Having trouble finding the post that has your glow powder recipe. Now that I've seen how fabulous you look in full harsh sunlight, I've decided to try some, too.
--Natasha

Thanks, Natasha, that's a wonderful compliment. I appreciate it!

It's really very simple to do and there's no hard and fast rules. Remember you are just tweaking it to be right for you.

I sparkled in sunlight before it became popular from the Twilight series!

I became more conscious of doing this on a regular basis when I came across an article about Inman. She said that the beautiful glow she has is done with makeup. I had thought it was natural -- and she is certainly beautiful! So I began to experiment with highlighting my face as she does. Younger people naturally tend to have this glow because they have a T-zone. But I have never had any discernible oil in my skin.

So yes, as you commented in another post to me, it is a bit of magic.

Why I mix my own
Loose and compact facial shimmer powder has been around off and on for a long time, but in general, I find it too shimmery for an all over look. Often it is available during the holidays, so is made for more of an evening look. I wanted something I could wear daily, that would take me from day to night.

And not all illuminating powders are created equal or are the right depth or tone. So one day I just decided to mix what I had on hand together until it was the right depth and tone and amount of sparkle, because it gave me more control over the amount of shimmer, and I've been doing it ever since.

What is shimmer or illuminating powder
First, it is not a frosted look. Frost tends to accentuate negatives, whereas illuminating powder tends to obscure them.

Shimmer or illuminating powder has some degree of glitter/shimmer in it. I prefer the tiny glitter. Illuminating powder generally has less shimmer and is easier to use for the entire face vs. highlighting only some of it. But the color isn't quite right.

It comes in loose or compact forms.

Many mineral makeup lines, including Bare Escentuals and Aromaleigh, have foundations or 'powders' with various amounts of shimmer. Some are more silky than others; most offer more coverage than I'm looking for.

The original one I had was loose and silvery, from Viviane Woodard. If it were still being made, I'd still be using that in my mix.

Why use it?
It is a fresher look.

While some lines are promoting a matte look right now, it isn't a look I desire.

At one time, a few years ago, a matte look was promoted as the only look. Now, it is one of several choices, and I'm not sure how many will take it up. Someone with a lot of oil in their skin will not stay matte, even if they start out that way. Someone whose skin is not oily should set matte finish with a damp sea sponge -- which, of course, takes some of the harsh matte away.

But there is a difference between a shimmer look and having a T-zone.

How do I use it?
I use this as the last step of my makeup, before blush, over cream or liquid foundation, in place of non-illuminating loose powder to set my makeup, but this could be the last step after mineral foundations too. With minerals, if you are wearing mineral foundation, I would only use this as the last step at the top, not for the entire foundation.

I apply very little. I use a powder brush sparingly, but a fiber optic brush would work as well.

Recipe for the mix
Container
I use a jar that had loose powder in it, once upon a time, and it has a little screen to filter how much your brush picks up, but any container would work that has an opening easy to use a brush with -- or that you could sprinkle some out onto a jar lid, for example, then use it.

How much do I make at a time?
I might mix up the whole container (like I did the last time) or a smaller amount. When it's gone, I make more.

If you are unsure of what look you are going for, make up a smaller amount, enough for a week or two. You can always throw more color or plain powder in to tweak it.

It's kind of like making frosting, if I add too much shimmer, I have to add more plain powder, so the batch gets bigger.

This batch could have had a little less glitter in it, but I tossed in too much of one kind and had to add more base powder -- and I was going to overflow the container!

Gold or silver shimmer?
You would determine for your own skin tone, if you prefer gold or silver shimmer and use it with any loose facial powder or mineral powder/foundation that is the right color for your skin tone.

Mine has some gold, because I had it sitting around, but I balance it more toward silver.

What kind of shimmer?
You can use any dry shimmer you have on hand, so long as the shimmer/glitter particles are small.

It's a good way to use up things that are just sitting around.

Some body glitter (which tends to be bigger glitter)...some of those glimmer powders for the body either in a shaker or in a wand with a brush (these are sometimes less money than ones made for the face)...minerals...even some eye shadows (white or off white with glitter)...toss it into the mix.

Why mix it with a powder/mineral?
Facial powders are generally very finely milled and silky, which allows for ease of application.

