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From sample to shelf: Beauty PR that worked

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unnamed (8)My makeup and skin care addiction results in lots of beauty samples. They’re the mini packets and whatnots that come in paid beauty-box subscriptions and with orders from Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom and the like — not the full-size products and nifty gifts sent to top beauty gurus. I can’t imagine reaching that kind of nirvana because at my age I’m pretty much outside of the desired demographic.

In many ways, marketers for beauty companies have it easy. Their products are easily sampled, unlike the products of most major corporations. For example, I’m a senior writer for a large, well-known U.S. insurer — perhaps even the best known (think “lovable duck”). Insurance companies can’t send out sample coverage for potential buyers to try. Instead, they have to prove they’re the best the old-fashioned way: with good customer service and by paying claims quickly. That said, not every beauty product is an easy sell. Sometimes sample packets are too small to have meaning. For example, skin care products generally don’t produce overnight results, so one- or two-use samples must be stellar to be convincing (although they’re useful when packing for vacations).

By my estimation, I make one full-size purchase for every 25 products I sample. Here are some recent products that went from sample to makeup shelf:

  • Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Cleanser and Creme Rinse Conditioner. I received three samples of this cleanser/creme rinse combo and the third was the charm. I had good hair days each time I tried the samples — my hair seemed to have more volume, bounce and shine. That was enough to convince me to pull the purchase trigger.
  • Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. I’ve mentioned before that my lashes seem to “eat” mascara. I don’t know where the mascara goes; it just seems to disappear from my lashes as if it was never there. They’re Real! gives me both volume and length, plus it stays in place until I take it off.
  • Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes. This mascara sat in my sample drawer for months until I decided to give it a try based on YouTube recommendations. The reviewers were right: It makes my lashes look long, fluffy and flirty — and even the non-waterproof version stays put.
  • Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer: Too Faced is one of those companies that offers generous, frequent samples. I tried this primer after a sleepless night. (I’m somewhat of an insomniac.) The primer lived up to its promise to leave my complexion brighter, more moisturized and “awake.” I don’t use Hangover Rx every day, but I reach for it if I’m tired, dehydrated or wearing a foundation that’s somewhat drying.
  • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation. I wouldn’t have tried this foundation without the benefit of a sample. Truth be told, I loathed the original formula. I even purchased it twice because people raved so much I thought I’d missed something. When the reformulated version was released, I shrugged because I figured it would be much of the same. But no! After trying a generous sample — enough for about four days of wear — I realized the new version was the bomb. In fact, I liked the liquid version so much I also purchased the stick version for travel.
  • Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. I received substantial samples of Kat von D’s signature lipstick in two shades, Bachelorette and Underage Red. I’m one of those women who doesn’t like to reapply lipstick often, and I found the samples long-wearing and comfortable. As an added bonus, I received favorable comments from strangers when I wore them. I now have about eight shades in my collection and couldn’t be happier with their performance.
  • Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme. I received a sample of Le Marc Lip Creme in So Iconic as part of Sephora’s loyalty program. I loved the formulation: It was rich, creamy, long-lasting and made my lips appear pouty and plump. I purchased full sizes in three other shades and they’ve become my favorite lipsticks.
  • Beach Walk perfume by Replica and Orange Sanguine from Atelier Cologne. Tiny one- or two-use spritzers of these scents were included in separate Sephora orders. Beach Walk has a clean, fresh fragrance that does, indeed, smell like the seashore. Orange Sanguine is a close-but-not-quite-there approximation of heady orange blossoms. I purchased travel sizes of each and discovered they smell wonderful both separately and together.

Lesson learned: Shop your sample drawer! You won’t love every product, but if you’re like me you’ll find some hidden gems.

Cancer upped my beauty game — and what I learned can improve yours

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unnamed (7)Having breast cancer at a relatively young age changed me in many ways. Some were large: It helped me to recognize my strength, better appreciate the people and places I love, and taught me to live more in the present. It also changed me in smaller ways: I’m more patient, more at peace with myself and much more relaxed about “the small stuff.”

