Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler!

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler

Every time I go to ULTA, I usually raid the clearance rack before anything else to see if I find any good deals. I was a little short on time as the store was about to close and I had a 20% coupon that expired that day.. but I managed to find a Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler clearanced to $14.49. Although that doesn't seem too cheap, the 20% off coupon took an extra $3 off, so not bad at all. It was actually missing the replacement pad, which is most likely why it was on clearance (or because Shu isn't even sold anymore in the US - maybe I got lucky?), but I figured I wouldn't need one any time soon. I've had my regular Shu curler for at least four years and the pad is still in mint condition.

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler, front & back.

Shown next to a dime for scale.

I pictured it next to a dime for scale to show how small it really is (and in comparison the regular Shu below). It's roughly 1/3 the size of a regular Shu.

Left: Standard Shu Curler, Right: Mini Shu Curler

In the past four years or so, my Shu lash curler is the only lash curler I have used. Prior to my Shu, I would purchase a new lash curler from my local Dollar Store every month. By the end of the month, the pad would be slit through the middle and the hinges would most likely be loose. My Shu has been carelessly tossed in my handbag almost every day and has withstood lots of handling and it's still in perfect condition. It's really the best curler I've tried. It doesn't pull my mascara off, pull my lashes out or pinch my lids.

Everyone has a different eye shape, so some may have trouble finding a lash curler that fits to the contour of their eye. If you have very rounded eyelids, or very flat eyelids (not only those - you may have very small eyes, very wide eyes, etc) you may find that your lash curler skips some of your lashes. So, while most of your lashes are sticking up, the ones in the corners may be sticking down.

Whats great about the mini is, you can get to all of your lashes with precision. No lashes left out! In the picture below I curled my lashes with one coat of mascara on. But, with this lash curler, I find it much easier to curl your lashes without mascara on. When wearing mascara, it was a little more difficult to get in between my row of lashes to curl them all the way across.

All you have to do is start out in the beginning of your lashline, clamp the curler, release, and continue working your way across your lashline.

I know Japonesque also makes a similar style curler that is available at ULTA, sold for around $10.

Do you own this curler or similar? Love it? Or was it a complete waste of money?

MAC Bloggers’ Obsessions Collection

MAC Bloggers’ Obsessions Collection.The newest Mac Collection was chosen and created by nine of your favorite beauty bloggers and is available online June21st. The girls were asked to create their own lipgloss and eyeshadow shade. How exciting is this collection! Look below to see what the Beauty Bloggers were able to create.





Eye Shadow:
Beauty Blogging Junkie, Amber Katz
Sparkle Neely, Sparkle - A deep rusty brown with champagne-colored sparkle

Temptalia, Christine Mielke
Jealousy Wakes - Seething emerald green with teal and gold pearl

Lipstick Powder N Paint, Lesley Ellen Mirza
Parisian Skies - A muted grey-blue

The Makeup Girl, Lianne Farbes
Hocus Pocus - Dark sooty grey with silver pearl

Lipglass:
Makeup and Beauty Blog, Karen Monterichard
Evolution Revolution - A warm peachy pink with subtle purple, green and blue micro glitter

Afrobella, Patrice Yursik
All Of My Purple Life - Deep purple/grape with subtle sparkle

Beauty Maverick, Lily Nima
Caqui - Persimmon orange

The Shades of You, Aileen De Los Angeles
Sonoran Rain - Deep coral-red with gold and silver pearl

Nitrolicious, Wendy Lam
Nitro:licious 2046 - Intense shiny red

Summer Hairstyles 2011

Summer Hairstyles 2011. Hair trends, hair ideas, and hairstyles to wear for summer 2011. With winter being long gone, it's time to pull out our tresses and style them with beach friendly looks. There are many hair trends to try this summer, and even classic styles that will always be in trend. Look below to see what summer hair trends you can rock this season.

Top Trends To Wear for Summer 2011
Teased Hair
Feather Accents
Sultry Curls
Big Bun Updos
Red Hair
Braids / Twists
Short Cuts
Blunt Bangs

NOTD: Milani 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer in HD!

Three (3) Coats of Milani HD.

