Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

I've read many raves for Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer and Treatment on beauty blogs and message boards and when the brand appeared on Hautelook, I jumped at the chance and ordered. Here is the blurb from the Ever Pearl site:

• Revolutionizing the use of the “Salmon” or pinky/peach color as an under eye concealer to neutralize the dark blue undertones from the skin. (Yellows mixed with the blue undertones create those greenish/grey raccoon eyes that are highlighted and only accentuate the problem area.)
• This luxurious silky cream provides full coverage with a non-greasy texture that glides on smooth to the most delicate area of your face. It offers the advantages of the powerful anti-oxidant, AstaReal®/Astaxanthin - a key ingredient in the CosmeNutrient™ Complex.
• Ideal for use when flawless precision is required with High Definition cameras and real life.
• For most skin types, including sensitive skin.
• AstaREAL®, the key ingredient in Eve Pearl’s CosmeNutrient™ Complex, it is the most recognized brand of Astaxanthin. AstaReal® is not only a coloring agent; it is also a very potent anti-oxidant.
  • Naturally harvested from the micro algae Haematococcus pluvial is- a single cell plant at the very beginning of the food chain.
  • An all natural carotenoid pigment and provides strongest natural antioxidant protection against lipid peroxidation* and singlet oxygen**.
  • 1000 times stronger than vitamin E for lipid peroxidation.
  • 550 times stronger than vitamin E and 40 times stronger beta-carotene for singlet oxygen quenching.
  • Provides support for skin at the cellular level.
  • Helps to improve skin naturally.... no harsh chemicals.... no dangerous procedures.
  • Helps to fight the effects of the aging process.
  • Has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce burn levels after UVB exposure.
  • Contributes to the reduction of hyper-pigmentation.
  • Protects body tissue from oxidation.

How great does that sound? I received the concealer last night and used it this morning for the first time. I ordered the light and am always the lightest concealer shade. I have the worst dark circles I have ever seen on anyone and was really hoping that this would be my Holy Grail concealer. Yes, it is very peachy, which is supposedly good for counteracting the blue-purple of under eye circles, but it's quite dark at the same time. Using it today, I found that I had deep peachy circles under my eyes after it was applied! Not a good look! I applied my Jouer concealer over it (which matches my skin tone) and it looks much better this way, but I now have 2 layers of concealer under my eyes which leads to caking.

To me this isn't a salmon concealer, but more akin to a medium toned concealer with strong warm undertones. I even checked the box and concealer itself 3 times to make sure I hadn't received the medium shade.

Here is the concealer with (top) and without (bottom) flash:

I'm going to give the concealer another shot tomorrow. I think it's just too dark to work on its own but I'll trying mixing it with other concealers.

Speaking of Hautelook, Kevyn Aucoin will be on sale on Monday! If they have it, I very highly recommend picking up the Essential Eye Palette #1. It's become truly indispensable to me.

Face of the Day

I haven't posted a Face of the Day in a while, but I received so many compliments on my look today that I thought it was worth sharing, especially given how simple it was.

I used Bobbi Brown Champagne Quartz Metallic Shadow lash to brow, Rock and Republic Diffused Shadow in the crease and lined with Sephora Nano Liner in Glitter Brown. Cheeks were MAC Lilicent topped with the last dregs of the Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highligher I dropped and destroyed a few weeks ago and I wore Bobbi Brown Berry Shimmer (decidedly not berry colored) and MAC Gingerroot to line. Usual underpinnings of Jouer concealer, True Cosmetics mineral pressed powder, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen and Korres black mascara.

Update on my Trip to Senna

I had to leave LA this morning to head to a four day company retreat where I unfortunately will be without email access! I'm taking the red-eye home on Sunday. For all of those who inquired about my blog sale, thank you SO much for your interest! The items have all been sold to a wonderful reader whom I hope really adores them!

