Makeup for Palm Beach

Headed to Palm Beach this weekend and these items are coming with me!



NARS NARSissist 15 Eyeshadow Palette ($79) – the to-die-for eyeshadow palette of the year. Every color you could ever need, all in one place. Also Bobbi Brown's new Lip Color in Shimmer Finish ($25) in Raspberry Shimmer, and Classic Lip Gloss in Baby Pink (soft coral) and Buff (pink-beige).

Hopefully we can dig out of the snow in time to catch our flight!

Guest Blog: Barry's Grooming Tips

Today, I'm turning over the blog to my husband and Bluemercury co-founder, Barry Beck! -MMB

Here are the life-saving products that keep me going every day. Guys, you can pamper yourself, or tell your special someone to pick them up for you!

1. At night, slather SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm ($22) over face (and scalp, if needed), focusing on irritated/itchy areas. I keep this fully stocked in my bathroom during the fall and winter months.
2. In the morning, apply Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Heavy Lifting Cream ($40). I love Kiehl’s Facial Fuel line, and this rich cream is an effective way to battle day time dryness.
3. If your skin is oily or you prefer a lighter moisturizer, try Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 15 ($25), a great 2-in-1 moisturizer with SPF.

1. It’s so important to prep your skin before shaving. A good scrub like Jack Black’s Face Buff Energizing Scrub ($30) opens the pores for a nice, clean post-shave finish.
2. Kiehl’s Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle ($16) has been my go-to shaving cream for almost 15 years. It gives me the closest, smoothest shave imaginable with a great menthol scent.
3. M-61 Hydraboost ($78) is a serum and moisturizer all in one. Fragrance-free, easy to use, lightweight and fast-absorbing, I use this every morning.

1. Here’s my trick for sore muscles. In a hot bath, take 1 capfull of Molton Brown Bracing Silverbirch Thermal Muscle Soak ($30) and combine with 1 capfull of your Molton Brown Body Wash of choice (my favorites are Black Peppercorn ($30) and Eucalyptus ($30).Black Peppercorn:
2. Bliss’ Hot Salt Scrub ($38) is a great way to warm your muscles and slough off workout grime. Calming eucalyptus scent works great alongside the Molton Brown bath recipe.
3. Apply Jack Black Dragon Ice Relief & Recovery Balm ($22) post-bath to lingering sore muscles.  Finish with Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion ($26), a perfect lightweight daily moisturizer.

1. Morning or night, M-61 Power Glow Peel ($28) is my first line of defense against pimples and oiliness. Perfect when we’re on the road, it fits easily in my bag, and takes just one minute to use.
2. I discovered Darphin Denblan Toothpaste ($22) in Paris one summer. It’s a great teeth whitener, and now I start and end every day with it
3. My hands get so rough and dry in the wintertime, especially around the knuckles. M-61 Vitablast C Hand ($19) is my favorite skin-saver.
4. Every guy needs a good lip balm. My top pick is Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy ($25). I hardly need to re-apply, it moisturizes like no other, and it’s fragrance-free.

My Desk: Illuminated

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Bobbi Brown. She has outdone herself once again with the new Uber Pinks Collection, which is hitting Bluemercury shelves now (and selling out just as fast!).

These two Illuminating Bronzers from the collection, Pink Peony (Be Bold) and Antigua (Be Pretty) are two of my favorites for spring. I love the pop of color that the Pink Peony provides, right in the apple of your cheek.

When we get a new introduction in store, I love to check in with our experts across the country to see what they're doing. Jennifer Mullins (@jkrygmull), one of our experts at Bluemercury Jacksonville, uses Antigua with a sheer powder brush on the high cheek bones for a quick natural highlight. A quick swipe across the browbone with Antigua creates an eye-opening effect as well.

The forecast here in Washington calls for snow tomorrow--but it's spring in-store!

New and VERY Notable: Dueling Serums

RéVive founder Dr. Greg Brown and me!

Two new anti-aging serums have just arrived on our shelves...and I've been divided right down the middle. Literally.

One of my favorite new product tests at my vanity is the half-face test. I'll often use one product on one half of my face and a different product on the other to understand the differences in texture and results.

For this round, on my right half: the new Moisturizing Renewal Serum by RéVive, part of the ever-amazing Renewal Collection product line. On my left: the new La Mer Lifting Contour Serum. I used each, then a primer, put on my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and was out the door.

