Ask the Makeup Doctor

NARS HOLIDAY - THE G-SPOT MULTIPLE

The holidays are upon us!  The makeup counters are wrapped up in their holiday glory, the newest colors twinkling and beckoning with their beautiful and glittering holiday palettes.

It goes without saying (me being me afterall!) that I've begun purchasing some of the beautiful holiday sets.  I have SO much to write about, that I'm getting dizzy. 

NARS HOLIDAY - THE MULTIPLE

First up for me this time is NARS Multiple in G-Spot.  Ya gotta love NARS and his product names!  ALWAYS gets your attention, doesn't it?  You just have to be careful where you discuss your items - you don't want to be yelling "I FOUND THE G-SPOT I was looking for" when you are out with your friends at a holiday lunch. Or - maybe you do.  Perhaps people around you might think you are in "Sex and the City" and filming a new scene or something!  (Just remember - if that happens, you are ALWAYS Samantha!)

Rose With A Hint of Gold

The G-Spot Multiple is beautiful and is indeed the gold infused rose as described on the website.  As with all the NARS Multiples, it is in a convenient twist up case, and easy to throw into whatever bag you are using that night.  I love the NARS Mulitples because you can indeed use it as lipstick or blush - and that means less to schlep around in your tiny little evening bag that is meant to hold a stick of gum and/or a toothpick and nothing more.

On my fair skin, it gives a lovely warm rose with a hint of gold - just beautiful.  It looks as though I just as if I just came in from a very cold night (which is a joke - does it EVER get cold when you are menopausal?  I think not...) and looks as though I'm beautifully flushed. 

This is a definite must have if you are looking for a creamy holiday red - that doesn't scream '"CREAMY HOLIDAY RED!" to the masses.  You will just look beautiful - and better than that - you'll feel beautiful.  And when you feel beautiful - there is NOTHING you can't do or accomplish.

Go and check it out - a beautiful red is waiting for you!  And it isn't polite to keep it waiting!

 

 

Estee Lauder - Old School

Hi!  It's me again.

I frequent a great many beauty/blog sites as is to be expected, considering what I do.

Makeup Packaging

Inevitably, I read that Estee Lauder is the "old lady"brand, and most younger girls or women aren't excited enough about their packaging to use her product. What a shame to judge the entire product by the cover.  Some of the cutest most impressive packaging have the worst possible products.

So interesting!  When I was a young woman, 20 or 21, the only brands you could buy in the department stores were Estee Lauder, Lancome, Chanel, Princess Marcella Borghese, Clinique and the incredibly modern, Ultima II.  We didn't have NARS, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Benefit, Urban Decay and all of the other brands that are now considered "regular brands". 

A Long Time Ago....

I remember going to the Estee Lauder counter at The Emporium in San Francisco.  A saleslady (now they are beauty advisors, makeup artists, sales associates - but not one saleslady among them!) introduced me to Estee Lauder's eye cream at the ripe old age of 20.  She was a good sales person, and she also introducd me to Lauder's pressed powder, and a love affair was born.

To this day, I STILL use Estee Lauder's products.  Not exclusively because there are SO many different lines, but this line still has some of the best quality products I've ever used.  My HG pressed powder is Lucidity Transparency.  Perfection for a very fair woman as myself.  In the 30 years or so since I first started wearing her powder, I've strayed, tried the newest big thing - and have ALWAYS gone back to that perfect powder.  (They'll be back. They ALWAYS come back.  What movie or book was that from?)

                                                      What's Inside?

Estee Lauder's line has reinvented itself many, many times since my first foray into her makeup line when I was 20 years old.  She has a great line - love the lipsticks, the blushes, and still prefer "More than Mascara" to any other mascara at this point.

So Bright, So Shiny!

So - yes, there might brighter and shinier and really clever advertisements and packaging on the newer brands. Some lines are fascinating with their glimmer and shimmer and special effects packaging - like a 3-D movie.  But - where's the substance?

Don't judge a book by its cover  - think of all the beauty opportunities you are missing!

If you haven't tried anything of Lauder's you are SO missing out! 

If she's been around this long - she obviously doing something right - and it ain't all smoke and mirrors!

 

Laura Mercier -My Continuing Adoration.....

LAURA MERCIER

I know I've written about Laura Mercier's makeup before.  But it is so worth writing about again.

Since I blog about makeup, there are very few lines I've not tried, played with, had crushes on, felt I was in love with - only to have to break up with them soon after we met.  *cue violins*

Not so with Laura Mercier's makeup.  I've strayed - it's my job.  But, I always come back.  I come back to her wonderful Kohl Liners (Black Violet - I cannot deny you!) and I truly cannot live without my favorite eyeshadow of all time, "Morning Dew" (hint to Laura - please, please NEVER let me see this on the Au Revoir list!)

