To get the look, try snagging a vintage dress from your closet or the closet of your mom or grandmother. Accessorize it conservatively with classic pearls, diamond studs, matching mid-height heels and a chic clutch.

For the makeup, start with a powder foundation (I like the one from Michael Marcus Cosmetics ($40) as it creates a close – to – flawless complexion.)

Next, apply a thin line of cake eyeliner and add a soft, neutral beige eye shadow from the lash line up to the crease.

For the lips, go with a classic, matte red! If you don’t already have a red in your makeup arsenal, try MAC Russian Red ($14) or Michael Marcus Debbie ($24). For a camera-ready pucker, make sure that lips are exfoliated and moisturized before applying a matte lipstick. Bobbi Brown recommends using a warm washcloth to exfoliate!

Voila, you’ve got Mad Men style!

Happy almost-Halloween!

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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:

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That’s why I’m excited to see Sephora’s new Glitter Eye Shadow Brush ($13), a silicone tipped applicator that helps sparkly shadows stay put. To apply your favorite loose or pressed glitter shadow, press the powder into your lid with the flat side of the applicator to maximize the staying power.

Remember, when it comes to flawless makeup application, you need two things in your arsenal: a nimble pair of fingers for blending and some top notch brushes. This one seems to fit a unique niche, so I plan to pick it up this fall.

To shop online, visit www.sephora.com.

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This carbon-black formula deposits an intense amount of pigment on lashes, adding length and even a bit of volume.  While I’ve got long lashes to begin with, I’ve received more than a few “What mascara are you wearing?” questions while wearing Zoom Fast Black Lash. For the record, that’s DEFINITELY a good thing.

While I love the formula and the results, I will just warn that it requires a little extra care for complete removal. I usually use a makeup cleansing cloth by Neutrogena or L’Oreal before cleanser and it takes two to remove all of this pigment. Crazy!

Snag yours for $13.50 at a MAC counter near you or www.maccosmetics.com.

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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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Image via Coutorture.com

The face of Erin Fetherston for Spring 2010 focused clearly on the eyes and was created by makeup artist Lucia Pica for MAC. I was lucky enough to be backstage at Milk Studios during the test (which is when the first model’s look is created as a template for the other artists) and Lucia shared her techniques in detail. Check out the YouTube video below and let me know what you think!

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I’ll be attending the Spring 2010 shows (it’s my 5th season covering backstage beauty and runway style!), as will countless other beauty journalists and bloggers, so stay tuned for daily updates here on Makeup Minute.

I have to say that undoubtedly my fave part of New York Fashion Week is the inspiration that it provides me for months to come.  Exhibit A?  The Twinkle by Wenlan look below, created by Gregory Arlt for MAC Cosmetics at the Fall/Winter 2009 show.

This classic, yet somehow spectacular look makes the model’s lips the star, using MAC’s stunning Lady Danger, a true orange red lipstick. Let’s be honest, it’s 6 months later, and I’m still not over Lady Danger.  In fact, I find myself wondering what THIS season’s “Lady Danger” will be.

What do you hope to see on the runways this season?

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Released with the Baby Bloom collection late last month, these balms comes in five shades:

• Just a Smidge: Soft Pastel Yellow with Multi Colored Pearl
• Lilt of Lily: Soft Creamy Pale Pink
• Pink Tinge: Clean Bright Yellow Pink with Gold Pearl
• Full of Grace: Soft Sheer Rose
• Moist Plum: Light Lilac with Very Fine Pearl (my personal favorite!)

The color payoff here is slight but the real benefit is in the emollient rich texture, which  moisturizes lips beautifully and leaves the perfect amount of shine.

Though I’m not averse to sticking my fingers into a pot of gloss (it makes me feel like an artist some days, inexplicably, I do admit), I have to say it’s nice that these are packaged in sanitary squeeze tubes – no danger of sand contamination at the beach!

Snag a tube of your own at www.maccosmetics.com for $14.50/each.

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If you’ve never tested Bobbi’s gel liners, you’re in for a treat. If you use the right brush (I dig MAC’s 210), they’re super simple to apply and leave the perfect swipe of long lasting color.

The Forest hue in particular is stunning, in my opinion –  it’s a deep green and golden pearl that really makes hazel and brown eyes pop!

You can pair this with one of the two new pearlized eye shadows for fall –  Autumn Shimmer Wash and Bash Metallic – for the a fall appropriate smokey eye.

Snag the Forest Shimmer Ink for $21 at www.bobbibrown.com.

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As I packed my bag that morning (at the very last minute, of course), I found myself being very selective about the makeup I was taking – I wanted to bring only the bare essentials.  I also thought long and hard about makeup that could be applied with my fingers, as opposed to tools (hence the cream blush!)

Here’s what I was able to pare down to for three days away:

Packed into my Paul & Joe makeup bag was:

Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Rose Shimmer (applied under tinted moisturizer, this brightens and evens skin tone to the naked eye)

Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15

Prescriptives Groom Stick for Brows 

Tweezerman Animal Print Tweezers

Revlon Brow Scissors

MAC Technakohl Liner in Brownborder

Prescriptives False Eyelashes Mascara (GWP size shown)

Estee Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow in Petal

Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eye Shadow in Mulberry (a taupe-ish purple)

Vox Angled Crease Brush

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Maximum Coverage Concealer in Light

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush in Rose Glow

MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder

MAC 169 Brush (no longer available)

MAC See Thru Lip Color in Secret Crush (no longer available)

Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

So, that’s me! Now that it’s all typed out, it actually FEELS like a lot though when I shared the picture above on Twitter, everyone said I was a makeup minimalist!

I’m curious. What makeup do you travel with?  Leave a comment and share!

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