Cream to Matte Formulas to Covet

Products that go on creamy and transform into a matte powdery finish are impressive. Here are some of our favorites.

Face: Revlon Photoready Insta-Fix

This is one of those products we never leave the house without and recommend to friends as we touch up on the subway.  The creamy texture goes on light for easy buildability. Once it hits your skin though, it feels like a powder covering up any redness in it's path.

Cheeks: MAC Cream Colour Base 

While actually a multi-purpose product, we love to use it in the color Luna along our cheekbones for a little highlighting action. This rich pigment, creamy texture and dry powder finish is a miracle in of itself.

Eyes: Giorgio Armani Eye Tint

When you first pull this brush out of the tube, you would not think this dries into a solid formula. Just wait until you apply it's smooth texture onto your lid and let it dry. You'll be in awe.

Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

This lipstick allows you to achieve the impossible. You can wear a matte solid lip in the winter without the flakiness that seems impossible to avoid. Since you can apply a soft liquid, your dry solid lip doesn't have the flaky effect that seem unavoidable with chapped winter lips.

Best in Show: Bronzers

It's finally beginning to look like spring in fact will come this year. How else would we celebrate, but by taking a peak into the best bronzers of the season. Thanks J. Lo for setting the bar so high.  Here are the ones you want to get your hands on in order to achieve that gorgeous glow.

Jouer Mattifying Bronzing Powder, $30  This powder gives you a gorgeous bronzy shade while hydrating the skin with Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract and Aloe Vera. And that's not even all it does. The mattifying effect diminishes unwanted shine to give you a clean bronzy glow.

Physicians Formula City Glow, $14.95  While the gorgeous design on the surface is what first catches your attention, the formula keeps it. It protects against environmental aggressors, therefore not only giving you the superficial look of healthy skin, but actively working to maintain skin health.

Mary Kay Bronzing Powder, $18 We've all been there when with one sweep of the brush, our bronzer goes on way too dark. Making it clear poorly applied bronzer is how you achieved your "natural-looking" tan. This powder has the perfect finish allowing for gradual buildability and keeps a smooth application over the surface of the skin.

Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Highlight Bronzer Duo, $12.99 This two-in-one bronzer/ blush duo gives you a beautiful natural sun-kissed look. With the perfect mix between the pinky blush and the luminous bronzer, you'll look like you absorbed the perfect amount of Vitamin D.

Diorskin Nude Air Tan Powder, $54  We're fans of this Diorskin line in general, so of course their bronzer had to make the cut for this round up. It's true to its name and such a light texture that it doesn't cake, allowing your skin to breathe.

Skincare That Works From the Inside Out

We're sure that when you think of treating your skin, slathering on serums, oils and lotions comes to mind. For us, too!  But there's more... complimenting these topicals with nutricosmetics may be the best move you can make for your skin. We talked to New York City Dermatologist, Doris Day, to get the scoop.

Use as a compliment, not a substitution  Supplements don'tt take place of your topical skincare. While topicals address external needs of your skin, supplements and nutricosmetics optimize internal needs like aging and inflammation. This creates what Day refers to as, " a synergistic skin care program."

Nutricosmetics People sometimes describe nutricosmetics as “supplements,” but unlike supplements, they are designed to have highly targeted benefits to the skin. So while there are nutricosmetic products to help treat acne and even out the skin tone, there are others to help hydrate the skin, target fine lines and wrinkles. "They can also be formulated to complement aesthetic treatments," Day explains.

The benefits "By treating the skin from the inside out, you are supporting the structure and function of the skin," Day explains. Therefore, the overall health of your skin (remember: the largest organ of you body) will improve due to supplements. Plus, any underlying skin issues you may not even be able to see yet, are best treated when using oral skincare.

What to look for Of course, like any other skincare, we recommend you speak to your dermatologist to find products that are clinically proven and formulated to target your specific issues.  Day suggests looking for omega-3’s, berry extracts, hyaluronic acid.  Also, as we are big SPF advocates at BeautySweetSpot, ingredients that help protect the skin from UV damage such as Heliocare, Lycopene, CoQ10 are also available in this supplement form.

