Limited Edition: tarte Ten Cheek Stain

In honor of tarte's bday, the brand introduced a limited edition shade of its best-selling cheek stain. Ten is a bright pink shade that suits all skin tones and is housed in a cool studded tube. tarte cheek stains are one of my favorite products because no matter what the shade they give you the most natural flush ever, are full of natural and beneficial ingredients like antioxidants and they smell amazing.  

Tip: sweep across the back of your hand, then dip fingers in and pat and blend across apples of cheeks instead of swiping on straight from the tube.

Ten is the perfect juicy pink shade for a natural flush of color so head over to the tarte website to purchase.

Five Easy Steps To A Well Rested Look

I have been busy busy lately - spending weekends away, working to the bone, actually going to the gym more than once a month, and my sleep has been sacrificed. I'm an eight hour girl, and if I get less, I look it. Since my life isn't getting any less busy anytime soon, I've had to figure out how to stay, and look, awake on minimal sleep (hint: lots of coffee and a few key products/techniques do the trick).

1. Apply concealer where needed - around nose, on blemishes/discoloration, under eyes. I've mentioned my love of Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge before so this is my go-to. Even though you'll want to, don't pack concealer on your under eye area in an effort to cover up dark circles. Instead, use an undereye brightener (I love Smashbox Photo Op - it's sleep in a tube!) and either lightly tap on top of concealer or mix with it and pat on the under eye area.

2. Dust bronzer with a hint of shimmer in a "3" motion, meaning start at the top of your forehead, come down into your cheekbone, then sweep back out around the jawline. The goal is to define bone structure and the tiny bit of shimmer perks up tired, dull looking skin. Check out Too Faced Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny, which contains two shades and the perfect amount of shimmer. 

3. Apply a neutral beige shimmery shadow and skip liner, it will make eyes look smaller and the goal is to make them look big, bright and awake! Nothing beats Smashbox Eyelights in Beam for making eyes look sparkly and well-rested. Add an extra highlight on the brow bone and inner corners with Benefit High Beam (it's a liquid highlighter so just be sure to sweep on your hand then use a tiny brush to apply to inner eye corners).

4. Use a lengthening instead of a volumizing mascara, which will open up the eye area instead of make it look hooded with a thick fringe. Maybelline Lash Stiletto will do the trick.

5. Finish off with NARS Orgasm blush and a pink gloss like Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush and you'll be looking all bright and cheery, even if you could fall asleep standing up.

Fall Preview: NARS

I have got to talk about fall collections; it's the only thing keeping my mind off of this heat! If you're in the NYC area wasn't today just the worst? I barely had one foot out of my building when I started breaking a sweat. It had to have been at least 90% humidity today, no? 

Moving on. NARS is one of those iconic brands that can do no wrong in my eyes. I would buy every product, every shade and I absolutely love seeing what seasonal collections they come out with. Fall 2010 definitely doesn't disappoint. 

What I love so much about the collection is that it definitely feels fall, but isn't all dark and grey; there's some major color going on here. Check out the promo ad with the absolutely gorge Daphne Guinness and all the upcoming products, then man your computer July 15th to order online. 

NARS Fall 2010 Collection:

Douceur Blush ($26.00)

This is definitely my new fall blush. A soft pink-brown hue perfect for all skin tones embossed with the NARS logo.

Daphne Eyeshadow ($23.00) (Limited Edition)
Major pigment alert. A matte, deep violet single shadow that delivers major color payoff and spices up fall's neutrals.(Limited Edition)

Mangrove Eyeshadow ($23.00) (Limited Edition)
Richly pigmented yellow to highlight the inner corner of eye, use as a base shade or diffuse with a deeper shade.

Coconut Grove Eyeshadow ($23.00)
Dark chocolate that makes a perfect liner (use it wet for impact, dry for a soft finish) or to define the crease.

Rouge Basque Lipstick ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
This red, wine, brownish hybrid leaves a luminous satin finish perfect for when you're tired of sheer glosses and want a real fall pigmented lip moment. 

Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
NARS lipglosses have major color payoff and this juicy strawberry shade provides a beautiful glossy finish. Definitely a fall lip staple.

Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
Gives a bright turquoise unexpected pop of color to eyes. Rim upper and lower lash lines for a defined effect, or smudge out to soften for a sheer wash.

Tzarine Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00)
I love the juxtaposition of the platinum gold with the steel grey. So many different looks can be created with just this duo.

Rajasthan Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00) (Limited Edition)

Similar to the Tzarine duo, but these colors are softer and warmer with a peachy almond and a cool charcoal. 

What do you think of the NARS Fall Collection?

