One of my all-time favorite movies is “Beautiful Girls”. The cast is great, the plot entertaining, but more than anything, I love how it truly captures how cold winters are in Minnesota. It reminds me of my hometown and why I still live here even when I’m a summer girl at heart.
The other thing I love about it is Uma Thurman’s character. She proves that a woman can still be sexy even when she’s dressed in layers and trades heels for Sorels. I think she is at her most beautiful in this movie. Her “natural” makeup gives her a “I just walked a mile in the cold and snow” glow and I have invested time and money in trying to re-create the look. And, I think I’ve finally mastered it! I spent the holiday weekend doing very “Minnesota” activities and had several local gals ask what makeup I use along the way.
Uma and her “snow glow”
Now, when you see how many products go into achieving this look, don’t be dismayed. It actually only takes me about 7 minutes to complete and many of you can probably eliminate some steps (I am not blessed with beautiful skin). Some products I have profiled before and some are new to my routine. Those are the ones I’ll focus the most on.
First step is prep. I mix a little of Paula Dorf’s Jet Set Glow tinted moisturizer ($35) with Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm ($34). Jet Set Glo adds a little more moisture and glow to the beauty balm. I first started using it in the nineties when I read it’s what the makeup artist for “Sex and the City” used on Sarah Jessica Parker. I’ve been a fan ever since. The beauty balm does a great job of covering, but if I have a certain blemish that needs a little help, I dot on Loreal’s Magic Lumi concealer ($12). I finish off with a dusting of Bare Mineral’s Ready powder foundation ($29). A little goes along way when it comes to this powder. It has great coverage and keeps the shine at bay. For those of you with perfect skin, you can totally skip this step!
Next comes the color! I use Shiseido Lacquer Rouge RD501 Drama ($25) as a cheek stain (which I actually dot on my apples before powder). It’s not sticky and lasts all day. I follow that up with my all-time favorite bronzer, Too Faced Snow Bunny ($29). A swipe on the forehead, apples, nose, and chin gives a perfect winter bronze. And then it’s time for my new love, Stila’s Custom Color Blush in Self-Adjusting Coral ($20). This blush actually works with your PH so you get the perfect color for your skin. I apply to my apples with a very light hand, as it has ample pigments. My cheeks now have the look of a gal who’s been playing in the snow. And on my lips I use the newest from MAC-après Chic lipstick ($15). après Chic is MAC’s latest collection and all the products were made to give you the look of someone who’s been skiing the slopes all day.
Last, but not least, I do my eyes. I keep it very simple. I first put Dior’s Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28) on my lashes and follow that with two coats of MAC’s new mascara Extreme Dimension Lash ($20). This mascara is seriously fabulous! My eyelashes actually reach my eyebrows (and no flaking or clumping). Speaking of eyebrows, I just swipe on Revlon’s Brow Fantasy ($8) to add some color and hold them in place. Then a spray of Urban Decay’s De-Slick Makeup Setter ($29) and I’m good to go!
Now, Like I said, it seems like a lot, but it’s actually quite simple. And I’m sure you have products at home that will work just as well. The key is to have glowing skin, in-from-the-cold apples, a more natural eye, and just-bitten lips. You’ll look happy, healthy, and like a true winter girl!
“Feeling Minnesota”. On Medicine Lake looking at the icehouses. Very “Beautiful Girls”!
