Products of the Month - November

Usually Southern California is sunny and mild until December, but this entire year has been a crazy weather experience for our State, as well as the rest of the country and the world.

November has been blustery and cold.  The heater was turned on weeks ago and our skin is starting to have that “tight” feeling that we despise!  We have also noticed some dry, flaky patches of skin around our nose and chin.  It’s as if all the dewiness has been sucked right out of our pores.

We traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday too, which did not help the state of our current skin issues. Even though we are professional makeup artists and know a thing or two about skincare, doesn’t mean our skin always cooperates or that we don’t engage in some laziness every once in awhile.

It is time to rehydrate our entire bodies!  More water consumption and more moisturizer.  The Pro’s don’t want to show up to our scheduled holiday parties in a sexy dress and killer heels with patchy, scratchy, red, irritated skin, so we are reevaluating and adding to our current skincare regime (both day and night).

Winter has arrived, so here’s the Pro’s list of November Products of the Month to combat the winter blues…

Jan Marini Skin Research - Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser – not only are the Pro’s having issues with their skin, but our clients are too, so we decided to change things up a bit and add Jan Marini’s newest cleanser to our professional kits. We not only use this cleanser for removing eye makeup, but all over the face and neck to prep the skin prior to applying cosmetics.  It is extremely mild and non-foaming, which makes it extremely effective for all skin types.

Jan Marini Skin Research – Instant Refining Exfoliator – this exfoliator will immediately create a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup and because it is a resurfacer, your skin’s texture and follicle size is refined.  Non-abrasive and gentle enough to use daily (we use it twice a week), this product will get rid of flaky, dry skin and will boost the penetration of other skincare products in your regime.  This product is a Limited Holiday Edition.

SAMPAR Paris – Barley There Moisture Fluid – add this little extra bit of “oomph" to your nighttime skin regime.  We recommend applying under the SAMPAR Nocturnal Lifting Mask before bed.  The combination of the extra moisture and mask will lock in hydration and help to heel itchy, dry patches.

VotreVu – Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Cream – if you think that only your face needs more moisturizer, you are wrong!  Your neck area ages faster than your face because it has different hormonal reactors and by using a specialized formula made especially for the neck, you can help to smooth the appearance of deep-set lines and tighten saggy skin!  Toss out your turtleneck tops and keep your chin up in public!  The Pro’s keep an extra one of these on the bedside table so that we lather up at night too!

Aquaphor – Original Formula Healing Ointment – this product works miracles on extremely dry, cracked and irritated skin.  It also creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture.  If your skin is raw, chapped, chafed or if you have undergone radiation treatments, facial resurfacing or if you suffer from other sensitive skin issues, you may want to try this product.  The IMPO Pro’s rely on this ointment to heal our hands, elbows, heels of our feet and knees during the winter months.  This is also great for the lips and around the mouth to heal chapping.

JAO - Hand Refresher – this is a waterless antibacterial cleanser that is infused with lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and sage oil.  It is the only sanitizer the Pro’s use in our makeup room or trailer.  Other products wipe out good bacteria along with bad bacteria, this product’s main ingredient is Ethyl Alcohol, which is proven effective to guard against harmful germs, but doesn’t kill off the body’s natural defenses.  Plus, it doesn’t have that offensive alcohol smell and it won’t dry out your hands.  Keep a small bottle in your handbag, car and backpack.

Phyto – Masque Haute Hydration (intense hydrating mask) – do not forget about your hair this winter!  The Pro’s received this mask as gratis for our professional hair kit, but wanted to try it personally because we had heard about the amazing results consumers were having when using this product. This is an intense hydrating mask that regenerates hair and adds suppleness.  If you are prone to frizz, excessive shedding or if your hair is dry, brittle, dull or lifeless then this product can help.  Bonus – it only takes 2-5 minutes so you can add it to your morning routine!

