Letter from the Beauty Editor – August 2008
When I think of beauty that defies all the laws of time, a graceful sort of woman who is secure in her own skin, regardless of age, I immediately think of the women from our recent past like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Hutton and the ever-so classy Jackie O.
For this month’s issue on Timeless Beauty, the Beauty Ideal writers wanted to focus on everything that is beautiful about every woman with stories, tips and anecdotes on how to stay youthful and find the best looks that work for you, no matter if you’re 20 or 120.
So whether you follow the trends or just want to create your own style, we hope to help you find the secret to your own Timeless Beauty – enjoy!
xoxo,
Lilan Duong
Owner & Editor of The Daily Cookie
Beauty Products for the Ages
By Christine, 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic
There are some beauty products that are consistently best sellers year after year. They are the classics that have survived changes in technology, beauty trends and yet they still outperform every other product on the market! Have you ever wondered why some of these products work so well?
Pond’s Cold Cream
Mention Pond’s Cold Cream to anyone and they’ll inevitably mention old Hollywood glamour. Who wouldn’t with those classic images of starlets in their dressing gowns wiping off their cold cream at night?
There is a reason that Cold Cream has been a huge hit in Hollywood since its release in 1914, and you don’t need to look any further than the makeup on the actress’s face. Heavy oil based makeup is required under the bright lights of the stage or camera. This makeup is incredibly difficult to remove without very harsh surfactants. The cold cream is oil based, making it easy for the cream to pick up oil based cosmetics which can then be easily removed. Even waterproof mascara, notoriously difficult to remove, doesn’t stand a chance against cold cream.
Pond’s Cold Cream isn’t just a cleanser, it is also a great moisturizer. The Mineral Oil that helped to break up and sweep away oils and cosmetics is also great for moisturizing your skin. It has humectant properties (meaning that it draws moisture to that area of the skin) as well as occlusive properties (creates a barrier and helps keep moisture in).
With even the dirtiest of faces or most difficult to remove makeup Pond’s Cold Cream removes all traces and leaves behind clean, moisturized skin! All in just one step!
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream
At once basic but also way ahead of it’s time, Elizabeth Arden sure did create a multi-tasking classic when she formulated this cream in 1930! It’s been a long-time favorite of many Hollywood Stars including Cate Blanchett, Gisele Bundchen and Amanda Peet. It has a huge number of uses including lip balm, cuticle cream, brow shaper, not to mention how well it helps revitalize dry skin.
The secret is in the formulation, which is primarily Petrolatum (occlusive), Lanolin (humectant) and Mineral Oil (humectant and occlusive) which act together to create a barrier for the skin but also to help draw moisture to the surface of the skin. The cream also includes a beta-hydroxy acid (Salicylic Acid) which helps with cell turnover while Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and BHT are both anti-oxidants.
Personally, I love this cream as a lip balm and skin problem solver! It has basically no flavor or scent, and while the petrolatum heavy formulation is greasy that makes it a great balm to create shiny lips! It only takes a few applications to turn the driest of elbows into soft and supple skin not to mention how great it is on areas that I’ve scraped. As Jennifer Beals has been quoted as saying: “That’s my desert island product.”
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
I think purchasing a tube of Queen Helene’s Mint Julep Masque is a ritual of American Adolescence at this point. This minty green clay mask has been a perennial favorite since it was first formulated in the 1930’s. It promises to dry up your acne, pull out blackheads and even shrink your pores!
The secret is clay. Other than a few preservatives, fragrance and some green colorant, this masque is basically a combination of Kaolin and Bentonite Clays. Both of these clays have absorbent qualities that allow them to pull oily and negatively charged things off (and out) of skin. They have been used for centuries, and today are also found as the active ingredients in a huge number of facial and anti-shine products on the market (most of which are much more expensive).
This mask is great to use all over your face or just as a spot treatment. Regular use of a product like this mask is the only thing that allows me to keep my pores clear and blackheads out of sight.
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
Every few years new items hit the “baby market” and become the next hot item. But, one thing has always been present and seems to be irreplaceable: Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. This amber colored shampoo has been the mainstay of bathtubs for decades!
The reason most parents love it is the ability to really clean without being harsh to skin or even stinging sensitive young eyes! The secret is in the surfactants. Both Cocamidopropyl Betaine and PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate are mild and in particular are known to be non-irritating to both skin and mucous membranes.
Essie Mademoiselle and OPI I’m Not Really A Waitress
While the “hot” nail colors are changing every season, there are two colors that flatter every skin tone and should be part of everyone’s nail polish collection. Essie Mademoiselle and OPI’s INRAW will get fashionistas through nearly every social occasion while looking appropriate and flattering!
