This year, M·A·C artists have really outdone themselves, there are some AMAZING looks.  My absolute favorite is the Exotic Zebra below, but there are 20 others to choose from. Each facechart also includes full product listings, in case you feel inspired to try one of these looks at home.

For more tips from M·A·C artists and a closer look at some of the most amazing Halloween faces, check out the “Not Afraid to be Freaky!” video:

Post from: Makeup Minute

While the look may seem intimidating at first glance (and second too…let’s be honest), if you choose the right products and apply correctly (that’s always key!), it can be surprisingly wearable.

Unlike some of the opaque black shades that you can find on counter right now, our favorite Lipstick Queen - Poppy King - has made this Goth-inspired trend gorgeous with Black Tie Optional Lipstick ($18) and Shine Gloss ($22).

The sheer black lipstick shade is meant to be worn UNDERNEATH your favorite lip color to deepen the tone and enrich the color – making lips appear sexy instead of gothic. Reds become a black cherry shade while light pinks turn mauve.

The Shine Gloss can we worn on its own to give lips a deepened, smoky look – totally chic with just a touch of vamp.

Shop the collection at Barney’s or online at www.lipstickqueen.com.

What do you think of the black lip trend? Is this a look you plan to try?

Post from: Makeup Minute

That said, a vivid dark lip can be pretty intimidating, so I tapped into celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman of Vanitymark for some tips.  Here are his tips!

• To ease into deep shades, try a sheer gloss version. The shade in the tube will have a huge color impact, but it goes on sheer and lets your natural lip shine through. Kind of like the stain from a lollipop!
• If you want more of a goth, matte look, try a lipstick form. Beware though, the deep, solid pigment in lipsticks can be a bit aging. I prefer a gloss format.
• Go sparse on eye makeup – save the smoky eyes for another time. Only one feature on your face should pop, and with a dark pucker, you want all the attention on your lips. You still want lots o’ lash though… maybe try a silver liner!

What do you think of the Megan Fox lip look? Is this a trend you’ll be rocking?

Post from: Makeup Minute

1. “Use a tinted moisturizer to even out the skin tone. Put concealer on any areas that need extra coverage and under the eye. Sweep just a little bit of loose powder over the face, ” says Jody Cohen, makeup artist and founder of Cosmoholic Cosmetics.
2. Curl your lashes and apply 1-2 coats of brown or black mascara (I like Clinique Naturally Glossy for relaxed day looks.)
3. “Pick your eye/lip/cheek colors to be in the same family range, but with a lighter/medium/darker version of the same shade,” says Elke.  She recommends putting the darkest of the three on your favorite feature (for me, that would be my eyes) and then working your way down to cheeks and lips. For shades that might work, think peach, sand and caramel.

One of my fave natural makeup looks - Leighton Meester at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards.

Voila – polished and pretty but without a hint of high-maintenance. Share your natural makeup tips in the comments below!

Post from: Makeup Minute

1. For a super-fast, neutral (i.e wearable) Smokey Eye: Apply moisturizing Skin Stick concealer around entire orb of the eye – including lash line to brow bone, Set concealer with Pure Radiance Pressed Powder. The concealer and powder bring the eyes forward and act as a base for your eye makeup so that it goes on more smoothly, shows up better and lasts longer.
 
Using the double ended Perfect Eye Wand, Line upper and lower lash line with the eyeliner end. You can make the line as strong, soft or dramatic as desired. Also, you can make the line very defined.  If you’re not expert at applying liner, smudge the line with a cotton swab for a smokier effect that does not require a perfect application!
 
Then, using the shadow end of the Perfect Eye Wand, draw the shadow across your entire eyelid and blend in using your finger tip. Draw the shadow on top of the liner on your lower lash line to further smoke it up. Add Mascara and Voila! Smokey Eyes!
 
 
2. For a more traditional and dramatic Smokey Eye, Apply concealer and powder as illustrated above, then use my Eye Smokey Eyeshadow Trio. Apply the grey shadow to eye lid using the flat end of the Eyeshadow brush, then apply the white shadow under the brow bone to highlight.
 
Using a flat, square eyeliner brush, moisten the brush in water and run it over the black eyeliner in the eyeshadow trio.  Line the upper and lower lashline. Smudge the line if desired and add mascara – you’ll have Smokey eyes for any occasion!
 

If you’re interested in checking out the Ramy Beauty Therapy products above, be sure to visit www.ramybeautytherapy.com.  If you’re shopping in your stash instead, keep in mind that you can likely substitute each recommendation for a similar product that you may already own!

Image courtesy of Ramy.

Post from: Makeup Minute

Brett Freedman, Makeup Artist & Founder of Vanitymark Cosmetics

Next up in our series of Makeup Minute How To’s are tips on making foundation last.  Foundation is an essential for women who want coverage but getting your makeup to last the duration of the day can be a challenge.

Celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman (who keeps stars like Reba McIntyre and Jenna Fischer looking gorgeous) gave us his top three tips for foundation with staying power:

1. My first trick to getting a foundation that holds up is to find a long wear formulation. I LOVE Revlon’s ColorStay Active Light Foundation. It’s super sheer, comes in an amazing color range and has SPF 25.  That’s  not even the best part. The stuff STAYS. Oh, it won’t come off till you take it off. It’s so lightweight it lets the skin breath. Very important in the warmer months.

2. Switch to an oil free moisturizer. Apply while face is still damp. Denser moisturizers can sometimes  ‘break down’ foundation. Lock in moisture right after cleansing and allow your moisturizer to dry completely. You’ll use less foundation and it will really absorb and adhere to skin. This trick is all about timing. Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Lotion (an oil free moisturizer) is one of my faves!

3. Set with loose powder and a big fluffy brush. A compact is good for touch ups but for a solid, diffused finish to just applied foundation there is nothing better than loose powder. Finely milled powder works best to really get in there and ’set’ every little area. A big fluffy brush insures even distribution. NARS Loose Powder has an amazing feel and ultra soft on the skin. 

For more info on Brett or to check out his line, Vanitymark, visit www.vanitymark.com .

Post from: Makeup Minute

1: Use your finger to tap on a cream-based concealer. (We love Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit )

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, $32 (Image via BobbiBrown.com)

2: Pick up a sponge and stipple (dab) your regular foundation over the covered blemish, lightening your touch as you fade out the edges until there is no product left on the sponge.

3: Dust lightly with your normal powder to set.

If you’d like to help that blemish disappear a wee bit faster (and we can’t imagine why you wouldn’t), try Boscia’s Willow Bark Breakout Treatment To Go.  The handy pen applicator dispenses just the right amount of zit-zapping gel.  ($15, www.sephora.com.)

Do you have a blemish-concealing tip?  If so, leave a comment and share!

Post from: Makeup Minute