Marissa's Pick of the Week - Tapered Shadow Brush

The Tapered Eye Shadow Brush is my favorite eye shadow brush ever! In fact, I love it so much, I have 4 of them- 2 for me, and 2 for my artist box. I only own Lancome's Blending Brush #17 ($27.50), but other lines carry similar brushes. This brush gives the perfect shape on your outer corner and crease everytime. I also use it to apply shadow all over, and to flawlessly blend colors together. Another great use for this brush is settling your under eye concealer with a loose powder. Holding the brush vertically, roll it across under your eyes with just a little bit of powder. To see the use of this brush in action, view my last video tutorial.

Marissa's Pick of the Week! - Best Gloss Ever!

My pick this week is a triple threat gloss by Lancome. La Laque Fever Ultimate Lasting Full Color Lip Shine ($26.50) has the shine of a gloss, coverage of a lipstick and wear of a lip stain. This amazing 3-in-1 gloss has several patents including one for the exclusive applicator that shapes lips and gives just the right amount of product for one application. The unique formula has moisturizers and is silicone based, so it stays in place without feathering for up up 8 hours.

La Laque Fever works best when it is applied to a clean, dry lip. Lip liner should go on after. For extra shine, apply another gloss on top such as Juicy Tubes ($18) or Lip Glass (M.A.C., $14).
Since this product came out, I hardly use lipstick and regular lip gloss anymore. This is all you need. I personally own 6 of the 27 (and growing) colors. I've even converted women between ages 30-55 who say they are "not a lip gloss person." Try it! Believe it!

Amazing Artists: Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan is my hero! With over a million hits on YouTube, Lancome has just made her the official video makeup artist for the company. Phan has amazing application skills that range from basic enhancement to complete transformation. Among my favorite tutorials are the Lady Gaga Bad Romance Look, the Sailor Moon Transformation and Lunar New Year Tiger Eyes. If you are an aspiring makeup artist, or just love makeup, you have to subscribe to her YouTube Channel. You can also see some of her video tutorials on Lancome's website.

Marissa Pick of the Week! - No More Dark Circles!

I love my concealer! It covers those pesky dark circles that my family has so graciously passed down to me. I've tried dozens of eye brightening creams that didn't work, and until this day haven't found one. Thanks to the geniuses at Lancome, I now have a remedy.

Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate ($59) is a serum that you apply before your eye cream. This amazing little jar holds a magic potion that transforms dark, baggy, tired eyes into radiant, smooth and youthful windows to the world! I know that sounded completely corny, but I really do love this product. After three weeks of using Genefique Eye twice a day, I went to work without wearing concealer for the first time, and I wasn't self-conscious about it. I actually noticed that my dark circles were getting lighter.

Genefique is a scientific breakthrough different than any other eye serum in the market because it attacks genetic aging. Every other anti-aging formula targets environmental and/or chronological aging. Lancome's Bio-Lysat cocktail supports the skin's barrier while Phytosphingosine-SLC promotes rapid cell renewal, and buckwheat extract reduces bags and brightens dark circles. There's nothing in the world comparable to this product because it works with your genes from the inside out.

Genefique Eye serum is worth the $59 for the results you get. This is by far my favorite eye product Lancome has ever released. It's a universal serum that is compatible with any skin type, any age, and any skin care regimen. So, if you love your Estee Lauder eye cream, you can still use Genefique Eye serum underneath. Visit your Lancome counter and ask about the "7 Day Challenge" for a free 7 day supple of Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Ocillation Powerbooster

I'm not a "mascara everyday" kind of girl, but when I do wear it, I go all the way. If I'm going to be suffocating my precious lashes, I want to make sure they have the best protection and nourishment. Oscillation Powerbooster (Lancome, $39) protects and enhances your lashes using the best ingredients and technology at a reasonable price. This first vibrating mascara primer separates and coats like no other primer on the market. With just one coat, your lashes are visibly longer and thicker. Another coat boosts the effects of your mascara dramatically. Other comparable products on the market average at $100 per tube, but they can't boost the effects of your mascara like Ocillation Powerbooster.

Benefits:

vibrating wand - 7,000 oscillations per minute give better separation, wiggles out clumps, and coats lashes 360 degrees so you don't have to apply a layer on top of your lashes.

Cresentia Complex - Lancome's exclusive cocktail with ingredients like jojoba oil and Vitamin B5 strengthen and condition lashes. Fragile or damaged lashes are nurtured and protected, and less hair falls out during mascara removal.

How to use:

Holding the button down, start at the base of your lash line and slowly comb upward. Don't wiggle the wand from side to side (as most women do out of habit) or you won't achieve the best results. Apply 1-3 coats, then immediately follow with your favorite mascara.

You can also follow this video tutorial on how to apply the Ocillation mascara: http://www.lancome-usa.com/beautyschool/videos/oscillation.aspx

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.