Hot or Not Beauty

Spring and summer present a whole new look for makeup. It’s time to lighten up and show fresh beautiful skin. If you don’t have fresh beautiful skin, as so few of us over the age of 5 years old do, we have to fake it. Ordinarily we use foundation to conceal and in some cases mask an imperfect complexion. However, you may want to try what may be called the best of a foundation and moisturizer mixed in one – a tinted moisturizer. Tinted moisturizers present a wonderful to traditional foundation. They work double duty by providing subtle coverage to even out skin tone, and give a boost to moisturizer. I don’t recommend alleviating moisturizer in lieu of a tinted moisturizer, but instead to use a lighter version of your favorite moistsurizer or to use it a little more sparingly.

For a beautiful “natural” finish to skin, apply your tinted moisturizer and dust skin with a loose powder. You will look fresh and as if you aren’t really wearing makeup. Just one more way to keep up with those girls with flawless skin. But we won’t tell…

My top 5 tinted moisturizers:

1. Laura Mercier Tinted MoisturizerThis has got to be the Grand Dame of tinted Moisturizers.

This sheer, lightweight moisturizer contains a protective SPF 20 sunscreen and a hint of color that can be used in place of foundation for a natural finish that adds a healthy glow to your complexion. Available in 7 colors for fair to deep skin tones. $40.

2. Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
My second choice in the tinted moisturizer category. Want even-looking skin, but aren’t willing to take the foundation plunge? This moisturizer is packed with sun protection and just enough color to even skin tone. The light, hydrating formula is ideal for all skin types and comes in natural, see-through shades. Application is a cinch and the coverage is long lasting, leaving you with a perfect finish every time.
Size: 1.7 oz 10 shades, $30

3. Lorac ProtecTINT™ SPF 30 - Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer
My new favorite. With an SPF 30 that doesn’t ash out on darker skins.A lightweight, oil-free, sheer tinted moisturizer that’s good for all skin types - especially sensitive skin.
protecTINT™ SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer gives skin a natural, healthy glow, while providing protection from the harmful effects of the sun. Its unique formula instantly evens out your complexion and provides a youthful, smooth, no-makeup look and feel and never looks obvious, even close up!
Size: 1.3 oz 5 Shades, $30.

4. Dr. Brandt Tinted Daily UV Protection SPF 30 - Face I love Dr. Brandt’s tinted moisturizer for it’s slight shimmer. Tinted daily UV protection with SPF 30 and Active Renewal Shield is the minimum SPF recommended by Dr. Brandt. Absorbs quickly, without shine. 1.7 oz., $30.

5. Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20
A lightweight, all-in-one face finisher and skin treatment with antioxidants and UVA/UVB, SPF 20 sunscreens.Creates a natural, healthy-looking finish with no telltale lines and delivers the benefits of essential moisture, broad-spectrum sunscreen protection, and potent antioxidants with skin-refining color.

Tinted moisturizers — HOT!

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It’s your prom night and you definitely want to outshine the other girls. It’s time to bring out your inner bling. With a few key makeup accents your will be as hot as Paris Hilton in her party element.

Major focal point for bling – Eyes.
Try a metallic shadow, or even better, a glittery eye liner. Don’t feel compelled to have your shadow match your dress. That is so last millennium. Use colors that you love and are attracted to. The main key to makeup application is BLENDING. If you are wearing shadow, be sure to blend the edges down without leaving hard lines.

Best Metallic Shadows:
Urban Decay
Smashbox
Mac Pigments

Be part of the Gliltterati with pencils and liquid liners that give eyes extra sparkle with micro glitter. Check out Hard Candy Glitter Eye Pencils and Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner.

Go all out with heavy bling, or do subtle lining with your shimmery metallic pencils.

Keep cheeks subtle with light blush. Accent cheekbones with shimmery highlight. Try Pop Beauty Pop-Up Glow or Pout Shimmer Dust. Remember that less is more, so just do a light dusting on the top of your cheeks and on decollete’ for ultimate shine.

