March 31, 2017
Everything I bought from a Dior charity event, these new eye creams deserve a look, pre-summer body prep and hyper color hair color is headed our way.
Zoya "Haley"
Dior + charity = a makeup bag upgrade
I'm all about charity events, especially when they're for the preschool my son attended AND they involve makeup. Such was the case a few weeks ago when my friends and I descended on Neiman Marcus and enjoyed a master class of sorts with Dior celebrity makeup artist Ricky Wilson. Since shopping was going to be a part of the luncheon, I needed to go in with a strategy. Before heading out, I gave my makeup drawer a once over to identify what I could use—in addition to the Dior Addict Lip Glow in “Berry” I HAD to go home with. (For the record, not a day has gone by without wearing it.) Take a gander...
The event started with amazing tips from Ricky (and some fab celebrity gossip). Among the standout pearls of makeup wisdom:
The best light for makeup application is a regular white bulb with no lampshade. According to Ricky, “Girl, if your makeup looks good in this light, it will look good in any light.”
Everyone needs two blushes: Pink for when you're wearing cool colors and peach for when you're wearing neutrals.
If you're a fan of brown eyeshadows, you need a lot of mascara to create definition and contrast.
If you can't get liquid eyeliner right (no matter how much you practice), define with a pencil first and then go over it with liquid.
After the makeup demo portion of the event (which featured my friend-turned-model and hostess-with-the-mostest Melissa), we finally got to play with all the makeup that was on our table. Yes, there were Dior artists on hand, but I took it upon myself to apply the Diorskin Airflash to my BFF Beth—and then I remembered why I was so obsessed with this spray foundation many moons ago. It has since been unearthed from the archives and I still can't figure out why I ever stopped using it. (Yet another amazing takeaway from the afternoon.)
I literally have more makeup than I know what to do with, but I've been itching for an eyeshadow look that goes beyond golds, browns and greys. So when I spied the 5 Couleurs Designer palette in “Navy Design,” I knew she was coming home with me (and apparently her friend, the Diorshow Pro Liner in “Pro Purple,” wanted to come too). Though technically called navy, it skews more violet and it's just what I needed to fill the little space left in my makeup drawer.
All in all, it was a fun, fabulous afternoon and beyond a few glasses of champagne and QT with my girls, I got an amazing makeup refresh just in time for spring!
You’ll want to try the latest crop of eye creams
My mom used to ask me for a new eye cream on just about a monthly basis, and I never understood how she blew through a jar, bottle or tube so quickly. I use eye cream every morning and night, and it takes me months to finish a product. This actually makes me antsy since I have a cabinet full of creams I want to try—but I hate wasting. As a compromise, I decided that I would start a new one at the start of every season regardless of how much I have left and here’s what I’m currently deciding on for spring (and why you should try them, too)!
It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream
As far as what I look for in an eye cream, this brand-new offering ticks all the boxes. It fights fine lines and wrinkles, helps skin look and feel firmer, improves dark circles and puffiness, and best of all, the darkness-neutralizing peach color instantly brightens up your entire eye area like no other (so much so that you can skip the concealer if you get a good night’s sleep). Featuring the same anti-aging ingredient complex as the wildly popular moisturizer (i.e. ceramides, chrysin, licorice root, avocado and squalene), you get visible results both immediately and over the long-term.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift
You’ll have to wait until April 6 to get your hands on the latest from Dermalogica, but I have a feeling it will be worth the wait. Designed to minimize signs of stress like puffiness, undereye bags and dark circles, this cooling cream-gel features wild indigo seed, fermented yeast, sea water extract, arctic algae and a special applicator tip—plus a specific application process that literally delivers a refreshed, lifted appearance. The key is targeting the skin just beneath your brows, and using circular motions to boost circulation and get excess fluid on its way. (Click the above link to see for yourself.)
Youth to the People Kale + Aloe + Sunflower Oil + Tripeptide 5 Age Prevention Superfood Eye Cream
OK, the name may be difficult to remember, but this eye cream makes it easy to get all the wrinkle-smoothing, hydration and firming you want. In addition to all of the ingredients in its name, this anti-aging eye cream also contains hyaluronic acid that instantly plumps up crow’s feet plus a slew of good-for-your-skin vitamins—and it’s 100% vegan for those of you who like to keep your skincare “green.”
I’m also expecting to receive a sample of another eye-rejuvenating innovation from Patchology, but I want to try it before I write about it… Stay tuned, because it’s unlike any eye treatment you’ve seen before!
Summer body prep starts right now
So it’s Spring Break in this neck of the woods, and my husband and son are at the beach as I sit here at home typing away. And I don’t mind the slightest bit because the idea of going near my bathing suit drawer makes me a bit squeamish. But with that said, I’ve decided to start getting summer-ready once the kiddo is back in school next week. Watching my diet is one, exercising more is two, and a bevy of beauty products is three—and Too Cool for School’s Skinny Body Soda is at the top of the list.
This firming, smoothing and overall body-improving formula contains mate extract, a proprietary toning ingredient called SLIMLITE and actual carbonation that are said to help flush away the fluid that contributes to the appearance of cellulite. In addition to the tingling you feel from the bubbles, it has a cooling effect AND provides a refreshing, energizing experience courtesy of grapefruit extract. Oh, and how cute is the bottle?
Hypercolor hair dye is a real thing
Yes, you read that correctly—and yes, there’s a hair color that changes with temperature. It’s called FIRE and it’s the brainchild of a London company called The Unseen. (Just do yourself a favor and click here to see it in action.) While you’re at it, check out their other color-changing products that include leather goods, scarves, candles and more.
The semi-permanent dye launched during London Fashion Week, and is currently available in colors ranging from bright red to pretty pastels—but not in the U.S. just yet. Stayed tuned for updates because I’ll be keeping an eye on this one.