Cosmetaholic

This month, I had the pleasure of receiving some tips from local, SF based Bravon Pascua.  He is a Master Global Makeup Artist with Bare Escentuals.  Read on to find out about new products and more makeup tips & tricks from one of the best in the industry.

Cosmetaholic: What are your favorite new additions to the Bare Escentuals lineup?

Bravon: bareMinerals Big & Bright Eyeliner- I love that the Big & Bright Eyeliner is infused with 100% pure bareMinerals, botanical extracts and antioxidants. The eyeliners provide this rich, longwearing color that glides on the eyelid effortlessly. Plus, the intense color will also visibly enhance the whites of the eyes for a beautiful eye-brightening effect.

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara – We just released this waterproof version in time for the summer season.  The formula provides you with flawless looking lashes every time you apply! The state-of-the art brush works like a 360 degree fine-toothed comb to separate all of your lashes for outstanding clump-free definition, length and incredible lift. The waterproof formula is tear-proof, smudge-proof & run-proof and it will stay put all day until you take it off, yet it removes easily with eye makeup remover without tugging or damaging lashes. It’s a must-have for summer or for brides too.

bareMinerals Mineral Veil SPF 25 -Mineral Veil is known as one of our ‘hero’ products. It’s our incredible face-finishing powder that will give your skin the look of airbrushed perfection, while also absorbing excess oil and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores. Utilizing a special micronized titanium dioxide has allowed us to add a natural SPF to our formula without compromising the translucent, feather light application and airbrushed finish. I like applying it over our bareMinerals Foundation for that added dose of SPF protection.

Cosmetaholic: What are your classic favorites and do you have any tips for using?

Bravon: My all time classic favorite is our revolutionary bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation. Every woman should try this if they haven’t already. It gives you the look of perfection: beautiful, bare skin without the look and feel of wearing a mask. To apply, you simply swirl a tiny bit into the lid (I always recommend that less is more with bareMinerals) and then tap off the excess.  The magic happens when you buff bareMinerals onto the skin. bareMinerals Foundation will work with the natural oils and warmth of your skin to impart that impeccably flawless finish.

bareMinerals Warmth All-Over Face Color is another one of my all time favorites! Warmth is that great shade, that complexion booster that will give your skin the oomph that we all need. Warmth is not a bronzer or a blush. It’s a complexion booster that will make you look healthy and vibrant. Warmth looks like beautiful color coming from within. My tip for application is to sprinkle a tiny bit in the lid and swirl with the Flawless Application Face Brush, tap off the excess, and simply apply Warmth where the sun would naturally kiss your skin.

Cosmetaholic: Can you give us some basic skincare or makeup advice that you normally give to your clients?

Bravon: Regarding facial moisturizers — don’t overdo it! Smothering your skin with moisturizer can lead to clogged pores. I recommend applying a quarter-size amount of RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer into the palm of the hand, warm it up in a circular motion with your finger tip and apply all over the face and neck blending gently to insure immediate absorption. 

Brighten the complexion with any of our beautiful bareMinerals All-Over Face Colors.  bareMinerals Radiances are slightly luminous (not glittery) and will deliver an almost imperceptible glow.  bareMinerals Clear Radiance, as well as Rose Radiance, will complement fair to medium skin tones. Tropical Radiance, as well as Warm Radiance, will complement tan to dark skin tones. Apply the preferred shade with the Tapered Blush Brush hitting the high point of the cheekbones, jaw line, forehead and down the nose. Your complexion will look magnificent!

To increase sheen on cheekbones and brow bones, I recommend using the index finger to press a pearl or slightly shimmery eyecolor over those areas, carefully blending and softening the edges. Color should translate translucent on the skin with a slight pearl shimmer. My all-time favorite bareMinerals Eyecolors that work best for creating this look are: Vanilla Sugar, Cultured Pearl and Hyacinth.

Cosmetaholic: What do you recommend that every woman should have in her makeup bag?

Bravon: Flawless Definition Mascara in Black-There’s no easier way to make your eyes pop than with rich, black mascara!

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor in Red Delicious & Parfait.  bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor is a must! Wear Red Delicious for that sexy sultry look & Parfait for that everyday shade that gives lips a hint of color.

bareMinerals Mineral Veil -A must-have for quick flawless touch-ups during the day!

Almay One Coat Mascara has a two-sided brush.  This allows it to define and lengthen a good amount for a drugstore brand.  Click here to get yours for $5.99.

This isn’t my favorite mascara but it’s okay. The Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara enhances your lashes, up to 400% according to Neutrogena. It has atouch of olive oil which penetrates and helps plump each lash. Gives great volume without any clumps, smudges or flaking. Comes in 3 shades.

Purchase your Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara here for $6.99

This mascara comes in washable and a waterproof versions. The Lash Discovery Mini Brush washable comes in black and brown while the waterproof just comes in black. The tiny brush is a little weird but it works aside from the being slightly clumpy part. Otherwise it’s good, lengthens and defines lashes.

The last Mac Mascara is the Mascara X. This one i tried in Black. It’s one of the better mascaras MAC makes…lengthens and defines, but not as much as YSL and Dior. You’ll need a good eye make up remover to take this off though. It’s long lasting and comes in black and dark brown.

This lash base is good if you really need it. It would depend on the mascara you’re using it under, some don’t really need it. The Prep+Prime Lash Base Cils is a  white coat that dries to a semi-clear base.

Purchase your Prep+Prime Lash Base Cils here for $13.50

The Mac Plush Lash in Plush Black is nice, especially the wand, but it also doesn’t give enough like the Zoom Lash. Good thing about it is there’s no clumping, spiking, smudging or flaking.

Purchase your Mac Plush Lash here for $8.98

This mascara wand brow smoother that really defines brows, however it can be overdone quick! The Mac Brow set grooms the brows really well. You can even use it on lashes, sideburns, and chops - any facial hair basically. I liked the Beguile.

Purchase your Mac Brow set here for $13.50

Very good defining, volumizing and lengthening mascara. The brush is what i really liked as it’s curved perfectly and it’s long lasting as well. It’s also virtually smudge-proof, tear-proof and easily removable.

You can purchase your Lancome Virtuôse here for $23

This was just okay, the thing is it doesn’t seem that necessary. It’s suppose to maximize the result of other mascaras and also help in the separating process.

You can purchase your Lancome Cils Booster XL here for $29.29