Showing posts with label Expert Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expert Advice. Show all posts

Suddenly Silver: The New New Nails

Thanks to this fall's obsession with jet black tips, fingernails have become the hottest spot to show off our fashion competence. But, now that everyone (and thier mothers) is sporting a black manicure, the fashion pack is switching to silver. The biggest nail trend on the Spring 2007 runways, from Chanel to DSquared2 pewter nails perfectly complemented the future-funky clothing and sparkly makeup. And, it's the perfect segue from black polish: in the color spectrum, it's like black's fresh, pretty younger sister. So if you consider yourself a makeup trend-spotter, make the switch now. Its perfect for holiday (you silver belle, you), and you'll get to be the first to say silver is the new black. Because you've always wanted to say that.

Sephora's Silver Tips: Dior Addict Nail Color in Silver 403, Hard Candy Vintage Nail Polish in Trailer Trash, Sephora Nail Polish in 48, Lancome VERNIS MAGNÉTIC in Alloy.


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Now boarding: beauty products security can't snag

Okay, so airline security swiped your favorite lipgloss – but it’s time to move on! The good news: holiday flying just got a whole lot easier. No, we can’t fix the endless lines, wailing babies, or the guy next to you snoring like a grizzly, but we can give you the cosmetics that’ll whiz you right through security this season. The latest rules on what's allowed? Any gels and liquids that are 3 oz. or less, as long as they fit into one quart-size clear, zipped bag. So cram these flight-friendly products into that carry-on: Philosophy’s Amazing Grace To Go, GoSMILE’s Jet Set Kit, Benefit's Benetint Pocket Pal, Kenzo's FlowersbyKenzo Pocket Sprays – or lots, lots more from our airline-approved beauty list. Pack wisely this season, make peace with old flight horrors, and coast knowing you have all the beauty essentials you left with. Ah, now that’s a beautiful landing.


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Hot Silver

Reporting live from Sephora's Spring 2007 catalog shoot: Silver nails are officially spring's slickest trend (we totally called this, btw). Celebrity manicurist Myrdith Mccormack painted our model's tips with a chrome-inspired coat of silver polish (the finish is actually matte, but the silver flecks make it appear shiny), topped off with a stripe of silver sparkles. "It’s edgy—great for evenings, the holidays, or if you’re fashion forward, says Mccormack. "If you’ve got a job where you can’t let loose, you can still wear the trend by applying a silvery white, pearly shade." She recommends wearing silver polish on a shorter nail, or one that's oval shaped. To really make the color pop, first paint the nails with a coat of light beige or white polish. The solid base will make the silver more intense. The look we’re loving is a chrome finish—the actual finish is matte, but the silver flakes in the formula make it look supershiny. Here, Mccormack layered a clear polish infused with chunky sparkles on top of the silver base for a super sparkly finish.


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Wedding Beauty: Tying the Knot in Too Faced

Love is in the air at Sephora: beauty writer Joannie Sevilla tied the knot last weekend in sunny San Jose, CA. She wore warm shades of golds and browns on her eyes and icy pink on her lips for a look that's natural enough for the California sunshine, but sufficiently glowing to avoid plain-Jane wedding photos. Of course, the glittering diamond tiara and princess pearls added to the bridal ambiance, but hey, makeup is a bride's best friend, too! Here's Joannie's DIY bridal beauty lineup by Too Faced: Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation in Miami Tan, Oscar and Dirt Bag Eyeshadows, Who's Your Daddy Blush and Sunny Bunny Bronzer all from the all-inclusive Jewelry Box, Liquif-Eye (to turn Dirt Bag into a stay-put liner), Glamour Gloss in Material Girl, Lash Injection (a mega-intense mascara that's coming to Sephora in December) and Lip Injection in Techno Kiss for an all-day pout. Biggest tip from the bride? "Take plenty of time to get ready -- you are preparing for the ultimate date! And don't forget to bring blotting papers. Shiny forehead is not a good look for a bride."


