Filed under: Everyday Beauty | Tags: brow beater, Brow Box, Browblender, Browser Brush-on Brow Powder, N.Y.C., Urban Decay
Some items in your beauty regimen should really be department store-quality, such as foundation, powder, and eyeshadow. But others can easily be found at your local drugstore, and cost you up to 10 times less than department store prices. Luckily for you, we’re here to fill you in on how to get the best bang for your buck – however many you have!
If you have the dough to spend: Get Urban Decay’s Brow Beater ($14) OR their Brow Box ($29)


If you’re a budget beauty babe: Get N.Y.C.’s Browblender Brow & Liner Pencil ($4.99) OR their Browser Brush-on Brow Powder with Grooming Wax and Tweezers ($3.99)
As a mineral foundation ONLY girl, I’m always on the lookout for new mineral lines.
Lately, I’ve been using Maybelline’s Mineral Power foundation, but needed a setting powder (a la the famed mineral veil) to combat afternoon shine and help my foundation stay put. I was particularly interested in a yellow-toned powder to even out my ruddy complexion. Although I love my Maybelline foundation, I don’t love the color selection in their setting powders. So one day, I came across Monave’s website and ordered their setting powder in Angel (a yellowish tone). Angel is one of their bestsellers, and promises to absorb excess oil and set your makeup.
About Monave: Monave products are naturally preserved and completely free of irritants, so they won’t irritate your skin or cause it to break out. Monave is one of the only mineral lines that address the needs of women of color, and was created by Deborah Bilezikian, an Eastern Armenian/Caucasian woman who found it difficult to find foundations that matched her unique skin tone.
The verdict? The setting powder in Angel does a nice job of concealing my skin’s natural pink hue, and does seem to limit oil production, though not completely (but that’s an impossible task! I’m one oily girl!). A thirty-six gram sifter container of Angel costs $12, which is a decent price for a high-end brand (BE’s Mineral Veil retails for $19). I think girls who don’t have sensitive, acne-prone skin may prefer a powder with more absorbing power (such as Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Pale Yellow); but for the rest of us, Monave takes the cake!
Where to find it: Unfortunately, unless you live in Baltimore, you’ll have to purchase Monave products online. If you want to try a few products from the line, purchase a sample set for $10.
Filed under: Everyday Beauty | Tags: Benefit, cargo, concealer, Cover Girl, eyebrows, eyeshadow, L'Oreal, Lip and Cheek stain, MAC, Reclon
Here at Beauty or Bust we are always looking for beauty tips and inspiration, and what better way than by looking at celebs – after all its their job to look great! So ladies we decided to try out a few celeb styles and have come up with a how-to guide for you!
KATE WINSLET
Kate works hard to create a natural english rose look. Although she looks like she is barely wearing any products on her face, rest assured that is just clever make-up trickery!
STEP 1 Start with the base. Use a concealer just underneath and on the inner corners of your eyes. Benefit do a great concealer called Bo-ing. Apply a very lightweight foundation such as Cargo Oil Free Foundation all over the face. Dot a rouge tint on cheekbones like Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain and blend in light, smooth strokes, using your fingers or a sponge. (If it’s to bright, apply a drop of liquid foundation to diffuse the color.)
STEP 2 For full looking brows like Kate, clean off a brown mascara brush on a tissue, then with the residue brush up your brows with the wand. This will push brow hair up and add a touch of color.
STEP 3 Kate wears a small amount of liquid eyeliner. The best to try is probably Revlon Colorstay. Apply black liner on the upper lid; carefully wet a pointed brush then turn it in your pot of liner. The wetter your brush, the more translucent your line will be. Make sure you smug it slighty with a Q-tip to make it look natural.
Use an eye brightening pencil to create bright, sparkling eyes, such as Benefit Eye Brightener, and pay special attention to the inner corner of the eye. Apply a pearly, white, translucent shadow to the lid with a wide, fluffy brush. I like MAC Eyeshadow in Nylon . Using a black eye shadow powder, go over the line above your lashes to set it. Curl lashes and apply several coats of mascara to the upper lashes and one coat to the lower lashes. Telescopic by L’Oreal is a great mascara.
