Not quite ready for full-on under-eye concealer but would love to “brighten up” a bit?

Yep, me too! While recently perusing Macy’s very Sephora-inspired in-store beauty boutique, IMPULSE BEAUTY (an open-sell space concept featuring niche beauty brands to complement Macy’s traditional beauty counters), I stumbled upon CARGO OneBase.

The product is marketed as a concealer and foundation in one. The palm size tube with doe foot applicator certainly makes the product hella portable and easy to use. Before actually purchasing the product, I applied it in-store, walked around the mall, had lunch (at The Cheesecake Factory – yumma!), observed whether or not it creased or faded, then marched right back to Macy’s and bought it…and it’s been my go-to ever since!

CARGO OneBase is a really nice perk for the face. It brightens without the reverse-raccoon look…you know what I mean, instead of the raccoon (dark under-eye area), the reverse-raccoon is the uber illuminated under-eye…so much so that it borders on white and is outright frightful. *insert shiver*

While CARGO OneBase is available at Ulta.com, I advise perhaps clicking on CARGOCosmetics.com because they appear to offer the full shade range – seven shades, from very fair with yellow undertone to dark with neutral undertone. My personal shade is “045 medium with golden undertone”.  Of the seven shades, mine is number six on the intensity scale.

Do you use an under-eye brightener? Leave a comment and share your fav!

]]> http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/10/thisthatbeauty-reviews-cargo-onebase/feed/ 0 http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/10/the-bergdorf-goodman-beauty-files-tom-ford-traceless-foundation-stick/ http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/10/the-bergdorf-goodman-beauty-files-tom-ford-traceless-foundation-stick/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:49:31 +0000 Felicia http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/?p=9657

As if it’s not completely obvious, I absolutely positively LOVE my job as Social Media Beauty Editor at Bergdorf Goodman. While there’s more to it than a desk full of this . . .

(my desk at BG)

. . . I must admit that playing in, ahem, I mean, “rigorously evaluating” beauty products is a favorite part of the job (I actually really like the strategic focus as well — it makes good use of my old corporate girl skill set).

Lately, I’ve been putting Tom Ford Traceless Stick Foundation to the test and . . . well, for more, you’ll have to read my review over at the Bergdorf Goodman blog. But here’s a hint: Your wallet is gonna hate me!

#TomFordatBG

According to the manufacturers of Orlane, “aging begins to settle in beginning at age 25 and becomes visible towards age 35-40. By effectively fighting against invisible signs of aging, you can delay the transformation of the skin.” Iʼm not one for dramatics but First Time-Fighting Care cream from Orlaneʼs Anagenese 25+ line is fantastic. Used in conjunction with Morning Recovery Concentrate my skin was more radiant almost over night. On day two of using these product I had to check to see if someone had changed the light in the bathroom because my face was glowing.

The secret of First Time-Fighting Care cream is “pro-cellular growth factors” that use “specific peptide to heighten the youth-potential of the cells.”

Also in the line of Orlaneʼs Anagenese 25+ line is the Eye Contour cream that uses “two pro-cellular growth factors, protected and boosted by crinopexy, it activates the production of collagen, encourages cell renewal, and revives the skin’s radiance.” This eye cream is very light and absorbs completely into the eye area.

If you are between the ages of 25 and 35 this line of products is simple and easy to use. All you need to round out your daily regimen is a cleanser and SPF.

Donʼt wait for the signs of aging to appear before you start the battle to keep them at bay…I suggest you get on it now! Orlane products are available at the finest department stores, like Neiman Marcus.

*********

This review was written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, @cnicholac

This past Thursday, I was invited to a glittering french themed fete to toast Eva Mendes, the new (and incredibly gorgeous) face of Thierry Mugler’s Angel campaign. A full fragrance review is en route, however, the first order of business in Ms. Mendes’ makeup…it was pitch-perfect in every way. The complexion, the lips, the cheeks — all divine. Celebrity Makeup Artist Genevieve Herr spills the beans:

Eva’s skin was primed with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Multi-Active Day Cream.

Using Thierry Mugler Beauty, Genevieve created a sultry, summer look to complement Eva’s mint green MUGLER dress.

First, Genevieve used ‘Cooling Effect Compact Foundation’ in Color #50.

To contour Eva’s features, then brushed on the ‘Blush & Light Powder’ in Brown & White.

To prep the lips, Genevieve applied  ‘Flash Lips Foundation’ in Nude and blended with ‘Rouge Unique Lipstick’ in Heaven.

To create the dramatic eye, Genevieve lined the whole eye from inner to outer corner on both the upper and lower lash lines in black “Eye Liner Cream”.

To highlight the lids, Genevieve swept on ”Eye Shadow & Lights Quartet” in Sublime Nature to contour the eyes with beige and golden hues.

