Beauty Binge: A Sweet Surrender to Sisley

Many people know me as a fashion analyst, but are not aware that I also have my aesthetician’s license, after completing intense study here in California. This knowledge broadens my capabilities as a writer–on many levels–and the experience, knowledge and training that I have accumulated enables me to very accurately and poignantly disclose to you my best in beauty products and cosmetics.

It goes without saying that I have a complicated, and sometimes dangerous affair with makeup. Nowadays, I get so much free product that I nearly never have to buy a single stitch of it myself…..until I pass the Sisley Paris cosmetics counter. Few things can make my heart race as fast as when approaching that counter, which for me is nestled inside the bright Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco’s Union Square. And my lovely long-term liaison with Sisley artist Richard Winser is a relationship that I have treasured for around 20 years now.

Above, Richard applies a new Sisley pencil to my eyes. I will tell you all about this great product, but first I just want to say that every change of season I pop in to say hi to Richard and see what Sisley is up to. I have Richard assess my face and we discuss any concerns that I may have with regard to skin condition or anything like that. But most importantly, I love it when Richard quickly applies a little makeup on top of what I’m already wearing, to give me a few ideas about the newest emerging trends and how my face has changed, or, remarkably, not. Time is a luxury for me, and Richard understand this. He is so deft with the powder brush that he can do his thing stat-quick, while making me feel special and pretty, and also giving me some ideas about application and fresh colors. Richard makes staying current a snap. I don’t know what I’d do without him. I think that everyone should have a Richard. So, the moral of the story is: Try to develop your own local relationship with a ‘Richard’ because it really is so invaluable! It’s great to have a skilled set of objective eyes that you can trust when evaluating your appearance.

And now I’m really happy to report to you on a few of my new Sisley finds during last weekend’s beauty binge. You will love them.

First up is this great chunky pencil for eyes. It’s the Phyto-Eye Twist, $50, a giant waterproof crayon that glides on silky smooth and deposits a nice opaque line, thick or thin, you choose. Buff it, smudge it, or leave the line crisp. I love this pencil, especially in colors Havana, a sparkling burgundy great for dark eyes, below….

….or Lagoon, below, a tantalizing turquoise, which is great used as your spring 2015 statement eyeliner.

Richard shaded my upper lash line and the crease of my eye, creating a V-shape on the lid, with this jumbo stick, in the photo. It adds depth for a sultry yet simple summer eye. I loved the result. These pencils are great—I want to collect them all—and the performance is stellar, truly impressive and waterproof. It’s almost all you need in a single pencil! The coverage is buildable, so you can easily give more depth to a tone, more opacity, with every swipe. The color twists up, so you need not sharpen. Just throw it in your beach bag or purse, and you’re set for a weekend away, no messy eyeshadow required. And did I mention that the brilliant people over at Sisley have incorporated yummy skin-care ingredients into this über stick?!?! They think of everything! I love their ‘treatment cosmetics,’ which nurture your skin while acting as a smart cosmetic! This powerhouse of a pencil is packed with Green Tea, White Lily and Camellia, all of which are potent anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants that are going to treat your skin–actually protecting and repairing–while you’re making up. Brilliant.

Next up, for the white eyeliner trend that’s got me and countless other beauty aficionados all crazy this summer, you must, must, MUST try Sisley’s Phyto-Khol Perfect liner in Snow, $57. Wow. And it is so perfect! Perfectly firm, yet soft, so it buffs a pearly white pigment onto the lid, or the waterline, with an effortlessness that is both comfortable and welcome. No tugging, no tearing. And the luminous white is very flattering. I adore this pencil, and I love the way Richard applied it. Use the liner on the top lid only, and create a subtle cat eye with the white kohl. This will lift the corners and create an innocent yet sexy, provocative doe-eyed look! This is the ideal pearly white crayon liner for the white eyeliner trend. (Remember to further invest in a white liquid for a different and more haute look. See my story all about white eyeliner, featuring our favorite reader, the gorgeous model Cara Delevingne, here!)

Last up, you are going to need mascara, and Sisley’s is the best…..Specifically, their So Intense Mascara, $67, and this time you have to get it in black. I love Deep Blue, which is a rich, complex indigo that flatters all eye shades, from brown to cool-toned and kaleidoscope eyes. But with a white lid or line, you want to wear black mascara. It makes the contrast pop.

The brush in this mascara is bomb–perfect for alternately building and separating…..But the formula is also pretty dope, because it’s enriched with peptides and rice phyto-ceramides that are going to give you more beautiful lashes as a result of using it! Gotta love that! Thanks, Sisley….I adore you! xxx