Focus on Eyes

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. The difference between a raisin and a grape is water so hydrate your skin! You may have already boarded the hydration train when it comes to the skin on your face but I’m always surprised at how many people don’t use an eye cream or who use an eye cream that doesn’t address the most important issues.

I’ve heard every excuse in the book as to why some of my clients don’t find it necessary to use eye cream. And no! You don’t get the same effect using your facial moisturizer for your eye area. Some moisturizers are too heavy for the under eye area and can cause Milia (Tiny white bumps or small cysts on the skin) or are too active if they contain anti-aging ingredients and can irritate the delicate skin under eyes. 

Here are some facts you should know about the skin around your eyes that might make you run to the nearest department store for the appropriate fix:

• The skin around eyes is the thickness of a mere two sheets of paper.

• The thin and delicate skin under eyes is more susceptible to environmental damage and is the first place to reveal the signs of aging.

• The skin under eyes is absent of sebaceous glands, meaning they are not lubricated the same way the as the rest of your face.

• Pulling, tugging and vigorous rubbing the skin around eyes can eventually result in loss of elasticity. That means brow waxing too. That’s why I tweeze!

• In addition to dryness, inflammation is a major culprit of under eye wrinkles.

Investing in the appropriate eye cream is the perfect way to do this. Whichever eye cream you choose, be sure to ask you skincare professional to show formulas that address issues that are appropriate for your concerns and age group. Younger skin needs more prevention and mature skin needs more defense.

Of course I have to recommend my personal favorites that are great for all skin types:

1. La Mer Eye Balm Intense- De-puffs, hydrates, and includes a high concentration of the patented key ingredient in every La Mer product, The Miracle Broth. Appropriately named, The Miracle Broth is known for its healing capabilities and strengthens the under eyes against future damage.

2. Kiehl’s Abyssine Eye Cream- Hydrates, and uses algae found at the depths of 3,000 feet below the ocean’s surface to fight puffiness and wrinkles at a budget friendly price.

3. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream- Longtime experts on skincare, this formula delivers hydration with hyaluronic acids, is extremely effective in strengthening the skin under eyes and repairs damage from environmental and emotion stress that can accelerate the visible signs of aging.

4. Nars Total Replenishing Eye Cream – Nars revamped their incredible skincare line and introduced a new mattifying eye cream for hydration, puffiness, fine lines and dark circles.  Along with these benefits, this incredible formula includes technology that brings light to skin and won’t break down eye makeup. It yields the same benefits for lids too.

So remember to take extra care of your eyes. You’ll like what you see when you look in the mirror a whole lot more!

Fashion Week 2013

For a makeup artist, there is nothing more exciting than Fashion Week in New York City where the latest trends in fashion and beauty are revealed for the season. If you are lucky, you are apart of the handful of elite artists chosen to bring the designer’s vision to life behind the scenes. 

This year I was able to stand side by side with a very talented group of artist lead by Uzo, Nars Cosmetics Global Artist, who imagined the looks for the Tribune Standard and Joy Cioci shows amongst others.  I also privilege of working with Francelle Daly, National Makeup Artist for Nars Cosmetics, for the first time awakening her vision for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Show.   

The two looks created for Tribune Standard were simply called Bronze and Brass. Describing her vision Uzo said, “I wanted eyes to take center stage in shades of antique bronze, brass and gold to meld with the North African-Arabic influences in the collection. Lips and cheeks are fresh in nude and tangerine.” The beauty of this look was the blending to harmonize the bold colors, which transcended beyond the brow.

Brass.

Bronze.

My model in "Brass" for Tribune Standard. 

My model in "Brass" at Joy Tribune Standard.

“Mermaids meet the roaring 20s” was the imaginative look created by Uzo to compliment Joy Cioci’s aquamarine inspired frocks.  This was my favorite look to recreate because of the inspired detail that went into it. The latest additions to Nars’ fall collection were prominent in this look, featuring shimmery blue and white eyeshadows mimicking the shades of the ocean and foamy waves, along with chunky silver cream blush high atop the cheek bones and glimmering on the skin to emulate the scales of a mythical sea creature. The models went sans color on the cheeks and wore a cool toned pink lip exaggerating their cupid’s bow and stripped down on the center of the bottom lip. 

