Viral marketing is the best thing that ever happened to the Internet - and sometimes it results in great educational tools for us beauty buffs.

Tarte just released some awesome tutorial videos to YouTube - a great step-by-step guide to how to use some of their most popular products.

My favorite one so far is the cheek stain how-to video, this is especially true since I am a beauty editor and have always had problems knowing how to best use my stains. Now I can just COPY them! I love the Internet. Check it out:

Pay careful attention: It’s about DABBING, not rubbing. I feel like that’s the mistake I’ve always made!

Image: Sephora

I’m off to Montauk tomorrow morning, and I’d love to have a sun-kissed flush…but likely won’t unless I fake it. That’s why this is especially well-timed. Tarte’s Cheek Stain is a gel, but it really does work to create a natural flush!

A bit of rose on your cheeks is the ideal if you are going for ultra-feminine ingenue.

Too Faced Pinch My Petals Blush is a new, great, choice: It is a pinkish mauve that gives a fun fresh flush that is rosy yet sheer.

It’s friendly to many skin tones, so don’t be afraid to give it a try!

Image: Sephora

I think I’ve waxed poetic more than enough about my love of a good shadow palette.

I feel like having all you need for a variety of looks in one place makes it way more likely we’ll take that plunge and TRY a new look. It ain’t like in this economy many of us are going to go out and buy a dozen shadows separately, right?

Even if you will, it gets way easier when you don’t have to, and with Sephora brand’s new PURE National 7-color palette, you get six wearable shades of shadows (good for day and night) and a pink blush shade that is friendly to many skin tones. Will these be looks everyone likes? Maybe not…but if they are your colors, why not give it a whirl?

Plus, at just over $30, it’s a super-great value - something none of us can afford to underestimate right now.

Image: Sephora

Due to a minor obsession with The Hills, I have a soft spot for Laguna Beach (the origin of the now-mega-star Lauren Conrad), and so, NARS’ new Orgasm/Laguna Beach Duo instantly got a second look. (Cause, well, everyone loves orgasms too.)

It’s actually more than a duo, because aside from containing a best-selling blush/bronzer set, it also contains Orgasm nail polish - meaning that your face and nails can match.

Note, it’s not NORMALLY necessary for your cheeks/nails to be the same color. (Especially if you are embracing the eggplant trend!) But when both are this fun sun-kissed glow, then I am all for it. Plus, it’s NARS…you know it’s going to be good!

Image: Sephora

I am a big fan of the cosmetic palette.

Partly due to commitment issues, but also related to wanting to have options and less to carry when traveling, a lot of options can lead to much more creative beauty choices. And, so, I love ck Calvin Klein Infinite Lustre Shimmering Blush Palette.

This palette is great no matter what your coloring or traditonal favorites - it’s loaded with warm shades of gold, rose, and pink - which work perfectly for that coveted “sun-kissed but sunless” look.

Image: Sephora

Now, I know that a bronzer being GOOD is the most important aspect of a shopping decision - but lets take a moment to observe the cuteness of the new Mini Pink Leopard Bronzer from Too Faced Cosmetics.

We know it’s a good product because it’s a smaller version of the tried-and-true classic bronzer we already love by them - but it being little makes it perfect to slip in our tiniest of clutches!

This is sort of one of those “all in ones”, it has a bit of golden bronze, some pink, and a natural shade that will help to highlight those cheeks - really helping with maintaining a sun-kissed look, whether you’ve been anywhere near the sun at all!

Image: Too Faced

By Guest Blogger, Amy George of The Scented Life

It was all the talk of the beauty boards when Besame Cosmetics announced its super sale (up to 75% off). The brand is repackaging/reformulating much of its line, so it’s out with the old, in with the new! I made a purchase a few weeks ago, and many of the products are still available. I just love the cute, retro packaging. It’s so luxe! The lipstick tube design is inspired by a lipstick case that belonged to Hernandez’s grandmother.

Some products I can wholeheartedly recommend are the Pistachio Eyeshadow, Sunkissed Rouge and Loose Powder. The sale now involves some very low priced items (Regularly around $20, now about $5), and other sets where you can stock up on favorites. I’d certainly love to try other shades of the eyeshadow and rouge!

Better hurry up to take advantage of the great prices!

One of the brands that I was introduced to at the Total Beauty Blog Summit last weekend was Redpoint Beauty Color Cosmetics.  They have been around for a little while, selling on their web site and on QVC, but, once again, my lack of TV watching has caused me to miss something good. 

They gave us some very interesting introductory products for the line, my favorite of which is the NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact.  This is a great concealer product!  The compact contains 3 colors - a yellow based color to cover up redness (just apply a thin layer over red areas, rosacea, ect…), a peachy color that reduces the blue tones of bruising, age spots and veins, and a more natural color to conceal dark circles under the eye.  This is a creamy formula that you can easily apply with your fingers or with a concealer brush (yes, they sell very nice brushes too!).  It retails for $38, and is a great size that should last a mighty long time.  Another outstanding product that we received (but unfortunately it is the wrong color for me) is their Airbrush Effects BlushWhip.  This is a super light cream/gel blush that comes in two colors - peachy and pinky.  I have the peachy one - will get pinky in the future (when my shopping list is smaller!) for sure.

After trying the samples they gave us, I am ordering a few more products today that have caught my eye.  First off is the Transformative Dual Foundation - this is a cream foundation that has two colors in the compact.  I LOVE it when makeup companies realize that we need more than one foundation color to achieve perfect results.  I am ordering medium, in hopes that it works for me, although it looks a hair dark on the website. 

Im also still on the hunt for the perfect mascara, so am ordering their MegaLash mascara ($22 - also available 2 for $38).  There is one more product that has really caught my eye too, and that is the Optic Effects Eye Pencil w/Sharpener.  Here is what the site says about it:

Transform ordinary eyes into alluring eyes with a combination of multi-hued pigments and light-reflecting particles that instantly brighten tired eyes. This versatile pencil features a creamy, moisturizing formula with powerful antioxidants to help protect the eye area and reduce the signs of aging. Includes a built-in blender and a custom sharpener to create the perfect point every time.

I am a sucker for “multi-hued pigments and light reflecting particles.”  This pencil is $25 and I can’t wait to try it!

Beyond the inherent usefulness of these products, you should also know that really every product I have looked at has “Age Management” ingredients.  Firming, moisturizing, line reducing - from the eye shadows all the way down to the foundations and concealers.  They have a try-me kit for $19 that you might think about trying as an introduction to the line as well.

One of the other really distinguishable things about these products are their packaging.  It is really lovely and *feels* top quality.  The compacts are easy to open (which is a huge pet peeve), and are gorgeously colored.  Do let me know if you are a Redpoint fan (or even if you’re not, Id love to hear that too) - and what your favorite products are.  I love love love discovering new lines and Im having a ball with this one so far.

Image: Redpoint Beauty