Everything You Need to Know About Exfoliating

Exfoliating is definitely my favorite part of my skincare regiment.  Why?  The gentle abrasion feels really nice, and my skin is so radiant and soft afterwards...I can't stop feeling it!

Essentially, exfoliating means removing the dead cells from your skin.  Thus...

• Dark spots, hyper pigmentation, and scarring will fade faster.
• There will be fewer dead skin cells to clog your pores and cause breakouts.
• You will have a smoother canvas on which to apply your makeup.  It will go on more easily and stay on for longer.
• Your skincare products will work better.  Moisturizers and serums won't have dead skins cells standing in their way of penetrating your skin.
• Mature and dull skin will look brighter.

Although people traditionally associate exfoliating with scrubs, there are two main ways that you can exfoliate:

First, you can do it mechanically.  Mechanical exfoliation can mean traditional scrubs. Simply wash your face with them, as you would with a face cleanser.  Scrubs come in multiple strengths...super gentle ones like the Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub ($18 on drugstore.com) that you can use daily or moderate ones like the JUARA Skincare Rice Facial Scrub ($29 on dermstore.com), which you should use 1-3 times per week.  Avene and JUARA are two of my favorite toxin-free brands.  Both of these scrubs are great for even the most sensitive skin and leave your face feeling nice and soft!

Keep in mind that unless a product says that it's a "cleansing scrub," it will not necessarily clean your face (remove makeup and impurities) like a regular face cleanser would (The JUARA scrub cleanses too!).  If you are wearing makeup or have blemish-prone skin, wash with cleanser before using a scrub. In addition, stay away from apricot or nut-based scrubs. The grains are often so sharp that they can tear skin and spread acne...make breakouts even worse!  In fact, they are too harsh to be used daily.  Additionally, be careful of salt scrubs because they can be quite aggressive on your face (they're perfectly fine for the rest of your body).  Instead, look for fine, round beads like those made from rice or bamboo, which won't scratch the skin.

If you have dull or puffy skin, try a coffee scrub.  The caffeine will help stimulate circulation and wake up your complexion.  If you have dry or sensitive skin, try an oatmeal scrub with its soothing, calming, and moisturizing effects.  Or for a quick and cheap fix, mix a scoop a teaspoon of rice flour with your cleanser and lather away.  Rice flour also has natural soothing, calming, and moisturizing properties.  For normal, combination, or oily skin, use baking soda instead, which will naturally draw impurities out from your pores.  

Another form of mechanical exfoliation comes from some of the tools that you're using during your routine.  Wash cloths, cleansing pads (Oxy/Stridex/Clearasil pads), which provide more mild exfoliation.  Facial  stationary and  motorized brushes also help your skin shed dead skin cells.  For example, Clarisonic ($150-$200 depending on the model at Ulta) brushes have become really popular over the past few years.  It's basically an electric tooth brush for your face.  It definitely polishes your face nicely and deep cleans.  I would highly recommend getting one.  Just be careful because it is a tad strong to be using daily.  Use it once or twice per week instead.  The Clarisonic can be quite pricey, so for a cheaper alternative try the Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System ($30 at Ulta).

The most intensive form of mechanical exfoliation is microdermabrasion.  These

procedures may be done at home with products like the Neutrogena MicroDermabrasian System ($45 in drugstores), but are most often conducted in salons.  There are two parts to the procedure.  First, exfoliating crystals are applied to the loosen the dead skin cells.  Second, you follow up with a little vacuum-like tool that lifts the outer layer of dead skin off of your face.  You may see some scrubs and creams that are labeled as "microdermabrasion" products because they are strong exfoliants that mimic the results of the procedure.  After an intense exfoliation treatment like this, your skin will be sensitive, so stay out of the sun and avoid applying potentially irritating/drying products.  Microdermabrasion is slightly invasive, and salon procedures should be limited to every few months, while some store-bought products may be used once per month.    

Second, you can exfoliate chemically with hydroxy acids.  Salicylic acid is a hydroxy acid often found in acne-fighting products like the natural Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser ($26 at Sephora) that helps your skin chemically rid itself of dead skin cells and promote the cell turnover process.  Most products that contain salicylic acid are very mild chemical exfoliants.  Other hydroxy acids include lactic and citric acids.  

