Fall 2012 Trend: The Gilded Eye

Gold in all shades–champagne, yellow-gold, white-gold, bronze, copper–were spotted on the AW2012 runways. Some looks were muted for real-life wearability, where others went all-out glitzy. If you want to rock the gold eye, this trend is super easy to pull off. Here are a few products that will give you that molten golden, sultry look.

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre in Gold Glitter ($16): This topcoat creates a shimmery gold veil on your lids. So pretty alone or layered over another gold shadow for an extra blingy effect. (Image via Sephora)

Stila Eyeshadow in Prize ($20): Like a gold medal for your lids, this soft shade is more yellow-based than some of the other options listed here, making it really flattering for warmer or olive skin tones. (Image via Sephora)

Make Up For Ever Glitter in Gold 1 ($14): Because if you’re going to do it, you might as well go all out. Swipe an eye gloss or brush a clear mascara over lids before pressing the glitter on; it’ll give it something to adhere to and make your look last longer (plus, you’ll have less of a mess to clean up).

Check out more gold picks after the break.

Giorgio Armani Fall ’12

Armani’s fall collection is all about a sultry, smoky eye. Inspired by the looks makeup artists crafted for his FW2012 runway show, he built a collection around dramatic eyes (think smoky, winged, and graphic), matte skin, and barely-there lips. Because the eyes are the main focus, there are only a few items in this very small collection.

Yeux Teint Face Palette in Neo Brown (above) & Neo Black ($88): An all-in-one face kit that includes 3 eye shadows, 1 blush, and 2 mini applicators. Neo Brown features autumnal hues for eyes and a dusty rose blush……while Neo Black goes to the dark side with black, smoky grey, and taupe eyeshadows, and a neutral beige blush.

Rouge d’Armani Lipstick ($30): The creamy matte lipstick is long-wearing, lasting for up to 8 hours without fading. Available in the following shades: 526 (pictured; dusty mauve), 111 (champagne), & 408 (rich berry).

What do you think of this tiny release? You can pick up the products now at Nordstrom.

Images via Nordstrom

Giorgio Armani Summer ’12: Bronze Color Collection

Giorgio Armani‘s summer 2012 collection, Bronze Color, takes the beauty of the Caribbean waters and puts it right into this makeup. These products go beyond making you look pretty; they also double as little works of art for your vanity or bathroom countertop. Here’s the lowdown on what’s in this lineup.

Eye Palette in Ecailles Black Pearl ($95, LE, pictured above): Armani’s website describes this eyeshadow quad as “deep sea blue, algae, lagoon turquoise, and shimmering, crest-of-a-wave white.” Inspired by the cool seafoam green and turquoise hues of the world’s prettiest, clearest oceans, this palette will light up your eyes in summertime shades of blue.

Eye Designing Palette in Ecailles Mediterranea ($59) features inky navy, bone beige, and 2 shades of pearlized blue-grey. This shadow brings more focus to the lashline, as the darker colors are intended to line eyes

Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow ($32): These are like little pots of heaven for your eyes–the color and texture are just amazing. The marbling gives each pot a whole new life when you swirl a brush or your fingertip over the surface. The intensity is just right; you can layer it on thick for more drama, but it also blends beautifully so you can fade it out if you like a more transparent finish. I like dabbing these on my lids with my fingers, then easing the color out (almost in a wing shape) with a blending brush. It creates a smoky, sultry effect. Clockwise from top left: Obsidian Black, Madre Perla, Obsidian Grey, Ecailles.

There’s more after the jump…

What’s In My Makeup Bag

I have 3 makeup kits: a train case that has all my products that I often use when I do makeup for other people, a bigger personal case that contains the items I don’t use every day (like my smoky eyeshadows and the like), and a small bag of everyday essentials. By far, the items I turn to literally every single day are stashed in the smallest case. Here is what’s inside that case. I would recommend these products without hesitation; they’re the ones I rely on day in and day out.

1. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink ($24): This cream blush lasts all day, and is the prettiest pink shade I’ve found. It glides on whisper-soft for a gentle blush, and layers beautifully for a more pronounced flush. Note: this is the old packaging of this product; check out the new packaging, available now.

2. Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($19): Since the She Uemura curler is only sold online now, I use this–and it’s just as good. Curls expertly, with all-day hold.

3. MAC Strobe Cream ($15-$30): I mix a few drops of this into my tinted moisturizer for extra glow.

4. MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden ($23): This shimmery bronzer gives my fair skin just enough bronzey glow that’s believable, not fake. Note: This packaging is from the 2010 “To The Beach” collection, and is no longer available. Refined Golden is part of MAC’s permanent collection, so the bronzer itself is still available.

Keep reading for more products!

CyberMonday Beauty Deals

Today is the biggest online shopping day of the year. If you’ve got a beauty junkie on your list, or need to restock some of your own products, now is the time! The following is a list of deals you’ll find online today (and beyond), listed alphabetically, and with end dates where available. Happy shopping!

