Beauty Solutions: Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Once upon a time, before face primers were readily available to everyone, I was at the airport waiting for my flight and decided to go digging through the duty free makeup counters. I found Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base and I fell in love with it right there and then. I've gone through tons of jars since then and trust me when I say it was some of the best-spent money makeup-wise during my teen years.

The Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base smooths lines and open pores and makes applying makeup super easy. It helps to control shine, but it won’t control it on it’s own. According to Clarins, it works because “acacia Micro-Pearls sink into wrinkles and fine lines and increase in size as they absorb moisture naturally released by the skin, smoothing its surface. Plant key ingredients and Vitamin E protect the skin.”

Once you open the little jar it comes in, you’ll find a light-salmon kind of mousse that melts right into your skin. It comes with a tiny little spatula for sanitary reasons and for the comfort of those who have longer fingernails! A little goes a long, long way and you can use it alone, under your foundation, or mix it with your usual foundation. If you use powder foundation and are worried that it might slip if you use primers that are not powder or are not sticky, rest assured that it won’t happen. As an added benefit, you makeup, no matter the texture it has, will last a lot longer.

I’ve tried a lot of primers since I first tried this one and I’m always temped to go back to it.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration "

Micky

Makeup 101: Foundation, Blush And Bronzers

To find the best color of foundation for your skin, you absolutely MUST test it on your jaw line. Testing it on the hand, arm, or wrist is NEVER a true match. Eye-balling it through the bottle is doesn't work, either.


I find that the best applicator for liquid foundation is your clean fingers or a foundation brush. Use a sponge only for blending. Sponges have a tendency to soak up foundation instead of smoothing it out on your skin. For thicker foundations, a sponge may be necessary to help spread onto the skin.

Loose powder like Skin Smoothing Loose Powder is typically best when needing to set your foundation. Check that the color is not too dark for your skin. This will give an unnatural look. A foundation that is too light will look terrible in pictures, but too dark a foundation will look even worse.


If you have oily skin, stick with an oil-free or oil-absorbing make up or powder. Be wary that skin oils can actually change the color of the foundation you are applying. Avoid foundations that are too yellow. They may create an orange cast to the skin.


Apply loose powder with a velour puff in a "pressing" action for extra coverage and staying power. Press enough powder into your skin, avoiding the immediate eye areas, until you look like a powdered doughnut. Then lightly dust off the excess. When your skin warms up, you will have a natural finish without looking made up.

Choosing a blush color really isn't that hard; it is probably the easiest color to decide upon. It's unfortunate that there are so many unnatural colors on the market. The purpose of blush is to give the skin a healthy glow. I don't know many people who blush brown. Most look better in a color that has some sort of pink to it, although some women look better with a warmer color, Especially those with red tones in their hair. Both Posietint and Baked Matte Satin Blush are beautiful options.


To apply blush start with the apples of your cheeks. Find them by smiling. Start there, and blend backwards straight into the hairline. Blend into the skin so the application does not seem obvious.

If you feel that you are too pale and are afraid of self-tanners, you may want to try a bronzer. These come in loose and pressed powder forms, as well as sticks, gels and mousse. Ulta carries Mousse Bronzer and it looks amazing! Look at yourself in bright light. Where does the light hit you? Your forehead, the tops of your cheekbones, nose, jaw line, etc. This is where the sun would most naturally color the skin. Apply the bronzer sparingly to these areas.

Now that you've been educated on Foundations, Blushes, and Bronzers you are now ready to apply your makeup safely!

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

-Suzanna

Make Up Your Mind Missy!

Smokey Eye Look

Yesterday I got all glammed up to go shopping in the city (that’s what Brooklynites refer to Manhattan as) and decided to put on a Smokey-eye look while on the B train. Earlier that day I was running behind schedule and didn’t have time to apply on makeup before stepping out. I missed the express (Q) train, and figured what the heck – just do it while on the way. With little primer in tow I pulled the Smokey eye look in just minutes; then I worked backwards and applied foundation and lip gloss. I accidently left my concealer at home, but was able to pull this look off with the assistance of some random guy on the train. He kept looking at me so I asked him to hold up a mirror for me while I went to work. He was the perfect assistant: followed directions well, extremely helpful and we chatted about makeup. Believe it or not I didn’t get his name. But when I got off the 34th Street/ Herald Square stop I saluted him a bon voyage. I stopped at Forever21, try on some tops and vogued for the camera while in the fitting room.

Here’s what I’m wearing
Concealer: I’m not wearing any remember!?!
Foundation: NARS Oil Free Foundation in Trinidad (Of all foundations that I’ve used thus far this one matches my skin perfectly!
Primer: NARS Makeup Primer SPF20
Eye Shadow: Sephora’s Smokey Eye Palette
Mascara: Benefit Cosmetic’s BADGal Waterproof Mascara in Black
Lips: NARS’ Duo Lip gloss in Orgasm/ Hustler….. The color that I’m wearing is Hustler
Eye Pencil: Anastasia’s Perfect Brow Pencil in Ultimate Brown

Cheese!!!!