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January 30, 2008

Annual Cold Weather Report, Part 2

Certainly, new hair and body products are lots of fun, but the most hardcore of we beauty junkies get really excited about new makeup and facial skin care products. Gorgeous colors in shiny compacts, and lush creams in pretty jars are the highlight of a gray, dreary winter day! Here are some great ideas to have you glowing through 2008!

First things first: Truly, I have to say that the biggest skincare revelation I had this round of testing was the Renee Rouleau skincare line. All of the panelists who have tried the line sing its praises, but surprisingly, I had never tried it before. I had no idea what I was missing!

Now, I'm pretty difficult to impress when it comes to skin care. I have tried Avon to La Mer, to Z Bigatti, and everything in between! Yet somehow, this simple, straightforward line manages make my skin look dramatically better than just about everything I've ever tried. For years, only the Ole Henriksen line got that level of unwavering, long-term loyalty from me, but now Renee Rouleau has joined Henriksen at the top of my own personal favorites list.

My regimen was simple: AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel in the morning (Best Cleanser in Allure's Best of Beauty awards in 2007), Blue Azulene Toner twice daily, White Tea Soothing Complex (used at night), and Multi Vitamin Cream (also used at night). These products combined left my skin glowing, even-toned, and absolutely acne-free. All of the products are fabulous, but I was most intrigued by the White Tea Soothing Complex. It contains a sea-derived compound called Sea Whip. I don't know exactly what it is, but the results are so fabulous (smooth, even skin with reduced redness and irritation), I'll let Renee have her little secrets...

During my testing period, I still used some of my other "tried and true" favorite products to "fill in the gaps." I had no problems with interactions or sensitivity. For day moisturizing, I almost always use a tinted moisturizer with SPF (right now, it is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers SPF 30), but if I need more moisture, I did fine with adding a layer of Multi Vitamin Cream underneath.

For my evening cleansing and makeup removal, I still use and love Philosophy Purity Made Simple because it removes makeup so quickly and easily. For those nights when I'm just too tired to deal with anything that could not be classified as an utterly simple activity, I reach for the "no water needed" instant facial cleansing cloths. I recently tried the Sephora Brand FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes, and I like them a lot - efficient cleansing with no irritation or redness! They're a lifesaver when I'm traveling.

For when my skin really acts up, I reach for Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads. Although the formulation is very potent - alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid 10%), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid 2%), and alcohol (46%) - these pads treat my skin kindly while obliterating those occasional, stubborn breakouts. The addition of Aloe, Green Tea, and Chamomile soothes and moisturizes to prevent and burning or redness. These pads are also perfect for body breakouts on chest, back, or upper arms. Now that I've tried these pads, I always have a jar on hand!

Now, with all that smooth, glowing skin, who isn't itching to add some new makeup to their train case? This time of year, I absolutely love to splurge on makeup palettes and fragrance gift sets. This year, the choices were particularly creative and fun.

Justine Case, Benefit Cosmetics "mini-portable beautifier kit," is wonderful for when you want (or need) a little touch-up. As a working mom, I can attest to the difference a little product makes! This tiny little kit contains Some Kind-A Gorgeous Foundation Faker (A product I LOVE!), Benetint Liquid, California Kissin' minty lipshine, and Eyecon, a lightweight de-puffing, de-darkening eye cream, perfect to add a little finishing during a hectic day.

I've had the full-sized version of Some Kind-A Gorgeous for a while now, and I use it quite often. It is a unique product, a wonderful tinted balm that adds sheer coverage, and lightweight moisturizing. The texture is absolutely wonderful, and it refines pores, reduces shine, and helps camouflage redness. My one complaint is that I wish there was an extra sponge with the compact. I replace mine often, but the sponge that comes with the product is very thin; a regular sponge will not allow the compact to close.

