sweet tarte

For some reason, the East Coast got the memo that summer was here while here on the West Coast we’ve had some serious June gloom. But even if the sun was melting the sidewalks, I’d be using bronzers and tanners to get a faux summer glow. Which is why I was so excited when tarte sent me their newest bronzer - part of the Amazonian clay collection. More eco-fabulousness from tarte? Yep, there's more.

I’m a big fan of their hotel heiress bronzing powder, but the Amazonian clay blushes are so fabulous (who knew powder blush could be so un-powdery?), I couldn’t wait to try more of the line.

Here’s the awesome thing about Amazonian clay: it absorbs oil (perfect for oily/combo skin) but it also hydrates and helps with flakiness (perfect for dry skin). It’s no wonder tarte calls it “nature’s most perfect ingredient.” 

 

The smooth operator micronized finishing powder ($28) works for all skin tones and the packaging is absolutely brilliant. Loose powders can be a mess. But the container has a flexi plastic cover with a small hole. If you press gently on the plastic, it releases enough powder for one application. For those who want more coverage, layer as desired. (A special edition bronzer with bamboo brush can be found at QVC for $42.)

I am also loving the waterproof Amazonian clay liners – in both pencils and pots. Once again, the clay works its magic. I didn’t need eye primer – the powders set quickly and they do not budge. And after playing with a few colors, and having to wash my face more than once, there wasn’t any redness or irritation. I think that has a lot to do with the tarte’s ingredients. Not a petrochemical, paraben, synthetic fragrance, or dye to be found.

The waterproof liner pencils come in great jewel tones and a seriously dramatic black (black, brown, and plum in stores now, but navy, turquoise, plum, bronze and green in the coming months). They’re a great texture for a smudged eye or dramatic line. They’re available exclusively through QVC, here. (For a super precise line, I highly recommend the emphasEYES™ natural eyeliner.) 

While the pencils are convenient, I really love the potted liners. Especially the bronze. Using plant waxes to create a waterproof finish, they come with super simple tips for creating various looks (much appreciated) – for creating everything from a subtle line to a seriously smoky eye. I settled for something in between.

As my friend Erin has taught me well, great brushes make all the difference. And tarte has put together this incredible kit with a double-sided brush (one side for lining, the other with a domed design perfect for the shape of the eyelid). For $22, you get the set – a $45 value.

The Amazonian bronzer and potted liners are available at tarte, Sephora online and in stores, as well as beauty.com, Henri Bendel, ulta.com, and boutiques nationwide. Enjoy!  xo a.

ENDLESS SUMMER: tarte Beauty in a Box for Sephora

Although we can’t bottle up the summer sun for a rainy day, tarte has figured out a way to at least box up a bit of sun kissed beauty with their Sephora-exclusive Beauty in a Box: Bronze Smoky Eye ($45).

When I heard about the collection I thought it sounded like a great way to hang on to that summer glow just a bit longer. But when it arrived from our friends at tarte, I was thrilled to see it was also filled with some favorites suitable for any season.

All tarte products are free of parabens, phtalates, sulfates, petrochemicals and synthetics, and this set of six eco-chic products are all waterproof, water resistant or long-lasting formulas. The collection includes a deluxe-size lights, camera, splashes! – the waterproof version of their INCREDIBLE lights, camera, lashes! mascara. Also in a smaller, throw-in-your-luggage/purse size is park avenue princess bronzing powder that works well with all skin tones.

The other four items are FULL SIZE (this adds up to $112 worth of product for under fifty bucks). For a bit of fun, tarte has created a summer-inspired take on the traditional charcoal smoky eye by giving it a bronze twist. Following their step-by-step instructions, you can create the look using lock & roll 12-hour shadow in burnt bronze, and EmphasEYES waterproof shadow/liner in plum. I’m a bit of a klutz when it comes to the whole smoky eye look, but the ease of control with this shadow and liner makes it’s virtually goof proof. And it’s a fun take on the sultry classic.