EOS (evolution of smooth) – Lip Balm – do you have little kids or teenagers?  Do they always have chapped, cracked, dehydrated lips in the winter? If you are answering yes to these questions, then you have to try out EOS.  Kids and teens don’t like products that look industrial or smell medicinal.  They like cool, hip packaging and they must have flavor!  This product is a mom’s secret weapon to solving “ouchy” cracked lips plus it is Gluten-free, Paraben-free, Petrolatum-free and Phthalate-free, which means that this product is 95% organic, 100% natural and it is packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics – Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint – this product does triple duty by leaving the skin hydrated, concealed and protected.  The Pro’s switch up foundation in the winter and we decided to revisit a summer favorite because this product provides our skin with free-radical fighting antioxidants, calming botanicals and nourishing minerals.  It does not sink into fine lines, wrinkles and it helps combat those dry, flaky patches around our nasal labial folds and chin.

Clarins – Barocco Face Palette – it is time to add illumination to the skin during these drab winter months and this palette is up to the task, especially if your skin is dry.  There are 4 shades in this palette – pale pink, sun-kissed beige, sparkling coral and natural beige, which can all be blended together or applied alone.  This product will enhance all complexions and will bring an instant glow back to lifeless skin!

Physicians Formula – Swirl Powder – is a good drug-store alternative to the Clarins' product listed above because it is a brighten powder that will help to blend away redness.  It tops the list of Elle Magazine World’s Best Beauty Products and is great on all skin tones.  Bonus – this product is a mineral correcting powder that is talc-free.

Laura Mercier – Eye Color Pot – this product is a double-decker component that contains a cream color and matching loose color in two different formulas, which can be worn alone or together to create more intensity.  The cream shadow is not only an amazing eye shadow base, but is an extended wear color that won’t crease or fade and blends flawlessly.  If your eyes tend to water in the winter then try this product by using both colors on the lid and only the cream to line under the eye.

Eve Pearl – Black Pearl Liquid Eyeliner – this product has been a staple in both the Pro’s professional kits and personal makeup bags for years now.  It is, without a doubt, the best liquid eyeliner in a pen form that we have found.  Does not smudge, flake or dry out and it is totally easy to use.  We like to use it to tight line the upper lid in the winter and the precise brush allows for a close application right along the lash line to give the appearance of full lashes.

Make Up For Ever – Lash Fibers – this product will double your lashes and will boost any mascara.  Want full, fluttering, long lashes?  Then this mascara base is the answer.  Try it with your current mascara for instant results.

Make Up For Ever – Aqua Smoky Lash – this is a waterproof formula that provides volume and curl.  This mascara can be worn in the most extreme winter conditions and it won’t budge.  Again, if you tend to have watery eyes in the winter due to extreme wind or dryness then this mascara will work wonders for you!

Clinique – Black Honey Almost Lipstick – in returning to our fall/winter collection of lip colors, the Pro’s came across an icon product that consumers purchase every year.  In fact, there is an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey sold every two minutes, 852 sold daily, which means that over 300,000 are sold every year!  You can’t argue with stats like that!  This product is a great color for the season and because it is not quite a lipstick and not quite a gloss, it is the best of both worlds!  It is a sheer color that is moisturizing, blends well and won’t bleed.  Tip:  use a little on your cheeks for a pop of sheer color and to coordinate your lip and cheek area!

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Your complexion is key this season and into the deep winter months.  The application of foundation, concealer and powder should be light.  To create skin that looks hydrated, mix a little YSL - Touche Elcat Highlighter Pen with a pot concealer like Laura Mercier, MAC or Bobby Brown and apply/dab on with your fingers under the eyes.

 Photo courtesy: Implied Images

Get the Look - Girl Next Door!

This Pro is a lover of old black and white movies from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s! Who doesn’t love the glitz and glamour of Greta Garbo, Betty Davis, Joan Crawford, Sophia Loren or Vivian Leigh? But, my favorite is the innocence of characters created by actresses such a Judy Garland (Wizard of Oz), Joan Fontaine (Rebecca), Jean Parker (Little Women), Grace Kelly (The Country Girl) Lena Horne (Stormy Weather) and Debbie Reynolds (Singing in the Rain).

