I hate it when airlines lose my baggage on those exact trips where I need to hit the ground running. This happened to me recently and there was no time for me to wait for my luggage to arrive before I needed to be somewhere looking good.

I always travel with at least one outfit in my carry-on, so I was covered there, and usually I have my famous 5 Minute Face Ziploc baggie of beauty handy, but this, of course, was the one and only time I checked it through. Of course! The only thing I had in my purse was my travel size moisturizer.

Thank God for drugstores and the fabulous beauty departments they have now. If you need to shop quickly and cheaply and don’t want to waste money on a bunch of products, go for multi-purpose buys that will get you looking gorgeous when you are in a bind. It will be a no-fuss look and bring out your natural beauty at the same time.

A box of Q-Tips is the first thing you should pick up because they can be used to replace your makeup brushes for application, touch-ups and erasing mistakes. This will run you around $1.20.

Now pick up a foundation for a flawless complexion. Drugstore foundations are better than ever due to advanced high-end formulations. A great two-in-one tip is that after you apply the foundation with your fingers, take a Q-Tip and pick up that little bit that gets left over on the nozzle and dab it on trouble spots to conceal. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Your Skin Makeup is the best foundation there is and it only costs $12.99!

Next buy a translucent powder compact that will control your shine and give you a little mirror so you can see what you are doing. Don’t powder the tops of your cheekbones or under the brow so you will get a little shine in those areas and it will look naturally highlighted. Jane Oil-Free Powder is only $3.69 and will definitely do the trick.

Buy a cream blush in a nice bright shade that can double as a blush and a lip color. This will keep your cost down and give you a burst of color for a fresh-looking face. I love the E.L.F. All Over Stick in Pink Lemonade and at $1.49 you can’t lose.

Last is black mascara, which will give your eyes all the definition they really need. Go for a low cost version like Rimmel Extra Super Lash for $3.49.

All of this will only cost you around $22.86, which is the cost of one expensive lipstick. So don’t fret when you’re stuck in a jam, just run out to your local drugstore and pick up these basics. You will look fabulous!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

This is not a public activity

I don’t know about you, but I was always taught that a woman never pulls out her compact to touch up her makeup when she is sitting at a table in a restaurant. I know manners have gotten really relaxed over the years but I still find this to be a bit rude and tacky and I am seeing it being done more and more.

Even in the finest of restaurants women just don’t seam to care. My grandmother always taught me there should be a mystery to a woman’s beauty and sitting in a restaurant staring into a mirror while slopping on gloss just looks wrong.

Now I know my grandmother was incredibly etiquette-conscious but this is one rule I think we should still abide by. Take a moment to excuse yourself from the table and visit the ladies room for any freshening up that needs to be done. You can reapply lipstick, powder your nose or check to see if there is any spinach stuck in your teeth in private. Then you can confidently walk back out to the table looking ravishing and nobody is the wiser.

If you are totally stuck in a very heavy conversation at dinner and can’t get away only to feel your lips drying severely at every passing moment try my sneaky lip trick:

Casually open up your purse under the table and discreetly pull your lipstick or gloss from the bag. Open it up (still while under the table) and put the color on the tip of your pointer finger. Subtly bring your hand up and rest it on your chin with your finger touching the lips, all the while acting as if you could not be more interested in what is being said. Sneakily slide your finger across the lips. You’ve just reapplied your lip color without anyone ever knowing! Now that’s classy!

So I was at the gym yesterday when I looked over to my huffing and puffing neighbor on the treadmill next to me and was stunned that this woman was sweating up a storm in a full face of makeup. I mean like going to a dinner party makeup. I understand that a lot of us don’t want people to see us with absolutely no makeup on at the gym, but you don’t need to go that far. It just looked wrong.

Gyms have become quite the social scene, from seeing co-workers to meeting men. The problem here is that at the end of the day, you still need to get hot and sweaty during your workout and wearing a lot of makeup can just clog your pores, run down your face and make you look like you are trying way too hard.

Instead of heavy foundation, try using a light layer of tinted moisturizer for coverage. I like Lorac ProtecTINT SPF 30 Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. It gives you a little coverage, sun protection and facial moisture all in one. A spot of under eye concealer under the eyes will eliminate any darkness there.

