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Lait-Creme Concentre
Known to us in "the biz" as the "24 Hour Miracle"
Here's why-
When you need a furiously fast face fixer-upper, Lait-Creme Concentre magically transforms flaky, dehydrated skin into a visibly softer, firmer, smoother complexion...without empting your wallet.
It's formulated to soothe and correct by mimicking and reinforcing the natural surface oils and waterproofing barrier of the skin, slowing down moisture evaporation. It's a lifesaver for quickly correcting peeling, sunburned skin.
Kate Somerville Skincare
Quench Hydrating Serum
OK, we might have found a new Holy Grail! This overachieving glow-getter is a virtual moisture magnet. Don't freak out about how slippery the stuff is right out of the pump. It self sets in a few minutes and then...WOW!
I don't care if they hit the makeup chair looking like the Sahara Desert...this dehydrated skin quencher's advanced delivery system:
1)
keeps skin hydrated 24/7
2) restructures lipids (that keeps our "veneer" from cracking))
3)
eases the appearance of surface stress (too much booze and too little sleep?)
4)
promotes topical firmness and elasticity (you mean like young skin? Bring it!)
(Can I just bathe in this stuff?)
Watered Down: A drop of serum is perfect for thinning out cream foundations and adding a huge bump of moisture!
Ultra Facial & Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer
Skip the gazillion "new' products Kiehl's has introduced in the last couple of years...these moisturizers have been pro mua faves for awhile now and still deliver the goods. No high end technology, no claims of making you look 10 years younger...just great, basic moisturizers at a reasonable price that facilitate beautiful makeup application.
So what's so good about them?
Ultra features an emollient extract from olives (squalane) which mimics the skin's protective natural surface oils (lipids) and the Sodium PCA preps skin with a significant boost in hydration without addition oils. Both absorb quickly and easily so skin is ready for makeup application almost immediately.
You know how much we love a TIME SAVER!
SunSense: The Ultra is also available with an SPF 15.
Dermalogica
Active Moist
Dermalogica seems to be at every trade show these days and is popping up in A LOT of makeup kits. Good reason, they make stuff that meets our needs. I must admit, the magnitude of product choices is intimidating...but Active Moist is the stand-out for makeup artists.
This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer absorbs without a trace, creating an invisible barrier against moisture loss. Silk proteins plus extracts of sage and cucumber calm and hydrate the most sensitive skin and it's great for oily skins too.
Face Moisturizer & Replenishing Face Serum
Although the packaging looks utilitarian, the high-performance products inside are definitely not! They were created with a mission statement to simplifying skincare (by a former product developer for Kiehl's).
A perfectly balanced cocktail of highly absorbent fatty acids, fatty alcohols and amino acids are blended with Vitamin E, B5 and herbal extracts for intense, yet lightweight and calming skin nourishment. The Replenishing Face Serum is also jam packed with Sodium Hyaluronate, which attracts and bonds moisture to skin (a must have for both oily or dry skin)
Chemistry Class : These "fatty" acids and alcohols are oil-free (how'd they do that?), so both products are appropriate for all skin types (yes...I said all skin types) Ain't science grand!
Anti-Aging Treatment Products
The precious cargo contained in these unassumingly chic black bottles is deadly serious. The execs at Milbar Laboratories challenged their chemists to create the most effective skincare imaginable (price was no object).
RESULT: Treatment formulas packed with mind boggling amounts of state of the art active ingredients. The M Lab geniuses have created INTENSELY fast acting treatments for skin in need of immediate help (the treatment serum and creams are BRILLIANT!)
But what does that mean for us makeup jockeys? No waiting for a product's cumulative effects on 'challenged' or neglected skintypes. M Lab creates the perfect canvas for your work...NOW!
BANK BREAKER: I'm talking serious coin ($$$). If you think Kiehl's is "high end", you'll proably faint. Blenderella gets a little lightheaded every time they process his charge card...
Moisturizing Lotion
Dermatologists all over the country (possibly the world) recommend this non-comedogenic head to toe moisturizing lotion. It's super mild formula is non-irritating and contains a system of emollients and humectants that bind moisture to the skin. It's also fragrance-free and contains no lanolins or parabens that could irritate sensitive skin.
Who knew there were such skincare treasures at the drugstore?
Graftobian
OxyDerm Moisturizer
Finally, a Pro makeup company has come up with a skincare product that isn't an afterthought. This stuff actually works!
OxyDerm can be used on all skin types, is a perfect pre-makeup base and has some awesome skincare benefits.
Let's see...silicone to smooth and fill in fine lines, shea butter to deeply soften and heal, hyuralonic acid to attract moisture and lock it in the skin (it can retain about 1000x it's weight in water), grape seed extract as a powerful antioxidant (about 50x more powerful than vitamin E) and a host of other natural and botanical ingredients to make skin look firmer and more radiant.
