For that all-natural glow

MANILA, Philippines—Marie Claire beauty editor Marie Calica first introduced me eight years ago to Benetint—a liquid lip-and-cheek stain reminiscent of crushed rose petals distilled into a small glass bottle, which you apply with a tiny brush for a natural-looking flush.

Fast-forward to 2008. I am sitting across Alison Raffaele-Tatem, founder and creative director of Alison Raffaele Cosmetics, at a coffee shop in downtown Manhattan, discussing must-have blushes and noteworthy innovations in the realm of beauty.

I’d recently become a fan of her Inner Glow, a water-based gel blush stick that leaves the most delightful sheer crimson tinge.

It feels like a cooling salve on parched skin, and its subtle whiff of fresh berries is also wonderfully addicting. (Try Inner Glow in Charming—a cool, pink tint—if you’re extremely fair, and Graceful—a deeper currant hue—if you’re tan.)

As we are on the subject of achieving healthy, rosy skin by the most organic means, Raffaele tells me that her recently revamped line is now fortified with the Frutta di Vita complex: a trio of skin-loving anti-oxidants pomegranate, goji berry and resveratrol that aims to bridge the gap between “superficial” cosmetics and smart skincare solutions.

“The logic is simple: Healthy skin just naturally looks better,” she explains.

Stars of the vitamin-boosted lineup are the Face Forward Primers, Reality Base Foundation, True Concealer and Transparent Finish Powder.

“Every product is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, talc and fragrances,” Raffaele says.

And for anyone who’s had to survive itchy, sticky makeup (and clogged pores) smack in the middle of summer, this is news to make one giddily jump for joy—and yes, blush.

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and Ok! Magazine. She is now based in New York City. Visit NyMinuteNow. blogspot.com.

Alison Raffaele products are available at Beauty Bar outlets.

(Original article link here.)