Yes it tis’ the season to look your most beautiful self! And to be cheery about it! Yes the holidays are just right around the corner! And now is the time to start preparing those holiday gift ideas. Or adding the latest cosmetic line of colors to your own beauty routine! With so many parties to go to. As well as entertaining in your own home with guests and family. The holidays bring out lots of sparkle and shine. So now is the time to add this to your eye shadows, blushes and lip glosses! I have selected Smashbox - one of my own favorite cosmetic brands! And bringing to you the latest fall colors of 2008! Remember when looking for the right fall colors, pick your favorite brand and go to your local cosmetic representative at either Nordstrom or Saks and get a free make-over! Yes, they will do this for you! As these skillfully trained beauty consultants will get the right colors for your skin tone. And will have you walking away with the right foundation, eye shadows and lip color. Unique to you. So have fun this holiday season! ~

RAPTURE BEST OF SMASHBOX KIT Value $42 for only $19.00!

My pick for best value out the Smashbox collection is the Rapture best of Smashbox kit. Which includes Smashbox best-sellers for eyes, cheeks and lips in convenient travel sizes - perfect for your holiday clutch or carry-on. The set includes Bionic Mascara in Jet Black, mini fusion soft lights in Dusk, and mini lip enhancing gloss in Aura. All for $19.00! The fusion soft lights can also be used on eyes as a soft, shimmering shadow. Blend the colors together for a radiant halo of color, or use different shades to contour and highlight.

INSIDER SECRET #9: Add extra sparkle to the holidays. To brighten & open up eyes, apply gold or white shimmering shadow to the inner corners for dazzling results.

RAPTURE LIP GLOSS SET Limited Edition! Value $90 - Retails at $29.00

Get glam with this party-perfect set of award-winning, ultra moisturizing lip gloss. The set includes three best-selling shades and three holiday exclusives. Wear alone or layer together for instant color and stunning shine!

Source: Smashbox Cosmetics

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer 2008

From catwalk-inspired cosmetics to cutting-edge skincare and timeless fragrances, Christian Dior has brought us some of the most luxurious, trendsetting, and fashionable beauty products around. It’s this magical mix of couture-meets-cosmetics that not only attracts celebrities, supermodels, and the society set, but also has solidified Dior’s reputation as one of the most unabashedly stylish beauty brands in the world.

Dior makeup palette, $70, available at Sephora

The name Dior conjures many fabulous things, one being the out-of-this-world makeup. This new palette, however, is inspired by another woman in the company’s employ, house DJ Harley Viera-Newton, and as such it has more real-life applications. Designed for on-the-fly touch-ups and post-work upgrades, the kit includes mini versions of the brand’s unmatchable Black Out mascara, Addict Pink Organza lip gloss, a great neutral blush, and six flattering eye shadows. Even better, it’s all housed in a leather logo case that could easily double as an evening clutch.

Backstage Beauty Essential Kit - $79.00

A must-have beauty kit for the urban sophisticate. The Dior Backstage Beauty Essential Kit is the perfect runway-ready set for the diva on the go! This set contains a 0.2 oz Lip Maximizer, Eye Show in 092 Glam & Glitz Black (shimmering black), Diorshow Mascara in Black, and a mini Crayon Eyeliner.
So if you are one of those busy business women in the world, or working mom’s. Try one of these kits to keep you going!

Source: Style.com, Sephora

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer 2008

Celebs Beyonce and Fergie think pink (source)

Couture in the City reader Shara asks:

Q:  Will hot pink lips be trendy for spring/summer of 2009?

A: Hmmm…that’s a tough one Shara. Hot pink lips were trendy in the spring of ‘07, and are making huge waves now (Rihanna is always softening her edgy look with hot pink lips), so it’s hard to say. If you are itching to try a hot pink trend, I would do it now, at the tail end of summer and before winter sets in. Check out your local pharmacy and grab a few different hot pink shades to see what works best with your skin tone. You can work a hot pink lip right now in a very fierce way with a smoky eye and a sleek but chic ensemble.

My most favorite hot pink lip gloss is no longer available (the MAC Fafi edition…so perfectly punk), but you can still snap up some great pink shades from MAC. For a very high fashion look, go for a paler hot pink like Wonderstruck or Ensign from MAC:

MAC Lustreglass, $14.00

The lighter shades of hot pink that were seen on the runway are the perfect compliment to winter florals, grays and muted shades of plum and navy. For a softer fall hot pink look, keep the rest of your color palette muted and make your lips the focal point.

My makeup trend forecast for fall calls for peachy lip glosses (just call it a hunch) so enjoy your pink lips now!

Got an insider tip on your favorite hot pink lip glosses? Leave a comment and let us know which is your favorite and why (not sticky, long lasting, tastes like strawberries, whatever…). Happy glossing!

Simple, chic, and sometimes with freckles shining through, the au natural look gets updated and subtly illuminated with peachy, pinky shades to give a slight punch that looks almost doll-like. Makeup artist Tyron Machusen explains, “For lips, these shades of apricot and pink are flattering on everyone and really complement a gorgeous, fresh complexion.”