Another thing that changed after cancer and chemo was the way I look after myself on a daily basis. Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I kept my skin clean and marginally moisturized and that was about it. But six months of chemo left me looking older, tired, gray and determined to do something about it. In some ways, having cancer at 40 helped me look better at 56. Here are some things I should have been doing before cancer that I now do religiously — and they’re things you can easily do to look younger and healthier, no matter what your age:

  • Exfoliate: Keeping your skin clean is one thing; bringing new life to your complexion is another. Exfoliating does the job by removing layers of dead skin cells that accumulate over time. It can help with acne, speed up the skin’s renewal process, reduce the appearance of pores, and even lighten age and sun spots. It also allows you to get your money’s worth from serums, moisturizers and other skin products by removing debris on the skin’s surface, ensuring products penetrate more deeply. Products to try: Clinique Exfoliating Scrub, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate, Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub
  • Tone: Many people skip the toning process because they believe it’s simply not necessary. I use not one, but two, toners as part of my morning and evening skin-care routines. After washing my face, I use an acid toner to aid in the exfoliating process, followed by a moisturizing toner that rehydrates my skin. Products to try: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Glow Pads, Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Pads, First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (acid toners); Josie Maran Nirvana Hydrating Mist, Caudalie Grape Water, Murad Resurgence Hydrating Toner (moisturizing toners)
  • Mask: I’m a great believer in skin-care masks and try to have one or two “beauty nights” per week. Masks do everything from smooth and brighten to moisturize and exfoliate. Whether you’re using a peel-off mask, a traditional wash-off mask or an all-in-one sheet mask, the process is quick and easy. You can multi-task by making mask time work with your television viewing: In most cases, you can apply a mask during one commercial break and remove it during the next. I’m also a fan of “sleeping” masks — the kind you apply at bedtime and wash off the next morning. Products to try: Ole Henriksen Blue/Black Berry Enzyme Mask, Tony Moly I’m Real Rice Sheet Mask for Clear Skin, Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cel Bio-Repair Mask, Freeman Feeling Beautiful Tea & Lemon Clay Mask, Formula Get Your Glow On Brightening Peel-Off Mask
  • Scrub and moisturize: I’m talking about lips. Crusty, chapped and dry lips are simply unattractive, and trying to cover the problem with lipstick or gloss just makes it worse. Your lips deserve just as much attention as the rest of your face: Smooth, plump, moisturized lips are younger-looking lips. Products to try: Lush Lip Scrub, Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant (scrubs); Kaplan MD Lip Mask, Dior Creme de Rose, Tony Moly Lip Balm (moisturizers)
  • Curl: Your lashes, that is. I didn’t appreciate my full, long lashes until I lost them during chemo. They grew back after my treatment ended, but never regained their previous lushness. In addition to using an eyelash-growth serum, I curl my lashes. Doing so makes the lashes appear longer while giving my eyes a more wide-awake and lifted appearance. Products to try: Shue Uemura Eyelash Curler, Shiseido Eyelash Curler, Kevin Aucoin Eyelash Curler, Sephora Show Curl XL Lash Curler for Round Eyes (my favorite)

Gimme some lip: Five top lipstick shades

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Back row, left to right: Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, MAC, Smashbox Front: NYX

I was a rather late arrival to the lipstick game. When I was in high school and college, the natural look was in and — thanks to the hereditary benefit of a naturally pink pout — I rarely wore lip products at all. I never got into lip glosses (too thick and gooey) and lipstick required touch-ups throughout the day, which was something I just couldn’t be bothered with.

As I got older, however, two things happened: First, I discovered that the right lip shade can work wonders, particularly in terms of brightening an aging face. Second, lipstick formulas changed. Today’s lippies don’t feel nearly as heavy and waxy as the old formulas that made my lips feel like they were suffocating beneath a heavy, uncomfortable film. What’s more, the latest formulations are longer-lasting, reducing the frequency of touch-ups.

Today, I have a rather large collection of lipsticks, ranging from nuder-than-nude to fiery reds. Here are a few of my current favorites:

  • Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink: This is my favorite pink nude. It’s also my most spendy lipstick, purchased at the crazy price of $50 for the tube. It’s a good thing this was a “Sorry, not sorry” selection. It’s creamy, has the perfect amount of sheen and is a lovely beige-pink shade worthy of a classic Hitchcock blonde.
  • Marc Jacobs Le Marc in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: First, let’s talk about the case: It’s sleek, curved, sexy and magnetized. The lipstick inside is sexy too — it’s a deep rosy shade with beige undertones that promises 10 hours of velvety, hydrating wear. Ten hour is stretching it (in my experience, no lipstick holds on for that long), but I love the way it makes my lips look smooth and full with a slight sheen.
  • MAC Red — MAC makes a wide array of gorgeous reds. While Russian Red and Ruby Woo get the lion’s share of raves, I’m partial to the simply named “MAC Red.” It’s a vivid, bright, blue-red with a satin finish that makes my teeth look several shades whiter. Simply named … simply gorgeous.
  • Smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer in Fuchsia — Generally, the glossier the lipstick the shorter the wear. The Smashbox Be Legendary formula is different in that it goes on like a lacquer but turns into a glossy, long-lasting stain. When I think of fuchsia, I think of a punchy, in-your-face reddish pink. This is a kinder, gentler, muted fuchsia — a shade so pretty that strangers stop me to ask what I’m wearing on my lips.
  • NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick — Anyone who knows me knows that I’m partial to matte, liquid lipsticks because they’re so long-wearing and never need a lip liner. My favorite from among the new, very affordable NYX entry into long-wearing matte brigade is Tea & Cookies. Pinky browns are all the rage, but sometimes they’re too brown on me. This shade has just the right combination of pink and brown and the color doesn’t budge, even during a meal.

A+ in August: 9 beauty favorites and a big ol’ flop

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It’s time to say goodbye to the summer but not to the heat in the southern United States. It’s hard to think about fall when the thermometer is hovering near 95 and the humidity makes the air feel like a thick, steamy wool blanket. Still, this is my favorite time of year because it means football season has finally arrived. I can’t wait to be in the stands Thursday night when my University of South Carolina Gamecocks kick off against the University of North Carolina (known around these parts as the “other” Carolina).

I tried quite a few beauty products this month and for the most part my luck was good. Let’s get down to business and talk about what I liked best and what luxury product just didn’t cut it for me. First, the good:

  • Josie Maran Nirvana Hydrating Treatment Mist — Did I mention that it’s hot outside? This Josie Maran spritz features both Argan oil and coconut water, two products that nourish and brighten the skin. I use it multiple ways: after toning and before applying my serum to help my skin better absorb the product, at the end of my makeup routine to keep my skin from looking too powdery, and throughout the day to renew my complexion. It’s cooling and refreshing and the pump is perfect for spraying a fine mist.
  • Sephora Show Curl Eyelash Curler for Deep-Set Eyes — My eyes are steeply curved and I’d never found a curler that was able to capture the lashes around the bend (at the outer corner of my eye). What’s more, the shape of most curlers didn’t track my eyelids, resulting in lots of pinching. This curler is just perfect: It captures all of my lashes and gives them the perfect curl with no pain.
  • Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiller Primer — This is a rediscovery for me. I’d moved on to other primers, thinking that newer was better. But after revisiting the Dr. Brandt version, I remembered why I thought it was so great. I alternate this with the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer. The Dr. Brandt contains silicone, so it hides pores and makes foundation glide on smoothly. The Too Faced product is more nourishing; I use it when my skin feels dry and dull.
  • Lorac Pro Metal Palette — Tiny but mighty! I love discreet lid glimmer and this palette does the trick. From bright gold to copper to rose gold, green and navy, it gives a bit of sheen to every eye look.
  • Dior Addict Fluid Shadow — This mirror-shine liquid can be used as a shadow or as an eyeliner. It’s super long-lasting and luxurious. For maximum shine, simply paint it on your lids and let it dry. For a less glossy look, blend it into your lids with a firm brush.
  • Glam Glow Thirsty Cleanse Daily Treatment Cleanser — This product goes onto the face like mud, then turns into a lightly foaming cleanser when water is added. It’s great for dry skin; it leaves it clean but not stripped. Ingredients include yellow clay and coconut water. (Again with the coconut water!) It has a pleasant smell that I can’t quite identify. Honey buns? Cinnamon toast? Something yummy from the bakery, for sure.
  • Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color — Liquid lipsticks are all the rage and I have quite the collection. I like them because they’re long-wearing, color-drenched and don’t require a lip liner. Some of them, though, can be quite drying. This product from Sephora is long-lasting and color-saturated, but there’s moisture there too. It’s great for those days when you want matte but not too matte.
  • Tom Ford Cream Cheek Color in Pink Sand — This blush is rich, long-wearing and the perfect shade of pink with peachy undertones. It provides a healthy, hydrated glow that looks like it comes from within. It’s from Ford’s limited-edition summer collection, so if you’re interested you should buy before it’s gone.
  • Quay Australia Fleur sunglasses — Quite a few of the top beauty bloggers have been sporting Quay (pronounced “key”) sunglasses, so I assume Quay’s PR department is working overtime. Nevertheless, I saw this model on the adorable YouTuber Kathleen Lights and had to have them. They’re affordable, well-crafted and unique. I really like them!

