Crème de la Crème!

The history of makeup dates back to 3500 BC when usage by the 1st Dynasty of Egypt decided that decorating a person’s eyes, cheeks and lips was consider a statement of royalty. Later, the Roman philosopher Plautus wrote, “A woman without paint is like food without salt.” However, by the 1800s makeup was mainly worn by prostitutes and Queen Victoria declared to the public that makeup was improper, vulgar and unacceptable (unless you were an actor - then it was mandatory). Whew!

Well, today’s cosmetic industry is estimated at $19 billion! That is how much we spend on making ourselves “lovely!” We have come a long way since ladies “pinched” their cheeks to look youthful and we are given a wide variety of makeup choices. Liquids, powders, gels or crèmes that come in compacts, jars and tubes are all at our fingertips! All we have to do is decide on color, texture, ingredients, smell and sometimes, taste!



Rouge (which is French for Red) or as we say in more modern times, Blush is a cosmetic that women have used for centuries and in some cases men too! Ages ago people would crush mulberries, strawberries or use red beet juice to stain their lips and cheeks. It is so much easier to stroll casually into Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman’s or the everyday drug store and purchase something sparkly, glittery, matte or shimmery. It’s so emotional, it’s so personal and it’s so necessary!



This Pro is a lover of crème blushers and eye shadows! With summer just around the corner, I will be switching to my favorite crème de la crème mainly because that when I am not on set, I plan on spending many hours at the pool, beach and river and I want to look my best without worrying about if makeup is running down my face. Plus, how many women do you see checking their faces in the mirror or primping at the beach? I hope you are going to say “none!”

Crème shadows and blusher require very little touch up and some formulas are sweat-proof, crease-proof and water-resistant. Plus, they are great for women (like me) that have more mature and/or dry skin.

We all know that adding blush to your face is the quickest skin pick-me-up and it is essential for a fresh look. Applying a crème blush should be the first makeup you put on your face either on its own or after your foundation and concealer.

Let’s start by choosing a crème blush shade perfect for your skin tone by using this helpful guide:

Fair skin – peach or pink



Medium skin – coral or rose



Dark skin – bold, bright shades



As for crème eye shadows, refer to this guideline:

In your 20’s – anything goes – glitter, shimmer, pearly
In your 30’s – sophisticated with a shimmer (glitter should be used sparingly).
In your 40’s – matte colors with a slight hint of shimmer (no glitter)
In your 50’s or over – matte colors

If you are going for an everyday look or you want to add a little color to your face while sunning at the pool or beach, crème blush and shadow are best when kept neutral and natural. In other words, save the Aqua blue shadow and bright pink blush for those hot disco nights a la Miami Beach!



Here is the quick how-to:

1. Apply skin care accoutrement (serum, moisturizer, eye crème, primer) and let soak into the skin for 10 minutes.

2. Apply full-face or spot apply foundation, tinted moisturizer and/or concealer. DO NOT SET WITH POWDER (crème products on top of powder is a big makeup NO, NO!!!).

3. Using fingertips or a taklon brush with round tip (like a foundation brush) – apply crème blush lightly and gently “stipple” or “pat” color to apples of cheeks. Build on the color if needed. Do not “sweep” crème blush onto cheeks and don’t rub into the skin (unless you are going for the slapped in the face look).

4. Choose two shades of crème eye shadow – medium tone for lid and lighter tone for brow bone. Again, use fingertips to apply by lightly tapping onto eye area and blending or use taklon brushes. Pro tip: lip brushes work well to apply color to lid area (they are the perfect shape and are small enough to get into the corner of your eyes).

5. Waterproof mascara in black coating upper lashes twice.

6. Set makeup with a light dusting of translucent powder.

7. Lipgloss in a gorgeous shade of your choice.

Voila! You are ready to hit the seashore or other outdoor activity! You can also choose to line your upper lash line with a waterproof liquid liner in a dark chocolate brown (black liner can be a little harsh with this look).



Now here is the how-to bumped up a notch:

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 from above.

3. Apply crème blush using fingertips or brush to apples of cheeks. Apply crème highlight color in a champagne shade to cheek under eye area (where the light would naturally hit). Pro tip: if you are unable to find a champagne tone in a crème blush form then use the crème eye shadow in the same hue!

4. Apply metallic crème shadow in grey and charcoal hues to lid and crease area using fingertips or small taklon brush, creating a smoky eye. Take champagne color shadow and use on brow bone. Apply charcoal color under bottom lash line and smudge.

5. Line eyes with waterproof, liquid liner in black and smudge into upper lash line.

6. Waterproof mascara in black coating upper lashes thrice and lower lashes once for definition.

7. Set with a light dusting of translucent powder.

8. Gloss lips with a gorgeous nude pinky tone.

Voila again! You are ready for a night out on the town (and you can rest assure that your makeup will last longer than your feet will in those Louboutin stilletos)!

Here is a list of this Pro’s personal crème blush and shadow favorites:

Becca – this tint has such rich pigment that it is perfect for any complexion. Super blendable and leaves an effortless, natural-looking finish to cheeks. Packed with anti-oxidant vitamin E and it is both preservative and paraben-free. Favorite colors: Turkish Rose, Hyacinth, Amaryllis, Dahlia and Terracotta.



Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow – this blush creates a sheer wash of color on the cheeks for a radiant, youthful vitality to the skin. Adds a healthy glow or slight flush. Pro picks: Bliss (rosy pink), Tansoleil (sheer apricot) and Nuelle (soft peachy nude).



Nars The Multiple – this product is an all-in-one, multi-purpose makeup stick. This product will highlight, sculpt, warm eyes, cheeks, lips and body! Talk about your one-stop shop and big bang for your buck! This Pro’s must have colors: Orgasm (peachy, pink shimmer), Malibu (pinkish brown), Riviera (sheer pink), Portofino (shimmering coral), South Beach (shimmering apricot) and St. Barts (taupe shimmer).



Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner – guaranteed to make you gorgeous as you shade and line your peepers! Total multi-tasking product that will contour and highlight your eyes for a sheer or dramatic look. Smudge-proof, crease-proof formula. The Lana are light neutral shades, The Gabbi are medium neutral shades and The Betty are deep neutral shades. My favorites: The Lana in Birthday Suit (brushed chrome), Bunny Hop (pale pink), R.S.V.P. (champagne) – The Gabbi in Get Figgy (frosted heather) and Skinny Jeans (pewter) – The Betty in Busy Signal (brown) and Strut (smoky denim).



Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow – this is a very soft, blendable, waterproof eye shadow that provides an intense color payoff! Non-creasing formula with high-impact results. Use to create a refined, natural look or a dramatic nighttime eye! Pro can’t live withouts: M Black (matte jet black), M Sand Brown (matte taupe beige), P Taupe (pearly silver) and if you really want to have some fun, try P Light Blue (pearly icy pale blue), P Light Green (light yellow green) or P Pink (light neutral pink).



PRO TIPS & TRICKS:
Are you in love with a vibrant shade of crème shadow or blush, but just can’t see wearing it on your eyes or cheeks because of the intensity? Try wearing it on your lips! Apply a lip balm first as a base and to cut color pigmentation, apply color and last, apply a clear, shiny lipgloss!



STAY TUNED:
Up next on IMPO: Are you a mineral makeup girl? Then you won’t want to miss our post on Purely Cosmetics!