BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

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I scream, you scream, we all scream for EYE CREAM! Patricia Wexler 3-in-1

Beauty School Grade:

It happened in my 35th year: I looked in the mirror to put on my mascara, as I had countless mornings before, and WHAM! Lines! How were they not there one minute, and quite apparent the next? In my 36th year, I started to notice a slight puffiness above the crease. Subtle, but still there. It was at that time that I also noticed some light lines just south of my lower lashes. GAH!

Clearly, a solution to this dilemma was needed- and fast! To the rescue: Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream by Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology.

Keep reading to find out how this product saved the day.

Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream is the latest innovation in Patricia Wexler's line. It's billed as "the surgery-free approach to visibly firming, lifting, and de-aging the eyes."

Normally when you think about youthful eyes, you're thinking superficially (pardon the pun). You notice the lines, maybe some loss of radiance, a bit of droop, an ominous shadow. How much thought have you given to what's going on behind the scenes? If you're like me, the answer is "none". Thankfully, with Dr. Wexler on the job, you never have to think again! Um... about wrinkles, that is.

This eye cream is essentially three products in one - at least! Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream moisturizes the whole eye and brow area, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and tightens and firms the skin. In this one jar you get a firming, lifting and anti-wrinkle in one (hence the name 3-in-1, huh?).

But HOW will this help my eyes?

Dermal Rx Skin Renewal Complex will improve the appearance of texture and will hydrate the eye area (for those who want the details, it uses yeast extracts, hydrolyzed soy protein, soy amino acids and water).

Skin is smoothed and plumped with Matrixyl 3000 Skin-Boosting Peptide Complex. The Matrixyl peptide chain has been shown to decrease roughness and reduce the volume and depth of wrinkles.  SWEET - bring it on!

Argiriline Line-Smoothing Peptide will help relax lines and creases- you'll see a visible difference. Toss in a dose of Dr. Wexler's patented MMPi-20 technology which stops you from creating too many nasty collagen-destroying MMP enzymes. This technology "helps to boost skin's own regenerative powers... with regular use eyes are noticeably resculpted and renewed."

Oh! And it's also got light diffusers to help brighten the eyes and soften the appearance of imperfections!
 

Does it work?

I've been pleased. I was already using a great hydrator on my eyes, so I didn't notice too much insta-plumping in that regard. It's pleasant-smelling, thick but not slimy or greasy, and it feels nice on the skin. I'm going to continue to use it mostly for the MMPi-20 Technology. Will I purchase it again in the future- probably for that last reason if no other. I am torn, because I love my B.Kamins eye cream, too, especially for the radiance it provides and the fact that you can put it on over makeup as-needed. But the MMPs will probably keep me with Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream, and I may hold onto my B.Kamins for really tired-looking days as an emergency treatment.

EOTD (that's " eye of the day " for you newbies)

I'm going to start attempting to post some EOTDs. I thought it fitting that the first one include that amazing MAC shadow with the rabid following: Parrot!

If you think this is cute, then keep reading and I'll tell you how it's put together
and show you some more pics.

I know it's fairly subtle for a MAC girl, but I don't work for MAC anymore and need to be more understated.

Anyway... I used: Parrot, With a Twist, and Rose Blanc - all from MAC. (With a Twist was a limited edition shade in one of the holiday '06 palettes: Suedette: 6 Intense Eyes)

1. Prep eye with Painterly Paint Pot
2. Apply Rose Blanc from lash to brow
3. Apply Parrot to lashline
4. Smudge With a Twist on edge of Parrot
5. Blend Parrot and With a Twist lightly
6. Line inner waterline, top and bottom and upper lashline with Blacktrack Fluidline
7. Mascara: Clinique Lash Power - two coats

The only brush I used was my 239, actually.

I paired this look with a bright but soft pink lip lined with MAC Soar and filled-in with MAC Hothouse Lipglass and Lusterwhite Lusterglass.

New skincare from NARS - soak away your woes in this aromatherapy treatment

Get it at NARS.com

FACE Stockholm

Are you familiar with FACE Stockholm? If not, it's worth checking into. You can start with this new collection... and get the glow!

