Psst….come close….closer.

Fact:

Tom Ford will soon (October) launch a complete collection of color cosmetics and skin care.

Fact:

Several shades of Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color (what I like to call “first generation Tom Ford”) will not carry to the new collection.

Visit the Bergdorf Goodman blog for full details on an exclusive opportunity to reserve your favorite shades before they’re going going gone…

This blog post will self destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

Believe it or not, there is a proper technique for applying lip gloss…and it’s not haphazardly spreading it across one’s lips from end-to-end. Recently on the Bergdorf Goodman blog (5th/58th) I took a swipe (get it?..”swipe”? lol) at breaking down the how-to’s of lip gloss application. Read on and be enlightened:)

More on the Bergdorf Goodman blog, 5th/58th

Last week, ThisThatBeauty contributor Christene Carr attended the LeSportsac by Pat McGrath launch. Naturally, she has an opinion and an account of the evening’s events:

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On June 1st, amidst a tornado warning and 85 degree humid weather, I made my way to the  Mondrain hotel,  in SoHo, to celebrate a collaboration between CoverGirl cosmetics, legendary makeup artist, Pat McGrath and LeSportsac.  From the collaboration comes an eight-piece cosmetic bag collection that is inspired by CoverGirl LipPerfection lipcolor, designed by Pat McGrath and  made by LeSportsac.

I didn’t get a chance to meet  Pat McGrath but knowing that soon I’d be able to touch various pieces from the “Pat McGrath for LeSportsac” collection made my trip worthwhile. The cosmetic bags range in size from small to large and starts at $25 for the kiss case. The kiss case holds up to five lipsticks, considering there are about 46 shades in the Liperfection lip color line all price under $6 per tub, finding 5 complimentary shades will be cake! The largest bag in the collection is  the professional carry-all which will retail for $120.

When I got home I noticed the CoverGirl LipPerfection lipcolor, “Hot Passion” in my press bag…how fitting?  I did an application over bare lips and this is the result. What do you think?

Pat McGrath for LeSportsac will be available through LeSportsac boutiques and online store. Go nuts!

Shiseido is once again partnering with Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) and Cancer and Careers to support working women living with cancer.

As part of the partnership, Shiseido will donate $5 to Cancer and Careers for every unit of Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden (RS308) sold throughout the month of October.

Available ($25) online and in-store at select Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom and Dillard’s locations.

Beauty-full!

Is it me, or is Pat McGrath, the Grand Dame of makeup, unstoppable? She is truly a collaborative fashion + beauty powerhouse. Her current venture with CoverGirl and LeSportsac is a collection of makeup bags inspired by her favorite shades in CoverGirl’s Lip Perfection collection. Ranging from $25 – $120, I’m thinking there has to be a $50ish dollar makeup travel case with my name on it

The entire collection is available June 2011 via LeSportsac

Clearly, the girl loves red.

Today we pay homage to ThisThatBeauty’s red lip of choice – Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Fiery

Do you have a favorite red? Please share, as I am always on the hunt. Mwah!

From simple to sultry to playful, COVERGIRL painted plenty of pretty faces at last night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, and here’s your rundown of products to get the look:

Julia Stiles by Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey

I was really inspired by her gorgeous flowing dress so we wanted the beauty look to work with the effortless, “rich hippie” look.
I wanted her skin to be flawless, but dewy so I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, buffing it on to the skin with a flat-topped brush. I love this foundation because it gives great coverage, but still looks like skin. I brushed a bronzer with a hint of shimmer on her cheeks and along the hairline for a natural glow and finished her skin with a shimmery coral blush on the apples of her cheeks.
We wanted to create a dramatic smoky eye so I first lined the inner rim and lashline with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Black Fire and then smudged it upwards. I used COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume along the lid and up towards the brow bone. The Aubergine shade complimented the color of the dress and works really well on brown eyes. I finished her eyes with dramatic lashes using false lashes and then applying COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion.

I finished her beauty look with a nude lip to emphasize the eyes. I lined the lips with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Smoky and then filled in the lips with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Delish.

