urban decay

Lipstick Shades We're Loving for Spring

lipstickA look just doesn't feel complete without the touch of the perfect lipstick. And while the whole natural look, with simple balms and nude glosses, was seen all over the Spring/Summer 2015 runways, there's just too many amazing lipsticks this season to miss out on. Check out some of our favorites to try this spring.

 

Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Color, $33 These lipstick colors allow you to build to the perfect pigment for you. With a satin finish, your lips will project a stunning luminous color that should be seen in the spring.

lipstick

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick, $22 If you're going for a gorgeous sheer lip with a hint of color, this line is for you. It has the same original Revolution formula with a creamy texture, and shiny finish. This line gives your lips a gorgeous hydrated healthy look.

lipstick

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Créme, $24 Any new Marc Jacobs lip product immediately becomes a must-have for us. And this seasons creamy, velvety lipsticks are no different. With 50 available shades, a high-pigment and long wear formula, this lipstick is a no brainer necessity.

lipstick

Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour, $28 Every girl needs at least one liquid lipstick in their arsenal. And this should be yours for the spring. If you want to stick with the nude, natural makeup look, this collection has gorgeous nude options. Nude Rose is our favorite, giving you the perfect tint of red without overpowering.

 

lipstick

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, $21 Another great liquid lipstick option for this season. Although it is not a completely new product, it has eight new shades we are seriously loving. From the deep burgundy of Velvet to the bright pinky-red of Strawberry, you're bound to find the best shade for you to rock this season.

New Year, New Intern: Meet Kayla

kayla-jardineHi, I'm Kayla and I'm so excited to be joining the BeautySweetSpot team! Being a broke college student, my life revolves around great products that are pretty cost effective. If I'm going to spend money, you better believe it's going to be on something that's worth it. These are some of my favorite beauty buys that I currently can't live without, BeautySweetSpot approved, of course!

Marc-Jacobs-Lipstick-Showstopper-Limited-Edition

Marc Jacobs Matte Lip Gel in Scandal, $30 at Sephora

Every girl needs a good red lipstick. What I love about this particular one is its color. The pigment is so bold, it's meant for making a statement. This is the lipstick I use for cocktail parties or to dress up my look when running errands.

BB-Cream_PRODUCT_01

Rimmel’s BB Cream Beauty Balm, $5.59 at drugstores

The foundation of a flawless look is... well, foundation. I love Rimmel’s BB Cream Beauty Balm with built-in SPF (what alliteration). I love it because not only does it cover up those finals-week breakouts but it also moisturizes your skin. It's light and moisturizing, which is exactly what I seek.

Master_nakedilluminated

Urban Decay’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder, $29 at Sephora

This product will literally make you shimmer.  Need I say more? I don’t know how I’ve gone my whole life without it. It’s simple to use and there’s really no wrong method as long as you don’t go overboard (really don’t go overboard or else you could look like the newest disco queen). It highlights my cheekbones perfectly and can even double as a pretty wonderful eyeshadow.

glazed-apple-body-butter_l

The Body Shop’s Glazed Apple Body Butter, $5 at thebodyshop-usa.com

Body butters are vital during winter, especially a winter as cold as this one. If you're going to be using body butter it may as well smell like the greatest thing ever, right? That's just another reason I'm obsessed with this product. Apply a little to your cracking hands and they'll hands will be as smooth as a babies bottom.

082012-tresemme-400

Tresemmés Smooth Salon Silk No Frizz Serum, $9.99 at drugstores

Good haircare products are hard to come by, so when you find a great one it becomes the holy grail. I like this product because I have the curliest, frizziest hair the world has ever seen, but it's also great for straight hair. I just put a dab into my hair when it's damp then style.  It keeps my hair silky smooth and frizz-free.