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Concealer Confessions: An Amazing Story

When it comes to complexion products, everyone is adamant about their favorite product. Some prefer foundation, others, pressed powder. Me, I'm a concealer girl. And my life totally changed when I first tried Amazing Concealer. The super-concentrated formula perfectly blends into your skin to cover just about every red spot, purple circle, or blue vein on your face—and since using it, I haven't had a (visible) zit. On Wednesday night, Amazing Cosmetics teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Joanne Gair for en event at Sephora 5th Avenue. Gair, a Hollywood makeup artist who specializes in intricate body painting, signed copies of her new book, Body Painting - Masterpieces by Joanne Gair, while the gals behind Amazing, founders Lisa Thurman and Sue Katz (pictured here with Gair) and spokesperson Sandy Incardona schmoozed with Sephora clients. "It's like 6 degrees of Jo with us," said Incardona. "Jo is friends with so many of Hollywood's top makeup artists, and she gave them our concealer. Now, they call us on their own." Incardona admitted that she's gotten apologetic calls at 7:30 at night requesting more. Gair packaged her two fave products - Amazing Concealer and Powder Set, in a limited edition kit called Jo's Picks. "My friends in the biz call me and say 'you've changed my professional life,'" she says. "Amazing Cosmetics makes my job so much easier." Mine too!


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Global Goddesses Beauty Tips

Global Goddess creator Shalini Vadhera is a true international beauty expert: She's got her own column on iVillage, a book, Passport to Beauty (now in its 4th printing!) and a makeup line (called Global Goddess) that's packed with beneficial ingredients from around the world. Fresh in from Europe, Vadhera met with us yesterday to preview her Spring 2007 collection. Inspired by the Serengeti Desert, where Vadhera spent time as a child, the collection of gorgeous eye palettes, juicy lip glosses and inky eye liners is infused with two of East Africa's most important skincare ingredients: Moringa oil, is like the olive oil of East Africa, but with higher antioxidant benefits, while Baobab oil is renown for its skin softening and firming properties. And as expected from an international woman of beauty, Vadhera was chock full of tips. Here're a few or our favorites:

BREAKOUT BUSTERS
"My skin was broken out, and a Russian woman told me to take B Complex Vitamins. I ran to GNC and bought a combo of B-Complex Vitamins and Vitamin C, and since taking them my skin's really cleared up."

HANGOVER CURE
"Navy blue liner is the perfect hangover relief. The blue offsets redness, brightens the white of the eyes and makes them sparkle. Just rim the inside of your eyes with a navy blue pencil like Global Goddess I-Define Eye Liner in Sapphire Stone. I used this tip all the time when I'd makeup celebrities and models."

PURPLE SHADOW TIPS
"When you're wearing plum eye shadow shadow (like Global Goddess i-Divine Eye Color in Batasia) dust a little of the purple shadow over your cheeks to tie your eyes in with the rest of your face."



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Bridal Party: Survival Tips for the Big Day

With just two weeks counting till her big day, our beauty writer (and bride-to-be) Joannie Sevilla is slightly obsessed with bridal beauty. With the help of Too Faced's Jerrod Blandino and Deb Norton, she got a handful of makeup tips including not to go too "natural" ("This is your red carpet moment," Blandino said) and to add on lots of shimmer and sparkle. That said, Too Faced's Limited Edition Jewelry Box and After Glow Ice Cubes will be must-haves in her bridal makeup bag for sure. On the hair front, it's all about the height and "pouf." She's been obsessed with hairpieces, including Ken Paves HairDo's (Hello, instant movie star hair!) and is practically sleeping in her tiara, and testing out a million hairstyles everyday. All you former brides and bridal experts out there, help a sister out -- we'd love to hear your best bridal beauty tips!


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Benefit's Bag of Beauty Tricks

Our friends (and San Francisco neighbors) at Benefit Cosmetics recently peeked inside their favorite makeup artists’ makeup bags—and found a lot of fun, alternative uses for their top-selling products. I had to share these new “ah-ha!” ideas:

Carmindy, reality TV makeup artist:
“For fuller looking lips, dab a bit of Eyebright pencil on the cupid’s bow of the upper lip and on the center under the lower lip… be sure to blend!”

Nicole Bryl, entertainment tv makeup artist:
“I can’t live without my Color Plump pencil in Yoo Hoo… I use it as a shimmery glow on cheeks and eyes—the creamy formula doesn’t dry out your face, or crease on the eyelids.”

Joe J. Simon, celebrity makeup artist:
"A trick I use to make a wide or crooked nose look slimmer and straighter is to draw a subtle line down the bridge of the nose with High Beam liquid highlighter (remember to tap it in so you don't see the line!). It really works!"

