Add a Dash of Glitter to Your Look with These Products

What better way to make your makeup pop for your next night out than to add some glitter?  Check out some of this glittery cosmetics:

The eyes...

• Sephora Glitter Eyeliner and Mascara ($14 at Sephora) has a wand that holds a mascara brush as well as a lining tool to give you the perfect 2-in-1 product for super sparkly eyes.  Try all 11 shades!
• Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadows ($32 at Sephora) are pressed, pigmented eyeshadows.  Or if you prefer, the Too Faced Glamour Dust Glitter Pigment ($17 at Sephora)  are a loose powder that come in four sheerer shades that can be worn alone or as an overcoat that enhances the color of and adds sparkle to your regular eyeshadow.
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue Eye Shadow Primer ($20 at Ulta) is a shadow primer that is designed specifically for locking down glittery shadows so that sparkles don't fly onto your cheeks every time you blink.

The nails...

• Nails Inc. Special Effects 3D Glitter Nail Polish ($5 at Sephora) adds glitter and texture for a really cool 3-D effect...all while giving you full color coverage.

The lips...

• Sephora Glossy Gloss Galore ($7 at Sephora) comes in a varietyof sophisticated shades that moisturize lips and gives you long-lasting glittery pout.
• Bobbi Brown Lip Color Shimmer Finish ($25 in department store) if you're more of a lipstick person.  

 The face...

• NARS Super Orgasm Blush ($20 at Sephora) is a natural-looking deep pink shade that adds subtle sparkle to your cheeks.  NARS blushes are generally a fan favorite, and this product is no exception.
• Make Up For Ever Diamond Powder ($25 at Sephora) is the perfect translucent, super sparkly highlighter to instantly illuminate your complexion.  Dust it on the cheekbones and under the brows, the high points of the face where the light hits.  

The body...

• Avon Rare Pearls Shimmering Body Powder ($6 on avon.com) can be applied to the entire body to add a soft sparkly glow.  Plus, it smells wonderful!

The hair...

• Jerome Russell B Wild Hair & Body Glitter Spray ($5.50 at Walgreens) in your hair will top off the glittery look.  You can also spritz it on your body if you prefer a spray rather than a body powder formula.

I wouldn't recommend using all of these products at the same time...it may turn into a blinding glitter overload!  Stick to using one or two of these products at once.  I like to limit glitter to the eyes and lips.  A little sparkle helps highlight those features without being overwhelming.  And many sparkly products aren't the healthiest.  For example, it's super tough to find a glitter powder that is free of bismuth oxychloride.  But for those appropriate occasions, glitter is a really fun way to spice up your look!

What Does My Beauty Routine Look Like?

My birthday is right around the corner.  Like a true beauty addict, I can't help but think about my beauty routine as a 21-year-old, as I reflect back through the past year.  I figured I would share my daily beauty routine and the products that I use with you.

[Disclaimer:  don't be alarmed by how many products I use on a daily basis]


Morning Skincare:

• AHAVA Purifying Mud Soap ($10 at Ulta) as a gentle face cleanser.
• Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Anti-Wrinkle Serum ($62 at Sephora)
  to fight wrinkles and provide an antioxidant protection shield against free radicals and pollutants as I go through the day.
• Ole Henriksen Total Truth Vitamin C Eye Creme SPF 15 ($45 at Sephora) It's one of the very few natural eye creams that I can find with SPF, and it happens to feel really nice :)
• Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer SPF 15 Sensitive Skin ($9 at Ulta)

Makeup

• Smashbox Primer Photo Finish Lid Primer ($20 at Sephora)

