The Office star, Mindy Kaling, is by far one of my favorite actresses on television right now. I might be a tad biased because I do love seeing anyone Indian on the big or little screen, but she is seriously so talented, SO funny, and so much fun to watch. Kelly Kapoor-I love ya!Kaling showed up to support costar, Steve Carell at the premiere of his new movie, Despicable Me (which I'm SOO excited to see). Kaling looked fresh and summery in her blue romper and side-swept ponytail.
Makeup artist, Carola Gonzales used NARS Cosmetics to create her fresh-faced turn on the yellow carpet. Gonzales says, "they have an amazing new collection with great colors for women with the same skin tone as Mindy. The look I created is perfect for daytime make-up. Not too heavy but enough to make her face pop. It's a great fresh summer look".
The new collection looks great and I'm excited there are plenty of shades to help accentuate and compliment brown skin tones. Very necessary and lacking in the beauty market right now!
Here's what Gonzales:
SKIN: Gonzales prepped her skin with NARS Pro Prime. She says it's great for matifying the skin and keeping your makeup in place all day. She then applied NARS Sheer Matte Foundation in Macao, which was a perfect match to Kaling's skin tone. NARS just came out with an amazing variety of foundation shades, so finding her best match was easy. On Kaling's cheek, Gonzales dusted NARS Taos Blush, which made her cheeks pop.
EYES: On her eyes, Gonzales used the Bajasthan Eye Shadow Duo, a new compact from their latest collection. Gonzales applied the lighter shade all over the eyelid and then accentuated the crease with the darker shade. She then applied individual Ardell lashes in "medium." to the top of the lash line and applied mascara after adhering lashes to make the eyes stand out more.
Love NARS Cosmetics, like I do!? Check out my backstage interviews and coverage during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week of NARS at 3.1 Philip Lim, Victor dE Souza and my exclusive meeting with NARS founder, Francois Nars. He' such a super star and totally looks the part! I got tons of behind the scenes pictures and saw all their latest products.
Hey, check out the creepy-girl hand above! Ok, lets pretend it's not that creepy-girl creepy and it's more like the dainty perfectly manicured hand of an angel. K, better! Anyway, I've been experimenting with some new festive summery nail hues lately. While some of you might think my hand looks like a giant pastel Easter egg, I HOPE others dig the color as much as I do! It's the soft, flattering shade, Do You Lilac It? by OPI. The color came out evenly and looked fun and different against my skin tone. I've been dying to try a Shellac manicure but in the meantime, a fabulous manicure by yours truly will have to do. I'm loving fun, unique colors right now so experimenting with out-of-the-box tones is the name of the game. Fear not friends, I'll be trying on plenty more shades in the coming weeks!
What fabulous summer nails trends have you been sportin' recently? What hues can you not live without and what do we need to run out and get right now!? Dish dudes!!!!!!!! You know you want to!
With summer officially here, the number one beauty concern seems to be clean, blemish free skin. Summer equals hot, sticky, sweaty weather-which is in no way conducive to wearing or keeping makeup on let alone hiding a big honking zit. It's key to get your skin cleared up for the summer so you can frolic along with minimal makeup and flaunt your healthy glowing skin on its own.
According to BellaSugar, there are some key differences in the two main acne fighting ingredients on the market: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Knowing these differences will help you to get the right products for your skin and prevent potential breakouts caused by using the wrong one. Who knew your acne wash could be exacerbating your breakouts!
-Both are great acne fighters and the most affordable treatments on the market.
-Almost any drugstore will have products that have one or the other in them.
-One type might clear up one type of acne, while another might not and might even make it worse.
Benzoyl Peroxide:
-Benzoly Peroxide is made up of benzoic acid and oxygen because that's how the product breaks down on contact with your skin.
-The oxygen helps kill P. acnes , the bacteria that helps cause acne.
-Benzoic acid dries and exfoliates the plugs of dead skin and sebum that inflame hair follicles, causing breakouts.
