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!

Vichy’s has made progress in “regenerative cosmetics.” The new Aqualina Antiox Serum works at the heart of the skin cells through the use of two specific ingredients.  The first is Pure Citrus Polyphenol.  This is the active ingredient that is known to boost the regenerative power of stem cells against oxidative stress.  The second major ingredient is a 10% Vitamin C dose.  This comes in a powder form that you mix into the bottle when you are ready to start using it.  The 21 day result provides fewer lines and a more radiant skin tone.  It has a resurfacing effect on the skin and I find that this is extrmely useful if you struggle with hyperpigmentation.  Vichy offers several products for this in addition to the serum, which you can view here.

My husband was at lunch in the Crocker Galleria yesterday and picked up a FREE full size lipgloss sample for me from Bare Escentuals! Apparently, it is part of their direct to consumer marketing campaign. 

Onto the important stuff…..I tried the gloss and absolutely LOVE it! First off, they did a fantastic job with the scent.  It smells like warm caramel - yum! Next, the color is beautiful.  I tried the “rose” color and it seems like it would go with many skin tones.  There are 11 other color choices to choose from also.  It is not too sticky and gives a natural shine.  Better yet, it is 100% natural -  no preservatives, parabens or artificial dyes!

Purchase bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss here.

This year, I decided to expand the blog from make up reviews to make up artist interviews.  My goal is to provide additional exposure for local makeup artists, while bringing readers additional tips and product info.

Jeffrey Burks, who is a Regional Makeup Artist for Trish McEvoy, graciously accepted an invitation to be my first contributor.  He has worked with Trish herself for several years.  Trish partnered with her husband, Dr. Ronald Sherman to combine beuaty and skincare philosophies.  Her first product was a set of make-up brushes.  The original brushes were # 5, 37, 2b, 21, 29, and 11.

Jeffrey and I spoke about some new products that Trish developed.  One in particular, the foundation Beauty To Go Pen is a refillable liquid foundation click pen and all-in-one brush.  The great thing is that you can add any type of her liquid foundation to the pen. 

The one foundation that I would recommend to add to the pen is the one that I fell in love with while talking to Jeffrey.  It is the Treatment Foundation w/ SPF 15.  This has been the BEST foundation that I have tested (and ladies, I have tested way too many to count - I am obsessed) and it better be for the cost.  It is $75, but as long as you don’t drop the bottle (as I did) you will have it for a LONG time.  Just think of it as an “investment” in your “make-up wardwrobe.”

Another similar product is the Liquid Face Color Pen.  It is a weightless fluid formula that gives your cheeks a sheer wash of color that appears to come from within.  It is travel-friendly and practially mistake-proof. 

Next, he spoke about the All Over Face Color for an instant pick me up.

The Gorgeous Lip Color that was introduced recently is a sheer lipcolor.  Jeffrey mentioned the “violet” color as one of his favorites. 

Next, the Beauty Booster Lip Glosses give a surge of moisture to the lip and also contain SPF 15. 

Jeffrey also walked me through the basics of their skincare philosophy.  They have a “4 Essentials” approach - Cleanse, Exfoliate, Moisturize, and Protect.  One standout product that he emphasized was the Even Skin Beta Hydroxy Pads.  They are not abrasive and don’t burn or dry out the skin.  They target pores and lines.  They help to make moisturizer and other skincare products absorb in and work better on the skin.  He spoke to me about importance of EXFOLIATING especially during the winter months.  Skin will be brighter and fresher if you do so.  I took his advice and it greatly improved my skin!

Another skin care product that I tested was the Even Skin Vitamin C Cream.  This is great for someone with hyperpigmentation from sun damage.  Use only at night and it will brighten your skin tone. 

The last product that I went wild for was the Luxe Moisture Balm w/ SPF 15.  I can’t get enough of it, since I have had the worst chapped lips (and again, have tried EVERYTHING).  Jeffrey made my day, by sharing this one with me. 

This latest product in Dior’s new skincare line, L’or De Vie, is extremely luxurious.  The creme is rich, but not too oily and combats aging effects through grape-seed extracts or ”vineyard essences. ” This is a trend amongst cosmetic cremes, potions and lotions.  Although, I must admit this left my skin feeling silky and luxurious! It should for $367.57…..click here for yours!

This is a decent lipstick for a drugstore brand and it contains Keratin for soft, smooth lips.  Another plus is that it has SPF 15.  I tried color # 8 and suggest trying a different color as this is not compatible with many skin tones.  Click here to purchase for $3.99

I tried #3 Medium in this concealer.  The coverage is good and the product will last a long time.  Click here two for $14.38. 

This mattyfier will keep skin shine free and prevent new blemishes from forming.  My facialist recommended it to me for combination skin.  Click here to purchase for $30.

This cream combats wrinkles, loss of firmness, dehydration, lack of radiance and inconsistency in pigmentation.  It leavs skin revitalized, regenerated, radiant.  Best for mature, drier skin.  Click here to purchase for $330.00

I tried the neutral color in this foundation and it is very good! The foundation covers well and evened out my skin tone.  Claims to diminish age spots in 4-6 weeks as well.  Click here to purchase for $39.50.