Chemical peels feature hydroxy acids in helping a layer of old skin cells to peel off of your face so that your skin will regenerate fresh, new skin.  Some peels are more mild and reach only the very outer layer of the skin, while others are stronger and reach deeper skin tissue.  Most store-bought chemical peel products are gentle similar in strength to a face scrub.  For example, the natural Origins Brighter by Nature High-Potency Brightening Peel with Fruit Acids ($40 at Sephora) is a mild and refreshing product that can be used twice per week.  On the other hand, chemical peel salon treatments are much more powerful and should be done no more than every few months.

The nice thing about exfoliation is that it takes no extra effort.  Simply substitute your face wash for a purifying scrub twice per week, or use a brush rather than your fingers to massage cleanser into your skin.  Overall you should be doing a moderate level of exfoliation on a weekly basis.  Different methods of exfoliation have different levels of intensity.  I've assigned each method an approximate point value to give you a better idea of the proper amount of exfoliation.  Shoot for around 8-12 exfoliation points per week. Older women as well as those with oily skin should have closer to 12 points, while younger women or those with normal or dry skin should aim closer to 8.  When you're done, it's best to soothe skin by following up exfoliation with moisturizer.

Cleanser/Toner/Moisturizer/Serum Containing a Hydroxy Acid:  1 point
Mild Chemical Peel:  4 points

Wash Cloth/Cleansing Pad:  1 point 

Gentle Scrub:  2 points

Cleansing Pad:  2 points

Moderate Scrub:  3 points

Stationary/Motorized Brush:  4

However, over exfoliating can be even more harmful to your skin by stripping it of its natural properties and causing irritation.  If you are using a retinol, your skin will be especially sensitive, so make sure you are extra gentle with your exfoliation methods and stick to mild scrubs.  Don't use strong mechanical and chemical exfoliating techniques together unless you are directed otherwise.  Lastly, NEVER exfoliate in the morning, night-time only.  Your skin is extra delicate and freshly repaired after sleeping, so don't aggravate it with an exfoliant.  

Also, don't forget about the rest of your body.  Switch your shower gel for a soothing body

scrub twice a week to leave your skin healthy and glowing.  One of my toxin-free faves is the Alba Hawaiian Sugar-Cane Body Polish ($11 on drugstore.com).

What's your favorite way to exfoliate? 

A Manicure That Can Withstand a Week at the Beach

Have you heard about gels, the latest craze in nail color?  How do you they work?  Similar to regular nail polish, you apply a gel base coat, then as many coats of the gel color as you desire, and finally, a gel top coat.  Each coat must be cured for 30 seconds with a UV LED light.  Afterwards, there will be a little bit of an oily residue left on your nail, which you simply wipe off with an alcohol wipe.  

The biggest names in the business currently are Sally Hansen, Nailene SensatioNail, Kiss Everlasting, Red Carpet, and OPI.  Most of these brands sell some type of starter kit, which include all of the products that you need for a few gel manicures, refill kits, and individual gel polish colors.  Gels are definitely pricier than nail enamel.  Starter kits will be at least $50 (LED lamps are expensive to produce!), and a bottle of gel nail polish will be at least $10.  But, at a normal nail salon a gel manicure can cost around $25.  The DIY kits are pretty easy to use, so it's a great cost-efficient way to get those elegant gel nails.

Why are gels great? 

• They last 2 weeks with a shiny finish and no chips no matter how much cooking or cleaning you may do - very professional looking!
• No dry time - After you cure the last coat, you're done :)

The downside?