How to Embrace the Neon Beauty Trend

neon-beauty-trendNeon makeup is still happening and we’re seriously loving it. Neon pink cat eyes were seen on Chanel's Fall 2014 runway and for the Spring 2015 season, we saw bottom orange liner at Peter Som and neon blue eye shadow at Honor. While the neon beauty trend may not be the most practical choice, there are ways to pull it off. Try some of these products to rock it in the most gorgeous way possible.

neon-beauty-trend-polish

Deborah Lippmann 80’s Rewind Nail Polish Collection 

Nails are a great place to wear neon colors. As huge fans of Deborah Lippmann, there are three key colors from her limited edition 80’s Rewind Collection that are the perfect way to embrace the neon beauty trend. Manic, a glossy bright purple; Don’t Stop Believing, a bold spin on a classic red; and She Drives Me Crazy, a high pigmented teal with an opaque finish.

mark-avon-neon-kisses-reviewMark Neon Kisses Sheer Lip Glosses

Lips are another great place to wear bright colors. While these lip gloss colors may seem a bit intimidating, they apply just the right amount of coloring – sheer like jelly shoes. Not only do they add the perfect tint of color, they’re soft unlike those sticky glosses you’re used to wearing.

neon-beauty-trend

Urban Decay 27/7 Glide-On Pencil 

These pencil eyeliner actually have a creamy finish that allows the liner to deliver high-pigmented color. Some of the neon colors in the collection are Chaos, a matte vibrant cobalt blue; Woodstock, a sparkling hot pink; and Freak, a bright bold green with a hint of shimmer.

5 Favorites

This Urban Decay Naked Illuminated, $29, is a whole lot of shimmer with a little bit of bronzer.  To say I'm obsessed is even underestimating how much I like it (and I'm not really into shimmer, glitter, sparkle...).  I like the way it looks dusted across my decolletage. I guarantee once you see it in person you're going to want it, too. Like what you see?  Read on because there's a few more things I'm coveting right now.

The Body Shop Honeymania Body Scrub, $ 20, is part of a whole collection that uses Community Fair Trade honey made from the nectar of thousands of wildflowers.  I'm a big fan of gentle body scrubs and this one's exfoliating beads are large and round so it's gentle on my skin.  Plus, it makes my shower smell like flowers!

Skinceuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector, $90, not only helps to rid hyperpigmentation and brown spots, but it's also proven to keep them away.  Formulated with a potent blend of ellagic acid, salicylic acid and yeast extract, it's comparable to, yet safer than hydroquinone.

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss, $3.99, smells like a fresh baked holiday cookie, but don't worry it doesn't taste like one.   The butter-like balm almost satisfies my cravings for sweets (is that all mental?) and keeps my lips soft and moisturized.

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, $8.99, has a plastic wing-tipped comb that really helps to divide my lashes as I swipe.  The curve in the brush and the bristles help to create that sexy, added lash look at the corners.  With my almond shaped eyes, it almost gives me cat eyes!

 

Holiday 'It' Kits: Bargain Beauty Buys for Everyone on Your Shopping List... Including Yourself!

One of the best parts about gifting your beauty junkie BFF during the holidays is the deals.    Since beauty companies are packaging their best sellers into giftables, they're being offered at discounted prices.  They're so irresistible that as selfish as it may sound, I highly recommend stocking up on your own beauty loot as you shop for others.   I rounded up some of the best beauty deals happening this season so you don't miss out.  You're welcome! Lorac Sweet Temptations Eye Shadow Collection, $36 ($304 value)

Inspired by a box of deluxe chocolates, Celebrity Makeup Artist, Carol Shaw created these four eye shadow palettes with rich pigments that are velvety to touch.  With names like: Indulge In White Chocolate (dramatic shades), Satisfying Toffee Crunch (natural shades), Tease Me Truffles (plum shades) and Tantalizing Dark Chocolate (bronze shades), the gift set makes a sweet treat for a chocolate lover or anyone who can use a boost to their cosmetic bag.  And seriously, who doesn't?

