First, to choose the right blush – really any kind of makeup, you need to understand your skin tone. Not what you want your skin tone to be, like I did for years, but what your skin tone actually is. We aren’t talking about color, but tone – what colors are underneath and cast by your skin. I learned the difference between cool and dark from the amazing Chad Hayduk, Co-Founder of Three Custom Color Specialists. Read all about my lesson and see the video here on You Tube.  At any rate, he has a few tips to help you determine once and for all which skin tone you rock.

You probably have cool tones if you:

• have a pinkish cast to your skin, especially in cold weather
• you have more blue veins than green veins in your inner wrist
• you burn easily in the sun
• you have a bluish cast to your skin

You probably have warm tones if you:

• have a greenish cast to your skin, especially in cold weather
• you have more green veins than blue veins in your inner wrist
• you tan easily in the sun
• you have a chocolate tone to your skin

(for more information and some great pictures, visit Three Custom’s infographic)

All of that too complicated? Chad suggest that you lightly pinch your cheeks and see what color you naturally flush and match accordingly. And some shades really do work on all skin tones because they are so neutral. Chad suggests looking for a cheek stain that will allow your own natural skin color to shine through. Mathew Nigara, NYC New York Color makeup artist, suggests that a peachy toned blush with golden highlights, such as NYC New York Color Blushable Creme stick in South Street Seashell. Hardcore beauty junkies will note that NARS Orgasm blush also fits that bill as well as makeup artist Susan Posnick’s COLORME blush in Cameila.

Mathew also suggests to pay attention to the depth of the color when making your decision. Says Mathew,

a woman with darker skin will not want a blush that is soft in color or muted.  She will need to find a blush that is very vivid in order for it to tread on her complexion. The opposite is true for a woman with very fair skin. She WILL need a soft blush so that it won’t overpower the face.   A good general rule would be to match the intensity of blush color to the depth of color of the skin.  For fair color skin, the color should be softer and for deeper color skin, the blush should be more rich and/or electric.

In other words, the darker your skin color, the more interesting your color choices! Very fair people will find that many colors will be too much, or just too overwhelming.

Next, your blush application should depend on the shape of your face. While all face shapes look good with color on the apples of the cheeks, Susan Posnick has some great pointers on some basic application techniques for three different face shapes:

• Narrow faces: apply the blush straight across on the cheek. Pretend to draw a line downward from the pupil of the eye and apply the blush from that point onto the apple of the cheek straight back to the ear.
• Round faces: apply the blush or bronzer in a triangle shape with the narrow part of the triangle on the apple of the cheek and the wide part extending from the top of the ear to just below the bottom of the ear.
• Square faces: apply the blush or bronzer in more of a ‘comma’ shape from the apple of the cheek working up to outside of the eye area onto the temples.  A little bronzer along the sides of the jawline will also soften this face shape.

Where does bronzer fit into all of this? The best use of bronzer is for contouring the face, especially in the hollow of the cheeks. Says Mathew, “applying bronzer underneath the cheekbone and under the chin if needed, to conceal a bit of aging is great. She should apply it before the foundation for the most natural results.” Susan suggests that “bronzer can be your ‘best friend’ when it comes to adding warmth to the skin and creating the illusion of a different face shape.”

Highlighting or luminizing is also an important step, especially on the very top of your cheekbones, above your blush color. Benefit’s Watt’s Up, Estee Lauder’s Illuminator, and Femme Couture’s Baked Highlighter (available at Sally Beauty) are three that are in heavy rotation here.

A few blushes to play with that I can highly recommend are here in this nifty slideshow. Tarte’s new Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush is simply amazing, and has a full line to choose from including both matte and shimmer shades. Manna Kadar Cosmetics is a new line that has two beautiful formulas, matte and pearlized, that blend beautifully. Perfekt’s Cheek Perfector is a perfect neutral that allows your skin to show through, and Sue Devitt’s new Gel to Powder Blush is simply amazing, and works great as a bronzer for lighter skin shades. Drugstore fanatics should try Maybelline’s new Dream Bouncy Blush, a high tech formula that applies wonderfully, and natural cosmetic devotees should try Josie Maran’s Argan Color Stick, made with organic argan oil.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Frisky

