Smeared lipstick, the result of fervent kisses, is mindlessly hot. An accidental lipstick stain on a collar tells quite an untold story. And what is more glamorous than sealing a letter with a kiss? Lipstick makes a statement. Adorning your lips with color or with a lack there of creates a mood, and speaks volumes as lipstick can say, “I’m confident” or “I’m in love”, or is this case, as with this week’s beauty picks, “Bésame!”

Bésame’s VOLUPTUOUS Lipticks are this week’s beauty picks and for good reason.
There are three distinctly timeless, and ever so practical, lipstick shades in the VOLUPTUOUS Lip Colour collection: Rapture Rose – A pink with blue undertones; soft and luminous with a glossy finish. Champagne – A glossy neutral with a touch of shimmer and a warm buttery base, and Red Velvet – A vibrant warm red with a satin finish. Bésame’s lipsticks are formulated with rose waxes and flower essences that keep lips smooth and moisturized.

Each Voluptuous Lip Colour set contains:
• A pigment rich Voluptuous Lip Colour lipstick encased in a high gloss enamel tube
• A velvety travel sleeve for the lipstick
• A matching automatic lip pencil
• A detailed lipstick application guide
• A hand crafted lipstick brush ergonomically designed to fit perfectly between your thumb and forefinger for a precise application.

My absolute favorite of the bunch is RED VELVET. It is a wonderful red lipstick that doesn’t feather or bleed, and I know come fall and winter, I’ll be sporting this shade EVERYWHERE! I also love Bésame’s Art Deco inspired packaging, makes me feel right out of the 1920s, like I should have a flask hidden in my garter belt, and all that jazz. I have to say, these are some SEXY ASS LIPSTICKS!!! Get yours now, and everyday can be a Bésame day!!

REVIEW:
Cost: $35 for a 4 Piece Set
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to Buy: BesameCosmetics.com
(Pre-order only. Shipping in July 2009. All pre-orders will receive a special gift!)

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

This week’s picks are inspired by the cosmetics giant, Max Factor, which recently announced the company is going to start phasing out its line of American products in 2010 due to the changing economic times, and to focus on other more lucrative Proctor and Gamble brands. However, Max Factor will continue to be sold globally.

The historical relevance of Max Factor spans back to an early cosmetics industry dominated by the Elizabeth Ardens and Helena Rubensteins. Max Factor was able to carve his niche in the business by creating camera ready makeup for Hollywood movie actresses like Jean Harlow and Bette Davis. His international acclaim came from his ability to transform the everyday woman into a Hollywood Glamazon, and with endorsements by some of Hollywood’s greatest names such as Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe, he quickly gained success with his line of drugstore beauty products, and the rest is history. This week’s picks: Max Factored - Get These MF Picks Before they are Going, Going, Gone, pay homage to a bygone economy and era, and to the one man who made Hollywood glamour our own: Max Factor.

PICK 1: Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor in Ms. Right Now - $8.97
Ms. Right Now is the prefect blue red, and so the “it” color for Fall/Winter 2009. Its creamy formula glides on easily and is smooth in consistency, and is a real steal for only $8.97!!

TIP: Wear during the day with LIGHT makeup, (LIGHT means VERY LITTLE or NO eye shadow/liner/mascara on the eyes, no heavy foundation, powders, blushes/bronzers on the skin). Heavy makeup with red lipstick during the day looks dated, so for a modern look, think sheer hints of color on the skin complemented by creamy red lipstick, like Grace Kelly; clean, simple, and classy.

PICK 2: Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipcolor in Hipster - $8.97
I had to write about Hipster because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE its deep, purply-red shade. Gothic, grunge, emo, chola, whatever you want to call it, it is a moody color that will bring out the tortured artist/hipster/gansta in those that dare to wear, and is definitely guaranteed to draw a lot of attention.

PICK 3: Max Factor Moody Mint Vivid Impact Eyeshadow Duo - $7.99
Speaking of moody, I especially like the Moody Mint Eyeshadow Duo because its foam tip smudge applicator makes it easy to blend, apply, and layer. You also get two great and very workable shades of green for less than $4.00, which is totally a good deal in my opinion.

TIP: Using dark green shadow is a great new take on the smokey eye. Pair with black liner, lots of mascara, and a red lipstick like Ms. Right Now, and you’ll have that perfect neo-retro eighties look down pat! So haute!!

