Searching for the perfect foundation? Well, here it is....

I know it is hard to find that perfect foundation for your skin, trust me I have searched for a very long time.  Especially when your skin can be too dry or too oily, you just want something that gives you a nice flawless finish.  Since I model, I wanted something that would look amazing in pictures but also look great during the day while having lunch with friends or heading out on a dinner date.  I remember watching a video on Kim Kardashian and noticing her makeup artist using Makeup Forever HD foundation on her skin.  I tried it out and even snapped pictures of myself with my flash to make sure I didn’t get that white look on my face and I couldn’t believe how amazing it looked.  What I love about the foundation is that even though it is a Medium to full coverage, it doesn’t show.  NOT CAKEY, buildable, and if you want it to look more sheer, add a touch of water and the foundation will sheer out on your face (trick I learned from a makeup artist at Barneys).  I have been using this foundation for a couple of years and every time I try to switch, I can’t. It is oil free, which is a bonus because I have combination skin and I like more of a matte finish with my makeup. I like how this foundation also covers my redness on the cheeks and my tiny broken capillaries on my nose.  You can purchase this foundation at Sephora for $40.00. Here are some pictures of me with the foundation on. 

Myself with Makeup Forever HD foundation on #128

Another snap shot of me during the day with Makeup Forever foundation on #128.

Close up of me running around all day with the foundation on, still looks good and still lasted! #128 Makeup Forever.

Myself during New Years Eve with my gf wearing Makeup Forever Foundation #128

Sephora notes:

What Makeup Forever HD foundation does:
This foundation creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting.

Makeup Forever HD foundation bottle.  $40.00 at Sephora stores ONLY.

Also, the foundation comes in 25 shades to find that perfect match on your skintone.  Make sure you consult with a colorist at Sephora to match you with the correct color.  Currently, I use number 128 Almond for medium skin with beige undertones. 

With this foundation, I like to pair it with a primer beforehand.  It is important to use a primer before a foundation because it will last longer throughout the day and it will set your foundation better and give you a more smooth finish.  The primer will also fill in fine lines and even out skin texture. One that I really like, especially because it diminishes the red on my face, is Smashbox’s corrective primer in green.  It gives your face a silky finish, which helps to spread out the foundation when you are applying it. 

Smashbox Primer, Green on the left is what I use.  Different colors correct different issues.  $32.00-$49.00 at Sephora stores

Sephora notes:

What Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer is formulated to do:
The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.

A few Ingredients in Smashbox Photofinish Primer which are great:

Vitamin C
Vitamins A, C & E: Provides antioxidant protection.
Grape Seed Extract: Provides antioxidant protection.
Green Tea: Provides antioxidant protection.

You can purchase this at Sephora for $32.00-$49.00.  This primer even won Best of Sephora Winner 2008. 

Lastly, make sure that you have a good foundation brush to apply your new foundation with.  Currently, I use the MAC 190 foundation brush.  I have been using this brush for awhile and absolutely LOVE it.  It gives my foundation a nice, smooth, and flawless finish.  You can purchase the brush at MAC stores for $32.00.  If you clean it properly, this brush will last you a few years!  It is important to invest in good tools for your makeup and my next blog will discuss which brushes work best! 

MAC foundation brush #190.  I love this brush!

Thanks for reading, XOXO Lara

Corals are my new obsession!!

Ladies, I can’t tell you enough how much I love corals, from coral blushes to coral lip glosses.  Especially for the summer, it looks good on everyone, especially with that tan skin!  Currently in my purse, I have my four favorite coral lip glosses which give me a nice, moisturized, and pretty shade for the spring/summer.

1.       Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Glow #236 (pretty light coral shade, looks good when you pair it with Nars Belle De Jour lipstick as a base.

2.       Nars GIZA…My number one favorite coral lip gloss right now.  Looks good when paired with the Kevyn Aucoin lip liner called MEDIUM (at Barneys).

3.       Chanel Glossimer #146….found it in the chanel store and is a fairly new color that came out.  Gives a pretty glow. (Around $30-35$).

