Roundup: For Your Valentine

Valentines’ Day already? Although I feel like I just barely survived the winter holidays, I suppose this one is much more light-hearted and much less stressful. My boyfriend and I don’t usually do anything to big to celebrate—usually a dinner date or something mellow—but this year, I’ve decided to give little gifts to some girlfriends to remind them of how much I appreciate them. I remember being a kid and loving the little paper cards with candy taped to them–why not make some more grown-up Valentines using cute beauty products? Here, I’ve chosen some of my favorite lovey-dovey products.

Philosophy’s new Sweet On You flavor was inspired by Valentines’ Day’s iconic gift: the candy heart. The sweet scent comes in the form of lip gloss and their staple bath product, the three-in-one shower gel and shampoo. If you were never one for their chalky taste, you’ll love these for their sweet, sugary smell—sans the silly printed sayings.

The LORAC Be Mine Collection is so cute and makes for an amazing gift. You get three eye shadows, shimmering pink blush, thickening mascara, and a pink Multiplex 3D lip gloss—all packaged in a cute black pouch. A set of essentials lets any friend know you care.

Aptly-named for the purpose of my Valentines’ shopping, the Bare Escentuals Girlfriend Collection is another killer set of makeup must-haves. Complete with two eye shadows, blush, sheer finishing powder, eyeliner, lip polish, and a makeup brush—what more could you need?

I’m going crazy over the Stila Make Me Blush Set. The blush has cute, shimmering hearts all over it, and it gives your cheeks a sweet flush of pink. It comes with two of their much-loved Lip Glazes, in red and pink. All three pieces in the set are fairly neutral shades, so they’re great for any skintone.

Sephora Giveaway: ClickR + The Roommate Swag Bag

On our radar is the upcoming film, The Roommate, opening February 4th, a psychological thriller that stars Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly and the incredibly handsome Cam Gigandet, one of our favorite (and hands down hunkiest) beauty spokespeople around.

The actor, who first caught our eye as the evil but dreamy vampire in Twilight, is also the face of clickR, the new antiacne line sold exclusively at Sephora. Besides having gorgeous skin, Cam, is the strong and sensitive type, if you haven't already noticed, which makes him clickR personified. The collection, like Cam, is gentle enough even for sensitive skin, and tough on breakouts with visible results in 24 hours or less. B&TB is also comforted to know that clickR has never been or will be tested on animals.

To fete Cam's rising star, and for his smart choice partnering with a breakthrough beauty brand, we're giving away The Roommate movie swag bags packed with our most popular ClickR skincare products and more. 10 lucky B&TB readers will get the following:



• clickR Pearl Wash
• clickR Hot Face Mask
  
• clickR Day Brilliant Lotion

• The Roommate movie t-shirt
• 
The Roommate movie poster

• The Roommate movie dry- erase corkboard
  

How excited are you? To enter, post your name and email address in our comments section. This giveaway goes 'til February 6th at 5pm PST. Good luck!

Learn more about clickR here.
The Roommate opens nationwide on February 4th. Watch the trailer here.

Tried + Tested: SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stains

I knew this one is a keeper when it set off a flurry of questions disrupting our daily morning meeting. Who makes it? SEPHORA COLLECTION. What shade was I wearing? 07 Dark Berry. When can we buy it? Starting now. It was then decided unanimously to be a have-to-have product, and we suspended our usual agenda to schedule, choose shades, and plan on where we would go with our luscious pouts.

Because this much enthusiasm is usually reserved for happy hour Fridays, I feel compelled to share with you all the wondrous benefits of this show-stopping hue.

The new formula is genius in that it has all the benefits of a stain so color is anti-feathering and fade-resistant, including the darker reds. At the same time, this product features the moisturizing properties of a lipstick. It's enriched with avocado oil, and the silky texture lets you apply evenly and without tugging.

If you're looking for an instant way to look effortlessly put together (and with Valentine's Day coming soon, alluringly seductive), look no further. The color saturation is out of this world, and it will brighten your complexion even in moonlight and candlelight. Also, crucial on big dates, it won't rub off after one or a few glasses of wine, which is a good indication it will stay put when you're engaged in amorous activities too.

