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Every week it seems like I’m hearing about a new multi-product that promises to erase pores and cancel redness. As much as I love putting crazy on my face, I’ve always been a little wary of the “wonder tubes.” My SF esthetician, Julia Robertson* warned me against multi-products, on the basis that one product can do a few things ok, but do none of them great, not to mention if you have fickle or acne-prone skin (check, check) you’re asking for trouble.
My skin:
- Is classic combo: oily T-zone, dry cheeks
- Olive/tan
- Hormonal breakouts? OH SHUT UP.
- Bonus: not worried about wrinkles
- Not Bonus: more worried about pore refinement
With all of this in mind, I’ve done a BB vs. Primer road test with a few products and here are a few I really dig. I change it up depending on the climate and how much makeup I plan to wear on a given day.
1) Laura Mercier, Foundation Primer (US)
Light, non-greasy, and vitamin packed, this is a great every day primer for light makeup coverage when the weather is moderate to cool. It creates a nice barrier between your skin care and foundation—I let my UV moisturizer dry a couple of minutes before I lay this down.
- Texture: thin, nice slip, sheer
- Vitamins: A, C, and E
2) Benefit, The Porefessional (US)
Baby, I’d never leave you. I’ve used Porefesh for years and I truly love it. Yes… I used to work at Benefit HQ in San Francisco as a writer and assistant (MAKEUP PARTIES EVERY DAY), but seriously—that only means I scrutinize the line even more. There are a few Benefit products that I truly adore and will pay full, no employee discount/hook up on even to this day. What can I say? It’s great makeup.
- Texture: mid-density, creamy, opaque, light coverage
- Color: beige with cool undertones
- Oil free
3) Too Cool For School, Oil Control Primer (Korea)
This is my meltdown primer. If it’s hot and/or sticky out, chances are I’m wearing way less face makeup, but whatever I am wearing, I want it to stay in place. This stuff has to dry before putting anything else on… I tried putting concealer on over this al fresco and it turned into this weird, separated mess on my face. It’s a right tool for the right weather though—foundation stays PUT. Buy it here.
- Texture: tacky, silicone-based, sheer
4) Keana Pate, Pore Putty (by Sana) (Japan)
This reminds me a lot of Smashbox—clear paste, silicone-y with super soft slip that glides all over and makes your makeup slide on super even. It’s effective enough but I have to admit, with a name like Pore Putty I really wanted this stuff to be my magic face bondo. It’s way less expensive than Smashboox (at least in Tokyo) and for the expat girls here, it makes sense to buy local. U.S. girlies can get it here.
- Texture: silky, silicone-based, sheer
5) Hanskin, Super 3 Solution BB PA+++ (Korea)
Surprisingly, this isn’t making my skin freak out, but that might be because I only use it in the triangle under my eyes and around my nose. Why you ask? BECAUSE IT IS SO LIGHT. If you have fair, quasi-sensitive skin, this could be your wonder tube. This was a gift from my friends at Glossybox, and I love the coverage- light but with real pigmentation—BUT… it’s way too light for my olive/tan skin. Everyone can get it here.
- Texture: thin, creamy, opaque
- Color: pale with yellow undertones
- SPF 35/ PA+++
*SF ladies: Julia’s a miracle worker—my face stopped aging five years ago because of this woman… message me on FB if you want details!
CRAZY.Moving to my new pad in Tokyo has kept me on the run the past few days, but I did manage to check out a few new things that I’m adding to my must-have list.
Awesome and apparently proven with data. (photo: maquillage)
Maquillage Powder Compact Foundation, color OC 30
I ran out of setting powder and accidentally bought a foundation instead of a pressed compact, but I’m pretty happy I did. The coverage on this saved me during the super humid summer and kept me from looking like a melted candle. Now that thinks are cooling down, I really only use it for touch-ups. Super light and not cakey or chalky at all. With a fluffy powder brush this gives an almost poreless finish. Love.
Beauty Tech: the shop girl held this up to my face like a light meter to figure out what shade I needed.
Lissage Lip Gloss, color, WN-1
I’m currently looking for a great matte lipstick for fall, but for daytime I really like Lissage. Lissage is under the Kanebo brand, and is only available in Japan… in stores. I did find it here online… after a major search. The slip is really nice and the formula stays put. It’s a little more expensive and totally worth it. I like the wine color… It’s sheer enough to not scream LIPS but gives a little color. A nice pickup if you’re feeling washed out.
Liese Iron Spray
This stuff is the real deal. I also use the Liese Airy Style Water, but wanted to change up and try something new. I found this at a random-everything shop in Nippori and really dig it. Spray it on toweled hair, blow out, and iron. It leaves your hair super shiny like Airy Water but straightens way better… the best pre-iron treatment.
I’m still getting settled in my new apartment… but will be posting pics and tips on tiny living. So excited to finally have a real home in Tokyo!
Oh Shu. You got me. You got me good.
First, I was a lucky girl and got a sneak peak at their Fall launch of The Lightbulb Foundation. It’s lightweight, luminous, and has great coverage. Available in 14 shades, I tried #764 and #564 (#764 is a better match for my yellow-olive skin tone).
