Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

The Washington, DC metro area is home to a large Korean community. Koreans have found a niche in dry-cleaning establishments, nail salons, and cafés that serve office workers breakfast and lunch. They have also been active in establishing church congregations. Two Korean firms Lotte and H Mart have opened large supermarkets-cum-department stores in the Washington, DC metro area to serve the Korean community.

I was roaming around the recently opened Lotte Plaza in Chantilly, VA, outside Washington, DC. I stopped at the beauty counter, where the beauty advisor graciously supplied me with samples of skin care products by Lioele.

One of the most popular cosmetics products to come out of Korea is BB Cream, a combination foundation and acne treatment. BB stands for Blemish Balm. Several Korean companies in addition to Lioele market BB Cream.

Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

In hot, humid weather, my skin gets oily and I get pimples on my nose. Paula Begoun, in her book The Original Beauty Bible, identifies bacteria, clogged pores, and oil secretions as the culprits in forming pimples. Benzoyl peroxide lotions disinfect and BHA preparations penetrate the pore and exfoliate. I’ve found that BB Cream handles the oil problem nicely. I apply it to my nose in lieu of ordinary foundation or mineral makeup. It stays matte all day, and there’s no need to use blotting papers on my nose.

Bésame Voluptuous Lipstick

Bésame described its Enchanting Lipstick as "absolutely the perfect lipstick." I'm not readily given to superlatives, but Bésame (Spanish for "kiss me") Enchanting Lipstick certainly is one of my favorite full-coverage lipsticks, along with MAC Satin and Lustre lipsticks and American Beauty Enduring Beauty™ Longwear Lipcolor. All three have the not too matte, not too creamy finish that I seek in a lipstick. In addition, I loved the retro look of the goldtone metal tube.

Lately, Bésame founder and owner Gabriela Hernandez has been re-designing her brand. The first product from the re-launch of Bésame is the Voluptuous Lip Color Set. The set consists of a full-size lipstick (Enchanting Lipstick is a mini-size) with a "fishtail" tip, a matching lip liner, and a lip brush.


Voluptuous Lip Color Set in Red Velvet

I received the Voluptuous Lip Color Set in Red Velvet. It is also available in Rapture Rose and Champagne. I chose Red Velvet because red lips are Gabriela's signature: she's her own best advertisement for the retro glamour of Bésame.


Gabriela Hernandez, founder, Bésame Cosmetics

On my lips, at least, the Voluptuous lipstick set very quickly and felt drying. I wrote to Gabriela and told her I still prefer the Enchanting lipstick. She was surprised, as Voluptuous lipstick was supposed to be more emollient than the Enchanting lipstick. In both Voluptuous and Enchanting lipsticks, clay is used to makes the color stick and lock on color to your lips.

Good news: Gabriela also told me that a new Classic lipstick will be released in the fall with the Enchanting lipstick formula and a full size chisel tip. I prefer the chisel tip to the fishtail tip, as the chisel tip contours to the lips. Other new Bésame products will be launched this fall.

Weekly Web Tour

It's complexion week at the Informed Makeup Maven. Don't forget to enter her cool giveaways this week!

Visit The Beauty Couch for a chance to win the amazing Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator (a $120 value)!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews the new No Frizz Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner.

Beauty Anonymous looks at Shiseido fall 2009 makeup collection.

Dao at My Makeup Blog found a new love with M.A.C Rubenesque paint pot.

Sicka Than Average checks the best facial sunscreens so you can play in the sun — without paying for it later.

More Than a Pretty Face is excited about the launch of Illamasqua at Sephora. Within a year of its launch at Britain's tony Selfridge's, Illamasqua has developed a cult following comparable to that of MAC or NARS.

Visit Lipgloss Break and Enter to win The Cure 24/7 hair treatment and Sunkissed Glow fragrance by JLo!

Nude lips

Pardon me if I don’t get overly enthused about the latest fashion and beauty trends. Everything old is new again. For example, net-a-porter.com and other trendsetters say that leopard prints will be big for fall: did leopard prints ever really go out of fashion?

