Two of our favorite brands– beauty powerhouse Sephora and online fashion emporium Shopbop– have announced a partnership and we couldn’t be more excited. The Sephora Collection Palette Color Play 5-in-1 limited edition palette includes  5 different sets of colors based on different fashion icons, and is inspired by Shopbop’s “Faces of Fashion” editorial lookbook. From boho glam to smoky blacks, there is a look for every occasion, complete with eyeshadow, lip color, and blush. The palette is available at Sephora for just $30 (a $150 value), and check out the Shopbop lookbook for complete outfit inspiration.

Find more great beauty looks with our guides to the best eyeliners, mascaras, and eye shadows.

Hair:

Vena Cava Spring 2011

One of our favorite hairstyles was this updo from the Vena Cava show. Inspired by the ’70s Halston girl, hairstylist Ted Gibson created a textured ballerina bun and then crowned hair with a headband that was actually a scarf twisted around the models’ heads. The effect? An effortlessly chic look equal parts vintage and modern.

Create your own version of this style in minutes with by setting a bun in place with the help of Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hairspray ($19.95) and adding a Topshop Velvet Bow Turban ($20).

Derek Lam S/S 2011

Enviably sleek, straight hair–parted down the middle– drifted down the catwalk at several shows, like Derek Lam and Tracy Reese, and suddenly beachy waves seemed so 2010.

Straighten up and get Frederic Fekkai Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm ($25). Apply it to hair to make even wavy locks silky straight, even as it air dries. No flatiron required.

Makeup:

Venexiana S/S 2011 Backstage

Some of the spring runways saw the more typical (but still pretty) parade of pastel shades and bare skin, such as at Vivienne Tam and Donna Karan. But we fell for the collections that didn’t shy from color, like the wild eyes and shiny pink lips at Venexiana, where makeup artist Napoleon Perdis was inspired by glamour of Venetian courtesans. Perdis told us that spring will be all about satin skin, big lashes, and smokey lids with a metallic edge. Sign us up!

Get this spring evening look by dusting lined lids with Napoleon Perdis Loose Eye Dust #1 ($20), which lends a gold sheen that can be worn alone, or layered over another color to give it a metallic effect. Then, plump your lashes with a healthy dose of Mesmer-Eyes Mascara ($25).

Perdis capped models’ lips with pinks at both the Venexiana and Elise Overland shows, and you can get a similar look with NP Set Lipstick in Minneapolis Cream Pink ($15), a blush shade that screams spring and is office-appropriate to boot.

Marc Jacobs S/S 2011

We also loved the bold cherry lips that some of the models sported at Marc Jacobs. In fact, for us they almost stole the show. Maybe now we won’t have to get rid of those crimson lipsticks we bought for fall, after all…

Urban Decay Lipstick in Revolution ($22) will get you that very-red look, and can be blotted on for a more stained effect. The best part, though, might just be the attention-getting tube.  Finish off with a little bit (or a lot) of black liner– we like L’Oreal HIP Kohl Eyeliner ($13)–and you’ll look like you just stepped off the runways.

Nails:

Yoana Baraschi S/S 2011

It looks like bright reds will be back next spring, but for a fresh new way to wear the shade, we found inspiration at the Yoana Baraschi show. Models wore pale nails on their hands that contrasted with darker colors on feet– our favorite look featured sheer socks over bright red toes, with an effect simultaneously innocent and sexy.

Get the look with Dashing Diva’s New York Slice ($8), a universally flattering red that will look as good on toes and it will on hands. And if you’re bold enough to try it under sheer socks, we recommend Urban Outfitters’ too-cute UO Pointelle Sock ($8).

Charlotte Ronson S/S 2011 Backstage

At Charlotte Ronson, we swooned over the simple, sheer beige that models sported on both their hands and feet- a minimalist take on the season.

Pick up OPI’s always-classic Samoan Sand ($8), the same color that the models at Charlotte Ronson wore. And forget touch-ups, with a sheer color like this, you’ll never have to worry about chipping. Happy spring, ladies.

Want more beauty? Check out our guides to the best mascara, best skin care products, and the best dry hair repair.

Alice + Olivia’s Dazzleglass Creme lipgloss ($18) is the only product left. It comes in this bold “I.Want.Candy” yellow.

If you’d prefer a more traditional pink, Sparkalicious (above left) is a pretty, pale one. The gloss also comes in this bold If It’s Pink – the perfect party color.

For more great makeup finds, check out our guide to the best makeup and skin care products. Score yourself a flattering swimsuit with our swimwear guide; and don’t forget to check our top-recommended self-tanners to get the perfect golden glow to go with it.

Check what we have to say about other products in our beauty roadtests, then see our roundup of the best mascaras and best eyeshadows.

What: Stila Makeup Player, $70

Why: Inside this grown-up Kaboodle (it’s a really good size for travel – I’d stuff my lingerie in the bottom part, makeup in the top), you’ll find five Stila products in your shade, a mirror…and an mp3 dock.

