ProductWhores

One Stop Shopping

When I was packing for my trip two weeks ago, I was trying super, super hard to pack lightly.  It did not go well.  I somehow managed to wedge 4 pairs of boots and sneakers into my suitcase for a 10 day vacation (and that's not even counting the sandals for the warm weather later in the trip).  It all started out so promisingly and ended with me paying $75 to get my bag onto the plane.  So when it came time for me to pack makeup, I was determined to at least not add to the weight and brought only products that could do double-duty.  Instead of packing numerous bottles of face products, I only packed one - Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30.  I haven't tried a lot of BB Creams and hadn't even opened this one before, but I love that it's one product that does everything you need.  It has an SPF in it for sun protection, antioxidants to keep your skin healthy, and slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.  Plus, it acts as a primer too.  It's actually the perfect product to take on vacation with you because you need all of 30 seconds in the morning to be done with that whole part of your routine.  I also really like the coverage - it feels really light on my face, but it covers enough so I feel like it hides the few freckles I have and such.  I like it so much that I've reached for it both mornings (okay, fine, I'm jet lagged and sleeping at weird times, so afternoons) since I've been back. It's vacation-worthy AND regular life-worthy.  I love it when that happens.     

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with Clinique

Foundations for Everyone!

I have been on a quest to explore all the foundations out there and find three that I adore for different levels of coverage, and I have successfully completed my task (one of my more fun quests, I must add).  If you're looking for full-coverage, you need to check out Hydrating Foundation by Glam Natural.  It's a shea butter-based foundation so it's super-hydrating and feels so smooth when you put it on.  The formula is really luxurious (I feel almost like this foundation is too good for me because it's just so silky on the skin).  It is vegan, preservative-free, cruelty-free, gluten free and water-free.  I was stunned at how amazingly full-coverage this foundation is and how little you need to cover the entire face!  I was also shocked at how beautiful it looks on (especially because it's free of so much nasty stuff I didn't think it would work as well as it does).  If you want full-coverage and tend toward combo to dry skin - it's a definite check-out for you.  PWs is officially a huge fan!

If you are looking for a medium coverage foundation then I will direct you immediately (well not immediately as this foundation doesn't hit counters till April) to Laura Mercier's new Oil Free Supreme Foundation.  It's very lightweight, but offers a beautiful medium coverage.  It's silicone-free, fragrance-free and not greasy at all.  I love how it evens out my skintone without making me feel weighted down.  Also, since it's medium coverage, it reduces the red but still lets my freckles come through a bit which I like.  I have actually worn Laura's Moisturizing Foundation for years and I am a convert to the new Oil Free Supreme - it feels more luxurious and has a longer staying power (but keeps the same flawless look I adore from Laura Mercier).  Great choice for medium coverage for someone who tends oily-combo skin.

If you are looking for a very light, tinted moisturizing foundation then you have got to check out Rae Cosmetics' Climate Control Mineral Tint.  This stuff kicks all other tinted moisturizers to the curb.  First of all it's SPF20, and is so lightweight on the skin you'll forget you're wearing anything (except for the fact your skin glows beautifully and your skintone looks stunning).  I love how it blends in, isn't sticky and isn't water-based.  It's really hydrating and non-irritating so even those with sensitive skin can wear it. I love, love, love this stuff.  Best tint I've tried!   Plus, retails for $39.50 which is a steal! 

Note:  Samples of the above products were sent to me by PR representatives working with the brands.

Hello Flawless!

I think my favorite score for Christmas had to be the fantastic Sephora giftcard I received in my stocking (yep, I still get a stocking!)  I couldn't waste any time spending the card so I dashed off to Sephora the day after Christmas and was overwhelmed with all the goodness.  Like my fellow ProductWhore, I fell in love (almost lust) with Sephora's new Prisma Collection of shadows (and unlike my fellow Whore, I actually bought a few and can attest to their fabulosity).  In addition to the shadows, I also picked up the Hello Flawless compact by Benefit which, if you haven't checked out, you definitely need to.  This little guy is a powder foundation which acts as a concealer (use the included sponge for heavier coverage) and as a foundation (sheer coverage if you use the included brush).  I love the way it feels on my skin (so silky smooth), doesn't cake at all and contains SPF15.  Hello Flawless makes my skin look, well, flawless and it's the perfect size compact to carry in your purse.  Honestly, no reason to not own this.

