The Makeup Show Hits LA

On Sunday, February 8th and Monday, March 1, the Makeup Show will be at the California Market Center from 9 am to 6 pm each day.

There will be hands-on workshops with artists such as Ve Neill, Jon Hennessey, Kathy Aragon, James Vincent, Orlando Santiago, Myles O'Reiley, Christina Farrell, and more.

Visit The Makeup Show online for more information. Meanwhile, I'll be wishing I had the foresight to plan a trip to LA at the end of February! No worries, beauties - I'll be covering the Makeup Show in NYC this spring.

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e.l.f. Has Halloween Looks for Under $5

And who can beat that? More ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Vampire Queen: Because vampires are so hot right now. e.l.f. recommends Plumping Lip Glaze in
Ruby Kiss, Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Black Licorice, Nail Polish in Medium Red, and the Dramatic Lash Kit-Black.

Glowing Princess: my daughter is totally going to be this, so we'll be hooking her up with these pearlescent products. e.l.f. recommends Facial Whip in Spotlight, HyperShine Lipgloss in Fairy Pink, Brightening Eye Color in Silver Lining, and Nail Polish in Pearl Pink.

e.l.f. also has some amazing stuff going on. Did you know that beginning November 1, they will be in all Target stores? They will have $1, $3, $5, and $10 products packaged especially for Target. Now you don't have to wait for shipping! But if you don't mind waiting for shipping, you can use the code LOYAL (as seen in the image above) to get a 27 piece mini makeup kit with purchase. Perfect for travel - I'm always looking for palettes that I can just tuck into a carry-on.

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Where Do You Find Inspiration?

It’s easy to get bored with your makeup stash, even if you have tons and tons of it. Even the most dedicated of us need inspiration to come up with new looks and new reasons to buy great new stuff! Reading about trends helps, but actually seeing how to use something, especially something untried, can inspire me to really mix up my look for the better.

But finding that inspiration can be hard. I look to magazines first, especially ones that focus on beauty and fashion because you can get more information on what the products are and, occasionally, how to use them. Allure magazine is excellent in terms of explaining technique and listing sources, but many of the glossies can be inspiring.

Celebrities are also a popular choice, especially if you can find an accompanying article interviewing the makeup artist. Celebrities can always be counted on to wear the most current trends as well as have an excellent artist available to work their magic. These articles can be really helpful for learning technique.

My favorite source of inspiration, by far, are the real people that I find on YouTube. So many amazing talented everyday people, motivated by nothing other than sharing their expertise, post videos not only showing their look but telling you how to achieve it. Do a quick search for “makeup tutorial” and start checking out all the amazing looks and talent!

Photo via Flickr.

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Love Lip Stains? Try Pixi Lip Blush

I'm on a Target rant lately, aren't I? The truth is, I bought Pixi Lip Blush and stuck it in my cosmetic bag only to completely forget about it for almost four months.

That is really awful, isn't it? I know. Believe me, I know. Clearly I have too much.

However, the good news is that I was cleaning out my cosmetic bag with the idea that I needed to really go through and make an effort to use what I already owned, instead of giving in to the temptation to buy more. And by doing that, I rediscovered what is probably the best lip stain I have ever used.

What makes Pixi Lip Blush different is the applicator. It's like a felt-tip marker and it goes on easily and without much hassle. My second-favorite is my Revlon's Just Bitten and it has a roller ball which can make application a touch sloppy.

The stain is true, and lasts well over six hours, according to my lips. I kept a gloss over the top of it most of the day, and I did not have to reapply during my entire shift at work. Bonus!

You know I have to point out a downside, because really, nothing is perfect. The bummer here is that this little baby is going to set you back about $18. Sorry about that. Good news? It lasts forever, you'll love it, and if you're a lip stain fan, you'll be raving over it too.

