Okay...I've had it! It's sooo dismal and dry this season that I literally can feel my skin cracking in the corners of my mouth when I smile! Forget about the "laugh line" I am etching...they have become a comedy of errors instead! Goddess Granny is whining about how very dry and cold this Winter has been! Short of slathering up in organic coconut oil or Vaseline on my person (non glam for sure but works!) I have been confounded as to how to control the issues of dry skin, especially on my pretty lil' face! It's a viscous cycle: you are dry and irritated, you smear on something lovely only to be rewarded by clogged pores or breakouts because you NEED moisture so badly that you will sacrifice potential spots in order to find comfort!

Especially around the eyes, it's horrible to apply pretty makeup on top of greasy creams. It doesn't last and ends up looking like a zombie-inspired effect rather than an inspiring one! If you don't apply something, you risk looking like the Shahara desert complete with cracks and crevices as well as those horrible stuck in the lines mascara streaks! This is a horrible dilemma for anyone who isn't in a balmy climate with perfect humidity right now. I bet I am not alone in my misery?

We LOVE the "Suki" like of exceptional skincare products here at Megsmakeup.com and with good reason: absolute luxury, purity, performance, and a hefty-dose of social responsibility. It's the choice of only the best organic ingredients that have earned Suki high-honors for every beautiful product they create! I truly believe this line to be among the very best in any class. I know that many of us use and love these products with confidence as well as an impressive gathering of gorgeous celebs! Meg started the Suki-ball rolling a couple of years ago with her praise for the "Exfoliating Cleanser" and many of us haven't looked elsewhere for skincare that meets our highest standards!

When the Suki "Eyelift Cellular Renewal Cream" in it's elegant glass-airless pump arrived on my doorstep, I wasted NO time trying it out: I usually use a gel/balm under my eye makeup for day and something more nourishing at night but I have been suffering this season and this AMAZING product is my newest love in a long line of crushes! It is silky, creamy without being gooey,glides on like a dream leaving SUCH a gorgeous velvety finish behind that I can use it 24/7! No makeup smearing! It repairs the delicate eye-area tissue at a deep level with gorgeous botanicals and I can honestly say it "fixed" my dry-eye bugaboo in about 3 days!!! The entire area around my eyes looks rested and repaired and someone even asked "what I had done...?" Always a nice thing to hear when you're smearing on and not healing from a procedure! It tightens but not like a gel and if applied at night, you can see a HUGE difference the next morning! A tiny drop goes a long way and I've been applying any overage to my upper-lip area as well for similar spectacularly-renewed results! I can see where my eye area has actually been evened-out in terms of color and texture!

Tarte cosmetics have been a long time favorite of Green Chi Tuesdays.  Their products are always well made, earth friendly, cruelty free and are usually insanely cute (ahem...check out their jeweled eyelash curler for the ultimate girlie splurge)!  They boast seasonally appropriate little gift sets that can be easily broken up for all the girls in your life and maybe even leave one to grace your own makeup bag with.  I've had the recent pleasure of trying out one of their eyeshadow/eyeliner trios in bronze, deep sage and black...a part of their Jewels of the Amazon emphasEYES collection of Amazonian clay enriched eye products.  All I can say is RAWRRRR!  Something about this collection just makes me want to blend up the perfect tiger eye accented sharply with a hot black Cleopatra lined outer corner eye.  It is made for this kind of dramatic flair and I assure you...is not for the faint of heart.
 
This set comes with a great blending brush that is blunt on one end for shading and blending and a fine tip point that makes the most remarkable precision lines.  You quite literally feel like an artist as you paint this smooth and silky formula on to your lid.  Each color is highly pigmented and luminous.  The colors blend together with glorious harmony and bring the kind of professional polish that have you thinking you've been touched by Max Factor himself!  Top this off with the silkiest, smoothest eyeliner formula I've ever used and you've got eye perfection in a recyclable pot!  I don't say this often but when it comes to liquid or gel eyeliners I consider myself a bit of an expert.  I've been doing the liquid cat eye since I was 13...following in my mothers beautifully eyelined footsteps...and I've tried everything over the years.  I always go back to my old stand by as I inevitably find something to complain about.  Runny consistency, clumpy brushes, formula that pulls my eye skin, product that dries out way too quickly and flakes right off tend to be my biggest concerns.  
 
