Top 10 Beauty Must-Haves for 2011

Out with the old and in with the new?

Yes and no. This collection of beauty essentials features tried-and true favorites, modern twists on long-standing products, and a new appreciation for products our grandmothers enjoyed.

Primers

Makeup primer is an essential product that totally transforms the way your makeup looks and lasts. Formulas minimize fine lines, smooth pores and provide a silky-smooth complexion. Facial primers can be worn alone or under foundation. We adore Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer with SPF 15 ($42; smashbox.com or Sephora stores and online). This award-winning primer includes antioxidants and peptides that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time.Another favorite for maturing skin is Eve Pearl’s Priming Moisturizer with Astaxantin ($35; evepearl.com). This multifunction product moisturizes, creates a flawless canvas, and contains anti-aging ingredients 500 times stronger than vitamin E. In addition to priming the face, applying specialized eye primer helps make eye shadow last, blend smoothly, and covers lid imperfections.Urban Decay Primer Potion ($18-23; Sephora and Ulta storesand online) is a go-to product touted by artists and beauty junkies alike. The Original color goes on nude and provides a smooth base for color.Additional favorites are Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($18; Sephora and Ulta stores and online) and LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer($20; Sephora and Ulta stores and online). For maturing or discolored skin (broken capillaries or dark lids), we love Senna Cosmetics’ Totally Transforming Eyeshadow Primer ($22; sennacosmetics.com), which provides an opaque base while delivering anti-aging ingredients. No matter which primer you choose, apply primer with a synthetic brush, sponge or clean fingers.

Neutral Palette

Nothing tops the versatility and appeal of a neutral makeup look. Neutral colors are perfect for day and can easily be amped up for evening by adding more intensity. The ideal neutral palette works for every complexion and provides simple colors for everyday wear. As a bonus, you’ll save money when you purchase makeup in a palette format.Our favorite is the Too Faced Neutral Eye Shadow Collection which features nine matte and shimmer eye shadows ($35; Sephora and Ulta stores and online). These soft shades are highly pigmented and easy to apply, creating the perfect neutral look. For more variety, try the Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Palette ($59; smashbox.com). Featuring nearly 80 colors for lips, cheeks, eyes, and face, this collection lets you create a neutral look or experiment with more bold colors.

Cream Blush

This is not your grandmother’s blush, ladies. Cream blush gives you a healthy flush that’s soft, dewy and natural. Using a synthetic brush (we like Sonya Kashuk’s Synthetic Flat Blusher Brush; $14.99 at Target or target.com), gently press the brush into the product before lightly dabbing it onto your cheeks. Blend with your fingers or another clean, synthetic brush—be careful not to rub off your foundation in the process.Cream blush should be applied after your foundation and before setting powder. Our favorite cream blushes include Julie Hewett’s Cheekie Lip and Cheek Shine ($24; juliehewett.com), Smashbox In Bloom Cream Cheek Duo ($26; Sephora and smashbox.com) and NYX Cosmetics Cream Blush ($6.50; nyxcosmetics.com).

Eye Shadow Blending Brush

Every makeup artist knows that the key to flawless eye makeup is in the blending. The ideal blending brush features soft, tapered bristles to gently smooth away sharp lines. Simply move the brush back and forth in windshield-wiper motions or in small circles to seamlessly blend colors. Our favorites are:  Senna Feather 15 ($20; sennacosmetics.com) Sigma Small Tapered Blending Brush E45, Perfect for smaller eyes ($9; sigmabeauty.com) MAC 222 Tapered Blending Brush ($29; maccosmetics.com).

Vibrant Colors

The hottest runway trend for 2011 is bright color. From Armani to Zac Posen, the catwalks have been filled with pops of bright makeup colors. While vibrant lipstick, eyes, and cheeks may not be everyday wear for most of us, they can provide a fun alternative for the warmer months. One of the easiest ways to sample this trend is with a bold lip color. Be sure to choose a color that complements your skin tone and keep the rest of your face neutral. Remember that neutral does not mean naked, so be sure to define your brows and lashes to keep from looking washed out. For those not ready to jump into a full-color lip such as the fuchsia and coral colors featured at Fendi, opt for a sheer lip gloss that offers a bright tone in a more wearable format. For bright glosses we like Make Up For Ever Lab Shine Lip Gloss ($18; Sephora stores and online) and are currently lusting after Chanel’s Lèvres Sintillantes Glossimer Lip Gloss in a gold-flecked raspberry called Nakkar ($28.50; chanel.com).

