The Minimalist! Gift Guide 2013

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The minimalist loves all things stream-lined. She loves neutrals with a few pops of color. She likes products with multiple uses that save time and don’t take up much space. She likes modern, sophisticated packaging with no frills. She cuts out excess where she can but still appreciates the finer things in life. She likes to look clean…classic…timeless…

Please note that the items in the image below are not to scale with one another.

A.) Diego Dalla Palma Compact Powder- has sleek modern packaging, a smooth-micro fine texture that glazes over imperfections like enlarged pores and fine lines, and can be used alone or with her favorite foundation or tinted moisturizer ($55).

B.) Best of Kevyn Aucoin Gift Set- This boxed gift has all of the minimalist’s makeup essentials (except maybe powder & lipstick) housed in one box. Black eyeliner, lash curler, volumizing mascara, brunette brow pencil, and a single caramel-colored eyeshadow will pull her look together in a snap ($93).

C.) Clarisonic Face & Body PRO- This clarisonic does it ALL. It comes with an attachable body brush handle so she can reach difficult to reach areas. The docking station keeps her bathroom clear of extra cords. It comes with a face brush AND a stiffer/bigger body brush appropriate for back, legs, feet, elbows, knees or wherever she wants exfoliation and a deeper clean! Sonic cleansing removes makeup, oil, and debris 10x better than manual washing alone. The PRO sold here has 4 speeds and a 3-year warranty (the regular, sold for the same price elsewhere only has 3 speeds and a 2 year warranty and DOESN’T include the body brush handle) ($225).

D.) Natura Bisse Cure Sheer Cream- A multi-tasking dream! Anti-aging moisturizer PLUS sunscreen PLUS a hint of color all in one! Fabulous for a kiss of color to smooth uneven skin tones and conceal redness while protecting and hydrating in one step. This large container will last her at least three months if not more since a little bit of product goes quite a long way ($180).

E.) Rubis tweezers- When you wear minimal makeup, your brows really count! Help her keep hers clean and precise with the most precise tweezers known to man! Rubis tweezers are sharp enough to get even the teensiest hint of a hair ($40).

F.) Bkr in “trench”- There are other colors that may strike her fancy but this classic nude will go with anything–from her bag to her car interior and most of her wardrobe. A clean silhoutte just like she wants that houses her beverage in a glass container–keeps her water clean with no BPA and won’t affect the taste. Easily dishwasher safe ($30).

G.)Jessica Brilliance Top Coat- She may like color on her nails occasionally, but she likely keeps her nails short & tidy with a little bit of shine. This gives a beautiful shine over any color or her natural nail and dries quickly. All Jessica products are also formaldehyde and cruelty-free ($10).

If you let us know you are purchasing a gift–we would be happy to gift wrap the item for you or put it in a gift bag with ribbon, complimentary!

Stay tuned for the jet-setter gift guide next!…

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Casual Chic on Campus

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You have class across campus in about 30 minutes, and you can barely pull yourself from your bed after last night’s cram-session (or party…or both?). You don’t have much time, you are willing to put in minimal effort—but you want to look fresh and pulled-together in class. You never know who you’re going to meet and when, so having that edge can give you extra confidence during a sorority rush event, or even introducing yourself to that cute guy in Economics…

So here’s the deal…you want to look fresh, polished, but EFFORTLESS too…you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard. And frankly–do you even have time to try “too hard?”

Use your study skills and you may just stand out for all the right reasons!:

• PRIORITIZE
• Multi-task
• Keep it simple.
• Organize it.

Prioritizing your beauty routine:

You’re not accepting a golden globe…you’re just going to an 7:30 AM Calc lecture… so we aren’t putting on every stitch of makeup you own. What is REALLY important to you? Do you feel naked without mascara? lipstick/gloss? You know how people will ask if there was “one makeup product you couldn’t live without, what would it be?” Mine is concealer…so make sure the 1 or 2 must-haves are the first things you put on!

I would say that lipstick, mascara, concealer, and eyeliner are probably the top answers to that question….so here are some of my faves (and why they are great for going to class)

1.) Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer by IT cosmetics. A little goes a LONG way and can cover blemishes or under-eye circles in a snap. Has a really realistic-looking finish so you don’t look cake-y. Having a bad skin day? Mix a smidge extra into your usual tinted moisturizer or foundation for added coverage.

2. Diego Dalla Palma Semi-Permanente Mascara. Volumizes lashes like nobody’s business. Waterproof because it has to last all day, and even possibly through your afternoon nap between classes.

3.) Facade waterproof eyeliners. Uber creamy so they glide right on without tugging your skin. Available in 10 shades (3 of the most popular are shown above). Dries waterproof so it will last all day without smudging.

4. (A)  Jouer SPF 15 Lip Sheers. These lip colors glide on as smooth as silk leaving behind just a kiss of sheer color, and protecting your lips from the sun. Every single color looks effortless and suits many skin tones. And if you use one of these in lieu of lipgloss you won’t have to constantly un-stick your hair from your lips every time there’s a slight breeze between classes!

