Maritza Ramirez

My Favorite Things by Maritza

Oprah made her list, I’ve got mine.  Normally this is where I come to write about fashion, but today I wanted to share my thoughts on two of my other loves; cosmetics and skincare.  Stumped on what to buy the girl who has everything?  With the holidays just around the corner, I plan on picking up a few of my favorite items for some of my best gal pals.  

Skincare items I cannot live without:

1).  Lush- Mask of Magnaminty

I’ve been using face masks since my oily-faced adolescent days.  I’ve tried nearly everything from drugstore brands to over-priced .  Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty not only thoroughly deep cleans and exfoliates, it feels oh-so-good with just a hint of peppermint tingle.  Within a day, my once blemished skin is restored and glowing.  At $12 for 4.4 oz., this miracle mask should be in every girl’s bathroom.   

2).  Shiseido- Pure Retinol Eye Mask

When it comes to flawless skin, I have to hand it to the Japanese; not only do the girls value a perfect porcelain complexion, Japan is also home to the oldest skincare company in the entire world—Shiseido.    

I have to face the fact that I’m getting older and I have traces of fine lines (gasp!) under my eyes.  Thankfully I can put on these retinol eye masks once a week to feel totally rejuvenated (and a few years younger).  Wrinkles be gone!

3). Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Bath Milk

Baths are my favorite form of stress relief.  Add in a little aromatherapy and voila! all my problems seem vanish into that steamy vaporous cloud above the tub.  When it comes to indulgence, Laura Mercier makes the most luxurious line of bath milks; creme de pistache is my personal favorite.  When I am having a bad day there is nothing I look forward to more than a steaming hot bath with the intoxicating essence of a pistachio dessert; sweet, creamy and decadent.

Not a fan of Pistachio?  Laura Mercier bath milks also come in Coconut, Almond, Fig and Creme Brulee.   

My favorite makeup must-haves: 

4). Smashbox Photofinish Primer

Primer is such a buzz-word in cosmetics these days.  Every line makes one and claims theirs is the best.  There are tons of primers out there, but none can compare to Smashbox Photo Finish primer.  The formula is lightweight, silky smooth and creates a smooth canvas for long-lasting makeup.  Photo Finish comes in several formulas.  My personal favorite is the anti-aging formula with Dermaxyl.   

5) Chanel Vitalumiere Fluid Makeup and 6). Chanel Double Perfection press powder

I adore Chanel foundation (obsessed is really a more accurate description).  The first time I tried Vitalumiere was an awakening.  Previously, I had the notion that to wear foundation meant that you had to feel like you were wearing foundation.  This was not the case at all.  Chanel perfected a product that is lightweight and silky smooth; so much so that I often forget that I am wearing any makeup at all.  Vitalumiere has recently been reformulated with ingredients that hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, leaving the skin looking more radiant and youthful than ever.   

Vitalumiere can definitely be worn alone, but for a totally flawless finish I dab on a little Double Perfection press powder.  Somehow, despite its lightweight, silk-smooth application, this powder has great coverage.  Double Perfection is the perfect powder for the girl who wants a perfectly polished finish.  

7). Benetint by Benefit

Benetint is the original cheek and lip stain.  Known as “the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle,” Benetint was created in the ’70s for an exotic dancer who wanted darker, redder nipples (I don’t make these things up!!).

To each their own, I say.  I prefer to use benefit on my face to add a rosy glow to my cheeks and lips.

Whatever the purpose, just don’t accidentally stop by a Benefit counter and ask for “Bene-tit” (Oh come on, I had to say it).  

8). Diorshow Blackout Mascara

When I first used Diorshow mascara, I was blown away by how voluminous it made my  normally lackluster lashes.  And then they came out with Diorshow Blackout…my world was changed. 

Now, they claim that Blackout is 12 times blacker than the original Diorshow, but who can say?  All I really know is that it is truly the darkest mascara I have ever worn.  Buy it. You will not be disappointed.

8). NARS Night Breed eye shadow

When I go out at night, I like to wear shadows that are rich in pigment.  If you’re going to go out, you may as well go all out, right?  NARS eyeshadows are the best I’ve come across (though it should be noted that Chanel, Dior and Smashbox are also excellent). 

My favorite shadow is a dramatic silvery-black shade called Night Breed.  In the evening, apply it all over the lid to create the perfect smoky eye.  During the day you can tone it down by simply using it to line your eyes.    

9). Chanel Rouge Allure Lague in Dragon

Hands down best. red. lipstick. ever.

and just for good measure, my Christmas wish….

10). Dior’s Minaudiere (Limited Edition)

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Dior’s latest Holiday collection, especially the Minaudiere.  Where do I begin?!?  Not one detail was missed in the creation of this eye and lip palette, which is elegantly packaged in a patent leather and gold clutch, embossed with the Dior logo and classic houndstooth pattern, and topped off with a vintage kiss clasp.  swoon!  

Maritza Ramirez Fall 2010.  Ready-to-wear. Evening.

Recently I showed my Fall collection for 2010 at I Feel Love.  Here are the ready-to-wear pieces for day-time.