The Pro Secret to Better Brows

Typically, when filling in our brows, we choose a product – shadow or liner – and get the job done. However, we’re missing a huge step that makes all the difference. LA makeup artist, Gabbi Pascua, gave us a reason for using more than one formula.

In order to make your brows look natural, refined and shaped, you need to use a two products – a liquid filler and a pencil. Start by using a liquid formula, (which is a consistency I’ve never used on my brows before) like Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in a shade lighter than your brows, to fill in the front only where it needs to be filled by “feathering” with short brush strokes.

Then, take a pencil like NARS Brow Perfector in a darker shade and fill in from your mid brow to the ends for a “fuller, defined brow that’s not too harsh.”

Who knew? Next time you fill in your brows, remember, don’t force a shape, just fill in what’s missing and blend the two formulas with your brow brush for the most natural looking brows.

Beauty Values Worth Stocking Up On Now

The holidays may be coming to an end, but I'm still saying ‘tis the season to get the most bang for your buck – especially when it comes to beauty buys. Each season beauty companies create limited edition gift sets that are a real steal, making it OK to splurge on yourself after gifting to everyone else.  I recommend grabbing some of these limited edition values now while they're still in store!

Lipstick: Sephora Give Me Some Lip, $25 a $90 value that includes six lip samplers from brands like Smashbox, NARS and Urban Decay.  How else are you supposed to find a new favorite color?

Bronzer/Blush: Nars Cheek Palette, $65 a $151 value that includes 5 powders, the best selling bronzers, blushes and highlighter.  Again, this is limited edition for holiday, so grab it while it lasts!

Skincare: Origins Super Stars, $61 a $131 value, which includes serum, night cream, face wash, brightening pads, body cream and body wash.

Hair: Chi Travel Tool Kit, $99.95 a $149.95 value that includes three mini, yet powerful hot tools: flat iron, curling iron and blow drier.

Makeup: Tarte Making Waves Set, $75 a $150 value includes Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed, Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess, LipSurgence Power Pigment in Exposed, Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara, Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush and a travel makeup bag.

Emmy Rossum's NARS Lip Look

Last week Emmy Rossum sported a show stopping lip look at the Stella McCartney 2015 spring presentation and I spoke with her makeup artist, Beau Nelson, to find out what the exact shade was and how to cop it, because let's be real, it's not easy to pull off a ton of pigment without getting it all over your face.  Without further ado, here are the details behind Emmy Rossum's NARS lip look.

"I loved the simplicity of Emmy’s Stella McCartney dress.  We decided that a bright lip would be a nice punch of color for a beautiful spring day," Nelson explained.

The shade: NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage.

When wearing a punchy lip shade, always use a lip brush to apply it for a more precise application.  If you try to put it on directly from the bullet, you don't have as much control. For extra staying power, blot it gently with a tissue after one coat and reapply the same way.

Get the Look: Kerry Washington's Day to Night Scandal Premiere Makeup

Most of you are probably just as obsessed with Scandal as I am with Kerry Washington's NYC premiere makeup.   Truth is, I've never seen an episode, but can spot a flawless face when I see one.  NARS makeup artist, Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, took the actress from day to night building upon one foundation.  Here's how:

“I am always inspired by the clothing. When I saw Kerry’s white dress, it was easy to see what I needed to do: sheer, fresh and light. The new Radiant Cream Compact Foundations worked perfectly for this look.”

Other products included: Mambo Eyeliner Pencil, Kalahari Duo Eyeshadow, Suriname Brow Perfector & Falbala Lipstick

“This was the perfect transition for nighttime. Kerry wanted a matte lip and we balanced it by building on her look from earlier, creating a wide-eyed, true, smokey brown eye.”

Products used were: Dark Rite Eyeshadow Pencil, Mambo Eyeliner Pencil, Coconut Grove Eyeshadow & Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Behind the Scenes with François Nars & A Peek at the NARS Fall Collection

While it may feel like summer just began, I'm already prepping my schedule for gigs during fashion week this fall.  So as you can imagine, when an email landed in my inbox from the NARS PR team about their fall collection, it was more than welcomed.  Here's a peek at behind the scenes with Creative Director, Francois Nars and campaign model, Toni Garrn. Oh yea, and the fall collection which launches July 15th.

