Tell The Deflating Economy To Kiss Off

Category: Beauty Lipstick News

Does the ever-worsening state of the economy have you feeling a bit down? Fight your blues with red… or pink, or bronze or mauve. Instead of inviting a whopping case of buyer's remorse by plunking down for a break-the-bank blouse, bag, or pair of shoes, cosmetics companies suggest investing in a few new feel-good tubes of lipstick. Esteé Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder has noticed an inversely proportionate relationship between the economy and his lipstick sales. The New York Times guesses this is because lipstick helps women feel confident and feminine at a cost far less than other prettifiers. Plus, a lipstick that looks great on you this season will still look great on you next season, too. That pricey purse? It might be out of style tomorrow.

So, big ticket wardrobe enhancers or $25 tube of lipstick? If your checkbook is feeling the strain of a deflated economy, do your splurging with the latter. You'll find tons of options, since cosmetics retailers like Sephora are upping their orders of gloss' more enduring big sister. Try something new, like TheBalm's Read My Lips lipsticks ($16) in opalescent hues with newspaper-themed names like Classified, Gossip, and Letter to the Editor. Or stick with an old standard; NARS semi-matte lipstick in vampy Red Lizard ($24) looks good with most skin tones and gives off a classic, confident pinup-girl vibe. Or choose something seasonal, like Esteé Lauder Bronze Goddess. It's packed with sparkle and has SPF 15 to protect your pout. Now there's something you can feel good about.

Your turn. How many lipsticks do you own?

1 to 5 tubes: I find a favorite and stick with it 'til it's worn down to a nub

6-15 tubes: I like to experiment, but I usually end up using a few colors more than the rest

16+ tubes: A different shade for every day, every outfit, every mood

Safe Shopping Reminder: How To Avoid Buying Fake M.A.C. Makeup

Category: Beauty Eye Shadow Lip Gloss Lipstick Rant and Rave

Shopping online is so great—no crowds to push your way through, no messy sales floors full of unfolded clothing, no long lines at a cash register—just a few simple clicks… and you don't even have to schlep heavy bags all the way home. Plus the bargain hunting is great too.

Then there's eBay, the ultimate place to look for a designer steal (and with the way the economy is going, it might be the only place I shop). But unfortunately, the great savings often come with greater risk. When you're buying items you can't see from people you don't know, it is easy to get taken advantage of. Recently, I've been reading about people getting ripped off buying M.A.C. makeup on eBay. After further investigation, and seeing people on YouTube acting almost shocked that what they received in the mail all the way from Hong Kong or Taiwan was not genuine (hmm, the country of origin might be a hint right there...), I am truly disturbed—not only at people's lack of online shopping savviness, but the potential harm that they could inflict on themselves by buying fake makeup: you don't know where this stuff is really coming from, what's in it exactly, and you're going to be putting it on your eyes and mouth? Come on ladies, be smart. 

After checking out some of the guides on eBay and taking a look at my own M.A.C. makeup (I'm a huge fan), I've compiled a little list of things to look for to make sure that these popular items are genuine:

Lip Glass ~ Fake Lip Glasses tend to be much longer than a genuine one would be. A real M.A.C. Lip Glass is just short of 3.5" long and is 5/8" thick. All (20) of mine have a silver circle sticker on the bottom that says the NAME of the color and it's number. When it comes to the name, "red" or "pink" doesn't count. M.A.C. has specific names for each of it's colors so I would always check the name against the ones listed on M.A.C.'s website. And remember, the only ones that come in tubes are the Clear Lip Glass and the Gelée. 

Eye Shadow ~ A M.A.C. eye shadow does not ever have a mirror and applicator. M.A.C. eye shadows have flip tops while paint pots and pigments have screw tops. And again look for the sticker on the bottom—this one will be in black with silver writing (except for the product number, which will be in black). Always make sure it has a color name! Eye shadows are also never separated into compartments.

