EARLY WARNING: May 8th is Just Around the Corner... Shop Our Mother's Day Gift Guide Now!

Ah, Mother’s Day…a time to celebrate the woman who gave you life, raised and nurtured you from birth and helped to shape you into the person you are today. It’s typically a low-stress holiday once it arrives, but every year, panic begins to set in before the holiday as I frantically try to figure out what to get for the most important woman in my life. If you’re anything like me, you wait until the last minute and end up harried and disappointed with your gift selection.

In an attempt to alleviate some of this pre-Mother’s Day stress, I've started early and put together a list of my top Mother’s Day gift ideas, so we can all relax this year and know that we’ve gotten Mom something she’ll truly love. I’ve categorized my selections by Makeup, Skin Care, Bath & Body, and Fragrance, so no matter what your Mom is in to, you’re sure to find just the perfect thing!

Makeup

If Mom’s a makeup maven, she’ll love one of these specially packaged sets!

Cosmetique Beauty Boutique Blockbuster – For the Mother who appreciates choices, this palette has every color imaginable for a glamorous, customized makeup look she’ll love!

Sistina Italian Riviera Collection - Mother-Daughter trip to the Mediterranean not in your spring budget?  Give Mom the glamour and sophistication of the Italian Riviera with our sleek, sunny new collection - perfect for summer!

Pur Minerals Heavenly Delights - Delight your mother with this heavenly collection of complexion-flattering, feature-enhancing shades - brush included!

Skin Care

Give your Mom the gift of beautiful skin with one of these elegant skin care collections.

Energie Vitale Spa Skin Care Collection – This is the ultimate gift for the skin-obsessed! It is a complete skin care system designed to cleanse, purify, and fight the signs of aging with a potent cocktail of active ingredients.

Murad Evening Renewal Regimen – This kit from Murad includes everything your Mom needs to cleanse, tone, hydrate, and firm her way to perfect skin. How could she not love this?!?!

Princess Livia Royal Treats Skin Care Collection - Give Mom's skin (and nails!) the royal treatment with this collection of our best-loved products featuring the wonder-ingredient, bee pollen!  Plus, as an added bonus, she'll get her very own Princess Livia Miracle Grow Nail Treatment. 

Bath and Body

Help Mom to relax and unwind with these aromatic gifts for bath and body.

Arabella Stuart Belle Fleur Bath and Body Set – This includes everything your Mom needs to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize her skin. The bath gel and moisturizer are delicately scented with Bergamot, Gardenia, Sandalwood and Musk, so Mom will enjoy her gift all day long.

Sara St. James Country Classics Set – Give your Mom a little hint of the relaxing countryside with this classic set. It includes a foaming shower gel, an exfoliating puff, and a light, natural fragrance.

Zents "SUN" Solid Perfume Balm - Soothing and enlivening like the warmth of a mother's love, this solid perfume balm is a blend of aromatherapeutic essential oils in a shea butter and beeswax base.  This heavenly fragrance balm can be used at pulse points, to condition dry areas like cuticles, elbows and knees, and as a shine-enhancing, conditioning pomade for hair.

Fragrance

If your mother's a fragrance fashionista, delight her olfactory sense with the gift of perfume! 

A Woman’s Touch Perfume Collection – The perfect woman’s touch! Give your Mom a lift with this trio of delightful fragrances.

Couture Creations – Let your Mother be the head-turner she was meant to be with this three-piece collection of dramatic scents.

Missoni Eau de Parfum - This sun-drenched fragrance combines notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Chocolate, Amber, Peony, Rose and Persimmon. The sublime blend captures the luxe sensuality of an Italian resort getaway...  Send Mom on vacation this May!

Those are my top picks for a Mother’s Day gift sure to bring a smile to any Mother’s face.  Do you have an idea for the perfect Mother’s Day gift?  Share it by leaving a comment.  Also, be sure to check our website http://www.cosmetique.com/ for even more great gift ideas for Mom!

Don't forget to also check Facebook, and Twitter for details on our super-exciting, super-secret April Fool's Day Deal (hint: you get something for FREE!) - the perfect motivation to get that gift shopping done early!  Make this your best Mother's Day ever...  With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!

STOP THE (MARCH) MADNESS: 5 Beauty Blunders to Banish This Spring PLUS Quick Fixes and Expert Picks!

Spring is a time of awakening... rebirth... and BANISHING THOSE BAD BEAUTY HABITS!  Make this the month you stop the (MARCH) madness and start avoiding these classic blunders.  Read on for our list of the 5 biggest makeup mistakes a girl can make, and our expert advice and product recommendations for changing those habits for good.  Get a jump on gorgeous this spring... With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!