Sarah Jessica Parker Nails it at the Met Gala: An Interview with Her Makeup Artist, Leslie Lopez

Love, love, love SJP and when I was looking through film of celebs on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institue Gala I stopped to study a few of course, but my jaw dropped at the sight of Sarah Jessica Parker.  Expected to be one of the best dressed, she went all out with the Punk: Chaos to Couture theme and definitely took home the award.  Her makeup, unlike most, was wearable. I spoke with Nars Makeup Artist, Leslie Lopez to find out how to recreate it. “I had to make the punk look glamorous,” said Leslie Lopez about the look she created for Sarah Jessica Parker. To create strong eyes, we used a plum pencil that is both intense but beautiful. No matter what the theme, I always want Sarah Jessica to look beautiful, so we softened the intensity of the eyes with a light mouth."

Did Sarah Jessica have any requests?

We both love the NARS Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil so we had to use that. And of course, to make sure the punk was glamorous!

Why did you choose a plum pencil?   What are the tricks to pulling off this shade on the eyes?

The NARS Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil is such a great product because you can apply it in so many different ways – blended as an eyeshadow, built up for intensity in the crease, and in the waterline for definition. It’s not as harsh as black. With such an intense eye, a light lip looks the best.

How did you create such intensity on the eyes?

Sarah Jessica has great lashes, so we didn’t need to do much but add mascara. Then, with the Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, you just blend with your fingers to form a base on the eyelid, and then add more into the crease, stroking it out and blending it with a brush for intensity.

Why did you choose to go matte with her nude lip?

It was important to not make the lip look too “pretty” or “sweet.” Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is a mauve color so to make it more “punk” we used a beige lip liner to line the edges and diffuse any natural lip color. I always prefer a light lip, with intense eyes.

Backstage Beauty Report: Naeem Khan A 1920's Inspired Look Worth Talking About

Each year throughout my coverage of NYFW I can't wait to go backstage and get a look.  A look, meaning something worth talking about.  While every backstage glam squad has reasoning for 'leaving the hair down, straight and parted in the middle' or 'keeping the face fresh' for the runway, as a beauty journalist, it's boring!  Backstage at Naeem Khan today I saw a stunning 1920's inspired beauty look that left me in awe.

Bumble and Bumble created a beautifully structured, chignon with sheen and Essie's lead manicurist, Michelle Saunders layered two oldie but goodies, Licorice and Bordeaux to create a devil red shade that had more black than red to compliment the 1920's inspiration.

"The clothes have a lot of color and texture and the hair has a beautiful sheen, so I didn't want the makeup to have anything glossy, James Boehmer the Director of Global Artistry for NARS.  "It would be too much, so we played with other textures."

The look had a decadent feeling of the 1920's, focusing the strength on the brows.  Using NARS's new mechanical pencil (coming out in fall), Boehmer defined the brow shape and then layered Coconut Grove shadow over them, which is a very deep brown, to set it.  "I'm following the shape of the brows and then extending out and down forgetting about the arch," he commented.  "I don't want to make it high, but straight and low so it has a '20's feel and not a '90's feel."

Two coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara and a bit of smudged shadow lining the bottom rims finished the eyes.  Inspired by the diffusion of the light in 1920's films, he shaded the cheeks to create a shadow and illuminated the corner of the eye with an eyeshadow shade called Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow.  Using the same color, he highlighted the bow of the lip like a thumbprint.   A dust of Zen Blush was swept on the apples of the models cheeks to give them a kick.

The Best Wine Stained Lipsticks for Fall

While most fashionistas were busy pulling their wardrobes for NYFW, I was more concentrated on pulling together my lip looks.  Whether I was reporting or gallivanting, each day I hit the shows and events sporting a different wine stained lipstick out of my new fall collection.  So allow me to present you with my favorite snapshots of my lip looks and berry shades for fall.  Get 'em while they're hot! MAC Yung Rapunxel Lipstick (limited edition)

NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Fire Down Below

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Nights

Life Outside the Tents as A NYFW VIP: Lounges, Swag Suites & Dinner Parties

When you think of Fashion Week you may think of the backstage scene that I've been tweeting about all week, or the runway shows themselves, but truth is, there's so much more when you're a NYFW VIP.  Since all editors, bloggers and influencers end up in NYC for the shows with the same goals, brands take full advantage and host dinner parties, pampering lounges and after parties all for a little face time.  Here's some of my fashion week extracurriculars... I know, it looks like a lot of work (wink).

Birchbox Lounge

Set up conveniently across from Milk Studios where a variety of shows took place this season, I popped in before attending Christian Siriano near by on Saturday.  First things first, I got down to business by creating my own Birchbox.  Next, I indulged in a little pampering with a mani (shade: Color Club in Status Update), grabbed a snack from WichCraft and caught up with some friends.

