Tag Archives: beauty

Why I’m not feeling the ‘Boom’ 

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When it comes to makeup, many women have what they describe as a “go-to look.” That’s well and good, as long as that go-to look isn’t stale or boring. I’ve always been a makeup dabbler, and that’s why one-size-fits-all products such as  “Boom” by Cindy Joseph aren’t for me.

Never heard of Cindy? She’s a former model who hit the marketing bonanza with older women. Her “Boomsticks” are sheer washes of color that are supposed to adjust to any skin tone, which is kind of like the makeup equivalent of a Mood Ring. If that’s something that interests you, be sure to check out the third-party reviews on MakeupAlley.com before buying, as opinions are decidedly mixed: Reviewers seem to love Boomsticks or hate them, with little in between. In any case, if you decide to buy, remember that you’re not married to her products — you can (and should) keep things interesting by trying other looks from time to time, lest things get boring.

As for me, I like to try lots of makeup brands, colors and combinations, as the photos above illustrate. One look is light, bright and sunny. The other is deep, dark and sexy. My husband prefers the lighter look, although he’s amused and intrigued by the fact that he never knows which version of me he’s going to encounter. (This also goes for my hair color, which I’m known to switch out from time to time. He says it’s kind of hot to wonder whether he’s coming home to a blonde, brunette or redhead.)

My point? You’re never too old to experiment with different makeup looks and products. Some will work for you and some won’t. Because I have an Instagram account (Makeup_Plus_50) devoted to makeup and skin care, I try quite a few faces on for size. Sometimes I say, “This is good; I’ll wear it again.” Other times I take a quick pic for Instagram posterity and head straight to the bathroom to wash my face, saying, “Never again.”

The bottom line is that makeup isn’t permanent. It’s like playing with paints, using your face as a canvas. I see it as a manifestation of the different sides of my personality — the yin and the yang, the light and the dark, the good girl and the minx. And when it comes down to it, I’d rather be described as a little bad than a little boring.

Shake your ‘Bum-Bum’ 

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I’m off to the Bahamas in less than a week, so I’m doing all the things one must do to prepare for fun in the sun. Tomorrow is set aside for a manicure, pedicure and waxing (Brazilian –ouch!). Then comes self-tanning: I’m super pale, so I don’t want to blind anyone on the beach.

One of my beach must-haves is a heavy duty moisturizer. I’m prone to dry skin, so moisturizer is one of my best friends. My cabinet is stocked with them, each smelling better than the last. This brings me to my point: While it’s not strictly a moisturizer, I’m completely addicted to a new moisturizing product — Brazilian Bum-Bum Cream by Sol de Janeiro.

My goodness, people, this stuff is seriously good. It leaves my skin feeling as smooth and supple as silk. I can’t stop touching it! And the scent is to die for. It’s a strong, summery, beachy scent with staying power. If they bottled it as a perfume, I’d stand in line to buy it. (If you’re averse to scents, steer clear.)

As I mentioned, Brazilian Bum-Bum cream works as a quickly absorbed, luxurious moisturizer that leaves skin silky with a slight sheen. But it serves another purpose: It’s a skin tightener for — yes — the Bum-Bum. And, of course, other body areas that could use firming.

Here’s what the makers have to say:

What it is:

A fast-absorbing body cream that helps tighten and smooth the look of skin.

What it is formulated to do:
Many Brazilian creams have a secret ingredient: guaraná, a native Amazonian plant whose fruit contains one of the most potent forms of caffeine on the planet. Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is also powered by a Brazilian blend of extraordinarily nourishing cupuaçu butter, antioxidant powerhouse açaí, and super-conditioning coconut oil for irresistible, touch-me skin. The fast-absorbing texture contains just enough mica to add a perfect Brazilian glow, as the formula helps your body look and feel its smoothest and tightest.

My summation: Whether you’re headed off for a beach vacation or just dreaming of one, Brazilian Bum-Bum Cream is a must-have for all of your body parts in need of pampering.

Brazilian Bum-Bum Cream by Sol de Janeiro, $45 for 8.1 ounces, Sephora.

