Innovation - Liquid Minerals.

Jane Iredale - the woman who basically founded mineral makeup has just gone a step further.  She has recently launched a line of all new amazing products. And the most innovative I think is that of her Liquid Minerals.

WOW! This has to be the most unique makeup product I have ever seen.  While I have seen skin care products full of spheres, never a makeup product. I am so intrigued.

Here is what they say:
     "The beads or spheres visible in the airless pump are actually liposomes entrapping liposomes. This state-      of-the-art technology allows us to encapsulate large amounts of active ingredients, which are then time-      released on to the skin. This controlled and sustained release into the epidermis increases delivery by up to 40%."

Just take at look at her website where it shows the full range of shades  - all 18 of them. That is pure innovation in itself.

As soon as I can get my hands on this and give it a good try, I will post all about it.

A Perfect Surface.

I am always on the hunt for a great concealer. And a concealer that doesn't need a a touch-up throughout the day is difficult to find. While I have a few favorites that I use in the winter, I have been looking for something lighter, that can be touched up when needed during the hot summer months.

Voila - a new product from DuWop called Surface. Packaged in a lipstick tube, it reminded me of my very first concealer I used in high school. With all the new packaging on the market, DuWop hit it out of the ballpark with this ordinary packaging of an extraordinary product.

Surface is very smooth, and lightweight. It is the perfect texture to cover up under-eye circles and spots here and there. And for the portability I have been looking for, this is it.

When I apply it under my foundation, I simply swipe it on, and blend with my finger. But get how easy this is - when needing a later day touch-up, I just swipe it on, and leave it. No muss, no fuss. It is just so perfect where it is put.

Surface comes in 4 versatile, easy to match shades for $22.50. Look for DuWop's surface at Sephora.com.

A Test - Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Touted as the best foundation primer on the market, I am finally using Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer. But before I started using it on a regular basis, I put it to the test.

Here is the description from Smashbox.com:
"Create the perfect canvas for foundation application with our best-selling PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER. With grapeseed extract to soothe and protect skin, this colorless formula fills in fine lines and pores to help skin appear visibly softer with a smooth velvet finish. Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection."

So onto my testing.

The first time I tried it out, I had applied my regular eye cream and then Philosophy's When Hope is Not Enough Replenishing Cream (meant for night time use, but my skin has been so dry). I opened the tube of primer (the travel size tube, which is a perfect size), and dispensed a small, almost pea sized amount. It felt like the silicone serum I had used on my hair. Well, duh, Teri... it is silicone based, I thought to myself. Anyway, it smoothed out over my skin very easily, and the slippery feeling quickly turned almost powder like - in the feeling that is. I waited a few minutes, and applied MAC's Select Tint, which is really a tinted moisturizer, and followed that with my regular powder of choice, MAC Studio Fix.After a few hours, I saw no difference, and my skin actually looked a little more yellow than normal. Hum.

The next day I tried it over a very light-weight moisturizer, and still followed with my tinted moisturizer and powder - and the results were amazing.  I loved the way my skin looked so flawless - and the look lasted well into the night.

My next try was over the same light-weight moisturizer again, but this time I used only my Studio Fix Powder on top of it. And to my satisfaction, it worked like a dream again. I was surprised that using only a powder, my skin didn't look dry or cakey. Wonderful.

To me it seems as though the primer creates a barrier. It doesn't let anything from the skin (oils, pores, etc.) get into the makeup. While at the same time. the same barrier helps the makeup and powder from sinking into the skin. It just lies there on a perfect surface.

My feeling is that if used with the correct moisturizer, this primer will work best. Maybe on my first try I didn't use enough of the primer, but I have a feeling that the heavy moisturizer was the culprit.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer comes full size in a glass bottle for $36 or in a smaller "travel" size tube, which I like using, for just $15.

If you are looking for a primer, or have read the editor raves like I have about this one, don't hesitate anymore. I know you will be happy with it too - and make it a part of your daily routine as I finally have.