Tag Archives: Concealer

The Fall Beauty Wardrobe Reveal

September 19, 2017

Planning my first fall beauty wardrobe has been almost as fun as thinking about wearing sweaters again. I didn’t start planning out my fall beauty wardrobe until almost the end of August. I knew I craved the return of black liquid liner but wasn’t as intentional about the next steps as I was with summer. Right before Labor Day, after a cleaning binge, I went through my makeup and selected items that were exciting me and that I missed. There were quite a few “yessss, I have this already,” moments that almost felt like I was shopping. You all know that ‘new new’ high that comes when you buy something. Satisfying but gone in a flash. This was decidedly better. My plan to “trick” myself may actually be working well. But, I did buy a few things also that I’ll point out.

Fall fell into place after a cozy weekend at home after what felt like back to back travel. Ultimately, it’s a return to classics. The makeup I know and love with a luxurious twist. A beauty wardrobe that will be reliable on sleepy mornings (it is so dark right now when my alarm goes off!) and also makes me feel really amazing on those nights I take myself out, as I plan on doing often the next several months. And, obviously, the kind of makeup that complements the prelude to cozy sweaters.

I decided organizing by product type was a capital B bore, so I’m filtering it by mood. This is what my fall beauty wardrobe looks like on my counter. A perfect balance of classic, autumnal and luxe.

CLASSICS

L-R, top to bottom:
Dusk / Skin Tint / barePro / Wowder / Haloscope / Stretch Concealer / Easy Baked Eyeshadow / Smudgeproof Eye Base / Paint Pot / Grain Eyeshadow / Boy Brow / Trestique / Sheer Lipstick

These are the workhorses of my makeup bag. My NARS smudgeproof eye primer, brows and wear everyday eyeshadows.

No surprise, there is also a ton of Glossier in here. Skin Tint and Wowder will be in every beauty wardrobe, as will Boy Brow and Haloscope. I also included Cloud Paint in Dusk—couldn’t get enough of it in summer—and Stretch Concealer. These truly are my favorite beauty products, and I’m so not saying that just because I’m a Glossier rep.

I’m also testing out the new barePro Performance Wear Liquid – bareMinerals is an instant classic when it comes to complexion. This is a new launch and I’m so excited to see how it wears. I’ve tried it a few times and first impressions are positive.

I also have a tiny nub of one of my fav lip colors of all time: Armani Rouge Sheer in 502. I think I’ve been holding on to it but now is the time to use it. Why do I have a habit of using a lipstick almost all the way and then clinging to it for (not even joking) years. Candidly, this may be past the point of expiration but I’m not throwing it away. It doesn’t have a funk sooooo… yeah.

I learned a lesson during the summer: I like a simple eye. No palettes in sight here. I’m planning on a heavy rotation of MAC’s Soft Ochre Paint Pot, which is great on its own, and Urban Decay’s best eyeshadow color, Easy Baked. You know Half Baked that is in so many of the Naked palettes? This is its less brassy sister shadow. Also carried over MAC Grain because it was a summer necessity.

FALL FALL FALL !

L-R, top to bottom:
RMS Content / NARS Dolomites / Rockateur / Multistick in Cerise / Gen G Jam

My color story for fall is quintessential fall. Berries all the way. Is there another way to be? I’m most excited about my RMS Lip Shine in Content. This was one of those “yesss” moments when I was looking through my beauty drawers. It flexes as a cheek color, too. Reminds me of a glass of wine. I also brought back a combo I loved a few years ago at this time of year: NARS Dolomite Eyeshadow Duo and Benefit Rockateur Blush. Sadly, Dolomite is limited edition so I don’t think you can get it anywhere now. Also, I tossed all of my old Benefit blushes in the great purge of spring 2017 and this was the only one left standing. Here’s to seeing if I still love it as much as I used to.

A LOT OF LUXE

L-R, top to bottom:
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar / Onomie A.C.E. / Chanel Bronzing Base / Tom Ford Eyeliner / Nars Soft Matte Concealer / Onomie Bright Concealing Elixir / Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim Lipstick / Surratt Eyelash Curler / Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara / Glossier Rose Balm dot Com / Dior Dreamskin Cushion / Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil / Luminous Silk Foundation / Juice Illuminating Serum / Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner

Ahhh, a touch of luxury. This is about 45% of my beauty wardrobe, so perhaps more than a touch. I’ve got quite a few complexion products in here. Allow me to explain, as it may seem counterintuitive to my less is more mantra. I have been intentionally wearing less face makeup but I like different options depending on my mood. This is entirely reasonable to me – sometimes I’m in the mood for a cushion compact and other times mixing up a liquid concoction. When Emily Ferber (darling beauty editor at Into The Gloss) shared her summer beauty routine, I was struck by how perfect her skin appeared and noted that she was using NARS Soft Matte Concealer (an early fav of mine this year) and Dior’s Dreamskin Cushion. So, I picked up the Dior and have to say it is every bit as perfect with the NARS Soft Matte as she explained. I’m also testing out, c/o the brand, Onomie’s Bright Concealing Elixir and the A.C.E. Illuminating Treatment which is kind of a highlighter, kind of a concealer. In the short time I’ve been in my fall beauty wardrobe, I’m having so much fun playing with different combinations.