• Almay Intense I-Color Smoky-I Kit for Brown Eyes ($7 at Ulta)
• Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Liner in Chocolate Shimmer ($23 at department stores)
• Eylure Naturalites Voluminous Eyelashes 020 ($6 in drugstores)
• Too Faced Liquif-Eye Eyeliner ($18 on toofaced.com) as an extra clear seal over eyeliner to ensure that it doesn't budge all day long.
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes ($19 at Sephora) on the bottom lashes (the falsies go on the top)
• Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($44 in department stores)
• Alison Raffaele Face Forward Primer SPF 15 - Acne Response ($46 on dermstore.com)
• Almay Smart Shade Mousse Makeup ($14 at Ulta)
• Alison Raffaele Incandescent Luminizer in Yellow ($28 on beauty.com) as an under eye concealer. The lighter color helps mask dark circles and highlight eye makeup.
• Alison Raffaele True Concealer ($25 on dermstore.com)

• Bobbi Brown Blush in Sand Pink ($26 in department stores)
• Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Warm Natural ($37 in department stores)
• Alison Raffaele Transparent Finish Powder ($28 on beauty.com)
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Rose Petal ($25 in department store) lipsticks often look more natural than lip glosses for everyday wear since they aren't as shiny.
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($29 at Sephora) to solidify your makeup on your face for the rest of the day.

Shower

• Jason Pure Natural Body Wash in Invigorating Rosewater ($12 on drugstore.com)
• Lily of the Desert Aloe Gelly ($10 at Whole Body)  is more natural and light-weight than a regular lotion and keeps skin soft and supple enough.  Afterwards, I also like to nourish skin by spritzing with:
• Solar Recover Save Your Skin Spray ($12 at Whole Body)
• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($9 at drugstores) on my hands and feet right before I sleep followed by covering my feet with:
• Yu-Be Heel & Elbow Moisturizing Socks ($13 on beauty.com) when I sleep.

Evening Skincare

• Bertolli Classic Olive Oil ($10 at grocery stores) as a makeup remover because it's more natural and better for your skin than baby oil
• JUARA Rice Facial Scrub ($29 on skinstore.com)
• JUARA Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner ($29 on dermstore.com)
• Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($44 at Sephora)
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79 at Sephora)
• Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil ($46 at Ulta) as a brightening vitamin C moisturizer in the fall/winter or Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil ($48 at Sephora) as a vitamin E moisturizer to help fight against sun damage in the spring/summer.  The have vitamins that are more potent than those found in creams.
• EOS Organic Lip Balm Sphere in Sweet Mint ($3 at Target)
• JUARA Rose & Willowbark Blemish Free Mask ($35 on skinstore.com) as a spot treatment for zits, white heads, and black heads (it works just as well as toothpaste doesn't leave skin red and over-dried)

Weekly Rituals 

• On Sunday nights, I give myself a face some extra attention to brighten up for the week ahead.  I wash my face with my Clarisonic Mia in Pink ($125 at Ulta) and use a JUARA Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask ($35 on skinstore.com) before applying my serums and moisturizers.  I also give the rest of my body some extra attention by swapping my aloe and essential oil spray for something more intensively hydrating, the Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Coconut Lime ($7.50 at Ulta).  

Product Reviews of My Holiday Gifts

 
Hope everyone had great holidays (yes that is a picture of my pink Christmas tree!).  Naturally, my friends and family opted for beauty products for my Christmas gifts, and I was super excited to receive them!  I got some really nice products that I'd like to share with you.  By now, I've finally had the opportunity to try all of them: 


1.  Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders ($70 at Sephora)
My cousin, Laura, got me this cute little set.  Ole Henriksen is one of my favorite skincare brands.  The products are toxin-free, feel nice, and work really well.  The set contains a mini sized Invigorating Night Gel, Total Truth Vitamin C Collagen Booster, and Sheer Transformation.  The collagen booster is one of my favorite serums because it is oil-free, lightweight, soothes and moisturizes skin, and has a light citrus scent.  This particular serum is a general anti-aging treatment, using potent vitamin C to target collagen production, fine lines and wrinkles, and radiance.  Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant to protect your complexion against environmental damage and aiding in cell repair when your sleep.  It certainly leaves me skin looking brighter when I wake up in the morning.  You can follow up the serum with the Night Gel or the Sheer Transformation.  With nourishing algae and AHA to smooth and renew skin, the Night Gel is a light-weight gel that you can use as a moisturizer.  Although it absorbs really nicely and leaves skin supple, it's definitely better for those with oily skin and in the summer.  It doesn't provide enough moisture for drier skin.  In fact, I tried it on my dry winter skin the other night, and my skin still felt taunt when I woke up in the morning.  I will try it again when the weather gets a little warmer.  Definitely a cool product, but ideal for certain skin types.  Lastly, the Sheer Transformation contains ingredients like licorice and sugar cane extracts to fade dark spots and even complexion.  Although it's a little early to tell how well it brightens, it is very silky and fast absorbing...maybe a little too light for super dry skin types but perfect for me! 

