Category Archives: Makeup

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BB, CC AND DD BEAUTY CREAMS

Want perfect looking skin? Who doesn’t! Board certified cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Kaleroy Papantoniou shares her expert advice on the difference, what to look for, and how to choose the right BB, CC or DD cream for you:

BB CREAMS:  BB creams are short for beauty balms or blemish balms and were first developed in Germany by a dermatologist who wanted a single cream that would protect skin and provide coverage after laser treatments. The all-in-one formulation became a sensation in South Korea and then spread throughout Asia.

BB creams started hitting U.S. store shelves in the spring of 2011. Today, almost every major beauty company has a BB cream, from drugstore brands to high-end department-store lines, as well as lines that are only sold at spas or in doctors’ offices.  The NPD Group, a market research group, found that although only 2% of beauty shoppers have purchased a BB cream, nearly 4 in 5 of those who have, say they’ll buy the product again.

Many BB creams offer effective sun protection, with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation for daily use. What’s more, BB creams generally contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide, physical sun blocks that have some built-in water-resistant properties, Papantoniou says.

When it comes to skin treatment, you can find BB creams that contain:
•Anti-aging components, including peptides and antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, and C
•Moisturizing workhorses like hyaluronic acid and glycerin
•Ingredients such as licorice and arbutin that help even out skin tone
•Light-reflecting mica to give skin a luminous finish
•Silicone-based ingredients, such as dimethicone, that help smooth the skin, acting much like a foundation primer does

 

CC CREAMS: What is it? Packed to the gills with vitamins C and E, complexion corrector cream is similar to BB cream, but focuses on color correction. It’s lighter than a BB cream and its primary purpose is to correct color-related skin issues, such as sallowness or redness. Like BB cream, it has SPF as well (number varies by brand).

If you’re acne-prone, have dull skin, dark spots or constant redness, CC cream is for you. It will help with redness, acne, dark spots, sallowness and more, and is actually lighter than BB cream.

 

DD CREAMS:  Another addition to the alphabet cream craze are the DD creams, or “dynamic do-all super cream.” They combine the power and benefits of both BB and CC creams, but their primary focus is anti-aging.

It will diminish wrinkles and fine lines throughout use as well as balance your skin tone and protect the most sensitive areas of your skin. Improvements in your skin are known to come with continued use, so use often and incorporate it into your daily routine. After a month you should notice changes.

The strongest selling point of a DD cream is its anti-aging benefits, ideal for the woman who wants to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and have an over all even, radiant skin tone.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE: What is interesting to note is that each category overlaps to the point where the differentiation is almost non-existent. The upside is they are all great products that can be very beneficial for the skin. The downside is sorting through the many varieties to determine which would work better for you.

If discoloration is your primary concern then start with CC creams, because that’s their claim to fame so you will more than likely find a product that contains skin-brightening ingredients such as arbutin or daisy flower extract.

If fine lines and wrinkles are the issue, then look for an alphabet cream full of ingredients like retinol, firming peptides or adenosine. If your skin is oily, then look for an alphabet cream that controls oil and has a lightweight texture.

www.drpapantoniou.com

Dr. Papantoniou is a Cosmetic Dermatologist, Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She specializes in Injectables, Lasers, Surgical and General Dermatology for adults and pediatrics. She is also a Clinical Instructor at the Mount Sinai Hospital Dermatology Department. She has authored articles in her field, and has presented research at national meetings. Dr. Papantoniou focuses on providing her patients with the highest level of care; she is a superb diagnostician, with a special interest in natural and healthy alternatives to treatments and disease prevention. She has a strong artistic background and applies her skill at natural symmetry and study of lines to her cosmetic patients.

 

 

featured image via pinterest

A PARIS FASHION WEEK SPRING/SUMMER 2016 LOOK TO WEAR NOW

I love this look created by Shiseido Artistic Director, Dick Page, for Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2016 Paris show. I find it fresh, season-less, timeless and I’m definitely not waiting until Spring to try it on for size!

While the face, brows and eyes are kept fresh, understated and beautiful, the bright red lip is the “key to the look,” applied slightly exaggerated with a lip brush.

Want to recreate it? Here’s what Page used:

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in Dragon ($25) has a creamy texture and rich, highly pigmented formula so one coat is all you need for vibrant, gorgeous color. Hyaluronic acid helps keep lips moist, smooth, healthy all day long. Page used a lip brush for a precise application.

Shiseido IBUKI Refining Moisturizer Enriched ($45) was used as a light base under the foundation. It goes to work correcting visible pores, uneven skin tone and texture. Apply after cleansing to renew complexion and leave it looking healthy and hydrated.

 

For more red lip tips, click here to see my write-up on Beauty in the Bag.

xoxoNancy

 

RECREATE RETRO!

