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September 27, 2005
These are a few of my (our) favorite things
I have to say, we have the greatest, most dedicated group of incredible writers who are all just crazy about beauty products. Lisa had this cool idea to get together and share our three favorite products for fall. Maybe you'll find something you can't live without, too.
From Lisa
For cosmetic junkies, fall is like "Fashion Week" for our faces. Most companies debut their most colorful makeup, and the newest creams and lotions when cooler weather hits. While it is difficult to pick just three products from such a list, I've chosen these three because they are ones I go back to almost every day.
Benefit You're Bluffing! concealing wand
This yellow cream is an absolute wonder for red spots, hyper-pigmentation, or dark circles. The yellow shade, while a bit shocking at first, seems to meld perfectly with my fair skin, and really covers imperfections without being heavy or greasy. While I also like its counterpoint Bluff Dust, a yellow loose powder, the cream is really the workhorse of the duo. I apply the cream with a brush, and am amazed at how much better my skin looks. This one is a real keeper.
Jonathan Product Dirt Texturizing Paste
OK, I admit it, I watched almost every episode of "Blowout." For those of you not familiar with the show, it chronicles the (mis)adventures of Jonathan Antin, hair designer to the elite of California. Of course, I had to try the "topic" of the season two - as it is the story of him developing his collection of hair care products.
Dirt is a totally non-greasy, deliciously-scented, "not tested on animals-just-celebrities product" that is quite the multi-tasker. The goal of dirt is to give hair "second day" manageability without the grease or stale odor. You can use it on dry hair to separate it into piecey bits, as well as calm frizz and flyaways. You can also use it on damp hair before blowdrying (calms hairs texture, yet somehow gives it a lot of body) or drying naturally (subtle wave definition and, again amazingly, body).
This is great stuff, and in my humble opinion, definitely makes all of Jonathan's work well worth it. Because all of us midwestern babes have got it goin' on, too.
Stila Lipstick in Ashton
This gorgeous shimmering mocha-gold-brown shade really suits my warm hair and green eyes wonderfully. I recently read What You Wear Can Change Your Life
Since I've started wearing all my warm, autumnal clothes, this lipstick has become a perfect accessory. It is quite dark, so it looks best with simple eye makeup, and neutral blush (I still love Neutrogena Soft Color Blush For Cheeks, Sweet Raisin but Benefit Georgia
is also nice).
With so many great new items out there right now, it feels a bit like picking favorite children, but these three items have proven to me that they will have a longterm space in my cosmetic closet.
From Marissa
Zoe Lipstick from Napoleon Perdis
I wrote about this new line of cosmetics back in May, and while I didn't wear this color too much in the summer (I wore more glosses and light shades), this is a great fall color. With my still tan face (fake, see below), this clean plum color is bright and vivid and right at ya! I love this color for work and for the weekends.
La Prairie Cellular Radiance Lifting Foundation in Bronzy Glow
While it's not cheap - $250 - it is in its own way a bargain... let me explain. The foundation extends the benefits of their Cellular Radiance Lifting Cream, which costs $500 a jar. Then you get a small travel container and gold spoon to scoop the foundation into (total luxury item), a sponge for blending and a travel size jar of my favorite eye cream, Cellular Radiance Eye Cream. All in one small case. This foundation made my skin glow, really glow, for the rest of the day. And, my skin felt so smooth. I looked great!
Finally, I like the look of a tan on my face. The best self-tanner I found is Chanel Perfect Colour Face Self-Tanner SPF 8 in Bronze. It has such a nice smell, not anything like other self-tanners and it really gives a nice even bronzy tan in a few hours. I've gotten this stuff on my clothes, and with a little stain stick, no trace of it at all. I put this on twice a week and my face looks like I just got back from the beach. I also put it on my neck and chest and it blends so nicely - no telltale lines, just a bronze goddess!
From Heather
I'm not much of a lipstick wearer, but Burt's Bees Lipstick in Fig has totally won me over. The rich wine color is perfect for fall, the texture is matte without being drying, and the minty flavor is practically addictive.
This must be the season of wearing cosmetics I never wear, because my next pick is Jelly Pong Pong Dynamic Duo Eye Shadow Pairs in Peppermint. I dropped into my favorite local beauty product haunt, Blush Beauty Bar on the hunt for something new for fall, and as soon as I saw this eyeshadow duo and knew it was for me. Cute packaging, fun sheer colors, and easy to apply with fingers without looking like a freak. I never thought I'd like these shades of green on my skin, but they are fresh, pretty and really wearable.
