Tarte EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner captures the high-pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, without the need for a brush. The formula suspends rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration by a process of hydrous pigmentation, in which cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into the skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing, and pigment-rich color. EmphasEYES™ ingredients include:
- Pure water that suspends mineral pigments while delivering and retaining moisture to replenish and hydrate skin,-
- Aloe leaf extract known for its soothing, healing, and antiseptic properties, which maintain moisture balance in the skin,
- Vitamin E, which acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage,
- Cucumber extract, which is rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin, and
- Mineral pigments, which have been known to soothe and soften the skin.
The best part is that due to the unique nature of this formula, you don't need to over advance the tip, so it lasts a while, so long as you remember to always securely replace the cap to prevent dry out.
You only need a little for intense color payoff, and it seriously doesn't move. We even wore it to the gym to test, and while the rest of our face was dewy, the liner DID NOT BUDGE, even from the waterline.
Available in 8 shades for $18, at Sephora.
The line is divided into two types-- Eye & Cheek and Lip & Cheek-- though all can be worn wherever your heart desires. The colors are intensely pigmented with a shimmery, light-reflective
finish. We decided to try one from each category, and chose #5, a peachy-pink with gold shimmer, and #15, a glistening grayish-taupe shade. 
The creams can be applied with fingers or a brush, though we had better experience with our fingertips. One swipe across the lid packed bold color, while blending it back and forth made the color more subtle. You can apply them to cheeks, eyes, lips, even as liner -- the possibility are truly endless.
Both colors were vibrant, easy to apply, light, and yes.... smudgeproof
(seriously, they barely came off without proper makeup remover). These may even be bulletproof...but we'll just have to keep
wondering about that one!
Summer's almost here and you know what that means: Time to toss aside the rich foundations and matte creams in favor of lighter products that allow the skin to breathe. It's also time to give the evil eye to your gorgeous coworker/friend/sister who is lucky enough to be able to go completely bare-faced when temperatures soar.
During the hotter months, the last thing we want to do is pile heavy cream and powder foundations on top of our over-hated skin. If you must use a base, tinted moisturizers have come a long way in the last few years. Coverage ranges from sheer to medium, and are light enough to give you coverage while keeping you cool and refreshed. Apply with fingers for more control, or with a damp sponge for a more sheer application. Bonus: the dampened sponge feels amazing on skin, especially when the weather is muggy.
Bronzer is perfect to warm you up and add a little color to pasty winter skin. Apply where the sun would naturally hit your face - forehead, nose, cheeks and chin-- with a fan-shaped brush to get a subtle, sun-kissed look.
Eyeliner can very easily go from sexy to smudged in the humid weather. If you're absolutey against going out without liner, trade your gels and liquids for a powder formula applied close to the lashline with a slanted or straight edged liner brush.
There's nothing worse than a heavy, smoky eye in the summer....except a sweaty, creased smoky eye. Instead, keep shadow light in shades that compliment your skin. Tip: Bronze and Gold hues look gorgeous with tanned skin and glossy lips.
Heavy lipsticks and glosses are the arch-enemy of tousled tresses in the summer wind, so skip both and opt for a tinted lip balm. These balms do double duty by moisturizing sun-chapped lips and adding the perfect sheer hint of color.
This is a no-brainer, but in case you need reminding: water/seat + regular mascara = raccoon eyes. NOT summer sexy. Most likely your favorite comes in a waterproof formula. Bonus? Waterproof mascaras tend to hold curl better. Hello gorgeous (budge-proof) lashes!
MAC Cosmetics' new summer 2010 collection has arrived and is perfect for those of you aiming for a more neutral look. As was expected, the collection entitled Pre-a-papier and inspired by 'Craft Paper Couture', encompasses a very muted palette and includes the usual suspects -- from lipstick to nail nail lacquers to paint pots -- all in very subtle tones. The stand out pieces are the Paint Pot in Soft Coral and the Lipstick in Dressmaker -- both soft, dreamy corals.
