WEEKLY MUST HAVE: Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

Blush can really turn your entire face around. It literally can make you smile - without ever having to move your lips. While Tarte is known for their cult-favorite cream blushes and cheek stains, they've recently launched a powder blush made out of Amazon clay and it's swoon-worthy!

 flush

Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush was inspired by their best-selling cheek and lip stains. I actually like them MORE because, applied with a brush, you get a very natural effect that you can build on from day to night for a more dramatic, intense evening look.

 natural beauty

And the 8 shades are so sensational, I literally want to wear each one day after day. But I do have a favorite (or two). Number One favorite has to be Natural Beauty - a perfectly red-hued girly girl blush. Number Two is Flush, a deep berry that gives you that seductive, flirty "flushed" effect. Other colors are light pink, bright pink (great for summer), even a coral and a nude.

A word (or several...) from the company:

"These solar-baked blushes are infused with Amazonian Clay, nature's most perfect ingredient. These nutrient rich
and skin-nourishing Amazonian clay blushes restore harmony for a flawless finish that lasts all day.

The soft blush is great for all skin types:
Oily skin: Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place
Dry skin: Amazonian clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your blush wears better & longer
Dull skin: Amazonian clay improves the appearance of skin clarity and skin texture
Combination skin: Amazonian clay is completely intuitive; gives skin an overall smooth & even appearance"

The color lasts for hours (not exactly 12, but close enough) and, as with all Tarte products, the blush is made sans parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals.

Good for the environment = Good for your skin.

PRICE TAG: $25.00

I’M BLUSHING: tarte’s new Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Collection

 

As I have written in the past, I have something of an obsession with tarte’s cheek stains. They truly revolutionized cheek color – making the dewy, flushed look foolproof for all who tried - and in a multitude of shades that seem to flatter every complexion. They were practically perfect in every way. Then, our good friends at tarte contacted me about their newest color collection. As if the gel and cream stains for cheeks and lips weren’t enough, eight of their fabulous colors – from dollface to tipsy to flush – are now available as blushes.

I’m really not big on powders, in fact, my powder blush brushes have had very little use for years. I passed on pressed compacts in favor of creams, gels, and liquid tints. But when these arrived, I eagerly pulled out those neglected brushes.

In packaging reminiscent of Lauderée macarons, these fabulous mirrored compacts hold Amazonian clay blushes baked by the sun. They’re eco-chic and created with solar power to boot. Like all tarte products, what are missing are the petrochemicals, the parabens, the synthetic dyes and fragrances, and other harsh chemicals (and the solar baking means eco-production, too!). Instead you’ll find free radical fighters Vitamin C and E, nourishing beeswax, colors derived from natural sources, and the skin enhancing benefits of Amazonian clay. The clay works its magic on all skin types. For oily skin, it “minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place.” For dry skin, the clay “hydrates skin naturally…so your blush wears better and longer.” And no matter your skin type, these clay blushes soothe, brighten skin, and help skin tone appear more even.

They’re a powder without being cakey. And they really do have great staying power. As with most mineral pigments, a little goes a long way, so a light sweep of color is all you need. Or, if you’re like me, experiment using a bit of powder to set over one a cheek stain.

I swept a bit of the dollface blush to set over the dollface cheek stain. It looked perfectly natural, which is what made me such a tarte fan to begin with. The best makeup looks like you’re not wearing any, and these colors look like they radiate from the inside out.

From winter pale to faux tanning, I use different colors throughout the year. So, I was happy to see two of my warm weather faves, tipsy and flush, both part of the collection. In all, there are eight shades: dollface, flush, tipsy, amused, exposed, natural beauty, blissful, and blushing bride.

Brand new for their Spring 2011 Collection, all are available exclusively at Sephora – both online and in stores - retailing for $25. Enjoy! xo alex

The Cream Blush Scene

I've never been a huge fan of cream blushes... until recently. I was talking with Jouer founder and Creative Director, Christina Zilber, and she taught me a life-changing blushing tip: Apply cream blush with a blush brush! Normally, cream blush is applied with your fingertips but I've always felt that the color disperses unevenly and ends up leaving cheeks blotchy.

Here's how to apply: Dab the cream blush directly onto the brush. Sweep lightly over cheeks for an airbrushed effect.

