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

Loving the shimmer and shine of Summer weather! My NOTD...

Bobbi Brown's Tinted Moisturizers - the real scoop. PS: Super fair-skinned girls, you'll want to read this!

I have these pesky little freckles. A lot of the time, I think they're super cute. But sometimes I want a flawlessly even complexion. Because of that, I always figured I needed a full-coverage foundation, or at least close to it.

WRONG!

Working for Bobbi Brown recently, I've been using their Tinted Moisturizers (TM) on customers and have been very impressed.

Bobbi's Tinted Moisture products
Their oil-free TM is new, and the original version has been recently repackaged. Both now come in a sleek black squeeze tube. The oil-free version is gel-based and perfect for oily skins - or those of us with oily bits; the original version has jojoba in it and leaves skin soft and hydrated - which is great for normal and dry skins. Guess what? There's a third product in this line! It comes in a pot rather than a tube and it's rich and moisturizing; the EXTRA SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm is ideal for the driest of dry skins.

Here's some of what they have in common:

• They're really lightweight and comfortable on the skin
• All are incredibly easy to blend, they melt into the skin
• A little goes a long way
• All work well with fingers, sponges or a brush
• Bobbi's Tinted Moisturizers leave skin even-toned without covering it like a mask

Here's the stuff you may not have heard about these products...

1. They run dark.
   You'll probably need to go at least one shade -maybe two- lighter than you think you will need. When it's wrong, it's too yellow. You may not want to buy these without swatching them on your skin.
2. They are runny.
   Part of that amazing blendability comes at a price. The original and oil-free tinted moisturizers are thin and therefore may make a bit of a mess coming out of the container --- go slow.
   
   AND
   
   
3. You're going to fall in love with them!
   Definitely. I did!

 

I've seen the oil-free version of this product mentioned on a lot of blogs lately. Hey, it's the newest product, right? But don't let the original and balm versions slip by you if you don't want to do the oil-free thang!

Oh, and as promised...

Fair-skinned girls, this one's for you:

Embrace the pale!!! Bobbi's tinted moisture products come in an uber-fair Alabaster. I can't make promises for the very, very fairest of us all, but many PPP's may be pleasantly surprised. Take a look at my swatches - the Alabaster is too pale for me*. WOW.

*In these swatches, Alabaster  matches my inner arm,
which is really fair. My face is slightly darker,
making Extra Light Tint perfect for me!

For reference, I also swatched Stila's 10 Wats Illuminating Foundation
which, along with Armani's No. 2 Luminous Silk Foundation,
is my go-to shade match. You can see that the Stila is even more
yellow than the two Bobbi products.

I will be wearing these through the whole summer. I have found that using Bobbi's Oil Control Lotion on my oily bits (chin and nose) works great with the original formula. My skin looks amazingly radiant, the cheeks are perfectly hydrated, and my oily spots are kept in perfect check. And with my red areas (around the mouth and nose) evened-out, my freckles show through in the cutest way. I'm sold.

More swatches can be viewed after the jump...

_{Disclosure: I work as a freelance makeup artist for Bobbi Brown.
My opinions aren't for sale, though. And these products were gratis,
but that doesn't make me love them. Their performance does!}

Obsession: Mary Meyer Clothing

This is not a fashion or style blog. I can't help myself, though. These clothes (and a tote!) by Mary Meyer have me hooked! I love that long skirt which, by the way, you are meant to trim to the correct length (the hemline is raw). And the color blocking, block prints, and tie dye make me swoon. I'm a little obsessed. Tell me, what do you think?

Men's Fashion: Leonardo DiCaprio starts a new trend?

Seriously. Is this A Thing? Men in headbands. I don't like it.

Your thoughts? Will you be buying your brother, father, or mane main man a headband any time soon?

MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover - A rebuttal to Temptalia's review.

I have no idea how Christine (AKA Temptalia) does it. She reviews aproximately one gazillion products a month in a thorough, fair, and entertaining way. She covers just about everything and always makes sure there's something for everyone to find there. I read every one of her posts, and I almost always agree with her. What can I say? Great minds think alike!

However...