Finally,  “Flash on Lashes Mascara’ in Black was applied to the lashes, but the secret weapon was a final coat of ‘Vinyl Gloss’ on the lashes to leave them looking wet and glossy.

All products are all available via clarins.com and www.mugler.com

Photo credit: Getty Images

From simple to sultry to playful, COVERGIRL painted plenty of pretty faces at last night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, and here’s your rundown of products to get the look:

Julia Stiles by Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey

I was really inspired by her gorgeous flowing dress so we wanted the beauty look to work with the effortless, “rich hippie” look.
I wanted her skin to be flawless, but dewy so I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, buffing it on to the skin with a flat-topped brush. I love this foundation because it gives great coverage, but still looks like skin. I brushed a bronzer with a hint of shimmer on her cheeks and along the hairline for a natural glow and finished her skin with a shimmery coral blush on the apples of her cheeks.
We wanted to create a dramatic smoky eye so I first lined the inner rim and lashline with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Black Fire and then smudged it upwards. I used COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume along the lid and up towards the brow bone. The Aubergine shade complimented the color of the dress and works really well on brown eyes. I finished her eyes with dramatic lashes using false lashes and then applying COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion.

I finished her beauty look with a nude lip to emphasize the eyes. I lined the lips with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Smoky and then filled in the lips with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Delish.

Christina Hendricks by Celebrity Makeup Artist Vanessa Scali

Christina was inspired by Brigitte Bardot’s black smoky eyes and nude face. So, we went in this direction but softened the look for the red carpet by using a creamy, shimmery shadow in gunmetal.  This gives the eye shadow a transparent quality that makes the look very strong but also very modern. I am always sparing with foundation but especially with Christina’s nearly flawless skin.  I used NatureLuxe Silk Foundation in Alabaster, which was perfect for fresh, lightweight coverage.  For a hint of color, I used Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach on the apples of the cheeks, looking polished and fresh. For Christina’s timeless smoky eye, I used Smoky ShadowBlast in Onyx Smoke on the lid from just above the crease down to the lash line.  I swept out past the natural lash line at the outer corners of the eye to exaggerate the eye size and add a touch of red carpet drama. Also, to define the lash line, I used LiquiLine Blast Eyeliner in Black Fire.  This pencil defines the eye by leaving intense color at the lash line but is very blendable for a soft look at the edges.  Never leave home without lush and lengthy lashes, I used LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Very Black to create just that. Strong eyes look great paired with clean, uncomplicated skin.  Keep it fresh by powdering in the T-zone only, using Clean Pressed Powder, Sensitive Skin in Ivory. Finally, to complement the smoky eye, I wanted to use brown undertones, so I chose Lip Perfection Lipstick in Kiss, perfect for red carpet glam!

Julie Bowen by Celebrity Makeup artist Heather Currie

Julie’s outfit was everything tonight! We wanted to create a beauty look that reflected its classic and elegant, yet sexy style. We decided to go with a flush cheek and a sheer color on the lips, something modern and beautiful but not overpowering.
We wanted her skin to be luminous and glowing so I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation for a luxurious flawless finish. Then, I used COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry for just a hint of bright, bold color that provided that flushed look we were going for.
For her eyes, I used COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Brown Blaze, which I smudged along the lash line before applying eyeshadow for a more striking look. I finished off the eyes with COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion in Black.

Inspired by Kyra’s vintage Thierry Mugler dress, Robin created a sexy smoky eye with soft rose lips and radiant skin.  This look perfectly complemented her Cartier earrings, bracelet watch and Chris McMillan’s hairstyle of rock-n-roll waves.

On Kyra’s eyes, Robin applied Chanel Regard Perle Eyeshadow across the lids, and then used COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast in Silver Spark across the lash line, which gave her a smoky, liquid liner look. For the lashes, Robin created a full fan of long lashes with COVERGIRL LashBlast Length Mascara in Black.

On the skin, Robin created a radiant, flawless look with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Foundation. Then, added a rosy glow with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry and set the look with Chanel Rose Merveille Powder.

To complement the sexy eyes and rocking curls, Robin created a glossy, polished lip with COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Sandstone.

Amber Riley by Celebrity Makeup Artist Mylah Morales

Inspired by Amber’s super chic hair and gorgeous Anne Barge dress, Mylah created a bold look focused on Amber’s fuchsia lips.

To start, Mylah focused on proper skin care by prepping the skin with Black Up primer for a look that lasts all evening. On the skin, Mylah created a coral glow, first with COVERGIRL Queen Collection Compact Foundation and building a natural flush with a coral blush and COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer. Mylah kept Amber’s eyes natural but defined with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Black Fire and LashBLast Volume Mascara. A neutral shadow palette created depth and definition. The look was completed with a stand-out lip. Mylah used COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Embrace, which Amber brought with her to the awards.