1. Talc- and paraben-free Mineral Foundation that feels weightless but gives great coverage. Lavender Oil and Vitamin E are soothing and smooth, and the whole formula is non-comodogenic and oil-free. All five shades give UVA and UVB protection. $30 USD
2. Tinted Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 20 is what many of us have been waiting for... GET THIS: it's sunscreen (SPF 20- not too shabby!), it's lightweight coverage, and it's a moisturizer. I know: "SHUT UP!" Right? This product is a mix of all sorts of great stuff:  mega minerals in a Multi Mineral Complex include Copper, Gold, and Sodium; supreme antioxidant protection from Ginkgo Biloba, Ginsing, and Vitamins A, C & E to protect and nourish the skin. This hypoallergenic product is great for sensitive skins, and gives a great glow that gently diffuses minor imperfections. $42 USD
3. Sexy Bronzer in a sleek package gets your glow on whenever you want it! $28 USD
4. Powder Brush #36 will contour your face with sexy squirrel hair precision. $36 USD
5. Powder Brush #37 is the same brush as the #36, but larger. Does that mean more sexiness? $38 USD
6. Powder Brush #38 looks like a great and useful brush. Check out the flat head of luxe goat hairs. It's dense and round like a kabuki, but flat like my beloved MAC Buffer Brush. And it has a handle. This one might be a must-try! $38

FACE Stockholm is available FACEStockholm.com

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I wrote about Clinique's Lash Power -and now you can try it! If you love Clinique, then you're probably a "Club Clinique" member (if you're not- then stop standing there! go join!).

Then use the offer code LASH08 at checkout when you spend $50 and get a free sample size of Lash Power Mascara.

La Mer

I wanted to write a bit about a new La Mer product, but I also want to let you know in advance I have not tried it personally. I'd love to, but I haven't had the opportunity...

Anyway, La Mer the Cleansing Foam has come across my radar, and I thought I'd tell you a bit about it.

But before anything can be said about La Mer the Cleansing Foam, I ought to give you a brief run-down on La Mer itself.

It all started with Crème de la Mer and its main ingredient, referred to as Miracle Broth. The product has a crazy following of true believers- it's more fanatical a crew than the Scientologists!

The ingredients are, even as described by the company, fairly ordinary: sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, Vitamins C, E and B12, oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa, and sunflower. What is extraordinary is the method aerospace physicist Max Huber employed when creating the Miracle Broth.  In fact, the story is extraordinary in itself: Huber developed it after years (12, to be exact) in an effort to create a product that would smooth and soothe his own skin after severe chemical burns marred his face.

Anyway, creating Miracle Broth takes about 3 to 4 months of fermenting, and the end result is a product that does exactly what Huber hoped it would: it makes skin softer, smoother, and more supple.

The same painstaking technique is still used today to create Miracle Broth. The company tells us:

"In a short time, skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless. Aging lines and pores are noticeably less visible.  Even the driest of complexions are healed.  Sensitivities are soothed. And, of course, there are also those who insist it has produced astonishing results—as Dr. Max Huber himself witnessed."

The Miracle Broth is suspended in Crème de la Mer, and is activated by warming the product in the hands before applying it to the skin. 1oz is $125, 2oz is $220, and 16.5oz is $1350.

So... if you're already using this miracle in a bottle, it makes sense to cleanse the skin well in preparation for the luxuriousness of the skincare. Brought to you by the Max Huber Research Lab: The Cleansing Foam. The product is gentle and calming, but gives a deep cleansing: all of which are the keys to good skin.

The Cleansing Foam is made with La Mer's "Deconstructed Waters", gemstones, marine extracts, and pearl and jade extracts. Sounds decadent, doesn't it!? Well, that's what you should expect from La Mer!

"Pearl powder has been known for centuries for its restorative properties. La Mer's precious blend of jade and pearl powders is rich in amino acids, luxuriously revitalizing and brightening even the most delicate complexions," according to Loretta Miraglia, the Senior VP of Product Development and Innovation for the La Mer company.

Magnetized tourmaline and Deconstructed Waters (unique to La Mer) improve the product's ability to cleanse due to some molecular-level magic that gently sweeps away the dirt without harming the skin.

Buy The Cleansing Foam for $65 at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, or at La Mer online.

I've always been curious about Crème de la Mer and now I really would love to try The Cleansing Foam!

OMG - MAC News Abounds! Specktra Scoops Revealed...