I read Christine's review of MAC's Pro Eye Makeup Remover  with disappointment when it scrolled up on my Google Reader. She didn't rank it the way she does other product (she usually awards a letter grade after breaking-down aspects of the product). I think maybe that's a good thing, because she panned it! Here's a quote:

"MAC's Pro Eye Makeup Remover ($18.00 for 3.4 fl. oz.) is touted as a gentle eye makeup remover that is “mega-effective” but will still “calm, hydrate, and soothe skin.”  It’s gentle, all right!  While it’s a dream to apply–no stinging, burning, or cloudiness–there’s not much else it does well.

As a makeup remover, it just doesn’t do an effective job at removing eye makeup, even just regular mascara and eyeliner prove to be too hard to handle for this remover.... Given that it’s an eye makeup remover but doesn’t excel at that task at all, I definitely do not recommend this product."

 

So, I thought I'd write a totally friendly and light-hearted rebuttal to her review! And here it is...

MAC's Pro Eye Makeup Remover  . MAC says it's designed to remove eye makeup gently and effectively - but does it?

MAC calls it "mega effective" and assures us that it "lifts off every look..."  Well, if that's the case, why did I rarely sell it when I worked for the company? And despite the fact that it rarely went home in one of my customer's bags, why did I use it CONSTANTLY at the counter?

  Let's break things down a bit, shall we?
Some points to consider:

1. MAC was originally created as a professional line, for makeup artists.
2. Many makeup artists use MAC products.
3. MAC was so popular with artists that the line expanded to sell to retail customers who didn't use makeup professionally.
4. Some MAC products, even today, may be better suited for professional use rather than in every woman's bathroom arsenal.
   
   
   
   

Taking it all off with MAC

MAC has two eye makeup remover products. There's this one, Pro Eye Makeup Remover, often referred to as "the purple one", and Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover ("the peach one").

Gently Off is dual-phase. It has oil-based ingredients and water-based ingredients, which means the product separates into to distinct layers when it's left sitting for awhile. Remember the saying "oil and water don't mix"? The oily bits sit on top of the water-based bits, so- you have to give the bottle a good shake to mix up the layers before you use it.

Pro Eye Makeup Remover is not dual-phase - no shaking required. And no oil to be found.

Why have two options
for removing eye makeup?

Gently Off is, quite frankly, the superior eye makeup remover in the MAC stable. It cuts neatly through eye shadow, creamy paints and sticks, mascara, and even MAC's Liquidlast liners and their Pro Longwear Lipsticks (no mean feat!). Let me tell ya, if you can get off Liquidlast then you can get off a plain eye shadow.

You see, some products need a remover with an oil component to break through the pigments and binders and really get them off of your skin! And Gently Off does this with ease. Removal may not be "one swipe" but it's infinitely easy and effective. My suggestion: saturate a cotton pad and hold it on the lashes, lips, or whatever. After a few moments, gently wipe the product off. Voila!

If Gently Off removes everything,
then why have another option?

This question gets to the crux of it, doesn't it? There are a few reasons, so see if any resonate with you. 

Gently Off has an oily component. This is good (see above), but it can also be bad. How so?

A) Not all of us want to add oils to our faces, even face-friendly oils (and oils bother some contact lens wearers).

B) Despite MAC's claims that "there's no need to rinse", this product leaves an oily residue behind.

C) Have you ever tried to reapply makeup on top of oil or leftover remover? Hint: it slips and slides and the remover keeps trying to remove... Basically, a mess ensues.

And that brings us to Pro Eye Makeup Remover. Without that oily component, we get to remove makeup and not bump up against issues A through C. As Christine points out, it doesn't quite whisk makeup away, though, but at least it's not an oily mess.

As to how that helps makeup artists (and maybe some consumers): as soon as this makeup remover is used, more makeup can be put on. Immediately. With no slipping and no degradation of the new product.

 

 

What this means to you (maybe)  :

If you are someone who likes precise and/or intricate makeup looks, you may want to consider adding this to your makeup bag. Ditto if you are a professional artist.

MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover is perfect for cleaning up tiny messes (ever sneeze immediately after putting on your mascara?). It's ideal for quick changes of shadow color or even blush changes (hello bloggers!). It's stellar when you put makeup where you realize later it shouldn't be - or when you realize you just packed on the wrong color. No oily mess to clean up means quick, efficient touch-ups of still-wet wobbly eye or lip liner.

