Check out Rachel’s tidbits below and if you have any questions or comments, please share!

Rachel says:

• I feel a great mascara can open the eye and instantly make you look as though you’ve have a good night’s sleep, even when that is not the case.  I use 2-3 coats of Lancome Fatale on the top, bottom, and also on the back of the top lashes.
• Because of my Indian ancestry, I love darkly rimmed eyes – a messy eye adds a sexy yet natural look to a classic outfit.  To make the eyes smoky, I use Revlon’s Luxurious Color Kohl eyeliner in Black Truffle on the inside of the lids.
• Bright lipstick is a way to quickly pop an outfit and freshen up a look a la Ava Gardner in “The Barefoot Contessa.”  My favorite bright is MAC’s Morange lipstick – it’s a great way to add a twist to a classic look.
• Another way to make your face pop is to fill in the eyebrows.  I use Bobbi Brown’s eye shadow in Navajo.

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1.  A thick balm or gloss is an excellent brow tamer.

2. Apply with a clean mascara wand to add a natural gloss to lashes.

3. Moisturize dry cuticles.

4. Use a teeny bit warmed between finger tips to calm flyaways or split ends.

5. Condition dry knees or elbows.

6. Soothe pesky diaper rash on the wee ones.

7. Calm minor irritations or burns.

8. Mix with loose pigments or crushed shadows to create your own cream eye colors.

9. Use a bit of lip balm to stop the bleeding from minor shaving cuts.

10. Obviously, add shine and moisturize to lips!

Image  of Smith’s Rosebud Brambleberry Rose Lip Balm ($7) via Sephora.com.

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Have you heard the word Recessionista? It’s being bandied about these days as so many of us try to keep up with our beauty habits without breaking the bank.

Recessionistas are those resourceful ladies who refuse to let the failing economy interfere with their fabulous looks. They’re bargain hunters, they’re repurposers and they’re all-around smart cookies who keep themselves looking hotter than hot, even on a budget.

Thankfully there are plenty of great cosmetics companies offering fantastic beauty finds to all of us Recessionistas, and I’m thrilled to share some of them with you here. Take a look at where you can get the most bang for your beauty buck:

e.l.f. cosmetics – This generation’s answer to the 1980’s Wet ‘n Wild phenomenon, e.l.f. (which stands for Eyes, Lips, Face), is a bargain hunters dream. Here you can find entire collections for a fraction of the cost of a traditional makeup counter’s offerings. The e.l.f. site often features comparisons of their collection versus lines like Clinique at huge savings. It’s fun just to hop on and see what is available and how happy your pocketbook will be with the savings!

Furthermore, many of e.l.f.’s choices (single products, not kits) run around a buck a piece – seriously, that’s it. They often run lots of sales (be sure to get on their email list) and offer free shipping with orders over $75. Fantastic!

Drugstore.com – If you don’t visit Drugstore.com on a regular basis, you are definitely missing out.

Chock full of beauty bargains, Drugstore.com has everything from the latest and greatest offerings to the oldies and goodies. You’ll find greatly reduced prices on the very things you’ll find at online sites as well as big box retailers like Target and Wal-Mart. They also have shipping specials and other assorted offers here and there.

Mineral Makeup – Looking to save some cash, yet score quality products? Of course you are! In that case, I urge you to look no further than mineral makeup, the hottest trend in cosmetics. Nearly every single line offers some type of mineral choices, including bronzers, foundations, powders, eye and cheek colors and more.

The benefits of mineral makeup are endless. They’re naturally great for your skin and provide just the right amount coverage without a plastered-on feel.

Perhaps the greatest benefit, however, is that mineral makeup is generally found in loose form and very little of it is needed in order to deliver the results you’re looking for. Once you become used to applying minerals, you’ll soon find how much money (and time!) you can save by using these awesome products. And as I said, nearly every single cosmetics line on the planet now offers some mineral products, so finding what you need in any price range should definitely not leave you hard-pressed.

These are just a few ways to get your beauty fix without breaking the bank. Do you have any other ideas? If so, please share. And be assured, any time I come across a product I think will make your wallet sing, I’ll be sure to share it. Until then, give these tips a try.

