Makeup Lesson #332

Part of my job is to co-produce beauty shoots--and my curious nature always has me peeping into the talent’s corner to better understand how each works his or her magic. The makeup table is a major stopping point. I’m drawn to makeup artists. I want to see what they’ve got, how they use it, how they transform faces. What I learned last week from makeup artist Rudy Sotomayor is the beauty of blending foundation to perfection. His tool of choice at our beauty shoot was the BeautyBlender (beautyblender.net). This is a pink curvy sponge that you use to apply foundation, concealor, cream blush, even powder. You wet the sponge first, dip it into your makeup, then press the product on the face. The ultimate result is a seamless, air-brushed finish. You can’t overdo it with this sponge because it deposits just enough of your product. Also, because it’s round there is no streaking.

Next up in Rudy’s bag were a number of Ten, that's the brand name, lip glosses (target.com). Rudy says that these super affordable glosses give the perfect sheer finish. I like the packaging, but was also impressed with how good they looked on the models’ deep complexions. Last but not least, was his YSL Mascara, Volume Effet Faux Cils, in High Density Black (nordstrom.com). It’s all about the drama with this mascara, definitely not for those who want a natural look. Rudy thinks it’s the next best thing to faux lashes. Anyway, I lost no time getting all of this stuff. And after a week of playing with these goodies, all I can say is that Rudy knows best.

Got any makeup secrets? Tell me all about them.

Photos: BeautyBlender (left); Ten lip glosses (center); YSL Mascara, Volume Effet Faux Cils (right)

You Should Have!

People may say "Oh you shouldn't have" but really, when you're off to someone's home, whether it's dinner or a weekend visit, don't show up empty-handed. Take a minute to think about something the host(s) would really appreciate. It could be music, movie gift certificates, their favorite homemade baked goods, whatever. I truly appreciate it when friends and family give me stuff that I love but don't want to spend money on, like champagne, fancy soaps, home fragrances, linens, even lingerie--silk camisoles and robes, that is. What's on my radar right now?

• Thymes Reed Diffusers (thymes.com): The bottles from their Indigenous Collection are so dainty and elegant.
• Claus Porto Holiday Soap Gift Box (lafcony.com): The shea butter soaps are divinely wrapped in oh-so-chic art-deco paper.
• Frederic Malle Editions de Parfum Bigarde Soap Set (barneys.com): The rich and luxurious perfume-lovers soap set is pricey but the nose knows it.

What innovative gift ideas have you used? Tell me all about it.

Photos: Thymes Reed Diffusers (left); Claus Porto Holiday Soap Gift Box (center); Frederic Malle Editions de Parfum Bigarde Soap Set (right)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Grateful for another year of good health, family and friends to love and be loved, and peace of mind, of course. Not much else matters really. There are certainly gains and losses with each year. I'm stilll waiting for the year to come when I lose the pimples. Lord knows there are more important things to think about these days, but Monday morning, pimples were top of mind, on top of my right brow to be exact. You know when a zit has the potential to be massive. This is what I was dealing with. But I was bound and determined to be clear as a bell by my Thursday birthday. And I have succeeded. I probably went overboard. You may not need all of this, but at least one item from my pimple-fighting army of goods should appeal to you. Note: I do not have a chronic acne condition, but I break out about once a month, one or two zits at the most. Anyway, I'd been waiting to try this electronic zit zapper called Thermaclear (thermaclear.com). It's a small battery-operated device that delivers heat directly to the breakout and supposedly neutralizes the pimple-causing bacteria, which accelerates the healing process. You place the head of the device over your zit, push the button that releases the heat, and that's it. It stings a bit. You can do this up to three times a day. And of course I did it three times a day for two days--in the morning, just after work and before bed.

Natural obsessive that I am, I still didn't feel comfortable walking around the office with the Thermaclear, so I continued my great fight throughout the day with the Kinerase Clear Skin Blemish Dissolver (kinerase.com). This tube, with it's spillproof roller-ball applicator, is about the size of a lipstick. It's on my desk now, right by the computer. I lost track of how many times I rolled the thing over my brow. The thing on my forehead was getting smaller and smaller.

Now I must mention my cleansing routine. Clinique's new Acne Solutions Clear Skin System (cliniqueacnesolutions.com) is powerful. I think the system--cleanser, lotion and moisturizer--is too much for me for everyday use. Again, I don't have chronic acne, but when breakouts strike, this product is highly effective. It seems to work immediately. And finally, I'll tell you about my nighttime spot treatment. Payot, the venerable French skin-care line, has a zit treatment that all the European models reportedly
crave. It's called Pate Grise. It's messy, gray and goupy, but I love it. Just dab it on the spot and go to sleep.

So I'm clear now--no more zit. Actually, I have an ever-so-slight scar, my doing. I couldn't help but squeeze a few times. Still better than usual, because there was very little to squeeze after my first day of all this zit-fighting. Here's to clear days ahead.

