Vanessa Hudgens' Oscar Look

Can you believe how smooth and flawless Vanessa Hudgen's skin was? And I loved her eye make-up. This was one of my favorite looks of the evening. Make-Up artist Karan Mitchell is responsible for her va-va-voom look.

Make-Up How To:

-Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers in Light to Medium to Vanessa’s already radiant skin.
-To set the look and add a hint of shimmer, she then applied Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Blush in in Natural Apricot to the apples of her cheeks, followed by a touch of Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Illuminator.
-To create Vanessa’s soft-smoky eye, Mitchell began by applying Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes in Medium underneath the eye to rid of any dark circles, and on the eyelid as an eye-shadow base.

-She then used Nourishing Eye Duo in Fairy Dust, applying the darker shade to the crease and then brushing the accent shade over the entire lid up to the brow bone.

-Finish by applying two coats of Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in Carbon Black.
-To complement Vanessa’s darker eye, Mitchell applied a mixture of two pink moisture-infused lip colors – Neutrogena MoistureShine Lipstick SPF 20 in Angel’s Blush and Sheer Luck.

Hair How To:

-Take 2 x 2 inch triangles, lightly saturate the hair with your favorite aerosol hairspray. Comb through the section to make sure hair is evenly distributed. With one hand, take entire section and twist to base.
-Place the FHI Heat 3/4″ Curling iron underneath the section. Take the hair and wind around the FHI Heat 3/4″ Curling iron. Hold for approximately 15 seconds - slide iron out and secure with the FHI Heat T-Rex Clips.
-Complete the entire head in this fashion. Let it all cool and remove clips. Apply approximately 1/2 a dime size of FHI Heat Hot Sauce to hands to emulsify - work through sections gently.

All-In-One: Cleanser, Toner, Make-Up Remover

Something shocking has happened: there is a product that actually does what it claims it will do. Normally I use a make-up remover before my cleanser, but with MD Skincare's All-In-One Facial Cleanser with Toner I have no more need of make-up remover. This product gently removes make-up and doesn't leave dark raccoon circles from mascara. It's truly a one-step product that has replaces three items that I used to use. My skin is supple, toned, and cleansed after I use this. Though it is a make-up remover and cleanser, I still wash my face with it twice at night--once to remove make-up, and once to wash my skin. I have been completely converted to this product and highly recommend it!

Bobbi Brown Platinum Collection

I love the Bobbi Brown Platinum Look. It's relaxed, but still mysterious. It's a great going-out look for summer. The look includes the new Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick, which gives the face a fresh glow.

Get the Look:

• Apply the Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick onto cheekbones with the Face Blender Brush.

• Apply either Confetti Shimmer Lip Gloss or Bright Pink Lip Gloss.

• Using the Cream Shadow Brush, sweep Steel Long-Wear Cream Shadow over the lid and along the lower lash line.

• Add highlight by using the Cream Shadow Brush to sweep Platinum Long-Wear Cream Shadow onto the brow bone.

• Apply two coats of Black Everything Mascara.

• Fill in and define brows with the Rich Brown Natural Brow Shaper.

Neiman Marcus Beauty Event

Neiman Marcus' beauty event gift with purchase is available online through March 9th with any $100 cosmetic or fragrance purchase.

Includes the following:
• NM Exclusive Dior L'Or de Vie La Creme Yeux, L'Extrait, and La Creme, 0.03 oz. each

• Karl Lagerfeld Kapsule Eau de Toilette in Woody, Floriental, and Light, 1.2 ml each

• Clé de Peau Beauté Le Coton, 5 sheets

• Lancome Paris Definicils Mascara in Black, 0.09 oz.

• NM Exclusive Valentino Eau de Parfum, 0.06 oz.

• Molton Brown Ultrasmooth Coco de Mer Bath & Shower Gel, 1 oz.

• Bobbi Brown Invitation for full-size Blush in Pink Clay

• Kiehl's Since 1851 Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, 0.17 oz.

• NM Exclusive La Mer Invitation for Creme de la Mer, 0.24 oz.

• Arrives in a NM exclusive tote in your choice of pink, turquoise, or orange.

Note: The Saks Beauty Event starts soon and I like their gift more. I'll post it when it's available.

Thicker, Longer Hair

My mom has been using Ovation Cell Therapy products for a few months in the hopes of thicker, longer hair and now she raves about the stuff! At the steep price of $56.95 for a 12 ounce bottle, the company claims this product "dramatically accelerates hair growth, reduces breakage and hair loss. Creates visibly thicker, fuller and longer hair." Now that my mom has been using it for a while, you can see the baby hairs starting to grow out. That's good enough proof for me!

Hotel Amenities Put To Good Use

I was staying in Park City last week and our room had the cutest mini Bath and Body Works hair care items. I'm very picky about my shampoo and conditioner, so I never use the complimentary amenities for their actual purpose. However, I always take the nicer brands home with me, and use the conditioner as a shave cream. I've used this trick for years, and it saves money and moisturizes my legs!

Jennifer Aniston's Premiere Look

Jennifer Aniston looked chic and sophisticated at the He's Just Not That Into You premiere last week. People magazine talked to makeup artist Angela Levin to see exactly how her look was created.

-Cover lids with Shu Uemura Cream Eye Shadow in Beige.
-Apply Chanel Soft Touch Eye Shadow in Le Bronze to outer half of lids and Tina Earnshaw's Bitter Sweet shadow in crease.
-Highlight brow bone with Chanel Soft Touch Eye Shadow in Platine.
-Line with Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Ambre and finish with Chanel Intimitable Mascara in Noir.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Style.com just posted guidelines for the shelf-life of cosmetics that I think is extremely helpful. I've been known to keep foundation and sponges for waaaay too long. Seriously, though, I think it's fine if you keep your items longer than posted below, but that's just me.

