summer beauty: 5 products to prevent makeup meltdown

when a heatwave strikes, regular makeup just won't cut it. instead, we need to enlist the help of products that are long-wearing, will resist high temps and keep us looking fab. 

the following 5 beauty goodies were recommended to me with this requirement in mind! take a look...

Laura Geller Beauty Cool Lids are lightweight, long-wearing cream eyeshadows available in an assortment of fresh-from-the-ocean shades. they build a shimmering wash of color that cools and revives tired eyelids on contact thanks to its unique, water-rich formula. shades include Silver Sands, Lavender Lagoon, Rose Gold Goddess, Mermaid Marine, Bronze Beauty, Opal Oyster. 

keep eyeliner in place with the e.l.f. Studio Collection Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon. this jumbo-sized waterproof, smudge-proof liner is a multi-tasker! it not only offers creamy, high wattage color that can be worn as a bold eyeliner, but it also works beautifully as a shadow. shades include Brown, Champagne, Gunmetal, Moss, Navy, Pitch Black and Purple. 

create glam, nude eye looks, perfect for sweltering days with the new Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Trio Nude Looks Collection in Natural Nude or Warm Nude. they're 100% waterproof, high performing and high in pigment concentration for intense drama and definition that will last well into the night.

if its gorgeous arches you crave, consider Ramy Beauty Perfect Brow Wand. this waterproof double duty gel pen combines universally flattering eyebrow filler plus a pure highlighter to emphasize well sculpted brows and wake ups tired eyes.

 for face makeup, it's important to secure an iron clad "insurance policy"; this can be accomplished by way of the cult-favorite, Barrier Spray from Mehron Makeup. while designed to be misted on top of finished powder makeup to set and preserve application, this wonder spray can also be used under makeup to nip sweat and color fading in the bud.



what are your favorite and go-to products for keeping your makeup looking fab despite the heat? let me know in the comments!

Iconic Beauty: Marilyn Monroe

two days ago marked the 47th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's untimely death. i don't know about you, but i think she is the icon of beauty that can never be matched, duplicated or replaced. to celebrate the life of hollywood's golden girl, you can always find inspiration with these timeless tips!



flawless skin: Marilyn always had a flawless, radiant complexion. to get ready for your close up, try Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel. this three-in-one primer, foundation and color corrector gives skin a matte, air-brushed look.




blushing bombshell: never afraid to act the innocent, Marilyn knew the power of a subtle blush. to get a "just-pinched" look try Too Faced Brightening Blush in Pinch My Petals. the pink-mauves brighten the cheeks, forehead and chin for a perfectly pretty glow!





bedroom eyes: master Marilyn's "come-hither" look with Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noire. the rich, velvety formula creates an instant and dramatic finish in a dramatic shade of black. complete the look with Laura Geller's Full Figure Lashes Mascara-- the short and long nylon fibers combine to lengthen and thicken the look of lashes while the carbon black shade finishes off the seductive look.




perfect pout: Marilyn Monroe was rarely seen without her signature red pout. to get the look try coating lips with Michael Marcus's Lipstick in Debbie, a bold red. the classic shade stays put while the silky formula keeps lips kissable.




"beauty and femininity are ageless and can't be contrived..."


xo

Adam Lambert-Inspired Eye Liner Techniques

Adam Lambert may not have been crowned the king of American Idol, but he created quite the fanbase, not to mention has brought the very popular glam, heavy eyeliner look back, and inspired many makeup enthusiasts to don this look. i have the inside scoop from some beauty experts, including how they would translate this new rocker-chic beauty trend for us non-Idol rockstars...



Too Faced Cosmetics' Jerrod Blandino is a big fan Adam Lambert's style. his top tip to help any eye become a rockstar: "go coal black or go home! when wearing black eyeliner it's important to apply with confidence...it's a statement look so don't chicken out. apply a thin line of metallic color on top of a favorite black eyeliner for added shine!" try Too Faced Lava Gloss Eye Liner in Super Matte Black with a topping of Foiled Eye Liner in Black Beauty




Sue Devitt Beauty is known for its Eye Intensifier Pencils. founder, Sue Devitt says, "for a dramatic eye, apply the eye pencil, in Point Noir, along the base of the eyelid and into the lashline. smudge higher above and below the lashline. extend product just slightly further than usual to make eye look larger. definitely curl lashes, and finish your smoky eye with three coats of mascara."



make-up artist Michael Marcus recommends using a cake eyeliner for staying power, especially when the weather turns hot. simply run an eyeliner brush under water, dab it in the cake eyeliner, place it in a line along the upper and/or lower lash line and he promises it will stay on all day long! "cake eyeliner is a great investment because it not only lasts on the eyes longer, but you'll have it for months and months because you only need to use a little at a time," says Marcus.