This post is inspired by the barometer. In case you haven’t noticed — Spring has sprung and Summer’s just ’round the corner. Hopefully you’ve been reading ThisThatBeauty all Fall/ Winter and have been putting in work with respect to your skin care routine. For if you have, you will embrace my upcoming recommendation. But if you have been bad little ThisThatBeauty bellas and have not taken my sage skin care advice all Fall/ Winter, well….you’re gonna go into a state of panic over this next sentence.

When warm weather settles in it is time to ditch your beloved moderate to full coverage foundation and lighten up with a tinted moisturizer. I am visualizing some of you clutching the pearls, yelling “Egad”, and possibly cussing me out….but please indulge me.

Unless you want your face to melt clear off of your face, I beg you to set aside the full coverage foundation for the next few months…

Summer is the time of year to show a little skin…skin on your arms, legs, midriff (please, at the beach only), and face. When I think of tinted moisturizers I generally think of them as a go-to products for individuals with near perfect skin. If you’re anything like me (and most women), your skin is not perfect…and that’s ok. While its never too late to start a proper skin care regimen to address your skin care issues, at this point I encourage you to embrace the skin you’re in and tone down your makeup with a tinted moisturizer. For those of you with slight uneven skin-tone and minor discoloration, — a tinted moisturizer will bump up your complexion and give the appearance of bare beautiful skin. For those of you dealing with more severe skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation — I still recommend a tinted moisturizer. While it will not give the appearance of perfect skin, like with a heavier foundation, it will clean up the canvas, calm the skin, and cancel out redness and blotchiness. Your skin will feel light and refreshed without a heavy coating of foundation competing with 80 degree days. As someone who’s been there with troubled skin, believe me when I tell you that at some point you have to (as the old folks say) “let go and let God”. It is simply too hot and too humid to mess around with heavy foundation during the summer. Continue to focus on your morning/evening skin care regimen and your skin’s condition will improve over time. But in the meantime, especially for the warm summer months, strip down your foundation just a bit and give a tinted moisturizer a try.

Do you have a favorite tinted moisturizer in your current makeup arsenal? Well you know I wouldn’t put you through this whole soap box soliloquy on tinted moisturizer without offering up a few of my favs. Yep, ThisThatBeauty’s got your back:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42) offers lightweight and flawless coverage. You will find that many tinted moisturizers come with a built in SPF. Laura Mercier offers an SPF 20. Now of course you know that you should always apply a stand alone moisturizer+SPF before your makeup, but I love it when a cosmetic product also includes SPF…its like a lil bonus. Laura Mercier recently extended her tinted moisturizer shade range to include deeper tones. So from Porcelain to Mocha (my shade) Laura Mercier has you covered. Another fun fact worth noting — Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 comes in the classic formula and oil-free. I use and love the oil-free version!

BECCA Luminous Skin Colour Sheer Colour Makeup SPF20 ($42) is another ThisThatBeauty fav. You all know that I love my BECCA Compact Concealer to pieces, but come Memorial Day I switch over to a lightweight formula. In addition to offering sun protection, this multitasking tinted moisturizer contains antioxidant vitamins A, B, D, and E to aid tissue repair, increase collagen renewal and hydration, and protect against free radical damage. The soothing soothing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients in the formula make BECCA Luminous Skin Colour Sheer Colour Makeup SPF 20 a great choice for individuals with sensitive skin.

CoverFx Skin Tint FX Moisturizing Treatment and Tint ($42) is an oil-free, paraben-free, and water resistant formula with skin repairing ingredients and anti-aging technology. The shades available range from C Light to M Deep…that’s like a “light olive” to a “warm walnut”. SkinTint FX’s formula is light and silky. The finish is a natural sun-kissed glow. SkinTint FX contains SPF 30 and multi-vitamin antioxidants A and E. It is also supercharged with emollients, such as ceramide 2, vitamin F and emollients derived from Mediterranean olives. This one’s packed with goodness!

La Mer Fluid Tint SPF 18 ($65) is a water based formula that adds a touch of color for a smooth, even finish. Enriched with gemstones, Fluid Tint absorbs light energy, transforming it into beneficial green light to enhance anti-oxidant activity. Photonic spheres redirect and diffuse light. Light-reactive seaweeds bind moisture to the skin, helping to prevent dehydration. La Mer Fluid Tint SPF 18 comes in three shades: Light, Medium, and Dark.

per-fekt skin perfection gel (57.50) is a skin perfector that instantly enhances the appearance of the skin offering an easy breezy summertime appropriate alternative to traditional foundation, primer, color corrector and powder. This powerhouse gel-mousse instantly enhances skin tone, helps to maintain hydration, and significantly reduces the appearance of redness and discoloration. It also helps to diminish the appearance of enlarged pores, pesky fine lines and embarrassing ill-placed shine. per-fekt comes in five shades: Translucent (colorless for all skin tones), Luminous (very light neutral/fair skin tones), Radiant (medium beige/fair to medium skin tones), Rich (warm tan/tanned skin), Decadent (deep tan/ doubles as a bronzer for lighter skin tones).

Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint ($39.50) allows you to hydrate, cover, and protect all in one formula. This lightweight tint leaves skin beautifully hydrated, with sheer even toned coverage while shielding skin from environmental damage. Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint contains Seve Marine, a green algae that replenishes dehydrated skin, leaving it smooth and supple. The formula is packed with free-radical fighting antioxidants of Kiwi Extract and vitamin E, Licorice Root Extract to calm redness and inflammation, and Menthol to provide a cooling effect. The nourishing formula also includes Youngblood’s signature mineral blend of Rhodolite, Zincite, Hematite and Malachite, which help protect skin cells and tissue.

Youngblood Mineral Radiance Moisture Tint comes in four skin-perfecting shades: Natural, a bare shade for Light to Medium skin; Warm, a rich brown for Medium skin tones; Tan, a toasty shade for Medium skin; and Golden Sun, a soft, shimmering golden shade for illuminating Medium to Deep skin tones. Golden Sun is my personal fav for highlighting the skin! Visit Youngblood at Henri Bendel NYC.

POP Beauty No Show Correct & Protect Tint ($24) is a weightless SPF 30 tint gel that evens out uneven tone and discoloration. The formula is oil-free, water based, and enriched with Vitamins C and E. POP Beauty No Show Correct & Protect Tint is available in two shades: Neutralize and Balance. The no show formula is ideal for women of fair to medium complexion.

This summer, embrace your skin and try a tinted moisturizer. Stay tuned for the next installment of Summer Makeup 101

If you finish up your trick or treating early, join me as I curl up in my Slanket and check out Three Custom Color Specialists on QVC. Trae will be on for one hour demonstrating Three Custom’s Creme Color Foundation, a personal fav of QVC host Lisa Robertson! So if you’re like most women and have a tough time finding foundation to match perfectly, don’t miss Trae on QVC tomorrow!

And if ya still don’t find your perfect shade, give Trae a shout at Three Custom Color Specialists Studio NY. They offer custom blend foundation and can whip up your EXACT shade. Genius!

For the last few weeks I’ve been parading around town wearing a new foundation that makes me very happy. 

Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation ($20) is quickly becoming one of my go-to foundations. My shade is 202-20 (Medium dark olive gold. Good for wide variety of darker skin tones with no red undertones). The coverage is soft, natural, and extremely buildable. I love cream foundation because you’re able to adjust the level of coverage. Cream foundation can go on sheer, medium, or full. With Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation, I adjust the coverage by adding more or less Moisture Spray ($6.5) to my brush or sponge. I tend to go a tad bit heavier over my wretched breakout area (cell phone breakout, I think) and then thin out the coverage every place else. And when I have an extra 10 seconds to spare, I set everything with Cinema Secrets Loose Setting Powder in Soft Lights ($14). The result is flawless foundation perfection. See for yourself….

(NOTE: I never use enough powder…so please excusee the shine)

At THIS close Cinema Secrets is virtually undetectable, yet it’s covering up my cheek area breakout.

Here’s another close up of the coverage. I’m evened out and very natural.

Here I am on Easter (hence the pics in the background…Easter dinner was at Aunt Tina’s).

I went a little heavier with the coverage but I think it’s still pretty natural looking, no?

In this pic I’d say the coverage is medium. I had a hot date so went a little heavier for evening.

Here I am running errands…very light coverage and a little blush (exact shade unknown)

In addition to amazing coverage, CS deserves your attention for the following reasons:

• High Quality + Low Price = WINNER! 
• Wide shade range and undertone offerings. I think you’d have a hard time NOT finding your shade!
• Long wear formula…my foundation lasts all day. And a little goes a long way!

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFO:

Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation provides a soft natural matte finish and spreads further than most other foundations. It covers like a thin second skin and will not cake or crease. It is water and sweat resistant and will not stain clothes.

Moisture Spray 

A collagen based Moisturizer great for light moisturizing without a greasy feel from other moisturizers. Great to use with Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundations because it actually activitates Cinema Secrets Foundations and other makeup products to sheer the application without sacrificing coverage. Great for anyone including men to get that additional refreshing feeling on hot days. Especially recommended for humid climates. Cinema Secrets Moisture Spray is also an excellent conditioner to spray on your Cinema Secrets Professional Brushes.