Become Firmer and More Toned

 

I am pretty sure that I'm allergic to working out.  Every time I put on my workout clothes and sneakers, my body forces me to sit back on my couch and catch up on "Gossip Girl" episodes, which can only mean that my body is preventing a horrible allergic reaction.  To thank my ever-so-insightful body, I don't require any firming or toning of it - instead, I totally love to firm and tone my skin (bonus - this can be accomplished while watching television).  Become Beauty (the Aussie company that has made me a monster for their highly-addicting and amazingly luxurious hand cream) has just released a brand new mineral foundation that is simply beautiful (say this with a thick Aussie accent and you've just become all my in-laws).  Firm and Tone Mineral Foundation is a light, tinted moisturizer which contains an SPF of 30.  The cream goes on beautifully, masks redness and gives the skin a healthy glow.  It smells almost citrus-y and is not sticky at all.  Because it's a tinted moisturizer, don't expect full coverage (duh) but expect a slight color and the best in sun protection.  Also, this stuff actually firms and tones the skin so you can give your face the boost it needs without setting foot in that pesky gym.  Retails for $39.00.

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Become

Foundation at its Finest

 

Okay, I realize I am probably the last one to jump on the bandwagon, here, but I don't know what the heck took me so long!  I was at Bloomies this morning and was just going to pick-up my go-to Laura Mercier foundation when I saw the man at the Giorgio Armani counter was looking like he wanted me to come over (okay, he really was on the phone, but anything to justify me trying the foundation).  Anyway, he was super-nice, immediately knew my foundation color (impressive) and the second he put on the Luminous Silk foundation, I was in love.  This stuff is phenomenal.  Yes, it's $59.00 which makes you choke on your spit a bit, but if sixty bucks means I look this good, I'm totally down.  He also was really non-pressuring, which I adored about him (I'm so used to the makeup counters where they keep swiping different things on you until you cave, almost in tears).  Luminous Silk is sheer to moderate coverage, feels so light on the face and really looks natural.  He also swiped on a blush before I left, which I love (but didn't think to buy at the time).  Another excuse to return to the counter, I guess.   

MUD You Want On Your Face

I was recently introduced to the MUD (Make Up Designory) brand and got super excited when I tried their Cream Foundation and it suited me perfectly (did I just say "suited"?  Do I think I'm British?)  I actually went right into their store in Burbank to be sure I got the correct color.  The girls who work there are fabulous - they knew exactly what I needed right away, just by looking at me, and happily chose the exact foundation for me.  The Cream Foundation is incredibly smooth (it can be applied with a sponge for more coverage or with a brush if you like the look of sheer), lasts all day with minimal touching up and covered all of my redness!  Plus, the huge benefit is it comes in a compact (easy for travel) and only costs $26.00 (unheard of for a department-store-quality foundation).  I just love, love this stuff!  It can be purchased at one of their retailers or at www.mudshop.com.

Airbrush Yourself

I've totally been wanting an airbrush machine for like, a year now, but that would be a patently ridiculous purchase because who has time to use something like that every morning?  I know it would be the kind of thing that I used every day for a week or two, then put in my closet, never to be seen again.  (Much like the robot I BEGGED my parents for when I was a kid, which they shockingly actually bought me for Christmas.  Needless to say, my sister and I played with it all the time until, oh, about New Year's Eve and then it disappeared into a basement closet, never to be heard from again).  So instead of an airbrush machine, I decided to try out the new Airbrush Spray Makeup from Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy.  (Phew.  That is a long product name).  You don't actually spray it directly on your face, which at first I was kind of disappointed by, but then I thought about it and realized the crazy mess that would probably make with my nonexistent sense of coordination and decided that was a good thing.  Instead, you spray the makeup onto your hand and then use a sponge or brush to apply it to your face.  I ended up really liking this way of working because you can more easily see where you need it and adjust accordingly.  The coverage is really nice - on me at least, it's sort of a medium level of coverage.  It doesn't feel heavy, but it does cover the majority of my flaws (or at least make them less noticeable).  It doesn't dry my skin out and it's easily blendable.  The only bad thing about the application process is that it wouldn't be easy to do on the go, since you need a brush/sponge and you would have to wash your hands afterward.  Then again, how many times do you really apply foundation on the go, really?  Not exactly something you'd be doing on a daily basis anyway.  It's also a much more budget friendly alternative to an airbrush machine at less than $15 a bottle AND you can pick it up at your local drugstore.  I think my old robot would definitely approve.  

