Products of the Month - November



Usually Southern California is sunny and mild until December, but this entire year has been a crazy weather experience for our State, as well as the rest of the country and the world.

November has been blustery and cold.  The heater was turned on weeks ago and our skin is starting to have that “tight” feeling that we despise!  We have also noticed some dry, flaky patches of skin around our nose and chin.  It’s as if all the dewiness has been sucked right out of our pores.

We traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday too, which did not help the state of our current skin issues. Even though we are professional makeup artists and know a thing or two about skincare, doesn’t mean our skin always cooperates or that we don’t engage in some laziness every once in awhile.

It is time to rehydrate our entire bodies!  More water consumption and more moisturizer.  The Pro’s don’t want to show up to our scheduled holiday parties in a sexy dress and killer heels with patchy, scratchy, red, irritated skin, so we are reevaluating and adding to our current skincare regime (both day and night).

Winter has arrived, so here’s the Pro’s list of November Products of the Month to combat the winter blues…

Jan Marini Skin Research - Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser – not only are the Pro’s having issues with their skin, but our clients are too, so we decided to change things up a bit and add Jan Marini’s newest cleanser to our professional kits. We not only use this cleanser for removing eye makeup, but all over the face and neck to prep the skin prior to applying cosmetics.  It is extremely mild and non-foaming, which makes it extremely effective for all skin types.



Jan Marini Skin ResearchInstant Refining Exfoliator – this exfoliator will immediately create a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup and because it is a resurfacer, your skin’s texture and follicle size is refined.  Non-abrasive and gentle enough to use daily (we use it twice a week), this product will get rid of flaky, dry skin and will boost the penetration of other skincare products in your regime.  This product is a Limited Holiday Edition.



SAMPAR ParisBarley There Moisture Fluid – add this little extra bit of “oomph" to your nighttime skin regime.  We recommend applying under the SAMPAR Nocturnal Lifting Mask before bed.  The combination of the extra moisture and mask will lock in hydration and help to heel itchy, dry patches.



VotreVuPortrait Collar Restorative Neck Cream – if you think that only your face needs more moisturizer, you are wrong!  Your neck area ages faster than your face because it has different hormonal reactors and by using a specialized formula made especially for the neck, you can help to smooth the appearance of deep-set lines and tighten saggy skin!  Toss out your turtleneck tops and keep your chin up in public!  The Pro’s keep an extra one of these on the bedside table so that we lather up at night too!



AquaphorOriginal Formula Healing Ointment – this product works miracles on extremely dry, cracked and irritated skin.  It also creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture.  If your skin is raw, chapped, chafed or if you have undergone radiation treatments, facial resurfacing or if you suffer from other sensitive skin issues, you may want to try this product.  The IMPO Pro’s rely on this ointment to heal our hands, elbows, heels of our feet and knees during the winter months.  This is also great for the lips and around the mouth to heal chapping.



JAO - Hand Refresher – this is a waterless antibacterial cleanser that is infused with lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and sage oil.  It is the only sanitizer the Pro’s use in our makeup room or trailer.  Other products wipe out good bacteria along with bad bacteria, this product’s main ingredient is Ethyl Alcohol, which is proven effective to guard against harmful germs, but doesn’t kill off the body’s natural defenses.  Plus, it doesn’t have that offensive alcohol smell and it won’t dry out your hands.  Keep a small bottle in your handbag, car and backpack.



PhytoMasque Haute Hydration (intense hydrating mask) – do not forget about your hair this winter!  The Pro’s received this mask as gratis for our professional hair kit, but wanted to try it personally because we had heard about the amazing results consumers were having when using this product. This is an intense hydrating mask that regenerates hair and adds suppleness.  If you are prone to frizz, excessive shedding or if your hair is dry, brittle, dull or lifeless then this product can help.  Bonus – it only takes 2-5 minutes so you can add it to your morning routine!





EOS (evolution of smooth) – Lip Balm – do you have little kids or teenagers?  Do they always have chapped, cracked, dehydrated lips in the winter? If you are answering yes to these questions, then you have to try out EOS.  Kids and teens don’t like products that look industrial or smell medicinal.  They like cool, hip packaging and they must have flavor!  This product is a mom’s secret weapon to solving “ouchy” cracked lips plus it is Gluten-free, Paraben-free, Petrolatum-free and Phthalate-free, which means that this product is 95% organic, 100% natural and it is packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E.



