Posts tagged face
Facial Cleansers Review
13 years ago
Even though it’s a pleasure to apply makeup using quality products and show your face to the world, once the day is over the makeup must come off. A very important step in the care of your face is cleansing and even though once in a while its OK to sleep with your makeup on, it shouldn’t be a habit. The following are some of the cleansers I’ve used and what I think about them.
My favorite so far is from Avon, this company brings so many great memories from the time my Mom used to be the Avon Lady and it’s still a great thrill when I see that little book, I just can’t help myself. The cleanser I use is Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing 2 – 1 Gel Cleanser, it’s just amazing, the smell, the feel. It has tiny little beads and my skin feels great after I use it. The only complaint I have with this product is that it’s not great at removing eye makeup, but I use other products for that.
Even though my face is slightly oily, another product I’ve enjoyed is from NARS, its called Makeup Cleansing Oil. This product is meant to be used as the first step in cleansing. It will remove all makeup and in a way prepare your face so whichever other cleanser you use can do a better job. Once or twice I’ve used it by itself and it didn’t leave an oily feeling on my skin, it’s a really great product.
The next one is from Murad, and this one I had some mixed feelings about. I used the Renewing Cleansing Cream, and even though it was great taking everything off, I wasn’t too happy with the feeling of my skin afterwards. But the thing about Murad is that offers an extensive line of cleansers for every skin type, so it could be I used one not suited for me. I’ll be trying the rest of them because I was impressed with the cleaning result.
Finally, this one is a little something I make at home using a recipe from the book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles, this book contains recipes for creams, cleansers, facial steams, etc. that you can make at home. I’ve made several recipes and one of my favorites is a Cleansing and Rejuvenating Oil (page 122) which contains a base oil, Vitamin E and essential oils. I use it mainly as an eye makeup remover, but it could be used in the whole face, as well as a massage oil and aromatherapy. I’ve already made this formula three times and I love how it moisturizes my delicate eye area.
So there you have it, if you have a favorite cleanser, it will be much easier for you to stick to the habit of removing your makeup before bed.
Advanced Makeup Brushes for your collection
13 years ago
In the final installment of the Makeup Brushes series, I’ll tell you about the most popular advanced brushes. These are only some of the brushes out there, as I was doing my research I kept finding new ones, but I choose to focus on the more popular ones. So here you are:
Bronzer Brush
A brush that helps diffuse and blend your bronzer. Similar to the Powder Brush with a rounder head to provide a smooth and even application of bronzer, this brush can be found in natural or Taklon fibers. To use, apply the bronzer directly on the brush, tapping off any excess, begin on the forehead, down to the nose and cheekbones. The goal with this brush is to leave the skin with a sun-kissed hint. The Bronzer Brush below is from the Sephora Collection.
Kabuki Brush
There are several types of Kabuki Brushes, this one from Sephora has no handle to make it easy to hold in the palm of your hand. This brush is used to apply mineral makeup and when used to buff the makeup in a circular motion, it will help blend the makeup and leave an airbrushed finish.
Stippling Brush
The Stippling Brush blends face products —wet or dry— into the skin for a flawless finish. Synthetic fibers in this Sephora brand brush, extend past the goat hairs to pick up two layers of product, which translates into a satiny appearance. The compact bristle packing gives ultimate control, too. The two levels of bristles let you layer product beautifully—and determine how sheer or heavy you want your coverage to be. The synthetic taklon hairs allow you to use it with wet or creamy products, like compact foundation. The application of the product will be by stippling or dabbing, in a way this is similar to stenciling or scrap-booking.
Fan Brush
This brush dusts, wipes, and re-distributes powders along your features. This Fan Brush from the Sephora brand is a mover more than a blender or spreader, this brush effectively “fans” away product, making it a must-have for clean up and removing eye-makeup fallout. The raccoon bristles are a bit stiffer than other brushes, so it moves and clears products easily along—or away from—the face.