There are 8 amazing shades ranging from neutral peach to deep blackberry. Finishes come in matte and satin. The latter has a unique vinyl sheen that is uber-sophisticated, and sure to cause a major commotion of your own.

Bobbi Brown’s Beauty Rules

One of our favorite reads around the office right now is Bobbi Brown’s book, Beauty Rules. I’ve been looking through it for the past few weeks and have been finding some really helpful tips on making eye color last all day, how applying certain makeup with your fingers is better than a brush, and other tricks of the trade from the beauty expert herself. Here, I’ve shared an excerpt from Beauty Rules with some of my favorite eye makeup tips—perfect to try out with her new Pretty Powerful Palettes in both the soft shades and deeper rich colors.

 


QUICK TIPS FOR AMAZING EYES

Tip #1: Law of proportion
When it comes to eyeliner, the lower lash line should always been thinner than the liner on the top lash line. You don’t want to draw attention to the area under your eye.

Tip #2: Lighten up
Always wear concealer when you use black eyeliner. Otherwise you’ll wind up looking tired.

Tip #3: Make it stick
Dust eyelids with face powder before applying eye shadow for long-lasting wear.

Tip #4: Breaking point
Always curl your lashes before you apply mascara so you don’t damage your lashes.

Tip #5: Tone it down
After you fill in your brows with a pencil or shadow, if the color winds up looking too harsh, soften it by pressing loose powder onto the brows with a powder puff.

Hat Head: What’s Your Chic Trick?

Brr/It’s cold in here/There must be some clovers in the atmosphere/I said Brr.
You don’t need to live in the eastern corridor to realize that this winter has been especially snowy here in New York. And with such crazy precipitation (last night we had thundersnow), comes a lot of hat wearing.
In the past I’ve used the wrap your hair up and place-it-under-your-chapeau-so-it-gets-nice-waves technique. And I keep some hair sheets at the office to tame any errant flyaways. If my hair is looking particularly ravaged, I just keep my hat on. I’ve got this adorable little tam that looks great worn in- or outdoors. But this season, I’ve hit an ice patch of sorts with my plan, all thanks to my latest hair obsession—the top knot. I just can’t stop piling my hair on top of my head and fastening. Unfotunately, however, such a fantastic eye-opener literally makes me look like I’m wearing a dunce cap. My crafty sister has fashioned herself a cap with buttons that let her pony swing, but that isn’t so right for my hair do du mois. Got any tips? Swak –Jenna Mahoney

Buxom Giveaway Rules

Sephora Twitter Sweepstakes

Official Rules

1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE WILL NOT AFFECT OR IMPROVE THE CHANCES OF WINNING. This sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

2. Sponsors: Sephora USA, Inc., 525 Market Street, 32nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 (the “Sponsor”). This Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter, Inc.

3. Eligibility: Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico, Guam and all other U.S. and foreign territories and possessions not otherwise mentioned herein) who are 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry and who have a non-protected Twitter account (no purchase or payment is necessary to sign up for a Twitter account). NOTE: Due to the way the Twitter service is operated, Sponsor may not receive entries from Twitter users with “protected” updates (i.e., where only people the user has approved can view updates). Sweepstakes is not open to employees, independent contractors, officers, directors, agents or representatives of Sponsor or of Sponsor’s parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and/or assigns, Sponsor’s advertising, promotion and fulfillment agencies, legal advisors, and the immediate family members (mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son or spouse, regardless of where they live) and persons living in the same household (whether or not related) of any of the foregoing (collectively, “Sweepstakes Entities”).

4. Entry Method: To enter a Sweepstakes, follow the instructions in any call to action provided in any tweet message received from Sponsor during a Sweepstakes Period that indicates there is a chance to win a prize. Instructions may include tweeting a specific message or unique term or hashtag, or tweeting a reply to a question posed by Sponsor. Sponsor may, at its sole discretion, accept a technically incorrect term or message. To qualify for entry, a tweet message must be a targeted reply to Sponsor’s Twitter account (i.e., @sephora) using Twitter’s @Reply function. If an entrant’s Twitter account is set to “protected mode” your updates/responses may not be visible in Sponsor’s @Reply inbox, and may not be received by Sponsor unless entrant has previously consented to permit Sponsor to view entrant’s Twitter updates. @Reply messages not received by Sponsor will not be entered into the Sweepstakes.

