Rome wasn’t build in a day.

But the earth took a week (wtih one day of rest).

Jack Donaghy predicted a 9 year ascent to VP when he was relegated to the mail room (30 Rock reference – new obsession).

I spent 26 years in the dating scene until I got hitched (this is if I go back to age 8, the date of my first “real” boyfriend, Jonathan, who said he liked my hair in pig tails and than broke up with me after I reported him to the principal for pulling my pants down on the monkey bars).

And it was two years from time of idea for Huge Lips Skinny Hips to hit shelves.

My point: all good things take TIME!

And if Todd and I were still the sole directors of Purple Lab, I’m sure the next five products we’re now doing would take about five years.  With our new partners behind us, it took us a mere five months. Five!

If you haven’t been on the site of late, we’re launching five – yes FIVE! – makeup products in February for our HSN debut.

First, the products, all of my key essentials for the makeup bag. Then, the production and how they’re made.

Cheek Implants is all about supermodel cheek bones. Think cream blush with collagen, nylon, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Beauty treatment in makeup that seeps into your pores to take effect. What I never liked about powder blush is that it wears off after a few hours. Ever notice that? This is long lasting and dee-vine!

Complete with felt tip pen for precise application

There’s tubing, growth enhancing, conditioning mascara (Lashionista) and  liquid liner (Modelista) with DIAMOND DUST (a duo, so you treat the lashes from the follicle to the tip and at 360-degrees). Love tubing for its smudge-proofness – no end-of-day raccoon eyes.

Mascara + Curved Brush = Runway Ready Lashes ---> Lashionista

Next: Luvah (said like Will Ferrell). It’s the ultimate dating tool, an aphrodesiac-infused double-plumper (called “Complex OO”), scented with vanilla-mint for fresh kissing breath.

Each shade is named after the archetypes of guys I dated to find “the one” true Luvah in my life, my husband/Purple Lab partner, Todd. They come with the story of my experience – and I’m sure you had them too. (Rich Jerk! Mama’s Boy!)

On to Luxury Squared, a concealer/highlighter in one chic square compact. Both are equipped fine silk particles, which lock moisture in the skin, and Vitamin E, an antioxidant that brightens and protects against free radicals in the atmosphere.

The concealer is a color corrector for under the eyes and it has  beta glucan to treat inflimmation and algea which firms and detoxes. Are you getting this? Mega treatment! Like a mini facial with one swipe.

The highlighter, the most under rated product out there, is laced with silica to smooth the skin and firming agents as well. Use a dab at the corner of the eyes at the bridge of the nose to take years off and a smear under the outer brow to open your eyes. Red carpet trick: use at the bow of the lips for an extra delicious pout.

Lastly, Silk Sheets, the most luxurious foundation that has ever graced myface. It glides on the skin as smoothly as the sumptuous feeling of sleeping in regal – yes! – silk sheets. The idea behind it came from the fact that I have a long, laborous process of post-shower-face-treatment. Toner. Three serums. Cream. Elastin spray.

Frustrated, I once dumped them all in my foundation to cut down my steps. Of course, it killed the consistency (and $$$$) but it hit me, I need this foundation to ALL of these things. Who has the time for such a long face wash procedure?

Built with real silk to lock in moisture, Hyaluronic Acid to plump and rejuvenate, aloe to soothe… the list goes on. Algae, rice protein and seaweed firm, green tea and Vitamin C act as antioxidants, and juniper berries cleanse.

LUV the packaging, I must say! Double walled lucite with matte silver. Tres chic!

After a few trials with the lab, they got it so right that I said “Do you hear this? It’s the sound of me throwing away a brand new $60 foundation because I won’t use anythign else.”

As a former beauty writer, I am SO discerning. I refuse to make anything unless it’s better than what I already love – and I love good things!

The process of R&D and manufacturing – well… this is getting long. So I’ll save it for next time!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

Remember when you were taking notes in class or reading a book and the one thing you needed more than anything was a highlighter? Why? It brings out what you want to feature.

Same goes with makeup.

I think highlighter is perhapst he most underrated makeup product. With soft golden hues and a sheen of sparkle, it can bring out your best features, open your eyes, add a youthful freshness to your skin, and give you that dewy runway look that is timeless and chic.  See how dewy!

By the way, this is Lisa, one of the Purple Lab "multi-tasking mavens"

Purple Lab’s is called Luxury Squared. It’s a duo with a color correcting under-eye concealer but I’ll get to that later. The highlighter is infused with beauty treatment ingredients so you get the benefit of the perfect glow: fine particles of silk bind moisture to the skin; Vitamin E is an antioxidant that brightens and fights free radicals; Algae firms and tightens and silica smoothes.

How to use?

1. A swipe under the brow, especially the outer brow, opens your eyes and enhances the shape of the brown. See how it looks on Lisa, below.

See how the highlighter under the brow adds glimmer?

2. Dab the pad of the ring or pinky finger in the highlighter and tap it on the corner of your eyes, by the bridge of the nose. This literally takes years off - the  makeup artist trick of all tricks.

3. Use it as a full on liner – it has a hippie, boho downtown cool look I love.

4. Blend in with blush (cream blush, ideally) so that it really makes the cheek bones pop. I know Lisa has naturally amazing ones, but the highligher takes it to a new level.

Gawww-Jussss!

5. Think outside the box face! Going out at night in something sleeveless – use it on the shoudlers! Showing some leg, slide some up the line of your shin to make your calf muscle stand out!

Highlight away and people will take note!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix