Airbrushing is the ultimate in professional makeup ~ it is simply a tool, like a brush or sponge, used to apply foundation.  The beauty of airbrush is that it sprays micronized pigment onto the skin in itty bitty pixels that are invisible to the naked eye and “float” on the surface of the skin . . . this results in flawless coverage with less product, so it looks and feels natural.  Airbrush makeup is commonly used in TV and film because it is undetectable even with Hi-Def cameras.

Besides the amazing coverage, airbrushing is also hygienic ~ no fingers touching the face or risk of bacteria in brush bristles.  The airbrush system is two parts: the gun which sprays the product, and the compressor which controls the air pressure.  You can spray foundation, blush, brows, eye shadow, liner, lips ~ virtually anything.  Airbrush makeup is also used in spray tanning, tattoo cover, temporary tattoos and face/body painting.  Many brushes and foundation formulations promise an “airbrushed look” . . . why not get the real thing?

Abundance is pleased to offer airbrush makeup services to give you the best possible photo finish for any occasion in the spotlight.  Our Red Carpet Makeover pairs airbrush makeup with NuFace microcurrent treatment that lifts and sculpts the face.

**Photo courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Kimberley Bosso (pictured airbrushing Candace Cameron).

At Abundance, we’ve been singing the praises of hyaluronic acid for years, so we were pleased to see it get some public recognition in the article “Skin care’s new favorite ingredient: hyaluronic acid” by Alene Dawson for the Los Angeles Times.  According to Dawson, hyaluronic acid is the skincare industry’s newest buzzword ingredient ~ it has a smoothing, plumping effect that makes it a worthy addition to cosmetics; also, because it is naturally occurring and is identical whether human, animal or synthetic in origin, hyaluronic acid is a safe and effective ingredient for fillers such as Botox, Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm (which contain varying thicknesses of hyaluronic acid).  For more information on injectables and fillers, please consult our in-house Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Greene.

Dawson’s source, Dr. Nowell Solish, Director of Dermatologic Surgery at University of Toronto, seems to disapprove of cosmetic companies riding the coattails of hyaluronic acid because, when applied topically, it doesn’t absorb into the skin and correct winkles, but simply fills, plumps  and smooths skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  We emphatically say… What’s wrong with that?!  For people who aren’t in the market for fillers or noninvasive anti-wrinkle treatments such as glycolic/alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliation or GentleWaves LED Photomodulation, we see no problem whatsoever with instantaneous, albeit temporary, improvement in the skin!

Abundance has several products touting hyluronic acid ~ Epicuren’s Moisture Surge and DNA Skincare’s Zen Therapy Gel are almost pure hyaluronic acid and are used as a hydrator under your moisturizer, or as a stand alone moisturizer for oily skin… but we also like to use them as a foundation primer because it leaves a super smooth finish.  TRUE Cosmetics’ Skin Tints contain hyaluronic acid, making it more of a tinted moisturizer than a liquid foundation, and believe us when we tell you it lives up to the hype!  TRUE also uses hyaluronic acid in their Transforming Mineral Mist, which is used to set mineral foundation, making mineral powder more wearable for dry skin and those with a heavy-hand, but also serves as a refreshing pick-me-up anytime (think:  airplane… desert…).  PRIORI’s new Cellular Recovery and Epicuren’s Phyto Placenta Serum also contain this “buzzword” ingredient, although we prefer to think of hyaluronic acid as buzzworthy.

Our newest addition, PRIORI Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals, is marketed as “sun protection” — rather than “mineral foundation” — acceptable not only for women, but for men and children as well.  And recently, a couple of clients have shown us the new powder sunscreen they’re using, which got us thinking about the idea of foundation versus sunscreen. We want to hear from our readers:  Would YOU put mineral powder on your toddler?  Teenage son?  Husband?  Here’s my personal investigation into the matter:

On a sunny weekend day, my family was going to walk the Los Gatos Creek Trail, a perfect opportunity to use minerals (instead of sunscreen) on my five-year-old daughter, Shannon.  As I prepped her face with a little moisture (Epicuren’s CXc, a Vitamin C serum), I wondered if I had stumbled into Pageant Mom territory.  What was next?  Spray tan for my Kindergartner?  She giggled as the brush tickled her face, and I realized that, unlike creamy sunscreen, the mineral powder won’t get in her eyes (from clumsy application or sweating).  Plus one for mineral powder!  I inspected the results and was pleased that the color was a perfect match and the powder was totally undetectable.  Two points!  By the end of the day, I no longer felt like a morally impaired makeup artist forcing cosmetics upon my family; I felt good about Shannon having breathable, chemical- and paraben-free sun protection with antioxidant protection to boot.  Plus, if you can share your mineral powder with other family members, then it’s cost effective, too.  Mineral powder for kids is definitely a winner in my book!

But I wasn’t done yet:  what about men?  Surprisingly, my SO NOT metro-sexual husband says he would wear mineral powder, but not “the liquid stuff” (a.k.a. liquid foundation).  Mineral powder, one – traditional sunscreen, zip.  While he says he would wear it, he is under the assumption that I, his wife and professional makeup artist, will be applying it for him.  Every day.  Sorry, buddy, not very practical.  And we have a tie.  Besides, mineral powder tends to have a radiance that emulates a youthful glow, something that women love but may look unnatural on a rugged, five o’clock shadow kinda guy.  If you use the Finishing Touch Powder over the mineral powder, it will yield a matte finish, but I just can’t imagine my husband knowing what to do with two powders and two brushes.   I think traditional sunscreen for men is the winner here.  Remember to look for a chemical-free, mineral sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide.

We’d love to know what your guy thinks about wearing mineral powder, or if you’d use it on your little tikes… leave us a comment!

Please join us in welcoming PRIORI Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals to our cosmetics line-up!  We’re excited to introduce you to our new addition which boasts Coffeeberry extract (a skin-lightening antioxidant) and eco-friendly packaging and brushes.  We would also like to take this opportunity to address some of the questions our clients have  regarding beingTRUE cosmetics… such as Can I still get my TRUE cosmetics at Abundance? Yes!  Can I use my TRUE brushes with the PRIORI minerals, or vice versa? Yes!  Can I use the TRUE Mist with PRIORI Minerals? Yes!  Rest assured, our TRUE cosmetics aren’t going anywhere (we could never part with TRUE Skin Tints!) and you will be able to use the cosmetics interchangeably.  So why add PRIORI minerals to the mix?  It comes down to providing our clients with MORE.  More color selection.  More options.  More variety.

There are a few attributes that differentiate the two lines – namely, the antioxidant protection (natural vs. bio-engineered) and  the finish (powder vs. mist).  Please take a look at the chart below for a side-by-side comparison.  PRIORI brings something new to the table with its Perfecting Concealer (a powder concealer for allover use) and  brushes (not only are they eco/animal-friendly, they’re affordable too!).

PRIORI has proven to be an industry leader in advanced skincare (we ship PRIORI all over the world, and people often stumble upon Abundance in their search for PRIORI products), so when they released their mineral line  we just knew good things were in store.  We’re happy to report that it passed our trial period with flying colors.  Come to our next complimentary makeover event to try Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals for yourself!

Questions?  Concerns?  Can’t wait to try Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals?  We welcome your comments!