SUMMER 2013 BEST NUDE MAKEUP COLLECTIONS

Posted by Dorene 05.24.13

There is no better time than summer to try out a nude makeup look. After all, it’s been a runway trend for years, and even lovers of the extreme like designers Versace and Alexander McQueen send models down the aisle with just a smudge of color.

But like all things simple, creating the right nude look to spotlight your assets can be tricky. Nude makeup goes far beyond pale foundation and beige eyeshadow; there is a whole array of neutrals to choose from. The goal is to create a youthful, fresh-faced appearance and you can’t do that with just one color. Find the right shades and textures—dewy, satin, matte—that make you look alive and not washed out. Contour and highlight your face with subtle blushes, bronzers, concealers, and highlighters to maximize your bone structure.

Choose lip, nail, and eye color shades that complement your natural undertones. It’s hard to generalize, but lighter skin tones tend to bloom with taupe-mauve and light brown shades, while darker skin tones will look naturally gorgeous with chocolate hues. But everybody is different, and even your hair color can require a makeup reassessment.

Luckily, some of our favorite color mavens—Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, and Laura Mercier—have but together nude makeup collections for summer 2013.

From the master of neutral, the Bobbi Brown Nude Beach Collection is all about creating the relaxed, bronzed glow seen on faces at the beach. Start with Sunless Tanning Gel for Face & Body ($33), a non-greasy, oil-free formulation. After developing the right shade of self-tan, shape and contour cheekbones with Nude Beach Bronzing Duo ($42). The fun part starts with choosing one of three Sheer Color Cheek Tints ($26)—options include Summer Pink, Nude Beach or Sunlit Nude. Tube Tint ($19) is a lip-gloss that adds a hint of color, but oh so subtly. Choose from Air Kiss, Pink Cloud, Bronzed Pink, or Naked. For eyes, Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick ($28) in Golden Bronze and Sunlight Gold evoke a natural radiance that won’t melt away. Complete the look with Shimmer Nail Polish ($18) in Pink Pearl, the palest of pinks with just a drop of sparkle.

Designer Tom Ford likes to give women the option to go nude or colorful. His 2013 Summer Color Collection takes the neutral route with shades “created to capture a very particular look of skin that is bathed in sunset light in the summer,” said Ford. Create a natural glow with Skin Illuminator ($65) in Fire Dust, a peach-pink shade that seems to work with many skin tones. Sculpt cheeks with Illuminating Cheek Color ($58) in Bronzed Amber or Guilt to recreate the look of skin reflecting the soft light of dusk. For the most natural of sheens, Lip Lacquer ($30) in Pink Lust is a clear gloss with a hint of shimmer. Eyes will look as if they are casting a glow from within with Cream for Eyes ($40) in Escapade and Pink Haze. Both are non-creasing and long-wearing—perfect for summer. Nail Lacquer ($30) in Vapor is the most neutral of neutrals—white—enhanced by a silvery finish.

Makeup artist Laura Mercier’s extraordinary career (her A-list includes Madonna, Julia Roberts, and Sarah Jessica Parker) is anchored on creating the most beautiful and flawless complexions. Her primers, foundations, concealers, and eye color have all the necessary options to create a beautifully neutral canvas. But for summer, Laura Mercier Limited Edition shades include a range of specialized nudes for lips and tips. Lip Glace ($24) offers non-sticky shine in six neutrals that complement a range of skin tones. The shade names alone say natural; choose from Pout, Pink Diamond, Bare Baby, Bare Blush, Bare Beige, and Quartz. For nails, the Nail Lacquer ($18) options go from soft pale pink to deep coffee. All limited editions, the summer nude nail colors are Bare Angel, Bare Rose, Bare Haze, Bare Mocha, Cocoa Suede, and Bare Espresso.

Natural beauty may look effortless, but we all know that behind every apparently fresh washed face, there is a palette of magical neutrals.

BEST SWEATPROOF MAKEUP (REVIEW)

Posted by Wendy 05.23.13

As temperatures rise, so does the urge to switch to stay-in-place makeup that won’t melt by lunchtime. With some new formulations, you can get through the day and move on to dinner with just a quick touch up.

Great technology is no longer doomed to live only in jars and bottles. It has made its way into color cosmetics. Aren’t you willing to pay extra for makeup that delivers more and adds convenience? With these great time saving formulations, there is no need to carry your entire makeup closet with you just to get through the day.

