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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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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Hot off the press! Light up Lip Gloss! Now, I haven’t tried these yet, but Oprah loves them, that that means that they are sure to be cult favorite. Life & Style Magazine reported that when Oprah’s makeup artist Reggie Wells, pulled out the Light Up Lip Gloss Oprah flipped for it, and said that it would make a great gift. Yet another one of Oprah’s favorite things!

Go Light on My Lips coms in 5 colors and is priced at $19. For the Swarovski encrusted edition, monogramed with an initial, you will shell out $38. Although I have personally mastered the art of making up in the dark, this nifty gloss has a light and mirror that makes it ideal for touch ups. Not to mention that’s it’s really, really cute and ingenious.

I haven’t tried this lip gloss for it’s wearability yet, but I think I just have to get one, if only for the kitchiness of the light!

Light up Lip Gloss — HOT!

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Mineral Makeup is all the rage right now. Since it’s natural, with built in SPF protection, and it’s non pore clogging properties, no wonder it’s so pupular. It seems that you can’t turn on cable TV without seeing a Bare Minerals commercial. But, there are so many more mineral makeup companies than Bare Minerals.

I love Jane Iredale. She has a huge business with dermatologiest and skin care clinics, as her product perfect for use after many skin care procedures. Be aware that this line doesn’t read well on darker skin. From medium to light tones, it’s a beautiful choice.

For savings this month, check out Therapy Systems line of mineral makeup. Therapy Systems offers a nice range of mineral foundations and powders. Get 20% off with code INSTYLE07 from Jan.12-Feb.28.

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I love a deal. I think most people do. Especially those of us who are makeup junkies, we in particular love a deal. So, I’m here to pass on a great deal. Laura Geller Baked Beauties is an awesome beauty buy. A $100 value, yours for $55.

What it is:
Three richly-hued compacts of multi-toned marbleized pigments ranging from blush to bronze hues, swirled together into a radiant liquid, poured onto terra cotta pans, and baked for 24 hours into a soft, creamy powder - plus lipstick, mascara, and Spackle foundation primer.

What you get:
Set includes full-size Blush ‘n’ Brighten in Golden Apricot (bronze, gold, and rose); a Balance ‘n’ Bronze Split Compact (half in pink, tan, cream, and bronze, and half in soft tan, peach, and cream); Baked Eye Shadow in Unearthed (bronze, chocolate, and champagne); plus a Creamy Mascara in Black, Lipstick in Peach Melba (bronzed rosy peach), and a 1 oz Spackle foundation primer mini in a clear, zippered travel bag.

Why I love it:
The Balance and Bronze practically eliminates my need for foundation. My typically sallow skin is evened out and brightened. Something I learned from Laura is that whether you are ruddy or sallow, this bronzer evens your skin. Thanks to that swirling technique of all the colors.
The Blush and Brighten works perfectly with my yellow tones. Everyone needs blush, and this is a lovely everyone-can-wear-it blush. The Baked Eyeshadow in Unearthed I apply over my entire lid. Because of the way the colors are in the dome, you can apply the lighter tones under your brow bone, or use the darker ones in the crease. Or, just swish your shadow brush across the entire dome for a color wash to the entire lid. Spackle is the ulimate primer. And the lipstick and mascara are just the icing on the cake.

Laura Geller Baked Beauties — Definitely HOT!

Available at Sephora.com.

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