Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ask Marissa…Tinted Moisturizers with Good Coverage

Jane Doe: What’s a good tinted moisturizer that still has decent coverage?

Me: I have 2 tinted moisturizers that I LOVE! The first one is MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15. It gives great light to moderate coverage while providing 8 hours of time released moisture. It really evens out my skin tone and has a natural finish so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing any makeup. I love this product because while it perfects the look of my skin, it also protects and prevents my skin from environmental damage and aging. It’s water based, so it’s safe for all skin types.

My second favorite is Lioele Whitening & Wrinkle Care BB Cream SPF 30 (or Triple the Solution BB Cream on some websites). This is a Korean tinted moisturizer that contains ingredients like yogurt and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin soft and moisturized, and a high SPF to prevent sun damage and aging. This has medium coverage ans makes my skin look flawless. Since I started wearing this, I get so many compliments on my skin.

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Pure Vitamin C

Freelancing for a wedding last week really opened my eyes to a truth I thought I wouldn’t realize for at least another 4 years; I’m aging. We all are. Everyday. The whole day I thought the bridal party was my age. They were young and fun and radiant. Later that night I asked how old they were, and as it turned out, they were a few ears older than me. Smoking, having 3 kids, living an emotionally stressful life, staying up late, bad eating habits…all of those factors can be read on a woman’s face. Women know that looking 25 is very different from 29 even though it’s only a 4 year gap. At that moment I decided it was time to step up my skincare from basic prevention to early correction. Aging is inevitable and irreversible, but it can be slowed down, and it can be corrected.
After expressing my aging concerns, friend of mine who works for Kiehl’s gave me a sample of their Dermatologist Solutions Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate ($56). I know you all probably think I’m crazy and don’t need an extra-strength anti-wrinkle serum, and you’re right. I don’t. What drew me to this product was the continuous delivery of 10.5% Vitamin C, or L-Ascorbic Acid. Kiehl’s was able to stabilize the highest dose of Vitamin C available without a dermatologist’s prescription. Since my second pregnancy, I’ve been looking for a product that gave retinol results without the retinol. This Concentrate tested the same against retinol without the sensitivity and irritation. That means this is a safe anti-aging treatment for pregnant women.
So why would a 25 year old need this? Vitamin C (aside from correcting wrinkles) improves skin texture and radiance; my 2 main concerns. Since using this Line-Reducing Concentrate, I noticed a brighter, more youthful complexion. I look healthy and energized. I actually feel like I look my age.

Eye Serum

You can wear this serum day and night under a moisturizer. I suggest wearing a SPF of at least 15 on top of the Concentrate because of the rapid exfoliation taking place. There is also a formula available for the eye area, which I also love. Your eyes are where you see the first signs of aging, so I highly recommend the Dermatologist Solutions Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate ($40) as well.

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – Cream Blush is All You Need!

These days, the average woman is on the go all day long. Whether you are a student or a carpool mom, there is always somewhere we have to be. Most days I don’t even wear makeup, but sometimes while I’m driving around I’ll get a call that sounds something like:
 “Hey, Hunny. I left my phone charger at home, can you drop it off?”
or
 “Hey, Marissa! I need you to come to work and sign some papers.”
I’m not trying to go to my husband’s office looking all haggard, or to my job looking like everything BUT a makeup artist. So I always have two things in my purse: face powder and cream blush. You don’t need powder if you don’t have oily or blemished skin, but I keep it just in case.
The real must have is cream blush! You can use it to add a natural flush to your cheeks, brighten your eyes, and add color to your lips. Cream blushes are truly an all-in-one freshen upper.

Favorites:
M.A.C. Blushcream ($18.50)
Lancome Color Design Blush ($27) Hurry! These are being discontinued!
Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick ($18.50)

Now enjoy my mini tutorial on how you can quickly apply cream blush no matter wear you are!

Crafty Crafting Mama!

I’m so excited about the release of Crafting Mama in October, that I decided to post all my favorite Cooking Mama inspired crafts. The first one is for sale on etsy.com, but the rest are posts from craftster.org and flickr pics. Everyone loves Mama, but these talented people show just how much.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParadoxArtistry

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=242410.0

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=346682.msg4036280#msg4036280

And these are awesome, but I’m not allowed to post them:

Cooking Mama Costume
Bento Lunch
Perler (melty) beads
Sculpey Mama

Craftster.org is hosting craft challenge for a chance to win Crafting Mama and Craftser swag! Visit the site for more details.