Style Coalition Lounge

I popped in the Style Coalition Lounge at the Empire Hotel before going backstage to Zac Posen on Sunday night to catch up with my friend Yuli, who runs the organization. They partnered with Microsoft and my fave stylist, Ted Gibson.  The best part?  It was exclusive so there weren't a thousand people running around and it really was a break from the hustle and bustle.  While there, I had my hair touched up by Ted Gibson's stylists and left looking glam!

Dinner with NARS

Each season NARS rents out parts of restaurants in the West Village and throws a dinner party.  This is what I was most excited for this season.  Between all the running around and waving hello to friends backstage I got to catch up with my media friends over wine, cheese plates and chocolate covered strawberries in the garden of Palma.

Allure Beauty Lounge

After going backstage to interview Reem Acra before her show (see post here), I headed to the Empire Hotel to stop by a few suites.  Allure had SkinMedica preforming facials, Maybelline giving makeup touch ups and manis and a whole fragrance bar set up with samples from different brands along with Sephora pulled up on iPads for easy purchasing.  Smart.  I would have loved a SkinMedica facial, but my makeup was set for the day and I didn't have the time.

Clarins Lounge

The brand just launched their Beauty Flash Blog so I was eager to see my PR friends and learn more about it.  The Courtin-Clarins girls were there (the granddaughters of the founder of Clarins) so I filmed a video interview with them, which will be live soon!  I'm so glad they're getting involved with the brand.  They're super chic and approchable.  Other editors were getting makeup touch ups and mini massages in the suite as well.

Met Gala Approved Beauty Trend: Vampy Lipstick

Tonight at the Met Gala, perhaps one of the most high fashion events of the year, the biggest names in the industry along with Hollywood's most talented walked the red carpet donning their most glamorous attire.  One beauty trend that couldn't go unnoticed was the plethora of dark lipstick that coated the pouts of Jessica Alba, Camilla Belle and Lana Del Rey.  They were all sporting a vampy lip look to compliment their metallic gowns.  Here's how to get the look. Jessica Alba in Michael Kors

Jessica wore a deep red lip that reminded me of one of my favorite color combos from Nars.  To get the look, try Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below layered over Nars Lipliner in African Queen.

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren

Camilla reportedly blended her lip look herself creating a deep burgundy glossy shade that  reads almost black.  Into it?  Try Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Cassis and top it with an even vampier gloss like YSL Black Lip Gloss.

Lana Del Rey in Altuzarra

The mission was to represent her music.  Mission accomplished.  The singer wore a matte, deep, velvet red lip.  Check out Illamasqua Lipstick in Matte Deep Scarlet Red.

3 Hot Designers Collaborating with Beauty Brands Right Now

For the past six years I've been attending launch events in the beauty industry and normally the stars of event are makeup artists, hairstylists or celebrity spokespeople.  While that still stands true today, I'm finding myself shaking hands with top fashion designers at beauty events more often than not.  Hey, I don't mind!  Here are some of my favorite fashion and beauty collaborations right now. Jason Wu collaborated with Nest fragrances to launch a candle called "Orchid Rain" inspired by naturally, his Spring 2012 collection.  The $48 candle has notes of Nashi pear, orchid, pomegranate, goji berri, blonde birchwood, pink pepper, coconut and leather.  It smells more delish than it looks.

*This will be available in mid April at Bergdorf Goodman.

Emilio Pucci pulled a print from the archives called "Winter Capri" to compliment the Guerlain Terra Azzurra Collection for Summer 2012, which draws inspiration from the summertime Italian Riviera.  I've always loved Guerlain's Meteorites and their Meteorites Perles D'Azur, $58 are definitely the must-have in the collection.  They even out your skin tan and give your skin a beautiful glow.  The Pucci packaging they come in is an added bonus.

*This will be available in May at Sephora.

Thakoon created a limited edition polish collection for Nars cosmetics with six colors that are found in Indian spice markets pulled from his Spring 2012 collection.  Every color is a must have!  Shades include: Anardana (Azalea pink), Ratin Jot(Orchid purple), Amchoor (Bright yellow), Kutki (Powder blue), Koliary (Cyan blue) and Lal Mirchi (Mandarin red).

*They'll be available on May 1st for $18 each at narscosmetics.com.

Why Guys Hate Red Lipstick, Plus Three of My Faves

"I'm really not liking this red lipstick trend," says Joe, my boyfriend after I applied my new Nars lipstick that I was ridiculously excited about wearing.  Well turns out Joe is not alone as most guys hate the red lip look.  The real question is how much do we care? "It just makes your lips stand out and your face look really pale," he comments.  "It's annoying."  After asking him a million and one questions I came to the conclusion that he believes "the look" or maybe it's any real makeup look makes it seem like we're trying.  The effort is a turn off.  Which is why the "no-makeup-makeup look" is so successful.  Of course, I wore the lipstick proudly anyway (who wouldn't) and got a ton of compliments from my girlfriends.  After all, we dress for the girls... right?

