Natayle Henry
Finally! The time has arrived. Four months and two rashes later, the Second City Style staff and some of our loyal readers have tested hundreds of products to find the best of the best and must-have products of 2008. We’ve slathered on lotions, plumped our pouts and have taken copious amounts of showers all in the name of beauty. Real women giving real responses to products that we hear so much about! This entire issue is has been dedicated to our Beauty Olympics, so enjoy! From lip gloss to supplements, these products have come out victorious!
Ever wonder if that lip color really stays on all day or a specific foundation really blends evenly? Well, we have all the answers! Your next makeup trip will be a cinch!
Lips
Lip Gloss: Chanel Glossimer
“I love this line of glosses! Whether I’m wearing it alone or on top of a favorite shade of lipstick, my lips shine like diamonds!” —Nicole Pearson, Makeup Artist
Plumping Lip Gloss: Pro Gloss Hook Up Plumping Lip Shine in Sublime
“LOOOOOOOOVE the dark pink color and seems to double as a lipstick and a lip gloss although its only toted as a gloss. Doesn’t go overboard on the color, but shine is high volume. Plumps my lips as it coats and it’s a pretty color. Smells syrupy sweet like cotton candy, so may not be good for someone who can’t stand the smell. The color is so pretty, I don’t think the smell will matter.” —Simona Kogan, Journalist
Long Wear Lip Gloss: MAC Pro Longwear
“I’ve tried several of those long wear glosses only to find that my lips begin to peel and flake moments later. They profess to be the best, but typically they come up short. MAC, however, is the real thing! My color lasts all day and my lips stay moist!” —Simone Hemmings, Stylist
Lip Stain: Liptini
“I typically make fun of women who wear makeup to the gym, but I have to say that I do dab a little bit of the Liptini tint on my lips and a light layer of clear gloss right before my workouts. Though I’m not wearing any other type of makeup, I still look great when I leave. Before going anywhere, I put this on my pout and it lasts for hours!” —Tina Marcus, Student
Long Wear Lipstick: Stila - Paramour
“I loved the color and it stayed on forever! I also liked that the tip was made for more precise application.” —Lauren Dimet Waters, Editor-in-Chief
Moisturizing Lipstick: Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick Powered by Borba
“Two of my of my favorite lines combined? How could this union be anything but perfect? My lips stayed moisturized all day and the color never feathered.” —Jennifer Hampton, HR Manager
Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Créme
“This lipstick will forever be a beauty staple. I receive just enough coverage and moisture to take me from morning to afternoon without a reapplication.” —Danni Kline, Aspiring Musician
Perfect Lip Gloss for any skintone: Smashbox O-Gloss
“This gloss is genius! For the first time there’s a gloss that ANY of my friends can wear. The gloss goes on clear and then changes to the right shade of pink for you by reacting to your specific skin chemistry.” —Natayle Henry, Beauty Editor
Sheer Color Lip Balm: Soft Lips Tinted Lip Conditioner
“SOOOOO smooth on the lips, I could sit for hours just applying it over and over. It has an SPF 20 which is an added bonus and it smells delicious! It’s small and skinny and fits anywhere.” —Simona Kogan, Celebrity Style Editor
Lip Balm: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Dark Chocolate and Cherry Lip Butter
Eyes
Cream Eye Shadow: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Cream Shadow
“Long-lasting and amazing color! Goes on smooth and lasts all day. Has just amount of shimmer without being gaudy.” —Jennifer Lynn, Columnist
Powder Eye Shadow: MAC
“The pigment and color selection is the best of all lines that I use.” —Mequilla Lewis, Makeup Artist
Long-wear Eye Shadow: Tarte Lock and Roll
“I can live without this product - I just don't want to! Tarte Lock & Roll stood out as my favorite "pick me up" fun product. Brush and roll on a choice of 2 shimmering shades - I like the silver (It's very Studio 54) and gold. Your eyes actually sparkle! No one knows why but you have a twinkle in your eye!” —Carol Calacci, Managing Editor