Milani HD is a silver shimmer holographic. It's very sheer with one coat, which was a slight disappointment as it appears to be opaque from the bottle, but it is fairly opaque with three coats. In between coats, the formula dries quickly, so it's not really a pain to apply. It is a nice layering polish as well. I'm sure it would look great applied over a silver, black, blue, (or any) polish. The holo effect is not bad. Indoors, the color looks like a light silver with fine silver glitter. The holo really pops in bright lighting or the sunlight.

I purchased this polish at CVS for a little under $5.

Do you own any of the Milani Holos? Which is your favorite?

Follow up/Update: Bare Minerals Naturally Luminous Neck Cream + Interview with my Mom!

BareMinerals Naturally Luminous Extra Firming Neck Cream

Last month I was given the opportunity by QVC to try out a few new products from Bare Minerals. The products are sold together in the "Naturally Luminous Advanced Treatment Collection with RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex" 3-piece set. The set included a cleanser, face and neck cream. View my original post here.

I mentioned that I would hand over the neck cream for my mother to use because I, at 22 don't need any tightening of the neck. Well, I did just that and told her to make sure to apply it every day and I'll report back within a few weeks to see how well it has worked.

The product claims - "Firm, tighten and improve skin texture and smoothness with this naturally luminous, extra-firming neck cream that targets the special needs of the delicate skin around the neck and decollete. Powered by our proprietary, 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, this clinically proven, all-in-one cream locks in moisture to restore a youthful, lifted look and helps defend against daily environmental stressors."

Bare in mind, because this product is fairly new, there aren't many reviews for it. I checked makeupalley as always, and there are only 4 reviews for the product. Three of the four reviewers claim that it's an excellent moisturizer, but does falls short in the "firming" department. One of the four claims their skin looks "more supple and firm". Click here to read the detailed reviews. QVC has many more reviews, which can be read here.

I asked my Mom these questions. 

Q #1: Absorbency. How well does it absorb into your skin? Are you able to clothe right away? Does it leave your skin feeling tacky?

A: It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky as when I would apply a heavy cream. I can clothe right away without worrying about it getting all over my clothing.

Q #2: Texture. What would you describe the texture like? Would you prefer it to be thicker or thinner?

A: It's very light and creamy. I like it exactly as it is. It's not too thin like other moisturizers I've used and it's not thick. I think it's perfect. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin.

Q #3: Lasting Power. Do you feel it keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day?

A: Yes, for 24 hours.

Q: Are you sure? You can be completely honest. You can tell me if the product sucks.

A: No really, here feel my skin. (Wow, her skin feels soft! LOL)

Q #4: Skin Texture/Improvements. Have you noticed any changes in your skin? Does it feel tighter? Softer,  Etc?

A: Well, I thought that it started working well right away. I can't really say if it has tightened or firmed my skin, but my skin feels "plump" and hydrated. I had a small line across my chestbone, and I can barely see it now. 

Q: So would you say it worked well as an overall good moisturizer?

A: Yes, I think it did more moisturizing than firming. It made my skin feel very soft and supple - I love it.

Q #5: Would you re-purchase it once you're done?

A: Yes, can you buy it for me for my birthday??? (haha!)

Here are a couple of photos I snapped of my Mom's neck/chest. She is 57 years old by the way.

Both photos, May 29, 2011.

Overall, this seems like a very nice moisturizing neck cream. If you buy the cream separately, it's $38 for a 1.7 oz container. The 3-piece set is $36, and the neck cream is 1 oz. My Mom has been using the 1 oz container of neck cream just about daily for one month and she still has half of a container left. I think the price is fairly reasonable, but I do think there are of course lower priced options out there that will moisturize your skin just as well - considering, this product didn't seem to "extreme firm". Also, with any skincare product, "Your mileage may vary", meaning everyone won't have the same results. With the really positive reviews on QVC, it seems like it has worked well for many. 

I hope this follow-up helped, and if you have any questions or product recommendations, post in the comments below!

NOTD: China Glaze Secret Peri-wink-le!

Two (2) Coats of China Glaze Secret Peri-wink-le and One (1) Coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

China Glaze Secret Peri-wink-le is well, the color periwinkle. It's a lavender-blue or pastel indigo. I suppose it depends on what lighting you're looking at the color, whether it appears more blue or purple. My camera doesn't photograph blue-purples well, but I think in person the color is the slightest bit more purple.

The formula is pretty decent. It's creamy, applies easily and dries fairly quick. I did find the 2nd coat to apply slightly streaky, and I could have done with three coats for full opacity.

