Category — Make Up

It is a well known no-no to ever sleep in your makeup. You know to have a healthy face and skin that you must remove your makeup every night. One of the trickiest parts of make up removal is removing eye makeup. Without an eye makeup remover you will have a hard time getting all the eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow off completely.

A good eye makeup remover should be gentle on your eyes and skin, but do a good job at completely removing all the makeup. You want to look for something like Bare Escentuals bareEyes - Eye Makeup Remover 4 oz . I have checked this out and it has also had some amazing beauty reviews. I like it because it’s gentle and effectively removes all traces of eye makeup with its combination of remover and moisturizer.

To remove eye makeup you have to be careful. Keep in mind that the skin surrounding your eye area is pretty fragile. So here are the basics.

• Start with a cotton ball and your eye makeup remover.

• Gentle wipe your eye, inner corner to outer, until all makeup is removed.

• Be sure to replace the soiled cotton ball with a clean one if needed.

• Try to avoid pulling at your eye or rubbing it. This can cause irritation and damage to the skin around the eye.

Eye makeup remover is something you must have in your collection of beauty items. You need to avoid the temptation of using the same cleaner you use on your face to clean your eye makeup because it is often too harsh and damaging for the eye area. Get a good eye make remover and use it everyday to keep your eyes healthy and looking amazing.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

Does acne or big pores have you hiding behind a ton of concealer? Well I have found a solution that really works to both conceal minor imperfections and actually help heal your skin. The result is skin that actually glows.

Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel Decadent is an absolutely amazing product that both my sister and I are hooked on.

What is it: “A multitasking all-in-one vitamin enriched, sweat-resistant and water-resistant skin perfector.”

What does it do?: “It improves skin tone, reduce redness, and help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines… alpha lipoic acid, and vitamins A and E to help repair, protect, and fight future environmental skin damage, this lightweight gel helps maintain hydration leaving the skin with a healthy, even glow by locking in moisture and absorbing excess skin oils” This stuff is so light that you forget that you have it on in seconds. And it looks natural - your skin only so much better. Now when you put it on your fingers to apply it, it looks darker than your natural skin color but once you apply it, it blends in extremely well. When you apply it correctly ( just follow the directions) no one will be able to tell that you have it on. I didn’t know my sister was using it until she let me in on the secret. I just thought her skin looked amazing.

Anyway, that is my review and recommendation for the day. Try it and let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

The use of professional makeup in the mainstream is becoming more and more prominent. The makeup used by professionals has not always been available to the public, nor has the public really wanted to use it.

In the past professional makeup was cake make up that was similar to stage makeup. It was not a look that would work on the street. As technology has evolved, though, makeup has changed. Today’s high resolution technology means that makeup doesn’t have to be so strong and can actually be much more like that you would wear on the street.

Professional makeup does not have to cost a lot. Many professionals use old drug store standbys and other affordable products to make stars shine. What’s more, most of these products are easy to use.

Many professional makeup products are easily found in beauty reviews where the reviewer will mention the professional use of the product. The use of a certain item by professionals makes it more reliable because professionals know what stuff is good.

Here are a couple hints for applying this type of makeup straight from the professionals:

• Use a professional brush for applying your eye makeup. It will give you more control, and this will help you achieve what ever results you desire- subtle to dramatic.

• Use a high grade eyeliner to bring attention where you need it more. Start on the upper lid. Apply eyeliner below for a more dramatic or nighttime look. You’ll find the professional quality liner apply more easily and are easier to work with.

A great example of professional makeup that is available to the average consumer is Pop Beauty Day to Play Wallet Day To Play Wallet. This eye shadow pallet is inspired by professionals and provides a nice range of color choices that work for any need, from day to night, from office to dinner.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

This season’s best look is a natural look. Accomplishing a natural look is about using cosmetics sheer lines. You want a look that is not heavy and as my beauty reviews recommend you want to try to choose products that do double duty so you can wear less for that cosmetics sheer look. Try the sheer color tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 from Stila. This is a sheer moisturizer that protects and moisturizes your skin all at once.

The Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 is high on my list for a few reasons. First, it is going to help you ensure that your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Second, it will help you to moisturize and third, it will provide a cosmetics sheer foundation.

Anyone who is a makeup expert will tell you that having a moisturized face is very important to how your finished makeup looks. Applying foundation on dry skin will look horrible. It will cake and flake and look anything but sheer. You have to have moisturized skin so your foundation looks flawless. With this product that is what you get.

Additionally, this product gives you the ever important sun protection. Wearing a product with SPF daily will really cut down on the damage the sun does to your face. As you age you will be grateful you followed all the beauty advice to wear SPF everyday.

Products like this one address the three steps in your beauty regiment listed above. You are saving a lot of time everyday. Plus, you do not even have to worry about making sure you remembered to apply your SPF because it is right in the product.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

The Most Powerful Beauty Tip for Your Hair and Make Up Get ready to transform girls, because today I’m going to share the quickest, easiest, and most transformational beauty tip I know for hair and make up. For all the beauty reviews I read and write, this one little trick has the most “bang for the buck” to take you from a rags to riches appearance instantly. Ready?

Shape your brows.

Really? Yes, if you’re not already in the habit of waxing or shaping your eyebrows, this one change has the power to make you look instantly polished. If you’re not a big fan of waxing, or if your eyebrows need a little filling in- no worries. I recommend you start with the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Essential Brow Kit . This provides brow color, mascara and a perfectly shaped brow brush. My favorite part is that you can customize it by choosing any shade to perfectly complement your hair color. It comes in a pale/ash blonde, medium/dark blonde, auburn or brunette.

This is one of those hair and make up changes that no one will no you made; they’ll just know that you look really good for some reason. For me, that’s the best type of transformation. Don’t you love hearing “Wow, you look great!” ? I know I do. And I don’t mind at all if no one else knows why.

So I dare you to give it a try. Then drop me a line and let me know. I’ll bet you are amazed by the big results of this subtle change.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

When flipping through a current magazine, or browsing a beauty reviews website, I tend to search for sets and kits filled with the latest cosmetics. Mascara and eyeshadow have always been my downfall when it comes to makeup. I’m constantly on the prowl for the newest, trendiest cosmetics, mascara wands, and sultry shadow shades- guaranteed to make my eyes POP.

Based in Los Angeles, Smashbox Cosmetics have always been known to take their makeup seriously. From primers and foundations, to mascaras and eyeshadows, this innovative cosmetics company consistently offers extensive collections that you can count on. So, when I stumbled upon the Smashbox Master’s Class Expert Eyes Set ($174 Value) Master’s Class Expert Eyes Set ($59), I knew that I had discovered one of the very best sets currently offered. This seven piece set includes everything you need to create two totally different eye looks. And what’s great about this set, it includes A TON of cosmetics: Mascara, Two Eye Shadow Trios (that’s six shadows!) Cream Eyeliner Duo, and an instructional DVD by a renowned Smashbox makeup artist.

Taking a hint from positive online beauty reviews, I’ve used the Smashbox line before, and LOVED it. What’s great about this cosmetics line, is its durability. Once you apply Smashbox, it will stay on all day. And coming from a self-proclaimed makeup guru like me, that’s pretty awesome.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

As the fall season approaches, you want to update your makeup collection. Bid farewell to the light hues of the summer months, and say hello to the rich shades of autumn. Kick that pink nail polish to the curb, and get ready to shake things up with some, dare I say…red? The beauty reviews are buzzing with the winds of changes, and Sephora Cosmetics rate high with all of the makeup mavens.

I’m a long-tome fan because of the high quality collection of private label products like multitasking makeup, luxurious bath and body products, and trendy accessories. That’s why Sephora Cosmetics has a reputation as the ultimate Beauty Authority. Both Sephora stores and Sephora.com offer an unparalleled assortment of products from more than 175 brands including the Sephora Collection.

