Seven Secret Makeup Weapons…Straight Out of My Kit

“Melanie, what is your favourite product?”

Even though this question is posed to me almost as often as Tyra Banks changes her wig, it’s one I always struggle to answer. I have painstakingly researched, selected, and tested each item before tossing it into my bag o’ tricks, so asking me to pick my favourite product is akin to asking a doting mother which child she loves most!

After much deliberation, I realized that there are a few tried-and-true products that always deliver stunning results, some of which you probably haven’t heard of but are definitely worth tracking down. So without further ado, here are my seven MVP’s…

Cover FX Skinprep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer & Anti-Aging Serum

Until I tried this product, I had yet to encounter even a high-end primer that lived up to the hype. I personally put this product through its paces last October. On the day of the Madonna concert, I applied a full face of makeup on top of the primer at 9am, did hair and makeup all day in the middle of a crowded restaurant for a pre-show event, went out for dinner, danced up a storm at the show, and danced some more at a post-show street party! I got home at nearly 2am and I couldn’t believe my unsmudged eyes. After 17 hectic, sweaty hours, my makeup looked as fresh as it did after my final powder that morning! It’s a bit of a splurge at around $45.00, but a little goes a long way. If you struggle with the longevity of your makeup, then it’s definitely worth the investment.

Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation

Makeup artists who guard their tricks for flawless skin the way magicians guard their secrets for pulling rabbits out of hats don’t want you to know about this wonder product. Whether used at full strength to hide a blemish or thinned out with a bit of moisturizer (I like Cetaphil Lotion or Cetaphil Cream) for sheerer coverage, this concentrated and economically priced foundation delivers a flawless complexion every time. Wear it for a special occasion and you won’t believe how immaculate your skin will look in photos! Available at Studio FX in Royal Centre at Burrard and Georgia in Downtown Vancouver (604) 685-5509 or at Holly North in Burnaby (604) 299-2000.

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation

If you crave velvety matte skin but don’t want the emollients in a cream foundation, this is the foundation for you. Its smooth consistency is easy to apply and dries to a poreless finish with coverage unlike any liquid foundation product on the market.

Ben Nye Neutral Set Colorless Face Powder

If there is one product I use everyday on myself and on 99.9% of everyone I work with it’s this. Don’t be alarmed by it’s chalky appearance. This translucent face powder disappears into the skin and sets makeup like warpaint for battle. Press it into your skin with a powder puff and dust away any excess for maximum durability. Oh, and did I mention you can get it for under $10.00? Track it down at Studio FX in Royal Centre at Burrard and Georgia in Downtown Vancouver (604) 685-5509 or at Holly North in Burnaby (604) 299-2000.

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit

The word “contouring” may cause images from the 80′s to dance in your head, with the racing stripe cheekbones and noses garishly narrowed with orange stripes down either side of the bridge. Fear not! With practice and careful blending (and a light hand), the darker powder in this compact can define your cheekbones and jawline with such precision you will swear you lost 10 lbs. Use the lighter powder along the tops of your cheekbones for bone structure that Janet Jackson would envy.

MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved

One of the richest, blackest, most long wearing black eyeliners I’ve ever come across, this pencil glides on like butter and blends to soft, tar-like goodness. Its waterproof durability means you can wear it on your waterlines and it won’t budge. I can’t do a smoky eye without it!

Lancome Bi-Facil – Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

Opthalmologist-tested, this eye makeup remover clears away all traces of waterproof and non-waterproof eye makeup in a flash. Yes, even your MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil will vanish in a jiffy. The non-greasy formula leaves eyes clean.

xoxo,
M.