“I love this product! Keep it in your makeup bag...always! Say you have a last minute date or need to update your eyes for night. Use this! Instant drama! LOVE! Both sides are fab, but I really love the gunmetal shade.” —Lauren Dimet Waters, Editor-in-Chief
Runner Up: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowStick
Inexpensive Eye Shadow: L’Oréal HIP
Pencil Eye Liner: Tarte emphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil
“I LOVE this eye pencil. It is super skinny, which makes lining the inner eyes a cinch!” —Emily Huggins, Columnist
Non-Pencil Eye Liner: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner
Runner-up: Mixology
“Easier for me to use than liquid, and I like the more natural effect of shimmery colored powder as a liner.” —Carol Calacci, Managing Editor
Brow Filler (Powder): Aloette Brow Works Trio with brush
“Aloette Works Trio with brush is ideal for defining and filling in sparse brows. I like that there are 3 colors so you can create the perfect color to blend.” —Lauren Dimet Waters, Editor-in-Chief
Lengthening/Thickening Mascara: Chanel Intimitable
“This is by far one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used. My lashes look as if I just put a pair of false lashes on!” —Natayle Henry, Beauty Editor
Waterproof Mascara
Inexpensive Mascara: Loreal Volume Shocking Mascara
“I have never received more compliments on my eyelashes. I'll never switch!” —Andra Naylor, Fashion Editor
Eyelash Stimulator: Li Lash Purified Eyelash Stimulator
“I’d noticed that as I’ve gotten older my eyelashes were getting thinner and a little sparse. After using this for a month, I was able to see a noticeable difference in the growth and thickness of my lashes!” —Sandra Clarke, School Administrator
Eye-Makeup Remover: Amore Pacific Treatment Cleansing Tissue
“Love these! This is the only wipe that I have found to take off even the most stubborn eye makeup. It’s gentle and leaves my skin looking and feeling great.” —Natayle Henry, Beauty Editor
Oil Free Eye-Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Face (Foundation, concealer, powders)
Liquid Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk
“The name says it all—my skin feels silky smooth after putting in on. It doesn’t cake up or feather throughout the day. My skin looks flawless and it doesn’t look like I have a ton of makeup caked on.” —Lisa Gaston, Nutritionist
Non-Liquid Foundation: Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation
“I’ve been addicted to the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick for years and didn’t think that I would ever switch, but I must say that this cream foundation goes on like butter! I love the coverage and love that it comes in a compact!" —Alyssa Keebler, Designer
Oil-Free Foundation: Laura Mercier
“My skin is naturally oily, thus making it pretty hard for me to find foundations with great coverage that won’t melt away or make me look as if I stuck my face in a bowl of grease. Since using this my skin looks amazingly even and flawless!” —Leslie Grimes, Ballet Dancer
Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (editor’s pick)
“This is a lifesaver. You can use just a little bit for light coverage.” —Andra Naylor, Fashion Editor
Runner-up: Proactiv
“With my skin being so sensitive I have to make sure that whatever I put on my skin will not only make it look good, but keep in clear. This does both!” —Amorette Henry, Concierge Service Owner
Under Eye Concealer: Clé de Peau Beauté (editor’s pick)
“I can literally put this under my eyes, slap some gloss on my lips and go! The coverage is amazing! It looks natural and brightens my face!” —Lyndsey Saltz, Advertising Executive
All-over Concealer: Tarte The Eraser
“Amazing coverage. Blemishes disappear while taking the redness out.” ~ Kristi Pruitt, Regional Ad Account Executive
“Great spot concealer! Definitely lives up to its word as an eraser. I didn’t think it would actually ERASE my blemishes and I felt like I saw them disappear. You must find the right color for your skin tone, but it blends in to totally make your spots look like they disappear on your face.” —Simona Kogan, Celebrity Style Editor
