Runway to RealLife: Marc Jacobs Beauty

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Marc Jacobs enters the world of color cosmetics with a new beauty brand and collaboration with Sephora. 

The new range covers sixteen different categories—from foundation, powder, bronzer, and lipstick to twenty-four shades of plasticized nail lacquers, including the high-gloss Jezebel (oxblood) and Shiny (clear) that debuted on Jacobs’ Fall runway. What makes these nail polishes—and the eye liners and concealers that are displayed beside them—different from all the others, of course, is Jacobs himself. “The passion does come through,” he insists of the very active role he played in the creative process. “You’re left with something appealing and seductive because there’s heart in it.”

The first product tried and tested: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner – Gel Crayon – crazy good. Ro (Cocoa) is the perfect bronze eyeliner. Not too shimmery, this color defines and enhances the eye.

The Highliner is waterproof, long-wearing and richly pigmented. The formula applies like a gel pot but with the precision of a pencil. Super-malleable, this eyeliner glides on smoothly then sets in place for all-day wear.

Swatching all the colors, I noticed the shimmer is more of a sheen/reflection rather than tiny particles of glitter. Color looks almost “shiny.”

A built-in sharpener makes sure the crayon always has a perfect point for an instantly sharp look on the go. A true breakthrough product that provides easy application with intense color.

Countdown Calendar: Ciaté Mini Mani Set

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An Advent calendar is used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. The days often overlap with the Christian season of Advent. Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3. One window is opened every day leading up to Christmas. The calendar windows can be filled with a variety of small gifts: toys, chocolate, poems… nail polish!

Behind each door of the Ciaté Mini Mani Set is one of Ciaté’s bestselling mini Paint Pot. Uncover 17 mini Paint Pots, four mini Caviar blends, and three exclusive Paint Pot glitter shades in this one-of-a-kind advent calendar.

Touted by press as “nail innovators,” Ciaté is certified as a 3 FREE brand. Which means no Dibutyl-Phthalate, Toluene or Formaldehyde. Ciaté’s Paint Pots are amazingly pigmented, long-lasting and a cinch to apply.

Fill each day of December with a colorful surprise. This unique advent calendar will keep your nails colorful all-year-round.

Sun-Kissed Favorites: Bronzing Powders

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Bronzing Powders. The most purchased item in my collection. Used to create the illusion of sun-kissed skin without lying in the sun. Not only are they easy to apply, but they conceal, even-out skintone and create a more toned/sculpted appearance.

Bronzing powders should be placed strategically on the areas that would be naturally “kissed” by the sun: the forehead, bridge of nose, tops of cheeks, and chin. Take what’s left on the brush and blend onto the neck and décolleté so there is no line of demarcation. Bronzer should be transluscent. The brush that you use will make a big difference in your application: denser, shorter hairs will pick up more pigment than looser, longer hairs. (Favorite: Bobby Brown Bronzer Brush).

Over-applying or picking the wrong shade will result in looking like Snookie. Everyone can wear bronzer, fair or dark skin, it’s just about knowing which shade works best for you. When picking out a bronzer, go about two shades deeper than your natural coloring, or choose a shade that is close to the color your skin naturally turns in the sun. Stay away from products that are frosted or have orange undertones, they will look artificial.

Matte and semi-matte bronzers ONLY! Matte bronzers look more natural than glitter or frosted products. Especially for contouring purposes, matte products are a must. (How-To Contour: Here) A small about of sheen/glow is okay, however, apply with a light hand. If you want the shimmer or highlight, add separately with a highlighting product.

FAVORITES:

Disclosure: I am constantly changing bronzers, daily. I have yet to find the “holy grail”, but will continue to search high and low. The favorites I have chosen are the products I reach for the most and believe to be universally flattering.

Laura Geller Bronze-n-Brighten: This is a great product for correction purposes. The multi-colored, baked layers provide redness relief and an even skintone. The “bronzing” layers add a lasting glow to the skin.

Bobby Brown Bronzing Powder: The universal bronzer. Available in seven shades for a wide range of complexions, this bronzer will suit anyone. The long-lasting formula is extremely smooth and silky and applies seamlessly.

