Summer fixes
Best false eyelashes, self-tanners & lip looks: H-Town fashionistas revealsummer make-up faves
With at least eight more weeks of bewildering, swampy H-Town heat to endure before a single breath of fresh fall air, CultureMap surveyed a few fabulous femmes to learn what their summer beauty routines hold.
After all, we still need that bottle tan and those kissable lips to last long after the humidity does the slip 'n slide on our make-up.
What seemed to be at the top of the list? Tanning lotions. Each fashion maven queried seemed to swear by her own self-tanner, starting with interior designer Kristen Nix who favors Kiehl's Sun-Free Self-Tanning Formula. "A great way to fake color on your face when you don't like to tan," she e-mailed. She also uses NARS bronzing powder in the Laguna shade. "It's a great color and I use it all over my face."
"I can wear it day or night and it makes you look like you just returned from a week on the beach."
Divya Brown also gives NARS her endorsement, particularly the Orgasm/Laguna Blush Bronzer Duo. "It gives me that perfect sunkissed glow without a lot of sparkle," she e-mailed. "I can wear it day or night and it makes you look like you just returned from a week on the beach."
We can't wait to try Anne Carl's recommendation for the full self-tannning product. "My secret beauty item that I love and have been a fan of for over a year now is by St Tropez. It's a self-tanning mousse. You just rub it on and you have instant color, instant tan . . . you have an instant glow that lasts for days," she e-mailed. "I am hooked! And it doesn't smell — now that is amazing." Odor-free is indeed amazing.
For fashion bloggerLindley Arnoldy, the focus is on the eyes this summer. "I cannot live without my lash extensions," she allowed. "Jason and I do a lot of traveling, and they are perfect for an on-the-go lifestyle, because I barely have to put on any make-up!
"I go for the 'sexy" lash extensions in medium length from Amazing Lash Studio on Westheimer. I think this is a good semi-natural look, but they can do anything from a few corner lashes to full on Kardashian style. Take your pick."
Interestingly, two of the women surveyed both named a Moroccan oil blend as their fave beauty product. Jennifer Brown says that during the summer she can't live without MACVOIL for her hair.
"It's a Moroccan oil blend that helps to control frizz," she e-mailed. "With all the time we spend in the pool and in the lake, my hair really takes a beating. My hairdresser turned me on to the product. It's also a great moisturizer for your skin and nails."
Ditto Divya who employs Elma & Sana Organic Moroccan Argan oil as a daily moisturizer. " I just mix a few drops of oil with my DeVita sunscreen and it makes the perfect light-weight moisturizer," she told CultureMap. "I also use a few drops as leave-in treatment on the ends of my hair. It's very natural and makes my hair shiny and soft especially with the harsh summer sun."
Smashbox - Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in the shade Forever: "This is my go-to lip gloss in the summer . . ."
For corporate attorney Jessica Rossman with a heavy travel schedule, nothing can replace her "summer toy"— Sheisido Accentuating Color Stick. "It's a mult-purpose stick you can use basically everywhere — eyes, lips, cheekbones, décolletage. And it contains moisturizer! Three colors —bronzer, champagne or a nude shimmer."
She enthusiasticallty added via e-mail, "AND it's not liquid so it's perfect for going through airport security to catch a plane! What's not to love?!"
When we admired Kimberly DeLape's dramatic eye-liner at a party a few months ago, she went into rapture over her Xtreme Lashes Glidliner. The penicl applies more like a liquid or gel liner, easy to use, intense color and, she says, very long lasting. "The liner sets in 20 seconds so the decision is to smudge or not to smudge depending on how you want to wear it," she said.
Kimberly picks up her glidliner at Salon Vendome.
Divya was filled with great recommendations including Smashbox - Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in the shade Forever. "This is my go-to lip gloss in the summer and I have tried many. It's the perfect amount of pink and shimmer that lasts forever to give you a natural look that goes with everything."
Nidhika Mehta is sold on Luminess Airbrush foundation. "Absolutely can’t live without it. I love it because it is air-brushed on so light, it let’s my skin breathe," she e-mailed. "Gives me full, flawless, natural coverage without being caked on. Has sun block in it and lasts me all day in humid, hot or cold weather. Comes in various shades depending on my seasonal tan. Absolutely can’t live without it!!!"
Full disclosure: Nidhiki's husband, Pershant Mehta, founded the company in 2007. Nevertheless, if you've seen her in person, you know that she has a flawless look.