Leighton's Emmy makeup

You either loved it or hated it: Leighton Meester's Emmy makeup. Personally, I thought LM looked like Snow White and really pulled off the whole dramatic eyes, sculpted cheeks, and bold lips thing. Not an easy feat, considering the temp on the red carpet was in the upper 90s. My face would have undoubtedly melted onto my dress.


But alas, it is nowhere NEAR 90 in NYC and so I'm inspired to try this. Personally, I'll be trying this with more of a bare cheek (shiny apples would look horrid on me), so I've improvised below.

Eyes:

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Earth Reflection (a neutral palette of smoky browns, plus a pink and a gold highlighter shade)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Burgandy 18L and Matte Black 0L

Lancome Hypnose Mascara in black

Cheeks:

Benefit Georgia on cheekbones only (this tends to be more of a peachy highlight for me, since it's a very light shade and I'm fair-medium skinned)

Lips:


Sally Hansen Natural Beauty (Inspired by Carmindy) Color Comfort Lip Color in Sangria
OR
MAC Dubonnet, Red Pepper, or Fresh Moroccan
I'm telepathically channeling my makeup stash for these shades, but I'm sure I have lots more that'll work. The key here is not going too light or too pink. Leighton's wearing more of a wine shade, so if in doubt, go darker and vampy-er - you can always blot.

can you "smize"?

I can't. I've tried to...and I can't.

Smize is a term that Tyra Banks has coined, and it means smiling with your eyes. FYI, coincidentally, it's also the name of her alter superhero ego.

You'll recognize all this smize talk if you guys watched America's Next Top Model last night. The entire show was dedicated to the not-so-easy task of smizing. I was SO intrigued by this smizing phenomenon because I am usually one to smouth (my own term for smiling with one's mouth) and not smize. All. the. time. I don't think there's a single photo of me where I'm not smouthing. I've actually tried to do what I think is smizing, but I end up coming off like a squinty freak who is trying too hard to smize. Smizing, apparently, is not to look forced in any way shape or form.

According to TB, anyone can perfect a smize. Here's how:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep shoulders down as if somebody is pushing them down. Keep neck up. Make believe there's a string coming out of the top of your head, squint, put your hand on your tummy and think of something delicious.

Well, if smizing is that easy, I had to try it right then and there! I followed her instructions, stood in front of a mirror, and thought of cupcakes. Then chocolate. Then shrimp tempura. For some reason, I was unable to smize. Sour patch kids. PopChips. Still not there. I definitely felt happy thinking about these things, but you wouldn't know it without my signature toothy smile.

The problem was, every time I tried to smize, I ended up grinning slightly, which is a major smize no-no. Maybe I'm destined to never smize, or perhaps it just takes more practice. Until then, I'll continue to smouth as usual, and take the Olsen twins' prune idea for pictures, which I happen to think is brilliant.

the Latisse phenomenon

Funny story – this month, three different people (one of whom is my new dermatologist) asked me if I used Latisse. Latisse, as you probably know from seeing ads EVERYWHERE, is the prescription product that you brush onto sparse lashes to make them grow thicker, longer, and darker. Although I was flattered that people think my lashes were Rx-enhanced, they are not. My lashes are au naturel.

I don’t consider myself genetically blessed in very many aspects, but I managed to inherit very long lashes from some random member of my family. It’s not my mom, and it sure isn’t my dad, who I’m pretty sure doesn’t even have eyelashes. I kid, I kid – I’m sure he does, but they aren’t very visible. I love my long lashes, but I have to say they can be a nuisance at times. I know all you short-lashed folks would kill me for complaining, but hear me out. It’s hard to find a mascara that doesn’t make them look fake and TOO long. I’m all for dramatic eyes on a Saturday night, but for work, I’d prefer not to look like I’m wearing falsies. For example, Maybelline Lash Stiletto was a disaster on me (as was Fiberwig). My lashes were so long they were curving upward onto my brow bone!

To avoid that, I tend to gravitate toward thickening mascaras to give the illusion of volume rather than length. On my lashes now is Lancome Hypnose Drama, which has a cool S-shaped curved wand and coats my lashes without leaving clumps (I loathe clumpy mascara). An amazing pick if you’re long-but-thin-lashed like myself.

