Beauty Favorites: Face

I thought it would be fun to discuss some of our Beauty Favorites, and if you’ve found them- your Holy Grail or HG beauty products.  I was inspired by the the infamous annual beauty awards from InStyle, the annual CEW Awards (like the Oscars for beauty products), and hearing what you all like!

I’ll start with the basics and do my best to follow suit by including both a low-end and high end option.

Makeup

Primer

Drug Store:  

L’oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base.  This is a new product from the L’oreal studio line and I was quite impressed, though I don’t know if it is magical.  Rumor has it’s an affordable dupe for Clarins!  It is a thicker souffle texture with a slight pink tone.  Silicone based to help fill in fine lines and wrinkles and ensure a soft canvas for makeup appication.

High End:

Illamasqua Matte Primer.  This probably isn’t the first thing you’d look to Illamasqua for (hello, COLOR), but I have been extremely impressed with this.  It is water based (which my acne prone skin loves), contains an SPF (which my anti-aging side loves), and keeps my makeup long lasting and relatively matte (which, well, I love!).  They also offer a satin primer for those not looking for a matte finish.

More after the jump…

Oils as Secret Beauty Weapon: Baby Oil

Ah, baby oil.  The scent is incredibly nostalgic and if it’s safe and gentle enough to use on babies- it must be good for us too, right?

Yes and no.

Baby Oil has long been heralded as a beauty secret of women all around the world.  Baby Oil is essentially mineral oil often enhanced with fragrance and at times, aloe vera and vitamin E.  Find out where you should use baby oil and where you shouldn’t after the jump.  

Oils as Secret Beauty Weapon: Fish Oil

Fish Oil

A couple of years ago, I overheard my father complaining about how often he needed to get a haircut and clip his fingernails.  He was convinced it was because of the new pills he was taking.  Of course, my beauty obsessessed ears perked up, “What is this magical pill? Is it prescription?  How can I get it?”  Turns out it was something you could pick up at CVS: Fish Oil.

Ok, at first I was kinda grossed out about the idea of both fish and oil.  But I bought my own and started taking it diligently.  I have to admit, I noticed that my nails were dramatically improving and my hair and skin had a bit more of a sheen.  Another happy side effect– my knees seemed to be popping less! (Years of soccer and a serious knee injury have left my knees pretty worthless.)  Little did I know that despite these delightful superficial effects, I was actually doing something great for my body!

Oil as Secret Beauty Weapon

Often times, in a “beauty” context, oil can be a bit of a “four letter word” (think oily skin and hair).  However, natural oils (several types) can actually be true beauty and health secrets.  Throughout the week, I’ll discuss a few of the oils that I use on a regular basis and some of the excellent beauty and heath benefits of each.

Olive Oil

Ah yes, the elixir of the Gods.  Not only is olive oil incredibly delicious, the positive health effects are astounding.  Olive oil is the only oil that can be consumed as is- it can be freshly consumed after pressing from the fruit.  Olive oil has a very high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.  I know what you’re thinking, AHHH FAT!  This is the good fat.  This type of fat offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels.  Research has also shown that people who incorporated Olive oil into their daily diet had significantly less cases of colon cancer than others.  More about types of Olive oil and its beautifying properties after the jump…

Crystal for Chanel

Famed plus-size model Crystal Renn will be walking in the Chanel 2011 Cruise Collection in St. Tropez.  Crystal Renn started modeling at 14 after being approached by a modeling scout and told that she could have an extremely successful modeling career if she lost 9 inches from her waist.  She rapidly developed a serious eating disorder, which she chronicles in her memoir, Hungry. Crystal had a mildly successful modeling career, got several foreign covers, and sank deeper and deeper into illness.  She eventually sought treatment and chose health over modeling.  However, after finally beating her eating disorder, Crystal did the unthinkable; she returned to the fashion world that had damaged her so to become, arguably, the most successful plus-size model ever.  If that weren’t enough, Crystal has slowly, yet determinably, broken down barriers ever since.  She has walked the runway for Mark Fast in London, modeled for a huge spread in W magazine, and is on the current cover of Glamour (alongside Brooklynn Decker and Alessandra Ambrosio- pic above). However, most notably, she is now walking the runway for CHANEL!  Why is this such a breakthrough?

Lite Brite Evening Gowns?

At the Met Costume Gala this year, Katy Perry displayed an innovative fashion choice.  Her gown, made my CuteCircuit, was powered by small iPod batteries which allowed her to change the color of her dress (via small light tubes throughout the dress).  What do you think?

I actually kind of love it.  The gown itself is quite fashion forward and I love the idea of being able to change the color of my clothing (even if it is “lit from within”).  I quite like the purply-pink one.

Is this the future of fashion?  Technology has permeated every other facet of our life- why not evening gowns?

CuteCircuit is said to be debuting a dress that can change both pattern and color based on the wearer’s movement.  I’m very interested to see how this turns out.

Thoughts?

Taylor Swift New Face for Cover Girl

Taylor Swift has been named the new face for Cover Girl Cosmetics.  She has begun shooting ads which will debut in January.  She is said to be modeling a new line of “luxury” cosmetics for Cover Girl.

I think Taylor is an obvious choice for Cover Girl, though I’m not so sure about the “luxury” angle.  I think she would naturally cater to a younger audience that is probably less interested in luxury products, and more interested in affordable and fun products.  Honestly, I would much rather see Taylor be the spokesperson for a haircare line (I’m sure they are all begging for it).  I think her gorgeous honey spiral locks are much more her signature than her makeup.