Jennifer Turchi, prime time makeup artist:
“I use Georgia powder on everyone. It’s also a great tool to combat "raccoon" eyes. After using a light concealer to cover dark circles, sweep Georgia under the eyes to bring the color back to natural! It’s also perfect on the eyelids to blend strong color eye shadows.”

Sara Glick, top magazine makeup artist:
“Boi-ing concealer gives smooth texture and great coverage that doesn’t cake or crease. For more sheer coverage, mix it with any moisturizer, and for an evening look try mixing Boi-ing with a highlighter.”

Margot Boccia, Hollywood makeup artist:
“For a great foundation, mix You Rebel tinted moisturizer with a liquid highlighter. Try using it on just the cheekbones or on the lids as a shadow.”

Arianne Damboise, Benefit national makeup artist:
“Use Glamazon as a contour to create bone structure. Brush the sheer bronze tint under cheek bones to give lift, down your nose and even along your jaw line to create a slimming effect.”


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Going Goth: Black nails are the new buff

Whether you're uptown, downtown or small town, black nails are a fall beauty must-have. A step up the goth-o-meter from last fall's deep chocolate nail, jet black, black blue and black purple polish haven't been this popular since the early 1990's when Chanel kicked off the trend with their Vamp nail polish. Now, Chanel's newest must-have polish, Black Satin, which they introduced in late July, is experiencing waiting lists comparable to a Hermes Birkin Bag. The New York Times reported on the trend last week, citing OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, shu uemura’s ME083, OPI’s Black Onyx and Essie’s Wicked as the current must-have shades. My personal favorite darkside polishes are Deborah Lippmann Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Sephora's Nail Polish 12, which, unsurprisingly, is temporarily out of stock. Who would have guessed that a $4 bottle of nail polish would have a waiting list? Take that, Birkin.


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Emerging Spring Trends

The Spring 2007 shows aren't over yet, but we're already seeing some strong beauty trends coming off the ruunways. Get a head start with these standout looks: HAIR: Updo's, but not ponytails. Hair was gathered up in loose buns and romantic weaves. Short cuts are also huge. At Christian Dior, Orlando Pita rolled long hair into a short, bowl-shape. His inspiration? Joan of Arc and bowl cuts.LIPS: Nude. From pale peaches and pinks to naked beiges, pouts are pretty understated. EYES: Metallic. From pale silver liner to golden lids, metallics are seeing a major resurgence, in pretty, pale shades.


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Niacin for Eczema

Anyone who's had eczema knows that it's one tough habit to kick. It's paid me visits since I was a baby: On my arms as a toddler, on 2 fingers during high school (friends/family kindly named them my "fungus fingers."), and now, it pops up whenever I wear certain jewelry (nickel allergy, I think), or, of course, completely randomly. Hydrocortisone has worked as a quick fix, though in highschool I went to bed wearing a petroleum cream beneath white gloves. But, a recent release on The Open Press is touting the benefits of taking Niacin to treat eczema. Here's what it says: "Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, nicotinamide or nicotinic acid, is a water soluble vitamin that is crucial for metabolism and maintaining normal function of the skin, nerves and digestive system. While niacin is not commonly thought of as a skin care remedy, it may actually do more for you than any of the ‘magic’ ingredients currently promoted. Severe niacin deficiency causes pellagra – the symptoms of which include dry skin and inflammation accompanied by weight loss, diarrhea, and general weakness – but even a mild deficiency can cause very dry skin and eczema. In fact, niacin supplementation is often recommended for someone undergoing eczema treatment. It is inexpensive, readily available and will improve your overall health as well as your skin."


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Green Beauty- Your Guide to Natural Products

From eco-friendly packaging to natural ingredients, beauty is going green. There's a great article called Greener Pastures in the online magazine BeautyAddict. It's all about origin of the term "natural cosmetics" and the benefits of using them. The interesting part of the Natural Beauty realm is that the terms are not regulated. So companies can slap the term "natural" or "organic" on their products to appeal to customers, but the formulas may not live up to thier claims. So when shopping for natural beauty, it's really important to educate yourself on the different types of natural products, and what their claims really mean. Here's a list of the types of natural beauty we sell at Sephora:

ORGANIC
Made from ingredients (70 percent or higher) that are grown without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or preservatives, these au natural animal or vegetable-based products are gentle and essential for radiant-looking skin. Sephora's organic lines are L'Occitane and Juice Beauty.

