11 New Best Mascaras

Eye Makeup Road Test:  11 Best Mascaras

See which eye makeup products gave TotalBeauty editors lust worthy lashes.

Mascara, for most, is one of those "desert island"-type of eye makeup products -- meaning many women tout it as the one thing they absolutely can't go without. Whether or not you would pack it for your Gilligan adventure, we're sure you'd agree that it's a makeup bag staple. Why? Because it almost effortlessly makes you look more awake and feminine, of course.

We here at Total Beauty like to think of mascara as a magical invention, capable of creating the illusory effect of a full eight hours of sleep, a low-stress day, or even fabulous genetics. Basically, we take mascara seriously. That's why we think it's important to test a vast array of eye makeup brands from the drugstore to the beauty counter and beyond in order to share which are true winners -- the mascaras capable of great lengths, volume and curling capabilities to boot.

Before checking which mascaras we love in this eye makeup roundup, see these quick application tips courtesy of Chuck Hezekiah, national makeup artist for Maybelline New York. He claims there are some common eye makeup application errors most women make that can easily be avoided with these simple tricks and techniques:

• If you have a traditional brush wand, improve lash separation while applying mascara by moving the wand in a swift, zig-zag fashion from lash root to tip as opposed to one sweeping motion.
• We know you're usually in a rush, but take the time to dab the tip of your mascara on a tissue to get rid of the glob that tends to form there. This will keep you from getting uneven, goopy product distribution -- especially on those shorter lashes.
• If you use a lash primer, particularly a white one, wait 10-30 seconds for the primer to dry, then apply your mascara. This keeps the black color of your mascara from turning gray.
 
By Anna Jimenez

See the Best Mascaras Now.

Sephora Extra 20% Off

 

Get 20% off sales online items using the code EXTRA at checkout.  

This offer is valid till January 1, 2011, 11:59 PST and while supplies last.  

Sephora Smoothing Primer

Product:  Sephora Smoothing Primer is a mattifying and smoothing primer to even out the skin while reducing shine.

Price: $ $
I recieved a sample of this product free with an order I placed but normally this primer cost $15 at Sephora.

 Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Sephora's Smoothing Primer comes in a 0.05 glass bottle with a black pump.  The primer itself is clear with a gel like consistency (like Smashbox Photo Finish)

Claim:  Improves foundation application while minimizing skin imperfections. Makeup lasts longer and skin is left velvety smooth with a matte finish. What else you need to know: Glide this wonder gel over skin before applying foundation to matify, smooth, perfect, and prep your skin for the a perfect foundation application. It can be mixed with a liquid foundation for a lighter coverage and to create an even skintone. Ideal for combination-oily skin types.

Ingredients:  Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.

Pros:

• Light Weight
• Smoothing
• A Little Goes A Long Way
• Has a Pump

Cons:

• Not As Mattifying

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
This is the first time I've tried Sephora's Smoothing Primer.  When I first tried this I immediately thought of Smashbox PhotoFinish.  It has a similar consistency, as it is a clear gel-like product.  It applied  easily and left my face feeling very smooth and a little bit more even in texture.  I didn't have to use too much in order to do my whole face.  Of all it's claims I didn't think it was as mattifying as I had hoped.  It is more mattifying compred to Photo Finish but not as much as other mattifying primers I've used (L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base, Dr. Brandt Pores No More).  The packaging is also nice as it comes with a pump so you can control how much you use.  I think this primer would work for any skin type and the price is reasonable.  It's definitely worth a try for anyone looking for a good face primer.

Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleansing Cloths

Product: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleansing Cloths is an oversized cleansing cloths that take simplicity to a new level.

Price: $ $ $
You can buy this product at Sephora for $20.  At $0.44 per cloth, it's on the more expensive end for cleansing cloths.  I got a couple of samples free with an order I placed with Sephora. 

Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦
45 soft cleansing clothes that come in a white plastic pack that comes with an opening on top to pull out the cloths.  Each cloth is 8x5 inches long.

Claim:  These convenient, disposable cloths deliver everything you love about the original Purity Made Simple cleanser in a mess-free, travel-friendly format. Quickly swipe away dirt, makeup, and oil for perfectly clean skin—no need to rinse! Now you can take purity with you on the go, in your purse, gym bag, or travel bag.

Ingredients:  Water/Aqua/Eau, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Betaine, Sorbitan Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Dilauryl Citrate, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Guaiacum (Guaiacum Officinale) Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Methylisothiazolinone.