FOR GLISTENING EYES

For eyes that glisten, first cover dark circles, and even the upper lid with a reflective concealer. Apply champagne shadow to lids, then define the upper lash line with deep brown shadow. Bolster lashes with a coat of lash primer, and finish with blue-black mascara to instantly brighten the eyes.

Wicked Lovely Eye Shadow Duo

What it is: A luxurious eye shadow duo.

What it does: Smashbox Wicked Lovely Eye Shadow Duo is exactly what you need to create a smoldering look for evening.

What else you need to know: This limited-edition product has a velvety cashmere texture which glides on for buildable color and blends smoothly for looks that last.

Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

What it is: A brush-on under eye brightening cream.

What it is formulated to do: Photo shoots often start early in the morning when models and celebs aren’t quite looking their best, but those dark circles are now a thing of the past! With this lightweight brightener, you’ll be camera ready in no time! It works to make you look your best so you’ll be prepared for any photo opportunity that pops up!

FOR LUMINOUS SKIN

Start by filling in fine lines with a clear wrinkle filler. Then highlight the bridge of the nose, brow bones, and the upper lip with a dab of luminizer. Add a girly glow to the look with a dusting of peachy-pink blush on the apples of the cheeks, and brush a bronzy highlighter up towards the temples.

Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion

It’s all in the lighting … luminize your face by blending this oil-free lotion into your foundation. Ginkgo biloba and Japanese green tea will add a natural glow.

FOR PEARLY LIPS

For lush lips, first smooth them out with a lip exfoliator. Then outline and fill them in with shimmery nude lipstick. Take the shine up a notch with a layer of peachy gloss.

Wicked Lovely Doubletake Lip Color

What it is: A double-ended lip pencil and creamy lip color in one.

What it does: Create gorgeous lips with the Smashbox Wicked Lovely Doubletake Lip Pencil.

What else you need to know: The vitamin-packed formula has caffeine and nourishing wheat glycerides to moisturize and protect lips.

Source: Sephora, Smashbox

Eyes by Elizabeth Arden

Just when I was beginning to tire of my eye makeup routine, Elizabeth Arden did it again…as if they were reading my mind, they have come out with a new palette of fun fall hues. And on the top of my wishlist? Navy blue mascara with matching eyeshadow. This combination is the perfect compliment to looks that are coming out this fall (hello heavy bangs and winter floral dresses!).

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Duo in Peacock, $24.50

Now I know what you may be thinking; blue eyeshadow? I was skeptical too…before I got this lovely duo, I dismissed blue eyeshadow as something I wore in middle school, sadly paired with deep red matte lipstick  (hey, it was the 90’s, okay?). I couldn’t have been more wrong…the Peacock duo is a rich combination of deep teal and powdery light blue that when blended just right, makes for a stunning evening eye. Pair this shadow with navy mascara and you can create a look straight from the pages of next month Vogue.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Mascara in Midnight, $20.00

Still not sold on blue? Elizabeth Arden is on top of all of the fall makeup trends and offers a great range of colors in their Color Intrigue line. I’m also a big fan of the Black Currant duo which brings in smoky plums and lilacs that will also be hot this season. All seven of these duos are offered in sleek, limited edition compacts featuring one of Elizabeth Arden’s favorite quotes; “To be beautiful and natural is the birthright of every woman.”

This fall, get a little adventurous and break out of your usual makeup routine…create “intriguing” looks with Elizabeth Arden’s limited edition collection. Your lips just might get jealous.

Fall beauty is going dark and sensuous. Dark aubrey and chocolate colors are in. Deep and glossy or dark and matte is the look to achieve. The chocolate look is very decadent and rich. To get the look, we get advice from top notch make-up artists in the biz.

Make Up For Ever’s makeup artist, Fulvia Farolfi, gives us all the motivation we need to go all out for wildly red lips. She loves ultra-dark reds, burgundies, and blacks, mostly paired with pale skin.

First, outline lips with dark liner, blending the color in towards the center of the lip. Next, use a lip brush to apply deep-tone lipstick, so you can get it just right. Fill in between the lines, and blend well. For an extra dramatic finish, apply a lip mattifier to remove all shine.

Go to Classic Glam to get the look.

Smashbox Cosmetics gets wicked this season with their 2008 fall line up. Now I personally love these colors and this look. I was in a Sephora store the other day and tried the Smashbox look. I loved the Wickedly Lovely Lip Gloss in Sultry. Great color, goes on smooth. And leaves a rich bold glossy finish. Almost like wearing coffee and chocolate on your lips!

Now embrace the dark side with a sinfully bold black cherry pout paired with soft smoky eyes and flushed cheeks!

For bold color that lasts, line and fill in lips with LIP PENCIL in TEMPT, then apply LIP GLOSS in SULTRY for dimension and shine.

The Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss collection from Smashbox cosmetics. I love it!