Inexpensive Undereye Concealer: Prestige Light Response Self-Adjusting Undereye Concealer
“You don’t always get what you pay for...sometimes you get more! I was so surprised that this worked as well as it did. After using this, I will not go back to my expensive undereye concealer!” —Karen Wright, Doctor
Pressed Powder: MAC Blot
“Like face blotting sheets and pressed powder in one! I don’t have to worry about it caking. It sets my foundation and takes away shine without clogging my pores.” —Stephanie Bates, Salon Owner
Loose Powder: Shu Uemura Face Powder (editor’s pick)
“Gives a fantastic translucent and sheer finish. Best on the market!” —Natayle Henry, Beauty Editor
Powder Blush: Nars in Orgasm
“This shade works on just about every skintone. Perfect for day or night!” —Kevin Myers, Makeup Artist
Cream Blush: Smashbox Smashing Infrared
“It glides on well, and doesn’t have the dryness of a powder. Gives the cheeks a dewy look. It’s the proper pink (not too bright, but not too red either.) Sophisticated, with a slight innocence of the flushed schoolgirl look.” —Simona Kogan, Celebrity Style Editor
Bronzer: Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion
“Tarte Sunburst gives a warm dewy glow and contains small beads of bronzer that break open when they are massaged into your skin. They stayed on before breaking open. Doesn’t look too orange and great for covering problem areas.” —Simona Kogan, Celebrity Style Editor
“The color was the best. Period. I love Tarte!” —Lauren Dimet Waters, Editor-in-Chief
Luminizing Lotion: Stila Liquid Luminizer
“Mixing a little of this in with my moisturizer or foundation gives my skin the right amount of glow.” —April C., Real Estate Investor
SHOPPING GUIDE
Lips
Lip Gloss: Chanel Glossimer $25
Plumping Lip Gloss: Pro Gloss Hook Up Plumping Lip Shine in Sublime $5
Long Wear Lip Gloss: MAC Pro Longwear $20
Lip Stain: Liptini $16
Long Wear Lipstick: Stila – Paramour $18
Moisturizing Lipstick: Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick Powered by Borba $22
Lipstick: Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Créme $26
Perfect Lip Gloss for any skintone: Smashbox O-Gloss $22
Sheer Color Lip Balm: Soft Lips Tinted Lip Conditioner $3
Available at drugstores nationwide.
Lip Balm: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Dark Chocolate and Cherry Lip Butter $3
Available at drugstores nationwide.
Eyes
Cream Eye Shadow: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Cream Shadow $22
Powder Eye Shadow: MAC $14
Long-wear Eye Shadow: Tarte Lock and Roll $17
Long-wear Eye Shadow Runner Up: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay–in-Place ShadowStick $17.50
Inexpensive Eye Shadow: L’Oréal HIP $6.99 - Available at drugstores nationwide.
Pencil Eye Liner: Tarte emphasEYES high definition eye pencil $18
Non-Pencil Eye Liner: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner $19
Non-Pencil Eye Liner Runner-up: Mixology $6
Brow Filler (Powder): Aloette Brow Works Trio with brush $17.50
Lengthening/Thickening Mascara: Chanel Intimitable $27.50
Inexpensive Mascara: Loreal Volume Shocking Mascara - Available at drugstores nationwide.
Eyelash Stimulator: Li Lash Purified Eyelash Stimulator $139.97
Eye-Makeup Remover: Amore Pacific Treatment Cleansing Tissue $35
Face (Foundation, concealer, powders)
Liquid Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk $55
Non-Liquid Foundation: Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation $40
Oil-Free Foundation: Laura Mercier $42
Tinted Moisturizer: (editor’s pick) Laura Mercier $42
Tinted Moisturizer Runner-up: Proactiv
Under Eye Concealer: (editor’s pick) Clé de Peau Beauté $68
All-over Concealer: Tarte The Eraser $19
Inexpensive Undereye Concealer: Prestige Light Response Self-Adjusting Undereye Concealer - Available at drugstores nationwide.
Pressed Powder: MAC Blot $20
Loose Powder: (editor’s pick) Shu Uemura Face Powder $33
Powder Blush: Nars in Orgasm $25
Cream Blush: Smashbox Smashing Infrared
Bronzer: Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion $28
Luminizing Lotion: Stila Liquid Luminizer $22
