Trend Alert: Orange Lips For Summer

Orange is all the rage for the summer pout, and while you may be thinking, "this is SO not wearable," think again... orange can be liberating - and quite spectacular - if you let it!

Here are some tips - and kissable orange hues - to try for summer:

1 - While a bold orange may be too theatrical, a coral hue (has a dab of pink in it) is just as fun but a bit more practical.

2 - A gloss with an orange tint will give you the trend without the dramatics of a matte lippy.

3 - You needn't wear a full face of makeup when working an orange lip. Some mascara and an apricot blush and you're good to go.

4 - Try dabbing a bold orange lippy onto your finger and blending with some Vaseline (or any clear gloss of your choosing) to create a glossy stain that is both pigmented but slightly understated.

5 - Favorite oranges: Jouer tint in Poppy (a sheer coral); Nars Lip Gloss in Giza (nectar); YSL ROUGE PUR COUTURE SPF15 13 Le Orange (Bright Orange)

TREND ALERT: Bright Lips for Summer

Lily Rabe (Getty Images)

A bright, splash of lip color seems the perfect way to welcome summer, just as Lily Rabe did at the Tonys. Nominated for her role as Portia in the The Merchant of Venice, Lily arrived in a white, backless gown by Prabal Gurung and coral-hued lips courtesy of Tina Turnbow for tarte.

We’re huge fans of tarte and Tina here at BB, so we’re thrilled to share Tina’s tips for getting Lily’s eco-chic red carpet look at home.

Tina applied tarte's new maracuja creaseless concealer in fair, before sweeping Lily’s cheeks a peachy-pink hue, with Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in peaceful (you can find both items in this kit, here). To highlight her cheekbones, Tina brushed on provocateur Amazonian clay shimmer powder in champagne.

For a “look all about the lashes,” Tina started with tarte's neutralEYES natural eyeshadow palette in volume II, and used emphasEYES™ high definition inner rim eyeliner pencil in black to line the upper, inner rim “for more definition and to intensify the lash line.” Tina finished off the eyes with gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara.

For lips, Tina mixed Lipsurgence lip tints in fiery and joy to get the perfect shade of coral.

Without the weight of face makeup, which always feels too heavy as temps soar, Lily's dramatic lips and eyes are the perfect evening look for the warmest days of summer!

I’m loving the bright lippy trend, too. Here are my favorite picks for a bit of summer color:

- tarte 24-7 lip sheers. They’re like chapstick all grown up with the added benefit of SPF 15. For evening, I layer deep rose with a bit of gloss for deep, dramatic color. (Loving Vapour cosmetics Elixir glosses.)

- Korres ultra hydrating, deeply hued cherry oil glosses in red and natural purple.

- Korres lip butter in wild rose and pomegranate (also great for a bit of cheek color in a pinch).

- And, my favorite tarte product of all time, their cheek stain, reborn as rise and shine lip stains. I’m loving the cherry stain/gloss duo.

As much as I love bright color, I wasn't sure I could pull of a red-orange hue, even a less vibrant one than Lily’s. But when Jules told me about the great new Revlon gloss she’s discovered in her quest for the perfect orangey-red, I had to give it a try. She warned that in the tube, Revlon’s Firecracker was intense. But applied, it’s more like a stain. It reminds me of the popsicles we used to have at summer camp and the tint they left behind. Only with a great bit of shine and zero stickiness. 

Hello, sunshine! xo a.

FAVORITES: Lip Stain

I'm back!

Sorry, I've been a  bit MIA, I was actually in MIA (as in, MIAMI) and took a few days off the blog. But, alas, I am back in NYC and it's finally beginning to feel like Spring.

So, to celebrate my return - to blogging and NYC - I thought we'd start off with a timely FAVORITES post, the trusty lip stain. Absolute perfection for spring and summer, especially while running from pool to ocean - stays on all day, sweat-proof and doesn't look like you're actually wearing much makeup at all!

To recap my Girls Guide to Stains, click here. 

As for some of this season's favorite stains, have a read:

Benefit Benetint - I cannot write this post without mentioning the purveyor of stains near and far, Benetint - a true, blood red lip stain that doubles as a cheek tint too. Gives lips a natural flush hue.

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain - With 9 wonderfully pigmented colors to choose from, there is something to suit every lip. And the marker makes application fun and precise.

CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain - DRUGSTORE FIND! Another pen, with so many colors to choose from. Fun, easy, precise application. Not to be used on cheeks. Really leaves a nice stain on the pucker!

Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm - NEW! A 2-for-1 - a stain on one side, a lip balm on the other. Wear alone or together for added shine (with a hint of hue). Choose from 6 color combos.

The Balm Stainiac - Comes in 3 colors and is fitted with a wand and sponge applicator. Gives great natural color to the lips that stays put for hours.

Review: Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm

"I’m a not-so-closeted makeup addict. I love testing, trying, buying and applying! This guilty pleasure began early on in life while in boarding school. A two-mile walk got me to a CVS, which was about as thrilling as it got. So, naturally, I went bonkers and I bought every moisturizer, shampoo and eyeliner possible.

The therapeutic euphoria of perusing the isles of a drugstore remains as strong, 10 years later. My roomie has to interrogate my Walgreens joy rides as if she were questioning the whereabouts of a rebellious Tween. “Where were you? What did you buy? How many? How much? Didn’t you just buy a lip balm? What is Witch Hazel and why?” But I thank her for it, because without her policing, I would be broke and homeless with a ton of moisturizers.

But I digress… Let’s talk lippies!

During my last therapy session at Walgreens; I landed on the Neutrogena section. I love me some Neutrogena. Maybe it’s marketing, maybe it’s the truth, but I feel like their products will actually protect and help my skin, versus clogging my pores.

So, when my eye caught this gem, I knew I had to reach out to Beauty Banter about it:

Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm. The product description from Neutrogena: “This sheer tinted balm with patent-pending ion_complex™ instantly moisturizes lips, leaving them looking fuller and more defined.” Ok, I believe that’s fancy talk for ‘this is a lip balm’. But in all seriousness the tint is great and subtle, and it does go on smoothly.

“In just one week, it helps improve lips’ texture and restores the look of rosiness, so lips look naturally beautiful even after you take it off.” I’m actually going to call truth on this one, my lips were chapped like a cowboy on Monday afternoon and by Friday, I didn’t even need lip balm! 

“SPF 20 helps protect lips and keeps them looking healthy.” TOTES! Love the SPF factor! Neutrogena does a great job at sneaking in SPF into their lippies, making it worth the extra $ versus my $1.99 chap stick. We gotta protect those lips so we don’t end up with the mouth lines of a 90 yr old Atlantic City Casino regular.

Pros:

• Truly hydrating. I applied only once or twice a day and it really did save my lips. I mean, this is not Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream repair style, but it goes beyond what your average tinted balm does.
• Moisturizing: My lips are always chapped; pretty sure I sleep with my mouth open, so I look like I’ve returned from an expedition to Siberia every morning. I don’t need a lip salve, I need a lip saver. This one saves my lips.
• Lasts long: Nothing news-breaking, but it stayed on my lips thru a diet Pepsi
• SPF 20!
• Fab Colors:
Sheer Shimmer: delicate shimmer, so you don’t look like you put your disco lips on for breakfast. Which is, depending on your lifestyle, either a good or a bad thing. Tip: Put a dab on your bottom lip for a subtle lip plump.
Healthy Blush: Sold out in all the Walgreens I visited… so I’m guessing its fab L
Sunny Berry: Bright yet not overwhelming pink red color; stands out for sure; perf for beach!
Petal Glow: Favorite! It’s a dark pink- lavender shimmer (looks great on blondes and pale folk like moi).
Soft Caramel: I have way too many pink undertones for this color to ever look good on me, but it would work for olive skin complexions. Looked good on my friends.
Fresh Plum: dark terra cotta red; great for going out when you rock heavy mascara and cat eye look, but want something other than a shimmer as a lippie.
• Flavor: a very subtle, pleasant hint of fruit can’t but barely detectable.
• Texture: Smooth, light… feels similar to Nivea lip care
• The tube: the tube is flatter, more oval shaped, so more precise application and not as noticeable if put in back pocket. It’s nothing special in terms of design, but it’s a subtle sophisticated black tube. It also won’t roll off your desk, makeup counter, etc.
• Peeps agree: 4.8 out of 5 rating on Neutrogena

Cons:

• The tube: While it looks sleek and sophisticated, It’s also hard to locate in your purse
• The taste: Ok, it’s got SPF 20; so if you get some in your mouth it does taste like sunscreen, but I’d rather that than lip lines, for sure.
• Expensive: retails at $8.99. If it didn’t have the tint, I wouldn’t pay that much. I would just go back to a personal favorite and beautybanter.com discovery: EOS lip sphere
• Other comparable products:
 - Burt's bees tinted lip balms: $7. Tried it… definitely not a fan of the color I bought… a bland Flintstones-vitamin orange. (Hibiscus). Also, no SPF

BOTTOM LINE: I’m a believer! They provide a lot of color for being lip balms and would look great for a day at the beach and girls night out. From one drugstore Junkie to another, I highly recommend"

Thanks to our fabulous reader Laura Healy for writing in with this wonderful product review! We, too, are believers! xo, Beauty Banter.

5 Tips For Making Your Lips Larger

Plump me up, please! And hold the needles. I want larger lips and I DON'T want to have to go under the knife (or needle) to get them.

Well, this post is for you. Here's 5 great tips to plump that pucker au naturel....

1. Remember to exfoliate your lips - you can use a toothbrush and some vaseline or try something a little more sophisticated like Sara Happ's The Lip Scrub ($24.00). Tastes like molasses as it scrubs lips to make them soft and flake-free.

2. Use a flesh-colored liner to outline lips before filling in with gloss or lipstick - don't extend the line all the way to the outer corners of lips, allow the line to look like it goes on forever, making it darker in the middle will bring fullness to your pucker.

3. Use a highlighter on your cupid's bow - model Jessica Stam taught me this trick and I love it! It really does open up the width of your lips. Try Jouer's Champagne highlighter. **Christina (owner of Jouer) Tip: "Apply on the center of bottom lip before applying lipstick or lipgloss to give lips a fuller pout."

4. Stay away from matte lippies. Always end your lipstick routine with a touch of super shine gloss. Something that plumps your lips is perfect. Try the oldie but goodie: Duwop's Lip Venom ($17.00). It feels like a sting but really plumps that pucker.

5. Hydrate your lip area with moisturizer! Even mid-day, carry around Aquaphor and dab around your mouth for hydration and shine.

LIPS THAT STAY: LipSense

There's nothing better than starting the week off with a great, new lippy. And WOW, have I uncovered a fabulous discovery: LipSense - it's genius, really.

LipSense isn't exactly a stain or a gloss or a stick - it's a little bit of all 3. It's a stick in the sense that there is powerful color, a stain because the color doesn't move from your lips and a gloss because you can accompany the hue with a moisture gloss for a shimmery pop while keeping the color in place. The company calls LipSense "kiss-proof, smudge-proof, budge-proof" and that it is. Color lasts for up to 12 hours WITHOUT the need to reapply. I checked it out for myself and, while it didn't last the entire 12 hours, it lasted through coffee, meals and a little dirty dancing. :)

LipSense comes in a variety of colors - anything from apple red to a purple plum or nude mauve. Check out all of the hues here.

And if you mess up, no worries, they sell an OOPS stick ($10.00) too which literally erases your mistakes.

LipSense stings a bit and feels a tad sticky upon application but all that goes away leaving your lips glammed up with color. I'm a huge fan of so many of the shades but I really adore the ones that look a shade or two darker than my lips, something naturally fleshy and positively radiant.

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

"To apply, start in center of top lip (cupid's bow) apply to one side, then apply to the other side of top lip. Do this three more times (three coats). Then start at one corner of your bottom lip, apply Lipsense in one direction taking it to the other side of lip, apply three coats total. If your lips are partially dry or dehydrated you may feel them tingle upon initial application. Apply the LipSense Gloss over LipSense to relieve tingling, and moisturize (it has Shea Butter).

After a few days of continued use, your lips will no longer tingle upon application. If you make a mistake use the Ooops! Remover to erase errors. Once LipSense is on you should not have to re-apply for approximately 6-12 hours (depending on your body's PH balance). Eating greasy food may break down the formula sooner. Other than that, just apply LipSense once a day and re-apply the gloss when needed."

So go and kiss your main squeeze, have a late-night dessert splurge, drink a glass of vino with that someone special. No need to worry about your lips - they'll stay perfectly in place --- finally.

