Makeup By Kim Porter

See what skincare necessities you need to make it through this Fall/Winter

During the fall and winter months, when it’s particularly colder, our skin sometimes suffers from dryness, which for most can be avoided if you follow some simple steps in your daily skincare regimen.  These things include:

–           Hydrating your skin both internally and externally with water and moisturizing products,

–          Exfoliating your skin to rid it of built up dead skin cells and eliminates impurities.  Remember to not over exfoliate, which will do more harm than good.

–          Moisturize & use SPF since UV rays are just as damaging in the winter as it is during the summer.  Plus, SPF and a good moisturizer aid in preventing problems caused by aging skin.

–          Protect your skin, especially your hands, feet, nails and cuticles where dry, cracking skin can be painful and lead to infections.  Plus, dry, cracked lips and cuticles just aren’t cute.

To help our skin fight the good fight against the cold weather in the upcoming fall and winter months, I’ve compiled a list of skincare items that have been on heavy rotation.  Some products are staples, and some are newbies to my skincare team, but that doesn’t make them any less important to helping the cause.

 

Cold Weather Skincare Necessities
with
First Aid Beauty, Urban Spa, Mario Badescu

 

 

Body

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus  Foaming Milk & Body Wash

-This body wash is super cream AND moisturizing, and it smells divine.  I use this with shower gloves to exfoliate my skin to make it softer, and smooth like a baby’s bottom, and with a  back brush while showering.

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Butter

–          Super moisturizing, and not heavy.

Face

First Aid Beauty Cleanser

This lightweight, creamy, moisturizing cleanser gently whisks away dirt and impurities without stripping your skin.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

–          I use this as a toner after cleansing my skin in the morning and evening,  and to set my makeup.  Read my review here

First Aid Beauty 5-in-1 Face Cream SPF 30

–          This is a lightweight moisturizer with SPF 30 that isn’t heavy or greasy, and is non-comedogenic.  It protects and diminishes visible signs of aging, too!

Aveeno Postively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

-I mostly use this at night, but it does help on those days when I was a bad girl, and didn’t drink enough water, and my skin is just dry, so I’ll use it in the morning and evening to whip my skin back into shape.

Lips

Carmex

– My lips, especially during the colder months have a love affair with carmex.  I prefer it in the pot, but, recently, since Walgreen’s had a sale, I picked up the tube.  It keeps your lips soft, soothes and heals, and it has SPF.

– If your lips are extremely dry and flakey, it’s also good to exfoliate with a mixture of sugar in the raw, olive oil and a drop of lemon juice.   I sometimes use grapeseed oil, too.

Hands/Nails

MAVALA Cuticle Cream

–          For me, when it gets cold, my cuticles really suffer.  They become dry, and sometimes split. OUCH!  Lately, I’ve been using the MAVALA Cuticle cream at night, and I have definitely seen a difference.  My nails are healthier, and I have no hangnails or dry cuticles.

KIEHL’S Since 1851 Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

I tend to wash my hands often, and the colder weather doesn’t make it any easier to keep my hands moisturized.  This KIEHL’S Since 1851 Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, even though it doesn’t smell too hot – it smells like a salve – it works wonders.  Soft hands, soft cuticles, it’s a winner in my book.

 

What skincare and beauty products do you religiously use during the cold, fall and winter months?

Celebrate your individual beauty with tarte cosmetics beauty without boundaries

tarte beauty without boundaries

I love tarte cosmetics, especially their mascaras and brushes! I’m more than happy to announce their Today’s Special Value (TSV) on QVC coming up on September 24, 2013 featuring the beauty without boundaries collection.

With tarte’s beauty without boundaries collection, the everyday woman will have the opportunity to achieve a flawless, natural look using the best of what tarte has to offer included in an 8-piece collection for $59.96 item #: A236677.  The beauty without boundaries collection, valued at over $214 included the following items in chic, fashion-forward makeup bag:

1. dual-sided diffuser concealer brush (retail price $28)

For youthful-looking eyes, pick up the perfect amount of product using the lighter side of the brush and apply to your under eye area.  Then, use the darker side of the brush to smooth and blend for a flawless, crease-free finish.

2. NEW: BB tinted undereye corrector (retail price $32)

This multitasking nutrient rich concealer evens skin tone instantly, moisturizes, and balances skin texture, while working overtime to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Shades: Fair-light, medium-tan, and deep

3. BB tinted treatment 12-hour primer (retail price $34)

This powerful, skin-perfecting multitasker can be worn alone or as the perfect base for your favorite foundation!

Shades: Fair, light, medium, and tan

4. double ended brush (retail price $36)

For flawless coverage, use the flat side of the brush to lightly dab your BB tinted treatment 12-hour primer on to your face and blend outward for sheer, buildable coverage. Then, use the round end of the brush to target hard-to-reach areas.

5. lights, camera, lashes™ 12-hour waterproof inner rim liner (retail price $22)

Specifically designed for the delicate inner rim, this liner delivers intense, triple-black definition that won’t fade, run, or budge.

Shade: Black

6. lights, camera, lashes™ 12-hour waterproof inner rim liner (retail price $22)

Specifically designed for the delicate inner rim, this liner delivers intense, triple-black definition that won’t fade, run, or budge.

