Beauty Favorites: Laura Mercier

~ happy belated #makeupmonday lovelies!! we're back for another beauty favorites series this time with makeup artist favorite Laura Mercier!! known for her specialty in creating the flawless face, Laura Mercier is a world-renowned makeup artist and creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. as the personal makeup artist to celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, and Juliette Binoche, she creates looks that are both flawless and accentuate one’s natural beauty. a favorite luxury brand of makeup artists worldwide, Laura Mercier's collection of products are beautiful in its simplicity. no bells or whistles, just pure beauty. we're sharing our favorites and recommended products and hope you love them! ~

~ Primers: Original, Radiance and the new Protect primers are 3 of our SBDgirls must haves! all 3 primers work on all skin types at any time of year.  we started out and fell in love with Laura's classic Primer for it's light weight, silicone free feeling.  Radiance Primer is beautiful alone, under makeup or just under the eyes to diminish dark circles, SBDgirl Tarah also likes to mix it into her body lotion when going out! the new Protect Primer is still light weight and silicone free but has the added benefit of having a broad spectrum spf 30 in it as well, perfect for sunny days!

- Repair Eye Serum is another favorite of SBDgirl Tarah, perfect for anyone who suffers from chronic dark circles.  it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a blend of Japanese botanicals. geranium extract helps firm the appearance of skin, while arnica extract and caffeine brighten the look of dark circles.  very little is needed from both eyes, about the size of a grain of rice for both eyes, since this product comes in a pump, you only need about a 1/4 pump.  a full pump of product will be way too much and you will waste it. ophthalmologist tested, dermatologically and allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation and fragrance free.

- Secret Camouflage is essentially how the line was created!  Laura developed this concealer for her own skin issues and it's been on Best Product lists ever since!  it contains a unique two-shade system, one to match the skins depth of color and one to match the skins undertone, making it possible for every woman to custom-blend her own perfect shade. with 90% pigment, very little is needed to conceal imperfections on the face, but as it's a drier concealer you need to warm the pigment up before applying it. we recommend to warm it up on the back of your hand before applying it with your fingertips or the Secret Camouflage brush. 

- Secret Concealer is your answer to bright under eyes! say good bye to dark circles with this moisture-rich concealer designed specifically for around the eye area.  we recommend to use your ring finger to apply, gently press into the pigment and tap around the eye area.  very little is needed to cover, and using too much can cause creasing in any fine lines.  if dark circles are a concern for you, set your under eyes with the Secret Brightening Powder.

 - Secret Brightening Powder is one of those unique products that no other line has, it's specifically formulated for the eye area and not recommended for use on other areas of the face.  it gives an invisible lightening boost,and the transparent white color brightens skin instantly.  micronized pigments will not settle in fine lines or accentuate shadows,and it's for all skin types but especially those with texture around the eye area.

- Baked Highlight #1 is a perfect highlighter for very fair to medium skin tones, it's more of a champagne color than anything too gold or pink and the sheer, buildable coverage lets you customize your glow.  it's longwearing formula wears all day (8 hours) and the color stays true without oxidizing for an even wear.

- Baked Eye Colors in Black Karat and Aubergine are two of SBD Girl Tarah's absolute favorites!  the pigments are beautiful used dry or wet are these are two very unique shades that can be used on any skin tone.

- Caviar Eye Sticks in any color are an absolute MUST in a makeup artists kit, and you know if it's a favorite of ours it will be for you too.  a few of our favorite shades of this water proof, crease proof and smudge proof shadow stick collection ( of 23 shades)  are: Rosegold,  Copper, Sandglow, Plum, and Amethyst.  use them alone or under an eye shadow for more intense color and longer wear, certain colors can also be used as eye liner when applied with a brush.

- truth be told, there are too many of our favorite products to name from this brand, whether your buying makeup for yourself or if you're a makeup artist building your kit.  Laura Mercier is one of the few artistry brands left that is helmed by its creator and it definetly shows in the quality of products.  Check out the entire line at Holt Renfrew Vancouver, Nordstroms (when it opens in the fall) and the line's best sellers at Sephora. 

Beauty Favorites: Make Up Forever

~ happy #makeupmonday everyone! we hope you are enjoying the sunshine!! with the forecast full of beautiful, albeit very warm weather, we wanted to share a beauty favorite of ours that is perfect for its long-wearing, waterproof qualities. MAKE UP FOR EVER is a favorite of makeup artists worldwide. a no muss, no frills brand that has a wide range of products perfect for any kind of event, be it bridal makeup or Cirque du Soleil, you can find something for everyone. we love the AQUA line as its perfect for those hot summer days where we want to look cute but take a dip in the ocean also.  check out our favorite products below!! ~

~ Face and Body Liquid Foundation is a do everything foundation that you can find in almost any makeup artist's kit, especially if they do a lot of body work such as swim suit photo shoots or lingerie.  it's light weight, water based formula means it's great on any skin type at any age and can be built up in layers to achieve a full coverage look. it's water based formula adds hydration to any skin type, it's best applied to the face or body with a damp sponge, and if you want to waterproof and sweat proof your complexion , spray some Mist and Fix on the sponge, est voila! 

~ NEW Artist Plexi Gloss has just arrived at your local Sephora, this gloss is something we got a preview of at the Vancouver IMATS this year and we were impressed! the shade range is spectacular (35 Shades) and also has a selection of pearly and non-pearly finishes to sheer and opaque colors.  the  wear-ability is up to five hours of color impact with 360-degree, reflective shine beads maximize shine, try one on yourself today at your nearest Sephora! 

