Makeup Recreation- Mia Maestro

Mia Maestro is the 29 year-old Argentinian beauty of The Motorcycle Diaries and the TV half-sister of Jennifer Garner on Alias. For this gorgeous nighttime makeup, even the skin tone. Brush a pinkish color into and above the crease- leaving space for the brow bone. With a black eyeliner, trace the lower inner rims of the eyelid and as close to the top lashline as possible. With a deep gray shadow, trace the entire eye and smoke up to the crease. Finally, apply a nude gloss and you’re off.

Soy Candles

Reasons Soy candles are better than paraffin wax candles: soy wax is made from a renewable source and is all natural, they last 50% longer than paraffin candles, spills are easy to clean, they produce 90% less soot and because soy candles are cooler burning- they distribute more scent. Some good picks: Ergo Candles ($20) are 100% all natural soy candles with a cotton and papercore wick. Burns up to 50 hours. With 5 different collections, you're sure to find one you like) and Bluewick Groove Candles ($30) are 100% soy, contain cotton wicks, recycled containers + packaging. Burns for 150 hours.

NYX Liquid Eyeliner

Today I received NYX’s Liquid Eyeliner ($4) in Baby Green. I tried to apply the shimmery pale green to my lower lash line, but my eyelashes got stuck together. It dries really strangely, to a sort of plasticy finish. Make sure you shake the bottle to get the colors to come out evenly. This might work for someone else, but it was pretty much a nightmare for me.

Vanity Display

Everyone knows I love a pretty, girly vanity area. On top of my dresser, I display things like perfume, nail polish and make up, and candles on a mirrored perfume tray. Recently, I've been very into lacquered things- I love the shiny, black finish. That's why I'm so into Anna Sui cosmetics right now. The Face Color ($22) is a vibrant, clear blush- that can be used anywhere. The 10 shades range from deep purple, to pink, to brown. Each powder is embossed with a rose and packaged in a rose carved black plastic container.

Bobbi Brown- Surf & Sand

The Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio ($40) contains 3 full-size Shimmer Lip Glosses in new and exclusive shades: Peach Blossom, Pink Flower and Petal Rose. The peachy/pink glosses will look good on everyone. Bobbi Brown's Surf & Sand Eye Palette ($42) features 10 exclusive, pearlized eye shadow shades. Colors include sheer, shimmering shades of aqua, soft pink and beige. This could be one of my least favorite Bobbi products. I personally think blue eye shadow is something most of us can live without.

Bare Escentuals

I have a tendency to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning. Whenever I start watching the Bare Escentuals' infomercial, I can't stop. Sometimes I get so excited about mineral makeup, I actually get my makeup out and "swirl, tap and buff" along with the show. (Who cares, after all it's so pure you can sleep in it).

Recently, I had to replace my bareMinerals foundation. Every day, I buff i.d. bareMinerals Foundation- SPF 15 Sunscreen ($25) in Medium Beige 2.3 (light to medium skin/ golden undertones) onto a well moisturized face, with the Flawless Face Application Brush ($22). After that, I can see where I need more coverage. I use the Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush ($22) to conceal extra redness around my nose, lips, blemishes and under-eye area with the Multi-Tasking Minerals ($18) in Summer Bisque (yellow beige). Finally, a light dusting of Tinted Mineral Veil ($19) for a soft focus finish.

As I paid $25 for the ONE foundation, I so wished I had the extra $35 for the Get Started Kit. The $181 value set includes:
- 2 shades of SPF 15 Foundation
- bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper
- Mineral Veil
- Warmth All Over Face Color
- Flawless Application Brush
- Full Coverage Kabuki Brush
- Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
- Bonus DVD

Plus, check out the How-to Videos on Sephora.com

La Palette Les Roses

Chantecaille La Palette Les Roses($105). This floral inspired palette includes two ultra-fine, skin protecting, rose-embossed cheek colors (vivid pink and golden terracotta) and four new vivid eye powders (silver, apricot, sand and mercury).