When you use Pro Eye Makeup Remover, you can use a cotton-tipped applicator to quickly and (somewhat) easily remove small amounts of makeup and then get right back to work, putting a new color on top.

While it may not be the product you want to use on a day-to-day basis or when fighting against longwear products or makeup that has already "set", this makeup remover may still make a difference in your routine.

A final thought...

I'm actually a fan of this product, though I also keep other eye makeup removers handy. Admittedly, it has limited use, but for the times I need it Pro Eye Makeup Remover is truly helpful!

Naturally, consumers like options. But we need to understand why there are different choices to be had, and what makes one product superior to another in some situations.

Maybe we need to label this product "Misunderstood"?

What do you think, pretties?
Do you see occasions when Pro Eye Makeup Remover could be helpful?
Have you tried this remover? What is your opinion?
What's your favorite eye makeup remover?

Did you enjoy this article? Here are some recent BSB posts you may also enjoy:

• Like lotsa mascara? Here's the product for you! Bobbi Brown's Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara (review, swatches, pictures)
• I want to drink my lipgloss. Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Bellini. (review, swatches, pictures)
• I'm looking as fresh as a daisy! Is REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask to thank?
• In which I dissect the looks at the Met Gala: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
• Let LUSH give you a hand. A smooth, silky, gorgeous hand, courtesy of Tiny Hands Solid Serum
• Essie: Lapis of Luxury (nail polish swatches, pictures, review)
• BSB Men's Grooming Special Report! #beardpocalypse

 

_{image sources: MAC artist at work,  oil and water,
woman removing makeup, slipping oily makeup,
really damn precise eye liner}

Like lotsa mascara? Here's the product for you! Bobbi Brown's Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara

OK, it's a helluva long product name. I guess all the short ones were taken? Regardless, this mascara is my new go-to. Super dark black ink, soft curl, nice hold, and a decent length boost, all without flaking? Um, no brainer, right?

Here's the really cool part: Bobbi Brown's newest mascara, Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening, has a nifty little (patented) channel that acts as an ink well, holding extra mascara.

Who cares? You do, if you like multiple coats of mascara like I do! Every time you dip your wand back into the mascara tube, you introduce bacteria and air. With a typical mascara brush, this results in a drastic increase in the yuck factor, and also means you have to pitch your mascara frequently. With this brush, the smooth formula can be swept on each eye, multiple times, with no double-dipping. Sweet.

Bonus points for no smudging and perfect lash definition!

What's your favorite mascara? Do you double-dip? Are you mascara monogamous, or do you tend to play the field?

_{Standard disclaimers:
A) I didn't buy this, but it wasn't PR gratis, either. I was given it as a prize.
B) I am affiliated with Bobbi Brown, kinda. I freelance for the line.
They don't pay me to write reviews, my opinions are my own, and so forth.}

Rachel McAdams - Amazing Sleeping Beauty premiere look!

 


Here's another Hollywood beauty I adore!

Even though I'm not a fan of Rachel McAdams' uber-blonde hair, I am a fan of the actress.

Take a look at this flawless look she chose for her Sleeping Beauty premiere.

Highlights:

• How flattering is that champagne shade on... well, just about everyone?!
• Love the high-waist pants paired with the bustier!
• The bracelets, clutch and earrings are just the right accessories.
• Love the nouveau-Bardot hair!

Now, let's focus on the makeup, shall we? Perfection, still...

• Rachel's skin is flawlessly matte and perfectly bronzed, letting the sheen from her top and jewelry do the shimmering.
• The pinky-red lipstick is especially flattering on Rachel's fair skin, and really elevates the look into Dressy.
• Cheeks are sculpted perfection, but not over-the-top.
• LOVE the eyes! Try a black tightline, topped with gold shadow around the lashes (top and bottom). Blend. Add mascara. Voila!

 

 

 

_{images via}

 

"Season 2 wrap. A remedy to the seven year itch. Finally!" - Dianna Agron cuts her locks

I admit it. I'm a Gleek! And forget hanging on Lea Michele's every note - I am a Dianna Agron fan.