That's right! Cheeks look flawlessly airbrushed with the perfect dose of color. It's way more natural than powder, almost looks like a tint.

Cream blushes to try:


Jouer Tint in Amaryllis - a sheer redish hue that looks great on everyone
Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Cream Blush (pictured) - I like the entire color palette, very wearable, but have been lusting over the Petticoat Pink, a true bright pink.
Nars Cream Blush in Enchanted - A soft peach with a golden undertone that looks fantastic with a tan.

LOVING... Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush

I'm a huge fan of anything that gives color to my cheeks. I like a nice pink glow to my cheeks but I really love when said glow looks natural (or sun-soaked) as opposed to made over. This is where blush comes in. Blush can be tricky - too much makes you look like you're channeling your inner clown, none at all makes you tepid and translucent. Discovering the proper balance is an art in and of itself.

And then HD was born. High Definition makeup was initially created to meet the demands of film and TV make up artists, giving the most natural looking complexion while still providing coverage that a zoom lens can't see. Make Up For Ever's HD Powder is one of my absolute must-haves (I'm also an avid user of the HD foundation). Well, ladies, Make Up For Ever has done it again. They've created the newest rave in blush: HD Microfinish Blush.

Here's what it does:

• The "second skin" cream formula shows no texture to appear extremely natural
• The extremely fine granulometry of the formula allows the product to be invisible to the high def camera and naked eye
• A combination of mattifying and reflecting powders create a soft focus effect on cheeks to blur imperfections.
• The formula is elastic and supple, allowing it to go on smoothly
• Long lasting

HD Microfinish Blush is created in 14 shades from natural to bright, light to deep, pink to peach.
I'm loving NIP SLIP and TRUTH OR DARE.

PRICE TAG: $25.00

Blushing Pink

Pink is usually reserved for Spring and Summer. Come fall and winter, we are meant to blush rose and brick hues. Not anymore.

This winter is all about the pink cheek. Be it playfully coy with a hint of peach or snow bunny cozy with a dash of wine, pink still has a place in the makeup bag this season.

Here are a few of my favorite pinks:

Dolce & Gabbana The Blush in Provocative - the perfect matte hot pink. Blushing bride comes to mind (not that I would know).


MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Love Rocks - a bright pink iridescent that screams happy cheeks.

LORAC Baked Matte Satin Blush in Exposed - a pinky peach that gives off "flirt" better than endorphins.


TIP: For a more dramatic effect, mix your pink with a your darker rose (for rose, I'm loving Senna's Amour). Who says that one blush is all a cheek can take?

holiday shop and share with tarte

Sometimes holiday shopping can lose a bit of it’s luster when you find yourself with too many people on your list and a budget that can’t match it. tarte to the rescue! I love giving gifts I would want to receive myself and tarte has read my mind when creating two fabulous, limited edition sets that can be divided up, mixed and matched or added to your own vanity.

The THREE CARATS natural cheek stain set spreads a little bling with silver, jewel-encrusted tubes. Infused with the t5 super fruit complex of anti-oxidants and vitamins, the long-lasting tints are made without parabens, pthalates, sulfates, or petrochemicals and are oil, gluten and glycol free. Naturally scented with cassis, the holiday trio includes BRILLIANT, a shimmering champagne, PRINCESS, a shimmering rose and CUSHION, a shimmering deep apricot. The shimmer is subtle, and these are perfect for all skin tones. At $25 for the set (they retail for $54), they’re fabulous together or grab some mini organza bags and give them individually (making them $8.33 a piece).

Even more versatile gifting can be found in the CROWN JEWELS lipgloss set. Presented with three boxes you can gift together or separate to share. Like the cheek stains, the lipglosses are free of all the worst offenders which means you won’t ingest any of the petrochemicals and other harsh toxins found in less green lippies. The sets include GLITTERING GREEN GODDESS, with sheer glosses in shades of pink, peach and beige, TWINKLING TRENDSETTERS includes shades of pink from strawberry and melon to fuchsia and the sparkling DAZZLING DIVAS includes warmer shades like coral, orchid, gold and violet. Each set contains five glosses, so at $39 (a $160 retail value) you can give them all, split them up into three fabulous gifts at $13 a piece, or mix and match!

The sets are available at tarte.com, beauty.com and at Sephora in stores and online. xo alex.