-Benzoyl is sold in concentrations up to 10 percent, but studies show that concentrations of 2.5 percent are just as effective and much less irritating than stronger ones. [*I disagree with is-see below]
-Benzoly is a powerful product that can penetrate pores but is also very drying.
-If your blemishes are deep under the skin, red and or pus-filled (eww), go with benzoyl because you'll need something that kills bacteria and also exfoliates deep down (BellaSugar recommends Neutrogena On-the-Spot Treatment and Proactiv –both benzoyl based).
-If you have sensitive skin and light acne, benzoyl could be too harsh on your skin and could make your skin issues worse.
Salicylic Acid
-People with sensitive skin and blackheads should use salicylic acid.
-Salicylic acid, like benzoic acid, is a good peeling agent, but is gentler on the skin and lacks the oxygen to help kill bacteria.
-If you have lots of blackheads but no breakouts or closed "comedones"-(medical term for icky whitehead), salicylic acid is the best choice.
My product picks: I love B.Kamins Hydrating Acne Wash which has salicylic acid and lactic acid and is great for oily, combination and normal skin types. If you've got acne but need a cleanser for sensitive skin try Clarifying Cleanser by Skinceuticals. The salicylic acid and glycolic acid help make it effective but it's extremely gently on your skin.
*I personally disagree that benzoly is just as effective in concentrations of 2.5 percent as it is in concentrations of 10 percent. . I swear by B.Kamins Medicated Acne Gel which contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. I have used their version with 5 percent benzoyl peroxide and it's definitely not as effective.
Thanks to BellaSugar for the great article and useful info!
So, what acne products do you use? What has been effective for you and what has not helped at all? Share, my fellow beauty buffs!
When I go to stores like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters or Sephora, I always need to put extra blinders on when I get into the checkout line. That's when they really try and get you with their tempting, seemingly inexpensive accessories and cosmetics! These not-so innocuous headbands, miniature perfumes and tubes of lip gloss always lure me in and somehow I always end up finding these last minute goodies at the register with me.
I was, however, pretty excited when I was in line at Anthro. (trying desperately to avert my eyes)and spotted a familiar brand in fancy new packaging!
Smith's Rosebud Salve-one of my all time favorite lip balms now comes in a tube! I've gone through a few of the originals tins (and while they have a wonderfully long lasting lifespan), the OCD part of me has always craved a more germ-friendly tube. Something about dipping my finger into the salve and then smearing it all over y mouth after using public transportation always got to me!
Luckily, nothing but the OCD-appropriate tube has changed. It's the same soothing formula and smell. The tube still works miracles on not only your lips, but also on your cuticles, cracked/dry hands and feet and randomly annoying flyways and cowlicks.
So, if you're planning on making a trip to Anthropolgie (you know you are), get excited about heading to the checkout line and scoring your favorite balm in a fancy new outfit!
This little thing was too irresistibly cute not to post. I found little Mr. Clive-the miniature piglet on one of my favorite blogs, Best Week Ever (yes, they have a blog now). Mr. Cutie-Pants was featured on The Graham Norton Show on [insert British accent here] BBC America. Clive's owners threw on some stylish wellies (that they took off a Paddington Bear doll) so the little guy wouldn't be all muddy. Ha! Not gonna lie, getting emotionally attached to this very proper little piglet doesn't make me want to eat bacon any less. Is that totally sick!? Anyway, thanks to Clive's owners, who are sick enough to dress up their future breakfast into an adorably stylish little piglet outfit.
If you're a True Blood fan like I am, you're more than excited for tonight's episode. I wasn't sure where the storyline could have gone after the eventful (to say the least) last season but the first few episodes have proven there's plenty more excitement and mystery to explore in Bon Temps. Last week, everyone's favorite sassy-pants vampire, Pam, rocked some very serious blood-red lips. Fitting for an episode and show that is drenched in the stuff on a regular basis.