Overall very pretty color and will look great paired with the neutral colored clothing I tend to wear most of the time. I actually purchased this polish last summer and never wore it until now.. funny, huh?

What's on your nails?

May Style News Network Reads

2011 Wedding Hair Trends, Ideas and Makeup Looks- hairstyles scene
Calypso St. Barth for Target Home Collection and Lookbook- design trends blog
Dior Summer 2011 Electric Tropics Collection- glowing skin news
Latest Nail Polish Collections and Trends for Spring and Summer 2011- fashion and beauty scene
Blake Lively Goes Red With New Auburn Hair Color- sales alert shopping
2011 Wedding and Bridal Jewelry Trends
Why Using Organic Skin Care Products Could Give You Healthy Skin- glowingskinews
Wedding Hairstyles 2011
2011 Wedding Dresses, Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Tips and Ideas

Guerlain Terra Inca Summer 2011 Collection- addicted to lipstick
2011 Short Wedding Dresses and Dress Trends
Orly Pinup Summer 2011 Nail Polish Collection

Homemade Skin Exfoliant For Oily Skin
Item Of The Week : Espadrilles

Scarlett Johansson Joins Red Hair Train With New Red Hair Color
Orly Happy Go Lucky Nail Polish Collection
Coach Madison Collection Spring Summer 2011- handbagstylenews
2011 Summer Handbag Trends
2011 Bebe Poolside Swimwear and Swimsuit Collection Lookbook
Coach Audrey Collection For Spring Summer 2011
2011 Plus Size Wedding Dresses and Gown Trends
2011 Spring and Summer Dresses
2011 Black and African American Wedding Hairstyles
Homemade Exfoliant For Sensitive Skin

Fendi 'Bag De Jour' Tote
Red Carpet Fashion At 2011 64th Cannes Film Festival- imageandstylnews
Chanel Resort 2012 Collection

Chanel 2011 Fall Handbag Collection
Essie Braziliant Nail Polish Collection

Summer Hairstyles 2011 For Teens- gossipy girlz
2011 Flower Girl Dresses- sales alert shopping
2011 Summer Hairstyles- styles that work for you
Urban Decay Urban Bride Kit- wedding 53
Jumping The Broom Wedding Dresses, Theme, and Bridal Party Looks
The Movie 'Bridesmaids' Wedding Dress, Theme and Bridal Party Looks
Selena Gomez On The Cover of Teen Vogue for June 2011- teen trends and tips
Outfit of The Week : White Dresses
Essie Borrowed & Blue Nail Polish Collection ( 2011 Wedding Nail Polish Collection )
Pink's Fashionable Maternity Clothes- pregnancy baby blog
Prom Hairstyles 2011
Hair Trend Alert : Big Hair Teased Hair
Trend Alert : Earrings That Connect Into A Necklace (Earlaces)

Kate Hudson Trendy Maternity Style
Fall Hairstyles 2011
Louis Vuitton Fall 2011 Handbag Collection
Zoe Saldana Wears Floral Printed Dress Trend- celebrity red carpet style
Dianna Agron New Bob Haircut
Spring and Summer 2011 Decorations and Trends for the Home
Fall 2011 Fashion Collections - Alexander McQueen
Bebe Summer 2011 Va Va Voom Lookbook
Trend Alert : Stars Wearing White Dress At The 2011 Cannes Film Festival
Keira Knightley Hairstyles- hairstyles 53
2011 Summer Shoe Trends- real women wear heels
America's Next Top Model Cycle 16 Winner Brittani Kline
Dior Fall 2011 Handbag Collection

Givenchy Je Veux La Lune Fall 2011 Collection
How to Get Cassie 2011 Met Gala Makeup Look
Fall and Winter Dior 2011 / 2012 Shoe Collection
2011 Fall Fashion Trends, Styles, and Clothing
2011 Summer Teen Hairstyles and Makeup Trends

2011 Spring and Summer Perfumes and Fragrances for Women- the sweetest aroma
2011 Swimwear and Bathing Suit Trends for Plus Size Women- real women have curves blog
Justin Bieber Someday Fragrance
2011 Fall Hairstyles
2011 Summer Plus Size Fashion Trends

Fashionable Red Carpet Dresses and Formal Looks While Being Pregnant
Summer Hairstyles 2011- Braids
Fall Fashion Trends For 2011

Fall Beauty Trends 2011
Hair Trend Alert : Red Haircolor For Summer 2011
Pretty Little Liars Hairstyles

Handbag Trend Alert : Red Handbags
Kim Kardashian Shoe Style

Advice from Wayne Goss on how to make your make-up last!