Only one (1) entry, per person, per Sweepstakes Period will be accepted. Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries by using multiple Twitter accounts or otherwise may be disqualified. Entries generated by a script, computer programs, macro, or other automated means will be disqualified. Entries that are incomplete, lost, late or misdirected, deceptive or otherwise not in compliance with these official rules may be disqualified at Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for late, incomplete, misdirected, delayed, or undelivered entries, including without limitation entries not timely received due to telephone failures, Internet or website failures and disruptions, and ISP problems. Incomplete information may result in disqualification of entry. In the event of a dispute over the identity of an entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the Twitter account of the entry, which the entrant will have the obligation to establish. All entries carry an equal chance of winning.

5. Sweepstakes Period: Sweepstakes Period will begin at 10 a.m. PT on January 27, 2012 and will end on 3:00 p.m. PT on January 31, 2012.

6. Selection of Winners: The winners of each Sweepstakes Period will be selected from all eligible entries received during the applicable Sweepstakes Period (as determined by checking the Sephora @Reply folder for qualified and complete responses to Sponsor updates calling for entries) in a random drawing conducted by Sephora on immediately following the end of the Sweepstakes Period. The potential winner will be contacted by Sponsor via a direct message to the potential winner’s Twitter account, and for that reason, must be a “follower” of Sephora’s Twitter account in order for Sponsor to be able to contact the selected winner. (This requirement is only for the purposes of facilitating eligibility verification and prize fulfillment communication and may be discontinued following that process.) Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received as of the end of the applicable Sweepstakes Period. All decisions of Sponsor are final and binding on all entrants.

7. Prizes: Five (5) winners will be selected for each Sweepstakes Period to win the prize listed below that corresponds with that Sweepstakes Period:

Prize	Prize Value
Big and Healthy Lipstick in Las Vegas	$18.00
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black	$19.00
Buxom Lip Tarnish in Extortion	$17.00
Big and Healthy Lip Polish in Dolly	$18.00
Big and Healthy Lip Polish in Sandy	$18.00
True Hue Blush in Swept Away	$24.00
Stay There Eyeshadow in Pug	$17.00
Stay There Eyeshadow in Mutt	$17.00
Big and Healthy Lipstick in Brooklyn	$18.00
Buxom Smoky Eye Stick in Smokin Pistol	$18.00

Prizes are non-refundable and non-transferable, cannot be combined with any other special offer or promotion, and must be accepted as awarded. Prizes may not be exchanged for cash value or substituted, except that Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute with either the cash value of the prize, or a prize or prizes of equal or greater value. Applicable federal, state or local taxes and any other costs or expenses associated with the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. There will be no other prizes. All prizes will be awarded. Total approximate retail value of all prizes is $830.00. Prizes will be delivered to confirmed winners to a valid U.S. address.

The Sweepstakes is an independent promotion for consumers conducted by Sponsor and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the above-listed products or retailers. Third party trademarks and logos, including without limitation, the individual names of the products and retailers, are the property of their respective owners.

8. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. By participating, each entrant agrees to comply with these official rules and agrees that Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error that may occur in the processing of entries in the Sweepstakes. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or tampering with or hacking of, the web site or any technical failure or malfunction, or any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s computer or property.

IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR OR ANY SWEEPSTAKES ENTITIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, ANY PRIZES WON, ENTRANT’S ACCESS TO OR USE OF SPONSOR’S WEB SITES OR THE TWITTER WEBSITE, OR THE ACCESSING, DOWNLOADING AND/OR PRINTING OF ANY MATERIAL AVAILABLE ON SAID SITES. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSIONS OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY.