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Sally Hansen

Get High-Def Ready Skin

Uhm, how excited are we all for "Sex and the City 2?"  I know I can't wait to get together with my friends and hit the theater.  Yeah, it might not be realistic and I admit, every time I see the commercial where Carrie runs into Aidan in the middle of a foreign country, I cringe a little.  (Although - true story - I once ran into a girl I went to high school with in a small village in the English countryside and I'm still shocked that it happened.  I mean, what are the odds that two people from a tiny, tiny town in NJ would both be living in London and BOTH happen to travel over three hours into the boondocks AND be on the same street at the same time?  I probably had a better shot of winning the MegaMillions, which... can that just happen already?  I want a beach house in Malibu, dammit!)  Anyway, back to "Sex and the City 2."  Yeah, it's probably going to be totally unrealistic story-wise, but I don't really care.  All I care about are the clothes and the shoes.  Oh, the shoes... 

In case you're curious about the makeup too, make up artist Nicki Ledermann used MAKE UP FOR EVER's HD Invisible Cover Foundation #155 on Kristin Davis’ to give her a flawless complexion on camera.  (High definition shows pictures that are six times as sharp as previous images, so the foundation was designed to hide fine lines and wrinkles, skin imperfections and shine, while still looking natural onscreen.  I may not be seen through the lens of a high-def camera every day (and thank God I'm not) but I have used this foundation and I really like it.  I thought it gave me great medium to full coverage - it definitely smoothed out my skin and took away the easily noticed imperfections, but it wasn't super heavy or mask-like.  It's kind of expensive at $40, but you do get an ounce of product and really, with foundation, if it's going to make my skin look glowing and close to perfect, I'm perfectly willing to spend a little more than usual.  (Especially to have a complexion that looks like Kristin Davis'.  She's gorgeous!)

Smooth Operator

I can't believe I call myself a product whore but yet I had never tried a Tarte foundation!  Man, oh man, I have been missing out!  Smooth Operator, their fabulous oil-free tinted moisturizer is a killer (in a great way) and definitely gives Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer a run for its money.  Smooth Operator comes in 9 shades (they recently added on a few new ones to ensure a perfect tint for everyone) which all boast an SPF of 20.  For a Los Angeleno like myself, that's uber-important (right up there with Ice Blendeds from The Coffee Bean).  Anyway, I was shocked that a tinted moisturizer could actually provide nice coverage - even getting rid of the redness around my nose.  In addition to being a great tinted moisturizer, it's nice to know that it's paraben-free, phthalates-free, dye-free, talc-free and is cruelty free!  While the list of the icky stuff it doesn't contain is lengthy (gotta love that), what it does contain is natural extracts, vitamins and a very-reasonable price tag of $36.00.  Smooth Operator can be purchased online and at Sephora.

Achieve The Perfect Balance

I'm not usually one to get super excited about powder, but I'm totally into Clinique's new Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15.  (Apparently, I'm practically alone in my powder indifference because according to Clinique, loose powders have grown in popularity by almost 70% over the past several years.  Weird.  I always did like to go against the grain...)  This powder is the companion to their best-selling liquid foundation Superbalanced Makeup and the two make a great pair.  (Although I've also been using the powder on its own and I like that too).  What's super cool about it is the way you apply it - instead of it being like most loose powders, which inevitably end up all over my sink and floor, it's a compressed powder that gets turned into a loose powder when you twist the package.  So you can totally control how much powder you "shave," which means a lot less mess and a lot less waste.  (It's recession-proof powder!)  The formula works well on me too - it has something called "smart technology" which maintains skin's moisture balance and controls oil at the same time.  It definitely gives my skin a matte appearance, but it doesn't dry it out.  I like that it has an SPF 15 in it too - I never rely entirely on SPF in my makeup and always use some under it, but it's always nice to get a little more sun protection.  It comes with a little brush in it which is fine for touch-ups, but if you're going to use the powder for overall coverage, I'd suggest using it with a full-sized powder foundation brush for a more polished look.  Overall though, if you're a powder fan, this is a great one to check out.  (And using the shaver is kind of fun!  Which might be the saddest thing I've ever written.  Clearly I need to get out more...)

The Superbalanced Powder makeup is $32.50.  Find your perfect shade at clinique.com.