Have you noticed
...how nearly all the major department stores brands have added minerals to their lineup?

...and that Mary Kay re-formulated all their eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers and highlighters a short while back to be minerals? And they brought out a mineral foundation?

...and that drug store brands added minerals even earlier?

...and that Avon and Beauticontrol each have minerals now?

And it doesn't hurt that they are supposed to be good for you.
...there are even products for correction and prevention, not just cosmetic effects.

Is there anyone who hasn't joined the bandwagon?
...or the craze as has been said.

Who was first with a home run?
...was it Bare Essentuals who changed the face of cosmetics, and did it so well that major brands took notice and wanted a piece of the pie?

...how about all the other lovely lines (in alpha order) of minerals like About Face (I've never used them), Aromaleigh, Coastal Scents (never used them yet), Fyrinnae, Joppa (never used them), Meow, Purely Cosmetics (which I haven't tried) ... the list goes on and on and on and... taking their well earned piece of the pie.

...or lines like Lime Crime , so bright it's a crime, with plenty of glitter, whether mineral or not...

For the fashion conscious
...how about all those glorious shadow and blush colors?

...no major line matches the colors that can be found in the Indie lines I've used: Aromaleigh, Fyrinnae, Meow...they just don't compare...and Hip colors, while hip (and a clever name), are not as hipster...

How about texture? Is this the next frontier?
Do you like the loose texture?
...once you get used to loose (and maybe using ziplocks) it's a synch and it's not messy.

Have you tried pressing any of them? I have not.
...Mary Kay's products are all pressed -- lovely colors too, but just not quite so Indie.

How about foundations?
You can find minerals in liquids, creams or powder form. The most popular form is likely the powders.

Purists choose by ingredient additives (or not) and by color and texture. Some lines have a much wider choice in color range -- from lightest to darkest -- and hue -- neutral, pink, yellow based... But with the ability to order samples for a reasonable price, it's not impossible to find a color and a coverage that is just what you want.

I'm not a good one to ask because I don't think the liquids or creams are that different from ones without minerals. This is the form of foundation I usually use. To be honest, BE foundations are too dark for me. And I think irritating. And because I don't like a powder or a heavy look (I prefer sheer or dewy) I haven't pursued any other lines. I'd be willing to try. I just haven't. I'm using up the BE, mixed lighter with some AL, on my neck.

Do you use mineral foundations?
What is your favorite and why? What kind of coverage do you like? Are you warm or cool complected? pale? Asian? dark?

Do you use mineral shadows and blushes?
Do you have a favorite line?

Be sure to mention any lines I may have forgotten or don't know.

One for the money, two for the show
....with the Internet so easy to access, Internet companies are giving the companies with counters or wall space a run for their money.

And well they should.

Originally posted 2009-04-06 08:47:54.

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Oh my, this website could be addictive.

If you have some time and just want to surf a really great site with some wonderful ideas, this just might be it.

Unfortunately, I don't think they sell online to the US, but the do to the EU.

The colors look lush.

And the lashes are particularly wonderful -- and wearable, while being quite avant garde.

Check out the red lip tutorial. The perfect pout, indeed.

Let me know what you think! Have you ever tried any of this brand? Do you wish you could?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-24 18:18:45.

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How about continuing to mention those things that are not flattering as we age. I know I feel this way when I see it on other women. Either we are doing it ourselves or we know someone who is.

You just have to see what works for you. Nothing is written in stone. But be willing to take a fresh look at how you apply makeup as well as the colors and textures.

Everything old is new again
If you've lived long enough, you've lived to see makeup trends recycle, but they are usually tweaked. If you don't know how they tweaked it, study it until you know.

In general, if you've worn it once before in your lifetime, it is likely not new on you, it is just old looking. Those who have never worn it, think it is new, and it looks better on them than on you. Think thick eye liner, for example. It looks harsh, the older you are, unless you have an olive or a deeper complexion. Or not.

Or it very well might work for you.

Still, again, be willing to take a fresh look at what you are doing: how you are applying and what colors you are using.

Speaking of generalities
In general, the older you are, the softer you could go in your makeup.

Soften it somehow and see what you think.

Sharp lines and colors accentuate; softer lines (smudged) and colors obscure. You can still use darks, just carefully.

Keep current
We'll talk about this a lot in SavvyThinker.