In this short video, Wayne talks about a big mistake many of us do when we apply our makeup. We combine two things that don't mix. Water and oil. For example, an oil based primer with a water based foundation. It sounds like a good idea - but water and oil don't mix, right? Maybe your foundation has too much "slip" to it, and transfers too much throughout the day. Is it really your foundation to blame? Or is it your moisturizer, primer? Well, it's something we all know from Science 101, but I never thought about applying that knowledge to makeup. 

I thought this vid was really interesting and it made me wonder. 

What do you think? Do you think it makes any difference? Agree/Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Grow your brows with Castor Oil!

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a highly emollient oil, often used in lipsticks and other beauty aids. Castor oil is the perfect skin care product as it is naturally rich in anti-oxidants and works as a deep conditioner to heal both skin and hair. Because of castor oil's healing qualities, it is often use to soothe skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis and can help to thicken hair and reduce hair loss.  

(Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2126679_use-castor-oil-as-beauty.html)

Castor Oil for the Brows has a 4.3/5 rating on makeupalley.com, with a 87% re-purchase rate based on 174 reviews. (click here to read reviews)

I purchased my Castor Oil at Whole Foods for less than $5. It doesn't have any real scent/odor, it sort of smells like plastic to me. It's extremely thick like molasses, so you only need a small drop. A little goes a long way. You can use a cotton swab or a spoolie to apply it. A spoolie works a little better for me because my brows are thick, but for those of you with very sparse brows, a cotton swab is the way to go. Apply it every night to your brows, and cross your fingers for thicker brows in the near future.

My natural brows are coarse and thick (my middle eastern genes). I have to trim them every couple of weeks, otherwise the hair would be too long and unruly. I also have to pluck my strays every other day because they grow quickly. When I was younger, I had very large/full brows and at around 13 years old, I shaved them very thin. Although my brows do grow quickly, they aren't at all as "full" as they were before. The hairs never seem to grow in the areas I want them to. Neither of my brows match, and I rely on my side bangs to camouflage the fact that one of my brows is slightly higher than the other. Of course, I fill my brows in, so it's something I always correct, but if they filled in a little bit more, it would be easier to match both brows.

My left brow is slightly higher is also shorter than my right. Although you can't tell because my nose isn't pictured, my right brow reaches the side of my nose as it should, and my left brow is about .5 cm short. The hair doesn't at all grow past that, so I always have to color it in farther, or tweeze my right brow to match. 

Anyway, I'm hoping that with the daily use of Castor Oil, my brows will fill in a little bit more, so I only have to fill them in very minimally. 

I am going to use pour a little oil in a small travel container and apply it to my brows every night. I will keep you updated how well the progress goes. If the progress is minimal, I'll post every two weeks. If I see a difference, I'll be posting every week. So, I'll see how it goes. If you want to keep track of my progress, you can always message me on twitter! (Click here to follow me) 

Castor Oil is a very versatile oil, and can be used for many things. I'm going to try using it as a deep conditioner for my hair as well at least once a week. I tried it out a couple of months back on my hair, and it really seemed to work well. It can be used on any dry areas, blemishes and on your scalp for thinning hair.

Have you used Castor Oil for any beauty purpose? Share your experience in the comments below!

Bright blushes for the summer!

Left: MAC Salsarose (satin) & Right: MAC Frankly Scarlet (matte).

Left: MAC Salsarose (satin) & Right: MAC Frankly Scarlet (matte).

When summer hits, it's usually the time where we all try to look a little more natural and wear less makeup to avoid any creasing, "melting", or fading the sun and heat may cause.

During the summer, I don't wear as much eye makeup and I try wearing a lighter foundation with minimal powder and of course a bronzer all over. Since I'm taking the focus off of my eyes, it's a fun season to experiment with bright blushes and lipsticks.

When wearing a bright blush or lipstick, you always want to keep the eyes very soft, so it doesn't overpower the look. You can either go neutral, wear a soft wash of taupe, champagne or gold all over your lid, or use a shade that almost matches your skin or keep it bare with a couple of coats of mascara.