Pros:

• Removes Makeup Easily
• No Need to Rinse After Use

Cons:

• Don't Like the Scent
• Leaves a Burning Sensation After Use
• High Price

Final Verdict:  ♥ ♥
This was my first try at a Philosophy product and unfortunately, I was disappointed.  In a pack you get 45 cleansing cloths.  You get more cloths then most other brand of cleansing cloths (drugstore or otherwise).  The price is still high even for the amount you're getting.  There's also a mild scent to the cloths.  It's a mixture of roses and citrus, which I didn't think was a good combination.  It wasn't bothersome but it could have been better.  The cloths themselves work will as far as removing dirt, oil, and makeup.  It took my makeup off easily without any hard rubbing, including my mascara.  The problem is that after using these cloths you start to feel a burning sensation.  Even on the packaging it gives the caution: mild tingling may occur upon initial application.  It wasn't the case at all.  Initial, it felt fine and I was happy with how well it cleaned but then it started to burn.  It was  a slow burn.  It was especially bad around my eyes.  Philosophy claims that it's gentle enough for even the eye area but it sure didn't feel that way.  I will say that I do have slightly sensitive skin on my face.  Maybe for someone else it might only be a slight tingling, but I don't think it should have any side effects what so ever.  It meant well but I don't recommend this product.

Hello Kitty at Sephora

This weekend Sephora is having a private sale for Beauty Insiders for a Hello Kitty Collection. The collection consist of both beauty products and tools.  If you are a lover of Hello Kitty, it's worth checking out.  The collection will be back in Mid -January for sale for everyone.  If your not a Beauty Insider, it's easy to sign up and it's free.  Just visit a Sephora store or Online

The 18 Best Facial Cleansers

The 18 Best Facial Cleansers

When it comes to the art of face washing, us ladies take it pretty seriously. We carefully select our skin care products and practically give ourselves a facial in the a.m. and p.m.. We do this ritual in the morning to look and feel refreshed and awake (even when we likely got less than six hours of sleep). And then we wash the day off of our faces in the evening, removing all traces of makeup, as well as any dirt and excess oil. But a cleanser is a cleanser, right? Don't they all do the same job? Hardly. Our readers gave us their two cents about which cleansers made their faces squeaky clean -- without leaving their skin feeling like the Sahara. What product was ranked No. 1 by TotalBeauty.com readers?

See the 18 Best Facial Cleansers now to find out.

FOTD: Berry Merry Christmas

A Holiday Look using Shades of Gold/Cranberry/Plum using Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette

Face:

Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Op

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer #2

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Revlon ColorStay Press Powder

ELF Studio Blush in Mellow Mauve

NYC Bronzing Powder in Bronze Gold

Lips:

MAC Prep + Prime Lip

MAC Viva Glam V

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

 Inner 1/3 of Lid: G1/F2

Lid Color: H9/G8

Crease: G8/H8

Outer V: H11

Highlight: A10

Maybelline Waterproof Liquid E/L in Black

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara

FOTD: Golden Holly

My Holiday Inspired Look using Gold & Green

 Face:

Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Op

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

E.L.F Studio Blush in Candid Coral

NYC Bronzing Powder in Bronze Gold

Lips:

Urban Decay Lip Primer

Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

Victoria Secrets Matte L/S in Pretty

Cargo L/G in Luxor

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

UD E/S in Sin on Browbone

UD E/S in Mowie Wowie on Inner 1/3 of Eyes

UD E/S in Mildew on Middle 1/3 of Eyes

UD E/S in  Last Call on Crease

Tarte E/S in Vibrant Forest Grass on Outer 1/3 & Crease

Maybelline Waterproof Liquid E/L on Top Lash Line in Black

Tarte Long-wearing  E/L on Bottom Lash Line in Jade

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara

Friends & Family Discount

 Urban Decay Friends & Family Discount: Use Code 1FFNF

Tarte Friends & Family Discount: Use Code FFDEC

19 Best Face Moisturizers

19 Best Face Moisturizers

Find the perfect product for you, whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive or somewhere in between

Depending on your skin type, moisturizer is either a take-it-or-leave-it product or a can't-live-without-it item. But in reality, nearly all skin types can benefit from some sort of moisturizer.

Dry skin types can certainly attest to this. Without their daily dose of hydration their skin would be flaky, itchy and tight. Luckily, this list of the best face moisturizers includes products that deliver intense hydration that lasts all day without causing breakouts or greasiness.

Oily skin types might use moisturizer less often, but they actually need it just as much. Because people with oily or acne prone skin often put drying products on, their skin may start to produce more oil to balance it out (yikes!). But using a light moisturizer (even one with oil-control properties) can help keep skin in balance and actually cause it to produce less oil over time. Thankfully, this list also has light moisturizers that are perfect for oily skin -- they don't cause breakouts or extra shine but do offer some hydration.

And if you have sensitive skin, you know that a good moisturizer can calm redness or flare ups of skin issues like eczema. Most sensitive skin will benefit from a basic moisturizer without a lot of added chemicals or preservatives, and there are plenty of products that fit that bill perfectly on this list.

So check it out here and we're sure you'll find the right product for your skin.

By Sarah Carrillo