Spring Beauty Trends on the Today Show

This week, I chatted with Kathie Lee & Hoda on the Today Show about the hottest Spring beauty trends.  Accompanied by gorgeous models, it was definitely a good time! From purple hair to graphic liner, braids and negative space manis, we covered a lot! Check out the segment, because you don't need to wait until Spring to start wearing these trends.  All of the product info is below as well.

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Pastel Hair Manic Panic Glam Strips, $5.25 for 8” and $6.99 for 18” at manicpanic.com Rita Hazan Pop Color, $18 at ritahazan.com

Lavender Eye Shadow CoverGirl Eye Shadow Quad in Va Va Violets $6.99 at drugstores Lancome Color Design 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Lavender Grace, $50 at Sephora

Classic Braids Styliste Ultime Wax Powder, $6.97 at Walmart Living Proof Amp Instant Texture Volumizer, $24 at Sephora

Graphic Eye Liner Maybelline Master Graphic, $7.99 at drugstores Laura Geller Eye Calligraphy Liquid Eyeliner Kit, $30 at laurageller.com

Negative Space Manicure Essie Flowerista Collection, $8 at essie.com Nails Inc. The New White Collection, $14 ea. at Nailsinc.com

Runway to Reality: Fall Beauty Trends on NBC

When I go backstage during NY Fashion Week I'm always seeking out looks and trends that we can actually wear.  From retro blow outs and metallic smokey eyes to sophisticated burgundy manicures and diffused berry lips, I gave the scoop to New York Live's Jacque Reid.  Check out the segment after the jump.

Red Carpet, Red Lips: Steal Their Shades

From cherry red shades donned by Zooey Deschanel, Taylor Swift and Sofia Vergara to more crimson colors like those of Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Moss and even orangey reds like Drew Barrymore's, red lips were a huge hit on the Golden Globes red carpet tonight.  Like a little black dress, it's an elegant and timeless look – if done right.  See a shade you like?  Here are the exact colors the leading ladies were wearing.

Zooey Deschanel's makeup artist, Jorjee Douglass, mixed Tarte LipSurgence matte lip tint in Fiery with LipSurgence power pigment in Tipsy.

Jennifer Lawrence's makeup artist, Ve Neill, used Rouge Dior Lipstick in Prune Daisy.

Drew Barrymore's makeup artist, Debra Ferullo, applied Flower Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby in Red-dy to Bloom from Drew's own makeup collection.

CEW Announces Beauty Award Finalists & Top Trends for The Year

In the beginning of March I attended the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Product Demonstration (see post), where the latest and greatest products of 2012 were put on display to preview.  Today, CEW announced the finalists, who will all be voted on and the best products of the year will be announced in May at the Beauty Awards.  This is huge in beauty, guys.  Here are the top trends of the year and a list of the finalists.  Did your favorites make the cut? Beauty Trends:

o   Lip Hybrids: Lip products that have it all – long-lasting color, moisture and a light-weight feel.

o   Skin Volumizers: These collagen-building formulas reduce the look of deep lines and fine wrinkles – they’re like the fountain of youth in a jar.

o   Bold Brows: Fuller, bushier brows are back in vogue and new gels and serums make it easy to style them.

o   Gel Nails: Both mass and prestige brands now offer consumers a multitude of styles and colors to achieve long-wear, chip-resistant nail color at home.

o   Spot On Treatments: Brands have been creating a myriad of products that immediately target dark spots and prevent future spots from developing.

o   Bright Eyes: Serums that lighten and brighten sensitive skin under the eyes took center stage this year, with unique applicators that cool skin on the spot.

o   High Tech Skin Care: Handheld tools offering powerful dermatologist technology at-home have emerged to provide a more youthful look

 And now... presenting... the finalist list!  Who do you want to see win?

