Sure, the clothes and accessories of New York Fashion Week have us drooling, but we can't get our hands on those without time traveling into next season (and forking over a month's rent). For us beauty editors, the best part of New York Fashion Week is the gorgeous makeup looks. Our favorite accessory isn't a pair of Loubs or a darling clutch -- it's these of-the-minute beauty looks. Here, the trendy, fresh, need-it-now makeup looks from New York Fashion Week that you can get right this instant.
If our mascara review section is any indication, the majority of you have found your mascara soul mate: the can't-live-without-it, life-changing product that gives you the fluttery lashes of your dreams. In beauty-speak, we call this a Holy Grail product (HG, for short). But if your HG mascara isn't waterproof, that makes situations that call for budge-proof makeup (e.g. your wedding day, the series finale of "Parks and Rec") pretty tricky. And that's where these waterproof topcoats come in.
I am obsessed with makeup brushes. Case in point: I have to set aside at least an hour to clean my entire arsenal. Buzzing foundation brushes, egg-shaped sponges... I've swiped, blended and dusted with just about every type of brush out there. So naturally, when I saw the gorgeous, toothbrush-shaped brushes from Artis, which claim to revolutionize how we apply makeup, I had to get my hands (and makeup) on them. to see if they were more than pretty designs and clever marketing.
Fun fact: Back in the day, supermodel Iman toted her homemade foundations along to her fashion gigs for 14 years. Why? Makeup artists didn't have anything in their expansive kits to match her darker complexion. Fast-forward to the present and lines like L'Oréal and YSL have added darker shades to their signature products, but black women are still struggling to find the perfect match. Behind all of the "Caramel" and "Coffee" foundation tones, there's a basic lack of knowledge about dark skin tones. Many cosmetic companies only produce one or two dark shades with one or two undertones — and this is one category where "one or two sizes fits all" doesn't work. At all.
Just when we finally figured out how to successfully pull off purple lipstick, the Pantone Color Institute announced their 2015 Color of the Year -- marsala. And we couldn't be more excited (about a color). Pantone describes the shade as, "a naturally robust and earthy wine red." The rich red is easy to pull off whether you're wearing a marsala blush, marsala lipstick or perfect-for-holidays marsala nail polish. But who are we kidding -- we're snatching up all three.
We're firm believers that no holiday makeup look is complete without a gold sparkly eye or silvery metallic lipstick. It's like the shiny bow on top of the present. But that doesn't mean you should cake on so much glitter you look over decorated.
In the grand scheme of what's truly important in life, beauty products don't rank terribly high. But that doesn't mean we don't love and cherish the really great ones and appreciate all that they do for us.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever, no? Give the gift of joy and beauty this year with an adorable beauty advent calendar. Packaged with individual compartments waiting to be opened in the days leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, these calendars from our favorite beauty brands are filled with the best kind of treats -- nail polish, perfume, makeup, skincare and hair products galore. Perfect for holiday travel or sampling a brand's best products, you'll get on everyone's good list this year with this gift. Of course, we wouldn't fault you if you broke down and got one for yourself -- these charming calendars are just too cute to pass up.
Thanks to advances in technology, makeup is no longer just makeup. Top cosmetic brands are creating products that not only make you look gorgeous in the short-term, they also pack long-term skin-care benefits. The days when makeup wreaked havoc on your face are gone -- now, makeup can actually make your skin better.
Foundation sets the stage for all the other players in your makeup routine. When applied correctly, foundation evens out your skin tone, conceals imperfections and gives you a natural-looking radiance. In the case of Estée Lauder's new Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25, it can even give your skin anti-aging benefits. When you properly apply your foundation, it enhances the rest of your look: Your lipstick appears more vibrant, your blush has more "pop" and your eye makeup looks more radiant.
Thanks to social calendars filled with back-to-back appearances at swanky soirées and cocktail-laden gatherings, the holiday season calls for statement-making beauty looks. That's why we gathered up five glamorous holiday makeup looks that can be done in a snap. Straight off the runways, these looks will add a dose of high fashion to any cocktail dress, menswear-inspired suit or Christmas sweater you wear this holiday season.
The year is quickly coming to an end, but last night, the American Music Awards gave us one last look at red carpet glamour before we settle in with turkey, pie and wrapping paper. Some of music's biggest stars slipped into slinky gowns, stepped into heels and served up some serious beauty inspiration for the holiday season. From dark, wine-stained lips and seriously smoky eyes to the perfect ombré and on-trend babylights, see the best beauty looks and hairstyles to walk the red carpet of the 2014 AMAs.
When it comes to applying blush, the method pretty much seems like a no-brainer, right? Swirl, tap and swipe. But a pro will tell you this isn't quite true. Just like you'd never consider the same eye makeup look for hooded eyes as you would for monolids, the shape of your face plays a major role in the way blush can make your face look. If you apply your blush any which way, you run the risk of making your face appear rounder, too severe and pointy, or older. We spoke to makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, who's beautified stars like Jessica Paré, Alessandra Ambrosio and Jenny Slate, to learn best (and worst) blush techniques for your face shape.
Singing, dancing and happy endings define Bollywood (Bombay's version of Hollywood) films. Grand, sweeping musical numbers fill the screen and suspend moviegoers' reality for three to four hours (unlike "Lord of the Rings," Bollywood films kindly have an intermission).
Ever wonder why that smoky cat eye on Pinterest looks completely different (read: wrong) on you? It may be less about your shading and blending skills (we know you followed the directions to a "T") and more about choosing looks that complement your natural eye shape.
Bloodshot eyes are never cute. Whether you've been burning the midnight oil, fighting off the flu or sneezing your way through allergy season, bloodshot eyes are a dead giveaway that you're not feeling (or looking) your best. A recent study found that people with red eyes appear sadder, less healthy and less attractive than those with clear, white eyes.
The cut crease eye makeup look is on par with a killer smoky eye, the perfect red lip or those loose, beachy waves everyone (but me) seems to be able to perfect. In other words, you see it everywhere, but it's more difficult than it looks to do by your own hand. If you're thinking, 'Uh, what's a cut crease?', it's a technique that contrasts eye shadow color in the crease of your eye for a sharp, defined look.
Unless you happen to be a supermodel (or, like Kanye West, you don't mind looking cuckoo bananas), there are certain fashion trends that are practically impossible to wear. So when a wearable trend -- like the burgundy shade we saw all over the fall collections -- comes along, we're all over it. The fact that the rich bordeaux color is wardrobe- and makeup-friendly makes it even better. All of a sudden, the cold months ahead seem much more bearable.