9. By accepting a prize in this Sweepstakes, each winner grants to Sponsor, where permitted by law, the right to use and publish (worldwide and via the Internet) his/her name, city and state of residence, portrait, image, picture, voice, likeness and comments for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without notification, review or approval, and without additional consideration. To receive a prize, each winner will be required to provide entrant’s full name, mailing address, telephone number and/or email address. A winner may also be required to complete, sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release. A winner’s prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner at Sponsor’s sole discretion upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the failure of winner to confirm acceptance of the prize and return any required documents within seven (7) days of prize notification by Sponsor; (ii) the return of a prize or prize notification to Sponsor as non-deliverable; or (iii) the determination by Sponsor that winner is ineligible or otherwise not in compliance with these official rules.

BY ACCEPTING A PRIZE, EACH WINNER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS SPONSOR AND ALL SWEEPSTAKES ENTITIES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS, INCLUDING DEATH, AND PROPERTY, ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE, PARTICIPATION IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES OR ANY SWEEPSTAKES-RELATED ACTIVITY.

10. Sponsor is not responsible for any changes or unavailability of the Twitter service that may interfere with the Sweepstakes (including any limitations, restrictions or conditions on Sponsor’s ability to use the service for the Sweepstakes) or ability of entrant to timely enter, receive notices or communicate with Sponsor. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned because of circumstances including, but not limited to, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, changes in the Twitter service, or any other causes, which, in Sponsor’s sole judgment, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion and determination of fairness, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and to select the winners from entries received prior to such event or interruption. Sponsor may disqualify any entrant who tampers with the entry process or operation of the Sweepstakes or who violates these official rules. If the Sweepstakes is terminated due to tampering or technical difficulties prior to its expiration date, notice will be posted on Twitter via a Sponsor update and/or on the site(s) where these Official Rules have been posted.

11. By registering to enter the Sweepstakes, each entrant acknowledges he/she has read, understands and will abide by these official rules. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these official rules, or the rights and obligations of entrants and/or Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard to the conflict of laws principles.

12. For a list of names of winners or a copy of these official rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope for receipt by January 31, 2013, to: “Sephora and Buxom Twitter Sweepstakes,” Sephora USA, Inc., 525 Market Street, 32nd Floor, San Francisco CA 94105. Vermont residents may exclude stamp on return envelope.

13. The personal information collected from each entrant with respect to the Sweepstakes will be used by Sephora for the purposes of administration of the Sweepstakes.

Philosophy Keeps Getting Sweeter

When I was really young, my mother used to take my sister and I to San Francisco’s bustling Fisherman’s Wharf. My best memories from those trips also included salt water taffy. We would get big bags of mixed flavors and color—key lime was always my favorite. To this day, if I pass an old-fashioned candy shop while traveling, I can’t help but get a little bag of the colorful candies.

The geniuses over at Philosophy must have similar feelings about the sweet treats. Their brand new scent for their beloved three-in-one shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath is—you guessed it—salt water taffy. The Salt Water Taffy three-piece set comes with lemon, lime, and strawberry taffy-inspired flavors. In true Philosophy fashion, they are rich, creamy, and luxurious formulas—and the colors make me smile just looking at them. Now, you can lather up in sweet suds while revisiting treasured memories of a favored treat.

New Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick Shades

You may or may not already be aware of the wonder that is Benefit’s Full-Finish Lipstick. For those of you who do, there are four new shades out to add to your repertoire. For those who don’t, here’s what you need to know: Like the name says, these rich lipsticks provide your lips with full coverage and color. Every shade is wearable any time, day or night, and the creamy texture is oh-so-fun to apply—over and over again. The new shades—Pinking of You (pop of pink), Rumor (rose quartz), Espionage (black cherry), and Wanna (royal raspberry)—are all so different and add a little warmth to the existing color assortment.

"Shy is the perfect ballerina pink—it makes me feel like a doll!" said Kate Murphy, Benefit's phenomenal PR manager.

“In my humble opinion, Pinking of You is seriously awesome,” said Benefit’s fabulous PR coordinator, Erin Simpson. “It still feels bright pink, but warm enough to look flattering on most complexions. The unofficial fave around the office seems to be Wanna.”