Pigments ~ When you unscrew the cap of a M.A.C. pigment there should be a removable protective plastic lid across the top. This lid will never have a hole or a little spout for easy pouring. The easiest way to tell if a pigment is genuine is by testing some out on your hand. Real M.A.C. pigment is top notch quality and just a little bit of it will leave a rich color on your skin. It should also be difficult to rub off without makeup remover. (I even gently rinsed my hand under cold water and there was still a light color stain.)

Lipstick ~ A new M.A.C. lipstick never has a rounded shape that comes to a point in the center like most cheap lipsticks you find at the drugstore. A genuine one is cut on a slant that will easily glide across your lip—the one exception is the Slimshine Lipstick, which is just completely flat. As usual, check the name and number on the silver sticker. 

Brushes ~ The black handle on a M.A.C. makeup brush is always matte, never shiny.  The brushes will be labeled only with "MAC" followed by a three-digit number. The letters on a real M.A.C. brush are not engraved and so they should easily rub off. (The letters on my foundation brush are already completely gone.)

Hope these few little tips help. But I strongly urge you to purshase your M.A.C. makeup from Maccosmetics.com or a verified M.A.C. seller like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom—it might cost a little extra, but the quality is so great that the products will last you a long time. 

And check out our post on how to spot fraudulent beauty sites. 

 

Beauty Find: Lip Color That Won’t Fade, Even After Dinner And Drinks

Category: Beauty Lip Gloss Lipstick

I’ve never tried long-wear lip color, mostly because I always kind of thought it was a big lie. I’m a gloss girl, and companies claiming that lip color would last for an entire workday seemed too far from my experience to qualify as even a half-truth. But after trying out some color-and-topcoat varieties of the stuff, I can say that yes, they do last for hours on end. With that in mind, I learned some other things about using this magical mutant strain of lip gloss in my week with a perpetually pigmented mouth:

1. Make sure you like the color before it’s on your lips; it stays on forever and is tough to get off with just tissues and water. I learned this the hard way when testing out a shade that looked subtle in the tube, but was in fact sparkly hot pink. I spent the whole day explaining the product-testing thing to friends and acquaintances who were staring awkwardly at my mouth.

2. For the longest-lasting results, wait until the lip color dries before applying the clear topcoat. It also adds moisture and shine, so re-apply throughout the day to add moisture or gloss – it won’t make the color fade.

3. Remember to apply color to the corners of your mouth – this stuff is more intense than gloss, so gaps of naked lip are more noticeable. To apply, open wide as though you’re yawning, and dab a bit of color onto the corners of your lips.

Below are three great options that combine color and topcoat into ingenious little packages: the L’Oreal case, a bit bigger than a matchbox, even doubles as a mirror.

Lorac Co-Stars Long Wearing Lip Color and Ultra Glossy Top Coat ($19)

       

L’Oreal Infallible LipColour (was $11.99, now $8.99)

        

Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor and Gloss ($9.49)                                                                                                                                                                      

Beauty Find: MAC Goes Old School

Category: Beauty Eye Shadow Lip Gloss Lipstick

What: MAC Cosmetics' Originals Collection

Why: MAC Cosmetics is no newbie to the beauty game; they've been around the block, and some of their products have been there through it all. The Originals Collection is a tribute to some of MAC's most popular products, both from existing lines and discontinued products. Included in the new line are lipsticks, lipglass, eye shadows ,and Pigments featuring new textures and modified formulas. You'll want to check out the Nouveau Frou Lipstick ($14), a beige-y pink with white pearl that achieves nude lip perfection, as well as Tinted Lipglass ($14) in Nico Now, a personal favorite that's a mid-tone grey purple with multicoloured pearl.

Don't let your lips have all the fun, your eye will dazzle with Ochre Style Eye Shadow ($14), a mid-tone yellow brown with gold and shine with Pigment ($19.50) in Kitschmas a gorgeous light airy shimmering pink/mauve pear. They've also announced four different face palettes to go with the collection. Each look centers around the foundations of the collection and uses color in a playful and funky way.

Full on Lust is a great take on color with some flashbacks to 80's glam. MAC's Originals Collection will be available throughout January.

