I remember when I was first approached by b5media in the summer of 2006 to write a makeup blog for them. I was beside myself. Makeup Minute officially launched in September of that year and from the start my readers were from all around the globe and just as enthusiastic about makeup as I was. You became a part of my life and I thanked God everyday for such a loyal readership. So many of you have been with me right from the beginning. Getting more exposure as a writer helped me land a really great job at a PR firm that I am eternally grateful for. The more I get involved in the beauty industry, the more requests I get to go speak and teach beauty brands about social media…so readers, if you find yourself at Cosmoprof North America this summer, I will be there speaking.

Writing Makeup Minute has been such a blessing in my life and a great outlet to share my love of makeup with people who understand the need to have 15 lip glosses in their handbag at all times. And maybe a compact. And some blush. And a mascara or two. But I digress…

I will surely miss you all and my family at b5. I am eternally grateful to both. Thank you for the sunshine for the last 2 1/2 years.

Much love (and lipstick),

Shannon Nelson

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* One problem many face during the winter is dry skin so remember to keep your skin moisturized during these harsh months. I recommend Prescriptives All You Need Moisturizers. They provide continuous moisturization for 24 hours to refuel skin throughout the day for softer, more healthy-looking skin. I also recommend Prescriptives All You Need + For Eyes to help keep the eye area hydrated, smooth and radiant during the cold winter season.

* To keep your skin extra fresh, try Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel. This luxurious self-heating treatment exfoliates while resurfacing beads sweep away dry patches and dead skin cells for smooth, beautiful skin.

* In addition to keeping your skin hydrated, I also recommend adding some color to your look to help beat the winter blues and jump start into spring. Try a beautiful pink lip like Prescriptives Limited Edition LipShine in Tulip or Zinnia – both are the perfect pop shades for spring!

* And don’t forget to pay special attention to cheeks this spring! I love Prescriptives Limited Edition In Bloom Cheek Color Duo in Warm or Cool. These cheek duos are the perfect combination of color and radiance and provide a natural, flushed glow.

*Photo Credit: Prescriptives

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The sweetheart look:

Eyes- Sweep a soft shimmer beige brown shadow on entire lid extending up to the crease.
Suggested product: DEX’s Mineral Loose Pigment in City Brass Center

Next- use a soft chocolate brown eye pencil on top and wedging between lashes, making a thicker line on outer corner, then blend top line with a soft brush.
Suggested product: DEX’s Luxe Cream Eyeliner

Cheeks- Use a blush in a red or pink color and apply softly with finger tips on the apple’s of cheeks.
Suggested product: DEX’s Mineral Pressed Blush in Hell’s Kitchen

Lips- apply any color in the pink or red family in a tinted sparkly shinny gloss.
Suggested product: DEX’s Lip Gloss in Christopher St. Orchid or Mott St. Cherry

So you want to be sexy and seductive:

Eyes-apply a chocolate shimmer or mat color on lid extending up to the crease, next apply a shade darker in a metallic metal or dark brown on lid only.
Suggested product: DEX’s Mineral Pressed Powder in Grand Central Coffee and Dakota Spice

Next- take a black eye liner pencil and rim inside entire eye top and bottom, then with the same eye pencil apply on top lash line extending thicker on outer corners.
Suggested product: DEX’s Powder Eye Liner in Coal

Next- apply false eye lashes on top lashes in a edgy style depending on personal taste. Make sure you measure and cut the lashes accordingly to your eye shape.

Cheeks-using a cream blush with finger tips apply in a pink or red tone on apple’s of cheeks, then follow with the same color in a powder blush and apply on top of cream blush for a hot sexy blushing cheek.
Suggested product: DEX’s Mineral Pressed Blush in Soho Plum Wine

Lips- use a hot pink or vibrant red lip pencil and fill in entire lip, follow with a lip stick color to match, last apply a sparkly shinny lip gloss over entire lip, don’t be shy about the gloss.
Suggested product: DEX’s Slimline Lip Pencil and Lipstick in Broadway Cranberry

All products mentioned can be found at DEX New York.

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Barbie Loves Stila comes in several different “paint cans:” 2000 Jewel Doll (pictured), 1959 #1 Ponytail Doll, 1971 Malibu Doll, 1980 Foxy Doll, as well as a Talking Palette of eyeshadows (which really talks.)

I would act fast though, just like Barbie Loves MAC, this collection is sure to sell out in no time. Will you be a Barbie girl?

Photo Credit: Sephora

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Benefit Cosmetics has just launched their newest sweep of color with CORALista, a warm coral pink color to brighten and bring a look of warmth to your face this winter. In collaboration with Benefit, we are giving away 3 CORALista powders!

All you have to do is submit your information in the entry box below (it is not rented or sold) for your chance to win. Open to all legal US residents 18 years old +. There are no product or cash substitutes.  Retail value is $28 (each.) Giveaway begins January 21st at 8:30am EST and ends January 23rd at 8pm EST. Only one entry per person.

Good luck my pretties!