PRICE TAG: $22.00 (gloss sold separately)

tarte for NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

I may be as fair as fair can but one look at childhood photos reveals that if I spend some time in the sun I actually tan. My mother, who grew up in a house on the beach, does not. And it is a combination of genes and good luck that have left her with great skin. Still, she vigilantly slathered my sister and I with Bullfrog as kids and taught us early on that a good dermatologist is a must-have. May is National Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month and it’s also Mother’s Day, so I’d like to thank my mother for making me get out of the water and put on more sunscreen every few hours even if I wasn’t so appreciative at the time.

As part of this month’s campaign for skin cancer prevention, tarte is releasing three new shades of their 24.7 natural lip sheers ($16). I like to think of them as ChapStick for grown ups. The post consumer recycled tubes (printed with soy ink) look very much like the Bonne Belle Lip Smackers of my youth. Only these come in a dozen fabulous tints and include an SPF15. Just in time for summer, the three new shades will look perfect with my tan (in a bottle): dawn (shimmering golden nude), twilight (shimmering peach nude) and sunday (shimmering deep pink). I also love the original seven days of the week shades, monday being my favorite as it mimics the color of Cherry ChapStick. All 24.7 lip sheers have UVA and UVB coverage with just a hint of color. They’re super moisturizing, and petro-chemical free --- the beeswax base is infused with mango butter, coconut and peppermint oils to hydrate and soothe. Check out tarte’s other sun shielding products, like smooth operator oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 ($36). They’ve created a Sun Safety Collection on their site here. PROMO through May 20th, get 20% off the collection using code SPFMAY at tarte.com.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends these tips for sun safety:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.

• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.

• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.

• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

For a comprehensive list of the best and worst in sunscreens, check out the Environmental Working Group’s report here. And pick up tarte’s 24.7 online at tarte, beauty.com and both online and in Sephora stores nationwide. Have fun in the sun! xo alex.

FAVORITES: Lippies For Spring

Discovering a new lippy is almost as exciting as meeting a new man: the intrigue and anticipation... will it be up for the ultimate challenge --- A kiss?

Here are my newest favorite lippies for Spring:

Senna Lip Lacquer in Boudoir - Looks can be deceiving. This gloss appears bubble gum pink in the container but goes on like a sheer pink. Perfect to layer with a matte lipstick. Gives off high shine, just the way I like it.


Jouer Lip Gloss in Riviera - A pungent gloss that goes on opaque with a hint of red. Not too shiny or too colorful, it's just enough to make your lips look naturally flushed. I wear it alone, during the day, almost like a stain with a bit of shine.


Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Pearl #157 - A salmon-seashell hue that reminds me of Farrah Fawcett lips circa Charlie's Angels. It's shimmery with a high shine, just the way my lips like it. Fantastic paired with a smokey eye.



Sue Devitt Lip Intensifier Pencil in Malaita - I suppose you can use this solely as a lip pencil, but the thing is so big (dirty minds!) it's perfect as a matte lip color. The hue is great for spring - a mauve pink. And it doesn't kiss off!


Dior Addict Crystal Gloss - I am so obsessed with my new find, I've even worn it to bed! It's super glossy with the palest translucent pink hue, almost like natural flushed Barbie lips. Amazing alone or layered for an additional dash of shine.

What are YOUR favorite spring lippies?

New Years Prep 101: Lips

Christmas has come and gone and now it's onto New Years preparations. What to wear, where to go, who to kiss, what lippy to sport while kissing? Oh, the choices!

Today, I'm going to uncover my top 5 NYE lipstick picks (in no particular order):

1. Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Color in Red Revival 645 (pictured)- This year's pick for Holiday Red. The perfect fusion of matte and sheen to create luscious, bold, kissable lips that last and last and last. LOVE.

TIP: When wearing a red lip, pair with a nude eye.

2. Jouer Lip Gloss in Starfish - A nudish peach that is the perfect addition to a dark, smokey eye. The Jouer gloss sparkles just enough to give your pout that come hither effect.

TIP: Goes great layered over a nude matte lippy as well to add texture and depth.

3. Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect in Elegant Pearl 21 - Part plumper, part sparkle, this gloss reminds me of tinsel. Leaves lips shiny and smooth, pout is Holiday spirit sexy.

TIP: Layer the sheer silver shimmer over a bold plum or red color for a festive feel.