2.  Birchbox 12 Month Subscription ($110 on birchbox.com)
My cousin, Natalie, got me a Birchbox subscription.  If you haven't heard, subscription boxes have gained a lot of attention in the beauty world, and they're perfect for beauty addicts like me.  Basically, you can fill out a profile online that details your product preferences and purchase a subscription.  Every month, a customized box of deluxe samples will be delivered to you and give you the option to purchase the products that you really like.  Birchbox is currently the biggest player in beauty boxes.  One quality that I really like about Birchbox is the product selection that they have...fragrance, body care, face care, cosmetics, nail polish...prestige brands, mass brands, natural brands.  It's really an opportunity to discover great products that you wouldn't have ordinarily found on your own.  And it makes a unique and exciting gift!

3.  Brookstone Lighted Travel Mirror ($40 at Brookstone)
I always travel with a travel mirror (since hotels often don't have a good one).  My Aunt Nancy got me this one from Brookstone.  The design is really effective.  It folds up in way that's very compact and protects against breakage during travel.  It opens into a magnified mirror on top and a regular mirror on the bottom.  My favorite part is that it has a bright light that's allows you to see every pore on your face clearly.  

4.  AHAVA Bright & Merry Blue Holiday Ornament Set ($10 in department stores)
AHAVA is an affordable Israeli skincare company with products that contain minerals from the Dead Sea.  This ornament set comes with a travel-sized Mineral Hand Cream and Mineral Body Lotion. AHAVA is toxin-free and features minerals from the dead sea to nourish, moisturize, and repair skin.  The body lotion has a higher viscosity than the hand cream, but both products have a smooth formula that instantly hydrates skin.  The powerful ingredients work to heal dry skin and keep moisture locked into your skin for the rest of the day.  Overall, AHAVA moisturizers help keep your skin feeling soft and looking healthy in this dry winter weather. 

5.  L'Occitane Travel Size Shea Butter Hand Cream ($12 at Sephora)
It wouldn't be Christmas without a L'Occitane hand cream from my Aunt Stella.  L'Occitane makes my favorite hand creams.  Formulated with shea butter for deep, lasting moisture, these creams are non-greasy/sticky.  The thick formula melts into skin to keep hands soft throughout the day.  They come in a variety of different floral scents.  Sometimes, I find that floral scents can be too strong and overwhelming, but these are light and pleasant.  I always keep one of these in my purse to reapply throughout the day.

6.  Illuminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase ($60 at Neiman Marcus)
As we know, consistent pulling on your skin can support signs of aging.  Many magazines and experts claim that sleeping with the back of your head against the pillow (rather than your face) is the best way to prevent pillow wrinkles.  But many of us - myself included - are pretty adamant about sleeping on our sides or stomach.  My Aunt Alice got me this lovely pillowcase with copper ions to aid in skin renewal and help firm skin as you sleep.  The best part is that it feels silky and comfortable, helping me get my beauty sleep ;)

7.  Ciate Mini Mani Month ($41 at Sephora)
My Aunt Susan gave me this cute and fun gift set.  The set comes with 18 polishes in a variety of different colors in addition to decorative glitter, caviar pearls, and sequins.  The formula stays on pretty well (which helps solidify caviar pearl pieces) and dries quickly.  The only downside to that is that it is a little difficult to remove.  I really like the Hoopla, which is a pretty pale pink shade.  With so many nail colors and accessories, you have unlimited ways to express yourself.  Surely a creative and easy way to spice up your manicure!  

