Archive for category Weddings-101
How Well Does It Work? Clarisonic Skincare Brush…
Posted by Wendy in Latest Obsessions, Weddings-101 on August 6th, 2009
I finally did it. After reading fantastic reviews of the Clarisonic Skincare Brush for over a year - including being named InStyle’s “Best Face Tool” in its April 2009 “Best of Beauty” list and receiving 365 reviews on Sephora.com with an average of 5/5 stars – I went to Sephora and got this supposed $195 miracle. Everything I have read says that it is the best investment you can make for your skin since it removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing, thus allowing all of your other skincare products to be more effective. My main reservation (besides the pricetag) was my ultra sensitive skin. I worried that hundreds of tiny bristles moving at 300 movements per second would leave my face looking like a tomato. Luckily, the brush I purchased came with the Sensitive Brush Head, so hopefully this will prove soothing to my skin. I plan on giving my reviews at the 1-day, 14-day and 30-day mark.
Here’s a rundown of the benefits of the Clarisonic brush:
- 2x more effective than manual cleansing
- Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing
- Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
- Cleanses so well that products absorb better – example: 61% greater absorption of Vitamin C than with manual cleansing
- Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
- Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
DAY 1 REVIEW: Wow. I only used it for the first time last night, but I am very impressed. The brush somehow managed to give me a “very clean” feeling without feeling dry and tight. And no redness! I had just a tiny pink glow for 10 minutes afterward, but I think that’s most likely due to increased circulation. I used my trusted Obagi RosaClear Gentle Cleanser, but the brush does come with Clarisonic’s Gentle Hydro Cleanser. So far, so good!!…
Day 14 REVIEW: As it turns out, the Sensitive Brush Head that came with my Clarisonic brush ended up being a little too harsh after about a week of use, so I ended up buying the Delicate Brush Head, which works perfectly.
Day 30 REVIEW: I am in love with this brush! Ever since I switched to the Delicate Brush Head, my skin has felt thoroughly cleaned and rejuvenated after every use. I can definitely tell that my products are working more effectively as well — one positive benefit being the disappearance (finally!) of a pesky sunspot (wear your sunscreen, ladies!). My advice is that if you can find a way to make the initial $195 purchase (this would be a GREAT present idea for holidays/birthdays), the benefits are tremendous, and you only have to pay $25 every 3 months or so to replace your brush head.
-Image from niemanmarcus.com
Top 10 (ok, maybe 12) Bridal Makeup Products
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists, Weddings-101 on July 29th, 2009
Primers:
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or Photo Finish Light – I love primers because they not only smooth out your pores and fine lines, but they also allow your makeup to last much, much longer!
2. Laura Mercier Regular Primer or Oil-Free Primer
3. Urban Day Primer Potion (eyeshadow primer — your eyeshadow will not budge!)
Foundations:
4. MAC Face and Body Foundation – a fantastic, water-based foundation that gives a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but looks just as luminous
Cream Blush:
5. Stila Convertible Color in “Gerbera” or “Lillium” – a consistent award-winner, these convertible colors provide a natural flush
Powder Blush:
6. NARS powder blush in “Orgasm” – a dozen magazine editors can’t be wrong
7. MAC powder blush in “Pink Swoon” (women with cool undertones) or “Peachykeen” (women with warm undertones)
Highlighters:
8. MAC Cream Color Base in “Pearl” – blend on your cheekbones with fingertips, and voila, hollywood cheekbones
9. Benefit “High Beam” highlighter -Benefit didn’t nickname this highlighter “Supermodel in a bottle” for nothing – dab a few dots on your cheekbones with the applicator and blend with fingertips for super chiseled cheekbones
Gel Eyeliners:
10. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner – this eyeliner continues to rack up the awards. Apply with the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush to achieve a thick or thin line.
11. MAC Fluidline – apply with a small-angle brush, such as MAC #263 or #266
Waterproof Eyeshadow:
12. Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
-Images from maccosmetics.com and sephora.com
Avoid Wedding Day Meltdown — How to Make Your Makeup Last
Posted by Wendy in How to..., Weddings-101 on July 29th, 2009
Ah, ’tis the season of bridal bliss. At last count, one of my friends was in 6 weddings this summer. Living in Chicago, one of the most frequent questions I receive is, “How can I make my makeup last on my wedding day?” I’m pretty sure only Texas is more humid. In any case, never fear! Here are a few of my basic tips:
–Prime! Take the time to prime your face and eyelids. This will not only smooth out your pores and fine lines, but it will also help your makeup last as long as possible. If you know you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, you might want to opt for an oil-free or lighter-weight primer, such as Smashbox Photo Finish Light or Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer.
–Layer! Instead of applying one layer of powder blush, try applying a thin layer of a cream blush. After you set your makeup with face powder, add a second (thin) layer of your powder blush. The same idea can be used for your eye shadow. After your eyelid primer (I love Urban Decay’s Primer Potion), apply a thin layer of a cream eyeshadow, followed by your regular powder eyeshadow. For lips, an old trick is to apply your lipstick, gently blot a thin layer of face powder on your lips, followed by another thin layer of lipstick. If you stick to thin layers, you will still achieve a flawless, natural look, only it will last much longer 
–Use a gel eyeliner or a transformer! Gel eyeliners (such as Bobbi Brown’s Gel Eyeliner or MAC Fluidline) have a great lasting power. However, if you really want eyeliner insurance, try mixing a transformer/sealer with your eyeliner. I usually put one or two drops of Make Up For Ever Eye Seal on a small-angle brush and then dip it into my MAC Carbon eyeshadow. (*Note: The transformer/sealer will change the texture of your eyeshadow, so you might want to buy one black eyeshadow just for this purpose).
–Try waterproof mascara! We used to be cautioned that waterproof mascara would dry out our lashes or give us a “spider-leg” look, but with all the innovations that have been made over the years, there are countless waterproof mascaras that work beautifully. I’m a big fan of DiorShow Waterproof Mascara myself
-Images from sephora.com, bobbibrown.com and nordstrom.com
Weddings 101 — Exfoliate!
Posted by Wendy in Weddings-101 on June 22nd, 2009
Brides frequently ask me what kind of “skincare regimen” I recommend leading up to the big day. While I usually don’t advise any major overhauls of their normal skincare routine, I usually (strongly) suggest using an exfoliator 1x a week. No matter what makeup tricks exist, makeup always applies better on a smooth, flake-free surface. While you don’t want to exfoliate for the first time too close to the wedding date (you don’t want to risk any side effects that might arise), exfoliating 1x a week 1-2 months before the wedding is enough time to ensure that you will have a bright, smooth surface for your makeup application on your special day
I LOVE Kate Somerville’s ExfoliKate ($85)– a fruit enzyme scrub that brightens skin by using spherical (i.e. non-abrasize) beads and fruit enzymes to remove dead skin cells, eliminate bacteria and polish skin. My skin can only tolerate it being on for 20-30 seconds, but when I wash it off, my skin has never felt so smooth or looked so clear. Kate now offers ExfoliKate Gentle ($65) for those with dry and sensitive skin. This newer formula utilizes gentler scrubbing beads and fruit enzymes than the original formula. REN’s F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance Facial Mask ($37) is a great, natural blend of 10 fruit enzymes that exfoliate and detoxify your skin. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes and petro-chemicals.
-Image from katesomerville.com and sephora.com
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