NEW: NARS Multiple Tints

Need a vacation? Well, take a trip with NARS for just $38!

Just in time for summer, NARS brings you Multiple Tint in 3 vibrant shades-- BEVERLY HILLS (red), CADAQUES (fuschia), TURKS & CAICOS (orange). Multiple Tints provide a sheer pop of color for the cheeks OR lips.
Feeling bold? Layer with other NARS face and cheek products.

Exclusive to www.narscosmetics.com

Get Naked this Summer

Get naked this summer with Smashbox's Summer 2010 line. This line delivers that barely-there natural glow. If you know me, you know I'm already sold! I'm a HUGE fan of the natural look.

This line is perfect for the not-so-made-up look, exposing your natural beauty with a collection of illuminating bronzers, creamy cheek colors and sheer glosses with a hint of color.
Get it here www.smashbox.com

Shu Uemura Closes its Doors

When I heard the news, I nearly shed a tear. On Monday, L'Oreal announced it would no longer sell the Shu Uemura brand in the US.
I heart Shu Uemura products and simply adore the iconic lash curler so when I heard that L'Oreal would be closing its doors in the US, I panicked thinking I wouldn't be able to find Shu Uemura products in Nordstrom or Neiman's anymore.

Silly me...While the company will discontinue sales in the US, you can still purchase dramatic lashes, lash curlers, cleansing oils and other cosmetics online. WWD reports that 80% of the company's sales are made in Asia, this announcement comes as no surprise.

Shu Uemura marked his name as one of the great artists in the makeup industry back in the 1950's--trust, he's not done yet.

OCC Lip Tar Spring Collection

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is back with their new Lip Tar Colors for the spring! I did a couple posts last fall and nothing has changed...I simply love them!

This season's collection, designed by New York based celebrity Makeup Artist Katie Pellegrino...From ultra muted plum/beige to bubble-gum violet Vapid or magenta Hoochie and fuschia-rose Demure, these shades are definitely something to OBSESS over.

Available now at OCCMAKEUP.COM!

All Black Everything

MAC gets back to basics with a black collection...This fall Style Black brings back all the way back! and boy, am I excited. Launch: Sept 24th (that's tomorrow)

From '80s Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to London New Goth, going back to black changes the mood, deepens the drama. Eyeliner, beehives and beyond, this is a celebration of going madly, deliriously noir. Don't wait 'til midnight.


Lipstick ($14.00)

* Black Knight Creamy true black (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)

Mattene ($14.50)

* Midnight Media Dense matte black (Limited Edition)
* Night Violet Deep purple grape (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Glimmerglass ($18.00)

* Bling Black Sheer black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
* Blackfire Sheer black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
* Blackware Creamy true black (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.00)

* Cinderfella Black with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
* Young Punk Black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
* Gilt by Association Black with gold bronze pearl (Limited Edition)
* Blue Flame Black with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Grease Paintstick ($17.50)

* Black Intense black (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Liner ($16.50)

* Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Eye Kohl ($14.50)

* Smolder Intense Black (Permanent)

Cream Colour Base ($16.50)

* Black Creamy True black (Permanent at PRO)
* Bat Black Burgundy black with pink pearl (Permanent at PRO)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00)

* Nocturnelle True black (Cream) (Permanent)
* Seriously Hip Black with gold particle pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
* Baby Goth Girl Black with pink and purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Fall 09: OCC Lip Tars

6 New shades of Lip Tars for the Fall

An ultra-emollient lipstick in a tube. Goes on slick and moist. Dries to a demi-matte finish. Incredibly opaque and long-lasting.
• ANIME: Beyond neon pink. Pageant pales by comparison.
• HUSH: Antique, bridal pink. A match for OCC Skin Airbrush Blush in Hush.
• CONQUEST: Pale, polished ivory. Great for mixing or Mod Makeup.
• PETTY BEIGE: Opaque and true, deep toned ecru.
• FONDUE: Intensely dark chocolate - think 91% cacao dark!
• BOTANICAL: It's not easy wearing green, but it's great to tone down red.

Check out my previous post from the Makeup Show New York for my thought on CC lip tars.
Retails for $12.50 at OCCMakeup.com

MAC Baby Bloom

This mini-collection from MAC is perfect for summer!MAC’s Baby Bloom line features sheer, light-weight tinted moisturizers that provide breathable beauty during the hot summer months with just the right amount of coverage for those who aren't huge foundation-wearers. The moisture tints can be used with or without another foundation as they are designed to treat the skin with healing emollients to moisturize and help prevent sun damage.