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Blushing Bride

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Amused

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Natural Beauty

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Flush

Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush

Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel

Sue Devitt Microquatic Gel to Powder Blush

Sue Devitt Microquatic Gel to Powder Blush

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

Manna blush

Manna Blush

Josie Maran Argan Color Stick

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

• Beauty With Attitude reviews some new lip butters and lip balms. Check them out!!
• Gia shares pictures and her opinions of Jessica’s Bridal collection – the much more affordable versions of Chanel’s Spring collection – along with some Cult Nails and Sally Hansen polishes she loves for mid-mani refreshers!
• Pastels are in for spring, and while Retrodiva isn’t much of a pastel girl, she takes a look at this season’s best pastel nail polish – a great way to wear the trend.
• Jessika from polish insomniac goes back in time to show your her favorite Essie’s!
• BlushingNoir is hosting a giveaway where TWO winners will receive a set of Stila Nail Polishes and a Plumping Lip Gloss from Victoria’s Secret! Open internationally!
• Glitter.Gloss.Garbage has your beauty must haves for summer travel!
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom is a fan of purples – especially when they look like Salon Perfect Purple Sorbet!
• Beauty Info Zone wants you to see the latest and greatest from Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics.
• lola’s secret beauty blog exposes celebrity makeup artist Susan Thompson & her eponymously named cosmetics line that is far too good to remain a Hollywood insider secret!
• Hello Dollface tries some oral care that will get you excited about brushing your teeth!
• Phyrra is having a big giveaway for her 4th Blog Anniversary. Enter to win!
• Perilously Pale is thinking she needs to give drugstore items a chance more often when she shares with you swatches of five Revlon Colorburst lipglosses including Papaya, and Strawberry. Hungry anyone?
• Miss L shows one of her new favorite pink nail polishes and cute mani with flowers.
• Lipgloss Break Reviews Jessica Cosmetics Heavy Petal Spring 2012 collection.
• Spontaneous Chick gives a tutorial on how to do a leopard eye shadow.
• BeautyXpose reviews the latest high shine lip glosses from Smashbox: Shades of Fame.
• Curls N Pearls reviews Vincent Longo’s – check out this post for a breakdown of pros and cons.
• BeautyJudy provides advice and tips on how to successfully represent your blog and personal brand at beauty trade shows and events.
• The Beauty Professor gives a glowing review to Guerlain Terracotta Gloss in Sable…summertime is here!
• Pammy Blogs Beauty says Buh-bye to Frizz with Marc Anthony’s Bye. Bye. Frizz Keratin Smoothing Line. Be sure to check out her review!
• Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful shows a new way to make minerals more user-friendly & is giving one away to readers!

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

Versace Yellow Diamond

Versace Yellow Diamond

It’s hard to articulate what this fragrance conjures up for me. I think of spring, of the orange trees I used to smell and see in California. It’s light and crystalline, certainly, but has a bit of depth that surprised me. I think it’s the musk, but it’s not a dirty fragrance at all – it’s very clean and almost pure.

The eau de toilette is available in a 1.7 ounce or a three ounce bottle, a lotion, and various different sets, and you can find it at Nordstrom.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

ghd have created the ultimate in flawless 1920s glamour in their limited edition the ghd scarlet, transforming the classic black styler with opulent red accents and a luxurious art deco styled bag to carry around your ghd flat irons. 

To launch the collection, Katy Perry, face of ghd and the epitome of modern style and fashion has been given a ‘20s make over bringing to life the decadence and sophistication of the time. Katy is immortalized as a mystical Snow White for the Scarlet Collection campaign, shot by world renowned photographer David LaChapelle.

With fast heating and curved plates it is incredibly easy to recreate hairstyles of the 1920s, such as the iconic finger waves or poker straight bob which is guaranteed to make a statement.

ghd is well renowned as one of the best hair styling manufacturers- being heralded as the “Aston Martin of Haircare” and has been named as the ultimate styling gadget in the Readers kiss of approval Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2011 for the ninth consecutive year.

The ghd scarlet can only be purchased for a limited time only from the ghd US website- providing free delivery and a two year guarantee. For your own slice of the 20s, these hair straighteners retail at $225.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

If you have never attended The Makeup Show, it’s well worth the trip. Currently, the show is held yearly in NYC, LA, Berlin, Chicago, and Orlando. Every year it just keeps getting bigger and bigger, which means the learning opportunities are more and more. Here are a few photos from my trip to The Makeup Show this year in New York City.