Specktra always has the latest and greatest MAC news, and as I always promise: I scour the web, the magazines, and the beauty world so you don't have to!

Here's what Specktra has for us:

• Details on the Heatherette and MAC collaboration
• Information on the new MAC mineral-based foundation
• News about the new Strobe Collection
• Breaking details about the Beauty Powder Blush Collection

Keep reading for details...

• Heatherette and MAC are collaborating for a collection this Spring (end of March), and it's got me even more excited than the McQueen collaboration of 2007. Here are some details about what the collection will involve:
  • Lipsticks will be Lollipop Loving - a Glaze formula mid-tone coral with subtle green gold iridescence; Fleshpot - a Satin formula light neutral beige (this is a repromoted shade); Hollywood Nights - a Satin fuchsia pink; and Melrose Mood - an Amplified Creme pastel pink.
  • Lipglasses will be Bonus Beat - a Frost in sheer yellow beige with gold pearl; Sock Hop - a Creme soft mid-tone coral; Style Minx - a Frost, fuchsia pink; Starlet Kiss - another Frost, this time in pastel pink.
  • Eyeshadows will be trios. Hmm!
    
    • Trio 1: Mood Ring - a Veluxe Pearl pastel mint green; Cloudburst - which was in Blue Storm '07 and is a true black with subtle green pearl; Hoppin' - a Frost that's pastel peach.
    • Trio 2: Baby Petals - a Satin pastel pink; V.I.P. will be a Veluxe mid-tone yellow pink; Cassette is a blackened eggplant.
  • Glitters! YAY, GLITTERS! We'll get Reflects Gold - if you loved it in the Curiousitease sets, or you've seen it on the Pro site but couldn't get it, now's your chance. A spectacular glitter!; 3D Silver - Multi-reflective silver that's also a Pro color.
  • Pigments in this collection will be Jardin Aires - a Frost formula gilded peach with silver reflects (repromoted from '07's Strange Hybrid); Pink Pearl - a mid-tone pink with blue reflects (a Pro shade).
  • Beauty Powders will make an appearance in Alpha Girl - a pink with gold reflects, and Smooth Harmony - a medium deep bronze.
  • Dual Edge Pencils - these will retail for $16.50 and it's about damn time MAC did this!
    • Black Funk and Pop Blue - true black on one end, the other is turquoise with silver glitter
    • Phone Me and Text Me - charcoal grey on the one side, metallic silver with silver glitter on the other side
    • Nighthawk and Front Row - coffee brown on one end, the other is neutral peach with gold glitter
    • Fab Orchid and Dash Lily - jewel-toned purple on side A, mid-tone lavender with silver glitter on side B.
  • Nail  Lacquers are going to be hot: $$$ Yes - (pronounce it "Cash Yes" ) metallic  silver foil in a Frost formula; Lola Divine - soft mid-tone coral creme.
  • It wouldn't be Heatherette or MAC without lashes: She's Good lashes and She's Bad lashes will be introduced with the collection, but the descriptions of these products hasn't gotten out yet.
  • Source: Specktra and erine1881
  • Editor's Unsolicited Commentary: Hopefully $$$ Yes is going to be as cute as it sounds - I need a good silver polish! The Dual Edge Pencils sound great, too. Hopefully they won't be super soft like the Glitter Liners. I am always lukewarm about Beauty Powders, and these colors sound a bit warm for my cool skin. If you're a warm chica or chico, though, maybe they'll be nice. I'll also like the 3D Silver glitter, I'm sure! I'm going to wait to see what Sock Hop and Style Minx look like, ditto with Lollipop Loving and Hollywood Nights - but they sound like shades I'll like.  
• Mineralize Powder Foundation is a collection I'm looking forward, too, as well, if only from a curiousity standpoint. This new foundation will be limited edition at counters and permanent at MAC Stores and Pro Stores. It's going to be a variable coverage product- medium/buildable is how they're billing it. Use a flat foundation brush for fuller coverage, use a fluffier brush for medium coverage - that holds true for all powder foundations, by the way. According to Specktra sources, the finish is natural to natural-matte but if you really buff it in it will become more of a satin finish, and the foundation is supposedly long-wearing: "6 hours". 
  