Don’t bother powdering your skin because you will just get sweaty anyway and a lot of heavy powder can look chalky. Skip blush as well because you will probably work yourself into a natural flush and the sheerness of the tinted moisturizer will allow it to show through.

Do apply a little cream highlighter under the brows and on the inner corners of the eyes for a little sparkle. Use Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Natural Highlighter Duo. A quick slick of waterproof chocolate brown eyeliner pencil along the upper lash line, followed by a quick sweep of tube mascara that won’t run or smudge, like Blinc Kiss Me Mascara, finishes you off.

Stay away from gloss or lipstick at the gym, which will look overdone and opt for a slightly tinted lip balm for a hint of color and lots of moisture.

Now you can go train like a Navy Seal and still look good while doing it!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

I love the sheerness of a cream shadow. The watercolor effect of a moist sweep of creamy shadow always looks good on eyelids and the soft colorful shades represent youth eternal.

Spring is a great time for these formulas because it is not hot or humid yet so the shadow will stay in place. In the summer the severe heat can cause major creasing or running so now is the time to play with them.

The best way to apply a cream shadow is to lightly swipe it across the lid with your fingertip. I find using a brush delivers too much product and it can look a bit heavy. Lightly dab your ring finger into the cream then glide it over your lid avoiding the crease. By leaving the crease cream-free and using a neutral powder shadow instead you’ll never get those crease-y and greasy looking lids. You can dab a cream highlight under the brows and on the inner corners.

If you are under 40 you can play with shimmering shades and even try the matte shades for smooth looking lids. I like to pair this simple look with black mascara and no eyeliner so you really see the softness of the color and not loads of makeup. Try shades of sage, lilac, blue and champagne for a pretty, soft, romantic look that works on every woman.

Apply soft petal shades of blush and lip for a good balance. It is a perfect face for a brunch with the girls, a daytime date, a family gathering or a BBQ on the weekends. Go for softer pastels if you have light skin, true colors for medium skin and for darker skin try the bolder stronger shades of color.

Some of my favorite cream eye shadow shades are: Nars Cream Shadow in Lido, Elf Duo Eyeshadow Cream in Blueberry, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow Liner in RSVP, Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Sunlit Palm and Rimmel Underground Stir It Up Cream Shadow in As If.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Plane beauty

I fly a lot, so I understand that if you’re not careful, those stuffy cabins can really do a number on your complexion. If you want to keep your skin feeling good while flying and looking fresh and beautiful when you land, I have a few simple tricks that can help.

Bring your favorite moisturizer. Before leaving the airport, prep your skin with a healthy dose of moisturizer, then put a sample size version in your Ziploc travel bag. Also pack a small can of Evian spray to spritz on every hour or so in flight. I usually apply another coat of moisturizer while flying and keep my lips hydrated with a good lip balm.

Skip makeup. A full face of makeup can exacerbate flight-induced dryness or breakouts and will inevitable smudge (especially if you fall asleep). So go bare-faced when you board. Right before landing, sneak off to the bathroom and and apply a quick and easy five-minute face.

Pack a five-minute face kit. It should include all the essentials: Liquid foundation, brightening concealer, cream highlighter, eyeliner, mascara, cream blush, translucent powder and lipcolor.

First, sweep on liquid foundation with a non-latex sponge. Next, dab on a little brightening concealer under the eyes. Now apply a cream highlighter to the tops of cheekbones, under the brows and on the inner corners of the eyes.

Line the upper lash line with a slight smudge of eyeliner, then apply one coat of mascara to top lashes only. Go for small travel size mascaras like Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Lift and Define Mascara. A dab of rosy cream blush on the apples of the cheeks and a light dusting of translucent powder along the T-zone will finish off your skin. Apply your favorite lip color and you’re done.

When you arrive to your destination you’ll look fresh as a daisy and your skin will be radiant!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Break out your inner material girl

This season we are seeing an 80′s flashback, which is making some of us cringe with memories of our old “Frankie Says Relax” t-shirts! A neon blast from the past is being seen on everything from shoes and dresses to lipstick and eyeliner. Is it really is possible to play with this trend in makeup?

