Mineral makeup maven Jane Iredale was practically in our backyard last week. She visited Soft Surroundings in Southlake, TX, where I was first in line to try her summer launches and chat with the natural cosmetics guru. (Sure, it was FUN but please tell Bob I was working!)
Since her makeup doubles as skin care, I couldn't wait to give it a try. Of course, an 8:30 a.m. appointment meant facing my favorite shopping center without my face on but one of Jane's expert makeup artists soon remedied that.
He gave me tons of tips (who knew you should save under-eye concealer for last?) and introduced me to these must-haves from Jane's new Magic Hour collection:
Lip FixationA clever two-in-one tube including lip stain on one end and gloss on the other. Packed with botanicals, the stain's color stays with you (not on your glass) even when you're drinking coffee, green tea or my favorite red wine. And the pretty tint lasts for hours as long as you don't eat anything containing oil, which Jane says can put a damper on any stain. The clear gloss adds high shine and helps keep lips moist.
For subtle, natural-looking color, mauve Compulsion is my new go-to. For more impact, you'll want Craze, the gorgeous, golden-hued coral that's on my wish list. ($30)
Also designed for long wear, this creamy liner gets color and a waterproof effect from natural coconut oil and silicones (it includes no chemicals or irritants). Since my sensitive eyes tear easily, that's a huge plus!
Another two-in-one, this inky, eye definer can be smudged on like shadow or you can use a brush to draw a line as precise as you like. Either way, it goes on easily and stays put. I want both the Brown, which complements blue eyes, and Black, always a standby. ($28)
Having my makeup done was a treat but meeting Jane afterwards made my morning. Born in England, she started her career in the entertainment industry, working first as a casting director and then as a writer and producer in both New York and Los Angeles.
What led a successful writer to ditch her keyboard in 1994 and develop a family of cosmetics which now includes more than 300 members? I asked the mineral makeup pioneer to give us the scoop.
I'm here to do an event for Soft Surroundings who are very good retail partners of ours. Our brands fit together very well. From what I've seen, Southlake is beautiful!
I had a career in the entertainment industry and worked with actresses and models, most of whom had challenges with their skin due to the amount of makeup they wore for their work. It occurred to me that we could have a makeup that was good for the skin. This was a revolutionary idea at the time.
Our line is different because it really acts as skin care. We're very careful that we only use ingredients that benefit the skin in some way. We make sure that everything is thoroughly tested so we know that it doesn't block pores, won't cause irritation and protects from the sun.
It's nice to meet a fellow Boomer who's a pro at enhancing natural beauty. What are your top tips for girls our age?The main tip is to stay current with what trends are popular. That doesn't mean that you have to adopt the trend but incorporating part of the look keeps makeup current. If you get into a rut and wear the same look year in and year out, it can start to be aging. Remember Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Also, pump moisture into your skin. We have some beautiful aromatherapy sprays, called Hydration Sprays, that not only set our minerals so they look like your skin only better, but can be used anywhere it feels drying - such as a plane. Moisture keeps the cells plumped and that's youthful.
The golden shimmer look is popular and looks great on the beach or out to dinner. Summer always favors the natural look and that never goes out of style. Pink is also huge this year.
d invest in only one product, what should I try first?Our PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation. It's a foundation, concealer, powder and sunscreen all in one. I never leave home without it. Just brush it on clean moisturized skin and you'll be amazed at the coverage without looking heavy or cakey.
We really care. Our mission statement includes the goal to enhance the lives of women and that's what we try to do every day whether it's through the products themselves or our customer service.
You might also enjoy:
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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