Natural Schmatural- Let's Talk Foundation

Please sit down, my lady friends.

This might be hard to swallow, but 99.999% of women over 25 years of age do not look better or more "natural" (uch, feh such an overused word) without foundation; just more tired and/or unwell. These findings are based on a double-blind control study that was never conducted and is totally my less-than-humble opinion.  This is not about skin-shaming, but rather to fill an insatiable need of mine to help my fellow females look and feel their best in an area that I am mildly obsessed with.

As far as I'm concerned, "natural" is only a description of a foundation finish, nothing more. I'm sorry, mammalehs.  If it makes you feel better you can use "tinted moisturizer" or the more in vogue, "bb" or "cc" creams.

I'm not heaven-forbid suggesting you wear cakey, horrible spackle, just respect the fact that you don't put windows in your house before you lay the foundation.  This possibly should have been the eleventh commandment of beauty (refer back to my very first post on this blog).

http://beautyschmooze.blogspot.co.il/2015/12/your-kosher-style-international-beauty.html?m=1

I implore you not to accost me at the grocery store with excuses for why you are not wearing some form of facial skin-enhancer, but rather to simply take action and wear thy product of choice.  Keep it in your glove compartment if no time in the morning. I have been known to do this myself.

I tend to mix it up based on my skin's mood and weather. Included in my repertoire are mineral, cream, stick, and liquid foundations as well as tinted moisturizers and bb cream. And then there are those days when I'm asked if I feel tired and/or unwell...when I didn't follow my own stinkin' advice.

I have more to say on this matter so stay tuned.....because I care about your beautiful selves.

Below is a link for Allure Magazine's end-of-year beauty wrap-up for best foundations. It includes both luxury and drugstore brands, to accommodate a range of budgets.

http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/best-of-beauty/2015/best-foundation-winners

Eyeshadow Palette Review- Gade

Although this Israeli company spells its name a little funny, I have been impressed with a number of their products.  Please note logo on the outer box (fig. C) which is NOT a "J". It's a very fancy " G" that has prostrated itself over the other letters. My being blonde (natural and/or otherwise) required an explanation of said logo. In Hebrew, no less.

I was overall pleased with this cute palette that comes with a mirror (I never complain when they add this feature). I believe the description "matte" is getting a bit carried away. It does contain some subtle shimmer as evidenced by fig. A- my left eye.  Pigmentation was more gezundt in the darker shadows. The light ones were a bit "meh"and chalky, but not "feh".

The colors blended pretty well, not buttah, but acceptable.  I did appreciate the range of cool and warm neutrals so there's something for everybody. 

Thank you to my Superpharm lady friends for pointing me towards this sweet and useful palette.

Eyebrows: A Case Study

Showcased here is my buddy, Shoshana Keats Jaskoll.  She is a lovely maidel with beautiful amber-hued eyes. Poo poo.

I had rachmanus on Shoshana's eyebrows which needed a little help. Don't we all?

First, I darkened them a touch with Anastasia wax brow primer and powder and extended them ever-so-slightly to create an imaginary diagonal line from the end of her nose passing the edge of her eye and reaching the tip of her newly-enhanced brows.  See diagram below.

Note how they frame her face beautifully and draw attention to her expressive eyes.

I got farklempt from the results.

Shadow Schmooze

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I admit it. I could be the president of Eye-shadowaholics Anonymous.  My pulse quickens like I've guzzled espresso when I see a dazzling shadow palette with oodles of colours. Don't judge me.
Here's a list of some of my pet brands in order of global availability:

Available in Israel, US, and Canada
1) Guerlain- expensive but when you use it, you realize why
2) M.A.C.-timeless and covers huge colour spectrum. Natural mattes keep me coming back for more like a bubby loves borscht.
3) Dior- Christian makes this Jew very happy
Available in US and Canada
3) Make Up For Ever- Only at Sephora. Have a buddy schlep this for you if you live east of the Mediterranean
4) Nars- only in North America
5) NYX- a more budget-friendly brand found in the US
6) Urban Decay- ignore the names of these eyeshadows. Can be prust.
7) Too Faced- ditto about the names. Sheesh, who comes up with these anyway?
8) Laura Mercier- beautifully crafted with the more mature woman in mind
9) Bobbi Brown- for the I-spent-a-lot-of-money-on-makeup-but-I-want-you-to-think-I -wake-up-like-this look

You'd think I have several faces the way I go on....

More shadow schmooze installments coming soon

Face Buttah (make like you're in Brooklyn for correct pronunciation)

        B"SD

      

Meet Your Face's New Besties

I just discovered these unassuming bubbelehs in the local Superpharm (an Israeli Shoppers Drug Mart for my Canadians or a cleaner, brighter and more high-end Rite Aid or Walgreens for my Americans if you will).  

Much like the gezundt- looking tomato on the packaging  (because how else would a Jew market to fellow Jews other than with food?) your face does appear more taught, luminous and somewhat pleasantly plumpified almost instantaneously. Like a matzoh ball in schmaltzy chicken soup.

Not that you're aging, but who couldn't use a little help?

Better yet, the day cream boasts a respectable SPF 30. Dr. Fischer was clearly paying attention to #6 of yesterday's Ten Commandments of  Beauty post.   I "like"opene this product.

My vote for this cream and serum?  Schmear 'em.

You're welcome.

Your Kosher-Style International Beauty Blog

                                                                                                                                                        B"SD
Welcome to a shmorgasbord of all things beauty from the three countries where I have lived and nurtured my passion for makeup:  Canada, the US of A, and Israel.
Here's where I'll schmooze ad nauseum about beauty tips, trends, products, ideas, and of course post pics.
You'll think, oy! How does someone get so excited about makeup. It's a little much, no?
Yes, I've been known to say things such as: "I like too much." and "More is more". You're getting the picture.
I know you have shpilkes in your genektigizoink so without further ado, I present:

The Ten Commandments of Beauty:
1. Thou shalt know that beauty must start from within because no amount of makeup will help otherwise.
2. Thou shalt tend to your eyebrows in whatever way they require your attention. I'm speaking to you, all unibrow, shapeless, and sparse-browed gals (I am of the latter ilk). You know who you are. Please, don't make me repeat myself. Brows are the frame for your face.
3. Thou shalt never leave the house without mascara. For crying out loud! Do I have to explain this one? And I only mean black, of course. Otherwise looks like a funky conjunctivitis IMHO. Use other products to add a pop of colour. 
4. Thou shalt check for detritus (schmutz) in thy teeth. Nothing kills a fab makeup look more than a hunk of spinach in your chompers.
5. Thou shalt not smoke. Nuff said. 
6. Thou shalt wear sun protection of SPF 30 or higher. UVA and UVB broad-spectrum. The ozone layer looks like a bagel. Protect thyself even when it's cloudy.  Best anti-aging tip.
7.  Thou shalt moisturize religiously.
8.  Thou shalt not ignore unwanted facial hair. Please, ladies, we see it.
9.  Thy lipstick is thy friend. Colour is on your side here.
10. Treat thy neighbour as thyself. Pass along any beauty advice to those who you care about.  Friends don't let friends do bad beauty.

Amen.