The classic “girl next door” look has been created and recreated over and over again throughout movie making history. Sissy Spacek, Cybill Shepherd and Farrah Fawcett had the “all-American” face and today actresses such as Zooey Deschanel, Anne Hathaway, Zoe Saldana, Reese Witherspoon, Gong Li, Jessica Alba and America Ferrera are considered the quintessential “girl next door,” but with a modern, sexy twist!

Back in the glory days of Hollywood, studios would “groom” starlets to fit a certain “type.” For instance, Judy Garland, who was born Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922, was signed on to an extremely long-term contract with MGM at the tender age of 13.

She was older than most traditional child stars, but the studio knew that Judy was going to be their big money-maker and they were right! “Raised” properly and photographed in a certain light with hair, makeup and wardrobe befitting a young, innocent girl, the studio marketed her image to the world and reaped a huge profit in return!

But, did you know that Judy literally “lived” on the MGM Studio lot most of her young life? Attending school with Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner and Lana Turner and growing up on a sound stage exacerbated her insecurities to the point where she was forced to wear caps on her teeth and rubberized disks to reshape her nose. I guess it didn’t help that the Studio Chief, the famous Louis B. Mayor, nicknamed her “the little hunchback!” She was “cute” and her looks did not exemplify a glamorous persona. She was a tiny little “girl” at 4 feet 11 inches, but had a voice as tall as a mountain!

Fast forward to the 1960’s when a gorgeous blonde beauty born Cybill Lynne Shepard beacame a “star” by appearing in The Last Picture Show as Jacy. She captivated our hearts and sky rocketed as a model when the trend changed from Twiggy-type waifs to more curvy “real woman” images!

Enter Breck Shampoo circa 1968 and you will discover Cheryl Tiegs, Jaclyn Smith and Christie Brinkley were among the most memorable “girls next door.” Or how about Marcia Brady? C’mon! It’s okay to admit that you wanted to live next door to the Brady family and have Marcia be your best friend, only because you had a crush on Greg and thought that by being Marcia’s friend, he would take you to the Prom! Or maybe you were a Partridge Family fan?

Our nation’s "all-American" look definitely was more defined by women (or girls) who were blonde-haired and fair-skinned, but fast-forward to the 1980’s and you will discover Molly Ringwald. She was born in a quiet little town just outside of Sacramento, California when she got her “big break” playing the role of Molly Parker on the Facts of Life.

However, her most memorable performances are portraying moody, awkward teen characters in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, which were written specifically for her by the late John Hughes. She was a freckle-faced, red head with a spunky attitude, but none-the-less, she looked more like the “real” girl next door, then that of a super model. She was believable and we as young girls in the 80’s completely identified with her and the emotional characters she brought to life.

In today’s world, our society is a melting pot of gorgeous "all-American" women with ethnicities that scream “modern world” instead of “middle-ages!” We embrace beauty regardless of skin color and are inspired by all shapes and sizes of women!

You can sport the “girl next door” look everyday! It is a simple as putting your hair in a ponytail, pulling on a pair of Levi jeans, a white t-shirt from the Gap and a pair of cowboy boots!

Gather your supplies:

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer

Concealer

Setting Powder

Neutral Eye Shadow

Bronzer

Peach Blush

Mascara

Eyeliner

Nude Lip Pencil

Lipgloss – pink, peach or nude

Product recommendations and how-to:

This Pro always recommendations prepping your skin properly before applying any cosmetics. Using a great skincare and primer is a must in achieving the “girl next door” look, which begins with clean, clear, radiant skin.

Pro Tip: This is not a “heavy” or “made-up” look – each product should be lightly applied and blended to achieve a natural face!