BEAUTY BLUNDER #1 :  Applying your makeup with dirty brushes...

Photo Courtesy of Japonesque.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Using dirty brushes to apply makeup means you're transferring bacteria, dirt and pore-clogging oils onto your skin every time you use them!  This can cause acne, dullness and premature aging of the skin.  It's also bad for your brushes!

QUICK FIX:  Use a gentle hair shampoo to lather up brushes once a week.  Be sure to massage bristles from base to tip, and rinse thoroughly.  Reshape brushes and allow to dry flat on a clean paper towel.  Don't you just feel better?

EXPERT PICK:  Try Garden Botanika Fresh Mint Shampoo for a refreshing scent and luxe lather that conditions as it cleanses.

BEAUTY BLUNDER #2:  Poorly-blended foundation...

Photo Courtesy of Isabellagucci.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Poorly-blended foundation sets the stage for poorly-applied makeup!  Just as an artist begins with a perfectly primed canvas, applying your foundation like a pro will ensure an even, smooth surface on which to perform your magic.  


QUICK FIX:  For expertly-blended foundation with no streaks, caking or mask-like lines at the jaw, ear and forehead, choose a natural-looking, semi-sheer foundation with a brush applicator.  The lightweight formula and brush application allow for perfectly-natural, perfectly-YOU coverage, with no tell-tale lines or streaking.  Tap a damp sponge over foundation after application to blend and remove any excess product.  Step back and take a look in the mirror... OMG!  It's Complexion Perfection!!!


EXPERT PICK :  Too Faced Magic Wand Foundation has a built-in brush and delivers light-diffusing, skin-perfecting coverage for perfectly natural-looking skin!

BEAUTY BLUNDER #3:  Skipping the eyelash curler...

Photo Courtesy of Health-beauty-tips.org

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Uncurled lashes appear shorter and make your eyes look smaller and less awake.  Curled lashes look longer and fuller, and give eyes a well-rested, alert appearance.  Because curled lashes allow more light into the eye area, eyes appear brighter and sparklier!  What girl can say no to that?!?!


QUICK FIX:  Use a high-quality, stainless steel eyelash curler with a no-stick silicone pad to curl lashes at the base, mid-way point,  and tips for eye-opening lashes that look ultra-long and flirty!  Be sure to follow with mascara for maximum impact.

EXPERT PICK:  Japonesque Power Curl Eyelash Curler creates dramatic, uniform curl with no sticking, clumping or pinching.  

BEAUTY BLUNDER #4:  Too-Nude Lips...

Photo Courtesy of Prettyobsessed.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  While rich, warm nudes can lend subtle sophistication to an otherwise edgy, smoky eye;  too-nude, too-light lips can sap skin of vital color and make the complexion look sallow and ashy.

QUICK FIX:  Banish lackluster lips and embrace this season's hottest trend!  A shade which flatters many women AND is appropriate for all ages, coral is THE color for lips this spring.  A moisturizing, color-rich lipstick formula ensures high-impact, lip-loving pigments that last and last.  Be sure to choose a shade appropriate for your skin tone.  Fairer-skinned gals should stick with pinkish hues while those with deeper skin tones can experiment with bolder, warmer shades.

EXPERT PICK:  For a stay-true, stay-put lip color in a universally-flattering shade of this season's hottest hue, try Sistina Lipcolor Perfetta in Mandarino Coral. 

BEAUTY BLUNDER #5:  Heading to bed without washing your face...

Photo Courtesy of Collegecures.com

WHY THIS IS "POSITIVELY MAD":  Leaving makeup, dirt and oil on your face while you sleep clogs pores and creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria which can exacerbate acne conditions, cause eye infections, and leave skin looking dull.  What's more, by not cleansing skin properly before bed, you allow the free radicals from the day to sit on skin overnight, potentially contributing to cell damage and premature aging.

QUICK FIX:  First remove eye makeup and lip products using a makeup remover designed especially for those delicate areas.  Now, using circular motions, massage a gentle cleansing gel onto wet skin for 30-60 seconds to remove makeup and impurities without drying your complexion.  Be sure to rinse cleanser off thoroughly with water and pat dry.

EXPERT PICK(S):  Beat hard-to-remove eye and lip colors with Arabella Stuart Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips.  Follow with Princess Livia Gentle Cleansing Gel with Bee Pollen to unclog pores, and remove excess oil and impurities.  

   

There you have it ladies, our expert tips and recommendations to help you banish beauty blunders for good.  Don't forget to check out the rest of our blog @ http://www.cosmetiqueblog.com/, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter(@CosmetiqueUS) for all sorts of tips, tricks, trends and more! 