• The removal process is pretty awful I must say.  You have to soak your fingertips in a special gel remover for 15 minutes to loosen up the formula before you scrape it off.  Many people claim that gels damage your nails.  If you don't remove it properly, it definitely can.  It's super tempting to try to rip the gels off before the 15 minutes is up when you see the first sign of peeling.  You really need to wait the full 15 minutes and perhaps even longer until there is no longer any polish stuck to your nail. 
• The LED lamp does emit UV light, which can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.  Personally, when I use it, I always slather some sunscreens onto my fingers as a precautionary measure.
• Gels are a thicker formula than regular nail enamel, which means that you have to be a little bit more precise.  If you make a mistake, you can't simply wipe it off instantly or clean up around your cuticles with regular nail polish remover.  Another reason why you really need to be careful that you don't get any gel on your skin during the application process is that in order to harden, the gel polish is transformed under UV light.  If there is any gel polish on your skin, you will feel a slight burning sensation.

Since gels are a relatively new on the market, there is a smaller shade selection available across brands.  As I mentioned, gels give you a more professional look, meaning that they are less suitable for funky nail art looks because they come in more traditional colors and in fewer "fun" shades.  They are also thicker and a little bit harder to work with for nail art.  Many brands are however, branching out and beginning to offer classic nail styles in gel form.  Nailene Sensationail, for example, sells French, shimmer, metallic, magnetic,

and glitter gels.  Additionally, Sally Hansen produced their famous Salon Effects nail appliques in gel form with their Insta Gel Strips ($15 at Ulta).  Basically, they work just like regular gels, but the gel is in a sticker that you stick on your nails.  They definitely don't hold up as well as traditional gel polish (they peel more easily).  The nice thing though is that they remove with ordinary acetone nail polish remover.  And they come in cool patterns and prints that are hard to create with traditional gels.

In my opinion, gels are a cool concept, but I'm just a little concerned about the potential health risks associated with using them consistently.  Frequent exposure to the UV light is definitely dangerous and risk of cancer is even stated as a warning on the packaging of gel kits.  As with new drugs, we don't know enough about gels yet.  I am still a little bit cautious of the formula because we don't know if prolonged use can permanently damage your nails or worse, your respiratory system (due to the fumes).  There are already debates as to whether or not gels damage your nails.  If you don't remove them properly, they definitely can.  Even if you do remove them properly, many people that I've talked to, have found that although they don't necessarily weaken your nails, gels are definitely harder on your nails then regular polishes are.  For those of you, who use gels regularly, try a fortifying and conditioning nail treatment between manicures to prevent any potential nail damage.  I would recommend being selective about your gel manicures.  Personally, I use gels only for my annual beach vacation, where my nails will be exposed to extreme wear and tear from sand, salt water, and chlorine, and I can't be bothered with retouching my them.

I did my nails in Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish in Back to the Fuchsia ($12 on drugstore.com) for my beach vacation last week.  It's a really pretty hot pink color.  Check it out:

 


















How do you feel about gels?

Farm to Face: Complete Your Skincare Routine Using Only Items in YourKitchen

Look no further!  Some of the best facial treatments can be found in your kitchen.  Why spend hundreds of dollars on products, when you can make them yourself?  


1.  Cleanser = Baking Soda + Honey
 
Not only does baking soda draw out impurities from your pores like a packaged face wash would, but it also provides gentle exfoliation (much gentler than salt or sugar).  It is a little difficult to rub over your face, so use honey to make a more user-friendly paste.  Honey is, in my opinion, one of beauty's best kept secrets.  It has moisturizing and antiseptic properties and is packed with anti-oxidants.  This powerful combo will leave your skin glowing!

 
2.  Toner = Rice Water + Green Tea

Take some uncooked rice and dump it into some water.  Swirl the rice around in the bowl, until the water becomes cloudy.  Strain the rice out of the mixture, so that you're left with the cloudy, rice water.  Rice water has the ability to naturally soothe and calm skin with its anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and nourishing properties.  Next, soak a green tea bag in the rice water for 10 minutes.  Green tea will help remove left-behind residue, tighten pores, and provide anti-oxidant protection.

3.  Mask = Banana + Yogurt
 
Mush up a banana with a fork and then mix it with some plain yogurt (you don't want to have chunks of preserved fruit your face) and then smooth it over your face.  Leave it on your skin for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off.  Bananas are a natural skin conditioner.  Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, this anti-aging fruit brightens and restores moisture to dull skin.  Yogurt also offers a variety of skin benefits.  First, it tightens pores and evens out your complexion.  Second, it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which helps keep breakouts from forming.  Lastly, the lactic acid will help exfoliate, soothe, and moisturize.