PARABEN-FREE
Parabens are a class of chemical preservatives that commonly cause allergic reactions, especially in those with sensitive skin. So before you even think about subjecting yourself to unbearable skin rashes, burning eyes (ouch!), and other irritations, opt for paraben-free products pronto. My paraben-free favorites are Caudalie and Boscia.

HOMEOPATHIC
Based on the theory that like treats like. In skincare speak: that translates to treating oily skin with oil. Formulated from natural ingredients that work in harmony with (not against) your immune system, follow a homeopathic beauty regimen for balanced and beautiful skin … from the inside out. Korres Natural Products is based on these principles.

HOLISTIC
Looks at the skin from a whole body point of view, addressing problems at their source rather than dealing with symptoms. Wondering what’s causing that redness around your nose? Holistic healers (like Dr. Hauschka) delve into the big picture, focusing on lifestyle, stress level, exercise (or lack of it), occupation, and other outside factors that could be the cause. Dr. Hauschka has pioneered this field in skincare.


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She's Got Legs

I’m welcoming fall—and the leggings and opaque stockings that are coming with it—with open arms. Why? So I can hide my gross legs. From visible veins to scaly knees, my legs are NOT my strong point—which explains why I honed in on this article in the Wichita Eagle: Bare all: Beauty products for over-40 Legs (I’ve got a long way till 40, but my legs don’t…). Lois Joy Johnson, beauty and fashion director at More, dishes on how to ward off signs of aging on the legs—read spider veins, cellulite and age spots. Here are her tips: 1. Use a caffeine laced-cellulite cream to get rid of fluid that causes puffiness in the calves and ankles. She recommends Yves Saint Laurent Profil Mince.2. Exfoliate away dead skin with an AHA lotion like Peter Thomas Roth AHA 12 percent Body Lotion. 3. To fight brown spots, apply Lumedia, a 2% hydroquinone cream that’s made for facial use, to the affected areas on the legs. And never wear shorts or skirts without sunscreen. 4. Spider Veins: N. V. Perricone Alpha Lopoic Acid Spider-Vein Leg helps rebuild your collagen and strengthen your blood vessels, helping to decrease the prevalence of visible veins.5. In lieu of nylons, spritz on Dior Airflash Spray Foundation to cover imperfections.


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The Lash Word


Speaking of Urban Decay, check out this testimonial Urban Decay's Fatty Lashes on the blog Jack and Hill. We couldn't agree more--but luckily, it's now safe to fly with mascara (sorry, I'm a bit obsessed with the new travel regulations. I'm seriously frothing at the mouth over the merge of beauty with current events). Other fave mascaras of mine? Well, there are a few:

1. Lash Control Mascara: We don't sell it at Sephora, but beauty editor friends told me about it and I bought it and loved it. It has a built in wiper sleeve that lets you control the amount of mascara on the wand--so you can score natural looking or amped up lashes; it's all in how you squeeze it.

2. Blinc Kiss Me Mascara: It forms tubes around each lash, for great separation and amazing staying power--it won't come off in water, and never flakes. If you rub your eyes you may see some rogue tubes fall off, but no smudging. This is a great option for gals who are prone to smudging beneath their eyes.

3. Benefit Get Bent Mascara: The wand is strategically bent to curve the lashes upwards. It's pretty ergonomic in the sense that you don't have to twist your arm to avoid getting mascara all over your eyelids.

4. Yes to Volume! No to Clumps! Mascara: I love the name for being so darn out-of-the box, but it's the comb applicator that really makes the difference. I find that volumizing formulas usually come with clumps, but this one applies it with a separating comb that gives volume--totally smoothly.

5. Too Faced Lash Injection: Ok, this one's not out till December, but I just got my hands on it yesterday and am gaga over it. The "extreme" thickening and lengthening formula uses a molecule that coats lashes 3-dimensionally. Usually mascaras use 2 different mechanisms to lengthen and thicken, but this formula does it all in one, which intrigues me. And its smell--like an Almafi lemon grove--is totally addictive. I wore this to go see a band last night in a hipster music venue, and, where I'd usually feel like a fish out of water (nerd!), in this mascara I felt like a chic, wide-eyed 60's mod girl. Thanks Too Faced!



