Clinique Laboratories Expert Tips Videos

Check out the Expert Tips and Trends videos I did with Clinique. You can’t see me in the video, but you can see my hands! And maybe learn some makeup tips too. http://www.clinique.com/cms/expert_tips_trends/how_to/video_makeup.tmpl

Here’s what I like: Clinique is very strict about using only Clinique while filming—no false advertising. Everything you see is what a Clinique product will do. And this is HD video. No PhotoShop or alterations. What you see is what you get. I admire and am proud to be a part of that kind of integrity.

How to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Young

Did you know that 90% of aging is from the environment and sun? And sun protection is not just preserving your skin, it also can protect your health, your life! It's serious. It’s pretty easy to remember how damaging the sun can be when it’s beating down on you. It’s when it’s cool and cloudy that sometimes you need to worry most—because even if you can’t see it, the sun still creeps through the clouds and damages skin.

Some options for your protection:

Get a moisturizer with SPF. It’s a simple way to protect yourself without worrying about the extra step of adding sunscreen. I recently discovered LaRoche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer. I love that it’s in a tube (easy to pack and hard to break) and it has a nice creamy texture you don’t always get from a moisturizer in a tube.

Use a tinted moisturizer with SPF. It can replace a moisturizer, sunscreen and is a lightweight alternative to foundation—an all-in-one multi-tasker! Try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.

For your body, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock is the best! I put this product on for a long hike and ocean swim in Hawaii. When I got home, the only place the sun got me was where I didn’t apply it! You could see fingerprints where I missed applying to the backs of my shoulder. This sun block is so light and non-greasy you don’t even feel it on your skin.

Give yourself the rule that you will never, ever go out without protection. I always assume that whenever I'm outside, I'm getting damaged. This makes me just paranoid enough to heed my own advice. Do whatever it takes to motivate you.

Smoothing Your Foundation

If you feel like foundation either makes your skin look worse or just doesn't look as good as it used to, here are some tips!Start with Skin Care. Exfoliate and moisturize before using foundation and/or powder. After cleansing and before moisturizing, try Origins' Modern Friction. You’d think I’d learn, but every time I use it I’m surprised how soft my skin feels.

Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream - MakingupBeauty.com

If you have sensitive skin, use Clinique 7-Day Scrub Cream. You might mistake its creaminess for greasiness, but it’s the cream-base that helps make it gentle. And once you feel your skin afterward, you’ll never think “greasy” again. It’s called “7-Day” because it’s gentle enough to use every single day.

Use the Right Formula. Make sure the foundation you choose is right for your skin. If you’re oily, it should be made for oily skin, dry for dry, etc. The right foundation can help balance your skin, make it more comfortable and smooth.

Apply Where Needed. Don’t slather foundation all over your face—apply selectively. Look for areas you want to tone down redness or even out skin. Use your fingertips or a brush to dot onto those areas and then blend out so foundation fades away.

I'm a big believer in exfoliation for lots of reasons - it smoothes and brightens, helps clear pores, helps moisturizer penetrate the skin more easily and makeup wear so much better!

Makeup Your Lifestyle: Get Back That Glow!

I’m a first-time mom. When I was pregnant, I was so tired and bloated, my feet and back hurt…but apparently I did have that glow! (Whatever that is...I wasn't feeling glowy at all.) These days I have to work little harder for it (but less tired and bloated so I'll take the trade-off). No matter what the reason, if you feel you've lost your glow here are some simple ways to get it back: Add Warmth

Dust bronzer on your cheekbones, forehead and under your jaw line. Blend well to ensure you look glow-y, not makeup-y. Most bronzers will work, but if you’re worried about turning orange, try tarte’s Mineral Powder Bronzer…it actually looks bronze, not copper. Not orange. Not red. Bronze.

Illuminate

Try a tinted moisturizer with a little shimmer. Apply as you would a moisturizer. Then use the bit that’s left in your hands under chin and on your neck (make sure it’s very little or you’ll end up with shimmer on your collar). I love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.

Exfoliate Regularly

Gently buff skin with a scrubby cloth or facial scrub to remove that top dead layer of skin. Unlike skin care products that can sometimes take weeks to see a difference, this will immediately give you softer, smoother skin.

If you’re wondering if you have a dead layer of skin, you do. Everyone does. When you’re young, dead skin sloughs itself off on its own. As you get older it wants to hang around. Completely normal and natural - but you don't have to  be robbed of your your natural glow. It's already there, just waiting to be revealed.

This is a picture of my friend Pamela, who always looks so glowy. Plus this picture is from her wedding so everyone must have been telling her she was a "glowing bride." Which she actually was. 

Always In A Hurry Makeup

I’m a makeup artist who loves putting makeup on others, but usually don’t have time and/or can’t be bothered for myself. So if you’re always on the go, here are tips to make you quick: Look for All-in-One Products. A tinted moisturizer saves time by combining moisturizer, foundation, and usually SPF too—in one swoop. It’s also sheerer than a foundation so you don’t have use precise application. Try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20.

Products like NARS The Multiple can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips. I just use my fingertip to apply and blend—application takes less than a minute.

Try Lip Gloss Instead of Lipstick. Like a tinted moisturizer, a gloss’ sheerness can be applied quickly and easily (i.e., without a mirror) and still look good. I like Eve Pearl Kisses of Pearl Lip Gloss because it’s really light and comfortable on lips (as opposed to gloppy and sticky).

For some, makeup doesn't much of a difference. I am not one of those. So if you think of any other all-in-one products, please share for those of us who would benefit but often won't take the time to do much more than one product!

Moisturizing Into Fall

Summer is disappearing (or has disappeared, depending on where you live) into the cool crispness of fall. And as the weather changes, your skin does too! Some fall skin tips: Moisturize to the Season. Skin gets drier as the weather cools, so you may need additional moisture. If you’re oily and worried a heavier cream will break you out, use an oil-free hydrator, such as Clinique Moisture Surge under your regular moisturizer. Likewise, if your skin is normal or dry, look for one made for drier skin. Most moisturizers are specified by skin type.

Adjust Your Foundation. If you wear foundation, it’s time check if it’s the right formula. Like a moisturizer, your foundation needs to fit your current skin condition. If you're using the wrong formula, it won't wear well. And who wants bad foundation? Nobody.

Drink, drink, drink. Water hydrates so skin plump and more comfortable. So if your skin is dry, drink up! (I also feel out of sorts when dehydrated so it keeps me from being grumpy too). Because it's good for you in so many ways, I am a little obsessed about drinking water...but that's a story for another day.