 

4 (b) Lipsticks by Paul & Joe. Every single one of these contains a lip treatment to keep your lips soft. ALSO won’t stick to your hair like gloss. The lipstick is sold seperately from the case so you can choose a cute pattern or design you like. Then you can buy another lipstick to refill it when you’re ready!

Multi-Tasking products will swoop in and cut your time in half!:

Just as in other areas of your life, multi-tasking with your makeup will make you WAY more efficient. Choose products that you can use for more than one use and you will stream-line your collection–letting you get out the door way faster!

1. Use a tinted moisturizer or “BB Cream”. More than just providing a little simple color, these products cover uneven pigment in the skin while TREATING it to improve. So instead of applying moisturizer and then foundation separately you get both steps in one foul swoop! We like the Sensual Skin Balm from Kevyn Aucoin, and the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint for great moisture with moderate coverage. Plus the convenient squeeze tubes make it easily portable in your bag. For less coverage and a more dewy look plus MAJOR skincare benefits AND a sunscreen, we’re obsessed with Natura Bisse Cure Sheer Cream. (The one from Jouer also has a sunscreen built in, and comes in a luminous formula as well!)

2. Scout out products that you could use for color in more than one place! We like the tints AND the highlighters from Jouer for this exact purpose! You can pick 1 or 2 of your faves and smear on lids, lips, and cheeks with a finger for a quick pick-me-up anywhere! What makes them EVEN cooler is that they can slide and lock together or clip back-to-back, so you can keep them organized/together but also customize the colors you want! We LOVE their tints in petal, whisper, peony, and honeysuckle for a fresh pop of color that you could use on lips and cheeks, and ADORE the highlighter in champagne to smear along cheekbones for a luminous POP and to spread across lids for a gorgeous nude shimmer!

3. If you like, try a curling mascara so you don’t have to curl THEN apply mascara. We love Kevyn Aucoin The Curling Mascara. It isn’t waterproof, but it DOES have pretty great staying power. So if you prefer NOT to do a waterproof mascara and/or want the added benefit of a curl while applying your product. This is the mascara for you!

Keep it Simple:

Keep in mind that you do not need to wear every stick of makeup you own to class. You want to look fresh and effortless–NOT overdone. If your goal is to get out the door fast, this is NOT the time to blend 5 eyeshadows together! Heck, you can even SKIP eyeshadow all together! (We won’t tell anyone–pinky swear!) Remember to PRIORITIZE what you feel is most important, but to still keep the steps themselves simple!

 

 1. Try a roller loose shimmer eyeshadow from Kevyn Aucoin so you can simply roll a great color straight onto your lids, and use your finger to blend it out in the blink of an eye! We LOVE the colors Rose Quartz (pictured), Topaz, and Citrine for pretty shimmery nude tones. (The Deeper Lapis, Jade, and Amethyst jewel tones will be great going into fall, though!)

2.) Try a CRAYON eyeshadow from Jouer! WHAT!? These things are FAB. They glide on with a gorgeous creamy consistency, but have the power to really last! Scribble to your heart’s content and blend with your finger or a brush. We LOVE Rococo (soft nude) and Baroque (metallic taupe) for a sexy day look. Stash Abstract in your bag if you want to INSTANTLY up the ante for a night out after study hall! 😉

3.)Instead of keeping track of a powder compact and mirror, stash powder papers in your bag! Just press the pink side of the paper to your face and watch as it absorbs oil and leaves behind the sheerest veil of translucent powder!

4.) Don’t have time for mascara? Just CURLING your lashes makes a humongous difference, and only takes a couple of seconds! We can’t get over what a great job The Eyelash Curler from Kevyn Aucoin does. The wide mouth gets even the teeniest of lashes near the corners of eyes–so you get an instant lift!

 Organize it!:

All the best products in the world won’t do you any good, if you can’t find them quickly!  Try containing everything in a TRUFFLE Petite Clarity Pouch! We can’t get enough of these things (Senior staff artist, Kate, has about FOUR of these in her purse as we speak). These things are great because they are easy to wipe clean, and since they are clear you can see exactly what’s in it…no more searching for what you need! (Kate has hers color coded…pink has makeup….blue has pens/notepad/coupons, nude has pain reliever, tampons, first aid items, gum, etc…)

All of the above items can be found in our store located in Houston’s Uptown Park. Please feel free to stop in our store and take a peek around, or call to order any of the products listed above! We are always happy to help!

Things You Probably Didn’t know about Sunscreen

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Skin Cancer Awareness month is coming to an end, but the long days of sun exposure pool-side or on the beach have just begun. You’ve heard over and over again you should wear sunscreen and why, but here are a few tips to get the best results and choose the right one for you!

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Look for a “broad spectrum” sunscreen. (i.e. one that protects against UVB and UVA rays. (UVB are the rays that burn— UVA are the rays that lead to aging! We definitely want protection from both!)

