FASHION WEEK ESSENTIALS

I’m writing these lines from my train seat, literally minutes before crossing the Swiss border (and thus dramatically lacking of 4G connection), so please forgive me for being short on this introduction. Yesterday evening I packed my suitcase for two weeks of Fashion Weeks, I genuinely admire people that plan everything in readiness and not under last-minute stress, but while I pack clothes at the very last moment, my beauty products are things I prepare in advance, carefully thinking of what I might need in my hotel rooms, and what my skin might or might not require during those thrilling-yet-exhausting days (and nights). Here is a little list of reviewed products I like enough to spare them an extra-space in my already overload suitcase.

1

MULTI-ACTIVE YEUX BY CLARINS

“Hectic days, late nights… Stress and lack of sleep can leave the eye area looking dull and tired” sounds like a pre-exams time, or a classic Fashion Week season, right? By launching it’s new Instant eye reviver Clarins definitely got a must-have – this newbie has a gel-texture that is lightweight (what I adore) and penetrates really really fast (ideal for mornings). It’s praised virtues are multiple, the cream is said to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, diminish the signs of fatigue, brighten dark circles, target puffiness, and reveal fresh and bright, wide-awake eyes. Despite the fact that I am not using the product long enough to talk about how good it fights skin aging, I can definitely say that it awakens eyes in an incredible way : from the metallic applicator that instantly cools down the skin, to the gel itself, that contains Burdock extracts (a powerful blood circulation regulator) providing immediate smoothing and de-puffing effects. My personal little miracle.

2

THE SMOOTHER PRIMER BY ESTEE LAUDER 

You don’t know you need a primer until you start using one – and see the results!

I was quite skeptical when I got this newbie from Estée Lauder, but one try and I was a total addict – « the smoother » is infused with apricot essence, which is known for doing a good job of skin-softening. And when applied underneath makeup it diffuses the look of pores and perfects skin by keeping the excess of shine at bay. A must, definitely.

THE BROW MULTI-TASKER BY ESTEE LAUDER

The other product from Estée Lauder’s new collection that I adore is the 3-in-1 brow tool. On one end there is a triangular tip pencil to contour the brow. In the center, a sponge-tip applicator primed with brow powder to create fulness. And at the other end there is a regular brush to style and set the brow look. I like the product for being so practical – the pencil and the powder are now reunited in the same tool – but also for the quality of the product itself, both pencil and powder have a good color payoff and are longwearing.

5

POWER FABRIC FOUNDATION BY GIORGIO ARMANI

I usually avoid foundations and only use BB creams, but there are days when a light-wear coverage is just not enough – a regular day during the Fashion Week is one of these. If I have to look great from 7am til 11pm I have to put my trust into something that can provide me with a full coverage and this for a relatively long time – something like the new Power Fabric foundation by Giorgio Armani.

When I received this product from the brand I was really curious because 1. this is the first foundation formula I got to try from G.Armani, and 2. the packaging is very very appealing: a chill bottle with prosed-glass effect and chic red details, perfection. The application is surprisingly smooth for such a rich product, I’m using the Maestro Brush 4 from GA as well is it works as a charm, the foundation blends with hardly any effort and leaves a full coverage with a nice matte finish. If you’re used to apply concealers you just won’t need to when using the Power Fabric, as it covers dark circles too.

3

THE SHOCK MASCARA BY YSL

Just launched and already everyone’s sweetheart, this new mascara by YSL is what we can call THE thing to have right now. I have tried it for the first time while doing a makeup session at YSL’s corner in Geneva, right before a shooting (you can actually see the result HERE), and as you can see on those pics, the drama’s on point. I am a huge fan of the brush as it reminds me of the Too Faced « Better Than Sex » mascara, but I kind of like this one better, because it’s wand is less heavy. The application is easy and honestly enjoyable: one swipe and you’re blown away by the pigment! I wore it for ten hours and was surprised on how long it stays without flacking, just like a waterproof mascara – and when time came to remove it, this charbon black came off really easily with warm water and a bit of cleansing oil.

“BLANC ARTY” LAQUE COUTURE BY YSL

I usually go for neutral, beige shades for the Fashion Week season – this is why having a bright white manicure will be such a big change for me, but let me explain why I settled for this one.

A few days ago I received some products from YSL’s new summer make-up collection, and having spotted this “Blanc Arty” nail-polish among the lot I couldn’t resist but apply it on the same day, the fact is – I always wanted to have a white shade that would be opaque enough to look chic. As you might guess by reading this review in my Fashion Week selections, this new Laque Couture by YSL shade does not only look chic, but is also incredibly long-lasting (7 days without chipping). The white itself is refreshing, especially after a long cold season of only wearing nudes, and adds a nice summery touch to my outfits. Moreover, I really love the packaging : a sleek elongated glass bottle, with a bright golden cap imprinted with the timeless YSL logo.

4

ART STICK LIQUID LIP BY BOBBI BROWN

Looking like lip-glosses with an application inspired by acrylic tubes, the new launches of Bobbi Brown just stole my heart. These liquid lipsticks reminded me at first of Clinique’s Chubby Sticks, but they are actually not pencils as they have a squeezable tube with a liquid formula. The texture is creamy, and the finish semi-matte. Unlike most of the liquid lipsticks I tried this formula does not feel dry at all. My favorite shades from this 16-colors collection are the Uber Red, a bold blood shade, and Naked Pink, a sort of dark beige. I’ll definitely be taking these two products with me during this Fashion Week season because 1. having these two shades (red and beige) at hand is ESSENTIAL is every situation, 2. their color payoff is incredible, God bless Bobbi Brown for such pigmented lipsticks.

Available in stores this March!

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HYDRAPHASE INTENSE LIGHT BY LA ROCHE-POSAY

Gel-like moisturizers are what I live of while I travel. I was particularly happy to have found this Hydraphase Intense Light by La Roche-Posay in my Products To Try box one week before leaving for MFW as it’s texture is so light, non greasy and easily absorbed that you can almost immediately proceed to the next steps of your makeup ritual. The cream is said to 1. intensely moisturize the skin, and 2. awaken the skin’s natural glow.

I use two pumps of it for face and neck, morning and evening, and love how well it blends with the other products (beauty&makeup) I use on the morning, and how it calms the skin after the makeup removal. I definitely advise this product for those that are searching a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer.

MIDNIGHT RECOVERY BOTANICAL CLEANSING OIL BY KIEHL’S

If you ask me what is my biggest pleasure during Fashion Weeks, you might expect hearing things about shows or champagne – but it’s actually the moment I come back in my hotel room in the evening (or hum, in the night) and wash my face. Removing makeup after a long, stressful day is without doubt the most satisfying thing ever. As I dislike most of the usual makeup removers (those that must be applied on disks particularly, and no I can’t explain why), I started using oil-based removers a while ago, as they allow me to clean my face with bare hands – thus, when Kiehl’s released an oil cleanser version of their best-seller, the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, I immediately knew it was something for me. The oil is pretty light, almost watery (lighter than most of the similar cleansers I tried) and made of ultra-comforting lavender oil (just as in the serum) and squalane (a highly refined oil that helps restore the skin’s natural moisture balance). But the most important’s probably: does it work? Yes loves, it removes everything, from a full-coverage foundation to a waterproof mascara. I’m taking it with me for sure!


Pictures : Charles Legrand


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