And now for the big flop: I want my skin to look brightened and slightly dewy on occasion. I sometimes have problems reaching that ideal without crossing over into greasy. I heard great things about Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base (that’s a mouthful). However, this is simply one of those products that doesn’t work for me. Instead of illuminating, it leaves me looking dry and more wrinkly than I actually am. Darn it.

Bonus favorite: Summer is a slow time for television, so I often use it to catch up on shows I missed. Right now I’m completely hooked on “Hell on Wheels.” It’s about westward expansion in the U.S. shortly after the Civil War and centers around the lives of the men and women building the cross-country railroad. From Indian Wars to illness to debauchery and skullduggery (plus a hot, conflicted hero in Anson Mount), it’s got it all. I’m binge-watching on Netflix.

Foundation quest: The neverending search for the perfect makeup base

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History is full of great quests — the quest for the New World, the quest for the Fountain of Youth, the quest for the Holy Grail. My quest is much humbler, much smaller. It’s the quest for the perfect foundation, and it’s neverending.unnamed (4)

When I was young, it was easy to settle for almost any foundation. I didn’t appreciate my youthful, normal, poreless skin nearly as much as I should have. It was the perfect canvas for any foundation, from drugstore to high end and everything in between.

Starting in college and continuing through my 20s, my go-to foundation was Estee Lauder’s Fresh Air Makeup Base in Ivory Mist. It’s still sold today but, sadly, no longer works for me. As I aged, my skin changed. It became less even, both in terms of color and texture, and fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores slowly claimed territory.

Let’s be honest here, in terms of skin complaints, mine are relatively minor. People — even strangers — often ask how I keep my skin in such good shape. The answer? I’m serious, deadly serious, about skin care. I exfoliate, moisturize, mask and do all of the things the experts tell us to do, and it’s served me well. Still, finding the right foundation is a bit like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears: They’re either too dry or too dewy; too short-lived or too cakey; too sheer or too mask-like.

With that in mind, I have to say the past couple of months have been a bonanza for women searching for the perfect makeup base. Several companies have launched much-heralded new products and revamped existing ones. Like any foundation-seeker, I’ve tried several.  While I’m not ready to vow undying devotion to one, there are two inside-the-park home runs, as well as a double and a strike out. Let’s start with the top performers and work our way down (and out):

  • Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate — This is one of the new breed of highly pigmented, serum-style foundations, and I can attest that a drop or two provides full-face coverage.The finish is matte. Very matte. In fact, users should be sure their skin is hydrated before applying or they’ll end up looking dry and a bit ashy. At least, that’s the way this product worked for me. I found that mixing a drop of my Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer into the foundation before applying gave me a more flattering, less flat finish. Although the Re(marc)able foundation promises to last up to 24 hours, it didn’t last that long on me (more like eight hours before it started to break up in the area around my nostrils). All in all, though, this is a full-coverage, long-lasting foundation that I like very much and will continue to wear.
  • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation — This is billed as an improved version of the company’s original HD foundation, and I can attest that it is indeed better. (Count me as one of the people for whom the original just didn’t work.) I very much like this updated formula. It provides medium, buildable coverage coverage that, while not dewy, isn’t as matte as the Marc Jacobs foundation. Both products feel light on the skin and neither settles into my fine lines and wrinkles. I’m alternating the Make Up For Ever with the Marc Jacobs product and like the MUFE slightly more, primarily due to the finish and because it’s slightly longer-wearing.
  • Too Faced Born This Way Foundation — This makeup base is billed as oil-free and completely undetectable on the skin. It also claims to be full coverage and long-lasting. I have to say that upon initial application, I thought I was in love. The finish was impeccable, perhaps due to the presence of one of my favorite skin-care products, hyaluronic acid. Unfortunately, Born This Way didn’t wear well for me as the hours passed. It broke up on my nose, around my nostrils and on my forehead, and ended up looking cakey by the end of the day. I’ll continue to wear it on short, light-activity days because it looks so nice for brief periods. All in all, Born This Way starts out strong but falters in the home stretch.
  • MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation — Let’s face it, MAC isn’t known for its foundations but I had high hopes for this one. I mean, nourishing and waterproof? That sounded perfect for my somewhat dehydrated skin and the broiling-hot, humidity-filled South Carolina summers. It was lovely at first, but broke up in large patches on my nose, chin and cheeks after just a few hours. I wore it several times with different primers and setting powders, but it wasn’t for me.