Launch date: August 23rd
They’re running a campaign in Japan which I’m taking full advantage of: The Lightbulb set: which includes the super blendy sponge applicator, Sublime beauty cleansing oil, loose powder, and my next total freaking obsession: The UV Poreless Mousse. It comes in a travel case and costs ¥8150- considering the Poreless alone is ¥4000, this is a great deal.
Let’s talk Poreless:
I tried this at the Shu counter in Lumine and almost fell over. It was the end of the day and in 90 degree heat… I had seen better days. My eye makeup was fine but my face was looking a little melty. I took a teeny dollop of this wonderstuff and lightly dabbed it over my makeup. Instantly, smooth, color was corrected, just overall I looked more polished and put together. My skin is oily and pores around my nose are larger… this stuff made them almost invisible, which kind of blew me away since it was applied over a day-old face. LOVE.
No question Shu is a spendier brand, but for skincare an foundation makeup, I think it’s totally worth it. Counting down to the 23rd.
Oh summer, why must you be so temperamental? Unless you go totally naked face, keeping makeup in place is a challenge when you live in a humid climate. Japan is pretty much a sauna until September, so I found a few goodies that stay put and don’t break the bank.
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner One Day Tattoo
My eyeliner almost never stays on all day, and I’ve been meaning to try this one forever. So glad I did. The super fine point creates the perfect winged cat-eye, and it stays allllll day, even with oily lids or 80% humidity. I use Deep Brown. Get it here.
Kose Fasio Perfect Eyebrow
This little baby has a fine liquid tip on one end (you can draw individual hairs!) and a shadow tip on the other, so you can sculpt a high-def pinup brow or a super soft natural look. The wet/dry action means you apply then set so it doesn’t fade off into the sunset. For under JPY 1000 it’s a bargain. Buy it here (in Japanese but translates with Google, no problemo).
Primavista Cream Foundation
This doesn’t replaced my beloved Armani, but it has great pigmentation and at about half the cost, I thought I’d give it a shot. Verdict? Seriousl coverage but light enough to not make you look like a clown by 3pm. It has SPF 15 (it says PA +++ but SPF 15 mis mid-coverage, yes?). Because it’s a cream, and my skin prefers oil free, I use a light touch with the MAC 188 and just stipple where I need it, then set with a loose powder. Buy it here.
PS: I’m testing a few foundation/BB products right now and have a sneak peak of Shu’s latest that doesn’t launch for a few weeks… excited to share!
In Japan, the most dangerous place for me to be at the beauty department. I went through Takashimaya Mall at Kashiwa Station yesterday and bee-lined past the summer sales, straight into the arms of the ladies at the makeup counters. All of the best names, Shu, Kanebo, Shiseido, and a new skin care line I had never seen before: Dr. Ci Labo. At last, we meet.
I found a lovely girl at Dr. C who spoke… well no she didn’t speak English, but she was willing to help me anyway. Between Google translate and charades, I found out everything I needed to know to get the right products, plus the English website filled in the blanks.
Here’s what I tried, and what I loved.
Step one: SUPER Cleansing EX
This gel-like oil isn’t messy and has a warming effect when you massage it into the skin, removes makeup easily (even my Loreal tube mascara which can be tricky to loosen). Kind of a mini-spa moment before you get down to business. My skin is oily so I don’t know if I’d do this every day, but it does wash off cleanly so we’ll see how my skin handles longer term use.
Step two: SUPER Washing Foam EX
I LOVE foam cleansers and have been a Perfect Whip girl since the dawn of time, but this one is the fancy version. Foams up nicely and leaves your face super clean without being stripped or tight. LOVE this one.
Step three: Herbal Serum O2
Oh man I LOVE this stuff. The O2 comes from being based in highly oxygenated water, which is awesome for your skin. It also has a crisp botanical scent because it’s loaded with 15 kinds of plant extracts (houttuynia cordata, licorice, adlay) and vitamins E and C. Your pores feel like they just hit the gym (I mean invigorated, not like they want to keel over). It’s definitely more expensive than my organic witch hazel, but I think I need this in my life.
Step four: Herbal Gel O2
This is a combo day cream: it’s a vitamin-packed beauty treatment that acts as both a toner and a makeup base. You could use this right out of the shower before you put on sunscreen or your BB layer. Pro: It’s one of those workhorse products that if you love, you’ll use every day.
Con: It does have a slight sticky after effect.
Overall: I’m super excited about this find. A spa-quality line with loads of vitamins and herbs, that isn’t absurdly expensive? Thank you Dr. Ci.
USA SHOP http://www.cilabousa.com/
SINGAPORE SHOP http://www.ci-labo.com.sg/
It’s no shocker that Japan rocks the house when it comes to getting pretty. Every corner has a drugstore stocked floor-to-ceiling with makeup, ranging from super cheapo trendy to undiscovered, over-the-counter Obagi (which I will be testing, don’t you worry about that). The selection of shinypinkgirly is overwhelming, and given that I can’t read much Japanese yet, it takes me an hour to pick out a lipstick. I’m good with it because I love shopping for beauty gear and goods. I’ve accepted my addiction.