Temptu at The Makeup Show NYC

Seminar at The Makeup Show NYC

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics at The Makeup Show NYC

Ruby Kisses bronzer at The Makeup Show NYC

Naked Cosmetics at The Makeup Show NYC

More Mario Badescu at The Makeup Show NYC

Nail Fraud at The Makeup Show NYC

Menaji Skin Care at The Makeup Show NYC

Mario Badescu at The Makeup Show NYC

Make Up For Ever at The Makeup Show NYC

Make Up For Ever seminar at The Makeup Show NYC

Kevyn Aucoin at The Makeup Show NYC

Make Up For Ever Academy

Demonstration at The Makeup Show NYC by Chic Studios NYC

Eyelashes at Nigel Beauty Supply via The Makeup Show NYC

Eyelashes at the Inglot boot at The Makeup Show NYC

Body painting by Mehron at The Makeup Show NYC

Crown Brush at The Makeup Show NYC-1

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar at The Makeup Show NYC

Body painting at the Stila Cosmetics booth | The Makeup Show NYC

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

• Gia of Bottles and Bottles of Polish shares tons of pictures of the cutex 5 minute manicure set from 1930 she found, and the pamphlet that came with it showing how to give yourself the perfect manicure.
• This week, Beauty-with-Attitude reviews some new Hypoallergenic Makeup. Stay tuned for a giveaway!
• Retrodiva takes a look at some great new lipstick formulations just in time for spring.
• Always in search of perfect orange polishes, Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom brings you a look at the gorgeous Salon Perfect Tangy Tangerine.
• BlushingNoir shows off a laid back Summer eye look using the new NARS Trio Eyeshadow in Ramatuelle!
• Glitter.Gloss.Garbage shows off swatches of MAC Russian Red Lipstick.
• Jessika from polish insomniac shows us Lillibet’s Jubilee, a polish created by butter LONDON to honour the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne!
• Laura from My Newest Addiction creates a blinged out mani with Chanel Delight and Essie A Cut Above.
• Beauty Info Zone has an amazing giveaway for the US and Canada. Win $280 worth of Biobliss skincare and wrinkle patches. The giveaway is open until May 16th at 11:59 p.m. EST. Enter now!
• Phyrra has great photo tips for beauty bloggers.
• Are you a beauty sample junkie? Enter to win a Total Beauty Collection beauty sample box at Pammy Blogs Beauty!
• Lola from lola’s secret beauty blog is doing cartwheels because she is so thrilled by the ethereal luminescent glow that she gets from Rouge Bunny Rouge’s Seas of Illumination Highlighting Liquid in Sea of Tranquility. This is true love!
• This week, Miss L reviewed L´Oreal Volume Million Lashes Extra-Black Mascara.
• Polarbelle finally managed to capture Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Moscow and is dying to show it to you.
• Michelle from Beauty Besties got high definition eyes reviewing Rimmel London Glam’eyes in Royal Blue.
• Here is Jail Bait from Spoiled Nail Polish, a bright orange manicure at a drugstore price is found on Stephanie Louise- All Things Beautiful this week!
• The Lacquered Lady shows us the beautiful Hope you’re ready for summer like she is.
• This week,Beauty from Liz reviewed one of her favorite palettes by Too Faced.
• Whether you are a die hard Le Metier de Beaute fan or someone who has yet to try the brand, Perilously Pale shows you why the Le Metier de Beaute Blush Kit Kaleidoscope is a MUST HAVE.
• Spontaneous Chick discusses the most bold and exciting Summer 2012 beauty trends.
• Looking for an evening serum that actually works? Beauty Professor shares her simple nightly routine involving Sunday Riley Modern Skincare’s Good Genes!.
• The Stepford Witch shows you swatches of a wonderful everyday lip color – Vendanges Lipstick from the NARS Summer 2012 Collection.
• The Beauty Delicacy snags htf Revlon CustomEyes Shadow + Liner Beach Beauty.
• Blondycandy shows how to achieve Scarlett Johansson’s Vogue cover look using Smashbox products.
• Micheleista, The Beauty Hunter is ready for summer with Giorgio Armani Summer 2012 collection. Hope you’re ready for summer like she is.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

The Makeup Show 2012

The Makeup Show 2012

The Makeup Show 2012

The Makeup Show 2012

I’ll be bringing you more from the show as it happens, so be sure to check back often!

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

To begin, Stephen used tarte’s Amazonian Clay waterproof concealer to even out Hailee’s complexion. He then used tarte’s airbrush finish bamboo foundation brush to buff in Amazonian clay 12 hour full coverage foundation with broad spectrum SPF to create a flawless complexion. He then brushed tarte’s Amazonian clay 12 hour blush in exposed, a warm nude, on the apples of her cheeks and along her cheekbones.

On the eyes, he applied Amazonian clay waterproof cream eyeshadow in plum smoke on her lids. To add further definition, he used tarte’s smolderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liner in bronze along her lash lines to make her eyes pop. He finished by lining her eyes in tarte’s Amazonian clay waterproof liner in black. For extra volume, Stephen used two coats of lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 clinically proven mascara.

