Kevyn Aucoin: Beauty Goes On And On

It was major news when we announced last week that Sephora was expanding its selection of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty products. Those who have discovered the beauty business vet's creations already know, this was a man who knew how to do pretty beautifully.

But we had a few readers who wondered: Kevyn passed away in 2002 - how can his line continue to expand?

Valid question - and to get an answer for our curious readers (and me!), I went straight to Kevyn Aucoin Beauty's own Chenelle Mayers.

"For one," she explains, "the company is still owned privately by the Aucoin family and we are lucky to have original formulas and concepts that Kevyn created for his brand. Kevyn had plans to roll out many products before passing. A good example is our Precision Brow Pencil. This item was based on an original idea of Kevyn's, and launched in 2006 (4 years after his passing). It's now a top seller for the brand."

"We also take our direction from his books, including his ultimate beauty bible, Making Faces. The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil is a great example of an item that was developed specifically by Kevyn. He believed that flesh colored pencils were the secret to defining, enhancing, or creating a lip line while making your lip color last longer."

"Kevyn was an all inclusive person who believed that diversity should be embraced, so that's reflective of our line. Our hero product, Sensual Skin Enhancer,which can be used as a concealer or foundation, has a wide range of skin tones. When it comes to complexion and color, we will always make sure that all skin tones are included."

"Our Creative Director, Danny Griffin is well seasoned in the beauty industry and was an avid follower of Kevyn’s career. His concepts mirror Kevyn’s philosophy and creative spirit. His mission is to keep Kevyn’s legacy alive in the beauty industry and I think it is safe to say that we are off to a good start."

If you haven't discovered Kevyn already, we're happy to make introductions.

Packing List: The In-Air Essentials

I'm a pretty frequent traveler, but no matter how often I get ready to set sail, I can't seem to pull it together. This trip, though, I'm turning over a new leaf and I'm hereby creating a beauty essential list for my second foray to the land of Evita:


Brambleberry Rose Lip Balm by Rosebud Salve ($7)
It may seem silly to put my all-time, hands down fave on a packing checklist, but believe me when I tell you that I've forgotten this emollient essential on more than one occasion. Plus a new trip calls for a new formulation-this limited edition, Sephora exclusive imparts a subtle sweet scent while salving me double time like the old-standby.


Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Sheer Moisturizer ($29)
Organic, vitamin-packed and uber-hydrating, what else could a traveling girl ask for in a face cream? Well, how about a security-friendly size (helloooo, two tiny ounces) and some serious SPF (this bad boy's got a number 30). Bet you didn't know this, but being in the friendly skies *actually *ups your sun exposure, you are closer to that burning orb, which means anything less
than 30 is negligible.


Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing & Demake Up Wipes For All Skin Types ($12)
Unlike the other pre-moistened, alcohol-based cleansing clothes, these feature seriously hydrating proteins that plump and moisten travel-parched and slackening skin. Plus the toss-and-go aspect means no having to use the questionable plane water sources.


Lorac Sheer Wash, Travel in Sheer Emotion ($19)
Just a kiss of color on the cheeks, lips or even lids gives a "I look well rested" face as opposed to the usual "I barely slept in an upright seat" one.


Phyto 9 Daily Ultra Nourishing Botanical Cream, Ultra Dry Hair ($26)
All that recycled air can also suck the life force out of luscious locks. A simple swipe through the ends and a hint of gloss across the top infuses strands with vitamins, moisture and, believe it or not, strength.
-Jenna Mahoney

The ColorOn Video: Now Watch The Pros

It was amateur hour last week when Jennifer A. and I posted our very own video of us applying ColorOn's new press-on eyeshadow appliques. But still!! Amateur or not, did you see how easy and how professionally applied our results turned out? I could not be prouder. It almost makes you want to go drum up a hot date just so you've got a reason to be swanning around town.

So now that you've seen your average makeup-obsessed girl press on a ColorOn, how about watching the pros do it?


Oh, but we're not done with these yet! Stick around next week as we bring you more Sephora employees trying on ColorOn!

Tried + Tested: The ColorOn Press & Peel Test

Our Product Patroler, Jennifer Appenrodt, recently blogged about the arrival of ColorOn, a press-on mineral cream eyeshadow that, just like the name sez, is applied by pressing on a shadow-filled sticker, then peeling off the back.

Skill level: Think temporary tattoo, only without the sponge & water part. But can eyeshadow really be that easy? More importantly, is the end result something you'd leave the house wearing? I needed answers - so I volunteered Jennifer's lids as the stars of my First Official ColorOn Video.

Watch her press 'em & test 'em!

End result:




















Not bad! For this original test, we picked a soft smoky brown set (the bottom deep brown color).

