reLYME

Looking like the perfect portrait of glam, Christina Aguilera took to the Red Carpet at the 2010 Golden Globes wearing NARS makeup. And boy, was she stunning!

Below is Kristofer’s method for snagging Christina’s look:

• Complexion: Use the Balancing Moisture Lotion and apply the Makeup Primer as a base. Apply Firming Foundation and set with Pressed Powder.
• Eyes: Apply the vanilla side of India Song Duo Eyeshadow as a base, over the entire lid and up to eyebrow. Next, use the shimmering walnut shade of India Song Duo Eyeshadow and apply to the outer corner and under the bottom lash line. Then, use the warm rich brown side of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow just under eye rubbing into the lower lash line to create smokey eye. Curl the eyelashes and apply a coat of Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara to top and bottom lashes, following with 2 coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara for full lashes. Take Nuits Blanches Eyeliner Stylo and dot in between individual lashes [Kristofer’s tip: “I used the Push Eyeliner Brush to blend the eyeliner in between the lashes, which helped to apply just enough without looking to heavy.”]
• Lips: Use the Fantasia Lipliner Pencil and Niagara Lipstick. Next, apply Easy Lover Lip Gloss (NEW for Spring 2010) over [Kristofer’s tip:“Applying a sheer pink gloss on top of a nude colored lip provides a nice modern pop of color.”]
• Cheeks: Generously apply Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) to cheekbones, décolletage, and shoulders for an all over glow. Use Malaysia Multiple Bronzer to contour cheeks by blending under cheekbones. Apply the Mata Hari Blush to the apple of cheeks and lightly tap on browbone [Kristoper’s tip: “Lightly dusting a blush on the browbone gives life to the eye and melds the whole look together.”] Next, with short, back and forth quick strokes use Nico Blush to highlight cheekbones.

Orgasm Illuminator will be available at Sephora on February 1 and all other NARS Cosmetics are available at NARSCosmetics.com.

Looking gorgeous, as per usual, Julianna Margulies wore NARS makeup on the red carpet at the 67th Golden Globe Awards.

NARS expert, Kristofer Buckle offers his step-by-step tips for achieving her look:

• Complexion: Using fingers apply Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) down the center of the nose, across cheekbones, and on the apples of the cheeks. Apply Firming Foundation all over face, mixing in with the Orgasm Illuminator. Re-apply Orgasm Illuminator over the entire complexion to encourage shine [Kristofer’s tip: “I used the Flat Concealer Brush to apply the Orgasm Illuminator on top of the foundation creating high gleam.”]
• Eyes: Apply both sides of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow into the crease and all over the eyelid. Dab the sooty dark brown side of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow on the outer part of the eye [Kristofer’s tip: “I love the shimmering iridescent in this eyeshadow. A metallic iridescence softens the smokiness of an eye allowing it to look like it is part of the skin rather than looking gothic.”] Next, use the sable shade from Brousse Duo Eyeshadow and lightly dust under lower lash line. Then, lightly tap Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) on the inside corner of the eye. Curl the eyelashes and apply Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara.
• Lips: Apply Cruising Lipstick (NEW Spring 2010) Next, layer Ophelia Lip Gloss (NEW Spring 2010) over the lipstick. [Kristofer’s tip: “I love this soft pink, it adds just the right amount of color.”]
• Cheeks: Dust Super Orgasm Blush onto the apples of cheeks.
• Body: Blend Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) all over neck and décolletage.

Orgasm Illuminator will be available at Sephora on February 1 and all other NARS Cosmetics are available at NARSCosmetics.com.

When you think of Avon, your initial thought might be the latest in greatest in beauty products sold at a fantastic price point. As I discovered at the Avon Beauty Plus Market Day event last week, Avon provides shoppers with so much more!

The summer collection of Beauty Plus, the fashion and accessories line of products at Avon, is rife with brightly colored sandals and jewelry at prices that won't break the bank. 

Pictured above-
Sunset Embellished Thong, $19.99
Bright Faceted Collar Necklace, $9.99
Bright Bangle Watch, $19.99

Click here to find an Avon Representative.

UPDATE: I'm so excited that reLYME has now met the minimum number of entries required for the contest! The contest is officially closing on July 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

There's still time to enter. Good luck!

It's my birthday, and being one who loves receiving presents, I love giving presents even more! So, I figured, why not share the spirit of birthday giving with reLYME readers?

I'm giving away SIX China Glaze nail lacquers from the Kicks collection!

What do you have to do to win these six fabulous colors?

All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me your favorite way to spend your birthday.

(Minimum of 26 entries)

Good luck!

