TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4*
Why: One woman says she "really enjoyed the highlighter side of this. I love to use the highlighter on my lids, in the corners and under my eyes. It works as a great primer for your eyeshadow too, if you dust powder over it." Another reader says, "I just tried this product at a Maybelline party and it was great. All the girls in my office raved about how smooth it was and how well it absorbed into the skin. And it also did what it claimed. I especially loved the highlighter half. I need a little boost in the morning to look bright-eyed." One woman gushes, "this stuff is great! It went far beyond my expectations. The concealer went on beautifully: smooth, even, with surprisingly complete coverage. It also worked well on some reddish areas. It blended so seamlessly you wouldn't know you had it on. I've spent a lot more on other fancy concealers, but this one beats them all." Another says she has "never liked concealers until I found this one," adding that it's "wonderful for my dark circles AND puffy eyes."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.5*
Why: One reader says she loves the Grey Matters shade of this eyeshadow, because "it gives me smoky sexy eyes. The eyeshadows were just like any other high-end eyeshadows: long lasting (especially with primer), very true to colors and eye popping. C'mon, an eyeshadow and a highlighting eyeshadow that compliment each other? It can't get any better." Another reader says, "my twin sister and I own five of these little cuties and we use them practically every day! The purple shades go beautifully with our light green eyes. The shimmer is perfect and the applicators lay it on nicely." One woman says this "eyeshadow is a personal favorite. The price is great for such a wonderful product. The colors are gorgeous and don't crease," while another says it lasts "FOREVER! I love my duo in two shades of purple. The light purple is so creamy and goes on really smooth. The dark shade contours really well. If you want long-lasting shadow, this is the way to go."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.5*
Why: Readers say, "this product makes it simple to be as bronze as you want (or need) to be without any hassle." One reviewer says it's "the best bronzer I have ever tried. It gives me this summer look all year round. It goes on smoothly and the color looks great on any skin tone." Another reader says, "this gives you a nice 'summer' tanned look -- a nice change from my usual pinkish blush." One reader became a believer saying, "this stuff is amazing. It gives just the right amount of color. Assuming, of course, you use it sparingly. It isn't at all orange-y or fake-looking and it gives a natural glow all year round." "Another amazing product from Maybelline," claims another reviewer.
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.6*
Why: Readers with oily skin love this product saying, "this is the only powder that keeps my pores unclogged, my face not shiny and the price is so good for all that it offers." One reviewer says, "this powder is a staple in my beauty bag. It's really lightweight and the pigments really blend into my skin instead of sitting on top. It feels silky on and doesn't rub off on clothes." Another agrees saying, "this compact leaves my skin so velvety soft that I would dare to say it's even better than so many expensive compacts out there. It takes the shine away and slides so smoothly on my skin."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.6*
Why: One woman says, "the real test came when I washed the dishes, which usually leads to half [of] my nail polish chipping off. I was impressed when after a half-hour of hand-washing, my nails still looked perfect! I highly recommend this product."
Another says, "finally, an applicator that follows the contour of our nails. The brush is my favorite part and the formula is really light. I work at a craft store and no matter how many times I scratched my nails, [they] did not get ruined, cool huh?" Another reader says, "I love the brush. I have a bad habit of painting my cuticles, and this prevents it," adding "I have tried several colors of this product and find that it's great all by itself without having to use a shine product after use. Loved it."
"Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline." Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves -- that ubiquitous adage is forever embedded into our brains. But beyond a catchy ad campaign are exceptional beauty products to back it up. And the proof is in the pudding because our readers give high marks to tons of Maybelline products from powders and polishes to lip and eye makeup.
Incidentally, Maybelline is the official cosmetic sponsor for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which makes its move to Lincoln Center this September and we've got some insider-y makeup tips from top runway artists to share with you -- combine them with these winning products and you're sure to look totally put-together and gorgeous:
Tip 1: To help your lip color last all day, apply lipstick with a lip brush and top it with a coat of translucent powder -- three times in a row. It won't budge. You can top with gloss if you'd like. -- Amy Nadine, head makeup artist for mark cosmetics
Tip 2: To make skin glow as if you've been drinking 10 glasses of water a day, highlight cheekbones with a frosted off-white shadow. -- Gregory Arlt, makeup artist for MAC
Tip 3: To tone down a too bright cheek stain, apply a touch of foundation over the stain to give cheeks a more subtle flushed finish -- like you just pinched your cheeks. -- Lori Taylor, Smashbox Regional Training Executive
Tip 4: Under sweltering conditions, don't continuously powder your face or the result will look cakey. Wait until just before you're ready to go out, then blot excess moisture and set with powder. -- Lisa O'Connor, makeup artist
Tip 5: If you want a matte lip look without buying a new shade, simply dust a bit of powder over your lipstick to tone down the shine. -- Sharon Gault, makeup artist for Smashbox
Tip 6: If you don't know what you're going to wear, keep makeup simple, clean and not too done. Apply a touch of an earthy color (such as sage green) on the lids and keep the rest of your face neutral. -- Lisa O'Connor, makeup artist
Tip 7: For a full brow look, even if you've over-plucked, grab brow powder in a shade that matches your brows and a brow brush. Start by brushing brows up, then fill in with powder under the arch for a more pronounced look. -- Sharon Gault, makeup artist
