NEW BB Creams & Concealors for Summer

Glow-Lite! Top NEW cosmetics for summer.

Well the seasons have definitely changed so if you haven't already, now's the time to think about lightening up on your makeup. Summer heat and humidity also often means: a slick, greasy face, makeup that does a disappearing act by 2pm and coverage that just doesn't stay put. Here are a few new skin enhancing cosmetic products that I've tried and use for appointments, photo shoots and much more:

Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer

Sarah McNamara NYC
Miracle Skin Transformer I really like this NEW multifunctional concealer. It is somewhere between Glamoflage and Kat Von D's concealers but much lighter while giving about the same amount of coverage. I had just gone through a pretty bad acne breakout when the Miracle Skin Transformer arrived. I used it to cover my bumps as I had a public appearance but by the end of the day they were nearly gone. So it did both Treat & Conceal! It contains marine collagen, white rose and chamomile.  I applied this concealer (Medium) with a goat hair Esum G47 Brush because it is very fluffy and prevents caking. Comes in 4 shades and blends like butter. Visit MiracleSkinTransformer.com online.

Gerard Cosmetics BB + Illumination

Gerard Cosmetics, CA
BB+Plus Illumination is a NEW creme for use either over or under foundation. The finish is absolutely gorgeous and if you like NARS Orgasm Illuminator, I think you LOVE BB+. NARS Orgasm is more on the peachy side where the BB+Plus is more rose-gold in tone. A little goes a long way and the product stays put without transferring all over the place.  I would use it like the NARS however as a highlighter as using it all over your face in the daytime might be too much. Night time is another matter! Visit GerardCosmetics.com online.

Embryolisse Artist Secret BB Cream

Embryolisse, Paris France
Artist Secret BB Cream You may know that I'm already a fan of all things Embryolisse, especially their moisturizers but a lot of people may not be aware that they also make a wonderful BB Cream. Artist Secret Complexion Illuminating Veil goes on very light and works for all skin types. It is very creamy without being oily as it contains hyaluronic acid, (great for moisture), vitamin E and mineral powders. I'm wearing it and their foundation in the photo above and it's amazing. Has a SPF of 20 which is always good. Comes in 2 shades. Visit EmbryolisseUSA.com online.


BB Cream & Concealer c/o Gerard Cosmetics & Sarah McNamara respectively.

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.