Using this as a base, you can control the amount of glimmer.

What shade of powder as the base?
Use what works for your skin tone. I mix what I have on hand from various gwp and etc.

Light beige, beiges, pinks or peach, all work fine. I think there is even some green correcting powder out there, which could be thrown in the mix. Guerlain Meteorites Powders, with the little pearl balls, have all different hues in the balls.

If you are very deep complected, you can work with a bronzing powder to start with. One of the bronzers I have is the exact color of one of my daughter's complexions. Many bronzers are illuminating anyway.

My current mix includes These are all loose powders.
Laura Mercier's Star Dust powder -- this is very pretty, but too shimmery and a bit too golden dark for me to use alone.
JLo's shimmer powder which is white and quite sparkly. The sparkles are a nice size (small), but it is very light.
Stilo's sparkly body powder in the pink color.
Clinique illuminating powder again, too dark alone.

How much glimmer do you use?
It doesn't take much!

Start with the base powder, about half the amount you'd like to finish with, in case you have to keep adding more. Add a bit of glimmer. If you add too much, add some loose powder. Test it on the back of your hand until it looks like the right mix.

What I like about mine
It is very silky to the touch. Some minerals or powders are rough or dry feeling if you rub them between your fingers. Go for silky.

Other ways

Sometimes you can get this look by using one of the shimmer compacts lightly over plain loose powder. Today I double dipped in Elizabeth Arden's shimmer powder compact, which is really lovely, after I used my own mix. A single dip would have been better.

For a fast look that is really excellent, Mary Kay offers highlighting and bronzers with a separate compact. These can be used as eye shadows also. My compact is filled with both highlighting powders (one pan has 2 matte; the other pan has 2 illuminating). I sweep my brush over all four and apply it up the center of my face. The lighter shades of bronzers would be my color. You could make a compact with a highlighter and a bronzer. The brush with this compact is good too. (Sold separately.)

Have fun!
Use it in place of loose powder -- either over your entire face or to highlight the edges or the middle. I use my mix all over. Then if I want, I re-highlight up the middle as the last step with the Mary Kay or some other one I have. I contour or bronze only occasionally.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-11 09:54:17.

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Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years. Or sooner!

I will be posting individual reviews in each category, but they are not ready to go up. This is a short synopsis.

Avon has a comparison of before and after pictures, in recent catalogs of models at different ages, with and without their products, using corrective products for their age as well as skin types. What a difference!

I showed the picture to a friend who didn't believe that makeup was all it took. But any of us who know how we look with and without makeup, know it can be the truth.

She saw a TV show not too long ago where they debunked a particular product. I believe it was for the eyes. I told her that some eye creams do what they say, see below.

Meantime I saw a beautiful black woman the other day. She was wearing blush and lipstick, for sure. Her skin was luminous. I complimented her, then said, I bet she hears that a lot.

"Yes," she said. "And I never do anything to it. I have to thank my mother and father. I am a combination of my mother and my father's skin."

As we talked further, she repeated, "I never do anything to it."

Then, the kicker: "All I've ever done is use Clinique's 3 step for twenty-five years."

It works for her! And she didn't think she was doing anything?

My adage:

It is easier to prevent than to correct.

It was explained to me once that the only part of our body that we rarely cover is our face. Everything else can be hidden. Don't crimp on your face.

Do skin products really work?
Yes, some of them really do.

Nearly all lines show before and after pictures of women who used their products over time.

Do they have to be expensive?
No, but some of them are.

Avon makes some great skin care, age appropriate. They are also leaders in research and development.

Some drug store brands work; some department store brands. Guerlain makes many great products. Clarins. Clinique. Estee Lauder. Lancome. La Prairie. Olay. Shiseido. Cle de Peau. Avon. Mary Kay. I wear them all, and I always use Viviane Woodard moisturizer (since I was 18.) I am truly an equal opportunity customer.

Do you have to wear all products from one line?
No, but often SAs want to make you think so. OTOH, some products are meant to go together.

I wear different brands for different products. I don't wear one brand-specific. I do use some products together that are meant to be used together.

I go by how my face looks or feels any given day.