Black is the New Black

Trends come and go. The same goes for all the different colors have been referred to as "the new black." But honestly, nothing will ever become the new black. So to honor our love (obsession?) with black here at BeautySweetSpot, we're showing you the best new beauty products that come in none other than our staple color, black.

Maybelline Color Show Back to Black, $3.99 There's nothing like a nice clean black nail to get you through a tough, glamorous work week. And now with Maybelline's new Back to Black collection, there's more than one option for that perfect black shade. Varying textures like Black Matte and Patent Black to the different effects of Black Dust and Smokey Black, you're sure to find your new favorite black nail.

Smashbox + Donald Robertson: Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner, $24 When you think of a rich pigment product, you typically think a bright color pigment like red or blue. Just imagine what a rich pigmented black looks like. We know, it's exciting. This flexible felt tip pen will provide with a deep dark clean black line in any shape or size your true heart desires.

Marc Jacobs Blacquer is Better Eye Defining Essentials, $32 This exclusive limited edition set of cult classics are a must. If the name isn't enough to convince you, maybe the price tag will. Containing a full size Magic Marc'er Precision Pen and smaller sized Highlighter Eye Crayon and O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara, you're set to create a gorgeous dark smoky eye.

Ciaté Double Lines eyeliner, $20 This ultra-black double sided liner gives you options in just one product. You can get a refined graphic liquid line with the Perfect Precision Tip, or you can go for a creamy smoky look with the soft Khol liner. Either choice you make, they're both bold, black and beautiful.

BareMinerals Lash Domination in Intense Black, $18 Of course a black product line up wouldn't be complete without an intense black mascara. So we chose BareMinerals new mascara in none other than Intense Black. You know how you're always told to twirl the wand as you go up the lashes to evenly coat them all? Well this twisted wand does that for you. Giving each and every angle of all your lashes a solid deep black coding.

Lipstick Shades We're Loving for Spring

A 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NYFW Trend Spotting: MAC's Texturized Eye Liner

Eye makeup can go one of two ways when it comes to the NYFW runways:  Natural and light ala Derek Lam SS2015, or at the opposite end of the spectrum – the eccentric and bold, such as Yadim’s neon eyeliner from Peter Som last season.  And while we love the natural beauty trend, bold makeup is just way more fun.  So what bold eye makeup trend have we spotted this season? Thanks to MAC, texturized eye liner.

Caviar Beads at Ohne Titel

Remember that caviar nail trend a few years ago? This technique was reincarnated by Kabuki for the Ohne Titel show on the models eyes. He mixed MAC’s pro Black Black and Pure White Chromacakes to create a custom grey color which he applied through the lower line of the eyebrow. Then, as an lower lid liner, he applied Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Quite Natural. Now, for the fun part. He glued on the caviar beads using none other than watered-down Elmer's glue due to it's easy removal.

Glitter at Tadashi Shoji

Another textured eyeliner look we saw was created by Pep Gay at Tadashi Shoji. He placed bright gold glitter along the top lash line using MAC Pro Gold Glitter, which he adhered using Duo Adhesive, which allowed him to repeat to gently build intensity.

Metallic at Zac Posen

Zac Posen's metallic eye was another intricate Kabuki creation. Beginning with a base, Bamboom Paint was applied all over the lid and crease. Then, each of the following were mixed with Prep + Prime Fix; MAC Pigments in either Copper Sparkle, Blue Brown, MAC Pro Silver, MAC Pro Gold and MAY Pro Heritage. This is what created the metallic cream that was applied all over the lid up to the crease.  To highlight, Copperplate eye shadow was blended through the outer corner of the eye. Finally, to define, Photogravure Technakohl liner was add to the lash line.

Backstage DKNY: A Conceptual Look

We’re back in the NYFW swing of things. Backstage at DKNY we talked to some of our favorite beauty veterans and got the scoop on the conceptual beauty look they created. From the cobweby hat-hair created by Eugene Soueliman to Yadim's quirky graphic eye. See how they created these memorable runway looks.