She just chopped her long blonde hair (the quote in the post title was her Tweet to announce the change). Gone are the typical long layers found on Hollywood starlets, replaced by a choppy, shattered bob with lots of texture and movement.

The photography is by Tyler Shields, who also videotaped the whole haircut. If you're a fan of either the show or Dianna, check out the video! She's so adorable. I think we have a huge star on our hands here!

Will you be headed to the salon to ask for "The Dianna"?

I want to drink my lipgloss. Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Bellini. (review, swatches, pictures)

I'm not much of a drinker. I don't go out and get bombed, and never really did. But a nice cocktail or glass of wine, well every now and again that just hits the spot!

I'm assuming that Bobbi Brown had the Bellini cocktail in mind when she named my new favorite lipgloss. I make the connection because I'm startling brilliant (and the gloss's peachy color kinda clued me in). Or maybe Bobbi named it after Bellini, the composer? That makes less sense...

via

 

Yeah, probably not.

Anyway, this new gloss debuted in the Almost Bare collection for Summer '11. In addition to repromoting Bobbi's fragrance, Almost Bare, the set includes three new dark-skin-friendly bronzers and a few other items designed to give you that sunkissed, just-from-the-beach look.

The High Shimmer Glosses are pretty exquisite. Two are fairly dialed-up colors: Citrus is an on-trend coral, Pink Tulle is hot pink. Bellini, on the other hand, is a peached pink that I consider the perfect nude for any time of year.

Take a look:

I wanted to include that oddly dark lip swatch, because I think it showcases the MEGA-SHIMMER in this formula. It's basically fine reflects glitter jampacked in a not-so-sticky base. Where MAC's amazing Dazzleglass formula showcases the beauty of micro-shimmer reflects beautifully, too, Bobbi's version is a bit more grown-up, if you will. Also, MAC tends to throw a bit of duochrome playfulness into their Dazzleglass, and the Bobbi shades are straight-up reflects in a pretty uni-chrome (?) shade. Think MAC's Reflects Pearl, maybe.

Other highlights of the new High Shimmer Lip Glosses:

• Not too sticky, but does have a bit of tackiness
• Really catches the light!
• Soft and comfortable; not heavy
• Sponged-tip applicator (rather than Bobbi's usual brush tip)
• Fresh minty scent (but I don't really taste it)
• Not gritty or crunchy, just smooth and slick

Did I mention that these are flying off the shelves? Yup. I love mine so much it might warrant a back-up, and I rarely say that these days!

So, pretties, do you drink bellinis? Know any songs by Bellini? Dig the nude warmth of the Almost Bare collection? Have any great weekend plans?

A Bellini is a long drink cocktail that originated in Venice. It is a mixture of sparkling wine (traditionally Prosecco) and peach purée often served at celebrations. It is one of Italy's most popular cocktails. - The Wikipedia gods

 

 

<sub>I purchased this gloss with my own pennies. About 2,220 of them.
Please read our review policy on our About tab for more information.

Additional Disclaimer: I am somewhat affiliated with Bobbi Brown.
I freelance for them. I do not receive any financial benefit for writing reviews
for the brand (or any brand). I don't even get free products from them like
some of the bigger blogs! All opinions herein are my own, etc...</sub>

 

I'm looking as fresh as a daisy! Is REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask to thank?

It's time to shed Winter skin and get Spring pretty! And we know that the best way to work Simply Pretty is keep our skin in tip-top shape so any makeup we choose to put on top looks as amazing as we do without makeup at all!

One of my newest skincare finds came my way courtesy of Sephora. I got a tiny little REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask as one of my rewards as a Beauty Insider. (You are a Beauty Insider, aren't you? Gifts, deals... you gotta do it.)

Here's the scoop:

• It's one of those peely masks, so you get the satisfaction of pulling the dried product off of your skin like a lizard shedding!
• The end result promises to be improved tone, firmness, and radience. Who doesn't love that?
• Four fruit acids -lactic, glycolic, tartaric & citric) will be gentle even to sensitive skin (it didn't irritate mine!).
• It's specifically recommended for congested skin (guilty!) and "mature skin" (say what? ok... damn. Is 40 "mature" now?!)
• Papain, an enzyme from papaya, helps exfoliate skin gently.
• Omega 7 helps reduce redness in the skin, while Omega 3 calms and soothes while encouraging the old cells to get on up outta there so new, fresh (YOUNG!) ones take their places.

