Cosmetaholic

The Boscia Jujube Salve Stick is 100% natural.  It contains jujube fruit and macadamia nut oil, which encourages cell regeneration while plumping lips and smoothing fine lines.  This great lip moisturizer can also prevent lipstick from feathering and refresh any cakey concealer.

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!

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

Macs Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 has a very nice color that goes on smooth and glossy. I tried soothing beige color, it’s nice natural and neutral. This has Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, vitamins A and E.

Very good product. The Mac Lip Care Lip Conditioner comes in a tube, it’s an emollient balm used for maxing-out repair by conditioning lips. It locks in moisture and has  Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, vitamins A and E. Is also petroleum based so it feels comfortable on, not sticky.

It’s a good  sheen shimmer, not really a self tanner. The Nars Body Glow is good, but not as good as you think when you consider how much you paid for it. The key ingredient in this is Monoi de Tahiti Oil with a rich chocolate shimmer for a dewy, natural glow.

Purchase your Nars Body Glow here for $59.00

Neutrogenas Micro Mist Tanning Sunless Spray is pretty good. A hands-free application, the msty is light and fine, you get even coverage and you don’t need to rub it in. Oil and alcohol free, this won’t clog pores.

Purchase your Neutrogena Micro Mist Tanning Sunless Spray here for $9.39

The medium L’oreal Sublime glow for face is good. It doesn’t smell and it’s not too oily, gives a gradual tan. This lotion has mango butter, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E to smooth, soften, and revitalize skin

Xen-Tan Dark Lotion  is good, it’s like the other self tanners I like that don’t smell or streak, it’s not the best but good enough. It gives you a beautiful instant tan and develops in three hours into a deep more olive-toned self-tan. Has hazelnut, walnut oils and jojoba oil that help make it long lasting.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t as dark as I wanted it to be. Still, the DDF Self Tanner is oil free, fast drying, moisturizing and it doesn’t streak. So it’s good for a subtle tan, without the risks on the skin from the sun.