NYX Nail Polish

It is officially Spring and white is the new black. That's right, forget Black Satin, Lincoln Park at Midnight and Nocturnelle. Today I was sent NYX's Nail Lacquer ($3) in White. It goes on super smooth and non-sticky. I applied two coats (don't forget to let your nails dry in between coats) and a final coat of Sally Hansen NO CHIP Acrylic Top Coat. This is not a stark white, it's actually somewhat natural. I will definitely be trying out more of the NYX line.

Vanessa Minnillo signs with Flirt! Cosmetics

Flirt! Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss

Today I received my very first cosmetic review kit from Kate at Guerilla PR. Seriously, it was one of the most exciting moments in my life... Is that sad? Anyway, she sent me a bunch of great Flirt! Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipglosses ($10). Vanessa Minnillo is Flirt! Cosmetics' guest creator. View the video. All the glosses are colorful, non-sticky and smell yummy. The colors I got are: (left to right) Cherries Jubilee (shiny blood red), Nectar Fizz (shimmery beige), Radical Raspberry (shimmery rose) and Mighty Aphrodite (shiny magenta). All the colors look natural, except Mighty Aphrodite was a bit too bright pink for me. But, if you are brave enough to try it, apply a thin coat over a lipstick to tone it down.

Milk Milk & Nectarine Milk

Fresh’s new Milk Milk Bath & Shower Cream ($25) and Nectarine Milk Bath & Shower Cream ($25) are both rich in vitamins C and E, lactic acid, shea butter, evening primrose oil, and milk protein. Milk Milk combines milk with vanilla and cocoa. Nectarine Milk combines milk with vanilla and nectarine.

AcneRecovery

AcneRecovery has created the first acne treatment that lets you adjust the strength of the medication through dials. The formula is a two-part system that gives you the balance of immediate-release medication that works right away, and time-release medication that keeps working hour after hour. Included in the AcneRecovery System Kit ($99) is the Morning Repair Lotion- a day lotion containing salicylic acid (adjustable from 0.5-2%), Retinol, gorgonian, allantoin, sea Whip and botanicals; the Nightly Treatment Lotion- a night lotion with benzoyl peroxide (adjustable from 2-7%) to fight acne while balancing maximizing effective treatment and minimizing side effects; and the Daily Face Wash- a gentle, medicated cleanser that exfoliates and lifts away oil and grime, containing salicylic acid (2%). Repair and Treatment Lotions last 3 months. Face Wash lasts 2 months. Available at Nordstroms.

Bare Bronze Collection

Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Collection includes a lip gloss and a bronzer duo. The Liquid Lip Shimmer ($12.50) is a glittery gloss that enhances, conditions and contours lips with marine collagen microspheres. Available in Sunsilk (copper bronze) and Golden Light (bright pink). The Flawless Glow Face Bronzer ($17.50) is so ingenious- I can't wait to get my hands on it, the duo contains one satin matte powder (for bronze contouring) and one pearly powder (for highlighting). Made with Vitamins A and E. Available in 4 shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium and Medium/Deep.

*Bonus: Get a FREE Beauty Tote with any $50 beauty purchase.
Enter offer code BTYBAG at checkout and the Beauty Sampler Tote will be added to your order. Offer valid through April 3, 2007. Samples include: Jonathan Product Silky dirt, Jaqua lotion,, Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream, Joey New York Correct-A-Like Face Serum, Escada Sunset Heat, St. Tropez Auto-Bronzant Lotion, Booty Parlor Don't Stop Massage Oil, Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Body Lotion, Supersmile Quickee, Per-fekt Beauty Skin Perfecting Gel, Love Spell Skin-Silkening Body Lotion, Very Sexy Makeup Lip Gloss, Beauty Rush Lip Gloss and StriVectin-SD- inside a cotton canvas tote.

Smashbox- Luminous Beauty

Smashbox's (exclusively online at Nordstrom's) Luminous Beauty Kit ($82 value for $38) is a limited edition set that will have you glowing in no time. Includes a multi-purpose Highlighter Quad (french kiss, champagne, bronze and sunrise), an eyeshadow (sensory- a shimmering bronze) and an ultra-moisturizing Lip Gloss (luminous- nude) all packaged in a printed satin clutch. Get it now, while you can.

