Everyone strives for smooth, flawless skin ala Alek Wek, but not everyone comes by complexion perfection naturally. No worries! The right concealer can work wonders to create a flawless canvas.
We’re obsessed with Dermablend’s new Quick-Fix Concealer. The famous body makeup brand’s new coverup stick is light enough let your skin breathe, yet heavy enough to flawlessly erase dark circles, blemishes and scars. Get ready to embrace a new secret weapon!
Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer, $21, available at dermablend.com
Finding the right eyeshadow for day can be confusing (how smokey is too smokey?). But when in doubt, go for the gold. A soft, subtly shimmery wash of gold shadow on lids is so flattering – and surprisingly neutral! – on brown skin. We’re huge fans of Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eyeshadow in Goldlights, a dewy cream formula that transforms to a powdery glaze on skin. The finish is gorgeous, the color is brilliant, and it lasts for hours. Your lids will thank you!
Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eyeshadow in Goldlights, $25, sephora.com
Attention all art lovers: This holiday season, Kiehl’s has collaborated with uber-famous contemporary artist Jeffrey Koons to create a colorful, four-product collection formulated to soothe dry skin. The line includes the brand-new Whipped Body Butter, a nourishing blend of sweet honey and soy milk that leaves skin unbelievable soft and hydrated for up to 24 hours. We love that 100% of the proceeds benefit The Koons Family Institute, an initiative of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Kiehl’s Limited Edition Creme de Corps Holiday Edition, $27-$70, available at www.kiehls-usa.com and Kiehl’s stores nationwide.
Being super-busy on-the-go girls, we’re always on the lookout for multi-tasking beauty products – and this one takes the cake. Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster Pads have long been beloved by celebs like Kimora Lee Simmons and Ciara for their ability to keep the bikini area clear of razor bumps and ingrown hairs (each pad is soaked with a glycolic and salicylic acid formula that unclogs pores and bacteria-blocked hair follicles). But these genius pads also have a zillion other uses: We use them to freshen up our back, shoulders, arms and face after a workout; use them to sanitize our nail tools and makeup brushes; swipe them over our Blackberry or Iphone to banish blemish-causing germs; and use them to get rid of price tag goo left on gifts (huge help during the holidays). Completely Bare, you’re a lifesaver.
Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster Pads, $32, completelybare.com
Model Amber Rose once revealed that she covers herself head to toe with shea butter to maintain a glowing complexion. We’re so loving her lavish beauty secret! Well, L’Occitane introduces three new shea butter scents in super-cute, portable tins.
Made exclusively by women from Burkina Faso in West Africa, this shea butter is fair-trade and benefits women’s co-op directly. We love beauty for a cause! Did we mention that the scents smell heavenly?
L’Occitane Pure Shea Butter in Orchard Scents (Orange Honey, Apricot Flower, & Vineyard Rose), $15, available at usa.loccitane.com
At this year’s fall fashion shows, models stalked the catwalks in pouty, berry-stained lips that fairly screamed “I’ve been kissing for hours.” The good news? Whether you’ve been smooching or not, this rosy tint can be yours – all you need is a great lip stain.
For our money, it’s all about Givenchy Printed Lips Tinted Lip Stainer. This deeply pigmented felt-tip marker stains lips a lush wine hue that lasts for hours without budging. Pro tip: Add a dose of nighttime shine by layering on a clear lipgloss.
Givenchy Printed Lips Tinted Lip Stainer, $24.50, sephora.com
Tattoos can be pretty fabulous (exhibit A: Rihanna, who’s tatted up on her back, fingers, ear, legs, and neck!). The thing is, unless you’re a rock star, tattoos aren’t always appropriate for all occasions. What do you do if you’re invited to a fancy holiday party, and you want to rock a low-cut cocktail dress? Dermablend has the answer with their new Leg and Body Tattoo Primer. Spread on this smooth, blendable primer before applying Dermablend’s famous Leg and Body Cover Foundation to prevent it from smudging, smearing, or wearing out over time. The best part? With the primer, the foundation stays put for up to 12 hours! Perfect for the pre-game cocktails, the party and the after-party.
Dermablend Leg and Body Tattoo Primer, $25, dermablend.com
Lush lashes always make you feel like the most glamorous girl in the world, bad hair days and PMS be damned! And now, with LORAC’s new Visual Effection Collection, scoring a set of uber-battable lashes is easier than ever. The kit comes stocked with three eye-popping bestsellers, including two Visual Effects Mascaras in jet black and midnight blue; as well as a Behind The Scenes Eye Primer to ensure that your eyeshadow won’t crease, smear or fade. Viva la lash!
LORAC’s Visual Effection Collection, $20 (valued at $47), limited time only at Ulta stores and ulta.com.
We all brush, we all floss, we all diligently rinse with anti-bacterial mouthwash twice a day (well…maybe not twice a day) – and despite all that upkeep, our teeth can look less-than-luminous sometimes. Smashbox has come to the rescue with their new Smile-Brightening Lip Gloss! This glistening, sparkly-sheer pink shade is spiked with tons of light-reflecting pearls that instantly give the illusion of a Kelly Rowland-esque, super-dazzling smile. Plus, the gloss is blended with a tingly mint flavor that helps keep your breath kissably fresh. All that, and only five bucks? We’re sold!
Smashbox Smile-Brightening Lip Gloss, $5, sephora.com
Nothing is as luxurious as a spa facial, but while your face looks radiant, your pockets can feel drained! Pamper yourself with a Karuna’s No-Rinse Face Mask, a revolutionary idea eliminating the extra steps and mess created by traditional masks.
Simply unfold the cloth mask, adjust to your face, and relax for 10-20 minutes. Voila, cleansed and moisturized skin! We suggest mixing and matching the six formulations to create a custom program. Getting pretty has never been so easy!
Karuna Treatment Mask, $28 for pack of 4, Karunaskin.com
The cold weather is here, which also means we’re preparing ourselves for months of dry, parched hands. Enter Thyme’s new Agave Nectar Hand Lotion, one of the most luxurious, moisturizing-without-being-greasy creams on the planet.
Blended with hydrating agave extract, jojoba oil and shea butter, the hand lotion not only conquers ashies, it helps harness moisture to help keep skin supple all day. Plus the zingy citrus scent is downright addictive. A handbag essential!
As our faithful readers know, we’re always on a quest to find fabulous, double-duty beauty products — and we might’ve discovered the most ingenious product yet. Loaded with good-for-you ingredients that help prevent wrinkles, zits and discoloration, Ramy Sleep In Beauty cream is formulated to work at its highest efficacy while you’re sleeping.
The truly genius part? The cream also happens to give the sheer, flawless finish of a foundation! The lightweight, quick-absorbing formula won’t rub off on your pillows and sheets, and the “Dark” shade is sheer enough to flatter all brown skin tones. Perfect for tricking your guy into thinking you wake up with the most gorgeous complexion on Earth! One little white lie never hurt anyone…
Ramy Sleep In Beauty in Dark, $48, amazon.com