Happy Budget Hunting!

This post brought to you by redtagcrazy.com where you’ll find one sought-after fashion label at a time up to 80% off. Get an instant $5 to spend on anything you want courtesy of Makeup Minute.

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First from Paul from Beyond Beauty Basics, being a fabulous guy that I’ve had the pleasure to meet in person: “I think it’s always safe to say not to overdo it on the makeup. I like a natural look that you can go from day into night with because you know that look will work for any setting. If my date looked like she was going to dance FOR a club rather than in a club.. I might have to skip out on dessert and coffee. And yes bronzers are nice but too much might make me feel like I just won an Oscar.”

Trent from Average Metro Joe says: If you’re going on a first date, then your makeup depends on what kind of “date” you want it to be ;) If you want it to turn into a second date, then go for the “flawless” non-makeup look. Accentuate your best features, but do not use too much. Look naturally beautiful.

Julie from I Heart Heels says: The trick is to keep it simple and don’t forget to apply some type of lip shine. It’s amazing how great your lips look with a little sheen. Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes is my fav (it has a built-in plumper!)

Erika from Makeup Bag says: Go easy on the foundation and lipstick. Anything that might rub off on the napkin (or leave marks on your wine glass) might scare him! Also, a teeny bit of shimmer (think “glow” not “sparkle”) looks great in low lighting or candlelight.

Jamie from Girl Woman Beauty Brains says: Wear a scent that works for your body chemistry, but make sure it’s not overpowering. And remember, ylang ylang and heroli are two of the oldest aphrodisiacs in the world. You might want to stay away from them on a first date!

Carla from Product Girl says: I like to go with a “you only better” look for these types of occasions, nothing too dramatic or done up. One of my favorite things to do is use Laura Mercier’s “tightline” eyeliner technique. By using eyeliner from underneath the lashes, it gives a great defined look without being obvious.

Joi from Beauty Blvd says: Clean relatively short nails with a pretty but sheer color always looks nice and neat. Make sure you have on some hand cream and he won’t be able to resist holding your hand!

Jenn from Beauty in Real Life says: keep your hair soft and touchable. No crazy complicated hairdos tonight ladies. He wants to be able to think he can run his fingers through your hair…not get stuck in the process.

Christine from Temptalia says: Wear exactly what represents you! If you normally wear bold and dramatic makeup, go for a nice smoky eye for your dinner date. But if you’re normally wearing no makeup? Try light foundation, define eyes with a natural mascara, and wear your favorite non-sticky gloss!

Aramide from The Sassy Peach says: My rule of thumb is, it’s lips or eyes, not both! If you want your eyes to really pop, do a nude or toned down lip. If you want the attention to be on your lips, then keep your eye makeup soft & simple.

Alison from Advice Sisters: I have always downplayed too much makeup on a first date. Most men really don’t care or focus on the color of type of makeup you apply as long as it isn’t too much.

An Indian Girl’s Makeup Blog says: If I were on a first date, I would keep my face simple,soft and luminous by using just a little foundation mixed with a small amount of a luminizer. Kohl on my eyes, coral / peach blush and gloss. The other important thing would be a wonderful perfume! This works!

Eileen from MissWhoever You Are says: While red is the color of the holidays and bold and sexy for a first date it can be a bit overwhelming for some guys. A nice nude or something with a bit of shimmer. You want to seem approachable and beautiful…save the red for the second date!

Carleen from Beauty and Fashion Tech says: Less is more. Instead of regular foundation, try a more sheer mineral makeup. Aim for neutral shades on the eyes and lips, and wear very little blush. That way he will see the pretty you as opposed to creative bright makeup. Save that bright look for clubbing with your friends!

Latoicha from Luxe Tips says: Wow him with a beautiful scent. Men love when women smell good. I am currently in love with Lancome’s Magnifique. My husband loves it!

*Photo Credit: AskMen

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Below is the webisode where Jessica Liebinskind, makeup artist for the Ford Modeling agency, gives you tips on how to maximize your eyelashes.

Post from: Makeup Minute