  • As with most of MAC's products, this one contains Vitamin E, and it also has wheat germ - these are supporting the assertion that the product is good for dry skin and won't catch on dry, flaky areas (this is a common complaint with Bare Escentuals). Guess that answers the question "Is MAC making this to combat the popularity of Bare Escentuals?" :)
  • You know how Philosophy The Supernatural has a spongey-top used to apply the product? Mineralize Powder Foundation has a similar applicator but it has a cheeky name: "the capplicator". (Sigh) It's a "sock-covered latex sponge" and the product comes with 2 replacement "socks". This feature is used to apply and blend the foundation and if used without them the capplicator gets junked up and can't be replaced/fixed.
  • Select your shade on counter or just know that the shades are going a bit darker than those of the Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals. Shades will be:
    • Light - Neutral pale ivory (permanent internationally only)
    • Light Medium - Neutral light beige
    • Medium - Beige
    • Medium Plus - Tan beige
    • Medium Dark - Rich tan
    • Medium Deep - Deep golden orange tan
    • Dark - Caramel
    • Deep Dark - Deep caramel
    • Deeper Dark - Milk chocolate
  • PS: This product gives both UVA and UVB protection.
  • Launch date: Feb. 7 at Nordstrom locations, Feb. 14 at other locations. Retails at $29 USD.
  • Source: Specktra and erine1881
  • Editor's Unsolicited Commentary: 6 hours is long-wearing? That doesn't sound particularly long-wearing to me but *shrug* whatever. My question: if you can tweak the coverage with brushes, what's with the "capplicator"? Also: "capplicator"?! Really? And since I'm snarking: why is this coming out permanently in Light only internationally? I have a feeling I'm not going to like this one, but it's possible it will surprise me. Maybe it will replace my beloved Mineralize Skinfinish Naturals, but somehow I doubt it.
• Right in time for my birthday comes Strobe Collection. For the record, the collection launches on March 6th, but my birthday is a few days earlier. Maybe ya'll can just give me MAC gift certificates and I'll hang on to them for a few days. But I digress.. This collection centers around the makeup artist favorite Strobe Cream - an antioxidant-rich moisturizing effects cream that gives an iridescent pink shimmer to the skin.
  
  • Strobe Cream will be repromoted with the collection.
  • A new version of Strobe Cream will be introduced and it will be PERMANENT. It's going to be called Strobe Liquid and it's a lighter weight, has smaller iridescent particles that the Cream, and doesn't have that same time-released moisturizer that's in the Cream. It won't be quite as luminous, either.
  • Tinted Lip Conditioners with Strobe Pearl. YAY! Check out these shades:
    • Strobe Kiss - Sheer coral with golden strobe pearlized pigments.
    • Strobe Rays - Light caramel with golden red strobe pearlized pigments.
    • Strobe Blossom - Light blue/pink with red strobe pearlized pigments.
    • Strobe Current - sheer plum with golden red strobe pearlized pigments.
    • Strobe Beam - clear with strobe pearlized pigments.
  • Source: Specktra .
  • Editor's Unsolicited Commentary: I can't tolerate Strobe Cream, because it breaks me out. I suspect the time-released moisture and the large particles just glop up my pores. The Strobe Liquid is exciting to me! And I can't tell you how excited I am about the Strobe Lip Conditioners. :)
• Last up: The Beauty Powder Blush collection, due on-counter on March 13th. As I just mentioned in this post, I'm not a fan of Beauty Powders, but these sound intriguing. They are micronized powder blushes with a pearl. Reports are that these are more pigmented than the Beauty Powders, which is good because that's why I don't care for Beauty Powders. Here are the 8 Limited Edition shades that are in the collection:
  • Shy Beauty - Pastel apricot with gold pearlized pigments.
  • Feeling - Plum with silver pearlized pigments.
  • Sweetness - Intense blue pink with pealized pigments.
  • Joyous - Peach with gold pearlized pigments.
  • True Romantic - Mid-tone pink with silver pearlized pigments.
  • Serenely - deep brownish red with gold pearlized pigments.
  • Eversun - neutral peach bronze with gold pearlized pigments.
  • Secret Blush - Neutral plum with gold pearlized pigments.
  • Source: Specktra .
  • Editor's Unsolicited Commentary: All I have to say is that these have potential. I'll be interested in Feeling, Sweetness, True Romantic, and Secret Blush if the product is nice.

