Shiseido

Falling in love with Shiseido Fall 2011 Makeup

October 20, 2011

Shiseido Fall 2011 makeup collection

I was invited to a press preview for Shiseido Fall 2011 Collection at the Cooper Square Hotel in New York City. We were provided with iPods to listen to a guided audio and visual tour of new products. Each numbered station had an accompanying audio track on the iPod and even a video with Shiseido’s Artistic Director Dick Page. I swatched eyeshadows and heard exciting details about Future Solution LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum which counteracts all signs of aging. And who couldn’t use a little anti-aging serum?

Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum

For me the highlight of the collection was Shiseido’s shimmering cream eye color. I have a major weakness for cream eyeshadows because they are so easy to blend and you really don’t need any tools, except for your fingers! I can usually apply them pretty quickly so they’re great when I’m short on time and I want to wear a little makeup. Cream shadows are also usually richly pigmented so they can really add a little drama, the beauty kind of course. 😉

Shiseido Shimmering eye cream eye shadow

At the end of the preview we were given the option to choose three eyeshadows’ to take home. It was a touch choice because they were all so stunning but I went with Moss, Angel and Purple Dawn. I normally don’t wear blue but Angel but the teal tone just drew me in. The Moss color is a great everyday earth tone that I can wear to the office and Purple Dawn is just perfect for an evening out on the town.

I have completely fallen in love with this shimmering eye creams, the spread across the eyelid effortlessly and they last forever. I rarely use primer when I’m in a rush and these eye creams lasted all day without creasing. Have you tried Shiseido’s Shimmering Cream Eye Colors? If so which color?

Bulletproof Beauty: Summer Makeup That Stays Put

May 27, 2011

In New York City, there is a week in May where the ground is neither covered with snow nor emitting steamy poofs of humidity. It happens again in reverse sometime in October, but the rest of the time, the city is a danger zone of frizzy hair, smudgy eyeliner and a shiny t-zone.

If you’re not dealing with hairstyle destroying gusts of wind, you’re battling makeup-melt. Arriving at your destination, even if it’s only three subway stops away, becomes an exercise in style preservation. And while it’s next to near impossible to ensure your look will stay totally intact, these products can help you toward the goal of looking polished and put-together. Here are some handy summer makeup tips that will help you weather the weather!

1.) A no-nonsense base: Liquid makeup is a bit too malleable and soft to withstand summer swelter, and minerals can- although not always get cakey and settle into pores. (Although it bears mentioning that their sun protection factor is awesome.)

I’ve sung the praises of MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation before, but it really does create a long-lasting, flawless look like nothing else. Apply with a brush for the thinnest, most controllable coverage with this foundation. Although brushes are always an excellent investment, e.l.f.’s Foundation Brush is a super steal at $1 each- and excellent quality.

2.) Waterproof tints: Stains and tints may seem counterintuitive for summer, as light balms and glosses often take center stage. But with a subtle hand and judicious color selection, they could be the difference between an enduring look and mid-day washout.

LORAC’s Sheer Wash in Sheer Magic is perfect for sun-kissed skin, and Sheer Emotion is a great choice for the fairer-skinned. This formulation works for both cheeks and lips. DuWop’s Pure Venom Pure Berry Lip Stain is a more moisturizing choice, with an intense, natural berry hue.

3.) Eye makeup austerity: When it comes to warm-weather smudging, eyes are one of the first casualties of an intense look. Waterproof and smudgeproof mascaras and liners abound, but a clean, set curled lash and neutral shadow are the least likely to cause a Courtney Love-like effect.

Shiseido The Makeup Lasting Lift Mascara is light and feathery, but still defines lashes well and holds a curl. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Bone is a nice, sturdy neutral for long, hot days, and it won’t slide all over like many cream shadows often do in warm weather.

Setting makeup with a soft spritz of toner and an anti-frizz serum should put the finishing touches on your sun-proof, heat-resistant look. Do you have any tips or tricks for hot-weather beauty?

