Next week marks for the first day of spring, but last night the new season was alive and well in a suddenly balmy Los Angeles. Those who don’t live here tend to think that we’re all running around in tank tops in February—but it is so not so. These last few days however, have given us a taste of what’s to come—which means I’ve been thinking about spring makeovers.
It’s completely Pavlovian for me. The temperature rises a few degrees and I start dreaming of new hairstyles, clothes, makeup. I even had a fantasy about gel nails the other day. (Someone please remind me how that’s a horrible idea, k?)
I’m the sucker they write magazines for. Luckily, right now I have two newish products in my roster that are helping me refresh my look for spring—and that don’t involve me doing anything too silly.
Have you tried either of these products?
1. Studio 78 Paris, Bronzing Powder Me love a good bronzer, and this is the best one I’ve tried in a while. It does exactly what it should: enhance your natural skin tone, define your face structure, and give you a glow. It should not look like you stepped off one of the Housewives of somewhere sets. Siobhan reviewed this line a little while back, and was crushing hard on the under eye concealer and blush. I too tried three (different) products and the bronzer was the standout for me. (Note: The eye shadow is also really special, the eyeliner notsomuch. There’s something I don’t love about the way it applies.) It’s a bit too bad re the liner because I specifically like wearing bronzer when I’m doing more of an eye thing, but I have other ones.
Now, you might be wondering if a bronzer is worth $43 and I can’t answer that question for you. What I will say is that I’ve never in my life finished a bronzer—it is a product that lasts as long as you’re willing not to throw it out. I don’t worry a whole lot about germs and such, so I’m guessing I will be whipping this out every spring for the next several years unless I lose it.
2. Vapour’s Multi-Use Stain / 209 Impulse This product is killing it for me right now. It was actually part of our Quarterly package last time, so I’m curious to know if those who got it are loving it as much as I am. I’ve had several days now where I wear nothing else on my face. This long-lasting stain is the perfect color for lips and cheeks, and perfect too for most skin tones. You can control how intense it is by how much you use—it can look as subtle a post-romp flush (sorry! blame spring!), or as dramatic as a true red lip. The tube is huge, which thrills me for two reasons: 1. There’s lots of product in there. 2. It’s easy to find in my purse! And when you’re only using one product, that’s kind of a boon.
So, what spring makeover fantasies are you having? Have you tried any great new products for the season?
A simple routine with some wonderfully specific makeup tips. Thanks Erica! What here have you tried?
Name: Erica
Age: 32
Current weather: hot and humid
Hair: brown bob that has tendencies to wave and frizz
Skin: fair and sometimes breaks out on my cheeks and chin
Favorite star or icon from the past: Jean Seberg
In the shower…After hitting the alarm several times, I hop in the shower after drinking my cold brew coffee with almond coconut milk. I use the Acure shampoo in moroccan argan oil on my hair. I don’t follow with conditioner. I soap up everything with Zum soap in lemongrass. Sometimes I use a Clarisonic with Sunday Riley’s Ceramic Slip Cleanser. If I don’t have time to shower, I use Acure dry shampoo and pray it doesn’t look greasy.
Outside the shower…While my hair is still wet I scrunch in Devacurl Frizz Free Volumizing Foam then blot it dry and use a diffuser. I put skin and bones oil all over my face and body. If my skin is flaky, I use California Baby calendula cream on my body. I use Soapwalla deodorant to keep my sweating at bay.
Finishing touches…If I’m not working, I do not put on makeup except for Vapour Beauty Siren lipstick in Tryst. If I am working, I put on a coat of Hourglass Veil Primer followed by Vapour Beauty’s foundation stick and Jane Iredale pure pressed base. RMS living luminizer goes on my cheekbones and brow bones. I use Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in black and curl my lashes before putting on Jane Iredale’s Longest Lash mascara. For a bit of color, Vapour Beauty Mirage Bronzer and Jane Iredale’s lip and cheek stain go on last. I mix Ilia Beauty’s lipsticks in Funnel of Love and Wild Child for the best bright pink.
Before I head out the door, I spray on Lotus Wei quiet mind and Infinite Love energy mists. I keep Infinite Love in my purse and spray it on my coworkers before a long night at the restaurant. It keeps us all happy and full of smiles.
This is so awesome! The amazing makeup artist Katey Denno, who we’ve yet to meet but would love to (hi, Katey!) has done a video demonstrating the perfect summer face using all our favorites: Vapour Organics, RMS Beauty, Tata Harper, Kjaer Weis and Ilia.
I, for one, am in love with the finished look.
Do you guys use brushes, or your fingers, to apply your makeup? And what do you think of the finished product?
Video via
If there’s one thing a girl can’t have too much of in her arsenal, it’s lipstick.
As we said in the book, it’s gotta be the single most powerful cosmetic going: With just one swipe it can completely change the appearance of your face. I’ve always loved the stuff and cringe to think how often I put it on as a kid to play dress up. As most of you surely know, mainstream lipsticks are usually contaminated with lead, and intentionally filled with a host of unfriendly chemicals—which we absorb and unintentionally ingest off our lips. Blargh.
Which is why it’s such a treat to find a good clean one you love. And when it’s clean, it works double duty, because if it can go on my lips, it can go on my cheeks—and from RMS to Ilia, every lipstick I love does just that.
Enter Vapour Organics. A brand whose breadth, for no apparent reason, I’ve never fully explored beyond foundation. Now I realize there’s a whole world of products to uncover, and I’ve started with their lipstick. The color I’m in love with is called Tempest, but there are others in the palette catching my eye too. Have you tried any of these? (Color recs please!)
Tempest, on this mug anyways—isn’t it weird how differently colors can read from one face to the next?—is hitting that perfect balance between orange and pink. I know orange is all the rage right now, but I can’t wear a real one without feeling like someone’s grandma. But there’s enough pink and red in this one that it doesn’t scream Florida retirement home, but instead feels youthful and peachy. Especially on the cheeks! Such a good find for summer.
The texture also feels good and hydrating, and it’s got impressive lasting power for a natural (some tips on that here).
Are you a Vapour fan? Which products of theirs have you tried?
P.S. We have a deal running on Open Sky of our beloved Kahina Eye Cream. For the next 24 hours you save ten smackers.
