GEEKISTA | STYLE

Slightly Obsessed: Za Cosmetics

I discovered Za Cosmetics (parent company: Shiseido) while overseas in Asia since shelves of the brand’s lipsticks, concealers, BB creams, foundations and more seemed to line the walls of every corner drugstore. I’m a huge fan of drugstore beauty products, ones by Asian brands even more so because of the quality: they tend to be gentler on skin but yield rich pigments. Also, their names crack me up. Below are a few products that have me going “rah-rah” for Za.

Cheeks Groovy in Apricot Pink.See what I said about the names? It’s a subtle peachy color that’s similar to a Covergirl Cheekers color (I forget the name) but with stronger pigment. Think somewhere between Cheekers and MAC’s Sheertone Blush in Peaches.

Cheeks Groovy in June Bride. A subtle highlighter that I wrote about in a previous post on my favorite highlight hues. I haven’t put this one to the (camera) test yet but it’s so pearly and pretty, I couldn’t resist picking it up.

Groovy Smoovy Oil-Blotting Powder. Again with the names. A light hand with this translucent powder blots away shine with staying power comparable to Make-Up Forever’s HD Microfinish Powder. Use too much, though, and it can come off opaque which is why I don’t use the mini powder puff that came with it, opting for a small powder brush to apply product instead. But gosh darnit, is that mini-puff cute.

Concealer Perfection in #2. This is hands-down my favorite Za find. Enriched with Vitamin E, the formula yields full coverage and blends easily with a rich smooth finish. I usually squeeze a drop on an empty palette or on the back of my hand, pick up color with a small concealer brush and dab, then smooth it out with a wedge sponge lightly spritzed with lavender water.

To BB or Not to BB?

Through all of my beauty shopping jaunts in Southeast Asia last year, there was one product I just couldn’t pull the trigger on, despite basically being in the motherland where it was born: BB cream. It seems that every beauty brand, from the high-end counter brands to cheapie drugstore ones, has a BB cream out. Of course, this all-in-one combination primer-sunscreen-foundation-blemish treatment-skin smoother has been hugely popular in Asia for decades before making it over stateside.

Yet, I hold out. Work days tend to be filled with pore-clogging maquillage, hot lights and long hours, so on days I’m not in front of the camera, I tend to be gentle to my skin. As much as I’m a total beauty product junkie, I’m still a minimalist at heart. An everyday look usually consists of sunscreen-moisturizer, some concealer (maybe), dark brown eyeliner and mascara.

Recently, I was flipping through a magazine and one of those coupon-sample cards popped out, the ones that contain a little sample of some product under plastic flap on one side and usually some kind of promo or coupon on the other. I’m a sample hound and decidedly not too cool to rub some magazine parfum on my wrists, so of course I tried out Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB Cream sample in Light/Medium. Verdict? Impressed. Just a smidge matte-ified my troublesome t-zone and provided adequate coverage for my undereye area.

So, this little test has me more and more tempted to jump on the BB bandwagon. Could it be the ultimate lazygirl’s beauty product? I’ve even read some fellow on-camera ladies swearing by it for work, using it in place of traditional foundation.

Have you BB’d? What are some of your favorite brands? What do you like the most about it?

Product Review: Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 40

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you know that I’m a Shiseido-holic. Before discovering Shiseido’s Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 40 for Face/Body, I was a huge fan of the iconic beauty brand’s Oil-Free UV Protector for Face (SPF 42). The formula was thin and liquid-ey with smooth finish.

In comparison, the Protection Cream is considerably thicker in consistency and when applied comes off way more opaque. I found myself really having to blend it into my skin as to avoid that lovely “ghostface” look. I have a lot of faith in Shiseido products, opaque residue factor notwithstanding, so I’ll stick with it until I run out. Why? Because I’m stubborn and have drunk the Kool-Aid of the storied Asian beauty line. With the thickness of the formula, it might be one of those “little goes a long way” products - and I’m not opposed to that.

Only the Highlights

Mastering the use of highlighter is like mastering contouring: it’s one of those simple make-up techniques that can make a world of difference when it comes to adding definition to, illuminating, or hiding the flaws on your face. I’m a huge fan of a good, golden highlighting powder or liquid to either bring out my cheek bones or add a dewy finish to my make-up. Below are a few presently in my make-up kit (and one from the past) that will have you going for the glow.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

I picked this up when I was overseas at the end of last year, partly because I got a 20% “tourist’s discount” and Topshop in LA hadn’t opened yet. It yields a strong gold tone that works great for a night out but I avoid using it on-camera: It’s a little too bold and risks looking greasy.

