Tag Archives: makeup bag

10 Lip Colors That Won’t Scare Off Your (Or Any) Guy

As the kind of girl who leaves red lipstick stains on everything, everywhere, I have scared off more than a few men (and probably small children) in my day. There’s nothing more alarming to a guy than a slick red mouth that pretty much guarantees it’s going to end up all over you. Any other day of the year, I would advise you to pile on the MAC Lady Danger and join me in terrifying the penis-wielding population, but I suppose some changes must be made in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. For those who are married to their lipstick, but want to look just slightly more kissable this time of year, here are 10 subtle lip colors in moisturizing formulas to pump up your pout without sending your male counterpart, prospective or otherwise, running for the hills…

Lipstick 101: Bold Shades
How to find the perfect bold lipstick for you! Read More »
BTD: Flower Lip Butter
Flower lip butter
Jess is obsessed with Drew's new makeup line! Read More »

Makeup Bag: 6 Shades Of Beautiful Brown Nail Polish

I was feeling really emo over the weekend, so I bought some dark OPI nail polish that I thought would channel the cold darkness of my heart, but when I put it on it turned out to be the PRETTIEST medium brown with mauve undertones, and I was like, “Aww that’s so cute!” Conclusions: I suck at being goth, and brown nail polish is the bomb. Wear these chocolate-y shades now before the warm weather of spring has you reaching for brighter colors. Shopping details after the jump! Keep reading »

Bright Blue Polish
It's a thing. Read More »
8 Great Glitter Polishes
miss pop nails glitter polishes
Miss Pop shows you how to get a rad glitter mani! Read More »

5 Oils You Should Be Putting On Your Face Right Now

If you’ve never used an oil on your face, you’re missing out. Really. It sounds terrifying, especially for the oily-skinned, but newsflash: oily-skinned people benefit the most from the use of oil-based moisturizers and cleansers. I am telling you this based on personal experience. Every time I go to my dermatologist, a very intelligent, clinical fellow in his sixties (he’s pretty handsome, too, whatever), he tells me to use oil-free products… but I’ve never had less acne or other concerns than when I use oil exclusively on my face. (And trust me, I’ve used the dermatologist-recommended Cetaphil and CeraVe moisturizer to horrific results.) But it’s not just me; it’s sort of like a relatively new development in beauty and skincare, and it is awesome. There’s no way to describe the transformative powers of oil for moisturizing, repairing, cleansing, and purifying until you actually use them. So do it! Just don’t tell Dr. Luck. Here are a few of my favorites…

Green Skincare
These five companies are worth every penny. Read More »
A New Skincare Routine
Make 2012 your most glowing year yet. Read More »
BTD: Dermalogica Skincare
Spendy? Yes. Worth it? Totally. Read More »

Makeup Bag: Rejuvenate Dry, Dull Winter Skin

Is it just us, or is January the most painfully slow month of the year? We’re feeling optimistic towards February, because after February comes March, and you know what March means — <i>spring</i>! But back to right here, right now; we’re trudging through the next couple of weeks, and we’re the first to admit that this winter is wreaking havoc on our complexions. Not only do we have to put up with the cold air and harsh wind outside, but once we’re safely contained indoors, we’ve got artificial heat sucking the life out of our skin. Not cool. If you’re in the same predicament, fear not — we rounded up 10 rich, revitalizing products that are guaranteed to get you looking springtime fresh, even in the dead of winter.

Beauty Under $25
The best beauty products that don't cost a pretty penny. Read More »
A New Skincare Routine
Make 2012 your most glowing year yet. Read More »

Makeup Bag: The Best Beauty Buys $25 And Under

I don’t know about you, but my New Year’s resolutions have a lot to do with being a little more frugal. It hurts to part with my crazy-high skincare and makeup budget (seriously, what’s wrong with me?), but this is something that must be done. Rather than go cold turkey on my favorite products (never a good idea), I’ve found that many of them come in significantly cheaper mini forms, so I don’t have to sacrifice style for savings… and neither do you! Here are 10 of my favorite, no-fail beauty products that ring in at just $25 or under, perfect for your (and my) penny-pinching program. Keep reading »

Get The Glow!
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to be dull. Read More »
Glam Goth Beauty
More Siouxsie than Hot Topic. Read More »

Makeup Bag: Keep Your Icy Cool This Winter

It’s always around this time of year that we notice our skin has taken a turn for the lackluster. We don’t know where to point fingers: the colder temperatures, the food, the drinks, the activities, or (most likely) some combination thereof? As it happens, it’s also around this time of year that our shimmery bronzers tend to seem a bit, well, out of place… so we’re taking a cue from the weather this season and abandoning the golden glitz in favor of icy touches and pearly glimmers. We’ve got the details on how to get that glow back: gentle exfoliation, heavy-duty moisture, and a few key products will help you look every bit the ice queen this winter.  Keep reading »

How-To: Kristen Stewart
We copied Kristen's pretty bronze smoky eye. Read More »
How-To: Leighton Meester
Leighton's bold red lips are perfect for the holidays. Read More »
How-To: Julianne Hough
Vintage lovers: this 1920s-esque look is to die for. Read More »

Makeup Bag: Beauty When The Lights Go Out

For much of the past week, it’s been tough to even think about beauty, let alone write about it. Hurricane Sandy left much of the tristate area, including my beloved New York City, in a state of disaster and disarray that claimed more lives and homes than I think any of us had pictured when faced with the prospect of this “superstorm.” Those of us who only had to suffer without power, heat, or hot water for a few days were the fortunate ones, that’s for sure. (There are still many, many people in need — here’s how you can help.)

I had a few beauty revelations as a result — namely, it is not the end of the world if I can’t manage to cleanse, tone, treat, and moisturize my face, which is a good thing because it’s pretty much impossible in the dark. If you don’t wash your hair for a while, it looks extra nice when you eventually do, and because you can’t shave, your body hair grows enough to get it waxed when you can finally leave the house! (Or maybe that’s just me, because I’m really Russian and my hair loves to grow.)

But say you’re shacking up with your significant other during this very trying time: there are some things you’re going to want to keep in check. You’re definitely going to want to look, and feel, a little cleaner than I did, and there are plenty of beauty and hygiene products made for ease and convenience that become especially useful. So here it is: beauty (or trying to retain some semblance of it) when the lights go out.

NY Mag's Sandy Cover
An incredible, and devastating, photograph. Read More »
Fashion People Are Awful
Even after a natural disaster. Read More »

Makeup Bag: 10 Heavenly Bath Products To Get You Through The Season

Oh, yes, that time of year is approaching again, when all you really want to do is lay in the bathtub all day and night. When the weather gets cold and the days get short (like, so short) there’s nothing better to ease your Seasonal Affective Disorder-addled mind than to peel off the wool tights and draw yourself a hot bath. (We like showers, too, especially if the tub is a little sketchy.) But what is a leisurely bath without the right atmosphere? These are our picks to set the stage for a mind-meltingly relaxing bathtime experience, with the perfect subdued scents to make you feel a little better about spending your entire Friday night submerged in water. There is nothing wrong with that.

Bathe Like A Rock Star
Amelia shows you how. Read More »

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

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 »

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.

Makeup Bag: 5 Pre-Fall Beauty Must-Haves

Now that we’ve acknowledged that summer is on its way out, we can get excited about fall makeup! With new trends come new releases, and you know what that means: it’s high time to update your makeup wardrobe, so to speak. Here are my product picks that will have you craving the cool weather sooner than you think…