A few of my favorite things... Lippies

What's more alluring than a nice pair of luscious lips?

Uh.. nothing?

Well, maybe the lippies that make those lips so luscious. I'm obsessed with the pucker for fall.

Here are a few of my current favorite.... lippies!

L'Oreal Infallible Plumping Lipgloss - It's an anomaly. Seriously, part gloss, part stain (not sure if it is actually a stain but the color stays on for so long it very well should be), all plump. My lips look more than massive, they look magically enlarged. Plumped rose and plumped tawny (pictured) are by far my favorite, must-have fall nudes. The wand is an added bonus. Exactly like Lancome's wand, the sponge is large and a bit flattened for precise paint-on application. Score! $9.99

Korres Lip Butter - Jasmine is my favorite - extra moisturizing, mega shine in a sheer seashell wash. It's definitely more of a chapstick (sans the stick) than a lippy (reminds me of Labello but in a soft form). The lip butter is the perfect go-to balm for day as it literally only adds a hint of hue. I like it for night layered ontop of a stain for a bit more color with shine and hydration (so lips don't look chaffed). BONUS: Can also be used as a cheek tint! Wild Rose is a lovely deep red sheen, great for faux-blushing. $9.00


Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect - a little bling never hurt a pout. This lippy is full of color, plump, shine and shimmer. In fact, the bristled wand is so precise that it's truly like painting the pout. And the color -- more than a wash but less than a lipstick -- lasts surprisingly long for a gloss. The plump is similiar to the L'oreal Infallible Plumpers with extra sparkle. Favorite hue is #13, Delectable Brown, a warm golden beige. $24.50 (Sephora exclusive).

Clinique Vitamic C Lip Smoothie - Vitamins and antioxidants + a hint of color? Fabulous! As always, Clinique delivers an amazing lippy in gorgeous sheer hues. It moisturizes, protects and shines. Nude-tricious, a gorgeous beigey-nude hue and Fig-a-licious (pictured), a barely-there mauvish-pink, are my picks. I heart the brush-on applicator with actual bristles! $17.50

Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain - It's like a magic marker... actually, it's a pen that stains lips for the ENTIRE day -- through breakfast, lunch, dinner and a few kisses in between. Application is as easy as writing your name. Color 400 (pictured) is my favorite. It's so universally appealing -- a raspberry meets watermelon pink -- that the fairest of skins to the darkest tones will look fab in said hue. My only gripe is that the applicator tip has a tendency to try out rather rapidly. $7.49

What's your current favorite lippy?

HIGH GLOSS

I was in middle school when I got my first lipstick. It was Black Honey by Clinique and technically wasn’t a lipstick, it was an “Almost Lipstick.” It was a deep dark shade in the tube but glossy and sheer upon application. In the years since, I have worn my fair share of lipsticks, from matte red shades from MAC to petal pinks from Stila, but I have always loved a sheer glossy look. My favorite was Asher by the now defunct Delux Beauty, and once I found it was impossible to track down I decided it was time to look for an eco-alternative.

I love that Labello has gone Stateside under their Nivea label and I hoard their paraben-free cherry colored lip balm. It is serious hydration, great color and reminds me of the days when I was little and would pretend Cherry Chapstick was lipstick.

For a more traditional gloss, I really like
Bare Escentuals 100% Natural Lip Gloss.
First off, the “worst offenders” are nowhere to be seen: zero parabens, petro-chemicals, phalates, sulfates, or synthetic fragrance. On average we ingest about four pounds of lipstick in a lifetime. The less chemicals the better, don’t you think?

With a lip brush tip instead of the usual fuzzy applicator the gloss goes on smoothly and it’s super moisturizing with its mix of oils and Cupuacu Butter. I love the neutral Rose shade which looks deceptively dark in the tube but is a subtle barely there pink with a slight shimmer when applied. It’s fabulous for day or night. With over a dozen shades in the collection, I think I’ll be heading back for a few more. xo a.

Tips For Staying Youthful In The Sun

Happy Memorial Day, ladies!!!

