"The week before Sarah moved back to New York she gave me several products. This is one of many times that she has given me products to try that have now become some of my beauty must-haves.
This time I left with 2 tubes of Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation. Just in time for the winter weather and chapped skin conditions, this Japanese makeup line that has proven to be nothing short of amazing! She gave me 2 different shades; the light one is color 01 and the second is color 02. As I am very pale, my skin requires light shades. Depending on the season both of these shades work well for me. A few dots out of the tube and I'm ready to go and my skin looks flawless, not cakey or bearing that "foundation" look. It's also High Definition so it's really covers - every fine line and blemish is gone with one simple stroke of the foundation brush. I might be crazy but I swear it improves the look of my skin with continual, everyday use. It's miracle makeup and it's fabulous for dryer skin as it actually moisturizes while it's covering.
Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation retails for $55 but it lasts longer than you would ever imagine. I went from using Laprarie ($250 a bottle) to Koh Gen Do and I can honestly say that it is truly one of the best.
Thank you Sarah for making me beautiful! ;)" -- Carly Hoftman
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Flawless Skin From A Fellow Beauty Enthusiast: Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation
Stumble This!Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Faking Flawless Skin
If you're an avid reader of this blog, than you know my obsession with Make Up Forever's HD powder - it's like a primer and a translucent powder all packaged in one jar, absorbing oils, creating a smooth, pore-free face. I have never loved a powder like I do this one. It's truly become my go-to, never leave home without it, product!
I also have another saving grace for flawless skin - MUFE HD Foundation! It's the perfect compliment to the HD powder (use prior to the powder), giving skin the effect of porcelain. I have recommended both of these products to countless friends and fellow beauty enthusiasts who dream of perfect skin. The combination of HD Foundation and HD powder will bring you as close to flawless skin as you can achieve sans dermatology services -- and it won't look like you are packing on the cover-up!
Here are some of it's benefits:
- Oil-free
- Non-cakey
- Fast absorbing
- Medium to full coverage
- Creates a look of flawless skin even under harsh lighting
- Evens out skin tone
PRICE TAG: $40.00
Monday, December 17, 2007
Greek Goddess, Genie Love
Patty Bunch, head make-up artist for the ABC Family hit, Greek, swears by 5 products from Genie Cosmetics... the same 5 products that she uses over and over again to create that "star" look.
Here they are:
Genie Instant Line Smoother ($30). Patty first applies this multi-tasking product to prep, moisturize and perfect the skin. It contains a blend of vitamins and botanicals that work to minimize fine lines, shrink pores and prevent makeup fading.
Genie Line Smoothing Foundation ($40). Patty relies on this long-lasting liquid formula to give the girls flawless complexions. It provides buildable coverage, contains a patented T-One Complex that prevents collagen breakdown, and is made with specially coated pigments and light refractors to give skin a natural radiance.
Genie Cashmere Powder ($38). Patty applies this triple-milled, ultra-soft powder alone for light coverage or over foundation for a semi-matte finish. As with all of the Genie products, the translucent powder contains the T-One complex, vitamin E, soy protein and aloe Vera to keep skin hydrated and to ensure the makeup lasts.
Genie Make Me Blush ($20). For a healthy looking flush, Patty swipes on this buildable cream-powder formula made with skin-friendly antioxidants and hydrators. The sheer, creamy texture is impossible to over apply, and the blush contains micronized minerals to add a slight gleam to cheeks.
Genie TLC Mascara ($20). To achieve eye-catching lashes, Patty uses this mascara, which has color-adjusting pigments that change according to a person’s skin tone and a dual brush applicator. The super-fat top lash brush works to plump and lengthen each lash. The delicate bottom lash brush has hollow fibers to target tiny lashes for brilliant definition.
I've had the opportunity to play around with the products and, I've gotta say, they're amazing! I'd never heard of this cosmetic line prior to receiving samples, and I was a bit skeptical to put new colors on my skin. But I knew from the moment that my eyes rested on the matte gold compacts with simple white writing, I was in make-up love!
Two of the products have actually made their way into my permanent collection - the Make Me Blush All-Over Face Color is a must for blushing beauties! It's a gorgeous plum color that you can build to create the perfect amount of "blush" for you. It's cream (which I happen to like for Winter) looks very natural, but totally gave me that "fresh-faced" glow.
The other product that I adore is the Cashmere Powder - it comes with its own brush (like my favorite Tarte brush, short and stubby with a full head of soft bristles! The powder has a great consistency and it's SO smooth and subtle, it practically turned my skin flawless. I was extremely impressed with the results (after all, any powder used for a TV show has got to be pretty close to perfect as celebrities would rather die then be caught with bad skin!)