Because it's cream shadow, the kit also comes with a tiny vial of powder and mini-brush for dusting over lids (the powder helps set the shadow).

ColorOn comes in a ton of shades, ranging from soft to sultry to outright wild. And after seeing it, now I'm a tiny bit obsessed with how easy (and strangely fun) this is to get suddenly-smoky and presto! press-on shadow.

Which means STAY TUNED as I film more of our testers styling it up (and yes, we'll be bringing you footage of the zebra).

She's Blushing! tarte's Maureen Kelly Scores a Major Award

Well congrats to you, Maureen Kelly, Creator and CEO of tarte Cosmetics!

She just won Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 Award in the Retail & Consumer Services category. So fab! E&Y says they picked her for being an outstanding example of an entrepreneur who's building and leading dynamic, growing (and innovative!) businesses.

What makes tarte a pretty pick isn't that it's just an impossibly chic line of cosmetics, but that Kelly makes makeup better, loading her products with natural, healthy ingredients that help treat problems, not just cover them.

Of course, we've loved tarte since, like forever (well, since it launched in 2000, anyway). In fact, want to know a neat secret? tarte uses a magic ingredient that Kelly's team developed exclusively for tarte (and we know what it is!). This secret ingredient is eco-friendly, antioxidant-rich...and found in products like her Natural Beauty Cheek Stain.

So a big congrats to you, Maureen K.! We're tickled pink over your award.

More Of Him To Love: Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Expands At Sephora

The late makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin spent twenty years in the beauty industry making up Hollywood stars. He wasn't just "good at it" - he was legend. The proof? His loyal followers are still helping make his beauty products best sellers today.

The "I love this" factor that turns one-time testers into Kevyn Forever! fans is that he created truly one-of-a-kind products.

After 20 years of glamming up faces, what he's learned has gone straight into his line of beauty.

Sephora has always proudly carried a select line of Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, but now - celebration alert! - we've expanded the line to include scads more choices.

Some of the new arrivals we're expecting to start poofing off of shelves:

The Sensual Skin Enhancer
An obsession with the flawless skin of Japanese geishas lead to this all-in-one airbrush in a jar. Warm up a little in your palm and use it as a sheer foundation, then dot it on trouble spots as a concealer.




The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil
Big, full, pouty lips the simple way: By enhancing what you already have.






The Pure Powder Glow
A soft-glow blush that's designed to work on every skin type, this cheek treat mixes color plus skin brightening for a double dose of pretty.

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.

Lash Off 2008: Meet the Contenders

Welcome to the Great Lash Off of 2008.

On the left, we have Laura Kenney, beauty editor. On the right, we have Casey Kelly, production manager.

Both want longer lashes...than the other.

Their rivalry, my friends, is as bitter as it is ancient. They've waged vicious battle with false lashes. They've dualed with mascaras. And now, they've found the ultimate weapon; a near guarantee that this lash war will be decided, once and for all: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Nighttime Eyelash Conditioning Treatment.

For the next 8 weeks, each will road-test this new nighttime eyelash conditioning treatment, touted to extend lashes with a patent-pending complex that helps enhance the appearance of length, thickness, and fullness.

They will report back weekly on their lash advancement. And it should be good: In independent consumer studies 64% of participants experienced longer lashes, 67% experienced thicker lashes, 67% experienced fuller lashes, 80% experienced softer lashes, 70% experienced healthier looking lashes and 70% said their lashes looked overall enhanced.

Right now, Kenney's lashes weigh in at 5 mm. Kelly's at 6 mm.

May the longest lashes win.

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.

Video: How To Wear No-Makeup Makeup

Beauty editors have mastered it. So have the French.

The "it" in question is no-makeup makeup, and it's a focus of our Truth or Bare theme (launching tomorrow). The goal is to achieve sparkling eyes, glowing skin and supple lips, while tricking everyone into thinking you’re wearing barely any makeup (even though you may or may not be wearing lots).

Here, we caught up with New York make artist Tyron Machhausen at our Truth or Bare shoot, to explain how he achieved three easy "no-makeup" looks, each distinctly different, yet essentially barely there.

Better Than All The Rest: Sephora Bestsellers

Books! Mascaras! Movies! Lipsticks! I love best sellers.

There's something to be said for products capable of sparking mass adoration and a fawning devotion normally reserved for pets small enough to dress in sweaters. For me, products with strong fan-based following at least merit a one-time trial. I can't help it - I've gotta know what all the fuss is about.

Then there's that moment where you pull out your NARS lip gloss or Aquolina Pink Sugar for a spiff-up, and blurted out from two tables across (or more typically, five stalls down), is an, "OHMYGAWDILOVETHATSTUFF!!!" And just like that, you're bonding over Diorshow.

