Pure Genius

I know, I know, I KNOW! I've gone on and on about Bare Escentuals mineral powders, but it would literally be illegal if I didn't share this product with you. Like the Smashbox foundation I love so much, Smashbox HALO hydrating perfecting powder is completely packed with good for your skin ingredients. It contains pure gold, 48 minerals, and 11 amino acids to do some anti-aging dirty work while you're wearing it. The claim is that within 10 minutes, fine lines around your eyes decrease, and with prolonged wear, you should notice a significant decrease of lines all over.

As if that isn't enough, they decided to completely win me over with their packaging. If any of you use other loose powders, you understand the utter frustration at the messiness of the powders - you've paid a pretty penny for those cosmetics only to have them spill all over the place! Don't lie - you know you've run your makeup brush over the lost powder on your countertop - I'm not judging. I'm getting to the point - this powder is self-contained and you do not have to tap it and spill it, etc...you just twist the top and VOILA! You have shaved off the perfect amount of powder for your needs at that time. Now that deserves a BRILLIANT!!

The powder comes with a great little buki brush and a sample of the photo finish primer...trust me on this one - your skin will feel AMAZING with this product. Get it here.

No more spills!............XOXO, Tiff.

Fake a Flawless Face - My Favorite Components: Step 4

OK, I have to admit that this my favorite step. This is the part of the equation that takes your flawless canvas to the next level - and leaves it looking airbrushed. I'm talking about loose powder foundation; Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals, more specifically. Like the Smashbox foundation, this product is very light and buildable. This means you can achieve the coverage you desire, from sheer to full cover.

My favorite brush to use with this product is the Handy Buki Brush by Bare Escentuals. This brush is super easy to control, and helps blend areas that are usually difficult, like the area around your nose. Again, it allows you to choose the level of coverage you want.

If you are a fan of B.E., you know that their phrase regarding how to use their makeup is "Swirl, Tap, Buff." As simple as it sounds, it really delivers great results. To get the most bang out of this product, pour some powder into the lid (you don't need much), swirl your brush in the powder, and then tap the excess back into the lid. To buff appropriately, begin from the outside of your face and buff inwards (i.e., start at your jaw-line and move inward). To buff, you just make circular motions with the brush on your face - which actually feels pretty good. The result is even better - your skin literally looks airbrushed....so smooth and even. This is also where appropriately prepping your face (Remember? With the primer?) really comes in handy - your makeup brush will glide over your skin. Here is a little tutorial for you from the B.E. website:

Try practicing your Swirl, Tap, Buff^® technique

1. Swirl

   a small amount of bareMinerals in the lid with the Flawless Application Face Brush until all the bareMinerals are tucked into the bristles.

2. Tap

   away excess. There should be no visible bareMinerals on the outside of the brush.

3. Buff

   bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation onto the skin in a circular motion, starting on the outside of your face near the cheekbone and swirling as you go. Buff around your face and then approach your forehead, cheeks and nose. Buff until you are satisfied with the coverage. Less is more.

For more info about this product, click here.

Who's the gal with the flawless skin?? XOXO, Tiff.