PRO IT LIST: Kat Von D's Beauty Favie Faves

It's no secret that we heart Kat Von D.

As savvy about makeup as she is about tattooing, sister can apply a full face of immaculate makeup (pictured above) in less than 15 minutes. And, she has a self-professed "scary" beauty closet, with each shelf arranged by product and color. Sigh, a girl after our own hearts.

So when she dishes on the products she hearts, we listen with bated breath....

Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - Beethoven
"The Beethoven palette is made up of my most crucial shades including Lucifer (black) and Leather (brown). I use these rich eyeshadows not only for eyes, but eyebrows as well—lots of bright colors and plenty of shimmery glitter."

Benefit Cosmetics She Laq
"This is by far one of the best kept secrets ever. I wear liquid eyeliner religiously, and with this sealer, I'm guaranteed a perfect cat eye even if I sweat, or my eyes water for any reason.
Lifesaver."

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner
"If I could put glitter in everything, I would! Urban Decay by far has the best glitter eyeliners with the largest amounts of glitter those little containers can possibly hold."

For more of Kat's faves, visit her Pro It List on Sephora.com.

And we'll start breathing again.

Lights, Camera, Satisfaction: Hi-Def Makeup

I have pores so big you could park Cadillacs in them. You know what that looks like in high-definition, the new format of TV so famous for mimicking the nasty 500x magnification side of your mirror?

Perfection!

You'd think this was a set-up for a bad skin joke, but it's true. The secret: High-definition makeup. Simply pat some hi-def powder on, and poof! Pores go sayonara, wrinkles say auf wiedersehen, and (the best part) it magically looks like you're wearing no makeup at all.

An emerging trend in the beauty market, hi-def makeup was originally created to keep actors looking flawless and natural, despite the zoom-in-and-sharpen effect of hi-def. Watch CBS' Liz Keptner head to Hollywood for the scoop

It used to be available to A-listers only, but brands like Make Up Forever, Cargo, and Smashbox have brought Hollywood to Sephora with new lines of hi-def foundation, powders, mascaras, and lip glosses. (click each brand name to see thier hi def products)

The magic ingredient? "Photochromatic pigments that react to the ambient light that you're in at a given moment," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D. To the actor on set this means that the makeup will scatter enough light to visually smooth wrinkles and minimize pores, even in the unforgiving, 6x magnification of high definition camcorders. To the everyday gal, this means your skin will look as flawless in direct sunlight as it does under fluorescent lighting.

"This makeup stands up to intense scrutiny," says Kevin Bennett, the Director of Artistry at Make Up For Ever (MUFE), which launched their best-selling HD High Definition Microfinish Powder this spring, and is rounding out the line in early August with HD Primer and HD Foundation, available in 25 shades.

And MUFE stylists are quick to add that if hi-def makeup looks this good on a camera that sees six times closer than the human eye, imagine how imperceptible it will look on the street.

While you may not find yourself under the bright lights of a movie set, it's a star trick for looking a little perkier under the flickering fluorescent office lights you're sitting beneath.

And with pores like these, I could use an extra does of Hollywood FX.

Meet ‘n Greet: Expert Advice from Portland, Oregon

They’re literally surrounded by makeup. They’re trained by the experts. And, they have the latest products from the hottest brands at (an on) their fingertips. Sephora's biggest beauty authorities work in our stores, and we'll be sharing their expertise here with regular dispatches from Sephora stores across the country.
For our first meet n’greet, we head to the Pacific Northwest!

Meet
Jared
Cast Member since
2003
at
Sephora in Portland, OR

What's your favorite beauty product?
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes. There are so many colors, and however dramatic you do it up, the color lasts forever.

Although, can I pick skincare too? Definitely MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peels. I use these every day to keep my skin smooth, bright, and breakout-free. Trust me, when I run out of these, it shows.