I feel like I've forever been searching for the perfect red lipstick and thanks to NARS Makeup Artist, Jenny Smith, I found it.  Well, she kind of put me in my place about it by telling me that I'm taking the whole red lipstick thing way too seriously and just have to have a little fun with it.  There is no perfect red lipstick.

Now, since I let my hair down about it (and don't listen to Joe when it comes to my makeup), there are three reds I rotate between: NARS Lipstick in Fire Down Below , Cle de Peau Lipstick (which I've written about before) in #213 and Estee Lauder Mad Men Collection Lipstick in Cherry.  They're all different shades and textures and great for different times of day and events.  Every time I reach for one, Joe cringes.  Have a hot date?  Skip the red lipstick.

2011 Emmys Best of Beauty

I love awards shows, but the Emmys holds a special place in my heart because my very first national TV segment was two years ago on the E! red carpet live from the Emmys breaking down how the A-listers prepped for the red carpet.  Now, I'm bringing you the BeautySweetSpot Emmy Beauty Awards – the top 5 looks and how to get 'em Christina Hendrix

I give props to any red head who can pull off a daring shade of red lipstick.  As soon as I saw her on the red carpet, I knew she'd be my favorite look of the night.  Makeup artist, Vanessa Scali used Dior Beauty to create an "effortless chic" look.  Her champagne eyes were complimented by siren red, Rouge Dior Lipcolor in Blazing Red #638.

Nina Dobrev

The Vampire Diaries actress looked stunning in Donna Karan, but I loved 40's inspired her hair done by Andy Lecompte of Wella Professionals.  A dramatic side part is key to this retro look.  He curled her hair in 2" sections with a 1" barrel iron and used a dollop of Wella Professionals Pearl Styler to keep it in place.  Bobby pins kept loose strands over one shoulder for the night.

Sofia Vergara

She's so sexy she never fails to impress.  I love how her lipstick matched her dress and her lashes were like wow!  Makeup artist, Kayleen McAdams used CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in Very Black with Liquiline Eyeliner in Black Fire along the top of her lashes to create definition.  On her lips, McAdams used LipPerfection Lipcolor in Rapture #280.

Julianna Margulies

While I wasn't crazy about her Armani Prive grown, I did love her coif. Inspired by old Hollywood, stylist, Matthew Monzon worked his magic by first creating tons of volume with Lenor Greyl's Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice,  blow drying with a 2" round brush and then setting with velcro rollers.  A deep part was key to the retro feel and using a 1 1/2" barrel curling iron, Monzon curled the bottom sections in rotating directions.  To hold, he used Lenor Greyl's Laque Souple Light Styling Spray.

Olivia Munn

"We were channeling Olivia's inner 1940's siren," commented her makeup artist, Uzo for NARS.  I like how Olivia looked like a more glamorous version of herself for the red carpet.  Highlighted skin, filled in brows and a pretty lip was all it took to get her ready for the big day. The key product – NARS Orgasm Illuminator.  It took three lip products to achieve this feminine, flirty lip all by NARS: Rosebud Lip Liner Pencil, Montego Bay Pure Matte Lipstick and Piree Larger Than Life Lip Gloss (new for fall).

Latest Obsession: Nars Night Series Nail Polish

I guess you can say I dove into fall with a new lacquer – the Nars Night Series Polish in Night Flight.  It's barely Labor Day Weekend and I couldn't help myself. Generally, I'd rather wear dark red-tinged shade on my nails than something clean and light, so when I faced my weekly choice of nail colors right before summer's last Jersey Shore harah, I couldn't bring myself to put a "fun" bright coral across my tips just for the occasion.

As soon as I first laid eyes on the Nars Night Series collection I knew it was special.  I'm talking really special.  My favorite, Night Flight, is a perfect midnight blue speckled with evenly distributed sparkles that look super luxe. Other shades include Night Rider (pink), Night Porter (olive green) and Night Breed (black).