Mermaid meets the Roaring 20s.

Look for Joy Cioci recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Behind the scenes at Joy Cioci.

3.1 Phillip Lim was strictly rock n’ roll with Francelle’s 90’s inspired grunge rock look with a modern twist. The models donned clumpy mascara and lashes intentionally stuck together with bronzer just down the center of the face and barely there lips to emulate the edgy recycled makeup worn by girls who’ve been at a music festival for days. My skills as an artist and grace under fire was tested as I recreated the look, which focused on mascara (we used a minimum of 8 coats on top and bottom lashes), while two hair hairdressers teased and styled hair and two manicurist tackled manicures and pedicures. With only 20 minutes to do a full face of makeup, I wasn’t above straddling the manicurists working on the model’s pedicure to get the job done.

My back stage pass to 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

Look for 3.1 Phillip Lim recreated by Mohawk Makeup.

The looks were all amazingly beautiful and creative. I felt so honored to be apart of the NARS artistry team and to be surrounded by the incredibly talented designers, makeup artists, hairdressers and manicurists who all worked so hard to create the flawless looks that graced the runways this season.  I can’t wait to do it again next year!    

Skindinavia

I don’t know about you ladies but I despise touch ups. The last thing that I want to do after I’ve taken my time on a natural daytime or glamorous nighttime look is go to the restroom every hour to reapply. The same goes for when I’m working on set or with private clients. Touchups can’t really be avoided at fashion shows because your typical model will chain smoke and drink coffee or some sort of energy drink until its time for wardrobe (which basically means the show is starting), but as a rule my favorite products are ones that hold up while still looking beautiful all day.

I’m always on the hunt for long wear products that minimize touch ups or refresh the makeup without having to reapply product, so I was very excited when I came across Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray.

While working on the set of Marie Osmond’s new talk show I was introduced to our resident beauty expert Kym Douglas. You may recognize Kym from network television shows like The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Doctor’s and Fox Good Day LA. Kym and I talked beauty products the entire time I did her makeup for her beauty segment on the show.  When I was done with her makeup she handed me a bottle of Skindinavia Finishing Spray and asked me spray her face to set the makeup. I’d used setting products before but this brand was new to me. After I spray her face, the freshly applied makeup immediately looked dewier and more natural. Her lipgloss was the only touch up needed before she appeared on camera for her segment.  I was impressed! I tried it on myself as well and loved the refreshing mist application and found that my makeup also looked fresher at the end of the day.

I did some product research later that night and found that the patented Temperature Control Technology is the magic behind the long lasting finish it gives makeup. Skindinavia caters to women with any skin type with formulas for normal/combination, oily, dry and mature skin types. It is also hypoallergenic, vegan, gluten free and paraben free. This made me very excited to use it again!

The true test came when I took the finishing spray with me on the set of BAMF Girls Club. I used Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray the entire 12-hour shoot on all of the actors with glowing results. Minimal touchups were needed on the actors’ skin, saving time and product, which is a huge plus for me. Not to mention they looked great on camera! This amazing setting spray also tucks away nicely in your purse for everyday use, making touchups on the go easier than ever.  Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray has definitely made its way onto my everyday essentials list!  

My Name is Valerie and I'm a Mascara Junkie

My obsession with cosmetics runs deep. When I worked in retail, I would spend hours playing with color and products at every line in the cosmetics department instead of minding my own. My department manager would catch me several times a day holed up at another line with color swatches of lipstick painted on my arm from wrist to elbow, or sometimes with two completely different eye shadow colors on each of my lids. I would get a look from him that said, “How many times am I going to have to send you back to your counter today?” Then he’d order me back with a threat to nail my feet to the floor. I couldn’t help it! It was like sequestering a sugar addict in a bakery for 8 hours a day.

Like any true addict, I have my drug of choice. My number one fix would have to be purchasing a brand new tube of my all time favorite mascara, Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils in Noir Radical. I have a ritual where I peel the plastic wrapper off a brand new box and pull the shiny gold tube out of its home. I’d stare at it from all angles for a moment in anticipation of the sky-high lashes I was in store for once I opened it and applied a coat. Then came my favorite sound in the world: the sound the mascara wand makes coming out of the tube for the first time to meet my lashes. POP! It’s glorious.