Guerlain ‘Terracotta-Four Seasons’ Bronzer: Guerlain is considered to be the “ultimate bronzing authority”. With many great products to choose from, the Terracotta-Four Seasons can be used all year long. The idea is to blend the four colors together in different variations to reach your desired color for every season.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Faux Tan & Warmth All-Over Face Color: Both of these powders are my most reached for bronzers. Quick and easy, these bronzing powders bring “life” to the skin. Use separately to create healthy-looking skin in seconds. Mix them together for a radiant “sun-goddess” look.

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder: When my skin is looking a bit dull or flat, this is the bronzer I use. It produces a nice glow on the skin and the color is very subtle. This is the most natural looking bronzing powder I have used.

Honorable Mentions:

NARS Laguna: I have a love/hate relationship with this bronzer. Sometimes it looks amazing and other times it just looks dirty.

Too Faced Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny: Great color, too much shimmer. This is a great product to use on chest/legs and décolleté.

QUESTION?

What are your favorite bronzing powders?

How To: Glitter

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Sparkle this holiday season with a little glitter.

Application of glitter can go terribly wrong… fast. It is messy and can look too theatrical if not careful. To make glitter appear chic and sophisticated, use only a small amount in a concentrated area.

Start with product. The Illusion D’Ombre Eyeshadows by Chanel are by far my favorite. They have intense pigmentation and provide a classic shimmering effect with one easy-to-use swipe. They can be used with fingers or a very dense brush for perfect application. If actual glitter is desired, loose pigments/glitter are best. Make Up Forever Glitters are soft, concentrated and finely-milled for super sparkle.

How To Apply Glitter:

➺ On clean eyelids, apply eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone. (Favorite: Urban Decay Primer Potion)

➺ The glitter will need something to adhere to, apply a cream eyeshadow to the lid. This can be nude or a color that compliments the glitter. (Favorite: MAC Paint Pot)

➺ Using a small synthetic brush, dip into the glitter. Tap off excess.

➺ Press the glitter onto the lid in a dabbing motion. Do not sweep.

➺ Mist a setting spray gently on the eyes and wait to dry. (Favorite: Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray)

✴ If this technique is still too messy, on the back of hand or artist’s palette, mix cream eyeshadow and glitter together and apply to the lid. With glitter application, fallout is expected. Make sure to do eye makeup first and face makeup second. Dab the fallout with scotch tape to clean any loose particles.

The Halo Effect: Dior Poudre Shimmer Amber Diamond

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Dior Amber Diamond

Powder highlighting products can often look artificial. Dior Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond highlights the complexion with subtle sheen. Formulated with  “Jeweled Microdust,” a finely micro-milled powder, the tiny particles kiss the light and leave skin radiant and glowing.

In typical Dior fashion, packaging arrives beautifully in a velvet pouch with a sturdy royal blue mirrored compact. The product consists of five blendable colors in varying sizes; ivory, pale pink, bronze, frosty rose and peach. Each individual shade can be worn alone as a highlight, on-top of blush or as an eye shadow or swirled together to create a warm and glowing champagne/gold sheen. The oil-free powder applies like silk and emits a soft illuminating glow.

Dior Poudre Shimmer is perfect for both young and mature skin. The finely-milled powder has no trace of glitter or sparkle, therefore will not emphasize fine lines or problem areas. It is designed to blend accurately with the skin’s natural tone for an even smooth finish. The universal shade works on every skin tone, making it an effective product all-year-round.

Get Naked! Urban Decay Naked Palette

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Urban Decay Naked Palette

Everyday makeup couldn’t be easier with Urban Decay’s Naked Palette. Great for back to school, this palette contains every shade needed for neutral makeup looks.

This palette arrived for Fall 2010 and flew off the shelves. Now available as a staple in Urban Decay’s collection, the Naked Palette can be found wherever the brand is sold.

Urban Decay Naked Palette contains twelve shades, ten with shimmer or glitter and two matte. The two matte shades, Naked (beige-brown) and Buck (dark beige-brown) are two of the best shadows I have ever used. They can perform as eyeshadow, contour or even to fill-in light to medium colored brows.

Each of the twelve shades are soft, buttery and richly pigmented. Shades range from delicate champagnes and warm golds to rich chocolates and dark charcoals. The colors are universally flattering and can can be used on all skintones.

Included with the palette is a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion and a pro-quality “Good Karma” eyeshadow brush. This is an essential palette to have in your collection. With twelve beautiful neutral shades to choose from there are hundreds of looks that can be created.