Products of the Month - August

The Pros at IMPO love the month of August because it is still summer and we have a deep tan on our skin (achieved the healthy way)!  We use summer to revive our skin and give it a break by using less makeup and more skincare/sunscreen.  When we do wear makeup it is usually light on foundation, concealer and powder, but with vibrant pops of color on our eyes, cheeks and lips!

This time of year we tend to use multitasking makeup products that have great staying power.  Hair tends to be left to dry naturally or with a diffuser and we like to use high-end shampoos, conditioners and treatments that help protect from and repair any sun damage.  Fingers and toes are never sans Mani/Pedi with fun, summer colors that are exotic and tropical.

We also take the time to treat our bodies better by working out more, eating healthier and drinking more water to flush out toxins (and those margaritas we can’t seem to turn down)!

And last, but not least…we are sticklers about grooming our eyebrows (we are adamant about this all year long, but in the summer when our makeup tends to be less or none, it is very important)!  It is a major pet peeve of the Pros to see over growing eyebrow hair that hasn’t come in contact with tweezers in weeks or made a trip to the salon for a proper groom!

Here are the products we love for the month of August:

NYX The Caribbean Collection - I Dream of St. Lucia – 5 Color Eye Shadow Palette – these gorgeous colors are perfect for summer!  They are bold, highly pigmented and long lasting.  The yellow color in this palette is beautiful as a brow highlighter! Pops of color on our eyes while keeping the cheeks and lips sheer is our favorite beach babe look!

Tricia Sawyer Eye Slept – Instant Eye Brightener – this product is nothing short of amazing!  Notice the words “eye brightener,” which means it is NOT a concealer!  We love to use this product on those days when concealer is not necessary, but if you must wear concealer daily, use this product on top of your concealer.  It is a buildable coverage so start out with a small “dab” and use your finger to tap in to blend.  Reapply for heavier coverage!  Use under eyes and in the corner of the eyes to create a more awake looking effect!  Great as a cheek highlighter and use on the cupids bow to create a fuller lip!

DiorShow Waterproof Mascara – one of the most glamorous products available to the consumer, we live in this mascara year round!  The waterproof version won’t smear or run when you swim and splash!  We covet Black 90, but recently purchased Azure Blue 258 and love how our eyes stand out!

Nars Multiple Tints – Summer 2010 Collection – stop the press!!!  We can’t get enough of these new colors for summer!  A cult classic, we use this product to create a sheer wash of color on our cheeks and lips.  In love with Beverly Hills (watermelon) and Turks & Caicos (tangerine), which look beautiful against a healthy glow!

Embryolisse Hydrating Lait Creme Concentre for Dry Skin - Our skin drinks in this lotion year round, but in the summer when the Pros tend to spend more time outside, this body lotion re-hydrates our skin and sinks right in without intense rubbing!

Embryolisse Rich Repairing Protective Stick Lip Balm – does exactly what the name implies!  Moisturizes, repairs, protects and soothes dry, damaged lips!  Contains natural ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut, macadamia and castor oils.  Packed with vitamin E, this product makes your lips soft for hours!  Use under lipstick or gloss!

Arbonne Revelage Age Spot Brightening Hand Therapy with SPF 30 – this product is a rich protection hand therapy that shields skin against UV damage to prevent further signs of aging, skin discoloration and age spots.  Use daily and reapply frequently for more youthful looking hands.  The Pros think this product works better than a sunscreen because it is a moisturizer and blends quickly into the skin. We keep tubes of this product in our pro kits, car and personal makeup bags!  This product is sold through independent distributors so use the Internet to find a seller near you!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nail Lacquer – want your Mani/Pedi to last longer?  Try this nail varnish!  This product is quick drying, intensely pigmented and very long lasting!  We love bright colors for summer like Anime (sheer, glossy day glow pink), Grandma (bright coral) or Traffic (bright yellow).

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme, Shampooing Reviviscence, Masque Quintessence – we love to use this hair care line all year long, but especially in the summer to treat and repair sun damage or the effects of salt water and chlorine!  Behind-the-scenes on some of Hollywood's biggest studio sets, you will find Leonor Greyl responsible for many of our favorite celebrity hairstyles. Currently, hairstylists are using this line on Woody Allen’s new film shooting in Paris, which stars French First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy!  Additionally, you can visit the Leonor Greyl website and view treatments/recommendations for all types of hair issues (dry, oily, dandruff, thin, limp or frizzy)!

Jan Marini Age Intervention Regeneration Mask – topical anti-aging!   Packed with a ton of anti-inflammatories, including the new red wine longevity extract, Resveratrol and combined with a skin rebuilding peptide blend.  Results are immediate and we love to use this product after extreme exposure to the sun to deep cleanse pores and maximize our skincare results.

Jan Marini Age Intervention Regeneration Booster – 6 bottles/6 weeks to dramatically younger looking skin.  This product combines Telomerase Enzymes in combination with anti-inflammatory agents and select peptides, which have proven to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, elasticity, firmness, texture, discoloration and overall radiance, suppleness and hydration.  Use in conjunction with the Regeneration Mask mentioned above.

Lucy B Frangipani Bronzing Shimmer Oil – summer in a bottle!!!  Use to enhance your healthy tan or apply to create a sun-kissed bronzed glow without sun exposure!  Made with organic coconut, jojoba and sunflower oils and infused with Lucy B’s signature scent, you will feel like you have been whisked away on an Australian beach holiday!  We use this on our legs, shoulders and arms!

Elke Von Freudenberg – The Model Brow – do you know Elke?  Well if not, then you should make getting to know her, her blog and her website, The Model Brow, a major priority!  Elke is the best eyebrow groomer in the biz and she also manufactures the best brow products for personal and professional use.  Having groomed brows is a must and Elke can fix, reshape, touch up and tame the wildest brows.  She is based in NYC and Los Angeles, but if you are not able to snag an appointment with this guru or one of her highly-trained assistants, check out her website with tips and tricks on DIY!!  We love her Brow Tamer Clear Pomade (water-resistant)!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Use the last few weeks of summer to repair your skin and hair and get it prepped for the upcoming fall and winter months.  Remember, just because you are not seeing the damaging effects of summer sun exposure today, doesn’t mean you won’t see it in the next 6 months.  Now is the time to rejuvenate your skin and hair if you want to be drop dead gorgeous on New Years Eve!