Here's what I noticed:

1. RéVive's Moisturizing Renewal Serum is incredibly plumping, hydrating and skin smoothing. My skin looked radiant and refreshed – like after a good night’s sleep (Dr. Brown does it again!)

2. La Mer's The Lifting Contour Serum was tightening, firming and also showed a radiant finish. My skin looked tight, like I had just run 5 miles!

Verdict: both are amazing, but completely different – so there's one for your needs (a fact with which both sides of my face would agree!).

Face Oils Revealed

The history of the face oil trend comes from the French spa lines, which have always used specific targeted oil blends to treat skin concerns. For example, Darphin's Niaouli Aromatic Care has been around for over 10 years and is used to treat oily and acneic skin with a blend of lemon, rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender. The recent acceleration of the face oil trend comes from a few forces blending together:

1. Globalization of Skincare Knowledge. Due to social media and worldwide networks, global skincare products and trends can quickly become local. Facial oils started in France, moved to London and, in my opinion, because London is the current global financial hub of Europe (check the real estate prices in Belgravia), have moved rapidly to the US.

2. The "Clean Skincare" Trend. To make a skincare cream, you start with oils and treatment and then add fillers (waxes, waters and often silicone or dimethicone) to whip it up into a desirable luxurious cream. With a face oil, the ingredients lists are short and easily understood - no fillers. Those who adore green products from brands like M-61 & REN can be confident and comfortable that the ingredients are pure. The other night, my 10 year old daughter came to me with cracked, dry hands. I dug in the cabinets for a pure face oil and ended up rubbing her hands with Fresh Elixir Anciene. Many celebrities are using face oils because of their inclination towards "clean" diets.

3. A Need to Escape. Great estheticians will spend time during a facial massaging the skin with oil to stimulate the facial muscles and boost hydration. Applying additional facial oil at home gives clients a quick, 1 minute spa pick-me-up and a break from the daily grind!

 4. Simple Science. The top layer of the skin is held together by lipids, which form a protective barrier against the environment. As we age, this lipid barrier deteriorates. Essential fatty acids in face oils help maintain this barrier protecting skin from environmental damage while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

We are seeing a proliferation of amazing products at all price points targeting specific skincare concerns. From Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate to Darphin's 8 Flower Nectar to Fresh's Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil (coming soon!). If you're vegan, vegetarian, live an active lifestyle, or are interested in paraben- and synthetic-free products, this trend might be just the perfect fit for you!

Current Addiction: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour

My Laura sticks clearly get a lot of use!

I must admit, I have a strange relationship with eyeshadow. I get stuck in a rut with the same color. Let’s face it, eyeshadow is hard to apply, takes a lot of time and sometimes is messy. For a busy mom, eyeshadow can be daunting.

Leave it to Laura Mercier to solve this problem. I am completely addicted to these handy dandy eye shadow sticks. Swipe on one lid, swipe on the other lid, and out the door.

There are a ton of colors, but here are my go to choices:

1. Neutral weekend day: Rosegold (gold/pink) all over lid, black eyeliner, mascara and done.

2. Festive work day (yes, I am feeling that way this December!): Sandglow (light bronze) all over lid, black eyeliner, mascara and done.

3. Creative day: Amethyst (browny/purple) all over lid, then sandglow all over lid, black eyeliner, mascara and done.

4. Party: Sandglow all over lid, popped up with Cocoa (topaz brown) in crease and outside corners, black eyeliner mascara and done.

Four handy sticks, a couple of swipes, many looks. We all need simplicity sometimes!

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks come in 19 colors, are $26 each and are available in store and online.

The Teenage Acne Cure

A call I receive a lot from friends is the call for help with their teenager's acne issues.

I have a simple, straightforward cocktail that I always recommend. My friend stopped me the other day and said it cleared up her daughter’s skin right away—and nothing else had worked!

1.  Wash your face with M-61 Power Cleanse at night.

2.  Spread Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Overnight Treatment over problem areas before bed.
3.  If you need to wash your face again in the morning, use a gentle gel cleanser, like M-61 Perfect Cleanse.
4.  Do not pick at or touch your face at all, ever.  No exceptions.

Simple, straightforward and it works!