Tarte

Birthdays And Makeup Party Tricks: Bronzers

in , ,

SHOW AND TELL

I was at a birthday party with my friends. A gaggle of girls doing what girls do. Catching up on the latest, well, everything. Someone mentions makeup and then everyone shuts up and stares at me. They want answers and they want them now.

They want their buck’s biggest bang, the fastest fix ever, the mother lode of all beauty tricks. No pressure, no pressure at all.

Thankfully, I had it wrapped up and it was ready for the birthday girl: Bronzer. A sun-kissed, healthy glow and chiseled cheeks … in two minutes or less. Happy Birthday! I patted and blended bronzer all over her, right then and there, and she loved it. I love a party trick.

CONFESSION

A few months after receiving the bronzer, the birthday girl confessed that she hadn’t been using it. When she applied it she felt like she looked muddy and bruised. So my gift was buried in the bottom of her makeup bag.

I’ve given a million makeup lessons over the years and this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. When we’re having our makeup done, we get it.  When we try it at home, it’s another story. You need to do what it takes to help you remember how to recreate the look. Get one of those finger-painted illustrations from the makeup counter. Take notes. Take a selfie. Whatever works!

So, here’s the rundown on bronzer beauty…

TEXTURES

The first trick is choosing the one that is best for you. This is based on personal preference and skin type, of course. But here are some rules of thumb…

  • Bronzing powders will give a set look. Matte, polished. If your skin is oily, this is your best bet.

  • Cream and liquid bronzers will give a dewy finish and I generally recommend them for dry skin.

  • Textures have to work together. Mixing powders with creams can create a mud pie.

  • Powder bronzers and highlighters go on after foundation or tinted moisturizer has been set with a loose powder.

  • Cream and liquid bronzers and highlighters marry well with moist skin that is free of powder.

OPTIONS

My favorite powders:

My favorite creams:

 

HERE COMES THE SUN

  • Bronzers belong where the sun naturally hits your face. Start slowly.

  • Forget the giant bronzer brush. It’s too difficult to control. Instead, use a chiseled, blush brush.

  • For creams and liquids, use what the Goddess gave you. Your fingers.

  • Blend bronzers around your hairline, the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones and chin.To get a slight chiseled look, push the bronzer under your cheekbones a bit.

  • If your bronzer comes with a highlighter, add contrast by popping a bit on the bone itself.

GIFT OR REGIFT?

Whew! All worked out.  Bronzer saved. It takes a tiny bit of practice and practice makes … well, I’m not a fan of perfect. But I am a fan of easy tricks that make you feel beautiful, at parties, in private, with your girlfriends or pretty much any day.

9 Skincare Products That Really Work

in

“It’s all fear. That’s our keyword. Keep them afraid, no one will love them, and you can sell them anything.”

I recently read this quote in an essay. The author overheard it at a dinner party. Wanna know who said it? The president of a major cosmetics company.

The beauty business isn’t pretty. In fact, in can be quite ugly. When I first heard that quote, my knee-jerk reaction was a mixture of anger and disbelief. Really? They’re selling me on fear? Well, yes, they are. And they’re going to keep on doing it. Why? Because it works.

Sometimes, it’s subtle, sometimes not. For example, the ad for Loreal’s Pore Vanisher asks,

“Pore obsessed? Too many? Too big? Too afraid to look?”

I wasn’t afraid, but then I wondered if I should be. Chalk one up for the cosmetics companies. With this looming feeling, I did what anybody would do, I called my friend to hash it out. He reminded me that the single, best antidote to fear is knowledge. Amen. But here’s the next hard question … Does anyone really know?

There are two kinds of knowledge when dealing with this one: scientific proof and self-awareness. Know thy self. If we check in with both, we’re getting somewhere.

LESS FEAR, MORE FACTS

There’s some bonafide science behind some products that I know really work.

My skincare routine is about layering, and I factor in this science. By the way, I see this routine as a ritual, not unlike any other that makes me feel like I’m doing something good for myself. There’s as much value in the practice as the product. This ritual is not based purely on faith. It’s backed up by facts.

