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Second Skin: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup
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After 8 years of research, Giorgio Armani has produced a new face-makeup category. Touted as a “complexion perfector” or “complexion enhancer,” Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup was created to fulfill the seemingly impossible duality of transparency and coverage.
Armani says that traditional foundations are usually emulsions containing water in oil with fillers; according to cosmetics experts, those fillers can produce a visible masking effect. Maestro Fusion Makeup is created with patented Fusion Technology, consisting of ultra-fine oil-pigments that “fuse” to the skin, blurring imperfections with a no-makeup feel.
Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup, was created with five distinct principles:
1. A water and powder-free base
2. Totally non-comodogenic
3. Five time-released oils evaporating gradually
4. Smart pigment technology
5. An easy, fast, fresh and flawless application
The product is dispensed through a dropper and has a very runny consistency. It feels extremely smooth and weightless on the skin. If you have ever used a dry oil, this is the feeling it resembles. The result is a light, whisper-thin formula that gently moisturizes the skin. The shades blend equisitly into the skin and might be the answer to those suffering with color-matching. The finish is extremely natural with a bit of luminosity that lasts all day.
Available in 12 shades, Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup is a new generation of foundation. A “revolutionary complexion perfector” that looks and feels like second skin.
Style Your Stems: Floral Pants
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Style your stems in floral prints and patterns. A fun and fresh way to wear pants, these bold and colorful botanicals are truly statement-making.
With a little structure, these pieces look ultra fresh and modern. Don’t complicate things with a game of layers. Keep it simple. Try a cropped sweater or delicate tee for an effortless daytime look and silk cami and blazer for night. Add a great pair of sandals or heels and you have created the 1/2 & 1/2 (part elegance/part edge).
Here are a few beguiling blooms for inspiration:
Zara ~ Cropped Printed Trousers w/ Zip: $19.00 (sale)
Tibi ~ Floral-Print Silk Crepe De Chine Pants: $330.00
Ella Moss ~ Rosa Flora Pants: $148.00
DKNY ~ Printed Stretch Silk Crepe De Chine Pants: $245.00
Cynthia Rowley ~ Zigzag Floral Bonded Leggings: $225.00
Tried & Tested: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35
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The newest BB Cream to hit our counters is Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35. Exclusive to Nordstroms, the formula combines moisturizer, skincare, foundation and SPF into one.
Features & Benefits: Water-attracting molecules boost hydration. Light-reflecting pearls brighten dull skin. Botanical extracts and caffeine reduce discoloration and redness. Pore-reducing peptides minimize fine lines. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and antioxidants fend off future damage.
Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream SPF 35 is available in five shades: Extra Light, Fair, Light, Medium and Medium to Dark. I was certainly intrigued by this, due to the fact that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics are primarily yellow-based shades. Many BB Cream (especially asian brands) are based on cooler-tones, such as pinks and greys.
As I sampled the different shades, I was persuaded by a sweet Bobbi Brown representative to try the darkest shade, Medium to Dark. This shade looks quite dark, almost bronzer-like. But, I took her advice and purchased.
APPLICATION: Smooth and easy to apply. Goes on quite dry, but feels nice and extremely light on the skin. (Unless you have very oily skin, a moisturizer is needed in addition to this BB Cream.)
COVERAGE: Sheer.
FINISH: Skin appears matte with a subtle sheen. Very healthy-looking. However, like most BB Creams, after a couple hours the oils will come-out and skin will look too glowing. A finishing powder is recommended.
COLOR: Initial application, the color appeared too dark. Let dry and after a couple minutes, the color adapts to the skin and the color is perfect. It might be a smidgen too dark – but I am loving the subtle-tan look for summer.
VERDICT: Like many of the US BB Creams, this is much like a tinted moisturizer. But, I love the finish it leaves on the skin and the feeling is remarkably lightweight. For a high-SPF product, this cream wears like you have nothing on. The shade choices are great and warm-up the complexion beautifully. Leaves skin looking fresh and healthy. A great option for the summer months – SPF, lightweight, easy.
(When testing these BB Creams, before deciding on a shade, I suggest waiting at least 5 minutes for the color to oxidize and adapt to your skin tone.)
For other BB Cream reviews:
Primetime: NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
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Prevent smudging, creasing and caking with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. This lightweight primer keeps eyes looking fresh and “just-applied” all day.
Fortified with deep-sea and antioxidant rice extracts, the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and prepared for color application. The formula is a transparent white cream that instantly creates a matte-effect on the eyelid (great for oily eyelids). This primer maximizes color for intense pigmentation and prevents fading and migration.
TIP: Having difficulties with under-eye concealer – vanishing/enhancing fine lines? Dab a thin layer of eyeshadow primer to the under-eye area before concealer application. The primer will fill in fine lines and keep the under-eye area looking fresh.
Spring Trend: The Coral Lip
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Store-away winter reds and reach for a bright coral. One of Spring’s hottest trends, a coral lip is fresh, vibrant and instantly brightens your complexion.
Surprisingly, coral is a neutral tone, therefore, it looks good on everyone (warm or cool-toned). When selecting a shade that is right for you, the trick is to pick a shade that matches your undertones. If your skin has gold or yellow undertones, a peachier/orange coral will be most flattering. If you have pink undertones, choose a pink or red-based coral. Lastly, to keep the look modern and fresh, try to stay away from shimmers and frosts.
