Makeup

What’s Your Favorite Makeup Primer?

May 28th, 2009 by Karen 75 Comments

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Smile

Homies, no matter how busy you are, try to take care of your teeth. For serious. After yesterday’s deep cleaning sesh with the evil Silver Hook of Doom, I feel like someone tenderized my jaw with a hammer.

Thank goodness for Advil, right?

Never again will I skip those annual cleanings… Tartar shall not defeat me!

Makeup primer

Now, on a less painful note, how do you feel about makeup primers? 🙂

They’re commonly used to create a smooth surface upon which foundation and powder can adhere.

Many are gels, and beyond improving the staying power of makeup, primers help to control oil and prevent creasing. A few of ’em even double as anti-aging products or add extra hydration to skin.

MBB reader Kerry is looking for some help with her quest to find a good makeup primer.

What are your recommendations for a makeup primer (something to keep down the shine)? When I use the MAC ones, oil comes through on my skin, and my face looks greasy. HELP!

One Love,

Kerry

Hi Kerry,

When my skin was super oily a few years back, summertime was always the toughest season for me. By mid-morning, my forehead and face would always take on what I liked to call THE SHINING!

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Sneak Peek at the New Benefit Lipglosses

May 27th, 2009 by Karen 26 Comments

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous

Brace yourself, but Benefit’s releasing a new line of long-wearing lipglosses.
KABAM!
It’s true. Sometime over the next few months, Benefit will unveil a brand new line of eight lipglosses to replace both of their current lines, The Gloss and Her Glossiness.

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous wand

Say what?!?

The new glosses will feature a new, stickier, long-wearing formula with a shimmery finish, and they’ll come with an oversized applicator wand with a paddle-shaped sponge tip.

The wand has a little bend to it and gives under pressure, helping to maximize comfort when it’s used.

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous 2

I’ve previewed one of the new shades, Almost Famous. It’s a shimmery copper with golden pearl and reminds me of a shinier, thicker version of Benefit’s spring 2009 limited edition lipstick, Thrillin’ Brazilian.

I’m always down for new lipglosses, but I freaked out when I heard that Benefit plans to discontinue The Gloss. I’ve been wearing Kiss Me (a clear fuchsia) for years.

I can’t bear the thought of living without it, LOL! Just kidding, sort of…

Thankfully, Benefit plans to include a new formulation of Kiss Me and versions of two other colors from the current lines in the upcoming collection.

Expect to see Kiss Me (which returns under the name, Kiss You), Life on the A List (a light pink) and Who Are You Wearing (a hot pink) come back for encore presentations.

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous swatch

The new glosses are *so* new that I have yet to see any official information on release dates, prices or purchase locations, but I’ll keep you posted.

Dinner through a straw — classy

I just got back from the dentist, YEA!

Now I’m numbed the EFF OUT! I can’t feel my nose, and when I smile only the left side of my mouth moves. Needless to say, I’m drinking dinner through a straw and mumbling my words.

Good times…

I managed to refrain from crying this time, though. I teared up just a little, and then my dentist encouraged me to visualize something I enjoy (surfing) and guided me through some deep breathing exercises.

I’m such a wuss.

I should say, “Hum thuth a wuth.” 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Benefit Cosmetics One Hot Minute Loose Powder: Instant J. Lo Glow

May 27th, 2009 by Karen 42 Comments

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds top

The first time Jennifer Lopez ignited a red carpet with her glowy skin look, millions of makeup junkies stood up and took note. Since then, a generation of women have sought to shine with their own versions of the J. Lo glow.

But the trick is finding products that deliver a perfect touch of metallic luster without entering the danger zone, as in that greasy guy at the club (you know the one) who wears hella gold chains and waaay too much hair gel.

That’s what I think most highlighters and powders high in shimmer and/or glitter do.

Greasy club guy = not the right kind of glow.

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds

If you’re desperately seeking J. Lo’s glow, try on Benefit’s new One Hot Minute loose powder ($30).

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds swatch open

It’s a golden beige with just a hint of pink, and it does soft, subtle sheen without the greasy club guy/disco-ball glitter effect.