Spring Beauty Trend: Pastel Manis

While the runways declared nude and shiny, metallic manicures must-haves for Spring, celebrities like Jessica Alba, Beyonce and Ginnifer Goodwin prove that pastel polishes are still all the rage.  The spring staple has been spotted on the A-listers on red carpets throughout awards season and they all chose ones that compliment their skin tones. Despite popular belief, all pastels aren’t created equal.  The shades to covet this season are creamy pastels, which look as if the pigment’s been mixed with a white base.  Think shades like creamsicle, mint, lavender and eggshell blue that pop (yes, even on fair complexions).  If you have an alabaster-like complexion like Ginnifer Goodwin, chose a cool shade like Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Green with Envy.  A peachy shade will compliment medium skin tones like Jessica Alba’s, opt for a polish like Butter London Kerfuffle Nail Lacquer in Opaque Pink Coral Crème.  Consider yourself lucky if you have a darker skin tone, as all pastel shades will look flattering.  One of our favorites: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Lav-endure.

Classic Red Carpet Beauty Trends: Red Lips and Smoky Eyes

Obviously you can tell that I'm just a little excited about the Oscars tomorrow and am getting the most out of awards season.  After chatting with some of my beauty blogger friends about predictions for the red carpet, I thought it was only appropriate to discuss two of the hottest makeup trends that are appropriate for any evening event: red lips and smoky eyes.

Rihanna, Emily Blunt and Rita Ora were all spotted rocking a vivid red lip this season.  A swipe of red lipstick adds instant elegance to any look on or off the red carpet.  To get the look make sure you prep your lips by exfoliating them and dabbing on a bit of lip balm to the center.  Take your favorite red, (blue based for cool skin tones and orange based for warm), and apply it by pressing it into your lips with your fingers for a natural, not matronly effect. Add a layer of powder and reapply so no touch-ups are needed.  For extra staying power try using Touch In Sol I'll Get You Lip Stain #1 in Real Red.

Katharine McPhee, Kerry Washington and Marion Cotillard are just three of the many celebs who donned a sultry smoky eye so far this awards season.  It's no secret that the key to creating the look without fail is all in blending the colors so there's no harsh lines.  One thing that I always admire is the way eyeliner is used on top to fill in the lash line and then smudged into the shadow and on the bottom to define the eye shape.  Make sure your smokey eye isn't just about shadow and try using a small liner with a precise tip that allows time for smudging before it sets like Touch In Sol Dramatic Pencil Eyeliner in #1 Glam Black.

*This post is sponsored by Touch In Sol, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Get the Look: Tips for Achieving A Wine Stained Lip

Thanks to BeautyHigh, the number one question I'm being asked right now via twitter is about the lipstick shade I'm wearing in their recent editorial, "The Top 10 Beauty Bloggers Share Their Beauty Tricks and Fall Must Haves."  Naturally, when I was asked to be part of the shoot, I focused my whole look around my lip as I knew I wanted to rock my favorite fall beauty trend – a wine stained lip.  The lipstick? Cle de Peau Extra Rick Lipstick in R10, but it's not just about the shade, the trick is how you apply it.  Here are the rules. There are two ways to wear a wine stained lip – literally stained or dramatically focusing on the pigment.  When it comes to choosing the perfect berry color, just like reds, consider your skin tone and hair color and test them on your fingertips.  Most people test lipsticks on the tops of their hands, but truth is, because of the blood flow, the coloring of your finger tips is more like the coloring on your lips.

Make sure to prime your lips with balm no matter which look you're going for.  I've been consistently using Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer, which plumps out my fine lines and keeps my shade in place.  To get the stained effect, dab your color of choice onto your pout with your finger and then blot with a tissue.  For a more precise, dramatic look, use a lip brush and paint the pigment on carefully stroke by stroke.

