Fashion Flash: The Best of Everything for Women 40+

This week the fabulous Cindy Ingalls, who writes the exceptional Prime Beauty Blog is our host for Fashion Flash.  Each week we strive to feature our best blogs on beauty, fashion, fitness and wellness for women over 40.

Please click here to see what we have to share with you this week, including my favorite cheap and cheerful substitute for Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eye Gel.

Enjoy!

xo,
DD

L'Oreal Infallible Gel Eyeliner: A small wonder

L'Oreal Infallible Gel Eyeliner
$10.99

After all these years, I'm still of student of my own face...Recently, I was back on the hunt for a Holy Grail liner, realizing that I lacked one for my DivaDebbi 2013 Best of Beauty Blog.  Despite any desire to create a more nuanced eye, the truth is I look tired without defined liner. Even when my makeup is applied professionally, they are not using less liner; just blending it better.

I reviewed L'Oreal Infallible Gel Eyeliner last year, when I was looking to avoid looking like Mariska Hargitay. Don't get me wrong, I think she is drop dead beautiful, but I also think she needs to lighten up at this point. Do you agree?

Mariska Hargitay

I absolutely LOVE the texture of this creamy, easy to apply gel and the perfect thin lining brush that comes with, making it a snap to apply. I do suggest blotting some off with a tissue, since the product is dense, to avoid Mariska eye.

Review: L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner 24H

L'Oreal Lacquer Liner
$9.95 (but if you buy it in Greenwich Ct. add 2 bucks)

Oh joy!!! I am in love.  I have long been a fan of Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.  I would never attempt to use it without the separate brush you must purchase to apply it with, or after a night of one too many cocktails.  It takes a skilled and steady hand and it is not for Sissie's.

Most of us know our faces fairly well in terms of it's makeup requirements.  While I intellectually embrace that as we age, we should be mindful of over doing makeup, when I under-do my eyes, I  know I look tired.

What is no longer working is black eyeliner.  I am brown eyed, so switching to brown liner seems like a no brainer but it somehow misses and looks bland.  I was in CVS last night, so naturally I perused the aisle for inspiration.

DivaDebbi's Best of 2012: The Hall of Fame

It's that time of year again...As usual, I have tried a ton of new products this year and whether I purchased them myself or received them to sample, I have done my best to always tell you the good, the bad and the ugly of their benefits and features.

I wanted to start off my Best of 2012 lists with products that I continue to love and use, and that I feel are peerless, having tried many of their competitors. I purchase them over and over for one reason: They work!

In no particular order, I am never without with links to all:

Fall Trends 2012: Makeup

I have been savoring and digesting the fall tomes. I am half way through guts of the Fall 2012 trends in beauty, ready-to-wear and accessories. It's not nearly as overwhelming when your realize that literally hundreds of pages are advertising.

I have no qualm with that really.  The publishing industry has struggled as more and more eyeballs continue to read their glossies digitally (and save a tree or three in the process).  I'm all for successful rebounds and truth be told, even if you never read any content, the consistency of the trends would resonate, just by the ads alone.

In any given season, the worlds of clothing, hair and makeup compliment each other. Designers don't design in a vacuum. They collaborate with the best in the industry to enhance their visions. We then get see the finished "product" on the runway, in live streamed videos and print.

Here's the thing about any trend, if it doesn't suit you to wear a brocade, sapphire nails or full bangs, by all means don't. You will only feel like a poser.  Stick with what feels like you in and on your skin. It will never fail you because you will radiate confidence.

I always love Fall clothes best...who doesn't?, but this season is particularly luscious...

For the first time, in several seasons, there is truly something for everyone, both in silhouette, hue and palette. Here is a round up of this seasons makeup trends. I'll let you know if I'm in,out or trying:

Back to Basics: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner $22
Tapered brush $25

I have long been a fan of Award Winning Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.  This was Bobbi's baby and though it's been oft imitated, the depth and consistency of it is unmatched.  Initially, it was sold in darker hues, traditional eyeliner shades.  I was surprised to see it now comes in 13 shades, including brights and shimmering mauve.

The latter would not be my passion.  When I line my eyes, I am looking for definition.  If I had a gun to my head and had to choose between mascara or liner, the liner would win.  Without it, I look exhausted.

Gel liner is not for novices, but once you get the hang of it, it's worth it.  Don't even think of attempting it without the specially designed ultra fine eyeliner brush. It's an investment I was cranky about making, but one that was well worth it and with a little TLC it can last for years.