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Flight Attendence

Frequent flying beauty junkies rejoice! The TSA is lifting the ban on liquids, aerosols and gels, allowing us to, once again, bring our beauty essentials on board. Though there is one stipulation: all products must be in bottles no bigger than 3oz and everything must fit in a quart-size, clear plastic bag (thankfully my favorites are available in size small). If you do plan to carry-on your absolute essentials you will be asked to place your bag of beauty in a bin or directly onto the conveyor belt for thorough examining. So if you don't want to check your luggage, you need to pack smartly--7.5" x 8" is not much room to work with! Consolidate your makeup and skincare in one bag, stock up on mini-me versions of your favorite beauty, and to save space, look for products that multitask, like shampoo and conditioners in one or dual eyeliners/mascara. For more on the ban, click the link above. And check out Sephora’s collection of travel-friendly beauty.


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In Flight Beauty

If you’re like me, you’ve been in the airport a lot this summer. While it’s a blessing and a luxury to be a frequent flyer, packing my favorite beauty products has become a serious hassle, since every liquid and gel must be 3 oz or less to successfully get through security. Bummer, since all my luxe bath products are in much larger bottles and tubes. In honor of this regulation, and for the betterment of your summer travels, here's a list of some of the best products that will whiz you past security with flying colors. Pun intended. —Brianne Rieck, Sephora

*Wear your sunscreen on-the-go—on your body and around your neck. This handy-dandy SPF comes on a little rope for easy portability. PeterThomasRoth Mini Ultra Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30

*Airborne skin is often dry skin. Keep it soft and smelling sexy on your world tour.
Benefit Bathina Touch Me Then Try To Leave Me Cream To Go

*This is in my bag, whether I’m backpacking or just out in the park. It’s a must-have.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 1 oz

*Not only does it smell delish, but it’s extra-perfect for travel because of the sturdy, snug-fitting cap. No spills during turbulence! Gucci Eau de Parfum II Purse Spray

*This is perfect for the jet-set because it’s a 2-in-1. Less clutter equals lighter luggage.
Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse Foaming Cleanser & Toner In One To Go

*Another 2-in-1: a bronzer and bestselling blush in one sleek, mirrored compact. NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna


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Laura's Lessons

A wise fortune cookie once said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Well, forget fish—Laura Geller is putting the oh-so-wise proverb to use in the beauty world. A veteran makeup artist with her own UES studio, Laura unveiled 3 new "Lessons" kits—Know Your Nudes, Smoke Signals, and Eye-talics—all donning how-to cards with straight-from-the-expert's-mouth tips. (That's her on the right, giving personal how-to's.) "I'm very excited about my 'Lessons' makeup kit series, because it's the first time I've been able to communicate and demonstrate step-by-step what it takes to create certain makeup looks," Laura said. So, look for your favorite kit at Sephora in July. The only step-by-step you won't find? "How To Pick Just One."


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And 1, And 2: Tarte's Beauty-full Workout

Drop the donut; this is big. Tarte has always pushed healthy beauty—their BORBA glosses are packed with every vitamin under the sun—but now they're all about a healthy body, too. The forever-fabulous tarte girls are logging their workouts on their website, with videoed ab-crunching, weight-lifting and the like from big-time personal trainer Levi James. They're even tracking their progress and total weight-loss along the way. So, speaking as a girl who loathes the gym, and only runs when chased: This step-by-step format is actually encouraging. Here's to the beauty burn!


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Good Morning, Beautiful!

On Friday, famed and fabulous makeup artist, turned brand, turned brilliant Laura Geller appeared on CW11's morning broadcast. Geller demonstrated some quick and easy tips on how to channel your inner starlet or to just look like your fav ... and, not to mention, confuse the paparazzi. For some quick 5-minute fixes, check out Laura on TV or her fabulous line online.


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The Afterglow

In the 3rd edition of today's self-tanning spectacular, here's how to keep your glow going after you've self-tanned ... There are lots of little things we can add to our daily beautifying repertoire to keep ourselves radiating color. A tinted moisturizer is a great day-to-day product to invest in. Try Stila’s Sheer Color moisturizer; it leaves your skin feeling hydrated with a lightweight tint and, most importantly, it has SPF 15. And, we're beaming (literally) over hybrid self-tanners that offer a healthy glow and hydration—all at once. Just smooth on these subtle bronzing elixirs like you would a daily moisturizer, wash your hands, and go. Within hours, you'll notice a healthy glow with even coverage. The best part? Just like the real thing, your tan won't wash off at bedtime. -Gabrielle Katz, Sephora
Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel

Clinique Radiant Bronze Face & Body Tinted Self-Tanner SPF 15


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