What's HOT at Sephora? New Releases from Smashbox, NARS, Josie Maran & Jimmy Choo

HOT summer picks from Sephora!

Hot, sticky humid summers are a reality for those of us living in the NYC/Metro Area. So this is the perfect time to head over to Sephora to get matched up with some lighter primers, foundations, cheek and lip color. Along the way, pick up some natural products which also do double duty for skincare and sun protection. Of course don't forget to pick out a new summer fragrance for yourself! First, let's see what's HOT and new from Josie Maran:

Dr. Obagi Summer Sun Skincare and NEW NARS, Smashbox Makeup

Beautiful skin this summer starts with Sunscreen and Lighter Makeup

Summer is finally here so you may want to change up your skincare and makeup routines to accommodate the hot, humid weather to come. I got a preview of how sticky things can get on my last trip to West Palm Beach in May. You could literally feel the makeup being steamed off of your face and your blow-out going limp! It was like my honeymoon in Miami Beach all over again. Even more, the sun was ferocious. So summer is no time for whimpy sunblocks that offer little or no protection. Here are some new sunscreens with attitude and high-tech makeup for a lighter touch in the heat.

Marriot Resort Hotel - West Palm Beach

New Sunscreens & Moisturizers with Sunblock to Try This Summer:

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Sensitive Skin Daily Calming Moisturizer SPF 30 is from the "Yes to Carrots" line of more natural skincare products. It does smell of cucumber! It's a zinc oxide based formula without a white undertone to it. Water-based, it is loaded with 96% natural goodies like cucumber, green tea and aloe, yet it contains no dimethecone/silicones. See more at YestoCarrots.com

Obagi Medical Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen-Matte is a zinc oxide based formula which is odorless and absorbs quickly. No white or ashen cast, it looks and feels especially good on the skin. The matte finish makes it a top choice for use under your foundation and concealers. It did "pill" a little bit so just be sure to apply it as evenly as possible before putting makeup on top. I wore this under very light Lancome Creme foundation for a bicycle tour and it did an amazing job of protecting my skin even in full sun.

Obagi Medical Professional C Suncare Broad Spectrum SPF 30 has a 10% concentration of the antioxidant, vitamin C and grapefruit peel extract. This is a silicone or dimethecone based product and would work well with similarly based blurring primers, (try Lumene's Bright Now Blur Line & Pore Minimizer or L'Oreal Miracle Blur) and the newer fluid foundations. The 1.7 oz pump bottle makes it the perfect size for travel too. This product is like primer + sunblock and good for moderate sun exposure. It looks AMAZING under liquid foundation, giving you just a touch of moisture yet with a semi-matte finish.

Obagi Medical "Obagi 360" HydraFactor Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen SPF 30 has a lovely beachy scent and absorbs even more quickly than the Sun Shield. No pilling or roll off either. However, I think the Sun Shield leaves a smoother finish due to the matte base. However the HydraFactor has a pump bottle vs a tube which I prefer. Either product would be good under your makeup so just think of the amount of sun exposure you are expecting. Please be consistent and wear sunscreen every day this summer. Visit Obagi online at Obagi.com

New 2015 Summer Collection of Obagi Medical Suncare

Stealthy Moisturizing is still needed despite high summer humidity. The trick is not to let it mess with your makeup so the way I like to do it is at night. That's when you can really bring out the big guns! Products like Hyalauronic Acid found in Sublime Beauty's Hyalauronic Acid Serum and Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel. Another good product to use under your night time moisturizers is Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair and Belli Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator. The latter is more natural with Vitamin C, Grape Seed and Chamomile. The idea is to go heavy at night so you can lighten up during the day. Also moist skin uses much less makeup because it's not dry and busy soaking up the foundation. When you go out, keep a thermal water bottle of icy cold agua with you for hydration.

Packing a chilly bottle of ice water

Lighter Summer Makeup Options can include some of the newer, highly pigmented yet very fluid liquid and powder foundations. This first product is actually a combination of all three as it dries down to a powder finish. L'Oreal Paris' Magic Nude Liquid Powder gives you great coverage with only a few drops of foundation. The finish is lovely and feels like nothing. Said to be a dupe for Giorgio Armani's Maestro Foundation, LOreal's Magic Nude offers a good range of colors. 

