I’ve been reduced to using The Hand Treatment on my face thanks to my hobby.
http://jen-spec-industries.com/
It’s not so bad for your skin…but it pales in comparison to the actual creme. The Kate Sommerville- ExfoliKate is a miracle worker though. That is if you like pain. It exfoliates and has fruit enzymes which burn the heck out of your face. It leaves a nice glow after using it. Not for use with the Clairsonic or for people with sensitive skin.
As a beauty writer, I’ve sampled all manner of cleansers–from cheapo brands to pricey elixirs housed in glass decanters–and have found something to be desired from nearly all. Some made my oily-ish skin too dry and flake-prone. Some felt way too heavy and left behind a greasy residue. But after years of searching, I’ve settled on two that I absolutely adore. And guess what? You can score both at your nearest Walgreens.
This stuff came recommended by my dermatologist–and boy, was her advice spot-on. Super-gentle and non-pore-clogging, it leaves my skin incredibly soft but not greasy.
Another dermatologist fave, this cleanser is extremely mild but won’t cause breakouts. There’s also a formula for oily skin.
So after a long hiatus, Glitterette is baaaack! Better yet, we’re sporting a snazzy new url (thanks JenSpec)! But now on to the beauty. At dinner the other night, a friend was sporting gold-flecked polish over bare nails and it looked amazing. Not that glittery nail polish is anything new–I remember ogling the Wet & Wild multicolored polish back in junior high. But, unlike scrunchies, stirrups and so many other ’80s revival trends, this is one I can get behind. Check out these lovelies:
This shade is called Boom Boom Pow and it reminds me of a glamor queen from the ’60s. Wouldn’t it look fantastic paired with neutral clothes, like camel or ivory?
butter LONDON polish in Rosie Lee. It may be sparkly pink, but more of a grown-up, sophisticated variety. Again, there’s a bit of a ’60s vibe to the shade. I could see Ann-Margret wearing matching hot pants.
Oh my hair gloss is now only at Target. I was shocked when they told me at Sephora. No car means the Sachajuan gloss. More on it later. Their RootLift is amazing.
Those not-so-shy with their cosmetic choices will delight in this edgy London-based line. Ultra-pigmented, shocking shades, dramatic finishes–you don’t wear Illamasqua if you want to escape notice. It’s been touted as nighttime makeup, but the site describes influences like Berlin’s club scene in the ’20s and other “alternative cultures”. No matter what inspired them, the colors are fantastic–and fantastical.
I’m currently coveting this gorgeous neon polish. Wouldn’t it look great on toes?
This metallic coppery cream can be used anywhere.
Pastel hues that are pretty in an unexpected, unsaccharine way.
Trudging back from the subway on a sleet-tastic Sunday night, I was elated to find Sephora still open. And even more delighted to discover the new Tarina Tarantino makeup line. Whenever I catch sight of one of her bright-hued beads, neon baubles or pastel confections, I’m often met with the nearly unstoppable urge to pop one in my mouth–they look like they’d taste just like a Jolly Rancher or vanilla cupcake.
Witness Exhibit A:
And Exhibit B:
And C:
Thankfully, her makeup is every bit as candy-bright, fun and frothy (with a bit of punk and goth thrown in for good measure) as her jewelry.
The line features a delicious array of richly pigmented shades, plus plenty of sparkle and attitude.
I am particularly hearting the Kapinki brush…
…as well as the adorable shadow, powder and blush compacts (blush pictured here).
Other standout items include the amazing Eye Dream Hyperliner pencils. The bold, unexpected hues glide on with a powdery finish and really stay on–it took some scrubbing to get the test scribbles off my hand. I opted for Locket Book, a rich brown eyeliner with a bit of golden sparkle, but was equally entranced with Kanzashi, a brilliant silvery turquoise, and Broken Doll, the palest shimmering pink.
There were also some pretty crystal and tulle flower hair clips.
