Sundance 2011: Emma Roberts

As I'm sitting and staring outside my window at the blizzard happening right now, I figure I might as well be at Sundance because it's just as cold and snowy.

The totally cute Emma Roberts is at the festival promoting her movie "Homework," and I have the scoop from her makeup artist, Sonia Lee, on what she used to prep her skin for her radiant look.

“Emma Roberts has gorgeous young skin. I started with Votre Vu SpecialEyes Intensive Eye Treatment before I applied makeup, and used a bit of Amour d'Ore multi- vitamin oil for face, body and hair to prep her skin and keep the moisture in. 

Champagne Kisses Enhancing Lip Balm made her lips feel soft and gave me the perfect base for lip color.”

Sundance 2011: Elizabeth Banks

It's that time of year again... Sundance! All the celebs gather in freezing Park City to basically gather swag, watch movies and bum around. I was there a few years ago and it is a great time, but being out in that cold weather can really take a toll on your hair and skin (although it's also basically -3 where I am too).

Elizabeth Banks is looking totally radiant promoting her two movies: My Idiot Brother and The Details and I have the scoop from her hair and makeup team.

Says hairstylist Creighton Bowman:

“On Elizabeth, we wanted a sexy natural wave with lots of shine. I started by using Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase detangling milk by Leonor Greyl from root to end on towel dried hair. 

I did a soft blow dry using a medium round brush, and then used  a medium curling iron to create her soft waves. With a light back combing at the roots I finished with one of my all time favorite products, Serum De Soie Sublimateur!”

Says makeup artist Sonia Lee:

“I used the Votre Vu Champagne Kisses lip balm of course – everyone gets chapped lips in cold weather. (ED note: I've been using this too so look out for a review in the coming days). I prepped her skin with Attentive Serum for sensitive skin and Attentive Crème de Jour sensitive skin to keep her skin looking flawless for her long press day. I used the SpecialEyes Intensive Eye Treatment as a base on her eyes and it really kept her looking fresh all day. The Amour d’Ore body and face oil and Tarte d’Amande body soufflé also helped keep everything moisturized in Sundance’s dryyyy weather.”

Click here for the scoop on Leonor Greyl products, and here for the deets on Votre Vu. 

Redken Launches Nature's Rescue

My fave hair care brand Redken just launched Nature’s Rescue, a collection of paraben-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free haircare products inspired by the ocean and enriched with plant and marine extracts. The line includes shampoo, conditioner, sea polish and sea spray that thoroughly cleanses to remove impurities and buildup while helping nourish and refine the hair. 

I'm loving the fact that Nature's Rescue is sulfate free because as someone who has colored their hair more years than they care to admit, I can attest to the fact that sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners absolutely preserve and protect hair color from fading and are just all around more gentle and less damaging to hair.

Nature’s Rescue includes four products formulated with water-fresh fragrances, cooling sensations and ocean-inspired textures that provide the perfect balance of moisture:

• Step 1: Detox with Nature’s Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo
• Step 2: Refine with Nature’s Rescue Refining Sea Polish - this is an exfoliant that removes impurities and reduces frizz
• Step 3: Replenish with Nature’s Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner
• Step 4: Uplift with Nature’s Rescue Radiant Sea Spray - this spray adds texture and a fresh fragrance

Log onto Redken.com to locate a salon near you.

Votre Vu January Special

Luxury French skin care brand Votre Vu has a fab promotion running now through January 31st. With the purchase of any Face Base set, receive a free full size Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm, a $49 value. Votre Vu takes the French approach, natch, when caring for skin, which involves following a cleansing, toning, treating and moisturizing routine. Each Face Base set includes a cleanser, toner, serum and day creme for four specific skin types:

• Attentive, for Sensitive Skin ($98.70 instead of $141 individually)
• Full Benefits, formulated specifically for Mature Skin ($125.30 instead of $179 individually)
• Peau Equilibrée, for Oily and Combination Skin ($95.90 instead of $137 individually)
• Best Regards, for Normal to Dry Skin ($94.50 instead of $135 individually)

Luxee Yeux Eye Beauty Balm is specifically formulated to counter the three prominent signs of aging – moisture loss, collagen breakdown, and free radical damage. Visit the Votre Vu site to order your Face Base set before January 31st to receive a free eye cream.