Youngblood Mineral CosmeticsMineral Radiance Moisture Tint – this product does triple duty by leaving the skin hydrated, concealed and protected.  The Pro’s switch up foundation in the winter and we decided to revisit a summer favorite because this product provides our skin with free-radical fighting antioxidants, calming botanicals and nourishing minerals.  It does not sink into fine lines, wrinkles and it helps combat those dry, flaky patches around our nasal labial folds and chin.



ClarinsBarocco Face Palette – it is time to add illumination to the skin during these drab winter months and this palette is up to the task, especially if your skin is dry.  There are 4 shades in this palette – pale pink, sun-kissed beige, sparkling coral and natural beige, which can all be blended together or applied alone.  This product will enhance all complexions and will bring an instant glow back to lifeless skin!



Physicians FormulaSwirl Powder – is a good drug-store alternative to the Clarins' product listed above because it is a brighten powder that will help to blend away redness.  It tops the list of Elle Magazine World’s Best Beauty Products and is great on all skin tones.  Bonus – this product is a mineral correcting powder that is talc-free.



Laura MercierEye Color Pot – this product is a double-decker component that contains a cream color and matching loose color in two different formulas, which can be worn alone or together to create more intensity.  The cream shadow is not only an amazing eye shadow base, but is an extended wear color that won’t crease or fade and blends flawlessly.  If your eyes tend to water in the winter then try this product by using both colors on the lid and only the cream to line under the eye.



Eve PearlBlack Pearl Liquid Eyeliner – this product has been a staple in both the Pro’s professional kits and personal makeup bags for years now.  It is, without a doubt, the best liquid eyeliner in a pen form that we have found.  Does not smudge, flake or dry out and it is totally easy to use.  We like to use it to tight line the upper lid in the winter and the precise brush allows for a close application right along the lash line to give the appearance of full lashes.



Make Up For EverLash Fibers – this product will double your lashes and will boost any mascara.  Want full, fluttering, long lashes?  Then this mascara base is the answer.  Try it with your current mascara for instant results.



Make Up For EverAqua Smoky Lash – this is a waterproof formula that provides volume and curl.  This mascara can be worn in the most extreme winter conditions and it won’t budge.  Again, if you tend to have watery eyes in the winter due to extreme wind or dryness then this mascara will work wonders for you!



CliniqueBlack Honey Almost Lipstick – in returning to our fall/winter collection of lip colors, the Pro’s came across an icon product that consumers purchase every year.  In fact, there is an Almost Lipstick in Black Honey sold every two minutes, 852 sold daily, which means that over 300,000 are sold every year!  You can’t argue with stats like that!  This product is a great color for the season and because it is not quite a lipstick and not quite a gloss, it is the best of both worlds!  It is a sheer color that is moisturizing, blends well and won’t bleed.  Tip:  use a little on your cheeks for a pop of sheer color and to coordinate your lip and cheek area!



Pro Tips and Tricks:

Your complexion is key this season and into the deep winter months.  The application of foundation, concealer and powder should be light.  To create skin that looks hydrated, mix a little YSL - Touche Elcat Highlighter Pen with a pot concealer like Laura Mercier, MAC or Bobby Brown and apply/dab on with your fingers under the eyes.



 Photo courtesy: Implied Images

Spotlight - Senna Cosmetics






As professional makeup artists for the film, television, print and live event industries, you may wonder who our mentors are, the people we admire, the makeup artists that rock our world, the Pros that inspire us.

Eugenia Weston, artist, innovator and founder of Senna Cosmetics, is an Emmy nominated, celebrity makeup artist and has been a pioneer in the cosmetics industry for over three decades.




Nominated in 1993 for an Emmy Award for her work with Bette Midler on the TV movie “Gypsy,” Eugenia learned film makeup from Disney Studio makeup men, Robert Schiffer and Bob Mills.  Her resume is a “who’s who” in film, working with everyone from Michael Jackson to Jessica Simpson.

Eugenia has also worked with famed fashion photographers such as Helmet Newton and Herb Ritts, and she was listed as “Inspiring Makeup Artist” in Kevyn Aucoin’s book, “Making Faces.”

Before starting Senna Cosmetics, Eugenia designed the internationally noted Trucco Cosmetics product line, consulting with Sebastian founder, Geri Cuzenza. Eugenia also created the first-ever brow stencil kit, Form-A-Brow, as a revolutionary tool to make every woman a brow expert!




Senna Cosmetics has a huge A-lister fan base as well, from Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, to the cast of Ugly Betty and HeroesSenna Cosmetics is used by some of the top TV and film artists and can be found in most professional makeup kits.