 

So you wanna be a Supermodel? Check this out:

 

 

 

 

 

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Visit Clinique to custom-fit your bonus!

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Visit Clinique to custom-fit your bonus!

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I wrote about Clinique's Lash Power -and now you can try it! If you love Clinique, then you're probably a "Club Clinique" member (if you're not- then stop standing there! go join!).

Then use the offer code LASH08 at checkout when you spend $50 and get a free sample size of Lash Power Mascara.

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I wrote about Clinique's Lash Power -and now you can try it! If you love Clinique, then you're probably a "Club Clinique" member (if you're not- then stop standing there! go join!).

Then use the offer code LASH08 at checkout when you spend $50 and get a free sample size of Lash Power Mascara.

I need this as much as I need Lynne Spears' childrearing tips

Kathy Hilton, famous for ... um...

... um ...

... famous for marrying a rich dude?

... famous for raising two daughters who like to party?

Well, let's not get bogged down in the details.

Kathy Hilton, better known as Paris' mom, has a new fragrance out. It is also available in a shower gel and body lotion, so you can layer your Hilton-ness.

Here's the party line on the scent, called My Secret:

Elegance. Sophistication. Words synonymous with My Secret by Kathy Hilton, a captivating light, clean, floral fragrance that captures the mysterious secrets of life through a blend of pure, natural ingredients. Perfect for day or night My Secret by Kathy Hilton was inspired by the delicate aromas experienced through her travels around the globe and delicately fusing them together to give you in an intimate and personal scent.

Notes of mandarin, white freesia, peony flower, roses, star jasmine, apricot leaf, sandalwood, vanilla musk and gilded amber.

I'm not totally sure that Kathy Hilton has a secret- and if there is one, I'm not too sure I care...

Blame it on Posh!

Everyone is chopping their hair off, and I'm just loving it. I'm so tired of seeing tons of women who look the same. It's either the really long, slightly-mussed waves, or it's stick-straight bra strap skimming locks. YAWN!

But now - and blame it on Victoria Beckham if you must pass blame - trends are setting the pulses of hairstylists everywhere racing!

Frankly, I don't blame Posh- I completely take responsibility for this trend, as I chopped my hair off into a sexy pixie cut several months ago. But my stunning hair and uncanny tendency to set trends aside, this is definitely something new to watch!

Keep reading for some hot short hair looks!

No discussion of short hair should begin with anyone other than the amazing Ayness Deyn. This British model is the current darling of the fashion world, and I certainly can see why! She's able to stride between sweet and ethereal and tough and edgy, working the editorial shoots and the runway with the greatest of ease. Would she be as striking with long hair, even if it were platinum? Let's hope we never have to find out!

Kelly Osbourne is quickly becoming a fashionista to watch! She's almost always impeccably turned-out lately, with stunning shoes and sexy, form-fitting clothing. Check out the signature onyx hair, recently cropped into this side-swept cut. I love this look on her- it's less structured than her former severe, banged bob and it seems to better suit her carefree personality.

One of the first well-known women to chop her hair off at the beginning of this slowly growing trend (several years ago) was Jenny McCarthy. I think this look is amazing on her, and I hope she holds on to it! It still reads as fun and sassy, which is how she seems to be, but it's also smooth, sleek and "respectable" - well-suited for her new position as spokesmom for Autism.

The newest celebrity crop is hot, and I'm so pleased that she went from one short cut to another rather than fleeing to a stylist and begging for extensions! Rhianna debuted a brand spankin' new 'do the other day.

PS: I heard a rumor that the reason Rhianna cut her hair is because hers was the most requested haircut at salons around the world. Well, Rhi, sorry but I think you can expect to see this one everywhere soon!

 

I have to do it. I have to go there:

This is the picture of the celebrity who should never have grown her hair back out!

Why, Alyssa Milano, did you ever think you should have more hair than this? You, the Ambassador for Short Haired Women? You, who wore this cut with spunk, class, and sheer sexiness?

Why would you grow it out?

No biggie- since this is my current haircut, I'll take up the torch. Traitor.

Visit our friends at Total Beauty for more short haircuts to inspire you!