• Anastasia Beverly Hills: Take 35% off any purchase. Use code THANKS. Nov. 28 only.
• Bath & Body Works: Take 25% off any purchase. Use code CYBERMONDAY25OFF. Ends Nov. 29.
• Beauty.com: A purchase of $100+ gets you a free Ericson Beamon makeup bag stuffed with samples from some of Beauty.com’s brands.
• Beauty Bar: Purchases over $40 receive a free Philosophy gift set, which gets better if you spend more. If you spend $40-$59, enter code BBCYBER40. If you spend $60-$79, enter code BBCYBER60. If you spend $80+, enter code BBCYBER80.
• Bella Il Fiore: Take 25% off your purchase with code BF25. Nov. 28 only.
• Benefit: Orders of $35+ get a free mini High Beam. Use code HLDYMINI. Orders of $90+ get a free full-size Heartthrob face powder. Use code HRTTHROB. 11/28 only.
• Bliss: All Bliss, Remede, and Elemis products are 20% off. Select Bliss and Remede sets are 30% off. No code needed. Ends Dec. 5.
• Bobbi Brown: All orders get a free sample gift set and complimentary standard shipping. No code needed. Ends Nov. 29.
• The Body Shop: 3 for $30 on all products plus free shipping. No code necessary. Nov. 28 only.
• Butter London: Get 30% off nailpolish with the code CELEBRATE11. Ends Nov. 30.
• Clarisonic: Get 20% off when you purchase 2 Clarisonic skincare tools. You’ll also get a travel bag, bottle of body serum, and free shipping. Ends Nov. 29.
• Clinique: All orders get to select 3 of 8 samples, and get complimentary shipping. No code needed. Nov. 28 only.

Keep reading for more deals than you’ll know what to do with!

Giorgio Armani Summer ’11: Heat

Buzz about Armani‘s summer collection, Heat, is setting the internet ablaze. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the bad pun.) From hot reds to warm corals — and a few new debuts — this collection is full of brights for cheeks and lips. And a new killer accessory for eyes premieres in this collection, too.

I’m really into the new Blushing Fabric ($38), a liquid cream blush in a squeeze tube. In Raspberry (left) and Sienna, these 2 shades blend out to a sheer finish that are flattering on many different skintones. The Sienna can also be used allover the face as bronzer, if you desire.

Intrigued? Check out more promo photos & info after the jump.

Giorgio Armani Spring 2011: Transluminence

I can’t even believe I’m writing about spring collections already — or 2011, for that matter — but it’s almost that time. First up: Giorgio Armani Transluminence, a small collection inspired by nature and light. Here is a sneak peek at what you can expect Armani to be putting on faces this spring.

A Peek Inside My Makeup Bag

I love checking out what other women stash in their makeup bags. It’s a great way to steal beauty tips, get inspiration, and discover new products. Here is what I’m currently stocking my makeup bag with, the products that I repeatedly turn to to feel pretty.1. MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15 in Medium ($29.50)
2. MAC Select Cover-Up in NW20 ($16.50)
3. NARS Bronzer in Laguna ($32)
4. MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl, used as highlighter ($16.50)

1. MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, used as eye primer ($16.50)
2. MAC Fluidline eyeliner in Blacktrack ($15)
3. MAC eyeshadow in Phloof! ($14.50)
4. Smashbox eyeshadow in Minx ($16)
5. Smashbox eyeshadow in Envy ($16)
6. MAC eyeshadow in Print ($14.50)
7. Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara ($)
9. MAC Haute & Naughty Lash mascara ($18)

1. MAC Eye Brows in Fling ($15)
2. Anastasia Brow Duality in Camille/Sand ($23)
3. Beauty Society Brow Doctor brow gel ($28)

There’s more – cheeks, lips, and nails after the jump!

Lip Fave: Armani Lip Shimmer Lip Gloss #9

It’s rare that a lip gloss that combine the perfect color with just the right amount of shimmer, and package it in a formula that’s long-wearing and comfortable. Glosses like this don’t come around every day, and when they do, you know you’ve found a lifelong keeper. Such is the case with Armani Lip Shimmer Lip Gloss #9. The photos don’t do it justice; it’s the perfect cool shade of pink (looks more like the swatch at left) that gives lips a healthy dose of color without drenching them in pink. It’s got the perfect texture, with fine shimmer that lights up your lips without making them look overly glittery or glitzy. Like your lips…but better.

2009: The Year in Beauty

It’s hard to believe that 2009 has come to a close. It came and went so quickly! Overall, I think it was a pretty fine year in the beauty world. There were some star-studded, holy-grail-status hits, and definitely some misses (I’m lookin’ at you, LashBlast Luxe). After the jump, I dissect the beauty ups and downs of 2009.