Bright blushes might look a little intimidating to those who aren't very comfortable with color, but you can really use any blush and make it look natural by using the smallest amount. Two of my favorite bright blushes are MAC Frankly Scarlet and MAC Salsarose. Both are extremely similar raspberry shades, with Frankly Scarlet being slightly more red, and Salsarose being slighlty more pink. Swatched heavy, you can see the difference, but swatched lightly you can barely tell them apart. The lovely thing about shades like this, is when applied lightly to the face, the color is very reminiscent of the actual reddish hue your face will naturally turn when you blush.

Finger swatches in the same order as above.

Hand Swatches. Top: Frankly Scarlet & Bottom: Salsarose

Wearing MAC Salsarose & a bright lipstick (OCC Divine & ChaCha Liptars mixed)

Frankly Scarlet is a permanent MAC shade, whereas Salsarose is a PRO shade and can only be purchased at a MAC Pro store or ordered by phone at 1-800-866-6464 (for US orders). (See more information about PRO products here) MAC Dollymix is another favorite of mine, but I actually lost mine, and I'm going to have to purchase another one pretty soon.

Some other brights that are on my wish list are: MAC Devil (Pro), MAC Full Fuchsia (Pro), Nars Rhubarb (Pro), Nars Exhibit A, Nars Taj Mahal, NYX Hot Pink & NYX Red Cheeks.

What are some of your favorite brights? I'll be posting favorite bright lipsticks soon as well..

Review: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation!

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup - Natural Beige 60

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup - Natural Beige 60

Product Description: Neutrogena Healthy Skin^® liquid makeup takes over where your skin care leaves off. Silky-light coverage glides on for a perfectly natural look, while the exclusive blend plus SPF 20 work together to visibly improve skin's luminosity, tone, and texture.

• Flawless coverage, lightweight, silky formula
• Exclusive blend of antioxidants and SPF 20
• Maintains skin's young and healthy look
• Available in 12 new shades 

(Source: http://www.neutrogena.com)

My color match is Natural Beige. It seemed to have the best yellow tone of the bunch in my range and swatched next to MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30, they are almost identical, except MAC is slightly more yellow. (see below) 

I think the problem with drugstore foundations is that they often lack a variety of undertones. Many drugstore foundations are too neutral for my skin, and few offer a good yellow undertone. With that said, I was very pleased to find a close match. I also have this foundation in the lightest shade, and I use it often to lighten other foundations of mine. It works fantastic for that.

Left: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Natural Beige (bright sunlight, no flash) Right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC30 (overcast, no flash)

Again, Neutrogena on the left and MAC on the right. This is the foundation smoothed out a bit, not blended.

Review: Aside from the good color match I really like the consistency of the foundation. It's lightweight and blends very easily. In comparison to other drugstore foundations, it's thinner than Revlon Colorstay, thicker & creamier than L'Oreal Truematch and less creamier than Maybelline Fit Me. It's a good in between - not too creamy, not too liquidy. The coverage is a pretty good medium coverage. It can of course be sheered out or applied sparingly for a lighter coverage, and it builds well for a more opaque medium coverage. I wouldn't consider it to be full coverage though. Redness slightly peaks through from any blemishes I may have, so buffing a little concealer on blemishes after I've applied my foundation is sometimes necessary. The finish is very nice.. it's slightly dewy, but more-so like a satin. It's luminous and healthy - no dullness in sight. It doesn't get very oily throughout the day, but I like setting the foundation with a powder in order for it to last longer. I love the fact that it has an SPF of 20, so this is a foundation I'll most likely be wearing throughout the summer. Many compare this foundation as a "dupe" for Nars Sheer Glow.. I can't really say I agree completely. They do have similar consistencies and a similar finish, but Nars has a bit more coverage and lasts longer throughout the day. One thing I don't like about this foundation is the packaging. The pour spout is very large, so every time I pour a little in my hand, too much always pours out and the spout always gets messy. A pump or smaller opening would of been great for this foundation. With the foundation itself, I don't have many complaints. My probably only complaint is that I wished it lasted longer throughout the day. Eight hours is pretty good, but it fades a bit by night.

Overall, I do think it's a great drugstore foundation and I rank it #2, with Revlon Colorstay being #1.

Have you tried this foundation? What are your thoughts about it?