8.  Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Smokey-Warm Eyeshadow Palette ($49 in department stores)
Hands down Bobbi Brown makes the most gorgeous palettes (especially around the

holidays), so I was happy to open this one on Christmas morning.  In particular, the eyeshadow palettes generally contain exciting but natural looking colors.  And the color combinations work for most women.  This smokey warm palette comes with colors like "Antique Gold," which is a really neutral looking gold color as well as warm brown shades.  Plus, it comes with black and white eyeshadows and a 2-sided brush (a liner brush on one end and shadow brush on the other).  Since the shadows are really pigmented and stay on incredibly well, I even use the darker colors as eyeliners.  Voila, you have a shadow for your lid, crease, and brown bone as well as a highlighter and liner. 

9. npw Nail Polish Remover Pads ($1.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond)
These pads were the perfect stocking stuffer.  They do the job of a nail polish remover, but in a much more convenient way.  First, the pads are already saturated in remover, which saves you some work.  Second, the 25 pads come in a convenient 2-inch wide circular disk...much more compact and spill-proof than a bottle of Cutex.  And most importantly, no nasty smell!  These pads have a pleasant, fruity smell.  Even though they're acetone and alcohol-free, they remove polish just as well as a regular remover does.    

Travel Light With These Beauty Products

Whether you're going to see family or flying off to a relaxing getaway, the holidays can definitely mean traveling for a lot of Americans.  Bringing all of your moisturizers, hair sprays, foundations, etc. can take up a lot of room and add weight to your luggage.  Check out some of these tips for efficiently bringing your essential beauty products with you wherever you go:


1.  Opt for 2-in-1 products.

The best way to pack light is to bring products that serve multiple purposes.  For example, the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Pink Quartz ($42 at department stores) contains adjacent rows of shimmery pinkish and bronze shades.  Swirl your kabuki brush over the entire brick, and sweep it over your face to add a warm, bronzed glow.  Alternatively, you can use the individual colors on the brick as eyeshadow shades.  And don't forget that you can you can use the individual pink shades as a blush and the lighter shades as a highlighter.  This product comes in several different color combinations, but my personal favorite is this lovely and naturally looking Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick. 


You can't talk about 2-in-1's without mentioning BB, CC, and DD creams.  For your complexion cosmetics, leave your daily moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, primer, and foundation at home, and bring one of these 4-in-1's.  They will provide the hydration, SPF protection, and coverage that you need for the day in one easy step.  Try the travel-size Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm ($18 at Sephora).  Boscia also makes a travel sized BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF PA 27++ ($18 at Sephora), if you prefer an oil-free product.  Both have physical sunblocks as well as other great skin beneficial ingredients.

2.  Swap your cleanser for cleansing wipes.

If you're flying, remember that most airlines have a policy regarding transporting liquids.  You are permitted to take a quart-sized Ziploc bag full of clear 3 oz. or less containers.  So, try makeup removing and cleansing wipes rather than a liquid makeup remover and a liquid face cleanser.  They're just as effective, and you don't have to worry about spills in your luggage or getting the product past airline security.  I really like the Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Vitamin C Wipes ($15 at Sephora).  They cleanse while soothing and moisturizing skin.  The vitamin C brightens and firms your complexion and gives the wipes a refreshing citrus smell.  Plus, this product comes in a convenient to-go pack that's perfect for traveling.


 
3.  Pick up some smart travel containers.

You can also try transporting your products in these clear, stackable travel containers ($6 at Amazon).  They are pretty spill-proof, clear, and light-weight, and you can stack as many as you need together.  I've spooned everything from loose powder to serums to toner to tinted moisturizer into these containers.  It's also a great way to keep your products organized! 


4.  Invest in a travel brush set.

Makeup brushes are long, bulky, and delicate.  To lighten up your load, bring along a travel brush set like the Sephora Collection Face & Eye Travel Tool Kit ($32 at Sephora).  There are tons of these types of products on the market today.  Sephora as well as companies like Bobbi Brown make variations of these sets, so you can choose the ones with the right combination of brushes for you.  This particular kit contains a mini powder/blush brush, eye shadow blending brush, eye shadow smudge brush, eye shadow crease brush, and an angled brow/liner brush.  The kit also comes with a small, compact case that fits nicely into luggage and protects your brushes from germs and damage.