4. Sephora Brand Lip Attitude Chic in Smart Pinky #1 - The frosty pink hue that's a throwback to Farrah Fawcett days. Goes great with a tan and a black cocktail dress.

TIP: Highlight cheekbones with the same lippy for a frosted illuminating look.

5. Lorac Sheer Wash Stain in Sheer Emotion (pictured) - This sheer raspberry lip and cheek stain gives a hint of color and keeps teeth their pearliest white. Start with the stain and layer lippies on top for more color and texture. For a natural lip, just add some Aquafor.

TIP: Stains are great for all night rendevous. No need to reapply.

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.

Red Be A Lady: Old Hollywood Glam Lips

Current must-have red lippy: Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival, #645, an apple-crimson hue.

Mood: Old-Hollywood Glam

Have you checked out Maybelline's new casing (left)? It's beyond classy, reminding me exactly of Lancome's casing for their lippies. In fact, I mixed my Maybelline regal red with a hint of the Lancome P.S. Kiss (limited edition) deep red/ burgundy for an added edginess (the dark, moody lips are a major fall trend) while still keeping it classic. Just dab the darker color in the center of lips and blot together.

The Look:

(that's me... posing)

What's your current red lippy of choice?

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?

HEAD TO TOE BEAUTY

Some days sharing one great new find just doesn’t seem like enough. And with the number of wonderful products hitting the eco-beauty shelves, it’s hard to decide which ones to share first. So, why not share two in one post?

In my ongoing quest to replace the dozens of paraben-filled lipsticks and glosses I’ve recycled, I have found the perfect replacement for my old standby gloss in KORRES #33 NUDE. They describe it as a “sheer, pinky beige” and I call it "perfect." In the tube it is deceivingly dark, once applied it’s shiny and semi-sheer with just a hint of color. The KORRES Cherry Oil Lip Gloss collection includes over a dozen different shades from pale pinks to deeper red and plum. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, petro-chemicals or GMOs, KORRES uses cherry oil for moisture and shine (and a great natural scent), jojoba oil to smooth fine lines and hydrate, and Vitamins C and E to protect and repair skin damage.

I highly recommend starting with the Cherry Oil Natural Lip Gloss Trio, a set of fabulous neutrals (including #33) at a great price. Or the Love Your Lips set which includes three glosses and pomegranate lip butter. Don’t forget that all Beauty Banter readers get 30% off purchases at the Korres website through September 15th with promo code BANTER. Check out the new Korres site here.


Summer may be coming to an end, but here in Los Angeles, it’s bare legs year-round. That is why I am thrilled to find that Victoria’s Secret PINK has launched a new beauty line that is 100% vegan, free of parabens, mineral oil and sulfites. I wasn’t sure what to expect as few mainstream retailers have jumped on the organic trend. After trying the Nourishing Shave Cream, all I can say is I am impressed. Big brand shave creams and gels made to soothe often contain parabens, petro-chemicals and formaldehyde...not exactly gentle. PINK shave cream is made with shea and cocoa butters to nourish skin and antioxidants like grapeseed oil to protect. Derm tested and packaged in post-consumer recycled materials, I love this inside and out (and I’ll be writing more on this line in weeks to come). As the tubes and jars proclaim, “Think green. Live pink!” Pick up the shave cream in Victoria’s Secret Beauty stores or online. xo alex.

How To: Come-Hither Lips

Come-Hither lips (yes, I made up the name) are those shiny nudeish-mauveish-pinkish lips we've been seeing drenched all over the pucker's of young Hollywood's leading ladies. The ones that practically scream "kiss me" without ever uttering a single word (perhaps just a coy smile). A Come-Hither pout is tres sexy without being overtly colorful or requiring too much upkeep. And it pretty much looks fabulous paired with every makeup look.

I've asked the exceptionally talented Gregory Arlt, Director of Makeup Artistry for M·A·C Cosmetics, for his expert tips on come-hither lips.

Celebrity Clients: AnnaLynne McCord, Michelle Trachtenberg or Jessica Stroup

1 - "I start by using a very light pencil to define the lips. "Oak" by M∙A∙C is a favorite. Make sure the pencil is well blended into the lips so you don't see it. Being a warm beige, the pencil imparts slight color as well."