For now, I’m sticking with the Marc Jacobs and Make Up For Ever products, with a smattering of Born This Way thrown into the mix. As the weather cools down, I’ll give some other near misses — including a couple by Nars and two from Giorgio Armani — second chances. Meanwhile, the quest for foundation perfection continues …

Let’s talk trash. Beauty trash, that is.

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I’m an admitted beauty junkie. Makeup, skin care, bath products … I love them all. I try to use my purchases until the last drops are gone — unless, of course, they’re complete duds. Then I just count my losses (and lost money) and move on to something that works. After all, when it comes to beauty products, it’s foolish to continue to use one that doesn’t live up to its promises.

That said, the products I’ve recently used up were all good enough to finish. Some I’ll buy again. Others, while not complete fizzles, won’t make any future shopping lists. Without further adieu, let’s talk trash. Beauty-product trash, that is.

  • Benefit They’re Real! Mascara — Without a doubt, this is my ride-or-die mascara. It both lengthens and thickens my less-than-impressive lashes, making them appear more voluminous than they actually are. It has the added benefit of staying in place until I remove it. I can’t say that about most mascaras, because my lashes have a tendency to make mascara mysteriously vanish (an oddity matched only by the disappearance of socks in the dryer). I’ll repurchase. In fact, I already have.
  • Estee Lauder Little Black Primer — This product arrived on shelves with lots of fanfare. It promised to tint, amplify and — wonder of wonders — lock curl in place. Some users gave it great reviews but it did absolutely nothing for me. I won’t repurchase.
  • Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum — Do you hear that? It’s the sound of angels singing. This high-end serum promises brighter, renewed skin and a smoother, more vibrant complexion. And, yes, it delivers. I’m a terrible sleeper, but Good Genes makes my complexion look well rested and alive. I will repurchase, but I’ll wait until Sephora’s next VIB Rouge sale because it’s pricey at $105 per ounce.
  • Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser — Another winner from Sunday Riley. This clay-based cleanser steeped with Vitamin C promises to make skin look clear and flawless — in other words, ceramic smooth. I wouldn’t go that far, but I will say that it made my skin look more “even” and reduced the appearance of pores. A definite repurchase.
  • Bath and Body Works Georgia Peach & Sweet Tea Body Scrub — I usually like BBW products, but this one wasn’t impressive. Despite the presence of shea butter, my skin didn’t feel particularly moisturized. The scents — peach and sweet tea — are two of my favorites, but they just didn’t work here. I purchased two and gave one away. ‘Nuff said.
  • Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Cleanser — Chalk this one up to experience. I purchased several Michael Todd products because they were all the rage among beauty gurus. I later realized that in some cases the raves were essentially paid advertisements. This product, along with the Cranberry Antiox toner, was the best of the bunch. That said, I prefer Biore’s Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser to the Michael Todd version and the Biore is much cheaper. No repurchase.
  • Rapid Lash and Revitalash — These products worked for me — not individually, but in combination. I didn’t notice any lash growth until I began using Rapid Lash in the morning and Revitalash before bed. Will I repurchase? A definite maybe, because they did work. I just switched to Latisse, so the decision is on hold until I see how it performs.
  • Christian Dior Instant Cleansing Water — This is Dior’s version of the popular micellaire water. I use it with a cotton pad to remove makeup before going in for a deeper cleanse. I enjoyed the Dior version, but keep returning to my go-to brand, which is Bioderma. That’s good news, because the Dior version is $38 for 6.7 ounces while the Bioderma is around $26 for 16.91 ounces. I’ll stick with Bioderma.
  • Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Eye Cream — I purchased this on a whim when it was discounted at Sephora and found myself really liking it. In addition to a bunch of trademarked ingredients such as Energinseng and Lightscramble Luminospheres (Say what?), it contains cucumber juice. Bottom line: It reduced puffiness and undereye circles. I’m trying a couple of other products right now in search of “The One,” but I’d consider repurchasing.
  • First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads — These easy-to-use pads contain lactic and glycolic acid, which are super for brightening the skin. My favorite product of this type is the Dr. Dennis Gross version, but Dr. Gross’ pads are quite pricey. To make them last longer, I alternate them with a less expensive version, such as the First Aid Pads. While the First Aid version is fine, I also like the Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Pads because they contain hyaluronic acid. For now, I’m sticking with the Dr. Dennis Gross/Nip & Fab combo.