You know their favorites—now, tell us yours! I’m leaning towards the mauve-rose look of Rumor.

PSA: Don’t Forget Your Brushes

Yesterday’s news about wearing jeans for 15 months straight without washing got a lot of icks and ews. It also got me thinking about how long I go without cleaning certain items, chief among those are makeup brushes. According to some reports I found, 60% of us don’t clean our brushes. And that can lead to disastrous results—uneven application, the spread of bacteria and breakouts. Aim to clean them every 10 days (and if you’re anything like me, you’ll actually do it biweekly). You can use a dedicated brush cleanser or baby shampoo. To do: Shake bristles back and forth in a soapy water mixture until you get foam. Rinse with warm water. Make sure you don’t wet the handles. Stand upside down in a cup to dry or place on the ledge of a counter space. Et Voila, clean brushes and a happy face. Swak —Jenna Mahoney

Greetings from the Sundance Film Festival

Sephora is slope-side in Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival! Our makeup experts have set up a Sephora Beauty Studio at the Samsung Galaxy Tab Lift, and offering V.I.P.s a retreat from screening and schmoozing to indulge in one of our Express Services. We're giving celebrities a glorious 15 minute session, where they can get one of many beauty fixes from smoky eyes to flawless foundation. For the same V.I.P. treatment, visit any Beauty Studio inside our Sephora stores. See details and our menu here. And, stay tuned! We'll let you know which stars visited our glamorous snowy lounge.

Photo: John Shearer/WireImage

Ingredient Spotlight: Amazonian Clay

An ingredient pioneer, Tarte is always infusing their beautiful hues with the next big, good-for-you concoctions. The most recent of which is Amazonian clay.

The Provocateur Amazonian Clay Shimmer Powder comes in two shades—golden champagne and peachy-pink—and gives skin a really light, sheer glow. It’s subtle, so it won’t necessarily give you all-over coverage, but it’s great for a little added radiance. Their Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is true to its name—it really does last all day and beyond—and comes in eight wonderful shades of pink, peach, and berry. To brighten skin—with or without any makeup—their Smooth Operator serum with Amazonian Clay feeds the skin with vitamins, minerals, and a brighter complexion. 

If you don’t already know about the skin-enhancing benefits of Amazonian clay, here are some must-know tips and facts on the subject from brand founder, Maureen Kelly.

-The Amazon River flows for 4,000 miles and collects nutritious plant and fruit matter along the way.
-Clay gathers in the river basin, where it’s at its highest nutrient concentration.
-This Amazonian clay is one of nature’s most perfect ingredients and suitable for any skin type.
-The clay helps balance skin moisture and oil levels, while actually improving firmness and texture.
-In order to get the clay ready to be part of the makeup, it has to be allowed time to dry out in the sun as though it’s being naturally baked. Next, it’s shaved down to a fine powder and infused with Tarte’s one-of-a-kind formulas.

As we already mentioned, the ingredient is mild, so it’s safe for use on any skin type. In fact, the clay reacts differently, yet beneficially, with each type:

-Oily skin: It minimizes oil around pores to balance skin and maintain truer color, longer.
-Dry skin: It nourishes and hydrates skin to naturally restore moisture for better, overall skin health.
-Combination skin: It responds intuitively to restore skin harmony.

Try Tarte’s new Amazonian clay formulas for yourself and let us know what you think! They're available online now and will hit stores on February 17.

Personalized Advice + Samples Just for You

Every time I go to a Sephora store, I learn something new, even when I think I've mastered something. How did our associates become such experts? They have tried hundreds of products and undergone hours of ingredients and technical training. They know brands, benefits, and on top of that, they are great listeners. That's good for us, because right now, they're hooking clients up with skincare samples based on personalized skin concerns. If you ever wanted to try something for a nagging problem like wrinkles, dryness, breakouts, what have you, they can help. Not only will they recommend tips and products, they'll send you home with samples so you can give them a try before you buy. This is such a great chance to nail down your perfect routine.

