|
Beauty in Color: Survival of the Prettiest
By Daria
V. Wright
With the beauty business bustling and products literally overflowing off store shelves, it’s a certified beauty jungle out there! Even the most adept Amazon woman needs a little guidance while swinging among product shelves. But never fear, this month, I’ve got a must-follow grooming routine plus fail-proof recommendations for surviving among the prettiest!
 Face it, your face is your trademark and taking the best care possible of it is key. Ideally, a professional facial is recommended every four to six weeks. Should this interfere with your busy gal schedule or be a pest to your budget, Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Rejuvenator is a home microdermabrasion system ($38 drugstore.com) that helps maintain a healthy, luminous complexion.
 As all natural beauties know, breathable, fresh-looking skin is the true foundation for the fountain of youth. But, sometimes our skin needs a little assistance. For a little coverage and added moisture, opt for a tinted moisturizer with a dewy finish such as Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 ($42 lauramercier.com). And if under eye circles are the bane of your existence, let Bobbi Brown help with their cleverly designed creamy Concealer Kit ($32 bobbibrowncosmetics.com). This kit includes a concealer as well as a sheer finish loose powder, for long lasting wearability. As a final finishing touch, polish off your face with MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Powder ($24.50 maccosmetics.com).
 Now that you’ve put on your best base face, draw a little extra attention to your eyes with well groomed brows. Poorly shaped brows are the arch-nemesis to any eye makeup so make an appointment with your local wax-pert, where your brows will gain instant arch appeal. For daily maintenance, keep the shape of your brows as natural as possible. Also, remember that eyebrows are sisters, never twins. Fill in sparse areas of your brows with Smashbox’s Brow Tech ($24 sephora.com). This split pan of brow necessities contains powder to shape the brows and wax to keep ’em tame. As for color, choose the most complimentary shade for your hair out of the kit’s six options. If your brows are full and don’t need to be darkened, I recommend using Ardell’s Brow Sculpting Gel ($4.29 walgreens.com) to add sheen, and keep them in place.
 If the beauty jungle is busy, I’m willing to bet your life is even busier. So, if you didn’t exactly log your eight hours of sleep last night, don’t let it show in your eyes by lining them as close to the base of your lash line as possible with Smashbox’s Waterproof Jet Set Liner ($22 sephora.com) in midnight black. Next, use a right angle brush with Paula Dorf’s Eyeshadow in Bark ($20 pauladorf.com) to soften the top line. Also, apply it as liner under the eye in between lashes to create balance and to frame the eye. Finish with two coats of Cargo’s Blue_Ray High Definition Mascara ($20 sephora.com). Cargo’s special comb adds lushness to your lashes and promises a clump free experience. This unique formula contains strengthening panthenol and lash-restructuring keratin.
 Cheeks should never be the main attraction of your face. Kevyn Aucoin’s Creamy Moist Glow in Liquifuschia ($24 at kevynaucoin.com) offers sheer, yet buildable color. This hot pink shade appears intimidating at first glance, but blends down to a subtle, healthy flush of color for the cheeks.
 Channel your inner Jane of the jungle by imitating her remarkably perfect pout with Victoria’s Secret’s Beauty Rush Lipgloss in Cherry Bomb ($7 victoriassecret.com). This gloss creates the illusion of a just kissed, seductively pretty pout.
 Lastly, the best way to stay ahead of the gang in the beauty jungle to show a little teeth. You’ll more than intimidate with the pearly white smile you’ll get from Crest Daily Multi-Care Whitestrips ($33 drugstore.com) to whiten your natural teeth in just five minutes a day.
We’ve smoothed, moisturized and groomed; so hit the streets of your urban jungle with strong style and a confident stride.
 Beauty in color is our monthly beauty column aimed at reviewing products,
highlighting color trends, and focusing on the hair
care and skin care needs of women of color. Please contact
Daria V. Wright
if you have story ideas or product suggestions.
Archives:
|