I included the Juice Illuminating Primer. I struggled to use this the summer because it felt like extra weight on the skin. It’s not heavy by any means but I really didn’t do any form of priming in the heat. Now, I use a flat foundation brush to apply before my makeup and I can’t imagine not including in my routine. It really shines under that Dior compact, let me tell you.

I also included two rose scented lip balms because what is more luxurious than rose. Glossier’s Rose Balm Dot Com makes me feel fancy. They pair particularly well with a bit of Bite Beauty’s Lip Pencil in 10, which is just slightly mauvier than my natural lip color.

There’s quite a few newbies making their debut. There’s Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzing Makeup Base, which is as large as a compact disc. It’s the only bronzer I included. I wanted a departure from my Laguna for fall since that felt so summery to me. Also, the reformulated Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara. I picked this up from my friend Lauren who is a Beautycounter rep. I really liked this when it launched the first time so am curious how this version will fare – supposedly less smudging, thought that was never a problem with me the first go around. And, the SEXIEST lipstick ever: Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick. It has a vintage feel and I couldn’t not try it in my favorite color: a rosey nude, obviously. And, last, for my return to black liquid liner I decided to reenter in the most over the top way: Tom Ford. Here’s hoping it’s as good as everyone says.

I’m so excited to keep experimenting and will share updates along the way. Anything you’d like to see more of?

I’ve been sharing all of my beauty wardrobes on Instagram – I would LOVE if you’d join with me. #FallBeautyWardrobe on Instagram is ours for the taking. Show me your fall beauty!

That’s a Wrap, February

March 2, 2017

February was the bee’s knees. It’s never a month I hang my year on, but I’d take many more like this if given the choice. Usually the month known best for separating polar vortex from more daylight, I typically like February because it’s short. It is never 70 degrees in Chicago in February. Especially not for a week. I also ended the month in Tulum, so February delivered on all fronts.

I felt a responsibility to get outside and enjoy the city. I had ice cream. I walked so much I got blisters. In my effort to soak up the sun, I happened to stumble into Barney’s. Truthfully, shopping in store at Barney’s leaves much to be desired. At least in Chicago. I find it to be stuffy and overbearing at best. I went in there to admire Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land and was bombarded by sales folks interested in selling me other fragrances. When a girl says she’s good, believe her. Byredo’s limited pink rollerball won out in the end. Barney’s might be the only retail establishment in Chicago that didn’t remind me that my bag would be an extra .07 cents and did I prefer to use my own?

Remember when I mentioned I’d report back on Nars new concealer? Hi, reporting back to tell you it’s incredible. I fully expected that I’d be Vanilla – the shade I am in the Radiant Creamy Concealer – but I found it to be too pink. I found a perfect match in Custard for my skin but not a strong match for undereyes. It’s all good, though, because I like this best as a spot concealer. I like blending it in with my fingers because it melts into skin so easily. I press it onto redness, blend it around my nose and have even tried using it as an eyeshadow base (which works!) It has a dry airy texture that is undetectable on skin – I would recommend this to anyone with any skin type. Basically, having skin is the criteria for loving this one.

The folks at trèStiQue introduced themselves to me in February. I’d seen a few of their products – all 2-in-1 – on the endcap at Sephora but never paid much attention. I love pencils, don’t get me wrong, but had I seen them all? Was there more you could do that I haven’t already seen? Why is their name so complicated to spell out? No, yes and it means très chic. Think of them as the MacGayver of the beauty world. Everything has multiple uses and hidden compartments. The magnetic closure is also highly satisfying to hear click. I’ve been using the Color & Smudge Shadow Crayon in Venetian Gold most days all over my lid. It’s the perfect non-brassy neutral wash of color that brightens eyes. No other shadow or brush required.

You may have seen on Instagram that my Surratt curler is always lurking in the background. I was a faithful Shu user for years and eventually I wore it out. I decided to try something new – the black matte Relevée Lash Curler was a nice shift. I am a proponent of investing in a lash curler. Have you ever pinched your eyelid before? I have. It was traumatic and I justify having champagne taste with my tools. I use it every single day and the pads last a long time. I’m not going to tell you how long I used my Shu curler without changing the pads because I’m downright embarrassed.