Achelle Dunaway, resident make-up artist at e.l.f. Cosmetics, loves black eyeliner because "you can change your look so much with it!" exclaims Achelle. "if you’re going for a professional look, i recommend a small, even line on just the top lashes. try making four or five dots on the lash line and connecting them. this is an easy trick for drawing a straight line!" says Achelle. "if you want a really sexy look, draw a little cat eye, where the line extends outside of the lash line a bit and upwards. this makes the eye look bigger!" try e.l.f.'s Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black. for only $1 this liner stays put and offers precision for drawing the finest to boldest of lines.



Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Makeup, keeps her makeup to a minimum with eyeliner and mascara and loves the look of a lined eye! to make this dramatic look work for day she suggests using a lighter shade of liner. Laura uses Eye Rimz black powder eyeliners veined with colored pearl pigments that transform eyes from "wow to wowee!" in an instant. to create a perfect cat eye, Laura suggests that you "start from the outside of the eye, making sure the brush is touching the lash line, and line both the top and bottom lashes. if a darker line is desired, simply apply it wet. this will not only deepen the color but cause the formula to become water-resistant." i would say this is perfect for teary Idol-winner moments.


xo

Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Laura Geller, ELF, StriVectin and ANSR

need some gift-giving inspiration for mother's day? yeah, me too! here are four fabulous sets that are sure to at least inspire gift ideas to suit the mom (or moms) in your life...




for the sophisticated mama: Laura Geller Bring on the Bronze Kit would give her the perfect accessory for the season. complete with golden glow essentials for skin, eyes and lips. all products leave skin naturally sun-kissed with a just-back-from-vacation glow, perfect for busy moms who don't have time for a coffee break, never mind a vacation!





for the recessionista mamacita: you know just because we're in a recession doesn't mean your mom shouldn't be pampered. ELF Bath Sets come with Hand Cream, Body Butter, Shower Gel, Body Cream, Hand Soap and a loofah! they're available in six scents-- so go ahead, give the gift of tranquility and relaxation that's sure to leave mom feeling pampered and pretty, without breaking the bank.





give her the gift of glowing skin: give mom the gift of youth this mother's day with the StriVectin Limited Edition Mother's Day Gift Set. the elegant kit includes best-sellers that she will love, including StriVectin-HS Hydro-Thermal Deep Wrinkle Serum, the first and only topical formula to address the Dermal-Epidermal Junction, the place where deep wrinkles really begin. it also includes the number one prestige skin care cream in the entire world, StriVectin-SD. once wrinkles and creases are gone, mom will really be thankful to you! available at Sephora, Bloomingdales and Saks.




for the mom who adores facials (sounds like my mom!): bring the spa to her with the ANSR: Acne Care System. this system was developed by leading skincare specialists, and comes with the highly efficacious BEAM, an untethered LED device packed with both red and blue lights to combat fines lines and wrinkles, as well as help with the occasional blemish. in addition, you're receiving free topicals including DAY (the moisturizer,) PREP (the exfoliating cleanser,) and NIGHT (serum).


xo

review: Laura Geller Eye Rimz

Laura Geller's Eye Rimz are high pigment eyeshadows that are amazing for taking any subtle day look into a wow(!) night look-- instantly. because let's face it, sometimes a girl wants to wear a wash of eyeshadow color on her lids and sometimes she wants to rim her eyes for serious drama.

well since this "girl" is me, i suppose i should tell you what i think of this, huh?

simply put, i love this shadow. it's a great multi-use product, and i can't get enough of how well it wears and looks when i wear it. :)

the Eye Rimz formula-- which is a swirl of black, white, and colored pearl-- can be used dry, creating everything from sheer, shimmery color to a rich, dramatic look, and also applied wet, creating gorgeous, pure metallic color. the brush it comes with works to give just the right amount of shadow to create either look.

find Laura Geller Eye Rimz at laurageller.com

xo