After the not-so-hot experience I had at Senna Monday, I decided to give them another shot to see if anyone else could help me make the concealer and brush that I purchased work for me. It goes on cakey and very creamy, and I'm getting more of a smeared mess than flawless coverage. A different, very sweet person was working today and gave me some application tricks, and told me that this is the right concealer for me but that it really does need to be set with powder. I was torn between the new new Mineral Eye Lift Powder and the Secret Set Mineral Buffing Powder. The Mineral Eye Lift ($20) is an HD powder with a slight yellow tint that really brightens. I could see from just applying it on my hand how illuminating it is. The Secret Set ($26) is ultra-sheer and colorless.
I was very tempted by the newer one (I mean they actually call it a non-surgical eye lift!) but it really is a heavier powder and thus accentuates fine lines a bit more than the Secret Set. I'll take a less bright smooth undereye over an illuminated crepey one any day! I also purchased a brush with which to apply the powder, the 15 Feather ($20). Two things to note: The Secret Sets comes in a mini size (which the makeup artist did not tell me about--I would have gotten that size instead) and the website recommends the Baby Face Brush ($26) for setting concealer, not the brush I was sold which turns out to be an eye shadow tool. Go figure! Here is the Baby Face for comparison:

The makeup artist also tried the Barely Base Sheer Mineral Makeup SPF 20 on me in Fair ($36). I'm lucky to be blessed with nice skin and never wear foundation or tinted moisturizer (just a bit of sheer powder to absorb shine) so I was a bit hesitant, but I have to say I really like it! It's very sheer, has non-chemical SPF 20 and is oil and fragrance free. She gave me a sample to try for a few days I can always call back and order it. I would consider using this for flawless skin on special occasions. One tip she gave me was to use this under the eyes to provide just a bit of coverage before concealer since my circles are super dark.

Finally, the makeup artist recommended using a primer under my eyes in addition to eye cream and the tinted moisturizer to help concealer go on smoother and last longer. She recommended the Silky Primer ($38), but between moisturizer and sunscreen I'm not sure if I want to incorporate another layer into my routine. It's definitely on my "to think about" list though.

I'm very glad that I went back and gave the line another chance. The second makeup artist couldn't have been nicer and it was such a nice experience. Many of the eye shadows and lipsticks were beautiful and I wish I had even more time to play, but unfortunately I had to run. I did take a brochure and wrote some product names down for my wishlist. Please let me know if you have any favorites from the line!

Hopefully the hotel where I'm staying for my company retreat has a spa and I can explore the products for sale there!

I Did Do Some Cosmetic Shopping in LA!

I did manage to make purchases in LA that weren't cupcake or noodle related (thank goodness for my diet)! As I said before, aside from the STAT cleanser refill, I was determined to stick with items I can't buy directly in NYC which is no small feat, but I was up to the challenge! I did peak into all of the usual spots (Barneys, Saks, etc) just to make sure I wasn't missing anything, though. What if a super limited edition product came out between my flight yesterday and this afternoon? I have to keep up on these things!

One place I visited was The Organic Pharmacy. I have seen this UK-based line mentioned in a number of beauty magazines, read some celebrity raves and was intrigued. I try to stick with organic and natural products for skincare just because that's what I'm most comfortable with personally. For me it has nothing to do with right or wrong, good or bad, but this line goes way beyond, actually directly calling various cosmetic ingredients carcinogens. I don't necessarily agree with their harsh, almost militant stance regarding ingredients, but I have read raves for the products and wandered in. First of all, the line is NOT cheap! Expect to pay upwards of $75 for a moisturizer (some over $200) and $40 for an eye shadow. A blush will cost you $50, the body cream $300. They also do not have samples but sell small sizes of some of their products for a lesser charge. I wanted the Antioxidant Face Cream but since that was not sold in trial sizes, I purchased the Double Rose Rejuvinating Cream, the line's best seller. It was .23 fl oz for $12 which I thought was reasonable, especially for a little 'out of town' splurge. The cream claims to "bring instant relief to thirsty skin. Enriched with Ginger, Rosehip and Rose, Light but hydrating action protects and stimulates circulation, restoring elasticity and radiance. The result: an instant glow." Since I don't think I can fairly judge a product with the stress of traveling, I'm going to start using this when I get back on Sunday.
I also went to Senna, one of the few lines I cannot get back home. I was so excited when I saw the boutique I practically skipped across the street! Unfortunately, inside it was pretty dark and the only girl working was pretty sour. Had she been nicer (or seemed like she cared) I probably would have browsed for quite a while and bought more, but it seemed like she could wait for me to leave and so I did, with only the new concealer palette and a brush with which to apply it. The concealer is called HD Hydra-Cover and was $38. "High tech HD light diffusing pigments, Hyaluronic filling spheres, and collagen stimulating Malachite create this unparalleled wonder working total face concealer. This silky, light as air formula uses light reflection instead of opacity to diminish flaws as it brightens skin, fills in wrinkles, and boosts skin renewal. Licorice extract helps firm up puffiness. Three corrective shades cancel under eye darkness, facial pigmentation, redness and blemishes. Brush included."

