Many women pledge their allegiance to mascara or lip gloss as their one must- have makeup item. Not me. Despite all of my blah, blah, blah (and trust me, there’s a lot) about my fave lippie or the next must-have lash extender, I firmly believe that the ONE  item that will make the MOST impact on how I look in the morning is… blush. And my newest find is mark. Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint:
These easy little cream sticks provide the perfect pop of color for cheeks and since they’re packaged in a simple push up tube, no brush is …read more

Though I’m not the “greenest” girl in the world, I’m all for eco-friendly beauty lines that deliver results as lovely as the ‘big guys’.  BeingTRUE’s Interference Color Rich Shadows are one of my favorites.
Offering twelve new shades for Fall 2009, BeingTRUE’s latest collection is inspired by gemstones. The shadows are rich and quite pigmented, not to mention infused with Demaxyl, a ceramide complex that helps smooth crepey eyelids by adding moisture to depleted skin.  They also include an antioxidant complex of Vitamin E, Green Tea, White Tea, which helps shield the skin from the environment, UV damage and moisture loss.
You …read more

The very idea of bronzer ALARMS me.  While I can easily make suggestions for friends on what to look for and what to avoid, in the reality of my day to day life, I avoid bronzer like the plague.  There, you have it. My beauty confession of the day. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why so here goes:
1. Excessive glitter and over the top shimmer are de rigeur in most bronzers while I eschew them.
2. When you are as fair as I am, it’s a challenge to find a bronzer that doesn’t go too dark, too muddy or too orange.
I …read more

As a pale and proud woman, I have two major problems with bronzer:
1: Most appear either orange or dirty on my skintone
2: Glitter. I’m 30. I don’t need it (yet most bronzers have it.)
LORAC has the solution this summer with their new TANtalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer SPF 15 ($30).
This finely milled powder does the unthinkable…it adds radiance without adding a ton of shimmer or heaven forbid, glitter. The mineral-based, baked formula applies like a dream too – it’s long-wearing and virtually weightless on skin.
For a little versatility, try this baby either wet or dry. (A damp brush will make …read more

Gals, it’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so I simply must do my beauty blogging duty and remind you to always wear SPF.  That said, I love a nice bronze glow as much as the next girl so let me introduce you to the perfect solution: Clinique’s new Almost Bronzer SPF 15 ($28.50)
Available in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep, each compact packs two shades of subtle bronzer that can be blended or used separately. These babies also do double duty as eye shadows in a pinch, so don’t be afraid to multi-task.
And of course, with a product like this that incorporates SPF, …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

Vibrant green, electric blue, eye-popping orange – Costa Rica’s intense natural beauty is the inspiration behind the latest mark color collection. Here’s the scoop on the new products:
Eye Exotics Eyeshadow Trio ($6 each)
A full coverage, powder eyeshadow for your eyes. Whether you want to shade, define, shadow or line, any look can be yours. Create stunning eye looks with 1 color palette. Bold shades that make the perfect eye statement for the season. Available in three gorgeous shades, including Beach Babe (left) Ocean Hues and Jungle Love.
Lip Exotics Lip Lacquer ($6 each)
A full coverage, wet, high shine, lacquer for lips. Creamy …read more

Private Practice star Kate Walsh rocked a fresh peach palette at last week’s 2009 GLAAD Awards. To compliment Kate’s sleek hairstyle, celebrity makeup artist Elaine Offers added a pop color to enhance her natural beauty.

Inspired by Kate’s modern beauty and sophisticated taste, Elaine was determined to create a look that highlighted these elements while incorporating key spring makeup trends. She selected a peach palette to give Kate’s skin an overall warmth with a punch of seasonal freshness. To create dimension and luminosity, Elaine stuck to a range of burnt-pinks and tangerine-bronzes.
To get Kate ready for makeup application, Elaine prepped her skin with a selection of …read more

Revolution Organics – which already offers 100% Certified Organic multi-tasking skincare products – introduced their first color line, the Freedom Collection yesterday on QVC. It’s no coincidence that yesterday was Earth Day, folks – this color collection is uber-green, using 85% certified organic ingredients with absolutely no synthetics, chemicals, parabens, mineral oils, artificial ingredients, petrochemicals or animal testing. 
My makeup bag must-have from the line is the Freedom Glow Beauty Balm. This travel-friendly tube contains a creamy, easy-to-blend, hydrating formula that can be used on lips, cheeks, eyes and décolletage for a natural, dewy radiance. It’s available in three glowing shades …read more

Though I’m pale and proud, as warmer weather approaches, healthy looking skin equates to glowing skin – even in my eyes.  An easy cheat to glowing skin is, of course, bronzer.  But applying bronzer and achieving a natural looking glow can be tricky. Luckily, Jillian Veran, Prescriptives‘ Director of Artistry, gave Makeup Minute some easy, breezy tips on creating a summer perfect glow using bronzer.  Check out the steps below! 

Never apply a powder or cream bronzer to an un-prepped skin. Bronzer is rich in color and will grab onto dry or un-exfoliated skin creating a choppy and dirty look to the …read more