Dupe this Look: Britney Spears, Stronger

It's Britney, Bitch! Coming straight off her Glee tribute, I decided to do a tribute of my own to the queen of Pop. Is there anyone cooler than Britney Spears? I grew up loving her, and at 24, I still feel like her biggest fan. While the talented Ms. Spears has had many career defining looks (school girl, flight attendant, snake charmer) I chose her Stronger video look because after all these years this look is still relevant and can be worn out to a club! To achieve her winged smokey eye, I used a lot of greys and blacks (MAC's Black Tied, Urban Decay's Oil Slick and MAC's Knight), blending at the top and edges. I kept my blush neutral (Rock and Republic's Foreplay) and topped off the look with a frosty pink lipgloss, Avon's Darling Pink. I hope I did Britney some justice. What's YOUR favorite Britney look?

Buzzworthy: Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in Insolence

 

I finally bit the bullet and purchased my first Chanel beauty product, and I gotta say- I don't ever want to be without it! The Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss (wow, that's a mouth full) is the newest gloss line, made to have intense shine and color while still going on sheer. Selling at $32 retail, the minute I tried Insolence on at Bloomingdales I knew I was going to buy it. The picture really does not do the color justice, as it achieves the glowiest (is that a word?), most perfect pink sheerness. Maybe it's the gloss, maybe it's because it's Chanel, but my lips looked instantly plumper, softer, fuller and rich with color. The double sided doe foot makes for easy application, and of course, the packaging is stylish and sophisticated. I won't say anymore of this, honey bees- only that if you love yourself, you'll go get one... in every color. I know I want to!

Drugstore Spotlight: Milani

Milani Cosmetics has a pretty good reputation for quality products at drug store prices so when CVS had a buy-one-get one half off deal, I picked up their newest lipstick product, the HD advanced lip color and their 3D Glamour Gloss. The HD lipstick I picked up was Vivacious Fuschia, which was the color featured on the ad. It looked like a neon matte pink on the model. The packaging was sleek, but instead of the typical roll-up tube there is a twist mechanism at the bottom, which I did not like. The lipstick goes on creamy and the scent is quite lovely. Other than that, there is nothing spectacular about this lipstick so I would definitely save my $7.99 and opt for Revlon if you're looking for a good drugstore lipstick. The lipgloss, in Fashion Diva, had high shine and glitter but did not stay on for very long. It paired nicely with the HD lipstick, but again, it is not the best drugstore lipgloss I have tried. I'd skip these products and use the BOGO for the nail polishes and eyeliners!

The Buzz on Special Packaging

With the MAC Venomous Villains Collection just on the horizon, I got to thinking about the special packaging some collections come with. The Venomous Villains Collection has been slammed by some for it's sticker-like packaging while others rave about the Disney Villains on their makeup. Also to be noted is the slight increase in price for the Disney collection- the lipglasses, lipsticks and eyeshadows are bumped up to $15.50 USD from the regular $14 while the powder blushes are now $19.50 from $18. The MAC collection special packaging is either hit (Hello Kitty was SO cute) or miss (the stickers on the Dame Edna collection peel off with time)- but i do find a hint of joy when searching through my mounds of black tubes and stumble upon something different. What do YOU think about special packaging from MAC? And are you willing to pay more money for it? What are some of your favorite collections with special packaging? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Here is one of my favorite limited edition lipsticks in one of MAC's more lovely special packaging- Peach Stock from the Liberty of London line. It's the perfect matte  nude for darker tone girls like me! And if you are wondering where I got my darling lipstick holder (pictured above), it is a custom-made lipstick holder from my talented friend Teresa. Check out her blog and other goodies at the T Collection: by Terese Ellis.

Buzzworthy: Mac Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Til Tomorrow

Here is another color from the recently launched Pro Longwear Lipcreme from MAC. Til Tomorrow is a mauvey-nude that works best for medium skin tones. I love the wearbility of this shade- you can pair it with dark smokey eye or even with a bright eyeshadow or cheek color. I am wearing mine to work today so hopefully the color will last all day without needing to reapply. I will say that I do love the consistency of these lipsticks- they're not drying and they go on very creamy.

And for all of you that missed out on the sales from yesterday, NYX and RapidLash will be on HauteLook today!

Beauty Deals of the Week

• DDF Skincare and LORAC Cosmetics and Go Smile on Hautelook
• Paul and Joe on Beauty Story
• Smashbox Cosmetics on Rue La La

Don't miss these deals, honey bees- they won't be available for too long!

Buzzworthy: MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Good to Go

Just this past Thursday, MAC released it's Pro Longwear Lip Cream collection to be added to its permanent line. The Longwear Lip Creams boast a 12 hour wear time that doesn't transfer. The color line is nothing too showy- just your basic line of colors ranging from bright reds to muted nudes and even (my at the moment favorite color) orange. I wore my Good To Go to a party on Saturday and after eating and drinking for a solid 5 hours the color did transfer on cups and forks but the color stayed on without having to reapply. At $16 a tube, I would definitely go back and buy another tube. The formula isn't drying and from what I've experienced, it has great staying power. I'm also a sucker for the different looking packaging!

