May 2, 2011

Pretty Aura

As I was leaving Sephora after Christmas, a new cheek stain called Aura by Hourglass caught my eye. Or, better said, the berry pink color grabbed my attention. Ever since, I have wanted to try it. And this last week, I did.

Although it looks like a lot of color on the applicator, I am pleased to report that it is a sheer wash instead of a heavy stain. It glides on and blends well. And the color is, indeed, gorgeous.

My choice was the color “Flush.”

However, the peachy pink “Petal” was also lovely.

“Rouge,” a soft plum, looks nice for darker skin.

With a nice tan, I plan to limit my summer weekend routine to some concealer, a swipe of Aura, and lipgloss.

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April 4, 2011

Slim Chin

Bronzer hides a multitude of sins. The one I like to hide is that extra little chin emerging underneath the first one. So, I swipe a nice matte bronzing powder right under the bone and blend outward so that everyone is crystal clear that there is only one slim chinny chin chin on this babe.

Good bronzers? Nars, Bare Escentuals, and of course, the iconic Guerlain Terracotta.

And behind every great bronzer is an even greater brush- the secret weapon to getting that natural chin look. I like B.E.’s kabuki brush or Sonia Kashuk at Target as affordable options, but Laura Mercier makes fantastic ones as well.

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March 14, 2011

Makeup Monday: Red Revival

We were at a party with some work colleagues, and one of them pulled out a tube of lipstick, swiped it on and hopped on the dance floor. The thing that most impressed me was her confident attitude. It did not hurt, though, that that shade of red was gorgeous on her, and prompted several women at the table to pounce on her about the details.

Turns out the color is Red Revival Color Sensational by Maybelline, and apparently, it has a cult following. It’s not too orange and not too blue. My work colleague is African American, and although there seems to be a wide range of complexions on Makeup Alley who liked it, the shade was particularly stunning on her.

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February 28, 2011

Makeup Monday: Instant Way to Subtract Years

I have a day full of meetings, so I have to post a quick post and get to work. The Makeup Monday tip is, indeed, a fast and easy way to subtract a few years off your look: extend your brow. I am not talking about running a line off the page, but simply add a little definition on the inside corner (most ladies overpluck this area) and then lightly feather the outer line out a few strokes. I like both brow powder or a pencil, and I am a huge fan of Anastasia’s products. If you are just getting started, I highly recommend the Brow Express kit.

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February 21, 2011

Makeup Monday: Fresh Face in Three Steps

A friend recently mentioned that her almost one-year old is not sleeping through the night. In solidarity, I am posting my favorite beauty tips that will give you a fresh, well-rested appearance – but in toddler time.


Step ONE: Swipe a fool-proof concealer in two half circle motions – one from the inside corners of your eyes up to your brow bone, and again from just underneath the inside corner down into the hollow of your eye until you reach the pupil. Your concealer should be on shade lighter than your skin and cannot be a heavy or overly dry formula; it must meld into your skin. My pick is the award winning Cle de Peau (their new formula is slightly creamier and even easier to blend). I like to slap it on, then follow the next step, and clean it all up with a blending sponge.


Step TWO: Blend a brightening bronzer or blush into the top apples of your cheeks. This will brighten up your complexion and give the illusion of rest. I just tried a sample of Nars Illuminator, and it does the trick.

Step THREE: Apply a long-lasting, peachy-pink shade lip color, like Chanel Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle.

The goal is to look like the this model, Vanessa Paradis (who is, incidentally, wearing the Rouge Coco shade Mademoiselle.)

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February 6, 2011

Makeup Monday: Back in Black Pearl

I made it back to the Midwest in time for another day of all-day meetings. Which makes approximately twenty-five meetings and four business dinners for the week. When I squeezed in a mani, I opted for something… a little un-lawyer-ly. A shade that is the darling of the fashion bloggers. And I like it, but in small doses.

Voila. Black Pearl by Chanel.

