skip to main |
skip to sidebar
some makeup lines didn't need to create any special products to accommodate the bright color trend, because big color is just a part of their identity - and nars definitely falls into this category. below i've selected my favorite bold, yet wearable shades from their colorful line:
capucine lip lacquer is described as a sheer tangerine. and that is a very good thing - because orange is huge for lips, cheeks and nails this summer. while capucine lip lacquer definitely creates an orange lip, it also has a soft hint of pink, giving a pretty, punchy color. simply pair with a shimmering neutral shadow and a black liquid liner for compliments all day long (or night long, this look can work for either). $24.
nars' considers bloodwork lip gloss to be a red vinyl, and it absolutely true to form. most red glosses have just a hint of color and have way too much pink in them, but not so with bloodwork. it is a true blue-based, color rich and vinyl-esque gloss. if you want to channel dita von teese or gwen stefani's vixen lips, there is no easier or better match. $24.
 cactus flower cream blush is a shimmering poppy. now, if you want to sell me a product this summer, describe it as poppy colored (or orange) and i'm all over it. you might as well just take the money from my wallet now. poppy is in bloom, in a big way. it brings color and life to fairer skin tones. $24.
crazed blush, a raspberry red with shimmer, is one of my seasoned favorites. i have always been crazed over crazed. this color is definitely not for someone who likes a subtle look and please, please, please, be light-handed in your application. with those warnings in mind, and now beauties i would never lie to you, and men love it when i wear this blush. each time i've worn it a man has complimented my face! $25.
kitty eyeliner pencil is a turquoise blue and is the right single step to achieve summer's bright eye trend, blue rimmed eyes. contrary to popular belief, blue liner is great for blue eyes, as long as their is contrast between the shades of blue. since this blue is so different from the grey-blue hue of my peepers, it really accentuates my color. $20.
all featured products are part of the regular nars color line, available at narscosmetics.com and sephora.com.
final image credit: bellasugar.com
read more...
it's official -- y'all loved blair's look at the van der woodsen/bass wedding (43% of you voted for her look, followed by 19% for that demonic georgina's smoky eye).
blair's makeup at the wedding was rosy and sweet, rather than overly complicated (like her dear friend serena, who looked like some sort of runway show gone awry). the emphasis of blair's look was on a gorgeous flush for cheeks and lips. this is a very current look, and especially handy if you are attending a june wedding.
 to get those glowy cheeks:
everyone knows about tarte cheekstain, but i prefer one of their newer formula, natural cheekstain. this sheer stain gives a berry-kissed glow. this version is also filled with natural ingredients for a super-natural looking flush. $28 at tartecosmetics.com.
to get those rosy lips:
lancome's icon is the rose. now they color fever lipstick roses, to honor that emblem. a collection of 5 rose hued lipsticks, the color fever lipsticks roses are creamy, dreamy and (no matter what your coloring) they have your perfect rose lip shade (i myself am v. partial to rose tempest). like all lancome lipsticks, they are also rose-scented, which i happen to love about them. $25 apiece at lancome-usa.com.
top image credit: latimesblogs.latimes.com
read more...
 picture: amber, daneen, and me, taken by erika.
1. live blogging is hard! i apologize for not updating throughout the weekend. it was so jam-packed with activity that i barely had time to use the restroom, let alone blog about it.
2. this blush is why i'm having the best week ever. it's whipped texture makes the skin glow, glow, glow.
3. male beauty bloggers can be straight (and awesome!). to clarify, paul does the tech side and his girlfriend actually writes the content for beyond beauty basics.
4. there are magical sprinkles you can use on your food that will activate your sense of smell to make you less hungry. miracle? i think so. more on this later.
5. i went in the skin aging box! and i'm happy to report i learned that i currently have no wrinkles (though there was a bit of a scare because a piece of my hair was stuck to my face and the skincare analysis initially interpreted it as wrinklus massivus). the main aging predicted for my skin in 10 years is increased freckles, which i think are kinda cute.
6. i'm in the running to win a trip to paris! and you are can help make that happen (don't you want me to live blog from paris?!). so please keep reviewing your fav and least fav products on totalbeauty.com.
and, omfg! don't forget the season finale of gossip girl is tonight.
read more...
 you may not realize it yet, but you need therapy (systems).
their spring/summer 08 collection is launching on april 1st (tuesday)!), but i got a little sneak preview of the new shades to share with you.
at first glance, i was a bit nonplussed by these little silver compacts. but, as i tirelessly try everything for you beauties, i dove in. and even though they may not look like much, i now fully understand why therapy systems has a cult following amongst beauty editors. as an added bonus, the mediterranean-inspired names given to the colors in this collection bring me right back to my trip to beautiful italy trip last spring.
there are three products in this colletion that i loooove, but if you only get one, please make it mykonos eyeshadow (top picture). this is the best color product i've tried of late - a true find. the press release describes it as "a soft metallic eye shadow with specs of gold shimmer and comes in a portable silver compact with mirror", and i don't think i can explain it better. oh, and its $19.
the other two darlings of this collection are the gel blushes - in both portofino (rose, middle picture) and santorini (coral, bottom picture). gel combines the best of a liquid and powder blush to give most natural glow and these two colors are just angelic - $24.