French Manicure Du Jour

Who doesn't love the look of french manicures? I will say that I've finally gotten the "perfect white stripe" down to a science- but I've also been practicing since I was 10. Most products boasting "easy french manicure application" are quite a hassle. That strip of tape junk is a sticky mess. Bourjois has introduced its French Manicure Kit ($28 value, for $20). It includes a clear base + top coat, a sheer pink and a white. The white even comes with an expertly designed curved brush for easier tips.

L'Occitane Hand Care

L'Occitane's newest products include a Cleansing Hand Wash and a Moisturizing Hand Lotion. The Cleansing Hand Wash ($16) is a gentle vegetal and wheat protein based hand soap that preserves the skin's natural pH balance. The Moisturizing Hand Lotion ($16) is a light, absorbent lotion containing shea butter and honey and mallow extracts. Both are available in Lavender or Verbena; and each is packaged in an unbreakable plastic bottle. Mmhm... I'm somewhat convinced that all mothers love lavender. On Mother's Day, I like to give my mom and my boyfriend's mom luxury everyday items. I think we've done Williams Sonoma's soap + lotion sets (they've recently come out with a gardenia version, which I'm excited to try) so this will be something a tad bit different.

Caribbean Heat

LORAC's new, limited edition online @ beauty.com, Caribbean Heat Bronzer Palette ($28) is a multi-shade bronzer. The colors can be blended together or used separately. Includes a slide out tray that holds the bronzer brush. Not available until April 15, 2007.

Sephora Maniac

Sephora's Maniac Long Wearing Liner ($6) is a highly pigmented, long-lasting liner that will keep your lipstick or gloss in place the whole day. Plus, at $6 a pop, who can go wrong? Available in 6 colors: Peche Obnubilation (luminous rosey peach), Rose Hysterie (luminous rose pink), Crème Addict (matte dark beige), Choco Schizo (matte chocolate brown), Chair Obsession (matte light apricot) and Miel Dement (matte beige putty).

Elixrstix

Elixir Tonics & Teas and DuWop have collaborated to make Elixrstix ($22)- a non-sticky, moisturizing, tinted lip gloss blended with Elixir tonic.

Benefit Contest

Benefit is having a little contest. All you have to do is write a short story featuring Benefit product names, and you could win a $300 Benefit gift certificate + be published on the website. Here are the rules:
- Must be 300 words or less
- Mail essay to : Online Essay Contest, Benefit Cosmetics, 685 Market Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
- Entries must include entrants name, address, phone number and email address.
- Entries must be received by 4/3/07

Bobbi Brown Face Lift Collection

My two favorite products from Bobbi Brown’s Face Lift Makeup collection are the Eye Brightener and the Coral Blush. The Eye Brightener ($32) is a sheer coverage, moisturizing and brightening eye concealer. Available in Light, Medium, Medium to Dark and Dark. The new, limited edition, Coral Blush ($20) is a shimmery salmon/ coral color perfect for medium to deep skin tones. This color is great when you have a little bit of a tan in the summer.

Diorshow

Diorshow Mascara ($23) is a XXL- gigantic tube of mascara. Thanks to my Mom and her QVC watching, she ordered me one. The large brush produces thickened, lengthened and curved lashes. It’s a pretty great mascara- I prefer it to all the Lancome ones. Absolutely no clumping!

MAC Shopping

I went to the mall today before class. I really needed a new mini eyelash curler (regular curlers can’t reach the very inside and outside of my lashes). I had a Japonesque Precision Lash Curler for 2 years and it just broke. Nordstroms was out of it. Boo… So instead, I stopped at the MAC counter and bought the Select Moisture Cover ($15.50) in NC15 for an under-eye concealer. Then I picked out the Barbie Loves MAC Beauty Powder ($22) in Pearl Sunshine (soft peach with pink pearl) but of course they were out of it. I settled for their very last Pearl Blossom (light, clean pink with silver pearl). It looks almost the color of Stila’s All Over Shimmer #9, but the glitter is smaller- which makes it look more subtle. No buyer’s remorse, so far.

Kiehl's Tinted Moisturizer

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($24.50) is a light-weight tinted moisturizer made with apricot kernel extract, chamomile and royal jelly. It’s easily absorbed into the skin. Added sunscreen protects against UV rays. Available in 3 shades: light, medium and dark.