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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 September 27, 2005
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