Get More from Your Makeup

Kimiko Hydrating Tint SPF 20

Why wear foundation that just covers your complexion? Kimiko founder and makeup artist Danielle Vincent developed Hydrating Tint SPF 20, which packs a 4-in-1 punch: moisturizer, chemical-free SPF, antioxidant skin improver and complexion corrector. The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula provides coverage so light and sheer you’ll look and feel like you’re not wearing makeup. Available in six shades.

Tip: For best coverage, Vincent recommends applying with your fingertips. And for the eyes, try Multi-Tasker Treatment Concealer. It diminishes dark circles, reduces puffiness and smoothes fine lines.

Price: Hydrating Tint, $43; Multi-Tasker Treatment Concealer, $39

Special: Receive 15% off with promo code ASKMELISSA. Valid through Dec. 31, 2009.

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LORAC Croc Palette

How about four best-selling eye shadows and a natural, rosy blush in one portable compact? Talk about a steal! LORAC’s versatile champagne and bronze shadows go casual or glam and are Debra Messing’s palette of choice when she walks the red carpet. These shades look great on any skin tone, and founder and makeup artist Carol Shaw uses pure ingredients to baby delicate skin.

Tip: Transitioning from day to night? Shaw sweeps suede on lids with a fluffy brush and even smudges it along the upper and lower lash lines with a wet or dry thin angle brush for drama.

Price: $36

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Kimara Ahnert Liquid Liner

We’ve heard of mascara that elongates the lashes, but liquid eyeliner? Makeup artist Kimara Ahnert recently reformulated her liquid eyeliner with marine algae to stimulate lash growth and fullness. Added bonus? The liner is water-resistant and comes in unique colors other than the standard black and brown—think sterling, cognac and blueberry.

Tip: Ahnert likes to use an angled brush like her #5 Eyeliner Brush. Just dab the brush on the tip of the applicator sponge. For a casual look, she recommends her eye-shadow primer, Eye Fix, plus your pressed powder, rather than colored eye shadow.

Price: Liquid Liner, $26; #5 Eyeliner Brush, $28; Eye Fix, $26

Special: Receive 15% off with promo code ASKMEL15

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Mommy Makeup Mommy’s Kisses

With her lip liner lost at the bottom of her diaper bag one too many times, founder and makeup artist Debra Rubin-Roberts created this lip liner/lip gloss duo as part of her multitasking product line for busy moms and others on the go. The lip liner (no sharpening required) clicks into the lip gloss handle, while the lip gloss barrel sits on the other end. And the gloss keeps lips moisturized but not sticky. Duos come in 11 shades.

Tip: Just because it’s called a lip liner does not mean you draw a line. Rubin-Roberts recommends making small horizontal dashes, filling in a quarter to half of your lips, then feathering on the lipgloss for a more blended look.

Price: $24, or three for $59

Special: Receive 15% off with promo code ASKMEL. Through December 31, 2009.

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Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pot

Ditch the powder eye shadow and try this gel formula, which can be used to either line the eye at the lash roots (with the small end of the #28 Smudge and Line Brush) or smudge as a shadow with your finger for the smoky-eye look. Stila makeup artist Dominick Briguglio used it for just that on the runway models for the spring 2010 Walter show. Comes in three bold shades.

Tip: To complete the look, use a subtler color on the lips so that your eyes draw all the attention. Briguglio recommends using SPF Shine Lip Color in Traci paired with Lip Glaze in Praline or any clear lipgloss.

Price: Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pot, $20; #28 Smudge and Line Brush, $32; SPF Shine Lip Color, $22; Lip Glaze, $22

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L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Makeup

It feels like liquid, finishes like powder and gives you flawless natural coverage—all for a great price! Makeup artist Mel Rau, who has prettied up Paulina Porizkova, Heidi Klum, Julianne Moore and Ashley Judd, recommends this product as foundation, powder and concealer. In a travel friendly compact with a mirror and an application sponge, True Match is oil free and SPF 17, and comes in 18 shades.

Tip: Rau uses the application sponge to cover blemishes but recommends investing in a great retractable lip brush (L’Oreal Paris, Stila or Shiseido) to apply around the eyes and nose and above the lip line for fuller lips.

Price: $12.95

Purchase L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Makeup

Get Lauren Conrad’s “Makeup-Less” Look

Conrad seems to have perfected the art of looking like she’s not wearing makeup. Makeup artist Amy Nadine tells us how she created Lauren’s sun-kissed look for the spring 2010 Rebecca Minkoff show using only pocketbook friendly mark products.

EYES:

Cover eyelids with mark I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Polished, $6

Line the eye at the lash with mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Liner in Cleo, $5.50

Accentuate lashes with mark Scanda-Lash Hook-Up Mascara in Blacklash, $5.50

FACE:

Apply mark Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15 in Buff/Natural, $8.00

Highlight under eyes and above cheekbones with mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter in Light, $6.00

Dust under cheekbones, temples, along hairline and under jaw line with mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder in Pro Glow, $9.00

Apply to apples of cheeks mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush Custom Color Palette in Chica, $7.00

LIPS:

Apply mark Chic Duet Color and Shine Lip Gloss in Halo Baby, $6.00

Purchase Lauren Conrad’s “Makeup-Less” Look