The beauty experimentalist in me would love to try Latisse for its thickening properties, but I probably shouldn't. I'd hate to have to end up trimming my lashes because, as you know, beauty experimentalists do crazy things like that as well.

tans reigned at the VMAs

You know, a tan is an awfully hard thing to get just right, especially in famouspeopleland where there's an unlimited supply of free airbrush tanning liquid.

I applaud Miss Whitney Port here for getting the perfect fall-appropriate glow. Just last week Whit was seen at a few NY fashion shows looking pale (and pretty! Trust me, I have no problems with pale), and last night she looked like a glowing goddess.

I'm literally on my last droplet of my beloved Nivea Sunkissed Firming gradual moisturizer, so I'm scouting out a new one to try. Next on my list: Mystic Tan's Glow Moisturizer SPF 15. I love that it's a gradual with sunscreen (you all know I've been a sunblock Nazi lately) - perfection in a bottle.

Feeling inspired to tan tonight? Make it last all week with this tip from Mystic Tan's founder, Ricky Croft: before showering, apply a thin coat of light body oil to create a natural barrier to protect your skin. No more gross patches of worn-off tanner - sign me up!

VMA style: Taylor Swift

I didn't think it was possible, but I love T.Swift more now than I did before last night. Not only does that girl now have everyone and their MOTHER on her side after what happened on stage (I won't even discuss the antics of kiss-my-a** Kanye), but she looked flawless. Literally, flawless! Look at her skin. It's porcelain perfection. Quite refreshing to see amongst her fellow stars who all looked like they've been bronzed within an inch of their life. Also loving the red lips - looks like it could be MAC Chili - and the fact that she chose not to go bare on the eyes.

Some argue that this goddess-y dress and glam makeup was a bit too much for the laid-back carpet of the VMAs, but I think it made her stand out and look sophisticated beyond her 19 years. Well done!

MTV VMA style: Kristin's long pony

Normally, I'd think long ponytails are cheesy and tacky-looking, but I really really love this look on Kristin Cavallari at the VMAs. I'm pretty sure there's some hair extension action going on in there, but she manages to make it look sleek and pretty.

I might, MIGHT, just be inspired to buy hair extensions just so I too could pull this off. However, I fear I may come off more street-walkerish than red carpet-ready.

What's your take on extensions? I have a major history with them (I'll tell you that story another time), but I feel as though they will make a comeback in my stash very soon.

the perfect shave

The perfect shave - does it really exist? I used to think no, because although I've been shaving my legs for 14 years (holy good god) I'm clutzy as hell with a razor. Not one shave goes by that I don't get a nick here, a cut there, end up with dryness, razor burn, redness, missed patches of stubble, you name it. I used to think there was something wrong with ME, but then I realized that my shaving tool kit - if you can even call it that - really sucked.

Problem number one: don't laugh, but for nearly a decade and a half I used those pink Gillette "Daisy" razors that I first started using at the ripe young age of 12. And why shouldn't I? They were good enough for mom all those years, and they were cheap (I'm sorry, but college Jill would have much rather spent $10 on a Grey Goose and cranberry than a Venus Divine). I have since learned that your razor makes THE biggest difference - the more blades, the better. It also really helps to have a built-in moisture strip to help the razor glide across the skin rather than pull it. The Schick Intuition is my all-time favorite, because it's got a cool chunk of bar soap all around it and my legs never get dry or razor burned when I use it. The downside is that the soap rim wears out in, like, 3 shaves - but I keep using it anyway (it's got four blades unlike my sad little Daisy which has two). For times that I'm too broke to get the Intuition, the Schick Quattro is my trusty standby, and also much more travel-friendly.

Problem number two: Bar soap really sucks for shaving. It does. But then again, why buy shave gel? It always felt like one of those "do I really need it?" beauty products. To this day I'm not a huge fan of shave gel because a) I do not need another bottle in my shower and b) there are other things you can use in its place. I always mix a dollop of my body wash with a dollop of hair conditioner - works like a charm.

Problem number three: Dryness and itching used to be a major post-shave problem - until I started moisturizing RIGHT after getting out of the shower. If dryness is your only problem, pick a lotion, any lotion, and use it. If razor burn is an issue, use a bit of Bikini Zone gel (totally acceptable to use it on non-bikini areas) with an unscented lotion or one made for sensitive skin and slather it on.

