FOUNDATION FRIDAY!!!!

Revlon PhotoReady...are you ready for YOUR close up?

So I was marching through ye olde neighborhood Target a few nights ago and what has found its way to the coveted end cap but this new foundation by Revlon. The bottle is interesting because it has a pump which (from a make up artists POV, rocks for a host of reasons) and is contoured in a way that makes it easy to hold while you're working. Now, I am a make up artist with discerning taste in foundation (I mainly airbrush) so needless to say, when something says "gives skin the airbrushed appearance" I perk up and check it out!

Now, I've heard some buzzy-buzz about this (and Loreal, FYI...they'll be on the HD bandwagon too) but was afraid I would have to wait to try it but NO! This is technically not supposed to be out until March 2010 but Target and CVS have early releases and this means I'm all over it! BOGO at CVS if you can because this is about $14.00 each.

I have previously tried Make Up Forever HD foundation and Cargo Blu-Ray HD foundation and liked their results initially but did not like the fact that they oxidized and left my client with an orange tone after a few hours. Smashbox has been holding my attention with their HIGH DEFINITION FOUNDATION and HALO powder but it's painfully spendy so I've been on the lookout for something with good medium coverage that's buildable. I think this might be it!

Pros:

• Has a little shimmer, gives a subtle glow to the skin that creates an almost "dewy" effect.
• SPF 20 which is fabulous for day wear for those of us who are of the pasty variety and/or are fighting the age monster tooth and perfectly manicured nail.
• Recommended tool for application is the foundation brush (currently GWP at Target) which means less touching of the skin and less opportunity for nasty breakouts from those gnarly sponges we refuse to through out.
• Buildable coverage which means you can start out with a thin layer and keep building up until you have the coverage you desire. Some days call for more camo than others...
  
• Lasts forever...we all remember ColorStay from Revlon, well this does stay & doesn't get that gummy look that sometimes occurs from CS if you let it go too long.
  

Cons:

• Has a little shimmer...that's not so great for everyone. (complaints of looking Cullen-esque have been reported but you be the judge)
  
• SPF 20 which is NOT great for photography...this will only matter to MUAs and photographers.
• Limited color offerings (for now).
• Better for oiler skin types because of the high level of pigment which can be drying.
  

So there's my $2.50, buy it and try it and tell me what you think...I will continue airbrushing but I feel pretty confident recommending this to my clients who are looking for fab coverage and a great price point!

Merry Christmas, Poodles!

Muah,
Moi

www.something-you.com

Old School Remedies!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had more than just a mild obsession with all things make up and beauty product related. There was this fabulous book about "Concoctions" at the public library that I checked out about a million times (and probably ended up keeping) that had a section about beauty treatments you could make yourself. If I remember correctly, I tried to bottle & sell some of it to the neighborhood ladies at some point. Needless to say, it didn't sell like Girl Scout Cookies but it did get me hooked on natural remedies to ever present skin issues and teach me to question ingredients not just in my food but also in my skin care! It also made me the "Go To Girl" for all my friends when they had a monster zit on prom night or pores as large and prolific as an oil producing country...

All that being said, I would like to present a new segment on natural solutions and kitchen concoctions that have worked for centuries! First Installment: Aspirin Facials!

Aspirin: It Ain't Just For Headaches Anymore!

I've used a variety of aspirin facial recipes since my early adolescent years to combat breakouts. It works because Aspirin is a form of salicylic acid so it’s fantastic exfoliant and acne treatment. Dermatologists prescribe it every day and you’ll find it in tons of anti-acne products.

There are several different facial aspirin recipes and depending the condition of your skin you should adapt the recipe and blend to suit your skin and needs. Experiment until you find the right balance!

Oily Skin: In the summer when my skin gets oily I crush up 10 aspirin tablets and mix in whatever fruit acid I have (lemon, lime, or orange juice) in the refrigerator. A dairy product (lactic acid) such as yogurt, cream, or milk can be substituted for the fruit acid or used in combination with the basic aspirin facial recipe for the oilier skin types. I even keep an aspirin solution in a small spray bottle in the shower to mist my back and legs to prevent acne from developing, especially during the summer.

Dry/Sensitive Skin: In the winter months when my skin’s a little more on the dry side, I blend in a dab of honey, aloe vera pulp or olive oil to give my skin a moisturizing treatment at the same time.

Emergency: If I feel a zit deep under the surface, a crushed asprin mixed with a little green tea makes a great little scrub and mask. I’ll sleep in it if things seem really dire. Also great for the post waxing ingrown on the bikini line!

Basic Facial Aspirin Recipe

5 to 10 of plain aspirin- (the cheap generic kind is just fine) finely crushed for a mask and a little chunkier for the scrub.

Mix in your favorite fruit acid, freshly squeezing the juice from a lemon, lime, or orange or use green tea. Add more to create a thin mask or use very little for a thick paste.

Apply a thin layer with your hands or use a spa brush (looks like a paint brush) to your face, chest and/or back and allow to dry for 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and moisturize with something light but enriching.

Bottom line, Aspirin rocks. It’s an all around versatile natural skin care ingredient that has the added benefit of being an excellent anti-aging skin care treatment. Not to mention it’s cheap and probably already on your medicine cabinet!

Muah!
Moi

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My little article from a few weeks ago...so happy to be in launch mode!

Thanks to everyone who have gotten me this far!

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