I didn't mention NYX or MAC anywhere else -- these are both current. See the eyeshadow section for other brands.

~~~~~~~~~~

Allure lists 10 beauty mistakes here with pictures.
Let's talk about them!

Thick foundation
No one likes to look at a mask -- and the more lines on your face, the more the foundation is liable to drift.

Better to have it a little more sheer.

If you are covering marks or scars, try a little more there, rather than your whole face.

I have heard that nothing adheres to scars very well, so you will have to experiment to see what works. Dermablend Cover Creme
is made to cover scars. You must use Dermablend Setting Powder in order for it to be waterproof. It does not smear on clothes. Dermablend - Cover Creme Perfection Kit is another way to try it. There are also Quick Fix Concealers in different colors.

Too pale foundation
First, use a primer. I'll talk more about this in the next few days.
Second, highlight your face. We'll talk more about this too. You already know about my sparkly powder mix.

Foundation color is very important -- to get the right hue and depth for your skin. In theater makeup, the lighter the foundation the older a person will look once you had the lines for wrinkles.

It's equally bad to use a foundation that is too dark. Remember to reassess the color between summer and winter if you are darker in one season.

Ideally, you should aim for no color definition between your face and your neck.

Choose a foundation and or powder with luminescence, because light reflects off of it. Therefore, it acts like a veil and obscures imperfections.

Heavy concealer on dark circles
Again, choose a concealer with luminescence for the same reasons as above.

Heavy concealer will only drift into your laugh lines. And it really doesn't hide.

I sometimes find that no concealer works as well as using any.

Face powder on top of lines
Don't ever powder under the eyes.

Only once did I have a MUA do this on me -- I was surprised she didn't know this. I let her do it, just to see if her powder was different. It was awful. She removed it and started again.

Better to have some moisture under the eyes. Again, it obscures.

If you are super-super-super oily, you might be able to powder. Try it and see which looks better through the day. I would tend not to powder, then use the paper blotters if oil comes through.

Blush on the apples of the cheeks
Isn't it funny how so many application tips say to put it on the apples of the cheeks. I was originally taught to put it high on the cheek bones.

Keep it at least one finger from the nose. Fade it out as it gets level to the outer edge of the eye. Fade it out into the apple area, so the blush line doesn't look unblended.

In general, choose colors that go with the red in your gums or in the palm of your hand.

Lipstick that migrates
Get an invisible liner. I like the texture of DuWop, though I also have Sally Hansen.

Heavy lipstick vs. gloss
Allure says this:

Bright colors, dark shades, and anything metallic or iridescent are too heavy for thinning lips. Instead, choose a neutral rose shade. And consider switching from a lipstick to a sheer gloss—it will give you more fullness. Allure

Here's what I think:
I use all types of lipsticks, but usually with gloss or I use gloss alone or with liner on the whole lip or I use the Beauté technique.

OTOH, I don't think my lips have thinned. I like the look of luminescence (metallic and iridescent) for the same reason as for my face and eyes. For a modern look, gloss seems to have universal appeal. Lipstick, less so. And I have a lot of lippies.

Mascara on lower lashes
Yesterday, everything smudged. But today it has not. I'm used Guerlain Le 2 today.

When Claire at Guerlain in Las Vegas did my makeover, he didn't use mascara on the lower lashes, but because he applied the upper lashes, I blinked occasionally, and this gave definition from the mascara brush. When I apply, I don't blink, so it doesn't work.

Email him at GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com for all your Guerlain needs.

When I asked Book Girl, she prefers me with mascara on the lower lashes.

Liner on lower lashes
Short answer: it depends.

It depends on your facial structure, your eyes, the colors you are using.

Right now I'm enjoying liner. Sometimes I do it differently. Just depends.

Play with it. You can always remove it.

Remember that where you place a line creates an optical illusion that that is where your eye ends.

Sparkly shadow on the outer corners
Short answer: maybe, but maybe not. Frost is a different story. It lays and reflects light differently than iridescence. Frost is old; sparkle and iridescence is new.

Allure says:

Restrict sparkle and shimmer to the inner corners, the centers of the lids, and just on the brow bones. Allure

I think you can use Aromaleigh, Bare Essentuals, and Meow anywhere you want.

I bet you could use illamasqua too. (I've never seen this UK line in person.)

I'm guessing Fyrinnae too -- my first order is on the way, and I can tell you better then.

OTOH, heightening the sparkle at the inner corner is very fresh and you see it in nearly every magazine on the models. Try it!

What do you think?
Are you doing anything differently than you did? If so, what?

Are you looking for things to improve your techniques? I am always on the lookout!

Karin

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