As for the outfit, here are the deets:

Top: Mark Call It A Tie Blouse, Skirt: H&M faux leather, Cuff: Alexis Bittar, Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Fall Beauty Trend: Dramatic Liner, Get the Look

One of falls hottest beauty trends is bold eyeliner.  Spotted on the runways of BCBG, Rachel Zoe, Lanvin and Catherine Malandrino to name a few, the winged liner look is the new norm as more graphic and dramatic stenciling took center stage.  Celebs are also embracing the trend as Two Broke Girls actress, Beth Behrs, was recently spotted rocking heavy liner at her Book of Mormon Premiere.  Love it or hate it, here's a way to embrace it and it really only takes one skill – smudging. Makeup Artist Jamie Greenberg worked with Behrs for the premiere.  The look, similar to the liner spotted at Rachel Zoe and Catherine Malandrino, is really not that hard to achieve.  Step 1: Blend.  Step 2: Smudge.  Step 3: Blend some more.  Check it out:

1. Line your lower water rims and top lash lines winging the top lines out past the outside corners of your eyes. Then smudged them out for a dramatic effect.

2. Next, apply a dark, smoky shadow like mark I-Mark Metallics Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Lava on your lids and blended it up and out, into the smudged liner.

3. Apply a liquid liner like mark What a Line Felt Tip Eyeliner in Wee Hours or for added color try mark Metal Works Liquid Eyeliner in Dragonfly (a metallic blue) to further define your upper lash lines.

4. Finish with two coats of black mascara to define your lashes.

*This is a sponsored post.

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.

Nail Trend: Introducing The New Pastel

One of the biggest trends this Spring is donning pastel tips, but pastel has undergone a makeover.  The crop of pastels I'm falling in love with this season are much more sophisticated than those of Cadbury Egg Minis (which after this weekend, I should be in rehab for).  From pistachio and cotton candy to lilac, lemon and eggshell blue, I just can't get enough and that's rare for a girl who always wears dark colors. When I received the Spring 2012 Dolce & Gabbana collection in the mail I flipped over the polishes.  Of course, the cosmetics are gorgeous, but these lacquers were my first introduction into the new pastel.  They're milky pastels and after applying, it looks as if you painted a white coat of polish underneath the pastel shade to make it pop.

The first thing that caught my attention about Rococo Nail Apparel's Spring 2012 collection was the packaging.  It's special and I think there's nothing better than getting a beautifully packaged set of beauty products.  Like the Dolce & Gabbana shades, the pastels are also creamy.

While these polishes may be a bit pricey, it's nice to treat yourself once in a while.  Of course, there are other options!  Here are some of my other favorite pastels by Essie and OPI that you can find in your local nail salon and will keep you on trend: Essie in Mint Candy Apple, Essie in Play Date, OPI in Do You Lilac It and OPI in Pink Friday.

Top 5 Beauty Trends of 2012

What's a better way to start off a new year than to present the predicted top five beauty trends? Get excited because sampling is in!  Free beauty loot?  Sounds like it's going to be a good year already!  Read on as I dissect the top five trends and what you can expect this year will bring for us beauty junkies. 1. Beauty from the Inside 

I've written a whole post about this a few weeks ago, because I've already noticed a ton of new products coming out.  As people continue to become more health conscious, there will be a bigger demand for nutricosmetics, the focus on beauty from within.  To support their normal beauty regimens of anti-aging creams and preventative serums, women will be drinking, swallowing and even eating their skincare to supplement their routines.  Hey, every little bit counts.

2. Men Boost Interest in Anti-Aging

Men care more than most think about their appearance especially when it comes to aging.  I think that a few grey hair and a little bit of crows feet on a man add to their sex appeal, but apparently they too want to look younger, or at least age in the best way possible.  There will be more of a demand for men's anti-aging skin and hair care.

3. Androgyny is In 

When it comes to the idea of beauty androgyny is in.  Men are and will continue to grow out their hair like Chase Crawford and even Johnny Depp and women will be cropping theirs into pixi cuts think Michelle Williams and Emma Watson.  Social ideas of gender roles will be crossed and pushed even further.  Celebrities and runways are beginning to cross lines and commoners are following.  Example: cross gendered models are walking runways, which celebrates who they are.