It’s the same way with beauty trends. The August 2009 issue of Allure highlights nude lips with smoky eyes on the runway. This is a classic look. Makeup artists advise women to focus on either the lips or the eyes: thus, if you wear a smoky eye, keep lips neutral.

Pür Minerals is pairing matte nude lips with a twist on the smoky eye. To create the nude lip with Pür Minerals, use its lip liner in Natural Calcite (all Pür Minerals’ shades are named after minerals) to line and fill in the lips. Then apply its lipstick in Sheer Zircon. To make the lips matte, apply powder over your lip color (not surprisingly, Pür Minerals recommends its 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation With SPF 15).




Pür Minerals Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Sheer Zircon

The smoky eye is created with Pür Minerals Pressed Mineral Eyeshadows in Champagne Citrine and Midnight Jade.

I’ve discovered that after the lipstick fades, the stain from the lip liner remains, even through donuts and salad dressing. Also, what if there’s pinkish skin beyond your lip line? I use concealer applied with a tightly wound, pointed tip cotton swab (I bought my swabs in Japan) just outside your lip line and blend: I use a dampened Beautyblender.

The British Invasion

First, Illamasqua: now By Lauren Luke is coming to the U.S. through Sephora's soon-to-be-opened flagship store in Times Square and Sephora.com.

Watch Lauren as she talks about the launch of her cosmetics line at Sephora and Sephora.com:

Illamasqua now at Sephora.com!

Illamasqua brand image

Last September, I reported on the pending launch of Illamasqua in the UK, initially at Selfridges. Since that time, Illamasqua has expanded through the UK.

I wrote to Illamasqua, and asked when it would come to the U.S. A representative flatly wrote back to me that Illamasqua had no immediate plans to expand in the U.S.

Now, according to an authoritative source, namely The Official Blog of Illamasqua, Illamasqua will arrive in the U.S.:

Yes you’ve heard right, the rumours are true. We’re thrilled to announce that Illamasqua will be launching in the brand new Sephora store, 5 Times Square on 31st July.

Although we weren’t planning to retail in the US quite this soon, the demand from our American fans has been phenomenal so we just didn’t think it was fair to keep people waiting any longer. ...

... We knew what we were doing was groundbreaking, but we honestly didn’t anticipate such an incredible global reaction.

Our US rollout will begin on 31st July with a coveted spot in New York’s newest beauty mecca, Sephora 5 Times Square. We will then be bringing our artistry to a further 26 Sephora stores across America by the end of October.



Now those of us in the U.S. don't have to wait any longer: today, The Official Blog of Illamasqua announces that Sephora.com Goes Live! As for me, I'm springing for the nail polish in Unnatural (blood red) to go with Ellis Faas liquid lipcolor in its signature blood red Ellis Red.

I predict that Illamasqua will have a cult following on the order of MAC or NARS Cosmetics.

Areaware Desk Accessory Set Giveaway

The Style Page is sponsoring a giveaway with AllModern.com, an online vendor of modern furniture and home accessories.

For this giveaway, I've selected this beautiful desk accessory set from Areaware:

This desk set consists of a letter opener, tape dispenser, stapler, and a pen and letter holder. It was created by Indonesian designer Singgih Kartono, who returned to his home village to teach carpentry skills. He follows sustainable practices, in which trees are planted to replace those used in production. The desk set is made of naturally harvested mahogany and sonokeling wood.

Several bloggers have said that ContestMachine has been acting up lately. If you find you can't enter via ContestMachine, fire an email to me at thestylepage [at] yahoo.com or enter your name and email via comments.

All Modern has a fantastic selection of modern furniture and home accessories from many leading designers. Part of CSN Stores, All Modern is just one of over 260 retail sites that offer a diverse array of products from Herman Miller’s popular Aeron Chair to cookware by Rachael Ray.

Weekly Web Tour

Read about The Informed Makeup Maven's Patent Pink Heel workout. Sculpt those sexy pins and improve your stamina in heels.

My Makeup Blog is holding its third giveaway with fabulous products that are perfect for traveling.

The Beauty Couch reviews Les Garçonnes, the just-released, roaring 20s-inspired fragrance collection by Crazylibellule and the Poppies.

