Category Archives: Foundation

Ellis Faas Skin Veil Pen; A Truly Fantastic Foundation

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Finding a new foundation you love can be as challenging as finding a new pair of jeans. At least it is for me. My skin changes from combination to dry to a total broken out mess depending on what I’m testing out that particular week. I often change my entire regimen every few days so I never know what skin issues I’ll wake up with. I need a foundation that covers well and responds to whatever state my skin happens to be in that day, bonus points for something easy to apply and take along for touch-ups. Three cheers for my new favorite go-to foundation that does it all; Ellis Faas Skin Veil Pen.

First, let’s admire its futuristic look – cool right?

Loading the pen for its first use is easy, just pop the top off the foundation container and slide it up.

Give it a few pumps and voilá – a small amount of foundation appears. It’s slow to ooze out and the formula is on the thicker side so it doesn’t run into the cap. Nothing wasted.

I wanted to show the fantastic coverage and beautiful finish of Skin Veil, a task made easier given the current state of my splotchy skin – a perfect time to try out a new foundation actually.

I pumped the foundation into the brush and swept a little over my whole face (shade S102), patting it in with my trusty Beauty Blender. I could see a huge improvement in my skin right away because it did an excellent job of covering my red splotches and evening out my skin tone. It’s a wonderfully instinctive foundation that finds a way to just morph into better looking skin. It’s undetectable and has some pretty amazing staying power. It kept its coverage all day without fading or separating and even gave my blush something to grab on to so it didn’t fade out either.

Why so serious? Click to enlarge.

I have to say that Skin Veil is one of my top 5 foundations of all time just because of the coverage without weight factor and its long wear time. The price ($65) is in line with a Dior or Armani foundation but it blows away those two and most of its other high-end competitors – well worth checking out.

Available at Bergdorf Goodman, Space NK, and EllisFaas.com

Professional Grade Makeup; My Haul from Makeup Mania

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My kit was running low and needed a little love so I hopped over to my favorite place for all things makeup in Colorado, Makeup Mania. What I use as a Makeup Artist  can easily be translated into everyday, high-performance makeup for the girl who wants a professional result.

I have 4 or 5 different brands of airbrush foundation in my kit, but Dinair gets used 99% of the time. It has a beautiful coverage and an unparalled wear time and I’m not even talking about their alcohol-based waterproof (they call it Paramedical) line. Their straight Glamour line (water-based) is what I’ve been using and I couldn’t be happier. Women rave about it’s weighless coverage and how comfortable it feels on the skin.

I’d heard so much about the ledgendary Lip Tar from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics that I had to get 3. It’s not like anything I’ve ever used before, it’s a full coverage lip pigment in a gloss applicator. It isn’t heavy or sticky either, it’s designed to give substantial pigment without weight so HD can’t pick up a too-thick look. When they say a little goes a long way, it’s not an exaggeration, just the tiniest dab onto a lip brush is more than enough to glaze your lips in pure color.


I love Graftobian, their $9 HIDef Glamour Foundation is better than most out there and a total hit with friends I have addicted to it. Jen over at Makeup Mania suggested their powder to top off foundation and give a velvety finish. It’s also the perfect replacement for (ugh) Studio Fix since it’s a great coverage that you can apply wet or dry. 







When you think about lush, highly pigmented shadows The Balm probably isn’t the first line that comes to mind but maybe it should. Their original Shady Lady palette was so popular that they made a sequel, Shady Lady 2 with 9 perfect shades that will allow you to create loo from every day to smokey and sultry. Caught in the Act Courtney is my fav shade of the bunch (upper left), it’s a rusty red-brown with some flecks of gold that puts Stila’s Twig to shame.

Click to enlarge

I’ve been using MAKEUP FOR EVER‘s Mist and Fix setting spray which I really like, but Graftobian’s version is only $7.50. It dries quickly, sets makeup, and doesn’t leave a sheen on the skin. If you really want makeup to stick around and a primer isn’t cutting it for you, give this setting spray a whirl.