Clinique Quick Blush: Review

If you've been reading my site, you know that I'm having a love affair with Spring blush. Well, I've found another contender...



Clinique's Quick Blush is a great little on-the-go gadget. (Oprah agrees as it was nominated for the 2009 Makeup O Awards) New for Spring, this portable, all-in-one brush and blush is pre-loaded with cheek color housed in the cap. The colors are dewy and natural and the convenient brush and blush packaging makes this a practical accessory for your evening bag (Balenciaga clutch, please!).

To use, twist the cap back and forth and blush automatically dispenses onto brush. Lightly dust off brush to remove excess blush before applying. Some people may find this procedure a tad annoying as you never really receive the same amount of blush each time - it's definitely a bit of trial and error. But the colors are so flawless (I love all 6 of them!), it's worth the practice.


Quick Blush comes in 4 lightly pigmented shades:

In-A-Rush Blush (pinkish mauve) - *Beauty Banter Favorite*


Minute Mocha (nude)


Hurry Honey (light tawny apricot)


Berry On Time (violet)


Not pictured: Peach-In-A-Pinch (tawny); Pronto Pink (pink) - *Beauty Banter Favorite*

I am convinced that there is a shade suitable for every beauty lover...

PRICE TAG: $21.50

MAC Blush LOVE ROCK Rocks My Cheeks

I told you I was on a hunt for the perfect Spring blush.... Here's another one of the contenders.

As part of the 3 amazing spring collections launched by MAC, Grand Duos was created. Basically, it's two mineralize blushes in one compact - great for mixing to concoct your own hue.

I'm obsessed with LOVE ROCK. It's half magenta pink and half berry purple. Combined, it's a gorgeous shade of flushed cheeks... the look of a lady in love (hence the name, we assume).

This is a great Spring blush choice - it goes fabulous with a golden tan and still looks stunning with an au natural pale complexion. I like to use almost equal parts berry and magenta (although I dust the brush with a tad more magenta) to create my hue. Just make sure to use sparingly... it comes out hot and heavy! Love is best when subtle...

The compact

The colors (separately) Far one is the pink, close is the berry purple

mixed together

What are your favorite products from the MAC Spring collections and how are YOU wearing them?

Leave us a comment in the box below (with your email and favorite MAC Spring product) and you'll automatically be entered to WIN a MAC STASH of MAC goodies!

We're BLUSHING Over Smashbox's Latest BLUSHES

Blush is a necessity for EVERY woman.... seriously! It revives a dull and tired face and brightens a complexion.
We had the opportunity to try out Smashbox Cosmetics newest line of ALL BLUSHES, Blush Rush, and we heart them!!!!

(click image to enlarge)

The concept behind the Blush Rush line is this: The colors are meant to work with every skin tone. Each shade is streak-proof and lasts all day. They are paraben and fragrance-free, infused with Vitamins A and E (good for skin) AND the compact comes with a swivel mirror hidden along the bottom (for easy on-the-go application)! How genius!!!!

While some of the colors are too light for our personal liking (and don't really make a dent on our olive complexion) and others are a bit too bronzey (our skin is already naturally bronzed), Blush Rush definitely delivers close to purrrfection with every blush.

Here are the 8 shades in the line:
BARE cool dusty rose
ECSTASY warm shimmery nude
CHIFFON shimmery warm golden pink
PARADISE warm golden apricot
FLUSH shimmery cool pink
HEARTBREAK warm shimmery plum
GINGERSNAP warm rosy bronze
CRUSH cool raspberry

Our faves are Crush (dramatic for day), Paradise (apricot - color of the moment), Heartbreak (my new nighttime staple - it really makes a "blushing" statement), and Chiffon (great everyday burst of pink).

*** Professional Tip *** "Apply BLUSH RUSH to apples of cheeks and sweep back toward ears using BLUSH BRUSH #16 or FAN BRUSH #22."

PRICE TAG: $24.00 (for each blush). AVAILABLE AUGUST 1 at smashbox.com.

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE

MAC's new Fafi Collection is turning make-up addicts worldwide into giddy, colorful and bold fafinettes!

I've finally had an opportunity to test a good portion of the products and I'm happy to say that I've found my new Spring blush! (insert golf claps here)

Fafi's powder blush in HIPNESS is just that, hip! Don't be fooled by the bright, almost neon color in the case. It actually blends into the skin as a gorgeous apricot hue.

