Jennifer Berg

Even before you've had the day's deadlines massaged out of your shoulders, the Ruby Room's ethereal ambiance makes the hustle of Division Street (and the hassle of the world beyond) a distant memory. The jewel of a day spa constantly shines brighter with new services and ever-more healing goodies. Regularly held events invite Chicagoans to spend an evening in the clutch of serenity; last week, a Bare Escentuals makeup preview gave media babes and beauty acolytes a look into the world of mineral makeup.

A novice to mineral makeup, I made an appointment with one of the Bare Escentuals artists in an educational endeavor to learn more about the product. Once seated and in my most scholarly mode (i.e. with a glass of white wine in hand and a bib strapped around my neck) I gave my complexion up to the powers of zinc oxide, mica and bismuth oxychloride.

As she dusted on a series of potions with earthy names--think "warmth" and "mineral veil"--the makeup artist explained that Bare Escentuals products contain none of the junky stuff (preservatives, talc, fillers etc.) that tends to get skin in a spotty situation. Mineral makeup, she said, is especially good for complexions with an overly rosy bent. I was also informed on the powers of the proper brush: According to the Escentuals folks, nothing dabs it on like the line's sable-haired Kabuki brush ($28), a pouffy little thing with a hugely soft touch.

This fall, Bare Escentuals products will line the shelves of the Ruby Room's beauty boutique. Having been sleep-deprived of late (and boasting the tired skin to prove it) I started my fall cosmetics shopping early and stole away with the new Night Skin Revival Treatment ($60). The while-you-sleep treatment reportedly exfoliates and reduces pore size overnight through healing minerals. And that just rocks.

(2006-08-15)

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