Fall 2012: MAKE UP FOR EVER.

Inspired by MAKE UP FOR EVER Founder and Creative Director Dany Sanz's love of Tango dancing, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduced the limited edition Black Tango Palette.  It is the star product of this years fall line up.

This bold, yet feminine Black Tango Palette ($45.00) features four exclusive new shades of the award-winning Aqua Cream shadows that are guaranteed to stay put all night long on the dance floor, or what ever grueling tasks you take on during the day.

To wear, use the Ivory Aqua Cream on the brow bone and sweep one of the darker shades of black based red, blue or green on the lid and beneath the eye. The brush is designed to work with the creams and helps it apply effortlessly.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Black Tango Palette

The collection also features a new lip product Aqua Rouge, and a new brow product Aqua Brow.

Aqua Rouge ($24.00) is a liquid lip color duo that provides long-lasting, smudge-proof color in just two simple steps. First, apply the lip color side, then top with the transparent gloss.  The transparent side seals in the color, while adding a high-shine to the look. 12 highly pigmented shades are available:

#1 - Nude Beige
#2 - Rosewood
#4 - Chestnut
#5 - Beige Brown
#7 - Pink Brown
#8 - Red
#9 - Burgundy
#10 - Raspberry
#11 - Dark Raspberry
#13 - Purple
#14 - Light Rosewood
#15 - Pink

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge #8 and #14

Aqua Brow ($20.00) is a long-wear, smudge-proof, creamy gel formula that dries to a powder finish and is highly pigmented to help fill in, define and accentuate brows. I was surprised at how easy this gel is to use.  I squeeze a small amount onto the back of my hand and dip my eyebrow defining brush in it, then gently brush on to fill in brows.  I like using it with a definer brush, but you could use a spooly brow brush to brush and color brows into shape if you wanted to.  Aqua Brow comes in seven shades:

#10 - Light Blonde
#15 - Blonde
#20 - Light Brown
#25 - Ash
#30 - Dark Brown
#35 - Taupe
#40 - Brown Black

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Brow #15

Shop for all the new MAKE UP FOR EVER fall products at MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques and in Sephora.

L’Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator.

I have another new BB Cream to tell you about. It's also another BB Cream from L’Oréal Paris. Do you remember the L’Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream I told you about earlier this summer? Same brand, different line. Dare I even say I like this L’Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator even more? I have to, because I do. It simply makes my skin glow.

Being that this is actually part of the Youth Code skin care line, it was made with the skin care benefits in mind first, coverage second. But don't let that deter you, because the both the skin care benefits and coverage are awesome.

This BB Cream, like all BB Creams is an all-in one skincare solution. I usually still layer a BB Cream over my serum and day creams. This is the first BB Cream that I can truly wear on it's own. It helps to correct, protect and really moisturize my skin. Not to mention what it does to illuminate and perfect my skin. In one step, my skin is hydrated and luminous skin. With light-reflecting particles and a hint of tint, this adds instant luminosity, while visibly improving my uneven skin tone.  It is super soft and creamy, and spreads easily over skin with my fingers. I use less than what I do with others too. It's almost like a concentrated version, but I think it is just because of the nice slip to it.

L’Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator just comes in a light and medium shade. I am using the medium shade now and will definitely be picking up the light shade for use in the winter.  If you have an in-between shade, feel fee to buy them both and mix. At just $16.99 a tube, you will have your own customized blend. It's actually a great bargain at $16.99 for the luxe feel, so I wouldn't blink at having to purchase both shades, which I may have to do in between seasons.

Just some of the ingredients that help make this so great:

Vitamin B3 - Skin-brightening ingredient
Vitamin CG - Active antioxidant to help brighten skin
Pro-Cysteine - Antioxidant that works to protect skin from daily exposure to environmental aggressions
Chestnut Seed Extract (Recoverine) - Promotes natural skin exfoliation
Bismuth Oxichloride - Provides an immediate lightening effect

The only very small problem that I have pretty much gotten over (so it really isn't that big of a deal) is the scent. My nose it just too over-sensitive, and this is scented. It fades after an hour or so, but I do need to mention this for those that don't like scented creams or makeup on their skin.

Look for L’Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator at your drugstore or favorite mass retailer now.

Beauty Does Good: Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund .

This September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, something every woman should be aware of. It is also the launch of something new and exciting, the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund (LMOCF). I absolutely admire a brand that does eomthing so good with an initiave such as this.

Ovarian Cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer,” and is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.It's time we really did something about this heartbreaking cancer.

There are a few simple ways to get involved during the month and show your support to help raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts that will help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer.

National ‘Wear Teal Day’: Spread awareness TODAY by wearing teal and share a photo of your look on Laura Mercier’s Facebook page to show solidarity with other fans!

Facebook: Change your Facebook cover photo to match Laura Mercier’s in support of women affected by Ovarian Cancer.  Click here to save and upload. Please note that you should use the link and not use the photo above. Mine is not properly sized for Facebook.

Twitter: Retweet mentions that include the #LMOCF hashtag will result in a $1 donation by Marie Claire to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. Here is my tweet:

Shop for a Cause: 100 percent of the profits from the sale of the Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette ($48) and Lip Glace in Rose Hope ($24) will be donated to the Fund. The products are available at lauramercier.com as well as Sephora and Nordstrom.