4. Chemical Free Cosmetics

Because of increased awareness of health concerns, women will continue seek more and more organic and eco friendly makeup.  You are super savvy and know which ingredients to look for in cosmetics just like you do when they shop for food.  Just because a package says, "Paraben free," doesn't mean it's organic and you know that. You're going to start shopping more for pure cosmetics that give you pigment and coverage without the health risks.

5. Free Samples

Sampling is key to purchase in the world of beauty and the free samples will keep coming.  Sounds good to me.  Sites like Birchbox, a membership site which sends you a sampling of beauty products per month for $10 a month will continue to pop up and sampling experiences at stores and online will drive purchase.

Katy Perry Teams Up with OPI

How have you been wearing your nails this fall?  My absolute favorite shades of all time are Essie's Wicked and OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark.  Oldies but goodies.  Soon, there will be a new way to wear your fave shades and I'm super excited about it. None other than Katy Perry teamed up with OPI to create a unique top coat called Black Shatter that once dry, leaves behind a cracked pattern on each nail.  I think it's amazing how you can create texture in so many ways with a simple manicure.  I especially like the idea of this new top coat because you can create the texture yourself in a fool proof way.  No fancy specialist needed.

Miss Perry is also designing four fierce colors inspired by her album "Teenage Dream."  The shades and topcoat will hit counters and nail salons in January.

What's your favorite nail polish color for fall?

Follow My Flirting Tips & Win Flirt! Cosmetics

In the beginning of September I wrote about my favorite Spokesperson role yet – being a "Flirting Expert" for Flirt! Cosmetics.  I'm saying it was my favorite because it was perhaps the most natural to speak to and one flirting's of my fave things to do! To celebrate the launch of the video on Flirt's You Tube Channel I'm giving away Flirt! Cosmetics!  In the video I mention playing up your eyes and lips and therefore want you to follow my advice.

Three BeautySweetSpot readers will receive the ultimate flirting essentials – a tube of Flirt! It Curl Mascara (to lure your object of affection in with your eyes) and a shade of Glamourazzi Lip Lacquer (to draw attention to your pout).

To win: Follow @beautysweetspot on Twitter and Retweet my tweets about the giveaway and dish your flirting tips by commenting below.  A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, October 24th.

Check out the video:

How to Rock A Sexy, Dark Lip

There's a trend from New York Fashion Week that I've been dying to try and have been recently sporting it on my cross country travels – the dark lip.  No, it's not goth, it's sexy.  But yes, it can look bad if you don't wear it right.  I've been wearing a deep plum that compliments my skin tone (think OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark for your nails).  Below are tips from DailyMakeover on how to make the dark lip work for you and stay put.

• Exfoliate your lips. It is important to remove any excess dead skin from your lips for a smooth surface. Try Smashbox Cosmetics Emulsion Lip Exfoliant.

• Prime lips. This step is very important, so please do not skip! You need to add a small amount of moisture to your lips before applying a dark lip color so the color does not look dry or cracked. The key is keeping the matte look without the greasy residue of some lip balms. A multi-purpose primer, like Natural Born Cosmetics Lip Fix Matte Neutralizer, does the trick! This product, primes, adds a bit of moisture, fills in little lines, and neutralizes lip color for a perfect canvas to apply a deep color...

• Choose a dark lip color. Try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics--one drop of their Lip Tar goes a long, long way! For blue-red shades, try NSFW or Stalker. If you prefer warmer reds, try Harlot. For the perfect deep-burgundy shade, try Strumpet or Vintage. Another favorite of mine is Yves St. Laurent Rouge Volupté Perle in Mesmerizing Purple.

• Apply lip color with a lip brush. To apply gloss with a brush, squeeze a drop of product onto the brush and apply color starting from the outer corners of the lip inwards towards the bow of your lips and fill in. You can go slightly outside of your natural lip line but be careful not to go too high. A similar technique is used for applying lipstick from the tube. Instead of applying directly to lips, swipe your lip brush with the product and apply using the same technique.

Now that you have your lips in tact make sure you keep the rest of your face flawless!  Remember the lip is the focal point.