Sunscreen

We just can’t emphasize enough the importance of daily sunscreen use! Even if your makeup contains an UVA or UVB sunscreen, experts recommend that you apply sunscreen under your foundation or tinted moisturizer to protect your skin from damage. If you don’t wear foundation on a daily basis, apply sunscreen instead! And don’t forget that your lips need protection, too. Use a lip color or lip balm with an SPF of at least 20 (we like Laura Mericer Lip Balm with SPF 15).

Extend your sunscreen to your neck, ears, chest, hands, and arms if they are exposed throughout the day. We keep a tube of sunscreen in the car to reapply to hands, arms and chest during carpool or traffic delays. The only exception for using sunscreen is when you are being photographed. The zinc and titanium oxide in sunscreen work against the flash, giving you a ghostly appearance.

Eyelash Curler 

Nothing makes you look more awake than curled lashes. Even if you don’t wear mascara, curling your lashes gives you a doe-eyed, youthful look. While the Shu Eumura curler is the industry standard, we like the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler ($20; beauty.com) that features a wide opening and bright red cushion that helps you see every lash as you use it. Curl your lashes before applying mascara to prevent clumping and a messy curler.

Modern Makeup Sponge

If you haven’t already come over to the bright side, treat yourself to a beautyblender makeup sponge ($19.95; sephora.com and beautyblender.net) in 2011. These washable and reusable sponges help create a flawless face by offering smooth application even in the hard-to-reach under-eye area. Simply dampen the sponge with water and use the damp sponge to smooth on foundation and concealer. We like to hold the sponge under running water until it is wet and squeeze it out in a dry, clean washcloth. The sponge can be rinsed, washed, and reused. Just a hint…you can clean the sponge with baby shampoo so you really don’t need the special cleanser. The company even offers a recycling program, but ours is still going strong after more than a year of regular use.

Sunglasses

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and pick up a great pair of dark sunglasses. They don’t have to be expensive (we love Target and beauty-store variety), but look for wide arms that protect the sides of your face. Not only will these help protect you from damaging UV rays, but they also help prevent squinting, which can result in fine lines around the eyes. The best part? Sunglasses give you a chic, put-together look when you are feeling anything but glamorous.

Satin Pillowcase

Retro? Yes, but the satin pillowcase is making a comeback as beauty junkies everywhere discover why satin pillowcases were all the rage during the 1950s. The smooth texture of satin reduces friction between the pillow and the face, neck and hair. This means fewer facial creases for side sleepers, smoother hair, and less hair breakage. Satin pillowcases are even thought to help allergy sufferers because satin is hypoallergenic. While there is some debate as to whether sleeping on a satin pillowcase can prevent wrinkles, there is something luxurious and sexy about satin next to the skin. We’ll sleep on it and let you know what we think next month.

Great Holiday Gifts

A Complete Makeup Combo

I don’t know many women who don’t enjoy having a great palette filled with beautiful makeup. Smashbox, an all time favorite offers this exclusive for the hollidays.

Wish for the perfect palette, $59 available at www.smashbox.com

Add the Holiday Brush Set, $49! The perfect gift combination.

Strap Perfect Concealer Clip

the ultimate bra strap solution

You may have seen these advertised on television. You know what? They work! I carry these in my styling kit when I head to set. You never know when someone is going to bring the wrong bra for that perfect shirt. This plastic little clips come clear, nude and black. Another helpful item to have in your styling tool kit. Strap Perfect concealer clips,  $9.99 . Available at www.target.com

A Must Have

hollywood fashion tape

Don’t leave home without this one in your little black bag. We’ve been using two-way tape behind the scenes for years. Hollywood Fashion Tape is  not only functional, I love the great packaging. Slip a few of these tiny little strips into your wallet for emergencies. You can use this tape to hold almost anything in place, including the front of dresses that are too low, belts that don’t stay in place, slippery bra straps and more. 36 double-stick strips with take-away tin - $8.99. Available at www.hollywoodfashiontape.com

NP Set Holiday Kits

the perfect little palettes

Love how streamline these little babies are! Found them last week when I was shopping at target. Each palette contains 12 tiny colors that feel fabulous and have nice pigment.  You can get them online at www.target.com or your  local target store.  I bought both palettes, NP set new neutrals ( pictured above left) is a perfect palette you can use every day.  It’s also great option for those of you who have warmer skin tones.  NP set smoke signals ( above right)  is the perfect palette to create a smoky, dramatic eye. Love the colors in here for those of you who have cool undertones in your skin.  The best part? They are  only $9.99! Grab a few and give them as gifts this holiday season. It will be much appreciated!

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