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds swatch

Not exactly a highlighting powder or a bronzer, it’s more like an all-over face and body powder for adding a rosy champagne glow to the skin.
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Ever Heard of Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ©?

May 24th, 2009 by Karen 16 Comments

Today Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book tells us about some of her favorite products from the exclusive Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© cosmetics line.

The stunning Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© cosmetics line, exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman stores and a few select Neiman Marcus, features a wide range of luxurious beauty products with gorgeous packaging, unique colors, and lovely textures.

Here’s an exclusive look at some of the fun, modern, yet classic products Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© has to offer.

Kaleidoscope Kits

Kaleidoscope Kits — “blending tradition and vision, creativity and innovation,” the kits are comprised of four colors presented in a unique stacking system with a flip-top mirror. They come in varieties available for lips, eyes, and face, each retailing for $95.

I have two — the Persephone Eye Kit and the Galatea Eye Kit.

Persephone Eye Kit

The Persephone Eye Kit features four medium pigment eyeshadows with textures ranging from matte to satin to shimmer:

Rose Champagne: a soft shimmery pale rose-pink
Alexandrite: a sparkly eggplant amethyst
Canvas: a soft, satin, neutral fawn-cream
Sequoia: a matte, cool, dark chocolate brown

Galatea Eye Kit

The Galatea Eye Kit features four unnamed shadows not available individually:

a soft, satin pale buttercream
a rich, shimmery golden brown
a matte puppy brown
a complex, shimmery nutmeg

Sheer Brilliance Lip Glosses

Left to right: Marsala (gift with purchase), Cap d’Antibes, Cannes, Dubai, Ibiza, Captiva, Bondi Beach

The Sheer Brilliance Lip Glosses are my favorite products in the line — pure luxury in a tube, and I want them all!

They have a sparkly, glossy finish and a non-tacky texture that’s lightweight yet moisturizing. Colors are sheer but substantial enough to show on the lips. They retail for $32 each.

Lip Creme Lip Gloss

Left to right: Sunset Boulevard (gift with purchase), Apricot Creme, Peche Creme, Papaye Creme, Sweet Creme, Fraise Creme

Hybrid lipstick/glosses, the Lip Creme Lip Glosses ($36) are super-pigmented, with a lightweight texture, intense color and a shiny finish. A little goes a long way, and they glide on the lips.

Color Core Moisture Stain Lipstick

Top to bottom: Marrakech, San Tropez

The Color Core Moisture Stain Lipsticks ($32) have a long-lasting stain-like formula with a surprisingly creamy texture.

They do feel more like a stain than the typical lipstick, but once applied, they remain blendable while still staying put.

Where to buy

The Le MÃ©tier line is sold online and at just seven stores in the US, making it pretty hard to see in person.

NOTE:Bergdorf periodically holds what are called Beauty and Incircle events at which time they include nice gifts with purchase.

Unfortunately, swatches don’t always capture true colors. I’ve placed orders both online and in person at three of their physical locations. Once you’ve seen them in person, I highly recommend calling a counter to place your orders. The company’s product specialists are very knowledgeable and patient in describing things and making product recommendations. 🙂

In this guest post Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book tells us about some of her favorite products from the exclusive Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© cosmetics line.

Make Up For Ever 101

May 22nd, 2009 by Karen 10 Comments

Today Krasey Beauty of KraseyBeauty.com gives us some essentials to look for when getting started with the Make Up For Ever line.

Make Up For Ever

Divas, listen up cause I’ve got something to say
I have some hot little numbers heading your way
Pigment like whoa
Makeup lovahs say HO!
Colors so smooth they will blow you away
MUFE, what, what?!

OK, so I may not have a future career in rapping, but this freelance artist and beauty blogger is here to spread the word about a little brand called Make Up For Ever.

Created in 1984 by painter-turned-makeup artist Dany Sanz, Make Up For Ever has become the go-to brand of professional artists and hardcore makeup junkies alike (click here to see some looks).

The beauty of the brand is that it isn’t about fancy packaging or limited editions but rather quality and versatility. All Make Up For Ever products are suitable for applications from everyday to runway. No fillers and synthetic fragrances are used, so all you get are pure pigments and high performance.