Buzzworthy Classic: Red Lipstick

Is there anything more definitive in the world of cosmetics than red lipstick? From Marylin Monroe to Gwen Stefani, this beauty staple has been making women feel glamorous for centuries. The versatility of red lipstick is endless and there's no one that can't pull off this look! The application of red lipstick is a little trickier than your average lipstick application. Since the color is so bold, precision is key. A sloppy red lip with leave you looking like the Joker. I like to line my lips with a red lip liner (MAC's Brick is the perfect, perfect red) and then fill in my entire lip with the pencil. I also like to apply my choice of red lipstick (this time it was Barbie Loves Stila in Joy) with a lip brush, to ensure an even application and blot with a tissue (so it doesn't end up all over your teeth). I kept my eyes neutral (a wash of MAC's Woodwinked), since I wanted my lips to be the main attraction. Fair toned girls should stick with a blue based, true red. Medium skin tones look best with orange based reds and girls with darker tones should stick to purple reds (think Beyonce). What's your favorite red lipstick? 

Dupe this Look: Ke$ha

Now the party don't start til I walk in! My Katy Perry inspired look was so fun I thought I would follow it up with a Ke$ha inspired look! Where do you start with a girl that's a cross between Gene Simmons and Britney Spears? This glam-rock princess wears her makeup like someone dipped her in glitter three days ago and she hasn't showered since- yet somehow it seems to work for her. It's fun, it breaks the rules and it's completely different from anything we've seen so far. I had a lot of help with my trusty NYX jumbo pencil in Black and my Urban Decay glitter shadows in UZI (this works best wet) and Oil Slick. I finished my nude pucker in Mac's Myth. In her own words, Ke$ha is a "filthy hot mess"... and I really like it! Attitude *not* included.

Dupe this Look: Katy Perry

With the MTV Video Music Awards airing just on our heels, I thought I would do a tribute to pop starlet and fellow California Girl, Katy Perry. I love Katy's use of candy colors and pin-up girl winged eyeliner. She never takes makeup too seriously which always keeps her look fun and playful. Katy also proves that you can play up your peepers and lips without it being overwhelming as long as colors stay within the same color family. I used pink tones on my look (MAC's Sushi Flower and Cranberry on my eyes) and dusted MAC's coral highlighter/blush Marine Life on my cheeks. Finish the look with some extra thick falsies and you are instantly transformed into the Teenage Dream!

Buzzworthy News: Lady Gaga Signs Fragrance Deal

Fashion icon, MAC muse, and pop-charts killer Lady Gaga signed a deal with big shot perfume brand Coty to produce a fragrance. Among others, Coty produces Jennifer Lopez's fragrance line as well as Calvin Klein, Chloe and Marc Jacobs. The perfume is set to be released in Spring 2012, so you little monsters are going to have to be patient! Personally, I tend to shy away from the celebrity perfumes and stick to my go-to scents from Gucci (Envy Me) and Chanel (Coco Madmoiselle). Celebrity fragrances do pretty well if you look at successful perfume heavyweights like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and most recently Kim Kardashian. Lady Gaga seems to have the golden touch- everything from her is exciting and fresh- so I am anxious to see what she comes up with. Hopefully, she'll be out of her raw meat phase by then! What is your favorite perfume to wear? And are you excited for Gaga's perfume? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Orange You Lovely?

I have been on such an orange kick lately, and as we say farewell to summer there is no reason these lovely orange shades can't transition nicely into fall. The special thing about orange tones is that they are as stunning as they are surprising. I particularly love the way it looks on brunettes or tan/warm skin tones because of the way it seems to warm the face up (especially blush). While the color is intimidating in the pan, orange blush creates such a unique look because of the way it highlights skin (especially on medium/dark skin tones like me). Above are a few of my favorite orange cosmetics, including Rock & Republic blushes in All-Nighter and Immoral, NARS blush in Taj Mahal, MAC Hello Kitty lipglass in Nice to be Nice and MAC lipstick in Vegas Volt. With a light hand and the right application, you can achieve an orange tone so perfect it would make an Oompa Loompa blush!

All Nighter, Immoral, Taj Mahal

All Nighter

Buzzworthy: Viva Glam Cyndi Lipglass

 If there is one thing I love more than Viva Glam Gaga it's Viva Glam Cyndi. Not only is this color more wearable but it's also more flattering on more skin tones. This is a great lipglass with such an amazing color payoff you can wear it to work, on a date, or out to a club. Pair it with the Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick for a dramatic look, but personally- I cannot wait to layer this on top of my favorite MAC lipstick Vegas Volt. This definite must-have has me considering buying a back up! Trust me honey bees- you do not want to miss out on this lipglass!

