New Year, New YOU! Update Your Look for 2011 With These Simple Tips and Tricks

Thanksgiving?  Check.  Christmas?  Check.  New Year's?  Check.  Yep, that's right!  The holidays are officially behind us.  Time to settle into our winter routines and hibernate till the thaw...

OR, avoid the post-holiday blues, and make 2011 your hottest year ever, by incorporating these simple, celebrity-inspired updates and recommendations into your personal beauty repertoire.  Be sure to try these get-gorgeous tips and tricks to get you through this winter in style!

WARM THINGS UP

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Expert Tip :  Winter tends to bring out the "sallow" in all of us!  Warm up lackluster winter complexions by using a tinted primer.  These dual-tasking wonders prep the skin for makeup while adding some much-needed warmth.

Expert Pick:  Try Pur Minerals Colour Correcting Primer in Peach for a natural-looking, healthy glow.

TRY A BOLD LIP

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Expert Tip:  Keep eyes and cheeks soft and neutral for a clean, polished look.  If you're going for all-out glam, pair bold lips with liquid liner and false lashes.  Can you say gorgeous?

Expert Pick:  Looking for a real show-stopper?  Try Cadette Colorwave Liptint in Admiral Red.

DEFINE YOUR EYES... WITH COLOR!

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Expert Tip:  To keep this look clean and modern, confine brightly-colored liner and shadow to upper lash line only.  Pair with an ultra-nude lip for maximum impact.

Expert Pick:  Too Faced Liquif-Eye Set has everything you need to paint your peepers in saturated shades of blue, violet, chartreuse and more!  Use the shadows with the liner solution for a crisp, bold look, or on their own, for a subtle wash of color.

PERFECT THE "NUDE" LOOK

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Expert Tip:  A good concealer is the key to keeping this look polished.  In a pinch, you can even mix concealer with your favorite lip balm to create a nude lipgloss.

Expert Pick:  Sistina Tinta Naturale Concealer gives great coverage and has the perfect creamy texture to create flawless-looking skin.



PAIR FALSE LASHES WITH BERRY LIPS

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Expert Tip:  To keep this look fresh, try pairing strip lashes (major drama) with a sheer, berry lip.  Opaque lips can compete with lashes and end up looking garish.

Expert Pick:  Madeleine Mono Double-Take Lipshine in Very Berry is a universally flattering shade with tons of shine!



FAKE A FLAWLESS COMPLEXION

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Expert Tip:  Create the illusion of complexion perfection by using a pore-minimizing serum under your favorite foundation.  You won't believe how beautiful your skin looks!

Expert Pick:  Pur Minerals See No More creates perfect-looking skin while providing a smooth, shine-free base for makeup.

ACCENTUATE YOUR UPPER LASH LINE (LASHES TOO!)

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Expert Tip:  Create sultry eyes by lining your only your upper lash line with a black eye liner pencil.  Keep it crisp (like Megan Fox) for a clean, defined eye, or smudge it for a softer look.  Follow with 2 coats of your favorite mascara.

Expert Pick:  Sistina Eye Crayon Definire in Carboncino goes on evenly and is super-black, for eyes that won't quit!

EXPERIMENT WITH BRONZED EYES

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Expert Tip:  You can create this look in seconds!  Simply sweep a bronze shadow from lash line to crease, blending gently upward towards your brow.  For daytime, a single coat of mascara completes the look.  Amp it up for evening by adding a second coat of mascara and black eye liner!

Expert Pick:  Try Cinema Beaute Sparkle Eyes in On the Town Brown.  This loose, mineral shadow is easy to blend and creates just the right amount of definition.  Bonus?  You can use this stuff on lips and cheeks too!

Let Cosmetique help you overcome your post-holiday blues with these easy-to-execute, celebrity-inspired looks.  Try some (or all) of them this season, and make 2011 your hottest year yet!

3 Sizzling New Year's Eve Makeup Looks and What You Need to Get Them!

Christmas has passed and New Year's Eve is upon us...  Time to get ready for the biggest party night of the year!  Typically, people like to go all out for this annual celebration - makeup included.  It gives us a chance to be the most glamorous versions of ourselves, and allows us to try clothing, makeup and accessories we might not ordinarily be comfortable wearing.  So let's break out the big guns before the ball drops!  Ready?

To help you look your glamorous-best, I've compiled the 3 most sizzling makeup looks to wear on New Year's Eve and what you need to get them!