What started for me as a cosmetic one night stand quickly turned into a full-on hot and heavy relationship. My humble collection of just one eyeshadow soon morphed into a dozen lipsticks, 48 eyeshadows, foundation, sculpting powder, star powders, and everything else under the sun.

So what are the essentials?

Well, here we go! — and I promise; no more rapping 😉

The Eyeshadows

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Without a doubt, one of the brightest stars of the Make Up For Ever line has to be the eyeshadows. Providing a full spectrum of colors, these eyeshadows are hella pigmented and smoother than David Beckham on the soccer field.

What are the color must-haves? Well, I thought you would never ask.

If you can only get one color, without a doubt it should be number 92; a matte vibrant purple.

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow No. 92

Have a little more room in your budget? Go for 5 (orangey coral matte), 168 (shimmery turquoise blue), and 10 (a shimmery gold).

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow No.5

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow No.168

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow No. 10

My list of must-have shades goes on and on, but I recognize that not everybody’s last name is Rockefeller or Hilton. That being said, you can definitely save some green by purchasing the shadows in refill pan form (available in the studio story only). A shadow pan sans compact is only $13, NICE!

HD Foundation

Released in 2008, Make Up For Ever’s HD Foundation caters to the HD TV generation. Offering buildable coverage, this foundation conceals imperfections, and mimics skin’s natural texture. The end result is neither dewy nor matte; but somewhere in between. It literally makes you look like you have flawless skin! With a range of 25 shades to choose from, you should definitely be able to find a match!

Star Powder

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If you’re a fan of MAC pigments, then you will LOVE the Star Powders. These multipurpose loose powders come in an array of gorgeous shimmering shades.

TIP: Sephora carries the Make Up For Ever line. You can shop their store here.

The Star Powders are super smooth, with kicked up microshimmers, and I’m especially fond of 920 (golden sunny yellow), 955 ( a plum with heavy blue duochrome) and 910 (a shimmery lime).

Aqua Creamliners

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These might just be the sleeper hits of the collection. Not as well known as the Aqua Eyes pencils but just a bit more fabulous.

For an eyeliner that won’t budge for love or money, look no further than the Aqua Creamliners. Available in 6 matte shades, these cream liners go on smooth without skipping and will last through pretty much anything. I find that MAC Fluidlines tend to be a bit too creamy and thus tend to skip.

These Creamliners, however, are definitely dryer and therefore aren’t as prone to skip. I love that they’re matte, too, as shimmery liners can sometimes appear uneven.

Want the full color spectrum? Definitely go for 4 (a brilliant turquoise), 5 (deep plum), and 6 (vibrant hunter green).

Well, there you have it — some of my favorite MUFE morsels! 😉

It took every ounce of strength I had not to reach for the soapbox and wax poetic about my love for this brand.

This post was written by the lovely Krasey Beauty of KraseyBeauty.com. Born and raised in New York City, she blogs about the best in beauty from her hometown.

Stef Goes Cuckoo for Coral!

May 19th, 2009 by Karen 21 Comments

Today Stef of the can’t-miss We Heart This (’cause chicks love stuff) shares six of her favorite coral lip glosses.

coral

I’m not sure when the change happened; when coral became an acceptable color choice for those outside the senior set. I’m just so glad it happened! Because for the last few years, when the weather gets warm, the corals start popping up. I find nothing brightens up your face more than the pop of coral, with its brighter than peach, but not quite orange glow.

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MAC Strawberry Blonde Lipstick

My love affair with coral started with the infamous MAC Strawberry Blonde limited edition lipstick, a lustre from the 2006 Catherine Denuve collection. Described as a Coral Pink, it’s the measure in which I judge all corals by. As in “it’s pretty, but it’s no Strawberry Blonde.”

I brought it out in the desert sun so you could get a glimpse of it. This is semi-sheer, bright and flat-out gorgeous! Of course, I’m not the only one who fell hard for this. And to find it now, you pay dearly. But it’s oh-so worth it! I’ve tried dupes but never found another lipstick I like as much as this perfect coral.

So I moved on to the next logical step … lip gloss! A bit of a lip gloss addict, I could (and often do) spend hours talking about the merits of a perfect gloss. I can’t tell you how many times friends have grabbed a gloss from my hands in the middle of a store and scolded me that I didn’t need it, that I had a color just like it at home. But they’re always wrong, I do NOT have a color “just like” it. I never do.

