Nowadays, skin care experts andbeauty influencersalike are quick to point out thebenefits of oil cleansingfor skin that looks visibly cleaner, smoother, and well nourished.
Here’s the thing about matte lips: They make jeans and a T-shirt look polished. Hell, they even make sweats and a T-shirt look polished. This classic lipstick has a certain elegance and sophistication that instantly elevates your look. Plus, the color tends to be really rich and the matte texture has a plumping effect—making your lips appear larger and more luscious. Makeup artist Melissa Walsh explains how to rock this red-hot lip trend.
Step #1: When it comes to the matte look, dry lips are the kiss of death. You want to make sure your lips are moisturized—otherwise the lipstick may look cakey, says Walsh. Before applying matte lipstick, squirt some lip balm or petroleum jelly on a baby toothbrush (that no one plans to brush their teeth with!) and rub your lips to exfoliate away any dead skin. “Do this before bed or a few hours before swiping on the lipstick so the moisture has a chance to sink in. Putting lipstick right over a moisturizer will make the lip color slip around,” says Walsh.
Step #2: Outline your lips with a pencil (that has a very sharp point—were aiming for precision here) in the same shade as your lipstick. Start at the right corner of your upper lip, trace along the top of your lip, and stop when you get to the middle of your cupid’s bow. Then start another line at the left corner of your upper lip, and trace the left side of your upper lip until you meet the point where you left off with the other liner. Apply liner to your bottom lip—starting at the corners and meeting in the middle, just like you did on the upper lip. “Lining in two sections—as opposed to running the liner across in one swoop—helps prevent mistakes,” says Walsh.
Step #3: Swipe the matte lipstick on your lips (we love SSChic Boutique’s Matte Liquid Lipstick in Ruby), using a lip brush or applicator that it comes with to apply it along the edges to ensure you don’t extend beyond the lip line.
Step #4: If you did happen to color outside the lines—hey, it happens to the best of us—simply pour a drop of your foundation onto a clean, angled brow brush or cotton swab to touch up around the edges and make sure your lip line is perfectly clean and sharp.
Step #5: Let lipstick dry—no blotting required.
*this article originally appeared on makeup.com by Lesley Rotchford
Most of us would agree that in the beauty world, eye makeup is the Holy Grail. While the problem often lies in finding the perfect eye shadow look, mascara wand and/or brow shaping method, once all these components are in place, you reach a state of beauty nirvana that can only be described as FABULOUS. However, reaching this place of perfection can be tricky because no two pairs of eyes (or brows!) are the same. So what works for one does not always work for another.
No one understands the constant need for great eye makeup tutorials like Team MDC. To show our dedication and devotion to eye makeup, we compiled a list of our favorite tutorials. Eyes on you, baby!
The Eyeliner Trick for Every Eye Shape
Almond-shaped, hooded, round, wide-set and close-set. We all have a different eye shape we’re working with, and in turn, require different approaches to eyeliner, right? Wrong! We’ve discovered the perfect trick to flawless eyeliner that works for every eye shape. No, really! Get the look.
How to Get Perfectly Shaped Eyebrows
There are endless tips and tricks out there designed to help you get the eyebrows of your dreams. Our obsession with brows runs so deep, we created a crash course on how to get perfectly shaped brows. Kiss over-plucked, uneven brows good-bye! Get the look.
Warm Winter Smoky Eye
Winter chill got you down? Warm up with makeup! We’ve got the best eye tutorial to help you sizzle through the coldest of seasons. Warning: This look is solid gold! Get the look.
Everything You Need to Know About Mascara Cocktailing
Sometimes one tube doesn’t contain everything you want for your lashes, that’s when cocktailing comes in. Like your favorite happy hour drink that’s a blend of ingredients and layered to perfection, so too can your mascara look. Here’s how to use more than one mascara for lash perfection. Get the look.
What’s your favorite eye makeup look of all time? Tell us all about it on instagram!
If you were like most Americans on Sunday night then you probably witness either an upset, or a victory. Nonetheless, Lady Gaga was on point. From taking selfies before the game, to jumping straight out the sky in the halftime show, she was definitely on your radar.
Gaga started on the roof of Houston’s NRG Stadium, singing a mashup of American classics — “God Bless America,” “This Land is Your Land,” and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance” — as red, white, and blue drones aligned in the background. She literally jumped down to midfield, tethered by a rope. And then she got into her set.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Looking absolutely fabulous, Gaga performed a medley of what seemed to be her greatest hits. We were definitely singing along and dancing our hearts out. Aside from the fact that she was fearless, super talented and shined brighter than a disco ball, her makeup was in full effect. Bold brows, glitter eyeshadow, and red lips, can we say hello spring?
