...The Winds are Changing

So, according to InStyle.com, the new rule for fragrance is to wear as many different ones as you like. Not at the same time of course, but the old rule has passed that you need to stick with one signature fragrance or a seasonal fragrance. If you want to smell like musk on Tuesday, jasmine on Wednesday, and cirtus on Thursday...it's okay!

My top three personal all-time favorites are 1. Light Blue (Dolce & Gabbana), 2. Armani Mania (Georgio Armani), and 3. White (Kenneth Cole).

Easy Hair

The dog days of summer are here and for those of us with longer hair, we can definitely feel the difference. How do you look cool and put together on the outside when you feel like you're melting on the inside?

One option is to get that hair off your neck by putting it up into an easy bun. Check out this pic of Kate Beckinsale's quick upswept bun. Not a lot of styling. Takes two or three minutes and voila! A no-fuss, cool alternative to long flowing locks that are a heat magnet on a hot summer's day.

The oversized sunglasses are the perfect accessory to the clean, cool look. Personally, I would opt for a totally glam shade of red or fuchsia lipstick or a poppin' pink lipgloss to totally pull the look together!

People.com

Eyes & Lips for Fall

I was surfing over at Sephora.com and spotted this. Smoky eyes and deep lips are the looks for this fall. I'm loving both! The eyes are AMAZING!

The Eyes:

For seriously mysterious eyes, blend sparkly black shadow on the lids, up to the crease and feather it out to just under the brow bone. Add plum shadow at the crease and blend well. Line the entire eye with purple-black liner and follow with a coat of black mascara.

The Lips:

First, outline lips with dark liner, blending the color in towards the center of the lip. Next, use a lip brush to apply deep-tone lipstick, so you can get it just right. Fill in between the lines, and blend well. For an extra dramatic finish, apply a lip mattifier to remove all shine.

3 Minute Makeup

For me, a bronzer is the easiest way to bring color and balance to your face without going thru all the steps of getting made up. With the right brush and a few quick sweeps, your face is done! Simply add mascara and lipgloss and you're ready to go.

I stand by M.A.C. bronzing powder. I've used it for a few years now and I have had excellent results, especially since my skin is sensitive and prone to breakouts. I would highly recommend it.

If you don't have a M.A.C. store in your city or if it's not sold at a department store (try Dillard's or Nordstrom), you can find it online at MACCosmetics.com. The price is listed at $21.

HOT LOOK

Check out Alicia Keys' hot look from the BET Awards. Her skin is all shimmery and golden. Perfect look for an evening of glamour. I've always admired her makeup choices...especially the eye shadows.

Here's how to get Alicia's look:

1. Dust skin with CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer.

2. Brush on Dior Pro Cheeks in Hip Peach.

3. Apply Urban Decay glitter eyeliner in Metalhead.

4. Lengthen lashes with CoverGirl Exact Mascara in Black.

Now, don't forget the pale lips, the hoop earrings, the lashes and the pulled back hair to accent your stunning face. All glammed up with somewhere to go!

I think I'll try this look this weekend. I'll post pics.

Spotted at People.com

Product Junkie

I must confess...I am a sucker for makeup and hair care products. When I go into a department store or drug store, I'm drawn to the makeup like a bee to honey. I need to see all the beautiful colors and ponder their possibilites on my face. When I was little, all I ever asked for for Christmas was the Barbie that was head and shoulders only. No body, just a big head that you could do makeup on and fix the hair. I had to get a new one every year because eventually I would use a crayon or permanent marker to do the makeup and a pair of scissors to do her hair.

Well, now I'm all grown up, but I still LOVE beauty products. Most don't do what they claim to do, but the fun is in trying them out to see. Currently I'm in heaven over a NARS highlighting/bronzing duo. My girlfriend Chanel gave it to me for my birthday and I haven't left home without it! It goes on beautifully and gives a sun-kissed, summer shimmer that's not too much for daytime and perfect for night. This morning, I put the bronzer on my cheeks (color:Casino) and the blush (color:Sin) on my eyelids for a quick "professional, presentable but not overly made up" look...I call it Glam-on-the-Go!

Pick up the NARS product. You'll love it..it's pricey ($37), but it's worth it! Check out their site at NARSCosmetics.com. You can also find it at your local Sephora store or at Sephora.com.

What's up L'Oreal?

Just spotted over at TMZ.com, this shows that L'Oreal promo photos of Beyonce were "retouched".

That's an understatement.

The question is, why? Does the lighter skinned Beyonce appeal to a wider demographic and perhaps cross color lines? Hmmm....

To their credit, I have seen Beyonce in person and she is very fair skinned...probably somewhere between the two pics here. It could simply be a difference in lighting.

What do you think?