Textured Cobweby Hat Hair

“We’re doing a hairstyle that’s as if a hat has been on it and it’s squished down," explains lead Wella hairstylist, Souleiman. And the key to getting this sans hat? Tension, which he created by French braiding two sections of hair beginning behind the ear and bring it down the back of the hairline. Then, using the small end of the back of a comb, he pulled out a thin layer on both sides along the center part, brushed them until full of static, giving the cobweb texture. After spraying them with dry spray, the static hair hung as a veil over the sleeked down flat hair. To keep it pressed down while backstage, the girls wore bandanas while finishing up backstage.

Quirky DIY-Looking Graphic Eye 

“When I talked to the team they said they wanted something quirky and eccentric,” Maybelline lead make artist Yadim explains. Well, he nailed it with the imperfect non-straight line around the eye replicating a shape found on the fabric on a piece in the collection. “It was a bit of a flower print but you wouldn’t really know it because it’s so abstract,” he explained.

Interested in how he created this squiggly graphic eye? He drew the lines using Maybelline Master Precise and Master Graphic, meeting the top and bottom on the outside corner. "You can't make a mistake because it's done purposefully." To get the lines this perfectly imperfect, smear them out with a makeup wipe and then go around and cleaned it up with a dry Q-tip. It still will leave the squiggly effect without initially creating it on purpose.

"The Fast Pass" Mani 

Keeping with the conceptual, DIY theme, lead Essie manicurist Michel Saunders gave each model what she called "The Fast Pass," manicure. It's simply one swipe of nude-colored polish called "All Eyes On Nudes" down the center of the nail. Also looking as if the model quickyldid it herself. "Leaving a little bit of the sides out to show that it's ok to be imperfect," explains Saunders.

5 Styling Products No Short-Hair Girl Should be Without

When you decide to cut your hair short, you're deciding not to allow yourself the option of up-dos anymore, which means in order to create different looks, you need to get creative.  As a former long hair to short hair girl myself, I can tell you styling different ‘dos is tricky, but that’s where these products come in. Here are our favorite styling products for short hair.

Jonathan Product Dirt, $26

Calling on all pixie cut ladies out there, this texturizing paste separates hair with great control and hold. Not only does it allow you to control the texture of your hair, but it also provides a luxurious shiny finish.

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil, $69

Serums like this are important in any hair routine due to their nutrients and moisturizing benefits. But those of us with short hair can't risk the stringy effect some of these products provide. It can weigh down the style and hide those layers, angles and fringe that make short hairstyles so desirable. That’s why we love Shu Uemura’s serum so much. Its formula absorbs into hair so quickly that it does not allow for the oil to create lanky undesirable hair.

Toni & Guy Texturising Glue, $14.99

Providing similar results as Dirt, this texturising glue works best for those longer-short- haired-girls for separating layers and fringe. While it provides hold, it looks soft within the hair. Just rub it in your palms and message up through the ends of hair to make those gorgeous layers in your bob pop.

Living Proof Instant Texture Mist, $26

This product is great for girls with hair from chin-length bob to a lob and anywhere in between. It sprays lighter than other more powerful texturizing sprays dispense, allowing you to build to the desired amount of product. Not only does it separate hair to give you gorgeous tousled look, but it also adds volume. And major plus, it works on damp hair or dry, so you don’t have to worry about showering before using it.

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, $23.80

No one likes when the hairspray hardens in your hair. But us girls with shorter hair simply just don’t have enough hair to counter the hardening effects (actually, does anybody?). Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray makes it easy to brush through hair without frizzing and damaging hair. In fact, the infused argan oil makes it healthy for hair, especially during the dry winter months.

Bridal Hairstyles for Any Occasion

We saw all kinds of low buns on during Fall 2015 Bridal Fashion Week. While it may seem like a very simple, standard hairstyle, the runways proved that stereotype wrong. With small braids, sleek twists and knots, the intricate details of these low buns are appealing in so many ways.  Of course, you don't need to be a bride to rock these chic updos.  See one you like? We’ve got the bridal hairstyle how-to’s so you can recreate them at home for any affair.

Sleek Twisted Bun at Carolina Herrera

We absolutely love this twisted delicate bun seen on Carolina Herrera’s runway. If you want to recreate it’s clean details, stylist Stephanie Belly says it’s all about keeping the hair straight and slick.