It’s cool because:

1. You can play makeup lesson videos from Stila on your mp3 player (it works with iPhones, BlackBerrys, and others), which sits right in front of the mirror; look down at the lesson, look up at your face, expertly apply makeup, repeat.
2. Extra makeup lesson videos are free to download at StilaBeautyTube.com, starting November 1.
3. The built-in speakers that play your makeup lesson also play everything else on your device. Hello, traveling party.
4. Five products (lip gloss, eyeshadow trio, shadow brush, lip and cheek tint, and Stila’s new foundation) and iPod speakers for $70 is kind of a deal.

Get Yours: Pre-order at StilaBeautyTube.com – the site launches in full November 1.

Round out the products in your Makeup Player with our picks for the best mascaras, best eye creams, and best travel beauty items.

Why: Mom always said the best way to fake it when you’re not feeling it is with nice clothes and good makeup. She never clarified what “it” was, but I apply that advice whenever possible— especially when I’m tired.

For tired eyes, Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Glimmer is my secret weapon (along with concealer, of course). Sweep the shimmer-flecked powder over your entire lid and dab it on the inner corner of your eye. The color and shine will liven sleepy eyes, and before you know it, you’ll feel as good as you look.

Get Yours: sephora.com

Speaking of exhaustion, check out our post on how those hard-working runway models (yes, they work hard, at least during Fashion Week) keep their appearance fresh and annoying gorgeous.

What: MUD Cares Palette of Eye Color,
$25

Why: In an effort
to raise money for orphaned children in Africa
who have lost their parents due to the AIDS epidemic, NextAid has teamed up with Make-Up Designory (MUD) to create MUD Cares Palette of Eye Color. A pretty heavy issue, but a really great cause.  

This collection of four supersoft shadows
lends itself to tons and tons of different eye looks; the pale gold and pink shades
work well for daytime, and the darker moss and bronze colors can be blended
into the crease or used wet as eyeliner for an earth-toned smoky eye.  

The best part is knowing that 100% of the proceeds will be
going towards an amazing cause.  I can’t think of a better reason to shell out for some new makeup.       

Get Yours: mudshop.com

]]> http://www.shefinds.com/2009/we-cant-all-be-angelinabut-we-can-all-do-a-little-to-better-the-planet/feed/ 0 http://www.shefinds.com/2008/drugstore_find_essence_of_beauty_brushes_wont_shed_all_over_your_face/ http://www.shefinds.com/2008/drugstore_find_essence_of_beauty_brushes_wont_shed_all_over_your_face/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000 SheFindsShana http://shefinds.localhost?p=8499 Read more...]]> In every CVS, Essence of Beauty brushes are there. But, as with all bargain beauty brands (okay, as with all beauty brands, period), not every brush gives you bang for your buck. So, which should you buy and which should you skip? This handy primer will help you unearth the gems.

Buy: Crease Brush Duo ($5)
Why: The larger brush’s soft hairs give your shadow a smudgy, blended, and natural look in the crease. It’s also a perfect shape for use along the outer V. Use the smaller brush for more precise application around the inner corner of the eye.

Buy: Kabuki Brush ($10)
Why: This soft brush applies mineral makeup and all kinds of powder in a smooth, even fashion, and at $10 a pop, it’s much more affordable than its higher-end counterparts.

Skip: Synthetic Foundation & Powder Brush ($10)
Why: Although the bristles are good for applying liquid foundation, they shed. And there’s unfortunately nothing like brush hairs in your makeup for ruining your look.

And don’t forget to check circulars for your local drugstores – Essence of Beauty is a brand that’s often put on sale. Good news for your brush collection and good news for your wallet – what could be better?

What: ColorOn Instant Eye Shadow Kit, $30

Why: It’s not that ColorOn Professional’s basic concept isn’t good: the stick-on, peel-off eyeshadow aims to bring complex shading technique to the make-up challenged. For the average woman, though, its real-world application is disappointing.

Like early tanning lotions that left skin orange and monotone, the pre-fab shadowing job looks…well, fake. Firstly, ColorOn comes in only one shape and size. Its makers assert that the pad “fits comfortably onto most eyelids;” but I consider my eyes to be of average span, and it painted me just beyond where it stops looking good. Surely some women would end up with color in their eyebrows.

Also, the meticulous borders between colors and hard outline around the edge of the shadowed area create an odd, theatrical effect. Of course, this problem is reparable: with a little smudging, shading, and touching-up, a girl could surely get spectacular results. But then again, if you had make-up skills, why would you use instant eyeshadow?

That said, ColorOn is fun to play with, and I’ll bet the theater crowd and glittery club-goers love it. And even for the rest of us–especially the not-so-make-up-saavy–the product has great potential. Already it comes in a variety of shades that cater to all skin tones, so hopefully ColorOn will soon offer designs apt not only for women of all ethnicities but also for those with differing tastes.

What do you think? Would you use stick-on eye shadow?

If you love makeup but stick-on eyeshadow just isn’t your thing, check out the best mascara for your lashes, find new waterproof makeup, or discover a signature fragrance that’s just right.