Believe it or not, YES, and can actually be pretty chic.

The way to go is to play up ONLY one feature using a sheer formula. For lips, try a slick of hot pink gloss like Mac Hello Kitty Lipglass in Nice Kitty.

Balance the rest of the face with a little bronzer and black mascara and you’re ready for a hot night out.

Eyeliner in bright shades is all the rage too. Pair a turquoise blue or purple with a neutral cheek and lip. You can get away with it in the evening, but skip theses bright eyes for your daytime look. To make the liner effect look translucent and soft, sweep a thin line of bold powder shadow along the lash line with an angle brush. This will look much more mellow than using a heavier opaque pencil or liquid. Max Factor does some fun shades like their MAXeye Shadows in African Violet or Metalicious.

The best no-fail way to wear electric colors is on the toes. A crazy fuschia or screaming yellow pedicure with a great sandal is a fun way to be trendy and cute and the same time without looking like a total trend victim. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Lightening Cream or Flashy Fuschia Frost will look great this season but keep the manicure natural.

Girlfriends are the most precious beauty tool you have so let’s all help each other stay gorgeous!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Think this, but with makeup

How often do you really clean out your own makeup bag? Are there broken shadows, crusty old mascaras and half used lip colors you never wear rattling around? What about your brushes? Are they caked and coated with layers of makeup? If so, it’s time for a little spring cleaning! Pull out your makeup bag and let’s tiddy up ladies!

It’s kind of gross if you think about all the bacteria breeding in your bag when you don’t take the time to organize and sanitize.

Start off by following the “when to toss” rules.

Most foundation, concealer, powder, eye shadow and cream blush are good for about 1 year.

Lipstick and eyeliner pencils can last for around 2 years, but honestly if you haven’t used them in the last year, get rid of them.

Liquid eyeliners and mascaras are only good for about 3-6 months so make sure to replace these regularly to avoid getting a nasty eye infection.

If you have a favorite eye shadow that has broken, salvage it by crushing it up and putting it into a little clear container you can buy at The Container Store. Voila, a new loose shadow.

Brushes should be cleaned every few days. I know you’re thinking what a pain!. But really, if you let the makeup build up on your brushes, the bristles are going to break down faster, your makeup will look muddy and blending will become harder. Dirty brushes can also cause breakouts because all the oils from your skin stick to the bristles.

The quickest and easiest way to clean your brushes is to buy a little instant brush cleaner. My favorite is by Cinema Secrets because not only will it kill all the bad bacteria but your brushes will smell yummy like vanilla when they are dry. Keeping a bottle of this fast drying liquid handy will ensure you
always clean your brushes and your makeup will always look fresh
flawless.

You should also toss cosmetic sponges after about 2-3 uses.

Finally, remember to wipe out the inside of the bag with a disinfectant wipe before putting all your shiny new cleaned-up cargo back in.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

With Earth Day approaching (April 22!), we should all stop and think about how we are giving back to our wonderful planet. If shopping is what you do best, then make sure your purchases really matter. In the beauty world there are some great new products I’ve discovered that really make a difference.

The Glowology Believe Honey Bar is a yummy smelling body soap and 100% of it’s profits are donated to Noodle & Boo’s Raise Your Hand Campaign. As you cleanse your body you are actually helping to purify water for children in Africa.

When it comes time to makeup remover, you can help save the polar bears. Josie Maran’s Bear Naked Wipes are gentle cleansing wipes and 100% of the profits is donated to help protect endangered animals. They are also biodegradable, so you’ll be clean and conscious, how great is that? Go to Polarbearsos.org

Mass brands like Curel have gotten in on the action as well. When you purchase a limited edition of their Continuous Comfort Original Formula Lotion you can learn about their partnership with the American Red Cross helping people after natural disasters all over the globe. They are donating $250,000 and you can help too by visiting their site.

Smashbox Cosmetics is introducing their Mother Earth Palette, which is a made from all completely organic material housed in a recyclable compact made from sustainable materials and printed with eco-friendly ink. They are not messing around! The palette contains four eye shadows and a blush and with each purchase a tree will be planted by Trees For The Future.