1. Start by applying a heat protectant on dry hair from roots to ends and rough blow-dry into the hair.
2. Next, slick back the hair using a generous amount of Kerastase Forme Fatale before pulling it back into a ponytail in the middle back of the head.
3. Then, flat ironed the ponytail until it's completely straight and apply a shine serum to the end of the ponytail.
4. Finally, create loop details. To do so, wrap the hair around three fingers, place an elastic over the loop for support and smooth the ends as you wrap and pin around the hair tie as to hide it.

Braided Bun at Marchesa

This braided bun, created by hairstylist Akemi Tamaribuchi, has just the perfect bit of a peek-a-boo braid effect.

1. Start by dividing your hair into two sections at the top and bottom and clip the top.
2. Next, create a classic braid on a 2” section on the right side of the occipital bone and secure it with an elastic.
3. Add subtle texture using Kerastase VIP on the lengths of the remaining hair.
4. Divide the remaining hair into two sections to create a soft side part.
5. Tie the sections into two knots, creating a large chain-type knot and secure with bobby pins.
6. Finish off by wrapping and tucking the remaining lengths into the knot using pins.

Knotted Chignon at Monique Lhuilier

Nina Dimachki created one of the more simplistic low buns seen, at Monique Lhuilier.

1. Start by applying a mousse like Kerstase Mousse Bouffante  to the roots and Ciment Thérmique from mid-length through the ends onto clean dry hair.
2. After blowing dry hair away from the face, create a center part and gather hair at the nape of the neck and secure into a ponytail.
3. Next, curl the ends of the hair and lightly sprayed a hairspray for hold.
4. To finish it off, create a tight, slightly asymmetric knot, tucking in the accessible curls underneath and securing with bobby pins.

7 Holiday Stocking Stuffers Under $20

Who doesn’t love seeing all of the cute holiday beauty collections and packages while shopping through Sephora? It’s almost as vital a part of the season as eggnog and caroling. With so many to choose from we totally understand how you can end up at the check out counter with more products than you have girlfriends. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best stocking stuffers on the market all for under $20.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Travel Treats

One of L’Occitane’s most popular products is now compact into the perfect stocking size gift. And this deliciously smelling hand and foot cream is available at an affordable price of $20. Hard to beat, we know.

Tarte Ladies Who Lash Limited-Edition Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

We’re a little bit in love with this limited edition pearl-decorated eyelash curler and mascara set. Not only will it help achieve gorgeous lashes, but the pearl handle on the curler makes it so easy to find in your mess of a makeup bag.

Bite Beauty Mix n’ Mingle Lip Minis

Another limited-edition, these lip gloss minis come in 13 different colors, making it easy to give to anymore. Not to mention they make seriously cute ornament-packaged

Essie 2014 holiday kit

What a treat this five mini bottle set of Essie polishes make for any beauty-lover. Five colors include Butler Please, Bahama Mama, Smokin’ Hot, Mademoiselle, and a little extra pop with the glitter-filled Jazzy Jubilant polish.

Bliss Mistletoe Gems

A two for one deal is as good as it get with stocking stuffers. And this mini high intensity hand cream and fabulips lip balm set gives anyone just about all they’ll need to keep moisturized during the bitter cold months.

Philosophy Snow Angel Ornament

We love this amazing seasonal scent and now you can have it seasonal packaging too? Perfect. While it may be a smaller size, the good thing about this product is that you don’t need to use a lot of it. It’s all about quality with this gift.

Fresh Verbena Oval Soup

Give a great mini gift with this gorgeous soup that not only smells great with a green citrus scent but also feels amazing on your skin thanks to the shea butter. Plus how chic and luxurious do these look?

3 Makeup Tips we Learned from Georgia May Jagger

While talking with British model Georgia May Jagger at the Rimmel London Spring 2015 preview, we of course, knew she was going to be beautiful and charismatic, but it was a pleasant surprise to hear all the fantastic beauty tips she had. It was while talking about her beauty role models (Veronica Lake and Audrey Hepburn) and first makeup experience (Tinkerbell nail polish and Hello Kitty eye shadow) that Jagger also gave us some great insight on beauty tips and tricks she lives by. 