Do you have any happy shaving tips? Now that fall's coming, my dry skin is going to need extra TLC. And I refuse to revert back to my shave-once-a-week rule because my skin is SO dry. It's not a good look.

love this cut

I don't watch the show, but I must admit that I've lusted over almost every single 90210 cast member's haircut or color at some point in recent months. Case in point: I love love love LOVE Jessica Stroup's chin-length haircut, but probably would never have the guts to chop off a foot of my own hair. It's cute but somehow also sexy and looks easy to style - that is, unless you have a mop of frizzy waves like I do, which is why I could never EVER pull this off. When it comes to hair COLOR, you guys know how experimental I am. But come near me with scissors and I'd probably try to set them on fire. It's quite sad...

ANTM "ty-overs"

A new season of America's Next Top Model is upon us, and this time around, I'm SO excited because Tyra has chosen girls under 5'7 to compete. I don't know why she kept calling the ladies "petite" during last night's 2 hour season premiere, because the last time I checked, 5'6 is not petite.

Anyway, I was beyond ecstatic that that the fierce Miss Tyra decided to do makeovers in the very first episode. Makeovers, or "Ty-Overs" as they were called, are the absolute highlight of the entire ANTM season. This time around, I was shocked that there weren't more tears of despair shed - the only drama I spotted was the whole Bianca and the bleached eyebrows thing. Sweet pea, you have not one strand of hair on your head, and you're complaining about the shock factor of bleached brows? Come on now.

Then, we have Erin. Sweet little Erin who had beautiful golden brown hair - that is, until Sally Hershberger's team got their hands on her and bleached her hair until it couldn't be bleached no more. I suppose they were so pleased with the results that they gave Rae the same white-blonde treatment. I love the whole platinum look, but could never ever pull it off. My face would probably look green and I'd be in the salon every 4 days touching up my roots.

Other notable changes: Sundai's (I love her name, it reminds me of ice cream) weave went bye-bye, and she got a cute little Rihanna bob. Lulu went from hairless to weavetastic with her new blunt bangs and long, straight hair. Some of the underwhelming changes of the evening involved Nicole, Kara and Lisa. Boooring.

Sidenote: I'm so bummed that Jesus girl, Amber, went home early. Although I firmly believe she was deliberately planted in the premiere by producers, I would have liked to see her stick around for a few more shows because the girl was a loony bird.

Discuss!

enjoy an evening with Benefit!

And so NYFW has begun. Since I'm not one to follow high fashion (my income doesn't really allow for that), I like to follow beauty happenings instead. Check this out...(click invite to view the deets).

more liner notes...

So, the topic of lip liner came up yesterday. Lip liner! Someone had asked me if I've ever worn it. Um, only from 1996-2000, otherwise known  as my bleak years of beauty. I've seen better days for sure, but I'm not going to totally dismiss lip liner. After all, it was my color choice (Wet n Wild #666! Now I realize why it was so aptly named - it was truly the devil reincarnated into a pencil) and application technique that made me a beauty "don't" all those years. Why the liner lunacy? Selena. I remember trying to emulate her dark liner look because I was so obsessed with that movie. Unfortunately, what worked for her (and for J.Lo) didn't work for me. 

I abandoned lip liner for many years after that, and it wasn't until about a year ago that I realized its magical powers. Case in point: a nude or creamy pink lip liner filled in the lips and topped with lip balm gives a beautiful daytime lip look that lasts a few hours - much longer than any creamy lipstick or gloss would. I also like to do this when I wear a smoky eye at night. Then, there's red. A matte red pencil is BEAUTIFUL for getting that old Hollywood look (or new H-wood: think Gwen Stefani). But you're probably asking - why liner when you have a lipstick? When you're doing a red lip, precision is key - lipsticks are sometimes too runny, too thick, too creamy, and before you know it, lipstick is everywhere - teeth, chin, corners of the mouth, tip of the nose. Disaster. 

