Foundation Frenzy - Part II

Hello:
On August 24th I posted a piece about the new Sephora + Pantone Color IQ foundation match technology. I've since visited Sephora for my color matching and I have to say I'm impressed with their technology and the staff's efficiency. It's a very simple process which only takes a few minutes and I found the end result to be close to my current shade. The rep was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Even with my hyperpigmentation (melasma) I was given quite a few choices. We tested the areas of my face without the dark discoloration as well as the areas with discoloration just to get a good balance. The technology is supposed to factor out things like bad lightening to give you a more accurate match. If you're anything like Penny, and your complexion changes with the seasons, then this new technology will be a good way to find your foundation match.

Process:
http://www.sephora.com/color-iq

The Sephora rep simply held a small device to my forehead, cheek and neck which took a picture of my skin. The day I had this done I was not wearing any make up. I assume that is the best way to test. We took a few photos of my skin with the handheld device and put the data into the Color IQ computer. The computer then gave me several foundation options  that mapped to my IQ number (2Y09). I could select my undertone to narrow it down even more; or if I wanted to go slightly lighter or darker. The cool thing is that my results were emailed to me right there on the spot. The rep handed me a tablet and I typed in my email address and was able to send myself the results/suggestions provided.  I had a really good selection of formulas and brands to choose from. Just to compare, I completed the Color IQ quiz online by using my current foundation. The result was close (2Y08), which made sense since I was newly tanned when I completed the in-store test. The brands I currently use are Make Up For Ever Pro Finish powder foundation, and Cover FX liquid foundation. I also use MAC's Oil Blot Powder for touch ups.

If you don't have a Sephora near you, go to their web site to complete the Color IQ questionnaire to get your results.

I was excited to learn that Sephora also has a Skincare IQ system, which I plan to try out on my next trip to the store.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
Penny

Foundation Frenzy

Hello Beautifuls!

Many of you have shared over the years how challenging it is to find the right foundation shade for your skin tone. Well my favorite beauty store Sephora + Pantone has just introduced new technology to help match you up with the perfect foundation called Color IQ. Penny's excited and can't wait to check this out!

You have the option of going into the store and having them find a match for you by using a handheld device that takes a picture of your skin. Or you can go online and find other matches based on your current foundation.  http://www.sephora.com/color-iq

The nice thing is that they also offer options for one shade lighter or one shade darker. This is important for Penny since I have to cover my melasma which is much darker than the rest of my skin. Unfortunately for me my current regimen requires two kinds of foundations and a concealer.  I also change complexions pretty drastically with the change of seasons so the other shade suggestions will come in handy. Sephora provides you with shade options in a variety of formulas, brands, and at various price points.

Let Penny know if you find your color match and how your overall experience was.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P

Resource Round-up

Hello Beautiful:

It has been too long since I stopped by and I apologize for the delay. Trust and believe lots of products have been tried and tested these past couple months (after all, Penny IS a Product Princess). LOL! But time and motivation has not allowed for fingertips to keyboard.

This time I want to share with you some of the blogs, vlogs, magazines, and websites that help keep Penny informed. I know many of you are already up on the happenings but an even exchange of information is always helpful. So let Penny know what she's missing out on. What's your favorite source of beauty information? Please leave a comment (if you prefer it not be published, simply indicate that it is a *private* message and I won't post it.) Thank you for your feedback,

Some of these sites I check regularly and others I have subscriptions to:

• www.Sephora.com - As a member of their VIB beauty insider club I get dibs on beauty products before they are released to the public. I also get great samples and free shipping on my online orders. Sephora has also made some changes lately and they have moved some of their online resources to the stores themselves. One example is their Fragrance Finder kiosk. This is an in-store touch-screen monitor that help you find the perfect fragrance. They also have a new Color IQ event going on now. With new technology they can find your perfect foundation match, in a variety of brands and formulas.
• www.MichellePhan.com - Everyone knows this beauty entrepreneur and YouTube make-up sensation. She has been covered by many of the major media outlets, is a spokesperson for Lancome, has her own jewelry line and is about to launch her own makeup line. Although I get emails almost daily since signing up for her blog, I just filter what I'm interested in and keep those write ups for when its time to shop for new products. She often has goods beauty tips.
• http://www.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist - Wayne Goss - Pro Makeup Artist. Love this guy out of the UK. He is always up on the best products and the newest trends.
• www.http://musingsofacitygirl.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/DRBrooklyn730 - Cindy Diaz was one of the first bloggers/vloggers I ever followed. She has great make-up tutorials that I have often re-created successfully one my own.

(Read full story...)

Having a Meltdown?

