Tag: primer

Caudalie Beauty Elixir Limited Edition by L’Wren Scott

It is amazing when a good thing gets even better. This time, your vanity will thank you as a classic is being updated with a beautiful vessel from L’Wren Scott. Caudalie’s best selling Beauty Elixir spray is inspired by Queen Isabella of Hungary who charmed the King of Poland thirty-five years her junior. This serum/toner hybrid works to add radiance to any skin type. Ingredients include:

Rosemary Essential Oil to purify
Lemon Balm to calm
Peppermint to stimulate
Orange Blossom to soften
Rose for radiance
Grape Pulp for moisture

The limited edition bottle is inspired by L’Wren Scott’s 2013 fall/winter collection and Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. The mosaics and female silhouette also incorporate vine shoots in honor of Caudalie’s roots.

Beauty Elixir can be used as a primer under makeup and also throughout the day over makeup. It also makes for a great after-shave for the guys.

Available November 1^st at US.Caudalie.com, Caudalie NYC Boutiques (315 Bleecker St. and 1031 Lexington Avenue) and the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza Hotel.

New: Pierre Hardy for NARS and Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer

Can it ever get better than shoes and makeup? I think not. Again NARS brings us a unique coupling with such style. Inspired by his Summer 2013 shoe collection, Hardy’s collection has six polishes pairings (two polishes designed to compliment each other) and two blushes. The polishes come in a small shoebox with dust bag (a nod to Hardy’s own footwear packaging). The blushes feature Hardy’s signature cubic print with a gold overspray. Look for the collection May 1st at narscosmetics.com.

ETHNO RUN: orange, navy

SHARPLINES: peach, burgundy

VERTEBRA: coral, dusty rose

EASY WALKING: rose gold, camel

SHARKS: yellow, lavender

VENOMOUS: gunmetal, black

Blushes ROTONDE: tiger lily and BOYS DON’T CRY: pink grapefruit

Also, NARS is releasing a new primer: Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15. The lightweight formula is packed with Light Reflecting Complex and red algae extract to keep skin looking luminous and fresh all day. The formula absorbs quickly and fights dullness and fatigue while Vitamins A, C and E help ward off free radical damage. Available April 15, 2013 at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

Did you hear yet? It is all about matte skin these days. After what seems like so many seasons of dewy, glow-y skin, the runways are now flooded with matte, pristine skin. Instead of trading in all those luminous foundations, I am opting for a mattifying primer. I recently covered this mattifier (if you prefer a compact), but I am loving this tube since I am already hooked on a wearing a primer under foundation.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is designed for those with oily skin, but I find it works just fine on my drier complexion. It has a bit of a tightening effect, so if you do have drier skin, layer it over a moisturizer. I love the look I’ve been getting wearing it under this foundation. It also minimizes pores and has a great effect on its own. For those battling shininess throughout the day, you can layer this over makeup.

The true beauty of the lightweight formula is that it is silicone-free – sometimes with silicone formulas, product can ball up and texture is compromised. The primer includes EverMat™ to reduce oil productions. The consistency is in between a liquid and cream and goes on sheer. I’ve found my makeup last for hours when I use this as a primer. (Also free of Oil, Alcohol, Fragrance and Parabens).

Bonus: also can be used to mattify lip gloss or as a eye shadow primer – particularly helpful if you have oily eyelids!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Brand Spotlight: Manna Kadar

Did you know about Manna Kadar? I didn’t until about a week ago. The brand has even been featured in my beloved Birchbox and I just missed it! Well, this little brand packs quite the punch. I have been wearing two of their signature items and certainly won’t stop anytime soon.

First up is the sheer glo – fans of Armani’s Fluid Sheer, pay attention. I adore Fluid Sheer but always love recommending a more affordable option. Sheer glo is that same iridescent liquid that can be worn alone or mixed with your foundation. What sets it apart is its hydrating formula, making it work really well my drier skin. I also have been swiping it on my collar bones and down my shins for a little body glow!