Sounds like some pretty serious skincare to me!
Aubrey
Organic Aloe Vera
Surprised? Well don't be.
Aloe Vera has been recognized for it's super soothing/healing and moisturizing benefits for centuries. It also happens to be a fantastic, low-cost pre-makeup base / toner.
We prefer the organic version (a tea colored liquid) to the 'green-goopy' stuff sold in the suncare aisle of the drugstore (which is usually full of chemical fillers). The company that produces the product pictured to the left (Aubrey Organics) is a great organic, vegan resource for many skincare products.
Celestial & Enzymion - Vegan Moisturizers
There is definitely a calling for "Vegan" products in the make-up kit.
"Celestial" is a wonderful sensitive skin formula with Almond milk as a conditioner, glycerin to soften and cocoa butter to keep skin moisturized all day. It works beautifully on even the most reactive skin.
"Enzymion" is ideal for controlling oily, shiny skin.
Lush has worked to get the skin balance right by carefully blending papaya with deeply calming aloe vera. They also use grapefruit and lime oils to liven up congested skin and clear the way for a smooth make-up application.
Pure Shea Butter
A powerful moisturizing balm extracted from the fruit of African Shea trees which is renowned for it's intense softening, soothing and comforting of the skin.
It's a little bit of magic when applied to dry patches around the eyes and sore, cracked lips.
Massively Multi-Tasking Tin: It's a fantastic conditioning pomade for the hair, amazing stretchmark wrangler for moms-to-be, a super softner for cuticles, elbows, knees, heels...the list goes on and on.
Microdelivery Mini Peel Pads
These ambitious multitasking pads were created to help exfoliate and replenish the skin while prepping it for other applications. They do this with a secret blend of enzymes that actually dissolve dead skin cells (no scratchy scrubs here).
We thought leaving the skin smoother and more radiant was enough, but...
these overachieving wonder pads contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that help soothe the skin and minimize redness.
Dry, flaky, sensitive skin has met it's match!
Alpha Beta® Daily Face Peel
This patented two-step system uses a blend of Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy Acids to improve skin’s texture and clarity, while diminishing the look of fine lines.
The addition of Green Tea Extract, and antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E leave skin soothed, balanced and protected.
And why do we need this?
1) Ideal for exfoliating the face, arms, hands and neck (multi-purpose...Yipeeeee!)
2) Smoothes and refines for a more radiant, younger looking skin.
3) Enhances penetration of other treatment products.
4) Rebalances skin to a more normal state (not too oily or too dry)
5) Helps clear acne prone skin and improves the appearance of acne scars.
(I was sold at #2)
ExfoliKate
Another major player in the "I need immediate results" game. This ingenious little tube uses smooth polyethylene beads for manual exfoliating and the power of fruit enzymes and lactic acid (from milk) to clarify skin by disolving dead cells and eliminating bacteria. It is ideal for everyone, except delicate skintypes...but never fear, Kate made a sensitive skin formula too!
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
Finally, broad spectrum, PABA free protection that feels like you have nothing on (how much do we hate thick, suffocating sunblock!!!)
Ultra Sheer provides superior protection along with 'Dry-Touch technology' for an super-duper-light, non-shiny finish. Fast-absorbing, water-resistent and enriched with anti-oxidants to help prevent environmental damage.
Heavy Duty sun protection never felt this fabulously light before!
Sunforgettable Spf 30
This clear, odorless, water-resistant powder blocks UVAs, Bs and infrareds better than the best SPFs. This wonder-powder is made entirely of loose mineral pigments which are naturally anti-inflamitory and act as a antiseptic on the skin, soothing and helping keep the skin clean (essential on a long shoot outdoors)
It couldn't be easier to apply (right over finished makeup) and fit's easily in your set bag...it's been a lifesaver!
Fabulous Fact:
Sunforgettable passed the six hour "very water resistant test" !
Kiehl's
Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion
I know you've heard lots of hype about Argan...but this is the real deal, so get ready for visibly softer, radiant skin. A dreamy blend of Moroccan Argan Oil, Argan Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Extract/Oil, antioxidants and essential fatty acids revamp skin's texture and tone
while adding that gorgeous glow we all adore.
Oh, I almost forgot...it's naturally water resistant (great for shoots where models have to be wet & glossy at the same time).
Very Emollient Body Lotion
Max Dry Skin Formula
Another bargain hunter's bonanza!
This therapeutic body lotion blends certified organic aloe vera, green tea and chamomile extracts with almond oil to nourish, soothe and revitalize dry, sensitive skin. The citrus and vegetable derived alpha beta hydroxy acids help exfoliate dull surface cells to let all the goodness soak right in.
The results are quite amazing and brilliantly budget savvy!
