tarte turns TEN

Happy, happy birthday to our amazing friends at tarte, who have shown women everywhere that eco-conscious beauty is more than skin deep. That going green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice. That you don’t have to settle. And that sometimes less is more. Especially when the “less” means zero parabens, petro-chemicals, pthalates, synthetic dyes or fragrances. To celebrate their birthday, tarte sent me a party favor, two limited edition products to celebrate “a decade of high-performance natural beauty.”

If there is one tarte product that has reached icon status that’s the cheek stain. It was my first introduction to tarte all those years ago, and I have a bit of an obsession with them. I’ve yet to find a shade that isn’t flattering (though I am partial to flush, tipsy, and dollface). Enter the TEN cheek stain ($30). I don’t know what I love more: a pink that’s perfect from summer (faux) tan to winter pale, or the fabulous gold studded T-E-N that adorns the case. It might be a bit of both. What can I say? Just because I want my makeup eco-friendly doesn’t mean I don’t want it to look as fabulous as the less than eco products I’ve sent to the recycling bin. TEN cheek stain is available in stores and online, including tarte.com, beauty.com, Sephora, Henri Bendel and QVC.com.

While I hate to say I’d ever judge a book by it’s cover, the brass-studded case of tarte’s TEN collector’s palette is as beautiful as its contents. The set includes ten eyeshadows that you can use to create looks for day or night, from subtle to smoky. There’s a matte beige and a soft black, along with a variety of shimmering hues. (They even include a cheat sheet for getting a great smoky eye or jewel-tone lid.) The set also includes a great shadow brush, a double-sided liner in black and plum, and a travel-sized tube of lights, camera, lashes! (which first caught my attention when my friend B, who is truly a mascara connoisseur, first raved about it). The TEN palette includes $182 worth of product for $44, and is available exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com.

PROMO ALERT: The tarte generosity keeps going this week while they extend their Friends & Family 40% off sitewide discount to you! Shop tarte.com through August 9th and enter promo code FFAUG to receive 40% off and receive a free gift, too!

Happy tenth birthday tarte -- can’t wait to see what your teenage years bring! xo alex.

ECO-CHIC: Z Palette

You know those people who are always emailing you some fabulous new store to check out or inspiring blog to read? That’s my friend Erin. She’s a makeup artist in film and TV, so when she’s raving about a new beauty find, I always listen. She recently told me that another makeup artist she knew created a product that was eco-friendly and she thought I’d like it. As usual, Erin did not disappoint.

There are a number of products on the market to help you organize your overflowing makeup drawers, but the Z Palette is the first that I’ve found that values both ecology and economy, too. It began when Emmy-award winning makeup artist Zena Shteysel wanted to find a way to condense and organize all the makeup she brought to sets. (Zena works in film and television, and her print work includes an ad campaign with photographer Annie Leibovitz.)

With the Z Palette she created a product to fit her own needs --- a universal case to house all of your makeup pans --- so your Cargo blush and your Laura Mercier powder can mingle with MAC shadow and tarte bronzer. It’s as easy as removing the individual metal pans (here are her tips) from their bulky packages and placing them in one of the magnetic palettes (she stocks magnetic tape for metals that don't adhere). The cases are made with 70% recyclable materials and a clear lid so you can easily see what’s inside. She also offers beauty blueprints here, so you know how much of a particular product will fit in a palette.

Following her instructions for prying pans from their containers, I filled the large pink palette ($20) I had, reducing a 1/3 of the bulk in my makeup drawers. I also sorted through make-up sets where I only used a few of the colors, putting all the leftover containers and cases into a bag to take to Origins for recycling. I was later given the smaller Z Palette ($14) and it’s perfect for travel or the products you use most.

Purchasing refill pans for the palettes, sold by companies from Bobbi Brown to Shu Umera to Almay, costs less and saves tons of packaging from ending up in landfills. It’s eco-smart and economical, too.

 

Zena told me she prefers to “coordinate the print of the Z Palette with certain colors, so if you have a few stacked you know exactly which one to pick out of the bunch. I love placing all my blushes in a large Fabulous Pink Z Palette, it just looks so pretty.” She also hopes that Beauty Banter readers will find the palettes “help save time and un-complicate their life when it comes to their beauty routine. I hope they will start using products they stopped using because they forgot what they had and I hope they play with their makeup more because you become an artist when you have all this color sitting in front of you that you can see!”