My number one pick for taking off all this nice fall color is Lush Ultra Bland cleanser. You have to like the sort of cold cream feeling on your skin, or at least be open to something non-foaming, and then you discover just how amazing this cleanser is. A small amount worked into dry skin dissolves all, and I mean ALL, your makeup, and then a nice warm washcloth takes it all off. It's like a mini-facial every time you wash your face. This is definitely a cleanser for the sink, not the shower, so save it for at night.
Okay, I have to break our own rules about three products and do a tiny plug for one more thing: Apivita Aromatherapy Express Orange Revitalizing Face Mask. I got this at Blush as well and I am on my way back ASAP for more. For just $4, you get two foil packets of a great vitamin C mask that really leaves your skin more glowing and fresh. Works well for calming breakout-angry skin, too. I also love that you get four applications out of these two packets. Such a deal.
From Judith
I wrote about Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer in July and still think it is is the best light foundation I've found at the drugstore in a long time! It's replaced all my high priced department store foundations. After two weeks at the beach at the end of August, I was tanned, even though I religiously use suncreen w/SPF 30 daily. The sheer color of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer made it easy to ease back into my regular makeup shade after my sun enhanced color had left. I had been using Light to Neutral 30 during the early part of the summer, but after a couple of weeks in the sun, I switched to 40 Neutral to Tan. I usually go through a period after my tan starts fading where NO makeup matches. This summer, I had no problem at all, as this sheer foundation really does blend in with your skin. Try it!
L'Oreal RevitaLift Double Lifting is a new double pump product that contains a pink gel to help tighten your skin, as well as a white Anti-Wrinkle Comfort Cream with Pro-Retinol A to help fight wrinkles and smooth your skin. Together, they work as a serum and with just 1-2 pumps give just enough moisture to wear under a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer. If you skin is dry, you can add a layer of your favorite moisturizer. I'm a big fan of L'Oreal's recent skin care products for mature skin and this one is no exception. Available at all drugstores for under $20.
Smashbox Proof Cream Eye Liner Palette contains 10 wearable shades of eyeliner, which are easy to apply and stay in place until you remove your makeup with eye makeup remover! If you've never tried Smashbox's cream eyeliner, this is a great way to check them out. Normally, you would pay $22 for a single pot of Smashbox cream eyeliner, but for $29 you get a sampling of 10 shades with a great little brush! It's a great deal! My current most used color is "Putty", a light brown which looks great with shaded beige and tan eye shadow on my brown eyes!
Happy Shopping!
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Posted by heather at 3:24 PM
September 22, 2005
Lisa's True Grit
For me, exfoliating scrubs are a key part of my skincare regime. I find that with regular use they make my skin smoother, clearer, and less likely to break out. I tend to prefer a "gentle to medium" strength scrub, which seems to work best for my normal to oily, often irritable complexion. Here's the nitty gritty on some recent skin-smoothing scrubs.
Burt's Bees Lemon Poppy Seed Facial Cleanser ($6.29 at drugstore.com)
This is a different type of scrub than most, with a texture that can most easily be compared to a "gel-cold cream." It smells heavenly, and even contains real poppyseeds, just like its namesake muffin! However, while the seeds are whimsical, they really don't exfoliate much - the Lemon Oil and Yucca extracts do most of the work. Despite the package description to the contrary, I didn't find it appropriate for makeup removal, but it is an excellent morning wash. I found I had the best results by removing the cleanser with a washcloth. My skin felt amazingly smooth and moisturized, with nary a breakout in sight. The lemon scent also works wonders to clear a cloudy mind in the morning. Not to mention it has a killer price point, to boot!
St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Gentle For Sensitive Skin ($3.19 at drugstore.com
)
This is an "old faithful" choice for me. I have been using St. Ives since I was a teenager, and I am really impressed with how well they keep up with their (far) more expensive competitors. While the original formula is far too harsh for my skin, the gentle formula is surprisingly fine-milled. The base is creamy, but rinses easily with a few splashes of water. In addition to jojoba oil, this scrub contains Prunus Apricot Kernel Oil, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Matricaria Extract, and Sunflower Extract. If you are a diva on a budget, or if you simply love to raid the drugstore for frugal treasures, don't pass this one up! It also does double duty as the perfect skin-slougher for the bikini line. If you shave or wax, this obliterates those annoying ingrown hairs.
