Natural Beauty: Purely Cosmetics & Seventh Generation Boosts

Natural together: Purely Cosmetics of CA and Seventh Generation Boost Serum are part of this look. Check out more of these all natural style secrets!  Breez'r Hat and Shirt by ExOfficio.

I can remember a time when if you wanted to purchase "natural" makeup and skincare products, you went down to the local village health-food store. There you would see only a handful of companies who used natural pigments and wholesome ingredients in their products. Now, that has all changed. You can go into Whole Foods, Wegmans, Duane Reade and find an amazing array of natural products to buy. This includes skincare, makeup and household items.

Natural Beauty ideas for fall 2013: Purely Cosmetics Skin Smoothing Foundation & Finishing Powder infused with diamonds and 7th Generation Boosts - Firming Serum.

Skin Care Products with a Green Approach
I had the opportunity to try some household products by Seventh Generation a few years ago, and many people may think of them for their "green" cleaning supplies. Now they have branched out with their new Boosts which utilize pure botanical and essential oils such as rosemary, tea tree, jojoba oil and more.

Seventh Generation Boosts Skin Serums
These Boosts come in six formulas which you can pick according to your specific skincare needs but they all contain rosemary oil which gives it a slight mint fragrance. It's not strong and quickly disappears but it is somewhat a signature fragrance for many Seventh Generation products.

Boost-Firming Formula
I've been trying out the Firming version of the Boost serum and have only used about a half a pump because it is summertime and my skin is already very moist. This product really does absorb quickly and leaves more of a glowy-plumpness than a greasy feel. I use it at night and when I awake, my skin is not overly oily, just well moisturized. No breakouts even though I have acne prone skin and use Retin-A. I like the lightness of the oil and how it quickly sinks in. Right now the Boosts are sold exclusively at Walgreens and retail for under $16.00. Definitely a bargain as you get a full 1.5 fl oz of product. I would use the Boost either alone or over a lighter, water-based moisturizer.

Purely Cosmetics Makeup 
Now for the makeup! One thing I've seen with European models is that they will spend more on skincare than makeup. They believe cosmetics should enhance good skin, not conceal highly troubled complexions. I agree with that but I do enjoy my makeup counter favorites!  However, for the fall, I am definitely going lighter and relying more on BB creams for everyday wear when I'm not in front of the camera.

Purely Cosmetics contain no bismuth, talc, micronized minerals or other irritants.

Purely Cosmetics 
I tried their Skin Smoothing Foundation which contains pure silk. It gives you very light coverage but would be great over BB cream or tinted moisturizer. The product which impresses me the most is their Diamond Perfect Finish. As the name is a give-away, it contains diamond powder. A little goes a long way and the shimmer is very subtle.  Very pretty even in full sun.

To get my "look", try these cosmetics with the Purely Cosmetics Foundation and Finishing Powder!

The finish of the Skin Smoothing Foundation is so light and airy, like wearing nothing at all. What I especially like is that I can wear it in areas where liquid foundations tend to cake up, like under the eyes. To get my "look" in the lead photo and extra coverage from this foundation:

1.) First I applied Seventh Generation Boost (Firming) and Embryolisse Lait Concentrate 24 hour Miracle Cream and L' Oreal Miracle Blur.

2. Next, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Glamoflage.  

3. Purely Cosmetics Foundation in Olive Beige over the concealer. I then used a large Kabuki brush to apply and blend more foundation over my entire face and neck. Buff it in!

4. Eyes: Sephora Color Proof Eyeliner in Navy Blue, Kett Fixx Creme in Morocco. Lips: Victoria Secret Glossy Tint Lip Sheen in Manic Pink. Cheeks: Nars Orgasm Illuminator and Victoria's Secret Fresh Face Brightening Cream.

5. I topped it all of with the Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish powder on a large blush brush.

*TIP: Warm up this look with a sheer bronzer with a little shimmer added. I am wearing Physician's Formula Sexy Booster (below) in the photo.

I've used Bare Minerals for years and while I like it, the product does not give you the opacity of cream or even liquid foundations. Purely Cosmetics says this foundation offers full coverage without looking cakey or emphasizing the fine lines and pores common to those with more mature skin. I really don't have major issues like that (except when my concealer creases) but do like a more dewy finish.

The Diamond Perfect Finish kind of gets around that by giving you a luminous glow without the oily sheen. I'm going to continue testing out this line but if you like Bare Minerals, I think you will really appreciate the difference Purely Cosmetics has to offer.

Foundation, Finishing Powder c/o Purely Cosmetics. I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this blog.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Bulletproof Makeup: Estee Lauder's Double Wear is at the heart of makeup that stays put all day.

SPRING NYC: If you are like me and just can't stand another summer of smeary, running makeup, now is the time to step up and try something new, (or maybe old). Years ago, I wore Estee Lauder's Lucidity and liked it very much. Really the main benefit of department store makeup is that you can have it color matched to your skin tone. This will usually give the best results but you should also try wearing it outdoors in full sun.

Since I model fitness and athletic wear, I need a foundation that can make it through the shoot with out transferring onto my clothing. Most of the time I airbrush my makeup which gives me very light coverage and incredible staying power.  I use Kett Cosmetics of NYC and her Hydro Foundation is my holy grail. Here I am below with my airbrushed foundation for a Craghoppers / Pistil Designs shoot:

Kett Hydro Foundation was airbrushed on prior to this NYC photo shoot.

So I was at the mall on Sunday and was given a little postcard for a 10 day supply of any Estee Lauder Foundation of your choice. Since I haven't used Estee Lauder in over 10 years, I thought I would give their Double Wear a try for my upcoming outdoor photo shoots. The counter-lady, Brittany quickly tried two shades on my skin and waited for them to oxidize. The Pure Beige in Shade 2Cl seemed to be the best match. She gave me my 10 day sample and off I went.  Double Wear dries down very quickly so I applied it with a damp Beauty Blender sponge. I didn't use much and simply applied it over my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Hard Candy's Glamoflage Heavy Duty Concealer. Here is the result from a photo-shoot for ExOfficio:

Estee Lauder Double Wear for my outdoor shoot for ExOfficio.

To me, the Double Wear looks very similar to my airbrush application, even in full sun. I only used a touch of NARS Orgasm Facial Illuminator on my cheeks and Brass Plum Bronzer. I set it with the tiniest dusting of Revlon's Nearly Naked Pressed Powder.  The EL Double Wear did not transfer onto the collar of this very light, Stone colored trench coat. Even with a light application of primer, (Revlon Miracle Blur) did not feel heavy or greasy. The finish is matte to semi-matte and pretty much stayed that way the whole day even though I have oily skin. Once again, I used very little of this foundation but the coverage and longevity were beyond what I expected. I was told that EL is bringing back the Lucidity as a reformulation. That may be a good thing but right now I'm pretty pleased with the Double Wear! #Lucky me.