STEP 4 Top the look off with a pink-colored lipstick, such as Cover Girl Continous Color in Almost Nude
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: Bikini Perfect Deluxe Spa Edition, Blending Sponge, Bliss, Makeup Show, Philips, Sonia Kashuk, Trae Bodge
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Thursday, 5/29
Brighten up! Shannon at Makeup Minute shows us how to get Trae Bodge’s Makeup Show look.
Go bare with Bliss! Kristen Kelly at Beauty Addict reviews the new Bikini Perfect Deluxe Spa Edition by Bliss and Philips.
You’re burned…now what? Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives us some helpful tips in dealing with sunburns.
Blend your way to perfect skin! All About the Pretty reviews Sonia Kashuk’s cool new Blending Sponge.
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: Avon, Ultimate Contouring Eye System
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Wednesday, 5/28
Get the 411! Kristen Kelly at Beauty Addict gives us the scoop on this week’s beauty deals and steals!
‘Eye’ know what girls like! Christine over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews Avon’s Ultimate Contouring Eye System.
Wax on…wax off! Jessica Matlin at Allure shows you where to find a self-waxing tutorial.
Everyone wants to be Eye Candy! Christine Jones at eBeauty Daily reveals the perfect gift for eye makeup junkies.
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: Artemis, Christopher Drummond, Radiance Booster, Saude Pele, Skin Amnesty, Solerra, Sunless Tanning Mitt, Woman Heel Smoother
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Tuesday, 5/27
Give yourself a shower-proof pedicure! Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews Artemis’ Woman Heel Smoother.
Glow vegan! Shannon over at Makeup Minute reviews the new Saude Pele Radiance Booster by Christopher Drummond.
It’s a peel in a box! Christine Jones at eBeauty Daily reviews the new Peel Kit from Skin Amnesty.
Finally! A foolproof way to fake bake! Cybele over at Cybele Says reviews Solerra’s Sunless Tanning Mitt.
$5 SHIPPING WITH $75 BEAUTY OR FRAGRANCE PURCHASE
TO GET $5 SHIPPING: Place $75 of beauty or fragrance items in your shopping bag. No promo code required.
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: Airbrush Effects Blushwhip, Cherry Crush, Global Goddess, Neutrogena, Redpoint, stila
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Thursday, 5/22
Just a touch of blush! All About the Pretty reviews Redpoint’s Airbrush Effects Blushwhip in Glow.
Beauty goes Bollywood! Christine over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews Global Goddess cosmetics.
Wash away the day! Jeni at Savvy Skin reviews Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.
Beauty that won’t budge! Jessica Matlin over at Allure reviews Stila’s Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain.
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: High Definition Microfinish Powder, Make Up For Ever, Max Factor, NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact, Redpoint Beauty Color Cosmetics, Vivid Impact
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Wednesday, 5/21
Pop goes the peepers! All About the Pretty reviews Max Factor’s new Vivid Impact Eyeshadow in Peach Basket.
Go mermaid! Kristen Kelly over at Beauty Addict shows you how to get the season’s hottest makeup trend.
Conceal ALL your flaws! Christina Jones at eBeauty Daily reviews Redpoint Beauty Color Cosmetics’ NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact.
Get star-quality skin! Jessica Matlin over at Allure reviews Make Up For Ever’s High Definition Microfinish Powder.
Filed under: Best of the Beauty Blogs | Tags: Johnson & Johnson, Knotheads, Melt Away Stress, Metropolis, Sheer Focus, Silver Nano Ceramic Paddle Brush, Smashbox, stila, tinted moisturizer
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Tuesday, 5/20
Stick to what you know! Kristen Kelly at Beauty Addict reviews two tinted moisturizers that fall short of her fave.