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Beauty Bubbles: Foundation You Can't Live Without

Makeup: The Foundation You Can't Live Without

One of these 14 crowd pleasers could give your skin a flawless finish -- sans airbrush experts

We've heard complaints about foundation ranging from too heavy and drying to too light and oily, not to mention "too few shades" and "too expensive." So we've gathered the foundations that garnered praise from TotalBeauty.com members. See products

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Pink Irreverence Collection by Aaron De Mey for Lancome

I'll admit, it took me awhile to warm up to this collection. I've bought it in fits and starts. But it started with the lip gloss - La Laque Fever, to be specific, in Electric Pink. It's beyond beautiful. Glittery pink that lasts. I was actually shopping at the MAC counter when I spotted it on the display counter and immediately gravitated towards it. I bought it and the Piha Black, which really didn't do anything for me. I tried using it over reds and pinks, but I never got it to look the way I wanted it to. I'm sure it was operator error versus a problem with the product, but it just didn't work for me.

The next time I messed around with the collection was when I was in New York. I was telling my good friend Sarah that I really loved my Electric Pink, and we ended up running to the Macy's in Herald Square because they were having a gift with purchase on the Lancome line. I'm glad I did, because it was there that I started playing with the Irreverent Madame Color Design Quad and fell in love with it. While everyone is playing with fuschia and pink this season, this collection really stands out. You can do a great deal with these four shadows, and I especially love the black shadow.

To see the face charts and shop the collection, visit the Lancome website.

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Over at Beautiful! Fabulous!: Getting Out the Door in Five Minutes

My weekly post is up over at Beautiful! Fabulous!, and I'd love it if you'd go check it out. It's about getting your makeup on and done with in five minutes or less. Trust me, this is an issue that is near and dear to my own little heart. Comments always appreciated!

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Limited Edition Estee Lauder Holiday Collection: Vintage Jewels

I mentioned recently how I was loving the look of the new collection by Estee Lauder called Vintage Jewels. Now I have more photos, and they are just lovely. It is described as "decadent color collection of quiet blacks illuminated by hints of rich Amethyst, Sapphire and Emerald gemstone hues.

I love darker colors for the fall and winter, and these fit the bill perfectly. This is a photo of the Signature Eye Shadow Duos in Sapphire. Also available are Amethyst and Emerald. Complete the look with the limited edition Smoked Eye Pencil in Smoked Amethyst, Smoked Emerald, and Smoked Sapphire. The liners are made not only with pearls to give that true pearly effect, they also have moisturizing oils such as jojoba, vitamin E, and cottonseed so that they don't tug at the delicate eye skin while lining.

The Shimmering Jewel Powder, seen above, is designed for those holiday occasions where you need just a touch of shimmer. Not overpowering, just enough to add a glow. Wear it over makeup or on it's own.

Also as part of the collection are two new shades of Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Black Cherry and Ruby. Can you tell the lipstick has a special cut bullet to match the gemstone look of the collection? Love it.

Had to give you one more shot of that gorgeous lipstick against the Amethyst colors. Will you picking up any part of this collection? I know I'll be heading to the counters to see if it works for me.

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Beauty Bytes: Victoria Beckham's Sultry Makeup

TotalBeauty.com content:

Victoria Beckham's Sultry Makeup

Who doesn't want to be Posh Spice this Halloween? Follow these steps to copy her look

David and Victoria Beckham will be the couple costume of the year. Follow these step-by-step instructions from one of Victoria's makeup artists, Director of Makeup Artistry for MAC Cosmetics Gregory Arlt, and learn how to recreate her signature makeup look. Pair this with a Posh-like wig and you're set. See Victoria

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Beauty Bytes: Classic Pin Up Girl Makeup Tutorial

TotalBeauty.com content:

Classic Pin-Up Girl Makeup How-To

Dita Von Teese's makeup artist shows you how to master her look for Halloween

To win the "sexiest costume" award this Halloween, copy this bombshell makeup look. Here, Gregory Arlt, director of makeup artistry for MAC Cosmetics, shows you step by step how to recreate Dita Von Teese's signature makeup. Finish off the look with a black glam wig and '40s inspired dress. See Dita

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Beauty Bytes: Halloween Makeup Tutorials

TotalBeauty.com content:

8 New Halloween Makeup How-To Videos

From a sexy Victoria Beckham look to a gothic Vampira, watch these videos to make costume creation a cinch

Not sure what to be this Halloween? How about Amy Winehouse, a twinkling fairy, Twiggy or Dita Von Teese (aka classic pin-up girl). Don't want to get that fussy? Paint-on a masquerade-like mask or create a sexy cat look in minutes. We've got step-by-step guides to all of these Halloween costume ideas. Watch videos

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Halloween Makeup Contest at BeautyChoice.com

Even if you don't enter a video yourself, head on over and vote for one! There are some amazing looks, and they are inspiring me to think of what I'll be wearing this year.

