Makeup

It’s spring, which means summer can’t be far away. Sandal season! Mani-pedi time!

But the polish choices this season are not thrilling me. I did the two-toned polish several years ago (how is it that the fashion industry missed my toes then?). As for the latest of products, the polish skins, the patterns that they’re showing are twee and boring (skulls and flowers are not my thing, I’m afraid).

So when I got this invite, of course I said, yes:

ChromeGirl is the brainchild of two friends with entrepreneurial minds and an eye out for the next best thing. They created a nail polish that is free of the big 4 chemicals that we don’t want on our hands: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP and Camphor.

I got to play at the nail bar:

The polish goes on really easy–I did these nails with one hand while balancing a glass of champagne. These were all one-coat wonders, which considering the intensity of the colors is pretty amazing. And they dry fast!

Of course, there is a Hollywood connection here: one of the founders, Jaime Boreanaz, is the wife of David Boreanaz, the hunky star of the Fox drama, Bones. This event was the trial balloon at Planet Beauty in Calabasas, where they live. Until they have their full rollout later in the Spring, you can order ChromeGirl on-line.

Tagged as: Bones, chemicals in cosmetics, ChromeGirl, cosmetics, David Boreanaz, manipedis, nail polish, pedicures, Planet Beauty

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The New Foundation Bases: Bobbi Brown BB Cream & CK One

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In my eternal quest for that product which will miraculously render me if not beautiful, then at least damn-I-look-good, I’m always open to trying something new. This month, I have two contenders, both of which can be compared, favorably or not, to the Laura Mercier and Bare Minerals I’m already using.

The first is Bobbi Brown BB Cream. You have heard about the BB creams, haven’t you? Of course you have. But let me review: the BB creams are an Asian, of-the-moment import. They are touted as having miraculous curative powers and, in fact, the BB stands for Blemish Balm. The backstory is that BB was developed in the 60s by a German dermatologist for her post-laser patients to use to cover the immediate effects of the laser and to speed healing. From Germany, BB migrated to Korea and became a popular favorite for Asian women wanting that porcelain look. Europeans took it up soon after and now, because we must have whatever they’re having, it has come to America. Depending on the manufacturer, the formulations of the BB cream are different–and so are the promises.

Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream is touted as a moisturizer, treatment, spf and foundation, all in one tube. It’s got a bunch of unpronouncable, but seemingly natural products that are meant to, among other things, reduce dark spots, boost collagen production, protect from the dreaded free radicals and provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB spf. Not only that, but ”Light Reflective Pearls instantly brighten dull skin.”

I got a sample at Nordstrom’s and here’s what I found: it’s thick and even the lightest application makes for a dense coverage. I can see why it would be great for covering blemishes, but that’s one problem I don’t have. It also feels heavy, almost like a skin on top of my skin, and I can feel myself sweating underneath it. Finally, it has very quickly settled into my pores, which makes for a most unappealing mottled effect. Excuse me while I go wash it off…

Obviously, I won’t be returning to the Bobbi Brown counter for a full-size tube, but that’s just me. What I want in a foundation of that sort is something very light. I’m not looking to create the illusion of perfect skin; I just want a product that will kinda even things out. If you’re looking for more coverage, then definitely try this. Go to Nordstrom; get a sample; see what you think.

The CK One 3-in-1 Face Makeup is part of the recently released cosmetic line coming from the Calvin Klein brand. Note that I say ‘brand’ because I’m not sure that Calvin himself ever sees any of “his products” these days. Still, the CK brand is a good one, that I associate with classy simplicity which sounds to me like a very good thing for a makeup line.

The 3-in-1 part of the CK One is that a serum, primer and foundation have all been mixed together, ostensibly saving time and, I suppose, money. The promotional bumpf reads, “Triple-treated pigment technology mimics skin for an effortlessly natural, radiant finish.”

CK One is another relatively thick foundation but it applies very easily (yes, I used a brush). Just one pump from the bottle did my entire face, and the coverage was excellent. It dried to a matt finish and felt weightless on my skin. Yes, it was “effortlessly natural”; as for “radiant finish”, not really (it’s a matt, after all). It’s oil-free, non-comedogenic and has an spf of 5. The low spf isn’t an issue for me, especially since I’ll use the CK One as an evening foundation for when I’m pulling out all the makeup stops.