4.  Treatment = (Aspirin + Cinnamon) or (Red Wine) or (Apples + Strawberries)

If you are concerned about blemishes, you can find a natural version of the common acne-fighting ingredient, salicylic acid in aspirin.  Simply, take an un-coated (coated tablets don't break down very easily) and allow it to dissolve in a bowl of water.  Add a dash of cinnamon before applying the concoction to your skin.  Cinnamon will dry out zits and pull nutrients to the skin's surface.

If you are concerned about wrinkles, put a few drops of red wine on a cotton ball and rub it over your face using a gentle, circular motion.  One of the strongest anti-oxidants in skincare is resveratrol, which comes from grapes, and helps delay signs of aging.  Red wine is full of resveratrol, and it's much less sticky than rubbing a grape against your face.

If you are concerned about dark spots, place an apple slice and a strawberry in a small bowl

of water...mush and stir the ingredients to release the fruit juices.  Use a cotton ball to sweep the solution over your skin.  Apples contain natural alpha-hydroxy acids, which promote cell turnover.  Strawberries also contain alpha-hydroxy acids and are rich in vitamin C...a great brightening agent.  Many of us have heard of using lemons to lighten hair.  Lemons have bleaching properties, so they can also be used to lighten skin, but they can also make your skin very sensitive to the sun, so be careful if you decide to use it.

5.  Moisturizer = Olive Oil 

Olive oil (or you can substitute it for almond oil or grapeseed oil) is an ancient beauty secret. The premier skincare brand, DHC, even features olive oil as its main ingredient because it creates a barrier against free radicals and irritants.  And not to mention, it has great hydrating properties.  Pat some over your face and then rinse off the excess with a little bit of cool water.

 


The best part about making your own skincare products is that you can ensure that they're healthy and toxin-free.  Whether you're short on cash, have sensitive skin, or are an organic products geek, these quick and easy steps will leave you looking radiant and feeling fresh.

Cosmetics You Should Buy Organic

We hear all of the time that there are certain produce and meat items that you should buy organic.  How about personal care products?  Well there are definitely a few beauty products that have a bad rep.  So, you should try to go natural when it comes to these:


1.  Hand Soap

90% of Americans wash their hands at least five times per day (American Cleaning Institute).  Unfortunately, most popular hand soaps including Softsoap and Dial products use triclosan as a cleansing agent.  In other words, Americans are exposing themselves to one of the most potentially toxic personal care ingredients on the market multiple times per day.  Most natural hand soaps are triclosan-free and just as effective at killing germs.


Product Recommendation:  Method Gel Hand Wash ($3.99 at drugstores)


2.  Nail Polish

Nail polish can be filled with toxic chemicals.  The most dangerous chemicals found in nail polishes are the Big 3: formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate.  The majority of popular nail brands have removed these chemicals from their formulas.  Even without the Big 3, nail polishes contain other controversial chemicals, which make it a water-resistant varnish.  In fact, nail polish is extremely flammable and emits fumes.  In landfills, it can leak harmful toxins into the soil and water...all red flags that should make you question how safe nail polish actually is.  Although nail polish in general can pose health risks, natural products pose fewer and come in many of the same pretty colors :)

Product Recommendation:  Zoya Nail Polish ($8 at Ulta)


3.  Deodorant

Attention women!  A recent study conducted by the Journal of Toxicology found that 99% of women with breast cancer had at least one type of paraben present in their breast tissue.  Why?  Drugstore deodorants often contain either parabens, which mimic estrogens in the body as well as aluminum.  In addition, many breast cancers develop in the area that is close to the armpit, where the large pores can absorb anti-perspirants.  In general, these parabens and aluminum can be dangerous, but on your armpits, you are putting yourself even more at risk.  Keep in mind that the study was preliminary, did not consider how many parabens were present in non-cancerous tissue, and did not actually prove any causal link.  But, my philosophy is better safe than sorry!