The clean slate natural face primer, and rise and shine lip gloss and stain in nude are perfect day or night. The stain is essentially like their brilliant cheek stains only in a tube. Wear the stain alone for a hint of color, or add a layer of gloss for a bit more shine. And the primer is incredible and long-lasting without harsh chemicals.

The set is available for a limited time at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com. 

xo alex.

SUMMER EYES: NYX The Caribbean Collection

There's nothing that screams summer more than bright eyes. And by bright eyes, I mean the shadow hues. NYX The Caribbean Collection are sets of five color shadow palettes with 10 combinations to choose from. With names like Dream of St. Marteen and Dream of Aruba the only thing left is booking the ticket and sitting beach-side. The palettes house five perfectly summer-worthy shadows that run the gamet from lilacs and teals to silvers and greys.

My palette of choice is the Dream of St. Thomas (below) which includes a moody grey, a hot pink, a muted silver, a bronzed gold and a sorbet teal. I never thought I'd be the teal type of shadow gal but I've gotta say, I'm loving the way it looks swept on the inner corner of my eyes. It's very beach-chic in an island getaway sort of way and looks fab with a tan.

With bold colors and lasting pigmentation, these sets will become your must-have summer colors. And at $8.00 a pop, how can you resist?

Black Magic

I've divulged my passion for the perfect lined eye (how to create cat eyes refresher here) in the past, now let me introduce you to my latest obsession: Make Up For Ever's Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow.
Yes, it's a cream shadow but used with a thin bristled brush it's the greatest liner out there. Long lasting, creamy, rich in pigment, can use wet for more precision or dry for a bit of smudge and it's waterproof so once you apply it doesn't move... all night long.

I apply with a slanted brush - my fave is still Smashbox's #21 that has the faintest curve at the top so that the bristles hit the eyelid at an angle. I start at the inner corner and apply lightly, getting thicker as the line veers further out.


TIP: As my good friend, contributing Vogue Editor, Lauren Santo Domingo, says, “When applying liquid eyeliner, close the eye and look down- do not stretch out the eyelid with your fingers. This helps to make an even, consistent line.”

How do you draw your lines?
Leave a comment below and let us know!!!

LINERS and LASHES from KORRES

My loves of KORRES began with their products for body, specifically Yoghurt Body Butter and Watermelon Body Scrub. With their commitment to eco-consciousness from concept to packaging, I am forever impressed by their selection. From haircare to skincare I use their products faithfully. More recently I began checking out the KORRES Color line from moisturizing lip balms and glosses to silicon-free primer. In greening my makeup one of the last things remaining were my old eyeliners. With the variety KORRES had to offer I was excited to give them a try.

I love eyeliner. But I was having trouble finding eco-friendly options I liked. The KORRES line offers 12 vibrant hues. It wasn’t actually so much a problem of finding a color I liked rather picking which one to use first. I have hazel eyes and my sister has green; we both found colors we loved in the KORRES line. I think the metallic brown is a great alternative to black and their green is a great deep color that made my eyes pop. My sister loved the cobalt blue. The pencil itself is perfect for making a sharp line but applies without pulling at the skin and the color lasts with minimal smudging (they’d also work well to create a smoky eye effect). Made using antioxidant Vitamin E to moisturize and macadamia oil which “rebalances dryness without clogging the pores or irritating the sensitive eye area” the liners are available individually for $16. KORRES offers are great value set including the black, blue black and gold for $25 (a $48 value).

This was also my chance to finally try KORRES mascara. For everyday the Provitamin B5 and Rice Bran mascara ($18) thrills me to no end because it not only nourishes lashes and creates volume but it also comes in five colors. FIVE. For those who want mascara without parabens, petrochemicals and other synthetics, you’re usually limited to black. Not always great for those with lighter hair or lashes. But KORRES offers this mascara in
black, blue black, grey green and brown. And they’ve just created a travel size in black ($8) perfect for your purse, suitcase or to give the line a try. For a more dramatic effect try the Abyssinia Oil mascara ($20). My sister loves deep, black lashes and this was perfect (it’s also available in brown, cobalt blue and plum). Made with Abyssinia oil “offering
excellent pigment for the most dramatic look,” along with Vitamin E, Provitamin B5 and bamboo extract.