Here are some of my favorite lip liners:

NARS Jungle Red

NARS Salsa

MAC Whirl

Smashbox Palm Beach

No matter which you choose, remember the cardinal rule of lip liner - don't forget to fill!

liner notes

Eye liner can be very transformative in that it can take me from dead-looking to drop-dead gorge in seconds flat - even without a stitch of other makeup (true story). Thing is, perfecting liner can take YEARS - it wasn't until 2002 that I mastered lining my inner rims, which totally changed my life. There are tons of formulas and techniques to be learned, but what I'm about to tell you works like a charm every. single. time. To make it work for day, I stick to brown or deep copper shades, but for nighttime I'll go with plum, gunmetal, or black for a more intense look. But no matter which shade you pick, I promise it'll stay on all day and give you an amazing, non-smudgy, defined look, like Rachel Bilson here. This girl is like the queen of perfect eye liner. She ALWAYS gets it right.

1. Pick your color of choice, then get that shade in a waterproof pencil formula and a liquid formula (I like felt-tip ones the best because they're great for liner virgins AND pros).

2. Dust a taupe shadow all over your lids from lash line to right under your brow bone to even skin tone and give liner a good base to adhere to. I use MAC Omega for this, but it'll only work if your skin is fair or medium. If you're dark, pick something closer to your skintone.

3. Sharpen your pencil so that it's super pointy. The finer the point, the easier it is to be precise with your line. Now it's time to tightline - a trick that makeup artists have been using forever that I swear by for getting a professional look. First, apply the eyeliner right to the lash line, kind of like you're lining your lashes rather than your eyes. Many recommend even pushing it down into the line or even making little dots in between the lashes to get as close as possible. Hint: if you see a white space between the line and your lashes, you made a boo-boo - so start over! When finished tighlining, go over the line with your liquid liner pen to emphasize and darken the line even more.

4. Now, tightline the bottom lash lines starting at the inner corners. When you get to the outer corners, extend the pencil outward a bit, then smudge with a Q-tip to get a look like Rachel's. This will be a bit easier than the top, since you have a more flat, visible surface to work with. Just be careful and try not to jab yourself in the eye. Beauty may be pain (sometimes), but it isn't blindness.

5. Finish with two coats of mascara on top lashes only. I never was a big fan of mascara on the lower lashes for this look, since you want to keep smudging to a minimum. Definition is key.

Ta-da! You're done. Now, as with any dramatic eye look, go for a sheer dusting of blush and a light lip color.

DIY haircutting - a DI-don't?

According to a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, people have been chopping off their hair at home. I have impeccable control with scissors, so I've never been one to shy away from trimming my hair (especially the bangs) in mi casa. Perhaps my many years of watching people get haircuts was like visual practice for me, I don't know.

You may be wondering what would drive someone to the point of taking scissors to their own head. One reason might be that a trim in Manhattan costs as much as lunch for two weeks and quite frankly I'd rather have my lunch. How about convenience? I mean, who wants to wait a week for an appointment when the job can be done in your own bathroom in seconds? If you're like me and can skillfully cut a 1/2 inch off your ends, then I say, go for it.

On the other hand, you have people with major trust (or lackthereof) issues. You figure "I don't want some scissor-wielding FREAK coming at MY beautiful hair! Let me do it myself and it'll come out MUCH better." I dealt with this for many years and thankfully, got over it - there are tons of talented hairstylists in this city (the ones at Antonio Prieto, Julien Farel, and Pierre Michel make the top of my list). If you want a cut - and I mean a real, pretty, layered, quality cut that grows out stunningly and frames your features - you must drag yourself to a salon, just like I do twice per year.

Would you (or have you ever) cut your hair at home? Give me all your stories of triumph...or utter disaster!

terms of endearment

On my daily visit to BellaSugar yesterday, I came across an interesting post about being called cute, pretty, beautiful, or hot. Most of us have been called at least one of these at some point in our lives, but one of the four is probably used more than the others. I tend to hear "cute" a lot (due to my round-ish face and freckles) and I used to HATE it. Care Bears are cute. Yorkies are cute. I worked way too hard on my beauty routine to be called "cute".

But then, I realized that cute probably isn't a bad thing, especially when one gets older. I'm also in good company - think of all the so-called cute celebrities out there: Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel and little Lindsay Lohan circa the Mean Girls era. See? It's cute to be called cute.

I have to admit that "hot" isn't on my wishlist. In fact, I HATE hot. Hot is what you're called by construction workers when you're teetering down the street in high heels. Hot makes me feel...trashy.

But pretty or beautiful? More of that, please!