Take off your makeup

Think achieving model-perfect skin is difficult? Well according to Jagger, it’s not. It’s as simple as taking off your makeup before you go to bed, something we all fall guilty of skipping every now and again. “I know that it’s boring, but it’s one of the most important things I think you can do.” We have to say, we 100 percent agree with her.

Break the Rules

After explaining to us that her model mom, Jerry Hall, would just “show up to shoots with her makeup already done and they would just kind of pretend to do it,” she let us in on her favorite makeup tip she learned from her mom.

“I learned from her you can do a lip and an eye and a red lip in any situation and it doesn’t have to be tacky,” she explains. “I think there is a way to do everything so you don’t feel like your trapped.” Follow Jagger’s advice and go for that bold pink lip and metallic eye shadow. Just because they’re both bold doesn’t mean it won’t work.

Use Brow Mascara on Your Lashes

When showing off her favorite products from the new Rimmel London Spring 2015 collection, she even popped in a tip using the brow mascara in a way other than for grooming your brows. She suggested that after curling your lashes, apply the clear colored brow mascara to your eyelashes to separate and keep them from clumping.

Dying to give that last tip a try? The brow gel along with other new Rimmel products in the Spring 2015 collection will be available in January.

5 Lip Plumping Tricks

Who doesn't want full, plump lips?  Since Kylie Jenner may have a perfect pout, rumors sparked about lip injections, however the truth lies in makeup tricks. It's all about creating the illusion of bigger lips. With just a little makeup and use of lines and textures, you can make your lips look as full and voluptuous as the starlette.  Here are five tips:

Avoid dark colors

We love a plum lip color as much as the next person, but dark hue lipsticks make your lips look thinner and flatter. If you’re already self-conscious about having thin lips, you’ll want to avoid these deep hues.

Use A Dab of Gloss

Add just a little dab of high-shine gloss in the middle of your top and bottom lip. This draws attention to the plumpest part of your lip, making it the main focus. Using a color slightly darker than the color you’re wearing will deliver the best plumping effect.

Highlight the Cupid’s Bow

Using a nude or white pencil, draw a light “M” in the cupids bow and lightly blend. The light will reflect off this, making it seem deeper and more accentuated. This simple and easy trick makes a surprising difference on how full your lips look.

Create A Shadow

You can either take light brown eyeliner or a little bit of brown eye shadow onto an angle brush, and apply to the underside on the bottom of your bottom lip. This effect will make it actually look like you’re lips are creating a shadow underneath your lip.

Try the Right Products

You don’t need to have serious surgery, but it can go a little bit past illusions. Try using a lip plumper, which penetrates skin to support the natural collagen production while also providing a glossy finish to the lips. We particularly love this one by Laura Mercier, which comes in four gorgeous shades.

10 Minutes with Drew Barrymore

We had the pleasure of catching up with one of the most humble, intelligent and coolest woman around, Drew Barrymore. Celebrating her new fragrances over cocktails, when talking with her, you would never know you’re talking to an A-list celebrity who the world, has well known since she was seven. Following an awkward exchange of her asking if we met before, and me replying, “I don’t think so,” (of course we haven’t! I think I’d have remembered if I had met Drew Barrymore), we chatted about her perfect New York day, nostalgic scent and her must-have product.

Is there any scent that reveals a certain memory or emotion?

Yes, Night Blooming Jasmine. Over the course of hour after hour, you smell things and it is the most emotional amazing thing. You can smell something and your just like ‘oh I hate it,’ or you smell something and you burst into tears and it brings back a childhood memory. It seems like something that’s so lost and gone but then it’s as if it’s right there in front of you. And there was a Night Blooming Jasmine outside of our dingy duplex out in West Hollywood. But [when I smelled it] it was this moment of such beauty and nature it let me know there was good things in the world.

Do you remember your very first scent?