To complete the look, Stephen used LipSurgence matte lip tint in lucky, then added major shine with tarte’s new maracuja divine shine lip gloss in glisten.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

• Start by sectioning the hair into three ponytails, one at the front of the head, slightly off to the side, one at the crown of the head, slightly off to the opposite side and the last one at the nape of the neck, slightly off to the same side as the section at the front of the head
• For each ponytail, twist from the end and wrap around itself into a loose bun, pinning to secure and gently tugging on pieces to achieve an “undone” look.
• Hold the look in place with Motions Light Hold Working Spritz ($3.99; most mass retailers)

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

To get started, Steven used tarte’s clean slate flawless 12 hour brightening primer to prep Amy’s face. Using tarte’s airbrush finish bamboo foundation brush, he buffed in tarte’s Amazonian clay 12 hour full coverage foundation with broad spectrum SPF 15 in light for a perfect satin finish.

Next, Steven swirled tarte’s Amazonian clay 12 hour blush in blushing bride, a plummy pink, on Amy’s cheeks, followed by a light layer of marajuca blush & glow brightening luminizer and cheek tint in candlelight on her cheekbones to create radiance and a subtle sheen.

On the eyes, Steven started with a soft wash of shimmering golden peach from tarte’s neutralEYES eye shadow palette volume 2 on Amy’s lids. To add further definition he applied tarte’s Amazonian clay waterproof cream eye shadow in plum smoke along her lashlines and into her creases. He finished by lining her eyes with multiplEYE clinically proven lash enhancing liquid liner and drawing outward to create a cat eye. For extra dramatic lashes, Steven applied two coats of lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 clinically proven mascara.

On Amy’s lips, Steven applied tarte’s new glamazon pure performance lipstick in wild (available exclusively at Sephora beginning in July, 2012) to make her lips pop.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

Sally Hansen has a new formula out, Smooth and Perfect (seen here in Whisper, a light lilac). It was released in some beautiful spring shades, and is a opaque pastel creme. Went on perfectly and the color was true. Available at Drugstore.com for $5.50.

You can always count on Essie for amazing pastels. Their Wedding Collection has two beautiful pastels, a pink and blue. Above is the blue, called Borrowed and Blue. It’s even lovelier in person. Available at Nordstrom for $8.

Lancome’s new Vernis in Love Tonight is My Night is a really lovely pink. Available exclusively at Nordstrom, I can’t help but want to pair this with a seafoam green for some reason. $15.

A mint like this one! Pop Beauty, a brand that just doesn’t get a lot of recognition, has some gorgeous colors. Available at Beauty.com for $10.

And finally, how about this springy yellow by Julep? Talk about a sunny yellow – I’m pretty sure it’s hard to be grumpy with this on your tips. Julep is a fun new company that I’ve written about before – they have the Julep maven program, which gives you colors each month as well as manicure sets that make it super easy. The shades are pigmented and lovely.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