For all of those devout lovers of Laura Mercier's Apricot Face Tint (read our raving review HERE), you MUST try Hipness asap. It won't disappoint. And if you have yet to use an apricot hue on your cheeks, stop procrastinating and start blushing! It's a pretty universal color that looks great on all skin tones!

Greek Goddess, Genie Love

Patty Bunch, head make-up artist for the ABC Family hit, Greek, swears by 5 products from Genie Cosmetics... the same 5 products that she uses over and over again to create that "star" look.

Here they are:

Genie Instant Line Smoother ($30). Patty first applies this multi-tasking product to prep, moisturize and perfect the skin. It contains a blend of vitamins and botanicals that work to minimize fine lines, shrink pores and prevent makeup fading.




Genie Line Smoothing Foundation ($40). Patty relies on this long-lasting liquid formula to give the girls flawless complexions. It provides buildable coverage, contains a patented T-One Complex that prevents collagen breakdown, and is made with specially coated pigments and light refractors to give skin a natural radiance.




Genie Cashmere Powder ($38). Patty applies this triple-milled, ultra-soft powder alone for light coverage or over foundation for a semi-matte finish. As with all of the Genie products, the translucent powder contains the T-One complex, vitamin E, soy protein and aloe Vera to keep skin hydrated and to ensure the makeup lasts.




Genie Make Me Blush ($20). For a healthy looking flush, Patty swipes on this buildable cream-powder formula made with skin-friendly antioxidants and hydrators. The sheer, creamy texture is impossible to over apply, and the blush contains micronized minerals to add a slight gleam to cheeks.




Genie TLC Mascara ($20). To achieve eye-catching lashes, Patty uses this mascara, which has color-adjusting pigments that change according to a person’s skin tone and a dual brush applicator. The super-fat top lash brush works to plump and lengthen each lash. The delicate bottom lash brush has hollow fibers to target tiny lashes for brilliant definition.

I've had the opportunity to play around with the products and, I've gotta say, they're amazing! I'd never heard of this cosmetic line prior to receiving samples, and I was a bit skeptical to put new colors on my skin. But I knew from the moment that my eyes rested on the matte gold compacts with simple white writing, I was in make-up love!

Two of the products have actually made their way into my permanent collection - the Make Me Blush All-Over Face Color is a must for blushing beauties! It's a gorgeous plum color that you can build to create the perfect amount of "blush" for you. It's cream (which I happen to like for Winter) looks very natural, but totally gave me that "fresh-faced" glow.

The other product that I adore is the Cashmere Powder - it comes with its own brush (like my favorite Tarte brush, short and stubby with a full head of soft bristles! The powder has a great consistency and it's SO smooth and subtle, it practically turned my skin flawless. I was extremely impressed with the results (after all, any powder used for a TV show has got to be pretty close to perfect as celebrities would rather die then be caught with bad skin!)

Genie Cosmetics is available through QVC UK.

The Very BEST Blushes

Once again, Guest Editor Di Gaeta is sharing her beauty expertise with you!

Hello, Darlings.

So, Sarah has asked me to share with you my favorite blushies and why, because I seem to have a knack for choosing them. As I’ve had every hair color in the book and am sometimes tan and sometimes not, I am offering up my various picks.

When I’m a pale blondie, like now, I LOVVVE the Apricot Face Tint by Laura Mercier. This blush looks scarily bright in its little jar but one dip, blow, and puff right on the apples of the cheeks and you look healthy and adorable. This is also a really great universal “I’m just in from the cold” color.

When I’m a tan brunette, I’m all about Nars Outlaw. The color is a deep sexy rose, and while too strong on fair skin, is STUNNING on darker tones. This color gives you that “own personal lighting team” effect for it has tiny flecks of gold in it.

Lastly, my two constants that fit everyone no matter what time of year are, Nars Lovejoy and Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon. The Lovejoy is a blend of the best-selling Orgasm blush (a golden peach) and their medium bronzer. This is a perfect pick for when you are ill, sallow, or need a general pick me up. The Beach tint comes in a cute, tiny, little, tube and it is the loveliest shade of, well, watermelon. This is my absolute fave because not only is it a beautiful “on the apples” blush but it is also the most fabulous “Angelina Jolie” lip color because it is both matte and just bitten looking.