Shade: Black

7. lights, camera, flashes™ statement mascara (retail price $23)

Features a custom-engineered, dual-molded brush to take lashes to the extreme with a 752% increase in lash volume instantly!

Shade: Black

 

Set your reminders, and alarms for September 24th for the beauty without boundaries QVC exclusive from tarte cosmetics!

Backstage Harlem’s Fashion Row SS ’14: ESPION Atelier, Kimberly Goldson, and Modahnik

Fashion Week Harlems Fashion Row

 


One of the items listed on my ’30 before 30’ bucket list was to work backstage during the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.  Guess what? I did it! Under key makeup artist, Ke’Na Marcell for the Harlem’s Fashion Row show for SS’14 on Friday, September 6, 2013.   Harlem’s Fashion Row MB Fashion Week shows showcase talented emerging designers of color.  I had the opportunity to do models makeup for the following designers, who had some really nice pieces:  ESPION Atelier, Kimberly Goldson, and Modahnik.


Model I did for ESPION Atelier
Model I did for ESPION Atelier

 

 
The look for ESPION Atelier featured contoured cheeks, black lips, and on some models for the same designer, a black lip was paired with a strong, samurai brow with a light dusting of silver eye shadow.

Me & one of the models whose makeup I did
Me & one of the models whose makeup I did. Loved her! She was fun & funny as heck!

Kimberly Goldson’s models also had contoured cheeks and a black lip, except with a twist; she opted for green and gold metallic flakes on the center of the top and bottom lips of her models.

 

Metallic Green lip I did on one of Kimberly Goldson's mode's
Metallic Green lip I did on one of Kimberly Goldson’s mode’s

 

Modahnik’s models featured a neutral palette, smoky eyes with tree-like detailing around the eyes.

 

Fashion Week Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Week Harlem's Fashion Row


 

This was truly a  great experience! I can’t wait for more opportunities like this.  Now, I need to get featured in Essence Magazine 🙂

Fashion Week Harlem's Fashion Row

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft collection Fall 2013

Disclosure: Product was provided for review consideration.  All opinions are my own and are 100% honest.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft

One of my favorite cosmetics brands, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics released their 1920’s inspired fall 2013 color collection, moderncraft, using modern cabaret performer, Calpernia Addams as the face of the collection.

moderncraft, features six new fall worthy Lip Tar shades in all three finishes:  original matte, metallic and stained gloss.  It also features six new Nail Lacquers, which are 5-free, and are highly pigmented, long-lasting, and quick drying.

I had the opportunity to view, in-person, all 6 shades of Lip Tar and Nail Lacquers during Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic’s beauty editor’s preview, held at Norwood in New York City.  Norwood definitely captured the dark, modern vibes given off by the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft collection.

 


Miss Calepernia Addams addressing the crowd during the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft preview
Miss Calepernia Addams addressing the crowd during the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft preview

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft


 

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics moderncraft collection Lip Tar shades $18/.33 oz

Role Play (Metallic) – Deep maroon with red pearl

Anita (Matte) – Brown burgundy

Black Metal Dahlia (Metallic) – Blackened burgundy with Red Pearl

Dekadent (Stained Gloss) – Translucent crushed blueberry

Sebastian (Matte) – Plum-toned taupe

Mein Herr (Stained Gloss) – Crème fraiche beige

After swatching each of the above Lip Tar shades on my lips, (check my instagram account MakeupbyKimPorter for pictures) I’ve placed the following as my favorites: Role Play, Black Metal Dahlia, Dekadent, and Mein Heir.

Honestly, David did a really good job with creating these colors for fall. Role Play and Black Metal Dahlia are perfect for a bold, dark lip.  The metallic factor isn’t heavy, so you’re not walking around looking like you have foil on your lips.  They also live up to the claim of longevity.  I wore both all day without re-application, and my lips looked just as good as if I had just applied the lip tar.

If you’ve seen my review of the Lip Tar Stained Gloss in shade New Wave, you know why I love these.  Dekadent goes perfectly over any pink or purplish lipstick, or even alone – just adding a pop of color that isn’t too heavy or conspicuous.  It also makes your lips look luscious.  On days where I am not in the mood for color, Mein Herr is now my go-to lippie.  It’s perfect. It has the right amount of shine, and goes perfectly with my skin tone.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics  moderncraft collection Nail Lacquers – $10 /.05 oz

Man by Man (Metallic) – pearlescent teal green

Lustgarten (Metallic) – warm red metallic

Sebastian (Metallic) – Plum-toned taupe

Black Metal Dahlia (Metallic) – Deep maroon with red pearl

Mein Herr – Crème fraiche beige

Isherwood (Metallic) – Metallic tobacco ebony

As I am not one to wear metallic polishes because I just don’t think they look good on me, if I had to choose any, I would go with Black Metal Dahlia, and Man by Man.  I love dark polishes, in fact, I’m wearing a dark polish at this very moment, and the green, is just gorgeous!

 

The collection is available for purchase on Sephora.com, and in select Sephora stores, and on occmakeup.com.

 

This painting was at the Norwood.  I loved it!

 

Obsessive CompulsiveCosmeticsmoderncraftLove