Makeup Bits http://www.makeupbits.com/ A Daily Dose of Beauty Intelligence en-us Copyright 2008 Thu, 01 May 2008 23:54:33 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Guest Tutorial: Eyes Today, I am proud to include a tutorial from one of our readers in St.Petersburg, Russia. Anna was kind enough to take walk us through the steps to make your eyes look bigger. Ready to try that? Read on...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/05/guest-tutorial-eyes.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/05/guest-tutorial-eyes.html Eyes Thu, 01 May 2008 23:54:33 -0500 Talk to the Tan by Benefit Cosmetics The name of this product reminded me immediately of Stewie from "Family Guy" - remember when he got himself a wonderful tan? As everybody knows, with the tan comes the "tanned person" attitude and Benefit Cosmetics also knows that full well. So, one of their best sellers is this product from the "Girl of Ipanema" collection.

The difference between "Talk to the Tan" and one million other self-tanners out there is that with Benefit's product, the results are immediate and you don't have to wait a few hours just to know if you applied a little bit too much of the self-tanner - you will know right away. Which brings us to the second and probably most important difference: you can wash it off immediately with a cleanser. So, if you start looking like a BBQ'ed chicken, you don't have to look like that for a week!

To apply, you just have to smooth this sheer facial tint evenly over face & neck-colleté for an instant glow.

The price is $26

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/talk-to-the-tan-by-benefit-cos.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/talk-to-the-tan-by-benefit-cos.html Face Benefit Cosmetics Girl of Ipanema Talk to the Tan Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:32:06 -0500 Agent Provocateur - L'Eau de Parfum Agent Provocateur is an ultra-sexy lingerie company based in London, that has become a smashing success all around the globe. Their philosophy is summed up this way: "a woman wearing a scrumptious pair of turquoise tulle knickers promotes in herself a sexy superhero feeling which exudes itself as a confident and positive sexuality." Well put and I couldn't agree more!

Anyway, inspired by the success of their lingerie line, Agent Provocateur has gone on to design and produce complementary products including books, shoes, jewelery and (the topic of today's post) a very successful collection of fragrances...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/agent-provocateur.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/agent-provocateur.html Body Agent Provocateur Perfume Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:29:53 -0500 OPI India Collection

OPI launched their Spring/Summer 2008 India-inspired nail polish collection. In their typical manner, they were very creative in choosing the names of the colors: "I'm India Mood for Love", "Curry Up Don't Be Late!", etc (check the illustration inside).

The colors are beautiful and there is at least one for every taste, from discreet to classic to exotic to chic. Actually, three of these nail polish colors have their matching lipsticks and lip liners.

Now, another cool thing: if you girls (or guys) want to see what the polish color looks like before buying, all you have to do is go to the OPI Studio site:

www.opi.com/opi/opistudio.aspx

choose your skin tone and let the testing begin! (don't you just love technology?)

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/opi-india-collection.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/opi-india-collection.html Body Hands Seasonal Look Nail Polish OPI Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:06:22 -0500 Sexy Mama by The Balm Nothing wrong with companies headed by men, but it gives my feminist soul a great pleasure to see women succeed in business. Which is the case of The Balm - a company founded and headed by a woman, whose staff includes seven beautiful women, one lucky guy and three dogs (the Chief Pet Officer, the Pet President and the Director of Pets: nice titles!)

I also love their retro-sexy packaging and products.

Today I would like to introduce to you their anti-shine translucent powder with tiny oil-absorbing spheres, "Sexy Mama"..

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/sexy-mama-by-the-balm.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/sexy-mama-by-the-balm.html Face Powder The Balm Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:11:08 -0500 Red Earth 2V Mascara I am one of those people who won't leave the house without putting mascara on (ok, sometimes I do, but rather unwillingly). Which is to say that I love long, curly, black eyelashes. And that is why I am excited about 2V Mascara from Red Earth Cosmetics (an Australian company whose products are now found around the globe). So, what is special about this mascara?

First of all, the formula contains Carnauba Wax and Beeswax to thicken and lengthen the lashes. When used in eye makeup, these waxes stiffen but do not harden the product to facilitate application. The former, known as the "queen of waxes", is extracted from leaves of a Brazilian plant, Carnauba palm. It also contains sweet Almond Protein that prevents mascara from clumping and ensures smooth application.

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/redearth-2v-mascara.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/redearth-2v-mascara.html Eyes Face Mascara Redearth Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:35:32 -0500 Getting Loose with Mineral Makeup Urban Decay are no strangers to progressive trends. All their products are cruelty-free (not tested on animals), many are vegan (not containing animal-based ingredients). So it makes sense that they are on top of their game with another important trend: mineral makeup. Mineral makeup is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder and contains no perfumes, talc, alcohol, dyes, mineral oil or preservatives.

The Loose Pigment eye shadow comes in a range of colors ranging "bold brights to pretty neutrals" and from "Asphyxia" to "Yeyo". (If this doesn't accurately describe the colors to you, check the illustration below).

The powdery-fine shadows are supposed to deliver more intense color than pressed or cream eye shadows...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/urban-decay-loose-pigment.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/urban-decay-loose-pigment.html Eyes Face Eye Shadow Mineral Makeup Urban Decay Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:11:20 -0500 Cupid's Bow of Your Own If you liked the idea of the Maybelline product I wrote about last month but were a little nervous about the ingredients (I was!), I have another, slightly less adventurous suggestion.

Benefit Cosmetics has a new "lip shaping set" called Cupid's Bow. The goal is to create a "perfect bow" on your upper lip and a "perfect pout" on your lower lip. As a result, you get fuller and sexier lips - exactly as Cupid would want you to (in Roman mythology Cupid is the god of erotic love and beauty).