Alberta Ferretti fragrances, skincare and cosmetics on the horizon

Designer Alberta Ferretti has announced a signature fragrance in the works, to be licensed to Elizabeth Arden. This seems a logical choice, as Arden has worked with other celebrities to create fragrances: Danielle Steele, Elizabeth Taylor, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Nanette Lapore, Hillary Duff, and others.

The scent, as yet unnamed, will be available in Spring, 2009 and a line of cosmetics and skincare will follow on its heels.

Source
 

Are you in LA? Are you a fan of Vanessa Minnillo?

Vanessa Minnillo will be at Kohl's in Alhambra, CA to sign autographs. She's there to promote (and unveil) her new fragrance collaboration with FLIRT! Cosmetics. The scent is called GLAMOURAZZI and Vanessa is a FLIRT! "Guest Creator"  who worked with the company to develop this perfume.

If you go to Kohl's and are among the first 150 people in line you are guaranteed an autograph.

Where: 1201 S. Fremont Ave / Alhambra, CA 91803 

When: Wednesday, February 6, 2008. The signing begins at 11:30AM

2008 SAG Awards

The 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards were last night, and the stars were out on the red carpet looking good! Well, and some weren't looking too great, but I'll save that for later.

For my money, the best looking women were these two amazing creatures! Angelina Jolie is flawless (and maybe has an extra glow from her alleged pregnancy - twins are being suggested by some sources!). And America Ferrera is truly beautiful: classy, sophisticated, but still sports a young look.

Read on for more images from the SAG Awards, including some analysis of how the looks were put together.

I do love Jay Manuel, but I also can admit to wondering why he was there. As usual, though, Jay is flawlessly coiffed, though with an unlikely hair color, and you have to admire the eyebrows: so perfectly groomed and nice looking. His skin is perfect, too. A+

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Christina Applegate looks nice from afar, but her continuing problem with tired-looking eyes is still evident when you move in close. They've tried to distract from it with heavy white highlighting in the inner corner of the eye, but it just serves to look overdone - like a tired fairy. Otherwise, I like the look - dewy, slightly bronzed and shimmery skin, sexy dark berry red lips.

To recreate this, use a satin-finish or natural matte foundation, with a soft bronzer on the cheeks and high points of the face. Use cream shimmer patted on the apples of the cheeks, nose and forehead. Lips are lined then filled in with a sheer lipstick or a creamy lipgloss. Eyes: a grey or taupe on the lid, brown-black liner around the lashline (top and bottom), white shimmer shadow smeared liberally on the inner corner of the eye. False lashes with most of the volume centered on the outer half of the eye will help. Top with tons of mascara. Fill in the brows, but keep them on the thin side.

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Marcia Gay Harden's look is not dissimilar to Christina Applegate's, though I like it better.

This look substitutes a deep rose blush almost as a contour on the underside of the cheekbones. The foundation is similar. The coordinating lipstick is flawlessly applied- it's an opaque, satin-finish lipstick and looks very classic. The eyes appear to be greys and taupes, with a discrete touch of lighter shimmer on the inner corners. Mascara is not overdone, and eyebrows are filled in quite naturally.

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Another flawless look. Of course, Cate Blanchett always looks good.

Her skin is matte,  as is her blush which is a soft red. Lips are also a soft red, and also matte. Eyes are  subtle,  and seem to be nude with  maybe a bit of taupe shadow used to line.

Impeccable.

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Debra Messing.

I am speechless. I was taught that if I had nothing nice to say, to say nothing at all. I can say something nice: that's an awe inspiring hair color. If I could carry that off, I would, but my reds fade too quickly.

Otherwise, I have no comment.

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Tilda Swinton.

Again- nice hair color!

Ahem. Moving on...

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This is Ellen Page, of Juno fame. At all of 20 years old, she's got it all figured out. Look at the smooth skin, the soft rosy-red lip, the neutral eyes, a hint of blush. I think some of these women worked with a makeup artist with a one-track mind. Who cares, though, because it's a gorgeous look!

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Oy, Viggo...

Please tell me the beard-goatee-thing is for a movie! That can't be the excuse for the suit-vest-jacket combo, but if the beard comes off at some point, then I will forgive you the ensemble.

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Ellen Pompeo is not my favorite actress - I think she's fairly ordinary talent-wise. However this is a very nice look for her - which is a nice change since usually she looks overdone.