NARS  All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is one of the best new cosmetic counter foundations to arrive on the scene this year. The pump bottle dispenses the tiniest drop of foundation BUT that's all you need. The coverage and finish is incredible, second only to my Kett Hydro Foundation via airbrush. Since you use so very little product, it feels like you are wearing nothing which is pretty close to the truth. Works well with sunscreens and moisturizers that likewise are silicone or dimethicone based.

NARS  All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

Best New Powder Foundation would have to go to Smashbox for their Photo Filter Powder Foundation. If you are a Bare Minerals fan, you will like this product. As for me, I'm not really into powder foundations any more but do like these from Smashbox. Very light, the pigment doesn't fall into fine lines perhaps due to the dimethicone in the product (silicone is everywhere these days). I find it works well as a very light finishing touch to my makeup.

Best New Natural Eye Palettes and Naked Dupes in this category. include Lorac's UnZipped Eye Palette which is a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked II Palettes. Just out this season is Hard Candy's Natural Eyes which has a total of nine shimmer and matte neutral eye shadows. Comes with a little tube of eye shadow primer, applicator and mini Take Me Out Liner in black.

Finish it all off with something like Hard Candy's new Fast and Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray. Another good one is L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Spray & Set which is a Makeup Extender Setting Spray. You'll find you can get away with much less makeup that stays put this summer if you spritz these products on. 

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine - New Natural Skincare Products

Freshen up! Time to spring clean your beauty routine.

Springtime in NY: The (slightly) warmer temperatures this week just makes us want to throw off layers of all sorts including makeup and skincare products. If you've been battling the cold dry air of winter, then now you may not need such heavy creams and foundations. I've rounded up some of the best new skin pampering products and gadgets that may be flying under the radar. While you are at it, this is a good time to toss out your old toothbrush and makeup sponges for a really fresh start this spring. Here we go:

Clean up your act: Sonicare Toothbrush, Ayurvedic Soap & Lotus Softsonic Brush + Cleanser

Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - Spring is time to chuck your old toothbrush. Why not upgrade to a Sonicare?  I've used one for years and usually replace the brush heads every 3-4 months. It does an amazing job of cleaning your teeth and this model, the 2 Series is great for plaque removal.

WaterPik Sonic Toothbrush & WaterFlosser - The Sensonic Professional Plus actually blows the Sonicare Flexcare out of the water...literally! You also get THREE unique brush heads, a carry case and a very well made re-charge stand. This model toothbrush also has a 30 second quadrant pacer and two speeds. It is very effective and in my opinion, a better value than Sonicare. WaterPik Water Flossers have been around for a number of years and this Aquarius designer unit is very posh! Fill it and enjoy water-flossing for incredibly clean teeth. Available at most retail and department stores or visit online at WaterPik.com.

Waterpik products for superior dental health.

Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap - Made in India, it is vegan and free from any type of animal fat. Made with high quality vegetable oils and genuine herbal extracts, it smells of sandalwood and is very gentle on your skin.

Lotus by Dr. K Softsonic Skincare - This is a very soft and gentle sonic cleanser which offers 10,000 sonic vibrations per minute and is waterproof. Much lighter and easier on my skin than my Clarisonic Face Brush, my pores are ultra clean now. Their Foaming Cleanser is good but you can use any type of facial cleanser. This brush travels easier too with the replaceable brush heads lasting between 3-6 months. Made in Korea. Visit Lotus-dr-k.com

Organic, natural skincare creams and lotions for face and body.

100% Natural and Organic Cremes and Lotions for Face & Body
We are literally swimming in chemicals and additives every day through cleaning products, air fresheners, polishes, etc. We don't need to add to this list with creams and lotions we put on our skin. Here are a few new favorites that are VERY pure and made without any additives: Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care Custom Blended Formulations, Incredibalm Whipped Lemon Clarity Body Balm AND Hydrating Face & Neck Anti-Aging Night Balm, Suki Rescue Ultra Protect Body Balm. 