Alison of the Advice Sisters has an easy suggestions for fun nails this Summer: Kiss EverLasting French Manicure Limited Edition in Neon Brights. Easy, inexpensive, and cute!

Beauty Anonymous brings you Jill Stuart fall 2009 makeup collection.

More Than a Pretty Face concludes her interview with makeup artist extraordinaire Sam Fine. Tips from the master included! Also, keep visiting our blog for the latest in promotions!

Roni at Neon Bible hates Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation! Shock!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews the new MAC Naked Honey Skin Salve and features the limited-edition Naked Honey collection.

MissWhoever You Are is celebrating her TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY and wants you in on the fun! Check out the AMAZING giveaway happening right now worth over $100!!!

Visit Lipgloss Break and Enter to Win Two Great Giveaways for this Week: Huge Lips Skinny Lips Gloss and SripTeas!

Head on over to The Makeup Divas and enter to win a 2fl oz bottle of Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!

Beauty Banter uncovers the must-have coral products for summer!

Combination skin? Glossypink has found an awesome, all-natural, botanical cleanser to brighten things up!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week! Click here to enter to win a month's supply of NutriSystem!

Hot Beauty Health discusses Beyonce Sasha Fierce line as well as more summer beauty tips.

Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™

When my husband told me that I was losing hair, I didn’t want to believe it. When I saw that I could see straight through to my scalp under overhead lights, I could no longer deny that I was losing hair. I began looking for solutions to make my hair look lush.

Enter Joan Rivers. Skin pulled tightly across her face, due to multiple cosmetic surgeries (how much further can it be stretched?). Relentless hawker on QVC. Former comedienne.


Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™

Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™ is a matte powder that you brush on your hair to mask thinning hair. The directions tell you to use the pointed end of the brush to create parts in your hair for application. A fine-toothed comb, like a rattail comb, works better. The instructions also recommend that the user stop about ¼” before the scalp: Joan says that’s to prevent your hair looking like a wig, or, I might add, like a bad dye job.

When liberally applied, according to instructions, Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™ does what it says it does: it gives you the appearance of a fuller head of hair. It really doesn't work for touchups, particularly for those pesky hairs along the hair line.

You may find Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™ on QVC.com and in the mail order catalogs Time for Me and Soft Surroundings.

From The Pink Room

Sarah Barton-King began as a designer of shoes, bags, and scarves, which were sold through luxury stores around the world. She also opened her own shop The Pink Room in London’s Notting Hill. Now she’s entered the world of fragrance, through two fragrances inspired by French literature.

Parfum No 1 was inspired by the writings of Marcel Proust. Here is the charge that Sarah gave to perfumer Guy Robert:

Imagine Marcel Proust having tea with his aunt in the garden at about four, As the sun becomes more gentle, the old roses start to give off their bouquet, Lime cuts across, taking away the cloying sweetness, some bergamot to give a mellow richness also some jasmine, a little violet and vanilla for the petite Madeleine. Not too heavy, not too rich.

The fragrance that Guy Robert created is an utterly feminine, romantic fragrance with the following notes:

Top notes: citrus with fruity nuances;
Middle notes: rich floral tones of jasmine, lily of the valley, and violet.
Base notes: woody, spicy and fruity, with hints of vanilla, moss and musk.

I found the floral notes to be most dominant.


The Pink Room Eau de Parfum POUR TOI

POUR TOI was inspired by Gigi, the ingénue and courtesan-in-training created by Colette (née Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette) and portrayed by Leslie Caron in the movie musical. For this fragrance. For The Pink Room PARFUM FOR TOI, Sarah went to Grasse, the fragrance capital of the world, to collaborate with a master perfumer and blender:

Top notes: Lemon, Blackcurrant, Grapefruit,
Middle Note: Rose, Fleur de Melati, Lily of the Valley
Base: Sandalwood, Vanilla, and White musk.

This fragrance is very citrusy when it is applied, but dries to a floral that's lighter than Parfum No 1.

Pink Room Parfum No 1 and PARFUM POUR TOI are available through LuckyScent.