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September 20, 2010

Makeup Monday: A Glowing Report

Now that summer’s fading into fall, you have to get creative about maintaining that nice glow.  After The Self-Tanner Incident, I am off of these products until I am done nursing. So, imagine my delight when I stumbled on a product that adds a beautifully sheer bronze to the face without all of the downside: Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate. It’s pricey, but a little goes a loooong way!

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September 13, 2010

Makeup Monday or The Nail Situation: Reader Report on 14 Day Nail Polish!

I love Mike “The Situation”. It’s a great term, and I have enjoyed overusing it. Like here, I’ll give you a little background on the Nail Situation.

I inherited terrible fingernails. They peel in layers, they have a permi-bend when they are more than 0.25 cm long, if they don’t already tear by then (like Darwinism for my nails). Twelve capsules of fish oil a day is the only thing that has improved them, and it’s marginal. So, if anyone needs to stay up on her manicures, c’est moi.

I never wanted to be one of “those moms” who gave up on things when she had a baby. But, apparently I am, and despite the Nail Situation, I gave up on manicures. I already had a life-long roller coaster relationship with nail polish, and the baby was a great excuse to break it off for good.

Then, a reader wrote recently that her salon started offering a nail polish that lasts for two weeks that kept her nails from splitting, so they grew longer than they normally would. Bonus is that when she walked out, her nails are already dry.

So, ladies, this is about as good as it’s going to get for the Nail Situation (see, I told you). And my on-again, off-again relationship – it’s on again!

Read the full report at the nail addict’s blog, All Lacquered Up.

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September 6, 2010

Makeup Monday: Ingrown Solution that Works for Boys and Girls!

Here’s a tip to prevent ingrown hairs that works – Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads. Great for use after waxing and post-shave. I have to agree with the web description at Blissworld.com:

• gently exfoliates with salicylic acid and glycolic acid
• soothes with oat extract, witch hazel and lavender oil
• great for men to prevent post-shaving “beard bumps”
• doubles as an exfoliating treatment for rough upper arm bumps

And unless I order an extra jar, my husband and I fight over this product. And you should, too – take advantage of the Labor Day Sale – 20% off if you order by September 8, 2010 and use this code: LABORDAY.

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August 30, 2010

Makeup Monday: The Ultimate A.M. Shortcut

As a new mom, one of my biggest challenges has been to keep up on personal appearance. And when I was on maternity leave, the occasional skipped shower or lack of makeup (except for concealer) ce n’est pas un grand difference – no big deal. But now that I am in full swing with work, I need a minimum routine or shortcuts.

The ultimate shortcut I’ve found is dry shampoo or shampoo in a can. You spray it onto your roots to freshen up your style or diminish oil, and brush your hair. Voila, about 20 minutes saved!

I have tried a few, and my favorite so far is Ojon Rub Out Dry Cleanser. Some people may disagree, but I like the scent and the volume boost it gives my fine hair. I also like the ingredients. From the Ojon website:

“Rub-Out™’s natural cleansing properties come from the bark of the Quillaja (pronounced “kee-lay-yah”) or “soapbark” tree. Enriched with Amazonian White Clay, Silk Powder, Rice and Potato starches, it helps refresh and treat hair and scalp by helping remove impurities, absorb excess oil and product as it increases hair volume at the roots.”

Rub-Out is formulated without any parabens, sulfates, or other nasties. What I don’t like is the price. However, Sephora has a bonus package where you get a full size and a travel size for around the price or just the regular can, which is a $34 value for $25.*

Ojon also has a cleansing power formula, which at 1.7 oz would be great for travel but might not be much better (and a lot more expensive) than baby powder.

If you’re going to go the baby powder route, then skip the Johnson & Johnson’s and try the Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder – it’s much less chalky.

*Since Ojon’s product is pricey, you also might try Batiste Dry Shampoo. A recent import from the U.K., it is available from Amazon for about $10.00 with shipping. I’m not crazy about the ingredients, so I still might recommend Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder, which is talc-free, paraben free and phthalate free.

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