beautyorbustAny beauty aficionado knows that brows can make or break a look. 
For those of us who weren’t born with full, shapely brows, there’s Urban Decay’s Brow Beater. At one end is a soft colored pencil for filling and shaping your brows. The other end has a wax pencil and a built-in brush to keep those brows in shape all day long. Unlike many other brow products, Brow Beater’s colors are natural, diminishing the chance you’ll leave the house looking like a surprised chola. But beware – BB only comes in 2 colors. Try Brow Beater and be surprised at how structured and striking your face looks. Beat those brows into shape!
Where to find it: You can find Urban Decay’s Brow Beater at Sephora or on www.urbandecay.com.
When there seems to be no cure for the wintertime blues, along comes Buffy. Like the vampire-fighting heroine of the same name, 
this exfoliating body butter really kicks ass. Buffy is made of all-natural products including ground rice, almonds, aduki beans, cocoa butter and shea butter that exfoliate and soften your skin. Use it in the shower to wash away dead skin cells and emerge a silky smooth goddess.
How to use it: Scrub this bad boy all over your body (avoiding sensitive areas) and rinse with luke warm to warm water. Pat dry and voila! Smooth skin.
Where to find it: LUSH! Go to their website to buy it online or to find the location nearest you.
P.S. Buffy is a vegan product.
For a $24 mascara, DiorShow disappoints. 
Although its possibly the darkest mascara you can find, its curl and lengthing power lacks oomph. The wand is large and lacks the ability to grab and elongate little lashes. The thick, dry mascara tends to clump lashes together, forcing you to use a lash brush to avoid looking spider-ific. But the real kicker is the flakes. DiorShow dries out much too soon, leaving its unsuspecting wearer with dark circles and black flakes littering her face. When it comes down to it, $24 for an average mascara just isn’t worth it. In fact, I find that drugstore brand mascaras tend to work better, and offer a much larger variety of looks.
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: Bare Escentuals, bareMinerals, foundation, freshMinerals, maybelline, mineral, power, review, Walgreen's
Like many of you, I too was once seduced by the ever-convincing infomercials and seemingly flawless after-pictures of bareMinerals. 
When I saved up enough money for the starter kit, I was beyond excited to finally experience airbrushed skin. However, I soon realized that although my skin looked lovely in the morning, by mid afternoon I was a blotchy, oily mess. So I moved on. I tried a few other foundations, which made my skin look flawless, but they eventually broke me out, like most foundations. So, I went back to the bareMinerals foundation. I was willing to accept that I’d have to reapply in the afternoon if it meant having clear(er) skin. But bareMinerals is expensive, and their brushes are TERRIBLE. So one day, while perusing the beauty section at Duane Reade (an East Coast drugstore), I noticed a new mineral foundation without all the additives of other drugstore brands. FreshMinerals sells for just $12 and is about the same size as bareMinerals. It covers just as well (without the shine), and hasn’t broken me out. Best of all, just like bareMinerals, freshMinerals is talc free, oil free, natural, and has SPF 20, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your face.
UPDATE: Another great, inexpensive mineral foundation option is the new Mineral Power Powder Foundation by Maybelline. Like bareMinerals and freshMinerals its talc- free, oil-free, and fragrance-free! Go to Maybelline.com to get a free sample of the Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation.
Filed under: Home Remedies | Tags: coconut oil, moisturizer, natural, pure
Is there anything more delicious than the smell of a tropical getaway? Well if you can’t get to the islands, coconut oil will bring a little island flavor to you. Although its health benefits are debatable, its moisturizing benefits are not. Unlike lotions, which provide only temporary relief for dry skin, coconut oil penetrates deep into the skin, strengthening tissues and leaving you with smooth, soft skin for longer. Keep a jar around in a cool area and slather it on anytime you need a moisturizing treat.
Where to find it: If you’d like to avoid additives, you should pick up a jar of 100% pure coconut oil from Whole Foods.
Filed under: > Cheeks
I normally use powder blusher for my cheeks as I find cream can be hard to blend in with face powder and it can also make people look sweaty. In the summer, bronzer is best applied with a big powder brush to give a sunkissed appearance. In the winter, pinks normally work well to make you look healthy. To create killer cheekbones apply a pinkish color to the cheekbone. Mix the pink blusher with a bronzer and apply this darker color just underneath your cheekbone. At the top, below the eyes, apply a gold or silver (depending on your skin tone) color to highlight.
