Tag Archives: cosmetics

Beauty Test Drive: Dermalogica Skincare

Winona Dimeo-EdigerNovember 2, 2012 //

Makeup Bag: The Best New Thing In Beauty

The best new thing in beauty is... 8 Photos »

BTD: Revlon Lip Butters

Revlon's new lip balms are smooth as butter! Read More »

Simple Beauty Must-Haves

No way around it, you need these. 6 Photos »

I have experienced a few transformations in my life that have been so dramatic I wish I had taken before and after pictures. One of those times was when I went to Super Cuts for a trim and the stylist gave me a pixie cut with a rat tail. Another was when I bought my first professionally fitted bra. And the third was when I started using Dermalogica skincare.

It all started one day when my friend Katie and I went out for drinks. She was telling a story when I realized that even under the harsh fluorescent lights of the bar her face looked dewy and flawless. “Oh my god,” I blurted out. “How do you have such perfect skin?!” Keep reading »

Beauty Cues: Amanda Seyfried Spikes This Classic Red Lip Look

Rachel KrauseOctober 24, 2012 //

Amanda's Dog-Walkin' Style

Pretty cute, Amanda, but not quite as cute as your dog. Read More »

Amanda Plays Lovelace

Plus, other actors who have played porn stars. Read More »

Amanda's Tat

Amanda Seyfried has a raunchy tattoo. Read More »

Amanda's Spinach Diet

Amanda Seyfried eats spinach and seeds. Yum! Read More »

Beauty Cues

With her fair hair and icy complexion, there’s no doubt in my mind that Amanda Seyfried can pull off just about any makeup look. The “Les Misérables” actress killed it at Paris Fashion Week earlier in the month wearing the season’s perfectly on-trend plum lipstick, but she brightened things up for the Hollywood Film Awards Gala this week in a vivid poppy shade. I love this look ― it’s very old Hollywood with a punchy, youthful twist, and it’s a surefire way to keep spirits aloft in even the greyest, most dismal fall weather. Better still, it’s day-to-night versatile; it makes a serious statement for the 9-to-5 then transforms into pure glamour when the sun goes down, and you don’t even have to do anything. So what are you waiting for? Keep reading »

A Lipstick Pencil To Solve Any Equation

Rachel KrauseOctober 24, 2012 //

Red Lipstick Art

Yves Saint Laurent would be... intrigued? Read More »

Awesome Orange-Reds

Can you guess which is $25 and which is $1? Read More »

Matching Lips And Nails

Will you be wearing the ladylike trend this season? Read More »

For all my love of all the makeup, I’m undeniably fickle. I buy and try everything, only to eventually cast it all aside because it isn’t quite perfect. This is especially true when it comes to my lip color ― not only do I need the hottest, brightest orange-leaning red this side of the sun, I need it to be long-lasting (as in, all day), easy to use on the go, and as shine-free as possible without transmogrifying my lips into the Gobi Desert, whether it’s the middle of July or the end of December. (Oh, and pretty packaging never hurts.) My ruthless criteria systematically slays all inferior formulas until only one remains: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. A creamy, vividly pigmented lipstick in the form of a chubby pencil, this velvety matte glides on easy, and miraculously manages to look seamlessly put-together even when smeared on with abandon (like, say, on a moving train). I’m partial to Red Square (shown), but you can take your pick of 17 shades, from the palest nude to deep, dark aubergine. Fair warning: you might want to pick up extras, you know, one for every bag. It’s that good. [$24, NARS Cosmetics]

Natalie Portman’s Dior Mascara Ad Banned In The UK

Rachel KrauseOctober 23, 2012 //

Banned Cover

Magazine cover of Azealia Banks with a condom is getting banned. Read More »

Dakota's Ad Banned

Dakota Fanning's ad for Marc Jacobs was deemed too provocative. Read More »

Tavi On Photoshop Ban

She's not sure how effective Seventeen's pledge will be. Read More »

Banned!

I’m pretty much apathetic in the face of Photoshop. It’s an annoying (and undeniably rampant) practice for sure, but at this point I’m just like, “duh, nobody looks like that.” It’s ridiculous! But if there’s one variety of photo-altering that really, truly baffles me, it’s in the case of beauty advertisements. Are we seriously supposed to look at an ad and say, “Wow, that foundation looks great, I want to try it,” when the model has not only been subjected to hours of professional hair and makeup but has also been Photoshopped to the point of no recognizable human features? Keep reading »

Beauty Test Drive: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar

Rachel KrauseOctober 14, 2012 //

BTD: Celine's Perfumes

Winona was beside herself when she received all of Celine's perfumes. Read More »

BTD: BB Cream

Jane Iredale's BB cream made believers out of us. Read More »

BTD: JK Primer

What does Jessica think of this Jemma Kidd primer? Read More »

Ever since I got in on the bold lipstick game, I’ve been on the hunt for the most pigmented, longest-lasting color around. It’s fairly safe to say that I’ve tried at least half of the formulas on the market (or at least that you can buy at Sephora, where I am basically the resident squatter), and while I’ve found some that I really love, it’s usually for their moisturizing qualities, ease of use, and, um, attractiveness of the package in my hand, never the bright, true color and lasting power that I initially set out for. Lip Tar, a 100% vegan and cruelty-free product by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, is unlike anything I’ve ever tried, and it seriously delivers. Keep reading »

Beauty Test Drive: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter

Winona Dimeo-EdigerOctober 13, 2012 //

BTD: Celine's Perfumes

Winona was beside herself when she received all of Celine's perfumes. Read More »

BTD: Avon Glimmersticks

Are these diamond eyeliners all that? Read More »

