Category Archives: found in Department Stores

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel

Posted on

Kiehl’s Sky Flyin’ Foaming Facial Fuel is pretty genius. Realizing that most men wash their faces with Irish Spring or whatever bar soap is in the shower, Kiehl’s created a shave gel that doubles as a facial cleanser to keep their routine nice and easy. Its light lather coats the skin for shaving and pumps it with caffeine and vitamins to hydrate and clean without stripping and drying the way soap can. Mike liked the clean scent and how his skin felt without taking an extra step that he probably wouldn’t otherwise do.

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

Posted on

Jouer is really an every-woman sort of line with genus ‘snap together’ packaging and colors for grown ups that flatter and work together in an effortless way. I wasn’t surprised that I really liked their new Matte Moisture Tint foundation, I liked it so well that it went straight into my personal kit. It’s something I’ll wear regularly and buy again once I’m out.

It’s an oil-free, mineral rich formula with big coverage that blended so completely into my skin that it was undetectable. It disguised red blotches and even darkness around my eyes so well that I didn’t need to use any concealer for my skin to look all glowy and perfect. All skin types can enjoy it because in this case oil-free doesn’t mean drying and it looked as perfect at the end of the day as when I first put it on without needing to set it with powder or any touch ups.

Find Jouer online HERE, or in select Nordstrom stores where we’ll hopefully be seeing more of them. soon

Makeup Before and After: Elizabeth Arden Meets The Girl Next Door

Posted on

Makeup is amazing. It’s not even the hard core stuff (i.e.drag, fantasy, special effects) that fascinates me most, For me it’s about how you’re only 10 minutes away from a totally different look. Courtney is one of those lucky girls whose fresh faced good looks sans makeup needs nothing more, but a gorgeous wedding awaited so I used the power of color to transform her look enough to match her special day.


Before


After

Elizabeth Arden is what I used to get her glam bride look.


I used their Limited Edition Ceramide Cream Blush in Honey for her cheek color. I applied it along her cheekbones using a fluffy brush to diffuse the color then I worked it into her skin for a natural looking flush which is key for photography.


To disguise the band from her false lash, I dotted black Liquid Eyeliner, along her lash line then I smudged a little black shadow over top to diffuse the line and give it a softened look.


Their Ultra Lipstick in Rose Aurora might be my new go-to because it’s a gorgeously unassuming color that’s flattering to all. You can give it a boost of pink or make it look more beige using different liners and glosses. It’s pretty on its own, but being totally customizable is what makes it so speical.

You Need This: A Big Fluffy Brush for Your Bronzer

Posted on

If you’re a bronzer lover like me, then the best bet for a natural looking application every time is using a big fluffy brush. The bigger the brush, the wider you can disperse the product so isn’t applied so densely giving the face a streaky or harsh look. I’m loving Elizabeth Arden’s All Over Face Powder Brush ($22) which can be used to apply al things powder to the face. Its coverage is so great that just a few sweeps of bronzer is needed to create a warm glow on the face easily carrying the color down to the neck so there isn’t a harsh contrast between the two. It makes bronzing a ton easier.

And speaking of Arden.. I got to try their bronzers and wow – they’re pretty great. They went straight into my kit actually replacing a few that I didn’t use/like anyway (Bobbi Shimmer bricks if you mush know. Holy shimmer overload Batman.) Pure Finish Bronze Powder ($38) comes in 3 shades of intensity, all being matte but not exactly flat meaning they have a hint of pickup to them so they’re easier to wear and blend without looking shimmery. Not just a makeup, it has antioxidants, minerals, and skin-energizing ingredients with a light hint of rose scent. They’re really balanced and some of the best I’ve used, totally worth checking out.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Supréme Foundation

Posted on

I’m always excited to try a Laura Mercier foundation. Their Tinted Moisturizer is still the gold standard and their newer foundations are every bit as pigmented and high performing as anything I’ve tried from MAKE UP FOR EVER or even Armani. Their new Oil Free Supréme Foundation is a pigment-rich liquid foundation for those with oil-rich skin. I’ve used it on myself and a few clients and have gotten a beautiful result especially when I buffed it in with a Finishing Brush versus a sponge which can move the makeup around or even remove it- not what you want when you’re looking for coverage. I’ve been priming first before applying it, then spot powdering (if needed), and setting with a finishing spray as I always do on clients and have gotten long wear times without it settling or fading out.

Just make sure that your skin is in fact oily, otherwise opt for the Moisture Supréme because it won’t lay as well on skin that’s even a tiny bit dry. Also, get color matched before you buy so you can see it on the skin, an important thing with a fuller coverage foundation – not as important when the formula is more sheer.