What to Use
Dandelion powder from Benefit is a good regular pink blush. Also High Beam from Benefit works well as a highlighter. Mac do a nice cheek color called Springsheen which has a gold pigment so it can highlight the cheekbones well (and even eliminate the need for a regular highlighter. Mac also do a product called Sculpt and Shape which is like two constrasting skin colored powders (one darker than the other). Regular bronzers (I currently use one from Rimmel London) are just as good any expensive brand.
A must-have for any girl plagued with the late-night (or mid-day) oilies. 
Primer potion is pure magic. Dab it on your eyelids before applying eyeshadow and/or eyeliner and be amazed when you wake up late the next morning and consider just ‘freshening-up’ your eye makeup. Really, its that good. No more raccoon eyes or unfortunate creasing – Primer Potion’s got your back.
Where to find it: This little gem can be found at Sephora for just $16 (it lasts forever).
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: cleanser, natural, Philosophy, Purity Made Simple, review
For the girl who HATES products. Purity Made Simple always reminds me of my friend, Sarah, who loves it. 
It’s a no-fuss facial cleanser that removes the mess you’re left with at the end of a long day in the city. It’s pH balanced to leave you with squeaky clean skin that doesn’t feel sucked dry of all moisture. Girls with sensitive or dry skin – fear not. Purity Made Simple is chock full of calming natural ingredients (sage, chamomile and carrot) guaranteed to leave you clean without the sting!
Where to find it: Sephora has a great 3.5 oz starter size for just $10. If you prefer not to leave home, QVC also sells Philosophy items at great prices.
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: Best of Sephora, Home in a Jar, moisturizer, Philosophy, review
Though it won’t be the miracle your skin is looking for, this Best of Sephora moisturizer will leave you feeling moisturized and rosy! 
Don’t let the Noxzema-like texture and slightly medicinal smell turn you off – this stuff packs a powerful punch. Originally recommended by dermatologists to promote softer, more youthful skin, it is now a staple of skin-conscious girls everywhere. But beware – using too much will leave you greasy and may even promote oil-production. Limit your daily intake to a dime-size amount and watch your skin glow!
Where to find it: Sephora of course! I recommend you purchase the .5 oz size for $15 if you’ve never tried it before. Hope in a Jar can be pricey for a moisturizer and may not work for everyone. If you prefer not to leave home, QVC also sells Philosophy items at great prices.
Complimentary Bvlgari Rose Mini with your Bvlgari Rose fragrance purchase!
Enjoy the delicate and joyful accents of a tender rose. Once you have selected qualifying fragrance products, the offer will be added at checkout. Online only. While supplies last. One offer per customer.
Complimentary Haute Face Tee Shirt with your Haute Face purchase!
Which Haute Face are you? Receive this complimentary long-sleeve tee with any Haute Face purchase. Choose from a Brown or White Tee available in Small, Medium or Large. Once you have selected qualifying Haute Face products, you will prompted to make your choice at checkout. One per customer. Online only. Choice of color and size while supplies last.
Free shipping on orders over $50.
Three free samples with every order.
Free lipgloss ring with any merchandise order (enter code GLOSSRING at checkout)
Filed under: > Eyes
To offset whatever color you are wearing on the eyes, make sure you frame them right. This is done with liner, mascara and highlighter pencils. If you are wearing very strong colors such as pinks or blues you may want to use a black eyeliner to frame your eyes. This makes the color look strong, adds definition and gives a chance to make your eyes look almond-shaped. Using a pencil is best on the bottom part of your eye, below the lashes, or for lining the inner corner of your eye (be careful though as this can make your eyes look small.) I always use a black pencil as I think any skin tone can wear it. A liquid eyeliner is fantastic and perfect for making your eyes look almond -shaped and dramatic. Sweep the brush from the very inner corners, just above the top lashes all the way out and then create a flick at the end, above where your eye finishes. At the bottom of the eyes (in the corner) you can apply a pencil highlighter, or simply an extra dab of eyeshadow, to make your eyes look bright. Brighten your eyes further by apply a highlighter in a triangle fashion – at both corners and right underneath the eyebrows in the middle. However, if you are applying this much highlighter, remember to blend it in well. Always apply mascara the very roots of the eyelashes – it builds up body and makes them look thicker and longer. To achieve super long lashes put on a layer of mascara, followed by a coating of powder, followed by mascara and so on.