Long weekends are made for sunning! Be smart, be safe, there's nothing worse than leathery skin and damaged tresses!


Here are some tips for lounging poolside - or beach side - and preserving your youth:

• Wear a hat to shield hair and face from the sun
• Use a hair protective product to guard your color and your ends from sun, salt and chlorine. I like Matrix Biolage Protective Hair Oil. It prevents the drying effects of sun, chlorine and saltwater, leaves hair soft, shiny and tangle-free and adds instant shine and moisture. Safe for color-treated hair too!
  
• Big sunglasses aren't only in style, they protect the delicate eye area from the harsh effects of the sun's rays
• SPF, SPF, SPF. Face, body, fingers, toes... everywhere! Take it from Izzie Stevens (Grey's Anatomy), skin cancer is serious, even lethal. Sunscreen To Try: Clinique's new sun line is fabulous. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is 100 % fragrance free (a perfect choice for sensitive skin). The Sun SPF 50 Face Cream is great for the mug and the Sun SPF 30 Body Cream will protect the bod. Also invest in the Sun SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick - a must-have for lips, scars and fragile skin areas (I like it for around my eyes - just in case my giant sunglasses slip off).
• Keep hydrated! Drink tons of water... try adding a vitamin supplement for flavor and health. Super C Vitamin Mix Drink in Orange is inexpensive ($1.99) and loaded with 100 mg of Vitamin C plus antioxidants!

And, of course, have fun!

The Liquid Bronzer

As the weather starts to warm up, my first thought is: sunshine! Although I love a good tan as much as the next girl, I'm all too aware of the side effects of the sun. I'll lay out because I like the feel of the sun on my body (I'm sadly afflicted with seasonal depression), but I know better than to let those deadly rays hit my face. I spread SPF 70 all over my face and make sure to cover up with a giant straw hat. When I want to fake a golden glow, I turn to bronzers and self-tanners to do the trick.

This season, I'm all about the liquid/ gel bronzer for the mug. That's not to say I won't be sprinkling on the powder, but I've become totally infatuated with the natural, sheer color and liquid-like consistency of these gel bronzers. In my opinion, you can control the color more effectively when you use a gel. Just add a dollop to your foundation OR moisturizer, mix together in hands and lightly pat onto face. You can also use the liquid/ gels as highlighters or blushes - apply anywhere on your face for an added sunkissed hue.

The deciding factor for the right gel/ liquid bronzer is that the color DOESN'T give you that orange, fake and bake hue.

A good gel bronzer will offer a natural hue that you can build upon, depending on your preference. But like all gel bronzers, the best part is that it's only a one day (or night) commitment. Unlike self-tanners or buildable color moisturizers, this tan washes off with soap and water.

One color suits all, so this is a great choice for women of fair complexions - you can build a very sheer tan and if you mess up, wash it off and try again.

Here are my picks (click on the name for more info) to get you started:

Dr. Hauschka's Translucent Bronze Concentrate $39.95


Organic Wear by Physician's Formula 100% Natural Origin Liquid Bronzer; $10.99


Clinique True Bronze Bronzing Gel For Face; $18.50


Bonne Bell Gel Bronzer Golden Tan; $4.95
(I've personally never tried but heard rave reviews - click here to read)



Cargo Multi Mix Bronzer; $28.00



Have a favorite gel or liquid bronzer? Please let us know in the comment section below!

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

Clinique: Fall 2008

Like their summer collection, Clinique's Fall collection is, most importantly, wearable. Modern Matte is glamorous and bold with colors that stand out but don't strike out. Cheeks are glowing, eyes are soft yet intense and lips are striking (like with most of the Fall collections, lips seem to be key this season - dark, moody, sexy).

I've always been a fan of Clinique - my first piece of makeup EVER was a Clinique lipstick in a shimmery mauve color (I probably stole it from my mom). I was instantly obsessed with the pretty pink paint on my pout. These Fall lipsticks brought back a sense of nostalgia - the lippies are so colorful, so smooth to apply, so moisturizing (without being glossy). I've gotta say, the lip colors are my favorite that I've seen in almost any Fall collection because they are actually wearable shades (albeit sometimes dramatic, but never scary lips). AND they all have SPF 15!!!!