1.  The Smoky Eye

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I suppose we could be getting bored with this look by now.  I mean, it's hardly cutting edge anymore.  The thing about the smoky eye is... it works.  It truly brings the focus to your eyes and keeps it there.  It's a sultry, sexy, edgy man-magnet, and it's here to stay!  Wear it if you're in the mood to get noticed.

Get the Look:

Too Faced Smoky Eye Shadow Collection has everything you need to get started on your smoky eye journey.  Don't forget to finish up with black eye liner and two coats of black mascara.  I like Jean-Michelle Mascara Magique in Noir and Pur Minerals Mineral Eye Defining Pencil with Smudger in Onyx.  Keep the rest of your makeup subtle so your eyes can take center stage!

2.  The "Vintage" Look

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This classic, pin-up style makeup look has been around for ages because it's feminine, festive and is flattering on so many women.  It is characterized by crisp, black eye liner and bright lips.  This is a great one if you need a little help getting into the holiday spirit!  Always perks me right up!

Get the Look:

Apply a black eye liner like Sistina Eye Crayon Definire in Carboncino to upper lash line only, winging it out slightly at the outer corners.  Apply two coats of black mascara.  Next... lips should be bold!  Try Cadette Colorwave Liptint in Admiral Red for a magnificent, healthy pout.

3.  Girl-Next-Door Glow

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If being a femme fatale in the classic sense isn't really your thing, don't worry.  This girl-next-door look will stop fellow party-goers in their tracks!  It is beautiful and sexy all at the same time, without screaming "LOOK AT ME!!!"  This look remains one of my favorites for its subtlety.

Get the Look:

Perfect-looking, glowing skin and glossy, gorgeous lips are essential to pulling this look off.  Try Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation with SPF 15 to perfect your skin.  Follow with Sara St. James Easy Color Bronzing Powder for warmth and glow.  Apply this shimmering bronzer to perimeter of face as well as to cheek bones, forehead and chin.  For lips, try a high-shine gloss in a sunny shade.  I like Madeleine Mono Double-Take Lipshine in Just Peachy.  And of course, mascara is a must!  If you like more drama around the eye area, you can also use eye liner to add definition.  Brown eye liner will add to the warmth of this look while black adds a bit of mystery and sex appeal...  You're the boss.

If looking hot is on your to-do list for this year, then why not start now?  Choose one of these winning, celebrity-inspired party looks, and be sure to make an entrance this New Year's Eve!   Also, don't forget to have fun and BE SAFE.

Happy New Year from your friends at Cosmetique!

Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Cadette Beautiful Eyes Set

I said I would focus my "Picks of the Week" on gift ideas through the holidays, and this week is no exception... The Cadette Beautiful Eyes Set is the complete package! 

The Big Picture

Create beautiful eyes instantly with this 4-piece set from Cadette. The amazing 18-color eyeshadow palette offers endless eye looks while the mascara conditions lashes and adds volume. The eyeliner provides precise application, and the makeup remover gently takes it all off at the end of the day!

The Details

The Palette - Achieve an all-American look that is fresh, clean and fun with this unique Cadette Colorworks Eyeshadow Collection. There are 18 exciting colors to play with and fall in love with each time you use them.


The Mascara - Expressive eyes can be your most memorable feature.  Cadette Lash Conditioning Mascara conditions as well as thickens your lashes. The unique brush actually lifts and separates lashes for maximum impact. Use the convenient mirror for flawless, on-the-go application.


The Liner - To add definition to your eyes, Cadette Eye Liner is an easy-to-apply, retractable eye liner that is perfect for either a soft smudge or a defined line.


The Remover - When you're ready to take off your eye makeup, Cadette Fresh Start Eye Makeup Remover is the perfect solution - it dissolves eye makeup gently, thoroughly and quickly.


Hard to believe, but this entire set is only $35.00!  And, with everything you could possibly need to create captivating eyes, it truly makes a great gift.

Fall's Hottest Nail Polish Trends

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Fall is in the air once again!  Soon, temperatures will start dropping and the leaves will begin to change.  Who doesn't love autumn?  With it's gorgeous colors, invigorating weather and all the football you can handle, it is definitely one of my favorite times of year. 

The other fun thing about fall is the fashion.  Colors deepen, fabrics grow heavier, and makeup becomes more dramatic...

One thing I love to experiment with is my nails.  It's such a small committment with such great payoff!  Having trendy well-manicured nails makes me feel better through and through.  Call me shallow, but it's the truth.  The nail colors for this fall really appeal to me, from the deep burgundies to the soft neutrals, there is something special for everyone this season.  And the top 2010 nail polish trends are... drum roll please...