LORAC Perfectly Lit OIl-Free Luminizing Powder in Radiant

This one’s my go-to for adding a little glow when I’m getting camera-ready. At over $30 for a compact, it’s on the pricier side but a little goes a long way. Apply with a fine angled blush brush on the top part of the cheekbones for a radiant glow that isn’t greasy.

Revlon SkinLights Instant Skin Brightener in 03 Warm Light (DISCONTINUED)

Alas, a personal favorite that is no longer. I’ve yet to find a liquid luminizer that can be mixed in with my foundation for a dewy finish. If anyone has any suggestions, I’m open!

L’Oreal Bare Naturale All-Over Mineral Glow in #432 Nude Glow

Pros: It definitely illuminates and gives a strong glow on jawbones and cheekbones. Cons: the formula is on the sparkly side which makes it more suited for use on the arms, legs and decolletage instead of the face, and the brush it comes with picks up way more color than necessary. Passable if you’re looking for a drugstore highlighter.

Za Cosmetics Cheeks Groovy in June Bride

When I was in Asia, I discovered Za Cosmetics, a drugstore line akin to Cover Girl. Naturally, I loaded up on products, including this highlighter. In the compact, it looks white-ish and opaque but yields a very very subtle highlight. Good for use in the center of the brow bone for a subtle sheen and sparkle.

Slightly Obsessed: The Body Shop’s Honey Bronze Lip Nectar in Honey Bunch

I spent last weekend in the Bay Area celebrating a college best friend’s birthday. And while she was the birthday girl, she gifted me with this perfect-for-spring lip gloss because the color wasn’t quite right on her. The sheer peachy-coral finish means I can wear it alone over some balm or layer it over a matte lipstick. Either way, I’ll be pairing it with many a bronzed eyelid this season.

Slightly Obsessed: Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector

Ever since I decided to start wearing sunscreen on my face every day, I’ve been on a slightly obsessive hunt for the perfect one. This has been going on for years. For me, a “perfect” formula is one that is not oily or greasy, doesn’t have an overwhelming “SPF”-ey smell (the kind that reminds you of long days at the pool; also, stings your eyes) and doesn’t yield a chalky geisha face e.g. blends easily and blends well. Lately, I’ve been using Shiseido’s Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. While modest in stature and not so much in price (although, once again, may I point you in the direction of your nearest TJ Maxx where you can find this stuff at a massively reduced price point), it’s not greasy and boasts an impressive SPF of over 40 (!!) - a rarity when it comes to face sunscreens!

I might be becoming a bit of a Shiseido product junkie. The first step is admitting, though. My name is Audrey and I might be a Shiseidoholic.

Joining the Cult: the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

I’m always iffy about picking up products with a cult following. I’ve never owned the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette or NARS Orgasm blush, and have been pretty thumbs sideways on Maybelline mascara (the waterproof kind that comes in the pink tube). I’ve never splurged on red Chanel lipstick or on YSL’s Touche Eclat, although I totally get the appeal of the latter having had it used on me for a shoot. Paying three digits for La Mer cream (sorry, “creme”) has always struck me as a bit silly, especially when I can score Shiseido overnight creams for a fraction of the price at T.J. Maxx if I’m shopping on the right day, the “right day” meaning a day someone else hasn’t jacked it first. There are times, though, when joining the cult has paid off - see below for my experience with Make Up Forever’s HD Microfinish Powder.

Ever since Shu Uemura shuttered its bricks-and-mortar stores in the U.S. two years ago, I’ve always wondered about how I would nab that ever-lauded Eyelash Curler. Yes, capital letters because an Eyelash Curler that’s mentioned by name in Devil Wears Prada probably deserves capitals. After years of consideration and “should I order it online or shouldn’t I”-ing, I pulled the trigger during a stop in Singapore (where they still have the bricks-and-mortar stores! Yay!) recently and am glad to say, it pays to join this cult. This gizmo fits almost perfectly to my eye shape and yields a pretty impressively sturdy curl, not an easy feat with my super wimpy, straight lashes. It’s one of those gadgets that you want to keep clean all the time and eye-gunk free because, again, it’s that Eyelash Curler. Capitals.

Next up, Naked palette? Maybe?