If you do decide to enter a video, you can win a $500 shopping spree at BeautyChoice.com. Second place receives a $250 shopping spree, third place receives a 1 inch original CHI flat iron, and fourth place receives a BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Dryer. That's super fun!

Here are the basic rules, although you will want to head over for the full details:

1. Create an original, 4 to 10 minute, "Hair and Makeup Halloween Tutorial Video" demonstrating how you created your Halloween look. An original look is encouraged, but not required. You can create a familiar look, or a look that you come up with on your own.
   
   
2. If makeup plays an important role in creating your look, please be sure to provide details on how you applied the makeup in order to achieve the final result. Also, be sure to provide details on how you styled your hair as well.
   
   
3. You may submit one or more videos. All video entries will be considered.
   
   
4. Video submissions will be accepted through October 31, 2008.
   
   
5. No purchase is required to enter this contest.
   
   
6. Any video that contains profanity or any offensive material will not be considered.

Good luck!

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Beauty Bytes: Gold Medal Foundations

TotalBeauty.com content:

Makeup: Gold Medal-Worthy Foundations

One of these 14 crowd pleasers from Revlon, Prescriptives, MAC and more could give your skin a flawless finish -- sans airbrush experts

We've heard complaints about foundation ranging from too heavy and drying to too light and oily, not to mention "too few shades" and "too expensive." So we made a list of the foundations that garnered praise from TotalBeauty.com members. Check out which brands and formulas got the most consumer stamps of approval and consider whether you should switch to something new. Best foundations

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Total Beauty Bytes: Transform Day Makeup to Night -- Fast

Transform Day Makeup to Night -- Fast

Pump up your blah workday look to create an evening-chic look

No need to do a full makeup reboot when you need to go from the office to a swanky dinner. We asked makeup pros how to go from a basic everyday face to a sophisticated night look by adding a few (three, to be exact) new products. Change your look

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Total Beauty Byte: Fall 2008 Makeup, Nail, and Hairstyle Trends

Fall 2008 Makeup, Nail and Hairstyle Trends

How to use products from brands like MAC and Bumble and bumble to replicate the hottest runway looks, from dark lips to sleek updos

This fall, the biggest trend in clothing is texture, from the smoothness of varnish to the multidimensional surface of tweed. Look for the same trends to appear in makeup and hair on celebrities and in magazine ads, giving you plenty of fun new options to try. Pick your favorites here and start experimenting. Best trends

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It's Here: Pixi at Target

I am so excited about the new cosmetics collections at Target! While I was in there yesterday (and managed to get out of there spending less than $100 which is highly unusual) I managed to grab Pixi Eye Bright Makeup Kit. I've swatched it here so you can see what a nicely pigmented coverup kit it is.

I'm not giving it enough credit if I say it's just a cover up kit, though. There is a highlighter in here as well, and it's gorgeous. A perfect sheer neutral with just a hint of glimmer. There is a white cream that I wouldn't recommend to just anyone - make sure you know what you're doing with that as the results could be truly awful, and two basic fair shades for each season of use.

Handy!

Pixi Eye Bright Makeup Kit is only available at Target for $24.

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Of Course I Can Help You Pick a Mascara

Lately I've been asked in various different ways what my tips are on choosing mascara. I love it when people ask me these things, because truly, I can wax poetic about mascara for at least an hour. The problem is that it's like asking a beer lover what kind of beer to drink. There are thousands out there, what do you like?

When it comes to choosing mascara, there are several things I usually ask: how much do you want to spend, do you prefer a natural or more made up look, and do you want volume or length?

There are great mascaras in every single price point, so I don't want to waste my time recommending a $40 mascara to someone who wouldn't dream of spending more than $10. And I can't say I blame them. I probably have about 20 tubes of mascara priced over $20 that I used precisely once and never used again. That's a couple of hundred dollars that I could put towards the purchase of a new pair of shoes.

