Makeup brushes tend to be overlooked, perhaps because many makeup products include a puff or brush or some sort of applicator. As poor quality as some of these applicators are, many women balk at the idea of buying separate tools -- the brushes that come with the products are smaller and more portable, and good brushes can indeed be pricey. But here's a good line I read recently: Your skin is like a delicate piece of silk. Your makeup brushes shouldn't feel like they are brooms sweeping across your skin. Quality brushes also will make applying makeup easier, faster, and more pleasurable, because they are made in specific shapes and sizes for the job at hand (e.g., blush brush, powder brush, eyeshadow brush).

Before purchasing a brush or brush kit, check that each brush head is soft and full. Run your hand through the bristles. It is a bad sign if they come out readily/shed or feel coarse on your skin. The handle should feel comfortable and seem solid. Keep your brushes in a protective case or upright in a decorative glass or container on your dresser, not in the bathroom, where moisture accumulates. Every few weeks, or at least once a month, gently wash them in a mild liquid detergent or baby shampoo. Do not soak them. Pat each brush dry, especially around the area where the brushes meet the handle, and lay them flat over the edge of a table or counter so that the bristles are open to air on all sides, and reshape the brush head.

I'm not endorsing this brand, but BareEscentuals offers a good selection of brushes. Take a look simply to see what shapes and sizes of quality brushes are available, and their cost.

Temptu has designed a home airbrush makeup kit which is safe and easy to use, and the results are virtually flawless.

It's not very often that we feature makeup on this site (unless it's a makeup bracelet), but this is a development that must be covered: For 28 years, Temptu has been airbrushing makeup onto celebrities, models, and socialites for movies, TV shows, magazine covers, fashion shows, and more, and now? You're going to have that luxury available in your own home -- you're going to be able to airbrush yourself.

This is no under-the-table, infomercial-fueled waste of time; the kits will be on sale at Sephora in September with the tagline "Flawless pro results, without the pro" and an educated staff member to show you how to use it.

I had the pleasure of not only seeing the kit demonstrated but of being airbrushed myself, and I have to say: there is a difference. No lines that need blending, no excess makeup -- you can easily adjust the spray-level to apply more or less makeup -- and the coverage is truly flawless. Airbrushing is not only the method Temptu used to make "The Stepford Wives" look perfect, they also created Rebecca Romijn's Mystique in "X-Men" (in which she was all blue and scaly). Airbrush makeup is serious. And it doesn't look like makeup.

I've swooned over Chantecaille's artistic cosmetics for good causes before (like the ocean-floor-inspired Protect Paradise compacts). Now they've released their holiday collection Le Tigre, a tiger-inspired line which donates a portion of the proceeds to TRAFFIC, an organization that monitors the illegal trafficking of tigers. There are now fewer than 2,500 wild tigers in existence. Chantecaille celebrates the Royal Bengal Tiger with this limited-edition collection and an event at Bergdorf Goodman, 5th Avenue, New York on November 17 – November 22.

The event includes:
* Holiday Look Master Class with Olivia Chantecaille
* Aromacologie facials by Esthetician Anna Becker
* Private color consultations with a national makeup artist
* Special presentation on tiger conservation hosted by founder, Sylvie Chantecaille

*All appointments must be reserved, call 212.872.2725 for more details. You can also order online. The all-in-one face palette has a tiger-embossed palette that includes a radiant peach cheek shade, a soft gold highlighter, and four eye shades in jungle green, pale silver, dark brown and a golden copper. It sells for $117.

The Ultimate Blockbuster Palette from Sephora promises 30,000 different looks. That works out to over 82 years if you were on the look-a-day plan. Although we suspect you'd run out before then. The palette has 71 eye shadows, 60 lip glosses, 13 cream shadows, five blushes and just one compact powder, lip liner and eye liner. It sells for $48 and they say it is a $320 value which makes it a very frugal splurge.

[via NY Mag]

Want the fancy makeup brushes? Oh, so do I. But with luscious materials and designer nametags, nice makeup brushes can be pretty expensive!

So go to EyesLipsFace.com. Almost everything is $1. How is that possible? From their website:

"By developing quality cosmetics and the highest standard of service, but using the internet for branding rather than higher-priced advertising media; by sourcing the best ingredients at competitive prices; and by prioritizing our products, rather than their packaging, e.l.f. always provides you with quality and value."

Sounds good to me! I bought the 12 brush set you see here for $12.00. Shipping took a couple of weeks, but they arrived and are just as good as my more expensive brushes.

It's just another easy way to make life more lux for cheap or free.