Let it all sink in: Derma Roller and JeNu Wand

The Derma Roller vs JeNu Wand This is getting major buzz on the beauty scene this spring. The Derma Roller has 540 tiny stainless steel needles that you run over your face to: stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, reduce enlarged pores, tighten and smooth the skin. Put your serums on and roll over your skin with this device to drive it down into the skin. Relatively painless, I did see an almost immediate improvement after two uses. A bit scary but they are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

The JeNu Wand This unit uses ultrasonic pulses to drive serums down into the skin. Much more comfortable than the Derma Roller, the success of this unit may depend more on the quality of products you use. I don't really have many lines around my eyes or mouth so I can't say there was a marked improvement after using the JeNu Wand for several weeks. It did seem to increase hydration under my eyes and my lips do appear a little plumper and more moist. If you are looking for more drastic improvement for deeper lines and wrinkles, I think the Derma Roller will give better results. The JeNu Ultrasonic Infuser is rechargeable (charger included) and very easy to use.
Visit JeNu.com Online.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation and Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation

New Trend in Makeup Foundations
Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation is by NO means a "natural" cosmetic. However I am including it along with NARS New All Day Luminous Foundation & Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid as examples of the newer, LIGHTER yet highly pigmented, long wearing products coming out. All three have a lot of dimethicone added to them (which I think is a BIG mistake) so they get major razzies on that point. However, if you are not sensitive to silicones, you may find you are able to get away with just a touch of these foundations as you need so little. I'm literally talking about one DROP of foundation. A minor concession then? 

NARS All Day Luminous Foundation

They look absolutely flawless, natural and feel like nothing on your skin, especially the NARS All Day Luminous Foundation.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetique Natural Creme Foundation This is THE WINNER. 100% Natural vitamins, minerals and pigments blended into a 97.5% Certified Organic Base. 

Formulated with beeswax, jojoba and argan oils, it may be a little rich for hot summer-wear. However, it is a fair trade-off to have an all natural foundation that melts into your skin like butter. Highly prized by makeup artists, MaqPro Palettes from Paris, France (Makeupfirst.com) are also beeswax based and look incredible on the runway. Lots of shades in Warm, Neutral and Cool. Visit Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Online.

Toss your old makeup sponges! Disney Fairy Sponges collaboration with Soho Beauty

Disney Fairy Princess Sponges - I don't know about you but I'm not too old to play with Disney Fairy Princess stuff. "Each fairy sponge grants you a flawless application!" These are very dense "Beauty Blender" type make up sponges which are great for all types of sheering out. These are what you should use to apply the new wax based palettes. They clean up well and are very durable. You get a set of three in the Grace Beauty Aurora Set (Sleeping Beauty) and a single large blender sponge in the Snow White set. See them at SohoBeauty.com

100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases

Try Sleeping on Satin Pillowcases 
These ultra soft 100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases from Sleep n Beauty are amazing for your skin and hair. These work to keep your skin smooth and soft partly due to the presence of silk amino acids which pamper both your skin and hair while you sleep. Sleep n Beauty gives you a set of x2 silk pillowcases per box presented as you see here. Change them frequently to help keep your skin clear of acne and breakouts. Spritz with a little Lavender Mist for an extra good night's sleep! Visit SleepnBeauty.com online.

Book a Dermatologist's Check Up...Online
The season's changing weather can bring new challenges to skincare: breakouts, sun damage, increased oiliness, etc.  This would be a good time to reassess your skincare routine moving forward into the warmer months. I had the chance to try out an online dermatologist service called YoDerm for my Acne.
You fill out a brief online form, upload three photos of your face and a certified dermatologist helps you to choose the skin care protocol that's best for you. This includes writing prescriptions for Retin-A and oral medications. This works for me because I am often traveling and may not always be able to get in to see my doctor before I leave. Check them out at YoDerm online.

On the go and ready for summer! Winter Garden Dress by Cindy + Johnny, CA

Makeup: Kett Hydro Foundation, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Sonicare Toothbrush, YSL Foundation, Derma Roller and Soap - mine.
Skincare products and accessories c/o the companies included herewith.