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For the best protection, slather on SPF 30.
An SPF rating of 15 means 93% of UVB rays are blocked and some UVA rays are blocked, while an SPF of 30  provides 97% UVB protection and about 30% more of the UVA rays. SPF 50 provides about 98% protection of UVB rays, marginally more UVA rays–and sunscreens higher than that go up just a fraction of a percent–no sunscreen blocks 100% of either UVA or UVB rays. In 1999 the FDA recommended sunscreens higher than an SPF 30 be labeled “30+” to prevent people from spending more time in the sun because they thought they had double the protection with a higher SPF number. Unfortunately, it was only a “recommendation”, and many companies get away with charging more for higher SPF values. (I typically notice a $1 difference between SPF 45 and SPF 55 in drugstores!)

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There are two different kinds of sunscreen: physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Don’t let the word “chemical” scare you–they aren’t necessarily harmful, they just work in a different way.

A physical sunscreen physically creates a barrier over your skin. Think of it like when you see a woman asleep on the beach with her hand on her stomach—you just KNOW when she wakes up she will have a white silhouette of her hand where it was resting–it also physically created a barrier in this example. Physical sunscreens work in the same way by leaving a film or barrier on the skin, which is why they are also typically a little harder to rub in, and can at times feel heavy. Many times foundation that has sunscreen built-in contains a physical sunscreen.

You should use a physical sunscreen if:

• You need immediate protection. (You like to apply just before getting into the pool, or before a run first-thing in the morning)
• Your skin is particularly sensitive.

To identify a physical sunscreen look for ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. For instance, Try Skin Within Sun Protect & Repair SPF 40+.

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A chemical sunscreen, absorbs into the skin, and when stimulated by the sun creates a chemical reaction that neutralizes the damaging UV rays. Because it absorbs into the skin it typically feels more lightweight and allows makeup to be blended easily on top–however, the downside is that it takes about 30 minutes to start working, so you can’t apply it poolside and expect total protection—put it on before going outdoors for the best results.

You should use a chemical sunscreen if:

• You prefer a lightweight feel.
• You like layering it under makeup. (so it doesn’t reflect light in photos making your face look lighter than your body, even though it looks OK in person)

To identify a chemical sunscreen look for ingredients: Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl, or Methoxycinnamate.

Shy away from PABA– a very controversial chemical sunscreen that has reported side effects.

Many sunscreens combine both physical and chemical sunscreens to get the benefits both provide—by mixing the two, they can provide SOME protection right away but still keep it feeling light, easy to rub in, etc.

[For instance, Natura Bisse’s Cure Sheer Cream (SPF 20), C+C Vitamin Fluid (SPF 10), C+C Vitamin Cream (SPF 10), Oil-Free SPF 30, and Luminous Shield SPF 50, as well as Darphin’s Vital Protection SPF 50 ALL combine both physical and chemical sunscreens.]

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Use a sunscreen even under makeup with an SPF! We don’t always use enough makeup to get the full protection indicated by the SPF–especially if you only like to cover part of your face with foundation, you’re still left with exposure on your neck, chest, hairline, and ears. For a more thorough application, put on your sunscreen first. Then finish with your makeup.

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In order to get the full SPF protection, the average person needs to use about 1 oz of sunscreen to cover their entire body (about a shot glass’ worth). So that bottle you picked up that has 3.5 oz? It should only cover 3&1/2 applications for just ONE PERSON. So a family of 4 should have no problem taking care of one bottle per day at the beach. If you use less, you’ll still get protection, but you may only get a protection of 15 from your SPF 30 if you skimp, or a protection of 5 to 8 from your SPF 15!

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Once you open a bottle of sunscreen, it only has a shelf-life of about 12 months. So that HUGE bottle you bought at Costco for your family vacation last summer won’t provide reliable protection this summer. But hopefully you used it up anyway in the fall and winter’s outdoor activities (soccer, football, hiking, biking, and skiing–the sun’s rays are still strong even in cooler months!)

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There’s no such thing as “healthy color” from the sun. Even the smallest change in skin tone actually indicates damage from the sun. It’s a reaction known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH for short) and it stimulates the melanin in your skin to try and build up it’s DEFENSES for the future–this is why after you have a little bit of a tan, it becomes harder to burn. With prolonged exposure, though, these melanocytes can over-multiply causing skin cancer or sun spots.

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Waterproof sunscreen is a myth. The FDA now requires labels to indicate they are water resistant instead and must be tested to last 40-80 minutes when test areas are completely submerged in water. So if you’re in the pool or ocean, or working up a sweat outdoors–you’ll still want to re-apply every hour or so to keep it from wearing off.

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Even though technically SPF 15 means it protects you from burning 15 times longer than you would without sunscreen–you still have to reapply every one or two hours. It wears off over time….Keep reapplying, and try staying indoors during noon and 2 pm when the sun is it’s strongest. Of course, it’s also not a bad idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face (as well as the back of your neck) and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

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Many lipsticks, although not SPF-rated, have an SPF. Titanium Dioxide is a very common ingredient in lipstick. Slick one of these or a lip balm with an SPF on to protect your kisser!

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If you end up with a burn anyway–(it happens even to the most careful!), try reading my tips for soothing sunburn here! I bet you haven’t heard of all of these remedies before either!…