If the above story doesn’t make you think I’m a completely certifiable weirdo, then you should take my advice and pick up a tube of my favorite mascara. I know so many ladies that ONLY wear mascara so my recommendation is to invest in a really good one.

When it comes to mascara, in my opinion, brand does matter. There are some good ones on the market but I love YSL Faux Cils for these reasons:

• The Color: Noir Radical is YSL’s darkest black mascara. The richness and density of this color makes other black mascaras look gray in comparison. That makes for more dramatic lashes.
• The Application: YSL Faux Cils is a buildable formula that gives you unbelievable length and volume in one coat. Apply two coats and you will look like you are wearing false eyelashes!

Trust me ladies. Treat yourself to a tube of YSL’s Faux Cils mascara and you will become a believer. I never leave home without mine!

Dear Chaz Dean, I Love You…

Anyone who is close to me knows that I am a product junkie. My medicine cabinet, 2 vanities and 3 closets are filled to the brim with cosmetics, hair and skincare products that I either love, hate or can’t be bothered to try. The products I love I keep for myself and since I hate waste the others are given to friends and clients who will put them to good use.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about Wen Hair Care & Body Care products. One of my best girlfriend’s raves about them but she tends to like very perfumey bath, body and hair care products so typically I’m suspect of her suggestions. I’m also currently using Ojon products, which has made a world of difference for my dry, processed hair and so I was in no hurry to take the leap and try something new. Lucky for me, I ran into the charming and uber talented Chaz Dean at The 14^th Annual Design Care an event hosted by the HollyRod Foundation (See my HollyRod…post for more about the event). After meeting Chaz and his lovely sister Joanne and finding out that Wen Cleansing Conditioner in Summer Mango Coconut was in my event gift bag, I knew I would have to try it immediately.

Upon doing a little research about the product, I was fascinated by the very concept of how the Cleansing Conditioner works.  It’s a unique formula containing no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is the chemical used to make shampoos foam. This particular ingredient is actually a poison that can’t be metabolized by the liver, which can result in negative long-term effects on the body. Manufacturers use it simply because its cheap! Wen Haircare products only contain the highest quality ingredients which is a big plus for me. The cleansing conditioner’s active ingredients are Glycerine, a humectant that naturally binds moisture to the hair shaft, Chamomile Extract to add sheen to the hair, Cherry Bark to bring out color and manageability, Rosemary Extract to tone and strengthen hair, Panthenol to smooth split ends and seal in moisture and Sweet Almond Oil to soften the hair. All great natural ingredients.

When I tried the Cleansing Conditioner the very next night, I was first taken by the delicious scent of coconut and mango. I’m originally from Central America so I’m a sucker for scents that remind me of home. I also loved how rich and thick the formula was. There was no dripping as I shaved my legs and washed up to let the product do its conditioning magic. To my surprise, I could already see a difference after I rinsed.

I was blown away at how soft and silky my hair felt which is no small feat with my dry, processed Afro Caribbean hair. I couldn’t stop touching it! I also noticed that my hair was straighter and looked much healthy than it usually does after a blow out and flat ironing. I’m sold! Chaz took me to church! I will be singing Wen Haircare’s praises to all of my clients!

HollyRod...

Holly Robinson Peete and
Rodney Peete

Last weekend I had the privilege of working again as part of the incredibly talented Nars Elite Artistry Team doing makeup for a great cause. I packed up my makeup kit and headed to Malibu for The 14^th Annual Design Care 2012, a fashion, music and philanthropy event hosted by Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete in support of families living with Autism and Parkinson’s disease.  Our makeup team, headed by the extraordinary Nars Global Artist Uzo, worked side by side with legendary Celeb Hair Stylist Chaz Dean and his team to create a dramatic look for the models in the Sue Wong Fashion show.