So without further ado, I bring you my top six favorite coral glosses (and I do have to apologize, because a couple of them were LE, and you may have to really search to find them).

coral_swatch

From the top:

Smashbox Sheer Color in Red Rock — Sheer Coral Red Shimmer. This is one of the brighter glosses of the bunch, and it looks absolutely fabulous with summer, sun-kissed skin. You’re in luck, my pretties! This LE shade is not only still available, but on sale for only $13.50.
Smashbox True Color in Beauty ($18) — Smashbox calls this Pink Melon; I call it perfect. It’s a pinky coral, with no shimmer, and super glossy coverage. If I had to only wear one gloss for the rest of my life, Beauty would be it. Just a lovely pop of summery color to give your lips that cheery, baby doll look (and the most similar to my beloved Strawberry Blonde).
MAC Dazzleglass in Smile ($18.50) — Light coral with pink and gold pearl (the pink pearl really dominates the gold). Brand new and super hot. If you don’t know the joy of a Dazzleglass, go get one immediately. It’s like crushed diamonds on your lips but with none of the grit. Smile is sheer but really adds a nice milky coral hue to plain lips or a bit more oomph to coral lipsticks.
MAC Lipglass in Red Devil ($14) — Coral Orange Frost. Sorry, this was a limited edition color from the Blonde, Brunette, Redhead collection and you may be SOL trying to find it. It’s the brightest of my favs, with big color payoff for a bold look. If you come up empty on a search, try the Smashbox Red Rocks; they’re very similar.
Hourglass Extreme Sheen in Lush ($28) — Coral Shimmer. Oh, but not just any shimmer. Lush has micro fine gold shimmer (in my opinion, the prettiest of the shimmers!). I am in love with Extreme Sheens. They have a buttery consistency with no stickiness at all.
Trish McEvoy Lip and Cheek Stain in Pick-Me-Up ($28) — Coral Stain. Sorry, another LE. But well worth the hunt if you, too, are cuckoo for coral. This actually has a bit of coral shimmer to it (which is rare for a stain), and it makes a fabulous base for any of the glosses listed here. And it Does. Not. Budge — even when you’re trying to remove it!

What about it, ladies? Have a favorite coral that you think deserves a spot in this hall of fame? Do tell! ‘Cause I could always use another gloss…

This post was written by Stef of We Heart This. A graphic designer and bona fide lip gloss and face serum addict, Stef loves MAC lipstick, Hourglass gloss, Paula Dorff Blush and Stila shadows. She lives in the Southern California desert with her husband, their four dogs and the world’s most patient cat.

Benefit Posietint Lip and Cheek Stain: Gorgeous Yet Understated

May 17th, 2009 by Karen 21 Comments

Today my Bay Area buddy Glosslizard shares her thoughts on Benefit Posietint lip and cheek stain.

benefit-posietint

Hello, all you MBB beauties! Glosslizard here, for the ever-fabulous and currently vacationing Karen!

I recently had the chance to play with Benefit Cosmetic’s Posietint lip and cheek stain ($28), thanks to a generous sample from one of the lovely MA’s at my local Benefit boutique!

Posietint is not new (it was released last year) but is the younger, flirtier sister of Benefit’s cult fave lip and cheek stain, Benetint (also $28).

It’s a lighter color than Benetint (Posietint is described as “petal pink” vs. Benetint’s “Rose”) and seems aimed at fairer complexions.

The bubble-gum pink fluid has a thicker texture than Benetint, almost gel-like, and spreads easily over cheeks and lips.

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Bare lips

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One coat

I found that one coat gave my lips a super-faint pink flush that was very flattering, and the kind of thing I might wear to work out when I don’t want to look like I bothered to wear makeup (hah)!

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Two coats

Two coats (applying a thin coat, allowing it to dry, and then applying the next) provided a more vibrant shade of pink, and three coats left my lips with a definite rosy flush comparable to a light coat of Benetint. It felt no more drying than bare lips, but I prefer it with a touch of gloss!

