MAKEUP BRUSHES

SOFT FOCUS

Laura Mercier
Foundation Primer ($32.00, lauramercier.com)

PRODUCT 101: A lightweight, creamy gel that creates an invisible barrier between skin and makeup to prime your face for color. Worn under foundation, this illuminating primer creates a smooth, flawless canvas for application, allowing foundation to glide on easily and stay fresh and color-true for hours. Ideal for all skin types, the universal pearl tint creates a soft focus effect to minimize the look of imperfections with a radiant finish. It’s the first step to Laura’s “Flawless Face.” Dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, it is formulated with antioxidants vitamins A, C, and E; Prestige Soft Focus Pearls; and skin-conditioning Jojoba.

What else you need to know:
Just as a painter primes a canvas, Foundation Primer—the original—was created by Laura Mercier in 1995 to prime the skin. After creating the industry’s first primer, she “reinvented” it and made a version that added soft highlights, luminosity, and radiance to skin. A lightweight, creamy vitamin-rich gel that prepares the skin for makeup application, it creates an even, invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements and expertly holds foundation. This water-based formula not only keeps makeup staying fresh and color-correct for hours but also helps perfect skintone over time.

FLAWLESS

Shiseido
Foundation Brush ($30.00, shiseido.com)

PRODUCT 101: A versatile foundation brush for use with all formulations. Shiseido’s innovative technology combined with traditional Japanese brush-making techniques create the perfect foundation finish. Perfect for liquid, cream or powder, this brush picks up all types of formulas for a uniform application and impeccable finish.

What else you need to know:
Gently tapered strands create an angled slant that best allows bristles to reach all facial contours. A short handle allows for precise control during application and portability for travel.

BEAUTY QUEEN

The Gold Standard. Legendary. Elegant. Innovative. The most influential makeup artist in the world by Vogue magazine. Pat McGrath was born and raised in Northampton, England. One of the most creative makeup artists of her generation, McGrath began her career in 1990 after completing an art foundation course at Northampton College, and said she “grew up living and breathing fashion in a compulsively creative family”.

• While she had no formal makeup training, her career breakthrough came while working on i-D magazine in the early Nineties.

• Since then she has worked with all the world’s top fashion photographers, designers and models.

• During the Nineties she spent ten seasons creating the makeup concepts for Prada and Miu Miu and in 1999 was asked by Giorgio Armani to design his cosmetics line.

• In 2004 she was named global cosmetics creative design director for Procter&Gamble, the name behind makeup brands including Max Factor, Dolce & Gabbana, CoverGirl and SK-II.

• She regularly collaborates on major fashion advertising campaigns such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Lanvin, Calvin Klein and Balenciaga, and her editorial work includes regular shoots with Vogue Italia and American Vogue.

• She is also Beauty Director of i-D magazine and dispenses her knowledge in the expert advice pages of Allure.

• In a Vogue article in 2007 she was named the most influential makeup artist in the world and has worked with celebrities as diverse as Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett and Oprah Winfrey.

• Despite creating the makeup for a plethora of shows and campaigns each season, McGrath remains inspired, “I’m influenced a lot by the fabrics I see, the colours that are in the collections and the girl’s faces. It’s always a challenge but that’s the key – to make it different every time.”

A GLOW FROM RIO

Warm colors are a girl’s best friend. Mimic the warmth of skin when achieving natural beauty. Keep in mind, it’s about quality, not quantity! Bronzing powder gives skin a healthy, sun kissed appearance, and you don’t have to spend a second in the sun. Look for warm golden or brown tones a few shades darker than your skin. The sheerer the texture, the more natural it will look. Bronzing powder also helps neutralize red or ruddy complexions.

Touch it. Feel it against your skin. Bronzing powder should feel silky soft and fine, like any loose powder, or if it comes in a compact, like pressed powder or blush. The softer the texture, the more your skin will radiate a natural flawless glow.

The trick is to shine through your makeup, rather than hide behind, accentuate rather than change. Apply bronzing powder with a medium-sized fluffy brush. Try MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush, ($34.00, maccosmetics.com), a full, rounded, all-purpose brush that I have been using for years. Use it over foundation or on bare skin. Rather than dusting a uniform layer onto the face, apply it where sunlight would naturally hit, the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheekbones, and your chin. Finish it off by applying a warm peach blush on your cheeks, this will give you a more fresh and richer complexion. When you naturally tan, your skin is a little flushed and rosy.


Guerlain
Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder ($48.00, guerlain.com)

PRODUCT 101: This multi-tone bronzing powder has a light texture and doesn’t contain a ton of pigment, so it’s subtle and discreet enough to use even in the cooler months. It glides on smooth, not too shimmery and the application can be easily controlled. It can slightly warm pale and medium complexions, be paired with a darker formula to create a deep tan, or help build a warm base for a smoky eye.


MAC Cosmetics
Powder Blush, Style ($18.00, maccosmetics.com)

PRODUCT 101: This shimmering peach blush is universal. It flatters more complexions than cooler colors do, and it warms up the complexion a little bit, so it still looks natural and fresh. It’s soft and sophisticated, and has a subtle touch of pink that makes it look good on almost anyone.

DOMESTIC BROWS

THE PERFECT EYEBROWS: ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE AS AN EYE LIFT

If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then your eyebrows should be the most uplifting part of your face. They completely alter the expression on your face, from surprised to perfectly calm. In addition to channeling feelings and emotions, eyebrows frame the face and creates clear boundaries and acts as a guideline for eye makeup, which is why keeping them well groomed is so important. If your eyebrows are in great shape, you need less makeup to look effortlessly polished and pulled together.