How to Get Kristen Stewart's Modern Smoky Eye

How to Get Kristen Stewart's Modern Smoky Eye

See this tutorial to copy the "Twilight" star's makeup look

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup tutorial article K. Stew's modern smoky eye paired with a nude lip is easier to copy than you may think. We went to celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson to find out exactly what he did, so we (and you!) could be fab, too. Get how-tos

Current Zoya Promo Code! Ends May 23rd!

Photo Credit: Temptalia.com

Going on from now till May 23rd, customers can receive Dove and Caitlin Nail Polishes for free, with promotion code: ZB52.

Caitlin: Smoky purple-tinged medium gray with smooth, opaque creme finish. Sultry, mysterious and impossibly chic, a shade that will have everyone intrigued.

Dove: Soft, delicate light neutral gray with an opaque, glossy creme finish. Unexpected and flattering as a wear-with-anything neutral with a twist.

Restrictions/Other: *Online only, cannot be combined with any other offer , promotion or coupon. US ONLY. Promotion ends Monday May 23 at 11:59 PM EST. Offer good for 1(one) open stock .5 oz bottle of Zoya Caitlin and 1(one) .5oz bottle Zoya Dove with the purchase of any NON-SPOON item on Zoya.com. Art of Beauty Inc. will not honor promotions that are submitted after promotion has ended – No exceptions. No exchanges. No returns. Worst case scenario please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Comments, videos and pictures posted about this Zoya Nail Polish Exchange outside of Zoya.com or zoyanailpolish.blogger.com are not representative of the opinions of Zoya Nail Polish, Art of Beauty, Inc., Qtica and Qtica Smart Spa and we do not confirm the accuracy of any postings. Customers are responsible for maintaining active accounts. If username or password have been lost we (Art of Beauty, Inc.) are not responsible for restoring accounts or giving out any account information. S/H not included. **offer excludes Zoya Color Spoons.

One bottle of polish is $8, and shipping is I believe is $6.95 (correct me if I'm wrong). That would equal $4.98 per bottle for 3 polishes. It may not be the best deal to some, but if they are colors you like.. it's a great deal! 

Just thought I'd share since I always seem to miss out on the awesome Zoya promos!

Givenchy Je Veux La Lune Fall 2011 Collection

Givenchy Je Veux La Lune Fall 2011 Collection. If you want to get a sneak peak at some of the hues that will be hot for fall 2011, Givenchy has just released their first fall collection. Looks like dramatic lips are once again on trend. Look below for more details.



Love, fear, fascination, curiosity; all these emotions it brings out, don’t they just make you want it, with all the superstitions and fantasies? Poets’ escape to an imaginary world fevered by its mysterious face of many messages. It influences nature and sentiments and exerts a magnetic disturbance on our will… I love the Moon for the femininity and softness that it suggests, for its light and shadows, for the adorning veil that it delicately places over our lives. To want the Moon is to want what seems unattainable; that is exciting! But technological advances have now made fanciful lunar voyage possible as well as the mastery of light in this collection. Les Ombres de Lune, illuminating powder and intense shadow, are the coalescence of this fantasy source light and contrasted moon. The desire to create shadow where there is none inspired me to a great extent; deflected moonlight that gives a different angle to reality. I wanted to take a cinema makeup technique that has always intrigued me and apply it to beauty. The “American night” demands a different way of working with light; complexion must radiate in bold contrasts, like for a black and white image. I wanted the Moon…For you. — Nicolas Degennes

Les Ombres de Lune



An illuminating powder for cheeks, eyes, complexion and an intense eye shadow for a twilight effect.

* Lune Mysterieuse No. 1 Black moon in a creamy white sky
* Lune Mordoree No. 2 Night blue moon in a golden sky

Le Prisme Blush-Glow





* Lune Rosee No. 41 Dainty sculpting blush with fun pearly colours

Rouge Interdit




* Lune Carmin No. 52 Dark sensual red

Gloss Interdit



* Lune Carmin No. 31 Dark sensual red
Gelee d’Interdit

* Lune Argentee No. 15 Opalescent veil

Magic Khol



* Marine Blue No. 16 Black with bold blue reflections

Givenchy

When life gives you lemons.. put them on your face! Wait, what?

Yes, it's true. Lemons contain Citric Acid, which is categorized as a "chemical exfoliate", or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) used in many skincare products. Of course there are several types of natural AHA's, Citric Acid is only one of them - which isn't only found in lemons. Other acids that are popular in skincare are also Lactic Acids (derived from milk) and Glycolic Acids (derived from sugar). All of these can be found in things that are probably lying around your pantry.

