Weekend Beauty: Makeup Miscellanea - New Discoveries

Discovery 1: Jouer Cosmetics. A new name to me, a line created by "makeup stylist" Christina Zilber. The favorite within the line- Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Wind, a nude beige-pink, a little softer than NARS's Orgasm. Might actually be another "universal" shade that suit "everybody". I apply it over Jouer's Lip Enhancer, "a nourishing and conditioning lip treatment with clinically proven Maxi-Lip™ to naturally increase the fullness of your lips while decreasing fine lines". I don't know if it is actually working, I'll report when the required 29 days have passed, if my cosmetics ADD does not flare up, but usually I wipe things like that off almost involuntary ("what's this grease on my lips?!"), and Jouer's actually does not feel "heavy" at all. I also like Mineral Powder Blush in Rose, a dusty rose shade; the Powder Eyeshadows in Pink Champagne, Amaretto and Chocolate and Cream Eyeshadow in Cashmere. The latter is good for those "I have nothing on, I am just naturally this dewy and sparkly" kinds of makeups. The fun (albeit gimmicky) thing about Jouer packaging is that containers can be attached to one another thus allowing you to create your own "palette" (which, when everything is attached, becomes too bulcky for the handbag, but whatever). Price range: $14.00-$24.00. Available at jouercosmetics.com and Henri Bendel. Discovery 2: an everything-proof eye-liner, Ink Artliner in Indigo Charm by Lancome. And I mean, everything-and-anything-proof. Hysterical "I don't care how I look right now, I will wipe my eyes with my hands if I want to" kind of sobbing, diving, sweating, you name it, it can withstand it. It stays on even when you WANT to wash it off. Yes, one of those "panda-eyes after repeated washing" products, but hey, it is great for a somewhat softer (because it is blue, not black) take on the Babette look that I seem to be drawn to 60% of the time, and it is indispensable in the heat of summer, on a vacation (to those of us who just have to wear at least some makeup on a beach) and for persons prone to chronic tearfulness. The latter wouldn't be me, of course. Available wherever Lancome is sold, $23.50. Discovery 3: Isomers Fast Lift Eye Serum. Also indispensable for the dramatic types, who toss and turn or cry or indeed party all night but want to look in the morning fresher and smoother than Bar Rafaeli. It has the more immediate smoothing effect than my previously beloved Chanel Precision. I don't know (yet) how it would prove itself long-term, and I might not be the best subject for such experiments, because I mostly remember to use it only after I've been, um, dramatic. Which, I suppose, is often enough, actually. Sold at shopnbc.com, for a very reasonable $25.75. Discovery 4: a rather perfect tinted moisturizer, Dr. Denese HydroShield Tinted Moisturizer in Medium. I struggle with moisturizers in general, as everything feels too heavy to me, and with tinted ones in particular, because it is impossible to find a suitable shade. This one is quite perfect (it "self-adjusts", you know), feels light but nourishing and is SPF 15. One irrelevant complain though, and I might be in the minority here, but I don't like seeing "Dr." on my skincare or makeup products. It makes me feel that I must be looking excessively unwell, so much so that only a prescription treatment would do. Dear future deneses, hauschkas, perricones and brandts, when seen on comsetics packaging, those abbreviations do not impress me much. Only on golden plaques next to neurosurgeons' names. HydroShield Tinted Moisturizer is available at drdenese.com, $27.50. What new products did you discover lately? Do share!