Everything Old is New Again

In the new year I usually decide to revamp my makeup and skin care wardrobe, but I already have so many products that even for a beauty aficionado like myself, it's getting to just be too much. So I decided that instead of buying a slew of new items, I would scavenge my existing goods and rediscover old favorites. 

There's always those amazing staples that I adore, that one day I come across and am thinking why did I ever stop using this!? In no particular order, here are my old faithfuls:

Revlon 3D Extreme mascara is one of those mascaras I occasionally cheat on because I just can't help myself, and then I start using it again and vow to never use anything else. It creates amazing length, volume and curl and strangers (yes, really) always comment on how long and thick my lashes are and ask me if I'm wearing falsies. Major bonus: it's under $10.

NARS Orgasm blush is one of those cult products that everyone raves about, but unlike some others (I'm talking to you Maybelline Great Lash!) actually lives up to the hype. It's the perfect peachy pink with a subtle golden sheen that works on everyone regardless of skin tone. I like to mix up my blushes depending on season and my makeup looks, but if I could only choose one for the rest of my life, this would be it. 

It's really hard for me to commit to a skin care product because there's always something "new and revolutionary that will change your life" hitting the market. Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment is something I always have close by because it smooths fines lines, brightens skin and protects with antioxidants. At $98 it is a little bit of an investment, but unless you're very dry, it can replace your daytime moisturizer.

What are your recent new discoveries from your existing stash?

Look to Love: Lauren Conrad

I don't know what it is about Lauren Conrad's look from Cover Girl's 50th Anniversary party but I thought she looked amazing. Maybe it's her sunny glow, peachy cheeks, perfectly pinky nude lips, but I love that it looks effortless, yet polished. I'm also a major fan of the darker hue on her - totally brightens her face.

Luckily it looks like it's a breeze to pull off with a generous helping of black liner (I love Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner) peach blush (NARS in Gina is peach perfection) and pinky nude gloss (Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Glamour-full is a the perfect pink nude with a little gold shimmer).

For hair, make a middle part, create a few large waves with a jumbo curling iron, curling hair away from the face, spritz with shine spray and voila - you're Lauren Conrad.

The Eye Cream Diaries: Bvlgari Regard Precieux

Bvlgari Regard Precieux Intensive Regenerating Eye Contour Cream is a luxuriously rich eye cream that isn't too heavy or greasy and illuminates the eye area with a surge of moisture. I went into testing out this eye cream thinking it would be a great hydrator and would probably lessen the appearance of dark circles, but I didn't have very high hopes for its wrinkle-smoothing benefits.

Well, I was completely wrong. After only a few weeks of use, Regard Precieux really smoothed the appearance of fine lines, brightened the overall eye area and hydrated. I will say I don't have major lines, just the beginning signs of aging from tanning (which I no longer do). I use this cream day and night and it's super concentrated so you only need a tiny amount. 

The only downside is the price tag: $150 for a .5oz. size. Not all luxury skin care lives up to its claims, but Regard Precieux absolutely does. If you're in the market for an eye cream that is super hydrating, basically erases fine lines and illuminates the eye area, pick this up. For a little savings, head over to Luxury Parlor where Regard Precieux is discounted to $111.99.

Must Have: MAC Peacocky Collection

MAC introduces about a bazillion collections each year and sometimes it's a process to navigate through all the new products; which is the exact reason I really only cover the collections that I consider must haves. MAC Peacocky Collection feels like classic MAC to me, which I love. It's not about kitschy packaging or campaigns, it's about amazing colors and formulas that are richly pigmented.

The Mega Metal shadows in particular are the perfect eye shadows. The formulas are super pigmented, really smooth, can be used wet or dry and the color selection is divine - neutrals with some pops of color. Quick note though - as the name implies they do have a shimmery, metallic finish, so if you're into matte, these may not be for you.

