Still needing to get someone special their Christmas gift? Check out these picks that you can buy for a friend and one for yourself:

1. Korres Naturally Defined Eyes ($25)
2. Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy ($28)
3. Juice Beauty Organics To Go ($29)
4. Color Play Palette II ($24)

How To

Wanting the perfect smokey eye for New Year’s Eve without going overboard? Get the ultimate tutorial here, from Marie Claire:

“1. Apply a cream concealer over your eyelid to create a smooth base for your eyeshadow.
2. Use a pencil liner (black or gray looks best) to trace your top lashline from the inner corner to the outer. Then, use the same pencil to dot between your lower lashes. Smudge both lashlines with a cotton swab or an eyeliner brush.
3. Sweep powder shadow (brown, gray and dark green all work with black or gray liner) over your lid and into your crease, blending the color up and outward, says New York City makeup artist Morgen Schick DeMann.
4. Dust a lighter, neutral eyeshadow (such as ivory) over just your browbone.
5. Finish with two coats of black mascara.”

Makeup Artist Key Kabuki, for MAC Cosmetics created perfect skin. It’s that jet-setter healthy skin look, he said, who was inspired by Duran Duran’s period – when it was chic to travel the world. Create the look on your own. Concealer where needed paired with a mineral skin finish. MAC’s Spirit lipstick in a natural beige.

– Michelle Edgar,WWD.com

Yesterday, I walked into a SEPHORA store with a girlfriend of mine, “Divide and Conquer!” We were like kids in a candy store. She ran for the lipsticks. I starting touching and feeling every concealer I could find. ( I liked  the 5 Camoflauge Cream Pallette ($36) from MAKE UP FOR EVER. As my friend Lisa stood in front of the Stila Lip Glosses, testing several, I thought, “Wow! There is so much to choose from! How could anyone be expected to  to make a decision? I’m a Makeup Artist and I can’t even decide what to buy first!”  Suddenly, I was distracted again when I saw Sephora’s Vintage Brush Set. ($38)  If you tuck a gift certificate inside this retro 70’s brush kit, you’ve got a nice little present for someone special. Make sure to make a mental note of that next time I’m searching for the perfect gift for one of my friends. But, back to brands of makeup.

I like Sephora because the sales girls don’t work for just one line. They are knowledgeable about all of the lines. And there are so many great cosmetic lines out there! Some of my favorite items at Sephora are Shu Uerma’s  eyelash curler ( $18). NARS has some incredible blushes and bronzers. Orgasm Blush ( $25 ) is one of my favorites.This peachy pink blush is always in my kit! Anastasia’s Brow Ex-press ($38) is a must have you want to maintain those Hollywood eyebrows.

And, let’s not forget the men in our lives. N.V. Perricone, MD. line has an Alpha Lipoic Acid Face Firming Activator for $100 and ZIRH Skin Nutrition basic skin kit is only $59.  Available at your local Sephora stores or www.sephora.com.

Shopping at SEPHORA can be a mind boggling event, but just remember…it’s only makeup and it does wash off.

Make it a Beautiful Day,

Tamara

You may have read about it in a magazine or heard about the technique from a friend. Let me explain what Eyelash extensions actually are. They are tiny individual synthetic lashes that are attached to your own lashes. The process takes about an hour to two hours and lasts for several weeks. You will need to have a “fill” every two to three weeks depending on how you care for the lashes. I have heard people say that the lashes last up to several months. Sure, some may stay attached for four to six weeks, but the lashes fall out as your natural lashes shed. (You’d be surprised to know that you lose about four lashes each day, and if one of the lash extensions is attached to your shedding lash, say good-bye.) You won’t lose your eyelashes because of the process, but you need to go to a qualified technician that knows what they are doing! Don’t look for a deal. The prices range from about $200 for the initial application to $500 depending on where you get it done. More expensive is not necessarily better. Ask for referrals. Fills are about $50.

There is also the also the traditional semi-permanent eyelashes that last anywhere from 3 days to a week, depending on how you take care of them. They are much safer and you can get a lot of bang for your buck! Semi-permanent lashes start about about $50 for an application. They are great for red-carpet events, weddings, and special events.