Enjoy,

Xxx Di


What's your must-have blush???

The Make-Up Break Down...

...How to achieve the look in 5 simple steps, that should take NO LONGER then 10 minutes... MAX!

Hair-crazed Jenny was in town this weekend and I decided to do a quick and easy make-over on her! She liked - LOVED - it so much that she immediately went out to buy the products!

**1** FOR THE FACE:
Keep it simple. Combine a bronzer, moisturizer AND coverage.
My Picks: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer with a dab of Clinique True Bronze Bronzing Gel in Sunlit Bronze. If you need more moisture, add a dollop of your favorite moisturizer - more coverage, add a bit of your favorite foundation. Then mix all of the products in your hand and apply to face like you would a face moisturizer!
The Look: Flawless complexion with a hint of hue!

**2** FOR THE CHEEKS:
It's all about adding just the right amount of color AND highlight.
My Picks: A dab of MAC Ablaze and a dab of MAC Northern Exposure. I dab each together (even amounts) on the brush and then apply. Obviously, work with the product to see what looks best on your skin-tone.
The Look: These colors work great with just about any skin tone - some people may need more of the highlighter (Northern Exposure) and less of the bold color (Ablaze). The look is natural and healthy!

**3** FOR THE EYES:
Too much eye make-up tends to leave a person looking like the victim of a fist fight. My eye make-up routine is quick in that you use a base color and play with a couple of other colors as "crease colors" just on the outer corners of your eyes! I highly suggest buying some sort of eye shadow trio or quad. It makes the guessing work virtually nonexistant. All of the colors WILL work together!
My Pick: MAC's Smoking Eyes Eye Shadow 4. Work the lightest shade over the entire eye lid. Then combine a dab of the two darker shades on the brush and apply to the crease and/ or outer corner. You never really need to use the darkest color unless you want to line your eyes or you are going to a black tie affair and feel the need for some drama(tic) eyes!
The Look: A more natural take on the smokey eye.

**4** And for mascara, CLICK HERE
to read my extensive mascara coverage. Just choose a brand that works for you. You don't wanna have to spend hours in front of the mirror seperating your lashes or creating volume and length. The right mascara will do this with one stroke of it's wand! As for color, I say always choose BLACK! Black makes everyone's eyes pop!

**5** FOR THE LIPS:
There are so many colors and products to choose from, most promising the same exact thing: BIGGER LIPS! Here's my take - pick a hue that works for YOU, not one that is "of the now." Don't go too dark or too light. Something in the middle, without too much frost, usually does the trick. And if you want bigger lips, line the middle of the top and bottom lip with a NUDE pencil, blend it, then apply your favorite lippy.
My Picks: MAC Lustre Barely Lit with Stila Lip Glaze in Grapefruit. Finding YOUR color is all about layering!
The Look - Natural mauve with a hint of shine!

What's YOUR look? Tell us in the comment box!

Me and my MAC (part due)

I know I promised pics ages ago, but I had some computer glitch that wouldn't allow me to take the pictures from the photo booth and upload them to my blog. But alas, we have fixed the problem!

As promised, here are my favorites from the new MAC lines, Rushmetal and Flashtronic:

The Light Look



On Sarah, Pigment Cocomotion on eyes, Frenzy on lips and Northern LightMinerlaize Skinfinish on cheeks.

The Light Look Close-Up



I also lined the top eyelid with a thin line of liquid black liner. ***make sure to make the line grow in thicknessas you get further from the inner corner***

Summer Drama



Sarah is wearing Pigment Gold Mode over the entire eye lid, By Jupiter eye shadow in the crease. On lips, Fast Lane and Electro-Lush Lip Glass. And Gold Spill Mineralize Skin Finish on cheeks.

Summer Drama Close-Up



***I always fill in my brows when going out at night. I feel that it completes the face. Always use a shade LIGHTER then your actually hair color so that it doesn't look like you painted on your eyebrows.***

Bold and Gold



Sarah is wearing Rushmetal Pigment over the entire eye lid with Tectonic eye shadow in the crease. Lips are a mixture of Fast Lane, then Frenzy, then Thrills, topped with a dab of Electrolush Lip Glass. On cheeks, Gold Spill and over face, a light brush of Northern Light!