Crease Brush
The Crease Brush has a round and tapered shape, perfect for getting right in the crease while softly feathering color out. The tapered bristles put you in complete control with every application. The Crease Brush from Urban Decay is not too stiff or too soft, but just right to help you achieve professional results.
Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush
A high-quality, two-in-one tool that makes achieving a smoldering-eye look a snap. Sephora Brand Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush is equipped with a slanted eyeliner brush and a smudge dome, which promises to create a downright stunning stare. Line the length of your upper and lower lashes with the slant end for a seductive start. Use the smudge end to draw darker shadow to the exterior of the eye or to outline the eye with a thick, bold line.
Kat Eye Brush Set
A five-piece makeup brush set, designed by Kat Von D especially for Sephora. The black-handled brushes are decorated with silver stenciled roses—inspired by Kat’s favorite tattoo—adding to the creative attitude. This is a one-stop eye brush set, which gives you a great start in your brush collection.
The set includes:
- Angled Eyeshadow Brush
- Eyeshadow Blending Brush
- Angled Brow Brush
- Smudge Brush
- Flat Eyeliner Brush
So there you are, if you are one of those talented people that can do miracles with makeup, then you owe it to all of us to collect and master these brushes. Trust me, people like me will be more than happy to let you apply makeup on us.
Basic Makeup Brushes for your collection
13 years ago
In my previous post Makeup Brushes: Which Fiber is Best, I explained the different types of fibers in the market. You can choose from Natural, Synthetic or Taklon fibers. Now that we have that covered I want to suggest which brushes should be the essentials for your makeup collection. My goal is to give you all-in-one, so for each brush I explain why they are used, which fiber is best and how to use it. The pictures below are from mostly from Origins, which offers a collection of cruelty-free brushes. So, let’s start:
Concealer Brush
This is a small brush with broad and flat bristles. Synthetic is the best type of bristle for this brush since they don’t absorb too much product and are ideal for blending liquid and cream makeup. Dab a few spots in the areas with imperfections, for example under the eyes or directly on blemishes, and keep on dabbing until the concealer is blended on your skin.
Foundation Brush
This brush is to be used for liquid or cream foundation. Similar to the Concealer Brush, but bigger with flat and long bristles. Synthetic bristles are also better for this type of brush. To use it, dot your face with liquid foundation and use the brush to spread it in even outward and upward motions being careful to apply some foundation below your jawline to make it look more natural.
Blush Brush or Blusher
This brush is to be used to apply powder blush on your cheeks. The bristles are packed very close together and should be preferably Natural or Taklon. The rounded shape allows a better distribution of the product on your cheeks. The goal with the blush is to give a natural flushed color to the face. This can be accomplished by smiling and starting from the apple of the cheeks upwards to the hairline, apply the product with a soft motion to avoid excess.
Powder Brush
This is the big and fluffy brush used to apply the final loose powder that will set your makeup. It can also be used to apply shimmer, mineral powder or bronzer. The Powder Brush is similar to the Blusher, but bigger with fluffy Natural or Taklon bristles. The powder is to be placed directly on the brush and apply it using small circular motions all over the face for a better coverage.
For eyes and lips we have a few basic brushes. If you’re like me, all you do is apply one eyeshadow color at a time on special occasions. If you’re like my sister, then you like to blend, smudge, contour and create unique looks. I will cover those brushes in the Advanced Makeup Brushes post.
Eyeshadow Brush
Used to apply powder eyeshadow, this should be flat and wide preferably from Natural or Taklon fibers. There are too many ways to apply eyeshadows depending on your preference and comfort level. Whether its applying only on the lower lid and crease or the whole lid, the eyeshadow brush will help you get a great look.
Eyeliner Brush
Used to apply or blend cream eyeliners. This is a thin and fine brush, preferably made from synthetic fibers. There is no wrong or right way in using this brush, it all depends on how natural or dramatic you want your makeup to look. Some cream eyeliners come in a stick, in this case the brush can help you soften the lines after you apply it.