Modern Matte products:

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Stay Matte
Clinique's softest, smoothest, richest matte shadow creates elegant intensity in one stroke. Surprisingly lightweight, long-wearing.

French Vanilla
Sable
Chocolate Chip
Martini
Stone Violet
Dark Denim
Slate
Night Plum
Midnight

High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15
High on colour, long on comfort. Dressed-up colour wears beautifully for 8 hours. In 20 highly moisturizing shades that continually smooth, soften, comfort. Protect from UVA/UVB, too.

In A Nutshell
Citrus Rose - **Beauty Banter Fave**
Honey Blush
Nearly Violet
Nude Beach
Peach Pop
Rosette
Very Currant
Metallic Sand
Red-y to Wear
Extreme Pink - **Beauty Banter Fave**
After Party
Pure Posh
Cider Berry
Rose Spectrum
Plum Nude
Go Fig
Toasted Rose
Sunset Glow
Sassy Spice

Defining Liner for Lips
Makes lips beautiful by definition. Modern precision pencil with built-in sharpener in the cap creates the look you want, anywhere. Creamy, non-feathering formula goes on smoothly, evenly, stays all day. Even helps lipstick stay in place.

Sugared Fig
Cider
Pomegranate
Red-y or Not
Blushwear Cream Stick **Beauty Banter Fave**
Convenient cream-to-powder blush stick glides on colour for a natural, all-day glow. Blends easily with fingertips to desired intensity and coverage. Non-drying, oil free.

Rosy Blush
Shy Blush
Very Blush
Available NOW! Click HERE to view additional details...

BATTLE OF THE BODY LOTION...

Kiehl's Creme de Corps has long been a favorite of mine (and many others) for severe dry skin conditions. It's a heavy-duty cream that intensely moisturizes without the hoopla of much else (no fragrance, dies, etc.). It's one of those products that everyone has in their arsenal of beauty gear - a dry skin must-have.

Well, I've just discovered a cream that's basically identical to the Kiehl's Creme de Corps (cream of the body): Clinique's Deep Comfort Body Butter, also known as Creme pour le Corps (cream for the body)... and the similarities don't stop with the name.

Both are yellow in color and both are relatively thick (although Clinique's is a bit richer in texture). Both are fragrance free (yes, Clinique is 100 % fragrance free) and loaded with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter.

BUT Clinique's cream comes in a jar (which I love) while Kiehl's is in a bottle. When I'm using a deep moisturizer (similar to when I use a hair masque) I like to be very tactile with the product... get my hands "dirty" in it. Take a handful from jar to palm and lather it onto my body. Clinique allows me this luxury; Kiehl's does not. Since I usually apply fresh out of the bath or shower, I am very clean, thus my hands in the jar does not scare me.   If I lived my life concerned that every time I used something in a jar rather then a tube I was spreading bacteria, I'd have missed out on so many great products (lippies, exfoliators, eye creams, face creams, hair masques, face masques, etc.).  With the Kiehl's Creme de Corps, one has to squeeze the lotion from the bottle. In my opinion, this approach is more of a hassle to consume the appropriate amount.

The Clinique cream is so gentle and incredible for sensitive skin while the Kiehl's cream is a tad harsher. They even have the disclaimer, "We recommend testing a small amount of any product on the inside skin of the wrist area to check its compatibility with your skin." I'm just saying... Clinique doesn't need such a warning!

I've restocked my shelves and (GASP) replaced my Kiehl's Creme de Corps with my Clinique Creme pour le Corps.... it's my new favorite dry skin cream (and it's amazing after a long day spent in chlorine or salt water). I feel recharged and rehydrated after a daily lather of the cream. It's seriously one of the most soothing and gentle body moisturizers that I've ever put on my skin!

