InStyle for Spring

Finally getting around to the May issue of InStyle and the 2015 Best Beauty Buys roundup couldn’t have come at a better time…

The weather is expected to reach the 80s, I’ve finally retired the long pajama pants, transitioned to chardonnay and now, my face and body could use a little TLC…toning, loving and color.

Somehow the products I’ve been using seem dull and ineffective so, I’m diving into the 20th annual “Best Of” roundup hoping to uncover some new products from the industry’s experts and try some of the stuff that they can’t seem to live without.

First up, foundations and cover-ups. 

Let me just say that I hate foundation. It’s often heavy, cakey and makes me look and feel years older as it emphasizes every wrinkle and crease.  I do however love tinted moisturizer and glad to see that my fave, Laura Mercier, is also a staff favorite.  It’s only when I know that we’ll be going to a very dark venue that I’d wear foundation and even then, I feel way too made-up.
What’s your goto?

Next up, cheeks…

After applying tinted moisturizer throughout and concealer on my sun spots…thanks to years of sun worship and oil for SPF…I run a big brush of bronzer on my forehead, templates, cheeks, nose and chin.  If I can’t bake it, I fake it!
After reading this, I now realize that I need to try Guerlain Terracotta bronzer (have been using MAC for years) and Chanel’s cream blush (just because I’m obsessed with anything Chanel) Noted…Next…Nails…Skip

Eyes…

At the risk of sounding cheap, I will say that I don’t like to spend a ton on mascara. For one, I find that the Maybellines and L’Oréals of the world work great and happy to see that the experts agree.  What I will shell out for is eyeshadow and since I wear very little of it, it will last me forever.  Speaking of forever, I need to try the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes eyeliner because I love my signature cat eyes and always looking to perfect them. Also interesting is the liquid eyeliner by Marc Jacobs, have any of you tried it?

Ok, I just lied…I’m going to have to try YSL’s Volume Effect Faux Cils.  For one, I’m very much influenced by anything shiny and pretty and 2, it promises long thick lashes without the clump.  You can see how I got bedazzled right!?

Eyebrows, very important ladies are our eyebrows. Last year I went to an eyebrow expert for a consult and learned a few very important tricks.  For one, the fuller the brow, the younger you will appear. I don’t mean full as in a furry untweezed mess…you know who you are and I beg that you do something about it.  I mean full, well shaped and clean. 
Here’s a great little guide to follow in case you don’t know where your brow should begin and where it should end…

Instead of a brown or, god forbid, black pencil, use taupe. It’s more natural and blends with most hair colors.  I use Tweezerman slanted tweezers as InStyle recommends and fill in my brows with their brow kit that consists of 2 shades of taupe, a light one for blondes and a darker for brunettes.  I’ve learned this the expensive way and so grateful that I’ve seen the error of my ways before it was too late…you are welcome!
While we’re on the subject of hair, this ladies is not ok, I don’t care who you are, not even Madonna can pull off a hairy lip…

So whatever you gotta do to make it go away; tweet, wax, laser, shave, do it! I’ve tried them all and have found laser to be the most effective.

Eye hope this helps and now, on to the
Pièce de résistance, the skin or, as I like to call it, your canvas.

Alya