Lips should have major impact too with tons of shine. Best Lipshine– Lorac Mocktails. Flavored gloss with high shine. Or Urban Decay XXX Shine Lip Gloss that gives glossy shine and leaves your breath minty fresh.

You’ve got the dress, got the date, got the limo and now you’ve got your makeup tips. Have a great time and don’t get in trouble!

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I’ve been writing about Spring 2007 makeup, so take a peek at some of the best collections!
NARS “Charmed”
Inspiration:
A blend of simple and sophisticated: light, fresh pink sheer lips are accented by bold and daring hues of apricot and plum for eyes with just a hint of sparkle.

Includes:
• NARS Duo Cream Eyeshadow Compact, Thebes
• NARS Sheer Lipstick, Tutti Frutti
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Calliope
• NARS Lip Gloss, Risky Business
• NARS Makeup Primer With SPF 20

Lorac “Pleasure Island”

Inspiration: Look like your favorite celeb – just back from an island vacation with sun-kissed skin. Sparkly hues for eyes, cocktail-flavored lips, and lashes meant for the red carpet will keep you looking fresh and fabulous.

Includes:
• LORAC protecTINT Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, Dare to Bare
• LORAC Cheek Stamp Satiny Powder Blush, Golden Glow
• LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes Long-Wearing Mascara, Black
• LORAC Maui Wowie Full Face Kit, Limited Edition ($90 Value)
• LORAC Mocktail Flavored Lip Gloss, Maui Mai Tai

Vincent Longo: Sheer Beauty
Inspiration:
The youthful spirit of Spring is here with a soft and sheer natural look. Start by applying a flawless complexion and add touches of flushed colors to cheeks and lips.

Includes:
• Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil, Soft Pink/Spring Rose
• Vincent Longo Water Canvas Creme-To-Powder Foundation, Bisque
• Vincent Longo Water Canvas Blush, Savannah Fresh
• Vincent Longo Baby Balm Lipstick SPF 12, La Dulceta

Of course there is no need to buy every piece in every collection, the point is to do a makeup update. A pretty new lip color, lighten up your cheeks for spring or try something new on your eyes.

Get shopping!

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I love the Spring 2007 makeup trends. They are wearable and reasonable. Trend #1 that I wrote about was the heavy metal influence. Wearable metallic eye shadows. Spring makeup Trend #2 was a bold lip. Now, mind you, each trend isn’t meant to be worn all at once. You would definitely be a victim for the makeup police. And remember, trends are just that — fleeting. So take your pick and wear it well.

There is no better way to look fresh for spring than to add a touch of blush to the apples of your cheeks. And fortunatley, pink blush is a easy-to-apply spring trend. Makeup brands are behind this trend, as well as designers. The flushed pink cheek was seen on runways and is being featured in spring editorial makeup. Michael Kors models sported a clean fresh face that featured pink cheeks.

Carol Shaw, founder of Lorac features a soft pink cheek using her Cheek Stamp blush in Hibiscus (glimmering rose) or Pink Paradise (vibrant pink).

The pink cheeck interpreted by Lorac. Notice the soft pink lips and soft pastel shadows that compliment the soft flush of pink on the cheeks.

Bobbi Brown, the Grand Dame of natural beauty also does the pink cheek justice. Again, notice the soft eyes and mouth that accompanies this makeup trend of soft pink blush.

Long time frangrance house Guerlain does the updated pink cheek in it’s spring makeup collection.

My favorite pink blushes:
NARS Desire blush A yummy cotton candy pink. Perfect for porcelain to medium skin tones. Nars blush in Sin is ideal for deeper skin tones, olive to chocolate.
Laura Geller Pink Grapefruit Baked Blush — a sheer pink with golden luminescent light diffusers. Good for all skin tones, light to deep.
Cargo blush in Catalina for all skins tones. Lyon for deeper tones.
Smashbox blush Radiance (radiant fuschia) — perks up all skin tones, in particular deeper tones.
MAC Powder Blush in Desirious or Frankly Scarlett. Both are awesome on all skins.

Flushed pink cheeks are a HOT Spring makeup trend!

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