So that’s one hit–the CK One 3-in-1–and one miss–the Bobbi Brown BB Cream. Not bad–especially considering that the miss was a sample. The moral to the story is to always try to get samples of new products. Most stores will accommodate that and some on-line sellers have lenient return policies.

Have I tempted you to try one of these new foundations? Tell me why or why not in the Comments.

Tagged as: age spots, Bobbi Brown, Calvin Klein, CK One, cosmetics, foundation, makeup base, midlife beauty, midlife makeup, midlife skin, skin care, spf

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When & How to Use Bare Minerals

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Bare Minerals from Bare Escentuals is the original mineral-based powder foundation that came out about five years ago. Being an Early Adopter in makeup as well as electronics, I bought the kit–again from Sephora–back then. I looked at it, looked at the CD that came with it and got totally intimidated. Then I saw Leslie, the woman who first marketed the stuff, demonstrate the Swirl,Tap, Buff technique on TV and I gathered up my courage to try it myself:

There is something about that buffing process that appeals to me. It seems so much more thorough than just slathering on some foundation. I can get quite meditative about my Swirl,Tap, Buff.

The only caveat: I have to make sure my face is “properly hydrated” before using this, which means using a good moisturizer. It’s best, I’ve found, in the heat of summer, and I always use a primer underneath.

That said, the trick to more complete coverage is to build it up with multiple Swirl, Tap & Buff applications; this is not the time to load up your brush with product. Have patience and you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly natural look, probably more than a traditional foundation base will give you.

Have you tried the mineral-based makeup? What’s your opinion? Is one brand better than another?

Tagged as: cosmetics, foundation, makeup base, midlife beauty, midlife makeup, mineral makeup

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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

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So where were we? Oh, yes, talking about Foundation. Let’s start by getting our terms down: foundation? makeup foundation? base? makeup base? Do we really care? How about foundation base. Now that that is settled, let’s move on….

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: This has been my everyday go-to foundation base for several years. I first got it at Sephora as a special offer set. I like buying the sets that are regularly offered by cosmetic companies because it’s a chance to try a number of products at much less than buying them individually would be. In this case, I got the four steps of Laura Mercier’s Flawless Face with the appropriate applicators and a cute little travel bag.

The total package was a tube of the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, a tube of her Primer and a sponge for applying both. It also came with the cunning Undercover Pot which contains the much-touted Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, Secret Camouflage, Setting Powder. and the appropriate brushes.

Let’s talk about appropriate brushes. You know how all those Expert Articles on the Best Application of Makeup tout brushes. They’re right. It may seem like you can do an equally good job with your hands, but really, you can’t. I know. I’ve tried it. I’ve also tried getting away with using cheap brushes, the kind you buy at the drug store, the kind that are manufactured of yak hair and cheap plastic in some mega-factory in China. They don’t do the job, because to do a job well (as your dad or Mr. Shirk, the Shop teacher told you), you need the proper tools.

Tools, schmools! you may say. And I say, have a look at this, the first page of a freshman comp essay.

My freshman comp essay, for which I received an A. In 1962. Proof positive that

even then I was obsessed with makeup, and
the roots of my expertise are long and deep

But back to my disquisition on makeup brushes. Good makeup brushes enable very subtle handling of makeup, and subtle is the keyword in all makeup application. The Laura Mercier Concealer brush (the one with the pointed end) allows me to put the Secret Concealer exactly where I want it, as opposed to a hit and miss job with my fingers. Yes, it takes more time, but what is time to those who are seeking to match their outer to their inner beauty?

The other brush, the one with the flat edge, is for applying the softest dusting of the Setting Powder to, yes, to set the Secret Concealer so that it doesn’t melt and take with it my mascara.

Application of the actual Tinted Moisturizer is done not with a brush, but with a sponge. We have already established that I like sponges for applying makeup. In this case, I squirt some of the Tinted Moisturizer into my palm (about the size of a quarter) and use the sponge to spread it evenly all over my face. Voila! C’est bien! Bellisimo!

Of course, if I’m in a hurry–and I’m telling you this just because we’re friends–I can just squirt some into my palm and do the old rub and smoosh technique with my fingers.

What I like about the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is that it’s lightweight. In the summer, I don’t feel gooped up, and it doesn’t settle in the cracks and crevises of my midlife face. This is, of course, the scourge of the foundation base situation for those of us whose faces are no longer smooth and even palettes. The stuff tends to migrate to our wrinkles and such, pooling there and creating, for all intents and purpose, an easy-to read diagram of all the flaws of our fallen faces.

