As any good party girl who’s ever passed out in her eyeliner already knows, sleeping with your makeup on doesn’t necessarily have to be the worst thing. Take, for example, the style icons of the swinging ’60s — Brigitte Bardot, Anna Karina, Edie Sedgwick, et al. — who knew then what it seems we’re just finding out now: smudgy is sexy. Keep reading »
When it comes to playing up one of my features, I generally go for my eyes. In the days when I had acne and frizzy hair, and didn’t care much for my thin upper lip, my eyes always struck me as my prettiest asset. Now I have much higher self-esteem (not to mention clearer skin and an appreciation for my modest kisser), but my eyes still remain my favorite feature. I’ve been on the hunt for a eyeliner and mascara duo that I could always count on, whether they worked in concert with other makeup — like eye shadow or lip gloss — or gave me a little subtle glam on their own. Well, CoverGirl Queen’s Vivid Impact Eye Liner and Lash Fanatic Mascara are my new go-tos. Keep reading »
I’m a diehard believer in the power of makeup to make you not just look better (though it’s a fortunate byproduct) but truly feel better. We’ve all reenacted, purposely or not, the scene from “Mean Girls” that shows the Plastics staring in the mirror alongside one another, discrediting their appearances, one by one, for one reason or another. Everybody is flawed, thank the powers that be, and it’s up to us to make the best of those flaws — in many cases, to embrace them, rather than hide or strive to change. Self-confidence is a tenuous thing, but it’s always important to do what you can to benefit your own. For me, not necessarily everyone, the most negligible amount of makeup on a bare face can spin my worldview 360 degrees. I’ve narrowed it down to a few products that, in conjunction or on their own, can take my slightly swollen Sunday morning face from sad to suitable — not just for public viewing, but for feeling good about myself, too. My must-haves may not apply to everyone, but if you’re the type of person like me who spends a couple of days lazing around the house, resultantly feels like crap, and needs an about-face instant-beauty pick-me-up, there’s nothing quite like one of these quick fixes.
Ever since I quit drinking coffee regularly, I’ve fallen victim to a very serious case of the 3 o’clock brain lapse. Every day around the same time I suffer the same symptoms: heavy eyelids, fuzzy thought process, 10 yawns per minute, a mind that wanders to visions of mattresses … and the only known cure for such a cognitive issue is a splash of icy water to the face. It’s a less than desirable proposal for this habitual makeup-wearer — as in, not happening. Luckily, Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir makes a pretty decent stand-in for when hovering over the sink is just this side of totally impractical. The spray is gentle enough so as not to be jarring, but it’s a welcome, refreshing blaster for that all-too-familiar mid-day haze, one that won’t disturb your makeup and even imparts a dewy, fresh glow to the most fatigued of faces … like mine. [$28.99, Dermstore]
Marc Jacobs knows women. He’s the much-loved designer who dresses and fraternizes with starlets and socialites and starred in an ad campaign for NARS, not to mention the fact that he’s a man who can rock a skirt with the best of them … but is he suited to create his very own makeup line? All signs point to yes, because the fashion visionary has snagged a deal with Sephora to formulate his debut cosmetics collection alongside the über-popular beauty chain. Keep reading »
This lovely purple eyeshadow palette isn’t just easy on the eyes, it’s easy to put on your eyes too. Each color in the eye-shaped palette is sectioned off according to where it should be applied to your eyelid. There’s a dark purple for the lash-line, lavender for the lid, a shimmery white for just under the brow, and even a subtle pink shade to highlight the inner corners of your eyes. Just follow the format for a flattering–and foolproof–look. [$5, AVON]
I’ve found an easy-peasy smoky eye in a tube. Yeah, a tube. It’s not an eyeshadow — it’s a cream. No brushes required. No large palettes to carry around. No loose powder flaking on the tops of my cheeks. BECCA’s Eye Tint créme is the easiest smoky eye I’ve ever done.
It’s easy to underestimate the importance of eyebrows to the overall structure of your face. We all have them and they’re just sort of there, being eyebrows, naturally growing into whatever state they please. Some of us take it a step further by waxing, tweezing, or threading our brows, or maybe even all of the above. What many women don’t know, however, is just how much a tiny tweak of the brow can change your entire look. Spending a little extra time on your brows in the morning can take years off your face. It can make you feel prettier and look more put-together, even on your worst days. In fact, I find that if I do nothing else with makeup, simply grooming and filling in my brows makes me look worlds better than if I had left them be. Fixing them up isn’t hard — in fact, once you figure out what works for you, chances are it’ll become the easiest step in your makeup routine. Keep reading »
I love lipstick, possibly to a point of obsession and definitely to a point of monetary drain. The more luxurious (and French), the better — Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté, Chantecaille Lip Chic, Guerlain Rouge Automatique… be still, my beating heart. I maintain that the last testament to my sanity is the fact that I’ve held off on purchasing an exorbitantly priced yet allegedly unprecedented Tom Ford Private Blend (though the fateful day I make one my own is indeed on the horizon). I’ve never fallen in love with a Lancôme lipstick, but their brand new formula may just become my latest squeeze. The collection, intended to be supremely moisturizing and lightweight, comes in three categories: “Jolis Matins” are fresh and glossy for daytime, “Boudoir Time” promises high-impact brights and evening-appropriate offerings, and “Tonight Is My Night” claims the more sophisticated, intense shades for a lacquered effect. I can’t wait to get my hands on these — I plan on picking up 146B Miss Coquelicot, 322M Corail In Love, and 200B Lasting Kiss, which Julia Roberts wore this weekend to the premiere of her new flick. At $25, they aren’t exactly pocket change, but hey, they still won’t set you back almost $50 like a Guerlain or that elusive Tom Ford. If you’re a drugstore girl looking to delve into the world of luxury lipsticks, Rouge In Love is the perfect place to start. [$25, Sephora]
I love — love! — bold, vividly pigmented lipsticks and glosses, but I often find my lips sorely in need of a break from sticky, long-wear formulas and constant reapplication. Unfortunately, going bare with my pale skin results in a look that’s … less than living, so it’s in my best interest to rarely leave the confines of my home without a bit of color. This is where tinted lip balms come in. They’re the consummate trifecta: moisturizing, color (and therefore, life)-imparting, and once it’s on, it’s sheer enough that you don’t have to worry about a potential unattractive fade-away. They’re also perfect for the warmer weather because they’re quick to apply, hard to mess up, and often contain SPF. What could be more practical? After the jump, check out my picks for tinted balms even a total makeup rookie (or, on the contrary, a seasoned beauty guru) could learn to love.
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