Pam (Kristin Bauer) looked particularly vampy while sporting NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned. The satiny magenta stain looks fantastic on a range of skin tones. I personally also love the more scarlet shade Cruella, which I wear when I want to add extra drama to my look. I love how it compliments my shade with its orange undertone and makes me look super glam like I'm ready to hit the red carpet. The lip pencils pack a strong punch color so very little is need when applying it on and it'll stay put for hours. The creamy pencil acts as a lipstick and lip liner and gives a precise line that's easy to shade when you want even more red.
Check out the other shades available in this gorgeous and easily portable crayon pencil and enjoy tonight's episode!
Happy summer people! It's officially official, summer is here and we can finally all bask in the hot, sticky weather and enjoy plenty of icy beverages and grilled yumminess. Now that it's socially acceptable to break out your head to tow white ensembles and frolic around in itty-bitty swimwear, it's a good time to chat about your number one accessory for the season: your skin.
Properly protecting your skin from the sun is the best piece of advice any doctor or beauty professional can give you to help keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. There are so many misconceptions about when and who should be wearing sunscreen and what the actual effects of prolonged sun exposure are.
Myths: People with darker skin tones don't need to wear as much sunscreen and are less susceptible to skin cancer; you only need to wear sunscreen when you're lying out by the pool or on the beach; you don't need sun protection when it's cloudy out. Between all the questions we all have about skincare in the sun and what products work best, I thought it would be a good time to enlist professional help.
I enlisted the help of dermatologist, Dr. Heather Woolerly-Lloyd, an acclaimed and renowned doctor, who is frequently quoted in various medical journals and beauty magazines (she was recently featured on Oprah.com). She’s also the former Director of Ethnic Skin Care at The University of Miami and has focused especially on developing effective treatments for cosmetic concerns related to skin of color including blemishes, brown patches, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation. I asked her all my burning skincare questions (best sunscreens, SPF, sun protection under makeup, etc). Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What are your top 5 favorite sunscreens? What makes them good for women (not greasy, looks good under makeup, not too smelly) and how often should you apply it?
A: For everyday use-just apply in the morning. It is optional to reapply in the afternoon. For outdoor use (i.e. hiking or beach) reapply every 2 hours.
1.Aveeno Positively Radiant- it’s a lightweight moisturizer with sunscreen and also contains soy to even out skin tone.
2.Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch-it’s great for outdoor use and has excellent broad-spectrum coverage when you don’t want to get any sun.
Q: Should you only use products with Helioplex? What is Helioplex protection?
A: Helioplex is a complex that provides long term UVA coverage. Most sunscreens run out of UVA coverage in 2 hours. This provides long term UVA coverage. Helioplex is great for people with melasma because their condition gets worse with any sun exposure.Every sunscreen has its benefits (see my list above) so it really depends on your needs whether you should use helioplex. I recommend it for people who have melasma or people with extreme sun sensitivity. Also mexoryl, the ingredient in Antehelios, offers long term UVA coverage.
Q: Many women don't want to wear sunscreen under makeup because it looks oily, it smells and they are going to be sitting in an office all day. How should one properly apply it and what products avoid these issues?
A: All of the sunscreens that I listed above can be used easily under makeup. But for people who don’t want to apply lotions, you can always use a mineral makeup (like Colorscience) that has sunscreen in it.
Q: I seem to break out when I use sunblock. Why is that and what can I do to prevent that?
A: You could be allergic to one of the ingredients in sunscreen. Sunscreen allergies can cause little red bumps, redness, stinging or itching. If this is the case, then you need to switch to physical blockers such as Vanicream Sensitive Skin. The most common sunscreen allergies in chemical sunscreens are to the ingredients such as avobenzone and oxybenzone so you could also look for sunscreens that don’t have these ingredients.
The other option is that you have acne, and the oils in the sunscreens cause you to get pimples. Then I would suggest the La Roche Posay Antehelios 60 Ultralight Sunscreen Fluid, which is extremely lightweight and does not cause acne.