Knowing this, I allowed my artwork to dry for just a few seconds and went in for the big test.  One quick swipe of my ring finger across the lid and NOTHING.  I mean absolutely nothing had changed.  It was like I had literally painted my eye and sealed it tight with some industrial strength shallaque .  I even wet my finger and gave it another try.  This clay based formula has staying power like no other and reflects light in such a way that even the deepest set eye looks illuminated.  I adore the colors and want MORE!  I want it in indigo blue, in plum and blackened plum.  I want to use it in all its full lidded glory and just as an eyeliner accent.  Listen to me...I WANT, I WANT, I WANT!

Stacy B here! How many times have you done something and thought "isn't this an 'old wives tale?' only to have whatever it is you were doing totally work? Like a spoonful of peanut butter to cure hiccups (works for me), rain on your wedding day is good luck (poured like a monsoon on my big day but we've been happy for almost 5 years now) or that a glass of Guinness can induce labor? I actually tried that one. Probably coincidence but I did have about a 1/3 of a glass of Guiness the night before my son was born. Really. Never mind that I was expremely pregnant and approaching my due date...it was definitely the Guiness.

What about the old wives tales or superstitions that are too far out there to work? Like wishing on a star, an itchy palm means money is coming your way, or ladybugs are good luck? I've held a lady bug in my itchy palm while wishing on a star and I'm still working. There's no money coming my way. I did NOT win Mega Millions this last time around. There's also the old wives tales or tips and tricks passed down for generations about health and beauty, like 'feed a cold, starve a fever', or too much chocolate causes acne, or even using lemons for DIY highlights.

One little trick (or old wives tale, depending on how you look at it) I have used and stand by in emergencies is that a spoon can curl your lashes. Don't have your lash curler with you? Use a spoon to press along the bottom of your lashes and push up and toward your eyelid. Hold it for a few seconds, and you have instant curl! For even more of a boost, run the spoon under warm water first and heat it up a bit...but not too hot, that eye skin is sensitive! Forgetting certain makeup tools doesn't have to ruin your vacation, just be creative!

I love finding products that think outside the box, too. This week, I'm reviewing Maybelline's "The Falsies" Volume Express Mascara. The wand is shaped differently than any other wand I've seen. I was really curious about it and couldn't quite figure out why it had a familiar look to it. Until I used it. It felt similar to pressing a spoon against my lashes, so I looked it up on the website. Sure enough, it's actually called the 'patented spoon brush'. The site says to "hold brush with spoon side against lashes and sweep from root to tip". No kidding. So this giant makeup conglomerate has resorted to using an old beauty trick to make their product work better? I find that really interesting. Sort along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Stacy B here! We all know drugstore purchases can be hit or miss. They are relatively inexpensive so sometimes a miss isn't too big of a deal. Especially if you have a coupon, or there's a package deal or something. You can try lots of new things for not a lot of money so I think your chances of finding something good is pretty high. As long as you don't mind a few misses along the way. Last year you may have ready my 'miss' about Garnier's Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller. I definitely don't regret trying it, but am glad to know first hand that it's not for me and I only wasted a few dollars. It was a small chunk of my wallet, so I wasn't afraid (or budget-challenged) to head back to my local drugstore to try again. Happily, my optimism paid off!  This week, I have a HUGE hit for you. Hit with a capital H. Seriously. I am in love with this new eye shadow I found.
 
A few weeks ago, Meg did a post about getting Kim Kardashian's beauty looks for less and she mentioned Maybelline's Eye Studio in "Give Me Gold". That sounded right up my alley: inexpensive, shimmery, multiple colors in one compact, and a trusted brand. I scooted my butt to the store and grabbed one...for less than $10! I was very excited and felt pretty confident I'd be suddenly transformed into something as striking as Ms. Kardashian. (OK, I didn't ACTUALLY think that, but isn't it nice to know sometimes you can copy looks that are so much more expensive in TV land for so much less?)