Your hair will thank you! Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews a cool new hair accessory and gives you a discount code to purchase it!
Only the best for your tresses! Cybele at CybeleSays reviews Metropolis’ Silver Nano Ceramic Paddle Brush.
Let the stress melt away! Christina Jones at eBeauty Daily reviews Johnson & Johnson’s new Melt Away Stress Body Lotion.
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: > Bloomingdale's, Benefit, Dr Feelgood, Macy's, Sephora
I have been excited about trying this product for a long time and had spent the last four weeks walking past my nearest Benefit counter debating about whether I could afford it or not. Finally after my Benefit makeover (see post) I
decided to purchase it.
The product comes in a cute silver pot with a sponge applicator and smells of aromatherapy oils. It glides on the skin smoothly and surprisingly does not feel dry. In fact it contains vitamin E, so can’t dry out even my skin (which is very dry in parts). I used the product under my regular make up and immediately noticed a difference. My skin looked healthy and definitely less shiny. It also seemed to make my skin look smoother. I could even wear it alone without make up and it would give the same effect. The only negative thing was the fact that the shine free look didn’t last. I had to keep applying to maintain it. However, it lasts a lot longer than any powder I have tried. This is a great product and one that I recommend to anyone! The only unattractive thing is the price – at $27 its something you will need to save for!
Where to find it: Sephora, Macy’s, Bloomingdales
THE BEST NEW BEAUTY POSTS – Monday 5/19
Coming Our Way Preview *Bites* – Cybele gives us a teaser of some new beauty products and stories coming your way on Cybele Says.
How To Eat Like A Hot Chick - Christine reviews a new book which she is crazy about on eBeautyDaily! Check it out!
Photoimaging Analysis – Over at 15 minute beauty fanatic, we get a great informative guide to how photo manipulation can change the way you look.
Glow from head to toe! Kristen Kelly at Beauty Addict shows you which product will help you avoid the “Photoshopped Head Effect.”
A fresh approach to Hollywood glamour! Shannon at Makeup Minute shows you how to get Maria Menounos red carpet look.
Finally! A cheap, soothing body wash. Cybele at CybeleSays reviews St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash.
Cue the horror film music! Jeni at Savvy Skin discusses the dangers of lip gloss.
Filed under: > The Body Shop, Beauty Sales | Tags: >The Body Shop, acccessories, bath, body, butter, fragrance
Summer travel set, with vanity bag and cosmetics case only $5 when you spend $40 dollars

Free shipping on orders over $60
Select Bath, Body, Accessories and Home Fragrance – Buy 3 Get 1 FREE

Nowadays, it seems like every store you visit wants you to sign up for a store card. But most of the time, its not worth the hassle to save a measly 10% off your first purchase. But Sephora is different. Their Beauty Insider club doesn’t cost a thing and offers some great perks. Here’s the scoop:
_______________________________________________________________________________
- Beauty Insiders rack up one point for every dollar spent at Sephora. When you reach 100 points in your Beauty Bank, you get a deluxe sample with your next purchase.
- Enter your personal information (such as eye color, skin type, etc.) on Sephora.com and Sephora will suggest products you might like.
- On your birthday, you’ll get an email reminder from Sephora to pick up your free birthday surprise! You can pick it up in store (without purchase), or have it added to your cart with your next online purchase.
- Sephora often sells limited-edition, Beauty Insider exclusive products that ONLY Beauty Insiders can buy!
So there you are. If you love Sephora but aren’t part of their Beauty Insider club, I suggest you sign up! What is there to lose? Got to sephora.com to become a Beauty Insider, or visit a Sephora store!

The search for a great long-lasting lipstick seems to be never-ending. Some have little to no lasting power, while others are so dry they make your lips shrivel up (not pretty). Trying to find a long-lasting RED lipstick is even harder. I must have searched for months trying to find a shade and texture that’s right for me. To my surprise, the Sephora brand lipstick was the
winner. 