Hello,
Summer is here and some of you are wondering how to keep that pretty profile of yours from becoming one big melting pot. Yes...how do we keep our face in place when its hot outside? If you wear a full face of makeup like Penny does, you know that the warm temps can be unkind sometimes. There is a fine line between 'dewy' and 'greasy' in Penny's world. LOL! Aside from keeping your body cool in general; there are lots of products on the market and a few tips and tricks that you could use to keep your makeup from migrating as the day progresses. Penny's here to help you navigate some of your options.


Maybelline Nude Dream Airfoam

Face:

• Try liquid, foam, or powder foundation since those formulas are lighter and tend to stay put better than cream. (Examples: Cover FX Liquid, Maybelline Nude Dream Air Foam, Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Powder).
• Try a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or CC cream if you don't need a lot of coverage but still want to look polished (Examples: Smashbox, Bobbi Brown w/ SPF35).
• Try an oil-blot powder to set your makeup and for touch-ups throughout the day. (Example: MAC Oil Blot Powder, Make Up For Ever High Definition Powder).
• Try an foundation primer before applying foundation; some come in 'oil comntrol' formulas too. (Examples: Make Up For Ever High Definition Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish).

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

Eyes:

• Try an eye shadow primer (Examples: Too Faced Shadow Insurance; Urban Decay Primer Potion , NYX Shadow Base).
• Try a cream eye shadow or pencil (Examples: Maybelline Color Tattoo, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow).
• Try a waterproof mascara (Examples: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous, Maybelline NY Volum Express, Sephora Collection).
• Try a waterproof eye liner or gel liner (Examples: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes, Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner).

(read full story...)

Concealed Weapon?

Hey You!
Penny has been on a mission lately...a mission to carry a concealed weapon. Don't panic...this is not about gun control. Its about 'coverage.' My weapon of choice these days is concealer. LOL! Between my dark under eye circles (hereditary) and my melasma (hyperpigmentation) on my cheeks, temples and forehead, I now hate going without makeup. :-( In recent months I have tried quite a multitude of concealers, in varying shades and formulas. Some worked okay, some not so much. Last week, with the help of a knowledgeable Sephora rep, I think I finally found a combination of concealer and foundation that works.


Kat Von D Lock-it
Tattoo Concealer

While in Sephora I shared that I have been struggling to find a good cover for my melasma and the rep asked if I ever tried Kat Von D's products. She swore that it was the answer to my challenges. After demonstrating the Lock-It Tattoo Concealer, set with Make Up Forever's Pro Finish Powder Foundation (in #168, Golden Camel), I was amazed at the coverage! I love my Cover FX Foundation and will still use it. But the combination of these two products actually covered my melasma better than ever before.

 Here are some of my trials and how I rated them:

• Kat Von D's Lock-It Tattoo Concealer in Med #26/Original Tan ($25) - great buildable coverage
• NARS Radiant Cream Concealer in Biscuit/Med-Dark ($28) - easy to blend; great for under eye circles; does not crease
• Bobbi Brown Corrector Dark Peach ($23 ) - should be used under Bobbi Brown concealer but I sometimes used it by itself; just have to make sure you set with powder
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF35 in NC 42 ($18) - love that their is SPF; good coverage but can sometimes be drying; better for blemish coverage
• MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC 42 ($18) - liquid formula with decent under eye coverage; does do much for melasma
• Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Tan by Hard Candy ($12.99) - inexpensive; very opaque liquid; worked ok under eye, but doesn't come in enough shades.

Bedtime Affair

Hi...Penny here!

Boscia cleanser

I know it's been a long time but life has a way of interrupting the fun stuff. I’m hoping to be here more often so I’d love to hear from you. Let Penny know what you want to hear about. Today’s topic is bedtime bad habits.

Over the years I have had many a debate on whether or not we should remove our makeup before bedtime. Penny’s answer is always…absolutely! But I realized that so many of my friends who have the (bad) habit of sleeping in their makeup, were never convinced no matter how many times I told them that it was an unhealthy habit. Whenever I would say that sleeping in makeup can cause break outs…my smooth-faced fawns would point out how they never break out and have been sleeping in makeup for years. So it got me to thinking…I need some professional back up. LOL! ;-)

Neutrogena Wipes

NOTE: Also see previous post, Blank Face, September 17, 2011

Sleeping in your makeup does more than clog your pores and potentially cause acne. Here are a few excerpts from the pros, already featured on www.beautystat.com:

During the day, skin is also exposed to pollution, dirt and grime. So at night, “it’s not just make up you want to wash off”, says Dr. Charles Zugerman, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Northwestern University.

