Neutral Duo: NARS Kalahari

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NARS Eyeshadow Duos are long-wearing and crease-resistant. They are beautifully pigmented and creamy to the touch. The Duos are available in a myriad of colors and textures and are always interestingly and uniquely paired.

While scouring NARS Eyeshadows, it is easy to focus primarily on the unusual bright colors. The neutral duos have a hard time competing. NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari is a great neutral option. It contains two very wearable color combinations, a shimmering bronze with peach undertones and a warm brown with taupe undertones.

Kalahari is available in NARS’ permanent collection. Worn together or alone, these shades are richly pigmented and can be applied sheer or built-up for a more dramatic effect. Used wet, these shadows also double as eyeliners.

Kalahari will flatter any eye color. The warm tones look amazing on dark and light skin tone and will reflect beautifully in the summer sun.

Summer Favorites: Blush

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In the summer, bright and vibrant shades of cheek color is a surefire way to look younger and healthy. Use these products to emphasize a tan, create a youthful flush or mimic a lit-from-within complexion.

Start by choosing the right shade for your skintone. To find your go-to blush shade, pinch your cheeks and then pick a color that mimics your natural flush. This trick will ensure that you’re choosing the most flattering color for your skin tone. If you have fair skin, try a cool pink. Medium skin looks great in vibrant apricot/peachy hues, and darker skin tones look radiant in fuchsia.

Cream blush is a great way to instantly look fresh and dewy. Although it’s staying powder is not the best, especially in higher temperatures, cream blush is a nice alternative for dry skin. To ensure staying power on oily skin, first prime the skin and then set with a powder blush or translucent powder. To apply cream blush, smile and lightly focus the blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Then blend softly back and up toward the hairline. If you apply too liberally, tone down heavy application by blotting the excess color with a clean makeup sponge. Or, use a sheer, luminizing powder to diffuse excess color. The blush then looks like it came from within the skin versus sitting on top of it.

FAVORITES:

Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush: I am a sucker for these gimmicky products. However, this one is fantastic. The formula magically adjusts to your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal shade. It produces an angelic pink glow that makes you look “lit-from-within.”

It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain in Peony: The most long-wearing powder blush I have tried. The waterproof formula mimics the lasting power and glow of a cheek stain with the easy application of a powder. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti aging properties, this blush gives new definition to a “healthy glow.”

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Rouge: These blushes are incredibly pigmented and easy to work with. They blend beautifully and last all-day. They feel lightweight on the skin and never settle into lines. A small amount goes a very long way, apply with a light hand for a sheer wash of color or add more for vibrant glowing skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Myracle: Full Review HERE.

NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower: On trend for summer, this bright coral blush is beautiful on both the lips and cheeks. The velvety texture is extremely easy to blend and apply. Subtle gold shimmers hide in the coral to help create perfectly flushed, luminous skin.

BECCA Beach Tint in Guava: This is the perfect color for summertime. It resembles the act of playing in the sun a little too long. The water-resistant formula can be used on both the cheeks and lips. Produces the most natural-looking flush and smells like summer.

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie: A lightweight cream blush that does not pull or disrupt a base. It can be used on top of foundation, powder… anything. The formula is sheer but buildable. The staying power is not the best, but I am obsessed with this color. Quickie is a sheer bubble gum, electric, cotton candy pink. The minute it is applied, it creates instant youthfulness.

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.

Magic Wand: BY TERRY Touche Veloutée

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Highlighting click pens are gaining more and more popularity. A hybrid of a concealer and illuminator, these products promise to create eight hours of sleep and bring instant radiance to the skin. The #1 seller in this particular category has always been YSL Touche Eclat.

Terry De Gunzberg, former Director of Makeup Creation at YSL, has her own cosmetics line, BY TERRY. In her years at YSL, she was the mastermind behind YSL’s international best seller Touche Eclat. However, De Gunzburg’s very own take on her wonder product, Touche Veloutée, is even better than the original.