Eyebrow Brush
This is a small flat brush with a slight angle, also should be made from synthetic fibers. It gives definition and shape to the eyebrows. Apply the eyebrow pencil directly on the areas that need some color with a very soft motion in order to avoid streaks and blend it with the brush. The effect will be eyes that pop even more.
Eyelash Brush and Comb
This is the double sided tool with a stiff brush on one side and a small comb on the other. This one is used to help the application of the mascara on your eyelashes. You will first use the brush in order to clean up your eyelashes and prepare them for the mascara application. Once you applied the mascara, use the comb side to separate and lengthen before the product dries and becomes stiff.
Lip Brush
This is a fine, soft and tapered brush usually found as retractable and because it is used with cream based product, it should be synthetic. They help to blend in the lip liner with the lipstick and just give a better way to fill in the creases and outline the lips.
So there you have it. This guide will help you select the makeup brushes for your basic application needs. You will be amazed at how much better your face will look once you apply your makeup with the right tools.
Got Pores? Not Anymore!
13 years ago
The little known secret for getting a natural-looking flawless complexion is to put on tons of stuff in your face. I have enormous crater-deep pores and it’s hard for me to get the smooth look, so I’m constantly checking on pore minimizers and decided to compare several brands.
My test consisted on using different brands of pore minimizers, then applying Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear 18 hour shine-free makeup and a dab of Nars Powder Foundation, the end result I’m looking for is a smooth complexion with a clean matte finish so I can pretend I was born that way.
The first product I tried on was Raw Skincare Andiroba Botanical Face Primer.
This primer is a light cream that gives you a fresh feeling when applied. The makeup just glides on and from a foot away my skin looks smooth, but I could still see medium size pores when I take a close look. I give it a rating of 8.5 out of 10.
The next one I tried was Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer.
The cool thing about this primer is that its made to give heavy duty coverage for huge pores in the nose area as well cover fine lines. The product itself is a very heavy cream and I could immediately see the coverage on my pores. What I didn’t like was how hard it was to apply the foundation; because of the texture of the primer the foundation looked uneven, although the powder foundation worked well. My pores were greatly minimized but it took more effort to get the flawless look, I shudder to think how I would look if I was in a hurry. My rating is 8 out of 10.
Next it was Tarte Clean Slate
This one comes as a clear gel; when you first put it on you can’t see a difference on your face, but as soon as you glide on the foundation you can really tell. The final result is a very smooth finish that feels very light, I really like using this product. My rating is 9 out of 10.
Finally, I used Clinique Pore Minimizer t-zone shine control.
This is a light and fluffy cream and the first time I applied it, I almost gasped. My pores were almost gone and with the application of makeup I looked amazing. This pore minimizer is designed to be applied under or over makeup in order to prevent shine. My favorite thing about this product is that you don’t have to add foundation to see a difference. If you need to go out for a quick errand, just add some pore minimizer, lip gloss, quick dash of mascara and you’re off. Clinique is the clear winner with a 9.5 out of 10.
Cheek stains for tartelettes
13 years ago
One of my favorite items in my makeup case is tarte’s cheek stains, strike that, actually that is my second favorite item. My favorite one is tarte’s clean slate natural face primer but I’ll tell you more about it next week.
I’ve been using tarte’s blushing bride cheek stain and I’m very happy with the results, it may not make me literally feel like a blushing bride, but it does give the perfect amount of color to my cheeks. And I do like the name.
Tarte has a great collection of cheek stain colors for you to choose from in pink, orange, red and brown hues; perfect for any skin tone.
Cheek stains are free of alcohol so they won’t dry out your skin and oil so they won’t clog your pores. They are infused with the tarte t5 super fruit complex™ for a healthy dose of natural antioxidants.
I’ve always been used to use blush in powder form, so I was skeptical when I tried the cheek stain. The stain is in a solid lipstick-like form, when you open the cap you see a small amount of it in an oily form, you are supposed to wipe that off. Then you can apply it using a brush or sponge, I apply it directly on my skin and with my fingers smudge it. Because the color is so concentrated, you might think you’re going to look like a clown; but the color blends perfectly and you end up with natural color on your cheeks. It also has a very subtle fragrance that I just love.