Marchesa Parfum D'Extase Gift Set, $75 (a $115 value)

Update your scent with this light, floral fragrance by Marchesa.  Feminine notes of freesia, jasmine and violet are layered over a musky finish to create a an intoxicating blend.  This gift set comes with a 1 oz. eau de parfum spray, roller ball and hair mist.

Fresh Sugar Addiction Mini Lip Collection, $48 (a $68 value) 

Appropriately named, I'm addicted to these tinted lip balms and would surely purchase them for myself if I didn't receive them at the press event.  Not only do these lip treatments help prevent and heal chapped lips, but five out of six in this package add a nice buildable tint.  My favorites are Rose and Berry.

Bliss The 'Bod' Squad Our Four Most 'Spa'-Pular Formulas For Body Set, $65 (a $115 value)

If you're a sucker for luxe body lotions and potions, then this set is worth indulging in.  Bliss packaged their four best sellers: Body Butter, Body Scrub, Hand Cream and Fat Girl Slim all for a fraction of the price.

Urban Decay Ocho Loco 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set, $58 (a $152 value)

Urban Decay liners are no joke.  They're super pigmented and glide on smoothly.  This set contains eight full sized pencils: four best sellers and four newbies exclusively created for holiday.

White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor Gift Set, $60 (a $120 value)

A celebrity fragrance that possesses the femininity and beauty of a classic icon.  Created by Elizabeth Taylor, the gift set includes a 3.3 oz. EDT Spray, 3.3 oz. Perfumed Body Cream, 3.3 oz. Gentle Moisturizing Body Wash and .5 oz. Frosted EDP.  All travel sized, which is a smart way to give someone a gift of perfume.  If they love it, they can purchase the full sized bottle at a later date.

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection, $34 (a $77 value)

This is the ultimate lash lovers kit.  I'm obsessed with this mascara and love that Lancome created a whole kit around it!  It comes with their Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, Artliner Precision Point EyeLiner in Noir and of course, 0.22 oz Hypnôse Star Mascara in Intense Black.  Everything you need to create an intense eye look.

Caudalie Indulgent Body Set, $28 (a $43 value)

Indulgent is the best word to describe Caudalie's creams.  I live for their foot cream and want this set!  It includes a full sized hand and nail cream and body butter.  Trust me on this, treat yourself.

Yves Saint Laurent 'La Laque Couture' Nail Lacquer Set, $60 (a $75 Value)

This value makes them $20 a polish!  Ladies, it's so worth it.  They're full sized lacquers in Rouge Pop Art (my fave), Rouge Dada and Fuschia Intemporal.  These polishes are covetable!   I'd even purchase this, keep one for myself and give one to two of my friends as a token on their gifts.

5 Celebrity Inspired Winter Beauty Trends, with Wendy Williams!

This was by far one of the most exciting segments I've done.  Picture this – It's 3pm on Friday afternoon right after Sandy.  I'm checking into a hotel room across the city to indulge in a shower and some heat and I received a call from a producer from the Wendy Williams Show. An hour before I went live the segment was finalized.  That's how it works (sometimes) in live TV.  I love my job.  As soon as I get a clip I'll post it, but here's a link to the information for now and a list of the products used after the jump.  Guys, I had my own green room!

 

A Shadow Palette Worth Buying, Yes, You'll Use Every Shade

If there's one eyeshadow palette you need it's the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette.  Last week when I received a mailing from the brand with all of their latest launches I anxiously focused on the palette and opened it to see what the upgrade was because their first Naked palette was a huge hit. Consisting of 12 shades ranging from neutral to black it encompasses eight metallic and four matte shades that help to make up that I believe every woman should have in her cosmetic case and yes, they're universally flattering.  Because of the range you can make your eyes look as natural or dramatic as you want.  The upgrade?  Five new shades mixed within and a double ended shadow brush.  The full size mirror is always a plus.

This one's to covet and going right in my makeup case!  You can find the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette at Sephora for $50.

