I don't know what you ladies have been up to lately, but over here at Cosmetique, we're all awash in spring's hottest hues! We've talked lips, cheeks, hair and clothes - everything you need to get ready for one of my favorite seasons. Now, we're talkin' eyes. From soft pastels to sultry jewel tones, eyes are set to have one heck of a spring! So, for my pick of the week, I've chosen an ultra-trendy, easy-to-use eye shadow duo, to make getting hip a whole lot easier...
The Product: Too Faced Duo Shadows
These fantastic shadow combos cast a glamorous, sparkling starlet of shade combinations. Featuring a light color ideal for highlighting, adding all-over shimmer or creating a brightening effect in the corner of the eye, paired with the perfectly matched, rich and powerful co-star - crease and shadow color. Together they perform a long-wearing, crease-resistant and pigment-drenched love affair.
The long-adored duos are available on our website in the following shade combinations:
COCOA LILLY - Whether you crave soft, romantic looks, or dramatic, bronzed smoky eyes, this little duo packs a big punch! Have you ever seen a more precious pink?
EROTICA/SILK TEDDY - This hot color combo is great for sophisticated day-time looks, or understated evening attire. You can't go wrong with these universally-flattering shades that are appropriate for all ages!
SKINNY DIP - Channel the shimmering, mesmerizing beauty of the ocean with brilliant cobalt and soft azure. Looks great with spring's bold coral lip! BEAUTY TIP: Blue eye shadow really makes brown eyes POP!
OOH & AAH - Ooh and Aah, indeed! This is a high-impact, high-contrast duo that will really make a statement. Create smoldering smoke by using more of the darker shade, or soft shimmer by concentrating on the magnetic silver ... The only question is: What are you waiting for?
BEAUTY MARK - Both demure and dramatic all at the same time, this duo can be used to execute super-subtle looks as well as eye-popping, late-night drama. Soft pink adds warmth and sheen, while the super smoky shade adds depth and definition to the eye.
Seriously girls, would I lead you astray? Take this opportunity to amp up your eyes, along with your glamour quotient this spring with our Too Faced Duo Shadows... available now at http://www.cosmetique.com/!
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.
Spring Color Explosion: Shake up your Makeup with Oscar 2011's Hottest Hues
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| 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!
Beauty Editor's Pick of the Week: Too Faced Liquif-Eye Set
This spring is all about bright, brilliant, EYE-popping color! In celebration of the coming spring (I CANNOT WAIT!), I have chosen Too Faced Liquif-Eye Set as my "Pick of the Week."
The beauty gurus at Too Faced have created the perfect palette of ultra-intense, magnificent metallic and smoldering smoky shadows in one calculated kit to accompany their best-selling eye shadow transformer, Liquif-Eye! That’s right, all you need to do to create countless, unimaginably vivid eye liner shades is: dip the tip of this full-sized Liquif-Eye into any combination of the 12 shadows contained in this eyeliner lover’s dream kit! The cool cats at Too Faced have added a depth and saturation of color to these fabulous shades to make them the perfect liner/definer powders to pop your pretty peepers all day and all night!
Want More? They can be used as regular eye shadow, too! You have all the colors you need to get the perfect smoky eye, or a feminine pastel look. Just sweep your favorite brush (I like Japonesque Medium Eye Shadow Fluff Brush for a soft wash of color) through the shadow(s) of your choice and blend onto lids, creases or browbones. If you want more impact, try a smaller, firmer brush like the Japonesque Small Eye Detailer Brush, and pat the color onto lids or lash lines.
Need a little inspiration from the stars? Click here (you will need to scroll down a bit) to see Katy Perry rockin' the red carpet with candy-colored eyes at the 2011 Grammys, and get expert tips on how to copy her look!
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!
Bonus? No need to worry about coordinating your lips and cheeks!
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!
Valentine's Day How-To: "The Look of Love" Inspired by Natalie Portman
Photo Courtesy of Examiner.com
With a wedding and a baby on the way, plus a slew of awards and nominations to her credit, Natalie Portman is the perfect face for our "Valentine's Day Look of Love How-To." Last week, I ran down 3 of the hottest, most current makeup looks to inspire your adventurous spirit and creativity as Valentine's Day approaches. But, if being SO "right now" is SO not you, try this ethereal, romantic makeup look for Valentine's Day and highlight your innate femininity.
Here goes...
Skin:
Mimic Natalie's flawless, glowing complexion by beginning with a pore minimizing serum or primer. Smooth a thin layer over your entire face following your moisturizer, and wait a few minutes for it to sink in before moving on to the next step. Pur Minerals See No More will not only visibly reduce the look of medium to large pores, but will smooth and prime your skin to provide a perfect finish for your makeup. This silky serum also helps to control shine and smooth texture to give you the healthy-looking complexion you've always wanted!
Get that romantic glow and increase your radiance by applying Sistina Radiante Face Tint lightly to your entire face. The sheer, light-reflective coverage obscures imperfections and creates the glow of a woman in love.
Cover up any remaining imperfections with an easy-to-blend concealer. Even if there are no visible blemishes, I always use concealer under the eyes (pay special attention to the inner corners where the nose typically casts a shadow) and around the nose to create the look of a well-rested, healthy visage. The only exception I make is for very young girls (very young... like, under 16.) I highly recommend Diandra Perfect Blend Concealer Duo for all your cover-up needs. Each one comes with a split bullet containing two shades which makes it super-simple to get the perfect match for you!
If shine is an issue, dust a soft-focus powder onto your t-zone. Leave cheekbones bare for a more radiant finish. Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight sets foundation and minimizes shine while giving a romantic glow to the skin.
Eyes:
Start by prepping lids with a silicone-based eyeshadow primer designed for extended wear and maximum impact. Using your ring finger, spread a thin layer of primer over lids extending from your lash line to your brow. Too Faced Shadow Insurance is your ticket to crease-free, smudge-free, shine-free shadow that stays put until YOU decide to take it off.
Using Japonesque Small Eye Detailer Brush and Jean-Michelle Quartette Lumineux Eyeshadow in Plum Fantaisie, blend the bottom two shades in the palette and apply to upper and lower lash lines. This color combination will yield near-identical results to Natalie Portman's soft look. Bonus? Soft, shimmering lavender is a universally-flattering shade that helps eyes look clearer and more awake.
Highlight brow bones using the same brush and the lovely, dove grey from the palette. Just a touch right under the arch of your brow is all you need.
Now, make eyes pop by defining your inner lash line top and bottom with your favorite black pencil liner. Diandra Eye Crayon in Barely Black works well here as it goes on smoothly and never needs sharpening.
Finish eyes with two coats of Diandra Mascara in Black.
Cheeks:
Try Jean-Michelle Couleur Classique Powder Blush in Mon Cheri for an angelic glow and just the right amount of enlivening color. Apply product sparingly to the apples of cheeks blending towards your temples.
Lips:
Lips don't get any easier than this, my friends. No liner required! A sheer, shimmering plum/lavender gloss is all you need for the perfect pout and Diandra Luminous Lipcolor Collection in Plum Fantasy contains 3 high-shine, lip-conditioning shades. The most appropriate one for this look (all will work), is the lavender shade on top. Use the lip brush (included!) to apply this soft wash of beeswax-infused color... your lips (and your date) will thank you!
So, whether you're planning a festive girls' night out or a romantic dinner for two, if "of the moment" isn't your thing, try this easy, feminine look and be the belle of the ball this Valentine's Day... with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!
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