SPRING COLOR BURST: Get This Season's Brightest Runway Looks With a Little Help From Your Friends at Cosmetique!

Color!  Color!  Color!  The spring runways across the globe were all a-glow with this season's hottest hues.  From Marc Jacobs to Gianfranco Ferre, the world is ready for spring and is letting loose with everything from prim pastels to beguiling bronzes.  Need a little inspiration (and maybe some instruction...  Hello!?!?)  Never fear:  Here are my favorite makeup looks straight off the hottest runways in Paris, London, Milan and New York... AND what you need to get them!


The Spring 2011 Runway Trend:  Cool-Toned Eyes in Pink, Plum and Navy
As Seen At:  Chris Benz, Giorgio Armani and Gianfranco Ferre

Photos Courtesy of Blog.beautylish.com

Pair It With:  Barely-There Blush and Pale Pink Lips


Get the Look:  Our Jean-Michelle Springtime in Paris Collection (Jean-Michelle 6-piece Color Collection in Pink)  includes a palette of 4 of the silkiest, icy-cool shadows in the most beautiful shades imaginable!  Use the lighter shades for soft, pastel-y daytime looks or go for all-out evening drama by layering the rich plum and navy.  Don't forget to define and enhance lashes with our never-needs-to-be-sharpened eye liner and luxe black mascara.  This specially-priced collection also includes a soft pink lipstick to drench your lips in moisturizing color and a coordinating nail polish for the complete runway look!

The Spring 2011 Runway Trend:  Sun-Drenched Eyes and Skin with Warm Russet-Red Lips
As Seen At:  Marc Jacobs

Photo Courtesy of Blog.beautylish.com

Pair It With:  Black Mascara and Matching Russet-Red Nails


Get the Look:  Begin by warming eye lids, cheekbones and temples with our easy-to-blend, skin-perfecting Sistina Tuscan Sun Contour Wand.  Coat lashes thoroughly with an ultra-black, lengthening formula like Sistina Mascara Maxima in Mezzanotte Black.  Accent lips and nails with this season's high-impact orange-y hues.  For luscious, look-at-me lips and an attention-grabbing manicure, try Sara St. James Easy Color Lipstick in Russet Red and Sistina Ceramica Classica Nail Enamel in Bronzino.  Bellisima!

The Spring 2011 Runway Trend:  Blood-Red Nails

As Seen At:  Christian Dior

Photo Courtesy of Ilovemanicures.info

Pair It With:  Understated Neutrals

Get the Look:  If you're the type to "make an entrance," let your hands do the talking with this season's hottest hue!  Sistina Ceramica Classica Nail Enamel in Red Glorioso has all the warmth and sparkle to make a splash this spring.  If you like the idea of red nails, but want a subtler statement, try one of the more muted, blue-based reds like Madeleine Mono Nail Enamel in Raven Red or Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel in Red Glace.  No matter what shade of red you choose, be sure to keep nails short and oval to avoid looking like a character from Dynasty. 

The Spring 2011 Runway Trend:  Coral Lips
As Seen At: Fendi

Photo Courtesy of Allure.com

Pair It With:  Soft, Undone Hair 


Get the Look:  One of this season's easiest-to-execute statements, the strong coral lip is all you need to get a finished spring look.  For the most polished take on this season's trend, begin by defining lips with a warm, neutral lip liner.  Follow with an opaque coral lipstick applied directly from the tube.  For added shine, apply a lip gloss in a coordinating shade to center of lips only.  Our Jean-Michelle Moisture-Riche Lip Set in Coral includes all 3 products in 1 specially-priced collection for the perfect "runway" effect.

The Spring 2011 Runway Trend:  Soft Smoky Eyes in Rich Bronze, Copper and Gold
As Seen At:  Blumarine

Photo Courtesy of Makeupforlife.net

Pair It With: Subtle Bronze-y Lips


Get the Look:  Sky's the limit with this one!  Use any combination of shadows from our Diandra Urban Chic Multi Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Sensations and you will have nailed this look right on the head.  From soft, disco-inspired golds and coppers to sultry bronzes and dark browns, this season's smoky eye allows you the utmost freedom of expression.  Take it from day to night with the addition of the black shadow along upper and lower lash lines and at outer corners of eyes.  Accent lips and nails with perfectly coordinated shades of soft bronze.  Try Diandra Nail Color in Mocha Frost and Diandra Color Shine Slimline Lipstick in Maple Sugar to complete the look.

There you have it ladies, the 5 hottest color trends, brought to you directly from the most glamorous runways in the world.  Now, you have all the knowledge you need to experience this spring in TECHNICOLOR... With a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!  

