Top 5 Summer Staples May 13th, 2010 By

I was a summer baby, born in July.  It must have been the alignment in the stars because I have an innate pull toward the summer months.  As the weather begins to warm and vacations are in the last stages of planning, I am beginning to feel my favorite time of year creeping up.  Here are my Top 5 Summer Staples:

1. I always wear SPF 30 on my face.  Mineral versions like this Peter Thomas Roth powder with SPF 30 are a great alternative to heavy sunblock creams that can cause breakouts.  I used to use these sunblock creams, but after applying makeup it proved too many layers for the summer heat.  Now, I just brush this on in the morning and throw it in my purse for touch-ups as necessary!

Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder SPF 30

2. Chlorine can damage your hair, skin, and bathing suit.  Kiehl’s makes the best product — Swimmer’s Cleansing Rinse for your hair and body.  It’s gentle enough to use on your swimsuit, too!  It neutralizes the chemical and keeps your hair from turning green, skin from drying out, and your favorite suit from deteriorating!  If you spend your summers in the swimming pool, this is a must have. 

All-Sport Swimmer's Cleansing Rinse for Hair and Body

3. Everyone is in search for the easiest way to get that tousled, beachy wave look without looking like a sloppy mess.  I use a 1 ½” barrel curling iron and wrap 2” sections (or larger if I am in a rush) to create big, loose waves. Then I flip my head over, shake it out, finger comb, and finish off with this a few sprays Frederic Fekkai’s amazing Beach Waves Spray. It has an amazing smell, seals/protects hair from the sun, and gives you that California surfer girl look all day.

Frederic Fekkai Beach Waves

4. I am dying to get a hot new bathing suit this summer.  I’m really want to get a plunging v-neck like this halter one-piece by Carmen Marc Valvo. While it’s still very sexy and on trend, no need to worry about getting a bunch of funky tan lines across my midsection.  This suit exudes confidence and personal style — I can already envision myself cocktailing by the pool!

Carmen Marc Valvo Halter One-Piece

5. Lastly, I love this silk coverup from Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi-coverups were hot this season on the runways, and make it easy to go straight from lounging to lunch or dinner. This resort piece is hot, and the lioness in me can’t resist the leopard-print and embellishments!  If you’re not as bold, try something more subdued (but still sultry) like this tunic from Calvin Klein.

Diane von Furstenberg Leopard-Print Silk Coverup

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Beauty Talk: Mineral Makeup April 12th, 2010 By

Mineral makeup is a great option for natural coverage because it’s often more forgiving than liquid foundations and easier to match your skin tone.  Still haven’t tried it?  Check out my three personal favorites.  They diffuse light and give skin a soft glow and a more natural look, which makes mineral makeup a favorite among celebs.  Even those of us with acne scars can enjoy mineral makeup by pairing it with a good concealer where needed.

 

Bare Minerals Get Started, $60

Bare Minerals Get Started, $60

Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals
Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals has the best coverage among all of the mineral makeup I have tried. You have to buff it on with a tightly packed kabuki brushfor the best results.  The Original Bare Minerals Foundation has shimmer which can accentuate lines if applied to heavily, but gives skin a pretty glow.  The Matte Bare Minerals is better for older skin and a more refined look.  The Matte version tends to get a little cakey though so you have to spend some extra time blending the foundation into your skin.  The Get Started Kitsare a great value since they include two foundation shades, brushes, warmth (a bronzer) and mineral veil (a translucent powder that sets the foundation).

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, $26

M.A.C. Mineralize SkinFinish
M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is my daily go-to powder in the morning.  I pair it with M.A.C. Select Cover-up concealer for a flawless, fresh complexion.  The purse-friendly solid powder compact is perfect for travel and is way less messy than loose powders.  My only gripe about the compact is that there is no mirror.  There is a great range of shades (which is usually the case for M.A.C.), so it’s easy to find the right shade for your skin.

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, $32.50

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, $32.50

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief
Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief is a very sheer powder, but you can apply it with a nylon foundation brush or concealer brushfor better coverage.  It works well over foundation or concealer and light layers can be applied throughout the day to alleviate oiliness and redness.

Also check out Clinique’s Urgent Relief Creamto calm red skin as a result of an allergic reaction or irritation.  It works very quickly to eradicate bumpiness, rashes and discoloration.  I can attest to the face-saving qualities of its predecessor, Clinique’s Exceptionally Soothing Cream for Upset Skin (discontinued).  When I tried on a department store blush and immediately turned bright red, itchy and bumpy right before I was due to present a research project, the Clinique girl saved me with that cream.  Within 20 minutes I was almost back to normal and not itchy at all.  Keep a tube at home if you have sensitive skin.  It also works well on beard burn!

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Shop under $15: Flawless Foundations March 18th, 2010 By

Flawless Foundation under $15

Flawless Foundation under $15

We’ve all felt guilty after leaving the makeup counter with an empty wallet and only an item or two to show for it. This doesn’t have to happen anymore! Drug store makeup can be just as great as brand name makeup, and it won’t break the bank.  Here are a few great foundations I’d recommend, and they’re all under $15.00!

At prices like these, you can buy 2 shades to blend and customize coverage just like the pros.  Who knows, instead of spending $50 bucks a pop at the department store, you could find your dream foundation that’s exactly the right color.

1. Creamy, dreamy, and such a delight, Maybelline Dream Mousse Foundations are all you need for smooth foundation coverage that doesn’t feel caked on or heavy.

2. Find it impossible to match your skin tone? L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder promises to blend in perfectly so you get a flawless, natural look.

3. Prefer natural mineral foundations? This Neutrogena Mineral Sheers are hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive skin.

4. I don’t use foundation unless it’s a special event, but I do like a good tinted moisturizer for daily coverage. Covergirl Smoothers Tinted Moisture is a nice amount of coverage for evening out your skin tone, and the bonus factor is that it has SPF 15.

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