Q: What makeup brands with SPF do you like? What are your opinion on makeup with SPF?
A: I like the mineral makeups with SPF such as Colorscience. These are great for people who don’t like to apply sunscreen lotions.
Q: Some skin creams have an SPF in them. Do you recommend these or do you think it's important to put on sunscreen on separately?
A: I highly recommend moisturizers with sunscreen for everyday use. They are easy and convenient. For people with melasma or extreme sun sensitivity I recommend a separate sunscreen.
Q: The biggest issue I notice with mineral makeup (that has natural SPF protection) is it makes my skin look chalky and white because of the zinc. Are there any products you like that don't have this issue for women with darker skin tones?
A: This is an ongoing issue and I don’t think anyone has completely solved this problem yet.
Q: People with dark skin tend to have bad under eye circles. Why and how do you prevent this?
A: Sometimes daily sunscreen use can help to prevent dark circles from getting worse with time. For many people, dark circles are hereditary. But I do recommend skin brighteners that can be used in the sensitive skin under the eyes such as Vivite. Also antioxidants like Replenix Infusion Eye Repair Serum with green tea have worked for some of my patients.
Q: There's a common belief/misconception that if you have darker skin you don't need to wear sunblock because they’re less susceptible to skin cancer. What's the truth?
People with dark skin do have a lower risk of skin cancer but still need to wear sunscreen. First of all, I have African American patients that have gotten skin cancer on the face so it can happen (especially for people who are outside a lot with sports like tennis and swimming). As a separate issue, most darker skinned patients complain of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation and sunscreen is absolutely essential to prevent this.
Q: The biggest issue I want to avoid now is wrinkles. How important is it to wear sunscreen to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and age spots?
A: Extremely important. 80% of aging and wrinkles is due to external causes such as UV radiation, pollution, and smoking, (about 20% is genetic), so sunscreen is your first defense.
Q: What sun exposed areas do most people tend to forget about that end up showing signs of aging most quickly?
The hands and chest. I always tell my patients not to forget sunscreen on the chest, neck and hands. Also, it’s important to apply anti-aging creams there too.
Maybelline is one of the most accessible and affordable brands around and their latest collections are sooo fantastically fabulous and have the look and quality of many high end cosmetic lines. Their gel eye liners rival Bobbi Brown and Stila's smudge pots, their high shine glosses remind me of a less sticky version of Lancome's Juicy Tubes and their mascaras of course speak for themselves. I caught up with Maybelline New York Makeup Artist, Gabriel Almodovar, who shared how to translate the line into wearable glam-worthy looks for multiple occasions.
Q: How do you create an easy evening out look?
A: You can create a beautiful evening look by using Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Green with Envy. Use the darkest color from this palette on the lid as the base for the smokey eye. The eye is then paired with Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Linerin Blackest Black to darken the lashline even more. As a finishing touch, XXL Pro 24 HR Bold Mascara is perfect as it gives good depth to the lashes and longwear color. To complete the look you can use a bit of Shine Sensational Lip Gloss with a high shine that compliments the smokey eye beautifully.
Q: How do you convert a day time look into an evening out look?
A:
EYES: Using Maybelline New York's newest products you can add a deeper shade of the Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner thickly along the lashline and pull it out slightly to create a winged effect, which looks great for evening.
On top of your existing mascara you can add the primer layer and the lengthening layer of the XXL Pro Extensions Mascara to get more length out of your lashes.
LIPS: Depending on what you applied to your lips for the day you can pair a lip pencil (Color Sensational Lip Liner) with Shine Sensational Lip Gloss.
Q: How do the latest products reflect current beauty trends?
A: I feel the best way to talk about how the latest products reflect current beauty trends is by referring to specific shows we did during this past season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York City.