What's the best beauty tip you've learned so far?
Fiber technology is big right now for lashes, but you definitely want to use a primer when you're using a mascara with fiber. The primer helps the fibers hold onto lashes, which really maximizes the look.

I recommend Imju Fiberwig Mascara to clients, along with Make Up For Ever Lash Fibers Primer. MUFE's primer has fiber in it, too, and the double dose gives you an unbelievably long lash.

What products are popular in Portland?
You wouldn't think so, but people here are good about sunscreen – and they’re using good quality ones, too. Even though the weather's gloomy, Portland people know how to protect their skin.

Mascaras are big, too. That said, Portlanders are completely open to experimentation. Even when they come in looking for something specific, if I suggest something I think would look even better, clients are always open to trying something new out.

What's a hot look in Portland right now?
There actually isn't one key look here. I can see a classic soccer mom and a punk rocker walk in here within minutes of each other, and that's Portland.

It's also what I love best about working at Sephora: I can give both of these clients the same eyeliner and mascara, but it's how they apply it that makes all the difference. I love that makeup can be for everyone, but making a look yours is all about application.

What other fabulous beauty tip can leave us with?
At the request of a client, I developed a five minute smoky eye - no kidding! The secret is Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Skinny Jeans; use that as your base. Smudge that to the crease of your eye, line your eyes with black liner, mascara, and done!

Let The Computer Pick Your Next Perfume!

Sephora has a fancy new way to find a fragrance...other than the old-fashioned "sniff test."

Meet the fabulously intuitive Scentsa.

Scentsa is a touchscreen kiosk that you'll see in select Sephora stores, and this high-tech honey can tell you everything you want to know about a scent in a jiffy.


You can browse both his & hers perfumes based on favorite notes or scents (Woodsy? Citrusy? Flowery?), by designer (Chanel? Marc Jacobs? Cartier?), or even by name (Angel!).

Scentsa can even show you other perfumes with the same notes as your current favorite fragrance (Note: I believe this is called, "Broadening one's horizons.").

Since I'm currently having a moment with Marc Jacob's Splash, I used Scentsa at Sephora's Powell Street shop to discover that:

• This fresh-herb inspired perfume contains notes of tomato and basil (um, so I like pizza and things that smell like it, ok??)
• Splash is in the fresh-herb-inspired family of notes
• Similar-scented picks include Privet Bloom, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine-Basilic, and Fresh Redcurrant

Scentsa also gives a perfume's history, the year is was created, and for those of us who couldn't crack Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey on the first try, there's a phonetic pronunciation guide, too.

Try it! Seek out your Sephora store for a Scentsa near you:

• New York City (42nd & Madison, 711 Lexington, 150 Broadway, Flatiron, Times Square)
• Chicago (Northbridge)
• Las Vegas (Miracle Mile, Venetian)
• Orlando (Florida Mall)
• Dallas (Northpark)
• Atlanta (Lenox Square)
• Honolulu (Ala Moana)
• Massachusetts (Burlington)
• California (Powell Street, South Coast Plaza, Fresno)
• New Jersey (Garden State, Short Hills)
• Washington, DC (Tyson’s Corner, Georgetown)

Keep It Simple, You Stunner: The No-Makeup Makeup Tutorial

The girls from WhoWhatWearDaily took a time-out from fashion fabulosity today to instead practice perfecting their fresh-faced summer makeup routines.

Just like summer, this routine is a beauty breeze to pull off. Watch the tutorial:


Try it! You just need these beauty goodies to get this look:

• Tinted Moisturizer
• Bronzer
• Blush - The makeup artist used the super-popular NARS The Multiple
  
• Brow Gel
• Eyelash Curler
  
• Cream Shadow - NARS to the rescue, again!
• Mascara
• Lip Gloss - Recommended colors are gold, nude, or pink
  

Model Makeup: Daria's Lancome Look

When creating a new makeup collection, it’s best to go straight to the source of beauty: A supermodel! Gorgeous glamazon Daria Werbowy teamed with Lancome to create a collection of barely-there beach colors - Lancome's Brazilian Earth Colors - available exclusively at Sephora (I'm calling dibs on a tube of the Fever Lipstick in Beige Caracai).