Stacy B here! I know you all read Megs Makeup for different reasons...it's entertaining, it's a like-minded group, it's good information for different budgets, and it's honest. Ok, there are probably some that read just for the makeup points, but you can't deny that you aren't learning something new every day even if your agenda is free makeup! (And don't worry, we don't blame you, free makeup is so great!) I tried to keep this in mind this week when I was trying a new product: You want honesty. You don't want a site that has advertising paying their writers to say what they want you to hear. You don't want a sticky sweet marketing campaign designed to secretly brainwash you into spending your hard earned money on products that don't do what they promise. You want real women to try real products and tell you what they really think. Right?
 
OK...here goes. I tried Garnier's Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller this week. And, I just didn't like it.
 
Sorry Garnier. I know you have a great following and have some great products but this didn't work for me.
 
I had high hopes for this. I, like so many of us, have shadows under my eyes that on some days look fine, and some days tell a million stories about my hectic, sleepless life in a one second glance. I am constantly looking for that miracle cure. This roller promises to "instantly correct the appearance of dark circles and brighten the skin around your eyes". You just roll it on from corner to corner and feel refreshed. It has a caffeine gel that will awaken, and a lemon essense that will brighten.

Meg here! This is two days late! The beauty of the island made me give in to a day off!

Aloha! I am up in the air, thousands of miles away off to a Hawaiian Turkey Day! It could not have come at a better time! Not only has it started actually get cold in Los Angeles (you can laugh but N.Y.C. was warmer yesterday!) but I have been running around like a crazy person. Yesterday, I taped two segments for the TV Guide Network, first one airing December 19th. One of the segments was a “Steal This Look For Less.” I spoke directly to Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist Joyce Bonnelli on how to exactly get Kim’s look. Exactly-Step-by-Step!!

I followed Joyce’s instructions and picked up all of the high-end products that she uses on Kim.  I managed to get a hold of a lot of the companies and ask them to send me the items to take on TV. However, there were 3 companies, ONLY three that I could not reach. I needed them for the segment -I went into Sephora to get the three things and spent way over $100.00

This is Joyce's actual email to me on how to get Kim Kardashian's signature look and the EXACT steps and products she uses to do it.

I put in RED the products that I featured (and used) to put a "Kim K." face on myself and I followed Joyce's directions and if I am allowed to toot my horn here a bit...My makeup looked so great from using her suggestions that I suggest you give it a try. My segment is airing December 19th where I talk about how to mimic the look with drugstore products. I have some suggestions and recommendations to save some money attached.

m, & PerfectSkin eye cream. To condition lips I use Keihl’s lip balm. *Don’t be lazy, this also goes for washing your face at night! Use makeup remover wipes if you are too tired.

I use Mister Mat Mattifying foundation primer by Givenchy. *My FAV!

I like to keep Kim’s overall skin to appear matte so I use Sheer Matte by NARS. Blend into the skin with a foundation brush for a flawless touch.

I use Lift Concealor by Make Up For Ever.

Meg's Drugstore Best Bet? Almay Smart Shade Concealer

Finally I set Kim’s entire face with translucent powder by Laura Mercier. *Don’t get all cray cray & over do it, only dust your brush with a touch & then gently apply powder.

Meg's Drugstore Best Bet? Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation-Transluscent

"So long as a woman has twinkles in her eyes, no man notices whether she has wrinkles under them..." Dolores Del Rio (1904-1983)

Spoken like a true legendary beauty of the 1930's whose lovers are a who's who of Hollywood and the world! Goddess Granny suggests you read about her and discover what a "Beauty Legend" REALLY might be? SO different from today's standards and levels of acceptance! I don't however totally agree that no one will notice the mess under one's eyes simply because they are incredibly captivating although it's something to strive for!

Honestly, under-eye circles aren't my worst beauty-nightmare personally but I know the issue is annoying to many! I have other nasty fish to fry when it comes to my flaws. There is however nothing like the power of a GREAT concealer and with SO many on the market, it's easy to overlook the ones who might actually be the stuff of legend.