Our friends at KORRES are extending their Friends & Family discount to Beauty Banter readers. Shop www.korresusa.com now through November 13th and receive 30% off! With any purchase over $25 get a deluxe sample of Age-Reversing Oak Night Cream, too. Enter promo code FAMILY at checkout. Shop for yourself or get a jump start on the holidays. xo alex.

Trend Alert: Green is the New Black

Green may very well be taking over the eyes of this fall's notoriously black-rimmed peepers. While navy, grey and brown have always been a close second to the ebony-lined eyes, green is about to make a very bold statement.

The green color spectrum will run from mossy to modest, forest to functional (leave the turquoise and mints back with your flip-flops and tank tops). Applied sparingly and correctly, the darker green is exceptionally wearable with every eye color (not just green eyes... we're not color matching here!). From lining to liding, a burst of emerald adds glam without being overindulgent.

Green's to try:

1. Tarte's emphasEYES high definition eyeliner in green ($18) - a super slim, vibrant emerald green
2. Make Up For Ever Diamond Eye Shadow in Green ($20) - a dark, teal green with shimmer
3. Korres Deep Color Mascara in Grey Green ($18) - a glossy, deep muted green
4. Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Shattered ($18) - a smudge-proof metallic, muted green
5. Maybelline Shadow Stylist Loose Powder in Opulent Green ($5.19) - a mossy green with shimmer

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner

With cat eyes being all the rage, it's nice to have an effortless, smudge-proof, water-proof liquid liner in that beauty arsenal. Hourglass' Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner basically does the job for you. And the Ebony is seriously black -- not that mistaken identity brown/ black that so many liquid liners tend to be (it does however also come in Cognac, a dark brown shade, and Indigo, a navy blue hue).

The liner is in felt tip pen form as opposed to a thin bristled applicator -- which I happen to prefer -- and glides on so smoothly, it's literally just a matter of following the natural curves and shape of your lashline. You can choose to make the line thin or apply a few extra coats for a thicker, Angelina Jolie type line. I go back and forth, thin for day, thicker and more dramatic for night.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"Calligraphy Liquid Liner is formulated with Pearl Protein and a botanical blend of Chamomile, Aloe, Rosemary, and Perilla extract to condition and nourish the eyes."
The liner is formulated without Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances and Phthalates.

*TIP* When applying liquid liner remember to only use on top lashes. If you choose to use a liner on bottom lashes as well, make sure that it is pencil or shadow. Liquid will smear, despite how smudge proof it professes itself to be.

PRICE TAG: $32.00

Drugstore Find: Kohl Eyeliner

Finally! An inexpensive product that takes the guessing work out of applying eyeliner. L'Oreal's HIP (High Intensity Pigments) Kohl Eyeliner is like an extremely pigmented, bold and finely milled loose powder stuffed into a tube with an extra long wand that completely absorbs the pigments for precise application.

The liner comes in 6 dramatic smudge-proof shades: burgundy, navy, teal, gold, brown and black. The velvety colors line and define any look, but are especially amazing when creating a smokey eye as the loose powder makes it ridiculously easy to blend. And this stuff stays... I mean, all day long.

But my favorite part of this liner has got to be the brush... after all, it's always about the brush. It's like a hard sponge that has some give to it so it moves nicely with the contours of your eyes. Application is so effortless, you can literally just dot on and blend a bit and still get a great looking line.

The only thing to be cautious of are the miscellaneous remnants of application feathering. The powder has a tendency to get a bit all over... I just put a piece of tissue under my eye before applying and it seems to do the trick.

PRICE TAG: $13.00

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

We received a great question regarding how to make the most of small eyes...

Here it is:

"I've always heard lining your eyes on the inside rim makes them look smaller, but I think this looks great! What's the best way to line small set eyes? My eyes are blue grey & plain looking and I'm really stuck on how to make them look brighter."