The point, though, lassies is that my (mature) skin and I look radiant, glowy, and fresh. Perfect for Spring (and Spring makeup!).

Have you used anything from the REN line? What's your favorite method of exfoliating your skin? You do exfoliate, right?

More pictures after the cut, if you want to see the package details, instructions and ingredients...

In which I dissect the looks at the Met Gala: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

I'm going to try to cover some more celeb and modeling makeup on BSB, and I might as well start with the Costume Institute Gala at the Met. As with most events, there was good, bad, and ugly.

I'll jump right in and start with the ugly, just so we can get right past it...

The Ugly...

I can't help but start with Beyonce. Sure, she looked lovely in her skin-tight, fishtail gown. We've seen her pull that look off before, and she's no stupid woman so she sticks with what works. Only... why are women putting themselves through such ridiculous nonsense in 2011? Look at this woman, who needed her husband and an assistant to help her up the stairs in that uber-silly tight dress! Please, Bey, don't do this to yourself. It's a friggin' photo-op, not The Nobel Prize!

Oh, and if you are going to work the red carpet (stairs) in such a dress, you might as well touch-up your roots. Go big or go home. Speaking of big, what are your thoughts on the oddly cut bust that showed off her, well, bust. She was squeezed in that dress every which way!


Otherwise, Beyonce was on-point and on-trend. She's not the first shiny-cheeked celeb we'll discuss. I think a bit more color on the lips would have suited her better, but maybe she chewed it off on the way up the stairs?

While we're discussing tragedies, let's talk about Demi Moore. She's not the only celeb who got carried away by the hats at the Royal Wedding, so she topped her feather-laden dress with an off-balance fascinator. It was simply Too Much. PS: Did anyone spot Ashton? He seemed to be MIA. Hmmm....

Makeup-wise, Demi did fine. It was a wise choice to keep things simple with an outfit that surely did not. She has such pretty eyes... I wish she chose things that played them up, even if that was at the risk of making less of a fashion statement. When is too old for silly hats? Don't ask the Queen. Nevermind...

Moving on to a queen of another kind, here's Naomi Campbell. Or is she a princess? Regardless, she must have had a spat with her stylist because this outfit is all kinds of wrong, as is what I can see of the hair and makeup. Frankly, I didn't have the heart to keep digging for close-ups. This is simply terrifying.

Serena Williams. I hope this fascination with fascinators is over soon. This looks silly. I wonder if Serena is styled ultra-femme to counter-balance her strong (and sexy!) muscles? If so, I think this look is erring too far on the other side. Too feathery, too lacy,, too floofy, too-too. Between the dess and the hat, I think we've got a double fault. (Her hair and makeup look nice, though, non?)

It appears Fergie thought she was getting married again. She's dwarfed by the dress (and her hubby). Also, she still doesn't seem to have gotten comfortable on the red carpet when it's not music-related. Relax, girl. You're amazing! You're rich, talented, and pretty! Just have fun...

Leighton Meester. I'm  not so old that I don't know who she is, but old enough that I have no idea how or why she's famous. Let's dissect, shall we? A) The dress. I think it must have confidential info sewn into it, so she tried to shred it. B) Shoes. See the dress. C) The severely pulled-back hair. The Black Swan look is so 2010. D) The makeup. It makes no statement at all. Yawn. To play devil's advocate against myself, at least she had the sense not to wear a necklace. The earrings and the bracelet are the perfect accompaniment to all of the other nonsense. And her skin looks lovely. (See? I'm not all snarkiness!)

Do you have any idea how much it kills me to put Iman in this category? But take a look. 'Nuff said.

 

 

The Bad

If you'd like to click on this picture of Christina Hendricks, you can see it larger. I wouldn't, if I were you. For such a slam-dunk beauty of a woman, she sure can dress poorly! Is it just that people don't know how to dress a full-breasted woman, or does she have "quirky taste"?

On the flipside, I would rank her high on the makeup scale - her flawless skin is always lovely, her cheeks glowy (!), her makeup visible, trendy, but appropriate. If only I could get past that outfit...