Everything was purchased at Makeup Mania but I linked out elsewhere for stuff I couldn’t find on their site (you can still order it through them.)

Tarte: Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum & LipSurgence

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There was an Ulta right outside my yoga studio in CA, dangerous right? I’d stop in totally exhausted and sweaty from time to time and of course something usually caught my eye. To catch my eye is one thing, to move me to purchase quite another. For a few totally unique gems from Tarte though, it was an easy call.

You know I’m an illuminator fiend, especially when I find one like this that strikes the perfect balance of creating a special glow to the skin without looking glittery or frosty. Used on its own, Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum gives skin a fresh glow, used as a primer the Amazonian Clay absorbs oil for a longer foundation wear time, mixed in with foundation it boosts the look of radiancy.

Here’s a peek.

It’s a light to medium shade that blends into skin well. Deeper skin tones would want to mix it in or use as a primer.
See what I mean? It just gives some glow without a hint of sparkle for grown up radiance. 

I’m also a sucker for anything that goes on the lips, so I grabbed a LipSurgence twist up lip stain.  It’s an almost gel-like consistency that has a sheerness about it, a good pick for a lipstick-phobe who wants color without weight.  I’ve been using mine almost like a balm since it moisturizes well and isn’t sticky.

Crayon applicator with a twist up, no sharpening needed.

Shown in Charmed, a just-right pink that isn’t too Barbie. Just the color boost I needed.

Check out all things Tarte at Ulta.com HERE

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation & Argan Illuminizer

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Josie Maran has quickly become known for her stellar Argan Oil which is starring in several new offerings like the beautifully simple Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation, an elegantly textured ‘smart’ foundation that manages to morph into your skin’s shade. For those who often feel overwhelmed choosing the right color of foundation, you’ll love your 2 choices; Light/Medium or Medium/Dark. It doesn’t seem like it would work out, but when a friend and I with drastically different skin tones both tried it, we looked as if we were wearing custom chosen shades. It’s a light serum that has medium coverage and a pretty, glowy finish. Great for sallow skin that might need a youthful boost.

Although I didn’t get any shots of the foundation on, I did get a few IPhone candids of her new Argan Illuminizer which I loved. The only reason I didn’t buy it is because I already own/use so many illuminators that you can probably see my face via Google Earth.  Ah, it’s a good one though.

It’s sheer, with a hint of bronze and packed with Argan Oil goodness. That’s her FYI on the right.
A look at a generous application so you can see the finish. Beautiful on cheek bones or mixed in with your foundation.

There are a few more things from the line I’m dying to try Argan Self Tanner anyone?), look for more Josie to come.

Chanel Double Perfection Compact Foundation

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Another day, another great foundation. I recently went swimming in the cool waters of the Chanel pond with my mother in law, a die-hard Chanel junkie whose name the girls at Nordstrom know well. You’d think with all of the stuff I have that I’d be immune to the shiny compacts filled with makeup goodness, but my flesh is weak and if left to my own devices, I’ll buy makeup as long as I’m standing in its vicinity. Whether I need it or not.

Take Chanel’s Double Perfection Compact Foundation for instance. I technically don’t need another foundation but hunting for the perfect foundation is a life-long journey. There are a few (maybe 3) powder foundations (mineral formulas excluded) that I like and this has quickly become one of them. Its silky texture and invisible-yet-there- coverage sets it apart from the pack of chalky powdered foundations that shouldn’t be worn by anyone over age 16. I’ve been brushing this on for some quick coverage that conceals all sins and wears really well. It’s a wet/ dry formula but it will never see water as long as I have it, too heavy I think.

And now for the bad news. It’s $50. On the high end for foundation but justifiable when because great looking skin is largely what makes a great looking face. How was that for justifying buying something I didn’t need while I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for other people?

I can’t help it if I’m enchanted by finding a perfect foundation, it’s just a problem of mine. There’s another recently discontinued stick foundation I bought last week as well that I’m really loving, more on that soon…

Chanel Double Perfection Compact Foundation