blush

The Dos and Don’ts of Cold Season

September 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm
By Molly Ritterbeck

The first full week of fall is here, and though the crisp autumn air feels awesome during morning runs, the sudden temperature change could bring on a miserable cold. I recently chatted with Dr. Anthony F. Jahn, an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist), on how to prevent a cold, plus, ways to erase any telltale signs of one should you come down with one.

-Prevent: It’s not the sexiest advice, but Dr. Jahn suggests using a nasal rinse such as Ocean Saline Nasal Spray ($5, drugstore.com) every day. It has a saline solution that is non-medicated so it’s safe to use often. It’s also great for children and expecting moms who are unable to take medication. Just rinse your nasal passages with it to flush out any harmful germs or viruses. Fun fact: You have 15-minutes from the time you contract a cold virus until it reaches your system, so if you are diligent about using a saline wash, you could dodge a cold.

-Cope: If you start feeling under the weather, the best thing to do is consume plenty of liquids. You should call in sick from work to prevent spreading the cold and to give you time to rest, which is key to recovery. It can be tempting to lace up your sneakers for a workout (especially if you’re sitting at home all day), but you shouldn’t exercise since it puts your body under additional stress and can stall your recovery. Dr. Jahn also suggests upping your intake of vitamin C and zinc to boost your immune system.

-Conceal: When you do have to return to work, cover up the signs of your cold by using a rich balm to soothe your chapped nose and mouth like Blistex Cold & Allergy Lip Soother ($2, drugstore.com). Then apply a yellow-based concealer to cancel out redness like Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer ($23, bobbibrowncosmetics.com). A pop of pink cream blush (try Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Fresh Pink, $8, maybelline.com) on your cheeks will let you fake a healthy flush until you’re feeling better.

---

5 Unexpected Uses For Makeup You Already Own

February 21, 2012 at 10:00 am
By Fitness Magazine

Time to streamline! These genius double uses for the makeup staples you already own make your cosmetics go the extra mile, saving much-needed space in your gym bag—and money in your wallet.

• BLUSH = EYE SHADOW  Use an eye shadow brush to sweep blush over your eyelids for a pretty, monochromatic look.
• CONCEALER = EYE & LIP PRIMER Neutralize the ruddy pink tones of eyelids and lips with a light layer of your regular concealer: The colors you apply on top with appear truer and last longer.
• EYE SHADOW = HIGHLIGHTER Blend a light-colored neutral cream eye shadow (think champagne or gold), such as CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast in Beige Blaze, on the tops of cheekbones, cupid’s bow, inner corners of the eyes and under the brows for a believable glow.
• LIP BALM OR LIPSTICK  = CHEEK & EYE ENHANCER In a pinch, dab tinted lip balm or lipstick on cheeks and eyes—they can double as a cream blush and eye shadow. Use a clear balm to add a touch of healthy sheen.

Source: Pat McGrath, creative design director for Procter & Gamble Beauty

And my own creation: Layer lip balm, a rose, pinky-nude or mauve-hued eye shadow, and top with clear lip gloss for a custom-created lip color.

—By Wanda Rosa, beauty intern

---

Do You Wear Too Much Makeup to Work?

November 28, 2011 at 9:49 am
By April Franzino

Wearing makeup makes you appear more competent, trustworthy and likable, a recent study showed, but you may want to tone it down at the office: More than a third of bosses think their female employees and colleagues wear too much makeup, an officebroker.com poll of 500 managers found. The main culprits: bright lips, overdone eyes and heavy blush.  As women who work in beauty media, we believe that wearing makeup— and yes, even exploring trends and bolder looks— is part of our job, but every industry has different standards.

Tell us: How much makeup do you usually wear to work? Would you adjust how much you apply? Why or why not?

---

Hot Rocks

October 17, 2011 at 4:22 pm
By April Franzino

Makeup shaped into pretty pebbles and pearls has been popping up everywhere recently—and it’s easy to see why. Not only do these faintly shimmery bronzer, blush, and highlighting powders give cheeks a gorgeous glow when applied with a brush swirled over the multi-tonal pigments, but they can also multitask. We’ve experimented with using individual beads as eye shadow, lip color (topped with gloss or balm), and luminizer on the inner corners of eyes, under the brows, and on the cupid’s bow. They’re just plain fun to use, like makeup should be! Here, a selection of showstopping spheres:

Pür Minerals Pür Rocks

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Correcting Pebbles

The Body Shop Brush-On Beads

Guerlain Meteorites Pearls

 Tell us: Have you played with pebble-shaped makeup? If so, how did you use them and what did you think?

