Marissa's Pick of the Week!

Ick! Acne! It never fails to surprise me. There are times when my skin is flawless and smooth as butter. In the summer, it just feels like butter was spread all over my face. My

favorite remedy? Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body (Clinique, $12.50). This is by far the best acne targeted soap I've used. It also comes in liquid form, but I'm partial to bars. They last longer, it costs less, and you get more product for your buck. Think of how much water is added to liquid soaps, yet they are more expensive. ??? I don't get it either.

Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar can be used on most problematic skin types due to it's mild salicylic acid formula. (If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor. Salicylic acid is known to cause birth defects and complications.) My skin literally squeaks after cleansing with this bar. After one wash I notice an improvement in my skin's condition. It's recommended that you either only use this bar once a day (I prefer night so my skin can regenerate at it's cleanest time.) Or every other day. If your skin is extremely oily (you can go through a pack of blotting sheets in a day) it's okay to use twice a day every day. No matter how often you use this acne bar, remember to always follow up with toner and most importantly, MOISTURIZER. Remember, oily skin that doesn't moisturize WILL produce more oil.

Blushing Bride

We all have pictured our dream wedding. Everything is perfect, from the cake to the flowers, and especially the Bride. Enveloped in the gown she had been dreaming about since she was 7 years old- her makeup is flawless, not a single hair out of place, and her skin... glowing.

So how do you get that seraphic radiance that everyone envies? First of all, I have to say, STAY AWAY FROM SHIMMER on your face as much as possible. Shimmer on your eyes is okay, but any on your face will translate into oiliness on camera. The best way to achieve a healthy glow is with primers and highlighters. My favorite wedding day primer is Spotlight Skin Toning Perfector (Estee Lauder, $32). Instead of using this primer the conventional way, I like to mix it in with a

long lasting, matte finish foundation such as Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra (Lancome, $40). Mixing the formulas, I don't have to sacrifice my La Base Pro, and radiance is optimal.

After smoothing your foundation and illuminating primer of your choice over your face (as well as concealer in choice areas), apply a liquid highlighter to the parts of your face that the sun would naturally kiss. Your forehead, cheek apples, nose and chin are the most common areas. I like to add a little to defined jawlines and cheekbones for a softer look. My favorite highlighters are the Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator collection by Clinique ($22.50). These highlighters come in 4 shades; Natural, Blush, Peach, and Bronze. Follow with a matte finish loose powder.

Now that your base color is set, you can proceed with blush, eyes and lips. Minimal shimmer blush in shades of light pinks or corals work best to enhance a natural glow. My favorites are Estee Lauder's Silky Powder Blush in Peach Nuance and Rose Nuance ($26). These variegated pressed powder blushes are shimmer free and have buildable coverage. A soft natural lip and eyeshadow in demure shades of pink and peach give a pretty touch to dewy perfection.

Makeup Mondays: Pink!

Until a few months ago the color pink made me uncomfortable. It was so feminine, so demure, so "girly." To me, "girly" was a bad thing. It meant giddy, air headed, boy crazy and shallow; everything I didn't want to be. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would tell people "no pink please," in fear that she would inherit those traits by simply wearing the color. Well, just a few weeks ago I admitted to the Facebook world that I liked pink! What really triggered my admiration for the color was Aaron de Mey's debut color line for Lancome, Pink Irreverence.

I was practically forced into liking pink. As I looked through my Lancome spring business planner, I stopped jaws dropped on the pages gushing with hot pinks and sparkly blacks. I could hardly contain my excitement...for pink? A couple months later the line launched, and I was surprised to find out that I actually looked good in it! I then declared that anyone can wear pink. It's just a matter of finding the perfect shade for you.

I would go into detail about how to chose and wear the right pink for you, but cosmetiholic already interviewed me for this very subject. I was featured on her "Makeup Artist Monday" article back in June. You can view the blog here: http://cosmetiholic.com/2009/05/31/makeup-artist-monday-marissa-rhoades.aspx

Here are some of my favorite pinks:

Eye shadow:

• "MMM...Brains" by Coffin Color
• "Romping," from M.A.C.'s Hello Kitty "Too Dolly" eyeshadow quad ($38)
• "The Pink Carpet" by Lancome (unfortunately this color is discontinued, but you can search eBay for it.)
• "# 26 Fuchsia" by Make Up For Ever ($19)

Lips:

• "Bamboo Pink" Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick by Clinique ($14),
• "Rock Icon Fuchsia" Color Fever Lipstick ($25), and "Electric Pink" La Laque Fever Gloss ($26) by Lancome
• Posie Tint Lip and Cheek Stain by Benefit ($28)

Blush:

• "Iced Lotus" Blushing Blush by Clinique ($18.50)
• "Rose Fresque" Blush Subtil and "Shimmer Pink Pool" Blush Subtil Shimmer by Lancome ($29.50)
• "Thrrrob" cheeck powder by Benefit ($28)

Marissa's Pick of the Week

La Base Pro by Lancome (www.lancome-usa.com, $42) is a must have for anyone who wears foundation. I have La Base Pro at home and in my freelance box. This silicone based makeup primer is oil free and has a satiny smooth texture.

Using a makeup base is important to keep your skin healthy. The benefits of adding this extra step to your makeup routine are worth the end result. Not only does this oil free formula help to reduce shine, but the silicone sets a canvas on top of your skin to prevent your foundation from absorbing into your pores. Think of La Base Pro as a shield filling in pores and fine lines so nothing can slip through the cracks. Your makeup color stays truer longer, while your skin stays protected.

Applying La Base Pro is very easy, but there are some tricks that will help you love this product even more. One pump is enough for your entire face. It may not seem like it, but its silky consistency spreads well.

1. Pump the product onto one hand.
2. Dip a finger from the opposite hand into the base only acquiring a small amount, then blot on your forehead.
3. Repeat this again dotting your cheeks and chin.
4. Using your index and middle finger gently blend the base with a light touch until you getthe coverage you desire. Try to be as quick as possible without rubbing too hard.
5. Wait 60 seconds before applying the foundation of your choice.

If you see rolling ( the product collecting and rolling off your skin), there may be one of a few things wrong.

• you are rubbing it in too hard
• you are taking too long to apply the product and it's starting to dry while you are still blending
• you didn't wait long enough before applying foundation
• you didn't cleanse tone and moisturize your face before applying La Base Pro
• you need to exfoliate using a face scrub or pad

La Base Pro is safe for all skin types and great for all foundations (including mineral makeup). I use it on myself and all my clients. I personally would rather not wear foundation than wear foundation without a makeup primer.

AIDS WALK & RIDE 2009

Pomps n' Gloss would like to thank everyone who supported us with their donations for Raleigh's Aids Walk & Ride 2009. J and I walked 3 miles in downtown Raleigh on May 2nd along hundreds of other participants. We had a lot of fun, and I got to pet a llama!

Petting Team Llama's mascot

All Done!