Holiday Gift Guide: Urban Decay Holiday Nail Kit & Book of Shadows

Last week I received a box off all of Urban Decay's holiday offerings and felt like a kid in a candy store.  Before I knew it, my hand was colored in different shades from their shadow pencils, my other hands had five different shades of polish on it and I was plugged in learning how to use their newest version of the Book of Shadows.  If I was this excited, then I know any girl on your list would love something from Urban Decay this season. As soon as I looked at this year's edition of the Book of Shadows, $64 my eyes widened and I literally said, "Wow" out loud to myself.  It includes 16 of their best shadows, a primer (the best primer ever), mascara and liquid liner but the technology behind it is insane.  It comes with five downloadable how-to videos that you can scan into your iPhone or a camera with a web browser and a speaker. Very clever.

Another one of my favorites is the Holiday Nail Kit, $28.  It comes with six mini shades that are truly the perfect nail polish size.  Who uses a full bottle of nail polish anyway? The colors are dynamic and perfect for the season.  My favorite – Wrecked, a deep purple.

The Best Cyber Monday Beauty Deals

I'm all about scoring great deals this holiday season, but trust me I'm the last person you'll find waiting in those horrific lines on Black Friday.  I can't believe people still do that even though Cyber Monday exists.  Cyber Monday is the best thing ever created and here's a list of the best beauty deals that will be going on so log in and have your credit card ready! Tarte:  $10 off purchases of $50, $20 off purchases of $75, $30 off purchases of $100 or more - A free gift with purchase with every order (customers will get to choose 1 of 5 items) - Free shipping on orders of $40 & up - Code: CYBER

Butter London: 30% site wide discount until November 30th - Code: CELEBRATE11

Bliss: 20% off Bliss, Elemis and Laboratoire Remede products

Elizabeth Arden: 25% off - Free shipping on any order - Save up to 65% on skincare, makeup and fragrance gift sets - Code: BF2

Perfumania: 30% off the entire site - Code: CYBER30

Bobbi Brown: Free best seller gift trio with purchase - Free shipping until November 29th

Urban Decay: Their signature eye palette is on sale for $19 (originally $34)

Elizabeth Arden: Free 5 piece gift - Free shipping with any order of $35 - Code: BEAUTY35

Bloom.com: 40% back in the form of Bloom Dollars for future purchases - free gifts with every purchase - free shipping and free returns on orders over $49

Dr. Brandt: Slashed the prices on two of his most coveted items: Lineless Eye Cream from $69 to $29 and Flaws no more R3P Eye from $80 to $39

Ulta: Free shipping on orders of $25 or more - Code: HOLIDAYSHIP25

John Masters Organics: 25% off your order - Code: HOLIDAY11

Borghese: 25% off your order from 12pm to 4pm - Code: 25CYBER11 

Stila: Up to 80% off items until December 2nd

Lab Series: 25% off all products - Free shipping until December 2nd

Somme Institute: 40% off all skincare site wide

VMV Hypoallergenics: The site is offering 50% off select products including Glitz and Velvet Matte Lipsticks, Two True Hues Eyeshadow Duos, the SuperSkin Starts Here Kit, the entire Illuminants+ line and select Skintelligent Beauty Brushes

Lush: Spend $100 and get a free $10 Lush e-card and free ground shipping - Spend $120 and get a free $10 Lush e-gift card and free air shipping

 

Intern Review: The Perfect Mascara for Girls on the Go

If you're anything like me, you don't have thirty minutes every morning to devote to applying makeup and even less time to touch it up midday. However being the girly girl that I am, I find ways to make time, but I always forget to account for the extra time mascara takes. Let's get one thing straight, I have very short lashes. As in I can't even use an eyelash curler without curling my eyelid as well. So whenever I apply mascara, I have to apply at least three coats to make it look as though there is anything there. Of course with the three coats, comes the extra on the eyelids. My biggest pet peeve is a beautifully made up eye with mascara bits stuck on top of the eyeshadow. I've tried everything in the past from starting at the base of the eyelashes and wiggling the brush up to attempting to cover up the mess ups with more eyeshadow and nothing has worked. And I spent another fifteen minutes on my makeup.