If you have a product reccomendation for that amazing pinky-coral cheek color, please let me know! So stunning. I have MAC's Light Flush MSF. I wonder if I apply it over a coral, wet...?

I think maybe this is actually a Good, but I couldn't decide. I love Chloe Sevigny. I think she's edgy, interesting, and different. I had to lump her in this group, though, because edgy doesn't have to mean disheveled. Her hair is a hot mess. And her eye makeup is odd: pretty, but what's with the clumpy lashes? I have read that this is A Trend, but I think it's ridiculous. Aw, man...I am old!

Bonus for the shiny cheeks, though!

Renee Zellweger's ex, Bradley Cooper, was at this event with his mother. Wonder if that was awkward? Maybe that explains why she looks all kinds of grumpy in these shots? And I understand she's very fit. A runner. But she's sooooo skinny... I just can't get into that look.

What do you think of Renee's somewhat haphazard hairdo? Her makeup appeared on-point (great brows!). And the lines on that dress are amazing for her. But still... I'm underwhelmed. The color washes her out and even the sparkles and embellishments can't save her.

I used to think that Miranda Kerr could wear a set of workman's overalls and look ethereal. I mean, she's fab and with the perfect accessory (Orlando Bloom), how could she possibly fail? Well, in my mind, she's failed her. I like the idea - fun, flirty. But the execution ended up looking juvenille and confusing. Love the hair, though, in this case, and the color is so pretty on her. If only it didn't look like a bunch of her son's receiving blankets sewn up together in a last-minute Cinderella-style effort at dress-up.

I think Jennifer Hudson is gorgeous. I thought so before she rehabbed her look and lost weight, and I still think so. But this dress leaves me feeling lukewarm. The color isn't the best choice for her (I want to see her in coral or something else fun and bright!). And I'm not sure I love what's going on with all the gathers and gauzey layers. I'm just not sure...

The ponytail is lovely. Great choice! I do think Jennifer's makeup could have used some oomph (besides the shiny cheeks, that is).

Jennifer Lopez probably should have gone in the Ugly column, but frankly I had to give her props for the makeup and it's the only thing that saved her. I love the color of this outfit, and I love the little floral bolero. And I love the cut on the bodice of the dress. But I don't like the length on Jennifer, nor do I like the fullness of the skirt with the bodice. And the bolero on top is just too busy. Too much going on!

I love the slightly multi-tone lipstick look, though. I like seeing Jennifer with color on her face instead of the same neutral, glowy bronze look she does all of the time!

Sweet Taylor Swift  wore a dress that's just too much for her. She's too young for the seriousness of this gown, and too pale for this soft champagne shade. I do love her lipstick, though, and the lovely glowing skin.

Rihanna is here mostly because I think her hair looks ridiculous. The dress is probably about what I'd expect from her (nice, sexy, but not surprising). I would have loved to have seen RiRi have more fun. I mean, it's the Met Gala for Heaven's sake! If you can't wear a nutty costume here, where can you?

Rumor Willis looks lopsided. The dress is fun, but wouldn't you rather see her in a striking emerald green? And the one-shoulder thing (is that still "in"?) is fine and dandy but not with your hair leaning in the same direction. Rumor Willis - Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not a cute look.

The Good

 

I am not even a fan of Kate Hudson (what is it that bugs me about her? please tell me!), but I have to admit: she almost always looks great! This color is different enough from her skintone that it doesn't make her look pale or boring. It makes her look radiant!

The boho hair with that amazing brooch pinned to the front are perfect for her, and for the dress. The soft pinky-mauves suit her coloring beautifully, and her eyes are perfectly defined without being overdone. And the cheeks... shiny. Of course.

I have to say I never expected to put Amy Pohler on my best-of list, ever. But look at the unique eye makeup (compared to her peers). The warm neutrals suit her, but with the shadow pulled out to the temple she's actually making a statement - one of the few stars who did!

I'm not so sure about the hair, but the rest of everything really works. And shiny cheeks? Check!