**Beauty Tip**: If you love the richness and intensity of the cream, but want a bit of fragrance (and aren't sensitive or allergic to fragrance), try adding a couple of drops of your favorite massage oil or fragrant oil. I love adding an organic lavender oil to my cream!

PRICE TAG: Kiehl's - 16.50 for 4.2 oz. or $26.50 for 8.4 oz/ Clinique: $23.50 for 6.7 oz

Summer 2008: CLINIQUE

Now that summer is practically blazing at our door step, I thought it best that we review some of our favorite makeup companies Summer collections...

Clinique's Air-Kissed Colours is subtle, simple and very summery. With a myriad of browns and pinks for eyes, lips and cheeks, your skin will look moist, luminous and absolutely gorgeous! What I like best about this collection is that the colors are truly wearable... not like other collections where the colors are so au vant guard, you're scared to actually try them on your face (for fear you may, in fact, step away from the mirror resembling a transvestite). Back to basics... and we LOVE it!

The concept of the line is this:
"Welcome to a world suddenly in flower, a summer look that’s sweeter, softer, brighter. Glossy lips, softly defined eyes. And all the moisture skin needs to thrive in this sun-kissed season. "

Here are our favorites:

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio - Three coordinating shades for a wardrobe of possibilities — each can be worn alone, as pairs, or layered together.

Fresh Bloom Allover Colour - Long-wearing powder creates a sheer, subtle radiance that looks fresh, stays fresh. Sweep over face for an allover, luminous glow, or brush on cheekbones to highlight.

Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 - Lip gloss juiced up with 8 hours of lasting shine. In 18 glistening shades from sheer to full intensity.

Moisture Surge™ Extended Thirst Relief - Advanced hydration gives 12 hours of soothing moisture. Able to hold skin’s moisture in balance through stressful shifts in humidity, like steamy exteriors and interiors parched by air conditioning.

Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss - Thicker then the glosswear, but just as colorful. 12 hues, we love cocoa and guava best for our summer pout!

For the entire Clinique Summer Collection, Click HERE.

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!

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!

British Vogue Reviewed

Fellow beauty whore, Alexandra, has once again offered her keen beauty insight to review January's British Vogue's spring/ summer make-up must-haves from the mouths of the beauty trend-setters themselves!!!

Alex and her Vogue

"I am without shame something of a magazine whore subscribing to almost two dozen publications. As a writer I explain this away as "research" but only a small portion are literary or political. Sadly they don't smell good and rarely look pretty. Hence the pile of fashion and style tomes spilling across my floor. The grande dame is British Vogue which arrives each month wrapped in black wrap like some secret dossier. The layouts are fantastic, the writing the best I have come across and the beauty always less unexpected than what you find in US mags. The January issue includes top makeup artists sharing products needed to create the spring/summer catwalk looks which were all about a nude face, which as anyone knows is always a tricky one to pull off. Take note....

GUCCI WESTMAN, Creative Director for Lancome (Catwalk shows: Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, Rag & Bone)
BareMinerals SPF15 Foundation (left). "My Must have. I use it as a base and apply foundation on top."
Clinique Pore Minimizer "Kate Winslet got me hooked...put a bit on under make-up for a noticeably smoother surface. After foundation, skin really glows."

VAL GARLAND (Catwalk shows: Giorgio Armani, Nicole Farhi)
Shu Umera Flare Eyelashes "The eyelashes of the moment...add fierceness to the season's natural look."
MAC Fan Brush in 184 (right) "It's for applying powder but I use it for cream or powder blush --- this season a pale or barely-there nude is essential."

CHARLOTTE TILBURY, Creative Director Helena Rubenstein (Catwalk shows: DKNY, Zac Posen, Bottega Veneta, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Biba)
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder (left). "Can't live with it - it brightens under eye bags and wakes up dull skin."
MAC Paint in Architecture "This dries matte, giving a lovely fresh contour to the eyes without looking obvious."

Let us know if you agree or disagree with these celebrity make-up artists!!!