The Perfect Blush?

Guest blog by Lois Arbogast

Every girl deserves a beauty product splurge every once in a while...and Chanel blush is definitely mine.

I don't usually spend $45 on make-up, but this is an exception. I love the quilted pattern on this blush and the little velvet bag it comes in. I know, I know. I'm a sucker for the luxury marketing scheme, but it's so worth it!

I've had mine for just more than eight months and I use it almost every day and still have a lot left. The colors they have are classic, so you can use them with everything.

Editor's note: This blush is perfect for getting the Ashley Greene look we described yesterday. Of course, if you have the Ultimate Blockbuster, the blushes in there work, too.

Laura Mercier Eye Pencil

Even though I'm a beauty product junkie, I don't wear much make-up. We all know I love my Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster, but it's not ideal for travel.

For travel, I throw in my teeny, tiny Ziploc bag, a Laura Mercier eye pencil in black violet. I like the black violet, instead of brown or black, because it highlights my hazel eyes differently than the more standard colors. I recommend trying it. Big fan.

Smoky Eyes

I love the look of smoky eyes, but I would never take the time to do it as the pros do it. I am not, after all, Keira Knightley. Plus if I spend more than three minutes on my make-up every day, there is something wrong.

I've found a way to create that smoky look without the time commitment.

1. Apply concealer or Benefit Eye Bright to your lash line and curl your eyelashes. I like the shu uemura 24k gold eyelash curler.

2. Using a tapered brow brush and your Ultimate Blockbuster, trace your upper lid with either gray or black. Do this dry, not wet. Then smudge the line with your finger.

3. Clean the brush (I use baby wipes) and press a gunmetal or silver shade into the lower lash line.

4. With a small eyeshadow brush, dab the same gunmetal or silver shade into the corners of your eyes.

5. Swipe a quick dab of powder on your upper eyelids so everything stays put.

This is where I stop if it's just for day. I apply two coats of mascara and then I'm done.

If I'm going out, I continue without the mascara (yet)...

6. Using a medium-sized domed brush, apply inky powder to the crease of your eye and then blend it downward.

Then I pile on the mascara and go with nude or nearly nude lips.

Sparkly Eyes

I've promised some of you that have the Ultimate Blockbuster (go get yourself one, already!) to provide lessons in applying make-up you wouldn't typically wear. The fun with the Ulimate Blockbuster is you can try all sorts of things without buying new make-up to try it. I'm serious. You will love it, even if you don't wear much make-up. I LOVE MINE (as if you couldn't tell).

So today's lesson...gold, sparkly eyes that work for both day and night. You might have seen this newest trend on Thandie Newton, Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, and Charlize Theron (and Gini Dietrich, if you work with me).


Step-by-step directions:
1. Outline your eyes either with concealer or Benefit Eye Bright and gently smudge in with your pinky.

2. Using a shadow brush (even the one that comes with eyeshadow will work), apply gold cream eyeshadow to your upper lids. Just a swipe; it's really just to hold the color so just apply enough that will be covered with eyeliner.

3. Take an angled brush and dip in water and then in brown eyeshadow. Draw a line on your upper lashes, just like you would with an eyeliner pencil. Then dab onto lower lids.

4. Using a soft eyeshadow brush, dab into gold, sparkly eyeshadow and place gently in the corners of your eyes.

5. Apply two coats of mascara.

Viola!

If you've never used wet eyeshadow as eyeliner, it may take a try or two, but it lasts longer and looks better than eyeliner.

Let me know how you do!

Happy! Happy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my BFF Beauty Bag friends!

Here's hoping you each received The Ultimate Blockbuster this year. If you didn't, take that Sephora gift card tomorrow and buy yourself one.

Trust me on this. You want this in your bathroom.

Happy! Happy!

Holiday Gifts

As you go out today to begin your holiday shopping, there is one gift you can't live without (and neither can your friends or family).

The Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster! It's $48 and it makes a great gift for any woman in your life. Pick up a few of these and your shopping is complete until next year (guys, hint hint).

It's 84 eyeshadow shades, five blushes, one powder, SIXTY lip glosses, one lip liner, and one eyeliner. It also comes with applicators, but you don't want to use them as they're not very good.

I use my tapered brow brush and apply shadow as if it's liner (sometimes I apply it wet and other times, if I'm lazy, dry). Depending on my mood, the day, and what I'm wearing, I could have smoky eyes, glowing, golden eyes, or make the blue in my hazel eyes pop out with either purple or blue shadow as liner.

It reminds me of the Elizabeth Arden make-up boxes my great Aunt LaVin bought me when I was a kid. Now I can play dress up every day!