5.  Save your samples for a rainy day.

Many of the large beauty retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Blue Mercury as well as large department stores give you samples with every purchase that give you 2-3 uses.  You can also ask for samples of your favorite products at these stores.  I like to save mine and stash them away into a reserve that I tap into when I travel.  You get your very own free travel sized products! 


Wishing everyone safe travels this holiday season!

Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas

'Tis the season!  The holidays are here, and many of us are on the look-out for the perfect gifts for our friends and family members.  Cosmetics a huge driver of holiday sales, and most beauty brands have their holiday gift sets ready to go! 

Here are a few of my favorite healthy holiday items that make for great gifts this season:

1.  Lush Snow Fairy Sparkle Massage Bar ($8 at Lush)

Lush stores are a really fun place.  They have tons of soaps and bath bombs that are sweet smelling, colorful, and fun...making them loveable gifts.  My only complaint about Lush is that many of their products do contain parabens and/or sulfates.  But, their massage bars are free of both and can be really unique and enjoyable gifts.  You simply rub the bar over your skin in the shower as, it works a moisturizer to soften your skin.  Perfect for this dry winter weather!  It's available in different shapes and scents, but the Snow Fairy Sparkle one is definitely the most festive. 

2.  Hollywood Fashion Secrets Emergency Kit ($15 at Ulta)

Every girl should keep one of these kits in her purse.  It is a very small, compact cosmetics case that contains anything you would need in a fashion emergency...Hollywood fashion tape, a deodorant-removing sponge, lint-removing sheets, a sewing kit, a stain wipe, an earring back, an instant button, a hair band, a nail file, a blister pad, and a shoe-shine sponge.  It's one of those items that you would never think of buying, but will appreciate once you do!

3.  L'Occitane Hand Indulgence Set ($28 at Sephora)

Not to be totally unoriginal, but I really do love the L'Occitane hand creams.  As with every holiday season, you will see gift sets of them available everywhere.  Everyone can use some hand cream.  The L'Occitane ones are infused with shea butter to lock in moisture.  I like them because they absorb nicely and have a light, floral scent.  This set is a classic beauty gift that women of all ages can enjoy.

4.  Origins Ginger Treats Set ($40 at Sephora)

Origins makes some of my favorite skincare products.  This holiday season, they're offering a festive ginger scented trio that includes a Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream, Incredible Spreadable Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub, and Ginger Float Cream.  You will definitely feel calm and refreshed as these products work to soften and nourish your skin.

5.  DIY Spa Kit

What's cuter and more creative than making your spa kit?  Gifts that encourage people to pamper themselves are the best kinds of gifts.  Here are some ideas for this DIY kit:

Bellaboo Sweet Sin Chocolate Face Mask ($10 at Ulta) 
This delicious mask is the perfect mask for relaxation time.  By cleansing and hydrating, the chocolate will leave your face smooth to the touch.  And don't forget that it will help provide antioxidant protection and nourishment to keep your complexion looking youthful and healthy.
          
Earth Therapeutics Recover-E Cucumber Eye Pads ($7 at Ulta) 
While you have your mask on your face, put these pads over your eyes.  The cucumber, green tea, aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E will help soothe the eye area.  Your eyes will appear fresh and awake.  These pads are also useful for those mornings when you wake up with puffy or red eyes.

 
Earth Therapeutics Aloe Socks ($8 at Ulta)
And don't forget to throw in some comfy socks to top off the experience.  These socks are not only super soft, but are also infused with natural aloe to moisturize your feet as you wear them.

In general, people can be picky about their skincare products, so stay away from kits with serums, eye creams, etc.  For gifts for those you don't know as well or those who don't use cosmetics, opt for general personal care products (like the ones mentioned above) that all women can use.     