Tarte has a very big Hollywood following, with stars such as Julianne Moore, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and many others. You can see more pictures of Stars wearing tarte on their website.
Tarte is a company that not only cares about helping you look even better, but also cares about the environment and is commited to quality. Also its really fun to use. You can find tarte cheek stains at Sephora and directly on tarte’s site.
Cargo Wet/Dry Foundation
13 years ago
This weekend was my sister’s birthday and part of the celebration included a trip to Sephora for some makeup, specifically, powder foundation. If you’ve ever been to Sephora, you might feel overwhelmed with the vast selection of products of brands you’ve never heard of. So the best thing to do is rely on the expertise of the beauty consultants there and let them help you find the perfect product.
In my sister’s case, the perfect product came from Cargo, with it’s trademark motto “Be*you*tiful”. According to their website:
In 1996, CARGO founder Hana Zalzal set out to create a professional color cosmetic line that top makeup artists would covet, yet would be easy enough for all women to enjoy. Working with some of the most talented make-up artists in the business, CARGO launched a multitude of award-winning products, never-before-seen packaging, and groundbreaking formulas.
Cargo offers products for face, eyes, lips, cheeks, as well as brushes and applicators. The product my sister got was Wet/Dry Foundation, a vitamin rich, two in one, powder foundation that combines the coverage of a liquid foundation and the setting properties of a powder in one easy step.
I tried it on myself, and I love it, really covered my pores and made my skin tone even. The packaging is really cool as well, when you open the compact you see the powder and the mirror, which opens up and stores the applicator.
You can find the Wet/Dry Foundation in several stores, such as Sephora inside JC Penney and other independent retailers. The foundation retails for $28 dollars and Cargo does not test on animals.
PRIMER* talk – Perfecting with Primer
13 years ago
The power of primer should never be loss on any makeup wearer. In fact, you always want to prep & prime the skin to ensure that the makeup stays and that even the micro pore doesn’t magnify in photos. Oily skinned gals experience creasing, sliding — and makeup tends to make a disappearing act but not if you are smart and you prime your face & eyes. This is the makeup artist secret, its also the first step in perfecting skin to read flawless. Some great ones to try are:
NARS Makeup Primer, $33
And after you’ve primed and added that quick glamor to meet your hot date, mist yourself with Skindinavia’s No More Shine Makeup Finish ($39) to preserve the look!
Friend of Style Bust: Makeup Artist Tamra-Marie
13 years ago
Working in makeup artistry since 2000, San Francisco native Tamra-Marie Johnson has built an extensive background in the field of all things Beauty. After relocating to Los Angeles for three years to further expand her skills and industry knowledge, Tamra-Marie has recently returned to her roots in the Bay Area. (Welcome back!)
Tamra-Marie has trained with industry brands including some of Style Bust’s favorites such as NARS, MAC and Laura Mercier Cosmetics. Over the years, Tamra-Marie has painted and sculpted her way through retail makeup touching hundreds of faces. While living in Los Angeles, she showcased her creative talents in runway shows, commercials, fashion editorials, red carpet appearances and celebrity photo shoots.
Tamra-Marie describes her signature looks as: “fresh, clean and glamorous look, – sure, makeup is my art but it’s also about giving balance to the face accentuating your complexion and features. My beauty philosophy has always been ‘less is more,’ a radiant face with a hot pink lip gives the unexpected twist. On the runway, makeup may create an edgy feeling but in real life it can help promote confidence.”
To date, her clientele includes models, actors, brides, and the modern woman that wants a polished chic look… She is consistently requested because of her talents, industry experience and a client-first attitude.
In her spare time, you can find Tamra-Marie collaborating with photographers, traveling, shopping vintage boutiques, and uncovering just what’s the best darn mascara is on earth.
Visit Tamra-Marie.com to find out more about her services.