We could be jealous of Kim Kardashian's reality show, her amazing curves, or the fact that she threw a $15 million wedding without spending a penny. But let's face it: Those things aren't happening for most of us in this lifetime. So what's the one enviable Kardashian trait that's actually feasible? Her doll-like false-eyelashes look.
Hey, guess what we did two days ago. We hung out with a top celebrity makeup artist. At the drugstore. That's right, we had him personally pick out the best products for us (and you). Cue happy dance.
While summer was all about the soft pinks and bright corals, lips are getting a bold overhaul for the new season. Fall trends are calling for deep plums and rich mauves for your pout, and you'll find that there's a color for everyone -- even the Chapstick-wearer in the corner who dares to maybe wear tinted lip balm for a night out.
The signs of the new season are here. Leaves crunch beneath your gray wool booties and Starbucks is offering their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte again. But you're not here to chitchat about the romantic elements of the season, are you? We didn't think so. So let's get to the stuff that we really care about right now -- like the burnt orange and electric blue colors that are popping up in eyeshadow palettes, the wine-stained lips we're seeing in fashion mags, and the revved-up cat eye that has us purring for the how-to's already.
In theory beauty editors shouldn't be making makeup mistakes. We interview expert makeup artists all the time, we try new makeup products daily, and we write about bad makeup on celebrities and vow never to do the same to ourselves. But in reality, even the most experienced makeup mavens can mess up now and then.
For the record, we're in no position to judge a good makeup splurge. Our makeup bags are loaded with MAC lip glosses, Nars shadows, and tubes of Lancome mascaras. We'd be giant hypocrites if we told you to always bargain shop for your beauty products. But...
Summer's here, and there's an extra spring in your freshly-pedicured step for good reason: We actually can't help but love this time of year because the sun actually increases our serotonin levels, the "happy" moderators in our brain that lift our mood. (And you thought your new, cheery outlook was just about all the pool parties, cute sundresses, and fun new makeup trends to try.)
There are some things in this world that are inexplicable: What really happened at Roswell? Or what came first, the chicken or the egg? Sure these may not keep you up at night, but one mystery Total Beauty was intent on solving involved stubbornly-straight eyelashes. When it comes to Asian makeup, the most common complaint is lashes that seem to be forever answering the question, "Where's the ground?" "Down there," they say. Straight down.
We aren't all neat freaks and one too many overzealous trips down the makeup aisle has left our bathroom drawers, medicine cabinets and makeup bags overflowing with stuff. Because that's what all your precious makeup becomes when you have one too many of everything, everywhere.
Remember when you were a little girl and you couldn't wait to start wearing makeup?
How you'd pocket your mom's lipstick and wait until you got to the bathroom at school to put it on? And, how you logged countless hours in front of the bathroom mirror experimenting with different colors and ways to draw on eyeliner until you hit on just the right combo?
When you think about runway hair and makeup looks, what words come to mind?
Over-the-top? Avant guard? Wacky? Inspirational? Impossible-to-pull-off? Scary?
Scenario: You're at work. It's 4:55pm and you've had a long, perhaps sweat-inducing day thanks to accounting department Susie giving you lip in front of the big boss. While you're fantasizing about your favorite sweatpants your husband calls saying you need to meet him and his coworkers for drinks at a chi chi restaurant straight from the office. You take one look in your compact mirror and panic.
All bank accounts are not created equal. This is America and capitalism reigns supreme. But while money may fall unequally in our hands, gorgeous celebrity makeup looks are free for all to copy. See, life is fair after all.
Want to start out the new season with your best face forward? Then choose from the hottest skin, hair and makeup trends to give yourself an instant fresher-upper.
Isn't it the worst when you are super excited to try out that hot, new lipstick shade or the latest smoky eye gizmo, so you buy it and rush home or -- who are we kidding -- into your car to try it, only to be disappointed? Whether it's a chi chi product or a cheap makeup item, it's a bust either way. Spending any amount on makeup (even if it's only $1.99) that doesn't work is still a waste of money, not to mention it's really annoying. And no matter how affordable drugstore beauty products are, if they don't work, they're never a good deal.
Who doesn't love summer makeup? From bare faces with dazzling pops of color to that just-back-from-vacation glow, summer beauty is a thing to behold. Long, sunny days, warm nights and exotic vacations bring lots of opportunities to experiment with, new summer makeup trends that run the gamut from dreamy to sizzling.