Of course, she's as good as she is gorgeous: Proceeds from this collection benefit Centro Espacial Vik Muniz, an arts center for young adults in Rio de Janerio.

Naturally, we simply had to get this girl's secrets.

Give us your best beauty tip!

DW: My grandmother, who has beautiful skin, has always used lemon juice as a toner and cleanser. She squeezes it onto a cotton pad, cleanses her face with it, lets it dry, then rinses with cold water. That’s my favorite beauty secret. It's nice to have something passed down in your family like that.

You’re always on the road - what’s one of your favorite international finds?

DW: I love vintage clothes. I've found a lot of great places around the world to shop for them, but Kensington Market in Toronto is one of my favorites.

What’s the one thing you’d never leave home without?

DW: My iPod. I spend so much time going to and from airports, being in airports, and sitting on planes that I'd be lost without it.


Get The Look: Watch makeup pro Fiona Stiles create a sexy smoldering earth-tone look with Lancome's Brazilian Earth Color collection

Get The Goods: Get all the colors in the collection!

Summer Get the Look Video: Unleash Your Wild Side in Drama Queen Brights!

Unleash your wild side be popping earthy neutral shadows with drama queen brights like turquoise, which happens to be one of summer's hottest shadow trends. Here, we caught up with makeup artist Fiona Styles at our summer catalog shoot. Watch her dish on this gorgeous look.

Are You Wearing Any Underwear?

Underwear: a Yes or a No?

I'm talking about when you're at the spa (although this could apply to all the Hollywood starlets who can't enter or exit their vehicles without giving the world visual confirmation).

Do you doff your duds, or wear "the good underwear" for your spa-aaaah time treatments?

Bliss just launched a new blog, "Words of Bliss-dom," and kicked off with the answer to this massage table twister. Rounding up the opinions of experts - real-life massage therapists! - they've got the pros and cons of panty-free muscle rubs (why does that sound so tacky?).

So...would you? Do you?

DATE NIGHT! Doll Up With Dress-Matching Makeup

WhoWhatWearDaily today features a stunning dress with what I'd call a complicated neckline - we're talking more triangular studs and impossible angles than a high school trig class.

Sartorial splendors like this and other Friday Night Fabulous! wear calls for low-key makeup that won't compete with the dress, but won't look like you blew so much on your outfit you didn't have enough residual budget for a tube of Chapstick.

Forget about accessories for a minute- the WhoWhatWearDaily editors have two just-right beauty picks for knock 'em dead dresses.


Cargo EyeBronzer

Sparkly, shimmery, spill-proof bronzing dust in its own inkwell. This will give you a sun-smooched goof-proof glow that magically looks just as good with sequins and taffeta as it does with tanks and Uggs.





Fresh Gloss Absolute

Gloss that plumps your pout and layers on the antioxidants with pomegranate extract and vitamin E. Plus, with colors like Bellini and Desire, don't be surprised if you feel like your party started before you even left the house.

Tip Trick: Making Natural Cosmetics Last

You sprang for a jar of pure organic face cream that makes you glow just reading its au naturale list of ingredients. Better start slathering, though: once opened, organic products have a short n’ sweet shelf life. Like, weeks.

Want to make it last longer? Keep it in the fridge. Yes, really.

This is courtesy of the The Beauty Brains which points out many of the boo! things about going organic in the makeup cabinet. For example, products often cost more to make, and (this is a shocker), many of Mother Nature’s own ingredients aren’t actually approved for mass consumption. Step on it, FDA!

Keep those potions in the fridge, though, and you’re stretching the life of your cosmetic goodies.