Mineral Powders are a huge trend because the average consumer is quite savvy these days and they want product that is good for their skin and can potentially repair their skin, hence our entire Mineral Power collection. The Michael Angel show had two mineral powders used- one as the face powder and the other as an illuminator on the apples of the cheeks.
Gel liners are a big trend now because they play nicely with the red (bold/bright) lip trend. It balances the look out by keeping the eye makeup subtle and nicely lined.
The trends with Mascara vary greatly and this season there is such an emphasis on lashes. The trends are lusciously long or pleasantly pump lashes. We have two new mascaras (one brand new the other not so new) that give you those exact results. Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascarawith it's Grip and Extend Brush was used at the Tracy Reese show to give maximum length and volume andColossal Volum' Express was used at the William Rast show to give a chunky look to the lashes.
Q: What are the must have products to add to a girl's beauty wardrobe?
(4.) Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liners are great since they are waterproof and won't smudge. To complete your eyes using (5.)Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara or Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Waterproof Mascara will give you the volume and/or length you want without running all day long.
And for your lips a great sheer lip gloss like (6.) Shine Sensational Lip Gloss with its fruity flavor is a great summertime touch.
Q: If you could pick one product from the line that we all need to run out and get, what would it be?"
Color trends come and go but certain products are around forever... The one product to get from the latest releases in my opinion is the one and only Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner! It gives you intense color, it lasts all day, it's waterproof. It also comes with it's own brush so there's an added bonus.
Are your makeup preferences influenced by what part of the country you live in? Do you dish out some serious brand loyalty and cash to the same few lines? According to a poll done by The NPD Group the answer to both questions is a resounding Yes! The group recently shared their results and divulged the best-selling makeup products throughout different regions of the country. Although the list doesn't cover every nook and cranny of the country it does provide an interesting glimpse into the "beauty brains" and preferences of many Americans. There seem to be three very clear front runners in this race: MAC, Clinique and NARS Cosmetics. All brands consistently score well with beauty editors, makeup artists and customers, so it's no surprise these popular brands get so many new and repeat customers. Clinique and MAC in particular sell consistently affordable products given their prestige (or department store) status. Which shades sell best? Check out the list below to find out:
Father's Day is right around the corner and it’s a great opportunity to sneak in some beauty into your dad or loved one's routine. Do the dudes in your life scoff at the idea of using a menagerie of maintences to keep them looking sharp? Do them a favor and help them acquire the products they'd greatly benefit from but would never get on their own. Get them looking pretty (manly pretty of course) by throwing together a Father's Day present fit for the David Beckham metrosexual man within them (however deep it may be hidden).
Here are a few of my gift giving ideas:
Anthony Logistics For Men The Tool Kit:
Send him the hint (clip those gnarled toe nails) subtly… by offering up an adorably compact nail kit by Anthony Logistics For Men.Their tool kit (containing a stainless steel nail file, nail clippers, tweezers and grooming scissors) makes for an easy, portable, travel-ready MAN-icure. Plus, dad won't have any more excuses as to why his nose hairs have become a braidable length! Price: $18.00, Available at www.Anthony.com
Anthony Logistics For Men The Perfect Shave kit-
Help your dad look super neato by sporting an impeccable shave with products, zipped up in a trendy mesh bag. Anthony Logistics For Men is a dude FAVORITE according to my dude-source. The bag contains a cleanser, pre-shave oil, shave cream and after-shave balm. Help the old dude eliminate ingrown hairs (Eww), irritation, and razor burn with this bag of goodies. Price: $50.00, Available at Nordstrom, Sephora or online at www.anthony.com
AHAVA Mineral Men’s Collection Gift Set
AHAVA is one of my favorite spa lines. All their products smell yummy and genuinely make your skin look great. I've even gotten my boyfriend hooked on their Men's Collection and he's been loving their Soothing After Shave Moisturizer, Mineral Shower Gel and Foam-Free Silk Shave Cream, which also happen to be a part of the AHAVA Mineral Men's Collection Gift Set. The products combine Dead Sea Minerals with a blend of Ginkgo, Ginger and Ginseng extracts (to feel sharp and energized) and nourish and smooth the skin. Price: $47.00, available at www.ahava.com, zappos.com
A while back I gushed over Kate Hudson's glamorous new look at a gala celebrating Chopards' 150th anniversary. The actress displayed a new found "confidence" along with her flawless face and sexy stare, courtesy of makeup pro, Julie Harris. The celebrity makeup guru transformed the usually boho chic actress into Old Hollywood hot that night and I loved her smoldering eye makeup. Harris dished on the liner she used to emphasize Hudson's lids: SENSAI Color Liquid Liner.