Essie Mademoiselle is actually what the legendary color Ballet Slippers should be. This color is a little bit pink, a little bit nude and is non-streaky. A great compliment to almost any skin tone known to man, except maybe that blue guy in Kansas. This neutral is my go-to color for when I need to look “polished and professional” for any occasion! It’s also fantastic for layering over other light pink and nude shades, creating that great light nude “glowing” manicure that everyone yearns for.
OPI’s INRAW is a classic red shade with just a hint of blue. It actually doesn’t lean towards cool or warm tones, which is what makes it the one truly universal red. Year after year this shade is a huge seller for OPI, as part of its classic core collection. For me, this is the perfect red for sexy red toes each fall!
BIO: Christine is a physician in Southern California. You can read her insights into product formulations and how things work over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic.
This month’s Beauty Ideal is about Timeless Beauty/Beauty at Any Age so I felt it fitting to write about Natural Beauty versus Made Up Beauty. Natural beauty is something that remains timeless at any age so it’s perfectly fitting with this month’s theme? I simply adore cosmetics and find any excuse in the book to buy tons and tons of products. I find that sometimes simplicity wins over an overly made up face and I associate natural beauty with a fresh glowing face. Achieving a youthful, flawless, healthy look is easy with some simple products.
Light Foundation
For a fresh, younger face keep your foundation light and airy. Certain lighter foundations offer excellent coverage plus blend in without giving you the made up feel.
Concealer
I’ve noticed that with age I have a lot more baggage to hide away under my eyes so good concealer is the key to making eyes look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Remember to choose a shade or two lighter than your foundation to cover up puffiness, fine lines, and tired eyes. Brightening up the under eye area also gives you the appearance of 12 hours of sleep instead of the 5 you actually had.
Bright, Colorful Blushes
Brighter blushes work in a similar manner as cheek stains; they give a beautiful glowy look to skin that gives the appearance of health and youth. By sorting through the masses of cosmetics and products available on the market today and searching for just the right ones you can easily create a flawless, minimal look that’s flattering and youthful! Natural Beauty is fine and certainly dandy but we all like the spice, flair, variety, and pop certain cosmetics offer. When you feel like throwing in your hat and going with that Made Up Beauty feel follow the tips below to give yourself the drama you seek at any age.
Bold Eye Shadow
Go for the blue! Apply some aqua! Take a risk on a bright pink! Blend it all up and create a dramatic, unique eye look.
Lips
Spice up your lips with an outrageous red lip color or gloss. Sexy, fun, and bold! Stop telling yourself that you can’t wear a certain color or you’ll never be able to pull that off. Try something new and exciting. You might find out that it works brilliantly for you and you’ll be happy you tried it. Variety is the spice of life after all. The cosmetic world offers a variety of ways to make ourselves up by covering our flaws and accentuating our positive points. Being naturally beautifully is something every woman possesses without the help of makeup. It’s the way we present ourselves, the way our brains work, the clever way we know how to walk and chew gum at the same time…cosmetics just offer us an option to make the perfection and complication of being a girl interesting.
Visit some of the Muse’s favorite items:
http://www.stilacosmetics.com/
http://www.bourjoisusa.com/
http://www.lancome-usa.com/
http://www.yslbeautyus.com/
http://www.maccosmetics.com/
http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/
http://www.makeupforever.com/
http://www.milanicosmetics.com/
http://www.smashbox.com/
BIO: I’m just a general cosmetic junkie that plans to take over the world…..someday. Best get on my good side fast! Aside from being a crazy, addicted, diseased collector of all things cosmetic I’m just an average, everyday girl that’s passionate about good makeup. I’m a native New Yorker, born and raised, that enjoys long walks on the beach and pina colados.
On a serious note I’m just a 30 year old woman that really has a passion for cosmetics and all things beautiful. During the day I’m an insurance broker but by night I moonlight as a Beauty Blogger bringing you the latest and greatest cosmetic finds from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Europe, and the US.
Kahlil Gibran once said that “Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror”. As women, we are constant in our hunt for perfection. Whether it’s the most promising skin serum of the year, the latest wrinkle reducer, or a mascara that extends lashes to impossible lengths.
Delve into your mind and think of timeless beauties. Women whose character and looks leave imprints in your mind. A simple photograph search of “Timeless Beauty” on Google images returns the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Bette Midler, Raquel Welch, and Claudia Schiffer. Women who are strong, outgoing, and self-aware. In fact, most women would agree that finding your beauty “self” involves becoming one with personality.
Trends in makeup come and go with each passing season. Artists and beauty companies hope to sell us their latest palettes and innovations. This summer it’s super bright nail polish and bronzed eyeshadows. This fall we’re looking at gray polishes and the standard deeper colors.