There was so much excitement and even a bit of tension in the air as our teams used our miniscule time limit of an hour and forty five minutes to execute the intricate look Sue Wong chose on 20 models. Sue Wong’s assistant was “kind enough” to stroll into the hair and makeup tent to provide a countdown to show time every twenty minutes, which kept us on our toes. The final twenty minutes were the most intense as we all hurriedly completed the look on our last models and sent them to wardrobe. Final touches of powder and lips were done backstage with minutes to go and then the lead model was on her way down the runway to wow a star studded audience in Sue Wong’s 2012 Fall Collection.

Backstage before the Sue Wong Fashion Show

I spied Paula Abdul, Arsenio Hall, Regina King, Melanie Brown and Brooke Burke among many other celebs sitting front and center for the Fashion Show and musical performances by Natalie Cole and Jeffrey Osborne, led by music director Rickey Minor. The fabulous event was a great success raising money and awareness for a worthy cause! Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete were gracious hosts to all who came out to show their support by also generously giving away incredible gift bags with incredible swag from event sponsors like NARS, Target, WEN Hair & Body Care by Chaz Dean, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and CDs from Natalie Cole, Lillo Thomas. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!

To find out how you can donate and or raise awareness through the HollyRod Foundation check out www.hollyrod.org.

Saving Face

Samantha, wearing Nars Multiple in Orgasm

There are those days or nights when we have to present our best face to the world when we would rather crawl into bed and sleep off the night before. But strong independent women like us are used to sucking it up and making it happen. That was the scenario for my good friend Samantha and I the night after the 4^th of July. We had dinner plans at a chic restaurant in LA and wanted to put our best faces forward.

Many of my friends have expressed to me that on the dreaded morning after, when they look at their visibly tired faces in the mirror and fumble through their makeup bags, they don’t even know where to begin to try to pull it together and face the world.  Well, what is a girl to do when she has to look bright eyed and bushy tailed when she feels lack luster?

There are a few items that should be staples in your makeup arsenal that will help you razzle dazzle ‘em under the grimmest of circumstances.  Mascara  and concealer goes without saying so if you don’t have a good one RUN, don’t walk to a cosmetic counter and ask the Beauty Technician to set you up with the right shade and formula.  We’ll discuss mascara and concealer later but for now lets focus on the super star product that saved our tired asses on that night.

Nars Multiple Stick in Orgasm

First of all, the number one culprit of visibly tired skin is dehydration. If you aren't drinking eight glasses of water a day, smoke, or are facing the aftermath of a long night drinking, it’s inevitable that your skin will show it. Dehydrated skin is no match for Nars Multiple Sticks! They're called Multiples because they can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips. These magical crème blushes/highlighters can be layered onto bare skin or on top of foundation and powder to add life to tired skin.

I gave Samantha a Multiple Orgasm (Nars best selling shade) in more ways than one when I popped the glowing flush on the apples of her cheeks and high on her cheek bones. I opted for the more "sista" friendly version for my skin tone and reached into my makeup bag and found my G-Spot Multiple (New Shade from the 2012 Summer Collection) and applied it the same way.

Now who isn't ready to conquer the world after you've found your G-Spot and had a Multiple Orgasm? Go out and get one!

Bess Belleau Byers

Our two worlds collided with one click of the heel. Seriously! We first met clicking our heels on the streets of Venice Beach. It's a friendship that was meant to be. We soon learned that our visions of fashion were the same and thus evolved one of many collaborations with the very talented and stylish Bess Belleau Byers.

Now for you ladies who'd like a night with Edie Sedwick inspired eyes like Bess read on. Notably, this is an intermediate level look so take your time with it and read the instructions all the way through before you begin. You'll need:

• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Nars cream eyeshadow Cosmic Girl (Pale Gold with Shimmer)
• Inglot Matte Collection AMC Gel Eyeliner #77 (Black)
• Nars Duo Eyeshadow Pandora (Matte Black on one side and
• Nars Larger Than Life Eye Pencil Santa Monica (White)
• YSL Faux Cils Mascara Noir Radical
• False Eyelashes
• Pointed Eyeliner Brush
• Fine Smudge Brush

This look is a perfect example of why I start application on the eyes before applying any base is on the skin. It's much easier to maintain the balance between both eyes which is key to pulling it off yourself. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is a must to begin. Apply a small dot on each lid and spread with your ring finger all over the lid from the lash line to the brow bone. This will keep the intricate liner in place. 