Always customize your brows to fit and flatter your face. You can’t go wrong with the universal brow shape: medium full with a tapered end and soft arch. But if you want truly customized brows, factor in the shape of your face. Think about proportion as well, if you have prominent features, you’ll look best with fuller brows; if you have small, delicate features, try a thinner softer shape. Brows always appear softer and more feminine when they are slightly lighter than your hair color. Know when not to fill in your brows. Brows don’t always need to be filled in. If a brow is naturally full, by simply adding a small amount of brow gel will do the job. Filling in an already heavy brow can quickly overtake the focus of the makeup application. Also, avoid the application of too much color on the inner brow. This can make the shape of the brow look “blocked off” and too heavy. Leave this portion of the brow clean and natural, just focus efforts on the arch and tail with only a tint of color on the inside.

MOST VALUABLE EYEBROW PRODUCTS


Tweezerman
Brow Shaping Scissors and Brush ($17.50, tweezerman.com)


Tweezerman
Stainless Steel Slant Tweezer ($20.00, tweezerman.com)


MAC Cosmetics
266 Small Angle Brush ($19.00, maccosmetics.com)


MAC Cosmetics
Matte Eye Shadow ($14.50, maccosmetics.com)


Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Eye Brow Gel ($19.00, lauramercier.com)











Beauty Talk



Deep Gray Shadow
It's an aggressive heavy black smoky eye. The perfect wash of gunmetal over the lids and a streak of glittery dark charcoal at the top and bottom lashes. For the perfect shade, try Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Black, ($20.00, makeupforever.com).
• Blend a creamy vanilla shade on the brow bone for a highlight and pile on mascara for extra thickness and definition. With this look, soft pink-neutral lips and cheeks will keep it balanced.







Beauty Secrets



MAKE UP FOREVER - HD Microfinish Powder ($30.00, makeupforever.com)

A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone. Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skin tones:
• It's completely translucent and goes on any skintone. Its talc-free formula does not dry the skin and is formulated with 100% silica. Dermatologically tested.





NARS - The Multiple ($38.00, narscosmetics.com)

The original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick. With fingertip application, The Multiple highlights, sculpts, and warms eyes, cheeks, lips, and body in an array of shades from sheer accents to mauve and bronze.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Touche Éclat Radiant Touch ($40.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion. The award-winning product is like eight hours of sleep and an instant pick-me-up in a magic wand. With a few strategically placed strokes, the complexion immediately looks rested, rejuvenated, and radiant:
• Banishes shadows and tired-looking eyes by adding light and creating an instant lift to the eye area.
• Widens eyes when used between the eyebrows and along the sides of the nose, and creates fuller looking lips when used in the hollow of the chin and around the contour of the lips.
• It's formulated for all skin types and for anyone who wants instant radiance, luminosity, and lift.





SMASHBOX - Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36.00, smashbox.com)

This product creates a perfect canvas for foundation application. The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish:
• Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection.
• This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture.





SHISEIDO - White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam ($33.00, shiseido.com)

A gentle, purifying foam that effectively lifts away impurities and surface cells to help reduce surface melanin buildup and leave skin clean and bright:
• Removes impurities and excess surface oil with a fresh creamy lather. Helps exfoliate surface melanin, smooth skin, and minimize dullness.
• Formulated with Asian plant extracts to improve moisture balance. Leaves skin feeling dewy and smooth. Recommended for all skin types. Use morning and night.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Volupté Sheer Candy ($30.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A glossy lip balm. This balm dresses your lips in a sheer veil of brilliant color boosted with vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruit extract. Its ultra-light, sensual texture leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated for up to eight hours and is ideal for year-round use.





GUERLAIN - Orchidee Imperiale Eye & Lip Cream ($185.00, guerlain.com)

The protective and regenerative benefits of the orchid extract restore firmness, suppleness, density and hydration to these particularly delicate areas:
• Targets under-eye puffiness and dark circles with autofocus reflectors that light up the eye area.
• A tightening agent creates an instant rested look around the eyes.
• Crow's-feet are immediately smoothed.





SHISEIDO - Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 36 PA+++ ($28.00, shiseido.com)

A highly nourishing cream-formula sunscreen for the face that defends against the powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause cell damage, dryness, roughness, and the premature signs of aging such as fine lines:
• Formulated with the retexturizing ingredient Xylitol to counteract roughness and keep skin looking soft and healthy. Contains Thiotaurine, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.
• Can be applied easily and absorbs quickly, leaving no visible white residue or feeling of heaviness. Very water-resistant. Perspiration-resistant. PABA-free.
• All Shiseido sun products proudly display the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of recommendation.





Beauty Bites



YOU SAY "TOMATO," I SAY "TOMAHTO"!

They're packed with lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Adding a little olive oil helps you absorb lycopene even better. Numerous studies have shown that eating foods high in lycopene is beneficial in warding off heart disease and several types of cancer such as lung, prostate, cervical, digestive tract and breast. Good sources of lycopene are pink grapefruit, guava, watermelon, and rosehips, but the most common and perhaps most powerful is the tomato.





ALMONDS, IT'S IN THE CRUNCH!

They're brimming with vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals in your muscles and nervous system and enhances speed, coordination and balance. They also have good amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fibre and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat. They contain more calcium than any other nut which makes them great for vegetarians who do not eat any dairy products.





FEELING A LITTLE BLUE?

Blueberries have highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit: being very rich in anti oxidants like vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, selenium, zinc and iron. They neutralize free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the body. Been proved to preserve vision: Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They keep you fresh, active, fit, sharp, close to nature and in a good mood, as they are very good anti depressants.





BEAUTY BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

Green tea contains antioxidants that combat free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of the human body and cause damage to cells and tissues. The antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they cannot cause any harm. Free radicals are one of the causes of many illnesses and they are one of the reasons for our aging. Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.

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