More Than a Pretty Face interviews Sam Fine, Part 1

Sam Fine, makeup artist extraordinaire

Some of my questions are based on your 1998 book Fine Beauty, in which you provide your life story. You had planned to become a fashion illustrator. You took a job at a cosmetics counter to supplement your income, and served as an assistant to makeup artists. Naomi Campbell provided you your first major break. You emphasized that your success is due to the many people who supported on your way to becoming the pre-eminent makeup artist that you are.


Fine Beauty by Sam Fine

I will also base my questions on the feature Sam’s Club in the May 2009 issue of Vogue.

1. There is no doubt that mainstream cosmetics lines have greatly expanded their options for women of African origin (I use this term, as “African-American” doesn’t seem to apply to women who were born and live outside the U.S.). Is there still a need for niche cosmetic lines? Is there anything that niche cosmetics line offer that mainstream cosmetics lines still don’t cover?

Niche brands tend to have better shade range and also products with higher pigment, which are what a woman of color truly needs.

2. Would you care to volunteer your thoughts about niche cosmetics lines? The least expensive that I can name are Zuri, Black Radiance, Astarte, and Posner. There’s also Queen Latifah’s Queen Collection for Cover Girl, Iman, Flori Roberts, Nacara (Canada), Fashion Fair, Sleek MakeUp (UK), and blackUp Paris.

I still use these brands on my clients - and probably always will. As I mentioned above, they not only provide great shade range but they also provide great coverage, such as Black Opal’s Flawless Concealer, Iman Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Tiger Eye, to name a few.

3. What do you think about mineral products such as sunscreen and mineral foundations for women of African origin? Many of these products are formulated with titanium oxide and zinc oxide, which can look ashen on darker skin tones. What alternatives do you recommend?

Women of color need more coverage than mineral makeup can really provide. Nevertheless, mineral makeup is great for women who are looking for lighter coverage.

4. What challenges do you face when doing makeup for Hi-Definition TV or other Hi-Def video?

You need to spend more time on skin – but I’m a perfectionist, and tend to spend a lot of time perfecting the skin to create a flawless canvas no matter the situation.

Continue to Part 2:

More Than a Pretty Face interviews Sam Fine, Part 2

Sam's Club in the May 2009 issue of Vogue

5. In Fine Beauty, you advocated neutral makeup, and in your appearance on CBS Morning News, you still advocate neutral makeup. Yet Liya Kebede and Chanel Iman are wearing vivid blush in the Vogue article. Is the distinction between everyday life and editorial or runway?

Yes, there is definitely a distinction between everyday life and editorial/runway. Editorial and runway give you the freedom to experiment with different, bold looks- looks that might not work for the everyday. For example, translating extreme rosy cheeks on the runway might mean using a little colorful eyeliner to brighten your look.


Watch CBS Videos Online - Sam Fine on CBS Morning News

6. Which do you like best: print, runway, or “real life”? Why?

Definitely real life. I love working on real women- I grew up with a mom and three sisters and I definitely have an appreciation for how makeup translates on a “real woman’s” face. Just like the women in my DVD.


Iman hosts the launch party for Sam Fine's DVD
L to R: Iman, Sam Fine, Deborah Cox, and Vanessa Williams: "real women"?

7. Do you want to create your cosmetics line? The Vogue article says that you put together custom kits for women. It seems like a logical progression for you to start your own makeup line.

You’ll have to stay tuned!

8. Are you planning to write another book?

Probably not. I’d like to work on expanding into more DVD’s, hopefully touching on everything that I wasn’t able to in the first.

9. It’s been 11 years since Fine Beauty was published. If you were to revise Fine Beauty, what would you change or update? Since you meant to be an illustrator, I think it would be great to include your illustrations. :)

I wouldn’t change a thing – I’m just extremely glad that there’s now a different form of media to reach the consumer, which is why I decided to do the DVD!

11. Are there any parting makeup tips that you would like to share with our readers?

Sure- here are some of my favorites.

Using a single layer of tissue, blot the excess oil from foundation, leaving the skin looking more natural and less made-up.

If you can't find the perfect nude eyeshadow, use a pressed powder that matches your complexion instead.

A light dusting of loose powder over eyebrows makes them appear more natural and prevents them from fading throughout the day.