Recently in Concealer Category

Laura Mercier is a great line of cosmetics for a natural look. This Laura Mercier 'Renaissance' Collection is great because it is such a good value. And it's like they compacted everything as well as they can for traveling. They made the concealer brush double ended, so that it's two brushes in one. And they have their fabulous secret concealer in a pot, with the setting powder underneath. It also comes with their Flawless Skin Day Creme with an SPF 15 in a deluxe sample size, a mini Black Thickening and Building Mascara, Pink Champagne Lip Glacé, and an eye color duo, all in cute cosmetic bag. Of course, kits are always a great value, but what's even better is that it's also on sale. So for $167 worth of product you only pay $38.90 for all of it. I mean, when does Laura Mercier really go on sale anyways?

La Mer just came out with The Radiant Concealer SPF 25 and I am officially hooked.  I've been using it daily and love that it has spf in it.  This lightweight cream-to-powder treatment concealer was formulated to instantly camouflage and ease imperfections. Tourmaline and malachite gemstones capture light energy to conceal dark circles and blemishes. The Radiant Concealer SPF 25 creates a smooth even finish no matter how hot or humid the weather is. My skin stays flawless even after a round of kickboxing!

You must try this, the little applicator makes it easier on the delicate skin under the eyes, too!  $65 at LaMer.com

L'Oreal has an under eye concealer with spf 20 and retinol (reverses sun damage) that is worth trying out. It minimizes lines while giving the crepey skin below the eyes a firming lift plus enhances the skin tone with a light tint of color.

For $12 you really can't beat it for performance. I keep it in the car so I can dab throughout the day (after working out, tennis, or swimming) and for this price I don't care if I lose it!

The consistency is fairly creamy and does not get cakey no matter how often I reapply.  It's really great for poolside cuz I just swipe away.

 L'Oreal visible lift concealer-- $12 at drugstore.com

As you pare down your wardrobe in preparation for warmer weather, don't forget to give your makeup bag a similar overhaul. Follow these do's and don'ts from Prescriptives Director of Color Artistry Jillian Veran for smudge-proof, sweat-resistant looks to get you through the long, sweltering days.

· DO stay protected and hydrated. Apply All Weather Friend Daily UVA/UVB Skin Protection SPF 40 every day over a lightweight moisturizer like All You Need+ SPF 15 Continuous Action 24-Hour Moisture for healthy and luminous skin that lasts.

· DON'T use makeup to create a tan. Instead, apply Good In Bed Skin Restoring Night Moisturizer nightly to face, neck and décolleté. The luscious formula contains a hint of self tanner so skin "wakes-up" with enhanced, natural looking color.

Clé de Peau has been on my radar since I first tried the iconic "La Creme" years ago. I had never tried its color collection, however, until the Beauty Event last week at Neiman Marcus North Park.  I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Clé de Peau National Make Up consultant Kyriaki Savrani that day and she helped me pick out make up colors (is there anything more fun than playing with make up all day?). A native of Greece, make up artist Kyriaki Savrani's resume extends across all corridors of the beauty industry. The sophisticated beauty got her start in 1992 while attending art school in Paris and assisting Stephen Marais. Since then Kyriaki has built an extensive list celebrity clientele (Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, Anne Hathaway, Audrey Tautou and many others) and work with designers such as Chanel, Valentino, Dior and Karl Lagerfeld.  Yet no matter how "haute" the couture, Kyriaki brings her own unique perspective to her craft. 

During our interview, I learned a lot about the brand and its devoted followers.  Kate Moss apparently swipes a tube of the uber popular Extra Silky lipstick-$50 everytime they do her make up.  I wonder if I can get away with same at the counter?  I'm all about new shade 118 (Lily of the Nile)-- it's a soft pinkish beige that looks really natural!  Plus the formula has a shine to it so you don't need lip gloss.  Kyriaki declared that the era of heavy gooey gloss that bubble when you talk is over!  A hint of shine is much more sexy though she is all about the matte lipstick (in red no less!)


Another exciting newly formulated product is the Cream Foundation. ($118).  It now comes with a twist applicator that gives you the exact dosage you need (in the shape of the Cle de peau logo) so you won't waste a drop of this amazingly velvety foundation.  Kyriaki put O10 on me (at lunch she predicted I'd be O10 by looking at my chest.  Apparently the chest is the perfect spot to match foundation!) and it was the perfect shade for me.  (Just a warning, you'll read the word "perfect" a lot in this post.)  I was with a friend before going to Neiman Marcus and told her I was interviewing Kyriaki and she squealed, "I love the Cream Foundation, it's all I wear!  Tell them it's my favorite brand!"