Ah, October. The heat gives way (we hope) and our world is filled with fall color and pumpkin spice everything, including delicious smelling shower, bath and candle products. October also means Halloween, and for costuming there’s no shortage of products to enhance a look – scary or sexy. At drug stores and cosmetic shops there are tons of hair chalks, bold-colored eyeshadows, eyeliners, false nails, cool nail polishes and temporary tattoos. This month is a great time for masking and eyelashes, so this month I explore the current trend for sheet masks and false lashes. Of course I can’t go a month without trying new products, adding to my collection and letting you know what’s on my “love list.”
Masking
Nearly every brand imaginable has released a sheet mask. The trend seems to have started with Korean brands, and single-use packets are inexpensive and easy to use. The idea behind sheet masks is that product – nourishing, brightening, pore-tightening, healing, etc. – is soaked onto paper or fabric then placed on the face for 20-30 minutes and voila, a facial in the comfort of your own home. It is said that sheets masks are great for the skin because the warm, moist environment helps your skin absorb the active ingredients soaked into the mask. In a variety of price ranges from $1.99 and up, it’s a lot of fun trying different versions. Here’s a quick list:
When ($7): Every mask in this line is great. All are gluten-free and use coconut jelly as their base, so they’re also vegan. The Makeup Base mask is great for prepping the skin before applying cosmetics.
Sephora Honey Mask ($6): Great smell and super nourishing, this mask left my skin soft and balanced.
Dr. Jart+ Wrinkless Solution ($7.50): A two-piece body heat gel mask with peptides and collagen, I found it very hydrating and it immediately smoothed the “11” lines between my brows.
Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask ($95 for a box of 4): It feels oddly like skin but smells great, and after 20 minutes my skin felt soft and hydrated.
Shisedo White Lucent Power Brightening Mask ($68 for a box of 6): I’m in love with this brand’s skin lightening products. This mask provides serious skin brightening and left a pretty dewiness.
SK-II Facial Treatment mask ($17): Glowing skin, beautifully hydrated; this is a bestseller for a reason.
Tony Moly I’m Real Red Wine Face Mask Sheet (7.50 for 2): Infused with red wine extracts and rosemary, this one smelled great in an herbal way and was effective at tightening the pores around my nose.
Lashes
Big, bold lashes are in vogue right now – explaining all the new mascara releases. Many beauty companies are opting for the tight, short-bristled rubber brush with claims that it will “grab every lash” for a fluttery look. Jet black, messy, rocker lashes are a big nighttime look. In keeping with the lash theme and with all the holidays and parties ahead, false lash companies have released a slew of lash strips and partnerships with beauty bloggers and makeup artists. In the UK, Eylure has teamed with blogger and YouTube star Fleur de Force on a pretty lash line, while here at home makeup guru (and YouTuber) Vegas Nay has collaborated on her own stylish line of eye fringe available at Ulta.
For Halloween, Fright Night has released really fun glow in the dark and spiderweb lashes. Find them at New Orleans area drugstores or Ulta. At KawaiiNola on Magazine Street, owner Kanako Richard carries a small but cool selection of Japanese cosmetics, including lashes from Sugarpill, Paperself and Dolluxe. The spiderweb half-strip from Paperself is a favorite.
Have questions or products to recommend? Email SouthernGlow@MyNewOrleans.com.
LOVE LIST
Recently I’ve been rocking an everyday un-makeup look, saving bigger and bolder looks for evenings and special occasions. My goal is a dewy, not strobed-out (or heavy highlighter), fresh look. Here are the products I’ve been loving:
• Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer
• It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in Medium
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Corrector
• Eve Pearl concealer
• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Touch in Sol Browza Super Proff Gel Brow Pencil
• YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara in Burgundy (5)
• Nars cream blush in Penny Lane
• Too Faced Prep and Prime pressed powder
• Rimmel lip liner in East End Snob
• Urban Decay High-Color Lip gloss in Failbait
• Purchases made at Sephora, Ulta, KawaiiNola (Uptown) and Walgreens.