the collection also includes tequila sunrise powder blush ($30), capri lipstick ($20), and naples lipstick ($20). but you still have a couple days to wait - the products aren't up yet at therapysystems.com. but on april 1st they will be available on the website, at private edition, at the cosmetic market and at the therapy systems store in nashville or at 1-800-733-8606.
read more...
my spring makeup revelation was to focus on cheeks - rather than eyes or lips - when creating a "focus" for my looks. MAC collections don't always include blush, but happily, the beauty powder blush collection shows that MAC and i remain on the same page.
 at the exact time when i decided that i simply couldn't live without a bevy of glowing blushes to choose from, MAC decides one of their spring launches will be beauty powder blushes. coincidence? i suppose so, but a very happy one.
there are 8 vibrant shades to choose from, each one is $17.50. my current favorite is joyousness, it's name makes me happy and a quality orange-based blush isn't easy to come by. see them all here.
read more...
using high sheen nudes to contour the face, cheeks and eyes is what makeup is all about right now. and not one to miss the trends, i've been working on my perfect contoured eye.
despite the semi-goth promo picture for the nars spring collection (which i still love), shanghai lily is actually comprised of mostly neutrals. after swatching the alahambra eyeshadow duo ($31), i could not believe the amazing sheen of both colors, without being at all glittery or sparkly. the two colors can work together to create a contoured eye by putting the color on the right side of compact on the lid and the color on the left in the crease. then just a add a little black liquid liner at the lash line for depth. the look is super neat and crisp.
i have been rocking it for the last two weeks, coupled with the stolen kisses/pampa lip gloss/lip stain gloss ($28). at first glance i thought this lip stain/gloss set would be waaaay too dark for me, but is the perfect compliment to my light skin and auburn hair. oh, and i have, of course, i have been finishing this look with the multiple in orgasm ($36.50). it is the perfect look to wear to la office and to carry you into a glamorous evening.
all products mentioned are available at narscosmetics.com and sephora.
read more...
"iowagirl301" and "laura" are the winners of the prescriptives illuminator all over face color contest. after hearing everyone's compelling reasons for why they (or their loved one) should win this fabulous prize, i couldn't bring myself to actually select the winners, so these two beauties were randomly selected. laura and iowgirl301, please send me your addresses!
not the winner? never fear, enter my next fantastic giveaway. see the details below.
read more...
just a few more days to enter my prescriptives illuminator all over face color contest!
click here to enter!
the contest runs until 8PM EST on thursday (12/20/07).
read more...
im giving two of these away!  i've gotten together with the fabulous people of prescriptives to give away the hottest limited edition makeup item created for holiday 2007! valued at $35, prescriptives' the illuminator all over face color gives skin a radiant, candlelit glow. prescriptives has an impressive selection of holiday gifts (starting at just $26), but the illuminator shines the brightest! all you have to do is tell me who this will make a great gift for and why (and if you pick yourself, you better have a very good reason!). to enter, just leave your answer in the comment section of this post (be sure to include your email address) or send me an email with your reason (beautyeditor at makeuplovesme dot com). the two best entrants will be sent the illuminator in time for their christmas goose and new year's soirée. you have until december 20th, 2007, 8pm EST beauties.
read more...
 the release of the nars multiple in orgasm was a highly anticipated and punned-upon occasion.
the multiple is a cream stick highlight that can be used on cheeks, eyes, body, etc.
orgasm is nars' hit, "universally flattering", blush color.
while i enjoyed the powder blush form of orgasm, i didn't loooove it as much as some people. well, now that i've tried the multiple, i'm happy to say i do loooove this version. while orgasm gives a peachy, somewhat beachy, glow, i actually think it works better as a winter color than a summer color. i've been feeling a bit dull/pale lately. turns out highlighting my cheeks with orgasm was just the thing i needed to change that.
the orgasm lip gloss is sweet and girly and not at all sticky. perfect for an everyday look. my favorite not-so-everyday lip gloss is also nars. babe is a shiny orange red that brightens the face and helps make you the talk of your (holiday) party.
nars products are available at sephora and at narscosmetics.com
read more...
it's finally started to really feel like fall in new york. as a result, scarves and a less beachy makeup look are in order!
i associate cooler weather with cream blush because it gives you that "glow from within", like rosy cheeks on a chilly day (as opposed to powder blush, which sits on top of the skin, giving a sun-kissed, hence summery, look). so, i've been eager to find a flattering cream blush that creates the aforementioned chilly day effect. well, i found it! i'm loving lancome's color design blush in pret a plum. at first i did not think a "plum" colored blush would be a match for me, because it's not super-attractive lipstick shade for me. but it turns out it's an amazing blush hue for my coloring! i've worn it everyday for the last two weeks and it has flattered every look i've paired it with. if you're coloring is similar to mine (light eyes, dark hair, light yellow-toned skin) i urge you to give this color a try. however, this same formula is available in 7 colors, so don't worry if you aren't a plum match.
also, this blush is extra smooth (sidenote: be sure your skin is properly moisturized before trying to apply any cream products). i just use my fingers to smooth it on the apples of my cheeks. i definitely get hours of color out of my initial application. this is my first must-have for a perfect fall look.
read more...
All content © Copyright 2007-2008 www.makeuplovesme.com
|
cactus flower cream blush is a shimmering poppy. now, if you want to sell me a product this summer, describe it as poppy colored (or orange) and i'm all over it. you might as well just take the money from my wallet now. poppy is in bloom, in a big way. it brings color and life to fairer skin tones. $24.
