Fact: Makeup is fun. Another fact: When you have more makeup to choose from, makeup can be even more fun. Every makeup junkie knows the thrill of adding a beautiful new palette or an ah-mazing new eyeshadow or lip gloss to her collection. But when collections turn to clutter, there's a problem. If your makeup has taken over every last inch of counter space, it's time to invest in some clutter solutions. Once you know how to organize your makeup, you can make the most of it. You'll know exactly where your best smoky eyeshadow is, and where to find that perfect shade of blue-red lipstick.
If you look around my bathroom, you'll see makeup brushes spilling out of every container. Some may say I have a tiny obsession with them. But everywhere I turn, makeup artists are using their hands as painter's palettes -- dabbing, pressing and molding faces into perfection with their digits. As it turns out, your fingers aren't just good to use in a pinch -- some products apply better with your fingers than with brushes. I enlisted Gita Bass, celebrity makeup artist and member of the Simple Advisory Board (she also happens to use her fingers to apply the majority of her makeup), to tell me all about this "finger painting" movement.
Every time I crack open a bottle of nail polish, dip into a freshly pressed blush or apply a brand-new lipstick, I'm looking for one thing: head-over-heels, can't-live-without-it, Holy-Grail-status beauty-product love.
Contouring: It's one of those amazing makeup tricks that can fake the chiseled cheekbones of a supermodel -- provided you know how to do it. With just a few swipes of strategically placed makeup, you can practically redefine your bone structure. It's all about using light to play up your best features and shadow to downplay the ones you're not as fond of. Though the concept is essentially the same no matter your skin tone, women with darker complexions can run the risk of looking muddy. Here, we've rounded up the best contouring tutorials from YouTube with product recommendations for highlighting and lowlighting darker skin tones.
Seeing all the holiday makeup collections before they hit stores is a perk of the job. We get giddy just thinking about what Nars will debut each holiday season. Last year, their provocative Guy Bourdin collection practically sold out in seconds. We expect no less of this year's collection.
Zombie apocalypses, vampires, covens, dystopian alternate realities -- the dark side has certainly been in style lately. Heck, even scientists have created a black so black we can't see it. The beauty world is also going back to black with ominous ingredients and inky packaging.
These YouTube beauty bloggers (or vloggers as they're known on the web) have been known to steal hours of our time as we sit entranced by their countless hair, makeup and nail tutorials. No, we're not talking about Michelle Phan. These ladies may not have reached household name status (yet), but they're "the next big thing" in the YouTube beauty space. With viewers reaching into the millions, they know what they're talking about. And we're taking notes on all of their looks.
Why should colorful makeup be reserved for spring and summer? This fall, the trend forecast is all about ditching your neutrals for moody, unexpected shades that will breathe life into your beauty routine. Here, your guide to experimenting with colorful makeup in cooler temps.
Here at Total Beauty, we can appreciate the fashion that comes down the runways during New York Fashion Week, but what really sets our hearts aflutter: the gorgeous new makeup trends we get to look forward to. While you can adapt any trend seen on the runway to suit your skin tone, we found six makeup looks that were especially gorgeous on dark skin. From vibrant eye shadows to gilded smoky eyes, here are the best runway makeup looks (so far) for dark skin.
Charlotte Tilbury has been a prominent figure in the beauty world for decades, and you no longer have to be a Hollywood A-lister to get her professional makeup secrets. We've been eagerly anticipating the launch of Tilbury's makeup line in the U.S. since we first got a peek at the rose gold packaging (this is serious vanity quality makeup here). With products inspired by glamorous leading ladies like Brigitte Bardot and statement-making songstresses like Lady Gaga, this line really does have something for everyone. See every piece here before you rush out to purchase the collection come September. (Products will be available at CharlotteTilbury.com, Bergdorf Goodman, BergdorfGoodman.com, Nordstrom, Nordstrom.com, Beautylish.com and Net-a-Porter.com.)
We've spent all year DVR-ing, binge-watching and avoiding spoiler alerts like the plague, all in the name of good TV. Tonight, our hard work finally pays off at 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The MTV VMAs aren't a regular awards show -- they're a cool concert with some awards. Lacking the formality of shows like the Grammys, you can expect the performances to be a little wilder, the clothes skimpier and the lipsticks bolder. From Katy Perry's revival of the all-denim ensemble, to Ariana Grande's head-to-toe leather and every crop top in between, the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards were no exception.
Whether you're a die-hard Tarantino fan or a total newbie, you're going to love Urban Decay's collaboration with "Pulp Fiction." Formulated to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary, the collection contains pieces that pay tribute to pop icon Mia Wallace's classic '90s vibe. Red lips with nails to match, dramatic matte eyeshadow and even a daring glitter eyeliner allow you to recreate her iconic look. (Dangling cigarette and blunt black bob not included.)
This year marks Sonia Kashuk's 15th anniversary with Target, and to celebrate, she's whipped up a limited edition collection that has us scrambling to our nearest store. And with good reason -- the purple makeup brushes seen here are selling out so fast, it may take a trip or two to hunt them down.
Here's the problem with eye shadow palettes: They look beautiful, enticing us to buy them, but when it comes to actually using them, we tend to have a favorite color or two, and the other shades go to waste. Sound familiar?
This fall marks the 20th anniversary of Nars Cosmetics, and to celebrate, the iconic brand has launched The Audacious Lipstick collection. This new collection contains 40 shades of richly pigmented, ultra smooth lipsticks in colors ranging from Pantone's radiant orchid to every hue of nude you could ever need.
Flakes: They're my bugaboo. I don't like flaky people, and I really don't like flaky mascara. It's been 20 years since I first picked up a mascara wand, and I still haven't found a formula that doesn't fall all over my cheeks or scrape the s! out of my cornea. A truly flake-free mascara, I decided, was about as plausible as a sharknado.
When you think of romance novels, the first thing that comes to mind are the book covers featuring Fabio (or a Fabio-esque man) with his shirt off and a busty, swooning woman. But would you think they would be a great inspiration for your makeup? Probably not. Well, the folks over at M.A.C. beg to differ, and those novels served as the inspiration for their latest collection aptly called, "A Novel Romance." (AKA "a colour collection teeming with luscious shades that will have you feeling overwhelmed with desire.")
When it comes to finding the best makeup for dark skin, there's an ever-expanding range of liquid foundations, BB creams and powders. Sure, there are limitations, but the offerings are growing.
We all know the power of a statement lip -- a swipe of color and a touch of gloss can give your entire look a timeless je ne sais quoi. Is there anything more seductive than a pair of kissable lips? Author Alice Harris' latest photo book, "Blow Me a Kiss," $35, is proof that no, there is not. With a curation of classic images by visual artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein (no selfies here), Hines tracks the allure of luscious, legendary lips throughout history, from Audrey Hepburn's rosy pair all the way to Lana Del Rey's talked-about pout. If these gorgeous snaps don't inspire you to reach for the lipstick tonight, we don't know what will.