You can purchase Z Palettes online at www.zpalette.com (all orders over $25 ship free) or find a store near you, here. Also, check out their Facebook page for news on special events and new styles. Enjoy! xo a.

The Envelope

California based Senna Cosmetics offers up easy makeup in a convenient palette form, or as they like to call it, The Envelope. Basically, The Envelope has everything you could possibly need for a glamorous face, eye shadows, blushes and face powder. You must then provide your own mascara and lippy.

The Envelope comes in 5 color-coded creations, each with 16 shadows, 6 blushes and 2 types of face powder. It takes the guessing work out of finding the colors that go together... these palettes come hue-ready. All that's left are the fabulous faces you're about to make!

Choose from:

Glamour Envelope contains 16 eye shadows, 6 blush colors, a Glisten Nude Shimmering Face Powder, and ‘Sun & Sand’ Bronzing Duo.

Pastels Envelope contains 16 eye shadows, 6 blush colors, an Oil Free Setting Powder in 'Shell' and Glisten Rose Shimmering Face Powder.

New Neutrals Envelope contains 16 eye shadows, 6 highlight and contour colors, a Radiance Face Color Trio and Oil Free Setting Powder in 'Suede'.

Brights Envelope contains 16 eye shadows, 6 blush colors, and 2 face powders.

Deep, Rich Tones Envelope contains 16 vibrant eye shadows, 6 richly pigmented face/blush colors, 1 Radiance Face Color Trio and 1 Dark Pressed Mineral Mix Foundation.

PRICE TAG: $50.00 for each ($450.00 value!)

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?

The Contour Kit

I'm going to do an entire post on the art of highlighting and contouring (as a girl's guide), but thought I'd give you a sneak peak at the genius of makeup artistry.

Senna Cosmetics has a magnificent, DIY, step-by-step contouring booklet that I just had to try.

Here's me before -- blank face:


Here's me after -- contoured face:


And here's how you contour via the Senna's Fabulous Face Contouring Color Book (6 colors come in the palette).

Step 1: Sculpt with ‘Mirage’

Purse your lips and suck in, using fingers to locate the hollow under your cheekbones. Using an angled face brush, apply your sculpting powder in the hollow of your cheeks, angling color from the outer face near the ear down toward the mouth, stopping about 1” away from lips. Reapply until you see a shaded area that makes your face look more defined. Using a smaller brush, apply sculpting powder to sides of nose, bottom of chin and around the upper hairline.

Step 2: Highlight Cheekbones with ‘Lace’

Brush your highlighting powder over the cheekbones and out to edge of eyes to brighten and define cheekbones. Apply a thin strip down the center of the nose and dab on the center of the chin.

Step 3: Lighten with ‘Buttercream’

Apply this soft creamy color over your entire eyelid to create a smooth, even base for your shading color.
Step 4: Shade & Contour with ‘Nudist’

Using a soft, fluffy eye shadow brush, apply this neutral brown eye shadow to your entire eyelid, focusing on the crease area.

Step 5: Highlight with ‘Crystal White’

Use a firm tapered brush to apply this ultra bright highlighting powder under brow arches, at the center of the lid, if desired, and at the bridge of the nose near the tear ducts of your eyes.

Step 6: Line eyes with ‘Espresso’

Emphasize eyes by using a fine and firm liner brush to apply a thin line of color along the upper and lower lash lines.

Check back next week for the girl's guide to contouring and highlighting!

All You Can Wear

It's officially December -- and that means hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and kick-ass beauty gift offerings!!! Lorac is offering an amazing make-up case chalk full of shadows, blushes and lip glosses. Aptly called the Full Face Collection, this is a no brainer gift for the make-up obsessed. With a $250.00 value retailing for $56.00!!! it's a steal! The make-up is housed in a sleek black, patent, faux-croc case that can double as a party clutch! How croc-chic!




Here's what the set includes:
- Sixteen Eyeshadows
- A Highlighter
- Bronzer
- Two Blushes
- Three Lip Glosses

Lorac fans, come one, come all! This is a set you don't want to miss! Sold exclusively at Sephora or by clicking here.

PRICE TAG: $56.00

The Everything Face Palette - For Summer

Tarte's Infinite Glow Face Patette has a bit of everything (well, the 3 essentials) to create a perfectly flushed and bronzed summer face. This is our pick for must-have summer face palette! Or summer face, year round...