Walk with me down makeup memory lane

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Horizontal stripI was oohing and aahing over my latest eyeshadow palette (the Zoeva Cocoa Blend, for the record) and started thinking about my first eye kit. It was a little Maybelline set that came with three shadows, mascara, a brow pencil and cake eyeliner. I didn’t ask for it. I’d just turned 14 and my mother surprised me, saying it was for special occasions and church on Sundays. I came home from school and it was lying on my bed in all of its glamorous glory. Somehow it was more special because it was so unexpected.

I’m a child of the 70s and makeup was different then. There were no Ultas or Sephoras, so there weren’t as many options to choose from. Most of us — mid-70s high schoolers just starting to sample cosmetics — were drugstore shoppers. Maybelline, Cover Girl, Coty, Bonne Bell … their ads and the models who appeared in them are etched on our brains.

While most of the products of my youth live only in memory, a few have stood the test of time. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, for example, was the holy grail of mascaras back then. I remember devoting myself to applying coat after coat, because long lashes were the thing. No one I knew wore false lashes in the 70s. Image4-6_ppThe look was supposed to be fresh and natural — think Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley and Cybill Shepherd. While blue and green eyeshadows were de rigeur in the early 70s, by the mid-70s the eye look was more subdued. Subtle browns with heavy mascara and lightly smudged eyeliner were the thing. Speaking of eyeliner, the heavy lifter from my college days is still sold today: Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencils. They were particularly good on the lower lash line. (The girl in the photo is me, demonstrating the mid-70s natural look! Notice the bare lips. If I wore anything on my lips at all, it was a sheer wash of color.)

Next, let’s talk about the hair. In my high school years, it was all about scent. There was Body on Tap (beer enhanced!); Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific; and my personal favorite, the heavily fragranced Sunshine Harvest Shampoo from Clairol. It came in almost overpowering scents including raspberry, peach, lime, strawberry, honeydew and tangerine. I remember thinking the bathroom and hallway smelled delicious for hours after I showered!

When I entered college, my love for fruity shampoos dissipated. I loved the Flex brand — and the commercials featuring Jerry Hall in a magnificent white satin cowboy suit with blowdryers in the holsters — and Farrah Fawcett shampoo from Wella Balsam. I was almost embarrassed to buy it, but my college roommate and bestie swore it did wonders for my hair!

Loves Baby SoftWhen it comes to fragrances, my high school days were marked by Avon’s Sweet Honesty, Love’s Fresh Lemon and Love’s Baby Soft. Actually, I loved the Baby Soft ad more than I loved the product. I wanted to wear the dress modeled in the ad to my junior prom and my mom did her best to replicate it. I remember being unhappy because she modified the neckline to make it more modest. (Yep, that’s me again in the photo at left.) When I reached college age, I went for scents that in my mind were more adult: Nina Ricci’s L’Air du Temps, Halston — I think every female college student in the 70s had a bottle of Halston — and Cinnabar by Estee Lauder. I have a bottle of Cinnabar in my collection today and still love it, but my college roommate (her again) says it smells like an old lady.

I hope you enjoyed my little trip down cosmetics memory lane and that it reminded you of your own early experiments with makeup. What about you? Are there any products you recall with particular fondness?

Chill out: Beauty and skin care for maximum cool

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Looking hot is one thing; being hot is another. This time of year, when the temperatures soar and humidity adds to the misery, I can get a bit cranky.

Unfortunately, my husband and I operate on different sides of the thermostat spectrum. He’s always cold. I’m decidedly not. This makes for some, shall we say, heated debate over the air FullSizeRender (3)conditioner setting. I maintain that if he’s so cold, he can always put on another layer. But hot is hot and there’s no way to cool off other than cranking up the AC.