Yes, it’s weird to march into the kitchen every morning to put on your face. And your roommate is going to ask you 47 times, “Why is there face cream next to my Easy Cheese?” before getting used to it.

But treat your natural products the way you would any other organic product. After all, as The Beauty Brains points out, “You wouldn’t eat fish you left on the counter overnight, so don’t use unrefrigerated natural cosmetics, either.”

Lovely visual, isn’t it?

In Flight Beauty

If you’re like me, you’ve been in the airport a lot this summer. While it’s a blessing and a luxury to be a frequent flyer, packing my favorite beauty products has become a serious hassle, since every liquid and gel must be 3 oz or less to successfully get through security. Bummer, since all my luxe bath products are in much larger bottles and tubes. In honor of this regulation, and for the betterment of your summer travels, here's a list of some of the best products that will whiz you past security with flying colors. Pun intended. —Brianne Rieck, Sephora

*Wear your sunscreen on-the-go—on your body and around your neck. This handy-dandy SPF comes on a little rope for easy portability. PeterThomasRoth Mini Ultra Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30

*Airborne skin is often dry skin. Keep it soft and smelling sexy on your world tour.
Benefit Bathina Touch Me Then Try To Leave Me Cream To Go

*This is in my bag, whether I’m backpacking or just out in the park. It’s a must-have.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream 1 oz

*Not only does it smell delish, but it’s extra-perfect for travel because of the sturdy, snug-fitting cap. No spills during turbulence! Gucci Eau de Parfum II Purse Spray

*This is perfect for the jet-set because it’s a 2-in-1. Less clutter equals lighter luggage.
Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse Foaming Cleanser & Toner In One To Go

*Another 2-in-1: a bronzer and bestselling blush in one sleek, mirrored compact. NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna

Laura's Lessons

A wise fortune cookie once said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Well, forget fish—Laura Geller is putting the oh-so-wise proverb to use in the beauty world. A veteran makeup artist with her own UES studio, Laura unveiled 3 new "Lessons" kits—Know Your Nudes, Smoke Signals, and Eye-talics—all donning how-to cards with straight-from-the-expert's-mouth tips. (That's her on the right, giving personal how-to's.) "I'm very excited about my 'Lessons' makeup kit series, because it's the first time I've been able to communicate and demonstrate step-by-step what it takes to create certain makeup looks," Laura said. So, look for your favorite kit at Sephora in July. The only step-by-step you won't find? "How To Pick Just One."

And 1, And 2: Tarte's Beauty-full Workout

Drop the donut; this is big. Tarte has always pushed healthy beauty—their BORBA glosses are packed with every vitamin under the sun—but now they're all about a healthy body, too. The forever-fabulous tarte girls are logging their workouts on their website, with videoed ab-crunching, weight-lifting and the like from big-time personal trainer Levi James. They're even tracking their progress and total weight-loss along the way. So, speaking as a girl who loathes the gym, and only runs when chased: This step-by-step format is actually encouraging. Here's to the beauty burn!

Good Morning, Beautiful!

On Friday, famed and fabulous makeup artist, turned brand, turned brilliant Laura Geller appeared on CW11's morning broadcast. Geller demonstrated some quick and easy tips on how to channel your inner starlet or to just look like your fav ... and, not to mention, confuse the paparazzi. For some quick 5-minute fixes, check out Laura on TV or her fabulous line online.

The Afterglow

In the 3rd edition of today's self-tanning spectacular, here's how to keep your glow going after you've self-tanned ... There are lots of little things we can add to our daily beautifying repertoire to keep ourselves radiating color. A tinted moisturizer is a great day-to-day product to invest in. Try Stila’s Sheer Color moisturizer; it leaves your skin feeling hydrated with a lightweight tint and, most importantly, it has SPF 15. And, we're beaming (literally) over hybrid self-tanners that offer a healthy glow and hydration—all at once. Just smooth on these subtle bronzing elixirs like you would a daily moisturizer, wash your hands, and go. Within hours, you'll notice a healthy glow with even coverage. The best part? Just like the real thing, your tan won't wash off at bedtime. -Gabrielle Katz, Sephora
Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel

Clinique Radiant Bronze Face & Body Tinted Self-Tanner SPF 15

Here Comes the Sun: Your Self-Tanning Guide

Take a look at the calendar. Yep, you're right to blink twice—it's time to break out your bathing suits because Memorial Day is upon us. At this point, the bikini diet is a lost cause, but it's never too late for the most important summer-prep beauty product: self-tanner.