Retinoids

Want to know a dermatologist’s favorite anti-aging ingredient? This is it. Retinoids are a family of vitamin A derivatives that stimulate collagen production and regenerate cells. It’s best to start with what’s available over-the-counter first to build a tolerance. Your dermatologist can get the real superstars (with higher levels of the good stuff) for you when you’re skin is ready.   I’ve tried many. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Don’t forget: It’s absolutely necessary to use sunscreen while using retinoids.

Serums

Serums are light and penetrate deep into your skin, delivering antioxidants. They provide protection that prevents free radicals from breaking down the things that give our skin the strength to bounce back.

There’s one for every need you can imagine: firming, hydrating, brightening. I haven’t met a serum I didn’t like. These are a few all-around faves that will give you the best of what they have to offer.

 

Face Oils

Some are pure, some are a blend of several, but all are quickly absorbed and deliver even-toned, radiant skin.  You only need a few drops, so they last forever.

 

 

Order of application

Each product performs better with a little help from friends. But they have to go in order.

  • Serums are the lightest and go first.

  • Face oils come next, followed by a moisturizer with SPF in the morning, or a retinoid at night.

  • Give each one some time to soak in before adding the next.

Word to the wise … mixing can get tricky. For example, ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids can deactivate Vitamin C and irritate if combined with retinols. So if you consider yourself a serious mix-master, seek the advice of a dermatologist.

Don’t forget to monitor your skin. Use common sense. If my skin gets a bit irritated from retinol, I skip it for a few days and add more moisture. No skin care regime works all the time. Weather, aging, hormones … no one has immunity. You can lose your mind over it or embrace the changes and make necessary adjustments.

YOU KNOW YOU

I was with my friends last night and they were asking me when this article was coming out. They just want to know, “What really works?” This is what I told them, “I don’t really know. I’m always trying to figure out what works for me.”

Let’s face it. I’ll never know what my skin would look like today, if I had never touched a bottle of moisturizer. I have and I will continue to. I know my skin looks better when I take care of it. Period. This is where a little fear creeps in … I’m certainly not going to stop now.

I am going to make my choices based on what makes me feel good and if there’s a little scientific evidence thrown in … Bonus!  Also, I run a check now and again to make sure I’m informed. Everyone’s checklist is different for keeping up on product news. Fine tune yours and pay attention to it.

I ask women all the time what they’re using that makes their skin so beautiful. Their answers vary widely. What they have in common is that they are taking care of themselves.   Body, mind and spirit. No fear involved.

When I’m drawn to someone and feel comfortable enough to ask about their skin care routine, it’s always because they are open, engaged and smiling.

Dr.Brene Brown said:

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

I believe her.

Instagram Famous Eyeshadow Palettes

in ,

Any frequent Instagram user will tell you that all of the best makeup artists on Instagram had eyeshadow palettes that they may or may not have “hit pan” on in 2016.

The ultimate fan favorite has to be the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette. With 14 shades at $42, it works out to be semi-affordable and features a variety of neutrals and gorgeous fuchsias to create stunning looks. An up-and-coming favorite is the Tarte tarteist Pro Amazonian Clay Palette. You get a total of 20 shades for its $53 price tag.

If you’re looking for the Kat Von D Serpentina Eyeshadow Palette, you might be out of luck! It is sold out currently, but good news for those who want the Juvia’s Place Masquerade Palette: according to Bustle, it’s coming back on October 25th! After gaining fans like NikkieTutorials and KathleenLights, this 16-shadow palette features a variety of colors from gem-toned to neutral in shimmer and matte formulas.

Urban Decay’s Urban Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette doesn’t officially launch until October 26th, according to Bustle, but there has been plenty of buzz surrounding its release. To keep your eyeshadow obsession at bay, their NAKED palettes always do the trick!

As a pro-tip from one makeup junkie to another, you can always build your perfect eyeshadow palette! Just pick a magnetic z-palette and populate it with your favorite eyeshadow pans from a brand like Makeup Geek. You can get all sorts of colors and finishes for as little as $6  per Eyeshadow Pan.

Products Mentioned

Urban Decay Urban Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette - $65

Tarte tarteist Pro Amazonian Clay Palette - $53

Kat Von D Serpentina Eyeshadow Palette - $45

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette - $42

The Masquerade Palette by Juvia’s Place - $32.50

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pans - $6