Fortunately, some companies are getting the “being hot is misery” message. There are more products with cooling properties on the market than ever, and they’re absolutely my cup of iced tea. Interested? Then you might want to check these out:

  • Cool Off Citrus Ice Towelettes — These individually packaged wet wipes promise to cool the body down by as much as 12 degrees Farenheit and maintain the chill for more than 60 minutes. Funny story: A close friend of mine was traveling to China and fretting about the heat, so I shared a few of these towelettes with her. It turned out the heat wasn’t the only issue — the public toilets were of the “squat” variety and didn’t feature toilet tissue. At a critical moment, she rummaged through her purse and whipped out a towelette. She reported experiencing a lingering cooling effect down south. Amazon, $19.00 for a pack of 12.
  • Yes to Cucumbers Cooling Hydrating Mist — This 96 percent natural product offers instant cooling thanks to aloe and cucumbers, as well a feeling of instant skin hydration. Ulta, $10.99.
  • Hand Chemistry Hyaluronic Body Mist — Similar to the Yes to Cucumbers product, this all-over body mist provides a nice cooling sensation. The effect lasts longer than the Yes to Cucumbers version and also is more moisturizing, perhaps because hyaluronic acid is a key part of the formula. Amazon, $19.99
  • Keep Your Cool Skin-Calming Gel Mask — This product promises to keep skin cool and calm, thanks to the presence of cucumbers and coconut. While it feels lovely on the skin, I wouldn’t say it’s exceptionally cooling — unless, of course, you store it in the refrigerator. In that case, it’s delightful. , $5.99
  • Rituals Samurai Ice Shower Cooling Shower Gel and Cool Hair Shampoo — These feel somewhat cooling in the shower and the feeling intensifies afterward. Nothing drastic; just a light cooling effect. These products have a nice, unisex scent attributed to Japanese bamboo and mint. Amazon, $15.99 for the gel and $19 for the shampoo.
  • Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pops Eye Sticks and Chanel Stylo Fresh Effect Eyeshadows — Not only are these among my favorite cream shadows, but they have an extra bonus: They generate a distinct cooling effect as they slide onto the lids. The Marc Jacobs version attributes the chill to an infusion of “pure Alpine snow water from the Swiss Alps to hydrate lids and leave them with a soothing sensation.” The Chanel Stylo promises a “lightweight, water-infused formula that glides on effortlessly and cools lids at the touch for instant comfort.”  Sephora, Marc Jacobs, $28. Nordstrom, Chanel, $34.
  • Chillow Original Cooling Relief Pad — The Chillow gets mixed reviews but I love mine. This product is a memory-foam-filled pad in an outer case that provides a cooling sensation when filled with water. I give mine extra oomph by keeping it in the refrigerator during the day and sliding it into my pillowcase (on top of my pillow) when I climb into bed. I sleep cooler, deeper and longer and am never without my Chillow during the summer months. In fact, I keep a spare for extra-hot nights. If I wake up in the early morning hours to find Chillow No. 1 has gotten a tad warm, I pad to the fridge for the backup. (By the way, the Chillow retains its water — you just have to add another cup or so every few months due to evaporation.) Amazon, currently marked down to $12.69 from $29.95

Chill out, dear readers! Until next time …

A dream is a wish your heart makes: My fantasy beauty and skin care shopping list

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Everyone has beauty wishes. Sometimes we have money in our pockets to make them come true. Other times we’re short on funds and simply daydreaming. This is a wishing and hoping day, so I’m adding products to my fantasy shopping list. Here are the items 7a4f88dbc523c6e35b53c2a6bf11af68currently on my “when my ship comes in” roster:

  • The Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Collection — This is my be-all and end-all. Why? First, because Charlotte’s products are simply amazing. I own the Film Star Bronze and Glow Palette,the Eyes to Mesmerize pot in Cleopatra, several Color Chameleon eye sticks and, best of all, my go-to nude lipstick: Bitch Perfect. You simply can’t go wrong with Charlotte, and the Norman Parkinson Collection is what my heart yearns for. Gorgeous products, gorgeous packaging and the gorgeous Jerry Hall. I’m a child of the 70s and don’t just want this collection; I need it. Desperately. I just hope my ship comes in very soon, because the products are limited edition.
  • Zelens Skin Care Products — I’ve heard nothing but great things about Zelens and I’m a fiend for skin care products. No matter how outstanding your makeup products or how talented you are at applying them, they’re never going to look as good as they should without the foundation of great skin. Top wish-list picks: Triple Action Eye Cream, Youth Serum Concentrate, Z-22 Absolute Face Oil.
  • Makeup Geek Eye Shadows and Blushes — I haven’t tried this line yet, but I’ve seen many beauty bloggers and YouTubers create gorgeous looks with Makeup Geek products. Beggars can’t be choosers in real life, but in my fantasy life I’d order the Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette, the Foiled Eyeshadow Set and the Blush Starter Pack.
  • Tom Ford Beauty — Tom Ford is, well, Tom Ford. His taste is impeccable. His designs (especially his bags) for Gucci were and are to die for. His makeup line is no less desirable. I own several pieces from the summer collection and, trust me, the quality is superior. What would I add to my trove? The Cognac Sable and Ice Queen Eyeshadow Quads and lipsticks in Cherry Lush and Pink Dusk.
  • Wayne Goss Makeup Brushes — I love me some Wayne Goss. His beauty advice is classic, ageless and honest. And, as I’ve said before, he’s charming and easy on the eyes. His makeup brush collection is luxe, handcrafted and cruelty-free. I’d choose the face and eye sets.