How do you deal with your breakouts? Tell me all about it.

Photos: Thermaclear (left); Kinerase Clear Skin Blemish Dissolver (center); Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System (right)

Get Stylin'

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post -- things have been crazy here at the ESSENCE offices. I’m back to business, though, with one of my favorite topics -- hair! I’ve been receiving quite a few requests for simple, yet chic hairstyles to sport at special summer occasions (like weddings), so I thought I’d share a few looks I love. We recently pulled together a wedding supplement for the August issue (on newsstands now - I couldn’t resist) and the creations above are perfect no matter what your style or role in the festivities. The first is great if you consider yourself a traditionalist -- a sophisticated updo is classic and the floral accents add a special little detail. We like to call the second style “Boho Chic” because the adorned flower paired with a thirties-inspired bob is polished without being over-styled. And of course I couldn’t forget my natural girls. Glam your flirty Afro curls up with a delicate jeweled headband.

Have you rocked a fab style this summer? I’d love to see some pics. Send them to me at stylediary@essence.com and you may just see yourself in an upcoming post!

Photos: Chris Militscher

Stay Cool!

I actually like the heat. I don't mind sweating or feeling the blazin' sun on my back. It all makes me feel alive. I do, however, keep a few items nearby just to balance the effects of the elements. First there's Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 30, drugstores. I've got to wear sunblock, and this cool, misty spritz is so much nicer than traditional oily lotions. My skin is oily all year long, so I actually always have Clinique Pore Minimizer Oil-Blotting sheets (clinique.com). This oil eraser is so fast, I don't have to fuss with face powder. Speaking of powder, I don't know if it's a black thing, but I often feel the need to douse way too much body powder on my chest to keep cool. BUT, I rub it in. There's no white stuff peeking out of my summer tees. I wonder when we started this "tradition."

Anyway, what's different about my powder application is that I don't use baby powder. I use Principessa Bianco Breeze (principessabeauty.com). It's fancy powder. I can't say that it's more absorbing than baby powder, but I'm a sucker for packaging. The fancy metal container has pretty script lettering and it seems to work well enough. Last but certainly not least, deodorant! What really works for me is Dove Ultimate Clear Cool Essentials, drugstores. You'll like the scent, and the gel is clear. I find that it really eliminates those white marks on dark tops.

What keeps you cool? Tell me all about it.

Photos: Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 30 (left); Clinique Pore Minimizer Oil-Blotting sheets (center); Principessa Bianco Breeze (right)

Beauty on the Go

I'm off to the Essence Music Festival -- back in New Orleans, my favorite U.S, city, outside of Manhattan. Here's the shameless plug: It isn't too late to get your tickets via Ticketmaster! Beyoncé, Ludacris, Lionel Richie and more are waiting to entertain you...

Anyway, organizing my toiletries takes more time than coordinating my outfits. It doesn't matter whether I'm going to a hotel or my auntie's house, I need my beauty stuff -- it's grounding for me. If my hair is pressed, it's a flat iron and sheen spray. When it's hot and humid, I'm loving a curly fro, and I need some sort of headband or scrunchie, leave-in conditioner, a brush and alcohol-free gel. I know, I know, that's a lot, but the hair needs this cocktail to act right.

Let's move on to body products. Take careful note: Halter dresses, short skirts and sexy sandals should never be worn with dusty elbows and knees or cracked heels. Got that? Your everyday lotion may not be enough for these situations; shea butter's better. I love the little packs of Frederic Fekkai Shea Butter Body Crème Luxeuse Portables (beauty.com). They're small, lightweight packs of shea butter cream that can easily fit in a back pocket or glove compartment. Because teeny hotel soaps are ridiculous and my auntie's rose-scented bath soap is just not my thing, I always pack a travel-size body wash. You'll love Bliss Sinkside Six-pack (blissworld.com). You may not need the included shampoo and conditioner, but the lotion, soap, face wash and body wash make the set worth it. Plus, the lemon and sage scent is clean, none of that overpowering coconut, mango, watermelon business. If you need more serious skin care, then you may want to go with the Philosophy Does Your Skin Need a Drink hydrating set (philosophy.com), which contains the stellar Hope in a Jar face cream for all skin types and Hope in a Tube lip and eye cream. My skin is usually oily, but after flying it's dehydrated. This combo always fixes me up.

Now I know this sounds crazy because it's clearly July, but I love my cashmere socks from my Johnstons Jet Set travel pack (johnstonscashmere.com), I'm always freezing on the plane, so the softy socks take care of me. The set comes in a small drawstring bag with a pair of cashmere socks, a cashmere pillow cover for the yucky airplane pillows and a cashmere blanket. A little luxury never hurt anyone.

Any travel-right beauty tips? Send them my way. I want to hear all about them.

Photos: Frederic Fekkai Shea Butter Body Crème Luxeuse Portables (top left); Bliss Sinkside Six-pack (top right); Johnstons Jet Set travel pack (bottom)