Ladies, if you want, buck the trends! Start your own. If it looks good on you, does it really matter what another person says is “in”?
A very stylish friend of mine knows she looks better in the deep, almost-black polishes that were so prevalent this past winter. And hence, she continues to rock them with confidence this summer. And she looks good doing it!
Each decade brings with it new creations in the art that is makeup. The thirties and forties featured hollywood glamour at its finest. Black eyeliner, peaches and cream skin, red lips. The hipster seventies focused on skin- freckles shining through, playful eyes and nude lips with a soft sheen. Ahhh, the rockster eighties. Blues, purples, yellows in eyeshadows and mascaras; even green hued lipsticks. Big and bold as shadows moved all the way up to brows. And the nineties revamped the smoky eye; while currently we’re playing with that same smokiness in colors other than standard black.
Need help finding your timeless style? Open your makeup bin and have a look inside. What items are positively loved? Chances are, you’re drawn to those items because your inner self is happier when sporting those products and colors. For some, it’s a basic black mascara, for others it’s a classic red lip stain topped with balm. Experiment and find your own unique combination. Whether it’s natural-look makeup, brightly pigmented eye shadows, a wild hair color, or deep glossy lips, stick with what works for you. To be timeless, you have to recognize your true self.
This doesn’t mean give up your product stash or your shopping ways. By all means, shop on (it’s good for the economy after-all). But instead, once you recognize your inner beauty, shopping becomes so much easier! You can focus on getting the blushes that work for you (and you’ll actually use them), the trendy lipstick that just arrived in your perfect color, or experimenting with new shampoo. A sporty gal could focus on finding her ultimate tinted moisturizer with sunscreen; a fashionista on creating her own indie eye look; and the business gal on a refined face that shows off her amazing bone structure.
Change with the times, but don’t forget your sense of self. Adapt the trends and looks to suit you, your face, and your budget. Ditch the fads that don’t work for you and embrace those that do. Timeless beauty is through individuality and comes in such varied forms. Be creative, unique and in the end, you’re personality will make you timeless, just like Bette, Audrey and Claudia.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?…Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you…And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~Nelson Mandela
BIO: Jamie Shopf is 31 years old and shares her life with her wonderful husband, three dogs, two Parrotlet birds, a hedgehog, and three Betta fish. She’s the writer behind Bionic-Beauty.com where she shares her freebie finds and (mostly) independent beauty product reviews. When she’s not blogging, Jami enjoys tending to her orchid collection, sailing, kayaking, and being a computer geek.
By Lilan Duong, The Daily Cookie
In a pinch, I always channel my favorite beauty icons to help me come up with some of my best beauty looks. Women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are my muse and although this look is from decades ago, I still find it so relevant today.
Here are my favorite tips and products on how to get Jackie O’s iconic minimalist doe-eyed look of the 1960s that works for today –
Start by lightly prepping the skin with tinted moisturizer and concealer, where needed, and set with translucent loose powder.
Remember not to over-tweeze your brows. Keep them groomed with Anastasia Brow Gel for a natural look.
Prep the eyelids with a little bit of concealer to allow the eyeshadow to last longer throughout the day. Using a firm and flat eyeshadow brush, pat and layer on a nude shade similar to your skin tone all over the lids. Contour the eyes with a light coffee-colored shadow to the crease with a firm pencil brush.
Line the eyes with a black kohl pencil to create a and apply liquid liner over the pencil to create a more precise line. TIP: Use a liquid liner with a felt tip for easy application like shu uemura’s Liquid Eyeliner Pen.
Sweep a peachy rose shade of blush just to the apples of your cheeks to create a radiant glow from within.
For the lips, pick a nude, pink shade like Elizabeth Arden’s new Color Intrigue Effects Lipstick in Pink Honey Pearl. It’s enough to channel Miss Jackie O from her days as First Lady to present day in no time!
BIO: Lilan is the Owner and Editor behind The Daily Cookie, where she brings you daily morsels about anything and everything!
By Jennifer & Christine, Beauty in Real Life
Over at Beauty in Real Life, we like to keep things simple and fun. Our goal is to make the other laugh, but not to the point where is causes wrinkles – that would be wrong and cruel.
In keeping with that spirit, we thought we should let you in on a little secret. Everyone is talking about how to look younger; no one is letting us know how to look older. So, we have thoughtfully delved into years of research…or a couple lunch dates at Starbucks… to bring you what we think are the top ten tips on how to age yourself a good ten years and a couple of products that can actually keep you looking great. Enjoy….
