Beauty Tool Time
by Ann Merin
We’ve all seen the men in our lives salivate over some new power tool from Home Depot. Case in point, a few Christmases ago I got my husband a dremel – a device that can do it all – cut, engrave, sand, polish, etc. As soon as he tore open the wrapping paper and saw the thing, complete with its own case and all the attachments, he became drunk with excitement about all the projects he could do with it. I understood his delight. I’ve felt the same way when I’ve come across a new beauty tool. “Think of all the ways it will help me look beautiful,” I’ve said to myself. “I must have it.” However, unlike power tools, which stay in the garage, beauty tools come in the house and take up room I just don’t have. This year, my husband gave me an ultimatum, “Only your favorite beauty tools can stay. The rest have to be given away.”
“Pick my favorites? That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child,” I said to myself. Still, I knew it made sense and I agreed to select my top 3 tools. My first priority was my hair. It’s almost waist length and pretty straight, but I like to wear it in beachy waves or large sexy curls. My selection for my hair styling needs was the TopStyler by Instyler which provides more style options that the curling iron and is much less damaging. The clam shell shaped, heated, styling clips use only moderate heat and are lined with ceramic plates that distribute the temperature more evenly. The clips are placed around “pin curls” that you create by winding pieces of hair around one or two fingers, depending on the desired curl size. I like larger curls in the front and smaller, tighter curls in the back and this system lets me achieve just that. If you acquire a TopStyler of your own, I suggest that you play with it for a few days before you use it for some big event as it does take some practice to achieve your ideal look. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll probably fall in love with it like I did.
My next priority was something for my skin. I’m reasonably responsible about using moisturizer and sunscreen on my combination skin, but I just don’t seem to make time for facials or my favorite microdermabrasion treatments so my heart skipped a few beats when I first encountered the Nu Brilliance at-home microdermabrasion system. “Could I really get salon results with an at-home machine?” I wondered. My first step was to have a friend who is an expert in salon level machines assess its potential. “It looks like it could be good,” she offered. Apparently, that was all the encouragement I needed because within 24 hours I had my Nu Brilliance and was watching the accompanying training DVD. The system uses diamond tips which are a good alternative method to the more messy crystal systems. 3 tips are included – one fine tip for the face, one small, round, fine tip for detail work around the nose, and one course tip for the body. The diamond tips fit on a suction tool that vacuums all the dead skin away as you exfoliate. The DVD recommends that you start out with the lowest level of suction and do no more than 3 treatments a week. It took me a while to get the hang of keeping the seal between the device and my skin as I moved it across my face, but by the third time, I felt pretty proficient. The results solidified Nu Brilliance’s position on my list. By my second treatment, my skin felt as smooth as a baby’s bottom. By my 10th treatment, I swear that some of my fine lines had disappeared.
My third beauty tool selection was easy because I’m a huge fan of Temptu’s AirBrush Makeup System which creates as close to professional results as I’ve ever seen in an at home airbrush system. The gentle airflow emits tiny particles of makeup that adhere perfectly to your skin and create a flawless finish that has incredible staying power. The compressor unit is small and lightweight enough to take along when you travel. The makeup comes in these fabulous pods that easily snap in and out of the airbrush gun and are also extremely portable. There is a foundation to match every skin tone and blush and highlight colors to suit any time of day or special event. The application is fast, about 5 minutes to apply a foundation, a blush and a highlighter, and is easy to master.
After I settled on my top 3 tools, I kept to my word and packed up most of my other personal beauty appliances. Into the box went my 7 flat irons, my 5 curling irons, my 2 heated curler sets, and a dozen other devices I’d tried over the years. As I walked my collection out to the car I noticed some empty storage space in the garage and paused. I took the box and laid it next to my husband’s dremel , retrieved a sharpie, and labeled the box appropriately, “Ann’s tools.
Sparkle this holiday season with a little glitter.
Application of glitter can go terribly wrong… fast. It is messy and can look too theatrical if not careful. To make glitter appear chic and sophisticated, use only a small amount in a concentrated area.
Start with product. The Illusion D’Ombre Eyeshadows by Chanel are by far my favorite. They have intense pigmentation and provide a classic shimmering effect with one easy-to-use swipe. They can be used with fingers or a very dense brush for perfect application. If actual glitter is desired, loose pigments/glitter are best. Make Up Forever Glitters are soft, concentrated and finely-milled for super sparkle.
How To Apply Glitter:
➺ On clean eyelids, apply eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone. (Favorite: Urban Decay Primer Potion)
➺ The glitter will need something to adhere to, apply a cream eyeshadow to the lid. This can be nude or a color that compliments the glitter. (Favorite: MAC Paint Pot)
➺ Using a small synthetic brush, dip into the glitter. Tap off excess.
➺ Press the glitter onto the lid in a dabbing motion. Do not sweep.
➺ Mist a setting spray gently on the eyes and wait to dry. (Favorite: Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray)
✴ If this technique is still too messy, on the back of hand or artist’s palette, mix cream eyeshadow and glitter together and apply to the lid. With glitter application, fallout is expected. Make sure to do eye makeup first and face makeup second. Dab the fallout with scotch tape to clean any loose particles.
If we could, we would gladly wear rubies, emeralds and sapphires all day, every day. However, after losing one of our great aunt’s amethyst earrings in the drain of a St. Moritz hot tub last winter, we’ve come to realize that there are certain occasions that are just too rowdy for precious gems. Luckily, we’ve come to a solution: Illamasqua’s new “Theatre of the Nameless” nail varnish collection. Its rich, jewel-toned hues are the perfect way to add a bit of sparkle for situations where you aren’t wearing much else–we’re currently coveting the blue violet “Faux Pas” for our next pedicure, while the deep cherry-hued “Vice” is our new go-to red for our fingers. They’re almost as dazzling as colored gems… without the need for an insurance policy.
Illamasqua nail varnishes, $14 each atsephora.com
Everyone says fragrance should never be purchased as a gift – after all, it’s the most personal thing one wears. But since we like to break the rules, we’re treating our mums and sisters toStrange Invisible Perfumes’ new limited-edition line of zodiac fragrances. Each one is custom-blended to evoke the essence of that particular star sign. The Libras in our lives will get a free-spirited mixture of Rose, Golden Champa, Basil, Lavender, Iris, and Grapefruit, while our Virgo loves will get a heady blend of Neroli, Baked Earth, Sandalwood, Palo Santo, Rose, Jasmine Sambac and Temple Mandarin. No matter which sign you’re buying for, they’re simply destined to love it!
Strange Invisible Perfumes Zodiac Fragrances, $275; available by calling 310.314.1505
Gareth Pugh for MAC!
GAAAAAAA! I am so in LOVE! Gareth Pugh is one of my favorite designers, his edgy designs and elaborate construction draws me in every season. His lines are hypnotic and impeccably tailored.
I cannot even get over the fact that he has now teamed up with MAC to do a line of cosmetics that appeal to the more daring of us gals, I would rock this look in the photo to the left and I think I will on Black-Friday after I run to MAC and purchase as much of this limited edition collection I can get my well manicured hands on!!
I can only imagine with a colaboration of this calaber the items will sell out fast so get down to the MAC store bright and early to get a truly one of a kind addition to your makeup kit!
OVERJOYED!