Bold and Gold Close-Up



***I really love the mixture of Fastlane Lipstick with Elctrolush Lip Glass. It's a great deep pinkish plum color that looks fabulous with bronzed skin!***

Bold and Gold Even Closer-Up





Have pics of you in your MAC??? Send them to beautybanter@gmail.com! Include the specific products that you used to achieve the look!

MAC ATTACK... AGAIN!

Here it is: MAC's 2 new, limited edition Summer Color lines --- Flashtronic & Rushmetal!

Here are the Stats:

Flashtronic:

"Colour and light fused to perfection with the pearlized shimmer of Mineralize Skinfinish, complemented by 6 new marbled shades of Mineralize Eye Shadow and our 4 new Tinted Lipglass."

Lipglass (all creams)
"A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick."
Perfectly Pink: Creamy mid-tone pink
Flashtronic: Caramel bronze with subtle gold pearl
Young Spark: Neutral pink with subtle gold pearl
Electro-Lush: Creamy blue pink

Mineralize Eye Shadow (all frosts)
"A sheer, pearled, mineralized powder Eye Shadow with up to four shades baked together in one pan. Superfine, lightweight: provides a softly tinted, reflective shimmer on the skin with a delicate sense of dimension. Subtly builds colour and shine. Can be worn on face, eyes or body."


By Jupiter: Light taupe with beige and deep brown veining
Tectonic: Yellow gold with lime green, warm brown and black veining
Ether: Deep aqua with silver, black and gold veining
Mercurial: Yellow gold with lilac and chestnut veining
Lovestone: Raspberry with wine and copper veining
Quarry: Sky blue with olive, coral and beige veining

Mineralize Skinfinish
"A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Smoothes on: adds buffed-up highlights to cheeks and brows, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face."
Norhtern Light: Mid-tone pink with rust and grey brown veining
Gold Spill: Pink Peach with warm brown and cream pearl
Global Glow: Mid-tone brown with gold pearl

Rushmetal:

"The alchemy of gold transformed as 8 new Pigments radiate the power of this key element. With 4 Lipsticks toned and finished to complement each gold-tinged Pigment, this is metal as it should be worn."

Lipstick
Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street.
Thrills: Rosy copper with gold pearl (frost)
Frenzy: Soft muted pinky-peach beige with golden shimmer (frost)
Soft Lust: Tan with white pearl (lustre)
Fast Lane: Mauve with silver pearl (lustre)

Pigment
Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Use to create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Pigment does not streak or cake, is easy to blend and long-lasting.


Rushmetal: Rich copper sparkle
Revved-up: Icy rose with reflects
Gold Mode: Tan gold
Mauvement: Cool taupe with gold pearl
Off The Radar: Warm orange with gold sparkle
Copperized: Olive green with gold pearl
Quick frost: Creamy white with soft green pearl
Cocomotion: Dirty gold with olive undertone and gold sparkle

***I am obsessed with golds... obsessed! So, these latest color lines are truly incredible for me. I've spent the past couple of days playing with all of the make-up and I've gotta say, MAC scored yet again! Everything works well together, layered, the colors are rich and intense, the lines carry a common theme so the lipstick and lipglass fit perfectly with the eye shadow and pigment. The mineralize skinfinish leaves the skin sparkling and bronzed like I've never seen. (My friend Kim Stewart and I were playing with the make-up before she left for London to shoot her new show, and she tried taking the entire line from me! She did, however, get away with taking the GLOBAL GLOW MINERALIZE SKINFINISH!)

The lipsticks seem very bold to the eye, but they look so amazing on the lips - I layered all four of them together and the outcome was purely kissable-licious!

P.S. Check back later for pictures of different colors that I played around with...***

MUST-HAVES SUMMER 2007!

I've been a little M.I.A. resting and editing my film... but I am back today, better then ever, with a post that will make you race (or type) to your local beauty supply store, like, a-sap!

It's finally summer! Hot days that lend themselves to hotter nights. Ocean, sand, sun, fresh faces, less make-up ... you get the point.

Here are a couple of our favorite summer 2007 must-have products!

Cargo's Beach Blush - Sunset Beach (no, not the damn reality show!) We don't mention Cargo a lot on this site and I'm not sure why (oh wait... yes, I am... they never send us samples!). But this brand new summer blush is absolutely delicious! With four shades that blend together to create the near-perfect glow of a summer tan (with added "reflective shimmer particles" that soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles!) We
tried the blush on a recent jaunt to Sephora and our cheeks fell in love...

