Beauty fix

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I am really hesitant to write cosmetic product posts. I have been so frustrated with my beauty routine for a long time, and every time I think I've found a solution, it goes sour about ten or so days later. However, I had two really positive trips to the beauty counters last week that I wanted to share.

My last post was about a trip to the Sephora makeover studio and my experience, while positive, hasn't yielded the long-lasting results I'd hoped for. I started off liking the foundation but a few weeks later decided I didn't like how flaky it looked on my face, even on top of a layer of moisturizer. I kept reading about these new Beauty Balms, so I picked up Dr. Brandt's version at Sephora. It comes in one color that is supposed to adjust to your skin tone. I initially loved this, but I hate the dark color that comes off on my makeup wipes at night. It makes me feel like a) I caked it on (even though I applied a thin layer) and b) I was wearing the wrong shade of foundation all day long. Woof!

Another product I kept reading about was Cle De Peau concealer, which doesn't come cheap at $70 a pop. But I had lost the concealer I bought during the first trip to Sephora, and I have been so desperate for a new routine. My goal with makeup is always to look as good as possible with as little product as possible, but I just couldn't ignore my under eye bags any longer. Cle De Peau is somewhat of an exclusive brand. Not many places carry it and I sure as hell wasn't going to order this online. Thursday morning, I was running errands right around Bergdorfs and decided to stop in to pick one up. I ended up meeting a fabulous fella named Stanford who actually showed me how I can use this sparingly yet effectively so that I can skip foundation all together! I'm hoping this new routine is the winning ticket. I'll let you know. By the way, the stick formula makes it easy to apply directly to the skin and Stanford used a heavenly little Shiseido foundation brush to blend it that was so soft I absolutely couldn't leave the store without it.

Another facial feature of mine that's brought on endless frustration is my eyebrows. On Saturday, Perri and I were wandering through Bloomingdales when I spotted the Benefit Brow Bar and decided to finally bite the bullet. I've walked by it dozens of times and have always wanted to go. We asked how long the wait was and the girl cheerfully informed me they could take me immediately. An upscale brand with walk-in abilities? Sign me up. Literally.

The scary thing is that I couldn't even tell you the last time I had my eyebrows professionally done, other than that it's been years. My skin is so sensitive and my face gets so red. I worked with a sweet woman named Tracy who finally got my brows under control. Enter Perri nodding her head and smiling and me exhaling big sighs of relief. I left with new mascara and a newfound appreciation for this little pocket of cosmetic heaven on 59th Street! If you're like me and like to make appointments on the whim... This place is for you. (Somehow I think experiences like this on the fly are always exponentially more satisfying because they're completely unplanned and unexpected.)

Quick note about the mascara... It's called "They're Real" and it makes mine look UNREAL. Seriously. I'm hooked.

If you're in a city with a Benefit boutique, I highly recommend. They also host private parties for groups of girls and prices are redeemable in product. I'm definitely going to have to gather a gaggle of chickadees to hit the shop before a night out on the town!