New Years Eve Makeup 2011!

Unfortunately my “pre-bash massage” was just cancelled – dang 😦 – so I’m writing an NYE makeup post instead!

Happy New Year’s party preparations to all of you! I’m getting ready for The Golden Era event at my father’s winery. I want to look my best, and I want you to look your best too – even if you’re not planning to go out for NYE! Here are eight steps to a flawless look:

1. Exfoliate – Perfect makeup requires well-tended skin. A week to a couple of days before the big night start doing masks, peels, and scrubs. The Cleansing Oil is also an excellent way to polish, exfoliate, and brighten your skin: Do a 20-minute massage with it instead of the normal quick cleanse. (Did you know the Cleansing Oil takes off makeup really well? Buh-bye makeup dissolver.)

Of course, hopefully you have consulted a skincare professional about what products are best for your skin. If you trust your exfoliant not to cause a breakout or irritate your skin, using one even the night before will help your skin look radiant.

My picks: Gyco-A Gel, Crystal C Serum and Peeling Cream. Just so happens two of these are January’s Product Feature with Double Rewards!

2. Moisturize – Those of you who read my blog regularly know that when you discipline the skin, you also need to use plenty of TLC. Moisturize the entire face, neck, and décolleté, as well as the eye area. Even oily and acne-prone skin types need moisturizer. Your makeup will look so much better if your skin is well hydrated.

My picks: Hy-Drate, Vitamin Cream, Chamomile, Eye Plus Cream, Lipo-Gen.

3. Prime – Every great artist knows that preparing the canvas is key. Getting the skin ready for the application of cosmetics makes the finished product look so much better. Absorb Oil Control is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin: It is an oil controller and hydrator in one. Mineral Primer will fill in the fine lines and imperfections and make your foundation last. Use Concealer around the eye area.

4. Apply Foundation – Mineral Makeup is my favorite for your base. Use a small brush for extra coverage in the areas that need it. Use a darker color to contour, like the hollows of your cheeks or the sides of your nose. Contour the eyes with shades of brown, especially if you have droopy lids. (Remember: dark recedes, light brings forward.) Highlighter under the brow bone accentuates the arch. I carry BDB Duo Concealer: it’s a pencil with concealer on one end and highlighter on the other – another “twofer”!

5. Add Color – Glitter (small particles, used sparingly) is a hot look for NYE. Aging skin doesn’t do well with glitter though. I personally like the Youngblood Mineral Makeup in the color Sunglow for sparkle and pop. Blush should be applied to the apple of the cheek only if you have a very thin and long face, so you can create width. If your face is round, apply blush on the cheek starting at the edge of the iris and swooping up to the temples and into the hairline.

Shadow color can be added next. Remember: if you are playing up the eyes, go easy on the lips, and vice versa.

6. Lashes – Right now I am playing with and loving LashSense One Step by SeneGence. It is a lash growth and conditioning product and mascara. And of course I must have my beloved

Blackout Mineral Mascara by Youngblood. I always use two mascaras. I find I get the best lashes that way. Lash Primer is also excellent for extra volume and conditioning. For those of us who need to curl our lashes, I like the MAC curler best.

7. Lips – Bright and bold is on trend for both NYE and spring 2011. You know I am partial to LipSense long-lasting lipcolor!  I’ll be wearing Plum as a base, then Brick, and the top coat will be Neutral. Because this lipcolor is applied in 3 coats, I played on my hand to find a color that matched my shoes. (Check them out: They are comfy with leather uppers – Ross!) You can create any color you want when you have the basic Lipsense colors.

As an alternative, I like recommending a lip pencil and plumping colored gloss – both by Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics.

8. Eyebrows – Getting the right shape requires professional help – at least to get you started, at best for maintenance. You’re not stuck with the eyebrows you have: You can create the perfect brows at home.  How? If you have thinning brows, start using Brow Boost right away. All the Billion Dollar Brows products rock! Cosmetics for creating the perfect eyebrows – like pencils, powders, and brow-setting gel – will transform blah brows to bomb brows!

See you at the spa!

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics

Youngblood is one of my favorite companies – and has been since 1998. Mineral Foundation is their premier product, but I carry other items (see below) in their line as well. Here’s why I absolutely love them:

• It is a cruelty-free and environmentally responsible company. No animal testing, chemicals, alcohol, or dyes. They contain no synthetic or irritating ingredients, such as artificial fragrance, mineral oil, or petroleum.

• It is made with pigments from the earth. They’re much healthier than cosmetics containing petroleum dyes. Mineral makeup is made of micronized, highly reflective crystals that reflect light to smooth fine lines and blemishes.