Using soft focus pigments, Touche Veloutée is a nourishing botanical affair that both plumps and lifts the under eye. It’s light reflecting particles create true radiance and an instant pick-me-up. Suitable for use on all areas of the face, the texture is luxuriously creamy, smooth when dried, and completely seamless to blend.

*** Do not buy these products for concealer purposes. The coverage is extremely sheer – if there at all. Use primarily as a highlighter.

Terry De Gunzberg

 “By focusing on the rarest pigments and the purest active ingredients, I have uncovered the quintessence of perfect light. This has allowed me to create modern, precious makeup that harmonizes with the daily rhythms of your natural radiance. Favorite Tip: When you’ve finished doing your eye makeup, use the Touche Veloutée as a highlighter. This works especially well with the smoky eye look. Put a tiny dot under your brows and blend – it will help accentuate the brow bone.”

Spring Palette: Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette

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The limited-edition Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye & Cheek Palette is the perfect vehicle to transition into Spring. This warm, neutral palette features six eye colors and two cheek colors that effectively create a multitude of different looks.

The eyeshadows are extremely soft, pigmented and include all finishes: Luster, Sateen, Matte. The blushes appear a bit shocking but apply quite sheer. The formula is buildable and can be used separately or blended together to create a beautiful peachy-pink glow.

This is a great palette to add to anyone’s collection. Perfect for brides, travel or simply everyday, the warm tones will complement any skintone.

Included:

Eye Color: Buff Pearl (Luster), Tawny Apricot (Sateen), Rich Cocoa (Matte), Pale Pink (Matte), African Violet (Luster), Black Plum (Matte) Cheek Color: Rose Desire, French Peach

Tried & Tested: Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

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Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector is formulated to hydrate and enhance the lips, not hide them. These natural-colored lip products provide high gloss for a luscious-looking pout.

Clarins Lip Perfectors are extremely hydrating, apply beautifully and feel amazing. The colors are natural and light, used to enhance one’s lip color not erase it completely. It gives lips a soft, luminous glow sans any residue or stickiness.

The gel-like formula tastes sweet and pleasing like caramel and does not leave behind any strong scent. Available in three shades: rose shimmer, apricot shimmer and beige, these lip products are sheer and glowing.

A great lip option for those who like a natural – more subdued lip or for those with dry or chapped lips.

Exotic Eyes: Estée Lauder’s Island Oasis Eye Shadow Palette

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Estée Lauder’s Island Oasis Eye Shadow Palette

Estée Lauder’s Island Oasis Eye Shadow Palette screams summer beauty. The palette provides six beautiful shades that reflect sandy beaches and crystal blue water.

The richly pigmented shades are very luxurious and creamy. They apply with a sheer metallic finish but can be intensified by building the color. The palette is arranged with both cool and warm tones; a dusty green, glittery gold, mediterranean blue, rose gold, deep red bronze and shimmering stone. These shadows can be worn together in a multiple of different looks or applied alone for a single pop of color.

Palettes are perfect for summer travel, so many options packed easily away in a makeup bag. They provide the consumer with color-choices they would not usually buy which motivates experimentation. However used, this palette will provide the sensation of an exotic vacation.

Sun Shade: MAC Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm

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MAC SUNTINTS SPF 20 LIQUID LIP BALM

MAC Cosmetics newest collection, Surf, Baby! features three new Suntints. These liquid lip balms nourish and protect the lips from summer sun, wind and salt.

Suntints reveal a slight hint of color but produce incredible shine. It’s jelly-like consistency is thicker than most lip balms but provides long-lasting coverage.

As are most MAC lip products, Suntints have a light vanilla scent and taste. They feel sticky and slightly tacky on the lips but very moisturizing.

The new Surf, Baby! Suntints contain SPF 20 and are available in three colors, Lilt of Lilly (creamy pink/lilac shade), Pink Tinge (pink/gold shimmer shade) and Full of Grace (crisp watermelon shade).

These lip balms are packaged in a 10 ml striped squeeze-tube that resembles a retro surfboard. Suntints are a great option for protecting your lips this summer, all the while looking fabulous.