So, into my makeup stash I dug, looking for a miracle worker, and out came La Prairie’s Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing-Brightening Eye Treatment ($70).  Now, while that’s a major mouthful of a name, what this product actually does is quite simple – it conceals minor dark circles and infuses the eye area with a major dose of brightness. On no-makeup days like today, I feel like this minor cheat is worth the trouble.

The $70 price tag sounds hard to swallow, I know, but unlike similar products (think YSL’s Touche Eclat), the La Prairie Brightening Eye Treatment comes not only with the sleek silver applicator pictured but also with an additional refill cartridge of the formula. When the time comes, simply slip out the pen applicator and replace – easy peasy!

You can shop La Prairie products at fine department stores near you or at www.shoplaprairie.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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For a long time, I could only find the line at Barney’s but I’m pleased to share that Sue Devitt has just launched a new e-commerce site of her own – and for a limited time only, there’s a great gift with purchase up for grabs.

To celebrate the launch of the new website, you’ll receive a complimentary Eye Intensifier Pencil in Kalahari (a gorgeous, on-trend gray) and Silky Sheen Eye Shadow in Berlin (a total value of $40) with any purchase of $25 or more.

The Eye Intensifier Pencil is one of my favorite eye liners on the market. It’s a chunky pencil that goes on smooth and blends beautifully. It comes in several colors too, so you’re sure to find something that complements your skin tone and eye color.

This offer is only good while supplies last, so check out www.suedevittbeauty.com to shop!

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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 can snag the shadows at www.beingtrue.com – they’re $16 per pan and $5 for a refillable single compact.

Another eco-friendly favorite of mine is the PlantLove collection by Cargo. The chic and sweet bio-degradable bio-plastic packaging is actually made of corn (tip: you can also plant the cardboard packaging – there are seeds embedded!) while the products are the ONLY prestige makeup line to carry the globally recognized ECOCERT™ natural designation for environmental commitment.

My favorite product in the PlantLove line are the Baked Illuminator marbelized powders (bottom left of the photo above.) Infused with natural and organic ingredients, the formula is free of parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, and synthetic dyes and fragrances (in other words, all the bad stuff!) The Baked Illuminators are multi-use as well – try them as a highlighter, blush or eye shadow. I also love them brushed on the shoulders and decolletage for a bit of glow.

I want to know – what’s your favorite eco-friendly makeup line and why? Leave a comment and share!

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However, my must- have from Red Carpet Reveal is without a doubt the signature Palette. This sleek, slim black compact houses three coordinated neutral shades (Interview, the darkest of the three, also works perfectly as an powder liner) and one beautiful, versatile powder blush, Main Attraction.

Also included in the mix is a dual-ended eye shadow/liner brush.  If you’ve never tried LORAC’s shadows, they’re not only pigmented, they’re uber soft and blendable!

You can snag the Red Carpet Reveal Palette  for just $35 – a great value considering that the value is over $100! It’s a Sephora exclusive.

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This mascara does double duty, defining eyes and strengthening lashes with a drug-free, non-clumping formula that contains peptides and a proprietary “Lash Growth Promoter Complex.”

The complex helps stimulate hair follicles for full and lengthy lashes and also helps prevent breakage and hair loss. Pure mineral pigments give DermaLash Mascara its color (available in Black and Cocoa) and the unique rubber wand helps ingredients reach the base of lashes while separating and coating each lash perfectly.

I’ve only tested this baby twice but lab tests promise visible results in lash length and density in 3-6 weeks.

Snag your own tube for $80 (I know, I know! So $$$. But compare it to your $30 high-end mascara + a prescription lash growth product like Latisse and the DermaQuest is practically a bargain…) at www.skincarerx.com.

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Using a formula infused with both collagen and hyaluronic acid (amazing for plumping and moisturizing skin), this mascara is buildable and lengthens and volumizes lashes.

Housed in the sleek black packaging is a thick brush with dozens of fine bristles that capture every lash. My only complaint?  The brush picks up a ton of mascara, you really need to wipe it off fully before using to prevent excess product from landing on your lashes or the surrounding area.

Available in both regular and waterproof, L’Oreal Paris Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara is available now at drug and mass retailers. It retails for about $7.95/tube..

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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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This instructional book, authored by makeup artist Linda Mason, offers up relatively simple instruction for anyone looking to re-create eye looks that range from everyday to flirtatious, funky to punky and of course, glam.

Each lesson includes a close up of the finished look, a list of what you’ll need to create the look, a diagram that outlines what to put where and a palette of eye shadow colors that you can cross reference to your own stash or take shopping with you (the book is pocket sized, so easy to throw in your bag for reference!)

Why just eyes, you may be wondering?  Acoording to Mason, “A new lipstick color can make you feel good, but it is really eye makeup that transforms the face. You may have great lips and skin, but everything you do, whether you realize it or not, is directed towards enhancing the eyes.”

I must say that I agree.  It’s amazing what a difference eye makeup can make to your overall look.

To snag a copy of Eye Candy, check out Amazon.com.

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The secret to Rimmel’s success is in both the brush (a voluptuous ‘triple plump’ design) AND the formula. Designed to work in tandem, the collagen-enriched mascara contains proteins, vitamins and conditioners that leave lashes strong but amped up!

Don’t ask me the difference between the two hues available – Black or Extreme Black – but you can pick up either at drugstores and other mass retailers like Target nationwide, for about $7.49 a tube.

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