So you see when beauty companies are making it this easy to look good and do the right thing how can you not!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

With spring break, vacations and warmer weather going on right now, a lot of us are heading to the beach to get a little fun in the sun after a long dreary winter. A recent trip to Miami had me a bit dumbfounded at the makeup choices I was seeing on the sand. There is definitely makeup you should not wear at la playa and some gals are not getting it.

First and foremost, a full face of foundation is not okay in the sun. It looks heavy and artificial and you can’t reapply sunscreen over it. Better to apply a tinted moisturizer with a high SPF if you want a hint coverage but still look like you aren’t wearing anything at all. This way you will stay protected as well. Go for Lorac ProtecTINT SPF 30 Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer.

Eye shadow and eye liners don’t make the cut at the beach either. Keep eyes simple and clean looking. Make sure your brows are plucked and groomed because the bright sunlight will show every stray. Just slick on some waterproof mascara so you can have a fabulous frame to your eyes that won’t run down your face if you decide to go for a swim.

For lips, I prefer to see women wearing tinted lip balms instead of heavy lipstick that looks oh so wrong and overdone. Make sure you choose balms that contain SPF too so your lips won’t get burnt. Neutrogena Moisture Shine Tinted Lip Balm SPF 20 has a higher level of protection and feels soothing when applied.

Lastly, stay away from dark nail polish on hands and feet. Although bold dark polish is a big trend right now, seeing it on the beach looks gothic and scary. Stick with naturals or brights that look great with bronzed skin. Artificially bronzed that is! Get a light spray tan or opt for subtle self tanners like Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer to bronze up the bod before slipping on that bikini.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Mac Pigment in Melon

I’m a firm believer in accentuating the positive and bringing light to your natural assets. Highlighting the planes of your face draws attention to your natural beauty and creates a magical glow. I like to use cream highlighters for daytime so it looks like the glow is coming from within. I prefer powder highlighters for evening because they give off a little extra sparkle.

Fresh Satin Luster Palette

Highlighters should always be lighter than your skin tone so they create a radiant contrast to your natural coloring. If your skin is fair, choose sheer white, pink or iridescent highlight shades. One of my favorites is the Fresh Satin Luster Palette. For medium skin tones, go for champagne gold or sheer bronze colors like Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Natural Highlight in Gold Luster. There are two perfect shades in this palette that are so sheer, they create the perfect youthful dewy skin effect. For really dark skin, play with golden sunset colors like Mac Pigment in Melon for a stunning highlight.

The three key places to apply highlight are:
1   under the brow
2   on the inner corners of the eyes
3   top of the cheekbones

Apply creams with your fingers. For powder highlighters, I love the Stila #30 double-ended shadow brush. One side is the perfect size to fit on the inner corners, and then just flip it over and sweep the shadow under the brow.

So showcase your beauty with shimmering highlight and glow forth my beaming beauties!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

I am truly inspired by the new Chantecaille La Baleine Bleue Eye Shadow Compacts. They are so pretty you want to display them on a shelf in your home! These shimmering compacts are imprinted with an image of a blue whale and her calf. How wonderful it is that when you purchase one, you are helping to save one of the most majestic creatures on our planet.

The great blue whale is one of the largest animals in the world and hundreds of them are dying each year by getting caught up in fishing nets. Thousands are still being hunted in parts of the world despite efforts to stop the slaughter. Chantecaille is donating five percent of the sales of their entire La Baleine Spring Collection to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This group helps in the efforts to protect these amazing whales and the environment they live in. Blue whales represent health and harmony on our planet and I can’t think of a better way to give back when it comes to buying makeup.

The shades are perfect for spring and right on point with the new color trends. They way I apply these shadows is by sweeping on the lightest shade under the brow and on the inner corners. Next, apply the blue shades swirled together across the lid from the lash line to the crease. Skip eyeliner and sweep on black mascara. Apply a cream blush to the apples of the cheeks in a peach shade and finish off the look with a light peach gloss.

It is worth the $98 price tag to know you are contributing to the beauty of the ocean as well as making yourself beautiful too.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Spring is my favorite time of year, especially when it comes to makeup. It’s a chance to play with fun sheer washes of bright new colors and really wake up the face from the cold winter doldrums. Every spring I pick a few of the seasons newest trends and try to incorporate them into my daily makeup routine to jazz it up a bit.