Product Recommendation:  Desert Essence Dry by Nature Deodorant ($6.25 at Whole Foods)


4.  Body lotion

Many grocery store body lotions are filled with parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil...yikes!  However, most people end up smoothing this stuff over their entire bodies and allow it to sit on the skin for hours.  Since body lotion is a product that you are exposing your entire body to, you should put extra effort into making sure that your moisturizer is a healthy one.
 
Product Recommendation:  Kiss My Face Moisturizer ($11.95 at drugstores) 


What products do you buy natural?

Tips for Trying and Buying New Products

Buying cosmetics has become quite a high-involvement process and getting your favorite looks can really pricey :(.  Let's just say that I've bought way too many cosmetics throughout the years.  I've learned a few tricks of the trade along the way that I want to share with you to make the process as simple and rewarding as possible. 

A great starting place when looking for a new foundation, toner, eyeliner, etc. is the Sephora website's advanced search engine.  You simply search the product category that you're looking for (i.e. blush) and then you can filter the results by a bunch of different criteria including ingredients preferences, skin type, price range, and age.  This will give you an idea as to some of the products that will work for you.

Once you've narrowed down the selection, the best place to learn more about products that you are curious about trying is brand videos.  Look on YouTube for QVC presentations and brand videos.  You will both hear and see product results.  These videos often explain how to use the product as well as its discuss key features and benefits...in much more detail than a website or a product package.  Next, read consumer reviews on retailer websites and blogs (company website reviews may be controlled by the company) to see if the product is everything that the brand makes it out to be. 

Tips to keep in mind when trying new products: 

1.  Sephora accepts opened and gently used returns with a receipt because they end up using them for testers.  So try it!  If you don't like a product, you can always return it.

2.  Ask for samples.  Most non-drugstore brands offer samples.  Stores like Sephora and Blue Mercury as well as department stores offer samples of their skincare products upon request...just ask a sales associate!  You can also get them from many of the actual company websites.  Some of them will send you samples for free and others ask you to pay a small fee (usually a few dollars) for samples.  Ultimately, products have different levels of effectiveness for different people.  Before you invest in expensive serums and creams, make sure that they work on you.  Samples are a great way to do so.

3.  For those of you, who like to try new products for a friendly price, opt for beauty box subscriptions.  Beauty boxes are the latest beauty craze.  How do they work?  You pay a monthly subscription fee and fill out a profile on the website.  Based on your skin type and beauty needs and interests, the company will send you a customized delivery of deluxe samples from various brands ranging from nail polish to hair dye to lipgloss to eye cream.  Birchbox (only $10/month) is the biggest name in the business right now, but check out this page to see other beauty box options: http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/2012/beauty-sample-services#slide=1.  You can also try Yuzen Box, which specializes in samples of natural products.  The benefits?  No more wasting money on full size products you may only use a few times, and you will discover cool products you wouldn't ordinarily have found yourself.

For the products you know, love, and buy habitually:

1.  Buy online.  If you know what you're shopping for, it can be a lot cheaper to buy your products online.  Retailers like Dermstore and Skinstore often offer 15% off coupons for spending a certain amount, and they ship for free!  They also carry a variety of brands including smaller indy lines found in boutiques, department store brands, and brands from Sephora.  In fact, Beauty.com is the best if you want to order both mass and prestige items.  This means that you can get everything that you need from one place and don't have to visit multiple stores to get your collection of the best products. Remember to look for blowout sales...it's a great opportunity to stock up on the essentials.  Many cosmetics lines do annual sales on discount sites like HauteLook, where they have one-day sales of up to 75% off on their products.  It's a great way to get your hands on expensive products without the hefty price. 

2.  Have you walked into Walgreens to buy your favorite eyeshadow only to find that it's been discontinued?  Drugstore makeup brands have a fixed amount of space on store walls.  Each year, they launch new products, meaning that they need to delete existing products to make space for the new at the walls.  Walls get updated around February of every year.  If you see your products on a permanent mark-down in the fall and winter, it's probably a goner and won't be returning to the wall.  So, stock up while you can!