Buzzworthy: Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass

Gaga Ooh La La! Boy do I love this limited edition lipglass! The color, which is based on the lipstick of the same name, is a milky cool pink. The texture and taste are that of your typical MAC lipglass, but unlike it's lipstick counterpart, Viva Glam Gaga lipglass is a bit easier to wear. Since it goes on more sheer than the lipstick, the cool tone is less harsh on the lips and goes on smoothly- even on my medium/dark skin (I'm an NC42 for reference). If you want to up the amp with this gloss, pair it with the lipstick for extra pow but this is definitely a shade that can be worn alone. Hurry up and grab a tube, as this is limited edition and will not be in stores forever! Like the rest of the Viva Glam line, proceeds are donated to the MAC Cosmetics AIDS Fund- being glamorous for a good cause. And stay tuned honey bees- I couldn't resist the Viva Glam Cyndi lipglass either!

Faces by the Honey B: Karla

For Karla's 26th birthday/Labor Day Barbecue I wanted to create a look that was day appropriate but would still be glamorous. To create this look, I chose a pink and gold smokey eye with matching pink and gold tones for lips and cheek. To open up Karla's  beautiful eyes a little more, I put a strip of false lashes (nothing too dramatic) for added glamour. I also wanted to keep the makeup soft and pretty since Karla's features are so dainty, too much makeup would overwhelm her face- especially in the day time. We stuck to a matte finish for her skin with Mark's tinted moisturizer and Revlon's Photo Ready finishing powder. Happy Birthday Karla!

Product Breakdown:

Face: Mark Tinted Moisturizer, Revlon Photo Ready finishing powder, MAC bronzing powder in Refined Golden Bronze, MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Gold Deposit, MAC Mineralized Blush in Dainty

Eyes: Anastasia Brow kit, MAC eyeshadows in Sushi Flower and Cranberry, Urban Decay's Half Baked, MAC's fluid line in Blacktrack, Revlon mascara in Grow Luscious. 

 Lips: MAC lipstick in Curtsy

Buzzworthy: the T Collection, Korres Lip Butter

 

I happen to be a big fan of the handmade craft online community, Etsy. That is where I was lucky enough to stumble upon Teresa Ellis- fellow beauty blogger, makeup lover and talented craftsmen. I made my first purchase from her, a few months back, when I fell in love with a custom made lipstick holder (which is currently holding all my MAC lipsticks!). The other day she posted this cute-as-a-button makeup brush roll that I had to have. It was a steal at $14.50 (including shipping!) and arrived within three days of my order. I am borderline obsessed with this Barbie print and the custom brush holder fits all my brushes and stores neatly in my vanity drawer. If you're interested, check out Teresa's T Collection on Etsy and stop by her blog, The T Collection By Teresa Ellis, for other goodies!

While picking up a  birthday gift for a friend of mine at Sephora, I picked up a guilty little splurge from Korres. Hailed as one of the best lip balms on the market, Korres offers their lip butter in several flavors including Plum, Wild Rose and Mango. I am on a huge orange kick, so I naturally went for the Mango. It adds just a tiny sheer tint, but feels so good on the lips. Not only does this feel great, look great but it tastes yummy too! I may just have to pick up another flavor!

Let's Get Naked

So I finally caved and picked up an Urban Decay Naked palette this last weekend. This has to be the perfect neutral palette, especially to travel with. The packaging is sleek, it comes with two eyeliners (a black in Zero and a brown in Whiskey) and comes with enough dark and smokey colors to convert any "naked" look into an evening look. With all this Naked hype, I thought I would post about my favorite products that are qualify for that nude/naked shade.

• Eyes: Naked Palette by Urban Decay, The Natural Eye Palette by Two Faced, MAC Mineralize shadow in Love Spell, MAC eyeshadow in All That Glitters, Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten
• Lips: MAC Plushglass in Wildly Lush, MAC Lipsticks in Peachstock, MAC lipglass in Bonus Beat Myth and Underplay, Avon lipstick in Sparkling Nude, Revlon Colorburst in Soft Nude
• Cheeks: Rock and Republic blush in Foreplay, MAC blush in Garb

Below is my "naked" face using my new Naked palette and my favorite "naked" products. The reason I love these neutral colors is because they are appropriate at almost ever occasion. There isn't a face out there that doesn't look beautiful in neutral/naked tones because the subtlety of the colors let your natural beauty come through! If there could be a "little black dress" for your face, the Naked palette would be it.

Weekend Haul Update

Here are some swatches for the Fabulous Felines lipstick/lipgloss I bought as well as the Avon nail polishes.  As you can see, To Pamper is pretty sheer with grey/taupe undertones. If  your skin leans more cool or fair it may give you that notoriously unwanted "dead" look.  When paired with Spree, it turns a nice nude/mauve color. Also swatched is the Avon nail polish in Jade. I love that this shade reminds me of Mint Chip ice cream, I can't wait to put it on! I also thought I would post a picture of Vintage Blue, which I am currently wearing on my nails.

Spree, To Pamper, Jade nail polish