~ it's all about the brows and has been for a while now, gone are the days of tad-pole thin eye brows and in place we've embraced a fuller shape.  cosmetic companies are bringing out their version of a liquid or cream brow product but this one has been around the longest! Aqua Brow is a full pigment liquid/cream brow color that's waterproof, oil proof and sweat proof.   it comes in 7 different shades and ranges from light blonde to brown almost black and all the shades in between. most artists have 3-4 shades and mix to match their clients needs.  to use, we recommend to use a small amount, about the size of a grain of rice with a thin angled brush (if your brows are sparse) or a dense coarse bristled angled brush (if your brows are fuller) and apply from the outside of the brow inwards to avoid applying too much to the front part of the brow. pick up your Aqua Brow individually or in a kit at your local Sephora or online ~

~ HD Cream Blush is another of our favorite brands of cream blush, it's one of the only ones that can be applied under AND over the HD Powder.  formulated with the perfect balance of silica powder and synthetic mica, HD Blush has a soft focus effect that diffuses light for a radiant finish. Its blend of waxes and oils creates a lightweight texture that easily glides on the skin for a flawless result, and it's studio-tested with an HD camera. it comes in 16 different shades that can be used as blush, bronzer, contour color and lip color, a perfect multitasking product ~

~ Full Cover Concealer is another favorite that both Oz and I use in our personal and professional kits.  it comes in 12 different shades and is perfect for concealing the most extreme flaws, such as scars, severe skin damage, beauty spots, pigmentation or birthmarks. it's full coverage formula can even hide tattoos. waterproof and long lasting, it holds even under extreme conditions, on a blemish it actually reduces swelling, taking away the inflammation around the breakout.  we DO NOT recommend it for use under the eyes, as it's a oil absorbing formula it can cause the eye area to look drier, highlighting any fine lines or wrinkles.  perfect for use on face and body, just avoid the eye area and use either the HD Concealer or the Liquid Lift ~ 

~ Aqua Black Cream Liner is another personal favorite of ours as it's one of the only cream liners that we have found not to dry out as fast in the tub, it stays put in the waterline when you want to create that perfect smokey eye and you can blend it out with a dense shadow brush.  apply it with a liquid liner brush or a thin angled brush for a precise, dense line;  or with a precision shader brush ~

~ Mist and Fix with O2 complex is a waterproof makeup setting spray that has a TON of different uses.  spray it onto your makeup sponge with applying any liquid or cream products and voila, your makeup is now waterproof.  it was one of the first to be created with no alcohol, so no drying out your skin, and the O2 complex hydrates and plumps any fine lines.  spray it on after you've finished your makeup, and even wet your eye shadow or eyeliner brushes with it to waterproof any of your eye shadows! it comes in a full size and a travel size as well and is definitely a Sephora favorite ~

~ Aqua Rouge long lasting liquid lip color is formulated with a combination of high molecular weight polymers and volatile oils, Aqua Rouge locks color on the lips for a waterproof result that will not transfer or fade. Its intensely pigmented formula provides immediate, opaque color with extreme shine, and its creamy, non-sticky texture glides effortlessly on the lips for comfortable wear.  apply the color direct from the applicator for an opaque, full color or with a brush for a sheer finish.  the clear gloss sealer on the other side is a must even if you want a matter finish.  apply that once the color has set to add a little moisture and to seal the color, if you like a more matte finish, just blot off the excess ~

 find these and more Make Up Forever products online or at Sephora!

Makeup Monday: Firma Beauty Luxury Makeup Brushes

We at Style by Beauty Department pride ourselves on supporting our local Vancouver businesses, that's why when we were introduced to the new, local brand Firma Beauty we were so excited to share with you!

In an industry that pumps out new brands and products on the daily, tempting you with pretty packaging, celebrity endorsements or free giveaways. This can (sometimes) distract you from less than stellar product performance, that's where Firma Makeup Brushes differ from the rest.

As makeup artists, we have a particular standard when it comes to our tools.  A makeup brush needs to stand the test of time, be luxuriously soft to the touch and no shedding ( by far the most complained about trait by consumers). Firma Brushes are hand crafted in Kumano, Japan a city with 200 years of brush making tradition.  These craftsmen and women take such pride in their craftsmanship that they hand cut and place each individual hair used in all Firma Brushes, using only the highest quality and softest fibers.  The handle of each brush is perfectly weighted for balance, and even the brands packaging strives for Eco-sustainability by using recycled materials for all of their packaging and donating 2% of each sale to your choice of 3 non-profit charities.

The luxury aspect of these brushes is reflected in their price, however the brand offers free shipping on orders over $50 as well as a much sought after, hand crafted product that will stand the test of time.   Now let's get to the brushes!

Firma Beauty offers 11 brushes in their Signature Collection for a well rounded assortment but a few standout from the pack.  Our favorite brushes are more uniquely shaped for multipurpose use:
 
S102:  this oval shaped powder brush is great for applying powder products to smaller areas of the face such as around the eyes and nose.
S202:  this synthetic brush can be used for liquid, cream or powder products but in our opinion works best as a highlight and contour brush. The short, densely packed bristles allow for maximum control when deciding how much to blend and we haven't seen a brush on the market like it.
S303:  tightline/smudge brush can be used for cream/powder application along the eye line. A favorite shape among professionals for smoking out dark colors along the lash line.

The brand also carries a travel friendly line as well, the 8 piece Voyage Series is vegan friendly as all the fibers are synthetic.  Each brush can be used in liquid, cream or powder mediums, giving you a multitude of options when using each brush. 

So if you're tired of brushes that shed, handles that loose their color, or fibers that feel sharp or coarse on the face, check out a local Vancouver brand that prides themselves on bringing quality makeup brushes to the masses. http://firmabeauty.myshopify.com/