"Innovative Technology Cosmetics" or IT Cosmetics is a brand I knew little about: an expertly created line of cosmetics that are not only somewhat "clinical" in nature in that they were designed to help perfect the skin after surgery both elective and non with incredible formulas that also allow the user to look fabulous while healing without looking like there's anything to hide! This is a new idea to me: most of the "clinically based" makeups out there are not something most would choose to use everyday. They are known to be thicker, heavier, harder to apply-simply not really great for one's skin! I know many believe in "minerals" but for some of us, they aren't our best option.

StacyB here! Nothing makes you feel less glamorous than moving. Unpacking, cleaning, dusting, eating off paper plates, clothes in piles, missing items, bare walls, painting, organizing, it's crazy! I just moved into our news house about a week ago, and I'm pretty sure I forgot how to apply makeup or straighten my hair after three days of manual labor. And forget the state of my nails, I have nicknamed my fingers the nubsters.
 
For three days, I pretty much stuck with the basics, if anything: a little cover-up for those bags under my eyes from being up all night with my 2-year-old who was sleeping in our room since his wasn't ready. I had no idea a toddler could have so many conversations with himself while actually asleep. I slathered on the lip balm since all the dust from the moving boxes sucked the moisture from my lips, I used the plain old drugstore brand travel sized lotion I carry in my handbag and my hair was in a perma-pony tail.
 
I'm painting a pretty picture for you, aren't I?

Meg here! I've said it once, I'll say it a thousand times "Urban Decay consistently hits the nail on the head." If you're ever hesitant about trying one of their products I am here to confidently tell you to stop hesitating!

The only reason I can think of to not buy this mascara is if you're looking for a lot of curl. If I'm going out all fabulous I use my eyelash curler (that I heat up with my hairdryer-little trick for you.) The fact that is that Urban Decay SkyScraper Multi-Benefit Mascara lengthens and doesn't clump! This is what makes me a huge fan. On uber-glam nights I like to apply some false lashes just for kicks, sometimes I do a few individuals in the outer-corner to give a little pop! I like how precise the brush is-it makes it easy to even blend false lashes to look real. Real sexy!No raccoon eyes and no sticky clumpy lashes. The wand makes it easy to apply! I really like this for everyday. Urban Decay was nice enough to send Megsmakeup.com several full sized tubes that either have already or currently are being packed into your makeup points packages so I am really curious to hear what you ladies think of this! The packaging is typical of Urban Decay, their signature purple and black motif cased in a comfortable to wield, rubber tube.

StacyB here!  Guess what I did yesterday? I signed my life away! At least for the next 30 years....that's right, I closed on our new house! We are so excited! I must have signed my name 40 times, while trying to ignore the fact that my last mortage payment will be made on December 1, 2040. 2040!!! Isn't that insane? Flying cars and a colony on the moon? That's probably a little much, but isn't it nice to think that maybe by then we'll have a cure for cancer? Maybe we'll have a peaceful world with true religious tolerance and an absolvance of descrimination? Or at the very least, makeup that makes us look the age we feel inside, not the actual number of years we've racked up?!

On top of this exciting day, it was over 70 degrees here in Massachusetts! One of the best things about late October in New England (besides the pumpkin muffins, brightly colored trees, and hair that's calm and humidity-frizz free) is that one last chunk of days where it's in the upper 60s-low 70s and we all get our last little bit of warmth before the long, cold winter. Thanks Mother Nature, I needed that little boost before hunkering down in my wool jacket and faux-fur scarf.

Needless to say, I've been feeling sunny and warm since yesterday morning. I wanted my face to match my mood and my favorite summery outfit (one last good bye pretty flower-y short-sleeved shirt!) so I pulled out my NYX 5-Color Shadow in "Caribbean Collection"  Nothing's sunnier or happier than the Caribbean! My palate was called "I Dream of St. Thomas" and had five fun colors: A smokey charcoal, hot pink, bright silver, peach and a bright sea green/teal color.