Here are a few picks from my latest pit stop:
1. Canmake Glossyholic Lip 7, Red Apple: I love red lips. I look crazy with red lips. It’s my personal tragedy. The only true red lip I can rock is Armani’s red lip pencil, which I believe is discontinued now. Double tragedy. But this berry gloss gives a sexy pop of color without making me look like a member of the Insane Clown Posse.
2. Cezanne Lip Pencil, No.1: A coral shade with more of an orange undertone, this one is begging for summer color. My current skin tone is too yellow to pull this off right now, but I think I’ll dig it once I get a bit of sun.
3. Fasio Zero Expert UV Concealer, No.2: I usually shy away from less expensive foundations and concealers but this one caught my eye and for about ¥1000 I figured give it a shot. It’s SPF 35, waterproof (hello summer) and the warm beige was a perfect match. My Laura Mercier palette concealer is a bit clunky in my makeup bag, so this is my go-to-on-the-go stick. Once it’s set with powder it stays put. Surprised at the quality… I’ll buy it again.
4. Lavshuca Dramatic Memory Rouge Lipstick, RD-5: I’m coming out of a tinted lip balm phase and trying a slightly dressier look for daytime. I blame it on Tokyo. Even with full face I felt like a dirty hippie, so taking it up a notch was the next logical choice. This is a natural mauve/plum shade, slightly glossy, and has a nice slip to it, which for me is key—the reason I stopped wearing lipstick was many brands were either super dry, perma-stain, or worse… slid off after two seconds.
5. Canmake Powder Highlighter, No. 5: I bought this mini-compact, by accident actually, I was looking for a loose setting powder because my liquid highlighter was sliding a little. I love this on it’s own… pale pearl sheen without crazy sparkle, gives your cheekbones a pick up without making you look like Tinkerbell. And it was super cheap—around ¥600.
6. Super cute Chihuahua nail buffer I got in a ladies’s kit at a hotel. Japanese details=magic.
Note: The Glossyholic does have sparkle to it, so I only wear it when I’m feeling especially feisty. Which lately, has been pretty much every day. Summer is coming soon!
I’m a product junkie. There’s no question about it. Peels, serums, treatments, devices: if it’s out there I’ve either bought it, tried it, or at the very least heard about it. I get asked about my skin a lot, so I thought I’d jot down a few of my skincare must-haves.
Shiseido BENEFIANCE WrinkleResist24 Day Emulsion SPF 15
I am in love Shiseido. Even the name makes me happy… it might be the name of my first born. Everything they make is skin magic. It’s cheaper than La Prairie and I seem to get the same amazing results. I use this everyday before I put on my makeup.
Shiseido Perfect Whip Cleanser
I just learned about Perfect Whip… this stuff is the bomb. I bought it from a Japanese beauty shop but you can find it on Amazon. It’s not expensive (15 bucks) and a little goes a very long way. It foams up like crazy and leaves your skin squeaky clean. Love love love.
NuFace
Okay. Fess up time. This thing is seriously my secret weapon. It tightens facial muscles and stimulates collagen production. I’ll put a serum (maybe Dior Capture Totale, or whatever sample I got at Sephora) and use this while I’m watching Hulu at night. It does sting a bit—like a tiny rubber band snapping, but you get used to it and honestly, the results are worth it. The trick is to keep your face wet while you’re using it. I use rosewater… but a small spray bottle with water would work too. It’s not cheap but totally worth it. You can get the new version at Sephora.
Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads
These are a new find from fellow writer and beauty addict Chelsi. I’ve only used these a few times, but anything that gives overnight results is worth forking over for. Refines skin texture, removes acne weirdness, and overall leaves your face barnacle-free. At Sephora.
Creme de La Mer
Next to La Prairie Anti-Stress Cream (the Bentley of face creams, BTW) La Mer is the most expensive product I buy on a semi-regular basis. It’s too rich for all over my face (I have oily skin) but damn it’s the best eye cream on the planet. Feeling peely? This will fix it overnight. I use every night… and like Perfect Whip…a little goes for miles.
I’ll do write-ups on makeup and body stuff I love too.
Enjoy!
Check out this model and tell me what you see.
For those of you who don’t know, this is Valeria Lukyanova, a Ukrainian model, known as “the human Barbie Doll.” Aside from having insane amounts of plastic surgery before age 21, Valeria is best known for her adroit use of the circle lenses.
Circle lenses are colored contacts that extend beyond the normal iris to give a doe-eyed, doll-like look. While I think Valeria looks completely unreal, I do think these lenses would be super fun for a photo shoot or bizarro viral ad… or just for freaking out your co-workers. I’m going to try them for a beauty shoot!
Walk into the office with sunglasses on, complaining that your eyes hurt from the computer, then take off your shades and scare your cube-mates. They come in all colors and patterns.
I have dark eyes and think the black ones would be creepy and cool. Pinky Paradise is the site where you can get ’em. Have fun!