You can find the top fan favs on our Sephora Best Sellers list. Take a peek and see if your OMGs are on here, too.

And if you so totally already know what's everybody's favorite is, maybe you should put those talents to better use.

Lash Off 2008: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For, Put To the Test

Last month, a revolutionary new product launched at Sephora: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Nighttime Eyelash Conditioning Treatment.

In independent consumer studies, after 4-8 weeks 64% of participants experienced longer lashes, 67% experienced thicker lashes, 67% experienced fuller lashes, 80% experienced softer lashes, 70% experienced healthier looking lashes and 70% said their lashes looked overall enhanced.

Starting this week, 2 Sephora editors will use Lashes to Die For as weapons in their eternal quest to achieve longer lashes than the other.

Stay tuned, my friends, for the Great Lash Off of 2008.

Girl On The Street Goes Dark (With Her Lipstick)

Yesterday I leaked (ahem, previewed) Smashbox's new dark lip shade for fall- High Shine Lipgloss in Sultry, which is coming to Sephora exclusively in late July.

Yes, Dark Lips: It's the new trend for fall. While some of us (moi!) couldn't be happier to bench the pink gloss for a season, others take one look at this deep chocolate red and declare, "No. Way."

Au contraire, cutie pie. Dark lips are universal. And to prove it, I swiped that "previewed" sample (note to Smashbox: I'll give it right back, I swear) and had brave tester and average girl Emily K. doll herself up sans any help from a makeup artist!

Her three looks: The Natural, Retro Fresh, and Sizzling. Actually, let's call the last look, "Honey, You're Staring."
















The Natural
Worn: To the office
This look is just matte cream-colored shadow applied all over the eye, followed with a dark brown pencil liner smudged into the lash line.

Emily then got extra crafty and added a darker beige shadow over the liner for the ultimate no-makeup eye makeup trick.

She added a touch of pale gray/pink shimmer powder on her browbone for extra definition, then finished with The Lips.

Retro Fresh
Worn: Out with the girls
For this, Emily used dark brown liquid liner (no black! It's too harsh!), plus some glittery beige shadow applied from her lashes up to her browbone, then all the way around her eyes. Hint: Use a light-reflecting shadow here for a diamond-dazzle finish).

To give her eye a bit more definition, she used a pale wine color around the crease, then finished with The Lips!

Sizzling
Worn: When 4-inch heels alone won't cut it
After applying a shadow primer, Emily used a deep purple eyeshadow all around her eye, then layered a brighter burgundy color on top. This blends the shadow for a supah smoky eye effect, plus adds a sultry depth that goes fabulously with a lipstick called Sultry.

Emily finished with a bronze-colored shimmer powder on her browbone and, of course, The Lips.

Note from the wear-tester: Despite being dark and being a gloss, Emily said first coloring in lips with Smashbox's companion-colored Lip Pencil in Tempt made the color last longer.

Did these pictures turn you into a believer? Are you going to do up a dark lip this fall? We wanna know!

Tried + Tested Benefit Posietint

My BFF Emilia Diamante is the most happen-est style setter in all of the land. Not only does she sit at the right hand of arguably the most important fashion designer of our time (not to name drop or anything, but all the girls love him), but she was also voted best dressed in the 7th grade, an honor that I've not so secretly coveted ever since.

Being such a stylie isn't limited to being the owner of the most a-maz-ing booties evs, it's also about having a tried and arsenal of beauty products.

In addition to the overworked eyelash curler, whipped-out all the time Dr. Pepper-flavored lip smackers (a throw-back to the glory days of being best dressed, I suppose) and the spiffy and SPFed tinted moisturizer du jour, Emilia is a die-hard Benefit fan. She loves the bite of cherry it imparts on lips and is the ultimate master at getting the just-so flush across her cheeks before the super-saturated stain dries unevenly.

So when the genius twins at Benefit decided that after 30 years to finally release a kinder, gentler hue of the already popular (and darker) cheek and lip tint, I knew that Emilia was the girl to try the pinky Posietint ($28).

Being a younger sister herself, Emilia was pretty much sold on the faving right from the get-go. But she really raved about the easy-to-blend pretty in pink poppy hue. "It's great for spring and may even look a bit more natural than the original," she said.

And the fancy-pants chrome packaging? Well, that's just an extra bonus as far as my personal style idol is concerned.
-Jenna Mahoney

Tried + Tested: theBalm Balms Away

Paint me Miss Piggy, but oftentimes I channel a certain sexy celebrity cover star and sleep without removing my eye makeup. Please no lectures; I know I shouldn't do it. But it's just that I've yet to find a remover that isn't all dry and alcohol-y. Well that, and I have some sort of inability to use a formula (including soap and water) that doesn't irritate my eyes.