Senna Cosmetics product reviews can be found in such renowned publications as Redbook, InStyle, Lucky, Cosmopolitan, Shape, Makeup Artist Magazine, Bride, Marie Claire, Allure, People Style Watch and WWD Beauty Biz.

Senna Cosmetics retails all over the country with several studio and boutique locations in Southern California, making this brand easy to find.

The IMPO Pros love to spotlight cosmetics and skincare lines manufactured by professional makeup artists and inform our readers about which products easily cross over the line from studio professional grades to everyday consumer friendly brands.

Senna Cosmetics is one such line we use professionally on our clients everyday and now you can carry this brand in your personal makeup bag!

The Pros love the entire line of Senna Cosmetics, but here are a few of our top choices:

Totally Transforming Eye Shadow Primer – the Pros are big into anti-aging and this product is amazing!  Contains a potent vegetable ogliopeptide from natural hibiscus that functions in much the same way that Botox does, but without the risk or side effects of injection! Firms and smoothes the eyelid while minimizing lines and wrinkles, this product works especially well on very mature eye areas. Tip: use after eye cream, but before eye shadow. Use sparingly.



HD Hydra Cover – this is one major flaw fixer!  Three corrective shades cancel under eye darkness, facial pigmentation, redness and blemishes.  Contains licorice extract to help firm puffiness under the eyes, but this formula is very light and creamy.





Citron “Finish” Oil-Free Powder – this product will warm up your skin and cut redness.  If you suffer from any form of Rosacea, this product has enough opacity to cover those red areas, but leaves skin feeling light and airy.




Beigelite – the Pros love this classic daytime highlighter that is a champagne hue.  We use it under the brow bone, along the cheekbone, cupids bow and down the center of the nose.  Blends easily into the skin and gives a very natural glow.






Form-A-Brow Kit – this palette will create the perfect brow in seconds.  You need this product if you have faint, sparse, over-tweezed, over-waxed, arch-less or disappearing brows because of age.  Contains four classic brow shapes and three colors to mix for the most natural and eye-enhancing looks.




Mineral Eye Lift Powder – 8 hours of sleep in a sweep! The Pros are totally addicted to this product!  This powder instantly brightens under eye darkness and smoothes expression lines.




Blush and Bronze – want year-round glow?  Then you need to reach for this sheer mineral blush and bronzer!  Gives a natural look to the skin and a pop of color to the cheeks.  Tip: apply bronzer to forehead, cheeks, chin and nose then layer blush over the apple of the cheeks.




Cheeky Blush – this is the Pro’s top choice for cream blush because it is also a powder!  Powder blushes act dry and cream blushes are too short-lived, but this blush gives an amazing glow to the skin (like a cream) and has the staying power of a powder (without the dry, cakey feeling).




Sugar Lip Scrub – you can easily sweep dry, flaky lips away with this moisturizing and exfoliating lip balm.  Perfect for winter, this product will ensure that your lipstick or gloss products apply smoothly. This product is a gift with purchase of $50 or more only, so hurry while supplies last!

Lipstick CreamSenna Cosmetics has the best nude lipstick colors to choose from out of any other product line.  The Pros love Soul (soft nude beige), Suede (bare nude), Baby Nude (light nude beige) and Peek-A-Boo (nude pink beige).




Lip Sync – this is the dream team of lips!  This product contains lipstick and coordinating lip gloss in one component.  Brilliance!  Long-lasting, moisturizing and contains collagen to plump your pout!




Also, check out Senna Cosmetics entire line of eye shadow, pencil and blush colors as well.  These are highly pigmented formulas with incredible staying power.


The Pros love the entire line of Matte Eye Colors and Sheer Glow Eye Color shades too!  If you want to play up your eyes for the upcoming holiday season, you will want to shop Senna’s Metallic Eye Colors, which we feel are the richest colors with the most depth and dimension.




Eugenia Weston also has a YouTube channel containing some great how-to videos on creating wearable looks for any skin tone and age range.  She also has great, easy to follow artist tips, like the one below on how to create the perfect cat eye!







Pro Tips and Tricks:
Do you suffer from redness and puffiness after you tweeze or wax your brows?  Try Senna’s Calming Black Tea Tonic to reduce the stinging sensation and calm inflamed skin by soaking a cotton round and placing over brow area for a few minutes after tweezing or waxing. Alcohol free, contains aloe and rosewater.