La Mer The Refining Facial ($75)
At the other side of the spectrum is the incomparable luxury of La Mer. While I usually resist the hype around most "ultra-lux" brands because they NEVER live up to their lofty claims, La Mer is the one brand on which I will readily indulge. I have watched Creme de La Mer melt away little scars, reduce redness, and make my skin look rested and hydrated, and this scrub is equally fantastic. This multi-action formula contains fermented acidic sea muds, minerals, pure diamond powder and polished sea quartz. I use it, and am amazed at how it seems to increase circulation for hours afterwards. My skin looks so polished and bright, it looks like I've practically had a complete facial. While the price tag is steep, you only need a less than dime-sized dab, so it will last for a long time.
Stila Petal Infusions Retexturizing Scrub ($22)
This deliciously scented scrub contains sweet orange oil, lemon oil, and mint essence, but the really cool thing about it is the finely milled marble, which acts as the "exfoliatior." It is very, very gentle, and certainly suitable for daily use. I found that my skin really loved it, and rewarded me with less oil for at least 12 hours after I use it. The only ingredients that could be cause for caution would be the citrus extracts. My skin doesn't seem to mind them, but everyone's skin is different.
If your pores are giving you problems, or your skin looks simply looks tired, a good scrub is an easy way to give it a glow! All you need is a little true grit!
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Posted by heather at 9:07 PM
Marissa experiences Armani Mania
If you ever have the opportunity to have your make-up done by a professional make-up artist, please do so. Yesterday I had the good fortune to have my make-up done by Tim Quinn, Armani's celebrity make-up artist. The results were incredible! I felt like I should be walking the red carpet with my beautiful eyes and lips!
First and foremost, he did not push once for me to buy product and neither did any of the other consultants. How refreshing... and because of that I put away a small fortune to be purchased during Saks Beauty Week, beginning October 2nd. Keep that in mind, ladies: Saks always has a great gift and all the counters have freebies, too. But now, back to my transformation :)
My eyes were stunning - runway stunning. Tim used the #2 Mania Limited Edition Eye Shadow palettes in browns and eye shadow #2, a beautiful forest green, for my eyes. When I say they sparkled, they really sparkled. One trick that I learned was in the lining of my eyes. Even though it was hard to watch him, I could feel how he did the line so close to my lashes not only on the top of my lid but under the top of my upper lid, too. I recreated the look (okay, I tried to) and got it half way right. I definitely need more practice, but by lining my eyes that way, it looks as though my eyes are more doe shaped than round. It really made a difference in my eyes, which are close set. Even my friend Franny noticed that the shape was different. If you've never used Armani shadows, get on the horn and order some. They are so sheer that you can truly layer them to get different effects. Tim used the Smooth Silk Eye Pencil in #6 to make my eyes pop. To complete the look, he used Brow Defining Pencil in #2 and their lash primer and mascara. Ladies, don't be fooled - when they say that eyebrows can totally make the look, they're right. To pull off this eye, my brows needed to be defined, not the mousy look it normally is, but right there as an anchor.
My skin took on a beautiful glow with the Luminous Silk Foundation in 5.5. I must say, there is a difference in applying foundation with your fingers or a sponge and using a foundation brush. If you haven't already, invest in a good foundation brush. My cheeks were flushed with Fluid Sheer in 10 & 13 layered with a powder blush, Sheer Blush #3. Even after 8 hours, my make-up looked as fresh as when Tim first applied it. The only thing that came off was the lippy. But that's okay - after 8 hours I didn't expect it.
Ah, the lips. Normally, I go for deeper, darker colors, but with the intensity of my eyes, nothing short of a nude mouth would do. But not your normal nude, no, this was a beautiful peachy nude that worked the room! Tim started with Smooth Silk Lip Pencil in #3 and then mixed Shine Lipstick in #2 (which looked almost clear to me) with #13 Lip Shimmer, a gorgeous sheer sparkly peachy/pink. I can't decide what I liked more, my eyes or my lips!
And now for the great news: For anyone who lives near a Saks that has an Armani counter, Tim will be visiting soon. Go onto Saks.com for store locations and if you can, book an appointment with Tim. Call today, I imagine he will be booking fast. I have to say, I thought I did a fairly decent job with my make-up, but I learned more in one session that made a serious difference in my make-up application than all my years of playing make-up artist in the bathroom. Tim Rocks!