So my hopes for theBalm Balms Away ($19) were about as high as a Lollipop Kid. And believe it or not, I actually avoided wearing eye makeup so I wouldn't have to employ the powers of the lipid-packed salve.

But all good things come to an end and when a double-duper important event called for Laura Geller Eye Stay Duo in champagne and bronze, NARS Luminizer The Multiple aaand an upper and lower lash application of the new Benefit BADGal Blue, I knew the stalling was over.

You know how they say good things come to those who wait? Well, that's me! This is the answer to all of my removal probs. This salve is smooth, hydrating and vitamin-packed. Honest to the heavens on high I actually said "Oh my God!" aloud after I swiped a tissue across my eyes as instructed. No one was around to hear/see me, but the removal was so easy breezy, so complete and so sans tugging, pulling and drying that I was just in a bit of shock and awe. And ta-dah (!) it all went down with z-ero irritation.

Given the fact that the formula is based on co. founder Marissa's g-ma's tins of salve, I should have immediately known I was going be singing this lipid-rich stuff's praises. I mean it's no secret I'm a salve-y gal. And I'm a total sucker for vintage-inspired packaging.

There's one caveat, however: Chicielas with oilier skin, may want to avoid. This salve is extra emollient and a bit heavy. And it's so richly hydrating that after one swipe, you won't need your usual night cream.
-Jenna Mahoney

Train Spotting: Tropical Delight

We've been talking about the bright nails trends, as have the girls at Nylon , the fashion forward ladies at Fashionista and the gals at Bella. But much like the maxi-dress, I've been on the fence about the real woman wearability factor.

Well, wonder no longer as my morning commute proved it. Just as I was wishing I was better at crosswords, so I could do them in public and Jedi-mind tricking the iPhone gods to visit me soon, I noticed something on the subways' center pole—four hands all prettily painted with vibrant tropical lacquers. But the most amazing aspect of this sighting was the fact that well manicured hands belonged to four different people.

One girl chose a bright tangerine, another had a canary yellow and then there was my personal fave—a tropical punchy red with a slight sheen. So now, along with editing those fantastic floor skimming halter dresses to find the perfect one, I'm on the hunt for that delightful saturated hue. Any rec's ? Thanks! - Jenna Mahoney

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!

DARK LIPS: Love 'em or loathe 'em?

Step aside, pansy pouts! Lips are taking a turn to the dark side this fall, and there's no being shy about it. From the jet-black smackers at Rachel Roy to the plum stains at Baby Phat, the fall runways were dripping in dangerously dark hues. So, whatd'ya think? Go ahead, mouth off here!

What's your take on fall's dark lip trend?

	Love it!
	Not a fan.

*Photo courtesy of bellasugar. Thanks, ladies!

Look Of The Month: Miss June

Everybody loves a Calendar Girl, and now that June's here (hellllooo, summer!), it's time to take a page out of Miss June's playbook.

This month's Calendar Girl look is all white-hot brights, hothouse hues and tropical pinks. Pretty and perfect for a sizzling summer, isn't it?

It's easy to get this look: Easy 'cuz we've got the play-by-play tutorial right here!
All you need is a bag filled with your favorite candy colors, like:


Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
(hint: try Electric!)




Dior Rouge Dior Replenishing Lipcolor






Benefit Thrrrob!
(Oh , let 'em whisper!)





Want more pretty? Makeup artist Fiona Stiles tells us how she made Miss June's look sizzle!

Tried + Tested: Benefit Eye Bright

I should be banned from posting about Benefit. I'm so obsessed with every.single.product that I try that I am seriously considering leaving my husband-to-be, flying across country to S.F., camping out on the lawns of the Ford sisters and reciting hand-made poetry until they agree that we are meant to be together 4-eva, eva.

OK Maybe that's a little severe, but I honest to goodness had that thought when I tried the Benefit Eye Bright ($18) this morning. I was feeling all totes-uggs-five-thousand-g when I figured a-what the heck, I'll give this pencil a whirl. (Truth be told, I was too lazy to track down the Ooh La Lift and the Eye Bright was sitting next to my new Tarte tooth whitening gloss [more on that later] Geez that's a lot of parens. But I digress…)

So, I dotted the pinky-white pencil in the corners and helloooo, bright eyes. I'm telling you, what an eye opener. And the formula is so ultra creamy that I just had to line the color across my lash line. A swipe my latest go-to BADGal Blue and it was to the office like the proverbial prom dress. Oh and I'm not the only one who thought—in spite of my Mt. Vesuvius-size zit—that I was looking like a Sassy cover girl. I ran into my neighbor on the subway platform and he said there was a pizzazz in my pretty…Watch out Ford sisters, here I come. - Jenna Mahoney