Mac
High vs. Low: Eye(shadow)-Candy
MAC eyeshadow has long been a staple of makeup artists, celebs, and real women alike, beloved for its heavily-pigmented formula – which ensures that what you see in the pot is what you get on your lids upon application. A trip to the MAC cosmetics counter brings us back to those kid-in-a-candy-store days: the array of colors, from vibrant jewel tones to shimmery nudes and bronzes, makes it nearly impossible to pick just one. Our one caveat? That $14 price point – after the first two or three purchases, our candy craving turns into a bit of a stomachache (at MACcosmetics.com).
Now there’s a way to get the rich look of MAC’s premium eyeshadows at a much sweeter price. Like their MAC counterparts, the shadows from L’Oreal’s new HiP (that stands for “High Intensity Pigments��?) line are highly concentrated – designed to glide on evenly and last all day. Bonus: each pot contains two different, complimentary shades, such as “Wicked��?, a soft taupe/vibrant lilac combo that looks great layered together or worn separately. For half the price of one MAC shadow, you can get two L’Oreal shades in one (from $7, at Ulta.com.)
A long-lasting, concentrated formulation is the perfect partner for this season’s fresh color palette. Many designers sent models down the runway sporting a sheer wash of bold color over lids, paired with dewy skin and nude lips. To make this runway look work in real life, use a neutral shadow as a base color all over the eyelid up to the crease, and apply a dab of a brighter hue just to the center of lids. Or for a super-glam evening look, use an electric shade of purple, turquoise, or green as a liner: line eyes with your standard black or brown pencil, then dip a dampened eyeliner brush into shadow and trace over your existing line. Finish with two coats of mascara and prepare to mesmerize.
Fashion Advice: Color For the Pasty
Dear Budget Fashionista:
I have a very pale complexion, and recently I heard someone say that women with pale skin should wear mainly darker/more intense colours, because it creates a better contrast with their skin. So, my question is: should I stay away from pastel colours?
AYou can wear pastel even if you are fair of skin. In fact, back in the 1980’s, when everyone was totally into the whole “season” look and getting color analyzed, you would have been classified as a “winter”—someone with fairer skin with blue/purple undertones and encouraged to wear pastels.
The key is pulling off the pastel look when you have pale skin is make-up. Create a more dramatic, color intense mouth (darker pinks), define your eyes with brown eyeliner, and add a smidgen of blush to your cheeks for a little extra coloring. Try make-up from reliable sources like Avon or MAC. If you are unsure how to wear the make-up head over to cosmeticconnection.com or to celebrity make-up artist Elke Von Freudenberg’s Beauty Newsletter, for cosmetic tips.
Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Awards: Beauty Insiders Choose Favorite Beauty Products
Every year the Cosmetic Executive Women, a trade organization in the beauty industry with over 4,000 members, chooses it’s best beauty picks in a slew of categories. Here’s this year’s winners.
2006 Insider’s Choice Beauty Awards
Eye Treatment Under $20
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Lip Treatment Under $12
Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm
Moisturizer Under $20
Eucerin Redness Relief Lotion SPF15
Peel & Mask Under $25
Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher
Hair Care and Coloring Product Under $10
Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up
Eye Product Under $12
Maybelline New York Intense XXL Volume + Length Mascara
Face Product Under $15
M.A.C Cosmetics Select Moisturecover
Men’s Skincare Under $15
Kiehl’s “Ultimate Man” Body Scrub Soap
Nail Care & Color Under $12
Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer
Sun Product Under $15
Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray
Body Treatment Under $15
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
Scented Bath & Body Under $15
Cool Moisture Body Wash
Acne Treatment $10 and Over
Olay Effects Anti-Aging Anti-Blemish Moisturizer
Anti-Aging Under $20
Olay Regenerist Continuous Night Recovery
Cleanser & Scrub Under $10
Dove Cool Moisture Cleanser
View the complete list of winners at the Cosmetic Executive Women’s Website.
Four Great Budget Lip Products (Plus One Splurge)
A great lipstick has the power to take you from pasty drab to fashion fab faster than you can say “L’Oreal Colour Juice”. In the winter months, this instant makeover in your purse, is your first defense against chapped, winter lips. So to keep your puckers and your wallet in tip top shape, check out our guide to five of my favorite budget friendly lip products.
Rimmel—Sold at your local Wal-Mart and on Drugstore.com
, this London based make-up line is a favorite of beauty editors. With a wide range of colors, supermodel spokespersons like Kate Moss, and a $5.00 or less price tag, Rimmel’s line of lip products will keep you smiling all day. Plus Budget Fashionista readers can get free samples online at RimmelLondon.com.
My favorite Rimmel products: Volume Boost Liquid Lipcolour, 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner, and Vinyl Lip Lipgloss .
BLACK OPAL—This drugstore brand isn’t just for women of color. Women with olive skin and deep tans will appreciate this line for its high pigment colors, moisturizing effect, and less than $6.00 price tag.
My favorite BLACK OPAL products: BLACK OPAL Matte Plus Moisturizer Lipstick and BLACK OPAL Patent Lips Liquid Lipstick.
Carmex- In elementary school, before I was allowed to participate in the joy of make-up, I would pretend that my tub of Carmex was a tube of ruby red lipstick. Although, I’ve graduated to real lipstick, the old stand-by continues to be a favorite during the winter months. The medicated formula helps heal dry chapped winter lips and when used with a mauve or pink lipliner, turns into a great winter lipgloss.
My favorite Carmex products: the Original Carmex Tubs ( with old school yellow tops) and the Mint Click Stick with increased SPF 30 sunscreen protection.
L’Oreal —L’Oreal is high end french cosmetics meets middle america prices. The lipstick offerings are way better than their chief competitor, Revlon and the
L’Oreal Colour Juice, out performs Lancome Juicy Tubes both in terms of price and quality.
My favorite L’Oreal product: L’Oreal Colour Juice .
Lipstick Splurge
MAC—Lipstick is what made MAC famous. If you have lips, MAC has your color—the make-up brand has over 160 (yep, 160) different colors in ten different finishes ranging from Amplified to Matte to Metallic Frost. The line isn’t budget, an average lipstick retails for $14.00 at your local department store, but the lipsticks do last a long time. If $14 is still a little steep for you, try a Lancome—The Company Outlet (found at most Premium Outlet Malls). I’ve purchased MAC lipstick at this outlet store for well under $10.
My favorite MAC colors: Media, Cyber, Viva Glam III.
Got a Favorite Budget Lip product? Post it below.
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