She's got the same skin look most of the other women are wearing, but the blush is a bit softer. Again, though, there's highlight on the cheeks, nose and forehead. The blush is a blue-pink and a tad glossy. The eyes are soft grey, it seems

Joanna Schilp, of Physicians Formula, was the makeup artist responsible for Ellen's look. Her inspiration was the Christian Lacroix fashion show. Here's what she did:

• The foundation was Armani Silk Luminous #4. Concealer was Cle de Peau #2, and Powder was Physicians Formula Organic Wear in Translucent Light Organics.
• The blush was Physicians Formula Organic Wear: Pink Organics
• Lips were Physicians Formula Plump Palette in Mauves, with MAC's Subculture pencil.
• Eyes were Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips for Blue Eyes (tans, greys, soft blues), and Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker in Warm Black.

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According to Lancôme, this was the breakdown for America's look, executed by makeup artist Vanessa Scali:

Inspiration:  Soft, modern take on Hollywood glamour
Lips: Le Lipstique Lip Coloring Stick in Raisinberry and Color Fever Gloss in On Fire
Eye Shadow:  Couture Warms Palette and Stylish Neutrals Palette
Eyeliner:  Artliner in Noir (precision point liquid eyeliner)
Mascara:  CILS Booster XL (super-enhancing mascara base) and High Définicils High Definition Mascara

Found! My Holy Grail Mascara!

The other day, I opened my mail and found, unsolicited, a lovely treat! This package contained information from Clinique on their upcoming product launches and came with a sample of their new mascara. I was completely and utterly disinterested in the product sample because I find most mascaras a disappointment, but I decided to use the mascara 3 days later when I remembered it was there.

Read on for more information about my experience with the new Lash Power Mascara!

Let's have the application results speak for themselves, first, then I'll tell you about the product. Below, on the left we have the before: my naked lashes. On the right we have my lashes post-product. 

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I think it's clear that Lash Power Mascara is lengthening. It's also a tad volumizing without being at all clumpy. And I hate clumpy!

If the results have you interested, then let me tell you a bit more. Lash Power Mascara will be showing up at your local Clinique counter in February. It's a lengthening mascara, but it's more than that. The wand is skinny so it gets all of the tiny little lashes on the corners (sorry for those of you who like a fat or curved wand!).

Another thing that makes this product different from other mascaras is this: Lash Power is a top seller in Asia, which is the market for which it was originally developed. The major complaint there, as one can imagine, is the humidity! It's not hard to think about what that would do to a mascara! Clinique made this mascara to answer the no-smudge requests of the Asian market. The thermal-sensitive mascara is meant to last 24 hours, and it's resistant to water, sweat, humidity, and oils. Remove Lash Power Mascara by wetting a washcloth in warm water (approximately 100° F) and placing it on the lashes, then rinsing away. Really. That's all it takes.

Lash Power is made with polymers and gels that are water-based - as opposed to other mascaras which are wax-based. But the water-based ingredients aren't susceptible to cool water- just very warm water. So it's not phased by most things!

Does it work? In a word: YES.

I put this mascara on in the morning (about 6AM), and it looked great to me (that's when I took the pictures above). I worked a 9-hour day, then came home and took care of the family and cleaned up the house. At about 11PM, I went to take off my makeup. I used my MAC Wipes and removed my "face" as I do every day. I looked in the mirror and damned if that mascara wasn't on still, completely intact. The rest of my makeup was completely gone. I used my MAC Cleanse-Off Oil (which breaks down EVERYTHING) and my Clarisonic brush to make sure my skin was completely clean- when I was done the daggone mascara was still there! AND IT WAS STILL PERFECT. I took a washrag, dampened it with warm water, and held it to my eyes for a few seconds. VOILA! The mascara started to flake off. I used the washrag again, then rinsed my face, and my lashes were naked again.

I haven't yet tested this with a crying jag, but I suspect if it stood up to MAC Wipes and MAC Cleanse-Off Oil a few tears aren't going to phase it. I'm buying this product exclusively from now on. I'm getting some for my mom, too: she has very deep-set eyes and everything smudges on her but I know this won't.

 

Look for Clinque's Lash Power Mascara in Feburary at your Clinique counter or at Clinique online. The product is part of the Nude Blush collection and will retail for $14 USD.

Below are pictures of the wand- sorry they are slightly blurry.