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Posted by heather at 8:35 PM
September 19, 2005
Judith checks out the new selections from Smashbox
Several years ago, when I first began to see Smashbox online and in the department stores, I saw it as a young, hip line - not for
folks my age. Well, either I've gotten younger or Smashbox has matured, because I've fallen in love with several items in their current line!
Color Fusion is the name of Smashbox's fall collection, with products that allow you to multitask - each product has multiple options for use. All products are available at smashbox.com Nordstrom, nordstrom.com, and some items are also available on QVC.
Starting with Fusion Soft Lights ($28), a compact with six shades, it is reminiscent, to me at least, of Neopolitan ice cream. With shades of beige, rose and ivory, swirled together with your blush brush, the colors combine to make a perfect warm blush that is very subtle, yet very flattering. The powder is sheer and extremely natural.
Fusion Lipstick ($16) is a super creamy and emollient two-toned lipstick with a beige-pink nude on one side and a sheer mauvey rose plum on the other. Use each side separately, or blend them together for a beautifully natural rose shade.
Fusion Lip Gloss ($20) is a two-for-one product with deep plum on one end and a caramel-honey shade on the other end. Each color is beautifully wearable, or you can mix them with the Fusion Lipstick for more color combos.
Fusion Eye Shadow ($28) is a compact palette with six stripes of color - ivory, two shades of mauve and two shades of green - with enough contrast that you can use the lighter shades as your base and the darker shade as an eyeliner. I preferred blending the two coordinating tones together, but each color is perfectly wearable on its own. If you swoosh all six eye colors together, as I did when I experimented with Fusion Soft Lights blush, you end up with a very natural beigey shade.
Fusion Lip Illusion ($22) is another two-for-one product with a translucent pearly-white gloss at one end and a translucent black at the other end. Designed to either lighten a too-dark lipstick shade or darken a too-light shade, this nifty little item really made interesting colors with the lipstick I tried them with. I was especially curious about the black gloss, which muted a light pink shade to an interesting lilac.
Tinted Treatment Lipstick ($16) is a nifty lipstick with a center core of lipbalm. The colors, which are stronger in the tube that on the lip, are sheer and very wearable. Containing vitamins A, C and E, was well as aloe, shea butter, avocado oil, jojoba and chamomile, this will be a great product to use through the winter. Available in five shade, my favorite colors are Smashing Sun, an russet-orange shade, and Smashing Beam, a mocha-nude. This is a gotta-try it product, because the color is completely different when applied with the balm in the middle, as the balm lightens the shade of the lipstick.
Fusion That's a Wrap mascara ($20) was the only disappointing item of the collection. With a medium brown mascara at one end and a muted teal at the other, I found the mascara brush too big and bulky to hit my light lashes without smudging. I do like the effect of a colored mascara over black mascara, but prefer a more muted shade than this one.
My alltime favorite Smashbox product is their cream eyeliner, which is almost foolproof, even for an almost blind (without my glasses) older Diva like myself! Smashbox makes super 10-color eyeliner palettes with their cream eyeliner - a great way to try the product in a variety of colors. There are two of these collections available on QVC, each with a superb short-handled eyeliner brush and easy directions. Check out the colors at QVC.com. You won't go wrong with either Proof Cream Eye Liner Palette or "Best Of Shades" Cream Eyeliner Palette. Both are $29 each. If you prefer a long handled eyeliner brush, try Shadow Eyeliner Brush #9 ($18).
Smashbox is definitely a brand worth checking out. Their colors are beautiful and the quality of the products is great. The creators of the line come from a family tradition of creating cosmetics and beauty products! They are great-grandsons of cosmetic legend Max Factor!
Happy Shopping!
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Posted by heather at 6:32 PM
September 17, 2005
Denise's nighttime Renee Rouleau routine
It has been proven that skin is more receptive to products and is better able to heal itself during the overnight hours. Because of this, I am super particular about my nighttime skin care program, so that I am able to achieve maximum benefit to my skin. Renee Rouleau's awesome line of skin care products continued to exceed my expectations even at the end of the day. My great experiences with her products continued with my evening skin care regimen.