PRIMERS

One way to get your makeup to stay in place for hours, is to use a primer first, an essential step if your skin is on the oily side. In general, mineral-based makeup is a great choice for those interested in oil control, and a mineral based primer will work wonders to keep your foundation from dripping off your face. Oil-free and vegan friendly, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52) is a water-repellent primer that dries to a powdery finish and will even help camouflage redness. Great for normal to combination skin By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer ($59) is incredibly fun to apply, as it goes on as a foam, dries to a matte texture, and helps fill in wrinkles and pores to create a smooth long-lasting canvas for foundation.

LIPS

Getting your lipstick to last beyond the first cup of coffee is a challenge no matter the weather. In summer, balm-like and cream finishes will slide off with your first sip. Try matte and long lasting lip colors to stay professionally primped all day long. Before applying, remember to clean your lips of oils or balms. Again Hourglass Cosmetics offers one of our faves: Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28). Unlike most long lasting lip colors, this one has humectants to keep your lips comfortable, and polymers to keep its vibrant color from melting away. Allow it to set for 30 seconds to 1 minute after application. MAC Pro Longwear Lip Creme ($18) is said to last up to 12 hours!! Available in 22 shades, it resists feathering and does not require a top-coat for no-slide wear. Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil ($18.00) is a non-transferable pencil that can be used on the entire mouth for all over color or as a liner to sharpen the shapes of lips

EYES

A little known secret is that cream eye shadow actually works better than powder during hot, humid weather. Sweat and powder just don’t mix. Summer is also the time to bring out the waterproof eyeliner and mascara—a little harder to remove, but isn’t that the point? Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow ($24) and Long Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23) are the perfect duo to keep your eyes looking fresh all day long. The neutral eye shadow shades perform as a base for deeper colors or can be worn alone with the eyeliner for a subtle finish. Chanel Long Lasting Eyeliner  ($30) features 12 soft pencil, easy to apply waterproof shades. A definite stay-in-placer, it takes a bit of work to remove. The finishing touch for melt-free eyes is a waterproof mascara like Lancôme Hypnôse Star Waterproof 24 Hour Mascara ($28), which adds clump-free length and volume.

FACE

To avoid having foundation drip into your cleavage, pick one with long lasting, transfer-free, and oil-free claims. Mineral makeup might be the best option for oily skin, but there are some great no-drip liquid foundations out there too. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24h SPF15 Sunscreen ($45) gives full coverage with a matte, not cakey finish. Eight years in the making, it is the first 24-hour makeup from Lancôme. Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15 ($27) not only offers coverage and protection, but it promises to even out skin tone to boot. Plus like Teint Idole it has that summer necessity, sun protection. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup ($36) has a terrific matte finish that doesn’t slide off. If you have normal to oily skin, it can hold up from morning til nighttime.

REMOVERS

Getting it on is one thing, but taking it off can be tricky. Sweatproof makeup won’t dissolve with a run of the mill cleanser. Specially formulated for eyes and lips, Bobbi Brown Instant Long Wear Make-Up Remover ($25), takes care of tough to budge waterproof mascara as well as that tinge of color left on your lips. And from the cover-up pros at Dermablend, Longwear Makeup Remover ($22) works on face, eyes, and lips with a gentle formula that is suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.

It may take a bit of an investment to create your sweatproof palette, but the payoff of less hassle and more time will be worth it.

 

 

SUMMER LEGS SOS

Posted by Yanar 05.22.13

Summer—the season of skin—is fast approaching which means it’s time to invest in some forward beauty planning. If you troubleshoot your leg-worries and you’re more likely to enjoy floaty summer skirts and poolside bikini lounging without fear or dread. Our Summer Legs SOS guide has everything you need to know to get ready to bare with absolute confidence.

How to vanish spider veins

The problem: Light and small purple, blue or reddish color veins in a linear or spider’s web pattern on the skin’s surface. They are formed when excess blood builds up in the blood stream.

What’s the solution? “A common underlying cause could be hidden varicose veins so the first course of action is to book a scan,” says vascular surgeon Mark Whiteley, founder of The Whitely Clinic, one of the UK’s leading vein centres. “Microsclerotherapy is usually the best treatment with 95% of patients seeing an improvement.” After treatment you’ll need to wear compression stockings for two weeks.

Expert tip: Inflamed skin post treatment is a sign the body is removing the dead vein. This can last up to two weeks. After 12 weeks full results can be seen.

How to treat varicose veins

The problem: Aging is one factor that can cause blood pooling in veins under the skin. Varicose veins often appear large and bulky, pushing the surface of the skin outwards. Treating varicose veins can relieve aching, swelling, pain, and medical complications further down the line, so it’s not just a cosmetic procedure.

