Eyes by Design Airing on HSN Tonight and Tomorrow

Tune into HSN this week to learn about a new, first-to-market prestige cosmetics and treatment line created exclusively for the eyes that I am LOVING called Eyes by Design. Eyes by Design is a new everything-eyes-focused brand that provides step-by-step guidance on how to play up your peepers and become your own eye expert. Their Transforming Eye Palettes (they come in shades corresponding to your own eye color - brown, blue, green, and hazel) make it easy for makeup novices (or those who are just out of practice - or in a makeup rut, namely ME) to create several wearable looks (with varying degrees of formality) in an instant. The brand launched this month exclusively on HSN and HSN.com.

The Eyes by Design brand airs at the following times exclusively on HSN:
- Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 8PM
- Friday, July 11, 2008 at 9AM, 4PM & 11PM

Q&A: Prom Eye Makeup

Sunshine asks:
Q: I'm 18 and my prom is this Friday, April 18th. I was thinking about getting my makeup done, but I've had a few too many unfortunate experiences with getting it done professionally. So, I decided that I'd do it myself.
My dress is silky black with silver as the secondary color. Any ideas as to what I should do with my eye makeup?

A: Sunshine, what a phenom question. I am loving that you're wearing a silky black slash silver dress on the big night. I'm NERV because your prom is in five minutes and I'm on 15 diff deadlines right now, but this blog was born from procrastination and also? You had me at "prom." I love a prom. I have a few recommendations for you, OBV.

Thierry Mugler Regard Stellaire in Starry Night
I'm living for this quartet of smoky seduction. It includes a white shimmer shade, a rich sparkly charcoal, a neutral beige and a straight up flat black. I'd recommend lining your eyes with the black using a liner brush, use the white up by the brow bone (SPARINGLY) to highlight, and then apply the charcoal to the outer corner and on the lid below the crease for a siren-worthy smoky grey eye.

Now, I realize the link I've sent you to is for Sephora in France because this shadow isn't sold in the US until May. Since you can't wait that long, I recommend Bourjois Paris' Eye Shadow Trio in Les Argents ($19) which is pictured at left.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Orchid Mosaic ($38)
This 4-color palette features a shimmery range of 2 pinks, a champagne and a plum. It includes a mirror (don't think about going promming without one) and is encased in Laura's signature purple compact packaging. I'd recommend using the lightest pink all over and shading with the plum in the outer corners and on the lower lid. Line eyes with ck Calvin Klein Ultimate Edge Gel Eyeliner ($16) in African Voilet, a deep plum.

Lastly, I deeply recommend false eyelashes to add a sense of occasion. My faves are Revlon Fantasy Lengths Self-Adhesive Eyelashes. They're sold at drugstores for a mere $7 and last the whole night. Best of all? They're reusable. Wear the flirty length and channel Twiggy.

Have THE most fun at your prom, Sunshine! Pity anyone with the misfortune of standing next to your gorge self in pics. Report back and tell us how it went!

xoxo,
Fabulista

P.S. Stay tuned for promtastic hair recommendations later this week.

Smoky Eyes for Dummies

I'd venture to guess that EVERY beauty blogger and beauty editor winds up fielding dermatological questions and acting as a makeup artist SEVERAL times during her lifestyle. I lived with 6 other girls for 3 years while I was in college and every time we went out, at least 3 of them were huddled in my TINY room, waiting for a makeover with my extensive collection. Thus, we all looked exactly the same each year, depending on what look I was into at that time. There was the I Love Purple Eyeshadow with Red Clothing Period (1999-2000), the Britney Spears Period (2000-2001)and lastly, the Smoky Eyes Period (2002).

I only wish I'd had this kit while having to create 4 sets of smoky eyes each night. It allows you to create perfect eyes every time. Choose from a smoky eye, cat eye, or a simple line accenting your lashes. These stencils rock. the. funk. Each kit comes with everything you need from stencils to brush to shadows. Also included are step-by-step instructions.

Former 17 Reedsdale Street residents, are you listening? Now you can do it your damn selves! Get in Line comes in two colors: light for fair to medium complexions and dark for medium to dark complexions. Get it here for $36.

Q&A: Follow Up Q Regarding Mascara and Concealer

Q: The other important question I should have asked, besides guessing at the product categories, was what items should I apply, and in what order. Like, do you always wear foudation, blush/cheek, liner, mascara, concealer, lip gloss? And: shadows. Always wear, sometimes wear, etc. Concealer? or just more of the foundation?
Thanks! You're the BEST!
Beauty Wannabe


A: Unless I'm going to the gym or doing a "no makeup day" which includes VERY minimal makeup (just concealer, balm and mascara, BTW), I have a very specific product list. This is my everyday look, the one I rock to work and during the day on weekends. I rarely wear no makeup (unless I have a tan). Here's my everyday list, in the right order. I usually don't wear shadow unless I'm going out or if I have time.
Concealer (I apply at the beginning and a bit more at the end as well)
Tinted Moisturizer (I like Laura Mercier's) or Foundation, depending on how my skin looks
Either a Blush Stick or a Bronzing Stick (sometimes a combo of both)
Pencil Liner on the top lashes only
Non-dramatic, but effective Mascara
Balm or Gloss

We've gone over all components of this list except for mascara and concealer. Here's what I recommend. I've limited the selection to two per category for you although, obviously, there are SEVERAL I adore.

