To Bling or Not to Bling?

Some of you are probably wondering why I created my Evening Glow line, a special group of Paula's Choice "shiny" products. As I was developing these formulas I was keenly aware that they would be controversial and I could almost hear my readers saying "I thought you said iridescent products were bad! What gives?" I even saw an online chat (how they knew I was developing shimmer products is a mystery!) suggesting that the next thing I would be developing is bright blue eyeshadow (for the record, I will NOT).

In terms of shine, just to be clear, I have never said shiny blushes, lipsticks, glosses, or powders should be illegal. In early versions of my books and newsletters, I explained that products containing shine could pose problems and there weren't enough good matte alternatives to help those who wanted to avoid those concerns.

What kind of problems could shiny products pose? Originally, my concern was that most iridescent products weren't just shiny, they were glittery, and the glitter particles didn't adhere well to the skin so the makeup looked uneven or the glitter ended up all over your clothes. That issue is of far less concern nowadays as many new formulations use elegant, micronized shine particles that can give the skin a subtle, elegant radiance. And anyone who reads my books and newsletters knows that in recent years I have given favorable reviews to many products with shine.

What STILL remains problematic is shiny eyeshadows. If you have any amount of wrinkles, shiny eyeshadows, even those with subtle shine, will exaggerate those wrinkles (this is true of any shiny products worn over wrinkled areas of the face). That is not a pretty picture. Also, glittery products worn during the day can look out of place in a professional work environment, just as an evening gown or sequin-covered dress would look out of place. When shimmer products are beautifully formulated they can be a lot of fun and look sensational, which is why I created my Evening Glow products. While I do recommend shine for an evening look or specialty effect, as I've always said, when it comes to makeup, application is a personal decision.

I think my Evening Glow products live up to their descriptions and can create wonderful effects that range from subtle to all out "bling-bling" depending on how much you apply for the mood you're in or the event you're attending.

Paula Begoun