3.  Get rewarded for your purchases.  Sephora, Ulta, and Blue Mercury have rewards programs, where you receive points for spending money.  If you join, you can receive birthday gifts and coupons.  At Sephora, you can even trade in your points for goodies (I just earned an Origins travel set with a mini eye cream, face wash, anti-aging serum, and SPF moisturizer...perfect for my beach vacation this summer).  Who doesn't love freebies?

Hope that helps!  Any other tips on trying and buying products? 

Finding Your Perfect Foundation

There are so many different foundation products on store shelves.  How do you choose the perfect one?

First, it's important to understand the terms.   

Consistency:  Foundation comes in 3 main forms - cream/stick, powder, and liquid.  Creams tend to be a little bit thicker and generally come in a stick or compact, allowing for more buildable coverage.  If you are only using foundation on certain areas of your face, creams are good, though some formulas may be too heavy for oily skin.  Powder foundations can come in a loose or pressed form.  Although they are often associated with subtle coverage and mattefying properties, there are definitely some powder foundations that are great for dry skin and offer heavier coverage.  Liquid foundations are lotion-like and come in a large variety of different looks and types.

Coverage:  When you're shopping for foundation, check the packaging or ask a sales associate about the level of coverage that a foundation will offer you.  Full coverage products are heavier foundations that conceal the most, while sheer coverage adds only a little bit of color, and medium coverage is somewhere in between.  For those of you, who need foundation to conceal a lot of redness, blemishes, or sunspots, look for a full or medium coverage level.  If you are using foundation to simply even out your complexion, try a product with sheer coverage.

Skin Type:  Some foundations contain oil, while others are oil-free.  If you have oily, combination, or blemish-prone skin, you should

definitely opt for an oil-free foundation.  Non oil-free foundations are ideal for mature or drier skin types.  The majority of people have combination skin, so brands usually like to advertise the fact that a foundation is free of oil.  Thus, unless a foundation says oil-free or water-based, you can assume that it does contain some type of oil.  

Finish:  Foundations have 1 of 3 finishes.  A matte finish will leave you will a powdered, shine-free, porcelain look like Kate Middleton

or Taylor Swift.  Alternatively, a dewy finish will give you a luminous and shimmer-like glow.  For example, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez or Hayden Panettierre often wear foundation with a dewy finish.  If you want to achieve a dewy finish, a liquid foundation will be your best bet.  Lastly, a satin finish is somewhere in between and perhaps the most natural-looking, offering a slight and subtle glow.  Jennifer Aniston rocks this look a lot.  Check out Mila Kunis with her satin finish on the red carpet.    

...keeping this in mind - I've created a little diagram with some product suggestions for different combinations of these factors to help you find a great product for your individual needs.  Websites like Temptalia also make some great tools for finding foundation.  The only difference with this one is that all of the products that I have listed are paraben and phthalate-free.  Yay!  I haven't tried all of them, so I can't attest to their level of effectiveness (how long-lasting it is, if it's easy to apply, etc.).  But I have tried many great foundations, which I tried to include in this post.

For those of you, who like sheer coverage, you can always try an airbrush foundation.  Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam ($9.99) is a great drugstore buy, or try Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation ($26).  These products have air incorporated into them so that they feel super light-weight. 


Since everyone's skin is different, the efficacy level of each foundation will vary with each person.  Hopefully, now you a starting place when it comes to finding a great foundation and a better idea of what to look out for!

Make Your Makeup Last All Day Long

What do heat, cold, humidity, the wind, physical activity, and oil production have in common?  They can all wear and tear on our makeup, leading to creasing, caking, and fading.  Yuck!  Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to preserve your morning face throughout the day.  Check it out:

Seal:  Sometimes, when I opt for a softer look or a liner that I can blend with my eyeshadow, I use a pencil liner or dark eyeshadow as a liner.  These techniques help me achieve a nice look, but by the end of the day, there's barely any liner left on my eyes.  The best way to give it the staying power of a liquid liner is by sealing any pencil or powder liner with a shadow-to-liner potion.  Companies like Makeup Forever and Bare Escentuals make this product, which comes in a squeeze bottle and instantly turns your powder eyeshadow into a liquid liner.  How does it work?  You simply squeeze a drop of the solution into your eyeshadow, rub the area with your eyeliner brush, and then apply it to your eyes.  Personally, I've found that using these products in this way isn't very effective.  The solution ends up diluting the color and making the liner watery and difficult to apply.  Furthermore, these products damage your eyeshadow so that you can't ever use it as an eyeshadow again.  Instead, I like to apply my eyeshadow or pencil liner and then apply the solution over it as a seal, which is why I love the Too Faced Liquif-Eye Eyeliner ($16.20 on www.toofaced.com).  Rather than a squeeze bottle, it comes in a tube with a wand so that you can use it brush the solution over your liner.  You can also use the Too Faced seal over smudge-prone pencil liners.

Primers:  Before you apply your eyeshadow, smooth some eyeshadow primer over your lid.  Primer acts as a sticky surface for your makeup to hold onto.  You'll find that you won't have to touch up your eye makeup as often and less eyeshadow particles will fall onto your face or into your eyes during applications.  Some formulas can be a little watery, so I use the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer ($20 at Sephora).  It has a great, creamy formula and comes with a wand for easy application.  And the formula is paraben and phthalate-free!  The same goes for the rest of your face.  Before you apply your foundation, add some face primer.  Similar to eyeshadow primer, face primer will help your foundation or powder cling to your skin and hold it on for longer.  Face primers leave your skin with a velvety finish, which makes it easier to smooth makeup over your face  (less pulling on your skin = fewer signs of aging).  Even if you don't wear complexion correcting makeup, you can wear a primer over your moisturizer.  Many primers create a skin protecting barrier and help even out your skin tone.  My favorite primer is the silky, oil-free Alison Raffaele Face Forward Primer with SPF 15 ($44 on www.alisonraffaele.com). It works well by prepping my skin for makeup and keeping it looking fresh all day long.  Another plus is that it offers some great skin benefits with mineral SPF, the poweful frutta di vita antioxidant protection complex, and anti-aging peptides.  Like all Alison Raffaele products, the primer formula is natural and toxin-free.

Setting Powder:  "Setting your face" is like sealing your face.  Foundations and concealers are sticky so that they stick to your face (obviously).  It makes sense...but that means that it can also stick to your face and clothes throughout the day.  Setting powders are usually

loose, colorless powders that give your foundation and concealer something to hold it onto so that it does not decide to grab onto your hands or clothes throughout the day.  Another function of setting powder is to absorb oil, which can cause makeup to crease or cake.  Since setting powders are clear, you can apply it over blush, highlighter, and bronzer and reapply it over your makeup during the day to get rid of excess oil that has developed.  Remember to apply some around your eye area to keep your under-eye concealer and eyeshadow from traveling.  You can use colored powders to set your skin, but they are often not as effective.  Any powders with pigment will have larger particles and a creamier feel.  This means that they will help hold your makeup throughout the day, but they are also more likely to cake and less able to absorb oil than an actual setting powder.  Look for talc-free formulas like the Alison Raffaele Transparent Finish Powder ($28 on www.beauty.com). 

Setting Spray:  Complete your look with a setting spray.  The two main ones on the market are made by Urban Decay and Makeup Forever.  Be careful!  The Make Up For Ever one contains parabens, so I prefer the Urban Decay All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($29 at Sephora), which also comes in different varieties for various skin concerns.  It also sprays nicer than the Makeup Forever one does.  Different sprays work to protect your makeup differently.  The Urban Decay one lowers the temperature of your makeup to shield it from environmental stressors like heat or cold to prevent your makeup from caking or fading. 

In addition to these products, make sure that you hydrate hydrate hydrate!  Your skin will lose moisture during the day.  Makeup relies on moisture from your skin to stay on.  Many foundations actually work by pulling moisture from your skin and begin to cake can when your skin starts running low on water.  Start off each morning by moisturizing your face - a moisturized face will also help your makeup stick when you apply it.  To replenish your moisture reserve during the day, spritz your face with some Evian Mineral Water Spray ($12 at Sephora) every few hours.  It's especially refreshing in the summer, and you can even spray it over makeup.