Aveda came out with a new product called Tulasāra wedding masque, designed for overnight wear. I got the press materials and it said something like 100% of people experienced brighter skin after wearing. Say what?? It’s inspired from a pre-wedding tradition in India where the bride and groom spread turmeric paste to prep their skin for a wedding day glow. I absolutely love this and it does have an overnight brightening effect that you can see. I use it as a last step at night – sometimes hours after putting on my skincare. I envision my skin drinking it all up while I sleep. Like an extra glass of water.

What were February’s highlights for you?

p.s. Sure to be the highlight of March….Glossier launched a gel cream blush today called Cloud Paint! I am SO IN.

The Perfect Makeup Bag?

December 19, 2016

I saw a Kickstarter this summer for a new makeup bag concept called Kusshi. They call it the “Perfect Makeup Bag’ for the modern (/busy) woman. OK, intrigued. That’s me! The premise: solves everything wrong with your current makeup bag. You know how most makeup bags sit upright? Well, Kusshi’s zippers go all the way down the side so you can folds down flat and see all of your product. There’s a zippered pouch, two super handy mesh compartments to help organize your pretties. They even rethought the brush roll –different sized slots so you can store lipstick, eyeliners and other makeup beyond brushes.

I backed two beauty Kickstarters this year – Drifter Organics and Kusshi – I’m pretty pleased with both of those decisions.

I got my Kusshi in the mail just after Thanskgiving and couldn’t wait to give it a go while I went to Miami. The zipper down sides are a game changer. I don’t really have to take anything out – it’s all just there, flat for me to see. Kusshi is good for travel, sure, but I see this appealing for at home if you keep all of your products in a makeup bag. I wouldn’t say Kusshi fits more or is compact – but it makes it easier to do your makeup and keeps you organized. However, this is a sturdy bag. The nylon is thick (it also comes in leather) and sturdy. I’ve shattered makeup before (see my sad NARS blush from my August trip) so protection is key.

I opted for the black nylon and also got the leather clutch cover for my brush roll. There’s a ton of different combos – I believe all linings are red, hoping to see more options soon.

I packed this full. I only brought two base products – my Glossier Skin Tint (– > see my rep page to shop with me on Glossier!) and the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. Totally overdid it with the concealer but it won’t be the first time. Full disclosure, after I snapped these pictures I tossed both the Light and Medium Glossier Stretch Concealers in there because I didn’t want to be without them for 10 days. And you know what, I’ve already used them both so NO REGRETS!

The Ultimate Guide to Concealer

March 28, 2016

Everyone has a position on concealer. I think it’s one of those beauty products that even people who don’t necessarily like to wear makeup use. Betting we likely all have a long and sordid history with cover ups that didn’t do much but draw more attention to that which needs hiding. You’ve been there if you’ve ever taken matters into your own hands (i.e. popped that sucker) and then immediately tried to douse it with makeup. Complex matters of the face. Then there’s the figuring out your shade, which can be especially challenging if you’re ordering online or at a drugstore without testers. Finger vs. brush? Set or not to set? I’ve tried my fair share of concealing tubes, wands, pots, pens, pencils, sticks in every consistency from liquid and gel to cream and paste. I’ve formed opinions and given serious thought to all the pressing questions. Here’s what you should know.

Use Multiples. Or at least have options. Know that it is OK if you haven’t found one to do it all. I’m not totally sure that exists. Even if you find a perfect formula you might need two colors. Covering redness and blemishes aren’t the same as under circles. When I’m really showing fatigue, I’ll also use Becca’s Corrector which has a peach hue. Dark circles need that peachiness to counteract.

Pencils are Trending. This year saw a flurry of concealing pencils. I gave the Bobbi Brown Retouching Pencil a try and am surprised by how creamy it is. Sometimes you just need something to put in your purse that you can use to instantly cover a blemish.

Best at Drugstore. Maybelline is doing it right. I’m consistently impressed. The liquid Fit Me reminds me of the NARS Creamy Concealer and I like it as much. Sometimes I’ll dab this generously over my temples, sides of nose and take a fluffy brush to blend in instead of foundation. And the Face Studio Master Conceal gives full coverage but is so lightweight. I would liken this to the new Make Up For Ever concealer, without the wide color range. If you can find a match, it’s a fantastic budget find.

The ‘S’ Method. I’ve always heard makeup artists tell me to dot concealer in the shape of an upside down triangle. I never loved that, instead I just dabbed it under and up toward my temple. Then a Benefit makeup artist taught me to make an S shape starting at the corner of my outer brow, under my eye, down the nose and side of the mouth. I wrote about this here in more detail and honestly, it’s my favorite way to apply. I like to layer luminizer over it and buff the two together. I use this with all sorts of different formulas.

