Daytime makeup should be simple and quick. I have several products that I use for a flawless palate for day or light evening makeup.
*NOTE: These are products that I use and like. It’s not an endorsement just sharing some thoughts.
Smashbox has the best primers I have used. The Anti-Shine primer does exactly what it says, stops the shine. I use it to keep my oily skin from getting too shiny on humid HK summer days. The Photo Finish Primer is also a great option for a smooth skin look and comes in different formulations for varying types of skin (including oil-free). Smashbox also makes a wonderful series of intuitive lip glosses, with the original O-gloss being my favorite. It’s light but not sticky and tastes, well like nothing really, which is nice in a lip gloss.
For foundation, I am currently in love with tarte‘s Re-Create Natural Anti Aging Foundation. It glides on well, especially on top of the primer. It also has all important SPF 15. Tarte also makes a wonderful daytime mascara they call lash-hugger, eco friendly natural mascara. The wand works well to evenly distribute the formula. It’s not too thick so it works well for work/daytime lashes.
For a little more drama on the lashes, I have recently been using Maybelline‘s Lash Stilleto Ultimate Length Mascara. It’s thicker with a brush that coats the lashes well enough to really make them stand out.
MAC makes some of my cosmetic box faves including their Blot Pressed Powder and Select Moisture Cover concealer. A few months ago I added their eye shadow no. 201, Nylon to the mix as an under eyebrow brightener and it does a great job!
WHERE TO PURCHASE:
Unfortunately Smashbox has condensed all of their retail outlets and moved to Langham Place in Mong Kok. For someone who rarely leaves The Island like myself, it’s a long way to go for a little tube of primer but I still think it is worth it.
I have not found any retail outlets in Hong Kong that sell tarte yet so for now I continue to buy it online. Sephora.com is my favorite place to shop for cosmetics online. It is entirely North American centric however as Sephora only ships to the US and Canada and purchases must be made with a credit card from the same country. They should really do something about that!
I continue to have a love / hate relationship with MAC. They make great products and have retail outlets all over Asia. And yet for some reason, they refuse to stock any of the darker colors of their range in the Asia-Pacific region. (I’ve looked in Singapore and Australia). I’ve contacted MAC about their dis-equitable distribution policies and never received a satisfying reply, so for now my powders and concealer, I buy them at the MAC retail outlets in Europe or North America and continue to hope that MAC will realize that there are darker people in Asia?
August 9th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
I love Smash Box Photo Finish. It is really hard to find in Australia so once mine finishes I am going to be devastated!
August 10th, 2011 at 12:22 am
There are a few retailers who sell Smashbox in Australia and hopefully they will expand in that market soon. http://www.smashbox.com/Store-Locator
Or you can try Amazon as many of the vendors have international shipping.