Naturally, we asked our friend and celebrity makeup (she calls Josie Maran and Nicole Richie clients) artist Sole Alberti for the 411 on making small eyes pop!

Here's what Sole had to say:

"In order to make eyes appear larger, use an eyeliner that is one shade brighter than the color of your eyes. With blue eyes, I recommend using a royal blue eyeliner. For hazel eyes, a teal eyeliner will work. Any shade that is darker than the color of your eyes, like black or charcoal for example, will make your eyes appear smaller as it brings out the black in the eyes and not the color. Colored eyeliner will make your natural eye color pop!!"

And a little beauty for thought by moi - queen B beauty whore - for smaller eyes (or any eyes that want a bright pop), use a white liner on the inner corner of eyes and/or an iridescent nude cream shadow or highlighter (MAC's Barestudy is a favorite) on the inner bridge of nose/ eyes and a few finger taps on the outer corner of the eye. Gently pat the cream in half semi-circles for both inner and outer. This will allow light to bounce off of the areas and create a luminious, bright-eye effect.

Have a beauty question? We'll get our beauty experts to answer!
So, ask away!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

Tricia Sawyer's Eye Slept is a genius product and a must-have for anyone (that's basically everyone) who doesn't get enough shut-eye. I recently tried the cream as I was trudging along, oblivious to how exhausted I truly was, and then (GASP!) I caught my reflection in a window and was horrified at my tired, dull eyes. I booked it to my nearest Sephora and alas, I found and used (then later purchased) the Tricia Sawyer Eye Slept... Instant Gratification - lighter, brighter, happier eyes!

HOT!

A word (or several...) from the company:
"Eye Slept is an instant good night's sleep in a jar. Use under or over makeup anytime of the day. It is an instant pick-me-up of lightness and brightness for looking like you slept, even when you didn't. Its creamy consistency is easily absorbed into the necessary areas using your fingers or a brush. Remember, a little goes a long way!"

This product is not a concealer, or even a primer, it is a cream (that brightens)... thus you want to be careful not to use too much (or you may end up a shiny white clown-eyed gal). But other then getting the gist of how much and how to apply (I pat onto the skin for a more dewy effect), this brightener is pretty much idiot proofed!!! I love controlling the application process with my fingers... it gives the product an added allure!

So, for anyone who needs to fake a couple of sleepy-time hours, this product is a literally a miracle cream! Eyes that POP are so much more glamorous...

PRICE TAG: $25.00 for .25 oz

On another note, the Cargo Eyelighter just isn't a very realistic eye brightening product. It's a a double-sided powder - one side white, the other gold. But the powder goes on way too strong and the white side reminded me of clown eyes. The gold worked fine as a highlighter for lash line, but I have Anastasia's highlighter - and it's a cream pencil - much easier to blend. Unfortunately, Cargo's Eyelighter is a bust!

NOT!

PRICE TAG: $17.00

The WHITE EYE done RIGHT...

We, at Beauty Banter, are here to help. We love receiving your beauty questions and those sometimes frightening beauty emergencies. After all, that's why I started blogging in the first place!

So, when one of our lovely readers, JOG, wrote in with the following question - "I see a lot of pics of celebs with what appears to be white eyeshadow. how do they pull this off without looking creepy/cakey/gross? Is there a method or a specific e/s you can recommend?" - we knew we not only wanted to answer it for her, but for all of our other readers as well.

This is a great Summer beauty question... how do you do a white eye right?

(Shimmery White Eye with Liner and Lashes:
J. Lo. from the Costume Institute Gala; May, 2008)

We enlisted the help of two amazing professional makeup artists for the answer.

Celebrity Makeup Artist and Photographer, Troy Jensen (he's painted the faces of Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, and Paris Hilton - just to name a very, very few... you must check out his website - his client list is RIDICULOUS!), gave us these brilliant products and tips to help us on our quest:

"Jouer Cosmetics has a brilliant cream white highlighter that works great in the eyes, Just dab it on your eye-lids with your finger tips, curl your lashes and add black Diorshow Mascara. I love to pair this eye with a deep pink stain lip and sheer gloss. I love Three Custom Color's "Light Bright Lip Collection" in Palladium, Danceteria, and Limelight. They give a sheer wash of vibrant color. Perfect with a shimmery white eye, That's fresh for Summer."