2 - "I then use a gloss with a hint of color. "Love Nectar" by M∙A∙C (right) is my number one must have for this look as it's slightly peachy with a hint of pink. EVERY client asks me for one! I also love "Nymphette" Lipglass by M∙A∙C (left) as it's pink with a hint of gold."

3 - "I keep the cheeks slightly flushed and shimmering using "Margin" blush and the eyes lightly defined using light neutrals but with a load of mascara. Come-hither lashes go well with come-hither lips!"

Will you come-hither this look?

we heart tarte

Not long ago I wrote about greening your lipgloss routine. With the staggering reality that we’ll ingest about four pounds of lipstick and gloss in our lifetime, it would make sense to start the eco-beauty movement there. And while eco-consciousness is important, the reality is trashing hundreds of dollars of product only to turn around and spend more isn’t a luxury we all can afford. But I found a happy medium in one of tarte’s cleverly packaged sets. The Limited Edition Super Fruit Lipgloss Clutch set comes with nine (yes, nine) glosses that range from everyday sheer pink to a fabulous evening red. They’re packaged in a gorgeous little clutch bag that’s perfect as an evening bag or an eye/sunglasses case.

The set includes: shimmering near nude, shimmering nude-peach, gold-tinged plum, shimmering brown sugar, shimmering deep mauve, shimmering deep cranberry, sheer crimson, sheer pink-nectar and shimmering bubblegum pink. I’m always a bit wary of the word shimmer but the glittery glosses are far subtler on than in the tube. My sister Megan, the ultimate gloss girl loves the line and was willing to test the shades for Beauty Banter.

The glosses are made with tarte’s t5 super fruit complex™ which blends superfruits goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate. As they explain it, “the t5 super fruit complex™ is loaded with naturally occurring, antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins that have been known to deliver refining, anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits with each application.” In addition, I’m thrilled that they’re free of parabens, petro-chemicals, phalates and sulfates.

While these lip colors are exclusive to the set, tarte has several lines including vitamin infused lipglosses and 24/7 lip sheers. And be sure to check out the value sets on their site. It’s the perfect way to add more green beauty to your vanity without breaking the bank. xo alex.

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: EOS Organic Lip Balm

Obsession is an understatement when it comes to my massive adoration (and need) for lip balm. Cracked, chapped lips are my worst nightmare -- literally. Few things are as uncomfortable - or unattractive - as a shedding pout.

That's when I discovered EOS, an acronym that stands for the Evolution Of Smooth. And smooth it is. This 95% organic, 100% natural balm moisturizes lips with shea butter, jojoba oil and vitamin E for a silky pucker sans petroleum and paraben (which can actually dry out your lips with repeated use).

The most amazing aspect of this balm has got to be the packaging. It's not a traditional tube or even a stick, it's a sphere. Housed inside that sphere is a semi-circle of delicious, hardened balm (not creamy like Vaseline or Aquafor) for precise, effortless application. The balm goes on clear and comes in 3 \ all-natural flavors: honeysuckle honeydew, summer fruit and sweet mint. Summer fruit is my EOS of choice (and the boys don't seem to mind the scent either!).

I got my smooth on from Blue & Cream, the NYC boutique for all things Wang, Temperly and Philip (as in Lim).

Click here to purchase the EOS Organic Balm.

Pucker up!

PRICE TAG: $8.00

Lipstick Trends Through The Decades

This is so fascinating. Read on to discover how lip color and shape is influenced by economic and financial status of American society as well as the pop culture of the time.

Li Edelkoort, one of the world’s best known trend forecasters, takes us through the decades, one pout at a time.

The 20's - Prohibition and Rebellion

"A matte-finished, heart-shaped mouth is the expression of the seductive, coquettish woman of the Roaring Twenties. Taking their cue from the scorned-yet-sought-after flapper, women go out to dance, drink illicitly distilled whiskey, and push the envelope of their independence. Black and white movies present the mouth in daring, feminine shapes - the “cupids bow” style of Clara Bow, the “vamp’s lips” of Theda Bara, and the sexy “bee-stung” lips of Mae Murray. Edelkoort notes that because the focal body part of the time period is the legs, “breasts are smallish, and girls are boyish.” Eyes are large and lips are thin. Lip colors are black and garnet red."