Finally after testing several mascaras I found the perfect one! Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara. I have been a fan of Urban Decay for years (especially their Eyeshadow Primer Potion), but never tried their mascaras. I was intrigued by the curling mascara because of the brush. The brush is curved and shaped slightly like fake lashes. The formula boasts super conditioning ingredients such as glycoprotein for lash thickening, Moringa seeds for curling and Meadowfoam seed oil and she butter for moisturizing and smoothing.

At first I was wary of the mascara, assuming it would be just like every other one, but after testing it I was sold. It took a couple different techniques to learn how to use the mascara to the fullest, but I finally found the answer. Because the brush is shaped like the eyelashes it's coating, I simply hold the brush up to my eye and blink my eyelashes onto it. It covers the eyelashes without seeping onto the eyelid! Plus this technique ensures the ends of the lashes will get special attention making them appear longer than they are.

My favorite part about this mascara is that it literally takes one minute to perfectly apply. And it's long lasting so no touch ups needed!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Beauty Deals & Steals

This year I'm welcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday with open arms. Every beauty junkie waits for this time to stock up on her favorite must have products, and I got a sneak peak at some of the best beauty and style deals out there! Get ready to save on splurge-worthy products without breaking the bank. Starting Black Friday:

  • Urban Decay’s best-selling eye shadows, colored mascara, and glosses are only $6. Also make sure to check out chic nail polish sets and eyeshadow palettes for just $12!
  • Get  the perfect gift for any man at Anthony.com and enjoy a 20% discount off any purchase and with a purchase of $50 or more you can score a free Tool Kit + complimentary ground shipping.
  • Get perfect skin this season with Zeno, which uses heat to kill acne bacteria, unclog pores and prevention blemishes. Lucky for us, www.myzeno.com is offering 25% off the entire site and free shipping.
  • Stock up for the season with AHAVA and try the amazing Dead Sea Mineral-boosting line which is one of my favorites. If you spend $50 you will get 15% off and a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot cream with code GIVE15. Spend $100 and get 20% off plus a deluxe Hand/Body/Foot cream, and Exfoliating Washcloth, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use coupon code GIVE20. If you spend $200 you will get 30% off with a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream, and Exfoliating Washing, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use code GIVE30.
  • Lancome is having a great deal and if you blink you will miss it. It’s on their top mascaras! Each time you purchase a mascara you get a free gift too!
  • Elizabeth Arden is offering 25% off all makeup, skincare and fragrance (with free shipping of course!) on any order on www.elizabetharden.com.
  • Order all of your hair essentials from Lockandmane.com and receive 25% off by using code Friends at check out.

Starting Cyber Monday:

  • Stila is having an exclusive online sample sale. You won’t feel guilty because your favorite products are up to 80% off.
  • Beauty.com is saving the best deals till Cyber Monday with 20% off hair appliances, 40% off Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel, and even 80% off Laura Geller sets and palettes. Spend $50 and Beauty.com will give you a free Lela Rose tin packed with 24 amazing samples, and get this a $10 Beauty Gift Card! It’s like getting paid to shop!
  • Sally Beauty is offering 20% off all orders of only $25! Check out www.sallybeauty.com and get ready for lots of great deals!
  • Shop Elizabeth Arden and with any $65 purchase, you'll get a 31-piece Black Tote with a retail value of over $300! This bag is the ultimate makeup kit, it includes everything from blushes, to mascara, to glosses and more! Keep it for yourself or use it as the perfect gift for the beauty maven in your life. Use coupon code CYBER65 at check out to redeem this offer.
  • Lierac Paris is having a Friends & Family sale running through Fri. 12/3.  30% off all products atwww.lierac-usa.com Just enter code: FF2010.