NARS Introduces City Collections

NARS just launched a city collection debuting NARS Loves New York and NARS Loves San Francisco packages that were custom made for the modern women of each city.  As a New Yorker and fan of NARS, I have to give them credit.  I think they nailed it. NARS Loves New York includes:

• Uptown Girl Duo Eyeshadow, a yellow-green shimmer and a smoky charcoal gray
• New York Single Eyeshadow, a sophisticated plum brown
• Orgasm Blush, a sheer, peachy-pink with golden shimmer
• Soho Nail Polish, a modern black grape

NARS Loves San Franscisco includes:

• Haight Asbury Duo Eyeshadow - a metallic green paired with dove gray
• Angel Island Eyeshadow - a sheer lilac shimmer
• Golden Gate Bridge Blush - a sheer, shimmering 24k gold
• Alamo Nail Polish - a subtle, sexy, beautiful bronze pink

Both sets retail for $75 and each contain products that are exclusively made just for each city.  You can find them on narscosmetics.com.

BeautySweetSpot's Fave 5 Lip Glosses

Lip glosses are like men – so many options, so little time. With so many types how's a girl supposed to decide which is her perfect match? After testing countless glosses, we rounded up our top five faves for achieving soft, luxurious lips for well, you know what.  MWAH! Bachelor Number 1: Lancome Juicy Tubes in Magic Spell, $18

This bachelor can put a love spell on you, what you see is what you get. It has little color, lots of shine, not to sticky, and easy to apply. This future lover comes in shades of browns, pinks, and neutrals; which will make you want to explore a variety of flavors.

Bachelor Number 2: Neutrogena Moisture Shine, $8.49

This stud comes in 20 different shades, and ladies get this – he's Brazilian. Made with Brazilian butter this gloss keeps your pucker super moisturized and has an SPF 20. Perfect for smooching under the sun!

Bachelor Number 3:  Nars Lipgloss, $24

Just like a great man, Nars lipgloss last for hours. Not sticky, it's just right. Available in a variety of colors, (Easy Lover, is my favorite, a sheer hot pink) and easy to use. A bit pricey, but a great relationship is worth the investment.

Bachelor Number 4: Avon Glazewear Lipgloss, $6

This bachelor may be the cheapest of them all, but has the quality of a gentleman. This lip gloss keeps your lips soft and smooth while giving you the confidence that you need for any hot date.

Bachelor Number 5: Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lipgloss, $7

Get mega-shine that every man in the room will notice. Last for hours, not sticky, and comes in numerous yummy flavors and colors. This lipgloss will have you reaching for seconds, not because you need to reapply, but because it tastes so delicious.

My Top Beauty Buys

Being in the world of beauty has been far from boring.  Every day I receive packages of new products to try, test and share with you.  I receive emails, tweets and facebook messages from friends and fans (even guys) asking questions about their skin concerns and what I'm using.  So I decided to dedicate a post to share some of the products I'm using right now.  Even though this may seem like a lot to you, this isn't even half! Fragrance: Pure DKNY

Makeup: Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick Pens in Super Natural, MAC Zoom Lash Mascara,Nars Blush in Orgasm

Skincare: ROC Multi Correxion Skin Perfecting System, Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask

Hair: Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask, Pssst Dry Shampoo, Blow Hair Spray

Body: Degree Natureeffects Invisible Solid, Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion, St. Tropez Self Tanner, Schick Intuition Plus

Nails: Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment Hardening Formula

New Makeup Launches

It's only the beginning of January and I already have Spring fever!  You can't blame me when I'm learning about new Spring makeup launches every day! Already anxious to rid my cashmere and begin wearing my new navy and white stripe shirt and with open toed shoes.

Here are my favorite finds from some of the hottest collections so far:

Victoria's Secret Beauty Poptimistic Limited Edition Beauty Rush Lip Glosses, $7 ea., six new hot shades inspired by the 80's.  

Bobbi Brown Makeup Facelift Collection, two words: completely genius.  A collection that includes highlighter, brow pencils and brightening lip glosses designed for faking a mini face lift with guidance by Bobbi herself.

NARS Creative Director, Francois Nars, was inspired by Catherine Deneuve's role as Lucille in La Chamade when creating the Spring 2010 collection, which includes very wearable eye shadow and lipstick shades and a polish called Purple Rain that I cannot wait to wear.

Guerlain always comes out with products that are too pretty to use, but go ahead and smear the pastel pink umbrella pattern in the blush together to end up with a brush of cherry blossom on your cheeks.  You can thank me later.  The whole collection was inspired by Eastern Asian Umbrellas.

Rimmel London is launching a volumizing mascara, bold quilted shadows, lipstick with SPF 18 and polish just to name a few.  My favorite: their Sun Shimmer Maxi Bronzer for Face and Body.  Available for only $7.99 in three shades, the compact is huge and multicolored.