What about the weather?
Yes, change moisture products when the weather changes. In general, heavier formulations of products (creams) when it is very cold or you will be exposed to wind. During hot weather, lotions or oil control products. Use this same idea for your foundation. Use a lighter one in summer.

Exfoliate your skin
Moisturizers penetrate better if you exfoliate regularly.

There are many ways to do this: masks that peel or not; Retin-A or other similar products; scrubs (gentle, please, don't use a foot scrub on your face); cleansers that contain beads (Mary Kay Timewise is great, needs no toner, and comes in different formulas); diamond exfoliators (Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion Set is great.)

Sunscreen? Limit hours in the sun.
Faithfully! I never go without it.

Don't forget your neck. I probably did for far too long. I am currently using on my neck a sunscreen I don't like on my face. Hurray, gonna finish a jar.

My favorite sunscreen is:

I am currently using one with spf of 85.

How can you tell if it is only hype?
How can I tell if I need it, or if it works for me?
If you wonder if you need it, you probably do. Start preventative early, so you don't have to correct later.

Compare your skin with and without it. See my next post, that more fully explains how to make comparisons.

If you see no discernible difference or you don't like how it smells or feels, consider returning the product. Companies don't know, if we don't return products.

Serums used before moisturizers? C-products? Copper products?
These have their place.

Fine lines around the mouth?
Chanel has a good product.

Be faithful to use exfoliation. I've written earlier about both Beauticontrol and Mary Kay having good lip exfoliation-balm sets.

How about eye creams?
Do I really need a separate eye cream?
Yes, after a certain age for sure. And hopefully sooner as preventative. Eye creams work differently than face creams.
Eye creams are made for specific problems.
If you have fine lines; if you need lifting; if your eyes are puffy, there are products specific for each.
Lifting Products
In general, lifting products can be drying (tightening), so you might need to moisturize. You might notice your lines becoming more prominent. Use a lifting product during the day; moisturize at night. Or, layer them during the day.
Puffy eyes
If your eyes are puffy from water retention -- maybe you cried or you are traveling (like happens to me, even though I use my own pillow usually -- eye creams can help this. A magic product is Chanel's Precision Eye Cream. It takes care of puffiness. I haven't found anything better. And it works better than their mega uber expensive Sublimage line.

But if your eyes are puffy from genetics because of fatty deposits, no eye cream is going to affect that. Unfortunately, to take care of that means having surgical removal. This can be done at the time of an eye lift or separately, but it is considered cosmetic as far as insurance is concerned, whereas the eye lift portion would be covered if you are having trouble seeing because of the skin sagging around your eyes. Eye cream will keep your eyes hydrated.

Don't forget your hands!
See my separate post here.

That's all for now. Anything else you want me to share?

Book Girl says I should tell you that I'm 70, that way you'd think I look great. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not 70. On good days, in good light, with great makeup, I do not look my age. We won't speak of other times.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-03-14 14:21:57.

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Chanel palettes
Chanel has brought out these collections several times now, and the colors are so close to each other that I think it took me a couple of years to realize they are actually different each season! Some are quite brown looking, a summer soleil coloring.

I have one like that, and I will show it in a couple of days. It's not my fave. I was looking for a little more color. And some browns do nothing for my eyes. OTOH, Chanel usually has beautiful colors, quite fashion forward.

The palettes are designed with 9 colors. On each side there are two shadows (upper) and one gloss (lower.) The top middle is a blush. The lower two middle are lipsticks that are sheer, like glosses. You can mix and match across the sides, or you can get a complete look by staying to one side or the other and using the blush with either side.

The Plus
The idea that you could possibly travel with one thing only, plus a mascara.

The Negatives
I doubt it's possible.

They need to redesign the lip brush to have a cap. Who wants to put it back into the velvet pouch and mess up the fabric? I thought they would have fixed this a couple of palettes ago. Surely I'm not the only one who thinks like this. What are the designers thinking?

Eyes
After using a base and Girlactik Beauty Star Shadow in Buttershine:
from right side of palette (the pinker side)
Pink on lid; silvery grey in crease and outer corners.

I knew I could change the look with blue liner, as I did yesterday, and I thought of green or grey, but I was curious how to wear this without changing or vamping the look, as most of my blacks or browns in liner would have been too harsh.