Also in this collection- Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm. This balm adds a touch of sheer color with a moisturizer and sun protection for the lips.

If you like a soft, feminine glow, I definitely recommend this collection.

Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 - $29.50 (available in 5 shades)

Suntints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm - $14.50 (available 5 shades)

Available at MAC counters, stores and maccosmetics.com.

NARS Artist Bridal Palette

Ok, its been a minute, but I'm back with a mah-velous product to share. I was so excited when I found out about this palette because it has everything you need to create a daytime or an evening look for your bride (or yourself).

I love palettes because they are what I like to call a "bargain product", letting you sample various products from a particular line at a fairly reasonable price. This one is no different. But instead of a palette for just eyes or lips, this palette has products to create an entire look.
I had the opportunity to use this palette yesterday and today for two weddings and fell deeper in love *sigh*(so much so that it's the product of the month). The great thing about this palette includes universal shades that work well for just about any bride.
The palette features eyeshadow colors ranging from beige to plum/violet (4), lip colors in pink (4), highlighter and blush.

Retails for $65.00 (worth every penny) at www.narscosmetics.com

MAC Look in a Box

MAC Look in a Box is an Anniversary Collection exclusive to Nordstrom & Nordstrom.com. Retail: $59.50

The box is a black carton featuring a photo of a model wearing the "look". Boxes also include a step-by-step how-to face chart.

The Seductress Look features five essential products packaged together to achieve a modern, seductive look: Belightful Iridescent Powder/Pressed, Knight Divine and Naked Lunch Eyeshadows, Bare Slimshine Lipstick, 181SE Buffer Brush and a promo-sized Zoom Lash.

The Sun Siren Look features five essential products packaged together to achieve a luxurious, shine-filled bronze look: Bronze Bronzing Powder, Shroom and Amber Lights Eyeshadows, Get Rich Quick Dazzleglass, Buffer Brush 181SE and a promo-sized Zoom Lash.

The Sweet Tease Look features five essential products packaged together to achieve a minimalist, lightly sexy look: Shell Pearl Beauty Powder, Mulch and Gleam Eyeshadows, Love Nectar Lustreglass, promo-sized Zoom Lash and a 181SE Buffer Brush.

Prevent Summer Makeup Meltdowns

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray is a weightless makeup bond designed to resist melting, color loss and smudging that typically goes along with the summer heat.

It's time-released technology is formulated to lower makeup's temperature, preventing a meltdown, thus keeping everything in place.
The Jet Setter version revitalizes tired looking makeup, transforming dried-out makeup instantly creating a fresh glow that lasts up to 16 hours.
www.skindinavia.com

Shadow Shields

If you're an eyeshadow enthusiast, I'm pretty sure you've had your run in with a set of "raccoon eyes".
The Shadow Shield is designed to ensure the shadow fall-out that's synonymous with wearing a smokey eye, never hits your face. Shadow Shields are half-moon-shaped stickers that are placed under your eyes prior to shadow application, and their cup traps all the shadow you can throw at them, thereby avoiding the raccoon-eye effect. These bib-like creations of makeup artist Michelle Villenueva, are coated in fabric that they seemingly attract the mess towards them, keeping the color off your face.
Ultimately, you'll save time and effort that would normally required for touch-ups and clean-ups. Works well for use with any powdered shadow application.
May not be a makeup bag must-have for everyone but they're an absolute necessity for the shadow and smokey-eye obsessed. www.ShadowShields.com

MUFE Flash Color

My latest discovery is Makeup Forever's Flash Color. I got super excited when I found them and purchased a bunch from Sephora (should've waited bc there's a palette of 12 colors for $95). Either way, I am extremely pleased with this product. They are vibrant cream-based colors that can be used on the eyes, cheeks and lips or even as a base for powder shadow or glitter. I used them as shadow and face paint during a recent shoot (pics will come soon).

The texture is super creamy so it glides on and blends effortlessly. The pigmentation is excellent so you don't need much. I did find, however, that it does take a few minutes to dry and you need to make sure you are using the right primer underneath. (I've also found that they they work fine without a primer). I was really impressed with the staying power of the pigments. The color will last a good 8+ hr day when set with your favorite eyeshadow.

I simply love this product.
Tried it? Let us know what you think.

Prepped & Primed

A few posts ago, I let you all in on one of my affordable oil control secrets. Well, while on my latest play date with Sephora, I decided to try Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I must say, I'm in love.

Photo Finish provides the perfect canvas for makeup application. I was amazed at how smooth my concelaer/foundation glided on. It's a little more expensive than the Iman primer (I still love this product too), but its also oil-free and gives you the matte, photo-ready finish, so I think, its well worth what I paid.