BTD: Revlon Lip Butters

Revlon's new lip balms are smooth as butter! Read More »

BTD: BB Cream

Jane Iredale's BB cream made believers out of us. Read More »

Once upon a time, I found myself in Las Vegas with no concealer in my makeup bag. I can say with absolutely certainty that Las Vegas is the worst place in the world to go without concealer, what with the lack of sleep, polluted air, fluorescent lighting, and the small but real chance of meeting Celine Dion and taking a photo with her that you’ll obviously need to have printed on a 5×7 foot canvas to hang over your mantle for all eternity. I couldn’t risk looking less than my best for that momentous occasion, so I popped into Nordstrom, headed to the MAC counter and asked for a recommendation. The MAC ladies plopped me down in a chair, blended a bit of Prep + Prime Highlighter in “Radiant Rose” under my eyes, and handed me a mirror. “Damn,” I said, “I think I’m ready for my photo with Celine.”

I may not have met Celine on that trip (I’ve got a good feeling about next year), but I did find a new staple for my makeup bag. Read on for details! Keep reading »

Makeup 101: “What Do I Need All Of These Brushes For?”

Rachel KrauseOctober 11, 2012 //

Simple Beauty Must-Haves

No way around it, you need these. 6 Photos »

Fall Beauty Trends

The Top Three Beauty Trends To Watch (And Emulate) This Fall

Watch for these fall 2012 beauty trends. 4 Photos »

Unique Primers

Makeup Bag: 4 Tested-And-True Primers That Will Change Your Routine For Good

These 4 tried-and-true primers will help you change things up for good. 5 Photos »

I’m a longtime makeup fiend, but up until last year I had yet to be schooled in the magic of makeup brushes. Sure, I used the small, tapered type to flick on my gel eyeliner, and a couple of shoddy shadow brushes I had accumulated from long-forgotten palettes, but the numerous varieties and purposes were lost on me. I patted on powder with the stupid sponge it came with and wondered why my face looked so cakey; I applied blush with my fingertips and became frustrated when I could never blend the color properly. On a whim I purchased a $12 set of EcoTools brushes from CVS: it was rudimentary, but it was a start. Keep reading »

Makeup Bag: 4 Tested-And-True Primers That Will Change Your Routine For Good

Rachel KrauseOctober 7, 2012 //

Pre-Fall Beauty

Prepare for fall in the prettiest way possible. Read More »

Pretty Office Makeup

These 3 office-ready makeup looks go from coffee to cocktails. Read More »

Fall Beauty Trends

Watch for these fall 2012 beauty trends. 4 Photos »

Makeup Bag

View the Gallery / 5 Photos »

To someone who doesn’t, like me, spend a good portion of their waking hours putting on, perfecting, and removing makeup, there may be some confusion surrounding the use of primer. A few weeks ago I set out to clarify what exactly this extra step does for your makeup and why it’s worth taking the time (and, of course, spending the money) to add one to your routine. To review: it smooths out any uneven skin texture, gives makeup a better base to adhere to, makes your foundation and concealer last longer, and more. It’s basically magic.

More people are getting into the primer game than ever, and they usually have Smashbox Photo Finish to thank as an induction into the stuff. It’s a solid choice for sure, and it’s spawned many imitations that mimic that silky, silicone-y finish — but there are so many more out there! So if you’re already familiar with using primer (or plan to make yourself familiar using my Beauty 911 tutorial), allow me to introduce you to these four lesser-known candidates.

Benefit Wrote The Book On Flawless Complexions

Winona Dimeo-EdigerSeptember 10, 2012 //

BTD: Revlon Lip Butters

Revlon's new lip balms are smooth as butter! Read More »

BTD: Maybelline Stiletto

Find out how Rachel is rocking a matte black cat eye. Read More »

BTD: Super Orgasm Blush

Winona has a super orgasm--and loves it. Read More »

Summer Makeup Routines

Check out our summer routines, then share yours! 7 Photos »

What happens when you take four best-selling skincare and makeup products and combine them in a kit that looks like a vintage hardbound book? I squeal with delight, that’s what happens, because Benefit’s new “How To Look The Best At Everything” flawless complexion kit is not only a great makeup combo, it’s adorable. For 30 bucks, you get POREfessional primer, Hello Flawless illuminator, BOI-ING concealer, Hello Flawless powder, and retro illustrated graphics that teach you how to apply each one for a truly flawless finish. This book has definitely earned a place in my makeup library. [$30, Sephora]

10 Refreshing face mists

Ten Fresh Face Mists To Make Sweaty Summer Skin A Little More Bearable

11 Photos »

Beauty 911: Help Me Figure Out Where Primer Fits Into My Makeup Routine!

Rachel KrauseSeptember 5, 2012 //

911: Summer Foundation

What's a girl with sensitive, acne-prone skin to do? Let's find out... Read More »

Pre-Fall Beauty

Prepare for fall in the prettiest way possible. Read More »

Simple Beauty Must-Haves

No way around it, you need these. 6 Photos »

“I just bought my first primer and I was so excited to use it, but then I realized I don’t actually know how to use it. Does it go on before or after my concealer? What about moisturizer? My daily regimen includes sunscreen, concealer, powder, and now primer. Could you help me figure out the order in which I should be putting all these products on my face? Thanks so much!” – Primed For Greatness

Oh, Primed For Greatness, you have so much to learn! But not to worry, you have a lot of potential, too — there are plenty of makeup newbies who begrudge the virtues of a good primer in their makeup routine. Expressing a desire to use one properly is the first step in your journey to becoming a primer pro. Keep reading »