PUT YOUR HANDS UP!
“And extend your arms outward, stand with your legs apart…” No, no! You're not getting frisked your getting your tan on with Fusion’s GlowFusion AirGlow. The company celebs love have come out with a new product that promises to us have us mere mortals glowing like a starlet. The AirGlow package comes equipped with a micro-nutrient tinted formula and (thank goodness for the 2nd amendment) spray gun, which sprays a mist of golden grace. Sound hard? Check out this handy guide.

SPRAY AWAY Prefer to leave the gun work to the pro's, but like the idea of an at-home spray tan? Don’t fear the mist! Take solace in the Bliss of knowing there is an answer. Bliss offers a Tan for all seasons, the new product that promises a streak free shine in the half the time (and sans the smell!) If lotion sets you in motion there are plenty of great tried and true products.

LOTION PROMOTION Clarins’ “Best of Sephora” nominee Gelee Auto-Bronzante Express (French for a fast and fab) is an instant body gel, whose lightweight and oil-free composition is ideal for any mademoiselle's face and body. Too Faced’s “Tanning Bed in a Tube” is all the amenities of a tanning salon without skin damage (and creepy men with no hair on their bodies). It’s a classic self-tanner lotion that gives you an instant bronze and gradual darkening.

TAN IN A BOX Want to look like you vaca-ed in St. Tropez, but don’t have the time/funds? Fake it with the St. Tropez Instant Tanning System! The 3-step process preps your skin with a body polisher and moisturizer and then finishes you off with the tinted self-tanner. Our friends across the pond at British Vogue report that two of our favorite pirates swear by this stuff.

TOWEL-ON TAN So there’s the spray, lotion and gel, but for those who march to the beat of your own drum, the good people from Tantowel have simplified your life. Two towellettes are all you need for an even head-to-toe glow. The tan lasts 5-7 days and, when you see shades of your former self reappear, just reapply. -Gabrielle Katz, Sephora

The 10 Commandments in Self-Tanning: A Little Hand Holding for the Feign of Heart

1. Thou Shall Practice, Practice, Practice. There are things in life we're naturally good at; self-tanning isn't one of them. Everybody’s skin and body are different. To find the color, brand and method that works for you, try it all out! A tip: Practice when the weather calls for rain or cooler temps, in case, you know, you mess up.
2. Thou shall not pick a shade darker than thous actual skin tone. You are going to get tan, there is no need for an ivory complexion to buy a product for ebony skin! Buying a too-dark shade is just asking for that tinge of orange; not to mention, can we say obvious?
3. Thou Shall Exfoliate! Exfoliating is one of the key prep steps that many forgo. Treat yourself to the yummy “Crushed Carbernet Scrub” by Caudlie to replenish and soften skin; it is bikini season after all!
4. Thou Shall do it at night! The nighttime is the best time … to self-tan. Apply tanner at least 20 minutes before you hit the sack (so you don’t streak your clean white sheets) to ensure your tan, and sometimes-stinky bod, will have time to allow the tanner to set before you take a shower.
5. Thou Shall Wash Your Hands. Nothing tips off a faked-baked more than walking along looking fantastic, but with orange mitts. Wash after applying, paying special attention to in between your fingers (and toes). Some even use latex gloves, but mind the “tan” line!
6. Thou Shall Not Flip if You Need a Fix. If you were too busy watching the finale of “American Idol” and made a boo-boo, don’t fret! Exfoliate around the darker area once your tan has set in. Some swear by lemon juice and others say applying some exfoliate to the trouble spot is the way to go. Visit ehow.com for some tips. The woman’s comment on the “Mr.Clean Magic Eraser”? Can we say ouchie?
7. Thou Shall Maintain. Keeping your color up without rays can be easy. Sunless.com has an easy day-to-day maintenance schedule for you to follow, so you know when to bath, shave and wave to your adoring public.
8. Thou Shall Moisturize. Hydrating your body is especially important after you apply self-tanner; it ensures the longevity of your tan and protects against dry skin which will crack it. Theres nothing like a little Hope In A Jar to keep you moist!
9. Thou Shall be Realistic. Don’t try to overcompensate for the winter months you spent huddled under the covers by dosing on lotion. The first time you apply is like the first day out in the sun; you're getting your base coat. Continually add the tanner as recommended and watch! By the end of the week, you'll be good as gold.
10. Thou Shall Use SPF. Think you are beating the rays by slathering on the tan? Think again! We're always at risked of UVA rays, which is why if you find a self-tanner with SPF in it, don’t let it go! Murad has a great product that not only has SPF but firms your skin too boot.-Gabrielle Katz, Sephora