PICK 4: Max Factor Lash Perfection Waterproof Volume Couture Mascara in Rich Black - $7.99
Max Factor’s Lash Perfection Volume Couture Mascara was chosen as the official mascara of Milan Fashion Week. That marketing statement means very little to me, but what does mean a lot to me is that this WATERPROOF mascara really volumizies and separates lashes without clumping, and that is a super valuable asset, particularly important during the summer months, and for my favorite things, such as a long night of dancing!

REVIEW:
Cost: $4.99 - $9.99
Value: Good
Accessibility and Where to Buy: Drugstores until supplies run out in 2010

I was recently discussing highlighters with my homegirl Jessica when I came up with this week’s picks. Highlighters are an amazing cosmetics tool that can alter the ways in which we see light and shadows, and therefore can create the appearance of younger looking skin. And I am all about that these days, especially since I am a woman in my thirties, an ex-smoker, and someone who should definitely get more sleep. The following, two very good highlighters at two very different price points, are my picks for this week, and next week, I’ll show you how highlighters are used in face contouring (a.k.a. using bronzer, blush, and a highlighter together to enhance the appearance of facial features).

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They say variety is the spice of life and I have to agree, especially when it comes to this week’s pick, Agent Provocateur’s Ménage à Trois Massage Oil set. The set includes three 30 mL bottles of rose, tuberose, and ylang ylang massage oils, making it the perfect gift for your wife, girlfriend, mistress, and bachelorettes. I love Agent Provocateur’s massage oils because they are such a nice deviation from your standard herbal massage oils. With flowery notes like rose, tuberose, and ylang ylang these massage oils provide a very sensual massage experience for all to enjoy.

TIP: You can also wear any of these oils as perfume. Dab (on wrists and neck) alone or mix with each other for a beautifully light, lingering scent.

REVIEW:
Cost: $60 (for 3 30 mL bottles)
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to Buy: AgentProvocateur.com

I have very thin, sparse eyelashes, so naturally I am obsessed with making them look bigger, fuller; better. And after years of research, trial and error, I have come to realize it is all about the wand. This week’s pick: Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, Sephora’s Atomic Volume Mascara Will do Wonders for You!, has a very cleverly designed mascara wand that creates pretty, natural looking lashes like Chanel Iman’s seen here. What makes this mascara wand so magical is that it combines two different types of bristles: Short and stubby on one side to add volume and fullness at the base (roots) of lashes, the other side is comb-like to add length, thickness, and separation. This is a great mascara because you get TWO DIFFERENT MASCARA FEATURES in ONE PRODUCT. I prefer Ultra Black, but it is offered in basic Black as well, and although the formula is not waterproof, it does last all day and doesn’t smudge. Yes, this mascara is….Atomic. Your lashes are beautiful, ohhhhhh ohhhhh tonight…;)

TIP: For best results, after you curl your lashes, apply to the base of the lashes (roots) using a wiggling motion (3-4 times to cover the lash area of one eye). Then sweep the mascara through all the lashes (about 3 times). Let the mascara dry for about 10 minutes, then curl lashes one final time.

REVIEW:
Cost: $16
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to Buy: Sephora.com, Sephora Stores

Like the finishing of a fine piece of furniture, a tan, be it natural or faux, is something of an art built in layers. And besides imparting a healthy glow, a tan makes the overall body look slimmer, and helps camouflage skin imperfections like cellulite, stretch marks, and varicose veins. This week’s pick, Lorac’s TANtalizer Award Show Glow, helps you fine tune your tan and keeps skin looking firm, smooth and supple without having to worship the sun, which we all know is woman’s #1 frienemy.

TANtalizer Award Show Glow is so great because it’s body makeup in mousse form, which does double duty as a slimming cream, and whose an anti-cellulite formula contains the slenderizing ingredient caffeine. It also has this amazing grapefruit vanilla scent that is uplifting and no doubt, very sexy. Due to the cost ($32 for a 2.5 oz. can), I reserve this product for special occasions – functions when you want your skin to look its absolute best; healthy, glowing, discreetly shimmering tan, hence Californian. As always, make sure skin is well exfoliated before using any tanning product. See my NUT & HONEY SCRUB, WINTER BODY POLISH, and SALUX BEAUTY SKIN CLOTH review for inexpensive M.I.S.S. exfoliating examples.

REVIEW:
Cost: $32 (2.5 ounces)
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to Buy: Drugstore.com (*Free Shipping and $5 off YOUR FIRST ORDER when you spend $30, or $10 Off YOUR FIRST ORDER when you spend $50) and Sephora Stores

Enjoy and stay posted for more beauty tips and picks to come next week!