Source: Smashbox cosmetics, Sephora

Ok my beauty divas! Here is your chance to become the next Breakthrough In Beauty star! Ok, so you’ve had that really good idea in the back of your head about creating that next cosmetic brand. Or that all natural anti-aging skincare line. Maybe you have even gone as far to create that basement chemist lab! But here is your chance. To create something great! Because Breakthrough In Beauty is here to make that dream happen.

Beauty entrepreneurs can submit innovative beauty products and ideas for consideration to become the next $100 million beauty brand. (Wow!) All up and coming beauty visionaries can submit their products only until August 30, 2008 at www.BreakthroughinBeauty.com. Finalists will be announced in late September and will participate in a two-day “Breakthrough in Beauty” event for a final round of competition to determine the winner of this year’s search!

Only the Best will compete for this incredible offer - be in the spotlight - and become the next beauty product Star!

“Breakthrough in Beauty™ represents a new, more personal era in beauty retailing,” explained Marina Randolph, Founder of Breakthrough in Beauty. “By continually searching for and accepting only the very best in undiscovered concepts, incubating them and providing them with growth opportunities and guidance, we enable innovators to thrive. Their products become irreplaceable – and more importantly, accessible – in women’s lives.”

2007 Breakthrough in Beauty™ winner: Timeless Secret®

Now is the time to live your dream. If you’re anything like me -aka - a product hound! And you have that fantastic idea, create it, deliver it, and make it special. And you may just be the winner of this exclusive competition! Good Luck to you all my beauty-nistas!

Enter now at the Breakthrough In Beauty submissions!

Source: Breakthrough In Beauty

Banish those under eye blues with the two-steps-to-pretty approach. First, dab on a light-reflecting primer to brighten things up. It dazzles and distracts so you won’t need as much concealer!

Next, grab a peach- or yellow-toned concealer. Peach wipes out blue hues and yellow cancels purple. Also, don’t forget that dark circles are called circles for a reason, says Sephora Beauty Pro Vanessa Dunn. She recommends dotting concealer all the way around your eye, making sure to get your lids, edges, and that little spot between the corner of your eye and the side of your nose.

Try this product:

Vincent Longo Cream Concealer

Bingo! Eyes that say, “Eight hours every night”…even if it isn’t.

De-puff with a little pre-planning: Stash your eye cream in the fridge the night before for an instantly calming, cooling, and baggage-checking application the next morning.

Need a little more lift? Treat your eyes to an espresso—either with an eye cream containing caffeine or by pressing two cooled-down green tea bags under your eye. A little jolt of caffeine gets blood circulating, and that helps break up those big ol’ bags. (Psst! It’s not a bad idea to help yourself to a strong cuppa joe, either!)

Try this product:

LORAC Undercover Lover

Try this product:

Skyn - Icelandic Relief Eye Cream

Get more great ideas from Sephora’s Eye Q.

Source: Sephora

Get dramatic eyes quickly! And go wild with three easy steps to getting faux lashes, with a splash of glam!

1st Step: Start with mascara

Make Up Forever Mascara

Coat lashes with black mascara prior to false lash application; the extra texture will help faux lashes better adhere.

2nd Step: Add faux lashes

Make Up Forever Faux Lashes

Coat the strip of lashes with glue and apply to upper lash lines. Push inner and outer corners down with fingers, and hold for 1 minute until glue dries. For bottom lashes, paste the strip just below the lower lash lines, holding until glue dries.

3rd Step: Top with black liquid liner

Dior Eyeliner

Line over the edges of the faux lashes to hide seams. On upper lids, start line just inside the inner corners, extending 1/2 inch past the outer corners. Mirror this shape along the lower lashes. Add eye shadow for extra drama.

TIP: If you’re a lash novice, try cutting the strip in half, and applying to outer corners only. The smaller the lash strip, the easier it is to make it stick.

Get the look at Sephora’s Beauty Central to learn more!

Source: Sephora.com

For Today’s Beauty, we are featuring the gorgeous than ever faces of Estee Lauder. And you can’t get more Sensuous than this. Gwyneth Paltrow and Elizabeth Hurley - the iconic faces of Estee Lauder. Are launching the latest campaign for the perfume house and international cosmetic brand. The distinctive perfume line - Sensuous.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Elizabeth Hurley bring on their sensual side for Estee Lauder

The campaign reaches to all women. Here we have the classic American actress Gwyneth. Who brings a softer and emotional transparency to her look. Where as the British actress - Elizabeth Hurley - brings an international confidence to her beauty. Both women uniquely portray themselves. But are excellent choices for such a campaign appealing to the women in their 30’s to 40’s.

Carolyn Murphy and Hilary Rhoda for Estee Lauder

Hilary conveys youth, while Carolyn’s classic look communicates elegance. The perfect look for women in their 20’s and teens. Estee Lauder featuring such a broad campaign has finally started a look that is clean, classic, and widely appealing to all women.

Hilary, Gwyneth, Elizabeth and Carolyn are the international faces of Estee Lauder

Source: Estee Lauder