Favorite Sunscreens for Summer 2013

It's been a tough week battling a heatwave in NYC, but whether you are laying on the beach or out and about in the city, sunscreen is a must! There are a lot of things to factor in finding the right sunscreen. I love these because of the non-greasy and non-sticky formulas, SPF levels, and the fact that they don't have that sunscreen smell. 

1. Vichy Laboratoires Capital Soleil SPF 50 Lightweight Foaming Lotion, $28 - lightweight, air mousse sunscreen with multi-layer protection from UVA/UVB rays and freee radical damage. White Grape Polyphenols + Vitamin E for antioxidant protection. Leaves skin soft and smooth. 

2. COOLA Face SPF 30 Cucumber Matte Finish,$36 - antioxidant-infused, mineral matte sunscreen with a natural cucumber scent. Acts as the perfect primer under foundation, with a moisturizing, smooth, silky finish. Made with Vitamin C, Zinc and organic ingredients including Rose Hip and Evening Primrose Oils. COOLA Sport SPF Fresh Mango Moisturizer, $32 - 80 minutes of water resistance made with 70% organic inactive ingredients including Evening Primrose and Linseed and Coconut Oils. Love the mango scent!

3. Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50, $38 - oil-free, sheer formula has a silky texture, and weightless feel. Alguronic Acid combines with antioxidant-rich botanicals and UVA/UVB protecting actives to help delay signs of aging caused by the sun and environmental stressors. Can be used alone, applied over skincare products or under makeup for a soft, matte finish. 

4. Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 for Face/Body, $30 - Cream sunscreen that shields the skin against environmental aggressors.  Utilizes advanced sun care technology to protect against dryness, oxidative pollutants and UVA/UVB rays that cause photo-aging, spots and wrinkles. 

- Kim Weling

Shiseido Makeup and Skincare Must-Haves for Fall 2011

If you are stocking up on new makeup and skincare must-haves for fall, check out these new products from Shiseido. I got a first-hand look at each product during their fall preview.

If you are looking for a cream shadow, you are going to want to try the Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Eye Color. These long-wearing cream shadows won't crease or fade for up 16 hours and are lightweight and smudge-free. You can wear each shade separately or blend them together.

The shadows have a Jewel Reflecting Powder that reflects different colors from every angle, Smooth Fit Base (Shiseido's exclusive patent-pending emulsification technology) for strong resistance to creasing and fading and Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE to moisturize and improve dryness.

There are 12 new shades, inspired by photograph's taken through Dick Page's (Artistic Director for Shiseido Makeup) travels, retailing for $25 each.

- Mist (WT901) – “A soft pearly white”

- Magnolia (PK302) – “A fresh bright pink”

- Techno Gold (GD803) – “A brilliant yellow gold”

- Meadow (BE204) – “A warm glowing beige”

- Purple Dawn (VI305) – “An intense violet”

- Leather (BR306) – “A rich, reddish brown”

- Patina (GR707) – “A lustrous metallic bronze”

- Moss (GR708) – “A vibrant bright green”

- Sable (BR709) – “A luxurious taupe”

- Tin (SV810) – “A rich silver”

- Angel (BL711) – “A deep, teal-toned blue”

- Caviar (BK912) – “A glossy, shimmering black”

Another new favorite is the Perfect Foundation Brush. The synthetic, superior bristles evenly applies foundation and the tapered edges give the edge of the brush a slant to reach every crevice of the face. The short handle allows precise control and the small, compact design makes it easy for travel.

Perfect Foundation Brush, $30

The Future Solution LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum dramatically increases skin’s plumpness, resilience and radiance. The serum works to improve visible signs of aging including the loss of firmness, wrinkles, dullness and visible pores as well as strengthening the skin by defending it against environmental aggressors.

The serum's key ingredients includes Skingenecell 1P, Soft Glow Powder and Premium Uji Green Tea Extract. This is applied both morning and night after cleansing.

Future Solution LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum, $225 for 30ml

The Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream prevents the first stages of wrinkle formation and creates age-resistant skin. Key ingredients include Bio-Revitalizing Complex that improves skin's elasticity and texture and Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid that intensely hydrates the skin.

Immediate results include smoother skin, more noticeable even foundation application and more visibly youthful skin. The cream is applied both morning and evening after cleansing.

Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream, $75 for 50ml, $95 for 75ml

Image of Perfect Foundation Brush courtesy of Shiseido

These are my favorite Shimmering Cream Eye Color Shades - Sable, Patina and Angel

Images of Shimmering Cream Eye Color courtesy of Shiseido

- Kim Weling

Shiseido Pop-Up Shop - One Week Only!

Photo courtesy of Shiseido

Shiseido's limited edition beauty boutique opened to the public on Friday, November 12th, and will be open from 11am-7pm daily through November 19th. It's located at 989 3rd avenue at 59th street, right across from Bloomingdale's. There is one whole floor devoted to skincare and another floor devoted to makeup.

You can check out the fall & holiday collections and enjoy the following:

• Gift cards for complimentary facial massage treatments at the Bloomingdales Shiseido counter on 59th Street
• Deluxe samples of signature Shiseido skincare and makeup products
• Information about Shiseido collections:

- Fall 2010 Shiseido Makeup and Limited Edition Holiday Palette
- Shiseido’s new Future Solution LX Eye
- Lip Contour Regenerating Cream
- Best-selling Shiseido Bio Performance Super Corrective Serum

Style Eyes by Taylor Chang-Babaian Book Launch Hosted by Shiseido

Last month on September 7th, 2010, I attended the launch for makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian's newest book, Style Eyes, hosted by Shiseido. Just at first glance looking through the book I can see that it is very detailed, walking you through step by step on how to create a smoky or dramatic eye. I love the photos - the closeups of the eye are intriguing because you can see the eye makeup and even showcases some interesting colors I wouldn't have considered before.

I can't wait to really start delving into this book, taking in Taylor's beauty secrets and just learning tricks of the trade. I have more makeup than I know what to do with, and that's also the problem - I'm just sticking to what I know and using shades that I am used to using. It would be nice to try a new look or go with a bold color I would tend to shy away from.

The book includes everything from eyeshadow layering and eyeliner techniques to steps on how to apply false lashes.

Along with the book, I received Shiseido's Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio and Accentuating Creamy Eyeliner. I haven't tried the eye color trio yet but I absolutely love the eyeliner. It goes on smoothly and stays on all day! Can't wait to see what Shiseido has in store for Spring 2011!

- Kim Weling