Mega Metal Shadow Suggested Retail Price $19.50 US

• Peek-at-You – Frosted yellow white
• Dalliance – Light champagne
• Prance – Frosted mauve pearl
• Top of the Posh – Frosted white pink
• Tweet Me – Gold bronze
• Mating Call – Dirty frosted violet
• Odalisque – Deep teal
• Sexpectations – Metallic burgundy
• Paparazz-she – Deep copper bronze
• Ego – Forest green
• Noir Plum – True purple with silver pearl
• Dandizette – Navy with silver pearl
• Spectacle of Yourself – Deep bronze
• Centre Stage – Frosted chocolate brown
• Unflappable – Frosted black with purple pearl

Kissable Lipcolour Suggested Retail Price $18.00 US

• Enchantée – Light blue pink
• Woo Me – Light pinky nude
• So Vain – Muted dirty coral
• Vanity Fair – Mid-tone blue pink
• Exxxhibitionist – Red-toned coral
• Strut Your Stuff – Bright true red
• Scandelicious – Blue fuchsia
• Peacocky – Sky blue with red pearl
• Super – Muted neutral brown
• Temper Tantra – Mid-tone reddish brown
• Flaunting It – Grey mauve
• Love Peck – Blackened blood red

MAC Peacocky is now available on the MAC website so get shopping! 

Sheer Cover: A Love Affair

It's no secret I'm a big fan of mineral makeup and I've always been intrigued watching the infomercials for Sheer Cover and have been wanting to try for awhile. I finally had the opportunity to test the kit and I'm totally in love! Here's why:

The Concealer: Oh baby, this stuff is industrial strength. This concealer covers everything, yet has a really light, creamy consistency. I apply under the mineral foundation to nix all traces of redness, uneven tone and under eye circles, then apply on top of foundation to any blemishes. The brush is great for precise application, but I also use my fingers for larger areas, like around the nose. 

Ease of Application: Sometimes mineral makeup can be an involved process with all the buffing and building coverage involved. I love that I can use either the regular brush or the denser kabuki brush and quickly buff the foundation over my face for flawless coverage.

Staying Power: Mineral makeup isn't exactly known for going the distance, but Sheer Cover really lasts through a long workday and into happy hour (or all night on the weekend). 

The Sheer Cover kit includes: 

• Two shades of mineral foundation
• Duo Concealer
• Conditioning Cleanser
• Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15
• Extra Length Mascara
• Travel Pocket Duo
• Foundation, contour and concealer brushes
• Makeup case
• Tips and tricks DVD
• Application guide
• Compact of highlighters, lip glosses and eyeliner

Visit Sheercover.com to order and receive free shipping.

Proactiv: Beyond the Three Step System

So unless you live under a rock you know about Proactiv's famed three-step system for acne-prone skin. What you may not know is that the brand has a slew of other products perfect for those who experience the occasional breakout, but don't have a major acne problem. I had the pleasure of trying out a few products that definitely changed the way I think about Proactiv.

Clarifying Night Cream is hands down my new favorite skin care product. It contains all the ingredients that really improve skin - retinol, salicylic acid, vitamins, but it's gentle and non-irritating. This is perfect for in between skin when you don't need to use a serious acne medication, but you don't need a heavy duty anti-ager yet. Clarifying Night Cream improves skin's texture and tone, refines pores and just makes skin look glowy and amazing. 

I've seen people on the three-step infomercial rave about the Green Tea Moisturizer and it really is that good! It's the perfect daytime lotion because it replenishes moisture without feeling heavy and greasy. In fact, it actually feels light and refreshing and is perfect under makeup. Plus, I'm a total sucker for anything with antioxidants.

I'm a major lover of makeup removing cloths and Proactiv's Makeup Removing Cloths are super soft, I'm talking t-shirt soft, and thoroughly remove eye makeup. I reach for them when I'm feeling exceptionally tired (or lazy) at the end of the night, or anytime I need a quick refresh, like pre- and post-gym. Plus I love that the package is truly resealable so they won't dry out - a major towelette pet peeve of mine. 

Each of these products is available at QVC.com.


Disclosure: Samples were provided for editorial consideration.