I was aching to buy this gray and pink lovely but didn’t quite have the nerve. Maybe Spring will renew my fashion courage. It’s gotta warm up some time, right? And in case it doesn’t, I’ll be spilling some of Fall 2010′s beauty secrets very soon…
Dear Allison Reynolds,
As of late you have become my most true beauty icon. Maybe it’s the fact you are a basket case and an artist but I can completely relate to your character. Perhaps it’s this resurgence of the 80’s but you have a wicked style. The fact you were all layered up and could form many outfits from just one, pure genius. Lately I have been trying to emulate both your hair and makeup stylings. I hope you don’t mind.
Sincerestly yours,
jen spec
Question: How adorable is Zooey Deschanel?
Answer: Pretty freakin’ adorable!
I’m completely smitten with her cool girl gamine style, the way she manages the whole sexy-without-taking-off-half-your-clothes thing and her classic (and never overdone) approach to beauty. Her big blue eyes are such an arresting feature and she always plays them up beautifully. So here are a few of my own ideas for recreating a Zooey-like look:
This Bobbi Brown Basics Eye Palette offers the perfect eye-enhancing brown hues–these shades would really make Zooey’s baby blues pop. Start by brushing a pale shade over the entire lid, then create depth by smudging a darker shade into the crease. Blend well. For a little more drama, line the upper and lower lash line with the darkest shade on the far right. Again, blend the heck out of it.
My Detroit friend D turned me on to this awesome eyeliner. It’s a perfectly flattering deep brown shade that blends easily and really stays put–no smearing. Zooey seems to do a lot of 60s-esque liner on her upper lid, which usually involves a liquid formula. But pencil offers an easier–and sometimes more wearable–option. Sharpen to a find point and line the upper lid from inner to outer corner, extending the line just beyond the eye. Use the smudge tip to lightly blend. If you want to line the entire eye, apply along the bottom super close to the lash line–almost as if you’re just filling in the space between the lashes. Smudge lightly so this line isn’t obvious.
I’ve never actually tried this mascara, but have heard so many great reviews that I’m excited to do so. It’s supposed to give lashes plenty of eye-opening volume and crazy length. To copy Zooey’s look, focus on upper lashes with just a swipe across the lower ones.
Sometimes she opts for retro-glam red shades, but we’re going for the demure look in the pic above. This sheer pink stain adds just a hint of color to lips (or cheeks if you want a little flush). Top with gloss for a subtle sheen and voila!
Backstage at Jeremy Laing, models were treated to an ethereal, minimalist look courtesy of MAC makeup artist extraordinaire Hung Vanngo and hair guru Marco Santini of ION Studio.
Skin was very sheer and natural with just a bit of concealer and muted brows and lashes.
Vanngo applied a wash of soft violet and lilac hues to the lid, blending it onto the temples. He then pressed a bit of neutral color into the lips with his finger–I stole this technique later and really love the natural results you get. It has the effect of a stain–the color looks like it’s coming from your own lips and tends to last!
Santini used Davines Molding Foam, For Wizards Quick Setting Hard Gel and Defining Gloss spray to keep models’ sleek ‘dos in check.
This wet look reminded me a bit of Robert Palmer’s girls. Santini described it as “not quite a bun, not quite a chignon.”
The show was held presentation-style in Milk Studios.
I wasn’t on the list for the Adam show, but I LOOOVE the line and it was in the same building, so I decided to talk my way in. It worked!
Again, the look was gorgeously natural but this one had a bit of a sun-kissed vibe.
Hair was worn loose, long and unfussy. All the emphasis on “bare” skin this season has firmed up my resolve to get my own complexion in glowing shape. So stay tuned for some seriously skin-obsessed posts!
Although I was tragically misinformed about the correct starting time and didn’t get to check out the backstage beauty happenings, the Betsey Johnson show was still one of my most thrilling NYC moments to date. Held at the Plaza Hotel, the theme for the night was Party Girl The Morning After–who hasn’t stopped partying yet. All the models were lined up onstage wearing Betsey’s deliciously frilly frocks, vivid-hued girly platforms and outrageous showgirl-esque mesh headdresses. The makeup, like the look and music blaring onstage, was all ’80s New Wave chic–glittery eyelids, dark lips and sparkly nails.
I adored this model. She has such an angelic doll face, which was perfect for this goth-y glam look.
Sexy spike heels and glittery toenails.
More sparkle.
Love how the iridescent shadow plays off her dress.
