Lipstick

Oprah’s Favorite Things For Summer

Posted on May 16, 2008 by daneen in Blush, Eye Shadow, Lipstick, Makeup Brush, Mascara, Nail Polish | 3 Comments

Today, Oprah surprised her audience with her top things for summer. When producers first approached O about doing this summer version of her favorite things show, she wasn’t feeling it. “My producers pleaded with me to do this topic today, and I didn’t want to do it,” Oprah said. “So I said, ‘Absolutely not. I am not doing Oprah’s Favorite Things for summer.’” But after thinking about it, Oprah changed her mind…good thing for her studio audience, fans around the globe, and the brands whose products made the cut.

Gayle King, Oprah’s BFF and the editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine, stopped by to unveil her favorite of the Spring Makeup O-wards.

“Don’t you hate it when you get something in very pretty packaging, and then you open it up and the product is not as good?” Gayle asks.

“The thing with Yves Saint Laurent is that we thought the packaging was so pretty and we liked all of the products. It was hard to pick just one, so we picked everything in the line—the marbled blush, the lipstick and the eyeshadow.”

Another standout is the CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara. “This was the first time anybody’s come to the offices with a scientist to explain how [the makeup] works,” Gayle says. “This is the scientific explanation: A dual polymer system keeps the mascara from migrating underneath your eyes. That’s code for it doesn’t smudge.”

OPI Nic Stick’s Paint & Go Nail Lacquer is a portable pen filled with nail polish, perfect for anyone who smudges as soon as they leave the salon.

No one wants to wear heavy makeup in the summer heat, so Gayle’s final two favorites made the grade for their light texture.

“Clé de Peau lipstick is silky and feels light on your lips,” Gayle says. “And I like the fact that it’s so sleek and slender in your purse.” She gave Rimmel Mousse Blush major props for its high-quality, light formula and low price.

Oprah also added one of her beauty faves to the list – NARS Cosmetics Kabuki Artisan Botan Brush.

“I love a great brush,” she said. “It’s perfect for loose powder, for buffing and for blending.”

Click here to read about all of the O-wards winners.

Source: Oprah.com

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine

Posted on April 19, 2008 by daneen in Beauty Tips, Lipstick | Leave a comment

If you buy one lipstick this Spring, make it Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine. Actually, buy more than one…that’s how gorgeous they are.

Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine is “the first lipstick to incorporate a blend of light-reflective pearls together with Shu Uemura’s groundbreaking hybrid pigment to create professional caliber brilliance for lips.” And the unique, hydrating formula practically melts onto lips and helps them retain their natural moisture.

The swatches below demonstrate the high color fidelity and shimmering, dimensional shine. From left to right: WH 002S, RD 174S, BR 775S, BR 755S, and OR 563S.

Shu Uemura Principal Makeup Artist Jason Hoffman shares the following tips on how to get the best look with the product:

*For a light glossy stain, apply directly from the tube.
*If you want a slightly heavier shine, use a brush to apply. The brush will pick up more product and blend it evenly on the lips.
*For more color depth and long lasting wear, pair the crystal shine with a pencil.
*As with all Shu Uemura lipsticks, crystal shine is great for eyes and cheeks. Use a synthetic foundation brush and apply on the apples (the colors look very fresh and the shimmer offers a beautiful sheen).
*For the eyes, use a synthetic concealer brush. Beiges and browns will be the easiest to wear on the eyes as reds and oranges can often make you look tired.
*Every woman should own the shade WH (white) 002S. It is so versatile! It can be used alone for a light glossy finish or layered over ANY lip color. It will lighten the color and give it a hint of pink shimmer. Spoiled Pretty agrees – this shade is a must-have!
*The shade BG (beige) 901S is also a must have for anyone who likes wear a smoky eye. It is the perfect beige that compliments browns, purples, greens, blues and black.

Available in 17 shades, Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine is sold at select Neiman Marcus stores, select Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and at shuuemura.com.

My Kim Kardashian Lip Look

Posted on April 15, 2008 by daneen in Celebrities, Kim Kardashian, Lipgloss, Lipstick | 2 Comments

The other day, I posted Kim Kardashian’s 10 step makeup routine. I mentioned that my personal recipe for Kim K lips is MAC Lipstick in Syrup plus MAC Plushglass in Foolishly Fab.

I received a few emails asking for swatches. I’m all about serving the people, so here ya go. Click the pic for a larger view.

It’s so gorgeous on…you don’t even know. I would have puckered up, rather than snap pics of my inner arm. But my upper lip is late for a meeting with the wax, if you know what I mean. And no one wants to see that.

