A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

The Makeup Show NYC 2011

The booths at The Makeup Show NYC

The Makeup Show NYC descended upon the Big Apple for it’s 6th consecutive year bringing beauty professionals two days of lectures, workshops and the opportunity to stock their kits with some of the best products on the market. Some of the pro-focused brands present were Make Up For Ever, Stila, Face Atelier, Smashbox, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Kevyn Aucoin, Yves Saint Laurent, Becca Cosmetics and many, many others. The Makeup Show is more than just a trade show, it provides inspiration, community and necessary education to the artists that attend.

In addition to the pro workshops there are live demos where you can get up close, ask questions and even buy the products used. One of the most popular booths was Xotic Eyes Body Art, they had lots of models and they were VERY creative with their designs. Check out one of their models below (left).

Body art at The Makeup Show 2011

Another benefit of the Makeup Show is checking out the new products. One of my favorite discoveries is actually a something that I was looking for anyway, a summer lotion. I sampled the new Summer Shine Body Lotion by Mario Badescu and I was sold immediately. The lotion gives a subtle (not glittery) shimmer that just illuminates the skin.

Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion at the Makeup Show

This is my second year attending The Makeup Show and needless to say it did not disappoint,  you can check out the 2010 makeup show here and here. Have you attended The Makeup Show before, what was your experience like?

Six De-Stressing Spa Products for Bath, Body and Face

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Maybe it’s got something to do with Tax Day, with everyone scrambling to find last minute forms or documents. Or maybe it’s the sometimes-gloomy, rainy weather that often persists throughout the month. Lots of spa junkies find that the best way to de-stress when you can’t get out for a facial or massage includes some home-spa pampering. If that’s your favorite form of stress release, here are six products that soothe and calm.

1.) Jurlique Rebalancing Sensitivity Kit: Although this is more of an everyday mini-regime, Jurlique’s Rebalancing Sensitivity Kit is incredibly well-suited to the purposes of relaxation. The four piece kit contains a half ounce each of Soothing Foaming Cleanser, Chamomile Soothing Mist, Soothing Herbal Recovery Gel, and Soothing Day Care Lotion, and it’s perfect for a home facial.

2.) Mario Badescu Azulene Calming Mask: Cult-favorite skincare line Mario Badescu’s Azulene Calming Mask is soothing both esthetically as a product and physically on your skin. Seamolliant is calming and moisture-binding (as well as really rich in skin-healing minerals), and Azulene and Balsam Peru have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and balancing skin tone.

3.) REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream: If you’re heading out after your stress-relief spa routine, a good anti-damage moisturizer will protect all your hard work. REN’s Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream has Omega 3 and 7 to repair skin, and Calendula to calm. There’s also a proprietary “Global Protection Complex,” with ingredients to fight free radical damage.

4.) DermaDoctor Calm, Cool & Corrected: Fairer skinned types are more likely to be afflicted with rosacea during periods of stress or exposure to the elements. (Or even a long night of mojitos.) DermaDoctor’s Calm, Cool & Corrected battles the spectrum of rosacea symptoms (like excess oil, redness and broken capillaries) while also working to correct signs of aging. Squalene and dimethicone keep skin hydrated, and chamomile and aloe calm.

5.) BambuEarth Chocolate Truffle Organic Whipped Shea & Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Cream: One of the super-greatest things about the internet is the abundance of amazing indie beauty product makers that will ship their carefully crafted wares straight to your door. Etsy is a huge beauty marketplace, and BambuEarth’s Chocolate Truffle Organic Whipped Shea & Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Cream is one of the nicer choco-spa options. “Foodie” scents are not for everyone (although I will personally cop to being a lifelong Angel wearer and chocolate body butter addict), but refined and beautifully packaged options like this one are delightful if you’re a fan.

6.) Sonoma Lavender Pastel Paisley Spa Mask: An on-call esthetician to give pressure-relieving facial massages when needed would be a great thing to have, but in a pinch, the Sonoma Lavender Pastel Paisley Spa Mask is a pretty substitute. Microwave the mask for warmth and to release the lavender fragrance. It also makes a pretty design element on your vanity table.

How do you unwind at home with beauty products? Are there any you reach for after a rough, long or taxing day?