METALLICS

These are fantastic because you can choose just how metallic you're willing to go.  From gunmetal to glistening nudes, this a trend everyone should try!  Some great metallics:

Madeleine Mono Nail Enamel in Bronzed Goddess... this beautiful, earthy shade packs a pretty, shimmery punch. 

 Or, if you're more of nude-girl, try Sistina Ceramica Classica Nail Polish in Gisella.  It is an absolutely brilliant, glittering nude.  

WARM AUTUMNAL SHADES

These are great because they are reminiscent of warm fires, changing leaves, and hot cider.  These shades are appropriate for everyone and are a great accent piece for all your fall fashions.  Try Cadette Ready, Set, Go Nail Color in Maritime Mocha for a rich, warm bronze...

Or Sistina Ceramica Classica Nail Polish in Michelangelo Red for a fiery, burnt crimson, sure to make a statement.

JEWEL TONES

These fantastic shades are always popular when the cold weather comes around because they are just so beautiful, and timeless.  They look great on women of every age and lend an air of elegant sophistication to any look.  Good ones to try?  Diandra Nail Color in Ruby Kiss is everything a jewel-toned nail polish should be.  It is a deep, multi-faceted red with long-lasting shine. 

If you prefer cooler shades, try Sara St. James Easy Color Nail Enamel in Classic Plum. 

NEUTRALS

Always en vogue, these understated, go-anywhere, do-anything shades are the epitome of subtle chic.  They go with whatever you happen to be wearing and are essentially seasonless.  Looking for a good one?  Try Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel in Pearl...

Or Arabella Stuart Nail Silk in Pearl Luster.  Both are lovely, light neutrals that pair well with whatever you've got in your closet!

Now remember, in order to show off these hot new shades to their best advantage, you need soft, well-moisturized hands and cuticles.  May I suggest H20 Plus Hand and Nail Cream?  This is a highly moisturizing formula sure to bring out the very best in whatever nail color you choose!

Get this Look: Marilyn Monroe

A reader requested that I do a Marilyn Monroe How-To and I thought that was a great idea! Marilyn Monroe was one of the great beauties of our time and she definitely had a signature makeup look. For all you ladies out there who find the prospect of replicating her look daunting, give this a try!










Lips:


For killer red lips a la Marilyn Monroe, use Madeleine Mono Lip Crayon in Raven Red to line just slightly outside of your natural lip line.

Fill in lips thoroughly with the pencil before applying a generous coat of Jean-Michelle Moisture-Riche Lip Couleur in Red Tango.

Top it off with Jean-Michelle Lip Couleur Liquide in Rose Jardin for mirror-like shine.

Eyes:


Prep eyes for shadow application by smoothing a thin layer of Too Faced Shadow Insurance from lash line to brow.

Dust a very thin layer of the lightest shadow in Arabella Stuart Petal Soft Trio in Antique Mocha across lids from lash line to brow.

Next, dust a little bit of the medium mocha shade across lids from lash line to crease.


Now use Jean-Michelle Le Stylo Pour Les Yeux in Noir to line upper lash line only. Extend liner slightly past outer corners of eyes. Be sure to extend liner up towards the outer crease and not downward.

Use Japonesque Angled Brow Definer Brush with the darkest shadow in Arabella Stuart Petal Soft Trio to brush over the top edge of your eyeliner to soften and smudge it slightly.

To mimic Marilyn’s lush lashes, use Cinema Beaute Glamour Eyes Primer before applying two coats of Cadette Lash Conditioning Mascara in Black to upper lashes. If desired, apply one coat to lower lashes.

Face: 

To mimic Marilyn’s flawless complexion, begin by applying Too Faced Magic Wand Foundation to your entire face, blending as you go.

Apply Jean-Michelle Satine Concealer only where needed, but keep in mind that movie stars of her time wore quite a bit of face makeup, so don’t be shy about covering up.

Set your makeup and minimize shine by dusting Madeleine Mono Oil-Free Translucent Powder over your entire face.

Brows:

Use Japonesque Angled Brow Definer Brush with Pur Minerals Mineral Brow Perfection to enhance and darken your brows slightly. Be sure to follow the natural shape of your brows when filling them in with the brow powder.

Follow with the wax if your brows need help staying in place.





Cheeks:

Use Jean-Michelle Couleur Classique Powder Blush in Rendezvous to contour your cheekbones followed by a light dusting of Pur Minerals Pur Rocks for a rosy glow.

 

Now go hit the town and let us know what it feels like to be a screen siren!

Marilyn Monroe Photo Courtesy of fanpop.com