What’s the solution? The traditional treatment of physically removing veins—also known as ‘stripping’ using general anesthetic—is on its way out. According to Whitely, now 65% of US patients use laser or radiofrequency to “shrink” or seal the veins by heating the vein walls and the UK is finally following.

In a ten year study of 172 patients treated with thermoblasion, Whiteley reported 93.5% long-term success—i.e. no reopening of the vein. This is compared to stripping, which can carry up to 80% chance of the vein growing back.

Expert tip: Always seek a scan to remove any chance of guess work and to identify hidden varicose veins. Visit veinscreening.co.uk for a free vein screening questionnaire.

How to re-shape your legs

The problem: You want lovely legs but months of hibernation have left them wobbling without any definition. Time to get strength and muscle tone back quickly and safely—longer, leaner more shapely legs can be yours, we promise!

What’s the solution? When fitness expert Niki Rein, founder of barrecore in London, discovered how dancers’ bodies were sculpted it was the start of integrated dance-based conditioning techniques. “We can quickly shape beautiful legs and lift bums by using small and specific isometric movements at high repetition, which burns fat and strengthens muscles.”

Expert tip: Rein recommends following barre work with stretching which lengthens muscles creates a dancer’s svelte silhouette. Expect to see results within 8-10 sessions of barre-based exercise.

How to reduce puffy legs

The problem: Swelling of legs, feet and ankles is caused by a build-up of fluids and is known medically as edema. This could be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation, weight issues, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, and more.

What’s the solution? For a DIY approach, try the following tactics: keep feet elevated, exercise regularly, and incorporate leg rotations and stretches. Try a cool bath to help reduce swelling with a product that helps draw fluids such as INA Bath Crystals (£47). Maximize results with regular body brushing from the ankles up to the knees and thighs.

Expert tip: Don’t forget your diet. “Avoid swollen legs and puffy ankles by eating a clean and lean diet that is low or free from inflammatory foods such as salt and alcohol as these can lead to swelling of the joints and water retention. You can also eat foods that are rich in omega 3-oils such as salmon as a natural anti-inflammatory,” advises Lee Mullins, Director of Personal Training at Bodyism.

How to minimize your cellulite

The problem: It doesn’t matter how much exercise you (or don’t do!) fatty dimples beneath the skin may still haunt your otherwise perfect pins. There’s still time to attack this problem and diminish cellulite from your legs, thighs, and bum.

What’s the solution? “It’s essential you massage problem areas such as thighs and hips twice a day. Use a massage tool or hold hands in a claw shape and use fingertips and thumb to work a gel or cream into skin an upwards motion for 2-3 minutes or until it’s absorbed into skin. This will really boost circulation,” says Sanctuary Spa Skincare Expert Nichola Joss. Try Sanctuary Spa 5 Day Moisture Creamy Body Oil (£6.99) or Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil (£20) for cellulite-busting goodness.

Expert tip: For extra stubborn areas grab, pinch and knead skin using all fingers and thumb or try Scholl Rolling Shiatsu Massager (£25.63) for targeted, deep kneading massage to boost circulation beneath the skin.

How to spend less time on hair removal

The problem: If your hair and skin tone mean you don’t easily qualify for laser hair removal, then summertime de-fuzzing might be another time-consuming chore. Laser treatments usually require significant contrast between hair and skin color for best results, which is why dark hair on dark skin or light/reddish hair on fair skin has traditionally been a problem.

What’s the solution? The latest treatment launch from laser experts Syneron Candela is GentleLaser, which has been shown to be effective at reducing hair growth on any skin tone and hair color. This is down to a dual wavelength laser (755nm and 1064nm) with additional settings to suit different hair types and thickness. Variable pulse duration combined with a cooling system can soothe skin and protect its surface. The shorter pulses make this a fast and extremely effective option.

Expert tip: Michaela Barker, UK General Manger of Syneron-Candela recommends a consultation and patch test before summer begins. “Each hair removal session (an average of six) are spaced six weeks apart, so the sooner you start the sooner you can enjoy the benefits. Don’t forget that exposure to the sun needs to be avoided two weeks before laser treatment; even more of a reason to get started before the summer is in full swing.

How to banish bikini bumps

The problem: If you favor epilating or waxing for hair removal you might be all too familiar with beneath-skin bumps and ingrown hairs.

What’s the solution? To banish bikini bumps this summer—and all year round—without irritation, Eau Thermale Avène Dermo-K  ($27) is a clinically-proven nightly treatment to help free and prevent ingrown hairs. Dermo-K softens the skin with an emollient while also soothing irritation caused by repeated shaving and waxing.

Expert tip: For best results simply spot-treat affected areas in the evening.