Spring Color Explosion: Shake up your Makeup with Oscar 2011's Hottest Hues



Photo Courtesy of Chosun.com

Los Angeles was all aglow last Sunday, February 27th as today's hottest movie stars filed down the red carpet and into The Kodak Theater in Hollywood for The 83rd Annual Academy Awards.  In my opinion, the show has become a bit on the slow (and long) side as of late, however, nothing (seriously, NOTHING) gets in the way of my fashion critique and rapid-fire questions as the stars walk the infamous red carpet: 

"What are they wearing?"

"Who are they wearing?"

"How are they wearing it?" 

"Do I like it?" 

"...AND, WHERE CAN I GET SOME?"

While the haute couture of movie stars may be out of my reach for now, this does not stop me from using Oscar fashion to inspire everything from my wardrobe and makeup, to my home decorating and accessories.  To help inspire you, I've put together some of the HOTTEST HUES seen at the awards show along with tips on how you can use them to SHAKE UP YOUR MAKEUP for spring!  

The HOT Hue:  Sizzling Scarlet

The Designer:  Valentino

As seen on: Anne Hathaway 

Photo Courtesy of Gossipcop.com

Shake up your Makeup:  Try this scintillating shade on lips and nails for the ultimate accent to a neutral palette.  

To get red-hot hands, apply 2 coats of a high-shine nail lacquer like Jean-Michelle Laque Luisant Nail Enamel in Red Glace to short, oval-shaped nails.  Follow with a clear top coat for longer wear and added shine.

  

Achieve a super-sexy coordinating lip look by applying a rich scarlet lip color like Diandra Super Moist Hydrating Lipstick in Red Frost, straight from the tube.  Blot and finish by dabbing a bit more color onto the center of lips using your ring finger.

The HOT Hue:  Shimmering Silver

The Designer:  Calvin Klein 

As seen on:  Gwyneth Paltrow

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

Shake up your Makeup:  Lighten and brighten those peepers this spring with a healthy dose of eye-opening silver.  

Make eyes positively gleam by applying a light, shimmering silver shadow to center of lids and inner corners of eyes.  Accent outer corners and lower lash lines with a deep charcoal powder shadow for the ultimate drama.  Too Faced Duo Shadow in Ooh & Aah has just the shades you need for easy execution.  Finish with 2 coats of black mascara applied to upper lashes only. 

The HOT Hue: Smoldering Sapphire

The Designer:  L'Wren Scott

As seen on: Amy Adams

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodreporter.com

Shake up your Makeup:  Accent eyes with this sophisticated, universally-flattering shade of  midnight blue.

Create eyes that smolder by using an eye liner in this hot hue to define upper and lower lash lines.  For all-out glamour, apply liner to water line (area just inside lashes) on top and bottom as well.  Try Pur Minerals Mineral Eye-Defining Pencil with Smudger in Midnight Sapphire for an easy-to-apply, long-wearing look.  Use the smudger if you want a smoky, dramatic evening eye.  For daytime, keep liner clean and well-defined.  Make sapphire liner pop by doing the rest of your makeup in warm, neutral shades like gold, peach and soft brown. 

The HOT Hue:  Pale Lavender

The Designer:  Elie Saab

As seen on:  Mila Kunis

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

Shake up your Makeup:  Modernize your look and add interest to tired eyes with a sweep of cool lavender.

Perk up those peepers with a wash of pale lavender shadow applied to eyelids only, stopping at the crease.  Try Cinema Beaute Sparkle Eyes in Vampy Violet for brilliant shimmer and shine.  This is an ultra-flattering shade for just the perfect pop of eye-brightening color!  If you're feelin' frisky, wet shadow and apply just underneath bottom lashes, too.  For extra impact and staying power, prep lids with a silicone-based primer like Too Faced Shadow Insurance.  

The HOT Hue:  Vibrant Plum

The Designer:  Rodarte

The Actress:  Natalie Portman

Photo Courtesy of Stylebistro.com

Shake up your Makeup:  Give your tried and true smoky eyes an update with this amped-up shade of plum.

Create a softer, more modern smoky eye by using this vibrant shade of plum for depth and definition, rather than black or gray.  Achieve the look in moments by sweeping a deep, glistening plum shadow across lids, beginning at the lash line and blending upward into the crease of the eye.  Next, use a small brush like Japonesque's Small Eye Detailer Brush to apply the plum shade under your lower lashes, as well.  Try a palette like our Jean-Michelle Collage Eyeshadow Trio in Rose Fresque which comes with 3 coordinating shades.  Use the pale pink to highlight brow bones and inner corners of eyes.  Keep lips and cheeks ultra-soft using pale pink, plum or lavender.  