Christina Hendricks by Celebrity Makeup Artist Vanessa Scali

Christina was inspired by Brigitte Bardot’s black smoky eyes and nude face. So, we went in this direction but softened the look for the red carpet by using a creamy, shimmery shadow in gunmetal.  This gives the eye shadow a transparent quality that makes the look very strong but also very modern. I am always sparing with foundation but especially with Christina’s nearly flawless skin.  I used NatureLuxe Silk Foundation in Alabaster, which was perfect for fresh, lightweight coverage.  For a hint of color, I used Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach on the apples of the cheeks, looking polished and fresh. For Christina’s timeless smoky eye, I used Smoky ShadowBlast in Onyx Smoke on the lid from just above the crease down to the lash line.  I swept out past the natural lash line at the outer corners of the eye to exaggerate the eye size and add a touch of red carpet drama. Also, to define the lash line, I used LiquiLine Blast Eyeliner in Black Fire.  This pencil defines the eye by leaving intense color at the lash line but is very blendable for a soft look at the edges.  Never leave home without lush and lengthy lashes, I used LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Very Black to create just that. Strong eyes look great paired with clean, uncomplicated skin.  Keep it fresh by powdering in the T-zone only, using Clean Pressed Powder, Sensitive Skin in Ivory. Finally, to complement the smoky eye, I wanted to use brown undertones, so I chose Lip Perfection Lipstick in Kiss, perfect for red carpet glam!

Julie Bowen by Celebrity Makeup artist Heather Currie

Julie’s outfit was everything tonight! We wanted to create a beauty look that reflected its classic and elegant, yet sexy style. We decided to go with a flush cheek and a sheer color on the lips, something modern and beautiful but not overpowering.
We wanted her skin to be luminous and glowing so I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation for a luxurious flawless finish. Then, I used COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry for just a hint of bright, bold color that provided that flushed look we were going for.
For her eyes, I used COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Brown Blaze, which I smudged along the lash line before applying eyeshadow for a more striking look. I finished off the eyes with COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion in Black.

Inspired by Kyra’s vintage Thierry Mugler dress, Robin created a sexy smoky eye with soft rose lips and radiant skin.  This look perfectly complemented her Cartier earrings, bracelet watch and Chris McMillan’s hairstyle of rock-n-roll waves.

On Kyra’s eyes, Robin applied Chanel Regard Perle Eyeshadow across the lids, and then used COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast in Silver Spark across the lash line, which gave her a smoky, liquid liner look. For the lashes, Robin created a full fan of long lashes with COVERGIRL LashBlast Length Mascara in Black.

On the skin, Robin created a radiant, flawless look with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Foundation. Then, added a rosy glow with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry and set the look with Chanel Rose Merveille Powder.

To complement the sexy eyes and rocking curls, Robin created a glossy, polished lip with COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Sandstone.

Amber Riley by Celebrity Makeup Artist Mylah Morales

Inspired by Amber’s super chic hair and gorgeous Anne Barge dress, Mylah created a bold look focused on Amber’s fuchsia lips.

To start, Mylah focused on proper skin care by prepping the skin with Black Up primer for a look that lasts all evening. On the skin, Mylah created a coral glow, first with COVERGIRL Queen Collection Compact Foundation and building a natural flush with a coral blush and COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer. Mylah kept Amber’s eyes natural but defined with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Black Fire and LashBLast Volume Mascara. A neutral shadow palette created depth and definition. The look was completed with a stand-out lip. Mylah used COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Embrace, which Amber brought with her to the awards.

I previously wrote about the soon to launch SEPHORA COLLECTION Color Play 5 in 1 limited-edition palette inspired by Shopbop’s forthcoming “Faces of Fashion” editorial look book….and provided you with a first look:

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a press preview, touch, feel, and swatch the product in person. Here are my first impressions:

The first holiday collection to capture my heart this season is Clarins Holiday Barocco, a four piece offering  inspired by the dramatic, daring and sensual style of the Baroque period — a time of excess, glamour and mystery. Yes!

Naturally, I am drawn to the red lip…come to momma! Unlike the reds in my current red lipstick arsenal, the red in Clarins Holiday Barocco collection beautifully infuses a dose of purple. Women who find “fire engine red” a bit intimidating, will likely find Rouge Prodige Barocco extremely wearable and an excellent go-to option for the holiday season and beyond.  I generally wear semi-matte to matte lipsticks so the rich, velvety, nourishing formula and total comfort is a nice change of pace!