Those of you who are regular readers of my reviews know that I am not a fan of lotion cleansers - I prefer mine with a bit of foam. However, Renee intrigued me with an interesting twist in the instructions for her Calming Chamomile Cleanser ($22.50): she recommends that it is first applied to dry skin, in order to dissolve away makeup, dirt, and oil without being diluted. After rubbing the cleanser over the skin for 30 seconds, a bit of water is added, and the skin is massaged once again. Then the cleanser and yucky stuff can be easily washed off with a few splashes of water. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, but now I'm a believer. Calming Chamomile Cleanser has consistently left my skin feeling soft and smooth, and absolutely happy. It contains aloe vera for soothing and healing, chamomile oil to battle redness and irritation, and squalene, a naturally-occurring emollient in the skin that is often lacking, leading to dry skin and premature aging. Although I'm still skeptical about creamy cleansers as a whole, I'm sold on this one. And my face is thanking me!
Immediately after cleansing with Calming Chamomile Cleanser, I toned my face using her fabulous Elderberry Toner and Toner Pads. See the reviews of my morning skin care routine for the full scoop on these products.
The next step in my evening routine is a treatment serum. Renee Rouleau makes a serum for any type of skin. My normal to sensitive skin practically begs for an effective, yet gentle exfoliation to remove old dead skin cells and encourage new ones to grow. Voila! I found the answer in Glycolic Serum 10% ($35.50). This wonder serum is a 10% glycolic acid for exfoliation in soothing aloe vera gel. The base of healing aloe vera and soothing chamomile ensures that this serum is extremely effective, without feeling like punishment. I applied 4-5 drops to my skin each night for seven nights in a row, and noticed a huge difference in my skins texture and appearance. In fact, one of the things that I love about this serum is how my skin feels the morning after. It is noticeably softer and smoother than when I laid down to sleep the night before. Renee recommends that her Glycolic Serum 10% is used for seven nights in a row, and then alternated with another serum to prevent over-exfoliation. This serum is an absolute necessity in my skin care regimen!
For the 7-night "resting" period, I used White Tea Soothing Complex ($34.50). This water-based serum uses the antioxidant benefits of white tea as well as sea whip, the most soothing ingredient in the ocean, to ease redness and restore balance and harmony to the skin. My face absolutely drinks it in. While this isn't a product that I'd consider essential, it is very nice and comforting. I've enjoyed my "off" weeks using the White Tea Soothing Complex. This serum is suitable for just about any skin type, and is a great addition to any skin-conscious diva's skin care routine.
Once my skin is cleansed, toned, and treated, the next step is a great moisturizer. I've found that and more with Blue Azulene Creme ($33.50). This lightweight yet extremely moisturizing cream leaves my skin soft and smooth every time, with no trace of oil or other pore-clogging ingredients. Blue Azulene cream contains carrot oil, aloe vera, and azulene to ease redness and calm skin. I've found that a little bit goes a long way, and this cream practically melts into my skin.
As the final step in my nighttime skin care regimen, I massage a bit of Renee's high-powered Firming Eye Cream Gel ($32.50) under my eyes. This eye cream packs a real punch with its combination of gotu kola to firm the undereye area and protect the all-important collagen in our skin, antioxidant-rich vitamin E, and sodium hyaluronate for moisturizing. Clinical studies have shown great improvements in skin moisture and firmness in just a few weeks time. In my constant battle against fine lines and undereye bags, Firming Eye Cream Gel is a great partner to have!
Skin decide to be difficult? Yes, it happens to even the most diligent of skin care divas. When my skin acts up, I fight back with Drying Lotion ($20.50). Just one dab of this white miracle lotion will have any surface-level blemish dried up before dawn, using camphor, sulfur, and zinc oxide. I haven't had a blemish that could stand up to it yet!
For those tougher, "underground" blemishes - come on, you know the ones - try Anti-Cyst Treatment ($36.50). While regular drying lotions only dry out the surface of the skin, this serum penetrates into the skin's deeper layers to break up and heal those painful blemishes that never actually surface, but are irritating and ugly just the same. I've had cause to use this miracle gel-like serum a couple of times, and I can tell you, it really does work - one application is all it takes!
Again, you can see the whole line of Renee Rouleau products, and get your own personal skin-type consultation at reneerouleau.com.
Stay tuned - in my third Renee Rouleau review I'll cover her at-home mini facial products! Enjoy!
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Posted by heather at 11:05 AM
September 16, 2005
Interesting link for "safer" products
Readers like to ask us where they can find out more about cosmetic companies that are using ingredients and manufacturing practices that are gentler on consumers and the environment, so here is an interesting site to explore: safecosmetics.org.
Also: Searchable Product Guide
Posted by heather at 11:27 AM
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