Now your lid is prepped and you are ready to start your liner. Using Inglot's Matte Collection AMC Gel Eyeliner, draw a cat eye with a pointed eyeliner brush (Refer to the March 19th Eyes that Roar post for how to create the perfect cat eye and brush references). Exaggerate the wing tip by dragging the liner out as far as the tail of your eyebrow but without connecting the two. After adding more product to your eyeliner brush, evenly distribute it by making short strokes back and forth in the lid of the eyeliner. How the product lays on the brush will make a big difference in this look. 

Use this brush to begin drawing a medium sized line in a half moon shape that connects with the wingtip. Start the half moon with a fine point at the inside corner of your eye and use a heavier hand as you draw the arch and connect the wingtip. 

Next, use the Fine Smudge Brush to apply the matte black side of NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow to the lower lash line. The shadow should look more dense than smokey when you are done. 

Use NARS Larger Than Life Santa Monica in the water line of the lower lash line. You may need to swab the water line with a q-tip and a touch of eye makeup remover to clear any residue of black shadow otherwise you will end up with a gray line instead of a white one. 

Finally apply upto three coats of YSL's Faux Cils mascara to the bottom and top lashes. I popped on a pair of false eye lashes for extra drama. Cleaning up the under eye area with a cotton ball soaked in eye makeup remover is alway recommended before applying concealer or foundation when creating a dramatic look. Don't forget to touch up your concealer when you are done! 

Epic good times and perfect photo opps followed that night. Edie would have been proud. Stay tuned for our next collaboration.

Bess is also wearing Nars Penny Lane Cream Blush on her cheeks and Nars Schiap on her lips.  Follow Bess on Twitter @BessByers. 

Photographs by Bess Byers

Eyes That Roar

Besides being a makeup artist and self proclaimed fashionista, I've also fancied myself a novice movie buff. Films that have made the most lasting impressions on me and earned a spot in my all-time favorites category have been those combining beauty and culture. In my opinion they are an inseparable pair. 


Often, the inspiration for my art comes from the visual style of classic foreign films. I love the simplicity of makeup in that time. In that era, beauty for a woman was created with a cat eye, red lips and a porcelain finish to the skin. To this day that style of makeup is recognized as the epitome of timeless glamour.
Watching the cinematic masterpiece 8 1/2 by Federico Felini for the first time, where every actress, young and old, fiercely donned the classic and seductive cat eye inspired me to mimic this as my own signature look. It's so flattering to eyes, I rarely leave home without.
I know, I know... Achieving balanced eyeliner with a perfect winged tip may seem intimidating, but it's easier than you think.
These four little tools will have you addicted to cat eyes like me. 

• First, you'll need a fine eyeliner brush. I like Bobbi Brown's Ultra Fine Eyeliner brush. This brush is easy to hold and will guarantees the control needed to create a balanced line on each eye. 

• You'll also need a good gel liner. I prefer a gel eyeliner to  liquid eyeliner pen because it gives more control over how much product is used to create the eyeliner. My hands down, favorite gel eyeliner is Inglot's Matte Collection AMC Gel Liner. It has incredible pigment and delivers the smoothest application. There's no dragging or skipping across the lashline when using this little gem. Are you ready for this? It's only $12! I know! Unbelievable, right? 

• Last, but not least, you'll need a q-tip and eye makeup remover. Now that you have your tools you are ready to start. 

1. Dip the eyeliner brush into the gel eyeliner and pick up a small amount of product. Get rid of any excess by stroking the brush back and forth on each side in the cap of the eyeliner. This will allow for more even distribution on the brush which is important to achieve balance.

2. Start eyeliner in the inside corner of the eye, concentrating on making a very thin line that extends to an acute angle and reaches slightly past the outside corner of your eye. (Drawing the line at a greater degree or extending it further on the outside corner of the eye will make a more dramatic look.)

3. Next, draw a line at the outside corner of your eye that connects to the line above it and fill in the space in between. You will more than likely have to go back for more product to do this.

