I’m a sucker for a beauty product with multiple uses and Jemma Kidd’s new Mannequin Skin Illuminating Concealer fits the bill.
Jemma Kidd’s signature collection is sold at luxury boutiques, but this dual ended illuminating cream and stick concealer is a Target exclusive.
While I find both ends useful, the illuminating cream is a particularly nice formula…not too shimmery or glittery, just the perfect bit of light to add to the inner and outer corners of your eye. The concealer is a light, creamy formula that covers nicely, however I needed to layer over a primer to avoid creasing.
The packaging on Mannequin …read more

Sue Devitt is one of my favorite luxe yet under-the-radar makeup brands. Founded by an Australian makeup artist, every product in the line includes amazing treatment ingredients.  Take the thick, richly pigmented Eye Intensifier Pencils.
These eyeliners glide on smoothly for fool-proof application thanks to the inclusion of  Nylon-12, which expands and contracts with facial movements without cracking. What does that really mean? Eyeliner lasts all day without creasing!

If you’re tempted to give these a go or if you have an eyeliner-loving beauty on your holiday list this year, check out this season’s limited edition Eye Intensifier Pencil trio. With three …read more

Believe it or not, I firmly believe that blush is the single beauty item that makes the biggest difference in my day to day look. And while I flit around from brand to brand or cream to powder, I tend to stick with just a handful of colors that work for me, in particular, a true pink.
My latest blush find is Anastasia’s Blush Quad. This sleek silver palette houses four feminine and flattering pinks.  The powders are finely milled and apply beautifully, while the compact is a dream to tuck in your bag or travel with. My fave hue is …read more

“Perfect” is among the most overused words in beauty marketing and beauty writing – I’m guilty of using and abusing the adjective myself.  But today, I was introduced to Per-fekt, the proper noun and that’s a whole new ball game.
The first Per-fekt product that I’ve tested (there are just three in the line) is coincidentally the newest, the Eye Perfection Gel. This treatment/primer/concealer/brightener (no, really…it effectively acts as all of those things) enhances the delicate under-eye area with the most natural look imaginable.

So what does that really mean? Well, effectively, Eye Perfection Gel smoothes the skin, provides minimal coverage, treats puffiness and …read more

We all know that grains are essential to a healthy diet, but did you know they can play a pivotal role in beauty too? Origins, a company known for embracing all things natural, recently introduced Multi-Grain Makeup, a mineral foundation with SPF 15. Included in the ingredient mix are oatmeal, tapioca, rice flour, barley and wheat germ.

Each ingredient serves a hyper-specific purpose from Oatmeal (a natural skin soother) to Soy (for radiance) and Tapioca and Rice Flour (to smooth and refine).  The resulting powder is soft and finely-milled  - you can blend it easily for anywhere from sheer to heavy …read more

If there’s anything that I’ve learned from my dear friend Sarah Conley of Style It Online, it’s how to wear lipstick.  And I’m not talking a natural looking nude or YLBB (that’s “your lips but better”) kind of shade. I’m talking big, BOLD color.
But the best way to wear any color (especially bold ones) is with ease and Neutrogena’s new MoistureShine Lipsticks ($9.49) make that a breeze.

These buttery, moisturizing lippies go on like a lip balm (really, I’m not exaggerating) yet they deliver a nice, solid dose of color. I’ve been digging the Mauve On in particular but you can …read more

There are black mascaras and there are BLACK MASCARAS. MAC’s new Zoom Fast Black Lash falls firmly into the latter category.
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 …read more

While I’ve encountered many great concealers over the years (Cle de Peau, Bobbi Brown and Max Factor, among them), I’m ALWAYS interested in testing the newest in the hopes it might be my ‘holy grail’.
My latest try is Maybelline’s new SuperStay Concealer and I’m impressed!
This long-wearing, yet lightweight, formula stays flawless (no creases in the undereye area) and doesn’t budge for hours. (Maybelline claims 24 hours, but I always make it a point to remove my makeup before bed, so I can’t weigh in on that!)
There’s quite a bit of coverage as well and the wand applicator makes application a …read more

While I’m generally a proponent of the ‘less is more’ approach to foundation, occasionally my skin requires a bit more (literally.) On those days, I inevitably turn to Le Metier de Beaute’s Classic Flawless Foundation.
Though Neiman Marcus describes this as “lightweight,” that describes more the texture than the coverage.  A little goes a long way with this cream formula, which includes Vitamins A & E, so apply just a wee bit to begin and focus on the areas of your face where you need the most coverage (for me, that’s under the eyes and on the chin). It blends beautifully …read more

Can you feel the heat yet? Joanna Schlip, Physicians Formula’s celebrity makeup artist can, and recently shared a few of her favorite Summer 2009 beauty trends and tips. 
TREND: A NEUTRAL, FLAWLESS COMPLEXION
In the spring and summer, your best feature should be flawless skin. But since it’s warmer outside, you have to use a product that isn’t too heavy and won’t run down your face when it’s humid.
TIP: To make sure you don’t over-do it, use a product that gives you sheer, light coverage that makes it look like you were born with smooth, flawless skin! Apply it just …read more