Hi-def TV. What does it mean, besides a lot of extra money the next time you need a television set? Basically, hi-def tv is digital and extra, extra precise, making the viewing experience much more vivid. Were you watching the evening news in hi-def and the anchors weren't wearing great makeup, you'd know who missed a few hours of beauty sleep and who was having a break-out from ratings stress. Imagine letting the whole world into your bathroom every morning with a magnifying mirror, and you now understand why stars and tv personalities have been running to Sephora and/or hiring better makeup artists!
What ever is to be done? Well, naturally many cosmetics companies have stepped up to the plate to give the entertainment and news industries something blur all of their imperfections. Can we non-performers benefit from these new technologies? I'll have to pose the question to The Beauty Brains - if I can manage to find a functioning contact form on their site.
Take a look at CARGO's blu_ray collection:
blu_ray products are designed, like most of the hi-def products on the market, to give full coverage without looking caked-on. After all, you want your hi-def makeup to cover a multitude of sins while still looking like radiant and healthy skin! Well, since these are from CARGO, you know they're good.
The line uses "photochromatic pigments" which are meant to self-correct and look good in any light. I picture tiny little magical perfect raindrops covering the skin, glinting their perfection in any situation. But I may be a little drunk at the moment, so don't mind me. (just kidding)
The products use microfine particles that don't really sit on top of the skin the way older makeup might (this microfine particle thing is becoming the norm in quality makeup, by the way). Light diffusers, also common in some other makeup, are a particular friend of mine because they gently and softly diffuse light, minimizing the appearance of imperfections while also adding a bit of radiance .
The lip products are also smoothing, thanks to hyaluronic acid and peptides, making fine lines less visible.
Above are, from left, the CARGO blush/hilighter (it's oil-free!), $27 USD; lipgloss palette (4 neutrals, endless possibilities for blending!), $29 USD; powder, $32 USD; mattifier (use over or under makeup), $24 USD; and mascara (strengthens and conditions with no clumping), $20.blu_ray is available at sephora.com.
Other ways we can learn to look better courtesy of the hi-def phenomenon:
- lighting is key! | check your makeup out in different lights- you may not realize it, but makeup applied in the wrong lighting can turn insta-tranny in another environment!
- get into a skincare routine |stars flock to their estheticians for facials more than they ever had, because makeup won't hide bumps. sign-up for regular facials, if it's in your budget, or invest in good skincare so you can cleanse+exfoliate+tone+moisturize your way into flawless skin. let all new skincare systems work for about 3 months so you can see if they work (clearly discontinuing earlier if you're having a negative reaction!). i also recommend the Clarisonic brush to help make sure you're spending enough time really getting your skin clean.
- drink it up! | drink your water and stay hydrated from the inside-out, please.
- ditch the bad habits | smoking is bad for so many reasons (i'm a former smoker, myself). if your health isn't enough to make you quit, maybe you'll quit because i tell you this: smoking makes your skin dull and wrinkly and some people even have skin discoloration from the daggone nicotine. besides, it makes you stink, which has nothing to do with hi-def tv, but someone had to tell you and it might as well be me. even though you think you don't stink, i promise you: if you smoke, you stink of smoke. ew.
- get up and move | i need to take my own advice here, i'll admit it. exercise gets the blood pumping and is overall better for you, which will naturally show in your complexion.
- stop the madness, stop the tanning! | please. you know this. you think it's cute, but you're wrong. tanning is damaging and aging and ultimately has a dangerous potential for death. and frankly, leathery skin is not attractive in person or on hi-def tv.
RG