Smashbox's resident makeup artist, Lori Taylor, also had some tips and products in mind. Here's her professional advice:

"The best way to achieve this look is by not choosing a white that is chalky. Using a cream based shadow or a shimmering white is best (try the white from the Smashbox trio, Twilight). You can be a little playful by adding an eyeliner that has a bit of pop to it. Like metallic gray, bronze or pewter (Try Smashbox's Lava-Pewter, Putty-Taupe, Thunder-Gray or Water-Proof Jet-Set Bronze). Even purple, green or blue (a deep and subtle shade, not electric) shades can enhance the subtle color you tend to have by being in the sun. Experiment with false lashes. Summer is the time to push the make up envelope and shed those old winter habits and drab winter colors.

It's always important to keep in mind that during the summer months (and really all year round) one should not mask the skin with foundation, try using a tinted moisturizer like Smashbox's Sheer Focus. Skin is the basis for any good make up!

Thanks to Troy and Lori for their **exclusive** expertise!

And remember, if you're in a beauty bind, email us! We're here to help (and so are our fabulous, famous makeup artist friends)!

TREND ALERT: CAT EYES

Amy Winehouse wears hers to the extreme.

Angelina Jolie prefers a more subtle look.


Edie Sedgwick liked hers thick, and mod.


Gisele has been known to rock a thin-lined, wing look.


However you play, cat eyes are IN! And it's ALL about the liner. You can use pencil or powder, but we're loving the new liquid liner pens. They're easy to use, last for hours and help to create that dark, dramatic look sans the smudge and mess.

Here are 2 liquid pens to try (both with amazing felt tip applicators!):


Borghese Linea Precisa Liquid Eyeliner
(left)




Cover Girl Line Exact Liquid Liner
(right)


Here's a play by play on creating your very own cat eye at home (CLICK HERE).
And remember, make it your own... fat, skinny, extreme or subtle!

Lash Finder By Prescriptives...

Prescriptives Cosmetics has launched a fabulous new podcast to teach beauty enthusiasts which mascara is right for you! I reviewed their Prescriptives Here To Stay 24-Hour Longwear Mascara (CLICK HERE for post) back in September, and I've gotta say, I still love it (and use it)!

Now, they've made 4 Podcast Tutorials demonstrating how to wear 4 of their best mascaras. Not only do they tell you about the mascara, but they also tell you how to work your eye to get the best effect from said mascara!

Here's what it is:

Four “how-to” videos featuring Prescriptives’ Director of Artistry and QVC® spokesperson, Jillian Veran will help you choose the right lash look:

• 24-Hour Lashes (featuring Here To Stay 24-Hour Longear Mascara)
• Long Luxe Lashes (featuring Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara)
• Curled, Conditioned Lashes (featuring False Eyelashes Plush Mascara)
• Beyond Long Lashes (featuring Beyond long Maximum Length Mascara)

I've included the Long Luxe Lashes tutorial on this post (just kidding... blogger isn't working so well), but to view the other (and equally educational) podcasts, CLICK HERE.

I am so excited to try this mascara, you have NO idea!

Which one will you try???

Holiday Style...

Bluefly.com and beauty.com, in association with hair maven Oscar Blandi (check out previous post for our Blondi product rave) and celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow, have put together a 3 minute video showcasing 3 holiday styles - from the hair, to the make-up, to the clothes!

You must check it out! It's like a mini tutorial! Pay close attention to the smokey eye (we love how Tina mixes black and navy... also how she blends the black liner with her finger, upwards, to add that extra "smoke"). Also, make sure to study the fabulous and sleek, ultra-side part - a quick way to transform hair into a classic and chic style!




Thoughts???

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!

Make-Up IS Forever...