Concealer
One of my favorites is Laura Mercier Secret Concealer. There are others included in the list to which I linked that are also good.

Also great: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Maximum Coverage Concealer $18. Here's a review I did for it for TotalBeauty.com:

This tiny mirrored compact won't waste precious purse real estate. A yellow-based concealer, it erases dark circles and hydrates just enough to mask fine lines. Lightweight, yet full coverage with a matte finish that yields non-greasy, even-toned skin. Long-wearing but easily blendable product is best used for the undereye area – those with oily skin should avoid it for blemish camouflaging. Other imperfections (acne scars, etc.) run screaming when spackled with a bit of the product applied with a concealer brush.

Mascara
Prescriptives False Eyelashes Plush Mascara $19.50 has wowed me. It's not quite as dramatic as Diorshow, but does the job - I love how black the black is. I use it during the day because I like just a tad more drama at night, usually along the lines of Fiberwig or the aforementioned Diorshow.

L'Oreal Lash Architect $6 (pictured above)
Lash Architect launched while I was in college, I believe, but it's still one of my favorite drug store mascaras. The brush glides well and the formula is enriched with jojoba and Vitamin B5 so that "new mascara bottle" feeling last a bit longer. Is there anything better than that, BTW? New Mascara Day is right up there with New Sheet Day (although obv, the latter happens more often).

Photo credit: drugstore.com

Drop the Thin Mints: Here's Another Way to Support Girl Scouts

There are so many mysteries. For instance, I wonder why Sweeney Todd didn't christen himself Todd Sweeney since he had a choice as that was not his original moniker. And who can guess why so many palettes are comprised of colors that work for half the population? I've never met a lip palette that housed colors that looked good on me. Until now. Enter Trish McEvoy's Be Prepared Pink Maxed Out Gloss Kit, $21.

Possibly the cutest compact ever, this double decker palette squeezes a stunning spectrum of natural-looking glosses and lip colors into an astonishing 1.5”L X 2.125”W mirrored space. All eight shades are delightfully wearable. Colors range from shimmery champagne to universally flattering pinky brown to deeper sparkly rose.

Best of all, net proceeds of the Gloss Kit will be donated to support the Girl Scouts.

Color Intrigue Eyeliner in Umber

In life, three things are certain: death, taxes, and the ongoing search for a good maroon-brown eyeliner. I used to love MAC's shadow in embark, until I realized the staying power of a shadow just isn't good enough. I don't reapply makeup throughout the day other than lipstick/gloss. Then, I tried out Elizabeth Arden's Color Intrigue Eyeliner in Umber, and am ENAMORED with it. In French, intrigue means plot, and you'll surely be the leading lady of yours rocking this retractable, vitamin-enriched crayon of an eye pencil. It's super quick and long-lasting. I used mine this morning before I dashed out before work to take my cat, Ramon (pronounced Ramone, like the dude in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion), to the vet for his scratched cornea. Seven hours later, my eyes are still looking fly and Ramon is happily ensconced back at my apartment after having been treated with ointment.

P.S. The name of the color is so Crayola 94 pack, right? Love it.

Photo credit: drugstore.com

"Tonight's the Night with Robbie!" Makeup

"Oh, hey, LISA..."

So my friend Kelly from Denver invented this sultry combo and I think it would just be PERFECT makeup for one spesh night with your beau. Kelly rocked it at my friend L's wedding last month and it looked so phenom, I requested that she email me the components of it immediately if not sooner. Here it is:

Lid - Laura Mercier Eye Shimmer in Antique Gold
Browbone - MAC Shroom eye shadow
Eye Liner - Laura Mercier Eye Liner (cake formula) in Bleu Marine applied with a long flat eye liner Brush - Wet brush, apply like normal eyeliner and then on the inside near the lashes on the top and bottom. Be sure to pack some Q tips in your clutch for eye crispies.

