meli, and hope to hear what you end up using and how you feel about it.  JEN

Beauty Bit: Do pre-foundation primers make a visible difference?

 

 

Do pre-foundation primers make a visible difference?

Pro makeup artist Molly Stern says primers are meant to serve as a layer between skin and foundation to create a more even surface. But not everyone needs them. “The best candidate for them would be someone who is very oily or has a lot of scarring from acne,” she says. But do primers actually make a difference? We had two women of different ages each test a top foundation primer geared toward their skin type. Find out if their makeup looked better … and if anyone noticed.
See primers

My Adventure with Marini Lash: One Month

As promised, here are pictures of my lashes while using the Marini Lash product for the last month.  In the top picture I am not wearing any mascara or eyeliner, just my bare naked eye! 

For the second picture, yes, I am using mascara and yes, one of my lashes is pretty much touching the bottom of my eyebrow.  I even tugged at this lash to see if it was really attached or just a flukey mascara-enduced deviant.  This is a first for me, and I am feeling pretty pleased with such progress.

In this second picture, I am also wearing eyeliner, but a very light silver/gray shade called “Gunmetal” 24/7 Glide-On Pencil from Urban Decay.

There are only TWO more days left to enter the Marini Lash Lashes of your Dreams Giveaway, so if you haven’t yet, enter now or miss out!

Beauty Bit: The right hair removal method for you

 

 

 Find the right process for your skin and hair type

Waxing, tweezing, lasering … part-torture, part-godsend. But with so many choices, which method works best for you? Your skin tone, hair texture and pain threshold are all major factors we’ll weed through to get your strategy set. Answer the following questions to find your ideal procedure.

Hair removal quiz

FGW: Korres Ginger & Vitamins Foundation SPF 10

I’m an impulse buyer. Really. You know those racks of stuff by the checkout at the store, “impulse racks”? They put those there for me. My husband loves to tease that I can’t get through a line without grabbing something, anything. Hey, I completely forgot I needed a permanent marker, an eyeglass repair kit, and antler polish until just this moment, okay?

So when I placed my last Sephora order and they recommended a foundation based on my profile information, who was I to turn them down? Into my basket it went. After all, if a random computer generated match of products isn’t right for me, what on earth is?!

I have to say, I’ve never been happier with an impulse buy.

I had previously heard of Korres, but they’ve mainly stayed under my radar because they aren’t sold in any local shops. A Greek company with roots in Homeopathic Pharmacy, they now offer more than 500 products for face, body, and hair. As a company they strive to stay true to their history , and use many natural ingredients while avoiding things like mineral oil and silicone. The yoghurt ( or yogurt, depending on which side of the pond you hail from) products contain real edible yogurt if that gives you an idea of their dedication to time tested herbal remedies.

The Ginger & Vitamins Foundation ($28) is packaged in a tube, much like toothpaste, which is incredibly durable and handy. I have no qualms about tossing this in my diaper bag on the way out the door, as it is tough and the cap stays put. While this is billed as a medium coverage I think it’s somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a traditional medium coverage, simply because of its amazing lightweight feel. Something about this foundation covers my red blemishes wonderfully and evens my skin tone. My skin appears soft and fresh, and the formula stays well without caking or changing color through the day. So easy to blend, I simply can’t stress enough how wonderfully natural this foundation looks and feels. The decision to replace synthetic silicone with dry vegetable oils doesn’t hurt this product at all, as it still has a smooth feel with really good staying power. I haven’t experienced any skin irritation or breakouts from this product, though it does contain Glycerin (sorry Jami).

I would expect more than an SPF 10 in this day and age. By now companies should know to use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at LEAST 15 or just skip it altogether and let us apply our own underneath. Claiming SPF coverage when very little is actually offered is one of my pet peeves, since it can make many women feel as though they’re doing the “safe” thing, while actually leaving them poorly protected. When in doubt, make sure you have a moisturizer with good SPF or a lightweight sunscreen in your arsenal just in case. Depending on your skin type you may want to set this foundation with powder or carry your tube for touch-ups through the day.

This spontaneous buy has turned out to be a real find. It bumped my previous favorite face color, a tinted moisturizer, and has shown itself to be a great all-purpose foundation. Quick to apply and easy to blend, with great coverage to boot!

Laura Mercier’s Flawless Face Kit, Great Value

Laura Mercier’s Flawless Face Kit looks like a fabulous makeup kit and at a pretty decent price.  Allie from My Wardrobe Today mentioned that she purchased this kit for herself, and I couldn’t help but drool when I read all that is included in it. 

The Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit:
Each bag contains a 1.0 oz Foundation Primer (Step 1), a 1.0 oz Tinted Moisturizer (Step 2), a 0.21 oz Undercover Pot plus Translucent Loose Setting Powder (Step 3 and 4), a Secret Camouflage Brush, a Camouflage Powder Brush, a Velour Puff, and an egg-shaped Sponge.

Individually these items would sell for $159, and at Sephora this LM exclusive is listed for $65.  I know that is probably more than your entire yearly beauty budget, but let me explain.

Laura Mercier’s primer is a wonderful primer product, one of the best out there!  It protects and soothes your skin and helps your foundation glide on and stay put.  Even a 1oz size will easily last you a year.  LM’s tinted moisturizer is one of my favorites, it is quite sheer, but adds a beautiful glow and evenness to your skin.  Maybe not ideal for those needing medium to heavy foundation coverage, but for those craving light and natural coverage LM’s tinted moisturizer with the primer is a MUST!

LM’s brushes are high quality, beautifully crafted brushes, and I LOVE her egg-shaped sponges!  These tools are truly a godsend for applying foundation “flawlessly.”

I have heard the wonders about LM’s Undercover Pot plus Translucent Loose Setting Powder, and am dying to try it.   Kate is it, or is it not “the bomb?”

Leave it to Sephora and Laura Mercier to put together a kit like this that is so darn irresistible!

L’Oreal Paris “Color of Hope” Campaign

Every year 22,000 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. L’Oreal Paris is supporting the cause by raising over 14 million dollars through their Color of Hope campaign. Their goal for the month of September is to get 22,000 visitors to their site, http://www.lorealcolorofhope.com/.

They have received over 11,000 visitors so far and have just one week to go.  I’d love to have anyone reading this blog to help them reach their goal of 22,000 visitors in honor of the 22,000 women diagnosed this year.

Thank you for helping to support this very important cause!