Jill Stuart Makeup Fit For A Queen

Photos: Callies Portrait Photography

Jill Stuart makeup is my favorite discovery lately. It's really all about the packaging but the product is excellent quality as well. I would love nothing more than to fly to Japan and spend an afternoon playing in makeup at her boutique. For now I just order off the internet and wait anxiously for my packages to arrive. It gives me something to look forward to in the mail instead of bills. Her makeup is generally sheer and sparkly. Lots and lots of glitter for the princess in all of us. Even the nail polish is quite sheer but multi dimensional with sparkles galore. The compacts are plastic although they look silver. They are adorned with pink diamonds, ribbons, tassels and charms. Even the eyelash curler is pink metal with a diamond charm. My favorite product is the Blush Blossom cheek powder. I ordered it in Sweetpea and love the pearly pink glow it adds to the apples of my cheeks and the subtle fruity fragrance. The glosses are a bit too sheer so I add a little color with her charming lip liners complete with jewel shaped caps. I admit I am a makeup junkie and have drawers full of tubes and compacts used once or twice. But Jill Stuart is different. It offers an experiece when you put it on. Just for a moment I can almost identify with Marie Antoinette sitting at her vanity blushing her cheeks with beautiful puffs and silver jars. The packaging transports you to the realm of fantasy where everything is lovely for a few moments.

My Jill Stuart makeup routine for pale Norwegian skin:

1. Prime face with Pure Lasting Makup Base

1. Cover pores on nose with Pore Solid Essence

3. Brush on Moist Silk Powder Foundation in 101 Linen

4. Apply eyeshadow- usually three colors depending on what I'm wearing

5. Apply liquid eyeliner in black..I like to turn up at the ends like old hollywood glamour

6. Curl lashes and apply mascara and if it's a really special date, glue on false eyelashes

7. Highlight cheek bones with a shimmer highlighter in color 101 Marshmellow Puffy

8. Apply Blush Blossom in 01 Romantic Sweet Pea

9. Put on lipliner and a gloss to match outfit

10. If I have time for nail polish I file my nails and brush on a base coat, two coats of nail lacquer color and a top coat

Voila!

Powder Puff Pastries

Powder Puffs. Soft, luxurious, intimate and quintessentially feminine. Sweeter than a French macaron, powder puffs are an irresistable treat for your senses. The best are made of swan's down and are barely detectable as they caress your skin.

The photo of the white vintage puff in the shell is probably German. It is made of swan down topped with silk and a celluloid ring. I found this delicious little creampuff at a local antique shop for around $30.00 which is an incredible price as they normaly run around $125 for one in such great condition.

The candy pink puff in the martini glass is made by Caron. I purchased it in Paris at the famous House of Caron perfumery and believe it is also made of swan and dyed a luscious shade of pink. It is frosted with a satin signature bow embossed with gold lettering.

The puff on the plate is one of my favorites. It is made of goose down and fitted with a vintage sterling handle. This one came from Westminster Lace back in the early 90s. I keep it on my vanity and use it all the time with a scented white powder all over my body. The trick to keeping down puffs in good condition is not to rub, just delicately puff. Then when you are done, blow out the excess powder like you're blowing out a candle to make a wish.

The trio of powders in the silver candy dishes are from left to right: Jill Stuart, Juicy Couture and Victoria Secret. The Jill Stuart puff is filled from inside with a fruity scented glittery powder. To apply, you slip the little diamond ring on your finger and puff and fluff to your hearts content. Juicy Couture's body powder is a pale champagne color infused with crushed diamonds and pearls and leaves a beautiful glow. I love to use it on bare legs to even out skin tone and leave a pretty shimmer. The Victoria Secret Powder is very old and no longer available but is one I couldn't seem to part with it. I love the retro packaging and the powder itself is cupcake pink with chunky silver glitter. The puff is the softest fuzzy fabric imaginable and glides on smooth to leave you sparkling.

The lavender feather puff is a French tickler brush from Tarte. Its great for dusting off excess eyeshadow fallout that lands on your cheekbones.

Photo: Norma Sheerer in Marie Antoinette