Samples may vary, and they're limited, so hurry. If you can't make it in store, we're also giving away a Skincare Splurge Bag with 10 samples we think will do your skin good. Check it out here.

Tried + Tested: Perricone MD Cleansing Treatment Bar

Okay, this is definitely going to seem like TMI, but I’m going to put it out there anyway because I have to believe I’m not the only one: My boyfriend has a beard and my chin breaks out from kissing him. I know. Gross.

My whole life, I’ve been blessed with drama-free skin. No matter what I do: stay up late, forget to wash my face before bed, try a new product, eat tons of junk food, fly on a plane for twelve hours. I almost never break out. As long as I use moisturizer morning and night, my skin pretty much behaves itself.

Or at least it did until my bearded boyfriend came along.

Believe me. I’m a huge SF Giants’ fan, but the phrase “Fear the Beard” took on a whole new meaning when I started waking up to ugly red bumps where there had never been any before. It was suddenly apparent that my usual face wash just wasn’t cutting it anymore, so I asked some of the girls at Sephora what they thought I should do. The answer was clear (bad pun intended).

Enter: Perricone MD Cleansing Treatment Bar.

Because my skin’s biggest issue has always been dryness, I wanted a cleanser that was mild and effective. I also figured, while I was at it, maybe I could find something that would get rid of the dullness that has started appearing when I don’t get enough sleep (your 30s are not your 20s which are definitely not your teenage years) and also help out with those sun spots I acquired the summer of graduate school I spent at the beach instead of working on my thesis.

I’ve now been using the Perricone MD Cleansing Treatment Bar every day for a month, and I have to say: It does all of that. Plus, there is absolutely NO tightening of the skin, which is a small miracle for me, especially in the winter. Even better: The kissing my bearded boyfriend acne? All gone. (It also helped with the mild chest acne I sometimes get after working out. TMI again, I know. I know.)

$38 may seem like a lot to spend on a cleansing bar, but a little goes a long way. I apply it in the shower and leave it on for 3-5 minutes while I condition my hair. And I keep it in a plastic soap container so that it doesn’t melt.  I’ve been using it every morning for a month and I feel like the bar has barely diminished in size. Plus, for me, I can’t put a price on having clear, glowing skin and the confidence that comes with it.

And just for the record, he did offer to shave the beard off, but that seemed too scary: What if I don’t like what’s underneath? (Kidding!)

Anastasia’s New Illumin8 Palettes

Anastasia Soare has long been one of the go-to brow experts, but her eyeshadow palettes are equally as notable. (Rich color, line-smoothing technology, what’s not to like?) Now with five different color combinations to choose from, her Illumin8 with Youthful Synergy Complex Palettes offer something for everyone from bright and vibrant to neutral and earthy. She has just launched two new additions (pictured here), one of cool green and purple shades, and the second containing peaches, light blues, and brown.

Similar to the other Illumin8 palettes, they are formulated to visually reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the lid and act as antiaging formulas with her patented blend of advanced ingredients. In my experience with the shadows, I didn’t even need to prep with a primer. These super-pigmented formulas last throughout the day.

Here, Anastasia and her team show us how to get the most from her longwearing eyeshadows.

Tried + Tested: Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

Just named as a 2011 game changer by WWD, Josie Maran's new Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation will whip you in a fine frenzy if you thrive on newness or if you're like me, always bored with your routine.

Josie's latest is a serum and a foundation, which means it's an innovative hybrid of coverage plus good-for-you skincare. It's enriched with signature argan oil, and comes with all the balancing and hydrating benefits of this wonder ingredient. It's genius in that it keeps both oily areas shine-free and dry spots naturally moisturized. It also visibly reduces pesky fine lines. All these skin-loving features let you skip your moisturizer and your serum if you wanted to.

The other groundbreaking news is that the product contains "chameleon pigments," a technology that reads and instantly adjusts to match your skin tone throughout the day and even in-between seasons. No more 5 p.m. pastiness or unnatural wintry orange. That's all behind us now thanks to this clever shade-shifter.