Skincare: Where to Splurge, Where to Save

April 12, 2011

Would that every beauty junkie had a Black AmEx and a bottomless Birkin bag in which to stash their newly-acquired goodies. Alas, most of us have to thoughtfully allot our skincare budget to accommodate must-haves and holy grail potions, lest we run out and have to make do with a drugstore replacement until the Sephora order arrives or we can get back to the counter for a re-up.

Skincare differs from makeup in that it’s a more cumulative effect. You can swipe on a gorgeous Dior lipstick for instant oomph, but an amazing eye cream or soothing cleanser has a much more subtle effect, and may not be instantly noticeable even if it’s really, really good. So which big guns are worth investing in? Here’s a few factors to bear in mind when formulating your regimen of skincare-attack.

Splurge… Moisturizer: Hands down, the moisturizer you select has the biggest overall impact on your skin’s appearance and health. Hydrophilic (that means water-loving) ingredients like hyaluronic acid benefit most if not all skin types, but based on your particular skin concerns, the ideal moisturizer option may vary. Philosophy’s Hope In A Jar Moisturizer is widely praised for all skin types, and contains skin-renewing Vitamins A and E, and water-binding oat ingredients.

Save… Cleanser: There are some great cleansers on the market, such as those that utilize glycolic acids to exfoliate skin. For the most part, however fancy your cleanser is, you’re pretty much washing it down the sink. If you’re really into a certain cleanser or feel it has a big impact on your skin, it’s a nice splurge, but I strongly recommend that you check the latest Bioelements product reviews. In the end though, even unscented baby wash removes makeup and traces of sebum without stripping skin.

Splurge… Sun Protection: This is actually a half save/half splurge option, but it cannot be underscored enough that the sun is the single most age-accelerating factor facing skin. There are some great drugstore options, but Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF 55 PA+++ is pretty comprehensive. Just be careful not to use sunscreen too sparingly- the neck area and tops of hands often show signs of aging before the face because they’re easy to overlook.

Save… Toner: Like cleanser, a couture toner isn’t going to do anything bad to your skin, but it’s not likely to impact its overall appearance or texture very much either. Duchess Marden has a gorgeous rosewater toner if you’d like a luxury option, but the effects overall won’t far outstrip the benefits of regular rosewater toner.

Splurge… Treatment Products: While they don’t sit on your skin all day like a moisturizer, treatment products have a less fleeting effect than cleansers if they’re washed off like masks, and some can stay on skin instead of being washed away. Beta-hydroxy treatments like Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel is a good investment for oily skin, and a richer mask like Eve Lom’s Rescue Mask is a nice treatment option for dry skin.

What skincare products do you splash out on? Do you have any secret treatment bargains you swear by?

Beauty that gives back for breast cancer awareness

October 4, 2010

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and these beautiful products give back in the name of research and awareness. Some of my favorite beauty brands have created products to bring awareness to this important cause. Here are my favorite picks!

Evelyn Lauder Lip Design Collection, $25:

Evelyn H. Lauder hand-selected the full-size lipsticks for this exclusive set, all in chic pink cases:

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Candy
Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rubellite
Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Tiramisu
Pink Croc-Print Clutch

Estée Lauder will donate $500,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime, by funding clinical and translational research in North America.

By October 2010, the Estee Lauder Companies and their retail partners will have contributed or raised $45 million since 1993 for BCRF.

Sephora Breast Cancer Awareness Compact Mirror, $18

Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of this product to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

Shiseido Luminizing Lip Gloss in Pop Life, $22

With your purchase during the month of October, you join Shiseido in making a difference in the fight against cancer. Shiseido supports Breast Cancer Awareness month by donating $5 from each sale of Luminizing Lip Gloss in PK406 Pop Life to Cosmetic Executive Women’s Cancer and Careers, an organization dedicated to supporting women in the workforce who are battling cancer.

Clinique Limited-edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, $35

$10.00 from your purchase helps support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Limited-edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion comes with a collectible key ring with a pink ribbon heart and Clinique “C” charm.