Pictured above is Laura Mercier cake eye liner in bleu marine, photo credits: lauramercier.com

Pucci-NEOUS

Thanks to the fabulous Julia for sending me a limited edition Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Eye Set that I've been coveting all spring slash summer! Let's be serious. If there are three things I love they are (in no particular order):

Pucci
Guerlain Makeups
LIMITED EDITION ITEMS

I can't wait to be all, "Oh, excuse me. Let me just check my ADORABLE PUCCI COMPACT for a second to retouch my GLOSS." Friends, be warned. The set includes four eyeshadows in glorious pucci colors, two eye pencils (one white and one plum) and a small lengthening and curving mascara. I received it yesterday and already am in love with the plum eye pencil. It works perfectly for green eyed gals. Mix and match with any of the four eyeshadow colors for a total "summer lovin' had me a blast" look. They're a bit wild, but wearing a bit of just one of the colors at a time applied with a small eyeshadow brush underneath the crease would be so... it and then some with a mod little dress, n'est-ce pas?

Skip on down to Sephora or get it here.

xoxo,
Miss Fabulista (if you're nasty)

The New Holy Grail Mascara

That's right, friends. It's over between me and my Clinique Lash Doubling. I know. I KNOW. I've become involved with Diorshow mascara and there's NO going back.

For weeks on end, every time I saw someone with drag queen lashes and asked them how on earth they achieved such a feat, the answer was always the same: Diorshow. I would go on to defend my trusty Clinique Lash Doubling, but really. The writing was on the wall. I was GOING to have to stray. I also no longer subscribe to the "drugstore mascara is just as good" theory, because Diorshow proves that it's NOT. High end mascara, even to the tune of $23 is plum worth it. Even my brother noticed. Here's how to apply:
1. Apply to the tops of your top lashes (does that make sense?), with your eye closed, pulling the lid taut at the end with your finger
2. Open your eye, apply to the bottom of the top lashes
3. Put a bit on the ends of the lashes. I don't use mascara on the bottom for fear of resembling Tammy Faye Baker, but if you are so inclined, you can add a small amount to the outer corners of the bottom lashes.
4. Rock on with your bad self.

Nars Night Fairy

If you're in the market for eye shadow (and I’m most certainly NOT because I have more than any one human should own), get yourself to Sephora and park it in front of the Nars section. Done. I used to subscribe to the theory that MAC makes the best shadow--the array of colors, the stay power, the arts and crafts aspect of it all (MAC products are kind of like art supplies, like pastels and paints, don’t you think?) and then I was introduced to Nars and I fell in LURVE. I haven't strayed since. I don't even want to KNOW about your shadow unless it's Nars. Seriously.

Their crown JEWEL is Night Fairy. If you're only going to buy one Nars shadow, I beseech you: make it Night Fairy. My friend Justine in 2002 once said, "If you're not wearing Night Fairy when you go out, WHAT are you WEARING?" That about sums it up. It's a fantastic, violetish pink (on, it looks perfectly violet in the compact) and is so amazing with a black outfit.

Clinique Quickliner

My name is Fabulista and I am a "Free Gift with Purchase" addict. What can I say? It's the best way to learn about new products when you don't want to shell out the money for something you already have in a similar color/formula. Or several similar colors/formulas (formulae, for Latin scholars). Anyway. My favorite "free gift" to date is Clinique's Quickliner in Black/Brown. For those who are "eyeliner-challenged", it doesn't get any easier than this. Its self-sharpening, twist-up wand is perfect for your purse or on mornings when you can't deal with liquid/gel liner or simply having to deal with a brush. Personally, I think the black/brown shade is best for green or blue eyes which look a bit harsh with straight up black. Brown-eyed girls best rock the black. The consistency is almost crayon-like and best of all? My quickliner is nowhere near finished and I've had it for about 2 years. Check it.

Hightail it to Sephora for Some Hylexin

If you don't want to look like this get thyself some Hylexin. I just purchased it on eBay last week, started using it on Sunday and already I see a difference in my formerly gruesome dark circles. After reading Real World Melissa rave about it, I had to purchase some. And BT dubs, Melissa is a truly gifted writer. If you watched Real World New Orleans (and what was that, like 9 years ago?) you know how thoroughly entertaining she is. Her blog entries are lengthy, but her unique "language" is so funny that you end up adopting her phrases as your own.

Anyway. I had tried everything for my dark circles. And BTW? On someone as pale as I, dark circles are cute for Halloween, but that's about it. I bought several concealers, none of which completely alleviated the problem. My favorites are Benefit Boing and Laura Mercier Secret Concealer. Neither eradicated the linebacker look I was rocking, but several applications a day did ameliorate the situation considerably. But who wants to apply several applications of concealer? Not I. I'd also elevated the head of my bed a bit by placing textbooks under it AND made sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep, but these bags were, alas, not sent packing. Since twice daily applications of Hylexin (and it's only been 3 days mind you), my puffiness and circles are diminished and I finally wake up impossibly fresh looking. Because dolls, dark circles are hereditary, and that's all there is to it.
The first step to a sultry-lined eyes is a smooth undereye area.