Her newest collection is coming out, and I've already made my list. The Canyon Collection - check it out!  Look at the blush or Cheek Melange as it is called?  Oh my - I MUST have this!

In addition to the lovely color stories, Laura is my staple - I always come back to her eyeshadows - they simply just work.  I use them on myself, I use them on my clients - I might start using them on strangers on the street if I didn't think that someone would call people that would speak to me gently!

Invisible Loose Setting Powder

My newest crush is on her new light and airy powder with the fan brush. (The real name is Invisible Loose Setting Powder, but I like my description!) Instant attraction - love at first sight.  I tried it on myself (of course - that's what any makeup artist does first) and then I tried it on my clients - only to see their tail lights zooming down the street to go and get some for themselves. (Note to clients - could you at least say "bye!" before you go?  Manners, ladies, manners!)

If you haven't checked out her collection recently -  do yourself a favor, and drop by the counter and let a Laura Mercier artist work his or her magic on you. 

We all need a little magic - and what better place than the Laura Mercier makeup counter?

 

 

 

Eve Pearl

Well - hi again!

It's been another long while in-between postings, but my chronic migraines don't really seem inclined to be leaving any time soon, so while I send a pox to my migraines, I'm tapping at the keyboard once again.

Off-Broadway Brands

Many of us in the field of makeup know the regular brand names you see in department stores, as well as the pro-lines that are off the beaten path.  Myself - I LOVE makeup lines that are off the beaten path - I love discovering new products and techniques.  New to me perhaps - but many of these (what I call) off broadway brands have been around longer than I have, which always makes me happy!

Eve Pearl - The Book

Eve Pearl.  Know that name?  Heard that name?  I happened upon Eve Pearls book "Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery" a few years back.  I believe I had heard about her from "The View".  Who can resist such a title?  Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery?  Nice.  I'm all for no surgery.

This book truly is wonderful.  I purchased it back in 2004 when it was released, and constantly referring to it as a skill refresher and guide.

Eve Pearl - The Concealer

A key product that Eve Pearl is known for is her salmon concealer.  I FINALLY got my hands on the concealer a couple of months ago and it is outstanding.  So outstanding, I was enthusiastically showing a client, and ended up giving her mine. (A client and a friend - she had a new job and wanted to look her best!)

This concealer is amazing, truly amazing.  I purchased mine in "Light" and it is creamy and delightful, and does the job a concealer is SUPPOSED to do. My old undereyes (which will celebrate their 50'th birthday very soon) look spectacular.

Eve Pearl - the Makeup Line

I'm so sold on this line, that I just recently (last week) made a purchase of some staples to put into my kit.  I can't wait to try out everything in this line, because if the concealer is any indication, I've entered into HG (holy grail) territory when it comes to product.

So - bottom line - check out this book, and check out her concealer.  Read it - study it - refer to it.  She covers everything in a very easy to understand and well illustrated way.  I know you'll want to try this concealer once you've read the book.  I've already given one away, so check out her site: http://www.evepearl.com

Happy reading, and even happier concealing!

 

 

 

Makeup Can't Help?!?

Well, Hi!

Yes, it has once again been quite some time since my last post. 

By way of a quick explanation, I've been suffering from chronic migraines which have made it very difficult to post on a regular schedule.

If you've ever had a migraine, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say it can be virtually impossible to do anything else when confronted with this disability.  3 trips to the Emergency Room a month can wear anyone down - even if she wearing a fabulous lipstick!

I'm doing my best, and have a backlog of makeup info to get out to you all - and I will do this - but it takes some time.  But thank you all for hanging in there with me. 

My next migraine treatment (and I've pretty much tried everything at this point) will be Botox.  It has been ordered, and I'm waiting for the call that it is in.

My neurologist doesn't have high hopes for it, but I figure, even if I have a terrible ER Grade migraine, think just think how young I'll look!  I'm sure the good folks in the ER won't even recognize me. 

So, my posts may be haphazard, but I'm still in the makeup game. 

Speaking of which - I've tried the new Burberry  makeup line.  And - I'm likin' this new Burberry makeup line...a little too much! 

Illamasqua

I was told about this line by a new friend I met at the MAC store, but had never heard about it before. Nope - not in ANY of the multiple makeup/fashion/celeb culture magazines or sites that I had read or visited.  That alone fascinated me.  I mean, since I peruse hundreds of makeup sites as one of the many things I do for a living, (and for a hobby) you'd think I would have at least HEARD about it.

I was simply buying makeup (gee - I hope you were sitting down - buying makeup is something I almost NEVER do!) and another makeup junkie was in the store and began telling me about the line.

Of course, I was immediately fascinated.  Suddenly, I'm seeing articles about  Illamasqua, seeing Sephora advertisements about it and soon it was available at Sephora.  But only in the Sephora on Powell Street in San Francisco. 

