Category Archives: skincare

Ready for Your Close-Up

e.l.f. High Definition Powder

Beware of mineral makeup when getting your picture taken. Your face may look perfect in person, but minerals do not photograph well. Unless they are specifically formulated to be matte, most minerals have light reflecting properties. They give a beautiful glow in natural light. But they don’t hold up to the scrutiny of a camera. This is especially true of today’s high-definition cameras.

For a camera-ready look of flawless skin, e.l.f. cosmetics has come to the rescue.

High Definition Powder by e.l.f.

This loose powder gives a whisper soft, flawless look to your skin. The powder is very fine and very lightweight. You won’t feel it on your skin but you’ll notice the effects. Use it as a finishing powder over your other makeup. I apply it after I’ve done my foundation, blush, the whole face. It provides a matte finish without looking dull and it hides the pores on my nose. I use the puff that is included but you could also use a fluffy brush like a kabuki brush. Don’t be alarmed that the powder is pure white. It will not make your face look white when applied.

And the best part: It’s only $6.00.

Bare Escentuals News

Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals

In an effort to enter new markets, Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido will purchase Bare Escentuals for $1.7 billion.

The deal is mutually beneficial to both parties. Shiseido gets to revamp its image in North America and BE gets to enter the Japan market with the backing of a company with much greater resources.

According to the parties involved, BE will continue to operate as a separate division of Shiseido under the continued guidance of popular CEO Leslie Blodgett.

Read the details at Reuters

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre

Lait Creme Concentre “24hr Miracle Cream” 75ml

One of my favorite beauty product discoveries this season is my moisturizer by Embryolisse.

I can’t claim to have discovered it myself. I heard about it in a tutorial video by pixiwoo.

Sam, pixiwoo makeup artist, called it legendary. And she is right. It’s not a new product. It’s been around from a long time. Tried and true.

I naturally have dry skin, especially in winter. This product is great as a night cream. It’s too heavy for day.

You should also know that it is a French product, so you have to import it to the States. But it’s not expensive. I found it on Amazon.com for $25.

Worth every penny. I’ve been using it for weeks now and I really love it.

Grace Magazine’s Beautiful Gift Guide

Holiday time is quickly approaching. Start your Christmas shopping off beautifully with this handy gift guide.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 2
Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II

This cool set includes 16 shadows, 8 of which are limited to this set, two travel-size eye pencils, and a mini bottle of primer potion. Behind the secret door you’ll find a look book.
$48

Urban Decay Apolcalyptic Nail Kit
Urban Decay Apolcalyptic Nail Kit

In this collection, you’ll find seven mini nail colors in a little zippered pouch. Colors are edgy and fun.
$26

Smashbox WISH EYe Wish Palette
Smashbox WISH Eye Wish Palette

This glamorous palette contains 12 powder eye shadows, 4 cream liners and a mini Photo Finish primer. You also get a step-by-step instruction booklet. $1 goes to charity.
$44

Sephora Luxe Noir Brush Set
Sephora Luxe Noir Brush Set

Sephora’s black clutch contains the tools you need to apply makeup like a pro. You get a powder brush, concealer brush, foundation brush and 3 double-ended eye brushes. So, you’re really getting 9 brushes in this six-piece collection.
$69

Chanel No5 Forever Worldly Gift Set
Chanel No5 Forever Worldly Gift Set

If you want to buy me something (tee hee), this three-piece Chanel No5 collection is just the thing. The set features eau de parfum, body cream and bath gel in the classic fragrance.
$98

All gifts available at Sephora.

I Love Makeup

chanel-vitalumiereI’ve been watching makeup artist tutorials on youtube. My favorite youtube channels are pixiwoo and michelle phan. Pixiwoo is two sisters from the UK, Sam and Nic. Michelle Phan, I believe, is in Florida.

They all do a nice combination of wearable looks and crazier looks. Pixiwoo are great for recreating the looks seen on the runway. Michelle is great for skin care (she has her own line of products) and youthful fun looks. Both do great product reviews as well.

Because of my youtube addiction, I’ve been on a makeup splurge. I purchased a lot of new brushes from e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face). They were very inexpensive so I bought loads.

My best new purchase is Chanel foundation. I used Chanel a long time ago, then went through a phase when I only wore sunscreen and powder. Then I discovered bare minerals. But watching these videos made me long for more makeup.

I bought Chanel Vitalumiere foundation. It’s supposed to give me a youthful glow. I like the way it looks and feels. Not crazy about the scent. But it has SPF 15 UV protection, which is always a plus.