For more of Kim Kardashian’s beauty and makeup tips, click here!

Besame Mucho

Posted on April 4, 2008 by daneen in Lipgloss, Lips, Lipstick | Leave a comment

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” -Gwyneth Paltrow

If you let me loose in a makeup store, chances are I’m going to head for the lipsticks and glosses first. I gravitate towards pinks and neutrals, and don’t usually give reds the time of day. Oh how wrong I’ve been.

I was recently introduced to Besame’s Enchanting Lipstick in Red Velvet, and it has absolutely has won me over. This might sound odd, but I would compare it to a Jersey gown…while wearing it, you look ultra-feminine and sophisticated – but feel completely comfortable.

Red Velvet is a neutral red, so it’s wearable and compliments a variety of skin tones. The creamy, semi-matte finish ensures an elegant lip look that won’t feather. And I’m impressed by the unique double design – use the tip to line lips before filling in. Genius!

And how gorgeous is the gold bullet packaging? I imagine iconic beauties like Grace Kelly and Dorothy Dandridge carried something like this in their purses. Or perhaps a Bond girl might hide this in her décolletage.

Apply straight from the tube for a boldly pigmented pout. Or dab on with your finger for an effortless-looking stain. If you’re more of a gloss gal (I feel ya), swipe Besame’s Enriched Lip Glaze in Crystal on top…it’s non-sticky and smells faintly of coconut.

Kick ass!

Bobbi Brown’s Nude Lip & Eye Palette Is Pure Genius

Posted on March 20, 2008 by daneen in Eye Shadow, Lipstick | Leave a comment

I love me a makeup palette. I’m constantly on the go, and chaos has always been one of my strong suits. I could spend five minutes digging in my cavernous purse for a lipgloss that I know is in there somewhere, but I still can’t manage to find. So finding a sleek palette that contains high quality, versatile colors is a godsend. One that I’m just wild about is Bobbi Brown’s Nude Lip & Eye Palette.

This two-tiered, mirrored kit features all-new shimmer and matte shadows, four nude Lip Colors, and two mini brushes: a mini dual-ended Eye Shadow/Eyeliner Brush and Lip Brush with a protective cap. As you can see on Bobbi’s models (above), the palette contains universally flattering hues. The shadows are beautiful on their own, but even more fabulous when blended together.

This photo of my haphazard handiwork proves that the shades are equally gorgeous on a non-model like me. All I did was mix them together and swipe over my entire lid. So easy, a cavewoman can do it!

“The Nude Collection was inspired by color I see naturally in women’s faces,” says Bobbi. “Nude makeup is pure genius because it’s easy to apply and it enhances the natural tones of your skin. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who loves a naturally sexy look.”

Click here for a video of Bobbi creating her nude looks.

The Nude Lip & Eye Palette is already sold out online – yeah, that’s how genius it is. So visit your nearest Bobbi Brown counter to see if it’s in stock.

My New Fave Lipgloss: Reflection is Perfection

Posted on March 19, 2008 by daneen in Lipgloss, Lipstick | Leave a comment

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics describes their Reflection Lipgloss as clear and glassy, with a hint of shimmer. But don’t believe them. It’s so much more than that.

It’s more like a white-gold pearlescent shimmer shine that takes your lip look to the next level. Wear it on bare lips, or over your favorite lip color to kick it up a notch.

Check out my pout (pictured, left). I’m wearing Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lipstick in Cuvee (shimmer w/ a hint of pink and brown), with Lipgloss in Reflection layered on top.

Shu Uemura Spring 2008: Rebirth

Posted on February 28, 2008 by daneen in Blush, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, Lashes, Lipstick, Mascara, Nail Polish | 1 Comment

This Spring, shu uemura introduces their 126th collection, aptly named REBIRTH, in which Mr. Uemura tells a story about nature blooming in spring.

REBIRTH embraces the energy of the season, and translates these elements through vibrant colors. The collection features an abstract image of a flower blooming, drawn by Mr. Uemura himself. This collection is very special, as it was his last before passing away in December.

The REBIRTH collection includes the following limited-edition products:

*Tri-Color Eye Pencil in Aqua Flow and Energy Flow
*Pressed Eye Shadow in Spring Breeze, Earth Brown, Sun Stream, Yellow Elation, and Pristine Green
*Rouge Unlimited in Dewy Beige, Pink Bloom, and Serene Pink
*Glow On in Harmonious Orange and Tranquil Pink
*Nail Enamel in Gold Zest and Innocent Beige

As a tribute to this collection and Mr. Uemura’s work, shu uemura Principle Makeup Artists Jason Hoffman and Misumi Kitano created three very special looks.