• Jeanie at Midnight Manicures brings you of many new beauty, skincare and haircare products launched or launching on QVC in the next few months.
• Laura at My Newest Addiction shared her favorite productsfrom April 2012.
• Sara is READY at Beauty Beginner to share a periwinkle and purple look using bareMinerals.
• Lola from lola’s secret beauty blog decided to step outside of her Hakuhodo brush comfort zone and try the Rouge Bunny Rouge Large Eye Shader Brush, and she’s so happy that she did!
• Phyrra gives you the ultimate How to Care for Colored Hair Guide.
• Polarbelle has a giveaway you can win featuring Hydroxatone AM/PM Anti-Wrinkle Complex and Declatone Neck & Decolette’ Complex. Enter to win!
• This week, Beauty Professor shares her love for Rouge Bunny Rouge Fleur Parfait Glassy Gloss.
• This week, Miss L shows her mani with cute water decals and shares a video tutorial how she applies them.
• This week, BeautyJudy gives a round up Mysterious Curse and Grave Mistake.
• It’s back!  Jessika from polish insomniac gives us a heads up on this year’s Sephora Sun Safety Kit!
• This week, Curls N Pearls shares a quick, easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your updo.
• Get ready to unleash your wild side! See what The Makeup Divas shares about the new LORAC Wild For TANtalizer Collection.
• Spontaneous Chick has a OCC Lip Tar Review featuring a gorgeous blue color found at the OCC event in NYC.
• Great palettes, cute polish, and more! Pammy Blogs Beauty shares her favorite products for the month of April 2012 in her Star Products post. Be sure to check it out!
• Beauty and Fashion Tech Kicks off a month of beauty tips with help from 45 other bloggers in the 30 Days of Beauty series. Visit daily through the month of May!
• Some faves Beauty-with-attitude Shares her Laura Geller faves Be sure to check it out!l.
• Beauty Info Zone has fallen in love with Le Metier de Beaute’s5 spring pink lipsticks. Once you see them it will be hard to pick out a favorite.
• The Lacquered Lady shares one of her best kept summer hair secrets!
• Gia shares one of her favorite old polishes, topped with a holographic konad design, plus gives you a chance to win a bottle of it and more!
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom shows off two of the ORLY Dark Shadows limited edition polishes Mysterious Curse and Grave Mistake.
• It’s back!  Jessika from polish insomniac gives us a heads up on this year’s Sephora Sun Safety Kit!
• Retrodiva compares the new Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee to a cool Scandinavian night.
• This week, Curls N Pearls shares a quick, easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your updo.
• Get ready to unleash your wild side! See what The Makeup Divas shares about the new LORAC Wild For TANtalizer Collection.
• Spontaneous Chick has a OCC Lip Tar Review featuring a gorgeous blue color found at the OCC event in NYC.
• Great palettes, cute polish, and more! Pammy Blogs Beauty shares her favorite products for the month of April 2012 in her Star Products post. Be sure to check it out!
• Beauty and Fashion Tech Kicks off a month of beauty tips with help from 45 other bloggers in the 30 Days of Beauty series. Visit daily through the month of May!
• Some faves Beauty-with-attitude Shares her Laura Geller faves Be sure to check it out!l.
• Beauty Info Zone has fallen in love with Le Metier de Beaute’s5 spring pink lipsticks. Once you see them it will be hard to pick out a favorite.
• The Lacquered Lady shares one of her best kept summer hair secrets!
• Gia shares one of her favorite old polishes, topped with a holographic konad design, plus gives you a chance to win a bottle of it and more!
• The Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Summer 2012 Terra Azzurra Collection had Perilously Pale swooning. In an exercise up utmost restraint she purchased only one item from the collection. I wonder what it was?

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

But what should you do to avoid this problem when you are enjoying a holiday? Luckily there are some brands on the market that offer lighter formulas with ingenious designs to ensure that your skin is left looking illuminated and glowing, rather than heavy and overdone. So, teamed with some awesome beach accessories, my holiday wish list would be:

• Alexander McQueen Stepney Tote Bag – perfect for cramming my beach read, sunglasses and sun cream into, the Stepney bag is rocking this seasons trend – neon, and will look glamorous by the pool.
• Estee Lauder Daywear Tinted Moisturiser – light and illuminating, this creamy formula glides onto the skin to boost radiance and even skin tone. Gone is the patchy foundation look and in its place, a glowing goddess!
• Chloe EDP – to leave you smelling fresh, Chloe’s signature scent is light and delicate and will turn heads as you pass.
• Herve Leger Bandage Bikini – Draw attention to yourself in this neon bandage bikini – super flattering to all body shapes and bang on trend for spring summer 2012.
• Laura Mercier Lip Gloss – Add a shine to your lips to finish off your look with a fantastic range of colours to suit all skin tones.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

First up is Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Natural (seen here in #N34/Candy Pink). This is Rouge Artist Intense‘s cute and friendly little sister. Fun colors in a moisturizing base without being as pigmented as Artist Intense. Great for day wear and when your lips need a little extra boost in the softening department. As always, Make Up For Ever has some amazing shades. $19 at Sephora.

Next is Lancome’s new Rouge in Love (seen here in 340B/Rose Boudoir). This is a long lasting formula that isn’t heavy or cakey, and it won’t stain your lips, either. I got a good four hours out of it, and that includes eating, drinking, and maybe a kiss or two. They have so many shades that they have categorized them into three different “moods”: Jolis Matins, fun day shades that have the letter “M” in the shade number; Boudoir Time, which are pop shades for “cocktail hour” and these have “B” in the shade number; and finally, Tonight Is My Night, the most intense shades in the collection, identified by the letter “N” in the shade number. Retails at $25 at department stores and Sephora.

Last, but certainly not least is Cover Girl’s new Flipstick Blast, a dual color combo in one stick. I chose Vixen, which is a creamy mauve on one end, and a shimmery lighter mauve on the other. You can mix and match these shades. Wear one, then wear the other, or use the two shades to create a perfectly matched ombre lip! I haven’t perfected that technique yet, but Cover Girl makes it easy with this product. Retails at about $6.99 at drugstores and Drugstore.com.

© 2012, Retrodiva Media. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.