Now I know what works and what doesn’t and you should too, so just because electric blue on the eyes was seen at the hottest runway show of the season does not mean you need to walk into a dinner party looking like a bad 80′s throwback. The trick is to interpret the trends and not take them too literally. Simply be inspired by the latest and greatest and make it your own. That is the sign of a truly fabulous woman!

Blooming Cheeks
This season my most favorite trend was the flushed cheek as seen at the Three As Four and Carolina Herrera runway shows. A bloom of color in coral or pink on the apples of your cheeks is a fresh way to look youthful and alive. It also is a good universal look that works on all women. For drier skin try Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming and for oily skin try Natural Powder Blush in Cherub.

Aqua Eyes
Gucci is always over the top fabulous when it comes to the eye makeup and this season they played with a gorgeous shade of aqua splashed across the lid paired with a slick of peach gloss on the lips. This is where you need to be inspired not take it literally. Try a soft wash of this shade applied with a very light hand just on the upper lid and skip liner for a realistic version or go for an aqua eyeliner pencil smudged along the upper lash line only. Try Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collection Liner in Turquoise 7L.

Tan + Red = Sexy
Most people would not put these two beauties together, but a bronze tan and a red lip go hand in hand. As seen at the Michael Kors show this look is very sexy for a hot night out in a strapless little dress. The tan better be fake so spray a sponge with Era Rayz Bronzer by Classified Cosmetics and dab it along the temples, hairline and under the cheekbones. On the lips stay away from heavier opaque lipsticks and go for a red that is sheer and light. I like a stain with a little sheer gloss on top, which looks much better in the hotter months. I like Benefits Pocket Pal Lip Stain.

Whatever your flavor, play with at least one of the seasons hottest new shades and be on top of your game!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

You know we all crave those doe-eyed fringy lashes that babies and boys seem to always get instead of us! We paint and sweep our own eyelashes with every kind of goopy mascara out there with high hopes of transforming them into thick frames of loveliness. Oh, how nice it would be to have them naturally and never have to worry again about stubby or sparse eye fringe coated with paint!

Can longer lusher lashes really happen with a magic serum? Is it possible science has stumbled upon a miracle?

My good friend and Miami-based dermatologist Dr. Alicia Barba turned me on to the new beauty phenomenon Latisse, a FDA-approved prescription treatment that claims to make lashes grow longer, fuller, and darker. She explained that the solution takes nightly applications with results in 4 weeks and full results in 16 weeks. The solution is painted on the lash line with little disposable brush applicators and your lashes will experience real measurable growth.

Well, I was sold and set out to be my own guinea pig and see if the stuff really worked. Sure enough, after about 4 weeks, I saw a major difference in the length of my lashes, though no difference in color or thickness. I celebrated my new lashes by putting on a double dose of mascara to really show off their amazing length. The only side effect I experienced was redness along my lash lines, but it was well worth it. Some women have experienced itchiness, but I had no problem. After the full 16 week course, my lashes have remained nice and long, the redness has completely gone away and I now believe in miracles!

Before/after sample from the Latisse website

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

As much as women love their lip gloss, we are always looking for the magic one that lasts longer than a smile! Usually glosses disappear in a flash, leaving you addicted to the constant re-swiping to layer on some more. I’ve been trying to create a long-wearing lip gloss with the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy team for awhile. The tricky part was trying to come up with a formula that wouldn’t make your lips as dry as the Sahara desert in the height of summer. Most long-wearing lip products contain ingredients that seal onto your lips to stay put, but the downside is that they suck all the moisture right out. You’re left with colorful but dry cracked lips.