Test Drive: L'Oreal EverStrong

I'd been intrigued for some time about L'Oreal's EverStrong line, which promised to inject strength in hair in just one wash. Having fragile hair that's, ah, enhanced with bleach shall we say, I feel like my hair is constantly breaking and splitting and I was hoping EverStrong would be the solution.

The Experience:
Like its predecessor EverPure, EverStrong is free of sulfates and harsh detergents, so it won't strip or fade color. Available in Hydrate, Bodify and Reconstruct, I chose the third formula since highlighting and using heat appliances way too much had done a number on my hair. 

The first thing I noticed when applying was that my hair literally soaked up the thick, rich conditioner and I thought wow, I must have some serious damage. I was also running late that day so I skipped the smoothing serum and after blowdrying I realized I didn't even need it anyway. After just one wash my hair felt strong and had significantly less flyaways, and it's been getting better ever since.

I've also noticed significantly less breakage. Considering I'm the type who sits there forever staring at my strands and snapping off the areas of breakage I know this stuff is working.

The Verdict:
Pick up L'Oreal EverStrong shampoo, conditioner, deep replenishing mask and overnight treatment if you're looking for a gentle, non stripping formula that keeps color in tact but imparts some serious strength to flimsy strands. This works better than most salon brands I've used and it's also a major bargain at under $10

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection

MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with one of my absolute favorite designers, Alice + Olivia - they are IT if you're looking for a fabulous party dress moment. So of course it's no surprise that the collection is definitely party makeup-esque (or everyday if you're adventurous). I've been having a serious turquoise and pink fetish as of late (it all started with Chanel's summer collection) so I'm all over this. The goods hit counters July 8th or you can just be sneaky and buy online now. If you spend $50, you get free shipping.

MAC Cosmetics Alice + Olivia Collection:

Nail Lacquer ($12)

    * Morning.After – Creamy, get-noticed turquoise
    * So Rich So Pretty – A party-ready purple with a hint of frost
    * Military – Black matte with silver suede

 Dazzleglass Creme ($18)

    * Sparklicious – Creamy, softest pink with multidimensional pearl
    * If It’s Pink – Shimmering, hot to trot pink
    * I.Want.Candy – Electric yellow with a sparkling edge

Pigment ($19.50)

    * Later – Deepest black with a hint of purple pearl
    * If It Sparkles – Frosty white plus a touch of pink
    * Partylicious - Groovy turquoise mixed with silver sparkle

Designer Deals: Mario Badescu on Gilt

Starting tomorrow at noon, Mario Badescu skin care is on sale at Gilt.com and yours truly will be fighting it out to stock up. If you're not familiar with the brand, it's an incredibly easy to navigate line that's results-driven. Whether your concern is aging, acne or anything in between, MB has a solution. It's definitely a no-frills brand with simple packaging, but it has a cult following for a reason. 

Not a member of Gilt? Here's your hookup:

http://www.gilt.com/invite/lindsayelkins

Meltproof Your Makeup

It's a cooker out there babies, and it's not breaking anytime soon. With tomorrow's high reaching 100, if you plan on spending anymore than 30 seconds outdoors, you're susceptible to the dreaded makeup meltdown. You know you've been there: mascara that ends up on your cheek, eyelids creased to the heavens and streaky foundation and blush. Luckily a few tips and strategic products can keep makeup meltdown to a minimum, and you can actually stay outside for longer than five minutes - not that you want to.

Face:

Primer is your best friend here, preferably an oil-free, oil-controlling version, such as Smashbox PhotoFinish Light, which is my personal favorite when I need a matte finish. Unless you desperately need it, skip foundation and just use concealer under eyes and on any discoloration. My pick for amazing all day coverage: Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge covers flawlessly and won't cake up. Set with loose powder (Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil is my all time favorite) and dust on matte bronzer like tarte's new matte and waterproof version of Park Avenue Princess.

Eyes:

Nothing compares to tarte's Lock & Roll 12-hour eyeshadow when you need crease and waterproof shadow that really holds up to the elements. This stuff stays on so well you can skip the eye primer altogether. Finish with a few coats of waterproof mascara. My fave is Revlon 3-D Extreme.

Cheeks:

Powder is really the way you want to go here since creams and gels can add to the sticky factor. Try Benefit CORALista for a natural summer flush without any shimmer, which is the last thing that should be in your products in this kind of heat. 

Lips:

Stains are perfect for an all-day juicy tint that stands up to heat and humidity, won't feather, and won't goop up like gloss or lipstick. Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain comes in an easy-to-use marker application and won't rub or smear.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th. I adore fireworks, and even wanted them to go off as my now-husband and I were walking out of our reception venue at our wedding, but thought it was a little over the top, even for moi.