As I get my walker out, I mean as I get older, I realize that I love makeup but I have become lazier in applying sometimes. Summers especially are a killer since I always think I am in Hell. Have I done anything wrong during the Fall, Winter, and Spring to bring this much habanero heat under my feet? (Hey, that rhymed!)
Anyway, I sometimes want products that provide color yet looks like my skin with an easy application technique. What comes to mind? My Hakansson The Color palettes. Yes, I know I reviewed this on Makeupalley, but sometimes great stuff hardly gets any love on there since it gets lost in the shuffle of reviews. So, I am resurrecting my love for these products!
Hakansson The Color palettes were created by Swedish born, Katarina Hakansson, a makeup artist who worked during the supermodel era and is still working on the newer supermodels of today. Her work has been seen in Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Sports Illustrated, etc. Yes, every glamour magazine out there! What she noticed in her years of work were products that the pro used were not exactly consumer friendly, so she created a line of color that had a pro touch without the hassle of pro knowledge.
These Hakansson palettes ($42USD) are sleek and travel friendly. They are housed in a thin mirrored compact that is about the size of a credit card: 3 3/8"L x 2 1/8"W x 1/4"D-8.6cmL x 5.4cmW x 0.6cmD. They contain two colors which can be used anywhere on the face and will described be later. The size makes it sound like there isn't much product, honestly there isn't BUT you don't use much to achieve what is needed. The look that Katarina is going for is the natural look, minimal coverage, something that looks good at the beach as well as a hot summer day. Or all year round natural for the makeup minimalist or for someone who just doesn't like foundation. Carry these five palettes with you and you have a complete naturally enhanced face.
The Color 1+2 is described for concealing fair to medium skin tones. The first color is somewhat of light yellow beige but not really too yellow to say that it is warm, more on the neutral side. This can be used as a concealer or mixed with the second color which will warm it up some. The second color is darker but not that dark, it would adjust to medium skin tones. It has a slight olive base to it so it can be used to neutralize redness.
The Color 3+4 is described for concealing medium to dark tones. I would say anywhere from golden brown to dark brown skin tones. On lighter skin this one can be used as a bronzer or a touch of color on the eyes. The brown color is a warm brown which may look intimidating in the palette but when applied, anywhere from porcelain to medium skin tones, will give that naturally bronzed glow without the shimmer. (It will look like your skin texture and not the texture of the makeup.) The other color is a yellow cream which can be mixed with the brown to change the tone or mixed with 1+2 if you find it not yellow enough. (See you can mix the colors that is why you need all the palettes!)
The Color 5+6 are two color enhancing colors which are generally used as a blush colors and lip colors. One color is a dark red with a slight tinge of wine to it, nothing too cool in tone. However, if you find a bit too cool then you can warm it up with the other color which is more of a soft creamed apricot. This one can also be used to cancel out blue or dark circles under the eyes. The colors may look dark but they will work on any skin tone.
The Color 7+8 are another pair of complexion enhancers. One is a medium pink peach color while the other is a poppy red. Both are wonderful blushes and great lip stains. Apply just some dots on the cheeks and spread with your fingers. Same on the lips, just tap on the color and top off with balm or gloss. Works for all skin tones.
The Color 9+10 are colors that will enhance and conceal porcelain to fairly light skin tones. The first color is a very light pink based beige. This can be used not only on porcelain skin tones, but also on light to medium skin tones as a highlighter. The second color is a lavender toned cream which can be used as a very light and soft blush or on any skin tone to counteract sallowness.
Application is simple, just use your fingers. For more precise application use a brush then spread with fingers. The consistency of the cream is not a soft gel type and not really a dry hard type either, somewhere in between. I suggest just tapping your finger or brush lightly onto the color, then onto your face and spread. Set it with your favorite face powder or colorless powder. The result is just concealment that looks like your skin. The product has the dewiness of your skin yet the depth and satiny texture to conceal. Perfect beach makeup for those who insist on wearing makeup.
Yes, the line is sleek, simple, and environmentally and animal friendly; the containers are biodegradable and there is no animal testing. Yet, it is makeup that you can use and feel good in because it won't look caked on. The last thing you want is makeup so caked on that you look casket sharp!
The Ingredients
Isostearyl isostearate, ozokerite, castor oil, hydrigenated palm kernal glycerides, propylene glycol dipelargonate, polyglyceryl-2 sesquiisostearate, polyglyceryl-2 sesquistearate, peg-8 beeswax, phenyl trimethicone, propylene glycol isostearate, cetyl lactate, hydrogenated palm glycerides. May contain: Iron oxides, ultramarines.