I’m thrilled to announce that we finally found the perfect moisture-rich, smooth and creamy gloss formula that lasts for hours without dehydrating your lips! It’s awesome and will be available soon, so keep your eyes out or check out Sally Hansen Natural Beauty for updates. The next step of development for me is the really fun part: choosing the perfect colors and making up enticing names! We mixed and swirled all kinds of fun colors together and came up with 12 fabulous shades that woman will fall in love with! Next came trying to think up names that were descriptive enough for ladies to know what they were getting, but at the same time fun and alluring. What fun it is being a girl and playing with makeup for a living. It truly is a dream job!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

One of my favorite magazines to work for is Self. Not only does their message mirror mine in terms of encouraging a healthy natural lifestyle, but they like my style of clean natural glowy makeup. It’s a marriage made in heaven–and they also go on really great trips!

I recently shot in Palm Beach while it was snowing in New York…you can’t beat that..and the next trip is to Turks and Caicos!

This particular shoot was all about natural beauty and fitness, so I kept the makeup very simple focusing on one feature for each girl like bronze skin, a coral lip or a seafoam green eye. Then I’d keep the rest of the makeup really bare so that the showcased feature really stands out.

I always start off any job in the sun with a healthy dose of sunscreen on the face and body. My favorite is Skinsceuticals Sport SPF 45. Skin should always look natural and healthy on shoots like this, so I apply the most minimal amount of foundation and concealer. You want to be able to see freckles and the skin’s natural texture. I powder only the most shiny areas and then choose my one feature to play up.

My go-to coral lip color is Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Color Comfort Lip Color in Sunburst. The models had to perform fitness moves, so I made sure their bodies were nice and shimmering in the sunlight by applying a nice shimmer spray like Era Rayz in 24K which stayed on even after jumping in the pool.

Not a bad day at the office!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

If I have to leave the house in a hurry with enough time to only apply one product, I would have to say mascara all the way. How else can you sweep on full flirty fringe in seconds creating a fab frame to your eyes?

There’s a new type of mascara that uses “tube technology” and I love it. This revolutionary polymer formula forms actual water-resistant tubes around each lash making the mascara resistant to smudging, flaking or smearing. So even if it’s hot and humid or your lids get oily, there will never be a black messy eye in sight! It’s perfect for the woman who has trouble keeping her mascara on all day. So if you look like a raccoon by 5 p.m., then this is definitely the product for you. It’s also perfect for older women whose lids may be a little lower than they once were and find that mascara winds up in little black speckles on the lid.

I love sweeping it on the lower lash line because I know I will never see dark circles, only perfect lashes. If you accidentally smudge when you’re applying it, just wait until it dries and it literally flakes off. It doesn’t take a chisel to get it off either. Simply wash it off with a little warm water and facial cleanser and the tubes easily sleep off the lashes. There is no rubbing or scrubbing needed. Don’t freak out however when you look into your sink and see a bunch of little black lashes. The first time I tried it I thought all my lashes had fallen out and I nearly had a heart attack. This formula is actually better for your lashes in the long run because it doesn’t dry them out.

My favorites are Blinc Kiss Me Mascara, L’Oreal Double Extend Mascara, Too Faced Lash Injection and, coming soon to a drugstore near you, Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy will introduce a fantastic natural version, so keep a smudge-free eye out!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Does this happen to you?
Credit: Sarah Faison

Does this happen to you? You painstakingly finish up an immaculate makeup job, but then something happens at the very end and messes it all up! Your kid comes bumps you when you’re applying eyeliner, you sneeze after a flawless application of mascara or you polish off a ravishing red lip just to smile and get it all over your teeth. I’m right there with you! In fact not only does it happen to me, but also when I’m making up someone else. Here are a few tools you should keep handy to help clean up goofs so your results will stay stellar!

First off, always have a non-latex sponge handy. Use it to apply your foundation, then hang on to it for fixing up goofs. The leftover makeup on the sponge creates the perfect magic eraser to buff down over-applied cream blush or bronzer or erase an overly painted lip.

A cotton swab is another must-have. Use it to smooth out a harsh eyeliner or to take off residual makeup that has gotten on the eyebrows. Eliminate the lipstick-on-the-teeth issue by sticking a cotton swap in your mouth after applying red lipstick, then close your mouth around it and pull it out.

Lastly, always have a small tipped concealer brush, so you can dip it into a little foundation and use it to remove any smears, mascara smudges, or makeup mishaps. The foundation on the brush will allow you to erase the mistake without undoing your handy work.