Christian Siriano on Beauty

Remember Christian Siriano, Project Runway's Season 4 winner? Since his win, he's created a clothing line with Bluefly.com, a cheap-chic (???) shoe line with Payless and now he's decided to delve into the world of beauty

with a signature makeup collection with Victoria's Secret. Christian Siriano for VS Makeup limited edition collection includes five shadow shades, black liner, three gloss colors, a bronzer-highlighter, makeup brush and a chic ruffled cosmetic bag.

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

I'll admit, April snuck up on me...apologies for not posting sooner.

Anyway, this morning as I put on my face, I realized just how much I love my Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder (I briefly mentioned it in the makeup bag must haves post). So much so that I'm making it April's product of the month (oh, i think I'm gonna TRY to have maybe a product of the week, bc there are lots I'd like to share). Ok, I'm done rambling...back to Halo.

I love this powder, first because it does not scream "look at me, I have on makeup!". Second, it gives you a completely breathable, natural look that doesn't feel like you've got stuff caked on. It does a great job with giving your skin an even tone, too. You can put as much or as little as you like for sheer to nearly full coverage. It'll give you a nice glow.

Oh, and it comes with a mini kabuki brush...great for touch-ups or for people like me who never have enough time to finish the routine before heading off to work.

I suggest you try it yourself. If you have, post your comments or reviews. We'd love to hear what you think.

Oil Control

I've had several women ask me how to keep their makeup from looking greasy...

...Primer! Primers are great for women with or without oily skin as they help to prepare a smooth canvas for application of foundation and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

However, for oily skin, its important to select a primer with oil control. I recently found a product that works wonderfully, with no oil spells throughout the day...Iman Cosmetics Under Cover Agent Oil Control Primer.

To boot, it'll only run you about $16 bucks! Order here or pick up at your local Target or Walmart.

My Makeup Bag Must-Haves

I've received several requests from folks wondering exactly what's in my makeup bag. So, here are my essentials...

My daily skin care regimen consists of cleansing with Intuit Set Me Free Gel Cleanser (or Aura Oxygen Foaming Gel Cleanser) and Clarisonic (which also exfoliates) , followed by Intuit Stripper toner and Anytime, Anywhere moistuizer (or Yes to Carrots, C thru the Night Cream at night to combat dryness).
After moisturizing, I use Murad 2% salicylic acid Acne Treatment Concealer to heal and conceal those "hormonal" nuisances.
Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder foundation provides a breathable, natural everyday look.

I curl my lashes with Sephora's lash curler and add some pop with MAC zoom lash. This combo works wonders, especially on those days when I'm not wearing eyeshadow.

Covergirl Brow and Eye Makers in midnight brown allow me to add natural-looking definition in my brows. An added bonus is that the pencil is CHEAP and comes in a pack of 2.

I tweeze my brows in between waxes with my pink (of course) tweezerman slanted tweezers.



MAC Lip Conditioner spf 15 and Bliss High Intensity hand cream keep my lips and hands moisturized.

Share with me and other readers your makeup bag must-haves.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

Bobbi Brown has done it again!
Bobbi Brown releases her latest book that can be used by artists from novice to pro.
This book features many tips and tricks and presents them so that anyone can complete the looks. I am delighted to have this book in my beauty collection. You will be too!
Add the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Proto your arsenal.

Here's to Shea...Armour Beauty Lipgloss

Your lips are dry. Even worse, they're cracked and flaky.

Well, here's to Shea (butter, that is) and Kogan and Burns (creators of Amour Beauty). Burns, a vet makeup artisit in Hollywood and Kogan, lead singer for Lunachicks created a 14 shade (7 opaque, 7 shimmer) shea-butter-based lip gloss line.
Now, there's no need to prep & prime your lips with your favorite moisturizer before applying your favorite color, because Armour does it all--moisturizes and gives you kissable color!

www.armourbeauty.com
Shea Butter kisses

Blush

Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist, a new Lifetime reality series gives hopefuls a shot at a contract as a professional artist with MaxFactor, an opportunity to beat face on an InStyle Photo Shoot and a cash prize of $100,000.

"In each episode, the contestants, all living under one roof in Los Angeles, compete in two different makeup competitions, designed to test the skills and personality traits — including compassion and confidence — necessary for success in the field. Following the second challenge, one contestant will be eliminated".

ANTM satisfies only some of a makeup artists appetite for creativity, but this show is really "what makes us blush" because it's all about us!

Blush airs on Lifetime Network, Tuesday nights at 10pm, EST.

More on blush to come...

Preview Episode 4