Fingers vs. Brush. I think both have a place. The warmth of your fingers helps blend and make it look natural but a brush can help give an airbrush look. When I do the pinpoint technique, I use the tiny brush to apply it and then press it in with my ring finger – focusing more on blending the areas around the blemish.

The Stretch Factor Maybe it was foreshadowing when Into The Gloss deemed concealers in pots to be the best because Glossier just released its Stretch Concealer in (you guessed it) a pot. I’ve been S-ing with this and the RMS Living Luminizer every day since I got my pots and I love how it wears. It moves with your face – literally stretches – and covers and brightens at the same time. The Medium shade is perfect for my face but I like Light for under eyes and along my nose.

Set if Your Eye Makeup Transfers. If you find your eyeliner or mascara transfers, it might be you have too many emollient products coming together near the same area. I like to set my concealer most days because I wear my makeup for a long time. Usually at least 12-14 hours. Use something translucent and only use a little tiny bit. I sweep W3LL People Bio Brightening Powder under my eyes and even on my eyelids.

Now, your turn. What tips do you have? Do you have a technique, life-changing concealer or opinion that we need to know about?

Pinpointing Complexion Perfection

September 29, 2015

Someone might have gone on a wee bit of a YouTube beauty bender during a recent rainy Saturday. It was perfect. I found myself wishing against the peek of sun just so I could revel in my lazy slumber a little longer. My beauty binge drug of choice was the lovely Brit Lisa Eldridge. I’m a devotee of the School of Eldridge and found myself way behind on her tutorials. After seeing her “pinpoint” conceal video after video, I got up and got to work on my own bare face. Pinpoint concealing is so smart! Ever layer on the foundation a little too hard just to cover up a small bit of redness or one blemish? Think you need full coverage but really you just need full coverage on two tiny specks. Yup. Pinpoint concealing is your jam.

Lisa always uses brushes intended for eyes rather than concealer because they are usually smaller and help to cover just a small area. I immediately grabbed my EcoTools Day to Night Set and found the perfect tool (originally intended for lips!) to get to pinpointing.

Ahh, it’s so easy and appeals to the perfectionist in all of us. Dab you brush in a thicker, opaque concealer and stipple it over your blemishes or any stubborn spots. I use my MAC Matchmaster but another good option is Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. Then, with your fingers, pat it in or use a fluffy brush to blend the edges away. It’s like instant skin retouching, but with concealer instead of software. As Lisa explains, this is a classic makeup artist trick and is perfect for everyday gals like you and me because it gives us that flawless finish without all that makeup.

And if you do need a little more than pinpointing, there is a pointed concealer brush in this kit that works quite nicely under the eye. I use it to blend out my Becca Corrector – a.k.a. awake in a pot. I love the brightening effect. And, for my constant on-the-go life, I like to slip a few extras in the brush container and throw it in my bag.

P.S. Lisa Eldridge is coming out with a book! All on the history of makeup – cannot wait.

This post was sponsored by EcoTools. All opinions and tips are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support 312 Beauty.

This or That: Budget Concealers

July 10, 2013

If I let myself loose mid-day at a CVS, sometimes I just buy without thinking. Navigating the drugstore aisles is not always easy. Sometimes I get blinders for what’s new and shiny, but perhaps not the right product for me. Every now and then I get it right. It’s only fair to share – in my opinion – the two best concealers that cost under $8 apiece!

My drugstore dream team is Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer and Revlon Photo Ready Concealer. While both billed as concealers, they’re very different in terms of use. I’ve purchased the Maybelline a handful of times already. I use the second lightest shade, Radiant, and use it under my eyes and as a brightener on areas I want to appear lifted, like my brow bone and that area on the side of my nose close to the inner corner of my eyes. It has a peachy pink undertone and is decidedly YSL Touch Eclat-ish in application (click pen) and formula (gel-like). Best for brightening but not necessarily covering up blemishes or problem zones.

As for the Revlon Photo Ready, I use it nearly daily to cover up redness and blemish marks. This was an accidental discovery. I’d been hanging on to a tube from last year that I had from a partnership I did with Revlon and InStyle for Product Girl and rediscovered it on a weekend morning while cleaning. I decided to try it again and had a total moment! I’ve since bought a new tube in the ‘light’ shade. It photographs extremely well, hence the Photo Ready, and becomes one with skin, which is what I want when trying to act like I don’t have a red dot on my forehead.

Depending on your concealing needs, one or both of these options are worth a second look at the drugstore. Anything you’ve discovered recently that you want to share? Please spill all the deets in the comments!