I myself, was in the market for a fabulous new liquid liner and since I'm a big fan of Harris's work I knew I had to try what she was using. I wasn't familiar with the Japanese luxury skin and makeup line when I tried their liner and bronzer but I definitely am now! The brand has a slew of amazing creams, moisturizers and lotions on top of their amazing lipsticks and liners. Kinda obsessed with the brand.
The liner is easy to use and the precise fine point draws effortlessly over your eyelids. In fact, the pointed brush was crafted by calligraphy brush designers in Japan and the pump applicator emits the perfect amount of liquid liner in each use.
I also wanted to try their Summer 2010 Bronzing Powder (since I've kinda been on a bronzer binge lately). I was wowed by how perfect the glow from the powder looked on my skin. It was Purrrrfect!
The bronzer and the liner were great finds and really boosted my beauty regime. I've been using both on the reg. and loving how easily both products go from a natural day to a dramatic night look. By adding a few extra layers of both, I instantly added glamour and va-va voom to my look.
Check out pictures of me sporting the bronzing powder and liner! Don't judge my goofy mug peeps!
Hello summer! Welcome to the season of flip flops and fake tans! While I might not need a fake tan, I, like so many of us, could definitely use a healthy summer glow. Luckily I've been using products from a line that to me, epitomizes bronzey-summer sun-kissed makeup: Guerlain.
Guerlain has been around as long as your mother, grandmother, and even grandmother can remember! They've been purveyors of luxe makeup, fragrance, and skin care for over 175 years! While trendy new beauty brands come on to the scene as often as you need to sharpen your favorite eyeliner, they remain undeniably present and popular. Not to gush or anything…
I know them best for their redonculously amazing bronzers. In fact all the products in their Terracotta line are J.Lo/Gisele beach-glow perfection. As I've stated before, there are many great bronzers out there, but if you want the Rolls Royce best than there's no question about which line to turn to.
I've been loving their Terracotta Light Bronzing Powderand my only complaint is that it's a limited edition product only available this summer. Teracotta Light is a reinvented/updated version of their legendary iridescent bronzer. It has the same color clusters as Guerlain's Light Sheer Bronzing Powder (which is always available) but also has particles of mother-of-pearl to enhance your complexion. I've been wearing shade 02 Brunette. It's the perfect amount of color and the five iridescent shades help create a completely even glow every time my brush sweeps over the palette.
Whitney Port looked fashion forward in her statement Yigal Azrouel dress at Sunday's MTV Movie Awards. The star of 'The City' has been riding high on the success of her debut collection, Whitney Eve, which launched at New York Fashion Week. Makeup artist, Amy Nadine wanted to create a soft look to contrast the yowza! factor of her dress.
Here's what the makeup artist did to create Port's gorgeous look:
Skin: Nadine applied Giorgio Armany Face Fabric Radiance in #1 and Giorgio Armani Loose Powder in #0. Nadine sculpted her cheeks with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush
in Bronze Fire all over her lid, then contoured her crease with the darker shade. She says, " I drew a thick and heavy line on her upper eyelid with COVERGIRL LiquiLine in Black Fire for a 60's Madmen-inspired eye and paired it with extra coats of COVERGIRL LastBlast Fusion in Very Black on the top lashes,".in Very Black on her bottom lashes for added definition.