Too Faced Cosmetics also had some particularly beautiful palettes with The New Romantic Make-Up Collection in Unicorn and Peacock. Bring a little of love's blush to your complexion with these soft color combinations of pink, plum, brown, and peach. The luxurious, silky-smooth Too Faced formulas make these limited addition palettes a joy to give and receive! Make sure to snag a few before they disappear!

Into the smoky eye look? Shiseido has a gorgeous eye shadow quad set that will give you a subtle, shimmery, smoky eye. Pick up the Lunar Phases quad, a perfect collection of black, pink, silver and golden shades for instant glamour.

Now, with an eye this strong, keep just a whisper of color on lips to balance the look. I love Shiseido The Makeup Automatic Lip Crayon in both LC1 and LC2. The slightly glossy, sheer color makes for a great nude lip that never looks chalky or heavy.

If you love lipstick as much as I do, this is your season! Whether you like a great shimmery-peach (NARS Sexual Healing) or a darker, richer shade (NARS Kiss or Shiseido Perfecting Lipstick in Red Luxe), save the gloss for spring…

Hope you enjoyed part two of this year's Cold Weather Product Report! Here's to a happy, healthy, and beautiful 2008 from all of us at Cosmetic Connection!

- Lisa
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Posted by heather at 3:49 PM

January 29, 2008

Makeup like no other: Suki Color

I have had a love-hate relationship with makeup over the years. Love the pretty new shades, hate the scary ingredients and what they do to my skin (breakouts, redness, itchy patches). I am also a busy person (who isn't?) who doesn't have time for lots of different steps to get my face to look just right. I want quick, easy, foolproof, no fancy tools required, and a natural look and feel. Is that too much to ask? I finally got what I want with Suki Color, the new makeup line from the terrific Massachusetts-based Suki Pure Skin Care.

The first step, after cleansing and moisturizing as your skin requires, is the tinted active moisturizer ($42), a lightweight, creamy sheer foundation. There are two shades, natural and bronze; for those of us with complexions that are lighter than the "natural" shade, Suki recommends mixing the tinted active moisturizer with her velvet facial creme ($26.25), which is what I do. I find that two pumps of velvet facial creme to one pump of tinted active moisturizer is the right ratio for my skin tone. When combined with the facial creme, it also gives my skin an extra boost of moisture which has been so necessary this winter. The feel of the makeup is light and creamy, and it both hides minor discolorations and gives a sheer glow to your whole face.

If you need a little more coverage anywhere, you can dab on a small amount of liquid formula concealer ($38.50). Be careful - a little goes a very long way. The coverage is more opaque, but not dry or cakey. I like to apply with my pinky finger to dark undereye circles or the occasional blemish, but you could use a brush if you prefer. Also, you can mix this concealer with moisturizer to make a foundation with more coverage. This is an occasional item for me.

My next can't-live-without item is pure cream stain ($36.50), a dual purpose lip and cheek cream that comes in 7 very natural and wearable shades. The natural mineral pigments mean that, again, a little goes a long way. At this price, I would say choose the shade you love the absolute most, because this little pot is going to last a while. I chose clay because, for my skin tone, I thought it was the most natural and versatile for lips and cheeks. It's a really natural color that gives me a fresh glow.

When I want a little something extra, suki's triple cream eye definer ($38.50) has rich blendable color, with 7 shades that are neutral and easy to mix and match. Again, I would recommend picking a favorite or two because of the price and the fact that these half ounce jars will last a long time. I chose sandalwood and bamboo, both neutral and beautiful on my fair skin. The texture is creamy and light, so be careful not to over-moisturize the eye area or the color may fade.

The only product from suki color that I tried and was not crazy about it the mascara. I am all for natural mascara, but this one just didn't work for me, especially as a contact lens wearer. It clumped and flaked easily, and the brush gets really wet and gloppy. I hope they keep working on this formula to make it as great as the rest of the products.

You can find out more about suki color at sukicolor.com.

- Heather
find out about this reviewer and more about the panel...

Posted by heather at 5:47 AM

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