Bar Refaeli is a goddess. Can we all just admit it? From stunning beaded gown in just the right shade of champagne to the turquise accessories that pulled out the hue in the elaborate beadwork to the oh-so-perfectly tussled hair, she's got it all right. And the makeup is gorgeous, glowing shiny cheeks and all!

 

I'm not sure where Blake Lively got her start (was it on that whatever project with Leighton whatshername?), but she's everywhere now, isn't she? I am so digging her as a redhead. Everyone's blonde. This not only suits her coloring, but makes her stand out in a crowd of fair-haired beauties. 

I saw Blake on a few worst-dressed lists for this event, but really I think her whole look is lovely. The muted tone isn't wrong for her coloring and lets her new haircolor take the focus. The draping on this dress is unique and suits Blake's slammin' figure.

Besides, the Met Gala is where celebs traditionally have a bit more fun with their gowns. They get a little loose, a little frisky when it comes to their styling. I think she knocked this one out of the park!

Look at Blake's amazing tousled curls - perfect for the more ornate dress. A nice balance. Had she worn tighter curls or a more severe look, this whole deal would have gone haywire. Same thing holds for her makeup: soft, glowy (shiny cheeks!), and flattering, without taking the spotlight away from her overall look.

 

Here's another one who rarely gets things wrong: Diane Kruger. Despite her fair skin and blonde locks, she never looks icy. She always manages to look modern and glamorous at the same time. No mean feat!

I adore her perfect eyebrows, the elegant swooping hairline with the Veronica Lake curls, the pitch perfect red lips. Amazing. What else is there to say?

Ginnifer Goodwin is, to me, the perfect celebrity at these events. She knows when to pull back, and when to push. This time, she pushed with one of Springs "it colors" - a pretty ocean blue. And she put the focus on the inner corner, like we talked about recently. When you factor in the messy pixie cut and the best brows in the biz, well, you've got red carpet perfection!

I love that Ginnerfer paired the blue eyes with this dress, and pulled that same color from the strap of her shoe. Excellent choice. I'm not sure I'd have ever picked this dress for her, but it all works, doesn't it?

Since we're talking about daring and having fun, let's move on to Isabel Lucas, shall we? Look at this amazing Roaring Twenties look in Spring 2011's favorite shade, coral! The headpiece, the earrings...

I do wish she'd used a tiny touch of color on her cheeks or lips (one or the other) but otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.

The Hollywood Mommies were looking stunning at the Met, weren't they? First Kate Hudson, now Jessica Alba. My first reaction was that I didn't like this dress, but the more I looked the more I thought it was an excellent choice. Clearly, it's perfect for floating over a pregnant belly, but that color - what a radiant look! Even the most tired pregnant mommy would look glowy and happy in that. +

I love the pregnant goddess look with Jessica's hair, too, don't you? What I would tweak would be to add a bit more bronzer on the face to warm things up. And I wish there were just the teensiest bit of shine on those cheeks. ;)

 

Miss Madonna is winning back my heart. For awhile now she looked a mite Trying Too Hard, didn't she? But this whole look is perfection. The color suits Madonna well, the gown says "Hollywood Royalty", and she must not have worked-out for hours before the event because her arms aren't scary and vein-y like they usually are. She looks polished and perfect. All hail the Queen of Pop.

I can't see Madonna and Angelina Jolie hanging out and talking, but Madonna did borrow a page from Angie's book here. The smooth complexion, the classic cat eye... it's old school beauty that never falls out of style. And red lipstick? Gorgeous.

Sarah Jessica Parker looks a tiny touch matronly, but I have to give props for a woman who seems to be aging gracefully. If only her hair had just a bit less volume...

 

I may be standing out her on my own with this one, but I thought Christina Ricci looked marvelous. This goth-y style suits her well, and the dress isreally a technical marvel!

I do wish she'd worn her hair down...

Melania Trump doesn't get the last spot because she was best-dressed, but because I just love that stunned look on her face. "What? There are photographers here?" Mmmmm-hmmmm. Sure, you weren't expecting them!

While I don't like the sound of First Lady Melania, I do think she looks glamorous at the Met.

The...? Err... 

  Which Olsen is this? I can't keep them straight. I know that's not PC, but they are so similar (they are twins, after all) and both are so damn pouty. If you're going to go do a red carpet, at least muster up a smile. And if you're in such a sucky mood you can't, go home.

