ON MY DESK: what’s new in makeup for Spring 2014. There’s a variety of if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it products, some innovation, and quote a contemporary range from an old fave.
The newbies include some brand new BB creams from human+kind, Estee Lauder and LaMav; a brow cream from Napoleon Perdis, the beautiful Spring colour collection from Clarins, and exciting new releases from Smashbox.
First up, BB creams from human+kind, Estee Lauder Clear Difference, and La Mav.
My fave would have to be the Estee Lauder Clear Difference Complexion Perfecting BB Cream, in terms of smooth application and finishing look. I found it had a perfect finish – even around my creasy eye area – and lasted well all day. As it’s oil-free and has colour-correcting pigments, it’s perfect for those with blemished skin and acne sufferers. It will be on Estee Lauder counters from 1st September retailing at $83 for 30mls.
The sunscreen it contains is oxybenzone. If you prefer to avoid this, here are two new releases here in NZ that use titanium dioxide an an alternative sunscreen; human+kind (www.humanandkind.com) and La Mav (www.lamav.com). Both brands are cruelty-free and free from petrochemicals, and parabens. Human+kind BB Cream comes in just two shades: light-medium and medium-dark. It’s an Ireland-based company based on the philosophy than human kindness is the balm of life, and it has the most gorgeous packaging. I used the light-medium and found it to have pink undertones as opposed to yellow undertones, so would suit you if you are a pink-toned skin type. It retails for $39.49 and is available from Farmers to begin with in just St Lukes and Albany branches.
I’ve used La Mav skincare on and off for years but this is the first makeup product I have tried in their mineral makeup collection. It just has one shade, which was too dark for me (I wear light natural beige in foundations) but you could mix it with a moisturiser to thin it. I like that it has anti-ageing ingredients hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, and CoEnzyme Q10. La Mav Organic BB Creme is $49.95 from selected pharmacies and Flaunt store 35 Jervois Road Ponsonby.
Next up: I love a good pun. Meet Browtox, the next best thing to give your eyebrows a lift.
Napoleon Perdis Browtox is amazing – look how intensely pigmented it comes out in this swatch of just one stroke of product. It was on for literally hours, in fact I had to still remove some the next day, so it won’t budge. The consistency is a creamy-gel in a small glass tub which you apply with an angled brow brush. It is paraben-free and fragrance-free and retails for $42 from Farmers counters.
Next up – a vibrant new collection from Clarins Paris.
Clarins Spring 2014 makeup collection is quite a departure for them from the pastel pinks of late, with a very contemporary colour palette of oranges. Even the textures feel modern, with a creme blush, and a cool reflective compact on the face powder bringing a rather sci-fi effect to the iconic French cosmetics house. The Opalescence Spring Makeup Collection is on counter from 18th August at Clarins counters nationwide.
The hero for me – and in fact the product that bears the name of the makeup collection – is the holographic lid on the mirror compact of the face powder, above. The limited edition Opalescence Face and Blush Powder ($76) has three shades – face powder, a deeper bronzer and a bright pink – with dots of gold to lend a shimmery effect. It warms the face and gives a lovely radiant look.
The two limited edition creme Multi-Blush blushes ($54) go on as a creme and transform to a powder with a velvety texture. There are four shades: Peach, Candy, Grenadine, and Rosewood. Pictured above: Grenadine and Rosewood Multi-Blush.
Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Bases ($64) are a very cool concept product. Basically, they are little tubes of liquid to correct and perfect your complexion. Gimme some of that, I thought to myself. I tried both the Champagne (lightest) which corrects redness, and Peach (medium) which adds a glow to medium skintones. I think most people would benefit from the latter, as it gives a beautifully healthy glow to the skin. There’s also Rose, which illuminates all complexions. It’s not a foundation, or even a BB cream – it has no coverage – instead it imparts a sheen and balance to skin that the closest I’ve come to would probably be a product like Dr Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream.
Next up…It’s what UNDERNEATH that counts.
I thought I’d get a bit cheeky with this next photo shoot. With products called ‘Full Exposure’ – and an accent on providing a beautiful foundation layer – I thought I’d shoot Smashbox’s new releases against undergarments. So, laying a good foundation, we have…
This is a product I’ve never used ever before – an eyelash primer. Smashbox Layer Lash Primer has been designed to prime lashes for your mascara. (Pictured above: Full Exposure waterproof mascara). The Layer Lash Primer contains beeswax and Carnauba waxes to condition and prep your lashes. You can apply mascara straight away; no need to let the primer set. It looks very white in the tube but the iridescent white product is completely covered up with your mascara.
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener is another great foundation-layer product for your face. It goes under even your concealer to waken and brighten tired eyes and banish dark circles. Some days I actually need a tub of waken-and-brighten formula to bathe in, but this at least helps out your eyes. It has a formula with red wine extract, Vitamin E, and peptides.
Camera Ready BB Cream for Eyes SPF15 ($52) combines the benefits of a BB cream with an eye cream so it’s an anti-ageing skincare product and gives coverage at the same time. It is available now at Smashbox counters in Light, Light/Medium, Medium, and Dark. www.smashboxcosmetics.co.nz
If you find your eyeshadow wearing out and fading over the course of a day (or, in some cases in humidity, an hour) then perhaps try this one out: Smashbox Shadow Primer is the perfect base for this beautiful multi-use browns trio – the Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio. I’m going to try it tomorrow on one eye, and post a photo of the results on this article, so stay tuned.
I love anything in navy. Line eyes with Smashbox Always Sharp 3D Liner in Neptune.
Words and photos Megan Robinson
23rd July 2014
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