---

Favorite Find Friday: Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Blossom

August 19, 2011 at 9:06 am
By April Franzino

At a recent makeup application class led by Sonia Kashuk herself (pinch us!), one of the myriad products and tools she had laid out was her Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Blossom (above, left), a nondescript pan of soft pink pigment. We’ve always been powder blush devotees (creams never seemed to go on evenly), but when we applied this with a flat-top, dense-bristle brush in sweeping motions from apples of cheeks to temples, it imparted a truly natural, lit-from-within look. Unlike many blushes, the hue complements, rather than competes with, eye and lip colors. It’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup product, and we find ourselves reaching for it almost every day.

Tell us: Do you prefer cream or powder blush?

---

Splurge or Steal?

April 18, 2011 at 7:29 am
By Fitness Magazine

One of the perks of being the intern de jour is that you get to try out all the latest beauty loot. With full access to the overflowing beauty closet, I’ve found a number of must-have products that I swear by. Here, I’m dishing about which are worth the splurge and which of these bargain beauty products are just as good as their high-end counterparts.

STEAL: L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

I have always lusted after thicker lashes and seem to be on a never-ending search for the best volumizing mascara. When I caught wind of a product that boasted “millionizing lashes”, I had to try it for myself. To my delight, L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara ($9) delivers exactly what is promised perfectly separated full lashes. This is a magic wand worth investing in!

SPLURGE: Givenchy Le Prisme Blush

Being a poor college student, I try to resist spending temptation, but when you love something this much it seems worth the splurge. Givenchy Le Prisme Blush ($44) is the perfect mix of colors to brighten up more than just my dull skin, but my whole day: When you look better, you feel better!

STEAL: John Frieda Root Awakening Hair Spray

After styling your hair, just a couple spritzes of John Frieda Root Awakening Non-Aerosol Hair Spray ($6.49) will keep it in place through the night. This lightweight, non-sticky spray is also enriched with vitamins that promote strong strands.

SPLURGE: Clinique Redness Solutions Targeted Corrector

This is my skin crisis go-to stick. I have tried tons of concealers, and nothing compares to this handy little wand. The yellow tint helps neutralize redness on blemishes and around your nose. Although it’s a tiny tube, a little of Clinique Redness Solutions Targeted Corrector ($19.50) goes a long way.

STEAL: Victoria’s Secret Minerals Lip Gloss in Bare

A swipe of gloss can work wonders, especially if you don’t have much time to spend on your makeup. One of my favorite finds in the beauty closet is Victoria’s Secret Minerals Lip Gloss in Bare ($10). It’s the perfect neutral hue to keep my look work-friendly yet pulled together.

—By Lindsay Richardson, beauty intern

---

Favorite Find Friday: TheBalm Hot Mama! Blush/Shadow

April 1, 2011 at 10:29 am
By April Franzino

We all have days when we need something that makes us look alive—fast. A dusting of pinky-peach, slightly glimmery TheBalm Hot Mama! Blush/Shadow does the trick for us: In seconds, we have a healthy, just-in-from-the-outdoors flush, and our bags/dark circles are less noticeable. You can even swipe it on lids and lips for a pulled-together look in a flash. What’s your favorite beauty-boosting product?

---

Makeover Monday: Spring In Your Step!

March 21, 2011 at 3:04 pm
By Fitness Magazine

In the spirit of the much-anticipated spring season, I’ve gathered a few beauty favorites for sunshine-filled days:

FINGERS: Essie French Affair Collection Nail Polish in Nice is Nice, a whimsical, of-the-moment lilac with a flattering creamy finish.

CHEEKS: Urban Decay Afterglow Glide on Cheek Tint in Crush leaves behind a luminous, spring-y flush that brightens any complexion.

FACE: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, a classic that feels light on skin and lends a dewy look.

BODY: Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum, a delightfully fresh, light splash of a fragrance with hints of lily and jasmine.

What are your beauty must-haves for spring?

—By Maite Gonzalez, beauty intern

---

Behind-the-Scenes of our “Spring Awakening” Shoot: Part 8

March 14, 2011 at 9:53 am
By April Franzino

In the final episode behind-the-scenes of our March “Spring Awakening” feature photo shoot, Mary Kay celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff shows us how to add a pop of pink to your look:

Ready, set, spring!

---

Behind-the-Scenes of our “Spring Awakening” Shoot: Part 5

March 7, 2011 at 10:31 am
By April Franzino

In the fifth episode behind the scenes of our March “Spring Awakening” feature photo shoot, Mary Kay celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff shares tips on how to get sculpted, standout cheeks:

---