Genie Cosmetics is available through QVC UK.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
CALLING ALL... BEAUTY ADDICTS!
How could we ever dislike a product line aptly named, Beauty Addicts?!
We can't!
After trying an array of their fun and fresh colors, we've found a few favorites that have subsequently become permanent staples in our make-up drawer!
Beauty Addicts is, "an effortlessly elegant color system of palettes using shades and textures that complement each other with timeless style and an of-the-moment edge."
If it's all about the presentation, then Beauty Addicts scores major points with theirs... Each palette comes beautifully packaged in a shimmering bag bedazzled with faux jewels. But the real treat is what's inside the bag. 
Take, for example, the Express GLIMMERsheer - Luminizer, a dual color palette consisting of "glimmer - a soft focus luminizing luster for a sun-kissed, elegant sheen, and sheer – a crystal clear luminzer that hydrates and enhances glowing skin." What does this mean? Well, you can highlight and luminize eyes, cheeks or lips with one part shimmer and the other part gloss. I love the way it accentuates my cheekbones. I also used on my brow bone to give my eyes a mini "life" effect.
The duo comes in four shades: Glow, Express, Motivate and Seduce. Express, the one I have is a golden hue and compliments a sun-kissed complexion equisitely!
Another product I adore from this practical line is the Mineral Sheer Tint with SPF 20. It's a mineral-based tinted foundation/ moisturizer that is oil-free and hypoallergenic. I have super sensitive skin that tends to get blotchy (ugh!), so I'm always looking for a quick, non abrassive way to even out my skin tone and this product did the trick! It stayed on all day and made my skin look so even and beautiful, I was jealous of my own reflection!!!
Fans of the line include, Sharon Stone, Mya and Zooey Deschanel.
To check out the entire line, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
HAPPY EARTH DAY
Organic products are just so much more environmentally friendly. Like driving a hybrid (I do!) and conserving energy (turn off those lights, computers and plug-in vibrators!), companies that pay considerable attention to the environment while still making beauty products that consumer's can enjoy, are companies worth celebrating!
So, today, on Earth Day, lets take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite eco-friendly products!
Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil: A blemish touch stick for those retchid lil pimples... All natural tea tree oil, rosemary, lavender and thyme help to make this product a must-have zit zapper! Can be applied to blemish up to 6 times a day. With it's roll on applicator, it makes it easy to use on the go. I LOVE this product... I take it with me everywhere!
Soy candle - White Flower Lei: Handmade soy candles with fragrances meant to destress and aid in meditation. The candles are vegan, kosher and organic! The wax can also be used as a perfume is applied directly to pulse points! This candle is so yummy!
bareMinerals 2-piece Powder Foundation & Brush w/SPF 15: A cult favorite, Bare Minerals loose powder foundation does not contain additives, binders, preservatives, or fragrances. It is literally made of crushed minerals. And it helps to control shine and fight acne, all the while giving your skin a flawless glow. My sister is OBSESSED with this product as I'm sure many of you are too!
The Body Shop's Satsuma Shimmer Lip Balm: This lip gloss combines shimmer with a burst of color to create the perfect pout. It uses organic beeswax, more specifically, Community Trade beeswax from Zambia. What does this mean to YOU? Well, as the Body Shop puts it, "Community Trade Information Beeswax is a Community Trade ingredient from the remote tropical forests of North West Zambia, where the extra income helps more than 3,000 beekeepers preserve their traditional way of life." In other words, sustainable beauty! Giving back... we heart the body shop!
Smooth Synergy Organic Tan: Okay, so I've never ACTUALLY had this done as I am in LA and the spa is in NY, but I received an email about this incredible service... just in time for earth day! If you're in the nyc area, give them a call and tell me what you think!
What they say: "Smooth Synergy’s Organic Sunless Spray Tan offers a unique combination of mineral salt bronzers and the approved cosmetic tanning agent DHA20 to produce a natural looking tan. The UV-less tanning product contains no alcohol, oils, perfumes or potentially harmful chemicals or preservatives. This vegetable-derived product can even be sprayed over makeup. The Smooth Synergy UV-Less Tan lasts 5-7 days depending on your skin type and preparation."
Wow. Organics R Us! Tell beauty banter what organic products you just DIE over!!! Leave a comment or email us at beautybanter@gmail.com
Happy Earth Day!!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Perfect Foundation For YOU
This is cool. Women's Health Magazine has posted the best foundations for each skin type.
CLICK HERE to find out what's your ideal match!
Apparently, mine is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer in Neutral to Tan.
Hmmm... I'm gonna have to give it a try!