Shake, rattle and Hum — and hyaluronic acid 

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I’m fascinated by makeup and always have been. As a little girl, I was entranced by my mother’s cosmetics — especially the miniature Avon lipstick samples that lived in her makeup drawer. And my Aunt Emily was a wonder. I’d watch as she drew winged liner as sharp as a knife’s blade with her old-fashioned cake liner. She’d add a bit of water to the powder and a few minutes later she was the epitome of 60s glamor.

In the years since, I’ve learned that while makeup works miracles, it’s the skin beneath that’s most important. Skin is the palette and makeup is the paint — and it’s critical to keep the palette as smooth, supple and line-free as possible. After all, paint applied to a rough surface often just illuminates its flaws.

My skin isn’t perfect, but it’s in pretty darn good shape for my age. Why? Because I pamper it. I have a thorough skin-care routine and I stick to it every day without fail.  Right now, my skin is looking particularly peachy and I credit the skin-care supplements I recently added to my routine.

Every day, I consume two tablets of Youtheory hyaluronic acid and four capsules of Hum Arctic Repair. Hyaluronic acid is an anti-inflammatory that benefits joints, tendons, ligaments and skin. Arctic Repair contains oil from wild organic lingonberry seeds and promotes itself as “clinically proven to rejuvenate the skin.” All I can say is that after two months of regular use my skin is clear, smooth and even. I look better without makeup than I have in years.

I’m particularly impressed with the Hum brand. In addition to Arctic Repair, I’ve been successfully using the company’s Flatter Me, which supports healthy digestion. I’m about to try two new Hum products — Red Carpet Ready, which promotes glowing skin and healthy hair, and Skinny Bird, which purports to help with weight loss. I’ll share my thoughts on those after a month of use.

Youtheory Hyaluronic Acid Advanced Nutritional Supplement, 120 count, $19.50 at Amazon.com.

Hum products are available at Sephora.com.

Banish brassy hair in two easy steps

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Processed with MOLDIV

From platinum to auburn to golden 

Brass is great if you’re listening to a band. But the last thing those of us with blonde or gray hair like to see is garish brass tones.

I recently went from platinum to deep red to golden blonde. I’d initially planned to go all the way back to platinum, but an old friend convinced me to try golden hair because she’d liked it on me years ago. Verdict: I tried it, I liked it, I’m keeping it. The problem is that despite several bleachings, the remnants of dark red dye want to seep through after a few washings. Plus, I have a tendency toward red because it runs in the family. Both of my children are natural redheads. My daughter has golden red locks, while my son’s tresses are deep auburn — legacies, I suppose, of our Irish heritage.

I’ve found that combatting brassiness requires a two-step approach. First, I must wash my hair in cool-verging-on-cold water. Second, I regularly use a purple-toned shampoo. I have two in my shower right now, one that works and one that doesn’t.

The product I won’t repurchase is Dumb Blond Purple Toning Shampoo, which fails on two key fronts (or three if you count its name). It doesn’t completely keep my hair from turning brassy and it’s pretty drying — not a good thing when hair has been bleached.

The the product that works well is Sterling Silver Colour Care Toning Shampoo from AG Hair Care. It’s formulated to eliminate brassy, yellow tones from blonde and silver hair.  I use it three or four times per week to keep breakthrough brassiness at bay.

AG Hair Care Sterling Silver Colour Care Toning Shampoo, $18 for 10 ounces, $45 for 33.8 ounces at Ulta.

 

 

 

Finding beauty inspiration in music 

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 “And when no hope was left in sight on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do …” 

As someone who follows dozens of incredible makeup artists on Instagram, I’m consistently surprised and delighted by their creativity. While most of the uploaded eye-makeup looks are eminently wearable, others veer toward art. I’ve seen lids adorned with cats, cupcakes, animal prints, holiday scenes and even landscapes.