I have been patchouli girl my whole life. Like I am dirty hippie oil patchouli type. It was interesting to me to learn that so much patchouli is in so many of the most successful scents in the world. It’s a very common accord in the highest selling perfumes. I only like things that aren’t going to sell like old lady rose or hippie patchouli. I was told that patchouli was a great seller.  Then I tested all these patchoulis and I fell in love with one and he was like it’s the most expensive. And I was like well we can get it? He walk like, ok, we’ll get it. So that’s in sultry.

How does a woman go about finding her signature scent?

I would say it’s important to be honest with yourself. Don’t wear something because you think you’re supposed to be wearing it. But wear something that smells really truly good to you. And then don’t spray too much on.

I would also start with figuring out what your favorite flower is, and finding a fragrance that’s representative of that flower.

What’s one beauty product you’re never without?

Without missing a beat: “Aquaphor I get nervous when I don’t have my Aquaphor on me. I feel like my lips are just going to shrivel and go away forever. In a burning fire if I don’t have my Aqua 4.

 How would you spend your perfect NY day?

I would definitely go to a museum and there’s just so many, but definitely a museum a great museum. I would eat like a pastrami sandwich. I would go shopping somewhere in the like East Village at a boutique where I would never be able to get that stuff anywhere else. I would eat Chinese food. Although I did just get food poisoning from ordering Chinese. If you can get shrimp that fast, you just shouldn’t eat it. I really paid the price and learned the lesson. But I would still eat a lot of Chinese food. And then I would take a walk after dinner because you can here.

The three scents: Cherish, Radiant, and Sultry are available for $19.98 for 15 ml to $24.98 for 30ml at Walmart or on the FLOWER site.

Fall Beauty Products Better Than A Pumpkin Spice Latte

‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes, but this delicious flavoring doesn’t just have to be in your Starbucks coffee. To completely indulge in the seasons gorgeous scents, we’ve compiled some of our favorite fall beauty products that incorporate all kinds of flavors. From cranberry, to honey and pumpkin, here are our favorite fall flavored beauty products. Not only do they provide gorgeous scents, but they also are full of nutrients to improve your beauty health.

WEN Fall Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner 

This limited edition of cleansing conditioner combines not only pumpkin seed extract, but also vanilla with ginger root oil leaving you with a deliciously enticing smell. Not only does it smell amazing, but it has great benefits for your hair as a non-stripping cleanser that allows your hair to maintain their natural oils and moisture unlike many damaging shampoos.

Farmhouse Fresh Face Mask Pumpkin Puree

This face mask is blended with over 90% of ingredients from American farms. It will clean out your deepest pore and even out skin tones using natural and nutritious ingredients. Oh, and it smells like fall in a jar.

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel Autumn Spice 

A scented nail polish seems a bit questionable but the fragrance is so light, it gives just the perfect hint to your senses. Plus it delivers a gorgeous shiny brunette color that is a perfect color to rock during the fall season.

Epicuren Pumpkin Apple Spice Peel

This incredibly beneficial formula contains a combination of pumpkin enzymes, which has Vitamin A, and Malic Acid, which is derived from apples, creating a dual action peel. It not only dissolves dead skin cells, but also protects against free radical damages, leaving you with smoother, tighter skin. All thanks to typical fall seasonal staples.

Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter

We just love this fruity duo of the cranberry seeds and pomegranate oils blended in this body lotion. These combined with hydrating Cocoa and Jojoba butters give your skin a seriously silky smooth finish and smells yummy.

The Exact Makeup Used on Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron was spotted rocking a gorgeous dramatic smoky eye at last week’s UNICEF Masquerade Ball. Makeup artist Georgie Eisdell smoked them up so they would pierce through her mask she wore later in the night. He called it, “a little Halloween magic and a cool sexy vibe.”  Loving this look as much as we are? You’re in luck because we got the in on how Eisdell created it so you can bring on the drama when it comes to your eye makeup next weekend.

In order to make the eyes pop, you want to even out skin tone for a solid canvas to work with. Eisdell used Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick to do so. Then, to set the base and give the perfect skin finish, she powdered with La Mer The Powder and used Chanel Poudre Illuminating Powder on her cheek bones for an added glow.

On the apples of Agron’s cheeks, she used Laura Mercier Cheek Color in Spiced Cider and Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Medium for an all over bronze.