What you get:
Park Avenue Princess Bronzer - although Hotel Heiress is our resident favorite, we'll still use - and love - a little Park Avenue tan!
Tipsy Cheek Stain - a fabulously watermelon pink gel stain for cheeks (although I sometimes use on lips too).
Mayflowers 24.7 Lip Sheer (*new color*) - A light, sheer, minimal shine just-there berry lippy.

And it all comes in a chic faux croc gold leather case (like the Park Avenue and Hotel Heiress Bronzer cases). Easy and convenient for travel and nighttime companionship. Perfect for on-the-go application and touch-ups! This seriously takes the "guess work" out of color choice!

skinvigorating™ ingredients (as always, Tarte uses healthy ingredients - healthy skin = happy skin!):
• vitamins A & E: act as antioxidants to give you that healthy glow
• vitamin C: helps accelerate production of natural elastin, protecting against free radical damage & restores skin’s clarity
• mineral pigments: adds a natural color & has been know to soothe and soften the skin
• jojoba seed oil & beeswax: nourish, moisturize and condition lips
• mineral oil free, phthalate free, fragrance free
• dermatologist tested

This compact is great for a weekend in Malibu, the Vineyard or even the Hamptons... only thing left would be the mascara - and if you're keeping with the Tarte theme, you could always try some lights, camera, lashes!

Best part is the price - $30.00 for the palette - we're thinking that's a great deal!
That estimates $10.00 for each product!!!

Famous Face Palettes

Julie Hewett's face palettes are all the rave in Hollywood. With four colors, for everything from lips to cheeks to highlighting - you really don't need much more then this. And especially if you're a girl on the go with minimal makeup time, this palette will become your lifesaver! It takes the guessing work out of getting made up!

Julie Hewett is a celebrity makeup artist that has painted the faces of such stars as Nicole Kidman, Liv Tyler, Kate Beckinsale, and Mandy Moore (Julie designed a palette specifically for Mandy while filming "Because I said so..." aptly called, Mandy.)

Julie's newest palette, The Ursula, pays homage to Bond girl, Ursula Andress. Says Hewett, "it features a collection of rich, earthy shades that are as sexy and glamorous as the 70’s actress herself, but also extremely wearable.”



In the palette you'll receive:

• Cleo: a sparkly bronze shimmy
• Mimi: a shimmering sheer gloss
• Neon Rose: a bright pink powder blush
• Natural: a perfect hint of brown cheekie for eyes and lips

I adore this palette... it's great for Spring with it's pinks and golds and shimmers. And the makeup has such an incredible consistency... it glides right on and stays put! I really love the sheer mauve gloss... it's a barely-there color that adds such glorious sheen to your pout!

The palette sells for $48.00.

Christmas Is Coming Early...

We adore a good Holiday collection over here at Beauty Banter. Holiday Collections mean that Christmas is just around the corner, and Christmas means that the weather is getting cooler, the air is getting muskier and the days are getting shorter! Don't get us wrong, we LOVE the sun too - but there's just something so... cozy about Christmas time!

Here are a couple of our favorite products from a couple of our favorite companies (to view the entire collection, click the company heading):

Smashbox Beyond Beauty Holiday 2007
Smashbox is ALL about fresh and clean. We're loving the Beyond Beauty Fusion Eye & Cheek Palettes: 8 neutral eye and cheek colors that can be worn alone or blended together!

Stila Dazzle & Dream
Stila has made the make-up process as simple as a single compact! Guinevere's Deluxe Palette and Scarlett's Deluxe Palette both include 3 eyeshadows, a blush and a lip gloss. And it comes wrapped in a gorgeous Swarovski decorated case! We love the Guinevere's Deluxe Palette - a combination of warm golds, apricots and peaches! And they all shimmer like the ornaments on a Christmas tree!


Nars Holiday 2007
Golds and apricots for the eyes, crimson for the lips (this collection reminds me of a pumkin patch!) The Balthazar Duo Eyeshadow pairs a burned yellow with a pumpkin pie colored orange. But my favorite product in this collection is the Viridiana Lipstick. A dark, blood-red hue reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and perfect for that special Holiday party!

Bobbi Brown Metallics
Silver and blue shimmers for the eyes with pale lips. The Midnight Metallics eye palette has 3 shimmering shades - white, silver and blue. We're feeling the white, all over the eye, with a dark black liquid liner. Very snow flake...