Fall 2007. Make-Up For Ever. Purples, lots of eggplants and lilacs.

I have a soft spot for Make-Up Forever... I find their stardust powders (especially the gold) to be irriplaceable and the Liquid Lift Foundation (in number 2) to be one of the best foundations I have ever put on my mug.

So, it's no surprise that their Fall 2007 line is bold and brilliant. I had the pleasure of trying the diamond eyeshadow in 311 - a burgandy mauve with copper shimmer, and the Aqua Creamliner in 5, a deep plum hue. Together, they look super powerful. The great thing about Make-Up Forever products is that you put them on in the morning and they stay put through out the day.

If bold is what you're looking for, look no further. Make-Up Forever has again suceeded in creating powerful make-up that transcends beauty!

The Blues...

Today's been a rather dull day thus far. Woke up to "that time of month" and a nice little pimple on my chin (just in case the bed-ridden cramps wasn't enough of an indicator...).

So, I've decided that if I were a color, today I'd be blue!

MAC Cosmetics has come out with yet another new product! Painterly are pots of cream eye shadows. Available in 12 bold colors, Painterly hits MAC counters nationwide this month but will stay a part of the permanent collection.

What the heck is painterly, you ask?
Straight from the mouths of the MAC genius's, "A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. The next generation of a popular M·A·C formula, Paint Pots maintains all the intense traits of its inspiration. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners."

How do you wear painterly, you ask?
Well, Senior MAC make-up artist, Fatima Thomas says this to beauty banter:
"Paint Pots, being creamy, are best applied with a firm, flat brush like
MAC's #252. Start by loading the brush with a small amount of product,
blend it on the lid starting at the lash line, moving up and out. Or use
Paint Pot as a liner using the #266 brush. I love using them as a base
for powder shadows as well."

Deleft, a deep teal frost with gold pearl, is the perfect blue that I've been craving!!!

I'm gonna try it tonight and have pics up tomorrow!

Until then, check out the entire new Painterly line by CLICKING HERE. The colors are brazilliant!

CLICK HERE to find out how to wear blue eyeshadow without looking like you have a black eye!

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...***

FACE TALK

I just got back from a very brief trip to NYC.... while there, I attended the New York premiere of Hairspray (and actually enjoyed it!), dined with friends, and hit up a couple of New York's fabulous new hotspots (Beatrice and Rose Bar are my faves).

For the premiere, I opted for the sultry summer red look - red dress, red lips. On my lips I used Cover Girl's Mocha Mist, 235 and topped it off with Kiehl's Golden Berry Light Lip Gloss. Summer hair calls for no fuss... thus, I ran a comb through it, applied some of the Kerastase oil and let it air dry.

Here's a pic of me and my date for the evening, the ultra talented Duncan Sheik (his Broadway play, Spring Awakenings won an amazing 8 Tony Awards... if you're in New York, you MUST see it! It's genius!):

(Sarah Howard and Duncan Sheik - just friends!)

For a night out with the girls, I wanted to look a little edgier - classy with a rock and roll edge. I chose summer dark eyes (not black, but a greyish, olive color) and light lips. Again, no fuss, au natural hair. On my eyes, I started with Nars' All About Eve, a fabulous, opalescent base, then painted the crease with MAC's Saturnal Frost (from their limited edition Summer collection - I adore this color! It makes my golden eye color really pop!) I used Express GLIMMERsheer from Beauty Addicts on my brow bone and my cheek bone. It's an awesome pearlized highlighter that I adore. I chose Nars' Outlaw for my cheeks (a little dark for summer but I figured hey, I'm single... I wanna attract some attention). And I ended with my new favorite mascara... Cover Girl's Volume Exact in Black. The wand is rubber allowing you to really get close to the lashes edges. Plus it makes my lashes super long without that hideous clumping!

Here's a couple of computer pics:

(Sarah's face)

(Sarah's face - CU)

***Arrived home to a massive package of MAC's two new lines... FLASHTRONIC and RUSH METAL... will post my favorite products with pics tomorrow (hopefully!) WE LOVE MAC!***