Recently in Cosmetics: Eyes Category

Our penchant for eyeshadow primers aside (we're seriously addicted), Benefit Cosmetics' new Stay Don't Stray primer does the trick. The instructions say you can use it under concealers and eyeshadows but we've only tried it above the eyes. When put to the test during our long and strenuous work day, it did it's job and kept our shadow in its place -- even with our most troublesome and wandering shadows.

Side note: be careful when dispensing as the pump dishes out a heaping amount of primer and a little goes a long way. The instructions warned us but we of course didn't listen and had to learn the hard way.  Benefit Cosmetics, $24.

We're perpetually on the hunt for the perfect highlighter and never seem to find it-- this little highlighter is too glittery, this little highlighter is too greasy, and this little highlighter has us streaking all the way home. What's a girl to do?

Enter Vapour Organic Beauty-- their new Halo Body Spotlight imparts a luminous, lit-from-within glow that looks natural, and more importantly, doesn't leave glitter bomb fallout on our cheeks. It's the perfect shimmer to counteract dull, lifeless winter skin, and can be used on the face, shoulders, arms, décolletage.. the possibilities are endless.
 
Halo also delivers potent anti-oxidants into the skin to heal and protect it against environmental elements and pollutants.  It's made with the anti-inflammatory Frankincense, moisturizing Lotus Flower and Tulsi, an ancient healing herb, and is 70% organic.

Added bonus? The packaging is so pretty: a steel blue-gray shimmer... and it smells awesome too! Sort of a light, fruity smell that makes us want to bite it...but we won't. ;)

Halo comes in one universal shade, Moonlight, suitable for all ages and skin tones.
$34, VapourBeauty.com

 

Senna Totally Transforming Eyeshadow Primer has taken the market by storm. The multi-tasking primer neutralizes eyelid tone, provides a smooth canvas for color, and keeps shadow vibrant all day. The added benefit of hydrolized hybiscus extract keeps eyes looking young by warding off fine lines. We tried it under shadow during the 12 hours days we've been keeping at Fashion Week, and it seriously gives a certain purple-bottled potion a run for it's money.


$22, Senna Cosmetics

Trends can be intimidating, especially during Fashion Week- not only are the models 16 year old goddesses, but they have the best in makeup, hair, and design backstage dressing them up like dolls. How can we compete?

Thankfully, as we jet from backstage to backstage this season, we keep hearing the same phrases used over and over again: clean, fresh, organic, and "like they did it themselves". Good news for us, who don't have the beauty team following us around all day ( a girl can dream!)

Backstage at the Charlotte Ronson show, we noticed some really chic looks, which thankfully are super easy to re-create at home. Here's how to get the look:

For the face, Sephora PRO artist Gilbert Soliz told us that Charlotte wanted the girls to look as if  they'd done their own faces. The skin was kept dewy using Make Up For Ever Face and Body Liquid Makeup, and then sculpted with taupe powder to lift the face. The eyes were then given a monochromatic brown smokey look using Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes in Pearly Brown. The shadow was applied to the lid and then winged out with a brush, followed by DiorShow mascara enhance lashes. The eyebrows were kept natural and only lightly groomed, and lips were left nude, touched only by clear balm to enhance (Sephora FACE Very Sexy Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 15).

For the hair,  TRESemmÉ Celebrity Stylist Jeanie Syfu said that Ronson wanted "decadence". The hair was prepped with a lightweight mousse (Tresemme 24hr Body), and then dried with a round brush for volume before being sectioned off and wrapped lightly around a barrel iron. The curls were then finger combed to loosen the wave, and spritzed with a dry shampoo (Tresemme Fresh Start) to absorb leftover styling products.

Viola! So simple....turban optional.

Let's face it, makeup palettes are the best invention since sliced bread. This LORAC Color Me Couture Eye Shadow Palette caught our eye on one of our many weekly visits to Sephora. The gorgeous clutch-like packaging houses 5 neutral colors infused with Mother of Pearl to help the catch light and really make eyes pop. Not only did we not hesitate to buy this, but we suggest you add this to your beauty arsenal as well.

Colors include:

Enlighten (shimmering creamy pearl)

Style (shimmering gold pearl)

Luxe (shimmering bronze pearl)

Jade (shimmering olive green with gold pearl)

Designer (shimmering black with gold pearl)

 

Sephora exclusive. $37, sephora.com

 

 

 

Featured in the new Bobbi Brown Makeup Face Lift collection, we couldn't help but be drawn to Bobbi's Tinted Eye Brightener. Not only does this product help disguise any evidence of late nights, but this makeup must-have is now available in a portable pen. Need a midday makeup refresher? Give this pen a quick twist and click, apply, then voila! gorgeously bright-eyed again. Available in 8 shades. $38, nordstrom.com

Silky smooth and easy to apply, CoverGirl's new Smoky Shadow Blast Eyeshadow makes creating the perfect smoky eye easy for those of us who aren't professional makeup artists. With each tube containing two cream shadows of complimenting colors, we're no longer bound to just the usual brown or black shades. Our tip if you have oily eyelids: Use a good shadow base or sheer powder eyeshadow to ensure these stay locked on for hours. Available in 6 shades. $8.49, drugstore.com

 

 

Natalie Portman is a true fan of the smokey eye, and she always wears it well. At the premiere of her latest film, Brothers, Natalie was exquisite as usual-- her makeup was flawless! We can't help but admire her eye makeup, since this is the time of year we find ourselves rockin' different variations of the classic look.

To create a similar look at home, we suggest you try Maybelline's new Stylish Smokes eyeshadow quad in Natural Smokes. This quad along with the other 3 in the collection has every shadow you'll need to give your peepers the perfect smokey eye. Add some eyeliner and your favorite mascara and you're set to hit the town looking bold and beautiful.

Maybelline Stylish Smokes, $5.49 each, drugstore.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCA), and while we know support efforts, fundraisers and research are done throughout the entire year, we can't help but love all of the fabulous pink products that are created and released each October. There are so many, in fact, we have to break it down into categories and only share our absolute faves. Check out these products to keep your eyes bright and your cheeks blushing.