Next is your daily makeup usage. Do you go for a natural look? Do you put on a full face of makeup every day? Are you the type to spend no more than 5 minutes on your makeup, or is it your time to experiment with usage of color? Is the mascara for daily use or a special occasion or both?

To make it easy, I've broken the whole issue down into four parts: dramatic look, lower budget; natural look, lower budget; dramatic look, higher budget and natural look, higher budget.

Dramatic Look, Lower Budget

It's getting really, really easy to find excellent drugstore mascaras for a dramatic look. The newer formulas mean that you have far more options than just Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, which was the standard for ages (and for the record, I'm not a fan - I know "beauty editors" everywhere just love it, but I don't). Here are a few I've tried and definitely recommend:

• Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara. New plastic brush will give you plenty of volume without lots of clumps. Lasts all day, no flaking and works with sensitive eyes. Three coats will give you a dramatic look, and I recommend the waterproof formula. $6.99 at major retailers.
• Max Factor Volume Couture WaterProof Mascara. This is the same formula that they use with the Vivid Impact Highlighting mascara that I've been working with lately. Fantastic formulation with no clumping or flaking, and it will stay put all day. It's hard to find in my area, but I understand it's not so bad elsewhere. Figures. About $6.99 at major retailers.
• Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara. Everyone loves LashBlast. You can't even skim through a beauty blog without reading about it. Great new style brush, lots of volume, no clumping. An absolute steal for $6.99 at major retailers.
• Loreal Volume Shocking 2-Step Volume Construction Mascara. I was a huge fan of this one for a long time. Includes a primer and a mascara with a tough-to-get-used-to lash comb. With practice, however, you can build up some amazing lashes. About $9.99 at most major retailers. I wonder if this isn't slowly disappearing, though. I haven't been seeing it around as much lately.
  

Dramatic Look, Higher Budget

Of course it's easy to find great mascaras that cost a fortune, but not all of them are created equal, especially in regards to the dramatic look. Some of them are just impossible to work with and others simply aren't worth the price. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara. My holy grail. I have not yet found a mascara that consistently delivers the results I want besides Diorshow. Plush brush with a formula that many think is a bit drying. I disagree - it goes on perfectly with no clumps and builds to be as dramatic as you'd like. $24 at department store counters and Sephora.
• Too Faced Lash Injection Extreme Volume Mascara. This one seems to get mixed reviews, but I absolutely love it. It's one of the mascaras that actually forms "tubes" around your lashes (and will come off that way when you use your eye makeup remover later) which makes them full and inky, just the way I like them. $19.50 at specialty stores.
• Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Lash Mascara. This was my go-to before I found DiorShow. Another super plush brush with a thick formula that volumizes and curls. Buildable, but some people claim that it gives them "raccoon eyes." Never had that problem personally, and the new blue shade is fab. $19 at department store counters and Sephora.

Natural Look, Lower Budget

Lots and lots of options here. Here are my top three.

• L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition & Lengthening Mascara. This gives you a great coating of mascara without being overmuch. Lightweight and buildable, so you can use it daily without looking overly done up. About $7.99 at major retailers.
• e.l.f. Earth and Water Mascara Duo. This is actually a pretty handy product that gives you both regular mascara and a waterproof formula. Don't be fooled by the price - this is an excellent product that will give natural, lasting results. $1.
  
• Neutrogena Clean Lash Tint, Black 01, 0.09 Oz (2.5 g) (Pack of 2). I think this is an innovative product, and perfect for girls who want that natural look. No clumping, and Neutrogena always makes excellent quality products. $8.99, but it might be tricky to find. Try Ulta.
  

Natural Look, Higher Budget

With the mineral makeup craze in full force, it's not hard to find natural mascaras at higher price points. Here are a few to consider.

• CARGO Better - Than - Waterproof Mascara. I got this mascara as part of their Melt-Proof collection, and it is indeed extremely waterproof. It is also a very natural look with no flaking or smudging. $20.
  
• LORAC Lotsa Lash Fiber Mascara. I know some might argue with me for putting this in the "natural look" category, but I really think it belongs there. This is one of my favorite mascaras to use when I'm not going anywhere but still want to look presentable. What makes it different is that you can build it using three or four coats to make it look more dramatic. Great for special occasions. $19.50.
  
• Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain. This is a relative newcomer on the scene, and is getting some rave reviews. I can tell you that I got about two days out of it, and the natural formulation will make my green girls happy. This is about as natural looking as it gets, although you can't really build it up, it does exactly what it says: gives you great lashes that last. $18 at the usual places. $18.

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It's Quite Possible That I Love Everything in Urban Decay's Line

My recent trip to Sephora was obviously all about new lip products for the fall. Of course, Sephora had just sent out their new magazine, and I was just all about the dark lip look that was all over it.

Now, we really do have a nice Sephora store here at Lynnhaven Mall in beautiful Virginia Beach, but it doesn't exactly have the newest of everything. So I didn't go in expecting to see most of what was in the catalog actually in the store, but I had a few pleasant surprises.

The best find of all was new line of lipsticks from Urban Decay. Oh, wow. It was so hard to just choose one.

The packaging is extremely cute, and exactly what you'd expect out of Urban Decay. You actually pull the tube of lipstick out by using the dagger handle located on the bottom. The tube itself is a metallic purple, and is slightly larger than your typical lipstick tube. It goes on almost effortlessly, and is heavily pigmented, even for a shade that they described as a sheer, which I love. On my hand above is Gash, a cream red sheer, which is obviously the color I ended up taking home. It's deep and rich without being overmuch.

The surprise? It smells vaguely of caramel. And normally you know I can't stand smelling like candy. Tropical florals, yes. Tom Ford's Black Orchid, absolutely. But no food. However, this wasn't over the top and it didn't bother me at all. In fact, the moment after it registered, it was gone. Very intriguing.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this lipstick. It's very luxe and has excellent lasting power. I ran around my house with it on all night - I easily got six hours of good solid wear out of one application. I'm sure the guy checking me out at 7-11 last night must have thought I was crazy: my NY heart ME pink t-shirt, floral pajama pants, hair in a ratty bun, and Urban Decay's Gash lipstick on. Hey, it's hard work being glamorous all the time.

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If You Only Buy One Lip Gloss This Fall, Consider Smashbox's Wicked Lovely

I'm all about fall. I love bringing out my black dresses, gray boots, smoky eyes, and dark lips. I think makeup and fashion are so much more interesting, and I'm usually happy to pack away the bronze until the next spring when I'm ready to lighten up a little. But you can be more dramatic when it's cold outside, even in my backwater little beach town.

And speaking of dramatic, if you are considering this season's dark lip trend, you should sample Smashbox's Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss in Sultry. It's almost like melted hot chocolate on your lips with lots of shimmer in it. It's not glittery, it's much more subtle than that, and it looks just ever so slightly dangerous.

One caveat to my otherwise glowing and gushing review: I can't stand the brush that comes with it. I have no idea why, but it doesn't give even coverage and I end up finishing it up with my finger or another lip brush that I already own.

Outside of that, this is my lipgloss for fall. It's absolutely gorgeous and doesn't require a color underneath it. You can build it for more dramatic results or just leave it as a sheer wash of dark color.

This is a limited edition from Sephora, so don't wait around to try this one out. You can thank me later.

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Freshen Breath, Whiten Teeth, is There Anything CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint Can't Do?

CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint lipglosses cover a lot of ground all in one product. Infused with Crest Peppermint Oil, it gives you a shot of fresh breath while glossing up your lips in style. 

Three shades in this collection will also help whiten your smile: Plum Crazy, Un-Wined, and Toast-ed. How do they do that? By adding blue undertones to the gloss, it helps set off the whiteness of your teeth. Cool, huh?

The main ingredient in this product is petrolatum, which helps give you the major shine you're looking for without all the stickiness that you can't stand. I know there isn't anything worse than having my hair blow across my lips on a windy day and having it stick there, attached permanently to my lip gloss. Yuck.

My favorite shade in the collection has to be Red Riot - it's a classic red that is super sheer. It is so sheer, in fact, that you almost can't see it unless you layer it over another color on your lips. I like to use this product mainly as a gloss over a cream lipstick, since I have enough of those to last me at least another century. I'm not overwhelmed at the color all on it's own, but if you're looking for a natural look, then you won't have to search much further than this multi-tasking gloss.

CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint retails for about $4.99 and is available through most mass retailers. 

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