Find it: Nordstrom

Lipstick Advice: Pucker Up In Pink This Holiday Season

Category: Beauty Lip Gloss Lipstick

The holidays are swiftly approaching, which means mistletoe will be hung in every nook and cranny. I usually avoid the poisonous berry at all costs, but this year, I’ve decided to turn a new leaf and make my lips oh-so-desirable for smooching. Instead of the same old holiday red, however, I am opting for a fresh pink shade instead. This bright new option is festive, fancy, and colorful, and it offers a fun alternative to those red lips you see year after year. 

My absolute downright favorite shade is Chanel’s Marilyn No. 81 ($25). This coral pink is flattering to just about any skin tone, and is versatile enough to be worn during the day or out at night to all of those fancy holiday parties. (Shopping hint: buy this at Saks and get free shipping through 12/21 with the code HOLIDAY7.)

Other great options are M.A.C.’s Eager ($14) or Bourjois’ Rose Perle 26 ($14). If thinking this pink is too intimidating at first, why not start out with a sheerer lip color, which will give your lips a hint of power pink without making too much of a statement. (Shopping hint: buy M.A.C. at Bloomingdale's and pay only $5 of shipping for all beauty products.)

 

When applying, start out with a liner like Chanel’s Precision Lip Definer in Sienna ($28), then your apply your lipstick of choice, and finish up with a touch of sheer gloss (Nars Triple X Lip Gloss, $23).

How to Look Like a Victoria’s Secret Super Model

Category: Beauty Eye Shadow Hair Care Lip Gloss Lipstick Mascara Fashion How To

You know that Victoria’s Secret look: the shiny cascading curls, the luminous fresh face, the sultry smoky eyes, the glossy pouty lips. This is a look that is coveted by every girl in the world, and we at SheFinds have all of the backstage secrets on how to get it:

The makeup products used on the girls have been packaged very nicely in this cute little Look of the Show Kit, which also includes a helpful book of how-to tips, so you can look like a runway model everyday.

Sure, having the makeup is great but sometimes it really helps to have a visual aid. Thanks to YouTube, you can get a quickie hair and makeup lesson from the Angel’s own glam squad Italo Gregorio and Linda Hay.

Remember to tune into the show tonight at 10 on CBS.

 

Deal of the Day: Up to 50% Off Makeup Brushes at Sephora

Category: Beauty Eye Shadow Lipstick Fashion Sales and Deals

Those fragile bristles on your makeup brushes can easily become damaged or worn out. Perhaps they got squished or bent one time when you shoved them into your Burberry Check Cosmetics Case. Maybe you never leave the house without makeup on and the daily use has just taken its toll. Either way, it is time for some new ones, and we understand how expensive they can be to replace. So we've found some on sale for you...no excuses now.

Play up your eyes with some sultry dark shadows this holiday season. You'll need a special Rounded Crease Brush (was $20, now $10) to contour your shadow and smudge your eyeliner to a smoky perfection.

Reapply color to your fading smackers with a little precision. This durable Lip Brush (was $15, now $6) even has a cap so that any leftover gloss residue won't stick to everything in your purse.  

There is always that temptation to over-do the concealer. After all, who wants a giant pimple to show up on their face in all of those holiday photos? Well, this streamlined Point Concealer Brush (was $14, now $7) will allow you to dab on only the amount that is necessary.

MORE DEALS:
Women's sale at Saks! Take 30%-40% off select products through November 19th.

Get $10 off any purchase of $50 or more at The Body Shop.

Fall Sale: Up to an extra 20% off on YOOX.COM!

Blog Round-Up: Heard on the Web This Week

Category: Beauty Lipstick Cool Sites Eco-Chic Fashion Dresses Sweaters

Pretty cashmere sweaters are on girlawhirl’s mind right now!

Smarter Fashion Blogs prepares for the holiday party season with picks for the Top 5 Cocktail Dresses from Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale.

StarStyle Scoop reports that Physicians Formula goes organic.

The Beauty Brains chat about the ultimate eco-friendly cosmetic: Cargo lipstick.

With parties galore on the holiday horizon, Top Button shows you how to rock it from desks to discos.

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