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Swatch for texture

I tried Posietint on my cheeks as well, and it gave a lovely, sheer hint of color. It would look gorgeous yet understated on pale-skinned ladies, and would probably work well on fair to medium complexions layered under or over a bronzer!

The lasting power of Posietint is not amazing but seems pretty good for a light-colored stain. One coat on my lips didn’t last through eating or drinking anything, two coats left a light but visible flush after I indulged in tea and snacks, and three coats lasted all afternoon and into the evening under a coat of gloss.

A couple warnings…

First, Posietint comes in a container with an opaque coloring, and the bottle color is not the color of the product! To me, the bottle is a little peachy or coral, while the stain itself is definitely a blue-based pink. If you’re looking for a warmer color I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Second, as with all stains, you’ll get the best results with a smooth, even starting surface, so exfoliate lips (and cheeks too, if necessary) first! A damp washcloth rubbed gently on the lips after showering works well, or, for an indulgence, I love Tarte’s FRXtion lip exfoliator ($11)!

How ’bout your favorite lip/cheek stains? Have any worth sharing?

This post was written by Glosslizard, a Bay Area beauty enthusiast since the age of 14. When she isn’t taking care of her two sons, husband, three cats or her snake, you’ll find her gardening, practicing aikido, or drooling over the latest and greatest MAC and Chanel releases.

Designer Impostor: A High Fashion Look from the Marc Jacobs Runway

May 16th, 2009 by Karen 21 Comments

Today EV of Almost Daily Inspiration shares a wild runway look inspired by Francois Nars.

Hi, folks! I thought I’d try something a little different for you all and offer up a tutorial for my version of a wild runway look created by Francois Nars. It’s not exactly what you’d call “work appropriate,” but as Nars himself said, “You want to play with makeup.” So let’s have some fun, shall we?

First, a little background. Allow me to take you back to February’s Fall 2009 New York Fashion Week. Sure, most of the clothes were boring (thanks, recession-inspired conservatism!), but the makeup was consistently incredible: gray lips, fierce smoky eyes, and splashes of neon all made an appearance. And the absolute biggest, juiciest beauty story of the week was Francois Nars’ return to the runway after 10 years. He was lured back by none other than the wildly creative Marc Jacobs (he of the blue hair and the man skirts and the in-your-face attitude) and his collection of ’80s club-kid clothes. Nars was so inspired, in fact, that he took on the challenge of designing individual looks for all 60 models in the show. Wow.

Each look started with a bold black eye shape, which was then paired with a splash of whatever color he felt would best bring out the model’s features. Check it out:

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style.com, photo by Greg Kessler

Such simple shapes and colors yet with a major impact. While purusing the show’s gallery on style.com (which I highly recommend doing, by the way), I found myself totally fixated on this red, orange, and black exaggerated cat eye.

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style.com, photo by Greg Kessler

Of course I had to try it on, so this is the basic look we’ll be working from for the tutorial.

Products used

Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (nude tan)
Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil in Zero (black)
MAC eye shadow in Firespot (vivid orange with gold and red undertones)
Aromaleigh loose pigment in Helterskelter (rich red with a little sparkle)
Fyrinnae loose pigment in Fool’s Gold (true gold with sparkle)
Urban Decay eye shadow in Zero (shimmering black)
DuWop Payoff Eyeshadow Intensifier
Dior Iconic Mascara
CARGO The Reverse lip liner (fair-nude skin tone)
MAC lipstick in Dubonnet (deep claret red)
MAC lipstick in Ladybug (bright true red)

Tools used

Posh smudger brush (sponge tip smudger)
MAC 239 (firm bristled eye shader brush)
MAC 219 (firm bristled pencil brush)
MAC 224 (soft tapered blending brush)
MAC 266 (small angle brush)
MAC 187 (duo fiber “skunk” brush)
Sephora retractable lip brush

Let’s start with the basics

I apply a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion with my fingers, and let it dry. Now, the secret to doing crazy exaggerrated looks like this one is giving yourself a map to follow.