4. Lastly, lightly dampen a q-tip with eye makeup remover. Place the q-tip at the outside corner of the eye and gently drag upward at an angle creating a sharp, fine point. Repeat on the other eye and you're done! Go hit the town with your enviably perfect Cat Eye!

You Say it's Your Birthday

After skimming through the rolodex of beauty tips in my head to find the perfect way to get my blog going, I finally had an epiphany. This may not be the smartest move on my part but in an act of selfless generosity, I've decided to give my very best tip away.

Hold on to your makeup brushes ladies, this one is a game changer. The secret to perfectly blended makeup is wrapped up in that old familiar tune, Happy Birthday. What, pray tell, does this have at all to do with makeup you might ask? Taking the time to blend separates the women from the girls in a big way.

Far too many times in my retail career I've been approached by women seeking my guidance because of their frustration by their lack of skill in the makeup department. I stare back at their splotchy bronzer, streaky blush, uneven foundation or harsh eyeshadow and ask, "How much time do you take to blend your makeup?" Responses varied but it always seemed as though woman knew this was an important step in application but couldn't quite gauge how long it should take. So, no matter how many times I emphasized blending, they always fell short of their desired results. I struggled with how to communicate this with my clients until one day, after a visit from a friend in nursing school, the notion came to me.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine on the beaches of Venice and Santa Monica. After the sun set we headed to a local sandwich shop on the boardwalk, picked up a bite to eat and headed back to my place. While I served up our meal on plates in the kitchen, from the direction of my bathroom I could hear my friend singing a familiar tune. "Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday dear Gavin...Happy birthday to you!" I was a bit alarmed at the randomness of his song choice. Did I forget his birthday, I thought for a quick second? I knew it wasn't mine. Did I miss something? Then, he started singing it again! Ok, he's having a stroke I decided. I better go in a check on him. "Um, why do you keep singing happy birthday?" I finally asked confused.

He explained he was simply washing his hands and in nursing school he learned that in the time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice, germs would be sufficiently washed away. It was a habit he now practiced to ensure that his hands were completely cleaned. I thought that was the neatest trick ever! (Yes, i said neat. Don't judge me.) And then it occurred to me, with a slight alteration, this might be the missing link in my blending lessons.

I tried my experiment the next day with a client scheduled for a makeover. As I applied her foundation, I sang the happy birthday song once all the way through in my head. Just as i thought! In the time it took to sing the song only once, the foundation was perfectly blended on her face and around her jaw and hairline. I tried it again while applying shadows for a night-time look. Once again, by the last happy birthday to you chorus, shadows where flawlessly blended on each eye and ready for the final touches of eyeliner and mascara. It also worked for powder foundation and blush application.

The real test came when I sent my clients home with this little trick in their back pockets. All of them came back to tell me that the trick had been a tremendous help in gauging how long they should take to blend and that their makeup looked so much more polished and professional. I couldn't be happier with that feedback. And now i pass it on to the world. So, the next time you are heading out on the town or just headed to work, pretend it's your birthday! You'll thank me for your flawless face later.

Me Imagining You

With my mother, father, brother and two sister in Los Angeles.
I'm in the red Member's Only jacket lookin' sassy.

Me doubling as a makeup artist and bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding
at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara.

I’ve always been opinionated.  “You’re too smart for your own good young lady,” is a phrase that I heard often from my parents after most of my unsolicited comments on any number of subjects that adults were conversing about. In their defense, I could always find something to say about anything I had heard or seen and more to my detriment, anything someone else had heard or seen.  What proved as an annoyance to my parents has served me well in my career as a makeup artist, beauty and skincare consultant and now, blogger. I’m here to give my opinion of products old and new that I have come across in my10 years in the retail beauty industry.  In my years at a very high-end retail establishment in the heart of Beverly Hills, I had the rare opportunity to be in the center of a virtual playground of the most incredible cosmetic products. In my time there, I grew accustomed to the ceremony of skincare, the kaleidoscope of colors and the company of fragrance.  There, I was able to experience my favorites and discover products I couldn’t live without.  And so I bring to you the best of the best in cosmetic and skincare products, unsung heroes and of course, the ones that struck out. And I promise to make it fun!