...but for those makeup wearers, try these fun and fashionable products:

6.  Sephora Collection 5 Shade Tinted Balm Wand ($12 at Sephora)

This stackable wand contains tinted lip balms in five core shades (beiges, pinks, reds).  To change shades, you simply remove the shade at the top, move it to the bottom, and push it up.  A super cute stocking stuffer!  

  

7.  Sephora Party Starter Brush Set ($16 at Sephora)

This travel brush set contains a flat powder brush, concealer brush, shadow brush, and angled liner brush...everything you need for a touch-up on a night out or to apply your makeup on vacation.  Plus, the brushes are a pretty sparkly pink color and come in a stylish, sparkly case that fits conveniently in your purse.

8.  Bobbi Brown Everyday Lip & Eye Palette ($30 at department stores)

Bobbi Brown always makes gorgeous palettes around the holiday season.  As the name implies, this palette has colors that everyday women can wear every day.  It has neutral taupe, white, and black eye shadow shades and neutral pink lip shades.  All of these shades come in a small compact so you can throw it in your purse for touch-ups during the day.

9.  Tarte Stop & Stare Eyeliner & Lash Set ($39 at Ulta) 

The Tarte pencil liners are pretty efficacious.  They have a nice creamy formula that allows you to move and blend the color really easily.  After a few seconds, it dries so that it stays in place all day long.  This particular set comes with beautiful onyx, purple garnet, azurite green, new taupe, and rose gold shades.  And don't forget that it comes with their signature Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement mascara that uses a precise brush to sweep color onto lashes and boost volume.

10.  DIY Nail Set

Bring the nail salon to your girlfriends!  They make for fun and original gifts.  Putting a kit together yourself can allow you to incorporate all of your favorite products and shades that you know your friends will love.  
 

Sephora Collection Instant Nail Polish Remover ($10 at Sephora)
My cousin got this for me last Christmas, and I absolutely love it.  Inside of the bottle is a foam ring filled with remover.  You stick your finger in the middle of the ring as the solution dissolves your nail polish instantly.  No cotton ball necessary and no work for you!

Sephora Collection Set of 5 Color Hit Nail Set ($12 at Sephora)
This collection from Sephora is a set of mini nail polishes.  Sometimes, it's hard to say which shades different people will like, but this kit contains neutral shades like reds, pinks, and beiges, which everyone can use at some point.   

Sephora Collection Colorful Nail File ($3 at Sephora)
To top it off, add a fun nail file to shape your nails before you paint them.

This holiday season, if you're looking for gift ideas, check the beauty aisle.  After all, you can't go wrong with products that make you look and feel great.  Even if your friends and family members aren't beauty fanatics, there are some great products in stores right now that they will really enjoy.

Happy Holidays everyone :)

Sleeping Beauty

When it comes to beauty, I don't believe in rigid guidelines because you should really do whatever works for you.  However, one rule that every girl should always follow is removing your makeup at night.  Why?  

• First of all, makeup generally stays on for a fixed amount of time, so when you wake up, it will look faded, caked, and/or smudged.   
• Second, having mascara or liner on your eyes when you sleep can allow for the formation of bacteria-causing styes and infections.  Similarly, having powder on your face can trap bacteria and assist in acne formation.  
• Lastly, your skin needs oxygen and nutrients to repair itself while you're asleep, which it can't necessarily do with makeup sitting on your pores. 

That being said...there are always those times when it's inevitable that you're going to sleep in our makeup - whether you're taking a red-eye flight or crashing at a friend's place after a late night outing.  The challenge is finding products that will still look great on your face when you wake up and will cause minimal disruption to your skin's overnight repair process.  On those occasions, try these healthy products to keep your skin feeling as healthy and looking as fresh as possible:
   