Denim line Rock & Republic has taken their urban glitz ethos into the cosmetics arena. Their new line is decked out in black and chromed-out compacts featuring a bold version of the company logo and the color names aspire to Hollywood decadence with names like "trust fund," "train wreck" and a shade of red lip gloss called "cougar." The bronzing and highlighting powder duo comes in a crystal-encrusted compact that sells for $225 in three shades called Private Jet, Villa and Penthouse. Erin Weinger of the LA Times checked out the line and questioned whether or not the products are more flash than substance. Sounds like the cosmetics are right in line with the denim brand's overall style.

Makeup collectors will be swooning over the latest line from MAC. MAC has enlisted designer Manish Arora on a line with a palette brighter than Bollywood. The new Indian-inspired line includes lipglasses, lipsticks, blush and a colorful eye shadow set in a jeweled case. It will be available from October 2008 at Harrods.

Makeup master Bobbi Brown's 24-Carat Gold Luxe Brush Collection could be construed as a monument to your own vanity if bought for yourself. Bought by someone else, however, it implies that your face is a masterpiece deserving to be painted on by only the finest of tools. The collection includes 10 brushes hand-crafted with 24-karat gold accents and ebony handles. The set comes in collector's edition box crafted in genuine leather and includes a portable leather case for travel. It sells for $650.

[via Times Online]

Finding the right shade of lipstick is not easy to do, and women are willing to pay big bucks for the perfect one. But $62,000?

French cosmetics house Guerlain is releasing KissKiss Gold and Diamonds this week, and for the $62,000 price tag you'll get a consultation with Guerlain's artistic director Olivier Echaudemaison and a lipstick shade customized just for you that comes in an 18-karat gold lipstick tube encrusted with 199 conflict-free diamonds, plus rubies and emeralds. It can be engraved and comes in a black lacquer case with a suede pouch.

Sound good? Get ready to make an appointment, as they will only be available at Bergdorf Goodman via private consultation.


Via Born Rich

Chanel's unique Lumière d'Artifices Eyeshadow was inspired by the sequins that are featured on so many of the fashion label's hand-detailed couture pieces. The shadow compact contains three colors - cool silver, deep anthracite and warm bronze - all of which are metallic and carry the sequined look even further. The colors can complement any outfits, not just couture, and are a lovely (and affordable) way to incorporate some Chanel into your wardrobe. Price: $75.

[via fabsugar]

We've seen a lot of wearable makeup recently which makes perfect sense given that no one likes to be encumbered with a heavy purse while wearing a cute party dress. Like the Dior charm, the YSL bracelet is an adorable way to keep your makeup with you for touchups without having to rely on a purse. The Yves Saint Laurent bracelet can be worn on the wrist or attached to a belt. The golden case holds a lipstick, gloss and eyeshadow. it sells for $55.

Looking for ways to expand their non-food offerings, Whole Foods is releasing a complete line of over 100 mineral-based cosmetic products, including everything from lipstick to bronzer, into the Whole Body section of their stores. This move is designed to set the apart from other stores that offer a mere nod to natural beauty by offering moisturizers or just, for example, a foundation. The line is called Mineral Fusion and will most likely be available in other stores, such as Sephora, as well. Individual items will generally be in the $15-$40 range.

The appeal of mineral cosmetics is that they are all-natural, with no talc, preservatives or any other kind of chemical. Most feel that it keeps the skin cleaner and fresher than other makeups.

The latest luxury cosmetic from Shu Uemura is a line of limited edition cleansing oils. The company has teamed up with Brooklyn-based artist, John Tremblay on the design of four limited edition cleansing oils. The artwork on each bottle is a meant to reflect the properties and colors of the oil within the bottles themselves. The oils have a mineral oil base and can be used to remove makeup and also to refresh in the morning.

The bottles sell for $60 ($70 for the Effervescence) and a portion of the profits from this collection will be donated to Rx Art, a charity that promotes healing through exposure to original fine art in patient, procedure, and examination rooms of healthcare facilities.

When I saw the handsome visage of Edward Bess in the October issue of W, I was intrigued. This handsome boy, a mere 20 years old, wants to sell high-priced make-up? I have to admire his brio, no small indie line for Edward Bess he is starting off by launching the Edward Bess Lip Wardrobe,a high-priced collection of ten lipsticks and five glosses in a black lacquer case. The luscious lip collection has a scent of wild fig and sells for a cool $350 only at Bergdorf Goodman. Want to check out the well-cheekboned Mr. Bess in person? He will be at Bergdorf Goodman on October 19th.

Fred Segal Beauty has a new selection of beauty luggage, cases made specifically for sorting and carrying your makeup and makeup accessories. This Give Leather Train Case measures 5.5 x 7.5 x 9.25 and is made of supple Italian leather, in either yellow or brown. It is full of pockets to keep everything in its proper place. Dubbed the "Bentley of beauty luggage," the bag has an elegant, timeless look to it and is sure to provide many years of use. The case doesn't have to be used for travel, although we are now permitted to take some things on planes again, and can instead be used to keep your things organized in the bathroom. Price: $300.