Being in a Sephora (as you well know) is a dangerous thing.  Especially dangerous when there is a long awaited makeup line just sitting there - staring at me - no DARING me to try it.  I don't generally go to the Powell Streets store and since Illamasqua isn't sold anywhere on the Peninsula, being the good makeup junkie that I am, I immediately purchased the liquid foundation, an eyeshadow, two blushes and a lipstick. 

Many times, I will savor the makeup once I get it home. Look at the box, study ingredients, take note of the packaging and generally enjoy the experience, even as I take notes for my clients.

This time, I went for it.  Opened every box that I purchased anxious to see, smell and study the texture.

Just Say Yes to Illamasqua

Impressed - very impressed.  So much so that I immediately placed an online order for the pressed powder foundation in two different colors.  (They were out of the cream to powder in my color.)

The liquid foundation is like nothing I've tried before - and believe me, there are very few foundations that I've not tried!  (Again - hope you are sitting down!)  The color was perfect - the texture was very thick and creamy - meaning a little dab will do you!  With this type of texture, you want to make sure your skin is well moisturized, not only with a moisturizer, but also with a primer.  Or, you can do what I do..add a little moisturizer to the foundation, mix in your hand and you are ready to go. 

I'm still a makeup sponge user - though I also have and use foundation brushes on clients.  I had no problem with the foundation coverage - it did what I want foundation to do - made me look like me, only better.  The color was a good match, and it felt nice on my face.  Even though the foundation is very rich, it didn't feel heavy.

I can also see this being used in theatrical makeup - and I've already begun to calculate how much purchasing all the foundations might cost!

So much to review in such a short little blogging amount of time. 

To Be Continued.....

The Lipstick Effect

What is the Lipstick Effect I hear you cry?

The phrase The Lipstick Effect was coined in the first 4 bleak years of the depression. Let's face it.  During those years of the Great Depression (as opposed to our not so great recession) people couldn't afford anything. It meant while the economy was sinking to its knees, beauty sales - namely lipstick, were rising.

We've all heard the stories of people only eating potatoes because that was all they could afford.  Families and extended families all lived together in grandma's apartment or house. Everyone did without.  As my mother said, "...you weren't really jealous of anyone, because no-one had anything!"

The world turned into a depressing sepia toned landscape.

Affordable Luxury

But women found their bright shining technicolor life in lipstick.  Miraculously, while our economy was drowning, incredibly, lipstick sales were rising.  Somehow, someway, women would do without just about anything to have their lipstick.

New clothes?  Nope.  New shoes, handbag?  No, no!  But a lipstick?  Oh, yes!  It wasn't too much money, it was pretty, and it was something we would find a way to afford. We could stop at Woolworth's and pick up one after work.  Lipstick makes us feel better.  We stand a little taller and our confidence soars.

So, now that the nation is down, the Lipstick Effect has indeed returned. It returned after 9/11, and it is on the rise yet again.

I don't know about you, but I think I need a little lipstick in my life right now.  Doesn't have to be Chanel, it doesn't even have to be department store.  It can be from my Longs Pharmacy right down the street.

I need a little lipstick, right this very minute.

Maybe you do too.

 

The Perfect Lipstick Color

If you are like I am, you'll see a magazine cover, with their beautiful Hollywood actress, or beautiful model, look at their makeup and think to yourself, "I LOVE that color!  I really have to go and buy that" and then you quickly turn the pages until you find out what the model was wearing.

You will then see something like "To re-create this look, try using this brand's products." Then they will name the cosmetic line and the products used for lipstick, and blush and so on.

Stop right there.  Put down your car keys or turn away from the on-line cosmetics ordering section of your favorite department store. That perfect color doesn't exist. 

Makeup artists very rarely use the makeup that the magazine is advertising.  In fact, the makeup artist probably doesn't even remember how she came up with that particular lipstick color.  In truth, a makeup artist's kit is a mish-mash of several different brands, many that have been depotted from their original casing, and put into palettes of their own choice.

Makeup artists can use pro brands you've probably never heard of, right along side regular department store products and drugstore products.  So a Wet and Wild lipstick is in one well of her palette, and in the next well could be an Armani lipstick, which is next to a Cinema Secrets lipstick.  The artist will mix and match and blend and add and become a mad scientist as she creates the color needed for the look the magazine is going for, and that will suit the actress or model's coloring.

When I first found this out, I felt so betrayed.  How could my beloved makeup magazines DO this to me?  Send me on endless fruitless searches for that perfect color that she wore on that magazine cover?  I thought it was right in my hands, but when I stopped and looked at that perfect lipstick, I realized it was completely different.

So, after going through the 5 stages of denial, I had to come to acceptance.

Magazines make their living from advertisers.  Advertisers have product.  Magazines therefore push advertiser product.  That is the complicated system.  Of course, it makes sense. But tell that to a crazed woman who just KNOWS her life will be different if she just had that color.  She would be transformed into the goddess that she should be.

That impossibly beautiful color?

Impossible.