My color is 0.8 Gentle Ivory. I couldn’t find my shade on Chanel.com. They are out of most colors. I found mine on Saks.com. Shipping was tout de suite.

What foundation do you use?

Share in the fun. Subscribe:

pixiwoo
Michelle Phan

Do We Really Need Drugs for Our Eyelashes?

brooke-shieldsHave you seen the commercials with Brooke Shields applying Latisse to her eyelids so she can grow fuller, longer lashes?

Wasn’t she a supermodel? Does she really need help in the beauty department? Has she read the side effects?

Latisse, according to the fine print in the commercial, can cause your eyelids to darken or turn yellow. And that’s not all. It can also cause unwanted hair to grow on other places on your eyelid. Yuk!

Save your money and your eyelids. Try mascara. It’s been working for women for decades.

For help choosing the mascara that is right for you, read Grace Magazine’s 10-part series called Mascara Wars.

We can’t legally buy pot in the U.S., but you can get any kind of prescription drug you want. Side effects are your free gift with purchase.

Gothic Vampire Makeup

If you want to be a sexy vampire for Halloween, follow this youtube tutorial by Michelle Phan.

She creates an elegant gothic vampire that is easy to follow.

Watch here and don’t forget to subscribe:

Chanel Collection Noirs Obscurs

chanel-noirs-face

Chanel Collection Noirs Obscurs

No, this collection is not for Halloween. But it is dramatic and slightly evil — in a fun way, of course.

An edgy collection of colors in various shades of black. So modern.

I wish I could wear my makeup like this everyday.

EYE SHADOW

chanel-shadow
Quatuor Boutons de Chanel
Quadra Eyeshadow

Les Folies Noires, a quartet of shadows in near-black shades of intense green, mahogany, midnight blue and dark violet.

Imagine the smoky eye possibilities.

TWO MASCARAS

chanel-mascara-1
Inimitable Noir Obscur
Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel

and

chanel-mascara-2
Exceptionnel de Chanel Noir Obscur
Intense Volume and Curl Mascara

Both volumizing and curling mascara formulas come in Extreme Black.

Who needs falsies? Bat those lashes.

EYE LINER

chanel-liner
Le Crayon Yeux
Precision Eye Definer

A smooth eye liner pencil in a limited edition shade of red-tinged black called Demoniac.

Draw a your own conclusion with this seductive pencil.

LIPSTICK

chanel-lipstick
Rouge Allure
Luminous Satin Lip Colour

Three limited-edition lip colors in deep dark shades of seduction: Maniac, Hysteria, and Obscure.

Pucker up with a blood red pout.

LIP GLOSS

chanel-gloss
Aqualumiere Gloss
High Shine Sheer Concentrate

A light-weight lip gloss in a glittery deep shade called Furious.

Reflect on the possibilities with this shiny gloss.

NAIL POLISH

chanel-nails
Le Vernis
Nail Colour

Three colors in black-inspired shades of Diabolic, Vendetta, and Forbidden.

Let your bad girl play with the latest beauty collection from Chanel.

Perfect Travel Makeup Kit from Dior

dior-jazzclub-eyes

Dior JazzClub – Total Eyelook Makeup Clutch

This limited edition jazzy makeup kit from Dior contains 4 neutral eye colors — some shimmery, some matte — a cream-to-powder eyeliner, a brow powder and 2 double-ended brushes.

All are tucked into a black patent leather clutch decorated with the signature Dior logo in silver.

What a convenient little clutch to toss into your travel bag. But the jazz baby look is pretty enough for every day.

$65 at Sephora

Product Review: Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40

clarins-sunscreen

Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40

is the ultimate natural, non-chemical day screen. It has anti-UV and anti-pollution protection with 100% micronized, microdispersed mineral filters that guarantees optimal tolerance for even the most delicate skin

Clarins Day Screen is a mineral-based sunscreen with the consistency of a thin lotion. It’s part of the suncreen sampler I bought from Sephora.

The lotion spreads easily on the skin and leaves it with a matte finish. I prefer a dewier look but I was glad it didn’t leave that greasy sunscreen shine.

I wore my usual bare minerals foundation and powder over it. I thought the matte lotion made my skin look a little dull, even with the subtle brilliance of the bare minerals.

This white lotion has a pleasant scent, more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen. It was a hot, sunny day here today and I spent a lot of time in my car. I am happy to report I made it home without a sun burn. The lotion washed off easily with facial soap and water.

I like the idea that this sunscreen is a high SPF but I’m not sure I would reach for it again.

However, if you like a matte finish and want to control shine, this could be the product for you.