The brush it comes with is pretty dinky so I purchased Multi Brush 24 ($20). I frequently buy concealer brushes and then decide I prefer to apply the product with my fingers, but I'm tryin gto change! I had to both sign AND initial 3 times when making the purchase, not only for the credit card charge but twice acknowledging that they do not accept returns, only store credit, only for products not services, only within 10 days, only with orginal receipt etc. I think I signed fewer times renting my apartment!

Finally, I received a hand cream sample from Jigsaw Organics, another Brit brand with an LA outpost. The hand cream has a lovely herbal scent, sank in right away and provided a healthy dose of moisture for my dry hands.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and check out the hotel spa and see if there's a gift shop!

UPDATE: Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Event

So I went back the next day because the Prescriptives concealer was just unworkable. It must have been the powder added to the product because it did not spread at all, caked, and could not be layered. It's a shame because the color was just perfect. I was also so excited about my new candle, but it went from smelling divine unlit to overwhelmingly strong when burned. This would be great if I lived in a large space or wanted to scent my whole house, but living in a tiny New York City apartment, it was too intense and instant migraine. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the brand to someone looking for a candle with a very strong scent and throw though. Just not for a studio apartment!

When I went back I again tried the La Mer concealer as I so wanted it to work fo me due to the amazing texture and coverage. I also tried a concealer called the Anti-Aging Mineral Mystique by La Bella Donna , a mineral line you really never hear much about. I believe it's carried at several spas and a few online retailers, but I've yet to see it in a department store other than Bergdorfs. The concealer is in a click pen but the product is quite thick and has great coverage (pigmented with minerals) and a good deal of light reflectors, ideal for someone with undereye darkness not only from pigment but shadowing as well. After walking around like a crazy person looking at every single mirror in every light on the floor (the store has the absolute worst lighting of any cosmetic department I've been in), I opted for the La Bella Donna. Not cheap at $44 (I've seen visited their website and all of the items are pricey) and it smells a bit waxy, kinda of like an old lipstick. I think that may just be because the line is fragrance free. Today was Day 2 and I like it! I also went back to Px for a lip liner in Ginger, a soft pink, but the sales associate gave me Guava, a deeper rose shade. I'm going to keep it though since I don't have a similar shade and it deepens the new gloss nicely and turns it into an evening shade. So all in all I ended up with:

• La Bella Donna Anti-Aging Mineral Mystique
• Prescriptives Custom Gloss
• Prescriptives Guava Lip Liner
• Prescriptives False Eyelashes Mascara

A nice ode to Prescriptives since unfortuntely the line is to be discontinued January of this year. Here is the liner/gloss combo:

Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Event

September 16th through 20th, Bergdorfs is having one of their Beauty Events, held several times a year, where you save $25 off a purchase of $100 on the Beauty Level. I had a very difficult time deciding what to buy. I originally wanted the new La Mer concealer, but the shades did not work out for me. The coverage and texture are divine, but the light looked too white under my eyes and the medium was very dark and very orange. Edward Bess has some new lipsticks shades and I contemplated them as well, but none grabbed me. I decided that in honor of the Prescriptives lines being discontinued as of the end of January 2010, I'd try show support and purchase some products from the line.