The serum does go on white so don't be alarmed. As you blend it, and it warms up to your skin, it changes color giving you naturally-looking, enhanced skin. It's you, but glowy and non-blotchy. Honestly, it does sound like makeup alchemy, and if you're skeptical of one-size-fits-all solutions, you should absolutely sample it before you buy it, which is exactly what I did.

After confirming it works on me, I ran up and down my aisle testing it on every willing participant. In my impromptu trial, it matched five of my six co-workers beautifully, completely disappearing and leaving an airbrushed finish. The only exception being someone with a very light complexion. My conclusion is it's a product you must go out and try, because there's a high possibility that your mornings and your makeup will never be the same.

Tried & Tested: Buxom Smoky Eye Stick

When I first heard about these triple-duty eye sticks from Buxom, I knew I’d need to get my hands on every color. One single stick—in eight seriously amazing colors—that can line, shadow, and smoke with vibrant, waterproof color. I tried Smokin’ Pistol (black) first. In the beginning, I was afraid it would be too dramatic since it’s a pretty big pencil, but the silky-smooth formula went on without any effort and was easy to control. Like a thin line of liner? Just use the tip of the point and don’t apply with too much pressure. Prefer a thicker, more intense line with a little smoke? Easy enough—just glide it on and use their new Smoky Eye Brush to add drama. After using a couple of their more vibrant shades—the bright purple 5-inch Stiletto and the royal blue Nunchucks—I was completely sold on this three-in-one masterpiece.

Next up for me to try: the smoky gray Icy Pick. After falling in love with these babies, Buxom’s designer of makeup artistry, Christina Choi, gave us a few tips to getting her favorite look using one of these bad boys. Try it out for yourself and tell us what you think.

Weapon of Choice: Two by Four (smoky black-brown)

Products Used:
Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick in Two by Four
Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Athens
Bunny Big & Healthy Lip Polish
Smoky Eye Brush
Eyeshadow Brush

Step 1:
Line the upper and lower lash line with Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick in Two by Four.

Step 2:
Gently brush the Smoky Eye Brush against the Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick tip, and blend on the eyelids and into the crease line to contour. With the same brush, soften the liner at the lower lash line.

Step 3:
Brush on Lash Mascara in Blackest Black to plump up the lashes on the upper and lower lash line.

Step 4:
Line and fill lips with Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Athens. Finish with Bunny Big & Healthy Lip Polish for a soft peach shine.

Glossing on the Go: Yes or No?

If I had to do that six item challenge that’s been buzzing around the internet lately, lip gloss would definitely be on the top of my list. And I might put it at the bottom too, if I could find a double-wanded mascara/concealer combo. And I adore lip gloss so much that I apply it pretty much whenever and wherever. At home in front of the mirror? Yes. Coffee shop? If I’m waiting in line, it’s a give-in. On the subway platform? Bit of course. But two places I never ever slick on my coveted gloss are in meetings and at the dinner table. OK, let me clarify: I don’t apply at a formal evening affair in which eating is involved. So, when I saw the most beautiful woman on the planet slicking on a shade at an aforementioned event, I wondered if I was alone in my shock and awe. So does glossing on go get a carte blanche? Or should we limit the places and times when reapplying is appropriate?--Jenna Mahoney

PS Our friends at US Weekly got the scoop on the shade.

New: d.j.v. beautenizer Volume Lash

d.j.v. beautenizer, the innovative makeup brand behind one of the bestselling mascaras in Japan, FiberwigLX, has just released their newest lash-enhancing mascara. Similar to their original formula, Volume Lash is made of a film-coating formula without any oil-based ingredients. What’s the difference between the two cutting-edge mascaras? FiberwigLX contains fibers that act as brush-on extensions to extend the appearance of length, while Volume Lash is a lash-plumping formula without any fibers.

The technologically-advanced formula is made with a 3D film-coating formula that conditions lashes and prevents clumping. Though the mascara water-based, it’s also loaded with vitamin B5, natural silk extract, and natural botanical extracts for deep conditioning and serious lash definition. While it’s not waterproof, it’s resistant to perspiration, humidity, and tears, and removal can be done simply with warm water.