Though the collection is labeled “holiday”, I am totally wearing the Barocco Eye Colour Trio every chance I get. In fact, I have decided to take it with me to Paris next month…and here’s why: The trio of shades is the perfect “all you need” palette to transition from day to evening with just a simple tweak. The center shade (a bronzey tone) makes a wonderful little wash of color for day. Pump up the volume for evening by defining the outer corners of the eyes with the rich dark shade. For added drama, use the first shade (a luxurious gilded gold) to pop the inner corners. And if you’re a major major drama queen, smudge the top and lower lash line with the elegant black. Owwww, party over here! (Oh, and don’t even get me started on using these shadows wet – Gorg!)

The Barocco Face Palette is a soft, light compact powder that delivers a lovely peachy-pink/ sandy-beige flush to fair complexions. For tan to dark complexions, the powder works nicely as an illuminating  highlighter or mattifyer. The gold and black compact is luxury defined!

This holiday season, no girl should be without Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Décolleté. I mean why wouldn’t you want to direct attention to your, ahem, assets? Delight your Décolleté! I always feel like holiday is the one time of year when it’s permissible to throw your hands in the air, and sparkle like ya just don’t care. Holiday is all about celebration, merry making, and giving thanks. Go ahead and sparkle like you mean it! NOTE: I think this product would also work well for summer as a body shimmer…mix a little Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder with your favorite lotion or bronzing gel and ta-da!

Here I am below rocking Clarins Holiday Barocco (wearing every product). Can you stand it??? I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this collection (for all of the aforementioned reasons). It’s no coincidence that I am kicking off my holiday collection coverage with Clarins….it’s most definitely a ThisThatBeauty fave!

Lastly, this collection’s wearability is phenomenal. After applying the products, I partied several hours, danced up a storm, had a glass of wine and ….here’s my end of the night face back home…not a single touch up!

Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on Clarins Holiday Barocca. Would you buy this collection? Does it feel unique and worth your dollars?

PS: Congrats to @TheGorgeousBlog for winning a Clarins lipstick as part of my Twitter contest over the course of the weekend. @TheGorgeousBlog correctly guessed that my “Face of the Day” twitpic was Clarins Holiday Barocca. Girl, you’re good!

Honorary mention to @MissWhoEverUR for being the second to guess correctly. And a big “hey” to @StyleNBeautyDoc who went out and purchased Rouge Prodige Barocco lippie after all of the twitpics. Hey girl, send me a pic

xoFelicia

It is widely known that Lipstick Queen is my most favorite lipstick brand EVAH!….so when I came across this spectacular offer to try the best of LQ for a ridic low low price, I HAD to share. If you’re dying to know why I go gaga for LQ, try the Discovery Kit (PS: For previous LQ reviews on ThisThatBeauty, simply search my site using the term “Lipstick Queen” and prepare to be amazed!!!)

Introducing: DISCOVERY KIT from LIPSTICK QUEEN
Get Back to Wearing Lipstick After Years of Gloss!

Just in time for spring…discover your inner lipstick queen.  Perhaps you have been wearing your nude lip gloss for too long and are ready to experiment with a little more color?  Don’t know where to start?  Lipstick Queen is making it easy for you with the introduction of the new DISCOVERY KIT.

Poppy King has selected 3 of her best selling lipsticks and packaged them into a stunning little box to get you gorgeous for spring.  It’s a lipstick wardrobe, hand picked by the Lipstick Queen herself!

With each one more delightful than the last, inside you’ll find:

• Medieval – A sheer red that is super light on the lips to give you just a sexy hint of red.  This stain is packed with Vitamin E to help condition and soften lips.
• Saint Nude – From Poppy’s original Saint collection this is that perfect 60’s nude that looks super chic on the lips.  Infused with Shea Butter for extra hydration.
• Butterfly Ball in Fly – A fun and flirty sheer fuchsia with a fabulous hint of iridescence.  Features a hint of blue shimmer to make teeth look brighter and whiter.
  

What better way to come out of your winter cocoon and spring ahead then with smooth, moisturized lips and brighter smile!

DISCOVERY KIT (SRP: $48.00) will be available in March 2010 at Space NK, Barneys New York, Henri Bendel and online at www.lipstickqueen.com.  For other boutiques and apothecaries that carry Lipstick Queen products, check out the site.