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Not that I want to see myself all blown up like this, but I think it gives you a truer picture of how well the Mineral Mousse Foundation really gave my skin a flawless look. No shine either! The Mineral Compact Makeup was very light and really was the finishing touch to making my skin look so matte. The Lip Mixer is pretty cool because it has a solid matte color at the bottom of the tube and as you pull the applicator out it glides through the section of shimmer and shine. The color I am wearing is called Lip Stir (#703). The mousse is French Cream and the compact is Creamy Natural.

The best part is that Milani Cosmetics can be found at your local drugstore and is completely affordable! So ladies, now you can go look like a snowbunny too!

Photo Credit: Milani Cosmetics and (c) Shannon Nelson and cannot be used without expressed written permission.

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Here’s some pictures from the event and of the products. There will also be an amazing video coming out in February that beauty editors got to see that really captured the essence of this collection. Hello Kitty is a little bit innocent…and a little bit naughty.

From Left to right: Julia from All About the Pretty, Erika from Makeup Bag, me and Lianne from The Makeup Girl

This was the very innocent girl with her Hello Kitty doll. She is wearing colors from the palette below.

This would be the very naughty and playful kitty (you’ll know what I mean when the video goes live.) The palette of colors she is wearing is below:

There is also an accessories line and the couture collection will be launching later on (date still unknown.) The tote you see at the beginning of this post was by far the most popular among all of the beauty bloggers there. We all oohed and aahed when it was talked about.

My thoughts on this collection is that it is very bright and playful. And in this economy, who couldn’t use something fun and imaginative in their lives? Many of the beauty blogs have the official images from the collection posted to their blogs, but I thought it would be more fun to show you the collection through my eyes.

So what do you think? Will it be a hit?

Photo Credit: Tote from MAC Cosmetics, all other images are (c) Shannon Nelson and cannot be reused without expressed written permission.

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Trend 1: Focus On The Lips

It’s all about a beautiful bold lip! Whether it’s warm or cool, a bold, opaque, red lip has a very sexy yet romantic feel. The eyes are as glamorous or neutral as your wardrobe dictates. During the day, eyes are kept simple; at night, opt for a darker look. Either way, eye makeup should be blended beautifully and brows should be perfectly groomed for an elegant look. Finish the eyes with long, beautiful lashes. Pair this look with clean, glowy makeup, achieved with foundation, concealer and powder. For cheeks, use a complementary color to the red of the lip that works with your skin tone. Apply on the apples of the check for a pop of color.

Trend 2: Eyes…Use Color!

Whether it’s a wash of color or a bold, dark statement, using color on the eyes looks gorgeous. Try a beautiful violet, blue or dark purple, or coordinate your eye color with your clothing. Try using color on the upper lids only, or on the upper lids and under the lower lash line. You can even add a hint of color on the inner corners and under the eye…just make sure the edges are blended out beautifully. Think of watercolors and softness…that’s what makes this color work! Use a complementary lip and cheek color for softer eye makeup shades and a transparent lip and cheek look when using bolder eye colors.

Trend 3: It’s All About The Metallics!

I love a dark, dramatic, metallic eye in black, dark brown, navy or burgundy. It’s very sexy and a great look for an evening party or event. Start with a dark liner that matches your shadow at the base of the lash. Apply a dark metallic shadow on the lid, up to the crease. Lightly run a little metallic shadow under the lower lashes. Use a lighter metallic shadow on the brow bone and on the inner corners of the eye. For a really shimmery effect, you can add an extra highlighter over the entire eyelid. Finish the eyes with dramatic, sweeping lashes. Pair this look with matte, satin skin and keep lips and cheeks very neutral.

Photo Credit: Newscom

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Red Carpet Red

For a true dramatic red carpet look, Christina created the Simone hydrating lipstick – a rich true red that should be worn for that glamorous holiday party or big night out.

Everyday Red

Love the trend, but looking for a more subtle approach that fits your everyday lifestyle? Christina recommended a gloss because it is more sheer; try the Riviera Moisturizing lip gloss – a true red with a light shimmer.

Christina recommends that when doing a red lip, keep the rest of your makeup clean and simple. Let your lips say it all!

She recommends a Praline Powder Eyeshadow- a soft, creamy pearl that will add a subtle glow. A soft black eyeliner should be used with a thin line on the upper lash (always wear black liner with a red lip.)

Champagne Highlighter- soft natural highlight will keep your skin looking fresh and luminous and will accentuate the eye without making the look overwhelming.

On the cheeks, Christina recommends a soft natural rose blush applying a light wash of color. You want to make a statement without the look overpowering you.

Stay tuned to Makeup Minute for more makeup tips to keep you looking gorgeous!

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I have fair to medium skin, so Pure Finish 3 looks flawless on my skin. I loved how it gave me full coverage without looking like I had a face full of makeup on.  What’s great is that it concealed imperfections and mattified my skin like a pressed powder would but without the typical “shine” of mineral powder.

It’s also a pretty big compact for only $37.50. And Crystal of Beauty or Bust–it doesn’t contain talc! (I was thinking of you when I found that out!) Find your perfect shade at: www.shop.elizabetharden.com

*Photo Credit: Elizabeth Arden

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