So there you have it: The products I’d add to my makeup and skin care collections today if money were no object. What about you? What items would you purchase to make your beauty dreams come true?

Cheap and easy: Top drugstore beauty products

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FullSizeRender (1)“I went to Target for shampoo and ended up leaving with a blender, new pajamas, a couch, four kids and a car.” – Author Unknown 

If you’ve ever been shopping at Target, you know how easy it is to get carried away and spend much, much more than you intended. The same is true — for me at least — when I head to the makeup counters at Sephora, Nordstrom and Macy’s. What’s really horrifying is how easy it is  to drop a bundle at high-end stores and walk out with the tiniest of bags to show for it.

My friend Leslie recently asked whether I purchase makeup at the drugstore and the answer is, “Heck, yes!” While I tend to stick to higher-end foundations, moisturizers and serums, my makeup stash is augmented by dozens of drugstore finds and favorites. Here are some top budget-friendly bargains:

  • Best blush — Milani Baked Blush, hands down. It’s smooth, color-saturated and long-wearing. My favorite shades are Bella Rosa, a deep rosy pink; and Luminoso, a gorgeous, glowing peach. You’ll findFullSizeRender them at Rite Aid and Walgreen’s for about $8.
  • Best eyeliner — No doubt about it, it’s L’Oreal Silkissime. It’s creamy but long-lasting and you have time to adjust or smudge it because it doesn’t set right away. It comes in 10 shades and the cobalt blue is particularly pretty. Silkissime is available in drugstores everywhere for about $9 (just don’t ask me how to pronouce it).
  • Best foundation — My favorite is Bourjois Healthy Mix, which provides a long-lasting, hydrated and luminous-but-not-greasy finish. It’s hard to find in the United States, so I order mine from Amazon for $15.99, which includes free shipping from the United Kingdom. If you don’t want to go to that extreme, another favorite is L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, which offers long-lasting, complete coverage. You’ll find it at drugstores for under $13.
  • Best lipstick (long-wearing) — This is the most difficult category for two reasons: I love lipstick, so it was difficult to narrow down my choices, and lipstick is where many drugstore brands excel. If forced to choose, I’d go with the NYX soft matte lip creams (under $6), which are super long-lasting and come in an amazing array of opaque shades; and Maybelline Super Stay 14-Hour Lipstick (under $9) because it’s non-drying, creamier than most long-wearing lipsticks and never looks cakey. Drugstores everywhere.
  • img-history-1950Best lipstick (creamy) — I prefer long-wearing formulas because I don’t like to reapply often throughout the day, but no list of drugstore lippies would be complete without Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, and specifically the Cherries in the Snow and Fire and Ice shades. Cherries in the Snow is a gorgeous blue-red that was introduced in 1953. Fire and Ice is a warmer orange-red that was introduced a year earlier, in 1952. There’s a reason these shades are part of makeup history and have been best sellers for more than 60 years. Check your local drugstores.
  • Best skin care — Soap & Glory is one of my favorite skin care brands. It offers a long list of products ranging from shower gels and body moisturizers to facial products. My top picks are the Make Yourself Youthful Eye Cream ($20), which I use under makeup during the day; and the truly wondrous Scrub Your Nose In It, a T-zone scrub that leaves the face bright and tingly cool while unclogging pores ($12). Another favorite is Indeed Labs’ Hydraluron Moisture Jelly ($23), which contains hyaluronic acid. It provides moisture without leaving skin feeling sticky or greasy. Soap & Glory products are sold at drugstore.com; Indeed products are sold at Ulta.