 I’m neither particularly adventurous nor particularly artistic, so I happily stick to less, shall we say, eye-popping motifs. The other day, though, I found myself moved by the bleak, melancholy beauty of Don McLean’s ballad, “Starry, Starry Night,” and the Vincent Van Gogh painting that inspired it. The result was a decidedly simple but romantic silver and blue lid look, courtesy of Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre in “Apparition,” a deep, inky navy, and Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Metallic Luster Liner in “Liquid Silver.”

The lesson? Sometimes it’s worth letting your heart guide your hand when deciding on a makeup look. I’m going to try to find more inspiration in my favorite artwork and music — although, of course, my eyelids will not be adorned with literal interpretations!

Listen to Starry, Starry Night.

It’s all about the (ombré) lips

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imageOmbré, or gradient, lips continue to be a thing and Make Up For Ever’s new Pro Sculpting Lip Pens make getting them as easy as one, two (and no three).

The pens come in four colors: Purple, Carmine Red, Rust and Rosewood. One side of each pen is devoted to saturated, demi-matte color and the other features a sponge tip loaded with a shimmery, powder-like shade. Simply apply the darker shade on the outer contours of your lips and the shimmer shade to the inner contours. It’s easy, quick and quite fabulous, really.

imageThe ombré effect gives the appearance of a fuller, plumper pout — and what woman doesn’t want luscious, kissable lips? Count me in!

Pictured: Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Lip Pen in Rosewood, $27 at makeupforever.com and Sephora.

The Best Damn Lip Mask lives up to its name

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 If you’re going to market your product as the “Best Damn” anything, it damn well better be good. Well, the Best Damn Lip Mask by YouTube beauty guru Nicole Gurriero is better than good.

The demand for this little pot of glam is high. I was on the wait list for about five weeks, but the delay was well worth it. This isn’t just a lip balm; it’s exactly what it says it is — a lip mask. It’s thick, creamy, nourishing and plumping, making it perfect for rejuvenating lips overnight. It’s also great for preparing your pout for lipstick. Apply it and let it sit while you’re putting on the rest of your face; your lips will be primed and perfectly ready when it’s time for your lip products.

I haven’t tried the rest of Nicole’s “Best Damn” products, but her lip mask is certainly promising. I’m ordering a back-up pot because I don’t want to be without it!

The Best Damn Lip Mask, $26 for .5 ounces, Best Damn Beauty

From short to long in less than 10 minutes! 

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 I’ve been thinking about growing my hair, but it’s such a long, aggravating process. I didn’t want to make the commitment and find out long into the undertaking that it didn’t flatter my face. Besides, I’m 56 — an age when everyone tells you it’s time to go shorter, not longer.

I had an Ulta credit, so I decided to give clip-in extensions a whirl. I figured it would be an easy way to test drive long locks before making the decision to grow or not to grow. I purchased a set of 16-inch extensions in ginger blonde, which I thought was the best match for my hair color.

The first time I put them on, I was less than impressed. Sixteen inches of stick-straight extensions made me look like nothing more than a blonde Elvira. I whipped out my trusty scissors and cut them to 10 inches, then curled them on hot rollers. Voila! A transformation I can live with.

I’m still on the fence about growing my hair, but I actually don’t find it aging. Since it only takes 10 minutes to go from short to long, I think the extensions will be fun for when I want to shake things up. Next time I see my hairdresser, I’ll take my clip-ins along so he can cut and style them.

All in all, my long-hair experiment was a fun success!

Pictured: Hairdo by Hairuwear extensions, $69 at Ulta

Mini-review: Two new skin-care winners 

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 Loving these two skin-care products that are fast becoming staples for me.
First, May Coop Raw Sauce. It’s a nourishing combination of a toner and an essence that feels lovely and comforting on my skin. The packaging is perfection — a luxe, heavy, frosted-glass bottle. Inside, the main ingredient is all-natural maple sap.

Next, Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream. I’m on board for anything that brightens my skin and Tidal does double duty by leaving it supple, moisturized and not at all sticky. It contains two forms of hyaluronic acid, which in my book is essential to keeping skin plumped, firm and youthful.

May Coop Raw Sauce, $43 for 5.07 ounces, Sephora

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Cream, $66 for 1.7 ounces, Sephora