Make Up Beauty Tips

Laura Mercier introduces the Undercover Pot, three of her Flawless Face products in one convenient pot. This little creation combines these three award-winning LM products:

• Open the top lid to view the award-winning Secret Camouflage and Secret Concealer
• The unique Secret Camouflage formula is oil-free and stays in place all day long to cover blemishes, scars and imperfections
• Combat under-eye circles with the Secret Concealer - its emollient formula allows for a smooth application in the sensitive eye area
• Secret Concealer to be used on the under the eye area only
• Set your makeup with the Translucent Loose Setting Powder
• Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a lightweight, silky powder that adds a velvety finish to any makeup

Four shade/color combinations are available; sells for $34. Laura Mercier Undercover Pot is available online at Amazon Marketplace, Laura Mercier and select retailers.

Smashbox is introducing a new concept in skin-perfecting powder. Their Halo Hydrating Perfecting Face Powder is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but that's not the new concept. Its anti-aging formula is packed with Goji berry for antioxidant protection, plus amino acids, 48 of nature's nutrients - here's the twist - and powerful peptide and hydrogel technology. It's a powder that acts as a skincare product. Want more? The unique packaging yields the convenience of a pressed powder (no messy spilling) with the radiant finish of a loose powder. You simply twist the built-in shaver in the compact and the powder loosens to apply.

It's a cooling, fresh, matte powder finish. This is not going to yield shimmer, yet is does give the face a healthy glow. The powder is available in Fair, Light, Medium and Dark. The shades are really very forgiving. I got Medium and it's way darker in the compact than I'd ordinarily choose, yet can still blend well into my skintone when applied lightly. As it is darker, I can also use it to contour my cheekbones - bonus!

What else should you know?
Ohhhh ... they're after my heart on this one. Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Face Powder is oil-free, talc-free and paraben-free. Not yet available via Smashbox or Sephora, you can get yours through QVC now ($59). It's the only place where this new product is available right now, though they will bring it to their regular venues in a few months. Smashbox, as well as reviewers who have posted comments on the QVC website, highly recommend using the new Smashbox Halo Brush to apply the powder. The Halo Face Powder Brush #29 is available for $36 or you can purchase the powder and brush together at an introductory price of $65.94 while that deal lasts.

For more information or to purchase, visit QVC.

Here's how:

• The 1st 100% natural origin makeup line in the US with Certified Organic Ingredients
• 100% free of harsh chemicals
• 100% free of synthetic preservatives
• 100% cruelty free
• 100% free of parabens
• Eco-Conscious Packing (including paper compacts)
• Natural Goat Hair Brushes
• Eco-Blend of OganiSoy and Eco Olive ingredients conditions, fortifies and protects skin

A 100% natural origin face powder, formulated with 15% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil to moisturize and corn starch to mattify the skin; goat hair brush included for application; available in nine shades - $ 13.95

A 100% natural origin tinted moisturizer, formulated with 80% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to moisturize the skin; infused with Organic Fruit Water to help nourish and restore skin’s moisture balance; SPF 15 naturally protects skin from environmental damage for a healthy-looking complexion; available in four shades - $ 9.95

A 100% natural liquid bronzer, formulated with 84% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to moisturize the skin; Lightweight liquid bronzer hydrates skin and delivers an all-over sheer, healthy, natural tan glow; infused with Organic Fruit Water to help nourish and restore skin’s moisture balance; available in three shades - $ 10.95

The line also includes a blush (in six shades - $ 11.95), a matte finishing/bronzing veil (in four shades - $ 13.95), and a natural powder bronzer. I've purchased the last of those items and offer a review below:

This is a great little product, and for more than just its eco-conscious variables. A 100% natural origin bronzer, formulated with 15% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil and corn starch to moisturize and mattify the skin. The finest Italian powder delivers a buildable natural tan glow. It includes a mirror and goat hair brush for application ease.

What I like:

• Comes in six shades easily blended into just about any skin color
• The compact features a goat hair brush similar in styling to the BeneFit powder box brushes (which I love as perfect shape/size for contouring and such)
• Includes a great little mirror on the underside of the compact which doubles as a "secret compartment" to hold the brush
• The top and bottom lids close with ease with a hidden magnet closure, which helps with portability (can carry it anywhere and product won't seep out, brush stays clean)
• The packaging all-around of this product is masterfully thought out and created
• I can purchase it, and very reasonably, at my corner drugstore - convenience and affordability
• The ingredients are not only flattering and effective in fulfilling their purpose, but good for the skin with the organic and natural elements churned right in

What I don't like:

• It's relatively "stinky"; wish it had a more pleasant aroma (but I can live with it)

source: Physician's Formula

Having discovered them a couple of years ago, I am still confounded that nothing else I've tried yeilds the same flawless results as these.

Remember when Coty Spun Silk was all the rave in the 80's? T LeClerc is better. Or when makeup mavens the world over discovered the fabulous texture of BECCA loose powders, and in particular the matte, finished effect of Sesame? T. LeClerc is better still.

Ok, ok ... so what makes this the loose powder afficionado's "It" product? For starters, it's amazingly fine and light based on pure rice starch providing a matte finish and visibly smoothing lines. It masters light and hides flaws while enhancing the complexion. It also protects against negative effects of the sun and is generally well-tolerated even by sensitive skin types. However, the pièce de résistance is the assortment of shades, and in particular, what each accomplishes in effect.

My personal all-around favorite is "banane". This is a soft, pale yellow, which reflects light in a very flattering way illuminating fair to medium complexions with pink untertones. This is also the shade most universally used by celebrity makeup artists for an impeccable, flawless finish.

The powders come in a 35g hand-sealed silver metal tin (shown above). There are travel sizes (7g in travel sized tin) for some of the shades as well. The point I'd like to make, though, is these full-sized tins last a loooooong time! My first tin lasted well over a year making it worth every penny of the $50 or so originally paid.

Currently available in 20 shades:

You may click here and then click individual shade boxes to find out which shade(s) is best depending on your desired effect.

Available at: T. LeClerc, Barneys, eLuxury