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer/Concealer – begin by examining your skin in the mirror and deciding if you need a full coverage foundation, tinted moisturizer or maybe you just need to conceal a few problem areas. I love Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. It is a great bang-for-your-buck giving you three products in one, moisturizer, SPF and foundation.

If you like the coverage of a foundation, try using Visiora Powder Foundation which is heavier on the skin, but may cover your skin issues eliminating your need for concealer and a setting powder. Visiora also has more of a pink undertone, which can create a natural flush to your skin possibly ruling out the need for blush color.

This Pros concealer recommendation is Benefit Cosmetics, Realness of Concealness box, which contains every possible product you could possibly need to conceal a skin flaw! This little kit has a mini collection of Benefits’ most coveted concealers such as Boi-ing, Lemon-Aid, Ooh la Lift, High Beam and Lip Plump.

Setting Powder – it is a makeup “rule” that you must set any crème product before applying a powder product. If you do not follow this step you will most likely look like a “streaky” mess. Tricia Sawyer Beauty’s Sheer Diffusion Cotton Powder is an amazing loose, colorless setting powder made of finely milled cotton. It is formulated to control shine throughout the day making for less touch ups!

Neutral Eye Shadow – This Pro loves Bobbi Brown’s newest take on nude makeup and it is a Fall Season “must-have!” Bobbi’s Nude Eye Palette will effortlessly take you from day to night with universally flattering selections of nude shadows. With three different textures; soft matte, lightly pearlized and metallic shimmer.

To achieve a "girl-next-door" eye begin with the lightest shade of Navajo eye shadow as an all-over wash from lid to brow. Add Chino in the crease and use to line the lower lash line right at the waterline - blend. Finish with a wash of Beige Linen Shimmer all over and blend.

Eyeliner – to complete your natural eye look use a super soft eyeliner pencil. iNuovi Cosmetics makes a great waterproof liner called Fluid Liner and this Pro loves the color Café. This is a perfect liner in pencil form for the “tight lining” technique of the upper lash line area. It is smudge-proof and gives a high pigmentation of color. This product contains Jojoba and cottonseed oil making it very easy to blend. Once set, this liner will last all day with no need for touch up!

Bronzer/Blusher – using a bronzer to enhance your cheekbones and give the illusion of a tanner skin tone, I recommend CoverFX Bronzed FX because they come in an amazing range of color making it easy to achieve a healthy, sunkissed look. Apply lightly under cheekbones and temples across forehead and chin.

On the apples of your cheeks use a gorgeous and warm peach-toned blush like Chiffon from iNuovi Cosmetics. This product line comes in an array of colors making it easy for women of all skin tones to find a peach colored blusher just right for them!

Mascara – you can use either brown or black mascara for this look. This Pro recommends embracing CoverGirl Lash Blast, what could be more "all-American?" Not only is it a fantastic formula that makes your lashes full and lush, it is a drug-store item, which means your wallet will love you!

Nude Lip Pencil/Lipgloss – Smashbox Cosmetics makes an amazing Nude Lip Liner that is ultra creamy! In Fair, Light, Medium and Dark, you will be able to find a match to your lip tone creating a natural, defined look. This product works with any lip color and will make your gloss last for hours.

NARS Cosmetics is this Pro’s favorite when it comes to lipgloss! Complete your look using colors such as Striptease, Stolen Kisses, Sunset Strip, Supervixen or Sweet Dreams!

Following the above instructions will give you a fresh face, wholesome, "all-American" look of the "girl-next-door!" One that will make even Hugh Hefner stand up and take notice!

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

Groomed eyebrows are an important part in creating a clean look. Make sure you pluck, wax or thread away any stray hairs. Keep them in place with an eyebrow gel and fill in with a matching eyebrow pencil or powder if they are sparse or if you have over plucked!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: step into the unique world of nano-technology, aromatherapy, high-tech ingredients and discover SAMPAR! Learn how to treat and change the effects of environmental pollution on your skin!