Break down the individual components of the look, and pay attention to where the lines begin, end, and curve. I like to cheat a little and play connect the dots: I use my Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero to place small marks at the outside points of the wing I want to create. This way, I can make sure I’m happy with the placement before I go and smear ten pounds of black paint on my face. Here is the basic layout of my wing:

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I want this black to be intense, so I’m going to apply a base layer of color by using Zero to shade in the whole shape. You could also use Blackground Paint Pot or even a shadestick for this step, but I prefer the Urban Decay pencils as bases because they’re easy to control and blend for precise work like this. With my weapon of choice, I carefully connect the dots to outline the shape of the wing, and then use the side of the pencil to shade in one patch at a time. I use my Posh smudger brush to blend the shaded patches together. It now looks like this:

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You don’t need to be concerned about uneven color saturation or perfect lines at this point; we’ll go over it again later. Think of this as your rough draft wing.

Now for the color!

First, I use my finger to apply MAC Paint Pot in Painterly from my crease, up to my browbone, and out to my temple to even out any discoloration and provide a sticky base for the shadows. With the 239 shader brush, I apply MAC Firespot eye shadow starting at my crease (where the black wing ends) and extending a little above my eyebrow and out to my temple, following the curves of the wing. You want to build the color slowly, and blend out your edges so the color fades in to your skin.

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Aromaleigh’s Helterskelter is really an amazing color, and I highly recommend picking it up! The technique for using loose mineral shadows is the same as for pigments: use a dense, firm brush (like the 239 or 252), and “pack” or “dab” the shadow on to your eye rather than swiping it. Work slowly and gently, and you won’t have any fallout to clean up.

Using my 239 brush, I pat Helterskelter on top of Firespot, concentrating on the inner and outer corners of the shape I’ve created with the orange. Then, I pat a tiny bit of Fyrinnae Fool’s Gold on top of Firespot in the center of each browbone, just to brighten up the look a bit. I blend the three colors and all the outer edges with the 224 blender brush. Use a very light hand here because you don’t want to make the color disappear!

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Now let’s go back and clean up the black

I add a drop of Duwop Payoff to my Urban Decay Zero eye shadow pan, and let the liquid sink in. (Payoff is a great product for getting the wet application look but with much better staying power!) Using my 219 pencil brush and working slowly, I shade in the black wing and clean up my edges. I wanted to leave it a bit smokey, but you could go over the outer edges with a black gel or pencil liner if you prefer a sharper look.

I black out my brows…

…with my 266 angled brush and the Urban Decay Zero shadow. You want to exaggerate your brow shape a little bit, but without making it look too fake. The trick is to focus on drawing a sharp line at the bottom of your brows from the inner to the outer corner, then flick and blend the color up through your brows with your brush.

Dior Iconic Mascara

Last step is some Dior Iconic Mascara, and we’re done with the eyes! This photo is taken with flash to better show off the colors.

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Finishing the look

The rest of the face is pretty basic. I do a verrrry light sweep of Helterskelter across my cheekbones with the 187 and blend well. For the lips, I’ve mixed two red MAC lipsticks to get a glossy, deep red pout. Using the Sephora lip brush, I first apply Dubonnet, then gently dab Ladybug on top. When wearing lipstick, I like to sharpen up my lip line by applying a quick swipe of CARGO’s The Reverse lip liner all around the edges, and then blending it in. It isn’t necessary, but it helps my red lips “pop.”

Here’s the finished look! This is my best disaffected model vacant stare:

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Okay, Miss Tyra would totally yell at me for losing my neck, but you have to admit that’s a pretty fierce cat eye!

Sure, this is in no way an everday look, but I still encourage all of you to break out the most colorful shadows in your makeup kits and try it out! It doesn’t really matter if you just wear it around the living room and practice your runway strut for your cats; just think about how badass you’ll feel with a fearless splash of color on your lids.

On that note, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite warm and fuzzy quotes about beauty, which just happens to be from Francois Nars: “Follow your instinct. Wear whatever makes you happy. Mix and blend and mix some more.” That may as well be my makeup mantra. You don’t need to be a master of blending or own 387 colors of eye shadow; you just need instinct and attitude and colors that make you happy!

This post was written by EV, who blogs about makeup and makeup artistry at Almost Daily Inspiration. When she isn’t finding killer deals on the interwebz, she’s working as a research assistant at a breast cancer clinic, drooling over Urban Decay and MAC, or playing with her two kitty kids.