Congratulations! You’ve found the perfect lipstick shade. That’s Major Accomplishment #1. Now, to tackle Major Accomplishment #2 – keeping that glorious lipstick off of your teeth!

Not to worry, it’s actually quite easy to do. Here, a few tips to keep your new shade on your pout and not on your chompers:

• Use a lipstick primer before you slather on your color. This quick tip helps keep lipstick in place and eliminates bleeding and the color migration.
• Dust lipstick with a loose powder to set the color. Just grab a facial tissue and separate it into 1-ply. Place the tissue over your lips, then dust on the powder. Voila! A set look without the powder showing through.
• And finally, after applying lipstick (particularly when you’re on the go and don’t have time to utilize the first two tips), place your index finger between your lips and slide it out. Any extraneous color will go there instead of on your teeth.

These have been tried and true tips I’ve used for years. Do you have any to add? We’re all ears (eyes)…

Image: Drugstore.com

Post from: Makeup Minute

Question: Is your face prepared?

Maybe it is, and if so, that’s great. Good for you for being on a skin care regimen and sticking with it. But if you need any help at all (or even if you’re just curious to see what else is out there in the vast and sometimes scary world of skin care), let me introduce you to a hot new site called BeautyStat.com .

BeautyStat.com was founded by Ron Robinson, a one-time research and development executive for some of the world’s top beauty firms, including Estee Lauder, Avon and Revlon. Mr. Robinson realized that his job as a scientist, developing product after product to market to us unsuspecting and oh-so-eager beauty addicts, was actually doing a disservice to the very people he wanted to help. So to eliminate the confusion, Mr. Robinson began BeautyStat.com, a community where members join (for free!) and receive customized product recommendations based on their skin care types and needs. There are forums for chatting and asking questions, opportunities to create blog posts, articles on all the latest beauty buzz, chances to win prizes and more. It’s a super cool place I spend a lot of time at and find very useful.

So while I’ll talk my head off about makeup every single day at this site, I’ll also harp on the importance of skin care, since whipping your skin into shape will make the most fabulous blush even more fabulous and the most amazing concealer that much better. The two definitely go hand in hand.

Do you have any skin care tips you’d like to share? Feel free to do so here in the comments and/or join BeautyStat.com and share (and learn) over there as well. While you’re there, “Friend” me (my Username is – no surprise! – Liberty). See you there!

In the interest of full disclosure, I do work closely with Mr. Robinson and the EIC of BeautyStat, contributing articles and other writing goodies. However, BeautyStat.com would be a favorite haunt of mine regardless of whether I had anything professional to do with them or not, and that’s a promise. It’s just an amazing community that I know you’ll love!

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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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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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Women:

- For daytime events less makeup is better

- Use mineral power to warm up and even out the skin

- High definition powder instantly removes shine

- For day time – think mascara!

- Lighter lipgloss shines in daytime photos

- Highlight the “apples” with a bit of blush

- Daytime bronzer gives a fresh healthy look

- For photo-worthy hair give it a quick “jazzing”!

- Flip your hair over – bring back the fullness

- For those forever photos – guys can conceal a blemish too!

- Keep the shine away – blot your face before the photo is snapped

- A few minutes in the sun can give you a healthy glow

- For a picture perfect smile apply a bit of lipgloss and go for the SPF kind

Men:

- Use gel when hair is damp – avoid the spiky 80s look

- Less is definitely more when it comes to hair products

- Run fingers – not a comb – through hair for a modern look

- Plan ahead – cut your hair a week before the event

Now go make yourselves look fabulous ladies! xo

Post from: Makeup Minute

“I love creating ethereal looks with a surprising pop of color. This holiday season, I’m excited about Aveda’s Inner Light Liquid Foundation. Tourmaline, a semi-precious gem, gives this foundation just the right amount of “glow” for a beautiful, flawless face. Swipe a little of Aveda’s Moon or Opal eye shadow all over the eye lid and add a coat of black mascara.

For the tiniest bit of cheek color, dust Tulip blush by Sevi on just the apples.

Finally, use lips as the statement piece by applying Sevi’s Lip Nector Mineral Lipgloss in Passion Fruit, Black Currant or Agave. The finished look is both angelic and sexy.”

You can learn more about Todra Payne via Makeup Theory Workshops.

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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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“Two keys to glamorizing any look: Black eyeliner and shimmer. For a sexy look apply Smolder Eye kohl all around the eye and smoke the line with 219 Pencil Brush. For a sophisticated look use Blacktrack Fluidline with a 209 Eyeliner Brush along the upper lash line only. Add shimmer at the inner corners of the eyes, as a brow highlight, along the cheekbones or the lip. For the sexy look try Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk or Bronze. For a sophisticated look try Hush Cream Colour Base.”

All products can be found at a local MAC Cosmetics counter near you or at www.maccosmetics.com

*Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics

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