I wanted a custom concealer, custom lip gloss and mascara. The artist I worked with was Neptune. I told him that I wanted a concealer with a lot of coverage and light reflectors for my horrifically dark, recessed circles. He got to work mixing, adding pigments to create the perfect shade, light reflectors to bounce shadows and darkness, and a white powder for opacity. The end result is a dead on match. I took off my makeup and tried it on at home on clean, moisturized skin waiting to see the miracle and hmmm...it seems to ball up when I try to layer it. I'm not sure if it's the powder that was added or the overall formula, but I'll have to play with this one some more. No angels singing. Bergdorf Goodman has the worst lighting of any department store and so what looks okay there may not fare so well in real life. I'll try it again tomorrow. The custom concealer is $34.

For the lips I asked for a liquid lipstick type product--not too sheer, not sticky, and heaven fobid I branch away from my usual peachy pinks. Neptune created a lovely sheerish natural peachy pink with a beige pearl and Bellini scent. There are several shades to choose from including Latte, Cocoa, Tropical, Mint and Berry. You can also select a doe foot want of slant tip applicator. The custom glosses are $34. Here is my gloss:

I needed a new mascara since my beloved Korres has dried up and am trying Prescriptives False Eyelashes since it is now paraben-free ($19.50).

I had to spend a bit more to qualify for the discount (sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn't it?) and I purchased a Nest Candle in Freesia Kiwi. Nest Candles are by Laura Slatkin. Many of the scents are reminiscent of the famed Slatkin & Co fragrances. The are soy wax and packaged in lovely stiped clear and frosted glass jars. Freesia Kiwi is a blend of freesia, jasmine, muguet, Asian Pear, kiwi and cassis. I had a hard time deciding between this one and Wasabi Pear, which turned out to be out of stock, making the decision for me.

Overall it was a fun night having products custom blended and and coming home with a pretty purple bag of goodies. I hope the concealer works better tomorrow than it did tonight! Have you ever had Px custom blend products for you? How did they work out?

Jouer Cosmetics

click on the images to enlarge

This is the second incarnation of Jouer Cosmetics. The first version was available at Sephora and featured a variety of cream-based products in small, white, rectangular, windowed compacts that could connect to one another along their sides. That version disappeared, and the current Jouer line emerged, available so far exclusively at Henri Bendel and at jouercosmetics.com.

Jouer has a variety of cosmetic items from concealers to foundations, blushes, tube glosses, shadows and more, many of which click together not only along the sides, but front to back so that you can create your own personalized travel stack.

I currently have two powder eye shadows ($20 each). Caramel is a soft warm brownish gold with a tiny hint of copper. It creates a lovely natural but defined eye look, but I find it prone to getting that hard "layer" on the surface of the shadow that I often have to scrape away. It is also not particularly pigmented and needs to be applied with a stiff, dense brush for color payoff.

Amaretto, on the other hand, is smooth an pigmented and glides on and blends wonderfully. It is a very complex pewter taupe with gold shimmer and a hint of bronze and plum. It's perfect for a soft smokey look or in the crease, with Caramel or another base shadow, for a subtle defined smolder. This is a unique shade and a favorite.

The Tint in Petal is another product that I like. The Tints ($20) are designed to be creamy multi-use lip and cheek colors. Jouer describes Petal as a "soft rose pink" but there is definitely a warm, almost hint of coral undertone to my eye. These blend onto cheeks with fingertips and have no sticky afterfeel.

I use the Age Repairing Brightener ($32) and Age Repairing Concealer ($24) under my eyes, the Brightener followed by the concealer. The Brightener has a thinner consistency with more slip and comes in a swivel up tube. It is designed to illuminate and fight free radicals. I don't notice an illuminating effect, but the emollient ingredients keeps the concealer, which is heavily pigmented but has a very dry texture, from caking under my eyes. These aren't holy grail products, but do a fine job. I'm not a huge fan of either alone, but they work synergistically.

I bought the Eye Definer ($20) in Olive after reading that it was used on Frieda Pinto for an awards show where her eye makeup was particularly gorgeous. It's a pretty gold-shimmered olive and glides on, but isn't pigmented enough to create a real definition or me. The color is lovely though, especially when layered over a black liner.