NARS will continue to use Amber Valletta as the face of their products in Summer 2010. For those sun-filled afternoons, NARS is also giving you a range of bold colors and bright hues in creamy textures.

François Nars looked for inspiration from the character Sèverine, played by Catherine Deneuve in the iconic film Belle de Jour. “Her character is incredibly beautiful and elegant,” says François. “Her look is effortless—she has an incredible inner sophistication.” The collection is designed to look striking on a wide range of skin tones and let women’s natural beauty shine through. “I designed the makeup to bring a natural-looking glow to the skin, while allowing women to have fun with color. After all, summer is a playful season, nothing should be too complicated!”

You can shop this line on April 15th at NARS counters and www.narscosmetics.com. PIctured below: Burn It Blue Duo Cream Eyeshadow $32, Cayenne Cream Eyeshadow $22 and Coup de Coeur Lip Gloss $24; Lamu Multiple $38 and Love Devotion Lipstick $24; Versailles Nail Polish $16

Just when I thought the Alice In Wonderland madness was dying down, I found out about the new Urban Decay "Book of Shadows" at Sephora.  Crafted in a pop-up storybook style- the case contains a hidden drawer of Urban Decay’s 16 best-selling eye shadows. At only $52.00- this is a steal! If you're into the movie, or just a sucker for cute packaging...pick one up today before its completely sold out! 

Eye shadow colors include: Underland (Flash), Alice (Painkiller), Oraculum (Baked), Queen (Last Call), Chessur (Chopper), White Rabbit (Polyester Bride), Wonderland (Maui Wowie), Curiouser (Grifter), Muchness (X), Mushroom (Mushroom), Midnight Tea Party (Midnight Cowboy Rides Again), Vorpal (S&M), Absolem (Homegrown), Drink Me Eat Me (Sin), Mad Hatter (Twice Baked), Jabberwocky (Oil Slick), Travel-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and Flipside and Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin. 

[Source: Sephora]

Images Courtesy of M.A.C

How many times have you tried to make your eye makeup look like that picture? Half of the time mine ends up looking like I was reading the newspaper and mistakingly rubbed my eyes afterwards. But, I do relish the moments when I achieve the smoky look. MAC has just dropped their 2010 Love Lace collection- which is currently available online and in stores from December 26, 2009 through February. 

"This collection is all about a dramatic, intense, smoky eye, with shadows that flash frosty grey to deep blue."

"Lips stay pleasingly pale and Nail Lacquer in Light Affair adds a hint of danger. If ever there was a moment to do away with the winter doldrums and add some instant intrigue, this is it."

If you want to try your own smoky look- take a peek at some of the key items from the "Love Lace" collection below. 

Where & How To buy:

EYE SHADOW Suggested Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
Pincurl Dusty White (Frost)
Hypnotizing Frosted greyed mauve (Frost)
Love Lace Frosted mid-tone grey-ish blue (Veluxe Pearl)
Suave Intentions Light frosted silver blue (Veluxe Pearl)

LIPGLASS Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN
Icescape Sheer pale pink with pink pearl (Frost)
Utterly Discrete Sheer frosted cool icy mauve (Frost) 

EYE KOHL – Fascinating (Intense matte white) Suggested Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
EYE BROWS – Stud (Deep rich blackened brown) Suggested Retail Price $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
ZOOM LASH – Zoom Black Suggested Retail Price $13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN
44 LASH Suggested Retail Price $13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN

Whether you are in a rush, or you're missing the appropriate tools- brushes are not always necessary for makeup application. Galit Strugano, Creative Director at Girlactik Beauty, suggests using your fingers instead of synthetic or natural brushes. By using your fingers, you can benefit from the natural heat and oils in your skin and melt the product for a smoother application. She also explains that each finger applies a different pressure, meaning one is better for patting on concealer and another for spreading eye shadow, etc. I'm actually a fan of using my fingers for makeup application. See below for some tips & tricks:

Ring Finger for Concealer

Using your fourth finger allows for a softer touch when applying concealer, so you make sure you’re not pulling the skin in such a sensitive area. 

Index Finger for Shadow

This finger possesses a little more pressure but still has a gentle touch so that your shadow spreads evenly.

Middle Finger for Eye Crease

The middle finger is the strongest, so it’s ideal for framing your eye, creating definition as you move it back and forth.

Pinky for Inner Eye

Your smallest finger is perfect for applying makeup to those hard-to-reach places. It has the least strength of all.

Introducing the Bobbi Brown "Holiday 2009 Chrome Collection." This year's Bobbi Brown Holiday makeup collection sparkles with eye shadows in silver, gold and pewter.  The Glitter Lip Palette will also offer you some extra luster on those dark winter nights. 

The Limited Edition Chrome Eye Shadow ($22) was developed with highly reflective pearls to make it look like you are wearing  liquid metal on your lids.  The Limited Edition Goldstone Long-Wear Eye Palette ($40)- pictured above- includes Goldstone Metallic and Mineral Dust Long-Wear Cream Shadow, Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink and a dual-ended mini Cream Shadow/Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. The Glitter Balm Lip Palette ($40) is filled with four beautiful shades of sparkly Lip Balm and a lip brush.  

The Bobbi Brown Holiday 2009 Chrome Collection is available at all Bobbi Brown counters & www.bobbibrown.com.

Today, NARS showcased its fall cosmetics line at Saks Fifth Avenue. IN addition, the brand also launched their limited-edition "NARS Loves New York" makeup set. The new set is tailored specifically for New York women! Basically, it's a bunch of archived colors with NY-centric names like "Uptown Girl eyeshadow." 

I feel a little cheated that NY wasn't first...back in June, Nars loved Chicago and renamed his Babylon eyeshadow duo, Transformer nail polish, Passion blush, and Night Bird single eyeshadow Wicker Park, Millennium Park, Windy City, and Michigan Avenue. Hmm...