The best from the makeup booths
Vitamin-fortified eyeliner, air-brush blush and the latest makeup to soften the harsh reality of a high-definition lens. The Makeup Show L.A. downtown last week offered every product that professionals and plain old beauty junkies could possibly need.
Most products at the show catered to makeup artists for film and television, and the dense foundations and high-pigment lip glosses may be too much for the everyday consumer. But we managed to spot several items that would make a useful addition to any cosmetic case.
-- Melissa Magsaysay What it is: LashControl Mascara, $20, www.lashcontrol.com
Why you’ll care: The middle of the tube is a supple rubber that, when squeezed, removes excess goo from the mascara wand as it is being pulled out. Instead of wiping off excess mascara on the edge of the tube and accumulating all that build-up, LashControl keeps the product off the rim, brush and most importantly out of your eye. And a cleaner brush means that fewer bacteria and irritants enter the tube.
What it is: Kissable Couture’s First Lady lip gloss, $22 at Fred Segal Apothia
Why you’ll care: Kissable Couture creator Keisha Whitaker (wife of actor Forest) developed a gloss she thought would look good on First Lady Michelle Obama. This shimmery pinkish-brown is high-shine and not sticky. No word yet on whether Obama has worn the lip color, but Whitaker did hand her a tube at an inauguration party in January.
What they are: Shadow Shields, $16.95 for a pack of 50, www.shadowshields.com
Why you’ll care: These crescent-shaped pads stick lightly beneath the eye and catch any falling powders being put on the eyelid. They’re most useful when doing a smoky look -- dark shadows stay off cheeks and don’t leave raccoon smudges under the eye.
What it is: Armour Beauty Femme Fatale lip gloss, $19, www.armourbeauty.com
Why you’ll care: “Femme Fatale” hits the runways’ black lip color trend right on the head, with a high-shine black gloss that makes lips look like vinyl. Shea butter, vitamin E, grapeseed oil and avocado act as the base, which means extra moisture and no stickiness.
What they are: Pencil Me In eyeliner pencils, $6.99, www.pencilmeincosmetics.com
Why you’ll care: Free of parabens and petroleum, these “healthy” eyeliners are heavily pigmented and infused with vitamins and antioxidants. Colors range from a bright green “mint” to a deep purple “boysenberry,” and every liner comes with a built-in sharpener inside the cap.
What it is: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, $25 for a 75 ml tube, www.beautyhabit.com
Why you’ll care: This cream is a staple in most makeup artists’ kits because it does triple duty as a moisturizer, makeup primer and wrinkle filler. A thin layer on the skin before applying foundation makes the skin smooth, hydrated and ready for shellacking. Fans of this product also use it as a skin cleanser and shaving balm.