Next, the focal point, her piercing eyes. He started by using MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Cinderfella on the lid up to the crease of the eye, dampening his brush to intensify the color. Then, she went over top of that with MAC Illusion d'ombre in Mirifique to add the sparkle effect. Next, she lined the eye and inner rim with black Bobbi Brown Gel Liner. Then, on the bottom inner corner of the eye, she popped a little of Chanel Illusion d'ombre in Fantasme to really open the eyes up and make them shine.  To top it off, she applied two layers of Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Mascara in Black and individual lashes for added length and depth.

To finish off the whole look, Eisdell used one of her favorite nudes, Laura Mercier Lip Pot in Shy Pink.

How to Embrace the Neon Beauty Trend

Neon 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.

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 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.

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 Benefits of Beauty Oil

We here at BeautySweetSpot cannot live without our favorite beauty oils (hello, Rodin Olio Lusso). They provide us with so many health and beauty benefits, but the best part is that just one small drop can get the job done, and the job done well.  Here are just five reasons you need to keep oil in your vanity in order to survive the dry winter months.

1. Lock in Moisture

Not only does beauty oil provide you with super soft skin, but they actually lock moisture in to provide longer all-day nourishment. You can mix it into your moisturizer or apply it as is after a warm shower and you’re skin will seriously thank you this winter.

2. Prep Your Lips

Oil is a key ingredient in a lot of DIY beauty recipes. Mix a little brown sugar in some olive oil and use it as an exfoliating lip balm. You’re lips will benefit from the exfoliating and moisturizing aspects of this recipe and it's great to do as prep before putting on your lipstick.

3. Remove Makeup

Run out of eye makeup remover?  Oil can break down your eye makeup while remaining gentle enough to keep from irritating your eyes.

4. Prevent Ingrowns

Using beauty oil before shaving preps the skin for a clean, smooth shave while moisturizing. This will leave your skin post-shave feeling sleek and refreshed.

5. Strengthen and Condition Your Hair

Beauty oils aren’t just for your skin. They can also seriously strengthen and condition your hair. Just apply a small drop to your palms and rub them through the ends of your hair. Once you apply, the hair absorbs it all in so there’s no need to continue packing it on.

Of course, we understand that you might be hesitant about applying oil directly to your face or in your hair as it sounds like it would do more damage then good. But trust us on this one, we wouldn't steer you wrong.  Check out this post for some oil suggestions.

7 Q-tip Beauty Hacks

The Q-tip is actually a surprisingly overlooked essential when it comes to your beauty regimen. There are so many little hacks involving Q-tips from perfume touch ups throughout the day, to perfectly smudging out eyeliner, to cleaning up makeup mistakes. We have seven creative, life-changing ways to use a Q-tip in your beauty routine. After this, you'll never want to be without a Q-Tip in your beauty bag.

1. Prevent bleeding lipstick: A bold lip can be completely ruined by bleeding over the lip line. While typically a lip liner can prevent this, liner isn’t for everyone. A more subtle way to create a barrier is to dip a Q-tip in translucent powder and run it along the outside of your lips.

2. Clean up manis: If you just dip a Q-tip into some nail polish remover, rub it along the outside of your nail to clean up any excess polish. A god technique to keep lines clean and polish from spreading along the skin is to turn the Q-tip inward.

3. Smudge out a smoky eye: If you’re a little unsure on how to create a gorgeous smoky eye, Q-tips can actually make it a lot easier. After placing the primer, take the color you want to smoke out with onto the Q-tip and smudge out. The cotton texture makes for a great smoky effect.

4. Touch up Perfume:  It’s such a shame when your favorite fragrance doesn’t last necessarily as long throughout the day as you’d like. You can touch up the scent without luging around the entire perfume bottle now. Just spray your perfume on the Q-tips’ end and seal them in a Ziplock bag. When you feel you need a touch up, just rub them along your wrists and behind your ears.

5. Clean up eye makeup mistakes: It’s one of the most upsetting feelings when you see those black mascara or eyeliner smudges on your perfectly blended eye shadow. You don’t want to start over, but you need to rid of these black spots. A Q-tip allows for a more focused, precise removal with just a dab of water or concealer.