Powders and shadows: Two years
Cream shadows: 12-18 months
Foundation: One year
Lipstick/lipliner: One year
Mascara/eyeliner: Three months
Makeup brushes: Clean weekly using a mild detergent
Makeup sponges: Replace weekly, or when sponge becomes completely covered

It Hurts So Good

I'm of the mindset that if it hurts, it's working. Not necessarily accurate, but in the case of Smashbox's O-Plump Intuitive Lip Plumper, that's definitely the case. The color is the same as the original Intuitive Gloss, but this one is packed full of an ingredient (not sure what it is) that plumps your lips. And it actually works. I should warn you that it feels like pins-and-needles when you first put it on, but my lips were definitely bigger. I've only been using it for a few days, but so far I'm loving my fuller pout!

Big Night Out

If I'm going to an event, or just in the mood to get dressed up, I like to try new looks. For inspiration I'll come through years of past makeup photos from Allure magazine. Each look includes a simple how-to guide with printable directions and color suggestions.

For hair inspiration, I look through Bumble and Bumble's Style Book. Photos are separated by hair length, and each image includes a how-to along with recommended products to get the look.

Photo: Michael Thompson

Smooth Silky Lips

Laura Geller's Lip Strip is an essential step in my winter routine. I get horribly chapped lips, and this exfoliant, formulated with organic sugar cane granules, smooth the uneven texture and moisturize my lips. The sugar cane, mixed with the peppermint and spearmint oils, leave a sweet taste on my lips that I love. To use, just dip a fingertip into scrub and massage over lips in a circular motion for about half a minute, then rinse off with water.

Well, Hello Kitty...

The much-anticipated Hello Kitty Collection from MAC has finally arrived. "When innocence meets MAC, anything can happen...Be transformed with the mild-go-wild shades, lashes, and too chic-to-be-cute accessories of this special-edition collection." This collection will sell out fast, so buy now!

I have a feeling this is going to be like the Barbie collection a few years back, and it's going to go crazy on eBay. I sold a MAC barbie on eBay for three times what I paid for it at the store, so you may want to consider this collection an investment (check out the cute charm bracelet).

Cargo blu_ray Concealer

I have been using Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer in #1 for years as my under eye concealer. I like that it has more of a pink base, rather than the usual yellow tone--it works better on my skin tone. I've been pretty satisfied with it, and never felt the need to try any more concealers.

Well, I was trying out the Cargo blue_ray line at Sephora the other day, and happened upon their blu_ray Concealer in #1. Wow. This stuff works great! I immediately bought it and am so happy I did. It has light-diffusing pigments to help with dark circles, doesn't settle into fine lines, and is water resistant.

I've read in reviews that the coverage is too light, but I think that's just the way it's applied. It comes in a twist up pen, but I apply it with my fingers, and use two layers. Layering is key with this item. Also, I wouldn't use this on blemishes, just the under eye area. I highly recommend this item.

Kim Kardashian's Sexy Look

For a recent promo shoot to promote Kim Kardashian's reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashian's, makeup artist Troy Jensen used Yves Saint Laurent makeup to create this smoky, sexy look.

Step 1: Use a light moisturizer and eye cream to prepare the skin.

Step 2: Dab a touch of concealer under the eyes, around the mouth, and anywhere to conceal skin imperfections. Blend with a foundation brush. On Kim: Anti-Cernes Multi-Action Concealer in 2 Nude Beige.


Step 3: Dab a touch of pale beige liquid shimmer at the top of the cheek bones, above the lip, and down the center of the nose. Blend well with the same foundation brush you used with the concealer. Then apply the liquid foundation across the forehead, down the jawline, and into the neck, blending with your foundation brush and making sure you blend well into the skin. On Kim: Perfect Touch Radiant Brush Foundation in 6 Gold Beige.


Step 4: Set with pressed powder. On Kim: Matt and Radiant Pressed Powder in 4 Golden Beige.


Step 5: Apply powder cheek color, starting with the apples of the cheek and blending upward toward the hairline. Blend well. On Kim: Touche Blush in 6 Sienna.


Step 6: Start eyes with a well-groomed brow and using your powder eye-shadow duo, dust the light shade just below the brow and the darker shade over the entire eye lid and below the lower lash line, creating a smokey effect. Blending upward but not too cat-like. Then line entire eye with black eyeliner and blend with a sponge applicator or q-tip. Curl and coat your lashes. On Kim: Eye Shadow Duo in 1 Heavenly Beige-Astral Brown, Long Lasting Eye Pencil in 1 Intense Black, and Luxurious Mascara in 1 High Density Black.


Step 7: Line your lips with a neutral lip-liner, if needed, for added definition or just simply apply the pale pink lipstick to the entire lips and top off with the shimmering lip gloss. On Kim: Sheer Lipstick in 11 Pink Diamond, Shimmering Lip Gloss in 11 Golden Whisper.


Step 8: Nails should be black with a touch of top coat for added shine.

Customer Service Is Alive And Well

A quick story about the highlight of my weekend: I was going to throw my Zeno away (I just couldn't stand looking at it after such a bad experience), but a friend of mine told me I could return it to Sephora even though I had used it. Skeptical, I printed out the online receipt from when I bought it last summer and took it into the store. No questions asked, they gave me a full refund. I couldn't believe it; talk about amazing customer service! I already loved Sephora, but this just reinforced my near-obsession with this company. Thank you, Sephora!

In related news, this could end up being a bad discovery because now I'm not going to be afraid to 'buy and try' new products.