I don’t know about y’all, but the warmer weather signals fun bright colors and the start of Spring parties and outings, which are bound to get the young ones into some interesting situations. And this week’s beauty post, Drama Mamas and Gossip Girls – Keep ‘em Talking with these Poppin’ Picks, includes bold spring colors that make the prefect transition into summer. Hell, like I say, if you’re gonna get caught up in the drama, you better look your best little mama. And this week’s picks and tips will help you do exactly that.
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I was dazzled by the jewels, the exotic skins; the feminine simplicity channeled into fine details and a craftsmanship only money can buy as defined by one name: CHANEL. When the M.I.S.S. Crew ladies and I visited Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique at The Encore in Las Vegas back in February, I found myself in complete and total awe of every single item I laid my eyes upon, including Chanel’s line of skincare products, of which we kindly received a sampling of. Now, if there is ANYTHING you should spend your money on cosmetically in this economy, it should be on your skin, and flawless skin by Chanel is the ultimate luxury. But let’s face it, most of us aren’t quite yet in the Chanel tax bracket, so to not break the bank, this week’s picks will also include additional price points, since beauty is attainable at all income levels. And the secret to young looking, beautiful skin is keeping it smooth and hydrated from the inside and out, which means drinking plenty of water (8-10 glasses per day), getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, protecting it from the sun (use at least an SPF 25 and wear a hat), and most importantly, using a good moisturizer. Additionally, women 25 and older will want to invest in a face cream, which is the focus of this week’s picks: Crème de la Crème - Face Cream Gets Grown and Sexy.

PICK #1: Chanel’s Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream – Universal Texture

This cream screams old world LUXURY. Heavily scented, and extremely moisturizing, it’s a face cream I imagine great divas like Marie Callas would have used after one of her magnificent shows – dabbing it on her face while draped in a silk dressing gown in her flowered filled dressing room. The cream is infused with Planifolia PFA (a plant from Madagascar) to nourish and protect the skin. Works best on very dry skin.

REVIEW:
Cost: $375 for 1.7. oz - ($220.59 per oz.)
Value: Moderate
Accessibility: Moderate
Where to Buy: Chanel.com

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There’s nothing more romantic than a good love story, and Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is one of the silver screen’s best examples. Amidst the exotic setting of Morocco, these jilted lovers find themselves in a most precarious political affair, overflowing with passion, distrust, love and sacrifice. Beautiful people, perilous times, old Hollywood, and new makeup: that is what this week’s picks from Sephora’s Moroccan Sunrise Collection are all about. And the following are my favorites from this limited edition collection:
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Michelle Kwan says she’s a “relatively normal girl” just trying to do her thing like everybody else but this lady is next level! Every Tuesday, Michelle comes at the world with new beauty picks and tips in her column M.I.S.S. Michelle’s Beauty Picks and Tips of the Week. She is always on point, puts in the time and does the research to bring our readers the latest and greatest in beauty products and we are more than proud to have her as our first Women Making History 2009 feature!

Get to know a little more about Michelle:

I love all aspects of fashion and publishing, and until recently, I worked for Time Warner in advertising, getting my start as an intern at Surface and Intersection magazines. I’ve also worked in fashion design and marketing, with clients like Chanel and Jurlique as well. For M.I.S.S., I write a weekly beauty blog called M.I.S.S. Michelle’s Beauty Picks and Tips of the Week.

I love the artistic mediums of style and fashion, culture and writing; through which, my goal is to creatively help people enjoy beautiful and healthy lifestyles. I feel inner beauty, outer beauty, self-esteem, and self confidence are all very tightly and complexly interwoven, and play a critical role in the well being of women today. The beauty blog is intended to assist women in their beauty options and purchases as there are such an overwhelming amount of competitive products in the cosmetics market. My reviews are based on my personal experiences with each product, and I carefully consider all the following when I make my assessments: Quality, value, accessibility, and pricing. I like to use a variety of products ranging in price point and accessibility, for I think beauty is attainable at all income levels, and bearing in mind the troubled state of our economy, I recently started to integrate RECESSION BUSTER Tips and Picks to represent the more discerning consumer akin to myself. I particularly like the research involved in my D.I.Y. Beauty Tips, cause if you can make it yourself and make it naturally, AND for less money, you definitely should give it a go, plus it’s fun.

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