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
She strutted across the field stage with poise, beat, and fierceness. All the traits we try to acquire in our lifetimes were express in a 15-minute halftime show. Amazing.
Regardless of who your team was on Sunday night, we can all agree that whether you knew her or not, Lady Gaga is extremely talented and could quite possibly have had one of the best halftime performances thus far.
You go, girl!
If you missed the halftime show you can catch it here. If you want Gaga’s lipstick click here.
It's official: Lip art is the new nail art. Every time we log onto Instagram, there's seemingly a new take on the trend to keep track of. And, offline, on the runways for next spring, there's been plenty of places to find lip art inspiration. There's everything from two-tone lips and ombre lips to drippy lips, glitter lips, and, maybe, the most fascinating of all, geode lips—that is until now. A new lip art trend has come along and it's impossible to look away from.
Meet hologram lips, a not-quite unicorn, not-quite oil spill look that Lisa Frank wishes she thought of. Sigma beauty, one of our favorite Insta-famous brands, has been churning out holographic lip gloss that's had people freaking out on Instagram for good reason.
I mean, look at this.
It's truly stunning, and it comes in a variety of different shades.
The best part is that it won't set you back too much—Sigma Beauty is currently selling bundles of five holographic glosses for $34 on its website.
With all of the ugliness in the world right now, it might be the best possible time to take home something beautiful.
I know you guys loveToo Faced—I mean, why wouldn't you, with its cute packaging and all? (Need proof? PBJ and Peach, right this way.) Turns out we're not the only fans—beauty giant Estée Lauder is, too. And on the heels of therecent acquisition of Becca Cosmetics (along with L'Oreal snagging It Cosmetics for a cool $1.2 billion), my jaw dropped when I first learned that Estée Lauder bought Too Faced Cosmetics to the tune of $1.4 billion. What's more is that this is the largest financial acquisition the Estée Lauder has ever taken under its wing—even with an already impressive range of brands including Origins,M.A.C., La Mer and Clinique—according to the news first reported by WWD.
While I was surprised, this was actually all a well-crafted plan courtesy of Estée Lauder, of course. So just as they announced the purchase of Too Faced, they finalized their deal on Becca Cosmetics—which they paid an estimated $230 million for—in an effort to attract the always-sexy millennial audience. Being a (not necessarily sexy) millennial, you've got my attention.
“The acquisition of Too Faced is complementary to our portfolio of brands because it has a unique feminine and Millennial communication focus, which is really complementary with very little cannibalization with the rest of our makeup portfolio,” Fabrizio Freda, president and chief executive officer of, toldWWD. And I couldn't agree more, to be honest: The fun, carefree attitude of Too Faced's products are undeniable, and its cofounder, Jerrod Blandino, continues to keep us chomping at the bit with his trademarked #sneakypeeks at upcoming products. And this particular #sneakypeek, you guys, is a game changer.
Blandino, who takes to Instagram frequently to give a #sneakypeek to upcoming goodies (including the latest, the Natural Love palette), spoke out about the exciting news in an IG video, though its since been deleted.
Allure has reached out to both Too Faced and Estée Lauder for comments and will update this post as information comes in.
There's no question that makeup is transformative. It can boost confidence, challenge perceptions, or even turn us into completely different people (temporarily). But, until recently, we never thought it'd be able to make us disappear — then we saw Serbian makeup artist Mirjana Kika Milosevic.
The makeup artist is terrifying the internet with her crazy skills — most notably, her ability to make her body disappear which she demonstrated at the 2016 Nyx Face Awards Serbia. In the tutorial above, which is borderline disturbing, so watch at your own risk, Milosevic becomes a marionette. If you didn't believe in the power of makeup before, you will now. By the end of the makeover, Milosevic doesn't look like a human at all; she's a downright creepy wooden doll.
According to Milosevic herself, the transformation took 6 hours in total, with a few breaks in between. (Hey, she's only human.) She chose to become a doll not because she loves the wooden toys, but rather because she's afraid of them.
"I chose puppets [because] they always scared me in horror movies when I was a kid," she told Refinery29 in an email.
Milosevic's neck and torso are the most astounding, appearing to transform from human flesh to a metal pole and spring — all with just a little (ok a lot of) makeup. Even the artist, a skilled body painter, found the springs difficult.
"I practiced all day to do [the] spring," she says. Clearly, practice makes perfect — or perfectly creepy, in this case.
Are we going to be re-creating this look for Saturday night? Probably not. But does it make us even more resolute in the belief that anything is possible with some brushes and color? Definitely.
Here is an article we feel everyone could use. Prep-and-prime isn't just for your face, it goes a long way with your favorite mascara too.