Soak up the sun. Just head out to the nearest backyard, tanning bed, or beach, and bask in those glorious rays. Don’t use sunscreen either. In fact, grab some baby oil and iodine and smear it all over. So what if you are increasing the risk of skin cancer and your skin becomes leathery…just tell everyone that it’s the new look. And those stares you’re getting? Stares of envy honey, stares of envy. Try a great sun block instead… Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock is fantastic for protecting you from the sun’s harsh rays.
Pile on the makeup. Really. We mean it. Just smear that heavy base all over. Make sure that you get it into every crevice and crease of your face. How about topping it off with a nice heaping dollop of powder all over? Not only will it stay on all day, it’ll also allow those fine lines to be proudly on display.
Party like it’s 1999…again. So what if you have to get up early during the week? Relive your old college nights and p-a-r-t-y! Just make sure that you get in real early in the morning and get up only 3 hours later. To be safe, you should do this every night during the work week. Hey, you only live once. For the occasional late night…try iQ Derma Restore Eyes.
Eat like a frat guy. Think pizza for breakfast and Cheetos for lunch. Vegetables and Fruit? Nah…who needs those. Oh, and make sure to wash it all down with tons of sugary sodas…never water.
Do not change one itty-bitty hair of your outdated hairstyle. Mullets and beehives are actually quite attractive on some people. And as for hair color, be sure to pick a color that really washes you out.
Never moisturize your skin. Ever. No matter how parched you skin looks and feels, just keep right on ignoring it. Maybe you could try Clinique Moisture Surge instead?
Head into the latest store and buy the tightest things you can find. The shorter and more constricting the better. In fact, just go shopping in a clothing store with merchandise geared towards 5th graders…you will be the hippest 35 year old out there.
When going cosmetics shopping remember this word…sparkle! The more sparkle-y the better! Think disco ball. Be sure to add plenty of sparkle and glitter to all areas of your face at once. You are guaranteed to shine like the top of the Chrysler Building! For a more natural glow, try a bronzer. One of our faves is Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel with SPF 15.
Whatever you do, do not exercise. Ever! You can dress up and hang out at the gym, but never exercise. Not even for at least 30 minutes a day. Who cares if it helps to increase circulation, blood flow, and might actually help you live longer? Who cares if it increases endorphins and makes you feel and look better all over…you get enough of a workout sitting up in bed and reaching for the remote at night.
Don’t quit smoking.
We bring you all of these tips with our tongue firmly implanted in cheek. In all reality, by taking care of your health, eating and drinking what’s right, using proper sunscreens daily, exercising, and having a less-is-more approach to cosmetics, is the best way to look younger than your years.
As for the mullet…well, you’re on your own there.
For great daily tips on skincare and beauty, just check out any of the amazing beauty blogs from The Beauty Blog Network. Remember though; before you follow this or any other advice, always be sure to see your doctor first.
BIO: Jennifer and Christine are the co-editors of the blog Beauty in Real Life. They happily reside in the Virginia suburbs, with their families. In addition to being bloggers, they are both stay-at-home moms and best friends.
Tips For Using Cosmetics to Look Younger
The effects of cosmetics change with age. Powder slides into wrinkles, glitter makes flaws stand out, and imperfections are harder to hide.
In attempts to hide the signs of aging, many women mistakenly accentuate them. Try these tips to make your cosmetics work for you, not against you.
Less is more
Don’t attempt to hide aging with more makeup. It will make you look older. Instead, wear foundation only where you need it, and opt for sheer makeup and mineral powders that sit on top on the skin.
Switch to moisturizing and anti-aging foundation
Obtain double duty by using a moisturizing foundation that contains anti-aging ingredients. It will soften lines and keep makeup from settling into them. Anti-aging ingredients are a bonus to help keep skin in top shape. Take a look at Redpoint Dermalift Foundation, Elizabeth Arden Intervene, Revlon Age Defying Foundation.
shown Elizabeth Arden Intevene
Pick a lighter lip color
Red is beautiful, but it has an “old” connotation. It is also unforgiving about showing lines. Instead, opt for a muted berry, or choose a “young” light pink. Aim for moisturizing lipsticks and pretty shades of sheer gloss to reflect light. Sally Hansen makes some great conditioning lip items.
More matte, less glimmer
Forget the full frost items, and use shimmer in moderation. Try using a matte shade for intense shadow colors and add just a hint of shimmery highlight. Above all, don’t shimmer up the entire face. A face full of glitter shadow, shimmering blush, and dazzling lip gloss is overkill at any age.
BIO: Carleen Pruess Coulter is an Attorney and Freelance Writer in the Chicago Area. She is the Owner and Editor of the websites Beauty and Fashion Tech and Girl Gloss, and provides content for several third party websites.
Subscribe via RSS