SOFT FOCUS

Laura Mercier
Foundation Primer ($32.00, lauramercier.com)

PRODUCT 101: A lightweight, creamy gel that creates an invisible barrier between skin and makeup to prime your face for color. Worn under foundation, this illuminating primer creates a smooth, flawless canvas for application, allowing foundation to glide on easily and stay fresh and color-true for hours. Ideal for all skin types, the universal pearl tint creates a soft focus effect to minimize the look of imperfections with a radiant finish. It’s the first step to Laura’s “Flawless Face.” Dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, it is formulated with antioxidants vitamins A, C, and E; Prestige Soft Focus Pearls; and skin-conditioning Jojoba.

What else you need to know:
Just as a painter primes a canvas, Foundation Primer—the original—was created by Laura Mercier in 1995 to prime the skin. After creating the industry’s first primer, she “reinvented” it and made a version that added soft highlights, luminosity, and radiance to skin. A lightweight, creamy vitamin-rich gel that prepares the skin for makeup application, it creates an even, invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements and expertly holds foundation. This water-based formula not only keeps makeup staying fresh and color-correct for hours but also helps perfect skintone over time.

LONELY STAR

“Take a Bow” is a song by Madonna from her sixth studio album Bedtime Stories. Released as the second single from Bedtime Stories in December 6, 1994, the song appears on her compilation albums Something to Remember (1995), GHV2 (2001) and Celebration (2009). It was written and produced by Madonna and R&B singer-songwriter Babyface and became her longest running number one hit in the United States. It was her first single to reach number one in the United States after “This Used to Be My Playground” (1992), and it was her last number one song in the United States in the 1990s.

The music video for “Take a Bow” was directed by Michael Haussman in Ronda and the bullring of Antequera, Spain. The plot sees Madonna as a bullfighter’s neglected lover, played by real-life Spanish bullfighter Emilio Muñoz, yearning for his presence. The video won Best Female Video honors at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Madonna performed “Take a Bow” live with Babyface at the 1995 American Music Awards and at the 1995 San Remo Festival in Italy.

WHEN IN DOUBT, GO NUDE

Natural has never looked so beautiful. Always glossy. Just the perfect sheen. It’s never dull or fake. And, there’s no such thing as too nude. The classic barefaced with the right touch of pink and peach creates warmth. It’s fresh and approachable, clean beauty makeup at its best!

THE GLOW DOWN – QUICK TIPS AND TRICKS
• Use your fingertips to apply a toffee-colored cream blush onto your cheeks, then go over them with a peach powder blush using a fluffy blush brush.

• For a subtle effect on the lips, pick a blue- or purple-based pink rather than and orange or red lip gloss. Line your lips with a subtle definition and apply a sheer amount of gloss.

• Highlighter is easy to apply and even easier to overdo. It gives you a glow without looking like you’re wearing tons of makeup. A peach-gold shimmer gives the perfect warmth. Mix a pea-size amount with a light foundation or tinted moisturizer for a golden sheen to perk up your skin.

• For an easy and precise eye makeup, trace a non-smudgy black pencil as close as possible to your upper lash line and apply a few coats of mascara. A touch of gold eye shadow in the inner corners will brighten up your eyes. Make sure your brows are neat and defined, when you’re wearing minimal eye makeup, the spotlight falls on them.

Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Crème Cheek Colour, ($22.00, lauramercier.com)
PRODUCT 101: A long-lasting, natural cheek colour formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish. Provides simple and quick way to create naturally flushed-looking cheeks. Silky powder allows ample play time before the product dries. Softly illuminates skin for a healthy complexion.

Nars Cosmetics
Orgasm Illuminator, ($29.00, narscosmetics.com)
PRODUCT 101: A complexion enhancer that makes skin look instantly refreshed, radiant, and glowing. This product lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic!

DOMESTIC BROWS

THE PERFECT EYEBROWS: ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE AS AN EYE LIFT

If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then your eyebrows should be the most uplifting part of your face. They completely alter the expression on your face, from surprised to perfectly calm. In addition to channeling feelings and emotions, eyebrows frame the face and creates clear boundaries and acts as a guideline for eye makeup, which is why keeping them well groomed is so important. If your eyebrows are in great shape, you need less makeup to look effortlessly polished and pulled together.

Always customize your brows to fit and flatter your face. You can’t go wrong with the universal brow shape: medium full with a tapered end and soft arch. But if you want truly customized brows, factor in the shape of your face. Think about proportion as well, if you have prominent features, you’ll look best with fuller brows; if you have small, delicate features, try a thinner softer shape. Brows always appear softer and more feminine when they are slightly lighter than your hair color. Know when not to fill in your brows. Brows don’t always need to be filled in. If a brow is naturally full, by simply adding a small amount of brow gel will do the job. Filling in an already heavy brow can quickly overtake the focus of the makeup application. Also, avoid the application of too much color on the inner brow. This can make the shape of the brow look “blocked off” and too heavy. Leave this portion of the brow clean and natural, just focus efforts on the arch and tail with only a tint of color on the inside.