According to the beauty reviews and makeup gossip queens (ok- that includes me!), this season is all about a dramatic appearance; and Sephora Brand Dramatica Kit ($85 Value) Dramatica Kit, contains all that you need for the newest look. The advantage of this kit is that you can completely update your seasonal makeup collection with this one set. The Dramatica Kit includes the eye wear essentials to create that sultry, smoky gaze (mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow). This Sephora Cosmetics original also includes a blush for naturally flushed cheeks as well as Professional Lip Plumper and Liner for your sexy, full lips. And what would make this dramatic look complete without, you guessed it….vixen red nails. This Sephora Cosmetics Collections comes conveniently in a signature Sephora clear makeup bag; perfect to stash all of your little makeup extras.

So I guess my rave today is for both the company and the products at Sephora. My biggest accolade is that the variety is so great, you can really find everything you need in one place.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

P.S. Get a Free 13-piece beauty sample bag with orders over $25. Enter GOODIES4U at checkout. While supplies last.

Taken any good trips lately? I have. Weekend getaways, family visits, out and out vacations. But you know what really makes me nuts about it? If I get there only to find that my shampoo has leaked all over my underwear. Or that that great little bottle of face wash is now indistinguishable from my hairspray. I did make these rookie mistakes once upon a time. That was before I discovered the essential tool that every girl should have in her beauty arsenal- the makeup bag.

Yes, I know- a makeup bag isn’t something you need to travel to the ends of the earth to find. So is it really necessary that I sit here and write beauty reviews on the subject? Ah yes, my lovely makeup maidens; I believe it is. Finding a decent makeup bag that will stand the test of time, face the indignities of post-911 airport security, and still look like something that a dignified diva can stand to be seen with is no small task.

A really good makeup bag should:

• Be attractive enough that you’d buy it for another purpose

• Be roomy enough for your specific needs

• Have zippers and closures to protect against leaks and spills

• Tempt me into writing great beauty reviews for it

Now your needs for a makeup bag and mine are bound to differ. A weekend trip to visit the folks and a weeklong honeymoon will call for dramatically different bags. But here are two makeup bags that earned their way in to my beauty reviews during a couple of my action-packed traveling adventures.

The Sephora Brand Core Nylon Double Handle Clutch Organizer is my favorite makeup bag for storing daily cosmetics or for a quick weekend get-away. OK-The name could use a little more sizzle, but frankly the style and functionality make up for that. It looks like a cute little handled clutch you could carry out on the town, but it’s full of mesh pockets, zippered enclosures, slide pockets, and even a removable makeup bag.

Not big enough for you seasoned travelers? Never fear- its big sister, the Sephora Brand Core Vinyl Double Handle Makeup Bag has 3 removable makeup bags. All sealed up tight when you need them to be. Who could ask for more of a makeup bag than that?

Let me know some of your favorites or give these little treasures a try.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

If you have not tried mineral makeup yet, what are you waiting for? This type of makeup actually nurishes your skin and feels light as a feather. I love it. Your skin looks better, even after you wash this stuff off, than before you put it on. Now that is the ulimate in skin care.

Now buying mineral makeup got even better. The mineral makeup company Sheer Cover has decided to make this makeup decision even easier for you. When you buy your first supply of their makeup they give you not one or two but FIVE gifts, including makeup brushes ( and we all know how much those can cost).

Here is the coupon: Get 5 free gifts ($75 value) with your Sheer Cover order today!

Isn’t it time that you looked better, nourished your skin, and saved money? I know my answer was a resounding yes!

Oh and here is their return policy ( yes I know ordering makeup online can be scary):

“Sheer Cover is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. Just try our products, and if you’re not totally satisfied with the results, simply return them within 60 days of delivery - even if they’re empty - for a complete refund of the purchase price (less shipping and handling).”

And did I mention that this starter kit is only $29.95. I don’t know about you but I spend more than that on dinner.

These products are fabulous. Try them for yourself.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Hi all

I just found this coupon code from Sephora.

FREE Lip Gloss Ring with any merchandise order at Sephora.com. Enter code GLOSSRING2 at checkout. Offer valid through 12-31-07, or while supplies last.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com and bargainshoppingdiva.com