Pencil lined top and bottom: Avon cosmic brown glimmer stick, thinly on the bottom to ease any harshness. Outlined outside that line on the bottom with Mary Kay Ocean Blue, a sort of soft slate blue.

I had really wanted to stay to one side only, but I felt it was very light, so I drylined top and lower, with the brown from the left side of the palette and used that in outer corners over the silvery. The blue kicked it up just a tad, but not so you would see blue.

Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: BE Buxom, top and lower (or did I forget the lower??)

Face:
Primer: MUFE
Foundation: experimented with a Viviane Woodard white cream stick, no glimmer, with a dot of foundation (Signature A) that is too dark and yellow, mixed in (on the back of my hand, just under the index finger), before I applied it. Hey! it worked. It looked good!
Concealer: Guerlain Rose
Powder: my sparkly mix, then Chanel loose Roselight (it is matte).
Blush: from the palette

Lips from the right side of the palette using Beauté technique (in reverse). Applied the plain apricot pink first, then lightly rimmed it with the sparkly gloss on the right. It was very pretty.

Go here to see the technique in detail.

Just for curiosity

I called 4 Chanel counters in a different time zone (ours were closed) until someone answered the phone (SAKs in Las Vegas). She confirmed that no liners came out to go with the palettes, that usually in the ads they show black, but you could use grey or brown or taupe. For me, black would have been serious over kill. Blue, like yesterday would have been beautiful.

What do you think? I'd have to carry some AL glitter with me, at least, to spark it up some. But the colors are quite lush.

Tomorrow I will try the left side of this palette, take a pix, then vamp it up some. And take another pix.

Karin

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I'm beginning a series on brands of skin care that I like and whatever magic products they have. It's only apt that I start with Viviane Woodard. I have certainly used it the longest!

Viviane Woodard cosmetics was, at one time, the only makeup line endorsed by the society of Hollywood makeup artists.

It is sold by consultants or by ordering online.

All the products do what they say.
I have not used the facial scrub or the lightener. I prefer Neutragena sunscreen, but if you like a sunscreen that feels more like a moisturizer, VW's is good. It is only 30 spf, and I use one that is higher.

I have used 5 X moisturizer since I was 18. The rest of the products are in my repertoire, and I alternate with other products as I feel like it. Peruse their products and order any you wish. I haven't listed them all.

What's their theory? What makes them different?
Their theory of skin care is different than nearly every, or every other, skin care line. They feel that if you put a dish of water and a dish of oil in the sun, the water would evaporate. So, even if you have oily skin, your skin needs moisture. It does not need oil.

They felt if you could add water to your skin, your skin would be younger in appearance. But your skin is not made to hold water, or you would not be able to swim or bathe. They needed to find a way to hold water to your skin long enough for your skin to absorb it.

They do not believe in humectants, which are supposed to draw water from the air and hold it to your skin. They feel, instead, that the humectant draws water from the nearest source, which is your skin. So when you remove the product, you have actually depleted your skin.

I know some products I use from other lines contain humectants, but I like them any way. Even so, I still feel guilty when I use them!

They were an early line that had white for highlighting and darker for contouring and taught the theory of makeup application. They also had green concealer, very early on for color correcting.

Magic Product
5X moisturizer in the Moist Trio line
The original moisturizer came in only one formulation, for normal skin. Now it is available for normal to combination, normal to oily/congested, and normal to dry. It holds 5 X its weight in water, which you add by apply with damp fingers, adding more until it is absorbed. They don't put the water in the bottle, then charge you for it.

Magic Product
Facial Activator
This is an additional moisturizer to use with 5 X if you are very dry or if the weather is extreme. Again, you add water as you apply it.

Magic Product
Ultra Facial
This is a masque unlike any you have ever used. Helps firm and lift. Lines disappear or lessen for hours. Cleansing and isometric toning. Applied in a certain way, lay down for about 10 minutes while it dries clear. When you stand up, you look like a burn victim. Dampen with water to remove with water. Apply makeup as usual. Can be used as often as you wish. Can be used for a superb look for a special event.

I don't use their color or fragrance, though at one time I did.

Karin

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