These easy three little helpers will keep your gorgeous makeup looking flawless!

What is it with women and lip gloss? If you are like me, and many women I know, you usually have at least three lip glosses rolling around in your bag at a time. It’s like an addiction and you’re always looking for that perfect shade or a new exciting formula that, when swiped on, will immediately change your life!

The addictive appeal is because how else can you sweep on sexy in a flash? A lip gloss can automatically make you feel fabulous and look girly. Lip gloss is also one of the quickest ways to update your look, change your mood or try a new trend without spending a lot of money.

My friends and I are always playing show and tell comparing the new colors or formulas we just discovered. Some of my all time favorites usually don’t come in a pot. Who wants to stick their finger into the glistening goodness only to be left with residual glam under the nails? I prefer the wand type applicators for a clean sheen. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Natural Shine Lipgloss is of course my favorite. I developed it with a brush tip applicator so it glides on evenly and it’s never sticky or tacky. The colors are sheer and they are filled with antioxidants for healthy soft lips.

The Mac Lip Glass collection is the leader when it comes to more opaque or unique shades. They can be a bit heavier and stickier, but the formulas wear more like sheer lipsticks and the color range is impressive. Lancôme Juicy Tubes have always been a top choice because of the gloss factor and yummy taste and the Maybelline Shiny-licious glosses are a great inexpensive runner up. Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect glosses are very shimmery but can have a slight rough texture but my what gorgeous colors!

What is your favorite gloss? You can never have too many!

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Collyre Bleu Eye Drops

My eyes get so red and irritated when it’s bitter cold outside (New York is freezing!) and I have been loving my favorite blue eye drops. A secret of makeup artists for years, these little bottles of blue instantly rid your peepers of unsightly veins and red irritation in no time. There are a couple of different brands I like from France, like Innoxa French Blue Eye Lite Drops and Collyre Bleu Eye Drops. The blue tint actually makes the white of your eyes look even whiter. They also don’t burn like conventional drugstore eye drops.

If you’re often plagued with red eyes, stay away from warm brown and pink eye shadows which may worsen their appearance. Instead, move over to a cooler neutral shadows like the lid shade in Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Instant Definition Eye Shadow Palette in Quartz. The slight blue undertone will keep your eyes bright. Also stay away from golden hued highlighters and choose white or iridescent highlight shades to play up the eyes. Liners in cooler shades like slate and navy  are best and go for black mascara over brown.

Another quick tip to whiten the eyes is to apply white eyeliner on the inner lower rim.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.

Kate Hudson gets her glow in during the winter
Credit: © Tony Barson / WireImage.com

I’m not a fan of the savage tan, but even I looked into the mirror this morning and thought Casper the ghost was staring back at me! Winter is peaking and we are at our palest. Sometimes we need a little extra color to perk us up and lift our spirits. Makeup can give you a healthy dose of radiance, so here are a few little tricks to wake up your skin.

1. Lay off the summer bronzer. First off, don’t pull out your summer bronzer. This will look too harsh against your pale winter complexion. One fast tip is to mix a drop of a tinted moisturizer, like Lorac Protectint in Beach Bronze, that is darker than your skin with your regular foundation to give you a light pick-me-up. Because it is a moisturizer that is being blending into makeup, it will look like a hint of healthy color.

2. Use a shimmer-free bronzer. Another way to go is to apply Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy Sheerest Cream Bronzer. This light shimmer-free bronzer melts into your skin creating a soft radiant glow. Sweep it along the temples and under the cheekbones for a sun winked look.

3. Blush a must. Try an extra swirl of blush when you are in a hurry to give a little sunny help. Choose a shade in golden pink, warm rose or terracotta and sweep it on the apples with a little dab on the temples, forehead and chin. If you apply too much use a clean sponge to tone it down.

4. Lighten up! Avoid dark shades of lipsticks and eye shadows. The contrast against pale skin will make your complexion look even lighter. Instead, play with warm neutrals and a little shimmer to keep skin alive.

As an established makeup artist, many beauty brands send me samples of their latest products for consideration. I only write about the items that I truly love and I always abide by Daily Makeover’s Editorial Ethics Pledge in each of my Positively Beautiful posts.