LORAC's Runway Lips and Lashes

LORAC's Carol Shaw—arguably one of the best makeup artists in Hollywood—glammed up the runway at the Oscars with her award-winning red carpet looks this spring. And she's at it again: Shaw dolled up a very big-time actress for the "Poiret: King of Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, giving her a gorgeous look that was all about lips and lashes. Shaw's beauty-full vices? To create the sultry, smoky eye, she used LORAC Eye Shadow in Dreamy, a shimmering slate grey, followed with a few coats of Lotsa Lash mascara. For lips, she used LORAC Cream Lipstick in Premiere, LORAC Eye Pencil in #18—both soft, rosy shades—and LORAC Mocktail in Peach Passion. Now we just need that gorgeous, shimmery gray ball gown to pair it with!

Tales in Tanning

Perhaps the most stomach-turning stats from The Skin Cancer Foundation yet: Someone is diagnosed with skin cancer every 30 seconds, and someone dies from it every 1.2 hours. Still in the mood to roast on that roof-deck? Luckily, the idea of a “sunless” tan is gaining more popularity with the bikini-clad masses, and beauty brands are getting on board, too. Brands like Clarins, Shiseido, and St. Tropez now offer fabulous bronzers that promise the same sun-kissed glow that the real sun can give—minus, you know, the potentially fatal outcome. What's interesting, though, is taking a look back at the roots of this “bronzed and beautiful” beauty ideal. Where did the glow obsession come from anyway? “For most of the last 500 years, a tan was considered the mark of a hard-working person who toiled outside,” Dr. Jablonski, author of “Skin: A Natural History,” told The New York Times. “A tan was eschewed by people who considered themselves upper class.” As work moved indoors during the Industrial Revolution, though, a tan became the sign of someone upper class—someone with the means to lounge around and drink Mai Tai's on the beach all day, basically—and as such, here we are today. So go after that beautiful (and historically-rooted) tan look, by all means. Just make sure you go after it the safe, “sunless” way, and guzzle that Mai Tai under a nice, upper class umbrella.

Carmindy's Timesaving Beauty Tricks!

Need to look pretty toute de suite? Watch Carmindy—makeup artist from TLC's "What Not To Wear"—as she offers time-saving tricks from her new book, The 5 Minute Face, using beautiful Benefit products. Have to say, she's absolutely radiant in person—no wonder TLC scooped her up!—which you can see for yourself when you meet her at Sephora Times Square tomorrow. Carmindy will be there talking beauty and signing her book from 12-6 pm, and Benefit beauty experts will be giving gorgeous, complimentary makeovers from 12-7.