Practice makes perfect, and we have to say our liquid eyeliner skills have greatly improved. No, we haven’t perfected a cat eye or winged look just yet, but we finally got a straight, thin line down pat (which works perfectly with out go-to look of light, shimmery shadow and hot pink lips).

We like to give credit where credit is due, and we like to think that Pixi’s Lash Line Ink has something to do with us honing our skills. This tapered felt tip marker comes to a precise point for super-thin lines while the side of the actual felt tip is easy to run along the entire lashline when we want a little more dramatic look. It also stays put (hello, waterproof!), which is a major plus because no one wants to waste time cleaning up eyeliner that’s started to run halfway down your face. As for the color, this is the deepest, darkest black in our makeup drawer—and when you get it right down into your lashline, it makes your actual lashes look fuller and thicker. (Consider this tip our gift to you!)

You’ll fall in love with this liner

April 29, 2013

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