The Eyes

The eyes are definitely the trickiest part when it comes to sleeping in makeup.  There's no way to avoid the fact that leaving it on when you sleep can definitely make you more prone to eye infections and styes.  So the following product recommendations are more based on how well they stay on while you slumber.  From

personal experience, I can say that sleeping in a smokey eye look can result in looking like a raccoon when you wake up.  So opt for a simpler look with shimmers and mattes only...sparkles can end up all over your face by the end of the night.  In general, if you know you're going to sleep in eye makeup, stick to smudge and crease-proof products, rather than products that blend well.  This means that you should stay away from pencil or powder liners.  A gel or liquid liner will stay on your eyes for longer and won't smudge.  I'm all for

drugstore products, but I find that they peel more easily and don't last as long as liners like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20 at Sephora). It has a nice thin tip for a precise and smooth application and does not run or smudge.  Or try the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23 at Sephora), if you're more of a gel person.  It is also a very long-lasting formula and comes in some really pretty colors like Chocolate Shimmer and Hunter.  Similarly, try a cream shadow like the shimmery Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadows ($18 at Sephora).  They're light-weight, crease-resistant, easily to blend, and richly pigmented.  And don't forget mascara! 

Look for long-last mascaras that are smudge-proof rather than waterproof (since waterproof formulas are more likely to peel).  The two big long-lasting, volumizing mascaras on shelves are the Maybelline XXL Pro 24HR Bold Mascara ($8 in drugstores) and the Cover Girl LashBlast 24 Hour Mascara ($9 in drugstores).  There's even a new, hot mascara product that lasts 72 hours!  Unfortunately, the Max Factor Lashfinity 3 Day Mascara has only been released in the UK.  I can't wait for it to make it over here!


The Lips 

As you sleep, your lips lose moisture, so you definitely need to wear a moisturizing product at night.  Your best bet for long-last lip color is always a lip stain because they literally "stain" your lips.  The problem with lip stains though is that they don't provide hydration.  So products like the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($17 at Sephora) and the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain ($9 in drugstores) have introduced a solution in the form of balm + stains, which are similar to chubby crayons.  Balm + stains are the perfect product for beautifully pigmented, soft, kissable lips morning and night.


The Face 

Like your lips, your skin will also lose moisture as you sleep, and many foundations even pull moisture from your skin in order to keep from caking.  Instead of a foundation, stick to a BB or CC cream for better hydration and coverage that will last.  In this case, a CC like the Ole Henriksen Total Truth CC Creme Broad Spectrum 30 ($36 at Sephora) that is suited more for dry skin types will do the job.  Or if you're more of a BB person, try the Dr. Jart+ V7 Beauty Balm ($36 at Sephora), which is packed with vitamins to assist with the skin-renewal process when you sleep (so that your skin is supple and radiant when you wake up!).  Both products contain hylauronic acid to help your skin lock in moisture.  As for your blush, try a gel formula that will stay on without drying out your skin.  I've always been a fan of the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee ($22 at Sephora) because it is very natural looking, and the coverage is buildable.  Plus, it water infused and formulated with coconut, a super hydrating natural ingredient.  Alternatively, you can try a rollerball gel blush, which is also very natural looking.  Tarte makes a nice Maracuja Blush and Go ($32 at Sephora) and for a sheerer color, use the Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel ($28 at Sephora) with Smart Color Technology that adjusts to your skin tone.  These rollerball blushes are great for sleeping because they're light-weight, moisturizing, and contain beneficial vitamins and antioxidants.

And don't forget to top it all off with powder!  One of the most innovative beauty products to hit the market is the bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment ($60 at Sephora), the first makeup product that is specifically designed for sleeping.  In fact, it is an overnight treatment that replenishes skin so that you wake up with a luminous glow.  At the same, the powder is pigmented, providing coverage to mask imperfections, minimize pores, and even skin tone.  Overall, it is pretty transfer-resistant and moisturizes without feeling oily.  It's definitely one of the coolest products that I've tried! 

To help your makeup last throughout the night and stick to your face rather than your pillow,

check out these tips.  The morning following up your night in makeup, your complexion may look a little dull.  After cleansing, try a mask that will help renew your skin and restore its natural glow.  Simply smooth some JUARA Skincare Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask ($35 at skinstore.com) all over your face and rinse it off with cool water after 15 minutes...your face will be instantly brightened!