Chanel IS Essential...

Chanel is timeless (and essential!). I've been dying for a Chanel bag for ages now. It's actually on my "things I must do before I'm 30" list... BUY CHANEL BAG. It's sort of like one of those female rites of passage...

Well, a Chanel bag may be a bit of a splurge (as in like, not eating for a month...) but the new Chanel compact, well, that's a little more attainable.

The Collection Essentielle De Chanel Multi-Use Make-Up Palette is both glamourous and essential. In one easy compact comes four eyeshadows, four lip colors and one blush! And it's a combination of Chanel's best selling colors (you know, those gorgeous nudes and browns that have made the cosmetic line so famous)! Could we ask for anything more?!

The compacts come in two tones: Lumière Naturelle and Lumière Soleil, both are limited editions.

And at $85.00 per compact, it would be a sin not to snatch up one of each! After all, even Chanel make-up is timeless....

MARK the Spot...

Avon's color line, Mark, is both bold and understated. An oxymoron, I know.
It is bold in choice and color, understated in marketability.
I tried out the new Flip For It Spring Color Kit and I've got to say that I was tres impressed. Basically, it's like a face palette, with everything that you need to beautify all in an easy access compact. Two eye shadows, a blush and four lip glosses/ highlighters... what more could a girl ask for?
The compact comes in three color combo's: New York, Paris and Milan. I used Milan, full of rich golds and browns. The shadows went on easily and STAYED on... and the blush really breathed color... it wasn't that half-color that you tend to find in so many less expensive products... Mark alludes to a statement. Young, hip, fresh, sophisticated.
I feel forced to repeat myself - this is soooooo not the Avon of our mother's generation!

Cupid and Her Make-Up

Personally, I'm not a fan of the big V-day. I believe that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday created for the weak and co-dependant.
But for the hopeless romantics out there, here's a cute little Valentine's make-up kit put together by my friends over at Smashbox Cosmetics.
A word (or several...) from the company:
"This V.I.PINK VALENTINE’S DAY EXCLUSIVE beauty kit is the perfect way to add a little romance to your look at a really pretty price (only $40, with a $95 retail value!). Accentuate eyes with EYE SHADOW DUO in VELVET ROPE (shimmery pink, warm bronze) and pump up lashes with FOCAL POINT MASCARA in BLACK. Add the perfect pink flush to cheeks and lips with SKIN TINT in HEAT and give lips a luscious rosy bronze sheen with LIP GLOSS in MAGNIFY. All products come packed in a super-soft pink terrycloth makeup bag with room for more smashbox essentials, making this the sweetest gift to give or get this Valentine’s at a limited-edition price! Hurry, available only while supplies last."
I'm a huge fan of Smashbox anything, so I'm sure if I were also a fan of Valentine's Day, this kit would be my must-have.
Until then, I'll just pretend I'm doinf "research!"

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY BEAUTY WHORES!!!

Jack and Jill went up the hill...

...And found the most fabulous make-up made easy!

Meet Jill Ventimiglia, founder of Jack & Jill Cosmetics (the products used by Tym Buacherern, Head Makeup Artist on the hit musical, Dream Girls).
At a recent Golden Globe gifting event, Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge, I had the pleasure of meeting this magical make-up artist. Her line is simple, a must-have for the modern day, multi-tasking woman. It's about feeling pretty without the fuss. As she says, "the solution to the commonly asked question of, 'what colors should I wear," are in the Face in Case palettes, which are designed with certain colorings in mind and filled with the essentials for the woman on the go." The palette's come in 8 color schemes, all named after iconic beauties like, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.
I had the privilege of snagging the Lucy-Light palette inspired by none other then Ms. Lucille Ball. The company says that, "this palette of neutral shadows and warm blushes complement a fair, freckled complexion." Although I'm not freckled or fair skined, I still gave the colors a try and I must say, not only did it totally cut down on my face time by having everything in one simple compact, but I really loved the blush combo's of vibrant peach and deep plum. I mixed them together and it made a phenominal color!
All of the make-up is mineral based, thus it does not cause break outs and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Also try the Eye Palettes (they come in 5 color combo's, 5 shades to a case) and the Lip Palettes (that come in 3 rocking color combinations with 3 shades in a case!)
Here's to the inner beauty icon in each of us!!!