The 30's - Economic Depression

"A mouth drawn outwards with square edges emphasizes the stern, perfectionist appearance of the sober 30’s. Women, having witnessed the financial battery of the Great Depression, are thrifty and austere. Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich - powerful, yet glamorous women who are not afraid to determine their own fate - are idols of the time. Their steely and androgynous appearance personifies the adult woman. Lip color is a silky/glossy reddish brown."

The 40's - Wartime

"A full mouth formed with symmetrical curves represents the courageous, self-assured look of the 40’s despite wartime privations. While men are at war, women are forced to fill their roles, giving them a newfound sense of identity and responsibility. The Hollywood heroines of the silver screen, such as Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Katherine Hepburn encourage the idea that women are equally as capable in filling roles formerly occupied by males. Lipstick becomes an instrument of individual morale, symbolizing strength while disguising sorrow. Lip color is a brilliantly glossy vermillion."

The 50's - Post-War Period

"A voluptuous mouth with the lip line extended beyond the natural shape is reflective of this period of reconstruction. The look is seductive and feminine, revealing the ambivalence of women. On one hand, they oppose the traditional role of women - one they fought to suppress during wartime. On the other hand, they long to embrace their sexuality and femininity. Consequently, there are two strongly opposing role models: the voluptuous and feminine Marilyn Monroe, and the cool and self-confident Audrey Hepburn. Lip colors are bright red or pink. Edelkoort says that in this period of rebuilding an entire economy, the focus is on the body, and the face is seen as one whole element in perfect proportion."

The 60's - Flower Power and Rebellion

"A full, soft pout goes hand in hand with the rebellious habits of hippies in the sixties. The period is characterized by the exploration of outer space, the sexual revolution, Woodstock, and the anti-war movement. The youthful, anorexic chic of Twiggy and the provocative pout of Brigitte Bardot are symbols of the rejection of conventional beauty, prosperity, and consumption. Hence, lipstick is still applied, but discreetly. Lip shape is large and colors are shimmering beige-like mother-of-pearl, baby pink, and silver/white. Li attributes this to a sudden shift in sexuality, noting that the most focused-upon body parts are the breasts and butt."

The 70's - Disco Rules

"An outlined, shiny mouth reflects the shimmering iridescence of the 70's disco look. Saturday Night Fever, Studio 54, platform shoes, and soulful divas like Gloria Gaynor and Diana Ross define this decade. Women break social conventions and explore boundaries. They are not afraid to become single mothers or fight for their social and political rights, and they are especially unafraid of their sexuality. Lip colors such as glittering crimson or burgundy red convey self-confidence."

The 80's - Emancipation

"A dark, wide mouth represents the provocative punk look of the 80’s. Punk, as a musical statement and a culture, is the first anti-beauty movement. In fashion, women and men alike play with the idea of reverse gender roles. The transvestite chic of Boy George and the fashion of Vivienne Westwood convey “tribal identity”. Influenced by music videos such as Madonna's "Vogue" and Human League's "Don't You Want Me Baby?” strong eyes and dark lips become a popular trend. Lip colors are dark to black with metallic effects."

The 90's - Individualism

"A clearly outlined mouth painted in natural colors, either shining or matte, documents the grunge-turned-pop look of the 90's. Internet, cell phones, Pearl Jam and plaid, piercings, tattoos, hip hop, and the fitness wave set the tone for this decade socially and commercially. Fashion trends change quickly - everything is allowed. The introduction of Supermodels - Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista - permeates women's idea of beauty. Brown undergoes a revival, but both dark and bright lip colors are in demand."

2000 - The New Millennium

"“Cocooning” is the buzzword for the transition into this new millennium. The term expresses a longing to return to intrinsic value and friends and family: a harmony that does not stop at lip fashion. The shape of the mouth is natural. Soft and warm shades are prominent. Pastels and shimmering shades of beige, pink, and apricot (so-called non-colors) reflect women's desires to embrace their natural beauty and the quest for eternal balance and happiness. It’s about a return to our basic needs, and in a declining economic climate, a new appreciation for the bare essentials."

The Decades Ahead

"So what will the future bring? History will continue to repeat itself. She predicts that, for now, generous, whitish beige lips will reflect our nurturing desire to live at a sustainable, slower pace. “Thinner lips will take us into the 2020’s,” she says. “Eventually, perfect red lips with harmonized proportions between the eyes, lips, and body will balance our beauty in the new era of post-recession and reconstruction.”"

*source: beauty press / images: beauty press