If you’re not familiar with Birchbox, now is good time to get in the know. You can get monthly boxes for as little as $10 or pay a yearly subscription rate of $110 and in honor of Mad Men’s final season, Birchbox has partnered with AMC on a special Mad Men-inspired guest editor box (for women or men) chock full of beauty and grooming products for a cool mod look.

And…if you can’t get enough of Mad Men and everything about it, here’s how to recreate Joan’s power sex-kitten look thanks to this 1-2-3 how to from Christina Hendrick’s makeup artist Vanessa Scali.

Retro in a flash:

  1. Apply wash of a clean, champagne color shadow from the lash line to brow bone. Try Armani Fluid Sheer #2 ($62) or Dior Fusion Mono Eye Shadow in Mirror ($31).
  2. On the upper lash line, use black liner to draw a soft, winged line
  3. Finish with a strong, siren mouth. Try NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave or Jungle Red ($27).

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Get Your Greens!

It doesn’t have to be Saint Patrick’s Day to go for the green…makeup that is! Emerald lashes, a wash of color on the lids and graphic liner are all great looks that show you like to have a little fun.

Here, the tips and product picks to get it right:

GREEN LASHES: Green mascara will make your eyes pop. Brush it on top and bottom lashes, paired with a flesh toned shadow, bronzed skin and tinted balm. If subtlety is your specialty, layer it over black mascara instead.

GREEN LIDS: When it comes to color on the lids, a little goes a long way. Keep in mind, the darker your complexion the brighter and deeper (think emerald, seaweed and forest) you can go with your makeup shades but fair-skinned women look best in lighter hues like celery plus sheer washes of color.

GREEN LINES: Graphic liner is having a moment right now. Line upper lids and wing out slightly. Wear with or without mascara and keep the rest of your makeup clean.

By Terry Terribly Mascara in Dark Forest ($48, bloomingdales.com)

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow ($10, ulta.com)

Yves Saint Laurent Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils in Deep Green ($34, sephora.com)

 

(featured image courtesy of mpdrolet.tumblr.com)

Fashion Week – Trend Spotting at Tess Giberson

 

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I’m loving the makeup look created by Dick Page, Shiseido’s Artistic Director, at Tess Giberson’s New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015 Show. It’s “a simple adaption of the idea of aquatic elements and mixing synthetics and naturals,” says Page. Giberson’s idea of weaving together combinations of synthetic materials with natural materials was his inspiration to translate the makeup look into iridescent blue eye and warm skin.

Recreate the Look:

  • Eyes: The sparkly, “inky” blue liner from the Sparkling Party Palette (NEW! for Fall 2014) was blended around the eye and topped with the pale iridescent blue from the Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Static (BL215). Eyes were finished with the Perfect Mascara Full Definition in black, applied to upper lashes only.
  • Brows: The brows were filled in with a variety of Shimmering Cream Eye Colors in Caviar (BK912), Sable (BR709), Leather (BR306), Sunshower (OR313) and Meadow (BE204).
  • Face/Cheek: Custom color created for each model using Bronzer and Luminizing Satin Face Color.

For more info. or to Purchase Shiseido products, click here

Add a Pop of Color!

Product Review: Laura Geller Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayon, $16 at laurageller.com

For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of lipstick, I’m crazy about my new Laura Geller Lip Crayon. I’m loving it in Purple Currant but it also comes in shades of pink, cranberry, plum, orange, coral and more.

Laura Geller Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayon is the perfect blend of balm, color and shine. It leaves my lips super-moisturized and it never feels tacky.

Since the bright, bold lip trend is going nowhere I keep it in my bag at all times–whenever I need to look good, out it comes and on it goes!

 

(photography courtesy of laurageller.com)

Cool-Girl Makeup

I can’t get Emma Stone’s beauty look from the recent Met Gala out of my mind. Her relaxed side braid and bronzey makeup is a look I plan on mimic-ing all throughout the summer. Best of all, t’s easier than ever to recreate this look.

For the bronzed cheeks and shimmery eyes I’ll rely on an old staple–Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, $42 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com. I’m loving the new limited edition shade in Apricot with 5 hues that complement a broad range of complexions, but it also comes in Rose, Pink Quartz, Bronze, Beige and Nectar if you’re looking for a little something different. Because it’s super shimmery a little goes a long way–one compact will last and last.

After using the Shimmer Brick on eyes and cheeks, coat lashes with dark brown or black mascara and slick on a sheer, rosy-toned lipstick.  You’re good to go.

See…easy!

(image courtesy of glamour.com)

 

Quick Fix for a Dull Complexion

Glowy skin is always in!!!

Boost your outer glow with a cream highlighter like my favorite, Jouer Highlighter, $20 at jouer.com. Use your fingers to apply to cheekbones, eyelids, inner corners of eyes, cupid’s bow and above brows to add light your face and instantly look fresh and radiant.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Pro Lip Tip!

Makeup artists in the know always dab a bit of foundation on the lips to tone down natural lip color before applying lipstick. It’s the best way to  get a true-to-the-tube color.

(photography courtesy of wwd.com)