These days, une femme's makeup philosophy is firmly planted in the "less is more" camp. For one thing, I just don't have the time or energy to perform a complicated routine every morning. For another, I think I mostly look better without a lot of makeup.
I had been wearing sheer liquid foundations (everything from Neutrogena to Chanel) but a couple of years ago, I noticed that my skin was seeming more prone to breakouts, so I thought I'd give the mineral foundations a try. The first I tried was the popular "Bare Essentuals" line. While it did improve the condition of my skin, it also looked a little too powdery, settled into my pores and fine lines, and was just plain messy to deal with. I tried Laura Mercier's version, which is supposedly finer than Bare Essentuals, but with the same result.
My hair stylist also works part time at the MAC counter at Nordstroms and recommended the MAC Studio Fix powder compact. I was much happier with the look, and loved being able to carry along in my purse for touchups if needed without having a powdery mess all over everything else.
Then a few weeks ago I wandered into the newly opened Blue Mercury store at the mall, mostly out of curiosity. I'd never heard of it before, but it's like Sephora on Valium. No aisles so crowded that you're bumping displays with your bag, no thumping club music. They offer some spa services as well (facials, waxing, body treatments). Their products are a bit more upscale, and they carry brands that aren't commonly found in other venues. I originally was looking for a new lipstick, as I am the Queen of Lipstick/Lipgloss Junkies. The Sales Associate (herself une femme d'un certain age which is always refreshing) introduced me to T. LeClerc products, and directed me right to a fabulous cinnamon-y (but not too dark) lip color that I can wear day or night, depending on how heavily I apply. She also dusted me with the pressed powder in "Ambre", and I found my powder Vahalla. The coverage is light, but enough to cancel the shine and correct the redness on my nose and chin, and makes the pores on my nose disappear. Completely.
So now I'm hoping this store makes a go of it and stays open, because I'm hooked on the T. LeClerc products, and the selection available online seems to be sparse. I'm also hoping to make some time to get in there for a facial; once I do I'll report back.
Next up, Les yeux.
Yes, a tricky proposition. How to arrive at work not looking as if you have taken the Crayola box to one's face? I'm working on a less is more aesthetic these days, too, not only because of my time crunch. Face powder, blush, eyebrows, and lips are all I do. I was very interested in the Bare Escentuals line, but didn't have time to "make an appointment" at the mall (please!). So I tried making my own, out of a drugstore combination of Coty Airspun, Physicians Formula Mineral, and Anna Sui (that last not from Walgreens). I'm pretty happy with it these days, but I'm sure it never lasts long enough to get the most objective opinion of all: Mom's. She rushes over from work twice a week to sit with the twins until I can make it from the work-daycare-commute shuffle. She saves the day!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm thinking as we move on to les yeux, us chicks in glasses have different rules from those without. It's almost as if the glasses themselves line your eyes already! I've really gone less is more there. Eyebrows, now, they are above my frames, so they need to look groomed. But if I do anything to the eyes, it's mascara and maybe a little light shadow. Honestly, I don't have time for it, and I could never figure out how not to make myself look like a nearsighted racoon. This maybe is the crux of the issue. Looking forward to your sage advice.
The best powder/mineral foundation is, IMO, Jane Iredale. It gives beautiful, subtle coverage and it's so allergen/irritant-free that plastic surgons use it on women who've had face lifts (and their skin is in the red stage).
ReplyDeleteIt does take a week or two to learn how to apply it to get the coverage you want, but it's worth the effort!