-Beka

Fall’s runways were dominated by two words: bold and feminine. Strong shouldered and form-hugging silhouettes, extreme heels and provocative thigh-high boots, and a color palette of classic hues turned up a notch to Technicolor volumes. These trends also illustrate the NARS Fall collection.

“For this collection, I wanted to create something fragile and strong, and seductive but not aggressive,” said François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics. The combination of strength and refinement has become a hallmark of NARS, and is particularly fitting this season as the brand celebrates its 15th anniversary.

NARS Fast Ride Lipstick - $24

NARS Tokaido Express - $16

NARS Silk Road Duo Eyeshadow- $32

NARS Brumes Duo Eyeshadow- $32

NARS Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow- $32

NARS Mekong Single Eyeshadow- $22

In an effort to save money this past weekend, (yes, I know...recessionista) I headed to the local Duane Reade to grab a new mascara. When it comes to items like mascara that need to be continuously replaced, I have no problem grabbing something from the drug store aisles. However, my immediate problem stemmed from purchasing a mascara from NYC Cosmetics. My initial reaction when I grabbed the NYC Maximum Boost Volumizing Mascara was simply, How bad could it be?

I would later find out as I awake the next morning after application (this is AFTER it had been washed off, or so I thought), to find my eye was swollen and puffy. This was no stye or eye infection, people. This is a full-blown allergy. I've had this reaction before with some drug store brands. And it's only become progressively worse: achy and swollen.

Exhibit A)

Maybe my eyes are just a bit sensitive. However, if you're going to go the drug store route, you need to realize one of two things: more expensive doesn't always mean better, but popular brands can be popular for a reason: they work!

reLYME recommends trying Rimmel London's Glam'Eyes Mascara

Too Faced has made a little piece of this dream a reality with their latest collection, Chocolate & Pearls, which includes vampy pinks and browns with a touch of luxury and lots of flavor. This Spring 2009 release features rich color and hints of chocolate and pearls throughout.

Here's a peek at the new collection, available now online at Too Faced and at Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, and other locations:

Here are the details of the line:

• Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Matte Bronze (chocolate scented)

• Luster Liner Lip Liners in Ayoka (beige), Tahitian (pale pink), South Sea (pinkish purple), and Caspian (golden plum)

• Girls Dig Pearls Lip Gloss in Shell (pink), Tropical Pink (pinky purple), Mermaid (pinky beige), Pink Bling (pinky white)

• Lockdown Cream Shadow in Jailbait (light pink), Bedroom Eyes (medium brown), Bondage (light brown), I’m Guilty (aqua blue), Dramarama (dark brown), Prisoner of Love (pink)

• Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara in Hot Chocolate (brown)

While my moods lately haven't been very much in favor of mega shimmer and shine, I can't deny the appeal of Chocolate & Pearls. I cannot wait to get my hands on the Lockdown Cream Shadows, which come in a wider range of colors than the rest of the products in this collection. Apparently they're a water-resistant combination of metallic pigments and Too Faced Shadow Insurance (one of my favorites, and a best-seller!). I've yet to test the pigmentation, but at the very least they're sure to be color-infused eye shadow bases for my oily lids (and maybe stiff competition for my beloved MAC Paint Pots).

I also wouldn't mind giving Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara a try. I've tried the original Lash Injection, but the applicator wand is just way too big for me! Hopefully this waterproof liner and its sleek brush will fare better!

If you're looking for a collection with a little more variety (and a primer I'm dying to try), check out Smashbox's Muse Spring 2009 Collection. Or for Spring 2009 on the go, take a look at Beauty Addict, Too Faced's new 15-piece palette inspired by the upcoming move Confessions of a Shopaholic.

What are your first impressions of Too Faced’s Chocolate & Pearls?

You had to have woken up pretty early in the a.m. if you had wanted to take advantage of the cosmetics settlement. As a result of a class-action settlement, beauty companies like Clarins, Clinique, and Chanel began handing out free products today, and for the remainder of the week while supplies last.

All that was necessary was a signature attesting to that fact that you've purchased makeup within a certain time period, and you were given $25 worth of goodies. (Sorry, beauty companies. Your loss is my gain! Cha-ching!)

I'd nearly forgotten all about today--a beauty junkie's holiday! Though I was only able to nab a Clinique moisturizer, and was slightly disappointed in my failure to obtain the Lancôme Fatale Mascara I'd been secretly meditating over since learning of this settlement, I'm still happy that I walked away with something for nothing!

So, can you still partake in the luscious beauty giveaway? Perhaps, if you visit a mall in Smalltown, America, in the next seven days, where they haven't heard of Estée Lauder, I'd say you might stand a chance. It's worth a shot. If not, I'm sure many of our fellow Americans will be auctioning off their free products on eBay. Good luck!