6. Plump up eyelashes: If your mascara isn’t giving you the fullness on each lash you desire, after applying the first layer of mascara, take a bit of baby powder on a Q-tip and rub along the underside of your lashes before applying the second layer. It will thicken each lash for more volumized eyelashes.

7. Place highlighter: Highlighting underneath your brow takes precision to emphasize a gorgeous arch. Sometimes your fingers just can’t get the arch your craving. A Q-tip will allow you to push up under the brow for a precise highlight and thus gorgeous arch to your brow.

Behind the Scenes in A Cosmetic Lab

Last week, I had the honor of touring Nu World Beauty’s factory, a cosmetic lab in New Jersey.  I felt like I was Charlie and I had won the golden ticket to the chocolate factory, except instead of chocolate, it was makeup; so way better. It was such a unique, eye opening experience and I just couldn’t wait to share my insider access with you BeautySweetSpot readers.

We were invited to the factory through the cosmetic company Hard Candy to celebrate their new fall launch. But we not only got to see the creation of Hard Candy products, but also other Nu World Beauty brands such as MAC, Victoria Secret, Benefit, and many more they manufacturer.

We were guided through different rooms on the floor, each room with a different task focus. The first place we explored was a small room where they were pressing powders into blush pallets. Through a window, we watched the machine go up and down as the pallets moved through on the conveyor belt.

Next, we went into the largest room we saw on the tour. It was filled with multiple assembly lines, conveyor belts and persons manning the machines. From lipsticks to primers to eyeliners, handfuls of different products and brands were being shifted along the lines. It was perfectly organized mayhem and beauty junkie would fawn over.

At one station in the cosmetic lab, workers were filling up moldings for lipsticks and then shaving off the tops before being placed in to their tubes. Once they were in the tubes, women were hand placing the bullet tops onto the lipsticks before capping them off and sending them to the end for packaging.The next room we went to held a very potent smell due to the flavored lipgloss being stirred in a giant container you needed a ladder to even to the top of it. Next to the giant chamber was a machine that was pressing the wax for lipstick. This was the part of the process where the wax was pressed to create the perfect color pigment before being heated and mixed.

We then moved through the storage area where ingredients were packaged in giant plastic bags with the perfect measurements for products ready to follow a recipe to its creation. It was a very Walter White moment for many of us. Then, we moved through the flammable section of storage into the nail polish creation area. With skinny long belts along the room, one special nail polish brand specifically had a curtain between their line and the rest of them for more privacy.

Our last stop on the tour was the chemistry lab where the colors and fragrances are researched to find the perfect combinations for the perfect products. Men and women in lab coats were measuring out glitters, and powders in all types of beakers and test tubes. You forget how scientific makeup and beauty products really are until you take a deeper look in to its creation.

A whole new level of respect is earned for the beauty industry when you step behind the scenes into a cosmetic lab and see the products that make up the industry created from scratch.

3 Tips to Tame Flyaways

Flyaways may just be little baby hairs, but they can be a big pain in the you know what. They can completely ruin the sleek look you’ve been working for hours to achieve. Frustrating, we know. Luckily, using just three of simple but effective techniques, we can make sure those baby hairs will never pop out of your desired sleek hairstyle. Try these tips and we promise that frustration you feel for your little baby hairs will go away just as quickly as the flyaways.

1. Hairspray on a toothbrush

Take a brand new toothbrush, spray a little bit of hairspray on the bristles and lightly brush over any areas with flyaways. The toothbrush doesn't disrupt the hairstyle, but it is tough enough to force the baby hairs down. This is also a great way to use the hold of hairspray without applying too much and getting that crusty look we all try to avoid.

 2. Dryer sheets

Tested and approved. This little hack is such a unique trick for taming those pesky baby hairs. Just take a single dryer sheet and gentle rub it over your hair. This will eliminate the static that causes those hairs to come up. You can also rub them on the brushes and combs to eliminate static pre-use.

 3. Lotion on your hands

You obviously do not want to apply straight lotion to your hair because, gross. But it you lotion your hands like you would normally do then run them through your hair. It will provide the hair with some moisture without over doing it. This works best for down hairstyles.