Beauty With Grace

First what are BB Cushions? 

BB Cushions are essentially just BB creams soaked in a sponge like cushion that is placed inside a portable compact.  All cushions come with a special air puff that you use to apply the cushion to your face. This makes applying and carrying around BB Cushions a breeze. 

How do you apply?

When applying any type of cushions it's very important to use a patting motion, think pushing the product into your face.  Because BB Cushions are infused with skincare ingredients most creams tend to be very creamy and if applied in a tradtional sliding motion it will leave streaks on the face.  

Are BB Cushions for all skin types?

There are many type of BB Cushions catered to all skin types now and luckily as the trend has become popular all over the world more companies are now coming out with a wider range of shades.  There are also cushions that are "Matte" for oilier skin and "Moisturizing" for dry skin types and also cushions that fall in between the matte and moisturizing for skin types that are not quite dry or oily...ME.  My skin is quite complicated. I have your typical combination skin (oily in the center and dry on the sides) but during the harsh winter months I also deal with severe dehydration which causes my skin to flake and shed, not pretty at all.  

HERA UV Mist Cushion!

Now as a makeup artist it is a part of my job to try new makeup trends and products (wonderous I know =)). For my brides, I try to steer clear of any type of BB creams as they all contain spf and spf at high levels, which is not the best for bridal makeup due to the flashback the sunscreen components can cause. But my clients do ask about what they can use on a daily basis and as a person who doesn't like to wear heavy makeup myself BB creams are amazing. Skincare, SPF and Cover in one product sounds like a dream. And to hear that it now came in a easy to carry and use cushion form sounded like a dream.  So I tried a number of them and I had yet to find any that I had fallen in love with that I could recommend to my clients. My main issue was that most of them felt like an oil slick by midday and the more matte versions clung to my dry patches and looked too patchy and cakey by midday.

But I am so happy to say I have found my dream cushion! I have been using the HERA UV Mist Cushion for the past month and I am in love. It gives me the most beautiful coverage without it looking cakey and literally stays put all day without it feeling sticky or oily.  It moisturizes just enough to not accentuate the dry patches and gives me the most beautiful glow from within that I LOVE.  Another bonus is that it feels super cooling as you apply. It is also one of the few Korean cushions that have a color beyond the usual darkest No.23.  The shade I have is the Nude (means natural) No.25 Amber which is a perfect shade for my skin tone.  There is also a Cover version of this same cushion and is supposed to provide a higher coverage. For me the Nude version is just right.   

Just a little info about the cushion from the HERA website.

 A radiant and plump complexion filled with moisture from within

Mineral Clay Water EX, fortified with high-molecular moisturizing ingredients, helps retain moisture in the skin to give a healthy, hydrated skin. Hypertonic Radiance™ technology brings out moisture to the skin's surface to create a plump skin with a dewy glow.

 Enhanced antioxidant effect protects the skin against external irritants

Antioxidants in Smart Vector UV Complex are released when exposed to sunlight.to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface to protect it against external irritants.

 An ultra-fine, lightweight formula that seamlessly glides onto the skin.

Ultrafine Dispersion technology creates a lightweight foundation formula for a seamless and natural-looking coverage. Light Touch Powder, formulated with skin-friendly amino acid, allows a fresh, natural, and translucent coverage.

Where can I buy?

HERA is a brand of AMORE PACIFIC, so if there is a AMORE store around you they should carry the HERA brand of products along with Laneige and Sulwhasoo. This retails for $45 and comes with 1 refill. Online you can find it from ibuybeauti.com, stylekorean.com, peachandlily.com. I bought mine from ibuybeauti.com and only had positive experiences with my orders from them. 

https://www.ibuybeauti.com/product/hera-uv-mist-cushion-spf50pa-with-refill/" target="_blank">http/www.ibuybeauti.com/product/hera-uv-mist-cushion-spf50pa-with-refill/

Below is a Before and After of me wearing the cushion. As you can see the coverage is so natural and glowy. 

Thanks everyone!

Grace

Let's talk Dark Circles.  I get asked so often "Can you cover up my dark circles?".  Almost all of us deal with some form of issue under our eyes, so do not worry you are not alone.  As we all age and life progresses from staying up late and not getting enough sleep to running after children and...not getting enough sleep, we deal with bags and discoloration under our eyes.  One of the biggest issues my clients tell me they have when they try to cover their own circles and discoloration is that they still show through and they look too ashy.  Then I whip out my magic little jar and they give me this aghast look.  It is my VERY orange concealer.  The one I love is the Kryolan dermacolor concealer in D30. 

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The concealer is actually alot brighter in person.  Most of my brides can't believe I am even going to come near them with this bright orance color but once they see what it does they are a believer.  It all goes back to color theory and which colors cancel or neutralize each other.  Most undereye discoloration has a blue undertone and orange is what with neutralize that tone to really cover up those circles.  It also does a great job of brightening up the area.  After I color correct with this concealer I go over with a skin toned concealer and Voila! magic. Below is a client I recently worked on and you can see what a difference proper color correcting can make.

If there are any other questions please leave your comments below!

These past few weeks have made all of us Northeast residents feel like we are in a giant Snowglobe and Elsa is shaking the globe while laughing and playing a cruel joke on us all.  I, like everyone else can not wait for the spring weather to finally be here and leave behind this winter mess.  The winter can have some of us feeling a bit down but it can also wreak havoc on our skins. The combination of cold winds and dry indoor heat can make even the softest skin feel quite parched.  As peak wedding season is coming upon us, I get asked ALOT by my brides how to best prep their skin for their upcoming nuptials.  My number one recommendation is to find a great skin care therapist and get on a facial program.  This is best if you have a few months before the actual wedding date as you want to make sure how your skin will react after getting a thorough cleansing facial.  But below are some products that are my number one go to products to combat those winter skin woes for your upcoming nuptials.

1. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils $37

Soap free cleansers are always the way to go but during the winter months a great cleansing oil is the best way to thoroughly remove any dirt and makeup without irritating your face.  If your skin leans more towards the oilier side I would recommend cleansing with a soap free foaming cleanser such as my favorite Cerave Foaming Cleanser. 

2. Biologique Recherche P50 lotion $59

By far the BEST acid toner I have ever tried.  An acid toner is a great way to slough off the dull, dry skin patches and even out skin tone.  Just make sure not to overdue it as the skin can react negatively.  I would suggest starting off with using an acid toner once a day at night.

3. La Roche Posay Effaclar duo (Made in US) $36.95

If you suffer from minor breakouts this gel is the perfect combo of lactic acid and benzoyl peroxide.  There are 2 versions one made in France and the other in the US, personally I have found the one made in the US to be more effective for keeping my occasional acne at bay. The difference is the US version contains Benzoyl peroxide and the one made in France does not.

4. Laneige Water Sleeping Pack $23

This gel cream does a seriously amazing job of keeping my parched skin feel moist without feeling oily.  I apply this 4 times a week during my night time routine.

5. Skinfood Honey Black Sugar Mask Scrub $18

This scrub is another winner! The sugar scrubs do not feel harsh on the skin and the honey leaves skin feeling so soft!

6. Clinique Moisture surge spray $22

A moisture spray that you can carry around with you in your bag and spray on your face to keep you feeling fresh and moisturized throughout the day

7. Rosebud Salve $6

This is another one of those staples in my kit, keeps the lips feeling so soft but if your like me and have hands that look like its been through some tough times because of all the handwashing, this is a lifesaver for those chapped knuckles!

If you have any beauty questions, feel free to leave a comment below!