Embrace a coral lip with these six options:
NARS ~ Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Happy Days: $24.00
YSL ~ Rouge Volupté in Extreme Coral: $34.00
Make Up For Ever ~ Aqua Cream in Coral: $23.00
BECCA ~ Beach Tint in Guava: $23.00
Tom Ford ~ Lip Color in True Coral: $48.00
MAC ~ Tinted Lipglass in Sonoran Rain: $14.50
Festival Beauty Essentials
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Be prepared for hot and sticky situations with Glow-T’s Festival Beauty Essentials:
Tory Burch Double Zip Train Case: A great travel case with cool ikat design.
Supergoop! Sunscreen Swipes SPF 30 (21 count): These sunscreen wipes are individually packed, perfect for throwing in your bag. The pre-moistened towelettes are formulated to calm and soothe the skin while providing complete UV protection. Great for sensitive skin, these wipes can be used all over the body.
Coola SPF 30 Unscented Matte Finish Tint: This lightly tinted moisturizer delivers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. Infused with antioxidants, shea butter, plankton, borage seed oil and evening primrose extract, this lotion will rejuvinate, hydrate and protect. The water-resistant formula and matte finish is great for long days in the sun.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25: My favorite lip balm to date, this product is incrediably soothing and moisturizing – provides SPF 25 and lasts. Enriched with superior skin conditioners and antioxidants, this emollient balm relieves dry, chapped and irritated lips.
Donna Karen Cashmere Mist Deodorant: Keep dry and odor-free with Donna Karen’s Cashmere Mist Deodorant. Delicately scented with perfume, this advanced formula controls wetness and perspiration.
CleanWell All Natural Hand Sanitizing Spray: Thousands of people and porta-potties… hand sanitizer is a must. This all-natural formula is made with thyme oil that kills all germs and the portable spray makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo (Travel Size): Extend time between washes with a dry shampoo. This gentle formula smells nice and absorbs oil and dirt – an instant refresher. Infused with oat milk, it also nourishes the hair while creating volume and texture.
Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes: Remove makeup, dirt and oil quickly with these all-natural wipes. Formulated with aloe vera, cucumber, chamomile and vitamin E, the easy-access wipes cleanse and refresh the face and body. Bonus: When purchased, these biodegradable wipes support to protect the endangered Polar Bear.
RMS Cream Eyeshadow – Solar: Perfect for the desert princess, this cream eyeshadow reflects a sheer wash of gold. A great all-in-one eye product, it doubles as an eye cream to nourish and moisturize the eye area.
NARS Cream Blush – Cactus Flower: The name alone implies desert beauty. This bright coral/spicy pink cream blush can be used on both the cheeks and lips. A very subtle gold shimmer leaves the skin flushed, dewy and healthy.
Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Waterproof Mascara: Waterproof mascara is a must-have. I assure you Givenchy’s will not budge or smudge. The spiked-ball wand takes a little to get used to but defines, separates and lengthens exquisitely. Tip: With your finger, smudge on the lashline for an instant liner effect that will last.
Laura Geller Balance-n-Bronze: A genius design, adding bronzer and foundation, all-in-one. The color-correcting foundation is sheer but never looks powdery. The baked bronzer is infused with layers of color to achieve the perfect sun-kissed shade. Swipe separately or swirl together to get a glowing, sun-goddess look.
Glow-T Gift Guide: Lips
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Glow-T’s Gift Guide continues with lips. Give the gift of kissable lips just in time for mistletoe. These holiday sets will moisturize, repair and color lips with a fantastic compilation of products. From a beautiful anniversary palette to a collection of must-have’s, here are a few ideas for the lipstick lover in your life.
TIP: Stretch these holiday sets by divvying them up. Use the lip products as gift-toppers to add something extra. Or make each one into tiny ornaments by adding a simple bow and hand out to friends and family.
Nordstrom ~ Bobbi Brown ’20th Anniversary’ Lip Palette: $60.00
Sephora ~ Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio: $28.00
Macys ~ Bliss Fabulips Collection: $45.00
Sephora ~ Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip: $25.00
Sara Happ ~ The Gift Set by Sara Happ: $40.00
Tuxedo Manicure – YSL Le Smoking Holiday Collection
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Yves Saint Laurent’s Holiday Collection “Le Smoking” is arriving soon. Perfect for party season, the collection features timeless colors of blacks, whites, silvers and golds.
Available in November, the limited-edition Manicure Collection, Le Manicure Le Smoking is a tuxedo-inspired nail duo that features two deep black nail varnishes – one matte/one shiny. By using both polishes – matte base and shiny tips or shiny base and matte tips – you will be left with a modern, eye-catching french manicure for the holidays.
Energy-Boosting Moisturizer: Origins VitaZing SPF 15
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Origins VitaZing SPF 15 is a tint-release lotion that adapts to all skintones. With it’s vitamin-rich Mangosteen energy-complex, a natural anti-oxidant, this moisturizer provides a bright, vibrant, even complexion.
VitaZing empties from the tube a white color with tiny spheres filled with pigment. The texture and feel of this product is similar to that of a tinted moisturizer.
As massaged into the skin, these particles magically adapt to the skin and provide a soft, glowing coverage. The skin is instantly illuminated and feels fresh and healthy.
These products are great in the summertime. It’s multi-tasking abilities, hydrate, energize, protect and cover, simplify any makeup routine.