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/benefits-cosmetics-cupids-bow.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/benefits-cosmetics-cupids-bow.html Lips Benefit Cosmetics Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:57:49 -0500 PlantLove: Lipstick With a Conscience I'll be frank with you: I am a big fan of both lipstick and ecology. Combine the two and you have my attention (actually, puppies will work, too).

The folks at Cargo Cosmetics did just that: they launched their PlantLove lipstick collection which not only uses natural materials for the product and packaging (resulting in less greenhouse gases), but also promises to donate $2 from each lipstick sold to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/cargo-plantlove.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/cargo-plantlove.html Face Lips Cargo Cosmetics Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:49:25 -0500 Contouring Trio: Put Your Hollywood Face On I am sure you've heard this opinion before: all those so-called "beautiful people" would not look so beautiful with their makeup washed off. As much as it remains a stereotype, there is some truth to it - I mean, can you imagine how you would look if you had the best products, the best stylists and  all the time in the world to take care of your looks?

Unfortunately, for most of us, this is just not realistic. But there are shortcuts and there's no reason not to use them to your advantage.

Take, for example, the famous "sculpted cheek bone" look, or the slim "model nose". What if we could get them in just a few minutes? Well, now we can...

Stila Cosmetics has recently put on the market a new product that promises "larger eyes, sculpted cheek bones and slimmed-down nose", not to mention a better-defined jaw line - in just ten minutes...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/face-contouring-trio.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/face-contouring-trio.html Eyes Face Stila Cosmetics Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:26:30 -0500 Biotherm Body Resculpt Abdo I don't know if you girls have read "Paris to the Moon" by Adam Gopnik (if you haven't, I highly recommend it), but in the book the author makes some sharp observations on the cultural differences between France and the States when it comes to beauty.

For one, Gopnik writes, the French believe that almost any body problem can be effectively dealt with by applying the right lotion. As a result, hundreds of pages of French beauty magazines are filled with advertisements for various fat-zapping formulas. Articles on diet and workout routines are there too - hiding coyly on the very last pages - "if all else fails".

As appealing as it sounds, I am a little skeptical about the efficacy of creams alone: I mean, what - I can continue gobbling down cheese cakes and cookies and just keep on getting thinner? But even if it's not a magic bullet, I concede it might work in combination with regular workout and healthy lifestyle.

So, for those willing to give it a try, Biotherm has a new product: the Body Resculpt Abdo, a "stomach tightening concentrate" that "defines and firms the stomach with a non-sticky gel formula".

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/biotherm-body-resculpt-abdo.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/03/biotherm-body-resculpt-abdo.html Body Biotherm Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:19:25 -0500 Eyeshadow Transforming Potion By Urban Decay My friend Mary introduced me to the Urban Decay line of products and much to my delight, I found out that not only does the company make hilariously-named products targeting the young and rebellious crowd but, in addition, it maintains a cruelty-free stance in regards to animal testing, refraining from performing animal testing during any stage of product development.

Personally, I consider it a very important issue and I am glad this company addresses it directly. I think I'll be covering this company's products pretty regularly.

I'd like to start with a new product called Eyeshadow Transforming Potion...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/urban-decay-eyeshadow-transfor.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/urban-decay-eyeshadow-transfor.html Eyes Face Urban Decay Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:20:03 -0500 Nude Skin Tone By Armani Armani's look for the Spring 2008 season is all about "nude skin tone". To me, it looks very natural, discreet and elegant... Name notwithstanding, I wouldn't be afraid to wear it to work, although I think a more appropriate setting might be a dinner party.

Even though the result is very natural, the look does involve using around ten products at a total cost of about $300. The time required to apply is also fairly long...

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/nude-skin-tone-by-armani.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/nude-skin-tone-by-armani.html Seasonal Look Tutorials Giorgio Armani Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:19:39 -0500 Treat Yourself To "The Multiple Orgasm" It's hard to argue against the benefits of a product named "The Multiple Orgasm". Fortunately, that's not what I am about to do - I just wanted to introduce it, especially to those who haven't heard about the original "Orgasm" by Nars. Well, the singular "orgasm" is simply a blush that gives your cheeks a healthy glow (make the connection yourself).

Now, what's better than an orgasm? Why, of course, a multiple orgasm! Not willing to miss this unique "upsell" opportunity, Nars released (try not to laugh, ok?) a "multiple-purpose stick" for your eyes, cheeks, lips and décolletage.

Simply rub the cream-to-powder formula on your skin to get "shimmering accents, contours and dynamic highlights". The stick costs $37.

Enjoy!

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/the-multiple-o.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/the-multiple-o.html Eyes Face Lips Seasonal Look Nars Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:36:10 -0500 Galaxy Glam: Be a Space Cowgirl Tonight I don't want to inundate my readers with details of my personal life, but last weekend my fiancé and I visited the Mont-Mégantic planetarium. Being a city girl, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the night sky that we gazed upon from the top of the mountain..

So, this week, anything that reminds me of that gorgeous and mysterious blackness instantly peaks my interest. It turns out, this extends to cosmetics...

If you look through my recent "Seasonal Look" posts, you'll see how many warm, glowy, flowery and pastel-colored products are coming out this Spring. But what about the nights when we want to be dark, sexy and mysterious, never mind the season? I am glad you asked!

"Too Faced" has just released a product for those occasions. In the set, the "futuristic Italian opalescent-pigments" are baked into "silver-domed shadow" mix to produce a "multi-dimensional smoky eye". Et voilà: that's exactly what I am looking for - a multidimensional smoky eye!

]]> http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/too-faced-galaxy-glam.html http://www.makeupbits.com/2008/02/too-faced-galaxy-glam.html Eyes Seasonal Look Too Faced Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:50:33 -0500