For an extra-dramatic eye look, apply Volume Lash to define and condition, followed by a few coats of FiberwigLX for a glossy, super-dark finish. Both formulas dry smoothly and quickly, so layering’s a breeze.

Have you tried the new mascara? Tell us what you think!

Is Makeup a Must?

Earlier this week, we stumbled upon an article in the UK Daily Mail that stated, “One in three women won’t leave the house without a full face on.” The article had other interesting facts like:

• Six out of ten women wouldn’t consider going to work without makeup.
• Almost half of women would prefer to wear makeup over going bare-faced.
• The average woman waits at least two-and-a-half months in a relationship before revealing what she looks like without makeup.
• One in ten said she would never let her partner see her without a full face of makeup.

Obviously there are a million reasons we wear makeup. We want to look pretty; we want to express our individuality; we want to cover up a blemish or wrinkle; we want to look dressed up; we want to feel confident; and so many more.

What we wanted to know is: Are there places you’ll go with a completely bare face? Or, conversely, is there anywhere you won’t go unless you’ve applied makeup first?

We asked just that on Twitter and, as always, your answers were honest, thoughtful and varied. Here are just a few:

"The only place I will go is a Sephora store, the girls there always teach me something new and I look great when I leave."


"I will NEVER go to Publix without makeup on. I see everyone, especially people I haven't seen in years."


"I'll go to starbucks without makeup! That's about it ;)"


"I will only go to the beach with a bare face (Besides Sunscreen of course) that's about it!"


"I'll do groceries or run to the stores without makeup. I'll never go to work without makeup!"


"The only place I go sans make up is the gym ... Don't want to clog my pores!"


"Never EVER will I leave my house without Sephora mineral foundation and urban decay eye liner."


"I don't wear makeup to school! Who cares! I'm smart :p "


"I WON'T go to work or shopping without makeup. But I WILL go to the gym and the beach without it."


"I always have to at least put on my foundation! You never know who you might run into! ;)"


"I go barefaced for the most part all the time. Mascara is probably the one thing I'll wear consistently."


"I wear it everywhere except the laundromat, but even then I wear my oversized shades"


"The only make-up free moment for me is when I snowboard! But then I use sunblock, does it count?"


"I don't wear it to the Vets office to pick my pup up, however I'll never do that again because there were a few attractive men last time.. #fail"


"I wear makeup bc it's fun I dont need it but!!! Lip gloss is a must!!! Won't be the same with out lip gloss when I leave my house."


"Bare face to the beach, gym, swimming pool. Must have makeup for special events that require dressing up."

Looks like a lot of you skip makeup when you GTL (gym, tan, laundry, the middle of which you only do at the beach and with plenty of sunscreen, of course!), but rarely go to work or dress-up events without it. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to weigh in on Twitter, let us know in the comments where you go with—or without—makeup.

2011 Pantone Color of the Year: Honeysuckle

Pantone, the trend forecasting company known as the color authority, has just announced their 2011 Color of the Year, Honeysuckle. It's a very pretty, punchy pink that equally exudes a cool, neo-prepster vibe and a '70s doll-faced glamour.

Why is this particular pink so right now, you might wonder? "Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going–perfect to ward off the blues,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Even if pink isn't exactly earth-shattering, the announcement is a happy one for B&TB since we hope to see honeysuckle shades brightening and warming up winter complexions everywhere. Our rosy recommendation is tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Natural Beauty.









This blossom hue also gives off a vivacious, eye-popping contrast on nails. A manicure in NARS' polish in Schiap is a head-turner and would absolutely sing next to this season's inks and stormy neutrals.










If you're afraid this optimistic color doesn't have the edge to express your wild child, you'll find that it makes a bold graphic when paired with black. I dare you to find a brush set that's gnarlier than this Jet Set Mini Brush Collection from Bare Escentuals.









The primary reason we'll be following Pantone's "think-pink" decree is because it's immensely wearable. We defer to Bobbi Brown, the queen of confident, empowered chic, who's devoted an entire palette to the shade in her Pretty Powerful Palette.

And, we know you're no stranger to pink. Tell us how you'll be wearing this official color of 2011.