Alright ladies, ready to get gorgeous?  Take a tip from this year's biggest movie stars, and incorporate some color into your beauty routine this season.  From shocking brights to feminine pastels, brilliant color is ALL THE RAGE for spring!  I said it once and I'll say it again:  It's time to SHAKE UP YOUR MAKEUP...  With some celebrity inspiration...  And a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!

5 Grammy Looks We LOVE...

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards were held at Los Angeles' Staples Center this past Sunday, February 13, 2011.  As usual, our favorite musical artists and celebrities were in attendance sporting some of this season's hottest looks!  From fierce and fabulous, to downright weird (ahem, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj - you know we all love it!) the makeup on the red carpet was an inspiration to beauty queens everywhere!  Without further ado, here are 5 Grammy looks we LOVE, and what you need to get them! 

The Look We Love:  Big Lashes and Ultra-Glossy Nude Lips

The Inspiration:  Kim Kardashian

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

What you'll need: A great mascara, neutral lip pencil and bronze-y gloss.


Expert Picks: Arabella Stuart Petal Soft Lips Set in Mocha and Arabella Stuart Perfect Lash Mascara in Black (BOTH ARE NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)  

Expert Tip:  For a perfect nude mouth a la Kim Kardashian, prep lips with your foundation first to neutralize your natural lip color.  Unless you are very young or have a killer tan, I recommend following with a neutral pencil and bronze (not completely nude) gloss which won't rob your face of warmth like an ultra-light shade.  The foundation and bronze gloss will blend together to create the ultimate, perfect-for-you nude lip!

The Look We Love:  Mauve Blush and Berry Lips

The Inspiration:  Rihanna

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

What you'll need:  A rich berry lipstick and soft mauve blush.

Expert Picks:  Sistina Lipcolor Perfetta in Roseto Plum and Jean-Michelle Couleur Classique Powder Blush in Mon Cheri. 

Expert Tip:  For a youthful flush like Rihanna's, be sure to apply blush to the apples (not the contours - this can look dated) of your cheeks, and blend up towards your temples.  Maximize the impact and staying power of your lipstick by applying straight from the tube, blotting with a tissue, and then reapplying.  

Don't like powder blush?  Make your lipstick do double-duty by using your ring fingers to blend the color onto the apples of your cheeks.  Leave as-is for a dewy finish, or follow with a powder blush to mattify the skin.  

The Look We Love:  Killer Cat Eyes

The Inspiration:  Miley Cyrus

Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com

What you'll need:  A black powder eye liner and a rich bronze shadow.  (Plus mascara... of course!)

Expert Pick:  Too Faced Smoky Eye Shadow Collection

Expert Tip:  To get Miley's winged-out cat eyes, be sure to extend the black powder liner past the outer corners of eyes, extending out towards temples.  Follow with bronze shadow applied generously to the lid only, from lash line to crease.  For extra oomph, use a black eye liner pencil on the inner rims of eyes - top and bottom.  Don't forget to curl lashes and add two coats of mascara!    

The Look We Love: Pink Lips and Dewy Cheeks

The Inspiration:  Selena Gomez

Photo Courtesy of Showstalker.net

What you'll need:  A sheer, plummy-pink gloss.

Expert Pick:  Arabella Stuart Lip Polish in Plum Glaze (NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)    

Expert Tip:  Get Selena's dewy glow by letting your gloss double as blush.  Lip glosses give skin the sheer color and soft shine of a natural flush.  Apply to the apples of cheeks for a radiant glow. 

Bonus?  No need to worry about coordinating your lips and cheeks!

The Look We Love:  Candy Colored Eyes and Sugary Pink Lips

The Inspiration:  Katy Perry

Photo Courtesy of Makeupforlife.net

What you'll need:  A palette of highly pigmented, shimmering pastels and opaque pink lipstick.

Expert Pick:  Too Faced Liquif-Eye Set and Arabella Stuart Polished Lipcolor in Damask Rose (NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)

Expert Tip:  Use contrasting colors for top lid and lower lash line for eyes that really POP like Katy's.  For ultimate drama, blend color into the crease of your eye and slightly up onto your brow bone.  For a more wearable application, confine bright colors to upper and lower lash line.  Anchor the look with clean, simple black eye liner applied only to upper lash line and black mascara. 

Get inspired by your favorite stars and musical artists this spring to get a look YOU'LL love!  Pick your favorite or try 'em all.  Feel free to experiment with fun and exciting new looks as much as your heart desires... with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!