When it comes to cheek color, a lot of ladies think you have to choose between bronzer and blush—and when one moves to the top of the makeup bag, the other seems to get lost in the depths below. The point of these cosmetics is to create a natural-looking sunkissed glow or a healthy flush, and the fact is that they work better together, especially this time of year. Nothing looks more fresh and modern than a golden glow topped off with a light pop of color on the cheeks, and NARS limited edition Sephora-exclusive Blush & Bronzer Duos are the easiest way to get fresh-faced for summer.

Available in four color combos, you get Laguna bronzer along with your favorite NARS blush (and we all have one). Whether you choose Orgasm, Desire, Oasis or Deep Throat, you can summer-ize your skin the safe way!

May 9, 2013

Get cheeky with this color duo

In the past we haven’t had much success with lip and cheek stains… Gel formulas can be hard to control and you have to blend fast. (But we’re obsessed with Tom Ford’s Lip and Cheek Stain in “Tainted Love” because it’s a creamy, blendable stick—and we preemptively bought 5 of because it was limited edition.) However, we try not to hold grudges, so when we got ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint in “Rosy Red” in our Glossybox a few months back, we decided to give this cosmetic category another try.

After dragging our feet a bit, and our first foray didn’t go so well… We barely saw it on our cheeks, and the uneven result on our lips reminded us why we prefer a lip gloss or lipstick. The next day we tried again, and after patting two layers on our cheeks, we actually liked the healthy, natural flush. It dried fast, and we have to say the look lasted for most of the day. (We wish we could say something nice about our second lip attempt—but instead we’re just going to stick with the lippies we love.) And now that temperatures are hovering around 90 degrees these days, we’ve come to enjoy this cheek stain because it’s more water-resistant that powder and cream blushes, making it a great addition to our poolside makeup bag!

ModelCo teaches us stains can be good

May 13, 2013

It’s a little hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is just a stone’s throw away, and if you’re anything like us, you surely have some fun plans to usher in the official start of the summer season. You’ve probably stocked up on a few new suits and pairs of sandals—but what will your lips be wearing? We’re here to tell you, our pout will be sitting pretty in Lipstick Queen’s new Endless Summer collection.

If you’ve ever tried Lipstick Queen, you know these lippies are second to none. And if you’re still on the hunt for the perfect red, we suggest you start with this line. (In the U.S. it’s available at Space NK stores, as well as the Space NK outposts you’ll find in some Bloomingdale’s stores.) This particular collection is super-hydrating and super-glossy—and thanks to the bright orange tube, you’ll never lose this lipstick in your bag.

We’ve pre-ordered our “Perfect Wave,” because this sheer bright pink will work anytime, anywhere, from the beach club to a night out on the town—and all points in between. There’s also “Stoked” (a sheer bright coral) and “Hang Ten” (a sheer warm nude). Available exclusively through Space NK, reserve one for yourself before they’re ready to ship around May 27!

These lipsticks scream summer

May 17, 2013

Warmer weather can pose a few makeup challenges, especially when it comes to eyeshadow. Some crease while others pull a total disappearing act, and forget about hitting the beach or pool with color staying intact. Though these products aren’t new, we thought there’s no time like the present to share Make Up Forever’s Aqua Cream and Aqua Shadow. These are our go-to summer eyeshadows, simply because they stay put through just about everything.

When the mercury climbs, we suggest swapping out your usual cream eyeshadow for the Aqua Cream, because it has the power to hold up to heat, humidity and even a dip in the pool. It’s available in 23 shades that run the gamut from neutral to bold, and despite sticking around all day, they’re easy to wash off with soap and water. (We’re partial to shade 13 because this champagne shimmer is a dead ringer for Stila “Kitten.”) And if you prefer a shadow stick, the Aqua Shadow is easy to apply, while reaping the same long-lasting benefits. (We love shade 22E because this pearly copper looks so fantastic with beautifully bronzed skin.) With amazing color, and no need to worry about touching up, these shadows will keep you sitting pretty all summer!

Stock up on these shadows for summer

May 23, 2013