What to Use
Benefit Gilded or Eye Bright are great highlighters. L’Oreal mascaras are the best – I normally use Voluminous or Lash Architect, but look for new ones they have on the market. Look for liquid eye-liner with a pointed sponge applicator tip, rather than a long drippy brush or a dry pen. The best one is Get in Line liquid eyeliner by Rimmel London or Precision by L’Oreal.
My general rule when it comes to eye-make up is the more the better. I think most people are afraid that if they apply bright colors and heavy eyeliner they could end up looking like a cross between Marilyn Manson and Madonna. However, choosing and applying eye make-up is just about creating an artistic color scheme which complements your features. The general rule of thumb is to use three colors – a highlighter, a crease color and a dark shade for the corner of the eyes. Usually it is best to use the highlighter only in the corners of the eyes (underneath, in the corner of the eye is good as it makes eyes look brighter and more awake). The crease color can go above and then the very dark color for the outer corner of the eye. If you choose to wear two colors – the dark should only be applied to the eye-lid and not further up (it can make you look like a drag queen) and then the dark color for the outer corners and underneath.Glitter is a great way to make the eyes look brighter. Apply the desired eye shadow first and then put a little Vaseline or eye cream on top, so the glitter has something to stick to. Use fairly natural colors on the eyelid and only a dark color at the very corner, otherwise you will just overload your eyes. You can use black with anything, so always have a nice rich black tone in your make-up bag.
What to Use
The best eye colors are Mac, Nars and an English brand called Barry M. They do strong, rich, highly pigmented colors. For green, team it with a gold or a pink or even blue. With blues – pink or white, gold or green. For a smoky look use a light gold in the corner and a taupe for crease color and then a rich black for the outer corners.
Filed under: Home Remedies | Tags: Home Remedies, honey, moisturize, natural
Sweet and sticky doesn’t describe most skin care products, but perhaps it should. Honey has been used for centuries to cure common ailments, but did you know its also a fantastic moisturizer? Honey has a hygroscopic nature, which means it attracts and maintains moisture from the air. When used as a mask, it moisturizes and plumps up the skin, leaving you looking fresh and youthful. And its antibacterial, so it heals and treats the skin as it moisturizes. The honey mask is particularly useful in the winter, when many of us suffer from dry, flaky skin.
Where to find it: Anywhere, although some prefer to use organic honey, which can be found at almost any health store.
Filed under: Home Remedies | Tags: Home Remedies, jojoba oil, makeup remover, natural
Many people are terrified of applying oil to their skin, and rightfully so. But you should know, jojoba oil is not like other oils. In fact, it is very similar to human sebum (the oil that acts to protect and waterproof hair and skin – according to wikipedia). It’s a great moisturizer for the skin and a gentle, safe makeup remover. Even those with oily skin can use it. When your skin becomes dry, it produces extra sebum to moisturize and protect it, thus causing breakouts. When you use jojoba oil on your skin, it tricks your skin into producing less sebum, leaving you with balanced, moisturized skin. Jojoba oil can be applied in conjunction with moisturizer, or alone for a light, dewy effect.
Where to find it: Although it can be found at many health stores and online, I prefer to buy it at Trader Joe’s, where a 4 ounce bottle costs about $7 (since you only need a few drops with each use, it lasts forever!)
Filed under: Home Remedies | Tags: aspirin, aspirin mask, Home Remedies, mask, natural, salicylic acid
At first glance, the title may send you running for the hills, but don’t judge this book by its cover. People all over are talking about the cheaper-than-dirt aspirin mask. Aspirin is actually a derivative of salicylic acid. Yep, the same salicylic acid found in many of your acne treatments. When dissolved in a small amount of water and gently rubbed onto the skin, aspirin acts as a gentle exfoliator, preventing the pores from becoming clogged. After just one use, you’ll notice smoother, healthier looking skin.
Recommendations: Although the Aspirin Mask works with water alone, many find that other add-ins improve its effect. To use, dissolve 4-5 aspirin in a small amount of water, and combine the resulting powder with honey, jojoba oil, or your favorite moisturizer. Leave on for 15-30 minutes to leave your skin baby soft.
Where to find it: Any drug store! Make sure you buy uncoated or lightly coated aspirin only, as it dissolves much easier.