• Mineral cosmetics also have sun protective properties.  That means they keep your skin healthy and youthful. Minerals do not support the growth of bacteria or microbes, and pose a lower risk of allergic reaction.

• Youngblood offers a comprehensive set of the most realistic, natural-looking shades, for women of all ethnicities.

• Minerals are great for use on skin recovering from harsh medical procedures, and on problem skin conditions like rosacea, acne, and discoloration.They began in a medical context, to be used by patients with skin traumatized by laser treatments, chemical treatments, and cosmetic surgery.

• Youngblood uses rice starch as a healthy alternative to talc which is a filler found in other mineral makeup. Talc blocks pores, drys your skin, and causes irritation . Rice powder absorbs oil, sets makeup, is long-lasting, doesn’t move, and provides a beautiful matte finish.

• Clean and lightweight, it allows your skin to breathe and is non-comedogenic (it won’t block pores or cause irritation). It provides flawless coverage, you’ll feel like you’re wearing no makeup at all.
• Youngblood covers and participates in  shows like LA Fashion Week, and The Beauty Show, they provide coverage of Fashion Runways and they show up in National Beauty Magazines. This gives me confidence in the fact that they know current trends and they have a finger on the pulse of the beauty biz.

What’s in it? Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Lauroyl Lysine, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride. .28 oz $41

Check out: Outrageous Lashes Mineral Lengthening Mascara, Mineral Primer, Rice Powder and Concealer, Mineral Lash Primer

Youngblood at NYC Fashion Week 2010

See you at the spa!

5 Prime Time Makeup Musts

I’ve found some excellent priming products over the years that I love and use both at home and at work.

After all, great makeup is no accident, is not for the faint of heart, and requires attention to detail.

Still reading? Good! 😉 Let’s get started!

1.) Mineral Rice Setting Powder by Youngblood

Youngblood Mineral Rice Powder at Star Brows: This ultra-silky, translucent powder absorbs oil to control shine and diminish the appearance of pores, but doesn’t dry your skin. It prepares the skin for my favorite makeup, Natural Mineral Foundation (which comes pressed or loose). The rice powder (which also comes pressed or loose) sets a flawless, long-lasting matte finish. This unique formulation uses rice starch, corn starch and minerals, is 100% talc-free and calms and soothes the skin.

What’s in it?

Mica (CI 77019), Corn Starch Modified, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Hydrated Silica, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract. .35 oz. $22.

2.) Mineral Primer by Youngblood

Give your makeup real staying power with Mineral Primer, a lightweight, translucent blend that works with Youngblood Mineral Foundation. You will love its silk-to-powder touch within seconds of application, and be amazed at how fine lines and pores disappear effortlessly. Formulated with minerals and vitamins, the Primer also protects skin from environmental damage. Skin protection, a flawless complexion, and makeup that last all day.

What’s in it?

Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Smithsonite Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Malachite Extract, Hematite Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate. 1 oz. $37.50

3.) Mineral Lash Prime by Youngblood

This milky white lash “cream” works under mascara to create visibly fuller and thicker lashes after the first coat of mascara. The nourishing formula moisturizes and softens lashes with protein, vitamins and natural oils to help prevent lash breakage.

What’s in it?

Water (Aqua) , Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Polybutene, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oleic Acid, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil , Simethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water. .13 oz. $22

Tip: For a fake eyelash effect, apply primer to bear lashes, wiggling at the base and sweeping out. Immediately apply multiple coats of your favorite mascara while it is still wet.

4.) Ultimate Concealer

Who doesn’t need help with the skin under the eyes? Youngblood Ultimate Concealer at Star Brows is a rich & creamy, mineral formula that gives sheer to heavy coverage, while still looking silky and natural. This perfect blend of light-reflecting minerals makes the skin look smoother, draws attention away from dark circles, and diffuses tiny lines. vitamin C and E help minimize lines and dark circles, allantoin extract stimulates the growth of healthy tissue, and jojoba esters prevent dryness throughout the day.

What’s in it?

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Jojoba Esters, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil. .10 oz $27

5.) Concealer Brush

Now for my very favorite priming tip: Japonesque Foundation Brush at Star Brows – This is hot! The soft little brush dipped into a fabulous Mineral Makeup nestles into the labial folds of the nose, (new name please) and eye area. Use it any place where there are sunspots, blemishes, broken capillaries or redness, because: smaller brush = better coverage. This also helps protect vulnerable areas from UV rays, because minerals in a concentrated  area can give up to 30 SPF.

The tips I’ve given you are not just for aesthetic value, but holistic in nature – and therefore worth the time, I think, since they keep your skin and lashes radiantly healthy, as well as beautiful.

See you at the spa!