Standard neutral and brown eyeshadows are so boring this time of year. I found myself in a rut, doing the same eye color (pale brown) every day and night. Not anymore. Why not try an ocean-inspired twist on your eye makeup? It’s super easy and provides a beautiful pop of summer-inspired color to your eyes.
Learn how I did it after the jump.
I remember when Jouer launched their line of cream blushes and shadows at Sephora years ago. Since then, they’ve expanded their products, redesigned their packaging, shipped out of Sephora.
The line of basics is now a bit more trend-focused, as evident in their summer 2011 round-up of cosmetics. Taking a cue from the Pantone Institute‘s summer color predictions, they created a new creamy cool pink shade, Peony, to pack a summery punch. Seen in the snapshot above is Moisturizing Lip Gloss ($20), a creamy cool pink, and a “summer must-have,” according to their site; Mineral Powder Blush ($24); and Cheek Tint ($20), a silky cream blush. The cheek products will give you a creamy, just-pinched flush to your cheeks, and the lipgloss is a great way to add a pop of color to an otherwise natural face.
Scoring Jouer is a little tough, as the line is available only at Henri Bendel in NYC and The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, and online.
Photo courtesy Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Summer is a great time to experiment with nailpolish you’d normally be too timid to try. Vibrant tropical-inspired hues and electric hues are perfect for lazy summer days. And if you hate it, just swipe it off!
One new look that’s heating up the summer months is the neon French manicure. This look combines the hot neon trend with the timeless French mani. It’s simple to do yourself, too. Paint your nails a light pale pink and when they’re fully dry, dip a detail paintbrush into a bottle of electric color. Drag the tip of the brush along the edge of your nail, where the white of a French mani would traditionally be. The effect is striking, a little quirky, playful, and sexy.
Summer 2011 is all about bright pops of color in striking shades like neons and oceany blues. Go crazy with color this summer. Just don’t overdo it; stick to highlighting one feature (eyes, lips, or cheeks — not all 3). Here are a few products to get you started.
1. H.wood Lipstick in Jess, $20
2. Topshop Blush in Neon Rose, $12
3. NARS The Multiple in Cadaques, $39
4. MAC Surf Baby Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Blue Noon ($15.50)
5. Clean Summer Escape fragrance ($49)
6. Urban Decay Lip Love Honey-Infused Lip Therapy in Lolita ($16)
7. Chanel Les Vernis nailpolish in Mimosa ($23)
8. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in Diamond Turquoise Blue ($23)
9. Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Eyeshadow in Turquoise ($22)
Vincent Longo‘s summer 2011 collection, Galaxy Dream, is an otherwordly, spacey collection of saturated hues and star-inspired sparkles. The collection is based upon juxtapositions: metallic puffs of colored powder pairing with magical matte shades that go the distance. The combination of colors gives you the power to customize your look with just a few products.
Pearl X Eyeshadow ($25) features a matte base showered with tiny pearlescent meteors of color and pressed together in striking combinations. Matte and shimmer are side-by-side in these compacts, yet the integrity of each is maintained throughout the life of the product. Upon application, pigment pearls combine with the matte base, creating unique looks. Each application has the potential to be daringly different.
Click through for more photos and products.
MAC is taking a flight of fancy this summer with their new collection, Flighty. Let your eyes do the talking with these new statement pieces: brights and sheers for lids and lashes.
See products photos, shades, prices, and release date after the jump.
Flower girls, you’re in luck: MAC has a serious flower fixation for summer. Fashion Flower, their summer collection is full of blooms in brights and sheers. Click through to see product pics, prices, and release date.
A bit about the collection, from MAC: “Bloom brightly with a stylish fusion of the floral and the fashionable in the summer color collection that evokes the cool side of the hottest season. Fashion Flower girls are free to be, each one with cultivated connection to the green house and the fashion house. Join these rare blossoms and succumb horticulturally to a bouquet that’s equal parts fleur and couture.”
You know those sweltering summer days when it’s so hot, you can barely even move? Your whole body gets bogged down with heat and you go through the world in slow motion. Wouldn’t it be nice to 1. not have your makeup melt off your face on those days?, and 2. get instant cooling relief? MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder ($29.50) may do just that for your parched, hot skin. The product name may sound familiar to you; 2 shades were launched in the Dr. Facilier set of the Venomous Villains collection last year.
The powder is made up of more than 50% water, and MAC says it carries the “impact of an ocean mist” when you apply it.
It also manages to diffuse light and blur imperfections and fine lines. It’s great for setting foundation or tinted moisturizer, and will prolong the life of your concealer. Available in 3 shades: Truth and Light (sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink), Cajun (sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold), and Honey Rose (sheer rosy beige with shimmer).
The powder hits counters on May 5.
If I had to pick 1 word to describe the NARS summer collection, it would be: COLORFUL! This collection is bursting with bright, vivid shades reminiscent of frothy ocean waves, clear blue sea water, sandy beaches, pink-hued sunsets, and starry nights.
I love that there are pieces here that let you contrast elements of your look. Like the Dogon eyeshadow duo, which will make your eyes as deep-dark as the night sky. Pair this with Mayflower lipstick for a perfect dark eye/pale lip combo. Or, opt for neutral Exotic Dance shadow duo on your eyes, and set it off with hot pink Carthage or Wonder on your lips. This is a beautiful palette to play with contrasts, all while being perfectly summery.
One more tip: for a summery eye fit for day or night, you must get the Cap Ferrat shadow trio. Look at those blue-greens!
Shades and products are pictured above, but there’s a more complete rundown, including prices, after the jump.
Surf’s up! With spring right around the corner, it’s almost that time; you know, the time of year when the weather warms up and all the major cosmetics lines start to unveil their summer collections. Well, we get a sneak peek at MAC‘s summer style with Surf Baby, their summer 2011 collection.
Sadly, I’m not as nuts over this as I was about last year’s To The Beach collection. This collection doesn’t seem to have much bulk to it: the range is small, and most items are available in limited shades. Based on the promo photos, the shades veer toward medium-, olive-, and dark-skinned ladies with warmer complexions. So if that sounds like you, you’re in luck!
Final thought: the blatantly Hawaiian-style packaging is a turn-off; the hibiscus flower is so played out. Really disappointed, as I was so looking forward to this collection!
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