Brow Builder: It Cosmetics Brow Power

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IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil is no ordinary pencil. This ultra-fine, high-definition, long-wearing, automatic eyebrow pencil adjusts to your specific brow color and supports healthy hair growth.

The super-skinny tip draws the tiniest of lines, allowing you to easily mimic the look of natural brow hairs. The spooly-end brushes and polishes the brows, perfecting the look. How can one pencil be universally flattering? By using softer strokes to match lighter hair, including blonde and silver and pressing a bit harder for darker hair, including medium brown to black.

The crayon-like texture goes on very lightly, so you can layer for the particular look you are going for – whether it’s natural or a bold “statement” brow. The formula is smudge-proof, waterproof and filled with good-for-you ingredients like panthenol, Vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains GrowLuxe technology, which is formulated with Saw Palmetto, Nettle Flower Extract, Horsetail Flower Extract, Green Tea Extract and Grapeseed Extract – promoting healthy hair growth. The American Cancer Society approved Brow Power as being safe for ultra-sensitive skin; this plus the GrowLuxe formula makes this pencil perfect for those who have lost their brows due to chemotherapy. In fact, for every Brow Power pencil sold, IT Cosmetics donates one pencil to the Look Good, Feel Better Program which helps women with cancer regain their confidence in their physical appearance.

Amazing? Yes.

Tried & Tested: Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Eye Bright

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On a quick trip to Nordstrom-Fashion Island, I came across a lovely associate at the Laura Mercier counter, Christina. She was a wealth of knowledge, introducing me to new and old Laura Mercier items. She is also a makeup artist, introducing me to new and old tricks she uses on clients and brides. Here is one she shared with me.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics is a cream-based primer that camouflages eye imperfections and enhances the durability of eye makeup. Eye Basics are available in seven skin tone shades and one unique pale blue shade called Eye Bright.

Eye Bright is a universal shade that can be used on it’s own or mixed with other Eye Basics to instantly brighten the eye area. The creme evaporates to a dry finish, and leaves behind long-lasting, semi-matte color. Water-resistant and crease-proof, it corrects imperfections and discoloration on the lid.

Formulated with soothing botanicals, vitamins and antioxidants, Eye Bright offers anti-inflammatory and healing benefits, great for those with puffy lids and tired eyes.

Blend Eye Bright on the eyelid from lash line to crease. As the product smoothes over redness, veining and other imperfections, you will notice the whites of the eyes are instantly brighter and more awake. Add shadow over top or just enjoy the brightening effect on its own.

Questions about Laura Mercier? 

Contact:

Christina D. Torres

Business Manager

Cosmetics, Laura Mercier

T: 949/610-1420

E: christina.d.torres@nordstrom.com

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.

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.

Single Sweep: bareMinerals Eye Shadow in Bare Skin

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bareMinerals EyeShadow Bare Skin

bareMinerals Eye Shadow in Bare Skin is my go-to shade when rushed for time. With a single sweep, this color looks as though you have spent a great deal of time on your eye makeup.

The rosy-taupe color adds radiance and surprising definition to the eye. When applied from eye lid to brow-bone, it looks as though two to three colors have been added and blended together. Bare Skin casts a shadow at the brow-bone, instantly contouring the eye.

This is a universal shade that looks beautiful on light, medium or dark skin-tones. Application can be daunting, due to it’s loose powder-form, but the eye shadow blends seamlessly.

bareMinerals eyeshadows can be used dry or wet using a “foiling technique.” Foiling is the process of mixing water or mixing medium with any powder eye shadow pigment to bring out the metallic base color. This will not only look amazing but will cause eye shadow to last longer.

Spend less time on your makeup this summer and more time having fun-in-the-sun, and find a one-sweep eye shadow that works for you.