What is your go-to Foundation Base? And–tell the truth–how do you apply it?

Tagged as: aging, applying makeup, concealer, foundation, makeup base, makeup brushes, makeup sponges, mascara, midlife makeup, setting powder

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My Personal History of Foundation, in several parts

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This is a series of posts about that goop you put on your face to make it look nice. Face Paint. Spackle. A glossing of color just to even out the skin tones. Whatever.

When we were young (and cute), we probably didn’t wear such stuff. At least, I–maven of makeup from the earliest days–didn’t. I wore eye-makeup and maybe some rouge (as we called it then), but foundation or base (as we call it now)–nope.

When did I start? I think my gateway drug to base (free-base?) was a compact of cream foundation that was applied with a dampened sponge. I was in love with that sponge. And with the way I could control the amount of product that was deposited on my face.

That last is important: if there’s one thing you want to avoid, it’s Overdoing. The. Foundation. It’s a temptation, I know. If I apply enough of this stuff, then my face will look picture perfect like the models in the magazines. Who are airbrushed. Of course, if I get that look, I can’t move my face or smile or speak because the effect will be shattered into a million (okay, only a hundred or so) wrinkles. Because I am no longer young and cute.

So what do I use? Have a look at my Foundation tray:

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up clockwise:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (spf20)
Calvin Klein CK one 3-in-1 Face Makeup (spf8)
Bobbi Brown BB Cream (spf35)
Bare Minerals Foundation (spf15)

The first thing you’ll notice is that all of them have some measure of sun protection. That’s good. Of course, all spfs are not equal, as we’ve been told incessantly. And we’ve also been told that we never use enough sun screen to properly do the job. That being the case, I always do a sun screen moisturizer under the foundation. I am nothing if not well-protected.

Why do I have so many kinds of foundation, you ask?

Because I’m a makeup junkie.
Because I always think the newest one is the best.
Because I need different kinds of products depending on the weather and the state of my skin.
Because the event I’m going to often determines the amount of coverage I want,

and did I mention

because I’m a makeup junkie,
and I always think the newest one is the best.

That said, over the next couple of days, I will give you the low-down on my two ‘old’ foundations and my two ‘new’ ones”.

This is a serious subject, people, complete with scientific data and personal BS. I’ll be asking you to tell me what you use–and why (or why not). Pretend that we’re in the ladies room at that restaurant our SOs have taken us to. I’m peering at your face and you’re peering at mine . ”What do you use?” we exclaim in unison! Snap, we say…and then we fall to sharing the details, which are–.

Tagged as: aging, foundation, makeup base, midlife beauty, midlife makeup, midlife skin, spf, sun screen

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If I Don’t Put My Face On, Who Am I?

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So I’m on a @Delta flight to Detroit for @Ford’s annual marketing conference and I have this of note to report: Aging has a direct effect on my vanity. Or perhaps the truer statement is that I care more about getting a couple of minutes more sleep than I do about going into the world with makeup applied and hair fixed. I had to leave the house today at 4:45 am to make a 6:00 am flight to LA for a 9 am flight to Detroit. Was I going to get up at 3:45 am so that I would have time to put on makeup? No, I would not. I got up at 4:06 am and went out the door with a bare face.

I thought about how unlikely this would have been for me in the past and wondered what the difference is. It’s not that I care less about my appearance generally as that I’m less invested in how people perceive me. Before I felt I had to present my best self to the world. Before I felt insecure if I wasn’t wearing the “costume”, which included appropriate makeup that I had chosen for that day’s “performance.”

(Yes, I see the way I am–the way we all are–in the world as a series of performances. So shoot me, it’s studying all that French philosophy in grad school that gave me that p.o.v. Actually grad school only put a theoretical perspective on it; I always knew that what I wore was a costume to match the persona I was performing.)

So my sense of self must have grown to the point where–hey! I’ve finally reached the I give a shit stage. And about bloody time too.

Of course I hit the ladies room at LAX and spread my wares out applying all my this’s and that’s before I met up with the friends I’m traveling with. It now occurs to me, irony of ironies, that they were wearing no makeup at all. And, it must be said, they’re younger than I am. Now what’s that about?

Tagged as: aging, cultural construct, midlife makeup, Self confidence

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