4.       Kevyn Aucoin lip gloss (comes with a cute brush) called Molasses—found in Barneys.  Love that it comes with a travel brush so that you can apply the gloss without using your fingers since it comes in a jar. 

Left to right: Chanel #146, Nars GIZA, Dior #236, and Kevyn Aucoin MOLASSES

Love to pair this nude Nars lipstick called Belle De Jour with my coral lip glosses!  Looks amazing!

The Kevyn Aucoin lip gloss comes with this cute travel brush to apply the gloss on properly.  Love it!

Lastly, I am obsessed with coral blushes, looks amazing on bronzed skin for the summer.  Since I have a tint of redness naturally on my cheeks, I don’t like using reds or pinks as blushes since it brings out the red more.  So I began using coral blushes and have used that shade since!  Here are some favorites of mine.

1.       Givency Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush—Color 25 In Vogue Orange (gives a pretty orange/coral shade when applied).  I love how it has four shades that you mix together!  (You can purchase at Sephora for $44.00)

2.       Kevyn Aucoin Blush in DOLLINE.  (At Barneys but sells out a lot). 

3.       MAC blush in COPPERTONE (Peach/brown and matte).  This is my favorite one I have!

4.       MAC blush in MELBA (Soft coral-peach).  Roughly $19.50 for each blush from MAC.

5.       Laura Mercier blush in ORANGE BLOSSOM. (high shimmer apricot with golden pink pearl).  $24.00 for each blush from Laura Mercier.

Kevyn Aucoin DOLLINE $37.00 at Barneys ONLY.

Alright girls, hope you enjoyed my segment on my favorite corals for the spring/summer.  I have tons more that I will continue to add for coral colors!

-Lara

A healthy and natural alternative to a beautiful, sunless tan

One night one of my girlfriends in Beverly Hills had a lady come over to spray tan us as part of a girl’s night in by a company called Chocolate Sun.  The owner (Kimmie) came in and discussed how Chocolate Sun was “an all natural, organic sunless solution that was similar to getting a body treatment for the skin”.  It made my skin silky smooth and my color came out so natural looking, a nice bronzed color like I came off of the beach in Miami.  I am very picky with spray tans because I see a lot of women looking orange and I hate that, so when I saw how this product made my skin look naturally tan, I was in love and bought a package so that I wouldn’t sit in the sun as much.  The tan lasted around 10 days for myself but I would moisturize everyday with their Chocolate Sun moisturizer, with is an all natural and organic product as well, and it helped keep my tan from fading.  I recommend to all of the ladies and men who live in the LA area, if you need a spray tan check out Chocolate Sun.  The ladies are extremely nice, helpful, and have a great product. 

The day after having my Chocolate Sun spray tan.  Chest and arms look very natural and tan!

Chocolate Suns Mission which made me fall in love with their product:  “Chocolate Sun’s immediate task was to develop a sunless solution that could be, first and foremost, a skin care treatment with the benefit of tanning the skin.  The solution had to be one that was made with organic, natural, and wild crafted botanicals, herbs, and antioxidants.  Most importantly it had to be free of harsh chemicals.”—www.chocolatesun.net/about.htm



Chocolate Sun candles, body scrub, and moisturizer (love this scent, cranberry and vanilla).



My favorite products by Chocolate Sun:

1.       Candles (Smell AMAZING and last for a good amount of time.  Crème Brule is my favorite)

2.       Body Scrub (I use before my tan to exfoliate—very important)

3.       Moisturizer (lightweight, has an SPF, smells good)

All of these products are natural, organic, and good for your skin!



Chocolate Sun products (store in West Hollywood) http://www.chocolatesun.net/



Mission for one of their product lines “Flowers” which I love and use: “…A skin care line made entirely of botanicals, herbs, vitamins, and minerals was the result.  This product line is called Flowers.  It is the high concentration and purity of ingredients. “  

Chocolate Sun body scrubs

Please remember before your spray tan to exfoliate so that you get rid of the dead skin, which will make the tan last a lot longer. 

If you would like more information on this product, check out the website www.chocolatesun.net

Thanks everyone for checking out my blog on sunless tanning.  I think it is important to give your skin a break from the real sun and use an alternative like this. XOXO Lara