What do AHA's do for your skin? Once an AHA is applied to your skin, it will react with the uppermost layer of your skin, loosing up and dissolving your dead skin cells from your skins surface, helping you regenerate new skin cells. Your dead skin cells are essentially whats making your skin look uneven, dull and damaged.

This "cell renewal" will aid in smoothing dry skin, improving your skins overall texture and fading marks caused by blemishes, acne and sun damage.  

Many argue that the acid in a lemon is way too strong to be used on the face. The pH scale ranges from 0-14. Both ends of the scale are considered to be "extremes". Towards the middle of the scale, chemicals are milder. Water has a pH of 7, and Normal/Healthy skin has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. A lemon has the pH of 2-3. That is pretty low, but citric acid is water soluble.. so by adding water to the lemon juice, it will alter the pH. 

"The FDA has issued guidelines on Alpha Hydroxy Acids in products for home use:
1. pH has to be 3.5 or higher, and
2. Concentration of the acids in a product has to be 10% or less.
Consumers also have to be warned that these acids may cause photo-sensitivity in some individuals and if they use them, especially in the summer, they must wear sun block."

"Acid-based products need optimal conditions for giving optimal results – clean skin with a healthy pH and enough time to work.  For this reason, cleansers with AHA/BHA ingredients have limited effect; they are washed off after a minute at the most.  If the cleanser used has a higher pH than desired, a toner with a suitable pH value can bring the skin back to its normal level and improve the efficacy of acid-based products."

  

(Source: The Modern Skin Alphabet: pH, AHA & BHA)

I hope that wasn't too difficult to understand. But I thought I ought to go over "pH" levels as many argue that it's not good for the skin and many argue that it works miracles. The above source is incredibly helpful, and I highly recommend reading it for a better understanding of AHA's and pH levels.

Since we all have different skin types and skin needs, not everything I use on my face per say will be suitable for your face. Everyone has different tolerances when it comes to skincare. You should always test your tolerance by starting out slow to see how well your skin reacts. You may already have a little idea of your skins tolerance by all of the products you use on your skin. Some have "tough" skin types and can handle harsh products on their face - some are sensitive and can't. 

- Cleanse or wash your skin as you normally would. You can prepare the lemon juice any way you'd like. Fresh lemon is always best because bottled lemon juice contains additives. Cut a slice of lemon, around the same size wedge as you'd stick in your glass of water to drink. Squeeze the lemon wedge in a clean bowl and dilute the lemon juice with 50% water. Depending on your skins sensitivity, you can use more or less water. Take a cotton ball and dip it into the bowl and apply it to your face. Before putting anything else on your face, let your face sit from anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes. You want to pay attention to your skin and observe if your skin has any reactions. Don't wait the maximum amount of time for your first use. Avoid applying the lemon juice to any open blemishes, as it may cause irritation. The frequency of use is completely up to you, based on your skins needs. You may use it as a part of your daily routine or used a couple of times a week.

- To fade blemish scars, you can dip a Q-tip in the lemon juice and apply the Q-tip directly to your scars. Again, rinse after 10-20 minutes. 

- You can also use this on your body if you have any old scars or discoloration from chaffing (commonly between your thighs and by your armpits). 

IMPORANT! When using ANY AHA, especially a strong acid, you must protect your skin with sunscreen! Because you are revealing your new skin, it is very sensitive and is very prone to sun damage. Make sure to always apply a sunscreen before you expose your skin to sunlight when using any chemical exfoliates on your skin. 

You can view hundreds of reviews for "Lemon Juice applied topically" on Acne.org, by clicking here. You can also view other Natural remedies in skincare by clicking here.

Other Sources: 

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's): Do they belong in Natural Skin Care Products

Lemon As A Skin Brightener

NARS At The Cannes Film Festival : Julia Saner

NARS At The Cannes Film Festival : Julia Saner. Look below for the Nars products that were used to create Julia's makeup look.



At the La Conquete premiere, May 18, 2011


NARS Products Used: PRO-PRIME Pore Refining Primer; Sheer Glow Foundation; Copacabana Illuminator; Sex Appeal Blush; Taiga Duo Eyeshadow; Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara; Ashes to Ashes Single Eyeshadow; Super Orgasm Lip Gloss


Makeup Artist: Benoit Dumont

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