The random hot dude.
 

Bradley Cooper. Because I can...

 

Special Props to...

I had to give this honorable mention-type mention to Kristen Stewart. She has really warmed up on the red carpet. She looks more comfortable in her role and in her fancy attire. I know she still slips into something more rock-and-roll as soon as possible, but while she's in the event she's gracious, poised, and even smiles now!

Plus, she's the freakin' Queen of the Rockin' Smoky Eye!

 

Who were your favorites from The Met Gala this year? Who flopped? Who was your biggest head scratcher? And are your cheeks shiny yet?!

Let LUSH give you a hand. A smooth, silky, gorgeous hand, courtesy of Tiny Hands Solid Serum

Listen, I am doing you a favor here, telling you about this product. I've got your back. But let's be real: I'm also dong this for me. The more of you who fall in love with LUSH's lovely Tiny Hands Solid Serum the better. Then it won't be going anywhere (as in "bye bye" as in suffering the fate The Soft Touch, another nice solid hand lotion. RIP.).

Key Points:

1. Tiny Hands contains soothing and intensely hydrating argan oil, aloe vera, cocoa and shea butters.
2. It smells intensely of amazing wildflowers and vanilla.
3. A little goes a long way, so this puppy should last a good long time.
4. It sinks in pretty nicely, so you're not leaving oily marks on everything you touch. Bonus!
5. Vegan girls can go wild - there are no animal products in this serum.
6. It's $5.95. Haay!

If I have to be totally honest -and I do, that's my promise to you! - there are a few minor "issues":

• Tiny Hands is melty. That's the point, of course, it melts into your skin as you rub it onto your hands or any other rough bits. But, as you can see from the smooshed bits in the picture above, it's not terribly durable in the heat. The smudges are simply from sitting in the protective tin container in a box on the porch (thanks a lot FedEx dude). This definitely rules it out as my go-to purse lotion. Ya know what I mean?
  
  
• I mentioned the scent, right? Sure, it's marigold-licious. But strong. Really strong. As in say goodbye to your perfume and any other scented product in the room. No, really. It's one of those products that gives LUSH that "wow, that's quite a strong smell" reputation! I love the scent, but it's relegated Tiny Hands to my nightstand where I can enjoy it solo and let the moisturizing work without clashing with my perfume.
  
  
• You've gotta buy the tin to keep this in. See the first point in this list. Mine came with one, but that doesn't seem to be the rule, and I can't believe this sweet, smelly serum is going to hold up even on a nice little dish on the table. :(

_{This product was furnished for consideration by the manufacturer or a representative thereof.
Please read our review policy on our About tab for more information.}

 

BSB Men's Grooming Special Report! #beardpocalypse

Shaved and shorn or scruffy and... sexy? How do you prefer your Conan? I like mine with a dose of Will Ferrell!

Ferrell drew a line in the sand the other day when he said about Conan O'Brien's beard, "That thing's a huge mistake and I'm going to come there and fix it myself...Whether you like it or not, I'm going to shave your beard."

He added, "Circle the date [May 2] on your calendar because I am circling your face like a vulture who eats hair ... I am serious, beardly serious."

The stage was magically transformed into a barbershop, and after a bracing gulp of Barbicide (you know, the blue stuff combs soak in?), Ferrell got to work.


The end result clearly made Ferrell pleased, though Conan seemed less convinced.




The nitty gritty:
I'm sure you're dying to know the beauty tool details, and I have them!

• The blade Ferrell prefers is called "Excalibeard". This cutting edge implement takes advantage of the green beauty movement: it's "not battery operated. It runs on pure rightousness."
• The technique used was very zen. Ferrell instructed Conan to "just sit back and let the blade flow over you." Also observed, a novel circular shavig motion.

So tell me:

Does Will Ferrell have a legitimate side job here? Do you have a friend, hubby, bf, or coworker sporting some unpleasant facial hair? Are you inspired to take matter into your own hands, now? Is your man ready to "feel the steel"?

Watch the shave go down:

Editor's Note: No comedians were harmed during this event. A professional came in and "tidied up" Conan's new look, and luckily Will Farrell came with a nice haircut (whew).