Prime Time is very similar to the MAC Paint Pot I reviewed last week here, albiet in a much lighter shade than Painterly. At first, I thought it was too light. But it completely neutralizes any coloring before you apply eyeshadow. I’ve found that it transforms my metallic shades. And, as a primer should, it prevents smudging and creasing. If you have a big event or a photo shoot, try it as a lip primer. It will keep dark, deep shades from feathering and give a purity of color.

Next up on my list, is this amazing palette – Gold Digger Contouring Palette. How cool does that look??

You can find Manna Kadar products on their web page or at Birchbox.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Five Tips for Holiday Makeup from Neutrogena

Amy Oresman, celebrity makeup artist from Neutrogena, shares some of her tips using for holiday makeup. I’ve been test driving these items too over the past couple of weeks and am also sharing my thoughts on these drugstore buys.

1. During the holidays when you’re running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it’s important to start with a good base. The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Editor’s note: I LOVE, I mean love, this primer. It evens skin just on its own while cooling and hydrating. I love the SPF (non-irritating at that). And there is no balling and sliding under makeup.

2. Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes. Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles. Formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you’re close-up ready!

Editor’s note: I’ve had one of these in the rotation for a couple months. This is not an illuminator pen – it really conceals with a radiant and moderate-coverage finish. I love using it around my eyes and down the sides of my nose.

3. Often times, the photo flash can make your look washed out. To really make your eyes pop, eyeliner is a girl’s best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes. What’s more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

Editor’s note: This creamy liner is easy to use and especially great for a smudgy look (there is a smudging sponge at the other end). I love the in-cap sharpener and addition of vitamins and conditioners for delicate skin. This sadly doesn’t work on a water-line, but could be great in conjunction with your favorite eye kohl (remember: layering liners makes them stay longer).

4. My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is HEALTHY VOLUME® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes. The exclusive super sized Visible Volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging or flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.

Editor’s note: This mascara not only conditions and improves your lashes, but boosts volume in a major way. The large brush is my preferred tool and adequately coats each last for more length and fullness. There is no dry, crispy feeling (hate when that happens).

5. No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look! Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn’t always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months. Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with with ion₂complex™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips’ overall appearance. In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips’ rosiness.

Editor’s note: It is hard for me to not love a good balm. These did not disappoint They really are hydrating with a fruity flavor. I love “Sheer Shimmer” for an easy translucent lip and “Petal Glow” gives a subtle hint of rose, both leaving my lips super shiny.

Dr. Jart Black Label Detox Pore Penetrator and Renewalist Melting Cream

One of my most popular posts ever was Dr. Jart’s Beauty Sleep Masks. So, I know you guys have love for Dr. Jart. Today, I want to highlight two other products that I’ve fallen for from the famed dermatologist.

The first product… I’m a bit reluctant to admit I need. I’ve always had good pores. Hyper-pigmentation and a couple fine lines – sure. But always clean and small pores. Lately, I’ve had “moments” with myself and a magnetized makeup mirror. And those pores weren’t what they used to be. I’m not sure if it is because I live in busy, construction zone downtown or it is the rich moisturizers my dry skin craves. Either way, Dr. Jart to the rescue.

Black Label Detox Pore Penetrator is a treatment mask that can lossen black heads and debris in one 10 minute process. For those of you who love fun textures – you won’t be disappointed This thick, gel-like mask is applied wherever you are prone to blackheads (for me, on the nose). Botanicals soothe while dead skin cells is removed and Pore Care Solution refines and tightens enlarged pores. My dry and sensitive skin had zero problems with the formula. Massage and then rinse off – squeaky clean skin is revealed. Voila!

Next up, Renewalist Melting Cream – this cream is like a little bit of dessert on your vanity. The “sorbet-like” texture brightens and soothes. Key word here is melting. This cream’s ability to absorb is what makes it special. Using the included spatula, I scoop a small amount and warm it in my hands (required since this is a stiff formula). Applying to the face, you get a infusion of moisture to what feels like an unually deep level. Dr. Jart’s patented platol white-c complex brightens dull skin. Nutrients, oils and antioxidnets improve the look of skin. With just a little leg work using your body heat, you get quickly absorbing, heavy duty moisturizer with a silky, clean finish. There no greasy residue, making this perfect for under makeup.

Both available at Sephora.