Winter Makeup Do's

I got a daily tip from "Self" magazine today in my e-mail and was reminded of the fact that winter really does wreak havoc on our delicate facial skin.  The tip was this:

Rubbing foundation onto parched skin can result in a dry, cakey face. Instead, opt for a hydrating foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Pat on color with your fingertip to avoid exacerbating flakes and go light on powder, which can suck up moisture that your skin needs.

This is so true...I was talking to a friend last week about this very thing.  Her complaint was that her powder foundation is very apparent on her face, as though it's sort of just sitting on top of her skin.  My recommendation to her was this:  try a little exfoliation to smooth the surface and make sure her face is well moisturized.  In addition, this switch can make a huge difference: replacing powder with a tinted moisturizer, a la the Self tip.  I always use a primer, which also helps to smooth the surface of your skin, and lately I've been using Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.  It's a fluffy textured, highly blendable formula that evens out skin tone and moisturizes in an instant.  This has been exactly what my skin has needed this winter.  It's a tad on the pricey side ($42), but a little does go a looooong way. 

Check it out here.

XOXO........................................................................Tiff. 

Yes Bare Escentuals, I Have Met Matte.

After being bombarded by (great) marketing touting Bare Escentual's newest innovation, I finally gave in and tried the matte version of their super popular mineral powder foundation.

As it turns out, I'm probably sticking with it. Having combination skin, I have a tendency to be glowy....okay, okay, shiny....by day's end. No longer is that the case with my beloved Matte. The coverage is great, but sheer, and it doesn't look powdery. The result at the end of the day is even better - somehow, my face still looks fresh. Of course, I'm still giving credit for my skin's ability to look great right now to my new PFL (product for life), the Clarisonic, but this Matte version stands alone in its own right.

Side note: The new packaging is much better and a whole lot less messy than the regular powder...as you see in the picture, the Matte features a twist top so you can ensure less product spills, and happier consumers.

Check it out and buy it here.

XOXO................................Tiff.

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.

Fake a Flawless Face - My Favorite Components: Step 3

I used to HATE liquid foundation - it always felt so heavy, looked cakey (because, let's face it, the point of wearing makeup is to look as though you're NOT wearing makeup), and clogged pores. After this discovery, I am a changed woman. I used a little sample of Smashbox's High Definition Healthy FX Foundation and quickly fell in love. This stuff is super light and highly blendable - and buildable, for that matter, so that you can achieve the perfect amount of coverage for your skin without that caked on look. My skin feels so soft and hydrated when I use it, and it's packed with goodies for your skin, like the skin-loving anti-oxidant Vitamin C and SPF 15. I never feel as though I am even wearing makeup, and my skin appears bright and healthy. I don't think you can ask for much more when it comes to foundation! For more info, go here.

PS - If you EVER want to sample any products - Sephora will gladly give you a generously sized sample. All you have to do is ask.

Here's to non-makeup makeup........XOXO, Tiff.

Try Bare Escentuals Foundation for FREE!

I personally love this stuff - if you haven't tried Bare Escentuals foundation, it provides great coverage but feels light and natural on your skin.  Not only does it feel natural, it looks natural - super goof-proof (i.e., virtually NO WAY to leave the dreaded foundation line).  If you'd like to give BE a whirl, you have a couple options.  They are offering a free 10-day supply of their foundation (with SPF-15) with a mini-buki brush - you can order it online and pay a $3.95 shipping/handling fee, or you can pop by one of their boutiques (Indy peeps - there is one at the Fashion Mall) and pick it up.  

Click here for details!

Happy swirling, tapping, and buffing.....Tiff