Clinique's Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator gives skin the ultimate "I just fell in love on the beach in Marbella" look. This oil-free illuminator highlights cheeks and brows and adds a beautiful dewiness (is that even a word?!) to the entire face. Summer is all about the no-make-up make-up look and adding just a bit of this liquid illuminator to your moisturizer or foundation really helps your face to pop!

DuWop's Duet Eyeshadow in Chai is light and airy with a golden bronze and a soft gold shimmer. Use the gold shimmer on the base of the eye then highlight the crease with the golden bronze. It looks natural enough on all skin tones! Pair the shadow with a bold black mascara (we're really loving Dior's new Diorshow Black Out Mascara, the limited edition blacker then black mascara) and you're good to go!
NOTE TO SELF: It's very important not to overdo your eyes during summer... over made-up eyes tend to look tres clownish/ drag queen-inspired when paired with tanned skin.

Bourjois Eau De Gloss in Rose a L'eau 13 is the perfect pink to paint your pout. It's sheer and moisturizing with 14% water for 4 full hours of hydration. The sun can kill your lips by drying them out and making them ultra chapped so a strong moisture-based lippy is key. We like this pink one because it adds a bit of a rose hue with long-lasting hydration (damn, we sound like a f*&$ing advertisement!) The tube's pretty awesome too!

Decleor's Aroma Sun SPF 8 Protective Satiny Oil Body & Hair is a key item for this summer's beach bag. I wouldn't recommend an SPF 8 for the skin as I am a firm believer that SPF 30 is a necessity for shielding the skin from the harsh effects of the sun, but for the hair... SPF 8 does the job! So, we all know how the sun can lighten your hair just as quickly as it darkens your skin. And, I, at least, am a victim of highlights... thus, the sun is really bad for my million dollar mane! Not to mention that the sun dries my hair to the point of frying it.... protecting hair against the sun is vital. A deep conditioner will help, but this oil spray moisturizes and protects! It's love at first spritz!!!

Happy summer to you!

MAC ATTACK!

Here it is! The 2007 Summer Preview from MAC Cosmetics!!!

Excuse my budget pictures, but I took them myself... hence, me not being a photographer. However, I'm certain that you'll still get just as excited about the new collection as I am!



Here are 3 of the 4 Moonbathe Lipglasses - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view entire line)
Crescent (left) - chocolate hue
Elaborate (middle) - Pale, golden hue
Moonbathe (right) - coral hue



Here are 3 of the 5 Moonbathe Eye Shadows - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view entire line)
Cranberry (left) - a frosty, deep plum
Firspot (middle) - a veluxe pearl, coral, tangerine
Saturnal (right) - a frosty deep chocolate (perfect for creating a smokey summer eye)



Here are the 2 Moonbathe Powder Blushes - Available June 11th (CLICK HERE to view)
(THESE PICTURES DO NOT DO THE COLORS JUSTICE!)
Other Wordly (left) - a sheertone, shimmer blush in a metallic bronze hue
Afterdusk (right) - a sheertone, shimmer blush in a light, pinkish-berry hue (this is going to be my favorite summer blush! I can already tell - it is the perfect color!)



From the Tendertones Collection, available May 31st, here are 2 of the 9 Tendertone Lip Balms with SPF12... From the people at MAC, "This is a new lipcolour combining the shine lay down of a gloss with the soft emollient feel and nurturing capacity of a balm-style conditioner." (CLICK HERE to view the entire line)
Purring (left) - a glossy, non frost, hint of orange hue (it smells delicious!)
Hush, Hush (right) - a very light frosty pale pink and bronze hue (goes great with the Moonbathe Other Worldy Shimmer Blush!)


In addition to the Moonbathe and Tendertone limited edition collections (with rocking pearlized ivory-colored compacts to boot), MAC is also launching Sunstrip - available June 1st - an all-you-could-ever-need bronzing line of powders and mist foundations! (CLICK HERE to view the line!)

So, hurry to your closest MAC store and get in on the trend before it becomes too trendy!

Have a favorite MAC product from one of the new collections?! WE WANT TO KNOW! Email us at beautybanter@gmail.com or leave a comment in the comment box below!

Summer is finally here! YAAAAAAAAA!!!