Were you the prodigal son or daughter this Mother’s Day? Fix it up with Fragrance.com!

So, with Tax Day, the world being in an uproar, flooding and tornadoes, maybe Mother’s Day came right up on you and you were resigned to a JibJab card. Yes, you’re gonna have to work on redeeming yourself, but like the prodigal son, it can be done! So, for any occasion — and now, you can arrange a special visit with mom or at least a Facetime — what’s the best part? The selfies! I know that I tend to love and remember events with more fondness, when I have a good looking photo to remember it by. Fragrance.com has everything you need to help mom photograph at her very best! I was happy to be hosted to experience it.

It’s important to realize that what works in real life might not in a photo. Even without special ring lighting, a camera phone shows up in-depth coloring (and flaws) that don’t show up in person. So, that BB cream for example, won’t do the trick. But, you don’t want to goop on makeup, either. Thin layers will look so much better. I remember watching Dallas with my aunt years ago as a little girl, and she pointed out character Afton Cooper as wearing way too much lipgloss. She was so emphatic, she convinced me that was a big beauty no-no! She was no mousy wallflower, either, having spent time as a John Roberts Powell model.

So, if you’re wearing some sheer cosmetics, you need to have a base. If Mom’s going to wear lipgloss or a sheer lipstick in her photo, she positively needs Guerlain KissKiss Liplift Smoothing Lipstick Primer. They suggest to apply it slightly beyond the lipline, to adjust the shape of your lip without the lip liner, which would not look so nice in a photo with sheer color. It also prevents feathering, keeping the lips looking young.

Depending on Mom’s coloring, ultra dramatic colors can look harsh in a photo. You may not know exactly what colors Mom uses for eyeliner, but MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee will cover a lot of bases: it can work to define eyes in a softer way than black and in a pinch, it can work as a brow definer. Even if you have blonde brows, she can apply it lightly. Look, there are a few lady tv and film stars of a — as the French say — a “certain age” who have either stopped darkening their brows or bleached them. They look absolutely crazy, like a newborn parrot! It makes their eyes look like egg yolks. If you want a good selfie, you need defined brows and eyes.

Speaking of defining eyes for photos, mascara is non-negotiable. I know: if you normally don’t purchase mascara and are doing it for Mom or even if you do, the choices out there are overwhelming. Even those brands who show “pictures” of their varieties put them on false lashes, so it’s very difficult to choose.

I would describe L’Oreal Volume Million So Couture in Black as very elegant. This is not that 70’s or 80’s spider lash look or some of the 35x or whatever volume lashes of the early 2000’s. Those looked so goopy and phony. In a photo, you want those lashes looking like you were born that way. This mascara well defines lashes with its comb brush, not a teddy bear brush. Black is rich, but a softer black, which I also think works best in a close shot photo. It gives some volume and a tiny bit of lengthening. Classy!

Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara in Stunning Black focuses more on volume than lengthening, which is cool for those mamas who have great lashes, but they’re too light to show. It has a crisper, sharper black color. This is what they say about it:

“

Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara’s long-wear and water resistant formula effortlessly coats lashes to separate, extend and intensify their appearance.The result? No clumps, flakes or smudges in sight.

The Formula:
The vitamin-rich formula locks onto lashes like a magnet for amplified volume and lift, while emollient rich olive and rice bran esters promote long, healthy looking lashes.

The Brush:
Three rows of alternating wedge-shaped discs and conical bristles grab every lash to extend and separate with ultra high-definition while the unique push-up tip lifts and curls for an instant false-lash effect.”

It’s true that in person, those “buffed”/blotted lipsticks and balms are all the rage. Same with lip stains. But in a photo, they highlight every nook, cranny, crack and wrinkle on your lips. But they do apply in thin layers and with the correct combination of products, they can add up to a marvelous lip look in photos. Apply your LipLift first. Then, put your lip stain or blotted balm color on. That is a completely weightless and textureless look. To add that surface camouflage while still looking modern, use Stila Plumping Lip Glaze. It comes in many colors, so you’re sure to find one that you recognize as something Mom would wear. It’s packaged in a twist-up brush applicator, so Mom can get a professional result without being a makeup artist. With your thin layers, you’ll still get a youthful look even though photo lighting can be harsh. This is what they say about it:

“

BENEFITS

• High-shine, lip formula that plumps and hydrates for a full, soft pout.
• Cheery pops of glaze add the perfect splash of color and shine to your lip look.
• Each shade features scintillating sparkles and a refreshing mint flavor that bring the bling!
• Hydrators and lip plumping ingredients give that pout an extra punch!
• Delectable shades instantly touch lips with a gentle, tiny tingle.
• Lips become better hydrated, more defined, firmer, and smoother.”

Though fixatives and face sprays have been out there for a while, MAC Prep+ Prime Fix+ has several points of difference that Mom will love. It has a completely fluid consistency, when some of these fixatives can feel sticky and tacky. Use it as a primer that doesn’t pill or interfere with makeup application. Your skin will have a softer feeling. You can also affix your complete makeup for a less dry/dusty look — very natural for photos! It comes in unscented, coconut, lavender and rose scents! That makes for a pleasant making up experience.

This is what they say about it: “A lightweight mist of water packed with vitamins and minerals, infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to gently soothe and refresh the skin. Gives an instant boost of hydration while delivering a soft sheen to refresh and finish makeup. This holy grail of hydrating mists can be used with other products in near-endless ways – improve the wear of makeup, or moisturize and soothe tired skin. A delicious twist in a permanent romantic rose scent, calming lavender scent, or creamy coconut scent.”

Do you have a mom who likes the very best of everything, but the costs are little bit dear? At Fragrance.com, they do offer for purchase ultra luxe samples. Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour is always at the top of “Best of” lists. This might be best to apply the night before photo day, to give moisture and youth to her eyes. This is what they say about it: “

The appearance of lines in this particularly fragile area is diminished, giving the visibly smoothed look of younger-looking eyes.
Dark circles appear less visible and puffiness seems reduced. The eye contour area feels fresher, more rested, luminous and radiates youth and beauty.

Its rosy emulsion texture transforms on the skin’s surface into a fresh and melting gel.

Formulated without essential oils, the product is naturally scented from May Rose water.

So, Mom’s gonna have to decide what kind of photo she feels comfortable with. But maybe she’s thinking formal gown at a table — good figure camouflage — or wrapped in furry stoles or with a bed jacket amongst a million pillows. Your mom’s still a woman, after all! A good 3 wick candle with a rose tone will add a layer of flattering light and intrigue to the selfie! Juicy Couture Cherry on Top fine fragrance candle has sweet notes of fresh berries, sugared cherries and rainbow sherbet! There you go, you’re back in the swim with Mom!

2020 Glamour Beauty Award
2020 Refinery29 Innovator Awards: Best Eye Cream”