SPF Yourself: Protect Your Skin with Armani Foundation.

SPF Yourself is a series of posts featuring products that contain a sunscreen, or SPF, in them. Not only sunscreens, but body lotions, facial moisturizers, eye creams, foundations, tinted moisturizers, bronzers, hair care and more will be featured. Only the best in beauty with SPF!

I love a good foundation and when I was told by a few friends that I needed to try some from Giorgio Armani Beauty, I listened.  I love Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation and have used it on and off for a few years now. It lacked on thing though. Sunscreen. When I heard that a few of their foundations contained the added protection of sunscreen, I knew I had to try them out too.

Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 - $59.00

This foundation was created to uphold in extreme backstage conditions, and if it coveted there, you know it works. This formula is water-based, so it is light in feel, but this foundation provides a 14-hour satin matte coverage without the heavy coverage feel. It blends onto skin nicely. I have tried it with both a foundation brush and the Beauty Blender Sponge. Both offer a nice, even medium coverage, with a more sheer look from using the sponge damped a bit with water.  It really lasts all day and looks perfect. It comes in eight shades, from Ivory to Natural Suede.  I am using 5.5 Natural Beige, which is a very medium tinted shade that is matching my self tan nicely.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk Compact Foundation SPF 35 - $59.00

I was really surprised how much I like this powder foundation. I have sort of shied away from them recently as most seem to settle on me and just make my skin look flat. This did not. Applying it with the enclosed sponge, this seems to lighten the skin with a natural, transparent satin-matte finish. It too, last very long and looks just as nice at the end of the day as when I applied it. I used it alone for a light to almost medium finish, but applying it over a liquid foundation adds more coverage, while not being too heavy. If you need more coverage, I highly recommend using it this way. It comes in eight shades as well, and I use 5.0 Natural Beige . It was a little bit lighter than the liquid foundation, so I would probably opt for .5 darker next time.

Both of these founations are available online at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com, but you can also pick them up at fine retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.  I honestly had a very hard time finding an actual Giorgio Armani Beauty counter to find my perfect shade, but the SOHO Bloomingdales In New York City has a counter and the rep are very patient and helpful in finding the perfect color.

Rachel Zoe Brings High Fashion and Glamour to Lipstick with Exude.

A new lipstick line has launched. You might be thinking, oh, another line of lipstick, maybe not so exciting? Wrong! This one is very exciting because not only has the brand has partnered with celebrity style expert Rachel Zoe to help create the packaging and color, this lipstick is not like any other I have seen in the past.

Get ready to revolutionize the way you think about lipstick with Exude Lipstick.  Revolutionize and modernize, in fact, as this one is very innovative. Just look at the packaging.

Pretty high tech looking, don't you think? The lipstick is in a tube, but then actually applies up through a plastic cylinder.  This new crystal applicator is key to the brands design. Sophisticated, smart, and chic? I think so.  You see, this applicator releases the perfect amount of lipstick each user needs. It also retains its shape over time, so women will never have to worry about their lipstick wearing down, melting or crumbling.

Enhanced with a smooth hint of mint scent, the lip crème is available in 9 colors: coral, cranberry, rosy brown, nude, brown, bronze, plum, red, and pink. The crème’s lush finish comes from the custom formula of vitamin E & C in a creamy Elastic Gel. This exceptional formula is light weight, comfortable and moisturizing.

The lip gloss is available in 5 colors: crimson, brown, clear, dusty pink, and scarlet red. The custom smooth, not sticky, gloss formula hydrates your lips with an anti-aging complex of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, and Goji Berry and vitamin E to protect against oxidation.

Both product styles are dressed in a sleek yet chic soft touch white case and retail for $29.00. They are available exclusively at exudelipstick.com now.

M.A.C. Prep + Prime Highlighter.

It wasn’t until recently that I began using highlighter products. I used to think they were a non-essential, just something else to clutter the makeup drawer. I’ve dabbled with a few, but I was never super impressed. That is, until I met M.A.C. Prep + Prime Highlighter ($23).

Let’s take a look at the stats, first, shall we? M.A.C. Prep + Prime Highlighter is available in three shades: Light Boost (soft yellow creme), Radiant Rose (light shell pink), and Bright Forecast (light peachy coral). Delivered in a click-style pen, this highlighter promises to deliver sheer color and radiance. M.A.C. suggests that this product can be “use[d] over makeup for highlights, touchups, or under makeup to brighten and prime”. Sounds intriguing! I love a good multipurpose product.

Let me tell you: I dislike click-pens in a big way. I’m usually a little biased against anything with a click-pen package simply because I find them so annoying. With that out of the way… I am in love with M.A.C. Prep + Prime Highlighter. Yes, it’s love! You got me, M.A.C. As they always wow me with the MAC Holiday Collections too.

This highlighter is everything promised: a sheer wash of color that adds an irresistible glow that’s not too shimmery or over the top. It is fabulous to brighten under the eyes, add a cheek or brow highlight, or even as a eye-shadow primer. Even better? I’ve found it to be pretty long-lasting and smudge-proof. (Even when trying to tissue off the swatch on my hand - ha!) 

Ready to snag your own? Check out maccosmetics.com for more info or to find a M.A.C. counter near you.