It has been said by the pros that our skin needs to 'breathe' when we go to sleep. Our body temperature rises as we sleep, hence opening the pores. “So when makeup is left on, it could seep deep down into the pores making them clogged and then breakout”, says Dr. Dennis Gross, Board Certified Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon in New York City. He also says that once your collagen levels decline (due to the aging process), the pores do not snap back as easily once it has been enlarged. And leaving makeup can only lead to more inflammation that can generate free radicals and collagen breakdown. (read full story...)

What's Your Quick-n-Dirty?

Hola!
Penny here! Attempting to share something noteworthy. Since my mother's stroke in September my life has changed and will probably never again be the same. In the grand scheme of things I am most grateful for my faith, family, and friends who have kept Penny together these past few months.

 

Most days make-up and all things beauty are so irrelevant in my current world. But at the same time I realize how much they make me feel good...about myself...and about others (when they say my research was helpful in some way). So I today I thought...what about my current beauty routine IS relevant? Time and functionality I thought. Since my time is no longer my own as a caregiver; and someone who's 9-5 was never 9-5...I'm constantly racing against the clock to do something or be somewhere.  But when I have a few minutes to 'put on my face' it helps to start the day in a more familiar, less stressful way. What I find I need most for my new daily routine, are products that are multi-functional.

NARS the Multiple

• NARS the Multiple ($39, Sephora) - a cream-to-powder multi-purpose make-up stick; can be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body. See Sephora.com for a great tutorial. I like the color South Beach.
• MAC Powder Blush in Buff ($20, MAC) - a soft neutral 'muted pinkish peach' matte blush that I sometimes double as eyeshadow and blush for a monochromatic look.
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 0L ($18, Sephora) - waterproof jet black pencil eye liner; easy to blend; long wearing; a staple for Penny.
• Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry ($16, Bloomingdales) - a sheer berry pink lip balm/lipstick in one. This is a great lip color that I can throw on without liner a any time and look nice.
• Mascara Mini ($10-$20, Sephora) - any mascara of your choice that is small enough to fit in your purse or make-up bag and can be applied quickly to top & bottom lashes; my current minis are Benefit's They're Real, and Lancome Hypnose Star...both were VIB gifts with an order from Sephora but they sell lots of great travel-size products at most Sephora stores.



They're Real Mascara

• BB or CC Cream (prices varies; Target, drugstores, ULTA, Sephora)- for those who don't need a lot of coverage these are good one-step products. Beauty Balm (BB) creams are amped up tinted moisturizers, with skincare & foundation in one. Sometimes they are called Blemish Balm for their blemish control capabilities. I know folks who swear by NARS, Smashbox and Laura Mercier BB creams. Drugstore brands include Garnier, L'Oreal and Maybelline to name a few. Color Correcting (CC) creams are amped up BB Creams and the newest craze out of Japan and Korea. CC creams are said to have higher SPF, blends better with skin tones, and does more to even out skin tones.  Has anyone tried a CC cream yet? Which one? Penny needs a full-coverage foundation due to my melasma so I have not tried these products, but I am curious about the CC creams. Chanel and Olay both have CC creams.

Clinique Chubby Stick

Some of these products don't have multiple uses, but work so well that they are my 'go to' staples that I keep in my make-up bag. I'm looking for products that I can apply  without much thought and effort.

What's your quick-n-dirty product(s) of choice?

Be blessed. Be beautiful. Be GRATEFUL.
Penny

Famous FLOTUS Polish...Dupe?

Hey lovelies!

'I Don't Give a Rotterdamn'

Some of you may have seen the articles on the now infamous nail polish color that Michelle Obama wore during her speech at the DNC last week. Well, because Penny is Penny I actually noticed the lovely bluish-purpleish-gray shade the FLOTUS was wearing as she spoke. LOL! Penny is a fan of gray and it was sorta hard to miss. So it wasn't surprising that the fashion stalkers of the world would zone in on her entire outfit including her nails.

http://www.examiner.com/article/michelle-obama-s-gray-nails-trending



'Kristen'

It was revealed not long after her speech that the First Lady's nail polish was none other than Artistic Nail Design Soak Off Colour Gloss in “Vogue”.  For those of you who like the color but may not want to try the gel nails or go through the hassle and expense, Penny came up with a list of regular polish in "similar" shades that you might want to try.


• Caitlin (Zoya)
• Skylar (Zoya)
• Kristen (Zoya)
• I Don't Give a Rotterdamn (OPI)
• I Don't Have a Herring Problem (OPI)

'Caitlin'

I'm sure there are lots more out there from various brands but these are the ones I either have in my collection, or knew of off the top of my head. LOL! Let me know if you have a favorite gray/blue/purple color that you wear.

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
P


'I Have a Herring Problem'

'Sklar'