Read the below post from Style Caster:
These eyelash primers may just make you put away your falsies
Let’s face it: whether your preferred beauty look is full-on Kardashian or #IWokeUpLikeThis, every girl’s wish in life is to have thick, long, dark eyelashes. But if you were not naturally blessed by the Perfect Lash Fairy, how best to go about getting them? Extensions are an option, but they get expensive and, like all good things, don’t last forever. Falsies work, but can be hard to apply every day. And if you have short eyelashes, a curler just isn’t going to cut it.
The true trick to getting those amazing lashes you’ve been dying for? Eyelash primers. Think of it as a base coat for your mascara that works to lengthen, volumize and replenish your natural lashes. To get the look we’ve rounded up the ten best eyelash primers you absolutely need to try. Pair them with your favorite mascara and you’ll be batting those lashes in no time.
Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
When you’re looking for an XL boost to your lashes, Lancôme’s super-enhancing mascara base is the product for you. Infused with microfibers and Vitamin E, the formula coats your lashes for length and thickness, smoothing them out to maximize the results of your everyday mascara. It goes on white, intensifying the pigments of a black mascara. You won’t believe your lashes can look this amazing. (Sephora, $25)
For high-volume lashes, prep with Urban Decay’s Subversion Lash Primer. It’s creamy formula contains Panthenol and Vitamin E for protection and conditioning, and is free of any fragrance or parabens. The extra-large brush allows for easy application that’ll leave you with thicker, longer and stronger lashes. The primer gives your lashes more weight, and therefore gives the mascara something to hold onto—don’t be surprised if people think you’re wearing falsies! (Sephora, $20)
If you’re going for that perfect “No-Makeup Makeup” look, Givenchy has got the product for you. This all-in-one product is both a lash primer, serum and transparent mascara in one, meaning you get essential nutrients and a volumizing lift in just one swipe. The applicator is composed of supple bristles that will massage lashes to fortify and nourish them. Of course, you can still use it under a mascara, or even at night before bed for added treatment. Bonus—it can be used on brows too! (Sephora, $31)
Made with high-performance natural ingredients like HydroPlant Peptide, cellulose and sweet almond extract, Tarte’s multiplEYE Lash Primer will condition, nourish and lengthen your lashes with every swipe. The cone-shaped brush ensures separation and precision while coating every lash from root to tip. Drying clear and clump free, you’ll have a smooth base for your mascara—and therefore an amazing dramatic look—in no time! (Amazon, $22)
For ultra long lashes with extra hold and zero flaking, try Smashbox Layer Lash Primer. It’s nutrient packed formula includes panthenol for extra conditioning and strengthening, so not only will it extend the wear of your mascara, it will also leave your lashes in better shape than it found them. Apply directly at the root, wiggling the brush towards the ends of your lashes for a full coat with extra length and no clump. For the best results, apply mascara while the layer of primer is still wet.(Ulta, $19)
This multitasking primer does so much more than just prep. Giving you double the volume, this Estee Lauder product also curls (no more need for that eyelash curler!) and sets your lashes in place. While conditioning to prevent breakage, the formula acts like a magnet for your mascara to ensure long-lasting hold. Both ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested, reviewers have said that this product has even helped their lashes grow longer and thicker. Score! (Nordstrom, $24)
For dry lashes, this Clinique product is a must. It’s ophthalmologist-tested, moisturizing formula helps to mend those annoying breaking lashes. It’s unique polymer combination holds to lashes for longer and fuller wear, and reduces any chance of your mascara flaking off throughout the day. The white undercoat boosts your mascaras natural pigments while lengthening for your best look yet! (Nordstrom, $15)
After using an eyelash curler, apply this Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base to set the curl—think of it like hairspray for your lashes. To get that perfect fanned out, fringe look you’ve been dying for, apply this primer from root to tip. You’ll instantly get fuller volume and longer lashes! It’s lightweight formula matches perfectly with any volumizing mascara, so pair this with your favorite brand and you’ll be turning heads in no time. Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base, $24, Sephora.com)
For the short-lashed babes, this lash and brow primer moisturizers and conditions even the stubbiest of hairs. Enriched with Vitamin E, the product replenishes Vitamin B5 levels to your lashes for protection against environmental stressors and other damage. Apply 1-2 coats of this dye-free formula and allow it to set for 30 seconds between coats before applying your regular mascara. You’re guaranteed to have unbeatable lashes with amazing volume and length with just the swipe of a brush! (Sephora, $20)
You’ve heard of plumpers for your lips, but how about a plumper for your lashes? The first “active serum” mascara primer, this Dior product contains soy proteins that promote growth, strength and vitality. It’s super light, quick dry formula can be applied at night as a treatment or during the day for a smooth base and added volume under a mascara. Priming and thickening your lashes will quickly become an absolute must in your everyday makeup routine; you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. (Sephora, $29)
